A/N: Thank you so much for all of the kind reviews. As one person pointed out I did make a small mistake regarding Bill's injuries from the bombing. In the books one side of his face is badly burned when Sookie rescues him. I apologize for that and I'm sure that it won't be the last mistake I make.

I try to more or less stick to canon but I might get chronology wrong or god knows what so I hope that you can still enjoy the story. Also, I apologize for any typos but I don't have a Beta and I do try my best to catch them. On a side note, can you believe Word doesn't recognize 'vampiric' as a word? WTF, Word?

Eric's jaw positively drops. Huh. I've never seen that happen before. I feel shock and confusion but it isn't mine; I could have called that one without the bond.

"What? Who are you and what have you done with my Sookie?"

"Ugh! Listen, okay? I really am going to get cranky soon. There's a reason that Amelia sets the coffee up every day." I start tapping my foot impatiently. "Is it so hard to believe that a near death experience and attending a vampire summit may have opened my eyes to a few things?"

Recovering somewhat, Eric crosses his arms. "So what can I expect from the person imitating my Sookie?"

I sigh again. "I've always trusted you, Eric. Remember the orgy? I hardly knew you – and now that I do I cannot believe you wore lycra. Anyway, your pragmatism makes me nervous sometimes but you've never done me wrong. After everything I've seen this week I'm willing to admit that maybe there are a few things I don't understand so well so I'm going to follow your lead. K?"

"It's about time." There's that wicked grin he's so known for. "We need to talk more about this later but for now, let's get your coffee before I ruin a good thing."

"Thank you. Finally!" And with that, we set out on Mission: Coffee.

Luckily, it turns out that there is in fact a coffee maker in the palace. It's in the kitchen where the human staff congregates in between playing gofer and being blood donors. At least I assume they're all donors. I don't know since I haven't actually seen any yet. Maybe they just aren't as obvious in the Queen's compound. If that's the case I appreciate the touch of class.

None of them are particularly loud broadcasters so it's easy to drown them out. I get a few snippets of useless information but I'm relieved not to hear anything worrying. One of the royal servants gets me a giant cup of coffee (with real cream even!) and I'm content to follow Eric around wherever he may go. Wherever turns out to be a sitting room off of the main lobby where everyone else seems to have gathered.

There are probably twenty vampires in here and among them, three regents. I spot Russell, the King of Mississippi; that slimy Felipe de Castro, the King of Nevada; and Stan Davis, the newly appointed King of Texas. For once Stan is not wearing his totally unnecessary glasses that make him look like a dork. I wonder if they got broken during the bombing.

Mmm, this coffee is good. I would say that it's better than sex but that was pre-Viking. Nothing is better than sex with the Viking.

Pam strolls over just as we enter and gives Eric a look. Great. More looks.

"There's going to be a party at midnight. You just missed the announcement," she says.

She couldn't have said what I think she just said. "A party? Now? Doesn't that seem kind of messed up with everything that's going on right now?"

"Not really," Eric explains. "It's not often that this many of us gather in one place. By being seen here tonight we're demonstrating our allegiance to Sophie-Anne. Some more genuinely than others."

"How can the kings be here though? There's no one to watch their territory right now and with all the finally dead doesn't that make them vulnerable?" I ask.

Eric smiles and I can tell that I'm finally starting to catch on to something. "You're right. That's why there are only three here right now. Russell had Bartlett to keep Mississippi and De Castro has his second, Victor, in Nevada. Davis will probably leave tonight because he hasn't been king for very long."

"He has to balance on a thin blade," Pam adds. "He can't appear weak by running straight home but he can't stay away long either."

Eric squeezes my hand. "I need to speak with Sophie-Anne, Sookie. Stay with Pam until I return."

I watch him walk away and think for the millionth time what an amazing butt he has. He peeks back over his shoulder at me and smirks knowingly.

"Calm down, sunshine. He'll be back soon." Pam snickers.

Embarrassed, I sit down in a wing back chair to enjoy my coffee, being careful not to spill it. This thing probably costs more than I make in a year at Merlotte's. Speaking of Merlotte's, I bet Sam is worried sick. I must have a million voicemails but my cell phone is destroyed somewhere in the wreckage. Damn it, I liked that phone because Eric gave it to me. I should probably find a way to call Sam and let him know that I'm okay but I really don't want to hear the usual crap about "those bad vampires" putting me in danger.

What Sam fails to understand is that I'm in their world now whether I like it or not. From the moment that Hadley told Sophie-Anne about my telepathy I was sucked in. It doesn't matter that I dated Bill or did work for Eric. It would have happened anyway. In fact, if I hadn't dated Bill I wouldn't have met Eric and I would probably be in a way worse situation right now. All in all, despite being beaten up, nearly drained, raped by an ex-boyfriend, staked, shot and several other unpleasant things, I've actually been pretty lucky. I could have been someone's pet by now if not for Eric – maybe worse.

"So I guess the party will be in the bowling alley?" I ask Pam.

She looks at me like I've lost it again. "What bowling alley? The party will be in the ballroom, of course."

"Oh, right. I guess you weren't there for that. When the fight broke out last time we were here Eric grabbed a head rolling across the floor and said, 'Bowling for vampires!' Then he let out a battle cry and jumped all crazy Viking style into the battle with his sword." I laugh. "Hence, I think of the ballroom as the bowling alley."

"Ah. That sounds like Eric." Pam laughs. "He is amazing in battle. Did you enjoy seeing him fight?"

I consider this for a moment before responding. "I guess I did if I'm honest. It was horrible and violent and I wish that no one had to die… but there was also something beautiful about it."

"You're going to make a great vampire one day." She smiles and I smirk.

"Pam, I have no interest in becoming a vampire."

As if she didn't even hear me, she says, "Let's go for a walk before someone insists on talking to us."

We head towards the back of the palace and eventually exit through giant French doors that lead to a garden. Well, I say garden but really it's too amazing to be given such a simple name. Like everything else here it's positively beautiful and completely over the top. The property is large by New Orleans standards, taking up several acres and surrounded by a high brick wall covered in white orchids. We stroll towards a long, thick row of red tulips and find a comfortable pace.

"Sookie, has Eric talked to you about the blood bond?"

"Not really. I mean we haven't exactly had time. When it happened I was just trying to get away from Andre and that awkward situation in the hall where Quinn showed up. Then, well, you know – the bomb and all that."

She nods thoughtfully. "When a vampire forms a blood bond with a human it is permanent. Normally this is done to control the human and the bond is one way – human to vampire. That's what Andre wanted to do with you. Since you and Eric already had feelings for each other and nothing ever effects you the way it should anyway, the bond is different, unique. You feel him too, do you not?"

I nod.

"You will always feel each other's emotions; you will grow closer and come to depend on one another more than ever. You will be very sad if you are apart for too long and will ache to see each other again."

That's not so different than they way we already were, I think. "So that's why I can feel his emotions now. I figured that part out but I didn't know it was permanent. I assumed it would wear off like when we've shared blood before. But he can control me now?"

"I don't know," she says. "You can't be glamoured so it's possible that this wouldn't work either and again, the bond is unique. Eric would never exert influence over you anyway so we'll probably never know. You shouldn't worry about that, Sookie."

I sigh. "Yeah, I guess you're right. I mean, it's done, right? What's the point? But wow, I can't believe Eric did that. He's not exactly the kind of guy that wants to feel human emotions."

"No, he isn't. He didn't have a choice, Sookie. If he hadn't stepped in you would have been bound to Andre. He would have taken you away from your home and used you against your will. Eric couldn't let that happen. He's taken a huge risk with this and although he escaped repercussions with Andre he will pay for it dearly."

"What do you mean?" I don't get it. She just said that since Andre is dead everything is okay.

"He's literally tied his life to yours. It's permanent, Sookie. He's immortal and you're not. Do you understand?"

I suddenly feel as though the wind has been knocked out of me. "You mean when I die… it will hurt him."

"More than that; it will be like a part of him dies too. You need to understand what he's done for you, Sookie. This is serious."

I think I might faint but I can't feel my legs to sit down. Instead my hands go to my temples and I stare up at the stars as I pace in circles. How did this happen? Well, I know how it happened but – agh! This is all so unfair! What am I supposed to do now? I really didn't think this through when I got involved with Eric. I didn't consider that fact that I would die one day and he wouldn't. I guess I just thought that when I started to get old he would get tired of me. That would have hurt like hell but it made sense, didn't it? How could Eric – Eric Sexgod Northman who women flocked to and men wanted to be – stick around then? I never think things through.

Now I guess I don't have to worry about that. What I have to worry about now is killing him when I die. Not literally, I don't think – god, I hope not – but emotionally. I made Eric feel something and now he's going to be hurt for eternity. I already hurt him so much with Quinn and the whole rejection after amnesia thing.

Am I supposed to become a vampire now? I guess it's not so bad. I've gotten to know a lot of vampires in the past year... Some of them were pretty awful but some, like Eric and Russell and Pam, really seem to love being vampire. They love life. Could I love it too?

"Sookie, you don't have to think about this right now. You're young and if you drink Eric's blood regularly you'll age slowly so you have time. Don't take too much though; you're a danger magnet of the worst kind."

Just when I think my head's going to explode I feel a wave of calm roll through me. It's a welcome change and I cling to it for dear life as Eric walks up with Russell Edgington.

He looks very concerned and Pam looks a little guilty. "What's wrong, Lover?"

Considering that Russell's standing there I can't exactly go into it right now so I put on my crazy Sookie smile. "Nothing, I'm fine."

Russell looks back and forth between me and Eric. "Not that I doubted you, Northman but that was quite a show. You are in fact bonded to this pretty young woman."

"Huh?" I ask lamely. I just said 'huh' to royalty. Way to go, Sookie.

"Mr. Northman here was talking to me when he felt your turmoil, my dear." He looks to Eric. "It's a shame that the only two people who saw it are gone. With Andre dead and Quinn who knows where it will be difficult to prove." Here he flashes a big smile. "I will claim witness to your bonding."

"Thank you, Russell. I am in your debt," Eric says.

"Nonsense, my boy! You united me with my beloved Bartlette and for that I will be eternally grateful. Besides, it is in everyone's best interest. I simply cannot stand Felipe."

Eric makes a disgusted sound. "Nor can I. Sookie would be very valuable in his casinos. I'm sure he plans on taking her but once the bond is announced he can't under penalty of death."

"Wait a minute," I interrupt. "You guys are talking like I'm not even in the room – garden – whatever. Felipe's trying to take me now?"

I know I said I wouldn't interrupt Eric in public but this is getting ridiculous. Also, I know Russell so that's okay, right?

"No one's going to take you, Lover."

"He will take Louisiana then," Pam interjects.

Russell nods at Pam and looks to me. "Yes, Filipe will see Sophie-Anne's injuries as a chance to take the state. As part of the Queen's retinue you would be under his control. I stuck around to make sure that he wouldn't start a coup anyway. Now it seems the stakes are even higher."