It was dusk already. Sookie had a warm long shower and she felt ready to prepare for the night. She wasn't sure how to wear her hair. She usually had it tight, but she felt it would be nice to leave it down for a change. Bill always told her she looked beautiful with her hair down and she wanted to please him.

She looked in the mirror and her face blushed. The dress was made of thin material that didn't manage to hide too much. She didn't want to buy exactly this dress, but Tara convinced her. "If I had your body…" Tara said to her "I wouldn't bother wear anything"

It looked nice on her she admitted to herself. Being a waitress for so many years had at least one positive effect. The muscles on her belly and legs were well formed, only that her bootie was slightly more generous. When buying jeans she always had to look for stretchable material otherwise the jeans were either too wide on her waist or too tight on her butt. Bill joked with her that it had a life of its own.

It was already 9 o'clock and Bill told her he would collect her at 8.

The door bell rang. "This must be Bill", she thought and ran to the door.

"Hello Sookie"

Sookie looked up at the tall, blonde man standing at the door and her smile dropped.

"Eric, what are you doing here?"

"Bill had some additional arrangements to do and he asked me if I could collect you. Aren't you going to invite me in?"

Sookie hesitated for a moment. Vampires could not just walk into a human's house without an invitation. And this one certainly was the last vampire whom she wanted in her house. But he helped her get Bill back and she ought him at least that.

"Come in" Sookie said without hiding the disappointment in her voice. It was Bill's and hers official engagement and she was expecting Bill, not the man she wanted to forget. She turned and walked to the fridge to fetch a bottle of true blood for Eric

"Sookie, you look absolutely stunning" Eric stared at her back and he was sure this time she wore no bra. The dress had an open back down to her thin waist. He felt the pressure in his pants building up from the view. He sat on the couch and took the book that was on the table to hide the enlargement in his pants. It annoyed him that he didn't seem to be able to control his desires when he saw Sookie. There was something in her, so different than the other humans he had seen. Two years had passed since the first time they met, and the first time he started having dreams about his past. The past about his human life and the only woman he ever loved. He did not know why Sookie triggered his memories. She did not look like her, but her scent was driving him insane. It was the same…

"Thanks Eric" Sookie was feeling nervous being alone in the house with Eric. She felt his eyes burning her back and her face blushed with shame. She wanted to kill Tara at this moment for making her wear this dress. She passed him the bottle of True Blood and giggled when she saw what he was reading. Arlene had forgotten the book she bought for Terry "How to put baby nappies" and Eric seemed deeply interested in it. She used the moment to put her jacket on.

"You better don't get too comfortable because it's late already and I don't want Bill waiting for me" Sookie snapped with a serious voice.

"Hmm, yeah, I nearly forgot what I came here for, Sookie" Eric smiled at her in a way that made her cheeks go on fire.

"We can go if you are ready" he said and drank the bottle of True Blood at once.

Sookie took her bag while Eric hurried and opened the door for her. Her eyes fell on his tall body and she admitted he looked well. The shirt was hugging his chest revealing a set of nice muscles. She gazed down his butt and pinched herself. "What are you doing Sookie? It is your engagement night with Bill and you are staring at someone else's nice ass…..Nice…Did I just think he has a nice ass?" She pinched herself again and ran out the door disgusted with her thoughts. This was maybe caused by Bills absence, she concluded. They still haven't had sex since he went missing. She was too upset and tired that night and Bill's touch was making her remember every detail of Eric kissing her, something she wanted to forget that ever happened. Bill wasn't too happy about her rejection, but didn't push her. This was a week ago and she knew she shouldn't delay it any further. She was going to make it all up to him tonight…

Pam was standing at the door when they arrived at Fangtasia. She looked at Eric with a furious expression.

"Where were you, Eric? You left me here dealing with all the crap on my own without saying a word. What could have been so important to you? Oh, yeah…", and she looked at Sookie raising her eyebrow. "Why am I not surprised that you can never keep your attributes in your pants? But just to let you know if you have forgotten, that this one is not available anymore"

"Sorry Pam", Eric grinned. And it is not what you think. Bill asked me if I could collect Sookie, and knowing how good you are at entertaining the customers, I thought why not", Eric put the most innocent smile on his face and Pam just waved her hand and laughed.

"Fine", she said. "Just that after so many centuries you keep surprising me doing things you have never done before. If Sookie wasn't marrying Bill, I would have said this is the first time you drove a human in your car" Pam rolled her eyes and walked away.

The bar was buzzing with people. Sookie saw all her friends were already there and having fun without her. It was brighter than usual and looked nearly as normal as a human bar would be. Sookie silently appreciated that Eric and Pam did make some effort to re-arrange it like that. The atmosphere was not filthy with sex as the last time she remembered it, but it felt romantic and beautiful. The vampires were well dressed and drinking True blood from wine glasses that made it look more human. The doors to the summer garden were open and the air was fresh and smelled of flowers and trees.

Sookie browsed around to locate Bill and saw him talking to a stunningly looking female vampire. He stood up as soon as he saw her and walked towards her with a seductive smile on his face.

"I am so sorry, darling, that I could not collect you. But the Queen had to make some final arrangements with me and asked me if I could keep her company. You know that we can never get married if she didn't give us her consent and it wasn't polite if I said no. Eric was not behaving his usual self and had excused himself that he had to collect some more stuff from the alcohol shop in Bon Temps, and I asked him if he could grab you on the way back as I was running out of time. I really hope he behaved?" Sookie nodded. Bill kissed her and wrapped his hand around her waist. "You look gorgeous, my darling", he proceeded and Sookie noticed the proud expression on his face.

Bill introduced her to the Queen. Her name was Encarna De La Vega. Sookie thought the Queen was the most beautiful woman she has ever seen. She had long black hair and big blue eyes and a body to die for. She sounded nice and sweet when she talked, unlike her brother the King, Sookie thought. The Queen was telling her how she had heard so much about her and how Bill had told her about his love to her. She said Bill have been working for her for about a century and she was going to miss his services, but that she was glad Bill had a decent reason and she was well compensated for losing him anyway. Sookie wasn't sure what her last words meant, but at this moment it didn't bother her too much what the Queen's reasons were. Bill had already told her that he completed his last mission ever on behalf of the Queen and this was all that mattered to her right now.

Sookie looked around at her friends to make sure they were ok and saw Eric talking to Sam, Jason and Tara. The three of them were laughing and holding their stomachs. She was wondering what was so funny that he was saying. They barely spoke to Bill and now they seemed to be all over a vampire they had never seen before. She noticed Pam sneaking a look at Eric as well while talking to another vampire and she had a somewhat surprised expression on her face.

Tara squeezed Eric's cheek and Sam and Jason shook hands with him, and then Eric walked away to Arlene and Terry. Sookie hadn't seen a vampire shaking hands before.

Sookie saw a lot of faces she did not know. It seemed like the whole vampire royalty was at their engagement. She was glad that the King could not make it. He terrified her the night she went with Eric to his bar, but seeing how nice his sister was made her feel somewhat less scared of the memories of him. The Queen was joking about the King's surprised face when she told him about Bill marrying Sookie. She said the King had the impression Sookie was seeing someone else. The Queen raised her eyebrow when saying it and Sookie's face blushed when she realized what the Queen meant. She looked at Bill. His fangs were slightly extended and he wasn't really laughing at the joke. Sookie had already told him what happened that night. He forgave her, but blamed Eric for everything, even though Sookie tried to convince him it was the King's idea. Bill said to her that he would kill Eric if he ever touched her again. Sookie assured him she hated Eric as much as he did and would never entirely forgive him for killing Lafayette. Bill had looked at her nervously when she said that to him, Sookie remembered. He looked as upset as she did when she talked to him about her cousin's death. And she loved him even more for caring and showing his emotions to her.

An urge to hug Bill and kiss him ran through her body and she stroked the hair on his neck with her hand and lifted her feet to reach his mouth. She met Eric's gaze who was still talking to her friends, but momentarily turned his head at Terry, suddenly expressing a great deal of interest in the conversation. Sookie felt the Queen's eyes snapping a quick look at Eric, and then quickly turning to her, and she heard her saying. "Sookie, you look extremely beautiful. My brother was not exaggerating when he described you to me. Bill probably can't wait till the celebration is over", and she winked." I am going to leave you two alone for a while if you excuse me. I am really enjoying your lovely party, but I just need to do something else I came here for. Bill told me that you set your wedding day for next year, but I would be really glad if you consider marrying as soon as possible. I told Bill I would cover all the expenses as a wedding present if you get married on my birthday next month on the 16th August. Bill said it's ok with him as long as you don't mind. What do you say, Sookie?" Sookie's jaw dropped speechless. She looked at Bill trying to guess what to say and it seemed he fully agreed to the Queen's request.

"This is a very generous offer, Your Majesty, thank you so much" Sookie said with hesitation in her voice." But next month is really too soon and I am not sure I will have enough time to get everything ready"

"Leave that to me, Sookie. I will organize everything for you. I would really like to. So please let me. August the 16th, Ok. Just get ready on time?" the Queen laughed and left their company without giving Sookie time to reject. Sookie saw her heading at Eric's direction and then saving Arlene and Terry from his persistent company. Why she was so interested in their marriage, Sookie wondered.

She saw the Queen wrapping her hand around Eric's arm and pulling him towards the garden, then grabbing his butt playfully. Sookie nearly felt the touch on her own arms and her face blushed realizing what she was thinking. The Queen was so beautiful, Sookie admitted. Nearly every man in the bar turned his head when she was passing. She was taller than Sookie and she agreed they did look nice together. She noticed Eric's fangs shining in the dark. Vampires showed their fangs when they were aroused. She thought about the night when he kissed her and she could not remember feeling his fangs. Why would he, she thought, he kissed her because he was ordered to and he obviously did not like too much, Sookie concluded…

Sookie really enjoyed the rest of the night. Bill made her dance to exhaustion, whispering love words in her ear, telling her what he would do to her afterwards. A shifter called Alcide stole her from Bill for a while and she was having fun listening to his adventures as a tiger. He was a handsome man and told her she was the most beautiful woman he has ever seen. Sookie had never heard so many compliments about her looks for one night. And it was nice to hear it from someone that didn't look too bad himself. Alcide joked with her how he would steal her from Bill and make her love him instead, and how much he regretted he never met her before. He told her as well she was the smartest and funniest woman he has ever talked to and that he would be delighted if they could become friends. She tried to block his thoughts from entering her mind, but he was broadcasting so loudly she could not avoid it. Her cheeks blushed when she realized he was really being honest with her, that he really respected Bill and her decision to marry him, but he could not stop admiring her personality more than her looks. Alcide introduced her to the rest of his friends, while Bill was enjoying the company of a few female humans that were seemingly all over him.

He looked enormously entertained by the attention, she admitted unwillingly, but it somehow did not bother her at all. She went to him and talked to them for a while as well. They told her how lucky she was for marrying Bill and all.

She spent the rest of the night trying to pay attention to everyone that came to their engagement, stealing a look at Bill from time to time who had joined the company of his vampire friends. Her brother Jason told her he was having a great time; how he met a lovely girl named Sara and arranged a date with her the following evening; he told her about the nice, blond tall vampire with blue eyes, and how Jason was delighted that Bill's friends were so nice. He said Eric promised him to give him a few history lessons. There couldn't be a better teacher than a vampire that witnessed the human civilization for more than 1000 years, Jason admitted to her with excitement. Eric told him he stopped drinking any human blood about 200 hundred years ago and that he hasn't killed a human since he was 333 years old more than 700 years ago. He was able to survive on animal blood and the last few decades were the easiest since the Japanese invented the synthetic "True blood"

"Jason, did you just say that Eric has not killed a human for 700 years?" Sookie said with disbelief in her voice.

"Yes, Sookie, isn't it amazing? The vampires are not as scary as the books granny used to read to us when we were kids"

"He is definitely lying Jason" Sookie nodded her head angrily. Jason did not know about Lafayette. She never told him what happened. She saw Eric with her own eyes covered in blood carrying her cousin in his hands, and shouting at Bill that he would kill him if he approached. She felt the blood rising to her head from the memories.

Bill had told her that night he had some business to do and had to go to Fangtasia to meet Eric. She wanted to surprise him, but instead of this she was the one horribly surprised.

Sookie remembered going absolutely hysteric at Eric. She tried to scratch Eric's face and eventually managed to slap him across the face. Eric tried to tell her it was an accident, but she could not understand how any of this would change the fact that Lafayette was dead. Eric's face was full of remorse and he told her he was sorry, that it was his fault. She wanted to kill him, to hurt him, as much as her cousin's death hurt her.

"Jason, there is something I need to tell you" Sookie said after a moment of silence.

"Hmm, what a delicious little brother you have, Sookie" Pam sneaked in between them without Sookie noticing. "I just accidentally heard your conversation and decided to tell you that what your brother said about Eric is the true. Eric has not killed a human since he turned me 700 years ago" Pam smiled. "For which I forgave him long time ago. And he did not do it, Sookie, it wasn't him"

Sookie stood still for a moment staring at Pam. What was she trying to tell her, that Eric did not kill Lafayette? If he did not kill him, then who did?

Pam walked away without saying no more.

"What were you going to tell me, Sookie?" Jason looked at her sister trying to figure out what was that conversation all about.

"Nothing Jason, I just wanted to say how happy I am for you and I am looking forward to meeting Sara as well. I hope you invite her for dinner some evening." She hugged her brother and walked to Bill, still trying to assimilate Pam's words. She really needed to clarify with Bill what happened that night. She never asked him for details, but Bill never denied anything when she blamed Eric. If Eric didn't kill her cousin, Bill would have said something to her, she was trying to convince herself.

"What's wrong, Sookie?" Bill kissed her when she approached." Did anyone upset you, darling?"

"Bill, I need to talk to you in private for a moment" He excused himself from his friends and one of them petted him on the shoulder telling him to take his time while winking at walked out with Bill to the garden.

"Bill, did Eric kill Lafayette? You have to tell me the truth once and for all"

Bill's face went white. It was almost impossible for this to happen, but Sookie could almost see the blood draining from his facial vessels.

"Bill, why are you not answering me?" Sookie was getting nervous at Bill's reaction. She felt something was not right.

"No, Sookie, Eric did not kill Lafayette" Sookie nearly fainted at Bill's words. All this time, for the last two years she was thinking that Eric was the killer.

"Why didn't you tell me the truth, Bill? Why did you leave me live in lies for all this time? Don't you think I deserved to know?" Sookie was crying and the tears were rolling down her face like a river.

"I am so sorry I lied to you, Sookie" Bill was trying to wipe her tears with his hands. "I had just realized at that time I loved you and wanted you to hate Eric. I was jealous of him. I had seen how you looked at him sometimes and I did not want to lose you. Will you forgive me, Sookie" Bill said with begging voice trying to kiss her lips. "Long Shadow killed your cousin, and if it wasn't for Eric, he would have drained him too. Lafayette was romantically involved with Long Shadow. You know he preferred his own sex. Eric had tried to stop them from seeing each other, as he knew what Long Shadow was capable of, but Long Shadow kept meeting Lafayette behind Eric's back. It's my fault Sookie, I knew they were meeting and I approved the relationship. Eric lost his mind after seeing Long Shadow sucking out the last drops of blood from Lafayette and killed him instantly. Long Shadow's blood spilled all over Eric, but he didn't seem to notice. I thought he would have killed me too for knowing what was happening. I had never seen him so angry. He bit his wrist and grabbed Lafayette trying to give him some of his blood to survive him, but it was too late. That's when you walked in and you know the rest…I guess...I love you, Sookie. Please forgive me."

Sookie was standing there speechless drowning in her tears. Bill lied to her. He hid the truth from her for two long years. He used to tell her how deceitful Eric is, but she was wondering now who the deceitful one really was.

It was their engagement night and she was willing to forgive him, but she somehow did not feel angry at him. She felt nothing at all and it scared her. Maybe Tara was right, she did not know Bill long enough to marry him…..He was the only man she ever really loved, but she could not imagine touching him this night. She has not felt like being with him since the time she went with Eric to find him, when he kissed her, and when all the strange vivid dreams about a blonde, blue eyed human with striking resemblance to Eric started intruding her sleep.

"Bill, I want to go home, my home" Sookie asserted and started walking towards the gates of the garden.

"Sookie, wait!" Bill shouted after her. "I am going to drive you home. You cannot walk on your own in the dark"

"No Bill, I will be fine. It is only a 20 minutes' walk and all the danger is at our engagement party having a nice night out", Sookie laughed." Don't worry. I will call you tomorrow, I promise. And Bill, I love you too. I just need some time on my own to clear my mind" Sookie said firmly and walked out on the street.

Sookie felt the cold breeze of the night wind and regretted she forgot her jacket. But the breeze was helping her think clearer at least. Even if Eric did not kill Lafayette, that still did not change who he was. She saw him kissing the Queen earlier in the night and then the two of them disappeared for almost an hour. When they came back, the Queen looked happier and Eric was behaving his usual self walking around like he was a king. She saw them dancing and laughing and touching each other in an intimate way. She felt disgusted. All that ever interested Eric was sex and vampire politics.

Bill walked back into the bar after he left Sookie. He really did not want to leave her alone, but he wasn't sure he could hide his nervousness any longer. Sookie had become very suspicious the last week. And he had to be very careful. There was only one month left to the wedding and everything was going as planned. The Queen got what she wanted and he got what he wanted…He was feeling hungry now. He noticed Sookie's friends had left. He looked around and saw the fangbanger he talked to earlier gazing at him with a seductive smile. He winked at her and she followed him to the toilets. He bit her neck and felt the warm blood spreading through his body. It was relieving. Sookie had not let him have sex for a week and he could no longer resist the urges. He thrusted his enlarged member into her and left his body enjoy the waves of pleasure….Then he heard the door opening….

"Bill, what are you doing?" Eric was standing at the door…" Where is Sookie?"

Bill pulled himself from the girl as much as he could and tried to close the zip on his pants.

"She wasn't feeling well, Eric. She wanted to walk home alone and I could not stop her"

"I see" Eric said with an ironic smile. "Just don't let anyone else seeing you, Bill", and walked out of the door.

He went to Pam and told her not to let anyone in the toilets until Bill is back. Not that he cared what Bill was doing, but he felt is not right if Sookie finds out. Humans looked at life differently than vampires and they could not understand something like that.

He had just managed to escape from the grip of the Queen and was relieved when he saw her talking seductively to a group of vampires that weren't managing well to hide their lustful eyes.

He had sex with her earlier, but he had no choice. He remembered her screams of pleasure when he was giving her the third orgasm, but he somehow did not care. He had felt his intimate parts aching to be relieved, the same ache he felt the night he kissed Sookie. Sookie looked so beautiful this night that he found it hard to avoid looking at her. Her laugh and her melody voice were everywhere, her scent was intoxicating. The Queen was just the convenient option. And he could not bear the pressure in his pants anymore…He could not bear the way Sookie was looking at Bill…

He decided to check if she went home ok. He followed the scent he had been trying so hard to resist. The further he went, the more he could feel her presence. And he heard screams…

His heart sank into his feet from what he saw. Sookie was lying on the ground covered in blood. He could hear her painful attempts to breathe. Eric did not hesitate, he had to try to save her fast…He knew she did not have much time and he could not let her die… He bit his wrist and put it against her mouth…

"Sookie, drink" he whispered, stroking her hair with his other hand in an impulsive effort to make her feel better. He saw her opening her mouth and felt his blood entering her body slowly. Her wounds started to close and her face resumed its normal colour. He took her gently in his arms and he felt her hands wrapping around his neck. He could not resist and kissed her on the lips that still had his blood on them. She responded and he felt her body convulsing against his. He could taste the tears from the pain she had experienced. She was kissing him furiously in a way he never felt before…"Bill" Eric heard her saying and a sharp pain ran through his body…She was asking about Bill…He put her gently on the ground making sure she was able to stand. He knew his 1000 year vampire blood was going to cure her completely. The older a vampire got, the stronger their blood became…

"I am sorry, Eric. I don't know what I was thinking. I probably confused you with Bill" Sookie said and pinned her eyes to the ground not being able to look at Eric.

"What happened, Sookie? Who attacked you?" Eric was trying to smell the air, but there was nothing…

"I really don't know, Eric. All I remember is steps and branches braking, and then excruciating pain that paralyzed my legs. It drank my blood, Eric. It was a vampire and he was trying to rape me…then I heard steps and he ran…

Eric thought for a while silently. If it was a vampire, and he drank Sookie's blood, then he would be able to find her wherever she was. She was in danger…

"Sookie, you can't stay the night on your own. I am going to get Bill to bring you home. Don't tell anyone else what happened. It is not safe" He lifted her again like a feather and she was surprised how warm he felt for a vampire.

"Eric, I am sorry for ruining your shirt" Sookie apologized after noticing all the blood stains on it. She saw Eric smiling at her showing his white teeth.

"If the state of my shirt is disturbing you, I can take it off" Eric replied making her cheeks go on fire.

"I think I am able to walk on my own, Eric" she jumped back on her feet and hurried in front of him trying to hide the redness on her face. She was surprised how fresh she felt despite what happened to her. She was feeling horny and wanted to find Bill….It was her engagement night and she intended to enjoy every little minute left from it.

They walked through the back door into Eric's office and Eric got Pam to bring her a set of clean clothes.

She put on the red t-shirt and dark blue jeans Pam gave her. Pam was laughing at her and joking about her sexy butt when Sookie struggled to zip the jeans. Eric had offered to help her get dressed, and she literally had to push him out of the room.

She walked into the bar and saw Bill drinking a bottle of True Blood while talking to Eric. His fangs were extended and Eric's face was furious. They stopped when they saw her approach.

"Is everything ok, Sookie?" Eric said and she felt his eyes burning through her clothes.

"Yes, Eric, why shouldn't I be" Sookie replied while wrapping her hands around Bill. She heard Eric saying goodbye, but she did not dare looking at him anymore. His presence made her feel uncomfortable and she was glad he was leaving.

"Bill, will you take me home?"Sookie whispered in Bill's ear and he did not hesitate. He was waiting for this moment for a week and he was going to make the best out of it. They sat in the car and he drove as fast as he could…

Sookie was relieved. Eric had told Bill what happened, except the little details that made Sookie ashamed of herself. Bill did not have to know. She had just confused Eric with Bill from the shock she had experienced and she was going to prove it to Bill now….

"Wow, Sookie" Bill said with gasping voice when she pushed him on the bed after tearing his shirt with her teeth. "I have never seen you so horny" Bill whispered in between the kisses she was firing at him. Sookie licked his ears gently making him burst with desire. He tried to pull her towards him, but she pushed him again restraining his hands. She licked him slowly and he felt her tongue all over his body, driving him insane. He always wondered how she could be so good in bed considering the lack of experience she had. He was her first sex partner, but he always felt he was the one learning. She unzipped his pants and he felt her mouth wrapping around his enlarged penis. A wave of enormous pleasure stormed through his body.

No one had ever done it the way she was able to do it. He was looking at her while she had her wonderful lips moving up and down his member. Her mouth was so soft and so wet, and her tongue was playing against a sensitive spot he never knew it existed before. Her hand was stroking his testicules gently, and she moved her mouth to suck them while still moving her other hand around his penis. She looked him in the eyes while doing it. She speeded her movements and he could not hold on anymore. He felt the orgasm exploding in his body and the juices pouring into her mouth, taking everything in without hesitation…His body started convulsing uncontrollably. She had slowed down her lips, but she was still licking him prolonging the pleasure of the orgasm. His body was still trembling, but he managed to pull her up and kissed her on the lips, feeling his own taste on her mouth. He needed her blood now and she willingly pressed her neck against his extended fangs. The warm, sweet blood poured into his mouth and he felt himself getting aroused again. He rolled over her and entered her, enjoying the wetness between her legs. She wrapped herself around him and pulled him closer. He thrusted faster and faster until another orgasm took over his body…

Sookie heard him scream her name and a feeling of happiness ran through her. She really enjoyed being able to make him feel like that. "I love you, Bill" she said and the exhaustion took over. She fell asleep.