The mystery of their destination became apparent when they pulled up outside the most garish looking mansion on the block.

Sophie-Anne's.

Well it seemed Russell couldn't wait to marry the queen of Louisiana. Aurea eventually and slowly put two and two together and realized she was there for backup. Just in case the queen decided to say no, which Aurea put $100 bucks on right up front.

They walked up to the front door, Eric helping her along the way once he assisted her out of the limo, his hand keeping a steady place on her lower back. Two guards were stationed out front and it didn't take long for Russell to dispose of them. They entered freely, finding hardly any resistance within the residence. Seemed Sophie-Anne was more broke then she ever let on. The guards they did encounter turned and left with the promise of a pay raise.

"Now, my dear." said Russell, stopping their train before they found Sophie-Anne. "You are aware of why I brought you this evening, you're not that stupid. So, if an opportunity presents itself for your services, you take it. Do you understand?"

She paused slightly, the uncomfortable emotion settling in her stomach any time she used her glamor on other vampires, at least when they didn't deserve it. But they had already had this conversation once before, and she knew she didn't have many options at the moment. She had to do what she was supposed to. Whatever that ended up being.

"I understand." she whispered, seeing Eric's burdened eyes behind Russell.

"Beautiful." smiled Russell, caressing her cheek. "Let's go."

The pool room they entered gave Aurea the long and forgotten feeling of the beach, the sun high in the sky. She missed those simple days when deciding what bikini to wear, what level of coverage it provided, and whether or not the boys would notice her or keep their eyes on Sookie. It was a time long past that reared its ugly head to her future.

"Mama couldn't be more wrong."

Aurea turned her attention back to the present as Sophie-Anne stood quickly, her apparent disgust at seeing Russell in her home pouring from her face.

"I see you've killed my guards." she said.

"Only a few. The others defected with a promise of better pay." smiled Russell.

"Hadley?" whimpered the queen.

"Oh, your human is safe. I'm not here to needlessly slaughter." replied Russell.

"What do you want?" asked an overly annoyed queen.

"You, my darling Sophie-Anne." replied Russell, holding out a rose before bending to one knee. "I want you to accept my proposal of marriage."

"I have turned you down, countless times. Why would I accept now?" she asked.

"Because in addition to never touching you, I will settle all your debts." he replied, giving Aurea a quick glance. "Oh, come on. The Magister will eventually determine it was you who was selling our blood."

"I've already pinned it on Eric Northman." she said smugly, earning a slight step forward from Aurea.

"Hold on, little buttercup." said Russell, stopping Aurea from advancing any further.

"Is that really all you've got?" the queen questioned further, looking at Aurea in question.

"Well, uh, oh, there's the IRS." smiled Russell. "The American Vampire League will let them put you in prison, make an example of you, assuage the right wing's fears about vampire's running wall street."

Sophie-Anne looked on in disregard as Russell listed off the multitude of ways she could get fucked over if she didn't marry him. She once again thought she couldn't be touched.

"They have no dominion over me. I'm a queen." she seethed.

"Sure." laughed Aurea under her breath, Russell joining her.

"Please. I have known some of the finest queens who've ever lived. You, my dear girl, are no queen." replied Russell.

"Ouch." snickered Aurea.

Regardless of her situation in all of this, she couldn't deny that seeing the queen being dropped a peg or two from her broke high horse gave her some sort of joy. Aurea's hair blew through the wind as Eric ran past her, slamming Sophie-Anne into the tile floor. Those two had some things to work out.

"Those two have quite the beef I hear." said Aurea to Russell, playing dumb.

"Mm, yes they do. I've never had a mind for Sophie-Anne, spoiled rich girl who grew too big for her britches. But I think they can work out whatever aggression's they have." replied Russell, taking Aurea's arms and entwining it with his own. "Now tell me dear, what do you feel for our Mr. Northman?"

"Why?" she asked, suddenly nervous.

"Oh come now, there's no need to be coy. I see the way you look at him, and he you." smiled Russell. "Sparks. Much like my dear Talbot and I when we first met."

"Well I certainly can't deny he's handsome." she smiled, playing the coy girl.

"Oh, my dear, he's a God." whispered Russell, his own enjoyment pluming to his face.

They both turned with sly smiles back to the conversation going on just a few feet away. Eric threatened Sophie-Anne with a more than understanding threat before attempting to actually go through with the deed.

"Eric."

Aurea watched Eric sigh at being denied ripping Sophie-Anne's head from her body. He retracted his fangs and stood up, retreating back and taking up place slightly behind Aurea. Aurea smirked a little at Sophie-Anne's upset as she climbed to her feet. She still had a look of disagreement, that she would say no to Russell and that her reason for being here as backup would be called upon.

But alas… she was not needed.

"Goddamn it." she whimpered in disgust.

"Splendid!" exclaimed Russell. "The sun will be up soon. We'll spend the day here. We'll stop by Fangtasia on our way back to Jackson."

Again was the issue brought up regarding the club and the Magister. What the fuck was going on? She looked to Eric to see him graciously thank Russell and agree to that plan. Her eyes tried to catch his as him and Russell looked longingly at each other. What the actual fuck was going on?

"Aurea, my dear." smiled Russell. "Would you be so kind as to escort my betrothed where she can rest properly?"

"Fuck that." snarled Sophie-Anne. "I'm still in my house, I will go where I choose! I'm still a free woman after all."

Sophie-Anne sneered before trying to leave the pool room. A look from Russell told her it was her time to shine and be of use. Aurea, hiding her lack of enthusiasm, opened her right hand out from her side, Sophie-Anne stopping instantly in her tracks.

Aurea stepped around the two men, feeling two very different types of gazes bore down into her skin. One of greed, the other of worry. She stepped closer to Sophie-Anne as she continued to hold her still. Her eyes caught sight of a bird cage type thing in the corner which would perfectly house a queen.

"What the fuck are you." seethed the queen as Aurea came to stand in front of her.

"My queen." stated Aurea, her eyes drilling into Sophie-Anne's, the familiar pull and tingle of influence washing through her. "If you would be so kind as to climb into the birdcage, please."

Aurea released the hold she had on the queen and followed the almost zombie like vampire to the structure in question. She could hear a self-satisfied giggle coming from the other side of the pool, as Sophie-Anne climbed in. She suddenly felt a presence next to her, Eric's familiar hands coming into view as he closed the door of the cage and locked it.

Aurea closed her eyes and looked away, breaking the bond between her and the queen. Seconds ticked by as Aurea caught Eric's eye and hand as he returned her to the side of Russell.

"What the actual fuck!?"

Russell only laughed in enjoyment as he took Aurea by the waist, her hand in his as he gently danced her around the pool. Sophie-Anne screamed at her containment as Russell danced with Aurea to his own tune.

"You my dear, I knew you would be worth every penny." smiled Russell, dipping Aurea before pulling her back to her feet. "I shall be infamous!"

"Your majesty." interrupted Eric, his eyes quickly flashing to Aurea's distraught face. "Perhaps we should rest. I believe we have a big evening ahead of us."

She had never been more thankful for him until that moment. Well, that was a lie, but still, he always knew when she needed rescuing. Russell set her on her two feet and kissed her knuckles before stepping away.

"You're right. Let's all try and get some rest." he said, before turning to Aurea. "You especially my dear. Eric, please escort our little pudding cup and make sure she rests."

Aurea only nodded before stepping back to allow him to leave the room. Eric caught Russell's eye before he disappeared with a quick wink. Both her and Eric were left in silence, neither knowing what to do for fear of being discovered or caught. She checked the doorway again to make sure Russell was gone before glancing quickly over her shoulder to see the queen glaring at them from her birdcage.

"I think I'll- "

"Let me escort to a room." interrupted Eric.

He placed his hand on her lower back and pushed her out of the pool room. His touch felt like fire to her. What felt like ages had only been a few months, but to go that long without him was too much for her to bear. She allowed Eric to escort her to a bedroom of sorts in another part of the house. He opened the door and pushed her in, checking the halls before entering in after her.

She couldn't even remember hearing the door shut before her back was slammed against the adjacent wall, his lips consuming hers after months of agony and heartache. She immediately began to cry and whimper in want and need as his hands dug into her hips, trying to bring her as close as he could.

Her fingers ran through his hair as she pulled him into her, her nails reaching his back as he lifted her against the wall, her legs wrapping around his waist as he pushed against her. The feeling of having him near her again was too much. Too much for her to digest. After everything they had went through, before and after, she forgave everything. Remembering what she went through when she left, nothing mattered anymore before that time. It just didn't. There were much greater things to worry themselves over, to care about, in order to live the way they wanted.

She pulled away from him and rested her forehead against his own, her hands cupping his face as they rested themselves in silence. Eric still held her against the wall, her legs still wrapped around his waist. As much as he wanted her, this was not the place for him to feel her again the way he wanted. Too many ears, and not enough time to do to her what he wanted.

He gently placed her back onto her feet and cupped her own face in his hands, gently wiping away the tears of blood that made their way down her cheeks when he kissed her.

"I'm so sorry." she cried. "Please… please forgive me."

"Don't." he stated, looking into her eyes. "There isn't anything for me to forgive."

"I left. I shouldn't-I should have stayed." she cried, Eric trying to calm her down. "You were right there the whole time. The only thing I needed and I was so blind not to see it. To see you."

Eric let her express her sorrow. The only thing he knew he could do at that moment. Nothing she ever did could make him love her any less.

"I've always walked away from things that scared me. Whatever the reason, really. I wanted to come back the moment I left, but something kept me going. Call it pride, embarrassment, the fact that I was lost." she laughed, causing Eric to laugh with her. "I never meant to hurt you. I never want to hurt you. Ever again."

"I know why you did it." he answered her. "And no matter the blame you put on yourself, know I am not angry with you. I can't be. I love you too fucking much."

"I tried so hard to get back- "

"I know." replied Eric. "But we're here now. And as much as I want to take you against this wall right now, we have bigger things to worry about."

"It's him." she whispered, her hands coming back to his face. "It's him."

Eric knew she what she meant. After all these centuries, they had found the man responsible for so much heartache, for the murder of their family, and their souls. He was within their grasp.

"I know." replied Eric. "That's why we must be very…careful."

"I'm already assuming you have a plan."

"An idea. Not a way to carry it through just yet." he replied, caressing her cheek before kissing her once more. "We will find a way. Until then, we need to be aware of everything going on. Do you understand?"

"Yes."

She nodded her head, knowing first hand to continue listening to whatever she could in order to help their cause. Not only with Russell, but Talbot, the disgusting mongrels that did Russell's bidding. Everyone and everything.

"You need sleep." replied Eric, leading her over to the bed.

"So do you."

"I don't require much sleep anymore, you know that." he replied.

"Either way." she sat, grabbing his hand. "Lay with me."

Eric smiled at her pleading mismatched eyes as they once again had him caving. It was the only opportunity he could see in their future that allowed for him to be this close to her until everything was settled. He lay down with her in his arms, her cheek pressed against his chest. The smell of her was one of the many things he missed as he buried his nose into her hair.

He wrapped her hand in his as they lay in silence. Screams of Sophie-Anne could be heard throughout the house, but within that room, the moments they had, it was the only thing that mattered. He felt her fall asleep almost instantly as he pressed his lips to her forehead.

"Jag sa att jag skulle hitta dig." he mumbled, running his fingers through her hair. "Oavsett vad."

(I said I would find you. No matter what.)


Happy Whatever Quarantine Day! Hope you all are doing well and hanging in there. As always, thank you for reading and let me know how you're feeling. Peace and Love!