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Eric's POV
Within Seconds Orion popped in front of us with his usual cheerful grin,
"Sookie I'm pleased to see your safe with my own eyes, also I wish to thank my favorite vampires for saving my hide yet again. The Agents not only let me go, they apologized for detaining me."
I shrugged doing my best not to look embarrassed, "I only made a few calls on your behalf Orion, Godric did most of the hard work getting you and the rest of the team released."
Orion waved my comments away,
"Modesty doesn't suit you Viking. Your phone calls help put Agent Good-Head from 'Snap' on a temporary leash. He's a real piece of work; but we'll stop him. On that note, I'm here to help you with Sookie as requested. I'm ready when Godric gives the ok."
I couldn't resist the chuckle that rose in my throat,
"I can't believe their agency's named Snap, are they kidding? Who's their sister agencies, Crackle and Pop? You can't take an agency seriously that sounds like a breakfast cereal.
I felt Godric's annoyance and closed my mouth. There's a reason he attends Washington missions rather than me, there's no way I'd stop laughing the moment I heard that name.
Godric Offered Orion a seat which he happily accepted. Elves hate standing in homes; it's rude in their culture to leave a guest standing more than a minute. It's hard remembering all the cultural niceties but Godric never failed in that task.
We took the black leather sofa opposite Orion, Sookie sat in the middle of us. This sitting arrangement was quickly becoming her normal position whenever we shared a sofa. Not that I minded, it felt natural to keep her safe between us.
I noticed that Orion had a tiny cloth bag clipped to his belt. He opened it and lined up several items across the small table between us,
"Godric it took me a bit of haggling but I have the items we need. However, perhaps Sookie should leave the room for part of this conversation. It might be distressing for her."
I stiffened and shook my head. Not that I needed to, Godric felt the same way, "Other than things we're legally bound to keep private, we don't keep secrets from Sookie despite her age. We trust her judgement, if it becomes too much she'll leave the room."
Orion gave us a smile of approval,
"Godric, you're plan to tether Sookie to Havenwood is feasible. I have everything we need to cast the spell. Only royal elves have this ability Sookie, and we cast it only on our kin. But for Godric I'll make an exception, plus your an amazing young lady, I'm happy to help you."
Sookie grinned at Orion's compliment, "Thank you, Prince Orion."
Orion smiled at her as he crushed herbs, "Call me Orion, outside of official Elven business I'm just one of the guys."
I looked at the table unsure if this plan was a good idea, "Orion this is an elf spell, will it work correctly on a half Fae."
Orion sighed as he readied the table,
"Magic isn't without risk, The Fae are our sister race so usually respond to our spells without serious side effects. The only thing I can promise is the spell won't do permanent damage. My Royal line can roll back any spell we cast, unlike witches who can't promise full restoration."
Orion directed his attention to Godric,
"After I bind Sookie's Spark to Havenwood, she can't be physically removed from the town unless her tether is broken by a direct line of my royal family. Other than my Son Gabriel my family remains in the Elven realm, so it's fairly safe."
Orion starting to look uneasy,
"However your second request Godric is impossible, I can't tether you to Sookie, Soul binding magic depends on active bonds; she's only your future child. The good news is that I can tether her to Eric. She's his Mate and they've already shared their first bond, it's that or turn her now."
Godric eyes flicked for a moment before going blank,
"I'm willing to do this for her but I won't command Eric to do so; the choice is his. It's a heavy responsibility for anyone to carry. Also, it's up to Sookie if she wishes such a binding. It would help keep her safe, but it's not something to agree to lightly."
Orion carried on ignoring the tension in the room,
"Eric if you agree to this, your bond would grow deeper than a Maker's to a child. You'll be able to locate her anywhere within a few feet. Also you'll sense her feelings intensely, you'll be the perfect protector. The down side is that your bond will never fully close, you can only mute it."
Godric continued where Orion left off,
"The soul tether prevents anyone from kidnapping her as long as you're located in the same city Eric. She won't be able to travel more than ten miles from your location when you're both outside of Havenwood. Without the second tether she'll become almost a prisoner here."
Sookie looked around the room sadly, "I won't be selfish about this Eric, no matter what you decide, I'm your ride or die buddy. Your choice won't change my feelings for you, I promise."
I linked my fingers with Sookie and smiled at her,
"I'm pleased you trust in our protection. In fact, I don't need time to think about this, I'll willingly Soul link to Sookie's Spark. Having her by my side isn't a punishment; it's a privilege that I'm lucky to experience. As long as she's willing, you have my permission Orion."
Sookie gave me a soft kiss before relaxing in my arms, "I second the motion, I can think of worse faiths then being tied to my Viking. In fact, I'm looking forward to the ritual."
I felt the tension leave Godric at my decision,
"Thank you Eric, I knew you'd agree, but you deserved a choice."
I remained mostly quiet up until that point,
"So nobody can kidnap Sookie if we leave Havenwood as long as her Spark's tethered to me, what about if someone kidnaps us both?"
Sookie smiled at the suggestion, "Every attempt at kidnapping you and Godric have failed. It doesn't mean you can't be kidnapped, but they'd need an army to do so."
Orion shook his head in disagreement,
"Sebastian's nieces and nephews' are similar to an army. Don't discount the danger; the more distant you are from Havenwood Sookie the greater the risk of harm, even with Eric. That's why I wanted to speak to them alone; after all you've suffered I didn't want to add additional stress."
Sookie face took on that stubborn streak I've always enjoyed.
"I rather have the whole truth; I'm stronger than I look Orion. I have to admit; knowing his followers are still out there is nerve wracking."
Godric hugged Sookie gently, but I could tell he was growing impatient to start, "We should hurry dawn is coming. We only have two hours left."
Orion opened his bag, removing a strip of white cloth. It was no bigger than a wash cloth. He laid it flat on our long dining table and began to chant. His eyes turned into silver orbs as the cloth grew until it covered the entire table. The herbs he placed on the table melted into the cloth.
"This usually takes two days to prevent pain, but Eric won't survive two days of day bleeds. I can do this in an hour but it'll be painful. I suggest placing Sookie into a deep sleep to spare her. The down side is that Eric must remain awake, this spell requires a conscious mind."
Before anyone could say anything I held up my hand, "I'll stay awake, put Sookie to sleep. I'm a warrior I'm use to intense pain, she isn't."
Orion gave me a smile of approval,
"Thank you Eric, I need you to lie on the table, please hug Sookie tightly and make sure to keep her close at all times. I'm ready to begin."
Orion smiled at Sookie, "Don't worry, it will feel like you're drifting to sleep, it will be ok."
I helped Sookie onto the table; before wrapping her around me. The cloth felt warm against my back, a faint hum and electric current moved inside me. It was slightly unpleasant; it felt like a broken electric cord was lying near my skin.
Sookie brushed a loose lock of hair from my face, "Thank you Eric, you're so very brave."
I wanted to respond but my tongue seized as the buzzing became louder. Sookie eyes closed as Orion chanted her into a near coma. I could barely feel her inside our link.
Orion looked at me a final time,
"Eric, it's time to visit hell. If you have a happy place I advise you find it for an extended visit. Godric close your link to Eric to avoid the pain, I'm starting."
Godric closed our link shut but it didn't matter. I could read the nervousness all over his body.
While Orion softly chanted the hum became even louder. The energy from the cloth changed from a unpleasant buzz to knives stabbing my nerve endings. I arched my body in a silent scream. As a warrior I'd felt worse pain, but I was struggling to remember when something hurt this badly.
Godric stood up and rushed to my side, he looked on helplessly as I suffered. I tried to tell him it would be ok but my leaden tongue refused to move. The extra lengths of white cloth around me lifted into the air. It kept wrapping around us tightly until we looked like a mummy.
I heard Godric frantically speaking to Orion,
"Orion how can Sookie breath, even their mouths are fully wrapped."
Orion paused his chanting, "The cloth is fortified with Elven magic, she can breathe through it."
I have no idea if Godric responded or not because my hearing faded. When Orion began his chanting again the pain was worse than before, blood tears sprang to my eyes. The only comfort I had was that Sookie would sleep through all of it; the pain was nearly unbearable.
By the time Orion stopped chanting I was sure my skin was shredded from the bone. This was the longest hour of my life but it was finally over.
I felt warm hands removing the cloth that cocooned us. Orion smiled down at me in admiration,
"I've been told the ritual is like giving birth through a nostril pain wise. You were brave Eric. You must have elf blood in you someplace."
I chuckled weakly as Godric carried Sookie to the sofa,
"I think it's more to do with Godric's blood lines, he's one of a kind after all."
Orion nodded in agreement as he helped me to stand on my shaky legs. I tried to mentally reconnect with Sookie and Godric but I was too foggy to do so. Everything felt out of tune and distant.
Sookie suddenly sat up in confusion, "Godric why are you looking like I just sprang two heads."
When I looked at Sookie my mouth opened like a fish, "Sookie, even the whites of your eyes are now midnight blue. How are we going to explain to 'Snap' why their key witness turned into a Martian? This won't instill confidence we can protect you until Sebastian's trial."
Godric was just as worried.
"She can't attend the news conference looking this way either, and we can't hide this with contacts, Orion how do we fix this?"
I knew this couldn't get worse, and the sun will be up very soon. Staying awake to solve this wasn't an option. We couldn't appear on TV tomorrow night with a case of the bleeds, it would generate additional questions.
Orion looked at Sookie's eyes with more fascination than worry.
"I read stories of this occurring, but it's extremely rare. The good news is that it's not dangerous. We need to transfuse Fae blood from a relative. The Fae have a complete blood database of all Fae, they can match your bloodline in seconds, but it will be a nightmare to get them to agree."
Orion saw our confusion and decided to explain,
"In the human world Sookie is an adult at 18, but as you know to the Fae she's a child until she is 25. Until then she can't make official requests to the government only her Fae bloodline can. Even if they refuse to help, her eyes will return to normal within three weeks, but we can't wait."
Sookie's face crumbled as reality hit her,
"If finding my Fae kin only required a blood test, why didn't anyone look for me in Fae? Didn't my family want me?"
I was wrong it just became worse. If anyone found out about Sookie's royal status the Wraiths will find us, and destroy my work to correct the Time-line. I need to contact her grandfather, privately. The problem is I needed an excuse to leave the room for a half hour, a good one.
In less than an hour Godric will call us to rest and leave Orion to care for Sookie. I was sure Sookie would insist on requesting the tests the moment we went to sleep. If Orion run's Sookie's blood through the Fae database everything would be lost.
What the hell do I do now?
