Unaware to us during our lovemaking the weres outside had been joined by Pam and Clancy; Eric arrived as our not-so-quiet ecstasy explosion was taking place. If he had wanted to, Bill couldn't have set it up better.
Bill was the first to notice that he was not the only vampire on site, he threw on his pants and told me to stay put, but I was not letting him out of my sight so I threw on his shirt and grabbed his hand as we flew to the living room. I'd forgotten the ward Amelia had placed on the house; no one could enter without us letting them in.
Bill walked to the door and opened it, he nodded to Pam, Clancy and finally to Eric. I hid behind Bill as I was not really dressed for company or battle for that matter. What was I thinking? Everyone took in the sight of us as I spoke the words to let them enter. Eric was decent enough to look away as I fastened a couple of buttons I'd missed in our hurry.
"Please make yourself at home, there is Blood in the fridge, Pam, Eric you know the way, Clancy welcome to our home, please excuse us for a moment," I said as I pulled Bill with me into the bedroom.
"Aren't we taking a shower first?" Bill asked (with a sly smile on his face) as I was pulling on a pair of pants. "No, let's see what they want and then we'll take a shower or a bath at your house," I told him with a stern look on my face. We both knew what would happen if we took a shower first and I was not going to have them hear me moaning as they waited for us. It was one thing when I didn't know they were there, but now knowing I was not having it.
Bill gave me a sad look and pouted his lip to try to get my sympathy but I shook my head and said, "how about I leave on your shirt instead? Too bad your bite mark is hidden by the collar." Bill had me in his arms in a flash and bent down to my neck just as quick, he nuzzled and kissed my neck and bit me visible for all to see and I moaned as he licked the wound. Amazingly I'd felt no pain only pleasure when he bit, I wanted to jump his dead bones right there and then the hell with them waiting. But Bill gave me a devilish fangy grin and pulled me out the room. My head was spinning from all the lust and desire I was feeling as he dragged me into the living room.
Everyone was standing as we walked into the living room; Eric sat down after I motioned for them to sit. Eric sat on the loveseat, it had my big old 'ugly quilt' draping from the arm rest and I saw pain and jealousy flash through his eyes.
Pam and Clancy walked out to the porch and stood as guards outside (they left the front door open). Bill and I sat across from Eric on the sofa waiting for him to start our conversation. I felt Bill's rage towards Eric start to enflame and I took his hand in mine, placing it on my leg as I drew small circles in his palm. He turned to face me and quickly calmed down, his eyes filled with lust, desire and love and he gave me a little smiled.
He turned back to Eric and shocking both of us he said, "Thank you for ensuring our safety during our return home. I am in your debt for ensuring that she received the necessary healing during a most difficult time."
Bill let out a very human sigh, "I am also aware of how disturbing seeing us together again might be as we all know your feelings for Sookie; rest assured that we will not flaunt our relationship to demean you or your position as sheriff. That would only serve to create strife between us and would also hurt her. I have been in your position and I would never put my pride over her feelings. I know that she still feelings for you but in a different manner now. I believe she has made her choice as you made yours when I was sent on my mission and that choice must be respected."
I could not believe my ears and kept looking from Bill to Eric; Bill seemed cool and collected and Eric was of course unfazed.
Bill continued, "However, without that mission and the events that followed, even though it almost cost her her life which I deeply regret, she would not have looked into her heart and found there the love she thought she'd ever had or would receive. For that I am grateful."
With a slight nod, "I still pledge my fealty to you sheriff. Not because it is what she would want from me or what I am expected to do but, because it is what I want to give. My life is yours to command as always but hers is not. She has been through a lot and she should be given the opportunity to decide what it is she wants to do with it or at least be given the chance to rest."
Where the hell did that come from and who the hell was the vamp that was sitting next to me? My jaw was on the floor, Pam and Clancy stood with raised eyebrows peering in from the door way (I assumed in disbelief). None of us could believe what we'd just heard come out of Bill Compton's mouth.
Eric was non-expressive as always and after a brief moment he nodded in agreement. He motioned to Pam to close the door then he spoke. "Your fealty has never been doubted, you have always been a loyal subject, our differences have always been over your past treatment and feelings for Sookie. But that is all behind us now as she…, has made her decision and I will respect that," again Eric nodded and then continued.
"I am here on two fronts. First, our blood bond has been severed Sookie; you will feel no pain or discomfort as it was done through fae magik. Niall informed me that the concoction you both drank broke all bonds previously made. Whatever you feel now, you will feel on your own volition without the "influence" of our bond as you have stated on numerous occasions."
I interrupted, "Eric, what did Niall tell you about what we drank, it seems he has given more information to everyone else rather than to us or at least me?"
Eric nodded and continued, "what you drank is fae magik in its truest form. Fae is love, desire and lust but without forgiveness its magic would kill all who drink it. You have also been afforded recognition of your true fae powers, not your telepathy that is not fae; the strength you developed and the searing scream you let out awoke that which was hidden from you as you are only partially fae. Apparently with Compton, there is a question as to what he is aside from vampire, Niall did not share that with me. He is not fae, he is vampire but something in him has helped you develop recognition of who you truly are. That is all I am allowed to tell you as that is all your great grand-father the Prince has shared with me."
Bill just looked at me like a deer caught in headlights while my jaw dangled on the floor. Bill did not know that Niall my great-grandfather was actually the all powerful Prince of Fae until that moment.
"Sookie, the king of Wyoming has covered all costs of your trip and care at the hospital. The kings of Texas and Mississippi have also extended you their protection. Your loyalty to our kind has proven you worthy yet again. King De Castro has instructed me to inform you that there will be a celebration in your honor next month; both your honors; Bill for your safe return and Sookie for your loyalty and courage. All three kings will be present. I have also made DeCastro aware that our bond has been severed and that you are now bound to Bill. However, as you are still under my retinue and Bill is one of my subjects, you're expected to continue to act accordingly as before. He is not aware that some sort of magik was involved in the termination of our bond and it should remain as such for your own protection."
"King DeCastro will also be calling on your services during the celebration; you should act accordingly and fulfill your duties as always. There will be monetary reimbursements for all expenses and a fee for service provided. Your monetary arrangements will now be negotiated through Compton with reports and approvals coming through the Area 5 Sheriff's office. Bill, I will bring you up to speed on all prior monetary arrangements."
"Of course Bill and I will serve as your guards with Bill also being your personal escort. If this is an inconvenience, I will gladly exchange myself for Pam. My child is more than competent but as you know, I trust no one but myself and of course you Bill, when it comes to your safety Sookie. We will need to regroup once we know what it is DeCastro requires of you as well as exactly what you should say about our severed bond should the subject arise."
"If there is nothing else, that is all I needed to say."
He nodded to each of us; I stepped up to him, turned to look at Bill who softly nodded in assent, and I gave Eric a hug. I got on my tippy toes and pulled his forehead down to me. I gave him a gentle and tender kiss on his forehead as I said, "thank you Eric." He just nodded and after hesitating, wrapped his arms around me and gave me a heartfelt smile even though his beautiful blue eyes showed his pain.
I think he was finally realizing that his game to break Bill from our lives only managed to pull Bill and me closer together. I could tell that Eric had only expected me to be upset and angry at him for a little while. He most certainly had a plan to change my mind quickly and bring me to his way of thinking but that was not what had happened.
And, as Eric is nothing but pragmatic, he knew there was nothing left for him to say or do. The severing of our bond (Niall's doing of course), left Eric with the clear focus he had always prided himself in – his (pragmatic) self preservation above all else.
Once all the vampires were gone (except Bill of course), I sat on Bill's lap and let out a sigh I had been holding since Eric entered our home. It struck me at that moment that I had said "our home" not "my home," Bill didn't miss that one either and let me know before we started our 'new' little talk.
"Our home. You said 'our home'" he quoted me as he gave me a sly grin and waggled his left brow and continued, "you know, now you can't rescind your invitation if you get mad at me or just want me out of the way."
"Like I'd let you out of my sight, Mr. Compton. Guess you're stuck with me," I tried to pull him into a kiss but he backed away, with eyes swimming with lust and love he very seriously said; "YOU are stuck with me forever and ever after that. I Am Yours Ms. Stackhouse." Does this man love me or what? Ok, vampire not a human man but who cares, he is mine and I am his.
Bill pulled me to him and took my lips with his. Just as our kiss started to get us passionately aroused, the room's atmosphere changed and Bill pulled me into him. His alert eyes blazed rage, scanning the room left to right, his nostrils flared, his fangs completely out and his hands cupped into claws. I could hear his bloodlust growl building in his chest as he moved us away from the windows and backed us up against the wall placing me behind him. He shielded me with his body and with a stern voice instructed me to "stay behind me, don't move, call Eric now!"
It all happened so quickly that I had no time to think. Instinctively I grabbed the cell from the mantle and dialed Eric's speed dial number and just as it started to ring…