Was so excited to write this chapter, even though I've been so busy at University
Special thanks to grapejuice101 for creating the polyvore for the Tempting Fate series, I'm always so pleased when people offer to create covers
Two words: Eric's back, and I have so much fun writing when these two are in the same chapter
Please let me know what you think via review, the more the merrier
Anyone keen on creating more covers/images for the TF series, personal message me, and they will take pride of place on my facebook page
Stay Tempted
It was the middle of the night. I rolled to my right side, then my left, huffing and puffing with irritation. I looked back to my right to see that Sookie was still sound asleep, peacefully dreaming while sleep was far from my own mind. Every time I closed my eyes, I could do nothing but open them back up and sigh. At the same time I was exhausted, I was worried about how this trip would end. Nothing had gone right so far. When we'd thought we had the information we needed to find Bill Compton, it was drowned out by the danger that came with it. The whole rescue mission was beginning to seem hopeless.
But being stuck here made me think about what was waiting for me back home. There was Auntie Barbs, my guardian and mother, for all intents and purposes. She cared for me, cared about what happened to me, and here I was, putting myself in harm's way. I wouldn't take back my actions; I would do all I could to help my friend, but after these past few days I began to wonder: what if Bill really had finished with Sookie for good?
Sookie was a big part of my life back home in Bon Temps, but then so was Sam. No matter what I say or feel, there was still this nagging part of me that knew Sam was the perfect half to this already complicated and damaged half. He was protective, kind, funny and loving; he sacrificed himself to Maryann to not only keep me safe, but his friends and neighbours too. The only time we fought was when he thought I was putting myself into trouble. And that always involved Eric Northman somehow.
Wanting nothing more than a typically-English cup of tea, I pushed off the bed with a sigh and headed towards the living room. I was so tired that I continued to walk with my eyes glued to my sock-covered feet, not noticing the figures in the room until my name was spoken.
"Melody?"
My head snapped up to face the owner of the voice. I was stunned to see him, here and now.
"Oh my God," I mumbled, my open mouth shifting into a wild grin as I took in the sight of Bill Compton. "You're alright!"
Relief at seeing my friend, I raced forward and met the outstretched arms of Bill, who hugged me to him before holding me at arm's length to ask me a very important question.
"Where is Sookie?" his rough voice said.
"She's going to be so happy," I said, before turning my head towards the bedroom door to call out to her. "Sookie!"
I turned back and without hesitation, slapped the vampire's arm, hard. He looked at me out of confusion, but I glared at him, menacingly pointing my finger in his face.
"Don't you ever try and break up with Sookie again, William Compton. That was a very douchey thing to do."
Understanding, Bill's puzzlement softened into regret. To show my forgiveness, I touched Bill's arm, realising that this was less than a happy reunion for the vampire. His eyes were filled with apprehension and worry, and it was only when the bedroom door opened once more that those emotions spiked.
I stepped back until I was side by side with Alcide, watching Sookie's tired and confused face light up with happiness as she appeared in the doorway.
"Bill!" she breathed in elation, running towards her lover. She jumped into his arms as he held her tightly. His fingers enveloped themselves into her hair as he clutched her entire body to him. Only when she dropped back to the floor did the heaviness in his eyes return.
"Sookie," he murmured, panic itching its way into his voice, "you have to go now."
Taken aback, Sookie asked, "Is that all you have to say to me?"
He squeezed her hands tightly and sincerely confessed, "There's no time!" He looked to Alcide and I. "You must take her away."
Sookie's eyes filled with tears. "Wherever I'm going, you're coming too."
His fingers moved to stroke her cheek, his voice throaty with heartbreak. "It's too late, there's no hope for me. Please," he pulled Sookie towards the two of us, "you have to get her out of Jackson as fast as you can!"
"I believe him, Sookie," Alcide injected, touching the sobbing girl's arm.
"What do you mean there's no hope?"
She yanked him to stop their movements.
Bill looked to me. "Please, Melody, you must keep her safe."
"Sookie," I spoke quietly, feeling my heart ache at seeing her so heartbroken. "If Bill says we need to leave, we should leave."
"I will," she cried, holding onto Bill's sleeves, "just tell me what I'm running from!"
The front door slammed open aggressively to reveal Cooter, a bald vampire and the King of Mississippi himself, Russell Edgington.
Coot stepped inside and yelled, "Come on in."
Bill moved into action, his fangs extracted as he went for the bald vampire, slamming his fist into the vampire's jaw until the fanger managed to grab him and press him against the wall in a position that he was unable to escape from.
"Go!" Alcide growled to me, pushing me to make a break for it. Relying on instinct, I headed straight for the front door, but a slick hand wrapped its way around my neck, halting my escape. Russell laughed at me as he kept me in place with one hand, using the other to fiddle with his hair to keep it in check.
"Get the fuck off me!" I screamed at the vampire, earning another chuckle from him.
In a taunting voice, Russell said, "Aw, you're a feisty little thing, aren't you?"
I gritted my teeth, my feet barely able to touch the ground and my red hair fell over my face, cutting off my sight of Alcide as Coot attacked him.
"Fuck you," I spat at him, receiving a pout from the ancient vampire. In one quick movement, the vampire shoved me against the wall hard enough for my head to slam against it, knocking me down to the floor. I heard the rough voice of Alcide call out to me as I groaned, my head spinning at ninety miles an hour. My vision blurred slightly as I listened to the voices in the room, trying to get my eyes to focus.
"Kids now days," Russell tutted. "No respect for their elders."
Before me I saw Coot ramming his knee against Alcide's crotch.
"That's for Debbie, you limp dick fucker!"
Russell gave his order, irritated with the nature of this wolf. "Grab the girl, you imbecile."
Coot span on his heel and growled at Sookie, chasing her across the room. She managed to fend him off until she was backed up in the corner of the room.
"Sookie…" I mumbled as the blurred figures danced before me. I tried to lift my head from the floor but the weight of it was too much.
"I'm gonna getcha!" the wolf playfully sung. "I'm gonna getcha!"
He made a grab for the blonde and she struggled against him. "Maybe not!" The two clambered onto their knees as Sookie kept him away from her, flailing under his strength. With a scream of her own, her palms opened to spark a purple light, touching the werewolf only to send him flying across the room, landing next to me in a heap. She stared at her own hands in shock, listening to the vampire king laugh with utter delight as the rest of us stared on in wonder.
Russell roared and clapped his hands. "Fantastic!"
The vampire that pulled me along was short but hench, with his fangs extracted and his muscly arms yanking at my own. The Mississippi king dragged Sookie towards his mansion, laughing manically as she flailed in his grip. The blonde tried reaching for me as I did her, but Russell yanked her entire body to keep us separated.
Alcide had been left behind. He was no threat to the king, but I was taken too, for what reason I did not know. Bill was guided by the same burly vampire, the three of us kept at a short distance from each other. The dizzy spell had lifted long ago, but I could feel the touch of dry blood down the side of my head.
On cue, the double door entrance was opened to its king as he strutted inside with a pleased smirk. The mansion was indeed beautiful, glistening with marble and chandeliers, with famous paintings and expensive rugs dotted here and there. The room contained men in black, bodyguards to the king. One vampire, with slicked back curls and dressed in a maroon suit, was obviously not a prisoner in Russell's home. The vampire king threw Sookie towards this vampire for safekeeping while some other faces began to make an appearance. Gliding down the stairs, dressed as sophisticated as the last time we had unfortunately met, was Lorena, Bill's maker.
As Bill was chucked to the stone floor like garbage, so was I, close to Sookie and the well-dressed vampire. I groaned as my head span once more from the sudden movement but I swiftly turned onto my back, staring up at the gleeful king. I shuffled backwards until I was launched back onto my feet by a steel grip. The unexpected touch tore a shriek from my lips until the warm air from the vampire's lips caressed my cheek.
Not a word came from him, but as one of Russell's guards would bruise my skin, the hands of the vampire holding me were soft and careful. One arm wrapped itself over my stomach and down to my hip while the other was gripping my arm so softly you wouldn't have thought it was there. These strong arms were a protective cage from those around me, hugging me to his hard chest to keep me safe and in place. I tilted my head to look up at his face, hardly surprised when Eric's never-ending gaze stared right back at me. He gave away nothing in those sapphire eyes of his, not an ounce of worry or care, but his gentle touch spoke volumes.
Russell looked down at Bill.
"Guess who turned out to be completely unworthy of our trust, Talbot," Russell said as he turned to the vampire beside Sookie.
"No," Talbot said, mock aghast.
Russell chuckled softly.
"Why?" the voice of an anxious Lorena came next. "What's happened?"
"He's been hiding something very interesting from us all," the king answered, looking to Sookie who was watching Bill with worry.
Too fast for my eyes to see, Bill was suddenly up off the floor with a part of the staircase bannister in his hand. He raced over to the bodyguard that had been holding onto him previously before plunging the makeshift-stake into the vampire's heart. The bodyguard gave out a scream, as did Sookie and Talbot as they watched the vampire burst into a pile of stringy blood. I felt Eric's arms around me tighten unconsciously as we watched Bill jump onto Russell's shoulders, ready to stab the king in his heart. But Russell was far too strong; with a simple shrug and twirl, Bill was thrown into the air, hitting the ceiling before he came crashing down onto the staircase, debris surrounding him.
"Bill!" Sookie screamed, running towards the staircase.
Russell's laugh echoed through the mansion. "Are you serious?" he chortled, pointing to himself proudly. "I am almost three thousand years old!"
Before I knew it, the arms that kept me safe had abandoned me. Instead, Eric appeared in front of Sookie, blocking her way to Bill. Her lover struggled against the bodyguards.
He pleaded to the vampire, "Eric, get her out of here, please!"
But Eric ignored Bill, grabbing onto Sookie's arm roughly to pull her back to the king.
"Eric, what are you doing?" I yelled at him, racing over to the vampire and my friend. No one thought to stop me. Russell watched the sheriff with interest at his loyalty.
"I wouldn't let go of this if I were you," he drawled, looking down at the blonde waitress. "I dunno what it is, but I do know it's quite valuable."
The king and Eric smirked at each other.
"Eric, what the fuck?" Sookie shoved against him but to no avail. Russell regarded Sookie, walking around her as if she were a prize pig at a farmer's market.
"I haven't had the pleasure of tasting it, but," Eric continued, "all my instincts tell me it would be quite extraordinary."
Russell sniffed Sookie's hair while listening to Eric, chuckling darkly.
Sookie looked up at Eric with hatred. "I will never forgive you for this!"
Eric smirked wildly and eyed the blonde pitifully. "Aw, it thinks we're equals."
Russell frowned, "But it's wrong, isn't it?"
"Of course," Eric agreed, laughing with the king while Sookie and I watched him in astonishment. From behind Sookie and I appeared Talbot, furious at his partner's priorities.
"Do you care nothing about our home?" he asked, wounded and angry.
"Talbot, not now!" Russell scolded.
"When?!" Talbot screamed at the king, stomping past him as he cursed and swore in his home-language. He shrugged past Bill and the guards and up the stairs. The king sighed and frightfully, his lazy stare wandered over to me.
"And what," he started, stepping forward to play with a strand of my red hair, "are we to do with you?"
I flinched as he ducked down, taking a whiff of my skin. From the side, I saw Eric stiffen slightly next to Sookie. Russell pulled back with a sigh.
"Well, you do not smell half as exciting as your little friend here," he said, glancing at a nervous Sookie. Russell tucked the strand of my hair behind my ear, sending a shudder through me as his skin touched mine. He huffed and spoke, "Rico, send this one up to Talbot, would you? Maybe that will help his sour mood."
"Leave her alone," Bill yelled from behind us, struggling against his captors to defend me.
"No," I gasped as the bodyguard that had dragged me into the mansion took a few steps towards me.
"Your majesty," the rough voice of Eric sounded. Suddenly his presence was closer as he notably stood in front of me, stopping the guard from getting his hands on me. "May I suggest we keep this one alive until we have the information you wish to acquire?" Eric glanced down at me. "I believe these two share quite a bond and, with this one dead," he took the opportunity to snatch up my wrist with his iron grip before looking back at the king, "Miss Stackhouse may not be as forthcoming…"
"Hmm," Russell murmured, looking at Sookie then to me. I withdrew from his gaze, shifting my body so that I was mostly hid behind the Viking. "Quick thinking, Eric. I suppose it won't be too much to ask that the girl stays in your company until we have what we need?"
Eric bowed his head, replying, "As you wish."
"What are you going to do with our Mr Compton, if I may ask?" Lorena's anxious voice piped up.
Russell stepped towards the staircase. "Marco, Klaus, take Mr Compton to the slave quarters." The guards pulled Bill down the stairs, towards the double doors that were being opened. Lorena watched them take him away. "Then my dear, you will kill him."
"No!" Sookie screamed in protest while I looked over to Bill in fear.
Lorena bumbled, "But–"
"Do not defy me!" Russell bellowed, slamming his fist onto the stair bannister. "I am your king!"
Lorena sobbed softly but lowered her head in submission. "Your majesty…"
Russell looked to the sheriff. "Take the Stackhouse girl into the library, Eric. I want to ask her some questions, after I've repaired the state of affairs of my marriage." He looked down to Rico. "Have her friend brought to Mr Northman's room."
I felt Eric's fingers tighten around my wrist as he watched Rico approach me, only releasing his hold once Rico grabbed my elbow, dragging me up the stairs behind the king as I stared at the scene below.
"Sookie!" I shouted, struggling against the vampire's grip.
Eric was staring at me, his eyes ablaze until I was no longer in his line of sight.
Rico shoved me down one of the many corridors within the mansion. He stood behind me, telling me which direction to turn and giving me a nudge here and there to speed up. There would be no use running from him, and I'm pretty sure if I did, I'd be ruining the lifeline Eric had managed to throw me. But when Rico gave me a particularly hard shove, I came to a stop.
"Quit it!" I yelled at the vampire. "Herding me like some cow isn't gonna make me go any faster, comprender?"
The vampire's stony expression remained the same. When he reached forward towards me, I jumped back from him, scared of his particularly large hands and what they were capable of doing. But Rico's hand moved towards the handle of a large door, pushing it down to open it. He looked to me and gestured for me to move inside.
Cautiously, I stepped inside. Once I was in, the door shut behind me with a bang of finality, leaving me to myself, though I was pretty sure Rico would be remaining right outside the door. I sighed, looking around my new cage. I couldn't deny it was beautiful. Everything screamed 'antique' in Russell's huge mansion and it certainly was no different in this room.
The bed was fit for the king of Mississippi himself, the biggest I had ever seen. I walked over to it, touching the sheets. Silk, crimson red and gloriously soft. I sat down on the edge and stared around the room helplessly. On one of the walls hung curtains, but when I raced over to them, there was nothing but the wall behind it. I sighed hopelessly and returned to the bed, moving to lie on my side.
I could hear nothing from outside of the bedroom. No word from Sookie or Bill reached my ears for almost an hour. Rico remained outside of my door, keeping me in and keeping anyone unwanted out. I was too worried and frightened to even think about falling asleep. Bill had been dragged away, awaiting his death by his own maker. Sookie was being held prisoner just as I was, but was facing Russell Edgington and God knows what else downstairs. And here I was, helpless to save them, sitting comfortably in a million dollar bedroom.
I jolted into a sitting position as the door suddenly opened. Fearing Rico, or worse, Russell Edgington, I scanned the room for some sort of makeshift weapon but found nothing but a hairdryer lying on the floor. I raced towards it, yanking the cable from the socket then span on my heel, ready to face whatever scum walked through that door.
Eric strode inside and shut the door behind him, facing me as he did so. His eyebrow arched slightly as he took in my position; holding a hairdryer like a baseball bat, dressed in my pyjama vest and shorts.
"What were you planning to do?" he asked mockingly. "Blow me to death?"
I breathed out and dropped the hairdryer onto the floor, my eyes glued to the Viking. He was dressed in a light blue sweater, bringing out his eyes and causing him to look unusually human. He was as striking as the last time I had set eyes on him. When he saw my numb expression, he continued to speak.
"Rico's been dismissed. While I'm here with you, we have no need for him."
I frowned angrily. "We?" I asked. "What, you're the king's bitch now?"
My words caused the vampire no harm, though the air around him changed significantly.
"Please tell me that was just you bullshitting downstairs?" I hissed. "Because if Sookie's hurt because of you…" I couldn't even finish the sentence.
He took a step forward. "Melody–"
"I have to find Sookie," I interrupted him, my eyes glued to the floor as I headed towards the door. As I reached it, a strong arm cut me off.
"I can't let you do that," Eric said, though not without regret.
I looked up at him, furious. "Eric, where is Sookie? We need to get out of here!"
"No," he said simply, his cocky voice now rough and deflated.
I watched him with my mouth open, pointing at the door. "You just said Rico's gone! Now's our chance, I have to–"
Eric's hand snatched my wrist and he dragged me over to the bed. "I said no, Melody."
"Eric, let me go!"
He shoved me away from him, disconnecting the simple touch I hadn't realised I'd missed so much. His face was expressionless for now but his eyes were raging with emotion. I sat on the bed with a huff, crossing my arms angrily. Eric began to pace the width of the room in front of me.
"You are many things, Eric Northman," I growled, "but I never had you pegged as a liar. Not with me, at least."
The vampire ignored me, continuing his pacing. I felt my heart pang as I remembered his words.
"You promised to protect me…"
Eric stopped his movements and abruptly turned to me. I could see now that his emotions were organised, anger taking priority.
"To protect you?" he sneered cruelly, pointing at me. "Did I not tell you to stay in Bon Temps, hm? Did I not specifically order you to stay away from these werewolves?"
"I did it to help save Bill!" I protested.
Eric gestured to the space around him, mocking me angrily. "Because that panned out so well," he bit out. Eric continued his pacing, pulling at his blonde, slick hair in frustration. "You have no idea of the mess you've made by coming to Jackson. You being here will get us both killed."
My nose wrinkled in pride. "This is not my fault, Eric." I looked up at the pacing vampire with a frown. "Why are you here?"
"That's none of your concern."
"Are you betraying us?" I asked, causing Eric's head to snap towards me.
"What?"
"Are you betraying us?" I repeated, gesturing to the door. "You clearly don't want to help us escape. You say you want to keep me safe but there's no way I'm getting out of here alive thanks to you–"
Eric growled and faced me. "I am doing everything I can to keep you alive, Melody, without destroying the one chance I have of getting something I've wanted since before I was turned."
"So everything you said before? About caring for me?" I swallowed. "About being yours? That was a lie?"
The vampire growled at me, his eyes sparking with white hot fury. "No, it wasn't."
"Then prove it!" I yelled at him. "Get us out of here! Help me," I begged, feeling my eyes starting to water. Eric's stare slowly began to soften as he watched a tear fall down my cheek. "Eric…" I mumbled, choking on my erratic breaths, "I don't wanna die here. Please…"
A look of determination clouded Eric's expression as he strode across the room, towering over me with one hand on each side of the bed, trapping me against him. His brilliant eyes were burning with sincerity.
"Listen to me," he growled, his sweet breath warming my tear-stained skin. "I am not leaving here until I get what I came for."
I lowered my head, sniffling, only to feel Eric's fingers gripping my chin to guide it back up to face him. "But I'm not leaving without you."
I looked at his honest face, listening to his words. Past experience warned me not to trust this man, to get as far away from him as possible. But every inch of my being screamed the exact opposite. Tears glided over my skin as we remained in silence for now. He kept me trapped between his strong arms, pinned to the bed as my sobs quietened into sniffles. Eric had crouched down so that our faces were level and his tall frame was no longer towering over me. The lines on his face were smoothed out and the anger now clear from his eyes.
His large hand moved to stroke a tear away that had crawled to the corner of my quivering mouth. It then moved to the side of my face.
"You're hurt," he murmured, regarding the dried blood. I pushed his hand away softly.
"It's nothing."
He let out a heavy sigh. "I wish you had done as I asked," Eric muttered, scanning my exhausted appearance.
I sniffed out a pathetic laugh. "Are you actually surprised?"
He huffed out a quiet laugh. "Not in the least," he replied. "I felt your fear and knew before I even got to the farm you wouldn't be there."
I breathed out a shaky breath, gazing at the beautiful man crouched down in front of me. I raised an eyebrow, taunting him.
"You were worried?" I asked in a whisper.
Eric's expression sobered until he was staring at me, nothing but sincerity radiating from him. He moved one hand from the bed sheet to take my hand in his, wrapping his fingers around mine, pulling them until he had them whispering against his lips. His sapphire eyes wandered down to stare at our joined hands.
"I was worried," he confirmed quietly. As he spoke, his soft lips caressed my skin with every word. My heart jumped at his honesty. Eric had always been so proud, so confident; opening up to me was a very rare occasion, and I would savour it with everything I had. Despite his betrayal and the current situation, 'absence makes the heart grow fonder' has never been more accurate.
I leaned forward. Eric reflected my actions, moving so his own head was a hair's width away from mine. His breath warmed my skin; I wanted to revel in it, drink in the sight of those eyes as they wildly searched my own.
"Eric…" I murmured, my lips grazing his, speaking his name as if it were the only thing worth knowing. Eric's free hand came to grasp my neck, crashing our lips together. The pressure of his kiss was excruciatingly pleasant, demanding every inch of me to be his in such a simple action. He tasted as delicious as I remembered.
But we had only a moment before he shoved himself from me, standing a fare distance away, just in time for the door to be opened. In walked Rico, his arms crossed, his muscles flexing. Eric's fiery gaze left mine, echoing nothing but his disappointment at the loss of touch. He looked to Rico, his teeth gritted and his stance defensive.
"What?" his irritated voice snapped at the guard.
Rico's steely eyes fell to me, ignoring the sheriff's brashness. "The king wishes to see the girl," Rico announced, "Now."