From Chapter 8

He put his arm on my shoulder, and guided me back into his chest. I noticed that his wrist had already healed, and because he made no move to bite again, I assumed we were done. I turned my head to rest my ear on his chest, and curved my body into his. Never in my life had I felt safer than in that moment.

"Stay til I'm asleep?"

"Of course, beloved. Of course." And with that, he pulled the blankets up over me, leaned in and pressed a kiss to the forehead, and began stroking my hair until I fell into a relaxing sleep.

Chapter 10

GPOV

I lay still, softly stroking Lilliana's hair until her breathing evened out and I knew she had fallen asleep. I shifted slightly so that I was able to better see her face. I could only just see the faint discoloration of where her bruises had been only a short while ago, and I watched as they faded completely, leaving her complexion smooth, as beautiful as ivory with just a hint of rose at her cheeks. By the gods, she was lovely. I savored the feel of her in my arms, the warmth of her breath on my chest as she exhaled. She moved her head slowly, and I heard her softly whisper my name as her mouth came to rest on my nipple. I had to hold back a groan as I felt myself becoming aroused at her touch. I had not known a woman's touch in at least 80 years. Many vampires took many different women to bed often, and fed from them. That lost its appeal for me long ago. I did not crave a quick release. I craved companionship. Intimacy. Love. For the past hundred years I had searched the Earth for someone I could keep at my side in this way. I knew I'd finally found it when my Lilliana came to visit in Dallas for the first time since I'd sent her to school in Connecticut. She was beautiful to look at, but, I knew that the soul inside the woman was even more beautiful. The more I came to admire her, the more I knew that I could never have her the way I wanted. She was too pure. Too innocent. I could never defile her with my touch.

I slowly eased her body off of mine and pulled the blankets up over her, before bending and kissing her forehead. As I exited the room, I noticed that Eric was just leaving his room, which, I assume, is where he had put Sookie for the night. I motioned for him to meet me in the living room. "I don't care what it takes; I want the monster that did this to her found. What you do with him is up to you. You can take care of him your way, or you can turn him over to the police. If you decide to take it upon yourself, be sure there is nothing left that could possibly lead to us. I will not have Lilliana receive anymore heartache because of that despicable, pathetic excuse for a human."

"Yes, Godric," he replied, bowing his head to me slightly. Eric knew that I considered him to be my equal in many ways, but he also knew not to question his maker in matters of great importance.

"I want one of us to be with her at all times from sunset until sunrise, and if not us personally, Pam, but no one else will I trust. I will hire someone to keep an eye on her during the daylight hours, but, I also plan on asking Miss Stackhouse to possibly stay here and keep an eye on her until he is found. Do you think she will be agreeable to this?"

"She doesn't like missing time at her job. But, in this case, because she saw firsthand the damage that was done, I think she will agree. I, personally, would enjoy having her around more often. She and I have much to discuss concerning Compton's betrayal."

"Have your contacts in the Queen's compound given you any new information?"

"Yes. He has been in contact with a moving company. They will be removing all of his belongs from his home in Bon Temps tomorrow and bring them to his newly acquired home in New Orleans. He has made no attempts to contact Sookie. I have my suspicions that he plans on setting himself up there first, and then possibly trying to have her join him there."

"I spoke briefly with Isabel to fill her in on Lilliana's condition. She mentioned that our dear friend Mr. Newlin has been making inquiries into rentals properties here in Shreveport. Apparently he plans on moving his base of operations here. I'm not sure if he is doing this as he believes I am here, or if he is just that stupid. Although, I'm leaning towards the latter."

"Yes, well, he never struck me as overly intelligent," Eric said as he laughed. He bid me goodnight and left, saying he needed to get back to the club to give his underlings some instructions.

After he left, I made sure all of the various security systems had been fully engaged, and walked back to the room where my beloved slept. I stood by her bed watching her sleep until I felt the pull of the dawn. I retreated to my own room, again cursing my past deeds which made me so unworthy of her. She was the last thought on my mind before I let rest take over.

A/N Okay, I know this is a REALLY short chapter, but, I wanted to get Godric's thoughts on Lilliana posted before I went to bed. I hope to have the new chapter up fairly soon.