AN: Several notes. For those of you who read On Edge, I have put it on hold until I finish this story. Sorry. I just have all my attention on this one and I feel like it'll end soon, so I'll be producing chapters faster now (hopefully).

Also, this chapter will have a scene that some readers may not enjoy reading. There will be some slash so if that offends you, I apologize and suggest you skip over it.

Thanks to my beta, seastarr08

Chapter 8: In the Midnight Hour

"Eric, what are you doing?"

Talbot watched me pull into the drive with the Lincoln I had stolen for Sookie. I got out of the car tossing the keys into the air and catching them, giving him my best smile.

"Just grabbing my car," I pointed my thumb over my shoulder and moved closer to the garage door where Talbot was leaning. He gave me an appreciative once-over. I saw his tongue dart out, licking his lips with fang.

"You smell like sex," his voice lowered and he glanced up at me, his eyes blazing with hunger. My options were limited. "Russell asked that you not to leave the compound. And that you stay here till first dark tomorrow." He took a step forward and his shirt was unbuttoned down the front.

I raised a brow, knowing what was coming next. "Where's Russell?"

"Tending to Mr. Compton." He flashed his teeth slowly and put a hand on my shoulder. "You're a big man." his hand ran up the side of my neck, dragging across my chin. The fool was weak when it came to sex. That was probably why Russell always made sure to be with him when they reached out for other comfort.

Russell wanted Bill and Sookie. He was going to do everything he could to take her from under my nose. If he was distracted with something else...If I did something that sent a warning to him, not to invade on my retinue, then I might be able to dissuade him. He had done this to me before. He had gotten to Godric when I was younger. Russell had taken my maker from me and for the first time as a vampire, I had been alone. Jealousy on mine and Russell's part caused tension from our first meeting over Godric. My maker, his child. I remembered feeling betrayed, vicious and vengeful. Nothing like a thousand years later, I nearly snorted. I knew the Queen had been feuding with Russell for many decades and had taken out a hit on Talbot several times. In fact, the notorious King of Mississippi had quite a few enemies and Talbot was often a victim of these assassination attempts, hence the Fellowship of the Sun's try early this evening at Club Dead.

Mississippi was in debt. For years, the state had been a weight on the rest of the continent, his rash behaviour, his cunning age and his sleuth skill brought Russell ahead each time, at great cost to his people. In fact, Russell was so untrusting of vampires that he had struck a deal with weres, something many of our kind could not understand.

I contemplated over why Russell took Bill for ransom. Bill had been living in Mississippi before he up and left to work with Sophie-Anne. Curious and angry, Russell had sent spies to watch over Bill, his possessive streak over what was his, resurfacing. And in that time, he had heard about Sookie – a telepath. The amount of money she would generate for his state would bring the money in sums he'd been trying to receive for decades.

Russell wanted me in his retinue. For centuries he had attempted to seduce me, entice me with gifts to have me on his side, since I was such a valuable asset. Our beginning had left an animosity between us that I could not shake. My power and my reputation grew over the years and I had become feared and respected by many, something Russell had lost in the past two hundred years, due to his own insanity. The Queen always kept quite the tight leash on me, knowing that many other kings and queens either wanted to inherit me or were terrified of my power and wanted to overrule me, much like my maker. Godric. Russell had lost his child a few days ago. Was that what made him act so quickly? His grief? Surely, he felt it. He didn't mention it. I wondered some more. Russell was becoming more of a threat in my eyes.

What was I missing?

Godric's relationship with Russell had always been tense, so unlike the one he shared with me. What did Russell want with me? Was this revenge on Godric? Was this protecting Sookie? Was this moving my people, my area, my state forward?

If I killed Talbot, Russell would be overwhelmed with grief. When Russell lost his previous lover, Wade, a couple hundred years ago, the King of Mississippi had been unhinged. His rule over Georgia spiralled and the state prospered because of it. Little did anyone know that he would kill the Queen of Mississippi at the time, and become King, once again.

People who wanted to overrule him now, were smarter and knew to hold back on his insanity the next time his lover may die. If Talbot, his lover of seven-hundred years was taken, then he would realize that he wasn't as untouchable as he may have thought. Was this all it took? Fuck and stake Talbot?

The Magister might catch wind of this, but he had had to deal with Russell for so long that he might be more willing to negotiate a punishment. Regardless, Russell seemed to be moving forward. First with Bill, then perhaps a take-over of Louisiana, then Sookie and then I would be under his control. I saw it all so clearly now; I knew I would not allow it. My people would not suffer, would not be subjected to his kind of abuse.

I leaned forward cupping Talbot's face in my hands and touched my lips with his. His reaction was instant and his tongue invaded my mouth, his hands gripping my upper arms forcing our torso's closer together.

It'd been a few decades since I'd last been with a man.

My fangs extended and ours clashed in a fierce kiss. I pushed him against the brick wall. I was quite a bit taller than him, but he seemed to relish in being smaller as his hands ran through my hair, our tongues battling for dominance. His erection nudged my thigh and I spread my legs slightly as my own grew against his abdomen. He brought his hands down my body and began to unfasten my jeans. He was the expert. I broke away from our kiss and he kneeled down in front of me as he worked his way past my pants and into my underwear grabbing a hold of my cock, and then swiftly slipping his mouth over the head. I braced myself against the wall.

His fangs scraped against my length and I groaned audibly, pushing my legs apart slightly and thrusting into his open mouth. He moaned, gripping my ass, pulling me closer. He was definitely more skilled than Sookie – and yet I preferred her. She was kinder, softer, warmer – she touched me and I burned. I wanted nothing more than to fuck and bite and rub myself all over her. She was mine and I felt that with every fibre of my dead being. I couldn't think about her now, it was...too much.

Talbot got my entire length into his mouth and I reached the back of his throat, grunting as he tugged at my balls. I thrust into him until I was spent and he quickly stood up to kiss my mouth.

We moved to the Lincoln and I bent him over the trunk, quickly undoing his pants and pulling them to his ankles. Might as well have his last moments filled with ecstasy. It would leave him weak and I could challenge the seven-hundred year old vampire without noise or fight. I would deliver. It wasn't long before I was inside him, thrusting to the hilt.

I was well aware that Russell wasn't too far from us. I also knew the King preferred that Talbot be with other men while he was there; he was extremely possessive. Who knew how many times his lover snuck around with other men behind his back, but this most likely wasn't his first time.

I groaned, pounding into him, the Lincoln swaying beneath us as Talbot met my erection with his ass each time I filled him completely. He reached between his legs and gripped my balls. Oh fuck. Harder. Faster. I imagined Sookie for a moment before I pushed her out of my head for this moment. Finally, Talbot shook, shouting as he came violently and I released deep inside him, relaxing against his back for a moment.

Prepared for anything in my enemy's house, I pulled his limp body from the trunk and against my chest, kissing his jaw, his neck. I moved us to the side of the house, our lips meeting as we moved away from the hillside driveway and away from any windows where we might have been seen. My back against the wall, I ground my hips into his backside and brought the stake from my pocket that I had kept for protection while under Russell's roof. I plunged it into his chest. He looked at me with horror in his expression as I quickly moved from behind him so I wouldn't get covered in his blood.

As I walked behind the house, I saw a red spot on my white shirt. I rolled my eyes, not all the evidence gone. Now, to avoid my grand-sire for the forty minutes before dawn. I scaled the side of the house until I was back in the room with Sookie. She was sleeping peacefully and I wanted nothing more than to crawl beside her and bask in her warmth. I shook her slightly and she jumped, sleeping lightly.

I put the keys on the side table, whispering things in her ear, asking her repeatedly if she understood. She nodded, quivering – she was scared. I found my lips lingering next to her temple as I put the map I drew for her next to the keys.

"Don't underestimate yourself, my lover."

I left out the window. I couldn't believe I was digging myself into the ground for the day, not trusting Russell or his people. I hadn't done this in decades.

My last thought before the sun rose, was of Sookie and seeing her again, safe, when the sun set.

Talbot hadn't been discovered before dawn. I would have felt and heard Russell's anguish, being so close to him. I felt myself wake while the sun was just disappearing for the night. Sookie. I felt through the small bond we had formed and felt her still alive. Small bursts of panic reached at me and I was alarmed. I had to get to her. I waited until my body informed me that it was safe to leave the ground. I crawled out of the freshly dug dirt as fast as I could when I heard a roar across Russell's grounds. Either he was in agony over Talbot, seemingly having left him, or he had discovered his remains. I shot into the sky, his guards and his power unable to refrain me from flight.

Once I was moving through the air, I felt Sookie's pain, sharp as if it were my own. I went faster wondering what in the hell could possibly be happening. She wasn't on the compound. No, she seemed to be back at Alcide's like we planned. I landed outside of the parking garage and followed her blood. I heard moving and grunting coming from the Lincoln I had acquired for her. She was in the trunk? Her hysteria, her blood – she was fading. The terror I felt in that moment shocked me to my core as I ripped open the trunk and saw Bill on top of her, her eyes unfocused. I reached out and tore him off her. He smashed into the cement cylinder and was knocked out. I turned back to Sookie and she was out.

What the fuck?

We had to get out of here. I whipped out my cell, barking at Alcide to get down to the garage immediately. Sookie stirred, her face void of any colour. Fuck. She needed blood. I tore into my wrists and gave her just a little bit. She had to go to a real hospital. From what I could tell and smell, Bill had...

I growled low. I was no medic but I wanted to make sure Sookie was all right. She had to go to a hospital, badly. But we had to get out of Mississippi – out of Russell's jurisdiction.

If I got us into a car, we'd be out of Mississippi in under an hour. I growled looking around. I picked her up carefully and took her over to a car that seemed fine enough for us. I opened the door of a suitable SUV, just as Alcide came down. He saw Bill crumpled on the floor.

"Isn't this the guy you were trying to rescue?" I heard him ask. I settled Sookie across the seat and jumped to the front seat, hotwiring the car. I got it started and backed it up to where Alcide was standing over Bill.

"I need you to take him to the Queen of Louisiana, immediately." I growled. "Afterward you are out of my debt. Thank you for your co-operation." I peeled out of there faster than he could blink. I glanced back, realizing my speed would be too much for her unbuckled body. I stopped at a red light and reached back, sitting her upward, while I buckled her in. I would slow down once we were out of this fucking state.

I tried to seem like a normal driver every time a cop was uncomfortably close but I really didn't even have time for that.

In a half hour we were in Louisiana and I let out a small breath of relief. I began to calculate that it would take Alcide just under three hours if he went quickly to get to New Orleans. I called him to make sure he was on the road and he said he was about an hour away from leaving Mississippi. I told him to go faster before I did the same, trying to get us to Shreveport.

I stopped and got gas, checking on Sookie, giving her a couple more drops of my blood. I tried to cover her up and was thankful that this car had a blanket in the back seat.

I didn't want to think about what happened in that trunk. Not yet. Bill would pay and if I had the time I would have...She was safe now. I was with her.

Two hours later, I was driving into Shreveport taking her to the nearest hospital. It was just after midnight and I watched them wheel her away, unsure of what to do next. The nurses hesitantly told me what I had to fill out and I did it as best I could. Sitting there, trying to figure out Sookie's information, had me think a lot about how much I didn't know about her and much more I wanted to know.

My phone rang and knew it was New Orleans.

"You!" The Queen hissed on the other line. I abandoned the paperwork, figuring she would require my undivided attention. "Have a lot of explaining to do. I have phone calls from Russell, the magister – a were bringing William to me. What the hell was going on Viking? You're in serious danger if you answer incorrectly."

"Would you prefer I say this over the phone?" I could not believe I had the nerve to say that. The Queen screeched like a banshee – I had only met one before and I promised myself never to encounter another.

"You better get your fangs to New Orleans."

I couldn't leave Sookie. "Unfortunately, your majesty, I am unable to until tomorrow."

"And why is that?" she growled.

"I am with Miss Stackhouse..."

"You will bring her. I will meet her." Why did that terrify me so? Because she had been after Sookie since her beginning into this world, since her introduction to vampires – it all lead back to Sophie-Anne.

"She is unconscious at the moment, thanks to William." I said, clipped. There was silence. Obviously Mr. Compton hadn't informed her of his transgression as of yet. "She is healing and will be able to move after next dusk. I will be with you just after midnight. Is this acceptable?"

"The magister and I will be waiting, Eric."

As soon as that conversation was over, I called Pam. "You'll have to give me the numbers for Lafayette right away."

"I haven't seen him..."

"Go now." I hung up and scowled until the nurse told me I could see Sookie. She would be unconscious for the remainder of the night and I worried about her when she'd wake during the day, alone. I went back to my house, uneasy about many things, but mostly about Sookie and her recovery.

She wouldn't hear about the truth of Bill or the Queen. Her resilience was still present, even in her injured state. She would need to know before we reached the palace. I couldn't imagine her in that situation, not knowing the truth. She would hate me for not telling her. She would hate Bill even more. I sighed.

"Sookie, some of it can't wait."

She closed her eyes briefly – I missed her depth, her easy emotions. Her blood was uncertain, scared. "Are you safe?"

I straightened in my seat. "What do you mean?"

"From the Queen." She breathed shakily. "Bill's back, right?" Which wasn't necessarily a good thing. The Queen had Bill and all the blame was on me for his disappearance.

"Yes. He's in New Orleans now. I should be there soon as well." I glanced at the digital clock on the wall. "There will probably be a trial..." I slipped before I could censor myself.

She closed her eyes tighter. "You should go."

I didn't want to leave her. I couldn't. I brought her hand to my lips and kissed her soft skin, inhaling her glorious scent. "You will have to come with me, Sookie. I'm sorry." I was sorry that the Queen took an interest in her. I was sorry that Mississippi was fighting for her as well. I was sorry Bill lied to her initially. I was sorry she had to kill Lorena. I was sorry I had her work with Alcide. I was sorry that I couldn't leave her alone to be a regular barmaid. I was sorry that Bill violated her. I was sorry that I kept dragging her further into vampire politics. I was sorry that she had me in love with her.

She took it in a way I hadn't intended. "Am I in trouble?"

My lover. I shook my head relishing in the feel of our skin touching, my lips burned at her warmth, her blood pumping under her tanned skin, the veins defined on the back of her hand. "No, I am."

Her eyes widened and I smelt fear from her skin. "You're...in trouble? With who?"

I smiled slightly, trying to calm her. "I will be on trial in front of the Magister, the Queen...perhaps Russell Edgington if they can...he's searching for me." I shouldn't be here with her, but I knew for a fact that the Queen had guards around the hospital as if I couldn't protect myself. Whatever. I would ignore them.

"Why?" she asked, her hand squeezed mine.

"I killed Talbot." I wouldn't lie to her. I wouldn't keep things from her. I was in trouble, deeply so, and I would not sugar coat anything for her. She needed to know. She could handle it.

"Why?" she gasped again. Her hold was strong and her energy picked up. I was glad to see her back.

"For many reasons. To protect my people," I said. "Would you like to know them all?" I knew what she'd say.

"No," she looked down at our hands. "When will we go?"

"Tonight."

She nodded slowly. "Perhaps you should send in a nurse for a final check-up or something. Then we can...get going." I nodded kissing her forehead cautiously, gently before slipping out of her room.

Discharging her from the hospital took much longer than I thought it would. Humans and their paperwork. Sookie was still rather weak when we left the hospital. She walked carefully and I helped her into my Corvette. She mumbled a thank you and I closed the door, getting around to the other side.

"We're driving to New Orleans?"

I nodded grimly. "The Queen is not happy with me." I raised a brow at her and she stared back at me blankly, pulling her sweater closer to her body. I looked onto the road and felt odd. I wanted her to be happy. I didn't like her...emptiness. I gripped the steering wheel tightly. There was nothing I could do.

Most of the ride south was silent. Sookie napped for quite a while and I was very much aware of the guard, the vampires following close by. I had to keep calm. I was in control. I knew what I was doing. Always. I answered my phone.

"I really hate it that you get to have all the fun without me." Pam's voice eased me slightly. She was my companion, she was my business partner. Pam, the one I trusted most.

"I'll take pictures with my new phone." I promised.

There was a long pause. "If they lock you in a coffin wrapped in silver, I will find you and free you, master." I thought about that. Normally I would treat it with humour which is what Pam was expecting of me. Instead, I said,

"Protect what is mine for me in my absence."

"Do you mean Sookie Stackhouse?"

"Among other possessions. Do not sass me."

"I am only clarifying."

I looked at Sookie who was waking, jolting when she forgot where she was. She sat up looking frantically around, through the dark windows and at me, she relaxed. "Goodbye Pam."

"Goodbye Eric."

Sookie's brows furrowed as she woke up from her sleep. "Why were you saying goodbye?" she asked, her voice hoarse.

"Because we were ending the call." I said, confused.

"No." She shook her head. "Why were you saying goodbye like that. I've known you to never say that...you just have a final line and then split. Why did you say goodbye like that?" I glanced at her hesitantly to see her full. Her eyes were flickering and her posture was strong angled toward me. "Do you have a reason to say goodbye like that?"

I sighed. "I said it like that for Pam. Not for me. I'll be fine."

"Yeah, well. That's what Bill said to me and then he wound up with Jessica," she spit. I felt something flare inside me.

"I am not Bill." I tried to reign in my temper – I was surprised at how fiercely I wanted to assure her of this.

She bit her lower lip and looked out the front window. We didn't have much else to say and soon we were closing in on New Orleans.

"Everything will be okay, right?" Sookie asked as I approached the Queen's palace.

I snorted. I couldn't help it. "How old are you?"

"Twenty-five." She raised her chin and gave me a defiant look – one that I was glad to see given the situation we were in.

I smiled humourlessly. "You don't need me to tell you childish lies. You killed a woman. You can handle the truth that I am in a serious predicament." I pulled up and turned off the engine. She looked around confused by what was before her. The brick wall surrounding the Queen's humble abode.

"Actually, I've only killed a man. Lorena was a vampire."

"If only I could say the same." I got out of the car and rounded the front opening the door for her. She got down cautiously and I was surprised when she grabbed my hand tight. "You're an interesting woman, Sookie Stackhouse. You're a lot stronger than anyone gives you credit for."

"Thank you," she muttered. I felt her fear, her panic and her misery and I lead her past the guards and across the path over the water toward the entrance of the palace. The Queen and her ridiculous, narcissistic architecture.

The guard opened the door but I held up a hand to halt him for a second. I pulled Sookie to me and brought my head down to hers, our eyes locking. "Bill will be in there."

"Okay."

"I'm here."

She nodded slowly, teasing her lower lip between her teeth. "Thank you." Again? She nodded and my hand trailed down her arm to hold hers. The guard continued to open the door and we entered the Queen's day room.

She was lounging sprawled across her chaise in an extravagant outfit of purple, draped across her lean frame, her red hair pulled back tight and her skin covered in diamonds. Behind her was Bill, stoic, still. Sookie held my hand tight but her face betrayed nothing of her turmoil. In that moment realization hit my telepath. The few times I'd mentioned I had something to tell her and she declared them as lies...she knew now. There was something more to Bill.

Sophie-Anne smiled and brought her legs to the floor. "Sookie Stackhouse! I have heard so much about you." She stood to her full height in her heels and put a hand on her hip, jutting her shoulder forward. "Do you know who I am?"

She straightened her back and blinked. "I've heard of you. How-de-do."

Sophie-Anne laughed and threw her head back in a horrid way. "Charming. Really, Bill, you and her must have clicked instantly. Southern connections and all." I felt Sookie's nails dig into my knuckles. Sophie-Anne raised her brow and walked around her lap pool coming closer. I directed us to face the Queen. "How do you like our Viking? I hear Russell's boy took quite the liking to him and had a very satisfying ending." She reached out and touched my cheek, trailing a finger across my jaw and down my neck to grip my open jacket. She gripped the top of my tank in her hand and gave Sookie an almost challenging look. "He also lost our boy, Bill."

"He's not our boy." Ah, there was my strong-willed, defiant waitress. "You can have him. From what I can tell I don't want anything to do with him. Or you for that matter."

The Queen found this very humorous. "Oh it's too late for that, sweetie. You're mine. Thanks to Bill, I have you warmed up to the idea of vampires. You're in my state. You're connected by blood with my investigator." She shot a look at Bill. Investigator? Oh for fuck's sake. I was feeding off Sookie's fury. I liked to know everything happening in my area and then this? "This isn't a game. You have no choice. No matter how opinionated you may be or no matter how much you think the Viking can get you out of this – it's moot. Eric is mine. Bill is mine and you, Miss Stackhouse, are mine."

Sookie and I had to be expressionless. We could not have our emotions add fuel to Sophie-Anne's bonfire.

"Eric. We'll have Bill escort Sookie to a place where she can...rest. You and I have a meeting with the Magister. I hear Russell is just irrational..." she gave me a wink. "You are being praised by many tonight, my Northman. You have done what people have been trying to do for well over a century. I knew there was a reason why I kept you, besides your looks. Let go of the girl. William, be gentle."

This was something Sookie could not hide from plain view. Not yet. "No!" she blurted. She looked at me her eyes pleading.

"Sookie." Bill said.

The Queen looked sharply between the two. "I forgot. I owe you my gratitude. Lorena was always in my way."

"I didn't do it for you." Sookie glared. "I'm not going with Bill either. If I have to stay anywhere in this place I want Eric to take me."

I watched everyone's reactions. Bill looked as if he'd been punched in the gut. Sookie was indignant, sure of what she wanted. Sophie-Anne was livid.

"Fine. We must accommodate our telepath, since she is in such high demand." Sophie-Anne twisted her nose as if she smelt something awful. She nodded to me and I led Sookie away where a guard was directing us out of the day-room.

"Eric," she whispered. I shook my head minutely as we walked down the long hall and shown to a room. I opened it, since the guard looked as if it wasn't in his job description. It was simple; just a bed. There were no windows, I noted. "Will you come to me before sunset?"

She wanted me to spend the day with her?

"I'll stay up until you return."

I really had no idea how to take that. "I am not sure how tonight will...unfold," I whispered to her softly. I cupped her cheek and watched her eyes, wide and frightful.

"Will you be...tried tonight?" she gulped, nervously.

"That will most likely be tomorrow."

"Oh." She licked her lips. "Will you...?"

"I'll try," I said. It was all I could do. I wouldn't make a promise I couldn't keep. I never had and I never would.

The Queen had her tantrum. I stood by, silent and unmoving. Bill wouldn't look at me and I wondered what he must be thinking. If I ever was alone with him again, we would be having quite the talk. The Magister came later and talked with me about the situation I was in. Luckily he had reached quite an understanding with Godric before my maker finally died. That would work in my favour...especially since the Queen was called away from the meeting due to sightings and rumours of Russell's violent entrance into her territory. Bill was ordered to stay during the remainder of my exchange with the Magister.

When I was let alone an hour before dawn I pulled out my phone to meet with the vampire lawyer in the area before my midnight trial. I had some things to smooth over before I proceeded in any capacity.

The guard who took Sookie to her room was leading me to my own place of rest when I ignored his turn and went to Sookie, hanging up my phone. He didn't make a noise and just nodded, very good at his job. I moved – her blood calling to me. When I felt her anxiety I rushed to the other side of the palace to her. I found her door open and I heard her exchange with Bill. Several guards rushed down the hall at the same time and I held up a hand.

"No, Bill I'm in no mood for more explanation from you! Get out!" I didn't enter her room. I stood outside. She needed this moment.

"Sookie, you must understand. I was under the Queen's orders."

"Oh?" she asked, sarcasm heavy. "Did the Queen order you to drain me and..." she trailed off, shouting in frustration. "Bill, I don't know what to believe. I need time. I don't need you here trying to force yourself on me!" I heard her and Bill gasp at the same time at her words.

"I apologize," he said stiffly. He moved out of her room and shot me a look when he saw me waiting for their conversation to end. If he stopped for a second I would have gladly ripped his eyes clean on out of his head. Perhaps his hands should be discarded of as well. I slipped into her room and shut the door.

She let out a noise of surprise, whipping around and seeing me instead of Bill. Her body relaxed and I relished in the feelings of calm I could inspire in her.

"You came back," she said slowly. I nodded and kicked off my shoes. I stood on the other side staring at her. She was in rather plain pyjama's and I wondered if they came with the room since I had forgotten about sleeping wear for her when I had brought some to the hospital earlier. They were white and buttoned up with draw-string bottoms. She pulled back the covers before crawling under them. She looked at me expectantly.

"You want me with you?" I asked again. Jackson should have done a bigger number on her. With Bill and Lorena –

"I don't want to be alone. Especially here." That was all I needed. I thought keeping my clothes on would be better so I got in beside her in my pants.

"Do you always sleep in your jeans?" She smiled slightly. I relaxed into the pillows on my back my hand folded across my stomach feeling uncomfortable, something I hadn't felt in a long time.

"No. I sleep naked."

Her blond hair covered her face when I glanced at her. She reached out and grabbed my joined hands. "You can take off your jeans, Eric," she muttered. I took a moment before I started to unbuckle and slip them down my legs before kicking them out of the bed. She moved over to her side of the bed and sunk into the pillows. She reached over and turned off the light. I could still see perfectly well. "Goodnight." her sweet voice travelled over to me.

I wanted to hold her, but I was sure that wasn't appropriate. I would have to wait for her to give me permission. Since I still had about forty-five minutes until the sun, I had absolutely nothing to do but stare at the dull room.

"Eric," she whispered. There was no point in that. Nearly everyone was awake in the palace.

"Yes." I whispered back to humour her only, I assured myself. She rolled over to face me. I looked at her troubled expression.

"None of this turned out how I expected," she murmured. I wasn't sure what she meant. She could be talking about anything.

"Dating a vampire?" I asked.

She inhaled deeply, shaking slightly. "No. Life."

In that moment I realized, Godric would have known exactly what to say to this question and I was overwhelmed with grief for my maker.

"I don't remember much of it," I admitted. What I did remember was vivid, but most was lost.

"Do you remember how it ended?" her voice was small as if she were asking a question she had no right to ask.

I thought about that for a moment. I remembered how my human life had ended but my life, no – "It hasn't end yet."

It wasn't long before I heard her steady breathing and she had fallen asleep. I didn't last much longer before the sun rose and I was pulled under.