The room that I'm led to is quite spacious. There is a king size bed on a little pedestal with a red bed cover on it and at least ten cushions in various sizes and colours scattered all over. 'Well that's something I didn't expect.' I look at the huge walk-in wardrobe in which I can easily put half of my old room's furniture. The walls here are in a soft shade of baby blue while those in the wardrobe are dark purple, except for the one that is turned into a mirror with thick wooden frame. I open the bathroom door and I literary gape at the sight in front of me. The room that I just entered has a big bathtub in the corner right across the door; a shower cabin with all those water massagers in the other corner; a toilet on the wall next to the shower and a marble sink with a big mirror and extra lamps on the opposite wall. The tiles that cover all four walls are blue; the frieze that cuts the walls in half is white while the floor is made like a chess board with white and black tiles. There are fluffy little rugs in front of the sink, near the toilet and the shower and one right in front of the door leading to the bedroom. As I exit the bathroom I feel like I'm dreaming because the accommodation I thought I'd receive would be as big as my new closet! But no, I'm given a huge room in which at least ten people can sleep in! Not that I complain or something, being the 'spoiled Sheriff's brat' and all but a room like this must be given to the Sheriff himself!

As I near the bed I hear a soft knock on my door. At first I do not know how to react, being all nervous and new, but still I say as calmly as possible:

"Enter."

The door opens slowly and the Sheriff himself walks in. I immediately feel like a total idiot! I should have opened the door myself! 'Collect your shit, woman! Where's your dignity!?' I scold myself. After all he's not going to hurt me.

"I shall not take any of your time, Miss Starcrom, as you need to rest. This will take only a minute or two." His calm voice is like an ointment for my nerves. I sit on the edge of the bed only to jump back up remembering that now I have to wait for his permission to do so. He only shakes his head slightly and gestures towards the bed.

"Please take a seat and do not worry, you should not wait for my permission when I'm in your chambers."

At the word 'chamber' I smile. It's so old fashioned that if I wasn't alive during the time it firstly appeared I'd have never guessed its meaning.

"Did I say something that amuses you?" there's no anger or mock in his voice, yet I stiff and the smile leaves my face momently.

"No, sir. Nothing funny." The words leave my mouth mechanically. They sound unnatural and unreal. After all I have never called somebody 'sir' being the highest in rang in my old nest after the Sheriff. Godric only looks at me and clasps his hands behind his back as he takes a few steps towards me.

"I do not wish for you to address me as sir or master." he states as he starts observing the room like he had never been here before. "Do you like the room you are given?" his question catches me off guard and a few seconds are needed before I can answer properly.

"Yes, I do." Short and polite. That's all I can give him. Without looking at me he continues talking while walking around the room.

"Given the current circumstances and the lack of time your vow of loyalty will be given tomorrow evening. You should not worry because it will be only the three of us."

"Pardon? Three?" I interrupt.

"You, myself and the king of Texas."

After the mentioning of the king my whole body stiffens and that does not stay unnoticed by Godric.

"Is everything ok, Miss Starcrom?"

I gulp and nod. There's no need to tell him that I have already met His Majesty once and it had ended up not so good. 'Maybe he doesn't remember me!' A faint spark of hope passes through my body as I sigh, completely forgetting that I'm still not alone.

"I beg you to excuse me, Miss Starcrom. It looks like something came up but do not fail to forget that tomorrow after sunset you're supposed to give me a vow. I'm sure, if needed, my second-in-command, Isabel, will assist you in your preparation. Now I wish you rest. "

With those words he bows his head slightly, turns around and leaves my room, closing the door with a soft click. I only manage to stare at his back while he does that, completely out of this world after everything that's supposed to happen tomorrow evening.

A second knock brings me out of my trance only a couple of seconds later. This time the person on the other side doesn't even bother to wait for my response, as she opens the door swiftly and closes it with a flourish. I raise my head only to tilt it to the side and roll my eyes.

"What brings you here?" I mumble as I rub my eyes. The long journey and the sleepless nights are really coming back at me now. I need my long needed rest.

"Well, smiley face, I came to warn you." With that said she sits on one of the leather couches near the little coffee table and crosses her ankles.

I look at her tiredly and raise my blonde eyebrow. 'Is she for real?'

"I beg your pardon? Warn me about what?"

"I accidently overheard what the Sheriff told 'ya! The King isn't going to be pleased you know. Better go tell Godric or it may become ugly tomorrow. "

"I'm sure he has forgotten me by now, so no need to worry." I yawn and crack my neck. 'God, I'm tired.' I can clearly feel the pull of the sun now, but I somehow manage to resist it. Sable appears to be as fresh as a daisy and, unlike me, looks as astonishing as ever in that white cotton nightgown. Her wet hair is pulled up in a ponytail, away from her face, and she has no make-up on.

"If I were you, I wouldn't count on that one. That old son of a bitch is as unforgiving as a~" yet again, for God knows which time today, her speech is rudely interrupted by someone.

The door opens and a tall figure walks in. His blonde locks have fallen in front of his eyes so he runs a hand through his messy hair. He looks as exhausted as me so I guess it's really time for bed. His tall frame zips to my bed in high speed and he looks at me with his icy eyes.

"Can I help you?"

"As long as you tell me what has happened between you and the King I may as well leave you to your sleep."

"Hey! You eavesdropped on us! " it wasn't a question but Eric nods, without spearing my shrieking friend a glance.

"Eavesdrop is such a harsh word…. I prefer 'overhear'." He adds as his eyes never leave mine.

The silence that settles is quite uncomfortable as I overthink my choices. Not that I have many. I look at Erik and then at Sable. My friend is frowning and shakes her head. Erik's eyes are full of glee and a spark of challenge. I sigh and look at the blonde.

"There's nothing to tell. I once met the King and we had … a fight over an inappropriate act. "

"A fight!? You particularly stabbed that lemonhead ! That was so hilarious!" and with that the French woman bursts into laughter. 'Bitch! Is she trying to set me in or what?!' I glare at her but it looks like that only makes her laugh even more!

"Cut the bullshit! Tell me truth, or you'll have to explain everything to Godric."

"One way or another I'll have to tell him you know. And I'll make sure you're not there to hear any of it!"

"Well I can tell the story in a more …. pleasant way for your benefit if you share it with me."

I puff and roll my eyes. Suddenly the room becomes quiet. ..too quiet. For a fraction of seconds I try to figure out why it sounds so strange and out of place. Then it clicks. Sable has stopped laughing. I turn to ask her what's wrong and see no one else but Godric himself standing by the door, his hands clasped behind his back and a grim expression on his young face.

"Eric escort Miss Laurel to her room and go rest for the day. "He looks at the tall man. "Miss Starcrom, I assume we'll have to discuss this matter later." And unlike his childe, he doesn't even spare me a glance. 'Oh, well….I'm too tired to give a shit'. Before I have the chance to even say something in my defence, having the fact that Godric actually heard everything, the door closes with a click. If it had been closed with a bang and the whole room had started shaking it wouldn't have managed to send that kind of shivers down my spine – cold as ice and at the same time burning my skin like the hottest flame.

I wake up; my stomach clenched in a ball of wracking nerves, at least an hour before sunset. My head ponds hard and my eyes burn, my body feels like a huge pile of jelly and the thought itself that I have to stand up makes me fell even more tired. I decide to stay in bed for a few more minutes, my 'morning' sickness stronger than it had ever been. The truth is ever since I was a little kid I woke up with this feeling of sickness and lassitude. My parents were always worried about me and had the habit to send the lady's mate to my chambers to check on me. That was really irritating me back then so I gave my best to get out of bed before she came and saw me still lounging. Some days were worse than others though. There were a few times that I could barely speak and my parents called the king's doctor. It was all in vain as the poor man had no clue what was wrong with me.

As I grew up and became a woman other strange stuff happened like sleepwalking, having visions, being stronger than most men in the kingdom and other crazy shit. The strangest thing that appeared to happen, which is still a mystery to me, is the fact that one moment I was in my room and in the next I was in the woods. It's not like I lost conscious or something I just teleported. Of course for back then, had I told somebody, I'd have been called a witch and most probably burned at the stake for witchcraft.

I shake the depressing thoughts from my human years and try to get up. I only manage to rest on my elbows before the door opens. At first I think it is Godric but a bush of dark brown curls tells me that it's Sable. She peaks behind the door and I barely manage to smile at her before I fall back down on my pillow. 'Great. Just great! Now her shit will break and she'll start screaming! And I don't need her high-pitched voice right now….' I whine to myself as I stare at the white ceiling. My eyelids become heavy and I feel the world becoming distant and my body – numb. My surrounding loses its colours and fades away, sounds and smells long gone.

I'm sitting on a cliff and the cool breeze swirls my long white dress, as I look at the distant mountains, whose foothills are hidden in thick fog while the tops look like little white caps. I'm swaying my legs which are hanging over the edge. My long blonde locks are free from their usual cage at the back of my head and are blown by the wind. A soft scent of lavender and hyacinth is enveloping the whole place, carried by the warm south wind. I can hear birds chipping in the distance, the fluttering of their wings and the crunch of the leaves as animals and spirits pass nearby. I know what this place is as I have visited it millions of times during my undead life. The sun shines at me and I lift my head to feel its rays on my skin. The warmness spreads down my body and awakes all my senses. Now I see and feel everything. And when a figure takes a sudden stop a few meters away from me I know who it is. I do not turn, as she is walking my way now, her long dress shuffling as she moves. Again she stops a few steps away from me and I can feel her smile.

"I see you still enjoy the warmness of the Sun." her velvet voice is just like I remember it.

I don't feel like her statement needs to be answered so I tilt my head in another angle so that the sun shines directly in my face.

"How are the things back there?"

"Fine."

"Have you found a partner in life yet?" that question made me frown. 'Why do they always want to know if I had found my mate? Is it that important for them?'

"No."

"Have you at least looked or are you still pushing men away?"

"I prefer to not be interrupted by man's stupidity and your unforgiving sense of gassiness, nana. "

The old woman sits next to me and I finally look at her. Her hair is pure silver which reminds me of my favourite lock, long lost in a storm. 'Not that I can wear it any way…'

My grandmother is the only spirit that comes to me when I switch the dimensions. Her love for me keeps her here, not letting her pass on. I know it's greedy of me but I don't want her to leave. Even when I was still a breather she loved me more than anything in the world and despised her own flesh and blood for hurting and rejecting me. I was a sick child, as you already know, and only my most beloved nana stood by my side, never giving up on me. She may have been my mother's mother, but she loved me more. And I'm not making that up! On more than one occasion she had said that to me.

Even when I died and came back as a vampire I knew she'd understand and help me. And I was right. At first she was terrified and refused to believe, but when I showed her my new true nature she… she believed in me and hugged me so tight that I may have as well died again. Her big heart and goodness were the only things that made me beg Ian to spare her in his wrath. He destroyed the whole village alongside with the castle. A few decades later I found out what his true reason behind that action was and I had no right to judge him. His cruelty turned out to be those people's ticket out of that hell hole.

Back to my lovely granny – I managed to save her and take her away but that was all. Ian was crystal clear – I had no doings near her. So I left, with my not beating heart as heavy as a rock in my chest. Yet every once in a while I'd go down her cottage and just check if she was fine. One day I went only to see that she had left this world with a smile on her face and a letter for me. I never found the courage to open and read it. It still stays hidden in an old book I always carry with me. Later on I found out that one of my 'gifts' could be used more… rationally if you can put it like that. I found a way to teleport myself in another dimensions and see my grandma!

I look at nana and find her staring at me lovingly. I smile at her and hug her, blonde locks mixing with grey ones. I take in her smell and momently relax. She smells of roses and soap like she always had. Quite the combination actually but it makes my nerves relax.

"You do know that everything is going to be alright, right, my dearest Sookie?" I only nod. „Don't be afraid to let others know your true self. That boy may as well be the one!"

I laugh inwardly. This woman is going to kill me.

"You say that about every new guy I meet. Not to mention that he is about to become my Sheriff. I'm supposed to serve him, not love him."

"One thing leads to another, my child. You'll see." She pats my head while smoothing my hair.

The sudden pull I feel tells me that my time's up. Yet I hug her even tighter, the thought of leaving her again squeezing my heart. She only smoothens my hair and gently pushes me away. I look at her with teary eyes and sob:

"I love you, granny."

She smiles back at me and cups my cheeks, her eyes full of faithful love.

"I love you too, princess. Just remember to trust your heart!" and with that said she and the whole scenery fades away like a smoke blown off by a sudden waft of wind. Her smile is the last thing I see before a bucket of icy water is thrown in my face….

I wake up with a sudden intake of breath. My vision is clouded by dark spots for a couple of seconds before it clears out and the sight of my new room relaxes and scares me at the same time. I was right – Sable had thrown a bucket of cold water in my face in order to bring me out of my coma. She's a real sweetie, right? Bringing people back in this world by throwing cold water in their face can be quite efficient.

I hide my eyes with my hand, as the light from the lamp still makes my sensitive orbits ooze behind the retina. Little red tears stream down my cheeks and I instantly wipe them off. My head is still spinning but I manage to sit up and look around. The room is light and I can smell the freshness of the air. My gaze stops at the window and I see that it's open; the rays of the setting sun enter my room and make the shadows move. Then it hits me – I'm not supposed to be awake.

I turn my eyes towards Sable who is sitting in the farthest corner of the room, hiding within the shadows , my mind already having made up a story about why I haven't turned into a pile of ash by now, when I see the sad smile on my friend's lips.

"You really are a daughter of Ian's." it is a statement, not a question or a reproach.

"You knew?" she only smirks at me and gives me that bitchy look of hers while rising up and smoothing an invisible fold on her fluffy robe.

"Of course! After all I was sent to make sure you reach the nest in one piece. "

That newly gained information throws me off board. 'She is supposed to be my guardian? For real?' my mind can't really process this information correctly, so I sit there in the middle on the sunny room, blinking like a complete idiot.

A couple of hours later I rise up and my head spins for a second or two before it clears out. I look around and find my room empty. 'What did cha' expect? ' I muse and stand up. I walk to the bathroom while taking my clothes off. I enter the fully equipped room and turn my back to the whole length mirror and examine my body. Apart from a few scratches on my lower back, gained while my body could still be marked by something for more than two days, my skin is spotless and perfect. My long blonde locks reach my lower back where they curl inwards and give the false sense of being a little bit shorter; I push them over my shoulder. The only thing that stands out is the black-ink tattoo, starting from my lower back up my spine and round my left shoulder blade. And contrary to many people's guesswork it is not a single tattoo but rather seven different ones interconnected to each other by a series of squiggles. I smile as I move my muscles and see the beautiful piece of art moving on my back, giving the false illusion as if it's not actually drawn there. I proceed on walking to the bathtub; when I reach it I fix the water and glance at the bottles filled with different kinds of bathtub salts. 'Lavender and morello. Sea. Roses. Mango. Mint…. Wow. There are at least 10 more bottles…' my hand travels over the expensive products but I just can't pick, so I randomly snatch one and look at its label. With beautifully decorated red letters the words Breath of the Orient are written on one of the big rectangular-shaped bottle, filled with little pink and white minerals.

"That'll do." I sprinkle some in the now half-filled tub.

I return it back to the shelf from which I got if and then close the bathroom door. Only a few seconds later the mirrors are blurry and the air is thick; the warm room is now a huge sauna. I'm comfortably situated in the tub, the hot water and the extraordinary, yet rich in flavours scent, fills the air and relaxes my muscles that after the long night and even longer day have been too tense for my liking. Now, when I feel the side effects of the bad sleep and the lack of rest fading away, my mind clears out and I start thinking about the things that happened and what I should tell Godric. Unknowingly I start twiddling a strand of blonde lock in my hand, barely glancing at the endings and seeing that they need to be cut. 'It sucks being only half way down your grave.' With a sigh I loosen my head back and look at the ceiling. It is pitch black.

I tie my hair up in a high ponytail but a few strands escape and fall over my face. I don't bother to move them away as I walk out of the room and in the corridor. There's no sign of Sable or Godric, not even the tedious Eric, so I do the most natural thing – I go down the stairs and in the main room. It is still empty so I look around more carefully. Yet again my attention is captured by the wall-library and I near it. There are at least one thousand books situated on the long wooden shelves.

"May I help you?"

The unexpected voice makes me jump slightly in my place. 'Golly! The 'hell did he game from!?' I turn around and see Godric leaning on the wall watching me closely. To my dismay and utter disappointment I see the unhidden lack of trust and the sense of betrayal swirled in his bluish-greyish orbs. I take deep breath and then exhale.

"I came to talk to you." The words leave my mouth before I can even think them over.

"What about?"

"The King."

When the silence settles between us I feel an unpleasant shrug in my belly as his watchful eyes stare at me so judgingly that I feel like a traitor about to be convinced guilty. Suddenly the Sheriff stands up and goes somewhere, without even sparing me a glance, let alone say a word. Taking it as a cue to move my ass I follow close behind. We walk for a few seconds as we pass by a few doors, behind one of which is the kitchen, and open the last oak door in the end of the corridor. I close it behind me as I take in my surrounding. The room is spacious with creamy walls and slightly oblique ceiling. On my left, again, the whole wall is covered in shelves with tightly squeezed into each other books in different sizes, shapes and colours. And believe me when I say that there are books from the floor all the way up to the ceiling! 'Wow! He must really like reading. Hell, he must be obsessed with books! It may be that kind of fetish thing Sable usually talks about! ' Apart from that wall all the others are empty – neither photographs nor paintings cover them. The giant chandelier that hangs down from the white ceiling illuminates the room and its little shining crystal throw creepy shadows across the walls. Then I see it. A Resolute desk. The Resolute desk if I'm to be precise. A complete replica of the one situated in the Oval Office in the White House down in Washington DS, is firmly adjusted in the left corner of the room. As I near it I see that even the smallest details are the same. Divided into three parts, all fitted perfectly together, the desk is a masterpiece itself. I walk around it, push aside the president chair made of black leather, and look for one of the most famous, yet less likely to be looked for, inscription. And there it is – the plate with the carved words, the same as the one in the Oval Office.

" H.M.S. RESOLUTE forming part of the expedition sent in search of SIR JOHN FRANKLIN IN 1852, was abandoned in latitude 74 degrees 41 minutes N longitude 101 degrees 22 minutes W on 15th May 1854. She was discovered and extricated in September 1855 in latitude 67 degrees N by Captain Buddington of the United States Whaler "GEORGE HENRY."

The ship was purchased, fitted out and sent to England as a gift to HER MAJESTY QUEEN VICTORIA by the PRESIDENT AND PEOPLE of the UNITED STATES as a token of goodwill & friendship. This table was made from her timbers when she was broken up, and is presented by the QUEEN OF GREAT BRITAIN & IRELAND to the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES as a memorial of the courtesy and loving kindness which dictated the offer of the gift of the "RESOLUTE." " I read the carved words out loud and realise that the piece of furniture standing right in front of me can easily be the so-famous desk itself!

I marvel at the masterpiece and gently run my fingers over the texture. I begin to doubt if even the President himself can distinguish the real desk, as the one standing in front of me is the best replica I have ever seen, and believe me I have seen many. I raise my head and look at Godric who is sitting in one of the armchairs near the little glass coffee table, watching my every move. There is a cup made of china and a big round teapot, decorated with floral motives and a wine glass full of red substance which without a doubt is blood. Only after I see the little clouds of steam coming from the cup I realise that there is a nice smell of herbs in the air. I near the coffee table with slow equal steps and sit in the free armchair.

"Green tea?" I ask as I take the cup and bring it near my nose. It smells fantastic.

"Yes. No sugar, as I was told?" I only nod and take a little sip. The rich in flavours liquid hits my senses immediately and I can feel its warmness spreading through my body. I mentally moan. Who'd have thought that such a common drink among humans can bring an arrow of pleasure to even the deadest and deadliest of creatures? It's a pity only few have the honour of tasting it. I take another sip and put the little fragile cup back on the table. I straighten my back and shoulders and look directly at the male in front of me.

"So what exactly do you want know?"