Chapter 15

Eric woke and just held her in his arms for a while. The effects of the drugs was wearing off and Sookie started to fall into a fitful sleep. He rose and dressed while listening to her mumble and whimper in her sleep. She called his name a few times. Something happened to Andre that she witnessed, something involving the tiger. Eric scowled as he sat beside her on the bed. Every so often a tear would slide down her cheek and he would slowly lick it away. The contact calmed her for a few minutes. Eric knew what he needed to do. He hoped it wasn't the worst decision he'd ever made. He opened her small purse on the bedside table and retrieved her cell phone. He found the number he was looking for quickly and pressed send. He was surprised at the call. Then concern floods his voice as Eric explains the situation.

"I shall come." He decrees and ends the call. Eric sinks down on the bed next to her and waits. Ten minutes later the room fills with light and Niall appears. He's had the forethought to mask his powerful fairy scent. Eric bows out of respect for Sookie's great-grandfather.

"What has happened?" Niall asked as he stepped to the side of the bed to look down at Sookie.

"Rhodes." Eric began and explained all that had happened that horrible day and then her reaction to the pyramid shaped building on the strip.

"My poor child's spirit is damaged."

"Yes." Eric agreed. "I'm sure human doctors would be of little use to her. She's very proud and I'm sure they would have no idea how to handle her many…difficulties over the last few years."

Niall regarded him for a moment and took a step closer to Eric. He waved his hand in front of Eric's worried features and stared deep into his eyes.

"You and she share more than affection." He stated.

"Yes."

"Much more."

"We are bonded." Eric offered as explanation.

"You try to explain away something you don't fully understand." Eric's eyes blazed and he stepped closer to the Fairy Prince.

"Tell me." He demanded. Niall offered him a slight smile.
"Are you ready to hear it?"

"Of course." His patience was growing thin.

"It's rare. But it is not unheard of. I have known of a few other cases."

"Cases of what?"

"Fate has given you a great gift, Eric Northman."

"Gift?"

"The humans like to use the term soul-mate carelessly. As you know, in our worlds, we know this is a rare and beautiful thing."

"How can she and I…she is mortal, I am vampire."

"She's less mortal than you think. Her fae blood and unique gift of telepathy give her more immortality than others. She can die a mortal death, but that won't happen for many many lifetimes."
"Her fairy blood will give her longer life."

"Yes."

"But how can a fairy and a vampire…"

"Fate is sometimes unfathomable. But she is connected to you?"

"Yes she and I are…connected." Eric kept his answer vague for fear of reveling too much. Niall nodded his understanding.

"You are her chosen." Eric stepped back and tried to digest the weight of his words.

"Her chosen." He whispered. "But, vampires…" Eric couldn't finish his sentence. Vampires rarely mated for long periods of time. Having the knowledge that Sookie and he were chosen was hard to comprehend.

"Would I have chosen a vampire for her life mate? No. But I have no more control over the fates than you."

"But I can't give her children. I know she wants…" Niall placed his hand on Eric's shoulder. Eric's eyes snapped to meet the Prince's.

"When the time comes, I will grant her most cherished wish. She will know when she is ready."

"I don't understand?"

"I'll explain when she is ready. Now we must heal my great-granddaughter's damaged soul." Eric ripped away from his thoughts and focused on Sookie's pained features. Niall moved to her side and placed his hands on her face.

"Take her hands. She needs to feel you connected to her." Eric complied and gripped her hands tightly willing his love and reassurance through the bond.

The room filled with the smell of magic. The air seemed to vibrate around them and images appeared in their minds. Eric was seeing through Sookie's eyes. She was at the hotel elevators in Rhodes. Barry ran down the hall and she was alone. He could feel her panic. Suddenly he saw himself. She was slapping and screaming at him trying to wake him from his daytime sleep. Then Pam was being dropped out the window in his coffin. He felt the rapid surge of fear sweep over them. He saw her running through the rubble covering injured vampires from the sun and searching for humans. Eric jolted at the image of Quinn crawling toward an injured Andre. His eyes widened as he saw the ancient vampire turn to ash. Then his emotions were replaced with Sookie's as she found Bill. His nostrils filled with the smells she was remembering. Then he felt her fear. He saw her and Barry searching for live souls through the damage. Then she was running. She was scared for her safety. Then he felt her anger. She and Barry parted. Then there was Quinn again and a young girl. His sister. Eric finally looked down at her face and saw the tears streaming down her cheeks. He tried to control his own anger through the bond. Niall closed his eyes and moved the images forward. He was now seeing Sookie's home. Quinn was at her table. He felt her heartache as he left. Why was he showing him this? Why was Niall bringing up Quinn to him?

"You must see all of it. You must see all she has been through and all she has given up." Niall answered.

Eric now saw the young girl again, Quinn's sister. Then his mother. Fear and sadness traveled from her through the bond and he rubbed his thumb over the back of her hand. Then he saw his face again. He felt her sadness mixed with love as they spoke. Her confusion over her emotions caused his eyes to rim with red tears.

"I love her." He whispered.

"And she has loved you for longer than you have realized."

The images faded and Eric fully understood the emotional turmoil this remarkable woman had harbored for years. Sookie's eyes fluttered open.
"Grandfather?" Her throat was dry and raw. "Eric?"

Niall released her face and she sat up on the bed. Eric pulled her to him and wrapped the blankets around her tightly.

"Eric…Eric." She whispered into his chest. She was softly crying but she could feel the lightness settling into her chest.

"My dear child." Niall stroked her hair and smiled. "Your chosen was wise to call me."
"My chos…" Eric shushed her lightly and kissed her temple.

"We have much to discuss. Now you must rest." Eric soothed.

"She will feel whole again. She will be stronger for it."

Eric nodded his understanding and clung to her. Sookie turned her face up to see the Prince.

"What happened?" She asked in a frail whisper.

"Your soul was scarred, my child. You were in need of some help. Eric was wise to call me. You will be better now." He bent to kiss her forehead and gently stroked her hair.

"I will leave you." With that, he was gone.

Eric tightened his embrace as if letting her go would slip her back into her despair.

"Eric." She croaked. "Eric."

"Yes, my lover."

"I can't breathe." He loosened his embrace and looked upon her face.

"How are you? You frightened me so."

"I'm sorry."

"I…" Then she saw his eyes change. His nostrils flared and she gave him an annoyed look.
"Sookie." He breathed her name as he bent forward to capture her mouth. She pulled back and grabbed his ears.
"Stop."

"I can't… you smell…I just want to…" She reached up and grabbed his nose. She pinched and his eyes slammed shut.

"Ow."

"Snap out of it. I'm still…" He shook his head to release her grip and shake the intoxicating fairy smell from his senses.

"Forgive me, my lover. You are my only concern."

"Bath….I want a bath." She pulled away from him and stumbled to the bathroom. Eric beat her to the tub and was already filling it with water when she crossed the threshold.

"Eric, I need to…I have to go…." She motioned toward the toilet and stared at him for a moment. Understanding settled on his features and he grinned.

"Of course." He stepped out of the room and sat on the edge of the bed in silence. Eric rested his head in his hands as he thought about all that had just happened. Sookie was his chosen. She was his soul-mate as decreed by the Fates. He was shaken from his thoughts when he heard the water splash in the tub. He opened the door to see her sinking in to the warm soapy water.
"Lover."

"Join me."

He quickly shed his clothes and settled behind her in the large tub. He took the fluffy washcloth and gently washed her arms and back. She leaned her head back against his shoulder and sighed.

"Tell me." She need to know.

Eric continued to wash her body and hair as he told her about the events of the last day. She asked a few questions but for the most part listened as he told her about calling Niall.

"You're leaving something out." She caused the water to slosh against her chest as she turned to face him. She slipped to the other side of the tub and played absently with his toes.

"I'm not sure how to explain it."

"Try."

"We are chosen." Eric always leaned toward the direct.

"Chosen for what?" She cocked her head and looked at him. He tugged on her foot and slid her to his lap.

"For one another." He sighed into her neck once she was settled in place straddling him.

"I don't…"

"Maybe I should let your great-grandfather explain this to you." He looked away but she caught his reflection in the mirrors on the wall.

"No. You have to. Tell me."

"I'm concerned that you may feel that it is one more way of me…I don't want you to feel that I knew about…"

"You're scared." She grabbed his face and forced him to look at her.

"Yes."
"Of?"
"Losing you. Loving you. Keeping you."

"Tell me." She punctuated her demand with a slow and reassuring kiss. He deepened the embrace and couldn't help stoking her breast.

"Tell me." She panted as she pushed against his chest.

"It seems I was correct in regards to our connection. I should have known other forces were in place when you were the only human to ever cause such emotions within myself."

"Other forces?" His hands stroking her back distracted her. She pushed away again and retreated to the other side of the tub. If she was ever going to get anything out of him, she had to keep her distance. She drew her knees to her chest and waited for him to answer. His pout from her distance gave her a pang of guilt but she quickly pushed it away.

"Let's just say it was no accident you met Bill."

"I know that. The Queen sent him." She scowled at the memory.

"No…there were more forces working at that. Perhaps they pushed Hadley into revealing you to the Queen. Our meeting was not by mere happenstance. You and I are fated."

"Fated."

"Chosen."

"Chosen? But, why didn't I…why Bill? Why did I have to be so hurt? And Quinn?"

"Perhaps you had to go through those things so you and I would be open to each other." Then his face took on a stricken look. She reached out for his leg and shook his attention back to her.

"What?"

"Hallow." She hadn't heard the witches name in such a long time. The sound sent her stomach dropping out. "The one question that plagued me was why I was on the road to your house. Why there? Was I running to you? Away from you? Was it random? But now I know…" His voice trailed off and she shook his leg again.

"Know?" She continued his thought to keep him talking.

"She cursed me but even a curse isn't as strong as a fated connection. I was running to you. I knew you would protect me. Even when all else was stripped from my mind, you were still ingrained." Sookie could only blink. "You cared for me and we were able to connect…"

"You fell in love with me." She stated. He chuckled and shook his head.

"Looking back, I think I had more than just lustful feelings for you long before that."

"When?"

"Long Shadow."

"Long Shadow?" She repeated.
"Why did I stake him, Sookie? Bill didn't move and he claimed he loved you. You are human. I had found out what I needed. Why would I kill another vampire for you?"

She shook her head not knowing what to say. She knew he didn't expect an answer. "When the maenad hurt you, I was angered and saddened. Why?" His laughter increased as if what he was saying was just too ridiculous.

"And how many bullets have I taken for you?" She opened her mouth to answer but he pinned her with a look. "And you trusted me. The orgy. You trusted me when you knew you shouldn't. You could have asked the shifter, but you came to me. When things between you and Bill ended, you called upon me to see you home from Jackson. Then you took it upon yourself to save me from the robbers at the gas station. When you needed something, even as simple as a coat, I had to give it to you. Do you know how irritating that was? I felt like a love sick boy hoping to curry your favor with trinkets. To see you wearing the coat I bought you and how you enjoyed it, I was giddy as a…" He clamped his lips shut and looked away again.
"Say it." She urged. She had to hear it all. She knew that this catharsis was as healing to him as it was to her.

"You and the tiger infuriated me. But I had no claim to you. You chose to be with him and I had no say in it. I hated the thought of him touching you." The intensity of his voice sent frightened shivers down her spine. But she had to hear it all.

"I wanted to kill him. I still do. Not just for his feelings for you but for his betrayal. I have to fight to keep from giving in to the desire to kill all those who have hurt you. Then I realized that I had hurt you far more than they had. When I couldn't remember our time together, it burdened you. It was worse when I did remember because I was so conflicted over the feelings I had I pushed you away. I'm sorry, my lover." Sookie started to tremble when the blood red tear slid down his cheek. Eric was powerful and strong and seeing this beautiful man cry was more than she could handle. The sob that escaped her throat brought him out of his own emotions. He reached across the tub and pulled her back to him.
"I vow to you now. I am yours. I will love no other. You are my chosen and we are chosen forever." She swallowed the lump in her throat and tried to speak. Nothing would rise from her voice. She grabbed his neck and pulled him to her. She kissed him with all the passion and love she had in her being. He hesitated at first; still raw from his revelation but soon felt her love through their bond.
He wrapped his arms around her and clutched beneath her thighs.

"I need to feel you. I have to feel you." She panted as she tightened her legs around his waist. He stood easily with her still tangled around his waist. He stepped over the side of the tub with her clutching to his shoulders. He didn't even bother with drying them off. He rested her on her back on the large bed and hovered over her.
"Are you sure? You are still weak from…" His concern for her well being fueled her desire. She grabbed his neck with one hand and his length with the other. Tugging on both, he moaned into her mouth.

"No more talking. I want to show you how I feel." She searched his eyes and saw love reflected in them. She kissed him again and sighed as he trailed his fingers down her abdomen and tested her wetness. Her obvious want elicited another moan and he slid down her body.

"I have to taste you." His voice was hoarse and wanting against her naval.

She tangled her fingers in his hair and arched her back as his tongue parted her. There was nothing lazy about his movements. He was lapping at her center with an urgency that she matched in her bucking hips. He placed his large hands on her hips and turned his head to her inner thigh. He slid two fingers in as he bit. She cried out as her back lifted from the comforter. Hearing her pleasure, he increased his suckling on her artery. She convulsed and he felt her muscles tighten around his fingers. She panted and rubbed her face trying to catch her breath. Her vision was still blurry when Eric climbed back up her body. His face was glowing and pink. He stared into her eyes as he pushed into her.

"Oh thank God." She whispered as her eyes fluttered shut as he pulled out again and a rumbled vibrated through his chest.

"You bring religion into our union, lover?"

"Making love to you is always a religious experience." He quickened his pace at her playful smile. She got him. He got her. Their humor was something they always shared.

"Then let's see if we can make the heavens open up." He added a little more force to his thrusting and she laughed in delight. The emotions swirling between them danced across the bond. It opened fully and the air around them crackled and sparked. Her eyes widened and he smiled down at her. He could feel her contentment and love and she could feel his. Now that each had recognized their full meaning to one another, the bond seemed to swell and engulf them. Eric lost control and the sounds he made pleased her more than she could comprehend. He moaned and laughed and gasped as she writhed beneath him. She could only respond with a constant cadence of his name. Then it happened. An explosion of light, fluids, love, hope, promise. Out of sheer preservation, Eric gripped the headboard. Sookie wrapped her arms and legs around him so tightly she wasn't sure her muscles would release him again. Then neither of them could move. Eric was stock still and Sookie could only breathe in short pants. Slowly he moved his head to meet her eyes. He licked his lips and searched her face.

"I've never…that was…you are…" Coherent thought had left his mind.

"Yeah…I think…we just….my God." He leaned forward and offered her a slow lingering kiss. She untangled one leg from his and felt the languid effect of love making seep into her muscles. Eric started to slip from her but just when she thought he would disengage himself from her, he pushed back in.

"I can't…I have to stay." He murmured into her mouth. He moved slowly and tentatively. Each smooth stroke a little deeper than the last. She rubbed her hands up and down his sides as she lifted her knees higher. He slipped one arm under her thigh and then another. She grinned at herself when he groaned in appreciation at her flexibility. The angle was new and allowed her to feel every inch of him with greater detail.

"Oh God, Eric." Her head dropped back on the bed and her arms rose above her head. She slid her fingers around the slats in the large headboard and gripped firmly. Her newfound leverage made him buck harder.

You are the most gorgeous woman I've met in my long life. There have been no other lovers to ever compare to this. How can you do this to me? I can't get enough of you. I hunger for you. My lover. You have turned my life into something beyond my own.

A tear fell from her cheek as she read his thoughts. Seeing her reaction, he knew what she had done. He licked the stray tear and nuzzled her neck.

"I love you, Sookie."

I love you! She thought and pushed against his chest to change positions. God, I love you. You're amazing. Then Eric shifted and increased his pace. He rumbled with pleasure as she lost control of her thoughts. Jesus Christ, Shepard of Judea, this man knows how to make love to a woman. With a dick that size how can he not. Oh yes, yes… like that. I can feel every part of him. He's so huge. Please,Please,Please, harder, harder, harder. Yesyesyesyesyesyesyes.

Her climax was loud and enthralling. She reached down and dug her fingers into his ass and pulled him into her. He screamed something in an ancient tongue and collapsed on top of her. He quickly realized he was probably crushing her and rolled to his side. He rested his arm across her stomach and she caught his smug expression from the corner of her eye. Then it dawned on her the reason for his expanded ego. She covered her eyes with her hands and laughed.

"You're going to be impossible for the rest of the night, aren't you?"

"I assume the adjective you used to describe me was by comparison."

She groaned as he rested his head on his elbow to look down at her. "I'm glad I make your other experience pale in the comparison."
"You're impossible."
"I believe you said I was huge." She shivered as her hypersensitive skin met the cool air of the hotel room. The sweat that had covered her now made her tremble with cold. He pulled her to him and wrapped the comforter around her.

"I never said that."

"But I heard it. Same thing." He shrugged and she knew he was very pleased with himself. Seeing the amusement in his eyes she couldn't help but laugh. She nudged against him and agreed.

"Fine. It's massive."

"A gracious plenty." He added.

"Gigantic."

"Hmm." He put his arms behind his head and basked in his own glory.

"You know I'm talking about your ego, right?" She squealed as he flipped her over and tickled her sides. He laughed as she tried to scramble from the edge of the bed to escape.

"Oh no, lover! You're not going anywhere!" She twisted and flailed against his deft fingers as she shrieked in delight. As she gasped for breath and tried to control her laughter he gathered her up in his arms again. The stillness settled between them and she rested her head on his chest.
"You frightened me." He said softly.
"What?" She turned her head to see his face.

"Before. On the street. I couldn't help you. I was frightened." She nodded her head and rubbed her fingers across his chest.

"I was frightened too. It just all came back. It was like I was in the middle of it again. I was terrified."

"I'm sorry I didn't realize your need sooner. I should have known that you would need…" She cut him off with a finger across his lips.
"I didn't even know. How could you?"

"But…" He mumbled against her fingers but she shook her head.

"I'm better now. Thanks to you."

"Thanks to your great-grandfather."

"No, you had more to do with it than anything. I felt you. Even when the fear of it all overtook me, I could feel you." She snuggled into his side and sighed as his arms tightened around her.

Calm and contentment filled the room. There were still more unanswered questions; still more uncertainty that they would face. But they both knew they would face it together. Fated. Chosen. Bonded. Loved.

*** There MAY be a sequel. I can't be sure, but I do have a little plot bunny hopping around. –PP