"What will it mean to be yours?" Sookie whispered.

Victory! Oh, how the gods are smiling on me this night. I take her tiny hands in mine and lead her to sit on the couch. I sit and pull her into my lap. Staring into her eyes, I ponder how to spin this proposal to bring about the desired result.

"Sookie, I must assume Bill kept you completely in the dark about our world if you have to ask me such a question. Most vampires do not bond to their humans. Bonds are usually formed for two reasons; protection and control. A bonded human cannot be touched by another vampire without permission. Such an offense is punishable by final death. The bond also allows you to feel each other's emotions, and project them back and forth. It would allow me to locate you if you were ever in danger."

"The dynamics of each bond are different, as are the circumstances for forming one. If we are to form a bond, I will have certain rules you will have to follow. You will be mine, and as such, will be expected to act accordingly."

Sookie looked away for a moment, her mind whirling with questions and heartache at what she had gotten herself into. She looked down at her lap and exhaled deeply, tears still streaming down her cheeks. "Eric, there has to be some other way. I don't want to be one of your pets."

"I do not have any pets, lover." I smirked. "I have never desired to keep a human that long." I didn't mention is that other than Pam and Godric, I have never shared my blood with another.

"Then why are you offering me this?" She questioned. How could she not know her own worth? The self-confidence of this girl is not at all what it should be.

"It is no secret how I feel about you Sookie. I have wished you to be mine since our first meeting. I'm nothing if not an opportunist. If I do not take you now, someone else will." I told her honestly.

"I guess I don't have much of a choice." She sighed. Strangely, I felt a stab to my pride at her words. "What are the rules?" I began stroking her back to soothe her.

"There are many to learn, lover. It will take time for you to become accustomed to it." I tilted her chin and gave her a reassuring smile. "But I will be patient with you. The most important rules are those that apply when we are in the company of other vampires. I will be your Master and you must show me deference in front of other supes. In private you make speak freely." My smile turned to a slight smirk and I continued, "Additionally, you will feed me, me and no other. You are not to have an intimate relationship with another man and will refrain from letting other men touch you."

"So all you really want is a free meal and for me to not date? You don't expect me to have sex with you?" Sookie asked skeptically.

"Of course I expect you to yield to me, but I will not require it of you. Sookie, I owe you a debt of gratitude. For this, I will be a kind Master. You can choose to continue you life as it was, with the exception of seeing Bill, or you I can bring you to my side and take care of your every desire. I will require you to spend time with me when I request it, but I will not force myself on you, or any woman for that matter."

Sookie visibly relaxed in my arms. What I would give to read minds just now. Her heart was racing, though her tears had stopped, and she had a thin layer of sweat on her brow. I tucked a few strands of her hair behind her ear and lightly caressed her cheek with the back of my hand. I leaned down and inhaled her intoxicating scent. I traced the outline her ear with the tip of my nose. She gasped and I felt a quiver of pleasure run through her. I whispered in her ear, "I need your answer, little one. Will you be mine?"

I brought her face to met mine, searching her eyes. A stray tear escaped and unable to resist, I leaned in and licked it away. Before I could pull back, her hand was gripping one shoulder and her lips were at my ear. Then she whispered the sweetest thing I had ever heard.

"Yes, Eric." Then she let her head rest against my shoulder, fully baring her neck to me. "I am yours."