Goddesses and Monsters
Chapter 10

A/N: Thank you so much to everyone who has reviewed, I really appreciate your comments

PLEASE NOTE THAT Bruja6110 HAS BEEN BACK OVER THE CHAPTERS AND CORRECTED ALL MY HORRIFIC MISTAKES, PLUS CLARIFIED SOME POINTS ABOUT TIME-LINES AND ANCESTRY AND THEY'LL BE RE-POSTED SOON.

Again, a massive pat on the back for Bruja6110 who co-wrote this chapter with me, she's a star.

Lots of revelations in this chapter and a big dose of Pam. Enjoy!

Pam

As I laid in bed waiting for sunrise to take me into darkness, I felt a buzz of excitement at the prospect of this evenings' outing with Sookie. Excitement was a rare emotion these days, with the more likely emotions being lust, contempt, boredom, and rage.

Having Sookie around these past couple of nights have been like a breath of fresh air; metaphorically speaking of course. She just glowed with a purity and energy that anyone near her couldn't help but gravitate towards. That, coupled with the knowledge of the oppressive life and heartache she'd endured, made me want to wrap my arms around her and shield her, then spoil her the way she should have been.

Vague memories of my younger sister, Arabella, flashed through my mind and I felt the pang of loss that I've tried to bury for over a hundred years. Arabella had been only thirteen years old when Eric found me and turned me; although I was ecstatic at the prospect of leaving my archaic life behind, I was extremely distraught at leaving her in the hands of our misogynist father.

Our father was, for all intents and purposes, a good father. He provided well for our family, ensured that we were educated to the standards expected of a titled lady of the time and provided every comfort we could wish for. But the main quality he lacked was compassion. I knew he loved us, in his own way, but he did not have the patience for feminine proclivities. Women were wives and mothers, no more, and the prospect of marrying my sister and me off at the earliest possibility was never far from his mind. He was adamant that we would marry well and titled to keep the strength of our family and disregarded the notion of marrying for love as ridiculous.

From when we were little girls, it was drilled into us that we were being groomed for marriage; our jobs were to marry well, give birth to many son's to further our bloodlines, and make our families proud by being faithful and obedient wives; of course, that's what was expected of a noble female of age, and we were expected to actively welcome the idea. For years, I dreaded the day when my father would find a suitable husband for me and I found out the hard way what the consequences of not complying with this antiquated ritual would be. The day my future fiancée was brought to meet me, I threw a tantrum and refused to come down from my room. I was previously introduced to the grotesque man some time ago at a ball that father had insisted we attend. It was obvious by his actions whom he chose, but I swore to myself, that the day I agreed to marry that horrendous old man, it would be over my dead body.

My father could have dragged me from my room to meet with him, but the scandal would have been mortifying for my family to witness in company. Instead, he requested that my suitor return the next day when I would be more agreeable. My father had been quietly livid as he returned to my room brandishing his belt, ready to dish out his punishment for my disobedience. I received thirty lashes of his thick leather belt that left welts all over my back and caused me to pass out from the agony.

When I had awoken in my room later that evening, I found myself still on the floor and still in my chemise. I could feel that the congealed blood from my open wounds had stuck the cotton material to my skin, making me wince in pain as I tried to move.

Little did I know that Eric had been watching me for some time with the intention of persuading me to join him as vampire. As I tried carefully to undress myself, I saw his reflection as he watched me, in my pier-glass mirror; not believing the image in the glass, I turned quickly to see him at my window, hovering in midair. I screamed into my hand at the shock of seeing such a spectacle of a strange man floating midair.

"You would very much like to invite me in, wouldn't you Pamela?"

His voice was deep and seductive; now, I know that he glamoured me to get into my room using those damn sexy eyes and charming smile. How little things had changed. But then, the intense gaze he fixed me with made me easily compliant and although my subconscious screamed "NO!" my body drifted towards him and I cordially invited him into my room.

"I would Sir, please... do come in." I may have been glamoured but I still managed to have good manners.

Eric told me not to fear him but as I stared at his handsome face in front of me, I remember thinking that he resembled no kind of gentleman that I had ever come into contact with. His gaze penetrated through me as he spoke softly in an accent I didn't recognize, offering me freedom from the future that my father had planned for me. He sniffed the air and was standing behind me before I could blink, studying the welts on my back that I was trying to cover.

He brushed away my modesty as he touched the raw skin, making me flinch and whimper in pain. I remember him shushing me and explaining more about what he was and asking if he could heal me with his blood. With a little hesitation, I took his open wrist that he had punctured with his fangs and sucked at the wound. Within a few minutes my skin was healed and I gazed in wonder at this incredible creature who offered me such a gift.

Upon seeing my wounds satisfactorily healed, Eric asked if I would be agreeable to go with him; to be made a vampire, to be strong, to choose my own lovers, and to never let another being inflict pain upon me. Although I had been glamoured, his influence was only not to fear him, the decision to accept the life he was offering was my own.

It only took me two seconds to decide that I wanted to go, but several minutes to actually leave. I wanted freedom, but could I at the expense of Arabella's happiness? Who would look out for her when I was gone? What would become of my mother, who was already frail and dominated by my father? My disappearance would kill Arabella and her both.

Eric stayed still and silent while I dressed and prepared myself for leaving, fully letting me make this decision on my own. He said that he wouldn't force me because it would only make me resent him later and he wanted a compliant companion. I agreed, on the condition that he would provide some kind of guarantee that my sister was looked after and to ensure that she wouldn't have had to deal the brunt of my father's maltreatment. It wasn't for some time later that I learned that before he took me away, he glamoured my father into being a loving, understanding father who would let Arabella marry for love and who would join my sister and mother in genuine mourning for me.

I could feel the pull of dawn only minutes away and resolved that I would make every effort to show Sookie how a sister behaved. From what she told us, it sounded like a really lonely and rotten childhood and she had no siblings around to play with or comfort her; it might be a bit late, but I'm going to try to fill that 'sibling void' the best that I can. The need to be her confidante, her friend, and her family was strong. I couldn't always be there for my sister, but I would be there for Sookie.

A big sisterly shopping trip was just the remedy. Sookie had hardly any decent clothes; only the few things that were gathered in a rush and put in her room to wear the day after I found her and the way Eric was acting, she definitely wouldn't be wearing any of her faerie gowns any time soon. I don't know what the faeries make their cloth from but it's damn near see-through! Although... it might be fun to watch Eric's face if she did try to leave the house dressed in one; I wonder can vampires piss themselves if pushed far enough? Oh well... I still can't believe that she knows nothing about shopping; it's a really good thing that I'm such a grand-master at it.

If I'm going to do this right, then Shreveport isn't the place to go, but New Orleans definitely was. I could take Sookie to my favorite store and get the gorgeous personal shopper that I'd met the last time I was there to cater to us. Eric would need to approve, which he would of course; this wasfor Sookie after all. This trip meant quick planning, another one of my specialties; so I reached for my phone and sent Eric a text, outlining my plans for the evening, knowing that as soon as I wrote the word 'Sookie', that he would agree to them.

He was definitely enthralled with her, which was something that I've never seen before, but was fully counting on for this trip. Eric was a very generous man and I knew he wouldn't pass up the opportunity to spoil Sookie with anything her heart desired.

Feeling myself fading into the dawn, I fired off quick messages to Eric's hotel, the Saks personal shopper, Sookie's guard, and Godric, who I was sure, would like to witness the mass shopping spectacle.

Godric was a prolific shopper and almost as bad as I am. His wardrobe was extensive and quite envied by Eric in the sense that he loved his clothes, but hated the shopping experience. Godric and I could shop until dawn if the mood took us, which we have done so many times before, much to Eric's amusement. Godric had fantastic taste and was very patient and tactful when opinions were required. He would be an asset to this trip so I hoped that he'd be coming along. I also noticed that it seemed as though he had a little crush on our Sookie too, but how could he not?

Barely able to put my phone back before I succumbed to the darkness, my mouth turned up in a smile as I fell asleep with a huge grin on my face.

Eric

Bypassing the elevator and racing up the steps at vampire speed to Sookie's room, I had barely a moment to reflect on all that'd happened in what was definitely the strangest rest of my existence.

My poor Sookie's life had been a painful succession of loss, pain, and mistreatment. I made a vow to myself that she'd never again have to go through what I had just witnessed. I would tear apart anyone who so much as looked at Sookie the wrong way; currently number one on that 'anyone' list, just so happens to be Bill Compton. An idiotic, sub-par, feeble-minded vampire who will be feeling the sharp end of my wrath very soon.

My possessive vampire nature demanded blood; the blood found from vengeance. Unfortunately, I could not take satisfaction in the death of that monstrosity, Preston; he was long gone, rightfully dispatched by Fintan. A large part of me almost wished the lout was still alive so I could deliver my own brand of torture, making him suffer a thousand times worse than what he'd made Sookie suffer. Lucky for me or should I say regrettably for Bill, he will be bearing the brunt of my retribution for Preston's crimes. However, I can find a small amount of humor in the fact that an inadequate vampire will be even inferior as a fill-in, but he'll have to do. I intend to make the idiot to pay with blood for his crimes; no matter how much he begs or brings out the 'Queen's family' card.

I knocked impatiently on Sookie's door, anxious to speak to her, see her and hold her in my arms.

My wife...I corrected mentally. Not just my Sookie but my wife. I wanted to hold my wife and ensure that she was here with me and safe. Why was she not opening her door?

Listening carefully, only the gentle ripples of water could be faintly heard echoing in the bathroom. Sookie's heartbeat was calm and regular and through our tentative blood tie I could feel contentment and peace. I surmised she must either be asleep or in the bath.

Opening the door gently, I soundlessly walked to her bathroom and stood at the door taking in the sight of her, naked and submerged in the deep bathwater. She was blissfully unaware of my presence as I crept towards the tub, leaning down to admire her more closely. Her hair was drifting around her, turning the water a light golden color from her head down to her hips, barely covering her glorious breasts.

There was still no indication that she had any idea I was there and if it wasn't for her beating heart, I would've been worried that she had drowned. I was growing impatient; my need to be close to her was like a moth to a flame. Not wishing to startle her, I called out her name softly.

Her eyes snapped opened under the water fixing me with piercing neon irises that I knew were the precursor to either great passion or a quick death. Upon the realization that she was not in danger, her eyes dimmed to her usual aquamarine. Remembering that her eyes also glowed when we made love for the first time, I surmised that this must happen when she is feeling strong emotions like fear, rage or ecstasy. She must have been lost in thought to react so defensively, she always did hate me sneaking up on her. Rising out of the water, she happily greeted me with a beautiful smile.

Her slick hair fell down over her shoulders and back, giving me a wonderful close-up of her now uncovered breasts. Normally I would have made a lewd comment then grin like a teenage boy at his first view of naked female breasts, but I was too distressed to find any amusement in finding Sookie naked. I still couldn't take my eyes from her body though; I'd always been very appreciative of a curvaceous female. Pam said I was a definite 'tit man'.

"Hello Eric, is something the matter?" Sookie was smiling a little bashfully now, but made no attempt to cover herself. She looked down over my body and a blush spread across her cheeks.

The sound of her voice eased the beast screaming in torment, making the vampire inside of me purr in contentment, and had the human man left still inside, grinning like an idiot. For the moment, I was able to push away the horrific scenes I'd witnessed and focus on the revelations that I learned and the extraordinary occurrence of my early waking. Yet to speak, I cleared my throat unnecessarily; preparing myself for what would be an interesting conversation. It was then that I realized that in my haste to rush to Sookie, I had not dressed and was naked.

"Sookie..."

For a moment it was all I could bring myself to say. I wanted to explain my lack of clothes but my mind filled with words that wanted to spill out in a verbal torrent of emotion. Instead, I grabbed the washcloth and soaked it in the warm water.

"May I wash you?" She nodded with a small smile and what I sensed was a buzz of excitement.

Feeling bold and desperate to be close to her, I stood swiftly and sunk into the water behind her, her back to my front and my legs on either side of hers. Pulling her close to me, she sighed as she held my arms tightly to her body, letting her head fall back comfortably against my shoulder. There was no awkwardness, no sexual connotation, just closeness.

Thoroughly enjoying the feel of her warm body close to mine, I moved the washcloth over her arms and shoulders, enjoying the intimacy of caring for her. Tenderly, I ran the cloth over the swell of her chest and felt my fangs start to descend as the skin of her nipples became taut and dark as they hardened at my touch.

The growing desire to turn her round and kiss her passionately burned deep within. But after what I had seen done to her, to us; I needed to show her how much she was loved and adored. But first we had to talk. Never in my existence had I been nervous to initiate conversation than I was at this moment. This would be monumental and relationship changing, and for the first time, I had doubts as to my ability to be good enough for her. Would she accept the truth? Did she (still) have feelings for me? Would she want to be my wife again? Even though it had been a thousand years since everything happened, with my memories in a way 'new' to me, it felt as though everything happened only yesterday.

"Eric, is there something the matter? You seem, preoccupied." Sookie had turned slightly to meet my eyes. Our faces only inches from each other.

I could feel her warm breath on my face and it soothed me like warm honey, instilling calm and confidence. Reaching my hand up to her face, I stroked her silky cheek and we leant towards each other to share a delicate kiss.

"There is something I need to tell you Sookie…some of it will be difficult to hear." I felt apprehension and fear from her and knew that I had to quickly explain myself better.

"Do not fear little one, this news is... I don't know how to describe it exactly; but… it's not all unwelcome, particularly in light of how events could have turned out last night." She frowned deeply and took my hand in hers, entwining our fingers. I could feel shame rolling off of her.

"Before you tell me this news, I should apologize for my behavior last night... I do not know exactly what happened or why I was feeling that way; one minute I was feeling your confusion and then the next... well you are aware of how I felt next. Did Godric say anything to you about how shameful my behavior was?"

Her nose wrinkled in anticipation of my response and I found the notion that others would not find her attractive ludicrous. Then I remembered that Preston had whittled away at her self-confidence and played upon her vulnerabilities on more than one occasion, which was most likely the cause of such insecurity.

"No, we haven't spoken; but Sookie, please don't feel embarrassed or ashamed about last night. I believe that you might have been able to feel the strong moods in the room and was unable to tell that it was someone else's. Godric and I will take equal responsibility about our emotions running away with us. Nothing happened and for that, I'm grateful; I will not share you with anyone. I was hesitant about it last night and today after what was shown to me, I know that I was right to be hesitant."

"Now that I think about last evening, it was not just the feelings, but also the thoughts that were being broad-casted. I am glad you do not want to share me because I do not want to think of sharing you either." Sookie looked relieved at my admission; even though her emotions whispered that she still felt shame for how she acted even though it wasn't her fault.

I was so relieved that she fell asleep on the way home last night; but it also added to my theory that she was 'riding' on our emotional highway. Once we got in the car, I became lost in my thoughts and emotionally started to settle down; she fell right to sleep. For the first time ever, I was relieved that Godric and I hadn't followed through on what seemed like an inevitable ménage à trois last night. Once she would've settled into her own emotions, she would have probably detested herself. Besides, the thought of sharing Sookie with anyone, including Godric, made me feel an urge to rip someone apart. She is mine. No one will touch her but me.

Taking an unnecessary deep breath, I stared deeply into her eyes and my dead heart positively ached with longing that I had to push back so I could begin to speak.

"Fintan came to me in a dream… he had much to say. About us."

Sookie interrupted, "You spoke to him in a somniloquy?" Her eyes were wide with incredulity.

"Yes and at the end of our conversation I awoke much earlier than normal, but that is something to discuss later. What I have to tell you is staggering Sookie, heart-breakingly so!"

I pulled her round and so she was fully sitting on my lap and surprisingly for once, my arousal didn't dominate the conversation. Keeping her fingers entwined with mine, I poured my heart out with the majority of what I had learned from Fintan. I spoke at length while Sookie remained quiet and unmoving the entire time. Although last night she swore to not read my mind unless it was done accidentally; I thought it best to show her what I saw as I explained, while trying not to approach the one thing that would emotionally kill her. She was not ready for all of it yet… not the death of our child. I hoped Fintan would be able to release her memories like he did with mine; it'd probably be easier for her to reconcile what she saw in my mind with her own recollections.

When I had finished, Sookie's eyes were filled with tears that were spilling down her cheeks and she was rubbing the area over her heart like she was in pain. I could feel her anguish and shock, but the strongest emotion of all was love. It was the same emotion I disregarded from her the night before; one that I put down as infatuation and romanticism.

"You know... when I slept, I dreamt of a man in my dreams that would make me smile and laugh. A man whom I loved and that loved me in return... one that I thought my mind had created from characters in books I had read. But when I saw you that first time, I realized that it was you that I dreamt of every night; you were the man in my dreams. To know the truth, that you were not just a dream, but a real person that happened to be my husband and mate is overwhelming, but oh so wonderful!" She threw her arms around my neck almost as quickly as I enveloped her in my arms and we held on to each other tightly, both seemingly afraid to let go.

"He came to me also, whilst I was out by the lake." She whispered into my neck through stifled sobs.

I desperately wondered what her conversation had entailed, was it the same as mine?

"He told me that we had met before, a long time ago and that we played together as children unbelievably in our dreams, but said not much else. Only that destiny would bring us together again. He also told me of your turning and that I have more power than I could possibly imagine."

Absorbing what was just said, the thought that we played together as children, in dreams of all places, sounded unbelievable, but I could feel it was true. But before responding to Sookie, the thought passed through my mind about how that crazy faerie forgot to mention that; it made me wonder what else he 'neglected' to say.

"Where you are concerned, I believe that anything is possible. Min kärlek, I was reminded exactly how powerful you are. When I was human, you rescued me from a vampire attack by throwing what looked like lightening at him and turned him into ash" She put me in awe of her; so much power and yet so grounded. Even a millennium ago when she was aware of what she was capable of, she preferred to do things manually rather than magically, regardless of how many times she had to repeat her actions in order to get task right.

"Grandpa also said that I am a hybrid of human, Faery and divine. I am the great granddaughter of the Goddess Freya and…"

She trailed off then, seeing my eyes widen. The significance of her great-grandmother's name was not lost on either of us. Having told her where I was originally from, she probably read a little bit about Viking Gods from the book while we were at the club and concluded that Freya was one of the Gods I worshipped when I was human.

I couldn't help staring at her; I was completely astonished; I was trying to wrap my head around the fact that my Sookie was not only part Faery but also a demi-god. A joining of the breeds that makes an extremely dangerous combination of power and presence.

Seeing her fidget with the ends of her hair made me anxious about what else she was going to say next. She cleared her throat a bit before nervously continuing.

"That's not all...my mother's father; my other grandfather was…Odin, another of the Northern Gods. They obviously took a liking to my ancestors." She smiled, nervously giving a little forced laugh.

By the Gods! Sookie was literally a gift from above... and she mine. But as the realization about the actual strength of her powers sunk in, I became aware that essentially the tables would be turning and the possibility of this filled me with dread. I didn't want the tables to turn; I wanted... no, needed to be her protector. I don't want her getting hurt; I wanted her safe and spoiled. It might sound archaic, but my Viking roots and beliefs still bled strong in my veins. My sweet Susanna deserves peace, love, and to be cherished; not having to worry about anything else. But, my Susanna... my sweet Sookie has the heart and strength of a warrior and is truly my Valkyrie and together we would make a formidable couple. Over a thousand years of perfecting my skill at hiding my emotions weren't helping me right now; what was normally easily well-hidden, was now brimming over with what I now know what love to feel like and of pride for all my beautiful Valkyrie had overcome. I knew I couldn't stay quiet anymore; I had to let her feel what I was feeling.

"Sookie, I know there are many more things to discuss and there will be plenty of time, but there is something important to me that I would like to talk to you about before we proceed with our plans this evening." I expressed.

Her hands slid from around my neck to hold my face, her fingers lovingly gliding across my cheek with care; I couldn't help but close my eyes as a low rumble of contentment vibrated from my chest. The moment was tender and emotional and I could not help the tears of blood that I was sure were building in the corners of my eyes.

"Anything for you…my Eric."

My body positively hummed with energy, I loved being hers as much as my naturally possessive nature demanded that she be mine. The feeling of love moved like a warm current between us, making me feel a myriad of human-like sensations.

"I know that we spoke of this only last night, but I would very much like to blood bond with you Sookie. I would like to complete the three blood exchanges as soon as possible." I hoped with my whole being that she would agree and mentally projected this to her.

"What does it entail exactly? What does it mean?" She asked this with such acceptance in her beautiful blue eyes that I relaxed; knowing for sure that I would not need to resort to pleading.

"Like we discussed last night, you will need to drink a small amount of my blood and I yours, each time. Although we can feel each other's emotions now, once the bond is complete, the feelings would most likely be clearer, we'd always know where the other is and from what I'd heard from the few vampires who bonded out of love, it feels like you are one person for as long as the other lives and with your blood lines and my being a vampire, we could be together for eternity. Now that I know what we had, what we can have again, I would like you to be not only my wife, but my bonded and pledged. The pledging in the vampire world would make vampires recognize us as married under their laws. We could have the three exchanges privately, but I would like to have the pledging ceremony so that all could see that you are truly mine."

Wiping the single tear that had sprung free, Sookie tentatively placed her finger by her mouth, looking me in the eye as her agreement to bonding and for silent permission to take my life blood. I nodded immediately, knowing that even such a small amount would start the bond if I drank from her also.

"It seems as though I have always been yours Eric..." She tilted her head to the side, offering her neck to me and although her neck was enticing, I didn't justwant to feed from her, I needed to kiss her. I wanted the exchange to be intimate and simultaneous, and a kiss would be just that.

I knew that this exchange could quite easily lead to sex, but with Sookie's past experience with that bastard Preston and the fact that we were still relatively strangers in terms of physical intimacy, I wanted for once to take things slowly.

Instead of turning Sookie to straddle my hips, enabling me to enter her, I kept her on my lap and held her head, threading my fingers into her still damp hair. Still holding my face with an equally gentle touch, we moved our faces closer; touching our lips to each other's softly in a tender kiss. Our tongues darted out to stroke each other's as the passion in our kiss deepened. My fangs were now completely extended and I fully intended in using them to complete our first mutual exchange.

I felt our arousal building with the increasing rapture of our kiss. I moaned in ecstasy as her velvety tongue drew across the sharp tip of my fang, drawing her ambrosial blood out and igniting my arousal even more. Before I could pierce my own tongue, I felt a razor sharp fang that was not my own, prick the surface of my tongue resulting in more of my blood spilling into her mouth. Before I could acknowledge Sookie's long-forgotten and dangerously sharp fangs, the bond exploded into life; jolting me from the sheer power of our blood mingling. The sheer ecstasy was almost unbearable breaking free of our kiss; I tipped my head back and roared as my passion exploded from me. I was only just barely aware that Sookie had also climaxed as we held each other closely; she was still trembling with the aftershocks of her orgasm and her breathing was heavy.

Bringing her hand up to kiss her palm I noticed a mark that definitely wasn't there before. A strange curiosity compelled me to check my own wrist and surprisingly, I found an identical mark had appeared. I examined Sookie's wrist first while she examined mine, gingerly touching the skin as both of us marveled at how the peculiar, but oddly familiar mark looked burned into our skin and glowed slightly. I'd seen this mark before; this was the mark that Fintan mentioned Niall somehow masked; these were our mating marks.

It wasn't until Sookie shivered, that I realized the water in the bath was stone cold. I stood slowly with her in my arms and exited the bath. Walking us over the shower, I turned on and adjusted the spray of water then put Sookie down in front of me, letting the hot water warm her up as I finished washing her soft skin. Reaching her arms up to encircle my neck, she ran her fingers through my hair, massaging my scalp; a sensation that sent a shiver through my entire body. Absorbed in the bliss of her touch, my eyes inescapably closed; the sensations that Sookie elicited in me were mind-blowing; even with as innocent as her current actions were, they awoke things in me that I hadn't felt in over a thousand years... ironically, the only and last time were by her hands too.

I finally opened my eyes when she released my neck and turned around to fully get under the spray of water; but it was the simple action of turning her back to me, that brought to my attention to the faint scars on her back. Stepping slightly rearward so I could examine her back, I saw that amongst the jagged lines that looked like whipping and knifing slicing scars, I made out what looked like a crest. I realized that the fucking monster had 'engraved' his family crest and the word 'Pardloe' in Old Norse runes onto her back. The bastard marked her like she was his fucking property! The 'design' alone, covered most of her back and although the opaque lines could be seen by my vampire eyesight, I hoped that they'd be invisible to the human eye.

I clenched my jaw as the memory of watching some of those scars being inflicted flashed through my mind, making me flinch. The smug look on his face while marking her, was twisted, smiling the entire time as though he was party to an inside joke; almost as if he was hoping that she and I would find each other again and this was his gruesome attempt at rubbing salt into our wounds... literally. That fucking fiend was more twisted than anyone I'd met in my thousand years. In my moment of fury, I realized I had let my mental guard down and Sookie turned instantly, her eyes were wide with horror and her face a mask of anguish and shame. SHIT!

When we talked, I told her that I knew about Preston torturing her, but I never told her that I actually watched it happen. Covering her face with her hands, trying not to cry; I crushed her to my chest and held her tightly to me. I felt every negative emotion she was feeling as she tried to hide herself against my chest. Her emotions screamed inside of me. Her sadness, anxiety, fear, and shame felt like they were my own; I want her happy, but right now she felt like she was spiraling down a black-hole. I'll be damned if the torture she endured will ever happen again; I will fucking tear apart ANYONE who causes her pain. Still crushing her trembling body to mine, I held her tight and began to lightly lay kisses on her head to let her know that she was loved before I decided to start speaking.

"Min kärlek, don't feel ashamed... don't ever feel ashamed. It's over now and you are safe. I vow to you, that I will rip apart with my bare hands, anyone who tries to ever harm you again. I'm sure that each time you take my blood, the scars will lessen and become no more. But I must ask how is it that your injuries were healed so quickly?" I lifted her chin up to look at me, wanting to wish her sorrow away.

"As I grew and no longer required a nursemaid, Niall reassigned Noirin to be one of my ladies maids. Well, the day my maturity completed, Preston entered then spelled my chambers so neither my guards nor ladies maids would hear any of my screams or pleas; what you saw in your mind was the first time and the pain was so severe that I was no longer able to stay awake. When I woke, Noirin was at my bedside, making me drink a potion that she mixed quickly when she found me. After then... he kept returning... so she ensured to keep extra potions with her because I needed them so frequently. Those potions helped heal me as soon they could; I believed that she might have added extra herbs after that first time so that I would heal quicker."

I sent love and reassurance through our fledgling bond and she gifted me with a small smile in return before shivering as she felt the strength of my feelings flow through her. I knew from her eyes that she was also reading the thoughts from my mind which were of the same overtones. I knew she needed to feel how I felt after she had to relive her experience through my mind. Wanting the tension to dissipate and return to a more agreeable atmosphere, I bent my head down to kiss her forehead, continuing lightly down her temple to her ear and the sensitive skin of her neck.

All negative thoughts and feelings dissipated as Sookie's head dipped back and she arched her back in the pleasure of my kisses. I couldn't help but stare at her with beads of water dripping from her body and her hair slicked back, as the memory of seeing her bathing in the lake by my village for the first time flooded back to me. My Susanna... so beautiful, so warm and so very special; no one will take her away from me again. Pulling her closer, my passion reignited as her bountiful chest slid against mine; teasing my oversensitive skin, causing me to growl in frustration. The feel of her soft, warm, and wet skin against my body was a pleasurable torture that was very much welcomed. Even though I came just a while ago, I was barely holding on to my restraint, I wanted to devour her. Thinking of devouring, I needed to see those fangs that she's hiding.

"My love, I do not wish to spoil the moment but may I see those fangs of yours?" She blushed embarrassingly, but obliged; slowly opening her mouth to give me a wide grin that showed me four fangs in place of what humans call 'canine' teeth, which were slowly elongating from her gums. They were narrower than mine but just as sharp, if not more so...they suited her.

"It is the first time it has happened... that I remember anyway. I have seen other Fae bare their teeth, but for other reasons and theirs looked different than mine. I thought they only came out when angered."

"I saw them in the phantasm Fintan showed me, but let's just say that they were down for a whole other reason..." I smiled mischievously at her, but my playfulness turned earnest when Sookie's fingers reached up to my fangs and teasingly caressed them.

She definitely understood my insinuation and I liked the thought of caressing her fangs as we kissed; I liked the realization that she could bite me as effectively as I could her, even more.

"My love, if you don't stop rubbing my fangs like that, I'm not going to be responsible for my actions." I ran my hands up and down the curve of her hips and gave her my best smirk to let her know I was kidding.

The images of what I wanted to do with her were playing in my mind; the fact that Sookie began biting her lip coyly told me that she was seeing all of it.

"I would Eric, you know I would but... but, it is not that I do not want to or trust you but…" she was rambling and nervous.

"Ssh shh, min alskling, I jest with you. I would never force you into giving yourself to me before you are ready or if you chose completely against it. You are mine; you have my love and respect and I'll wait as long as necessary until you're ready." Looking into her eyes, I tried to mentally convey my sincerity as I lightly stroked her cheek, then kissed her tenderly on the tip of her nose.

"I see it Eric, thank you." She gratefully answered my silent plea for her trust.

"We will have plenty of time my love, but for now, we need to get ourselves ready for the whirlwind that we know as Pam." I smiled widely at my reminder that Pam was taking her shopping. May the Gods grant me patience tonight; I'm going to need it.

"Oh yes! Shopping with Pam, I almost forgot. When is she coming?"

"Well, she should be here in around a couple of hours or so. I have to tell you that Pam has a lot of plans for you tonight. To Pam, shopping in the Shreveport metro area is 'inadequate' so you might be excited to know that she planned a trip to New Orleans; to one of her favorite stores I assume. We'll be travelling by helicopter then staying in one of my hotels in the city. Pam also invited Godric and of course as your guard, Alcide, along too."

Turning off the shower, Sookie positively glowed with excitement.

"A city, a hotel, and travelling by helicopter?" Her excitement suddenly turned to puzzlement.

"I have my own helicopter, here on the grounds; do you know what that is?" I smiled at her, trying not to sound patronizing, knowing that she was unacquainted with many aspects and objects of this world.

"Yes, I read an encyclopedia that my grandpa gave me and it described one in there. I shall be eager to see what it feels like to travel in one."

"I'm sure you'll enjoy my flying and no doubt Pam will talk your ear off on the journey".

Wrapping a fluffy towel around us both, I made Sookie giggle at my lightning fast towel wrapping ability. Gently rubbing her dry was enjoyable, but not nearly as enjoyable as when she took my towel from me and began to rub it thoroughly over my body with the same look of adoration I had shown her.

Taking my hand, she led me to the bed, pushing me gently to sit on the edge as she retrieved the comb from her dressing table. Hopping up on the bed, she knelt behind me and started combing my hair tenderly; taking time to tease any knots out even though it would not hurt me to pull at them. This simple act brought back memories from the day we got married; later that day, after bathing together, Sookie sat on her knees behind me and combed my hair as gently as possible with a comb made of deer antler. Even then she took special care in easing out the knots before she re-braided the hair at my temples to keep the hair out of my face. My attention snapped back to the present when I felt the comb stop and the bed behind me shift as she tried to get down. I didn't give her time to move though; using my vampire speed, I pulled her between my legs and happily returned the favor by combing her long hair straight.

When I had finished, she turned her head to reach my lips then kissed them warmly. It had been a long time since I had the desire to kiss anyone; before Pam carried Sookie back into my life, I was barely satisfied with fucking fang-bangers, but now, I'm more satisfied with one kiss from Sookie than I ever was with an orgy of fang-bangers.

The memory of all those fang-bangers made me shudder in disgust, especially when I think of Sookie seeing how I behaved with whores like Yvetta, and countless others just like her. Luckily she seemed too engrossed in her own thoughts to react to my errant thought. I did wonder however, if besides the memory of mine she saw when we were in the car, did she already have to endure the vile imaginings of the sick and lowly patrons of Fangtasia. But then my thoughts returned to last night at the club, as her voice returned to her, she said that the voices were cruel and they didn't like her being with me; what the vermin were thinking is irrelevant, I just hope to the gods that she forgives me for the things that she'll see and hear.

It's been a long time since we were last together, and whatever reason that Fintan thought it best for me to be the first to remember, the point is that I do remember and even though I have no cause to feel guilty, it isn't stopping the feeling from being there. I important thing is that I'd rather stake myself than touch another woman other than my Sookie. Although it had been a thousand years since we'd consummated our marriage and had yet to say the three words that I know we both felt, I was sure that it wouldn't be too long until we did either. Thinking about the first time we made love, made me also think about the child we had instantly created; a child that was ruthlessly destroyed before our eyes.

How do I tell her this awful fact? It'll devastate her.

I knew the time would come soon, but I didn't want Sookie to suffer any more. Until then and afterwards, I made it my mission to lavish her with anything she wants or needs. As much as I hate shopping, I have to admit about being eager to take her to New Orleans and being able to provide for her everything that a husband should and more. I knew it wasn't the 'modern' way, but Sookie wasn't brought up in this modern world of feminism and independence. She was from an ancient time and her actions daily showed it; whether it be from something as small as using a comb instead of a brush because the comb was all she knew, to watching the very much modernized Pam in utter confusion because she doesn't understand half of the things she says because it's 'slang'. A woman as special as she is deserves to be taken care of not only because she is a princess or a demi-god, but because she's just Sookie... My Sookie. I had been forced to miss out on a thousand years of taking care of her and I fully intended to make up for it; actually, now that I think of it, I think the last gifts I gave her consisted of furs and a gold brooch.

Watching on as Sookie looked into the wardrobe trying to figure out what to wear for the night; I marveled at how the leap from virtual strangers to lifetime companions had been seamless. Letting her see into my mind about what was revealed about our relationship helped immensely; but we still have a lot to learn from each other. A lot of time has passed, and in that time she's been beaten down and abused and I have my own guilt that I have to work through about that. Although I just have to look at her and want to make love to her; I'll wait until she decides that she's ready and hopefully show her beforehand, that the things she experienced aren't normal and that sex could actually be an enjoyable experience.

Tonight was going to be another interesting night, notwithstanding Pam's shopping torture; I needed to have a conversation with Godric about sharing Sookie. There was absolutely no way in hell that I could share her; I just hoped that Godric would understand. Also, the mystery surrounding how my mother had known Niall and Fintan was still puzzling me. The way she had worded her conversations with them left me with a lot of questions that obviously she would not be able to answer. That left one possible other person who may have the answers I wanted and if that was the case, Godric had been hiding something from me, something big.

Pam

Springing out of bed like a jack in the box as soon as my limbs were released from their lifeless state, I happily smiled knowing the sun was finally gone and it was almost time to go shopping. The anticipation of tonight's outing had me all kinds of excited and I was literally buzzing with excitement.

There was so much to do to get organized for our trip to New Orleans and was glad for vampire speed as I emailed my list of instructions for the hotel and their spa and the personal shopper at Saks. While I pulled out my outfit for tonight and stripped off last night's clothes to get ready for my shower, I fired off my first message.

First was to arrange for our private suites to be ready at the hotel Nocturnus and book Sookie into the spa the next day. I doubt she's ever been near anything like it and she deserved a little pampering. Damn, I have to give them a name to make the spa reservation under, which reminds me, where the hell did Sookie get 'Brighthouse' from Brigant? If I remember right, Brighthouse is a damn cable company that was in the area we stayed at when Eric took me to Busch Gardens in Florida. I have an idea... I'll just give her Eric's last name; it sounds better anyway.

To: General Manager, Broadway, A.

From: Ravenscroft, P.

Amelia,

Eric and I will be arriving with some guests later this evening, for one night. A list of names and type of rooms required are below. Make sure the helipad is ready for our arrival at 9.30pm.

Eric + 1 human guest, Susanna Northman in the Royal suite - a selection of human refreshments are required.

Myself - Princess suite

Godric - Emperors suite

Alcide Herveaux (Were-guard) - Executive room on the same floor as the Royal suite; must be easily accessible by both Eric and Susanna.

Arrange for the spa to be exclusively reserved for our human guest. She will require the Goddess treatment package for whenever she chooses to come down. Treat her well, she is very precious.

I also require a birthday cake and decorations to be in the Royal suite, use your imagination but make sure it's fit for a princess.

If you are free for dinner tomorrow night, it would be my pleasure to entertain you.

Pam

I met Amelia Broadway, a particularly gifted witch, on a visit to the Queen a couple of years ago. She was one wild and sexy woman with a penchant for bondage and was enough fun to keep me coming back for more each time I visited New Orleans. After meeting her in one of the city's premier vamp clubs, I experienced her magic first hand when some Fellowship asshole tried to set me on fire. Luckily Amelia saw him coming as we were exiting the club, I however had my back to the attacker while I had my tongue down her throat and didn't get a chance to react before I lost most of my hair. Unfortunately for me, he happened to firebomb me in front of human witnesses and so I couldn't rip his fucking head off. Unfortunately for him, Amelia cursed him with a spell to make all his hair fall out and his clothes to set on fire. It was almost better than killing the fucker and that night I gained a lot of respect for my witchy friend. We have been casual lovers ever since and Eric and I call upon her now and again to work her magic when we need it.

Although she was a privileged rich girl, her father being a wealthy local businessman, Amelia wanted to make her own money rather than living the debutante lifestyle, and it was upon hearing this that I offered her the job of General Manager of our new hotel.

She was the perfect choice. Due to her privileged background and risqué taste in entertainment, she had mixed with VIP's and Vampires alike. The woman spoke her mind and didn't take any shit from anyone, I liked her a lot. I was also pretty sure that Sookie would like Amelia and we could trust her with knowing the truth about Sookie's secret; heaven knows our little fairy princess could use a friend to spend her daylight hours with and she would be a charismatic addition to our little outing tomorrow night too.

My next message was to a rather delicious ebony skinned beauty who was my personal shopper at Saks, one of my favorite stores in the city. Their service was exceptional and they specialized in catering to vampires. The store is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, had excellent security in their private dressing suites and often a luscious selection of willing donors on the store's staff. I had a weakness for their lingerie department girls, but was sometimes tempted by the women in the cosmetics department. The freebies alone were worth getting make-up smears all over me.

To: Executive Shopper, Villemont L.

From: Ravenscroft, P.

Lisette,

I am bringing a VIP human guest to the store tonight and require your best service and discretion.

I am placing my trust in you to make this shopping experience enjoyable for her and you will be well rewarded with what will probably be your largest commission of your career.

She will require refreshments and we will need bottled blood also. I estimate our arrival to be 10.30pm. We will tour the store first before making our selections. You can coordinate with the hotel Nocturnus regarding any further information.

I look forward to seeing you and hope you'll be generous enough to model for us and maybe join me for a drink later?

Pam

I was already enjoying myself immensely and we hadn't even left yet. God help Sookie and Eric later when I'm in the midst of my shopping frenzy.

In a mere ten minutes, I was ready and in my car on the way to Eric's house; it was now around 8pm and we were scheduled to leave at 8.30pm. Well, it wasn't fixed in stone, but I had planned this like a damn military expedition, there would be no fucking with my schedule tonight. Within minutes I was parked in Eric's garage and making my way to Sookie's room to get her ready.

I hoped Eric had told Sookie of my plans by now and at least got her to pack her overnight bag. Approaching her room, I could hear the unmistakable sound of female giggles and realized that Eric must be in there already. Good, I wanted to ask him about why I had woken up with panties fresh from a wet dream. Not that I dream, but that was the problem, vampires don't dream and yet I rose for the day feeling like I had the orgasm of my life; I knew that it wasn't something I did because I was still dead for the day, so that left only one person with a direct link to my emotions... him. I wanted to smile at the thought that maybe Eric and Sookie had finally cut the sexual tension and fucked already, maybe with Godric too? They certainly looked well on their way last night as the three of them left the bar. But the way Eric's been acting towards Sookie; maker or not, I really can't believe that he'd share her.

Knocking, but not waiting for an answer, I breezed into Sookie's room to find what looked like Eric walking back to the bed with Sookie thrown over his shoulder and both of them laughing their asses off. I know I used to give him shit about going modern-day 'aviking', but I never expected that he actually would! I could smell that they'd been up to something, but wasn't sex... it was something more than that, I smelt blood... both of their blood.

Eric mutually exchanged blood with Sookie! I felt it.

"You started to bond..." It was a whisper but they both heard it. Eric looked earnestly at me, pulling Sookie to his side and wrapping his arm around her protectively.

"Yes, we had the first exchange and very soon we shall be fully bonded and she agreed to be my pledged" was the simple answer he returned.

"Ho-lee fuck! That's fantastic!" I raced over to them both and kneeled at the foot of the bed and looked up at Sookie.

"Congratulations Master and Mistress." I extended my hand to Sookie, reaching for hers and holding it gently before kissing the top of her hand.

"It is a little premature Pam, but we welcome your joy and acceptance." Eric and Sookie were both smiling at me, the look of love and happiness written all over their faces.

Although it was an unusual sentiment for me; I was pleased for them. It had been some time... well ever actually; Eric had never had a long term romantic relationship, other than the ones he shared with Godric and I (and they hardly counted as romantic relationships), but now he looked every inch the man in love. OH! Does that mean I get to plan the pledging ceremony? My brain whirled with possibilities before I focused enough to question how they'd managed to turn flirting into bonding.

"How, may I ask did events turn from the lust fest I witnessed last night, to the love fest that I'm witnessing now?"

"I had a dream. That's all I'm saying for the moment Pam." He looked at me sternly, making it clear that he would not elaborate. "We have much to do, do we not?"

Staring at him in confusion, I wondered what he meant by saying he had a dream. Vampires didn't dream. We would definitely be talking later, I wouldn't be fobbed off quite so easily, but he was right we needed to get going.

"You bet your ass we do! Where's Sookie's bag?" They both just frowned in confusion at me, a clear indication that they had been too 'busy' to pack a bag for her.

Springing into action, I resumed my role as events coordinator and started pulling out a few items for Sookie to take with her.

"Come on you two, time's a wastin'!"

After a couple of minutes, I sensed Godric approach and knock gently before entering. He smiled warmly at the three of us before doing a double take at Sookie and Eric. I observed the emotions playing across his face and glanced over to Eric to see how he was reading his master's emotions.

Feeling their need to talk privately, I pulled Sookie into the bathroom to gather her toiletries. I could still hear them talking but it was too low for Sookie to hear.

"Eric...your rose early today?" The concern in Godric's voice was evident and I couldn't help wondering what happened.

"Yes Master, it was an interesting experience." These two were always of so few words, it made eavesdropping extremely frustrating. The looks they shared definitely had me suspicious and their lack of explanations were infuriating.

Waiting for him to elaborate wasn't going to work, we'd already sorted Sookie's bathroom items and after looking at the time, I thought it best to get her dressed and then get her some food to eat on the way over. Since both Eric and Sookie were only wearing towels, I shooed Eric out of the room so if the 'boys' wanted to talk, they could and I'd finally be able to get Sookie ready.

Somewhat reluctantly Eric peeled himself from Sookie's side, he gave her an uncharacteristically (for him) tender kiss before finally leaving the room with Godric beside him. I hoped that whatever was going on with those two, it wouldn't ruin our plans. I know that I'll find out later, but until then, I'll be damned if I let it interfere with what I had organized for Sookie.

Sookie was just as bad, watching as he left the room like they were going to be separated for days not minutes. I had no idea what those two had been up to earlier but it must have been something momentous. The shift in their relationship from shy, adoring flirting on Sookie's part and perpetually bouncing between emotional and horny for her on Eric's part; to a sappy old married couple was confusing as hell. I really hated being left out of the loop and as my new BFF, Sookie was going to spill.

"Come on Sookie, he'll be back soon and you can go back to drooling all over each other. You need to get ready!"

"Sorry Pam, I am a little..." There was that look again, glazed and grinning like an idiot who'd had part of her brain removed.

"Distracted?" Shaking my head, I took her by the shoulders and lead her to the wardrobe, hoping to get this show on the road.

"It's a good thing we're going shopping, there's hardly anything in here for you to wear here…" I picked up what had been carelessly thrown on the floor and then rifled through the rack of clothes that I'd hastily gathered together for her. I supposed it wouldn't matter seeing as in a couple of hours she'd be stripping everything off anyway.

I selected a pair of skinny dark jeans identical to what she wore last night; they really did look great on her hips and I knew that Eric appreciated seeing her curves. Teaming it with a black silk camisole, I whipped Sookie's towel off and stared appreciatively at her naked form.

"Pam…" Sookie admonished me for staring. There was nothing sexual about it, for a change, she had a great figure.

"Sorry, just getting an idea of what we have to work with later. Put these on…oh, hang on…underwear, where are your undies?" Sookie frowned like I'd spoken a foreign language.

"I do not understand what you mean? What is underwear? I am unaware of what that is."

Oh, these two were perfect for each other, Eric usually went commando, but I knew that he appreciated nice wrapping on his females. Lingerie shopping had just been added to my list.

"No wonder Eric has a hard-on for you all the time… well, lingerie, another name for underwear, goes under your clothes, and seeing as you've never worn any before then you'll just have to go without for now and we'll get you some when we shop. Eric loves lingerie shopping."

Sookie blushed her adorable rosy cheeks and bit her lip coyly.

"He does? I mean…do you think he would like me to wear it?"

They might have been up to all sorts before I came into the room, but Sookie's innocent ways were still there. She had so much to learn and I had so much to teach. I wondered whether she'd be open to a sisterly chat about her relationship with Eric because he sure wouldn't be gossiping. I think I would have to wait for my little Sookie to fill me in on a few details though, the chances of Eric leaving her alone for more than two seconds was doubtful.

"Absolutely honey. Although Eric just loves the naked female form, yours especially; but as a man, he appreciates a sliver of silk and lace. He'll most likely want to pick some out himself. He has very good taste." I winked at her saucily and she blushed even deeper.

Deciding against packing clothes since we'd be buying her a whole wardrobe, I'd whipped the jeans and camisole on Sookie while we were talking and admired the glimpse of cleavage from Sookie's bra-free breasts. Maybe I should give her my butter soft black leather jacket to complement the look later; Eric would appreciate the silk and leather combo. The only things missing were shoes and jewelry.

Damn! She had no heels. Now that was a travesty that definitely needed to be remedied tonight and Sookie would learn first-hand the extent of my shoe fetish. Although they clash, I guess that the little ballet flats she just took out of her bag would have to do.

"Too bad you don't have them in black."

I made the comment as a joke, but was really thinking about all the shoe shopping we're going to do tonight when I realized the weird look Sookie had on her face. She was looking down at her white little flats with a frown on her face and both eyebrows furrowed; looking up at me one more time, she closed her eyes and inch-by-inch the little white shoes turned the exact color of her top. My mouth dropped open as my mind started running through all the potential, that little trick could have... hold up... last night, she did say that matured fae 'conjured things' right?

"Pam? Um...Pam?" My mental gears were working overtime for a few moments before I realized she was calling my name. "Hum? Did you say something"

"Yes, I was wondering if this is what you meant about having my shoes in black?" Poor little Sookie, she seemed so self-conscious.

"Oh My GOD! They look perfect!" I quickly replied to ease her nervous fidgeting.

"Good. It is the first time I have done anything like that. I was hoping it was right."

It was her first time? Well maybe we need to work with that. My excuse to Eric could always be that she didn't know any different. Sookie said that when fae find something they like, they just conjure them; imagine all the savings to his credit card... PERFECT! I wonder if he'd ever buy it. Shit, time to change the subject or my mind will be 'conjure' shopping all night long. So what's next? Oh, jewelry... that's right.

"Hmm, you need jewelry… didn't you bring some with you?" I remembered something that looked like a jewelry box in that amazing bag of hers.

"Yes, it is on the dresser."

Sookie walked over to her dresser where a beautiful box sat; it looked really old and was made with wood and what appeared to be aged brass, embellished with intricate engravings and designs all over it. She lightly trailed the complicated designs on the box thoughtfully with her finger, before gently navigating the gear-looking lock on the top which unbolted immediately with her actions; I couldn't help but linger behind her, watching her every move. The box and its contents were obviously precious to her.

"This box and some of the pieces inside, are all I have left of my family from the human realm... a lot of the pieces belonged to my grandmother. The majority of the pieces have remained hidden within of the box; somehow, one of the pieces inside disallows anyone but me to touch the box or its contents providing that it remains inside. Much to the discontent of my great-grandfather and all of the poor souls that he attempted to delegate the task of trying to removing the item and certain jewelry pieces afterward."

Hum... well that's one hell of a mystery. Finally opening the lid of the box, she revealed an inside of deep blue velvet lining that held some of the most unusual and beautiful jewelry that I had ever seen. Nothing like the flamboyant pieces that dominated my jewelry box; these were, well, the only way to describe them would be... timeless, ancient, and somewhat expected for a princess of the fae.

There were delicate gold, diamond, and pearl pieces, and an amber pendant that looked maybe even older than Godric, types of stones that I didn't recognize, and a few amazingly beautiful circlets which I just knew had to be her fairy princess crowns. The box must have been similar to the magical bottomless bag because some of the things she dug out of it were bigger than the box's actual size and after pulling everything out and laying them on the dresser for me to see, I knew that there definitely was no way in hell it all would've fit in there without the box having been enchanted. Caught up in the spectacle of the magical box and some of the jewelry pieces, I almost missed the last item that gingerly was removed from the box; it was an arm cuff with rubies encrusted in gold, the piece looked absolutely ancient, but still no less stunning.

I stared at the cuff for a moment before I was caught by a strange scent. It wasn't coming from Sookie, although she was delectable. Because of the metals used to make jewelry, any scents from the wearer tends to quickly dissipate, never leaving a lasting scent; but that cuff was the only thing new in the room from the last minute or so. Moving vampire quick to snatch the cuff, I wanted to inhale the scent that caught my attention so wholly. My attention was so engrossed that when Sookie yelled a warning after seeing me move, I refused to pay attention; telling myself that it's only a piece of gold, what harm could it do. But the second my hand landed on it, my skin burned like I'd touched pure silver, making me snarl and hiss viciously.

"Shit! What the fuck is that thing made of?" The wound burned hotter than a piece of normal modern-day silver and thankfully was already healing, but I had never been burned by a piece of gold before and the piece was definitely pure gold, I could smell it. There were no additional metals that I could smell mixed in the cuff.

Sookie looked stunned at my actions and quickly picked up the cuff, never worried that it would have the same reaction to her. Watching my actions carefully, she placed the cuff on her arm, trying to show me that it was harmless; but as soon as the warmth of her skin seemed to come into contact with the metal, instead of burning her, the gold took on a glow and rubies suddenly shimmered and the stones turned the color of freshly spilled blood.

Blood… That was the strange scent! But it didn't make any sense because the scent smelled almost like Eric's blood. It was the damn cuff that was carrying the scent, and the longer I inhaled, the more I realized that there was actually a combination of scents; a mix of oddly Eric, human male hormones, and something as scrumptiously sweet as Sookie but definitely different... male... male pheromones. What the fuck? How in the hell is that thing holding a scent? What the hell was that thing?

I'd been frozen in place, still taking in the mouth-watering aroma as I mentally tried to fit together pieces of the puzzle, but then something seemed to snap and I didn't realize that I was suddenly reaching for the cuff again until it was too late. My eyes dilated and fangs snapped down, and I faintly heard the sound of Sookie's back thump hard against the wall where I had caged her in to.

My mind felt fuzzy. I barely knew what I was doing, but couldn't seem to stop myself. The only thing my brain seemed to register was food! I stared between Sookie and the cuff and licked my lips; the scent was amazing. I just had to have the source and the smell was coming from her, so that meant that I was having blond for breakfast. But as I moved again to get my food, my arms were gripped by what looked like a glowing eyed Sookie; her tightening grip sent what felt like fire burning through my veins and as soon as I smelled my burning skin, I jumped back defensively, ready for my next attack. I wanted my fucking food!

It seems that I wasn't marked for luck tonight, because just as I was preparing to attack again, Eric burst through the door, obviously from having felt my blood-lust and pain; I knew that my wonderful maker would help me finish hunting my fucking stubborn meal! Shocked, Eric stood at the doorway, with his eyes wide and mouth open, absorbing the scene around him.

I was about to tell him to shut his trap and catch my food before she got away, but thought better of it; as a female, he'd want her and there's no way in hell he's getting my breakfast, so I just made the decision and lunged.

My attacking lunge was going to be beautiful! I'd land so close to her throat that I could taste the blood already and was licking my fangs in anticipation; but before I was even half of the way to her, my breakfast decided to change the game. Instead of burning me again, like I expected, I was flung to the ceiling where I was slammed hard on my back, and held there.

Apparently Eric had no idea about what he was about to walked into; but for once, his face gave way to what he was feeling... horrified. His face had a look of sheer horror on it as he looked on between the two of us; first me, still stuck to the ceiling, pissed off, hungry, and growling, then to Sookie, who was still caged in, against the wall I cornered her into, but had her glowing palms held up towards me, as her bright glowing neon-blue eyes followed my every movement on the ceiling, and as I'd growl, she'd lift up her lips and expose her fangs.

Wait... When the hell did she get fangs? And when the hell did her eyes start to glow that weird color?

With Eric now in the room, Sookie was able to completely regain her senses before I did, and a look of horror almost matching Eric's crossed her face.

"Pam! I'm so sorry…are you hurt?"

The feel of Sookie's remorse and worry broke through whatever haze I was in. Giving me time to realize what I had done, exactly what I was planning to do with her. OH GOD! I felt sick. I can't believe I treated my new little sister that way. I was disgusted! But before I could answer her sorrowful question from my current place on the ceiling, I fell back down to the ground hard.

With the crisis now diverted, Eric moved at vampire speed the rest of the way to Sookie, checking her thoroughly for any injuries before squeezing her in a relieved hug. Luckily, I'd returned back to normal and was about to quickly warn Eric about the cuff when I saw that he was already touching it. The same damn cuff that had scorched me; and nothing happened to him! NOTHING! The metal looked cold to the touch again and the rubies, looked like any other shimmering stones. I know I wasn't seeing things!

Before I could ask what was going on, Eric found his voice. "Where did you get this?" He asked Sookie gently.

"I do not know. I have had it for a very long time but oddly it was the one thing that I was forbidden to wear, although I never could understand why. As I warned Pam, as long as it remained in the box, no one other than me was able to touch the box. Niall was constantly trying to remove it; at first it was himself, but when he realized that it was impossible, he delegated the task to a few of my guards and then my ladies maids. However, it did not seem to matter whom he chose to try to pass the task to, the unknown magic in the cuff never accepted any of them. He wanted it removed desperately, but for some reason but the cuff refused to be touched by anyone other than me. So when I was told to pack, I refused to leave it or the box there and made sure that I put it in my bag that I brought from home... I mean from Faery." Sookie's home comment made her look both guilty and puzzled.

Tenderly rubbing his fingers over the gold, Eric quietly responded, "It won't allow anyone but our touch, because we made them that way. Only we can touch the cuffs. This cuff... is your wedding cuff. Our wedding cuffs were made to be identical to show our unity and that we were equal; our marriage was a love match, not an arranged or a political one, but one of pure love and one that my parents would have fully endorsed because of our feelings. Unfortunately, they never got the chance to meet you because of Niall. We chose to add a bit of ourselves in our bridal cuffs, and is why yours is made from my blood, and my cuff was made from yours; to symbolize that we are with the other always. But, Niall's spell... I didn't know... Because of Niall, I didn't know what it was or where I had gotten it, so over the years, I had to melt down the gold. I never could understand why jeweler's would refuse to work on the gold or say that it was cursed, or say that they'd get injured every time they even tried to touch it. Although, I must admit that it was humorous watching them try to move it without touching it. I ended up having to melt down the gold myself when times were hard for money; it seems that when the gold and rubies were separated, the magic in the gold was lost. Something deep inside of me refused to part with of all of it, but I ended up making it into a ring with one of the rubies and some of the gold that was leftover; hiding the remaining of the rubies where only I could access them."

He showed her the heavy ring that he wore on his hand. I knew the gold was ancient and the ruby was something left over from his human life but that's all he'd say; when I'd ask for jewelry or money from it, he'd always get angry and then refuse to let me melt it down or even touch it, going as far as making a maker's command that I was never to touch or melt it. He refused to take the damn thing off of his finger and in the rare cases that he would take the damn thing off, it was ALWAYS because he was 'worried' he'd lose it during 'skirmishes'. Hell, now that I think of it, the furthest away he's gotten from that thing was when it was in his pocket.

Hold up... a marriage cuff? What the hell is Eric talking about; their 'wedding cuff'? This night was getting stranger and stranger by the minute and I'm starting to worry that we'll never make it out the house at this rate. Either way, I really need to get Sookie alone so I could apologize to her.

Sookie was staring into Eric's eyes now, it looked like he was showing or telling her something and having her listen to his thoughts. He then took off the ring from his hand, then placed it on his palm and offered it to Sookie.

As if it was the most natural action in the world, Sookie took it and clasped her tiny fingers around it. A blinding light pierced the gaps between her fingers and I could smell the wonderful aroma of sweet blood again, but this time it smelled like Sookie's. Uncurling her fingers from around it, she revealed a shining gold ring, bright, and new looking with the same shimmering ruby I saw from hers a bit before. The damn thing looked as new as the day he made it. Holding her hand out for Eric's, she slid it on the finger that he held higher for her to place it on; his damn wedding ring finger of his left hand, making the thing almost look like a wedding band with the exception of the stone. Hell, nowadays, it really doesn't matter what the ring looks like as long as it's on that finger.

What the fuck! Did these two run off to Vermont and elope while I was dead for the day? Nah... The sun was still up.

"Would somebody please tell me what the fuck is going on?"

Now noticing that Godric had followed Eric to find out what was happening; I looked between the two males as they were now just staring at each other. They seemed to be having some sort of secret conversation at the moment; this was royally starting to piss me off because I could tell that Godric knew more than I did. A part of me hoped to hear Godric command Eric to explain, but I was surprised when he walked to Sookie and bowed, before taking her hand to kiss.

He looked both in awe and nervous...what the hell? What could he possibly be nervous of?

"Ahem! Would anyone care to enlighten me? We don't all telepathic powers or whatever the hell you guys seemed to be doing."

Turning back to face me, now hand-in-hand, Sookie gave Eric a nod I guess to motion him to speak for them both.

"I fear that this is too long a story for now, if we are to get to New Orleans on time but... as the humans say, to cut a long story short, I'll give you the 'cliff-notes' version... we're married."

"Married? How? When? But you...?" Talk about a whirlwind romance, how had they managed that? They just met! I was only thinking sarcastically about them eloping! Sighing, Eric knew that he had to give me more than that if I was going to let this go, at least for now.

"It turns out that I didn't just meet Sookie as we initially thought. I'd first met her when I was human. After a long while of meeting in secret, we married. Niall found out about her sneaking away from Faery, followed her and found out what we'd done. He intensely disagreed with the marriage and we were separated, our memories of each other were removed... masked, or whatever the hell they call it, and the rest is history, literally." He glanced to Godric at this, making me think that he must have been turned not long after.

I can honestly say that there have only been a handful of times that I'd been rendered speechless and this was definitely one that took the cake. For a brief moment, I wondered whether I was being teased but the looks on all three of their faces told me otherwise. I shook my head in disbelief.

"Like our maker/child bond, the bond that Sookie and I share is a permanent and magical one; the cuffs each contained the other's blood and were enchanted when she made mine and she helped me make her's, hence why you couldn't touch it. Although we were separated and spelled to forget, our bond never faded... it explains our attraction to each other from the very first moment."

It sounded like some weird, tragic love story from one of my romance novels. Something shifted in me and I struggled to contain it. I was confused at the sensation and fought to find words for it. Eric beat me to it.

"I believe the emotion you are feeling is happiness. Are you are happy for us Pam?"

I just nodded my head and could feel the start of tears, but blinked them away. For the first time in my life, a genuine love story had broken through my steely countenance. Damn them! I had long ago accepted the fact that Cupids arrow would miss me by a mile, I had never been a romanticist but now knowing that he'd got a good shot at someone close to me, I was...well, I was happy.

"I do believe that this is the first time I have seen Pam speechless and emotional. I wish I had my camera!" Godric broke the tension and making me roll my eyes at him, the emotions of the moment passing swiftly away.

If he hadn't been twice Eric's age and my 'grand-sire' I would have punched him hard in the face. But I just gave him a deadly glare and pulled myself together.

"I admit, it's... er touching, but the only time I have ever been emotional is when dear Gianni Versace was killed. I went to rest in my safety-pin dress, for weeks afterward... I looked better in that dress dead, than Liz Hurley did alive, even with her foppish arm candy."

Eric took both my hands and tenderly laid a kiss on my forehead before leaning down to whisper in my ear.

"I never doubted that there was tenderness in you my child... and you should never doubt that. My love for you is just as great as it ever was." I had to squeeze my eyes shut to stop more traitorous tears as Eric's gentle rumble of a laugh showed his amusement at my deeply buried emotions.

Taking a deep breath that I didn't need, I watched as Eric and Sookie decided that the cuff should be returned to the jewelry box for safe keeping and so that no one would be injured by accidentally touching it. Although the reminder of how my hand felt when I touched it was a huge motivator not to mess with that thing, I couldn't forget what drew my attention to it in the first place.

"Eric, I fully agree with you two about putting that thing back in the box, but what started everything in the first place was the scent. Can't you smell that?"

Opening his mouth to answer, he was cut short by Godric standing at the door with a smile that I noticed didn't reach his eyes; clapping his hands together as if trying to get our attention.

"Now, if everyone is quite finished, I believe that sweet Pamela has a schedule that she would like to keep. My child, why don't you help your angel find something to eat while I retrieve the bags. If we want to progress with our planned evening, we must fly."

Curious about Godric's sudden eagerness to leave, I looked over and saw that Eric seemed just as curious as I was. Trying to shoo everyone out the door, I almost laughed as I watched Sookie take an amber necklace from the jewelry box and hurriedly put it around her neck, then stuff her few things in her magical bag before comically try to push Eric out the bedroom door. I was thankful because I knew that it'd be a few minutes before I could regain my composure enough to speak after all that repressed emotion had been released. I fully intend on making up for my uncharacteristic display by boring the pants off of Eric with shopping talk and winding Godric up as pay-back for teasing me while I enthrall Sookie with details of all the fun awaiting her in New Orleans.

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