THE TIES THAT BIND US

by ElfChef

This is the sequel to the Viking and the Valkyrie. Sookie is in the middle of a war...again. Only now she has to choose whether she will stand with the Fae against the wishes of her vampire husband. Trust will be broken; bonds will be tested.

32. Chapter 32 through 35

Um...Hi again so this is kind of awkward for me after being gone so long. To all you have been waiting I wanted to say sorry. I didn't abandon you or the story but I have been wrestling with writers block and I have also been slacking in the summer sun. I apologize but I do not do so empty handed There are four chapters below. I know I said I wouldn't do monster postings but in this case I feel it is not only expected but deserved. So don't kick me to the curb (Baby I can change!) :D

Dedications for the chapters below goes to two people. They offered ideas and acted as excellent sounding boards. They also gave me a swift kick in the hynie!

A round of applause and a big hoorah for ATHENAIE and LOFTIN without whom the corresponding chapters may not have happened.

With out Futher adieu DIG IN!

Eric

Chapter Thirty-Two

An Interlude

My elder children were down stairs awaiting Sookie. When she came into view the look on their face indicated they were expecting one thing but seeing the total opposite. I shared their disbelief. At this time yesterday she was very heavy with child but here she was exactly as she had been. Her breasts were more bountiful; drawing her figure out and making her appear even more voluptuous. The dress she wore was one to display her strong, shapely legs.

Gideon was the first to regain his composure. He pulled Sookie into a tight embraced and lifted her off the floor. "Congrats mom" Sookie laughed.

"Thank you" She said returning his embrace.

Tristan was next. He took both Sookie's hands in his own "You are a warrior of that I have no doubt" He kissed both her cheeks. She smiled in thanks.

"Hey Pam" Sookie greeted. Pam did not respond she was still looking in a kind of bland interest; trying to make sense of her drastic change as well as annoy her. "Shit hello to me too" Sookie said indignantly but she smiled and wrapped her arms around Pam anyway. Over her shoulder Pam smiled at me.

"It is good to have you back" My child said simply. I shared the sentiment. My wife's emotions had been completely capricious throughout her pregnancy. She was back to her stubborn; combative and confrontational self. Though I never thought I would miss it I had.

Tristan and Gideon went up to the Nursery to have a look at the newest additions to our ranks.

"I'm going to see Dermot really quick. I'll be right back if they wake up call me" I nodded. She kissed me and left the house.

"Freyda is on her way" Pam told me looking up from her handheld. "Don't have an exact time"

That was good and bad news. I had been hoping she would come but I knew it would not be easy dealing with her. Freyda's kingdom was strong and even half her forces would make an immense impact in a fight. I could not turn her away in dire times. On the other hand I think my refusal of her sparked an interest that was deeper than my physical beauty and power. The situation was not one I wanted to deal with at the moment.

"Elintaria" Sookie told us when she returned. It was to be pronounced (El-len-Tar-riya) I had assumed Sookie would have chosen a modern name; something of her time; something that didn't proclaim our child was a fairy but I found the name to be seemly of my daughter. It hinted at something that was old and beautiful but it was also as willful as it was powerful.

Pam was less accepting in her dislike of the choice of names. "What the hell kind of name is that for a child of my master?" She asked in open revulsion "For any child really"

"It's pretty" My wife defended "It's fairy for the never fading star and I like it. Plus we can call her Ellen for short" I knew then there was nothing to free my daughter of that enormity of a name. It was of great sentiment to her mother and so she would now carry that lifelong affliction.

"She is not going to forgive you for that" Pam said gravely.

"It brings me to my next point" Sookie began. She was seated in a chair under my arm with her eyes on Pam "I want you to be her Godmother"

"It needs to be a fairy does it not" Upstairs I heard Gideon laugh. Sookie shook her head.

"No, a god mother can be anyone that I choose for her" Pam became very curious. She asked about the exact specifications and limitations of the title. Sookie explained all that she could and in the end Pam was disappointed.

"She is my blood. Those are things I must do" Pam said.

"It isn't about duty" Sookie said in exasperation "It's about a choice you make freely to want to be there for her"

To us there was really no difference. You performed your duties until you loved them or until you stopped hating them.

"You can he things that I can't" my wife added. Pam thought about this and nodded. It did not avoid my notice that Sookie did not tell her that God parents came in pairs. Dermot was our daughter's godfather. I was not sure how Pam would feel about it but I knew the fairy would be less than thrilled.

The time came for us to go and I got the distinct feeling my wife was stalling. She tried everything and insisted we go on ahead but we waited for her. There was nothing else to stave the inevitable but she made one last attempt.

"Eric" There was uncertainty in her blue eyes. They were holding mine; pleading with me "I don't want to do this" She moved her gaze to where Alrick was seated in Tristan's arms. She had our daughter cradled protectively against her chest.

"As far we know this should not be possible" I inclined my head towards our son. "It is important to us vampires" I said gently. I knew I could not be forceful in getting her to do this. Her instinct to protect them would flare and it would become impossible to get her to comply. "Trust me no one would dare. I would not do this if I thought it were unsafe for them" She was looking around the room desperately for someone to help her in this argument but no one did. Having nothing else to say she remained quiet with anxiety humming from her every hair.

The choice of the second parental unit for my son had already been made I felt my pairing was ideal and would work him optimally.

Sookie froze when she saw Alrick's godmother.

"Are you fucking kidding me!" Her mental pitch was between incredulity and alarm.

I had chosen Thalia and Anthony. Thalia has been with me for many years. While she was cantankerous and ill-tempered at the best of times her loyalty was unquestionable. I have witnessed her fighting ability first hand. She will be a perfect body guard. Where Anthony was nurturing and loving she would be vicious in upholding her duties to Alrick.

"You made your selections and I made mine" I replied taking Sookie's hand.

Thalia regarded my son inquisitively. First she stared at him from a distance until Anthony offered him to her to hold. She came closer but did not hold him. In all truthfulness I did not think children had ever been a part of her life and if they had it has been too long ago for her to remember. With the outmost care she let her fingers graze Alrick's cheek. Her touch was lighter than a feather. It was not to indicate affection but to check his temperature. Then she brought his wrist to her nose in an attempt to better register his scent and feel his pulse.

Beside me Sookie whimpered in terror. Unconsciously she drifted forward with her hands out as if she wanted to steal Alrick back to her chest and run. I held her where she was. Her eyes turned to me and there was panic and defiance in them. I held her tighter. Thalia was absorbed with Alrick and did not notice his mother's panic.

"See" I said gesturing to our son. He had taken a hold of Thalia's finger and she let him keep it. She appeared to be in assessing something in him but awe was plain on her features. With Thalia this was an excellent start. "He's fine" I told Sookie.

"He is strong Eric" Thalia said when Alrick released her finger. She took his hand and gently placed it back under the blanket. I nodded. Sookie made no response and her eyes were on our son. Her heart was beating in a ragged rhythm. This night was going to be impossible for her.

Dermot held Aria and ignored Pam almost completely except when he glared at her without provocation. They walked in front of us but behind Gideon and Tristan.

This was Pam's idea. I was not entirely forthcoming in the purpose of our children having to be shown to the rest of the vampires here. Our people would be introduced to our children true; but it was somewhat of a celebration. It would assuage my child's disappointment of not being able to have an actual baby shower no matter how much Sookie insisted she didn't care for one. The children came early and even that wasn't a big enough deterrent. Pam would not hear of it. Once she got Cohan's backing there was no stopping her.

We used the back entrance of the business house. It had been transformed. There was an immense fire in a pit in the middle of the back yard. Since we would all be sitting on the floor anyway because of Cohan there were over stuffed pillows in all shapes and sizes strewn around the fire. Decorations of gold and red had been put up and there was a table to the far side of the gathering that was already over flowing with gifts.

"It's a party" Sookie said sounding bemused. I smiled and kissed the side of her head.

"Technically it's supposed to be a baby shower" I replied.

There were some fairies and even a few werewolves and shifters present. I recognized a few; the most surprising were Alexis of the saber tooth tigers in Nevada. The other shocking face was Freyda. The small murmurs of conversation fell silent as my children came into view with their pair of godparents. Cohan came forward with a beatific smile on his face. He was wearing a cream and gold tunic over black tights. His hair was once again pulled high atop his head with a golden headdress. He looked festive and excited. I wondered if these were the only kinds of things that gave him any sense of pleasure in this world; babies and weddings.

"I give you Prince Alrick and Princess Elintaria son and daughter of King Eric and queen Sookie of Louisiana" He said beaming at my children. Applause sounded through the night. The vampires of my state were the most audible "Entrusted with the young prince are Thalia and young Cohan" There were more applauses and both Anthony and Thalia nodded to the people gathered. "Dermot Brigant of the sky fairies and Pamela Ravenscroft vampire queen of Alabama will watch over Elintaria"

I was awaiting looks of restrained anger or contempt as Dermot was named for Aria. I saw none. The closest I saw was envy and the majority of which came from Isaiah and Russell.

Sookie and I settled as our children we passed around. Like Thalia many vampires never handled an infant or had long forgotten how. They were content to have someone else do it. They merely came close enough to register the lazy rhythm of the children's breaths and the significantly cooler temperature of their blood. They made many comments about their scent in comparison to that of their mother and my own.

Sookie had been engaged in conversation by several vampires of our state who had not seen her for many days; Bubba and Edgar mainly even Bill was being surprisingly appropriate. She exchanged pleasantries and accepted their good wishes but her eyes never left our children for more than a few seconds at a time. Her anxiety had not flared but it had not dwindled either. She twitched any time the children changed hands.

It did not avoid my notice that Freyda watched my wife with burning intensity. I would say she knew every word Sookie said since she sat down. Sookie however was oblivious to this. She knew nothing about the happenings between my maker and Freyda and so she had no reason to pay her any amount of attention. This seemed to further torment Freyda but she swallowed it with grace that was becoming of a ruler of her stature.

I was at ease. Both children were shadowed by those who had taken the duty to guard them in our absence. All of the vampires that were of our state did as Thalia had done. Heidi as well it was especially crucial for her to do so. She was the best tracker I had. She was immediately enamored with Alrick and shadowed his shadows most of the night just to stare into his face. For the first time in many months her face no longer held the angry lines of grief.

Alrick was in the arms of Gideon. His face was impassive but attentive. He did not seem to care for all the attention he was receiving. His sister was the opposite as I was beginning to suspect would be the norm for them. Aria was carousing in the attention she was received. She smiled on cue and held fingers of those who offered them. At the moment she was in front of Stan. He was attempting to use the hold she had on his finger to lift her from Dermot's arms.

"Oh God" Sookie breathed in horror. She buried her face in her hands and was tapping her foot nervously. I laughed and rubbed her back to soothe her. Dermot explained to Stan that while Aria was strong she was not yet that strong. Stan smiled and stated that he forgot but he insisted on holding her and so Dermot showed him how.

"You can look now" I said nudging my wife playfully. Slowly she lifted her head and saw that Aria was seated safely in Stan's arms with Dermot seated next him and almost touching him. The image was amusing: a vampire and a fairy and a half human and half vampire child.

I looked and saw that similar images of all species consorting were all around us. The lines between one kingdom and another were almost dissolved. The separations between species were blurring. Within these walls we were bound against a common enemy and within these walls our bonds to one another were fortified. Our world was changing and though the cost was high and we were not finished paying it, it would be worth it. I knew that now.

Because I had been watching her since we arrived I noticed when Freyda began making her way for my wife and me.

"My deepest congratulations" She said with a deep nod of her head. Coming from a queen of her standing it was a gesture of deep respect. I returned it but I was the only one. Her eyes were on Sookie who appeared to be ignoring her. I knew that wasn't the case. She simply did not hear. Having to make polite conversation and keeping an ever vigilant eye on our children was taking a lot of her concentration.

"Lover" I said squeezing my wife's hand. "Meet Freyda the queen of Oklahoma" Sookie turned and smiled knowing she had been caught completely unaware.

"It is very nice to meet you" she said giving her a respectful nod of her head. Freyda stopped then started it was a hesitation so slight I thought I may have imagined it.

"I have heard many great things about you but I see your beauty was understated" said Freyda with a small smile. Her words had been outwardly genial and complementary her eyes held something else in their depths. Sookie had been around enough vampires to know when there was something else to their words.

"Thank you" My wife said. "Please excuse me" She said getting to her feet.

Thalia looked in danger of causing excessive bodily harm to Rasul who had made a noise that was meant to amuse my son but it startled him instead and he was crying and turning his head into Gideon's chest. "I'll be right back" Sookie kissed me quickly on the cheek and left my side to mediate the situation.

Freyda glided down gracefully to the unoccupied seat next the one my wife had vacated. It was not clear what time she was from but we were both from what is now known as the Scandinavian countries. I could not say which one with absolute certainty. She was a tall woman; built to draw the eyes of all. She like me was fair. The paleness of her skin accentuated her features with hair that was lighter than my own and eyes that were a much darker blue, she was striking.

"She is lovely" Freyda said she sounding almost disappointed.

"Thank you. When did you arrive?"

"Word came to me that the saber tooth's were coming" She inclined her head to Alexis and another male that resembled her and two others. "I told the female I sought the refuge of your state and she swore me safe passage" I nodded. Saber tooth's were like fairies in that sense. A saber tooth tiger never broke its word they were not bound by magic like I assumed fairies were but under pain of death.

It was a heady thing Alexis had done for her. I knew she did not do that for me. She did that for Sookie thinking Freyda was a friend of hers. It was a very small frame of time but Alexis favored my wife greatly. They met several many months ago when I was summoned to Las Vegas under the orders of De Castro. Sookie had done her a service. The last known contact the two had was during the were summit. Quinn was present and had brought Alexis. He had saved my wife's life and Alexis had saved them both. I looked now but saw no sign of Quinn it made me uneasy. He had a clink in his armor and we all knew what that was. I wondered about the odds of it being used against him now it did not seem likely but I would look into it. I returned to conversation at hand.

"So few have come" I said. Freyda nodded with her eyes on the fire. "Was it only you who got the messengers" She shook her head but said no more on the matter.

"I was slighted that did not come to me but now I can see why" She said with a coquettish smile.

"Do tell" My tone was bored. I was reclined on the pillow with my eyes following people at random. The attempt to keep the conversation on pertinent paths had failed. Where I being honest I knew this was inevitable. There was no way I could get her to come and avoid her unwanted interest.

"It is obvious" She said her eyes were following Sookie who had Alexis in an embrace. They were talking in excited tones though what they said was lost to me "People; creatures of all walks; they love her" again there was an air of wistfulness in her tone.

Freyda was beautiful and terrifying. The hold she maintained on her subjects was light tight. One did not make many friends that way. "They are drawn to her like flies to honey for this reason she has made powerful allies even in the unlikeliest of places" Her eyes went to the Koválls. "Such a thing is indispensible" I smiled and said nothing.

There was no logical way that I should not want Freyda. She was desired by very many and so my refusal of her had to be based on the fact that Sookie somehow held a different; more prized advantage. Her analysis was obtuse but I did not correct it for it was derived from her inability to see past her own reflection and no good would come of attacking her ego so I let it go.

Aríndia danced past us with a gleeful smile on her face and her arms around her father. She smiled at me and I returned it. She was a happy child. It was all that I would want for my daughter; to be loved and happy.

"It is strange that after all that we have seen; through the merciless gales we have weathered" Freyda gestured in a regal manner across the circle of creatures that were gathered around the fire. "This is what we now fight to preserve" There was nothing in her tone to indicate bitterness or hostility. She was stating an unlikely truth.

I replied immediately. There was no hesitation because I have given that same point hours of thought. With all that I was I believed what I told her to be true. "The truths we hold as a people has to be re written to ensure our survival and our survival involves all who are here"

For a long moment she was silent and still beside me. "We would have been a mighty coupling" She said. There was an air of something so raw and genuine in her voice it disarmed me. I had expected her to subtly display whatever negative feelings she had because of my rebuff but she sounded sincere and resigned.

So I answered her honesty with honesty of my own. "Indisputably" I said looking at her directly since she sat down "But neither of us got to choose this life of endless nights and infinite lifetimes. In fact as vampires we have less choice than the mortals we have branded and scorned as cattle." I told her something that I have known to be true but never acknowledged. "Perhaps that is why we scorn them. They live life and we simply exist. As vampires we are given options but seldom do we have choices for everything we do is a matter of survival" My eyes danced from Tristan to Pam then to Gideon and ended on Sookie and my youngest children. "I strayed from what options I was given for her and I suffered greatly; we both did but I would place myself in her path a thousand times in a thousand different lifetimes and do it all again" As if she felt my gaze or sensed the shift in my emotions Sookie turned around and smiled.

"She is lucky" Freyda said in defeat.

I shook my head. "No, I am"

Eric

Chapter Thirty-Three

Facing Fate

The royals with the exception of the Koválls did not stay long. We slipped into the house to discuss and gain whatever insight Freyda and the other new comers had to offer. Sookie brought the children back to the house and Dermot sat with them. When she returned things were not at all going well. Freyda had two of her personal guards with her Callie and Felix. They were eyeing the four fairies that were present with pure loathing. Lyra, Iain, Dillon and Leland returned the sentiments. The remaining vampires stood on the sidelines the saber tooth tigers stood away from it all.

"These are not the numbers we were expecting" Dillon said in calm tone.

"What nerve" Felix spat through exposed fangs. "You barely have two dozen fighters"

"You would sit on the sidelines and have us fight your battles" Callie added.

"This is all our battle" Lyra interjected. "A rouge vampire is your charge"

We were looking at Freyda to call off her dogs but she didn't. It was my guess that she shared their concerns or she simply wanted to test the resolve of the fairies to see if they would bow under a loud bark.

Sookie entered and looked between where I was and where Dillon and the fairies were she went to stand with them.

"This shouting match isn't getting us anywhere" She said to both parties.

"They forget their place" Freyda said coolly.

"So do you" My wife said. Silence fell over the room and it was deafening. Many pairs of eyes came to me and I ignored them. Sookie was a queen and she could act how she felt was in her right. My duty would be to back her if her will was contested.

"Perhaps but I know your place is by your husband and our kind" Freyda said there was a sharp calm in her words. I really wished she had not said that. No one told this stubborn wife of mine what to do and absolutely no one dictated her place to her. Sookie's moved her eyes to her and I knew that look.

"Have you taken a look around? Death is waiting for all of us regardless of species" She moved her gaze from Freyda to her guards including them in her terse reply "Your place or mine won't matter when we are all finally dead" Her eyes moved to the fairies. I felt she was being fair. Not knowing who or what started the confrontation she was not siding with anyone "That's exactly what's going to happen if you all don't cut the shit and get down to business; all of you" Both groups regarded one another for a long intense minute until Stan spoke to break it.

"I do not understand why only you have come Freyda" After all it was Stan that wanted to send them a warning in time to prevent their demise and in the hopes that they too would stand with us to better our odds. It was disappointing that out of all the states in his territory only she came. "What of Amora, Oscar…" Stan continued. Freyda shook her head to cut off his listings of the other royals from his territory.

"We all got the messengers, we met and the consensus was clear" She looked away as she ushered their decision. "Flee"

Stan looked beyond words. It has been his idea to issue them a warning. He had assured us that his territory held warriors and they would come. He like Freyda looked ashamed. It would shame me. The states within Amun stood together while those within hers cut out and ran; shameful indeed.

"They dismantled the chain of command and scattered to the four winds to wait this out" Freyda continued "A selected few from all the states wanted to fight and so they came with me"

"Fine" Stan said calmly. "I want it to be clear that if we survive this they should not get their states back" We all nodded they would be lucky not to be branded as traitors of their race.

"Why did one your females bring an infant?" Bertrand asked Lyra. Sookie who had long since come to seat beside me looked horror struck.

"It matters not" Iain said. "If we fail the only detail is on what plain my child will be killed. Her mother chose this one" Iain said with a shrug. Lyra tried to look impassive but her jaw clenched. The same was true for her child as well.

Without an iota of doubt I knew they were hiding something. There was a compulsion that forced you to think of your own wellbeing second. This same compulsion would have you lie, cheat steal and sacrifice anything to protect the life of something so helpless. Having discovered this for myself I knew there was no possible way they had accepted death for their children. It was something I would address privately with them. If it would not endanger anyone here then their plan was their own. I would even offer them aid.

"Can you handle the elves?" Pam asked.

The fairies all shook their head cohesively. That was not good. Elves were weaker than fairies in terms of magical abilities but it was still more than vampires possessed. Having our kind face off against them would cause too much damage. Stan jumped right in and argued that point. We had more numbers but all that were here were not warriors so not all would go to war.

There was a main unit of fighters and then everyone else would be left behind for two reasons. If a head of state fell there was a clear concise successor back here to take their place and restore order as to avoid more chaos after all was said and done. Secondly in the event that we failed hopefully they would be enough to finish what we started.

After a half hour we had come up with nothing to solve the elf problem.

"Why not mix the teams?" Isaiah said finally. His idea was one of exasperation and he received scornful looks from everyone but the fairies and Pam, Sookie and I. It was obvious and so very perfect.

"It would be counterproductive to our people" Russell said gently, ready to bypass the idea.

"No" Lyra said. "The vampire called Cohan. He can make it not so" She was looking at me. I nodded to concur.

Everyone looked at us to explain but a demonstration would be better. Lyra stood and walked outside the barrier that barred the fairy essence. She came to our side of the table. There was a faint trace of fairy surrounding her because she had been seated amongst them but the dull scent that was now her own was evident under it. She was bold enough to give Russell her wrist. He pressed it against his nose and inhaled deeply.

"There goes one my pleasures in life" He said morosely dropping her arm as if it had suddenly lost all its appeal. He and Lyra shared a smile. It was not profound but it was still noticeable.

"It will serve as an offensive weapon" Lyra said. "Without out our scent we will have the element of surprise and we will be able to combine numbers to maximize our potential for victory" That was an excellent plan and it was better than anything else we had managed so far.

Leland was the fairy that led the fairies to this complex. He had his eyes fixed on Sookie. It was very evident he did not know her nor did he particularly care for her or enjoy having to speak to her directly. With those emotions being evident he was respectful so there was no reason to take offense. "You can shield" He asked openly. "What are your range and limitations?"

"It does not matter she is not fighting" I interrupted because he was under a misconception. "She is a non-entity" I could see in his eyes that he very much wanted to argue that point but the look on my face dared him to. He remained silent but his question led to the topic of offensive and defensive abilities. They had only had Leland to serve as a defensive weapon. His shields were better than that of Niall himself. It was a great contribution but it still wasn't as good as it could be but it was better than nothing and it gave us something to build from. Our defense would be built around him and offense would be built around Gideon. No matter what else happened those two had to be protected above all else during battle.

"I saw what he can do; the eldest son of Cohan" Iain began as the meeting was coming to a close. "I saw him command the water to his will" All eyes were on him. He was speaking of Atéyo but none of them were going to fight either. The vampires had already been made aware of this.

"They are not going to fight" Stan told him. He was no longer disconcerted by the idea I felt he had made his peace with it and was ready to confront our fate without Cohan with confidence. It was a confidence that inspired those around him.

"I am aware. He could show my brother how" Lyra said looking at me and my wife. "Iain is gifted; the spirit of the water is strong in him. He could anesthetize Nikko if he can learn but a fraction of this ability"

She had an excellent point. The fire bombs of the elf was not something we had an excellent solution to. Gideon had a friend that was a sniper that he would place around the battle field. He would put a bullet in Nikko and the closest of our people would finish him. It was good but if Nikko could shield or no one was able to kill him in time it was almost useless. The other option was better but while probable it relied on too many unknown variables. It may not even be worth pursuing.

They were both looking at Sookie it was no surprise that she was most favored by the Koválls. It was best for her to ask a favor of them.

"I think he will be more apt to help you ask him yourself" Sookie said. She has had more experience with him them than anyone person in this room Iain did not seem pleased with this idea but he nodded the discussion moved forward. By the end of it we had more certainty than we had in days. Our course was charted we now had to but the plans into motion.

Sookie went ahead of me to the house. I wanted to have words with both Alexis and the fairies. I caught up with Alexis first.

"It is curious to see you here without Quinn" She nodded.

"My brother Alex was almost killed when Vegas went down. When the demon doctor came she told us what was going on. Quinn took his mom and sister into hiding"

It was about time he took some preemptive measures to protect those he loved. I left her with instructions that she could rest here if she wish. But she was leaving to attend another summit of the two natured to see who would stand with them. It would be easier to have her ask for bodies. They were well respected amongst their kind.

On my way to the home of the fairies I came across Pam and Dermot.

"Will you never forgive me?" I heard Pam ask in a soft voice that was very unlike her.

"For what? As I remember you were doing a selfless deed for all the world by giving yourself to another so there is nothing to forgive" Dermot's words were clipped and laced with venom.

"I will leave him. When this is done I will leave him and be yours alone"

Pam had asked me if I would allow her return but I did not yet know that she had made a decision. Her offer did not appease the fairy. He tried to walk past her but she grabbed his arm. He swung at her and judging by the way his fist whooshed through the air it would have been enough to knock her unconscious.

"You are such an ass" Pam hissed moving out of the way at the last second. "I let you put my head through a wall that by the way cost…" Dermot scoffed in disbelief.

"Let me?" His voice was laced with contempt but it was less hostile than it had been a moment ago.

"Yes let you, you don't really think in a real fight that would have happened?" There was a smile and a challenge in her tone. Pam was not one to take a loss and for him to insinuate such a thing was worse than her broken heart. Dermot did not reply for a few minutes when he did his hostility was gone. In its place was an open wound that was still bleeding.

"I wanted to hate you but I couldn't. I wanted to kill you but I could not even bring myself to think it. Do you have any idea how annoying that is?" He shook his head in frustration.

"I was wrong" Pam said in a voice just as equally colored with hurt. "I see that now. I'm sorry I hurt you but I suffered too. Isn't that enough? I don't know what else to do to make you love me again"

"Say it again" Dermot said.

"What?" Pam asked confused.

"Say, I was wrong" He said. Pam smiled and shoved him but he took hold of her hand and threw her to the ground.

"The two of you have epitomized 'A torrid love affair' Now get a room" I heard Pam chuckle softly but the other noises told me they had already gotten started and had no intentions on getting a room. I left them. I was pleased to see that at least that was resolved. Her melancholy had troubled me.

The homes I had allotted the fairies were across the lake far from all the vampires. I walked at human speeds to announce my advance. I did not want to catch any of them unaware and rick harming them.

"I wish to speak with Lyra and Iain" I told the first fairy I came across. He was not really the first but the last to retreat at my approach. He did not turn his back to me which was wise. He skirted backwards and went to the right house to announce my request. I walked towards to water so the smell of it could minimize the haze of the delicious scent of fairy in the air.

"There is something you need?" Lyra said appearing behind me moments later.

"Tell me what you really intend to do with your daughter" I asked Iain knowing he was behind me as well. I also heard another heartbeat aside from his and Lyra's. "No bullshit" I added. They had probably intended to give me all the answers in the world except the one I required. "No parent would accept what you say you have" I turned and recognized the child's mother standing beside him. She was a minuscule woman with dark hair that fell to her hips. Her grey eyes were regarding me with hostility. "I just want to know that it will not endanger anyone here"

It was Iain who spoke "Claude knows of a woman who desperately wants a child but cannot bear any" He began and his sister finished for him as was their annoying habit.

"She will take both my Ronan and his Eithne. Dermot and Claude will give her all the monies they have to help provide for them. Then Bree will perform a spell that will make her believe she bore them both of her womb. She will love them and her love will protect them and blind them from all those who would do them harm" Lyra concluded.

I knew if my wife was here she would want to ask what would happen to the woman when and if they returned for their children. She would want to but she would not because she knew the answer. No matter what it cost that hapless woman we would have done the same in their shoes. I simply nodded and walked away.

I pushed all thought of all other things from my mind before I entered my home. Sookie was in the nursery and the house was empty of everyone but us and the children. She was in the rocking chair watching both children sleep. I stared at her and her emotions told me what she was thinking of. Their future was certain and so was hers but for many people here including me that was not the case.

The only thing I was sure of was that I had found her and my children a way through this. That was enough. We would fight and if we were lucky many would die and we would be victorious. She was aware of me but she did not turn. I went and sat by her feet resting my head on her knees. She placed her hand across my shoulder.

I wanted to talk about something that would make her happy because I had no reassurances to offer.

"I think Alrick looks more like you than Aria" I said. It was if those words were magic. I felt her sadness lift not completely but the difference was palpable.

"Aria" She asked. I shrugged it was the abbreviation to my daughter's name I preferred.

"He acts like you" I nodded. "His sister is like you; bossy and tries to intimidate me" she added. I laughed. We sat and talked of nothing but our children as they were now. Her first day with them was not as daunting as she feared. For someone who had declared she had no idea what she was doing she was taking to her role with ease.

"I will go shower" I stood.

She kept my hand as I stood. "I'll come with you"

I undressed her and she undressed me. She washed my body and I washed hers. It was a way to get reacquainted with one another.

"I want you" She whispered as I wrapped a towel around her body. I wanted to ask if she was sure. While I very much wanted her body I did not want to hurt her. She did not give me chance to voice my concerns. She pressed her body against mine and kissed me. I have missed her body in the carnal sense. We made love while she was pregnant but I restrained myself out of fear but I could not deny that my body wanted hers. I carried her to the bed.

I wanted to be gentle and take my time but she had other intentions. Her kisses were urgent and my wants bent to it. Sensing she wanted to be in control I lay back and let her have her way with me. It took all the control I had as she tasted me. Her mouth took me deeply and with a ravenous hunger. The more she gave the more I wanted.

"I…" My words were cut off by a throaty moan. She increased the pressure before I asked. "Yes" I groaned. The conflicting desire to throw her under me and ravage her combated with the indescribable lavishing her mouth was providing. I was in a frenzy and just when my control was going to break she mounted me. In a one single motion I was buried in her to the hilt. I growled low and deep. My hips bucked; my head swam as my mind was overtaken by nothing but the feel of her; her lips; her soft skin; the taste of her juices on my tongue. Her legs were wrapped around me holding me to her. With every thrust she held me tighter and moved with me allowing only the barest space between her body and mine.

I kissed and nuzzled her neck before driving my fangs in. My body had been yearning for her blood. It has been the first time in a long time that I have fed from her. Nothing or no one ever tasted as good as her. Her blood was sweeter and left me feeling immediately invigorated. I was close to halting my assault on her but now I wanted much more.

"I'm going to fuck you until you can't move" I whispered to her. I was still inside her and so I felt her body clench around at the decadent promise. Her response was to get on her hands and knees in front of me. With one hand I held her waist the way I wanted. My other hand was fisted in her hair. Her body was mine again and I wanted to claim it fully.

"Can you handle more?" I asked. She made an unintelligible noise of accent but it wasn't enough. I wanted her to beg. A slight shift in the angle I held her waist caused her to let out a sharp cry. "If you want more beg for it"

"Eric" She moaned. Her voice was a demanding purr "Baby please fuck me like that" When she worded it like that there was no way to refuse her. She begged me to stop but I knew she was simply overwhelmed by the depths of pleasure she was feeling. I didn't. Despite the total lack of restraint we used to enjoy one another I could feel how much she loved me. Hearing her moan the words in throngs of passion sent shivers down my spine.

I had her under me. Her nails dragged lightly down my arm and her love bites trailed my throat.

"Again" I ordered. I loved the feel of her teeth on my skin. "Harder" I punctuated the request with hiking her thigh higher and pushing deeper into her. She bit into me to muffle a scream but it was enough to break my skin. I pumped faster and harder. She continued to pull on the wound; moaning as she did so; savoring the taste of me. I was undone. I let out a shout and closed my eyes as uncontrollable tremors rocked through me.

Sookie

Chapter Thirty-Four

No Rest For The Damned

This morning when I woke the children were in bed with me. Ellen was arranged with her head on my arm and her brother was lying on my chest and my other arm was around him holding him to me. I must have completely passed out last night. There was a note on the pillow next to mine. It read:

Lover,

Your daughter insisted.

~E

I smiled and looked down at her. Her eyes were closed and she was sleeping peacefully. Her brother was looking up at me with big blue eyes that reminded of the stars in the night. They were deep and shone with intensity beyond his age. I stroked his face with my finger and smiled at him. He tried to grip my finger which I let him have. Then he put it in his mouth.

"Have you been waiting on me to feed you?" I asked him. In terms of personality he was mellow. He would wait patiently for his needs to be met. While Ellen would pitch a fit two seconds after her diaper got wet. I arranged myself and nursed him. I stayed in bed until his sister woke up and I fed too.

Two hours passed until I actually got out of bed. Both children were asleep again. In record time I showered; groomed and got dressed. I scarfed down the first thing I could throw together which happened to be a granola bar. Yes there were things monumental going on but house work wasn't going to tend to itself.

I was getting ready to attend to laundry when Dermot came to the door. Of all the fairies that were here he was the most blasé about walking around amongst vampires. It was a warning in and off itself not to let his deliciousness get to your head.

"Good morning" He said brightly. He was beaming and practically bouncing in place. I eyed him not knowing if I really wanted to know what made him so happy because the things that made him happy sometimes made my hair curl. "You are being rude" He chided happily as I was still deliberating. He crossed into the house and kissed my head.

"Hi uncle Dermot" Yes something was definitely up with him but I had things to do and only a short amount of time to do them. Damn being a good hostess we would have to walk and talk.

"I came to help you with whatever" He sang following me into the house. I would honestly think he had better things to do or more important people to hang out with now that half of Faery was on the grounds but here he was happy as a clam offering to give me a hand. Never look a gift horse in the mouth and all that but I couldn't resist asking.

"What's up with you?" I asked as I was clearing magazines from the coffee table of the sitting room. He had been whistling none stop.

"Why whatever do you mean?" He said grinning like the cat that ate the canary. It was infectious and I couldn't help but smile. There was something about his kind of lightheartedness that I loved. I think it was because it didn't stem from my discomfort.

"Fine" I said rolling my eyes. "Don't tell me but if you want to help could you fetch the vacuum" he nodded happily and bounded off after I pointed him in the right direction.

Thankfully vampires were not only the most stoic creatures they were neat as well. They could live in this house a hundred years and never wear out the rug. I guess I was cleaning more out of habit than necessity. I loaded the dishwasher; ran clothes to the washing machine; dusted and mopped while Dermot wrestled with the vacuum cleaner. He cursed it up one side and down the other.

With the help of my uncle the tasks didn't take nearly as long as I thought. So when we were finished I loaded the children in the stroller and Dermot and I went for a walk. I stopped at the Kováll house briefly to say hello. It was only Cohan and Aríndia that were awake. With so many new faces around the other his children were keeping more traditional vampire hours.

"Hello cousin" Ronan called.

"Hi Ronan" I said with a smile. "How are you?" He was playing with Aríndia and the imagery looked almost normal. Except his mother was seated next to Cohan playing a board game of some sort and Aríndia was chasing what looked like a puppy made out of sticks and leaves.

"I can't complain" He said taking off after Aríndia. I smiled at his proper use of a human idiom. For the most part Claude had only thought him threats and insults and curse words. Ronan loved to curse. He said, "It makes my lips tingle like spice"

Dermot and I moved on. We walked because I wanted the exercise even though my body would never change. The concept had no fully snuck in but it didn't keep me from making dates with little Debbie cinnamon rolls.

I found myself under an oak tree midway through the fairies abodes. Dermot fetched us some fruit and water. Claude showed up as well and helped himself even though no one invited him.

"You are lovely" My cousin said sounding so surprised it was insulting. He tucked a stray strand of hair from my face. I didn't have much time to do anything with my hair but his compliment had made him a welcomed guest. Was it vain? You bet ya but this was Claude we were talking about. I was sure that was the only compliment he had ever paid me. He was also one of the people that had not really spent time with my children. He dropped down to looked at my daughter and hasseled her as she slept. He moved her face this way and that. It was the same way Niall examined my face the day I got married. He was looking for something like a soft spot on fresh fruit. This time I had less patience for it.

"What are you looking for?" I asked. He used a cloth to shield his hands and freed her of the stroller restraints and held her to him.

"I want to see if my blood recognizes hers" He said. No way had I guessed that.

"Does it?" I asked out of morbid curiosity. He smiled and nodded.

Fairies walked by some said hello some didn't. While the amount of people here my mental shields were getting a work out every moment I was awake. In these numbers the silence that the vampire mind usually provided was not as silent if you know what I mean. Vampires sounded like void empty spaces in the air but with so many of them here the black hole that was their mind was heavier in the air and therefore was a distraction instead of a relief. Add the fairies and it was a big pain.

The three of us sat in an almost idyllic silence. The only other person I had ever been able to find this kind of peace with was Eric. When I was with them it was all feeling; no need to speak really. Since they had been here I had been spending a lot of time with my fairy kin. It was surprising but amongst other things I found their company encouraging. I admired them beyond good looks and power. They weren't letting something like the extermination of their species keep their spirits down. All the days I spent with them over the past weeks they seemed intent of enjoying the daylight hours while ignoring the pungent "sticky and sweet" aroma of vampire.

The more time I spent with them the more I could see what my great uncle Dermot had seen in Lyra. I never asked for the details but she was very pretty when she wasn't scowling; even more than that she was a sweet person. Her brother Iain however, made Claude look like a preacher on Easter Sunday but even he had his good moments like when he was frolicking about the grounds. It was the only way to describe it. What would you call a grown man splashing in a lake or holding hands and skipping with another…and in case I forgot to mention later they looked damn good doing it.

Having nothing else to do at the time I had also been practicing magical abilities with Dillon who was supposed to be teaching Ronan. He didn't mind another pupil in his class though he himself was no longer able to use magic. Like I suspected when he and Lyra sealed the portals into Faery to protect it from further invasion it took all their powers from them. Dillon described himself very colorfully to be "as a wretched as a lowly human". I told him I managed just fine without magic for the first twenty seven years of my life without it. He shuddered in horror and asked me if the stories Claude told about me were true. Goddammit. It was now official that Claude would tell my business for free to any fairy that would sit down long enough to hear it.

Even with the constant sympathetic comments about my calamitous life and disparaging looks it was worth being around Dillon. He had a better grasp of cloaking than his brother he was also a verbal educator. He spent hours talking to me about what it should fell like; what I should be focusing on when I attempted it. This tactic was new to me. The only magic lessons I had gotten came from Dermot. He was a more in your face "jump let's see what happens" kind of teacher. Dillon had a philosophical almost theoretical approach in truth no one style was better or worse but Dillon was less stressful and that's what I needed then. Even if I didn't do what I was attempting to do I was learning leaps and bounds about my abilities and their limitations as well as that part of my lineage.

I was on my way to wasting a beautiful afternoon in peace but I should have known Claude had a reason for coming over here.

"So you look better than before you squeezed out twins" He said. I sighed knowing what he was after so I told them about Niall and where I had been after I had given birth. I told them the truth but not all of it. They were listened intently and by the time I was finished they looked as astounded as I had felt about the whole thing.

"It is a great honor he conveyed upon you" Dermot said. He sounded not jealous but forlorn. "He really loved you a lot I think" I thought about that and smiled.

Since I met him I would not say I had felt loved by Niall but I felt he cared for me but after that encounter I knew it for sure. It had nothing to do with all that he had given me. I felt like I had earned his smiles and something deeper with him when we were in that strange middle plain. I loved him and I was glad to know he loved me too.

It was well past the afternoon when Leland Brigant came trolling by. He had an unavoidable presence to him. Given his last name I knew I was related to him somehow. It felt useless to ask how. I could safely make the deduction that he didn't like me. I didn't take it too personally because he didn't seem to like anyone. Leland was not very tall. I would say he was average height and build for a human man. He looked about twenty one but of course that was just a ball park figure he could be centuries older than that. His hair was light chestnut color and his eyes the same shade of hazel as Niall. You would be a fool to think there was warmth in them. There was an edge in there so sharp his human form could not conceal.

While the fairies and vampires discussed strategies and abilities on both sides last night he stuck close to Dillon like glue. He had only spoken to ask me about my shielding. I never got to answer because Eric said I was a nonentity. With all that being said it was a shock that he stopped in front of Dermot and me.

"Hello" He said looking at me. I returned his reluctant but polite greeting.

"Good afternoon" I said. I thought he wanted to speak to Dermot so I began to make my exit.

"Leland" My uncle called. I knew that tone and I stilled. "Leave her be" Dermot said in warning.

"I am becoming curious and confused with all the people that speak highly of her and those who speak for her. Does she not have a brain?" Leland said with his eyes on me. There was no sneer or note of distaste. Nothing about his demeanor or tone said he was trying to anger or insult me. It made it that much more infuriating and insulting.

"You have something to say to me" I said flatly. He nodded easily. "Spit it out, I don't have all goddamn day" Dermot let out a sigh. Claude shook his head derisively. They moved and took the stroller with him.

"I wish to test your shields" He said calmly. "I saw it in your eyes last night you will not do as your husband commands. You will never allow him go into battle without you"

I opened my mouth to say something indignant but closed it. I was left frowning from sheer annoyance. I didn't know him out of a hole in the wall but he knew something I was keeping from my husband. I wanted to argue with Eric last night when he just counted me out of the fight but I knew my husband. You just couldn't tell Eric anything. While that was true I was going to be there with him the day he faced Sophie-Anne no matter what he said.

Leland continued. "I was trained by the prince himself" Dermot made a noise that said big fucking whoop, but to me it was. "It is in you. I can make it stronger" He said.

"Leland, listen to me very carefully" Claude said and for once there was no hint of humor or his usual mirth. "Her husband will peel the flesh from you like a banana; then dunk you in lemon juice" I flinched knowing Eric could and would do just that.

Leland shrugged. "If we all survive this peril then he may do as he will. I am willing to suffer any fate for the survival of our people" he said that without as much as a bat of an eye. Even if he was not a fairy I would have known he was not bluffing.

"How will make me stronger in so little time?" I asked skeptically. There was no exact time limit yet but I knew it would be soon. They were going to Sophie-Anne instead of letting her come here. There was a higher likely hood of being caught off guard.

"Pain is the best and most expedient teacher. I will beat the ability into you" Leland said. I think where I not so shocked I would have flinched. I regarded him for a long tense moment. Not because I was trying to decide to take him up on the offer because my mind was already made but because I wanted to see of the prospect of beating me until I grasped a concept made him happy. I didn't think it did. He was just being matter of fact.

"Sookie do not do this" Dermot said from behind me.

"Like she has any sense" Claude mused darkly.

"Give me an hour" I said. I was proud my voice did not shake and I looked Leland square in the eye.

"Sia avell" Dermot growled it sounded like the mother of expletives.

I have been beaten up many times but never had I seen it coming and never had I agreed to it. I stood there letting the fact of what I agreed to settle in and it would have been a downer if not for the reasons behind it. On the upside I already had a firm idea on how to shield. It couldn't be that bad. Niall had made me a little stronger. It had to be in the spark form because I was still normal physically; I couldn't lift furniture over my head or anything of the sort but I could heal quickly. I hoped it was as fast as Niall said because it was going to get put to the test.

In the hour I had allotted myself I fed both children and settled them in the house with Claude. Dermot went with me. Leland was waiting. He stood in front of us with his shirt off and his hair was pulled into a ponytail with a white ribbon. He looked so beautiful in the sunlight; so beautiful and frightening. He wasted no time with warm ups or giving me direction.

"Make your shield as strong as you are able" He gave me less than five seconds to comply and then his hand shot out and struck me in the center of my chest. I went sailing back. Eventually gravity began to take effect again and I landed on my hands and knees a good thirty feet away. I was shielded but I still felt that. It was not pain but a whole of pressure.

Through my evaluation of self I saw Leland gliding in my direction. I wasn't sure if he was going to kick or punch me but I wasn't going stay on the ground to find out. I rolled as he got close and stood on my feet. He charged at me and knocked me to the ground-hard. I put my hands up as he brought his fists down. I don't know if it was adrenaline but I was seeing his hands clearer and I was moving fast enough to block every blow but the more he attacked the less effective my shields became. We were the same height so I brought my legs and placed some kicks to the back of his head. He flipped off the ground with a firm grip on my shoulders and tossed me high off the ground. Shit, again with this.

It was useless but I was thinking about how blue the sky was and the sweet breeze that was cooling the sweat off my face. I landed on my back this time. I bounced off the floor like a rock being skipped across a lake. I didn't have it in me to make a noise to indicate just how much pain I was in. My arms wrapped around my sides and I gave a few dry heaves. Blood had a salty rusty taste to it and it filled my mouth right now. I coughed it up and spat it out as I gasped for breath. One of my ribs fluttered under my hands as I heaved. I was seeing spots and specks of light that I knew I shouldn't. There was also a slight ringing in my ears.

My eyes closed and I realized I was healing. If I thought it would feel all warm and fuzzy I was wrong. It burned. It ranged from a warm tingle like a limb that had fallen asleep to a scorching fire burning away at the wounds; sealing it closed and knitting it together. I choked back sobs. I refused to let Leland see me cry. I refused but I couldn't help cursing as my ribcage seared under my hand. The damage to my rib was the most serious and it healed first. There had been a gash behind my head and cuts on my arm from the first fall and blows from Leland were fading those tingled as they quickly faded. My vision was no longer spotty and my breaths were coming easier.

Leland was still coming in my direction but Dermot was already in front of me.

"That is enough" Dermot barked at him.

"She will say when she has had enough" Leland said without halting his advance. I didn't think I had to call "Time out" it was very obvious I couldn't continue.

"Her shields have failed" Dermot said. I didn't need the news flash from him either. I had realized as much half way towards the ground. Nothing kept my body from fully absorbing all the impact from his launch of me in the air the second time around.

"No uncle it you who have failed her" I glanced at Leland. If Dermot was his uncle in the primary sense then he was my uncle too or he was my cousin. That was the upside. The downside my family tree had more holes than a moth ridden sweater. "Your meager training instilled false confidence that took seconds to shatter"

Dermot didn't answer but I saw his face was tight as he turned around to help me. I wanted to speak up for him and say he had thought me more than anyone else has but my head was still spinning so it wasn't really possible. I took his offered hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze instead. I didn't need all his support to right myself but it was nice to have.

Leland was now directly in front of us both. He hadn't a hair out of place. While I looked like hell warmed over.

"If that is the best you can do then I suggest you obey your husband. You will not do anyone any good in battle" Leland told me. There was no acid in his voice. He was just conveying a matter of fact statement in a matter of fact way; for which I had no reply.

I remembered when Dermot and I had initially begun training. He told me that I could hold against creatures that didn't use magic. When it came to using shields the longer I was under attack the weaker they became. I didn't last two minutes against Leland. It would be a point of encouragement if he was using his full strength but something told me he wasn't. I have fought against vampires and protected some people with my shields but against something Fae or magical it was a whole other story.

I thought about the time I unknowing rescued Ronan from elves at the hotel in Monroe. They would have tried their hands but I shielded myself. They didn't know what I did but they knew I did something that would make it challenge for them to take Ronan. Then I had thought I had the upper hand and that would have been nothing to walk away from but the only thing I had done was bluff my way out of a dangerous situation.

"Show me" I said in simmering dislike and dedication. Dermot growled obscenities under his breath but moved out of the way.

This time Leland gave me a guide before he beat the tar out of me. "Hit me" He said. I complied quicker than I would have ever thought possible but it didn't hurt him. I could feel something between us. Absorbing all the force I put into the kick.

"Do you feel that?" he asked. I nodded. "It is stronger than yours" Just couldn't resist adding that little tidbit of information could you? I tried not to look as bitter as I felt "But there is a gap in it as there are in all things. Find it" He gave me his hand with his palm up. I took Leland's hand to beginning searching and he continued to speak. "In battle you must be able to sense where the gap is and direct your attack there to quicken the kill"

I continued poking up his arm and I moved behind him. This looked strangely like one chimp checking another for bugs. I circled him twice until I found it. There was a tiny space behind his ear. I caught it because a cloud happened to cloud the sun and I saw that part of him was a little shiner that the rest.

"Your point of vulnerability is wider" He said tapping the blades of my shoulders and my tail bone to indicate just how wide a gate he had to get inside my defenses. It was not something I would have noticed and from the look on Dermot's face he didn't know it either. I have fought twice both times I had people watching my back even if anyone could see it they wouldn't have had easy access to it. "It is the same for all those you take under your shield. The more people you protect the wider that gap becomes"

I felt down right pathetic. It was a miracle I hadn't gotten anyone killed. "The fastest way to shrink it is to attack you repeatedly" He tapped the middle of my chest. "Your spark will endure and naturally bridge your defenses"

"How does that help the longevity of my shields?" I asked.

"The same" Clearly there was no way I was going to get around getting around the physical punishment.

"You may as well teach her how to fight instead of just pummeling her" Dermot said sounding very angry. Leland nodded.

"I came to this plane once to learn a fighting style from the Orientals it is what I will use" to beat the crap out of you. He didn't say it but that was what he meant. I wanted to ask him if he seriously came here to learn karate but I didn't get the chance. "Prepare yourself" I took a few steps back and pulled my shields back in place

"Block like this" he crossed his hands in an "X" at the wrists. That was all he gave me then he came at me. In this moment I realized just how much he had been holding back. He wasn't swinging wildly or grabbing at me. His blows were precise and packed a wallop.

"Watch my hands. Anticipate my movements" He said. I was backing away and blocking but I closed my eyes every time I blocked a blow. It was a knee jerk reaction. I had a lot less confidence this time around and it showed. I knew it wouldn't be right away but the pain would come. I blocked as best as I could but the times I didn't he made me pay. When I closed my eyes he made me pay. I caught a knee to the side that sent me crumpling to the floor and left me unable to speak or breathe. That was how the session went. He would beat me to a pulp then wait for me to heal and do it again. In the span of an hour and a half he had knocked me unconscious three times; broken my jaw; broke my arm three times; and snapped my spine.

Eric

Chapter Thirty-Five

Destiny Awaits

I woke to find Sookie was barely conscious. Both our children were in the bed with her but she was utterly spent. I crawled in bed with the three of them and kissed their heads.

"Sleep" I told her. "I will take them" I was running my hands through her hair. She shook her head with her eyes closed. I left when she was sound asleep and took the children with me. There was nothing that was of great importance that needed to be done. Anthony said we had a month. He saw us in the same woodlands where Sophie had attacked me. In a months' time under cover of a perfect crescent moon we would make our stand.
Gideon would be in charge of constructing the actual teams. That would take him a few days. There were over a hundred creatures and he had to divide them in a way that was advantageous to us all. Then it would take time to get acquainted with one another.

Alrick was awake with his eyes seeming to search for his mother. I kissed his head.

"It is just us tonight my son" I said. He was lying on his back on my up drawn knees; his sister was across my chest. "Your mother is asleep" I stroked his cheek and he gurgled happily. "I don't suppose it gives you any ideas" He grabbed my finger and just held it in his tiny hand. I smiled.

After they had eaten I took them out with me with the help of Pam. The grounds had the usual amount of activity. There was a larger gathering of people at the lake. Curious we headed in that direction. Atéyo and Iain were in the water. I was pleased that Iain had taken no time in swallowing his pride and asking the prince himself for training. I wondered if our presence was a distraction but they seemed too immersed in their exercise.

My children were not the only ones there. Aríndia was seated between Cohan and Anthony. She was watching her father intently. Bree was closest to the edge of the water. Her eyes were fixed on her mate. Lyra sat with their daughter and was watching just as intently with her son Ronan by her side. The remaining people in the audience were vampires. They kept their distance because of the fairies.

"You are weary" Atéyo said wadding to Iain and patting his shoulder. Iain shook his head.

"Again" he said wiping his face. Atéyo gave him a sympathetic look but moved away. The water did not resist him as he strode through it. It moved with his body and guided him to his destination.

"On your mark" Atéyo said. Iain took several breaths and his body glowed showing his fairy form clearly then he nodded.

Three perfect spheres formed in the water and rose. They shot at Iain. He moved his hand to deflect the first but even I could tell that took effort a lot of effort. The second and third hit him consecutively and with so much force that he launched out of the water and went sailing in the air. I now saw why his mate has been so close to the water's edge. Bree disappeared from where she had been crouched and ready. She appeared directly behind Iain midair and caught him. She bared her sharp teeth at Atéyo and snarled from over Iain's body before turning to examine him, his body had lost its glow and he was groaning in pain.

"They have been at it since the day" Farrell of Texas said to me there was a connotation of pity in his voice. "The little one fixes him just for him to get back in the water to be broken again. I have lost count"

"Eleven" Freyda said sidling next to me. "At least since first dark" They were both eyeing the fairy with an air of respect. I did as well. He had a lot to lose and doing all in his power to defend it.

Cohan walked over to them. Iain's mate bared her teeth again and added a hiss for warning. She was brazen for someone so puny in form. Cohan put his hands up and stopped.

"I mean him no harm" He said in a soft voice. "I want to see the damage" He said. She nodded and moved her body from over his. Cohan placed his hands over Iain's heart and head. "He should stop" He said softly.

"I know that!" The female fairy shouted in frustration. "He won't listen!" I think where Iain not already in so much pain she would have struck him she looked so angry.

"This took my son many centuries to master. Reason would dictate you cannot achieve it in one night" Cohan said looking down at Iain. "Breaking your body will not change that fact" Iain shook his head. His mate growled at him and watched helplessly as he sat up; clearly deciding he hadn't had enough punishment.

Cohan smiled. "Why are fairies so stubborn?" He asked. Some vampire laughed and the fairies felt no need to be affronted by this because it was true. Sookie had very little fairy blood and she was impossible to dissuade or persuade when her mind was made up.

"It is where our strength lies" Iain said. Cohan smiled. He replaced his hands over Iain's heart and head.

"And so it does" said Cohan. He left them and returned to Aríndia and Anthony.

Iain stood. A minute later and entered the water. All the while his mate was cursing him from the side lines. As angry as she was she must be proud.

Iain took his breaths and his body glowed. He nodded to give his mark. The spheres rose out of the water like they had done before. Whatever Cohan had done to Iain not only fixed his body but revitalized him if not made him stronger. This time he did not deflect the barreling balls of water. He created a cone from the water around him. The spheres entered one end and exited the other; returning to their sender. Although they were no longer traveling at the same velocity they could have done damage. Atéyo did not seem to move but the orbs dissipated before they reached him. It was silent for a heartbeat then cheers broke out. Our most defensive weapon has been created. It now just had to be strengthened.

Cohan wanted to hold Alrick and so I let him. Pam was with Aria. I wondered away as the crowd around my children grew. There were more than enough pairs of eyes on them. As long as just one belonged to Anthony they would be fine. I found myself on the other side of the lake and I smelled Sookie's blood. My nostrils flared and I was troubled to say the least. The scent was indistinct; shadowy almost. Someone else would not have been able to detect it but it was inimitable to me no matter how little of it there was.

I walked on trying to find a trail but found none. Her scent hung against a tree where she may have sat but it was also heavier on the ground in certain areas. Perhaps she had a minor fall and injury while she had been out during the day but that didn't sound right. Then again had anything had transpired she would have told me. Before I returned to collect my children I looked up and saw the face of a fairy looking down at me from one of the surrounding houses.

Gideon was elusive for the next two days as expected. He was held up in his room forming what was to be ideal squadron of fighters. There wasn't a single advantage of disadvantage that he had not covered and compensated for. Alexis had almost three dozen two natured waiting and ready to go to battle with us. Amongst them were the shifter; Sam Merlotte and the pack master of Shreveport Alcide. More surprising was the arrival of the demons. Cataliades was a neutral in most conflicts but seeing this was not about the trivial he was choosing sides.

Each new addition caused Gideon to return to the drawing board. He did so eagerly because each new individual that arrived was much needed. It served to further infuse us with hope of victory. The squads that were fully assembled spent almost all their time together. All our lives depend on learning to move as a single unit; knowing your squad members tells; their limitations and strengths on an intimate level. On any given night you could see different teams sparring with one another. The vampires would give blood the weres to help them heal after particularly bad training sessions.

The day that I had been dreading came. Cohan was leaving and taking with him all his children. He would also take my wife and our children. I woke tonight to find Sookie on the bed with Aria and Alrick.

In the four weeks they have been alive my youngest children had almost doubled in size. They were able to sit up on their own volition and roll over if they wished. Their mother was seated with her back resting on the head board and they were seated between her legs. Last night while she slept I shut the pathway between us. Feeling her sadness and mine would serve no purpose.

There were no words between us. I loved how well we knew each other even without the blood bond. I crawled in bed with them. I lay with my head on her lap. Aria was absorbed with my wedding ring and her brother was lying quietly beside her. Sookie ran her fingers through my hair; her fingers would trace the contours of my face lightly but the intimacy was not lost. I leaned into her touch and kissed her hand. A hollow feeling in my chest forced its way up. I fought it back. This was what I was fighting for. I wanted to hold onto this moment as it was; I would not tarnish it with tears.

Gideon came to the door and he looked sad though I did not know why. "They're waiting" He said.

I dressed Aria in a Sweater and a hat knowing she hated them but it was cold out for this time of year. "You will look after your brother" I told her firmly. She looked deeply into my eyes and I felt the carefully locked chest where I buried emotions rattle. I held her to me and pulled in a deep breath that was heavy with her scent. Then I kissed her head and both cheeks and headed down stairs.

The entire house of Kovall was gathered in my sitting room. It was surprising to see Dermot, Lyra, Iain and Bree there too. The children that belonged to them were there as well. Ronan was huddled close to Aríndia but was holding firmly to his mother's hand bringing her closer to vampires than I was sure she was happy with but somewhere during her sentence here she had lost some of her aversion to the dead. She ignored the proximity with ease.

"I will take Eráh, Demetrius and Negy first" Cohan said. Demetrius and Eráh walked to their father. Negy was barely visible from her place in the corner of the room and she looked as anguished as I thought possible for a child of Kováll. They were all usually so jolly. She did not move. Cohan walked over to her and knelt in front of her with her face in his hands but she wouldn't look at him. He spoke to her in their tongue. First it sounded like words of comfort then his tone became firm. Still she would not look or speak to him. I knew that one refusal caused him pain.

"Negy please" Cohan said. "I am are here to aid them not rule them" There was no exasperation in his tone just desperation. Still she did not move. He looked around at all his other children for help but they stayed out of it. I thought there was something underlying in his tone whatever she wanted he was wavering and about to give into her demands. Cohan moved his gaze to Gideon and we all turned to stare at him too.

"It's okay" Gideon said walking over to Negy. My eyes widened a little. I knew they have spent time together but I never would have thought anything of it. "I'll be fine. This isn't my first rodeo" He said wrapping his arms around her.

"If you ask my Atan he will not deny you. You have but to utter the words" Negy said through tears. Her eyes were fixed on me. Cohan too looked at me expectantly. I knew he like us knew what Anthony had foresaw if he stepped into this battle. But I don't think he cared. He bent to the whim of his children and watching his youngest daughter cry distressed him greatly.

"I cannot" I said wishing I could.

She sobbed clinging to Gideon and her father reached his hand almost unconsciously then he withdrew it. He looked close to tears himself. "We've been over this" Gideon said stroking her hair from her face and wiping her tears. "I have to do this" She did not stop crying but let him lead her to her father. Who gave Gideon and a grateful nod. Gideon didn't see it once Negy was under her father's arm he turned and left the house. He had done the right thing but it didn't make it any less painful. No, righteousness had never been an anesthetic.

Cohan had one hand around Negy and Demetrius. Eráh had her arms wrapped around his waist. There was a shimmer and pull in the air that caused a surge of power to course through the room. We backed away. The three people in front of us vanished. Their forms lost its individual coloring then shape until there was nothing there. The rest of us were amazed but the remaining children of Kováll were unfazed.

Cohan returned less than a minute later. He took Atéyo; Aríndia; Ronan and Iain's daughter Eithne.

"Look after your cousin" Dermot told his son firmly. Ronan nodded. His eyes shone with unshed tears but he did not let them fall. He was being brave for the sake of his mother who was weeping silently. "You will do as you are told" His father added with a smile.

Ronan returned the smile and said, "Hell no" Dermot kissed him and walked him to Cohan.

Iain gripped Atéyo by his forearm in a handshake. "Thank you for all that you have done. In this life or the next I will repay you all that I owe" Bree stood stone faced beside him.

Atéyo patted his shoulder. "No. We were brothers once and we will be again" he said.

Iain nodded. "If we should fall…" He began.

"You have my word" Atéyo said solemnly. After their goodbyes they stepped away with Cohan and disappeared.

I handed Aria to Anthony and took my son from his mother. I kissed my son and turned to say good bye to her mother.

"This isn't goodbye" Sookie said cutting me off. "I'll see you later" Her eyes were clear and stubborn. I kissed her head.

"Yes, I'll see you later" I repeated with a smile.

I extended my hand out to Anthony. He was not surprised by the gesture. He smiled and took it. I returned his smile. I disliked him less than I should at this point.

When Cohan returned the last time I gave Alrick back to her mother and stepped away. I watched as what had become the unexpected reason for my existence vanished. I remained rooted to the spot for several minutes after they had gone absorbing the fact; absorbing the silence of my home; the cold of my bed. I welcomed those feelings. They filled me until the warrior I was surged to the surface and burned it all away.

The following night we gathered and marched out. In these numbers there was no way to travel without calling unwanted attention. So we moved on foot. Once we got to the place where we were supposed to be. We made other preparations. Iain spent a great part of the night funneling water from a nearby river and moving it to his man made ravines that were strategically placed though out what would be our battle field.

Barry had been off on an errand for Stan. He intercepted our path and brought with him arms that we ordered. For the most part they were all knives of silver and iron. There were also fire arms that were the preferred method for some people. Oliver was the sniper Gideon had to take out Nikko. He was human and he preferred his own. We left that plan in place just in case. If he got a clear shot while Nikko was distracted with Iain even better.

"Where is Sookie?" Barry asked looking around himself. I was ready to answer him when he said, "Oh there she is I was beginning to…"

The scent in the air was so very familiar it told me Barry was not wrong. There were murmurs of surprise across our group. I snarled in outrage and all fell silent.

I spun and saw my wife advancing. Immediately I was in front of her. I lifted her off the ground by her arms and shook her. "Why? Why for fuck sake do you never do as you are told?" I roared. "Do you have any idea what you have done?"

"Put me down" She said. There was no panic in her voice neither was she angry. Her voice was that of an individual attempting to deescalate a situation. I dropped her and ran my hands through my hair.

"You gave me your word." I hissed.

"I agreed because I was pregnant" She retorted. I growled at her. I was angry at Anthony as well. He must have seen what she had intended. Still he said nothing to me. From the look on Pam's face she had known all along or had guessed and kept it to herself. Where I being honest it should have occurred to me as well. After she had given birth I should have known she would want to do what was most dangerous to her wellbeing. We all knew how tenacious and bold my wife was. In this instance I was the last person to see it.

"No" I barked. "I will hold you to your words." I was shaking my head as if the action would make her disappear to a safer place. One of the fairies could use their means of travel to get her there. There was no way we could risk escorting her to the airport on the eve of battle.

"The only way I'm leaving is by force" She took a step back from me and assumed a fighting stance. I looked at her not really believing what I heard or saw. The expression on her face was set and her eyes were watching me intently. I walked towards her without changing my aggressive body posture to see if she would cower. She did not. Her feet remained planted firmly as she stood her ground.

Instead of continuing to advance on her I searched for the fairy I knew was behind this. I had no need to look for him because he glided calmly forward to meet his death. The day I smelled her blood on the ground by the lake they had been training. I knew I had not imagined it. It was him. His was probably the face I saw looking down at me. I returned to the same place I had smelled her blood the next night but it was gone and I never caught traces of it again after that first night. It put me at ease especially because she told me she fell. She lied. It was why she had been so exhausted every night. All this time she never had any intention of staying away from the fight. She had been preparing for it.

"You. Would. Dare" I spat at Leland.

I was furious and my fangs were fully exposed. His scent had been distorted by Cohan like all fairies but I needed no incentive to end him. I appeared in front of him and lifted him off the ground by his throat. He did not fight me but his eyes were defiant.

"You underestimate her power" He said. I squeezed harder to shut him up.

"Eric stop" Sookie said. Both her hands were gripping the hand I was using to choke the life from this treacherous vermin. "Don't hurt him" She begged. I turned my scowl at her. "Please for me" She would make requests of me after she had misled me and reneged on a promise. But she was my Sookie and so I dropped the fairy. He fell to the ground in a crumpled heap gasping for breath.

Having nothing else to do or say to this pigheaded wife of mine or the fairy that aided her insubordination I snarled long and hard in pure frustration then walked away.

They all cowered slightly at the noise but the damage was done we all knew it. Nothing I did now could undo the choice Sookie had made. There was no way to make her comply if truly she did not want to; and she truly did not want to; proving once again that she was the biggest hazard to her own health.

No one came after me; not even Sookie which was for the best. I was seething but I was also relieved somewhat. That sense of relief made me angrier. It was wrong I should not want her here.

"I'll say I'm sorry if you want but you'll know I don't mean it" Sookie had sought me out after a few hours.

I made a noise of irritation. "You never say you're sorry even when you should" I wasn't looking at her but I felt a pang of guilt come from her but she didn't get angry to deflect the blame like she sometimes did. I suppose we had grown past that.

She took a deep breath. "My dearest husband quintessence of beauty and sexual prowess" She knew me all too well. "I am sorry my presence has put your panties in a bunch though I know you haven't worn any since the dark ages" My back was still turned but it didn't keep her from seeing my shoulders shake in silent laughter.

She came closer and wound her arms around my neck. I intertwined my fingers with hers. We were quite for several minutes. The beating of her heart against my back was a reassurance like no other.

"I am sorry you are here but I am happy you are with me" I said sincerely.

"Always" she said. "I'm always with you" I turned my face up to hers and kissed her deeply.

***000***

The next chapter will be the final one!

I hope you all enjoyed the update and I hope you are not too angry to not give me my fix of reviews!