"No, Sookie. It is not great," he snapped. As he was saying the words, I felt a sudden jab in my stomach. I hunched forward to try and alleviate the pain, but it never came. "What the frick?" I said, as my eyes were opening so wide, it felt like they were going to roll out of my sockets. Then, tears were pouring down my face. Eric didn't move. He didn't sucker punch me in the gut, or maliciously bite me...again. So why isn't he moving? Why isn't he comforting me? Or making sure I'm ok. Then it hits me. How could I not see this coming; more than ever, I can feel his pain, his anxiety- HIS EMOTIONS. That's why no hugs or kisses, he needs to compose himself. But what brought about those dark, sad feelings? How come I couldn't feel them before? Never at this magnitude. Before I delve deeper into this, I wanted the pain to end. I wince, "Babe, can you...em..get your shit together? Please!" As I fall to the floor, I start digging, pulling, squishing at my stomach (as these are some tactics that I use to try and relieve the pain caused from 'Mother Nature's' visit) but as in most cases, it doesn't work. I couldn't take it anymore, "Eric!"

Upon hearing his name being yelled, he snapped out of whatever he was in, snatched and cradled me into his chest, then started rocking side to side. Almost instantly, from the time he was out of his 'haze', the pain ceased. I let him sway me in his arms for a spell, feeling safe there. I finally broke the silence, "Are you going to tell me what happened there?" I gazed into his eyes, his beautiful, sapphire crystal-esque eyes. I kind of wish that I hadn't launched the sneak attack, because his eyes were full of emotions...so many. Perhaps, too many. Well, that was most definitely obvious from a few minutes ago.

"My wife- always in my world, and hopefully...still, very soon in yours. I hope." He paused, allowing me to feel the bond- his love, pride, yearning. His eyes are soft and looking at me so tenderly, so I take it all in. I have no idea what he's going to say next, but I just want him to feel my love. I tug the back of his hair, guiding his head towards to my face. As soon as I see I could, I kiss his cheek. Really wanting his lips, he can kiss like...like, well exactly what one should expect an ancient Viking would- intense. We embrace each other, engaging in a long passionate kiss. He starts to growl (the sexual of sorts), then proceeds to nuzzle his nose into the nape of my neck, slowly moving upwards, until he reaches the spot where the back of my head and neck meet. Inhaling like he was never going to see, or smell me, for that matter, he sighs and continues, "To answer your questions, I can only assume you were feeling my emotions, for that I am truly sorry. I did not want or mean for you to fully feel my emotions, earlier. I can only say that the bond has grown even stronger, perhaps in part to it being the second Bond, or your fairy-ness. I do not have a suitable answer for you, my love. I will work on it. Until then, I am going to have to work on controlling my end of the bond, although I did not think I let the reigns loose . I will make that up to you later," he wiggled his eyebrows. I quivered on the inside, knowing full well that he will keep his word on making it up to me. I am picturing and so looking forward to that. Sensing my arousal, he continues, "Even though I can feel your yes, I will continue to behave, though not to my liking. I can feel your anxieties as well, and I want nothing more than to try and ease yours, now. So, there is news and there is bad news. Which would you prefer first, my dearest?" He asked with a shit-eatting grin. Funny. My viking vampire can find humor in anything. "Which do you think I can handle, first?" I sighed. Really not knowing which one I wanted hear, so I was glad when he spoke first. "My Sookie, as I told you, you are only the third to have tasted my blood. So, I did love...no, not love. Love is what I feel for you, I will not trivialize the way I feel for you. I love you. You and only you, my wife, my bonded. Since being made vampire, I have never loved." He stopped, in "shut down vamp mode". With that no less.

I felt the sudden feeling of emptiness and sadness again, so I looked at him, sending him all the love I could...and maybe even more. He was opening up to me. A burst of love was sent my way. I appreciated it very much, so I nibbled on his ear. His chest rumbled, my libido went sky high, on a rocketship. What happened next, flabbergasted me. He was tearing me from him. I felt that he wanted to explain the emotional hurricane/tornado topped off with a stabbing feeling feeling to me, so I simply nodded and he continued,"I was poorly attempting to explain earlier, let me try again. Now, knowing what love is, thanks to you, my fairy princess, I only lusted her. I have never admitted this to anyone, I suspect Pam knows, but she would never say it openly. I was lonely. Sookie, I fear I am going to feel you, but please, do not pity me. I am in love ,now. A concept I never would have imagined possible. Ever. I waited over a millennium for you, my hybrid princess. I would do it all over again. Except next time, we can leave out Compton." After finishing, a small smile appeared on his face, then vanished. It didn't matter how long it was there, it was still as sight...like a shooting star. Doesn't matter at what point ya catch it, ya still saw it and are in awe.

I could sense that he was telling me things that he probably hasn't thought about for a few centuries, I'm sure. Now, I am stuck between a rock and a hard place. I love when my Viking opens up, which isn't that often, and I wanted to listen, but I could also feel his sorrow and anxiousness. Which only makes me want to tell him that all will be ok, start a making out and then we make love. What to do? So I ask, "Hun, does your child have something to do with the King or Queen?" I sense his tension ease a wee bit after he hears my question. He sends me some love, sweeps the random hairs from my face and says, "Not at all, my princess." "Then we can leave that for another time...but real soon, if that's ok?" He nods, so I continue, "I want to know you. Everything about you, your life...lives, er...both, sorry. I hope that wasn't too forward," I whispered the end. I was hoping he would forgive my lapse in vampire etiquette. His kiss gives me the answer. It was long and meaningful, literally...as if he was telling me how much he loved me thru the kiss. If that was he way of saying he loved me, I will only accept this version, now.

"My wife, bonded, lover...I will always love and protect you." "I will love and protect you too, my husband," I mumbled through our kiss. "INSERT BABBLE WITH AN ANCIENT LANGUAGE HERE..." "Eric, I don't understand what you're saying." I said as I broke away from our kiss. I looked at his eyes and they were glowing, but the bond sent amazement, love, uneasiness, worry. Oh My Goodness. I turned my head, slightly. He didn't say that out loud, did he? I thought to myself. He cocked his head to the side and said, "Well my lover, I did not intend for you to understand what I was thinking. It seems that you can read my mind. How long have you had that ability?" He peered at me, but sent me comfort and love, so I answered honestly. "Well, since you're going to be able to feel me, I am just going to fess up. I have never heard you until now," All truthful, but wanting to match his attempt at honesty, I continued, "But I have seen 'flashes' inside your head...but only once in a blue moon. Honest." I finished up feeling a little scared...that was my only comfort- I couldn't hear vampires. Now, I can read the strongest, oldest...my boyfriend's mind. Ugh/Uh-ho.

"What am I thinking right now?" He asked, looking into my eyes. I listened. Nothing. Oh. Thank You, Lord All Mighty! "Nothing...I hear nothing." I opened myself up, so he could even feel thru the bond. He leaned over, kissed my lips and said, "Very bizarre. Sookie, you never have to fear me. Ever. I will protect you fiercely. Also, I know you are telling me the truth, simply because you say so. I do not need the bond to know this, my wife. Although, it does frighten me that you are capable of reading my thoughts, even if only sometimes. Do you remember what you did to activate this new ability?" He grinned. He knew exactly what we were doing, but I wanted to answer the question first. "Nothing, really. I was just lost in our kiss, focusing on you and opened up...or let my guard down...I guess. Would you like to try and see if it happens again?" I asked, coyly. Running my hand thru his hair, I went to kiss him, when he pulled away. Anxiety and worry ran thru the bond. I was instantly hurt, so I said, "Is it so bad that I may or may not be able to read your thoughts? Wouldn't that come in pretty handy if we were in battle for our lives? Speaking of which, what's the situation with Oklahoma?" I was angry, but I also wanted to try to get away from the 'reading his mind' subject. It worked. "About those earlier feelings...you know, the ones that buckled you over with pain? " He asked, I nodded. "I was informed last night, while you slept, that I am to appear before Oklahoma," His eyes were rimming, with pink, but didn't shed. He didn't shed, but I sure as shit did. I couldn't believe it was happening already. What happened to the years of paperwork, avoidance, etc.? I am bonded with, married in vampire world and this vam-bitch thinks she can just come to my state, and take away it's...my best asset? My other half? M bonded? No way. Not going to happen. Not without a fight.

It was finally Eric's turn for the 'fantastic-super-duper-tornado of emotional rollercoaster' ride. He felt my sadness, emptiness, loneliness, agitation, love, lust, (more) love, rage, anxiety and (more) love. I thought, yeah, how do you like it. He held me tighter in his arms, placing his head on top of mine, caressing my arms as he was smelling my hair. I stopped my crying a little bit ago, but I finally wiped my face with my sleeve, I didn't want to look super gross because I do have a queen to compete with. I tugged at the bottom of his hair, signaling to come to me. He did. He did not have a chance to clean himself up...he bled for me. I know it shouldn't be so, but I felt proud and honored...and loved, most of all, love. Seeing the bloody trace of tears, I lean in, he thinks I am giving him a kiss. I don't. I start to lick the trail of tears that are on his face, starting at his sculpted from marble jawline, ending at the source. Astonishment, love, lust...bouncing from his side of the bond. I look him in the eyes, they are so beautiful, even after crying blood. I have to focus, I need to find out, so I and ask, "When is this meeting happening?" "The evening after our meeting with King Felipe," he sends love and avoids eye contact with me. That is ok. I have made up my mind, no matter what Bill said. Eric can either hop on board, or not. His choice. For the first time, I actually look forward to killing or staking another creature, but this bitch has it coming. Oozing with sarcasm, I say, "Fantastic. Can't wait to meet her."

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