Disclaimer: Charlaine Harris owns all.
Rated M for several reasons.
Chpt 52 Begin the Beguine
SPOV
I wake to total darkness and several ground breaking realisations.
I am naked.
I had sex with Eric.
I am being crushed.
I had sex with Eric.
I am being crushed by a naked Eric.
Who I had sex with.
Initial panic gives way to a childish snicker.
And it was amazing.
And on sober reflection he's not crushing me, he's cuddling me.
What the?
Instinctively I try to sit up. Unsuccessful I sink back down into the bed.
Right, not a small, skinny, Viking.
More mental snickering.
Definitely not small . . . .
Oh my god, am I drunk?
No. Maybe I'm just flooded with endorphins or something. Aren't orgasms supposed to release them?
There must be some reason why I'm not freaking out, because frankly I should be about due to be peeled off the ceiling by now . . . .
Alright. One. This is not my room, said ceiling is flat and smooth and mine has ornate swirls all over it. I have been transferred here, apparently in all my naked glory.
Two. I had sex with Eric. I enjoyed it. Snicker at the understatement. And apparently I don't remotely regret it. Nope, not one tiny shred of remorse. Odd.
Three. Well over two hundred pounds of Viking is wrapped around me in a way clearly designed to prevent my escape while he is dead.
Four. He is dead. There is no other way to describe his lack of body heat, breathing and heartbeat even though I can feel the usual vague connection humming away in the background.
Five. De Castro wants to kill him, take his Kingdom, and me. And will be with us in an hour or so to further his unwelcome designs.
Six. When he leaves we get to deal with the King of the Fairies or whatever the hell he is. Niall.
Seven. Pam will drain me when she finds out what happened to Dress Number Three. Snicker, but what a way for it to go, if Eric were a female she'd probably be more understanding.
Eight. Almost everyone in the vicinity of the Palace is going to know at first sniff that I had sex with Eric. Even I can smell it and that's just latent vampire blood.
Nine. The fact that I smell of sex with Eric is something of a turn on.
Ten. Losing my virginity has apparently eradicated every last sensible brain cell from my body. Because I don't give a flying fig for any of the above.
I am ridiculously happy right now and I'm going to give in to the impulse to drift back to sleep with the memories of last night painting a smile on my face. Something will wipe it off soon enough, it always does . . . .
…..
When I wake again the bedside light is on and I can see the room properly.
I'm alone in the bed but I can hear the shower running and I can feel Eric in there. Our bond is muted again but he doesn't appear to be feeling anything that's going to freak me out. But the potential is there, like the air before a tree whipping storm.
This room is almost the total opposite to mine. Expensively furnished but in a simple style that screams 'guest room for less important people'. Nevertheless this is clearly Eric's room, he's everywhere in it, either by scent or neatly dispersed possessions. And it makes me feel bad in a way I can't define. Eric's like a guest in his own Palace, a reluctant one.
I stretch and yawn, marvelling at the pleasant ache in my body.
When I open my eyes again a fully dressed, suited, Eric is looming at the foot of the bed.
And I'm completely unprepared with no idea how I'm supposed to behave or what I'm supposed to say because, as usual, his face and our bond are giving absolutely nothing away.
"I brought you here because my room is safer during the day." He says.
"Okay."
I have questions. Bucket loads of them. Every single one of which I'm too afraid to ask.
"De Castro will be here soon." He continues.
A little knot of dread forms in my stomach as I nod my understanding.
"I would be intrigued to see the expression on his face if you attended the meeting with me." He smirks and I can feel his genuine amusement at the idea. "But it is a risk that I cannot justify."
"Um?"
"It is better that he does not know you are more than a human asset."
"Okay."
"You are welcome to 'listen in' from your office."
"Do you need me to?"
"No. I have survived for over a thousand years without you Sookie."
Oh. Ouch.
Did I wince? That would be bad . . . .
"Sookie, we need to talk, but I do not know if we will get the chance tonight . . . ."
I nod, focussing my attention on the dark green sheet draped over my body.
"I have ensured that Thalia, Pam and Herveaux will be with you at all times while de Castro is here. He will not be permitted anywhere near you."
Another nod. What's this sheet made of, it's as soft as silk but it clearly isn't.
"Sookie, look at me."
I sigh inwardly but don't deny his request.
His beauty is almost blinding if you let yourself see it. Stupid tailored suits.
"Did you not listen to a word I said last night?"
Oh yes, I remember everything, my inner teenager just hasn't had time to sneak into a corner and second guess any of it yet.
"De Castro is here." We both say together.
"I will not let him harm you." He assures me.
Oh Eric. That's not what I'm worried about . . . .
And, he's gone . . . .
This time I sigh out loud.
Fabulous. I guess I'm making the walk of shame in Eric's dark green sheet.
"Princess." Thalia hisses softly through the door. "Eric said you would need your things."
…..
I'm staying out of all their minds. I do not need to hear what they're thinking about last night, I'm not ready to deal with it until I've come to some conclusions of my own. And I don't know where to start. I want to believe that last night was important, that something's changed, but I just, can't . . . .
We settle into my office, Thalia, Pam and Alcide bickering good naturedly while Smith lays out a sumptuous feast on my desk. Six months ago how would I have felt about a liveried butler serving my friends and I French cuisine and bottled blood for breakfast?
We 'dine' and listen as Eric and Charles greet de Castro and his team in his office. All that false bon amie is almost enough to ruin your appetite.
The start of the meeting is as dull as dishwater and since my hearing isn't as good as the other's I play around in the heads of the attendees. It doesn't take me long to realise that one of Felipe's guys is effectively The Memory Man, his job is to faithfully record every word, silence and facial tic. Thrilled I settle into his otherwise blessedly empty head and pretend I'm in the room with them, it would be a complete success too if it wasn't for the occasional disconcerting urge to caress my man parts through the pocket of my suit pants. Men. Ick.
I don't really understand all of what's being said but I get the impression it's not the most exciting conversation I'll ever fail to grasp. I wonder if all vampires take time out to qualify as CPAs, it sure sounds like it. The others aren't impressed either. Pam is rolling her eyes and flipping through an interior decorating magazine, Thalia is holding a book but looks like she's slipped into down time and Alcide is calmly troughing his way through the leftovers.
Finally.
They've agreed something involving percentages and cash projections which seems to make them all happy and Smith appears to provide them with 'half time' refreshments.
Felipe sips his Royalty Blend appreciatively, looking completely at ease. Vampires, such charlatans . . . .
"So Eric." He begins, setting his heavy crystal goblet down. "Let us talk about more interesting things. Your delicious little telepath, as you already know I have an interest in acquiring her."
"And as you already know I am not inclined to sell." Eric responds indulgently, twirling his own goblet thoughtfully.
"Come now Northman." Felipe chuckles. "Everything has a price."
"Felipe, though her talent is limited only to humans I must admit I find her useful. It is not my way to part with something useful."
"I can understand that." Felipe muses. "But your state, through no fault of your own, is saddled with heavy debts. Surely a little ready cash would come in handy?"
"How much?" Eric enquires, raising an eyebrow.
"Fifty million."
I start choking and Thalia idly pats me on the back without looking up from her book.
"Forgive me Felipe." Eric drawls. "But that seems a little excessive for a human."
"I can see how you would think that." Felipe smirks. "But Las Vegas is my town, with her gift, no matter how limited, I could probably recoup that and more in one fiscal year."
Eric nods and even I can see how that would make sense, if I were in any way inclined to go along with something like that, which I'm not.
"She is also a beautiful woman with very appealing blood."
Eric nods again, his face impassive, but I can feel the possessive anger spike in him. It makes me smile, I should probably find time to look for those missing brain cells . . . .
"I have twice bonded with her." Eric reminds him. "Does that not present something of a problem?"
"Not if it does not to you." Felipe murmurs, watching Eric's reaction intently. There isn't one. "I assume your blood to be powerful due to your age but I am not overly bothered about bonding to her, though I have one in my retinue possibly old enough, there are other ways to control a human asset. Besides, I am not looking for a pet."
He smirks at Eric again and brushes an invisibly speck of lint off his ridiculous slacks.
"I have no problem sharing my 'feed and fucks' as you very well know."
Eric's eyelid ticks.
Not good. Well, good, but not with The Memory Man recording it for posterity. While I continue to listen I let a little part of my mind wander off to see if it can edit that titbit out . . . .
"Felipe." Eric says after an infinitesimal pause. "I can certainly appreciate the attraction of Ms Stackhouse but I remain extremely disinclined to sell."
"I know the cash would be useful Eric." Felipe murmurs. "And I am prepared to go higher. I do not understand your reluctance to sell. I am sure she is extremely satisfying in your bed but there are many more blood bags with vaginas in the sea."
"Princess." Thalia murmurs. "You are glowing and this is not a good thing right now. Trust Eric, let him deal with it."
"Yes, Sookie." Pam drawls. "Please rein that in, I have never owned a pair of sunglasses and you are hurting my eyes."
I glance down at my hand, it is glowing, like it's about to shoot light out of it.
"Remember what I said Princess." Thalia urges me, her hand on my back again. "It can be dangerous for him to feel what you feel all the time."
She's right. Besides, I've heard worse. Focus on Eric, he's keeping his annoyance in check, so can you . . . .
The glow gradually recedes and I flit through Memory Man's mind to catch up on what I've missed.
Not much. Felipe is pressing his case and Eric is stonewalling.
"I must admit." Eric observes, draining the last of his goblet. "That your Emissary gave me the impression you had more to offer for Ms Stackhouse than financial gain."
"And what would you like Northman, beyond a substantial contribution toward your state's debts?" Felipe asks.
"I want for nothing Felipe." Eric chuckles. "I am not in the habit of denying myself."
"Your debts are quite hefty." Felipe points out, pleasantry forgone. "I required to understand the issues in detail before I agreed to make loans to the former Queen."
Eric's eyebrow shoots up.
"A Council of Monarchs could easily be called for in order to sort out the mess, should creditors become agitated . . . ." And you'd just love to agitate them wouldn't you, you nasty little . . . .
Eric laughs. Which really pisses Felipe off.
"Felipe." He chortles. "I am over eleven hundred years old. I am already negotiating the matter of Louisiana's debts, which are not quite as hefty as you seem to believe."
"Northman, I think you may be underestimating the situation before you . . . ."
"Felipe." Eric sighs happily. "I think you may be underestimating me. I know you are a popular monarch with the AVL and wield a great deal of influence in the New World. But I am a distinctly Old World vampire. Are you sure that is a connection you wish to test?"
"Are you threatening me?" Felipe demands indignantly.
"Of course not." Eric responds with a benign smile. "I am a new monarch, I know my place."
Silence.
"Charles." Eric prompts.
"Your Majesty?" He responds, speeding to his side.
"Louisiana's current debt to Nevada is twenty eight million dollars, is it not?"
"And some cents, Majesty."
"I thought so." Eric accedes. "Please be so kind as to make an immediate transfer of that amount to Nevada's accounts, I am sure one of his people can give you the details."
"Of course." Charles, responds, bowing and leaving the room.
"Thank you." Felipe's grudging thanks barely covers his annoyance.
"It is nothing." Eric responds dismissively, fighting back a smirk. "Can I help you with anything else?"
Apparently not.
Done with editing Memory Man's mind I withdraw to let Eric and Charles 'platitude' Felipe and his retinue from the building in peace.
Pam is almost howling with laughter, even Thalia is amused.
"What?" I eventually have to ask.
"Eric is as rich as Croesus." Thalia chuckles. "Even without what he would have inherited from Godric."
"It is true." Pam nods. "Louisiana's debts are pocket change to him, I would be surprised if he hadn't paid most of them off already. De Castro hasn't done his homework very well."
"But he's really pissed off now." I protest, thinking about his last mental image of Eric hanging before him in chains, broken and bleeding.
"Princess." Thalia sighs. "Eric's threat was not an idle one. He has many contacts in the Old World and is owed many favours. Nevada will have to think very carefully before making his next move."
"Precisely, doesn't that just make him more dangerous?"
She opens her mouth to respond but the door opens and Eric sweeps in, eyes glittering with intent.
"Leave us." He commands.
And they do, bumping through the doorway together in their haste, more comfortable together than I have ever seen them.
I just make it out of my chair before he's crossed the room, two long strides, his hands cupping my face as his mouth crashes down over mine, fingers in my hair, thumbs brushing my jaw. His lips move lazily but passionately against me. There is so much we should be talking about right now but he's stolen my words again, my hands splay out on his shirt, feeling his chest move beneath it. My lips part and his tongue slips between them, agitating my molecules, stirring my soul, warming me from the inside out.
And I realise, we are talking.
Felipe has gone and Niall is coming. There might not be time for awkward words and dancing round our issues, so we're coming together the only way we currently know how.
Our bond opens gradually this time, allowing us to bleed into each other in a way we've never been able to before, for me to let him know that I need him, for him to show me his fierce desire for me to stay . . . .
Our kiss deepens in response, I can't be close enough to him, feel enough of him, even though our bodies moving together are generating enough heat for sweat to trickle between my breasts. Stiflingly hot, can't breathe, need oxygen . . . .
Gasping I let my head fall back, staring up at the stars twinkling in the velvet night sky, trembling as he tastes my exposed throat with his tongue.
"Eric." Wow. I sound so calm. "Where are we?"
Eric looks up, studying the sky with practised eyes, then back down at me, cradled in his arms.
"Fiji."
