We finish getting dressed and leave the room just in time to pile off of the plane with the rest of the impromptu passengers. Eric quickly ushers me into a limo and I briefly wonder how they managed to get travel arrangements set up so quickly. I guess when you're the queen of Louisiana style is a necessity – even when a vampire summit just got bombed and you're missing your legs.
Inside I see Mr. Cataliades, Russell Edgington and Pam. Amazingly, the demon lawyer is wearing a well pressed suit but, like most of the vampires on this flight, Russell and Pam are still in their sleep clothes. I can't help but giggle when I take in Russell's attire: a royal blue and yellow striped pajama set. Somehow this seems fitting for the vampire King of Mississippi, who inexplicably strikes me as the most human vampire I know.
Pam is looking perfectly comfortable next to him in a pink and cream lace slip which I guess might pass for a dress at Fangtasia if it were red or black. Add in a topless Eric in silk sleep pants and it looks like I've crashed some bizarre slumber party. All that's missing are the pillows.
"Your majesty." Eric nods deeply to Russell.
"Your majesty," I echo with an awkward nod. I really have to ask Eric to explain the proper etiquette for humans to address vampire royalty some day.
"Northman, Miss Stackhouse. I'm so glad to see that you both made it out." Russell smiles as though this wasn't a major crisis. He might as well be making idle chit chat at a dinner party.
"Please, your majesty. Call me Sookie."
"And please, call me Russell. I understand that you were a great help with that little mess back there, Sookie. We are all very grateful to you."
Again with the endearing understatements.
Eric puts his arm around my shoulder rather proudly. "My Sookie is an amazing creature."
Blushing, I pretend to suddenly find something very interesting in my lap. "Well… I was just doing what anyone would have done, really."
"My dear, most people would have done the smart thing and ran. You are not just anyone."
Eric is inwardly beaming beside me at Russell's compliment; either that or he's rejoicing that for once I didn't embarrass him when he called me his. I can feel the happiness and admiration through the bond. I have to talk to him about this whole bond thing later and find out what it means. Does it just mean that we share our emotions? What else did the blood exchange do?
Pam snickers at this and pulls a True Blood from the mini-fridge. "Yes, thankfully Sookie has a knack for always running in the worst direction."
Okay, time to change the subject and make the hungry vampires focus on something else. I look out the window. "Where are we going anyway?"
Eric speaks up. "The Queen's compound. Sophie-Anne will be safest in her own home, surrounded by supporters. What are your plans, Russell?"
"Oh, I think I'll stay for a few days and see what shakes out. Bartlette is on his way back to Indiana and will keep an eye on Mississippi until I get back."
You know, the usual, his tone implies.
"Area Five will show our support as well. Pam, do you have your cell phone somewhere under there?" Eric gestures to her tiny slip.
Without batting an eye, Pam pulls a slim pink phone from between her breasts. "Actually, yes. It was in my coffin."
But she's not wearing a bra, I think. How did she do that?
Eric nods like magic didn't just happen. "We'll need to make arrangements for the next few days once we get settled."
Pam puts the cap back on her empty bottle and starts texting. "Of course. I called Felicia and Clancy from the plane to confirm that we survived. You can just imagine the panic when the news coverage started."
"Indeed." Eric looks thoughtful.
I know that look. It's the one that says he's plotting away and we'd all better cancel our plans for the foreseeable future. I repress a sigh.
By now we had joined the long line of vehicles to enter the gates of Sophie-Anne's compound. Since we were all in limos the overall effect was that of a wedding – or a funeral. Apparently the cars that contained royalty had special flags on the antennas so we were waived around one side and went straight to the front entrance. Human valets were on hand to park the cars and opened our door as we arrived.
Mr. Cataliades, who had been engrossed in a computer tablet throughout the trip, suddenly came alive. "We're still working on a final casualty count but it appears that all of the monarchs have been accounted for." Looking to Russell he adds, "We should catch up later."
Russell nods and exits the car, immediately joined by two of his royal guards. Eric follows with Pam and I in tow, leaving the demon lawyer to climb out last. He steps aside to talk someone as I survey the palace.
It's surreal to be here again after the wedding massacre. Part of me expects to see heads rolling across the floor but as we step inside I'm relieved to find that everything is clean and orderly. It's like the war between Sophie-Anne and Peter Threadgill, the finally dead vampire who was once the king of Arkansas, never happened.
It seems so unfair that Sophie-Anne should survive all of that just to be nearly blown up and lose her legs. Despite her attempt to control me through that awful Andre I always liked her. Though she is just 5'2 and looks sixteen years old, there is an air of grace about her that's hard not to like. With her perfect features and refined clothing she just looks too sweet to be evil.
A member of the royal staff sees us to our rooms in the east wing of the complex. He quickly explains that Pam's room is next door to mine and Eric's; Bill's is on the other side of hers. I wonder briefly where Bill is. I fully expect him to come rushing up at any moment to warn me of Eric's evil ways again. Ugh.
Our room, if you can call it that, consists of a bedroom and a sitting area with its own private bathroom. As can be expected, it is ridiculously opulent and the bed is piled high with rich fabrics. Steel shutters are mounted on the windows for daylight hours in stark contrast to the crystal chandeliers.
Eric had resumed his Sheriff persona the moment we arrived (of course) and now exudes authority despite being half naked. How the hell does he do that?
I realize that I must have been staring again when he wags an eyebrow at me. "You should take a shower and relax while I see about getting us some clothes."
That sounds like a great idea so I readily agree.
Placing a kiss on my forehead, Eric turns to leave. "Please do not leave the room while I'm gone. Okay?"
"Sure," I mumble and he's gone.
Where does he think I'm going to go? Sheesh.
I'm squeaky clean and wrapping myself in a super plush bathrobe when I hear a knock at the door. I hesitate both because I'm wearing a robe and because I'm not sure if I should answer. Eric didn't say anything about not answering the door but maybe he thought that was implied? In a sort of compromise I go to the door and, without opening it, ask who it is.
"It's Bill, sweetheart. You can open the door."
Of course it's Bill. I should have known.
Reluctantly, I open the door and step aside so he can enter. "Hi, Bill. How are you? Were you hurt at all?"
"Nothing serious; I am well. Are you okay, Sookie? I was worried that you may have been hurt."
"I'm fine, really; just a few bumps is all. Not bad considering how I usually come out of these things." I laugh but Bill doesn't seem to think it's very funny.
"Oh, lighten up! I just need some coffee and I'll be right as rain."
"Sookie, listen to me. I realize that I was not very forthcoming with you about vampire politics during our time together. Perhaps that was a mistake."
"Yes, I know. You wanted to protect me, etcetera," I interrupt.
He gives me a very stern look which is kind of amusing since he always looks stern anyhow.
"There will be panic as a result of the bombing and some may try to take advantage of what they perceive to be weakness in the chain of command. It is important that you stay close to Eric and do as he says."
I'm so god smacked that I simply don't know how to respond. Bill is telling me to stay close to Eric? What the hell?
"I know that you are very hard headed and reluctant to follow our ways but it is in your best interest to play by the rules for the next couple of days."
"Okaaay. And what does that mean exactly?"
"It is very important that you stop fighting the word 'mine,' for starters. When Eric claims you, you should appear accepting. Also, in public or around anyone that you do not know, you should not interrupt or second guess him. He cannot appear to have his authority challenged by anyone right now, even you. Do you understand?"
Of course he doesn't know that Eric and I finally worked out the whole 'mine' thing earlier so I can handle that. I'm sure he's expecting a much bigger fight than he's about to get on this matter and I briefly consider feigning one just to get on his nerves. Instead I sigh.
"Okay, Bill. I can handle that."
Now it's his turn to be stunned into silence. He looks at me suspiciously but finally nods his head.
"I am glad."
"Listen, Eric's going to be back any minute and I'd rather not start another pissing contest. No offense, but do you mind?" Gran would roll over in her grave but then again, Gran never had to deal with territorial vampires.
Bill leaves and sure enough, not five minutes later, Eric is back with our new clothes.
"Why do I smell Compton?" Eric asks as he tosses clothes on the bed.
"You'll note that the room may smell like Bill but that I do not," I reply, proud that for once I had the forethought not to hug the offending vampire.
Eric crosses the room and hugs me, snuffling my neck. "Mmm. Jasmine and sunshine."
"Eric Northman, I do not smell like sunshine! There's no such thing and besides, I've been in a blacked out pyramid for the last several days." I laugh. "What does Bill smell like to you anyway? I can't smell him."
"You wouldn't. I don't know how to explain it in human terms. Could you tell me what pizza tastes like?"
"No, I guess not. I know what you smell like though: the ocean in winter."
"That's impossible, Sookie."
"If you say so. Go take a shower; I really need to find some coffee."
After giving me the strangest look he assents. Showering and dressing quickly, he pulls on deliciously tight jeans, a V-neck t-shirt and ankle boots, all black. I can't help wondering how he managed to find something his size on such short notice. Now that I think of it, I haven't seen a lot of size six vampires running around either so someone must have gone out before we arrived. My outfit consists of black leggings and a long grey silk button down shirt with ballet flats. How is it that I always end up better dressed at these things? I have got to start letting Pam go shopping with me.
Eric eyes me approvingly. "So what did Bill want?"
"Basically, he told me to listen to you and behave myself." I snort.
"And how many pieces did he leave in?" Eric laughs.
"Just the one. For once I think Bill had the right idea," I sing song and gesture towards the door dramatically. "Lead the way, Viking. There has to be a coffee maker here somewhere and we're going to find it."