A/N: Hello Im back. Sorry for taking so long but work, family problems were taking over my life. Just when I got those under control, I ended up getting sick which is something that rarely happens to me so it hit me hard and I am still ill. I promise that the next chapter after this one won't be too far. I am going to start writing it tomorrow and hopefully I will have it up by Monday night. Goodnight people.
Sookie's POV:
"Pam it's too tight!," I whine.
"Suck in your stomach!," she says as she is trying to help me.
"I think the size you got me is too small, is it too late to exchange it for something larger?"
"Sookie, this is the largest size they had in the store."
Ouch... I think my self-esteem just fell a couple notches. I know that I'm probably not the slimmest woman, but I'm not exactly fat either. Obviously the designer of this dress doesn't like women with a little meat on their bodies. My face is flushed from frustration. Somehow I've managed to land in Pam's room trying to squeeze into a dress that seems to have been made for a waif-like girl and not a curvy woman like me. We both continue to struggle.
"Stop moving," she commands.
"Argh! It's not going to fit Pam. I'll just wear one of the dresses that I bought yesterday," I tell her.
"Keep still for a few seconds Sookie and suck in your gut," she says.
I do as she says and hold in my breath. She slowly continues to move the dress past my hips and it reaches my stomach. I breathe out. We take a brief rest from this delicate operation. I hold in my breath again as Pam continues to move the fabric up slowly until it reaches my breasts.
"Hmm...," she murmurs.
I let my breath out again and look at her. She is thinking about the next course of action.
"I think you are going to have to go braless," she says looking at me.
My mouth drops open, "No!"
"I don't think there will be enough room for your bra. There will be barely enough room for your boobs," she says.
I sigh in frustration. "Okay then fine."
She quickly unhooks my bra and it lands on the floor. I see her staring at my breasts and can tell she is fighting the urge to touch them.
I move my arms through the strap openings and Pam moves the rest of the fabric upwards until I am completely in the dress. I breathe a sigh of relief.
"Walk around. The fabric should stretch enough to conform to the shape of your body," she says.
I slowly move around the room hoping that I don't tear the seams. Thankfully I am able to walk normally and not like my knees are tied together by rope. The dress is only several inches past my butt. I definitely won't be bending over tonight for fear of flashing people and ripping my dress.
"Try sitting," she tells me.
I move to the sofa and slowly sit down.
"Okay I think I am able to move around a little bit more now," I tell her.
"Alright now that we're done with the hard part, it's time to straighten your hair."
I get up and move to the chair in front of the vanity mirror. Pam runs a ceramic hot iron through my hair straightening my soft natural wavy curls. When she finishes, she applies some eye makeup and mascara. I apply my own lip gloss. When we are done I look at myself over in the mirror. The desert sand coloured dress looks really good on me despite the tight fit. I barely recognize myself with straighter hair and darker eye makeup. I put on the tan heels that Pam bought me as well.
I had spent my day in Las Vegas by sleeping in till 1pm. My guards and I went swimming in the pool. After that I went to the spa in the hotel for a massage (done by a woman of course), facial, body wrap, pedicure, and manicure.
I leave Pam's room to let her get ready and I walk down the hall to my room. When I open the door I call out Eric's name but no one answers. He must have gone downstairs.
I go to the window and look outside. I should probably try and stretch out this dress a little bit more. I put my hands on the window and try to bend over a little bit. I stick my butt out and wiggle my body hoping my actions will give me a little bit more freedom to move around.
"Someone said the views from the Bellagio were magnificent, they were absolutely right about that," a strange voice says.
I gasp and quickly spin around. A dirty blonde vampire who looks eighteen is standing in my room smiling at me with his fangs out. I'm too stunned to speak or scream.
In an instant he is right in front of me and leans in closely. At first I think he is going to bite my neck but instead he sniffs me slowly. He looks me in the eyes and smiles again, this time his fangs are retracting. He gradually steps away from me.
"I see you've met my bonded," Eric says standing about ten feet away from us. I look over at him feeling relieved and confused.
The unfamiliar vampire continues to smile at me without glancing back to look at Eric, "Your bonded you say? That explains one of the reasons why she is drenched heavily in your scent. I thought she might have been room service."
Eric comes to stand beside me. He puts his arm around my waist and looks down at me. "Sookie, this Marten Meijer, the king of New York. Marten, this is Sookie Stackhouse, my wife."
"Pleased to meet you Sookie," he says. He holds his hand out waiting for me to put mine in it. I am reluctant to give him my hand as I am still feeling uncertain of him. He senses my hesitation. "Please forgive me for frightening you a few moments ago. I seem to lose my self control when I see a beautiful woman who smells divine," he says suavely.
I give him my hand and he kisses it. His lips linger on my skin for a few extra seconds and his eyes twinkle. "Where did you find her Eric?," he asks.
"I didn't find her, she found me," Eric answers.
He looks at Eric, then back at me, "Are there any more like her where she comes from?"
"No, she is the only one," Eric firmly says.
"I can see now why you have told me very little about her," he says to Eric and turns his attention toward me again, "You should feel fortunate to have this vampire's devotion. I have known him for over eight hundred years and never during that time have I seen him care for a human enough to form a bond with them."
"You're almost as old as Eric? You look so young," I say still feeling flabbergasted.
He chuckles, "I was a young human when I was turned. I figure I must have been nineteen or eighteen."
After my initial shock wears out, I begin to notice how good-looking this blonde vampire is. Like Eric he could easily have a successful career as a model or an actor. He looks like he belongs in an Abercrombie and Fitch catalogue with his youthful looks and natural charisma. And like Eric I can hear a slight accent from a time and place long ago.
"I went downstairs to meet Marten for a refreshment in the lounge," Eric says, "When we finished, I gave him the key card to our room while I went to go see your were guards. I thought you would have still been in Pam's room."
"Oh," I say, "You are friends?," I ask glancing at both of them.
Marten lightly laughs, "I wouldn't say we are friends, more like comrades. Older vampires are wise enough to know that there is no such thing as having friends in our world. We have been in many battles together throughout the years and partook in many sexual..."
"Sookie isn't interested in knowing about that," Eric interrupts. Jealousy of his past exploits creeps up on me and I glower at him.
"Do not worry Sookie," Marten says noticing my reaction, "I imagine that what we experienced in the past is nothing compared to what he has with you. But of course if you want a demonstration of some of our past activities then that can be arranged," he says with a big smile.
I can feel Eric's jealousy. He growls at him while slightly tightening his grip on my waist.
"Maybe not," the young ancient vampire smirks. "I should be heading back to my hotel. I have a few things that I need to do before tonight's festivities."
"You're not staying at this hotel?," I ask him.
"No," he says, "I don't think that it's a very good idea to stay in the domain of a rival king, don't you? De Castro isn't the most trustworthy vampire, look at what happened to poor Sophie."
I nod my head in agreement.
"We will see you later this evening," Eric says as he opens the door and takes back the key card from him.
As soon as he closes the door he is in front of me. "Lover you look beautiful tonight," he says gripping my butt.
I can tell what he wants from me right now, "Baby, later. I will gladly let you rip this dress off of me then," I tell him still feeling somewhat uncomfortable in the fabric.
He reluctantly lets me go and goes into the room to put on his clothes. He is ready in less than five minutes and comes out of the room looking absolutely mouth-watering.
Awhile later we head downstairs to the club with my vampire guards and Pam. We walk through the foyer and into the club which is already full of humans and vampires. The male and female humans are gorgeous as expected. They were obviously chosen for their sex appeal. The large room is vibrant and filled with elegant furniture and a spectacular dance floor. The DJ is playing a mixture of old and new dance music. We are led to the VIP section at which time many vampire and human females eye Eric. Even though it should make me feel jealous at hearing some of the thoughts of the female patrons, it does not affect me in the slightest. Hearing Eric tell me last night that he does not feed from anyone else made me feel relieved and more secure of my relationship with him. I already know that he would not cheat on me. After dwelling on this topic, I think of my own 'encounter' over a month ago and a tinge of guilt seeps through me. I can't believe how I almost tainted what we have with a virtual stranger. Almost immediately Eric senses my guilt through the bond.
The server has already taken our drink orders at our table when Eric leans in close to me, "Are you alright?"
I look at him and give him a quick kiss on the lips, "I'm ok. I can't wait till go back to our room," I whisper back. I will definitely have to tell him about the vampire I met over a month ago later tonight. I'm not completely sure how he will react but I know that he will be angry and hurt. But I know that I need to be honest with him even if nothing did happen between us. He puts his hand on my thigh and rubs it slowly.
Just then the music is turned down. De Castro, flanked by his entourage, walks in and the crowd immediately parts for him. We all rise from our seats and all of the vampires in the room slightly bow or nod at his presence. The humans also respectfully acknowledge his presence.
He makes his way to our table.
"Northman, Mizz Stackhouse, how lovely you look this evening. I trust that you find my little club satisfactory?," he says in a slimy voice as he eyes me from top to bottom. I can feel the eyes of Victor Madden on me as well.
"Yes it's very lovely," I say with a forced smile and cheer.
"I am glad that you approve. Perhaps maybe later you will allow me the pleasure of a dance? That's unless of course the Viking doesn't object," he says. I can feel Eric's fury but his outward appearance is cool and calm.
"Of course your majesty," Eric answers.
"Splendid! If you will excuse me I must go and greet my other guests," he says just before walking off.
We sit down again and enjoy the music and each other's company. Pam wanders off to dance with a couple of other female vamps and humans. Though the atmosphere in the club is positive, I am content to just sit here at the table in the arms of my vampire. We smile and whisper to each other, ignoring the people and stares around us.
"Would three be a crowd at this table?," a voice asks popping the private bubble that Eric and I created.
The king of New York is standing before us grinning. I glance over at Savannah and Clint at the other table who continue to appear aloof.
Eric smiles at him, "Of course you may join us."
He sits down next to me and out of nowhere Pam comes back to the table. She looks at him seductively and gives him a demure smile.
The king stands up and smiles at her, "Pamela," he says as he kisses her hand. This time his mouth lingers on her hand much longer than it did on mine. "Your child grows even more beautiful every time I see her, Eric," he says flashing his brilliant smile.
"Thank you your majesty," Pam says looking like a star struck teenager.
They both take their seats. Just then a couple of gorgeous blonde twin girls come to our table with obvious intentions for both Eric and the king.
"The master thought that you would enjoy some company this evening," they say synchronously referring to Felipe as the master. They both look at the king but also glance at Eric. I notice Pam glaring at them.
"You can tell your master thank you for the offer, but right now I have all the company I need," he says. "Perhaps later you can come back," he says winking at both of them. They both giggle and smile as they saunter off while Pam looks like she's ready to rip their heads off. This is the first time I have even seen Pam look jealous.
"So you were born in the same area as Eric?," I ask him trying to start a friendly conversation with him.
"Yes but I was born in the area of Denmark," he answers.
"Do you still remember your family?" I ask.
He ponders for a moment. "I barely remember them. I rarely saw my father and my mother died when I was young. When I try to recall the past, I remember the times I spent with my older brothers who constantly abused me. I was to have been married right before I was born a vampire. So I never had the opportunity to sire children."
"That's so sad," I say empathetically.
"Not really. My real life never started until I met my true father. He showed me what it means to truly exist. I was and still am honoured that he chose me to become his child."
"Your maker gave you the choice?," I ask interested in his story. From what I have heard vampires usually just take and turn the ones that they choose to become their children, like Eric and Pam.
"Yes he gave me the choice. He wanted a son and I wanted a father," he says firmly. Now I am surprised and curious. It is clear that their relationship has never gone beyond a father and son type. I remember when Eric told me that Appius forced him into a sexual relationship for years. I wish that Eric could have been made a vampire by his maker.
Before I could ask him any more questions Victor Madden comes to our table.
"Hello, your majesty, Miss Stackhouse, Eric," he says cheerfully. I can tell Pam is somewhat annoyed that he ignored her.
"Felipe was wondering if you would like to dance now," he says.
I look at Eric, "Umm I haven't had the chance to dance with Eric yet. So maybe after that?," I say unsure of myself.
He glances over his shoulder and back at me, "Of course Miss Stackhouse. You should probably dance with your husband first. I shall tell Felipe that your dance card is booked right now," he says. Dance card? Where are we, in the Victorian Era?, I think to myself. I give him one of my fake smiles and he leaves.
"Well we should do what Sookie has said," the young looking king announces. "Pam would you do me the honour of dancing with me?"
Pam looks like she's about to float away, "Yes I would love to, your majesty." He leads her to the dance floor.
"Would you care to dance with me as well?," Eric whispers into my ear.
I feel like melting so I smile and nod. He leads me down to the dance floor area while Savannah and Clint follow. They clear up a spot for us to dance and soon enough, I am gyrating and moving my hips to the music.
Awhile later I can feel myself getting tired, so I ask Eric if we could step to the side. We go back up to the VIP level, but instead of sitting down we stand and watch all the people on the dance floor. I place my hands on the railing while Eric stands directly behind me and puts his hands on my hips.
I spot Pam and Marten still together looking more like they are dry humping each other rather than dancing. I also spot the blonde twins standing close by watching them as though they are waiting their turn with him.
"Oh look it's the Barbie twins," I point out to Eric.
He looks in that direction. "Yes I see them, rather lovely unique creatures aren't they?," he says. I can tell that he is trying to tease me.
"Yes they are beautiful. I'm sure your fellow Viking will let you share with him. It could be like the old days with you two," I tell him.
"That's an idea, but I would rather it be you, me and them. That's an even better plan."
I spin around and smack him lightly on the chest, "Well you can keep on dreaming about that fantasy buddy," I say.
He laughs lightly and pulls me closer to him, "The only one that is in my fantasies is you. In fact I have a particular one that I would like to perform later on tonight," he tells me seductively. I can feel his erection pressed against my stomach. Can we leave this party now..., I think to myself.
I spin around towards the dance floor again in order to try and ignore my growing desire. I see Marten going up to the DJ's booth and he speaks to him briefly. I wonder what he's up to. He goes back down to the dance floor and suddenly a new song starts that sounds like a mixture of dance and rap.
"This is a special request so ladies and gentlemen please clear the dance floor," the DJ announces. Marten takes off his jacket and throws it to the crowd on his right. I look and see a couple of girls screaming and fighting over it. He moves to the center and starts moving to the music. I watch in amazement as he moves gracefully to the music. He starts break dancing and in one moment he moves in his vampire speed. The crowd is going wild and cheering him on. I look at Pam watching him like he was her idol and the blonde twins are cheering him on not too far away. When the song and his performance end, the entire room is cheering him on and asking for more. He is pumping his fist in the air obviously enjoying the attention that he is receiving. The blonde twins approach him and put their hands on his chest. They are smiling and giggling. I can tell he is enjoying that as well. Just as one of them is about to kiss him, Pam pushes her away. She is visibly fuming and jealous. She wraps her arms around him possessively and glares at the twins as if to warn them to stay away from her man. Eric and I watch the scene curiously. I am amazed at the way that Pam is acting this evening. I suddenly realize that no matter how old a vampire gets, they still retain a remnant of the maturity level of their human age when they were made vampire. In Pam and Marten's case, they are acting like the teenagers they once were when they were human. I can't help but smile.
"He's always been a show-off," Eric says in my ear.
I turn around to face him, "Are you jealous that he can dance so well?," I ask as I kiss his neck.
"Maybe," he says quietly, "But there are more important things that I am way better at than him."
"Care to share with me?," I ask. We make out for several minutes until Pam and Marten join us.
"That was amazing," I tell him, "Where did you learn how to dance like that?"
"I've always enjoyed dancing," he responds, "But it wasn't until the 1920s that I began to learn. Every decade there has been a new style of dance. What I did was a mixture of what I have learned throughout the decades. I learned to break dance in the 80s."
"Master, is it alright if I can go with the king for the rest of the night? He is leaving at dawn and being transported back to New York," Pam asks Eric.
Eric thinks about her request for a moment and looks at both of them. She is eagerly awaiting his answer.
"Yes, but make sure you get back to the hotel before dawn," he says sternly. I smile trying to hold in my chuckle at Eric's fatherly attitude.
"It was nice to meet you Sookie, I hope that we will meet again," Marten tells me. He takes Pam's hand and they leave the club.
"Maybe we can leave too now," I say to Eric. He is about to open his mouth to respond but is interrupted.
"Felipe would like to speak to you now, Eric. He is waiting in his office," Victor Madden says behind me.
I lean my forehead against Eric's chest and he responds, "Tell him I will be there in a moment."
"I will be right back, my love," he says as I lift my head and he kisses my forehead. I let him go and watch as he walks off into the crowd. I go to sit with my vampire guards and watch the people around me getting more drunk. I notice some vamps choosing their meals for later on tonight. I feel more uncomfortable without Eric so I try to keep myself busy by looking at my phone. I decide to play a few games on my phone when I hear a voice.
"Fancy meeting you here," the strange voice utters.
I look up and recognize the person, "Oh hello again," unsure of what else to say.
Eric's POV:
I walk towards De Castro's club office. Random women are touching my arms and it's taking all my strength to not fling them away. I finally reach his office door and his bodyguards let me through.
He is sitting at his desk and he is alone.
"Good of you to show up Northman. I trust your wife is being looked after," he tells me.
I nod. "How may I serve you tonight your majesty?," I ask him.
"It was nice that Marten showed up tonight," he says ignoring my question. "I needed to meet with him to see if he would allow me to open up another club like this one in his area."
"What was his response?," I ask.
"He asked for sixty percent of the profits and ownership."
"What was your response?"
"My first instinct was to tell him no and that I would find another method to open up a business there without his formal consent. But I ignored my feeling and I agreed to his terms. Do you want to know why?"
I can sense he is leading up to something. "Tell me why your majesty."
"Because it is unwise to go up against a vampire as powerful as he. Though he may look young he has powerful connections namely his maker. You have heard of the story of how he obtained the territory of New York?"
I nod. Marten was challenged back in the 1700s by another vampire who also wanted to rule the New York area. One day the foolish vampire had paid some weres to destroy Marten in his daytime resting place. Marten was lucky to have escaped with only a few burns because the weres could not find his secret resting spot that was almost completely fireproof. He had awoken to find his home destroyed. His maker Marius had sensed his anguish through their connection and quickly went to aid his child. He and Marten destroyed the weres and their entire pack. They also killed the vampires who were associated with the foolish vampire who tried to challenge Marten. Marius was going to destroy the vampire but Marten persuaded him to deal with the vamp in front of the council. They went to the council in order to get the approval of killing the vamp but he happened to be the child of one of the council members. The vamp was set free and ordered to leave the territory. Marius became angered by the decision. He asked them once more for permission to kill the vamp but they refused him. What happened after that is not known, but the vamp who tried to kill Marten met the sun. The council denies this but the strongest rumour of what happened that day was that the council members who ruled in favour of letting the vamp go suddenly met their final deaths by spontaneously combusting. It is said that it is one of Marius' vampire gifts. It is also rumoured that he glamoured the vamp into meeting his final death by telling him to meet the sun and also wrapping himself in silver. It is certain however that the following day Marten was crowned king of New York and that was the last time that any vampire had seen Marius.
"But I guess it should please me that I am able to expand my business into another state," he continues. "My new business ventures have kept me very busy that I fear that I have been neglecting Arkansas and Louisiana. Which is why I may have no other choice but to give up those territories to others."
I try to keep myself calm as I have a strong feeling of what he is going to say.
"I have given this much thought but I am going to give Madden the territory of Arkansas to rule. He will become king but still be my subordinate."
He stops and looks at me as though he is trying to decipher what I am thinking and feeling. "Louisiana is another territory that I will have to entrust with someone else as well. Tell me Northman, do you think you could be make a good king?"
I take a moment to utter my answer, "I have lived for over a thousand years and have acquired many skills during that time. I have travelled and lived in almost every place in the world, but I have found that Louisiana is my true home. It is the land that I care about deeply and would like to see it prosper and develop to its fullest potential. So yes I think I would make a good king."
He turns around in his desk to face the window. "Very well I offer you the Louisiana territory with a few conditions."
He turns to face me again. "You will have the crown of Louisiana as long as you show me fealty. I know that you would not be subordinate like Madden but I expect to have your support and allegiance in front of the council and other kings. But you will still be my equal."
"Of course your majesty I accept these terms," I tell him as I slightly bow.
"I haven't told you all my conditions yet," he says. "I have one more condition."
I look at him wondering what it could be. "Tell me your majesty."
"My other condition is that you enter into a royal marriage with Rosamund Lefevre."
I look at him feeling bewildered.