A/N: (1) Sorry for the slightly awkward chapter transition. This came to me last night and I just had to add it. Please accept these lemons as my apology! (2) I have made another blunder (told you there would be more). The wedding massacre actually took place in the monastery, not the palace. Whoops. If anyone knows a good canon resource please share. If I go back to the books I promise you I will get distracted and disappear. (3) You guys have been so awesome about gently pointing out my mistakes and I appreciate that no one has brought out the pitchforks. You rock!
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."
Trying not to panic, I look back and forth between my vampire protectors. "So what do we do now?"
Three sets of fangs snick down and I'm met with fangy grins.
Lust and excitement fill Eric's eyes. "Now, we party."
I gulp. "Oh hell."
Russell and Pam saunter off, no doubt to do something nefarious, and Eric picks me up, tossing me over his shoulder.
"Hey! What are you doing?" I protest as my head bobs behind his back. The view is great back here, don't get me wrong, but I am not a sack of potatoes.
"We're going to get ready. There will be no doubt that you are mine," he laughs.
"I can walk, Eric. Put me down! Seriously."
"Seriously? No."
No kidding, he carries me all the way through the palace back to our room and sets me down in front of the bed. Before I can lay into him he's pulling my shirt gently over my head.
"Eric, it's midnight. Shouldn't we be heading to the party now?"
"We'll be fashionably late," he says as he nuzzles against me. He rubs his face sensuously against one cheek, then the other. He's like a giant cat; a very sexy cat.
Moving down to my neck he continues to nuzzle me and giving in, I kick off my shoes. I run my hands down his chest and under his shirt as he begins kissing my collar bone. Reaching behind me he unhooks my bra like a pro (of course he'd be a pro at that). I push his shirt up and he pulls it over his head. God, he is perfect. I trace my eyes all the way from his broad shoulders down to that sexy V at his pelvic bone.
"Beautiful," Eric says as he bends down to trace circles around my nipple with his tongue.
"Exactly what I was thinking," I respond dreamily.
He nips playfully at my breast while I run my hands up and down his sides, appreciating his muscular build. I unbutton his jeans and he pauses to remove them, toeing off his shoes. He looks at me with that trademark hunger I've seen since the night we met in Fangtasia and my knees go weak just like the always have.
"Lay down," he says and I comply.
Bracing himself with his arms he proceeds to cover my body with his and quite literally rubs himself all over me before removing the last of my clothes. As he slips my leggings over my feet he kisses my ankles, each in turn, then alternately licks and kisses his way up my legs.
He grabs my hips and pulls me to the edge of the bed so that my legs are hanging off and drops to his knees, just like he did on my couch when he had amnesia. I guess some things are inherently Eric, whether he remembers himself or not.
He nudges my legs apart with his face and kisses my folds before spreading me open. I remember that he liked for me to watch so I keep my eyes on him as he does. He looks up to see that I'm watching and gives me a pleased grin. When he finds me already dripping wet he gives a little moan of pleasure and rewards me with a long, slow lick. I bring my knees up and moan as he focuses on my nub, alternating between gently sucking and applying circular strokes of his tongue. My hips are rising up to meet him and he places one hand on my stomach to hold me still while he inserts two fingers with the other.
"Eric, please," I moan.
He curls his fingers up to hit some magical spot before slowly pulling them out and quickly pushing back in. "Please what, Lover?" He asks, followed by more thrusting and a little nip.
"Oh!" I cry out. "I need you… Please."
He gives me a devilish grin and climbs up me slowly before kissing me deeply. I taste myself on his lips and it turns me on even more.
He breaks our embrace and meets my eyes. "Say it again, Sookie. Tell me you need me."
His erection is pushing against my entrance and I buck slightly to reinforce my point. I meet his beautiful blue eyes, blazing with desire. "I need you," I breathe.
He presses lightly against me and the tip just barely slides in, teasing me. "I need you, Eric. I need you," I practically chant.
With an animalistic moan he finally grants my wish and fills me all in one deep stroke. Slowly, he pulls almost all the way out before burying himself again. He watches my face and keeps this torturous pace going until I think I'll scream. Finally I come, clenching around him and he moans deeply as he scoots me further up the bed. Without pulling out of me, he turns us on our sides and I sling one leg over his hip. Staring into my eyes, he begins building to a faster pace. His thrusts are harder now, more purposeful and my climax starts again as I cling to his shoulders crying out his name.
When the tremors subside I run my hand through his hair, holding it back from his beautiful face. He shudders and makes an unnecessary gasp as he follows me over the edge, filling me as he comes.
He holds me tight and places a kiss on my forehead. "You're amazing."
We lay there holding each other for a while before he looks at my neck. "The marks are almost healed. I need to bite you again."
He pierces his thumb with a fang and rubs the blood over what remains of the wounds from the plane. I can feel the slight tingle as it finishes the healing process.
"I don't want you to scar but I need to mark you while we're around all these people. I wouldn't normally do it anywhere so obvious, Lover. I'm sorry."
"It's okay, Honey; I understand."
Eric stops and tilts his head at me inquisitively. Only then do I realize that I haven't called him that since he stayed with me. While he was under Hallow's curse I came to call him all sort of pet names which he seemed to enjoy. Uh-oh. Is this going to be weird now? I just called a thousand year old vampire with his memories in tact 'Honey.'
"Honey?" He seems to consider the term. "I don't think anyone's ever called me Honey before."
"I did when you had amnesia. I'm sorry; is that okay?" I blush.
For once his eyes portray his age and I feel a little wave of sadness through the bond. "You can call me anything you want," he says. "I just wish I could remember."
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By the time we arrive the party is in full swing. I'm freshly bitten and Eric is back to his jovial, maniacal self. Even I can tell that we smell like each other so I know we just reek to the vampires. When he said he wanted to bite me and fuck me and rub himself all over me after my meeting with Niall I guess he wasn't exaggerating.
Pam approaches with a fangy grin that confirms my suspicions. "Sookie, you smell delightful." Her eyes close for a moment and she inhales deeply.
I roll my eyes. "Jesus, Pam."
"Bobby brought the Corvette by earlier," she says and hands us matching cell phones. "All of your contacts should be in there."
"Oh, thanks. Is the number the same?" I ask.
"Yes."
"How –" I stark to ask but I'm interrupted by the clinking of a glass.
Everyone stops talking and turns to face Russell who is standing on a small podium at the front of the room. A waiter comes by and hands me a gin and tonic, the only one on a tray full of champagne flutes filled with blood.
"Thank you," Russell addresses the crowd with a warm smile. "The Queen thanks you all for being here and welcomes you to her home. Tonight we celebrate the lives of those we lost in the bombing. We will not forget them or the people responsible." Here there is a collective hiss. "We would not be here tonight if it weren't for one very special young woman who came to our aid in a time of crisis."
Well, fuck me. I try to step behind Eric but he holds me firmly at his side and sends waves of strength and courage through the bond.
"Sookie Stackhouse was able to provide the crucial warning that allowed evacuations to take place. As you have no doubt heard by now she also lead the rescue efforts in the aftermath of the bombing saving countless lives.
Her bonding to Eric Northman, which took place at the summit under my witness, brings her further into the vampire community where she will be afforded all the protection and respect that she so truly deserves."
He pauses and looks at me. "You are herby awarded the official protection of the states of Louisiana, Mississippi and Indiana, Miss Stackhouse."
"Texas as well," calls an authoritative voice. I look over to see that it's Stan Davis.
Russell looks to him with a warm smile and bows. "Thank you, Stan. Louisiana, Mississippi, Indiana and Texas."
Then he raises his glass and every vampire in the room does the same. He faces back towards me and all eyes settle on the telepathic barmaid from Bon Temps. "Let us toast. To Sookie!"
"To Sookie!" the room echoes and a thrill of adrenaline runs straight through me. I feel like I could jump into a sword fight and kick ass right now. That must be Eric.
Everyone downs their glass and I try to nod gracefully before taking a giant gulp from my own. Eric's hand on my shoulder is reassuring and thank god the party resumes as Russell steps off of the stage.
Furious, I spin to face Eric. "What the hell was that about?" I stage whisper. "Did you know he was going to do that?"
"It had to be done, Lover. By helping us you exposed yourself and your abilities. Whereas you were relatively hidden before, you were thrust into the spotlight."
I take a deep breath and resist the urge to scream. "You could have warned me!"
"Calm down, Sookie. Now that the bonding has been publicly announced Felipe can't touch you."
"And four states pledged to protect a human," Pam adds in awe. "It's unprecedented, Sookie."
I groan and rub my face with my free hand. "Mr. High-Handed," I grumble. "Some things never change."
"Your majesty," Eric says to someone over my shoulder.
I snap back to something resembling normal behavior and turn to see none other than Felipe joining our little circle. As all vampires tend to do, he looks calm. His lips are drawn into a tight line though, the only indication that he's mad as hell. At least he's not wearing that stupid cape.
"Northman." His tone is icy. "How convenient that you formed a bond with Miss Stackhouse just before she reveals her talents to everyone. Between officiating the wedding and getting bombed, how did you find the time?"
"How is Nevada?" Eric replies, ignoring the insinuation. "Did you lose many people?"
"Don't worry about Nevada," Felipe sneers. "It's your Queen you should be focusing on."
There is a buzzing sound and the Don Juan of Las Vegas pulls a cell phone from his pocket. He checks the caller I.D. and turns away from us with a glare in my direction. If looks could kill I would be dead. Apparently it was important because he heads for the exit and I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding.
Bill joins us and I wonder what he's been up to all this time. Now what? "You were right," he says.
"Of course I was," Eric replies. "I think he just got the phone call."
"Would you guys stop talking over my head and fill me in already?" I demand.
"Victor is moving to take Nevada while Felipe is in Louisiana," Bill explains. "He was counting on De Castro's greed and planned a coup while he was busy trying to take the state."
Eric smiles deviously. "Madden has always been ambitious. De Castro was a fool to make him his second."
Pam smirks. "With the bonding announced and Victor plotting in Vegas, he has no choice but to return home."
"I was really hoping he'd put up more of a fight. Sometimes I am just too good at what I do," Eric boasts.
Well, Eric was right as usual. I now had four kingdoms pledging their protection and in making their claims here, under these circumstances, the message was clear: they stood by Sophie-Anne as well. Anyone looking to challenge her was going to be in for one hell of a fight. They'd have to be crazy. I don't know if they were all thinking that it could have been them or if they just hated De Castro that much but it was an amazing display of power.
Wow, could it really be this easy? For once, a crisis was resolved without any fighting. It was almost too good to be true. I allowed myself to relax and actually enjoyed the party. Stan Davis was the first to greet me and express thanks for my help. Throughout the night I was approached constantly by vampires, many of which I had never met before. Since they don't shake hands all of them kissed me on the cheek instead which made Eric slightly annoyed. I could feel that it wasn't anything serious but he was not happy that so many people were touching me; he twitched occasionally but kept his cool.
We finally broke away around four o'clock and headed back to our room. Eric ran a bath and we soaked together, chatting idly, and agreed that we'd go home tomorrow night. Just before dawn he lowered the shutters and we curled up in bed. It was nice to finally just be together without any sort of crisis going on.
I should have known it wouldn't last.
TBC…