Precious Love
a/n Yes, you are seeing clearly. No, you aren't being punked. Yes, there is a new chapter of Precious Love ready for you!
I know - seriously - I made you wait way, WAY to long for this and I'm sorry. But please take this a token and say I'm forgiven.
Yes, Precious Love is up for you to read. I was a busy girl yesterday and several chapters of several stories have been sent to the Betas. So, I'm hoping to be able to update quite a few of them this week.
As always, thank you to the lovely ladies who not only help get all the grammar right (TexasEx I love the dictionary references) but also help me keep the stories and characters straight. One would think I have multiple personalities by the way I jump from story to story. Or maybe that's just ADD. Who knows.
Don't forget about the You Want Blood voting and of course Sephrenia's Writing Contest. (BOTH LINKS ARE ON MY AUTHOR PAGE OR ON WORDPRESS SITE)
ILWE stories are up for a few of the You Want Blood categories and anything Sephrenia does I think is brilliant. So go check out both sites.
Now, I can't promise that another chapter will be up tomorrow, but I'll do my best. I do need to head outside at some point. The weather man is calling for that golden orb to show itself. I have certainly missed it.
So, thank you for your patience with this one and as always, please tell me what you think.
***0***
Chapter 37
EPOV
I watch as Susannah holds our son in her arms, cooing and sighing at the little one. Everyone around us could fade away and I wouldn't care at this moment. Watching her hold and love on our son is probably the most beautiful thing I've ever seen in my long life. I swear they are surrounded in a golden hue. Paintings, songs and sonnets are inspired by such beauty.
"My Liege," I hear Dax say.
I force myself to look away from my bride and my son and turn my attention to the rest of the room.
"I'm sorry," he says looking from me to my bride. "Aniketos has much to discuss, as do we all before sunrise. I know…"
"Yes, yes," I put my hand up. "I understand," I say, turning back to my family. "Min Kara (My Love), perhaps you and your handmaidens should retire with the child until we are done?"
She looks up me. "You don't need me?" she asks.
I smile feeling the need to be alone with the child. "No, I will handle this. Once we are done, I will come to you."
She nods and tries to stand. The guardian and her maid are by her side in an instant. Once she is upright, I go to her and kiss her softly. She smiles up at me and the softness of her face and the light in her eyes makes her appear even more ethereal. Even if I didn't know who and what she was, there would be no mistaking the light. She absolutely glows.
"Our Lady," Stan says. "We have guards around the compound, in the house and there will be others stationed outside your suite along with your own. No one will get within five miles of the compound without us knowing it."
She moves slowly to him. Raising her hand, she touches the side of his face. "Mé muinín agat mar súil agam Sange Cap (I trust you as I trust Sange Cap)."
He places his hand over hers. "Onóir tú dom (You honor me)." He whispers to her and then looks at the bundle in her arms. "Féach thar ár máthair, Prionsa óg (Watch over our mother, young prince)."
She smiles and turns back to me. "Má tá an chuid eile mar seo, a roghnaíonn tú go maith, mo Liege (If the rest are like these, you choose well, My Liege)," She blows me a kiss, turns and walks out the door.
Dalia looks at those present in the room but her eyes come to rest on the Daemon Guardian standing in the corner. I can't help but notice the small nod he gives to her before she turns and walks out. The rest of my Bonded's guards follow her as she retreats to our suite.
"She is incredible," Dax says just loud enough for us all to hear. "She is better than any of us could have imagined."
I nod and look at him. "She is a wonder that is for sure."
"There is also no denying that Mom is smoking!" Dax says.
I look at him and raise an eyebrow.
"What?" he looks around the room. "Don't tell me I'm the only one that realizes it."
Several snickers come from Stan, Tomas and even Godric, as Dax stands before me trying to look like the angel I know he isn't.
"Watch it," I point at him.
He smiles. "You love it."
I can't deny that I do and for that reason alone I decide to turn away from him and focus on the tasks at hand.
Turning to look at the Daemon, he notices my attention and stands a bit straighter.
"I believe we have some things to discuss," I say and go to sit on one of the couches.
"I believe we do," he says and takes a seat across from me.
Once everyone is settled I wait for him to begin.
"I believe you know why I've come?" he asks.
I nod. "You wish to broker a deal between me and mine and the Borok."
"Broker is not the word I'd use," he smiles at me. "But I'm here to discuss their requests."
"And what request would they have that would interest me?" I ask.
I can feel the stares of the others in the room but no one dares say a word to me. They know that I wouldn't take the Borok request seriously, unless I heard some very convincing reasons to have them near me and mine. I would be a very poor leader if I took all on face value. I would be even less worthy of the crown if I allowed my subjects and lineage around those such as the Borok without assurances. Lagon is power hungry and heartless. He'd kill his own if given enough money for it. Everyone who has ever gotten a glimpse of him knows this is true.
"The false King is no more, My Liege," Aniketos bows his head.
"How do you mean?" I ask him. Lagon is considered indestructible. No one who has ever gone up against him has lived to tell the tale. It has always been suspected that witchcraft or pleasure from the Goddess herself has caused this. But I see no reason that the Goddess would gift this killer and monster as such.
"His favor with the one that matters has been lost," Aniketos says and looks out the window before turning back to me.
"Why does this concern us?" I don't know what to say to his declaration, nor do I understand what this has to do with any of us. Surely the reason this self-appointed king lost his favor with the muse is none of our concern. Though it could be why he is looking to make pacts with those who can insure his safety.
"It concerns you a great deal, My Liege," he bows slightly to me. "Our false king was foolish and presented himself to an agreement table and was ill prepared for what was to come. He was over confident in what he thought was for eternity. The offer was foolish, selfish and could have resulted in disaster for not only him but his entire tribe. She knew this and knew that he'd never rescind the offer. He was busy trying to make the deal more profitable for himself," Aniketos smiles sadly. "Part of me wonders if he ever knew how to come to amicable agreements."
"So the false King is in peril and wants what; my protection?" I ask him.
"The false king will ask for nothing, ever again," he says and stands a little straighter.
"Regardless of who is making the request, the question is still the same," I lean back and place my arm on the back of the sofa waiting for Aniketos to continue.
"The tribe is prideful but they are not stupid. They understand the position they find themselves in and wish to make you an offer. They wish to return to their stages of old," he pauses. "You do know that Lagon's little band of rebels was once considered the strongest, most loyal of their kind?"
I nod my head.
"Then you will know that they are feared above all and none have ever defeated them," he continues.
"I know of both the myths and facts surrounding the Borok," I say.
It is true. After all, I've fought alongside them from time to time. The difference being, that I was fighting for honor, justice or out of duty. They were doing it for money.
"You must concede that having them on your side would only be beneficial?" he asks.
I nod once more.
"Do you wish to hear their offer?" he asks.
I lean forward. "If what you say is accurate," I pause, "then the false king, Lagon is no longer on this plane."
He nods. "He is no more. His body rests in a rock tomb, they have mourned and are ready to move on.
"Who are they following now?" I ask him.
"Why Kahil, of course," he smiles at me.
I've known Kahil for many, many years. All that has been said, written and whispered about him is probably true. Unlike his brother, he is known as a man of integrity and honor. His only flaw has been the affection and loyalty he's held for his brother. I am certain that if it wasn't for Lagon, Kahil's existence would have been much different.
"He wishes to be with us?" I ask him.
"Vampires are not the only ones that have heard of this prophecy," Aniketos says. "The prophecy is for all of us, not just your kind," he looks up for a moment. "Why do you think that so many are flocking to you and your princess? This is for all of us, My Liege."
I lean forward. "Her Grace called me future High King," I pause. "Do you know what that means?"
"I do," he nods. "So do you, if you wish too."
"What does that mean?" I ask.
"Because, My Liege," he smiles. "I believe you, your maker and your princess have known the true nature of the prophecy. You have only willed yourself to forget."
"That makes no sense," I shake my head. "I know that my promise was my Susannah. I know that it has taken more time than I could ever possibly imagine for us to make it so. I know that we will rule and that our children will be our legacy. Children both of blood and love will be held to my promise's breast. I know that there are others who believe that they can control her if they possess her, but they are wrong."
"If any other tried to possess her it would be disastrous. The world as we know it would no longer exist. We would be blinked out of existence. "
"You are telling me that the weight of the world is on my shoulders," I look from him to Godric and back. "This is larger than I thought, isn't it?" I ask.
"It is," Stan says.
"You knew," I look around the room. "You all knew and never once said anything to me."
"We have not known all," Godric says. "I don't believe any of us know all of the prophecy. The only one who does is the one that first uttered it."
"Why wasn't I told more before?" I ask my maker.
"You were told what you needed in order to prepare yourself," he says. "To prepare your line and to get those in positions of power prepared to strike. You were told what we were ordered to tell you, my son."
I shake my head. "I should have known all of it," I stand. "I still don't know all of it, do I?" I look around the room and then rest my eyes on the Daemon Guardian before me. "You know more than the others. Tell me," I motion to him. "What do you mean by this involves all?"
"Exactly what I said," he replies. "You and your Promise are to rule us all. Under your roof will house many kinds. Under your rule will be many who bow before you. Within you will hold many lives, my kinds and many realms together. Together you will save us from certain destruction."
I look at him for a moment and then cast my eyes around the room looking at not only my Vampires but the others that have given me fealty. Did they all know what was to come?
"She should have told me what was to be," I say to the room. "You," I point to Godric, "should have told me what I would face."
"If she told us all and we were given leave to tell you, tell me Erik, ti tha kánate diaforetiká (what would you have done differently)?
"Af̱tó den eínai to si̱meío (that is not the point)!" I growl at him.
"But it is," Dax says. "I have not known all that would come but I knew that you would be a great ruler and King," he smiles. "I've seen you with others, Eric. I've seen you with the most insignificant creatures and you have been nothing but honorable. You have been ruled by your honor and convictions. A test of a true king. Why would you think that others wouldn't want to follow such a creature?"
I wave my hand. "That is not the point, young one," I look around the room and then back to Aniketos. "Does she know?"
He knows who I am referring to.
He shakes his head. "She knows that your future involves her. She knows of a prophecy to have you and that you will be one. She knows that you are two sides of the same coin but the rest," he pauses. "I will tell you this," he smiles. "She is yours and yours alone. You are together and none can take her away. The Gods and Fate will not allow it. But the fight is at hand and none will deny that you are the one that needs to be supported. She will handle it all. Her Grace has foreseen it. Your Promise is a wonder."
I nod, knowing he is right.
I feel concern in the bond and know that she is feeling what I'm feeling. Taking a deep breath that I do not need, I try to calm myself. When I feel more in control, I look back at the Daemon.
"When will all this transpire?" I ask him.
"Time is relative," he says. "A minute could be an hour, a week could be another century."
"Enough with the riddles," I growl at him. "I need to know how much time I have to prepare. There is much that needs to be done."
"Is there," he raises an eyebrow at me. "You already knew that you would be taking your rightful place among your own kind. You have had your Genealogica in place for some time. You have played this chess match without anyone knowing their opponents. You have all you need to take what is yours. The rest will come as it should. I do know that things will come to you as long as you follow the chosen path."
"And if I don't?" I ask him. "If I fall off or take another path, what then?" I ask him.
"That will not happen," Godric says.
I turn to him.
"Godric," I say as I look at him. He looks more somehow. I don't know how to explain it but he seems brighter, bigger but he is the same. I can't explain it.
"You are on a path that has been paved long before you were blinked into existence. Your Promise was carved to be yours and yours alone. This world," he waves his hand around. "Has had its time but now it is yours. You will know what to do when the time arises. We," he opens his arms, "are here to advise, suggest and assist you in your journey," he smiles. "As we always have been. You are what the prophecy foretold. You are what we have waited for. Our time has come and you will be all that She said you would be. The path is set, my son. There is no turning back."
I look at the room. Every head is bowed in reverence to my maker's words. Life as I know it surely has become more complicated. I only hope that my Susannah is ready for it all.
***0***
Sam's POV
Walking into Gabriella's throne room is like walking into a lion's den. You know that a strike will occur, you just don't know when it will be. No, she is not like others I've met. This creature isn't a snake. She doesn't strike and stand back. She waits for her prey to lower its defenses and then will strike.
The guards walk me into the middle of the room and step back. I haven't been restrained in any way. There isn't any need. I've already been shown what will happen if I try to shift. That magick must be as black as night. The thought of what is needed to make it happen sends chills down my spine. I've seen my share of magick, both black and white. This magick is evil. To cause that type of pain and injury costs the caster its soul.
"You, my love, have been a very bad dog," I hear from the side of the room.
Spinning my head, I see the beautiful Queen walking toward me.
She smiles but it isn't a radiant one. Again, chills crawl up my spine. She is not happy. No, not happy at all.
"Yes," she purrs. "A very bad dog, indeed."
I stand as straight as I can and I don't say a word.
"No words?" she moves closer. "No explanations?"
I look up at her. "What would you like me to say?" I ask her.
"Groveling for forgiveness for starters," she hisses at me.
Saying nothing, I stare right into her eyes.
"You have to be the bravest or stupidest creature on the planet," she whispers to me as she scrapes her long finger nail down the side of my cheek. The moment she touches me, I move my head away from her touch.
"There was a time that you begged me to touch you," she sings to me. "There was a time that you could not get enough of my touches."
"That was a long time ago," I say to her. "The past should stay where it is."
"Yes, a funny thing about the past," she smirks and turns from me. "It has a way of catching up with you."
"If it's the money you want, I can pay it back. It was stupid to steal from you but I needed," I pause as she turns around.
"You needed what?" she asks me. "You needed to give it to your family," she motions to the side door.
It opens and both Tommy and Lilly are ushered it.
"I don't see where either of these two needed assistance in anything," she says. "What did you need to the money for?" she asks.
"You know why," I hiss at her. "You know why I needed to leave. You killed her for it."
"No," she says and sits down. "You killed her, not me. You brought her into the mess, I did not. Her blood is on your hands not mine."
"You didn't have to kill her," I move closer to her seat and sense the guards coming to my side before I can see them. "You could have just let her go."
"But my child did not wish that," she stares at me for a moment, knowing she's looking right through me. "He loved her; he wanted her, thus there should not have been any other discussion."
"She didn't love him," I move closer. "She loved me. She wanted her life to be with me."
"But her life wasn't her own, now was it?" she raises an eyebrow to me. "She lost all rights to her desires, when she agreed to my terms."
"She had no choice. You would have killed her family, her husband and children."
"I would never kill a child," she stands. "But you are right, she traded her life for that of her husband's. It was her right to do and she made a choice to save him."
"What choice?" I ask her. "Lucy didn't have a choice. You," I point to the Queen. "You gave her no choice. She did what she had to do. She only wanted to be with her children."
"And you," she smiles. "Don't forget, you say that she loved you, not my child."
I wait a moment and then nod. "Yes, she said she loved me. She wanted us to get away. I would not have done anything I did if it wasn't for her desires."
She growls and I swear the room reverberates with the sound. "You stole something that didn't belong to you. You destroyed one of mine and then stole funds from me without a second look."
"What are you talking about?" I ask her. "All I did was steal a few trinkets. I just wanted enough to get us away from you. Then we were going for her children. You killed her thinking it would bring me back to you. You killed her for wanting a life. A real life. Not an undead one with your child!" I scream at her.
"NO!" she shouts back. "You killed my child. You stabbed him in his resting place and sent him to his final death," she moves at lightning speed to my side, lifting me with one hand off the ground. "You think I care anything for money? You think I'd chase you around the continent for less than what I earn in a day? You killed my beloved Sabine and you will pay the ultimate price."
"What," I gasp. "I didn't kill…" she squeezes more.
"Don't lie to me," she growls again. "He was found. Your scent was in the room."
I claw at her hand. "No," I gasp again. "I didn't kill…"
"He is telling the truth," I hear from the doorway.
Gabriella loosens her grip on me and turns to look at the woman. I know, even without looking at her, that she must be a witch. The energy in the room tastes like a witch.
"You are losing your touch," Gabriella says to the woman. "You know as well as I that his scent was in the room."
"Who told you his scent was in the room, My Queen," the witch asks.
She turns her head and I try to turn mine but am still trapped in the Queen's grasp.
"Jonas," the Queen says. "Tell the witch what you told me that day."
"That Sabine was no more. His human was in hiding and the shifter was gone," he rattles off as if he is reciting a shopping list.
"Whose scent did you get from the room?" Gabriella asks.
Jonas is silent.
She drops me suddenly and is instantly in front of her guard.
"Tell the witch what you told me," she says again.
"I…" he pauses. "My Queen, I believed that the Shifter was in the room."
"You believe?" she asks him. "You told me that he was in the room."
"My Queen, it was so long ago," he pleads to her. "What does it matter now?"
"It matters much," she growls at him. "You said that you were certain that the Shifter had killed my progeny."
"Who else could it be?" he asks.
"He's lying, my Queen," the witch says. "He knows who killed your progeny."
"NO!" Jonas yells. "It was the Shifter, I'm sure of it," Jonas looks from his Queen to me and back again. "He had every reason to kill Sabine. He wanted that waif of a human for himself and Sabine was standing in the way."
"I wanted Lucy but I wouldn't kill Sabine to get her. I didn't need to," I say as I rub my neck.
"How would you have escaped otherwise?" Jonas growls. "You killed him, admit it!" he shouts and looks back at his Queen. "He was leaving. He was leaving your bed to be with…with that human. Sabine had claimed her and he had no right. He was going to make you look foolish and Sabine wanted none but his human. Neither of them deserved to be by your side. You must see that. Both of them turned their backs on you. I am the only faithful one."
Gabriella says nothing for a long while. She just stares at the Were in front of her.
"You foolish, jealous creature," she hisses. "You killed my beloved Sabine."
"He was the foolish one," Jonas wines to her. "He's the one that walked away from you. He wanted the human. He was going to bring her children to her."
"What?" I ask.
He nods. "I heard Sabine. Lucy missed her children so much and Sabine promised if she stayed that she could have them. He promised to protect them and her from you, My Queen. He would do anything for that stupid human."
"He tells the truth," the witch says.
"Sabine wouldn't do such a thing without talking to me first," Gabriella says.
"He knows you would never agree. He was going to take Lucy away," Jonas continues.
"NO!" I scream and move toward the Were. "You are lying. Lucy was terrified of Sabine. She said that he was terrible to her. That he loved to torture her in any way possible. She begged me to take her away from all of this," I wave my arm around. "She was certain that he'd kill her one night."
"You are such a fool," Jonas laughs. "She was conning you. She told Sabine that she could convince you to get the money they'd need to get away from the Queen since she never allowed her progeny anything of his own. She told him that she had a plan to get you to give her the money and then she would meet up with her Vampire. She loved Sabine as much as he loved her. You were a pawn, dog and nothing more," he turns back to his Queen. "I killed them both for you, my Queen," he whimpers. "I had to do it. They would have made you look foolish and weak. Don't you see, I …"
Before he can finish his statement, Gabriella removes Jonas' head from his body.
As his body slinks to the floor, she throws his head, landing at my feet.
She says nothing for a moment and then turns back to me.
"It seems that my intelligence in this matter was flawed," she moves back to her seat. "It changes little," she sits. "Samuel Merlotte, you are found guilty of stealing from a Monarch that you swore fealty too."
I'm about to disagree with her. I never swore fealty to her. I wouldn't have done that.
She puts her hand up. "You promised to be mine until such time that I dispatched you from your promise. I protected you at a time that you needed assistance and in turn you swore to be mine," she leans forward. "As far as I'm concerned that is as good as a blood fealty. Since I didn't will your departure from me, you not only stole trinkets from me but yourself."
"Gabbie," I say and move closer.
"Silence," she yells and again her voice hits all the walls. "I didn't give you leave to call me that. In fact," she pauses. "I haven't given you leave to speak at all and I don't wish to hear your thieving, lying voice again."
Gabriella turns to her Witch who just nods and mumbles to herself for a moment. You can feel a wave of energy pass over the room.
"It is my wish that your voice not be heard again, lest someone else fall prey to your wicked ways. It is my desire for you to pay with your life for your misgivings."
"You will kill me too?" I ask her.
She smiles. "No," she smiles. "But I have been in need of a pet. Shift into a tiger, Samuel. I wish to have a kitty at my side."
I say nothing for a moment. She can't be serious.
"It is my judgment that you will be by my side for no less than twenty-five years in any form I deem fit. Right now, I wish you to be a big cat."
"And if I refuse," I raise an eyebrow to her.
"Then I will take my vengeance on your family," she says quietly.
I turn to look at Tommy and Lilly. Lilly, I could care less what happens to her but Tommy has always been good to me. He doesn't deserve anything that Gabriella would dish out.
"They have been good servants since you have left us, Samuel. They have paid for your crimes. Do you wish them to pay any more?"
I turn to look at her. "If I do this, they go free?" I ask.
She smiles. "Of course," she says in the sweetest voice ever.
I close my eyes thinking of my options. Right, I don't have any. If I put up a fight back in Bon Temps then maybe I could have gotten away but not here, not now. There is no way that I'll get out of this room alive. Even if I did, Tommy would pay the price for my cowardliness. But if I do what this Queen asks, Sookie will be lost to us. There is no way I'll be able to save her now and I know damn well that Jason won't do anything to help her. It's like he despises her for some reason. I knew there was always some rivalry between them but he seems to outright hate her. If I agree to the Queen's demands, she is as good as dead.
"If I do this," I say and move even closer to her throne. "You have to help me with one thing. I need twenty-four hours to do something then I'll do whatever you wish me to do."
She laughs and everyone in the room joins in.
"You honestly think I'll let you go to do something? Oh this is rich. Tell me, Samuel, what is so important that you need to leave my side in order to accomplish?"
"My friend is in trouble and she needs help. She is going to die and I can't let that happen."
Even if I will never be able to be with her, I can't let her die.
"Who is this friend?" Gabriella asks.
"Her name is Sookie," I say to her. "She is with a Vampire from Louisiana and she is going to be killed if I can't help her."
"You speak of the Vikings mate?" she leans forward. "The one they are saying married the Viking just last night?"
"She WHAT?" I ask Gabriella.
"How do you know this Susannah Brigant?" she asks. "She has only come to the states. How do you know her?"
"NO," I shake my head. "She can't have married that Vampire. Her name is Sookie, Sookie Stackhouse. He did something to her and now no one knows who she is. But that's no matter. I need to help her. She needs to be warned. I have to save her."
"What do you know?" Gabriella asks. "What will happen to the future King?"
"King?" I ask her. "No, he is some, well, I think he is in charge while Sophie-Anne deals with something but he isn't a King. Gabriella, look she is a different kind of human. If you help me save her from this, I'll, I'll do whatever you want. I can probably even get Sookie to come and stay here with you. She's…she's different. She can help you."
She looks to her witch who nods once more and then mumbles something. I feel pressure around my head and throw my hands up to both sides of my temples as it increases. Dropping to my knees when the pressure becomes pain. I open my mouth to scream but something else comes out. I don't really know what I'm saying. I just want the pain to stop.
As quickly as it started, the pain leaves me and I look up to see the Queen standing in front of me.
"You pitiful waste of existence. You would kill the Council just to get this girl?" she asks.
"What?" I ask her and shake my head. "No, not the Council."
"Who do you think will be in Jackson?" she asks. "You think that this little plan would work?"
"I…I just wanted her to be freed."
"You have always been ruled by your heart, Samuel," Gabriella says and turns to look in Lilly's direction. "I thought you would have trained him better."
"He is a man," Lilly says. "They are very hard to train."
Gabriella laughs. "Indeed."
She turns to her right. "Send word to the Council and the Viking regarding what we have learned here today. Tell him of our findings. He will take care of the rest. Tell him if he needs me present, I'll most humbly serve him."
"What are you talking about?" I ask her. "I ask you to help me get Sookie away from him. What are you going to tell him? Why do you care?"
She laughs again. "You are stupid and blind of Vampire ways, aren't you?" she asks me but I don't think she expects an answer.
"Now, I don't have all night," she holds out her hand and the witch places something into it that looks like a collar. "Now shift so we can get on with it."
"What is that?" I ask her.
"This," she raises her hand. "This will make sure that you can't shift back. No matter where we are," she smiles. "Now shift or I'll have my witch force it upon you. I promise you that you will not like the latter."
I say nothing for a few moments, trying to figure out my next move. But before I can, I feel pain all over my body forcing it to change. I fall to the floor and in the next moment, I'm looking at the world through almond shaped eyes.
"Well, look," I hear from the throne. "There's my kitty."
I know with every fiber of my being that my life is now over.
***0***
SPOV
Time has had no meaning to me since I've come up to the suite from the meeting. I heard Bree say something about her and Vivi leaving to get some things that Alexsander needed but I can't tell you what those things were. I just can't stop looking at this beautiful creature in my arms.
He'd fallen asleep soon after we entered and I can tell from his small connection to our bond that he's very comfortable where he is. His brother, who has also sensed another in the bond seems to be basking in his brother's contentment. If I didn't know any better, I would have sworn that he let out a sigh of relief when the connection happened. Silly as it may seem, it is what I felt.
I can feel some of Eric's emotions. I'm sure that we have a lot of things to work out now but I can't seem to make myself feel anything but joy and love.
Dalia had suggested that I get comfortable on the divan situated in the arch of windows besides the bed. Without taking my eyes off of the child, I allow her to help me.
"He is beautiful," I say softly, holding his hand in mine.
"He is a wonder, My Lady," she says as she places pillows around me and drapes a blanket over my legs.
I start to hum and rock slowly when a song I remember Gran singing comes to me.
"Although you see the world different than me,
Sometimes I can touch upon the wonders that you see,
And all the new colors and pictures you've designed
Oh, yes sweet darling, so glad you are a child of mine.
Child of mine, child of mine
Oh, yes sweet darling, so glad you are a child of mine"
His little eyes open and he looks right at me with such a serene look on his face.
"You don't need direction, you know which way to go
And I don't want to hold you back, I just want to watch you grow
You're the one who taught me you don't have to look behind
Oh, yes sweet darling, so glad you are a child of mine
Nobody's gonna steal your dreams
Or tell you how to live your life
They'll always be people to make it hard for awhile
But you'll change their heads when they see you smile"
I lean forward as I feel Eric slip in behind me on the divan, wrapping his arms around me and holding us both to him.
"The times you were born in may not have been the best
But you can make the times to come better than the rest
I know you will be honest if you can't always be kind
Oh, yes sweet darling, so glad you are a child of mine
Child of mine, child of mine
Oh, yes sweet darling, so glad you are a child of mine
Child of mine, child of mine
Oh, yes sweet darling, so glad you are a child of mine"
"You have a beautiful voice, Min Kara (My Love)," Eric says as he kisses my temple.
I look up at him and lean further into his embrace.
"He's so perfect and getting stronger by the minute. He needs us, Eric. Can you feel it as much as I do?"
"I do, Min Kara (My Love). He is going to be a strong one before too long. He and his brother are going to keep you on your toes," he laughs.
"Don't I know it," I say and look around the room, seeing a few new things have appeared.
"When did all this get here?" I ask as I feel the need within our son. Without any hesitation, I move quickly so that he can latch onto my breast once more.
"I have been told that you have been in your own little world since you entered our chambers," he kisses my temple once more. "Vivi and Bree ran to the nearest store to get the essentials. You can get the rest of what you need in the upcoming days."
I look a little closer to see that they have acquired a bassinet, a portable changing table, a few sets of clothes and some baby items for changing and bathing him.
"We have a lot of things coming to our house in Shreveport," I say and look down at the baby. "Maybe I should have the things we need shipped here or to Jackson?"
"We will need travel items," Eric says, "so get what you need and we will figure out what needs to go where."
We both feel the satisfaction in the baby as he suckles.
Eric laughs. "Though, I think the one thing he truly needs right now is the one thing you are giving him."
I laugh at that as well. "Yes, he is a hungry little one. I think he's been starving," I say quietly.
I look out the window and will the tears back.
"No need to be sad now, my beautiful bride," Eric holds me closer. "He will never go without anything he needs again."
As Alexsander finishes, I go to stand with help from Eric. Taking the child over to the changing table, I proceed to get him out of his things and clean him up.
Lifting him to release his arm from the gown he's wearing, I gasp when I look at his shoulder.
"Susannah," Eric says rushing to my side. "What is wrong?"
"Eric look," I point to the baby's shoulder.
It is small but it's clear as day. The child holds the same mark as Eric does.
"That's impossible," I say shaking my head.
"When it comes to us, Min Kara (My Love), I don't believe that word applies."
"But that would mean…" I pause and look up at my husband, bonded and mate.
"It would mean that the Goddess herself has kissed him and given him to us," Eric wraps his arms around me from behind. "No one will ever deny that he is for us."
I know that he's too young, but I swear that Alexsander smiles at us and I feel warmth and love through the bond. Eric and I laugh and send the same back to him.
I finish getting him changed and watch as he rubs his little eyes and begins to fall back to sleep. I would suspect that he will be hungry and tired for some time. This little one needs time to catch up.
Once I'm done, I turn and see Eric is waiting to take him from me. With a smile and a nod, I hold out our child to him. Eric pulls him close and kisses him on the forehead.
"You are our first. You are so loved, my son. I hope you know this."
I feel love just pouring out of him. It makes my heart swell tenfold for the Vampire before me.
After a few moments, I watch as he places our little one in the small bassinet at the foot of our bed and slowly raises a blanket and tucks him in. Walking up beside him, I put my arm around his waist as he pulls me in to his side. Neither of us take our eyes off our little cherub as we watch his little hands come up to the sides of his face and he sucks in his sleep. I remember reading somewhere that this is a sign of a child feeling safe but I can't be sure. For, now I'll go with that.
"I am so truly blessed, Min Kara (My Love)," he says just above a whisper. "Our legacy will be one that stories are written about."
"Like Camelot?" I ask half joking.
Eric turns to me. "Exactly, my bride."
Smiling, Eric quickly lifts me into his arms and takes me back to the divan.
"Not the bed?" I ask him.
"If you haven't noticed, the sun is just about to rise," he says.
I steal a look out the windows and notice that he's absolutely right.
"I wish to love you in the sunlight, Min Kara (My Love)," he says as he moves quickly to divest us both of our clothes.
Within seconds I am laid bare in front of him and feeling all the love and emotions he's feeling as he takes me in.
"I never thought I'd consider you more beautiful than I already did," he kisses a path from my neck down between my breasts. "But bathed in the morning light," he kisses me again. "You glow."
"Eric," I pant. "Please, I need you."
Looking up at me, he floats above me and comes to rest between my thighs. Without taking his eyes off of me, he seats himself inside me and we both let out a moan as if it's been years not hours since we were together.
Moving inside me, he never allows his eyes to stray too far from mine. In what feels like moments, the first rays of dawn begin to fill the room. When they engulf us I gasp at the sight.
"We glow," I say softly to him. "You are breathtaking."
"It is you who is breathtaking," he says and moves faster.
"Eric," I move my hips to allow him room to go deeper.
"Thank you, thank you for these gifts," he whispers as he exaggerates his movements.
I feel the familiar winding in my lower half and before I can warn him, I am over the edge calling out his name. Within seconds he follows me.
As he slows his movements, I take his face in my hands and look him in the eyes.
"We are so blessed," I say trying not to allow the tears welling in my eyes to fall.
"We are, Min Kara (My Love). Most certainly we are," he says.
I don't know how long we stay that way but just as I feel like my eyes cannot stay open any longer, Eric moves and soon I find myself lying on the soft bed with my husband wrapped around me.
"For this I'll do what it takes. For this, I'll do all that is asked of me," I hear Eric say just as I fall off to sleep.
****0***
Song Sookie sang is called Child of Mine, by Carole King.