Chapter 2

Sookie flopped on to the couch in the living room and stared at the ceiling while Eric retrieved a large glass of water from the kitchen. He spied a familiar looking envelope on the kitchen table. He picked it up and looked out in to the living room at Sookie.
"I see you received the King's invitation. I assume this is the reason for this little display." Sookie didn't even bother with a verbal response. She decided flipping him off over the back of the couch would make her point. He laughed and shook his head.

"It's not something we can ignore, you know." He smiled down at her and offered her some water.

"I know. That's the problem."

"It's only a few days. The King wants to meet with a few of the Area Sheriffs to solidify his…business plan." The snort Sookie responded with caused him to raise an eyebrow.

"Then why am I invited?" She asked as she awkwardly righted herself on the couch and took the water he offered.
"You are being treated as a special guest. He has not forgotten your bravery. He knows of our…relationship. He assumes you would be thrilled by such an invitation."

"I'm not." Eric knelt before her and leaned over her face a little.

"I know." His tone was gentle and understanding.
"But I have to go." She sighed and met his eyes.

"Yes."

"But…I'm…What if…" She felt the tears start to pool in her eyes and couldn't finish her thought. She was terrified. Every trip she had taken with the Vampires had ended up with her getting hurt. Hurt seemed inadequate to describe what had happened to her. In the course of two years she had been shot, staked, nearly raped, beaten, and blown up.

"I know, lover." He leaned over and gently kissed her on the forehead. He felt her fear through the bond and did his best to comfort her. He shifted so he was sitting on the coffee table facing her. Their knees were touching and he rested his arms on her thighs.

"What will I have to do?" She whispered. He waited to answer. He reached for her hand and lifted the water to her lips.

"Drink, lover. You'll regret it tomorrow if you don't." She complied but searched his face for answers. "As a guest of the King, this should be a pleasure trip for you. I know of no reason it should be otherwise."

"So I won't have to go to any meetings or anything?"

"I don't assume so." She sighed and relaxed her shoulders. She took another large gulp of her water and leaned forward to place the glass on the table beside Eric. This caused her to be inches away from his face and she saw him close his eyes and breathe in her scent. She jolted backwards and nearly dropped the glass to the floor. Eric's quickness saved her carpet but had broken the calm that had settled between them. Sookie pushed against his shoulder so she could stand. Eric circled her waist with his arms and she pushed against him.

"NO!" She screamed. Her sudden anger startled him. He released her and allowed her to stumble toward the hearth.

"You ignored me!" Sookie pointed an unsteady finger at him. The alcohol was giving her the courage and the uninhibited emotions to scream her feelings at him. "Where the hell have you been?! And don't say busy. Cause that's just a bullshit excuse."

Eric smiled at her and that just made her even angrier. He stood and circled his hand around the wrist of the finger that had been pointing at him so furiously.

"I have been…a fool." Her stomach flipped. She wasn't sure if it was emotion or alcohol. Either way, she bolted down the hall and to the bathroom.