Author's Note: Bill and I decided to post this chapter now as we'll be too busy celebrating Valentine's Day to post again before then. We hope you have a happy and loving day. And, if no one else tells you, "We Love You."
"Sweetheart, I want anything you want but, there is one thing we do have to do before we get married. We have to let King De Castro know." He waited to measure my reaction, which was shock.
"Why? I thought you said we didn't need permission so why do we need to tell the king?" I was panicking.
"We don't need his permission but we do need to tell him or he will see it as an insult and revolt against him as you are under his protection and I am one of his subjects. This will also guarantee the king's protection of our engagement especially when I am out of town and especially from Eric or any other not happy about our relationship."
"Bill, I'm just tired of vampire politics and I'm especially tired of not knowing anything about it until it's too late for me to decide if I want to play along. Before you even think it, I am NOT saying that I don't want to marry you because I Do. I just want to know if there'll ever be a time when I'm not going to be the last to know what is going on around me."
"Sweetheart, once we are married, you will know all I know because you will be my mate. I know it doesn't make sense to you and even if we were not married I would still tell you but in "vampire politics" as you call it, there are rules we must all abide by and by being my lifelong mate you would no longer be a mere human that must be kept in the dark as you will also be expected to keep these rules."
"So what, I'm going to be a de-facto vampire because we're married?" I thought about that for a moment; well at least I'll know what is going on. "Ok Bill, so how do we do this? What else do I need to know?" I knew there was more, maybe a lot more. Bill stared at me as if contemplating what he could say. "Spill Compton or you're sleeping alone tonight."
"Oh yes, you certainly are wife material already kicking me out of my own bed." He pulled me to him and kissed my nose. Hey, did Bill just make a joke?
"Darling, I am still the Investigator for Area 5 and WE need to inform the king so as not to give Eric or anyone else a chance to interrupt our plans; especially once you set the date. WE shall go see the king and inform him personally; this gives the impression that we respect his opinion, he will consent of course and will have to make the announcement himself. Those under him will have to respect his consent, Eric included. WE will need to go to New Orleans as soon as possible to avoid anyone else from informing him and Eric calling us in."
"OK, when do we go then? Do we just show up at the palace or do we have to make an appointment or something, I mean the moment he knows why were coming, everyone will know won't they?" Bill patted my hand and I felt so left out of the vampire loop.
"We can go on a little trip to New Orleans and call the king once we are there as I will have to inform them of my presence in the area. I can ask for a meeting with the king and we can inform him then. We will need to let Eric know we are taking a vacation so he doesn't think we are planning something behind his back; I will take care of that. You have two days off don't you? Do you think you might want to take a couple more?"
"No, I'm not going to put Sam on the spot again he has given me enough time off already. And by the way, since when are you so conniving and full of plans? How long have you been planning this?"
He laughed, "I am a vampire Sookie, we are all conniving and I have been planning this for quite sometime. Actually, since Sofie-Ann was alive."
"What? But Sofie-Anne has been … oh. You wanted to marry me then?"
"I most certainly did Ms. Stackhouse, I most certainly did." After another round of intense love-making, we fell asleep in each other's arms. We'd agreed that we'd leave for New Orleans at nightfall once Bill called Eric to inform him, essentially not giving Eric the opportunity to make any demands of Bill or me. I packed our bags and laid out clothes for the both of us and waited for Bill to wake. He caught me off guard as I sat on the couch staring at my ring as it radiated the light coming from the fireplace, tears streaming down my face. He picked me up and I let out a little scream, not really upset at him for scaring me. Apologizing for scaring me and kissing me passionately, Bill set me down on the couch again. "I missed you," I said. "I missed you being in the bed with me when I woke," he said never removing his lips from mine. I started to rub myself on his body as I took in his unique scent.
"Hold that thought," he said as he made his way up the stairs and I heard the shower running. With vampire speed Bill made his way out of the bathroom, got dressed, made his way down the stairs, out of the house to his car; our luggage in tow, and placed them in the trunk before returning to my arms. "Wow, that was fast," I said.
"Yes, it was. Now were where we? Oh yes, my lips were…, here," he said as he took my lips in his again; I turned into jell-o and melted into him but I knew that was as far as it was going to go as we needed to make our way to see the king. Bill led me out of the house, set the security system, opened the car door for me, and got it himself before dialing Eric.
"Eric, I will be in New Orleans for a couple of days. Yes, two days. With me of course. When we return then. Goodbye." He hung up, turned to me giving me a reassuring smile and a kiss and we left for New Orleans. I got the feeling Bill wanted to avoid Eric showing up before we left as he was speeding down the highway. We made it to New Orleans in record time. On our way there, Bill called Victor Madden to inform him we would be arriving soon and also to request an audience with the king. Madden did not inquire the purpose for the audience but did request we stop at the palace before going to our hotel. I reminded Bill that we would need to change before seeing the king as I was not wearing appropriate clothing.
Once at the palace Bill informed Madden we'd first need to freshen up before our meeting with De Castro, we were led to a suite where we could change and ready ourselves. My heart was pounding from the uncertainty that pulsed through my brain; Bill sensed my mood or heard my heart pounding through my chest. He took me in his arms and reassured me that all would go as planned.
I wore a knee length A-line black cocktail dress that complimented Bill's suit and pulled my hair back leaving a few curls to frame my face. My jewelry consisted of my diamond stud earrings and my engagement ring. We sat and waited for someone to come for us, just as I was starting to relax, someone knocked on the door and my nerves shot up again. Bill was as cool as a cucumber on the outside but I knew he was as nervous as I was. We were led through a long corridor and into the king's office by a vampire that looked something like a paler version of that actor Stephen Moyer, he was hot. I had to shake myself back into the real world as I caught myself staring at his firm ass wanting to give it a little squeeze. Bill must have sensed my lust and gave my hand a little squeeze; I flashed him a chagrined smile – he'd caught me red handed (no pun intended) and he shook his head at me, a smile on his face but jealousy flashing in his eyes.
"We'll discuss that later," he whispered in my ear and gave my neck a quick lick; I swallowed hard and felt myself blush.
We sat on very comfortable brown leather chairs holding hands until we heard the doors open. We stood as the king entered with Sandy and Victor Madden; Bill bowed to the king and nodded to Sandy and Madden and I did my little American dip as well. The king motioned for us to sit and then we waited for him to speak.
"Meeese Stackshouze, always a pleasure to see you. Did iz a surprise. I trust all is well." He said in that thick accent of his.
"Yes, your highness all is well. Bill and …," he stopped me the moment I mentioned Bill.
"Yes Kompton, you requested the audience what brings you here? The king asked.
"Your highness, Ms. Stackhouse and I have come to inform you of our intent to marry. I have asked and she has accepted and we are here to personally inform you and inquire your …," now it was Bill the king interrupted turning to me.
"Does he speak for you Meese Stackhouse? Did you consent?" He asked with a raised eye brow.
"Yes, he speaks for me as I am HIS and I did consent." I still know a thing or two about vampire protocols.
"Say no more Meese Stackhouse," he motioned to Sandy and Madden to leave us alone.
"Please call me Sookie." I said.
"I understand what it is you are doing Kompton. I have yet to be informed how the bond between Eric and Meese Sookie was severed but now I know the reason why. The magic of love," it wasn't a question but an affirmation.
"You want to avoid anyone from disagreeing with your desire to bond your lives together. And, you are hopeful that my consent will nullify those disagreements; particularly those of Eric." He looked at Bill as if waiting for Bill to spills some dirty plot of Eric's.
Bill interrupted, "Eric is a loyal subject to you, of that I have no doubt; but, others may see our union and the severing of their past bond as an opportunity to challenge either Eric or myself further placing Sookie in danger. As she is under your protection it was only prudent to inform you before anyone else of what we have decided." Bill gave the king a small bow.
"No one else knows?" the king asked, maybe impressed by Bill's play.
"No vampire knows. Only two from her family as human tradition dictates, that could not be helped." Bill responded.
"Yes humans and their traditions (giving a dismissive hand wave). Your loyalty is accepted and I will make the formal announcement. Have you decided on a date yet?" De Castro asked.
Bill turned to me, his eyes asking me to answer. "No, we have not. We still have to decide if we want a big celebration and where we would have it." I said embarrassed for being put on the spot.
"I take it she wants a big celebration but is trying to talk herself into something small. All women want big celebrations even those that don't admit it." He was speaking directly at Bill who nodded in agreement.
"Well, if this is the case, you should have it here. " De Castro said.
"Oh," I said before he interrupted me again.
"Please. I would be honored to give you a wedding here. Consider it a wedding gift as you will be the first from my subjects to marry. Would two month be too early for you?" Again, not a question, he quieted himself for a brief second and I watched as his eyes fixed themselves on the door. Sandy an Victor Madden walked in a moment later as he returned his gaze to us.
"Mr. Kompton and Meese Stackhouse are engaged. The wedding will be here, it is my gift to them. The formal announcement will be sent from the kingdom with all appropriate signatures it shall go to all subjects tonight. Someone shall be assigned to make further contact with Meeese Stackhouse to set up the details of the wedding to suit her tastes. The invitations will also go out with the appropriate signatures from the kingdom." Sandy bowed to the king and nodded to us before walking out, not having said a single word.
"Does this meet your approval?" He asked not really wanting or requiring our consent.
"It more than meets what we'd hoped for, we are honored." Bill said deeply bowing his head.
"Your highness, it's too much. We didn't come to ask for all this. This is just too much. I don't know what to say but thank you." I said.
"No need, you have been very loyal to the kingdom and have earned this and more. When will you be returning to Bon Temps?"
"Tuesday" Bill said.
"Then you will stay here, two days is not enough to start planning a wedding. You should also see the engagement announcement before it goes out. Victor will make the arrangements for your stay. Now you must excuse me as I have other matters to address." I wanted to run up to him and hug him, but hugging the king would have been a very bad idea. He nodded to us and walked out leaving us sitting in the soft leather chairs.
Madden motioned for us to follow him and led us down the corridor and to a door that opened to a beautiful suite before saying "congratulations to you both. Good evening."
Bill finally spoke once he was sure no one was standing outside the door. "Sookie are you ok with all of this?"
"Bill, I don't know, this is so much but how do you say no to the king when he's standing there demanding you agree. I'm just happy he consented and glad it won't be Sandy who would be helping with the wedding." I wrapped my arms around his waist as his arms went around mine. Bill bent down to kiss me as a knock on the door scared me into jumping in his arms. Bill opened the door and a pretty and young vampire entered the room introducing herself as Christine, Chris for short. She had beautiful auburn shoulder length hair; she was wearing a beautiful two piece sky blue skirt suit that hugged her figure accentuating all her curves. She was holding a black leather envelope.
Bill motioned for her to sit on the couch as he sat next to me. Chris pulled out a copy of the engagement announcement that would be sent out that evening. It was beautiful; a white backer with a translucent vellum overlay (clear sheeting). The clear sheeting had the Kingdoms emblem and our names written in raised gold colored ink in Old English calligraphy at the bottom. The white backing had two large platinum (colored) rings tied together by a gold colored ribbon descending from the kingdom's emblem above them; I noticed one ring was very similar to the one on my finger. The announcement itself was written on the white backing but it was clearly visible over the translucent overlay. The color scheme would have been one I'd selected for myself if given the chance. I wondered how this would transfer over when faxed. Chris informed me that this was our personal copy to keep for 'posterity', extra copies would be made available in case I wanted to send them out to family and friends. She informed us the copy that would be faxed out was a black and white enlarged replica that would transfer over perfectly. I was breathless and Bill delighted in my awe, he knew that I loved it. I asked Chris to thank the King for his kindness as she got on the phone to issue the mandate for the announcement to go out.
We were going over what else I would need to consider for the wedding as well as the color scheme and design for the wedding invitations; we agreed that the invitations should match the announcement. Bill was lost to our girly conversations; I have to say I found Chris to be very unlike what I knew vampires to be. In life she had been an events planner for the king before being turned and ran a very successful events company along with her sister. Bill finally excused himself and left us to our task.
"Sweetheart, I need to feed, I will leave you to your task as I see you are in good hands. I don't know how I can help as all of this is new to me. Is that Ok with you?" He kissed me and was making his way to the door as he spoke.
"Oh, um, it's fine Bill, we'll be fine. I'll see you later," I said not turning to see him walking out. I was totally lost in my momentary excitement. Not ten minutes later my cell phone rang. I excused myself from Chris and went to answer it not paying attention to the caller ID.
"Hello!" I said excitedly.
"Sookie! I just received…" It was Eric. My heart hit the back of my throat and I hung up on him, turning my phone off at the same time. Chris noticed my change in mood and walked over to ask if all was fine. She dabbed at the tear that had streaked down my face and asked if she should call Bill. I told her no that all was fine but she still excused herself and went to find Bill. By the time he came back he knew what had happened.
"What did he say?" He asked annoyed.
"Who?" I asked lost to my own thoughts.
"Eric! What did he say to make you cry?" He demanded a reply.
"He didn't say anything really just that he'd just received something, I hung up before he could finish speaking. I just didn't expect him to be the one calling me. Bill, you were right, we did do the right thing by telling the king before anyone else found out." As I looked into his eyes, my brain caught a flash of the thoughts circling Bill's brain. I'd never received a thought from him so I was startled when I heard and saw the images of what he wanted to do to Eric to keep me from him. I cringed and stepped away from him.
"No Bill, no please no!" I said as he pulled me into him realizing what had just happened. He looked directly into my eyes, his fangs descending and fright momentarily taking over his face before changing to an intense anger and rage.
He flew us out of the room and straight out of the palace. He didn't say anything until we were about half a mile away. I knew that if any vampire realized that I could occasionally get thoughts from them I'd certainly be dead. I hoped Bill loved me enough not to want to kill me. My heart was pounding and as much as I tried to get another thought from Bill to garnish his thoughts nothing came across except anger, love and fear but mostly an intense anger and rage.
He set me down, held a finger to my lips not letting me speak, and sniffed the air for other vampire scents. I swallowed hard not knowing what to expect. I thought of running away but Bill held on to my arms, his feral eyes daring me to try to run away. When he spoke his voice was not loving, it was the voice of a very pissed off vampire, a voice that demanded a response; he'd never directed that voice towards me so I was certain he was going to kill me, I just hoped he made it quick.
"What did hear Sookie?"
"I.., I didn't…," I stuttered.
"Tell me now!!!" He demanded pulling me closer to him.
"I saw what you want to do to Eric to keep me from him and heard your thoughts too. I didn't mean to it just happened." Tears were forming in my eyes but I decided if I was going to die I would not cry before death took me over and I willed myself not to let them fall.
"Since when?"
"Since when what?" I asked considering if I should lie.
"Stop evading me and answer!!"
"Not often only 3 times after I've had vampire blood. The first time was Eric when we first went to find the thief and then in Dallas from the king; but never before from you until now. So if you want to kill me just go ahead and do it, I don't care. I rather it be you than someone that will make it too painful." I said and turned my head showing him my neck waiting for his assault as I took the ring off my finger handing it back to him. He looked down at me through feral eyes, took the ring and leaned in to my neck taking in my scent before kissing it. I felt his fangs grace my neck as he replaced the ring onto my finger.
"DON'T YOU EVER take that ring off that finger unless you no longer love me! Do YOU understand?" I opened my eyes and looked at him tentatively, giving a little nod.
"You're not mad at me?" I asked still frightened.
"Sookie, I am furious. Do you realize what could happen to you if anyone else knows that you can do this? I will die protecting you but I will not be strong enough to take on every vampire that will come after you. No one must ever know you can do this. Why didn't you tell me?"
"I didn't tell you because I didn't want to die. I knew you'd be furious and possibly want to kill me because it would be dangerous for you also." My superwoman moment gone as I started to cry uncontrollably trying to bring myself into his arms; but he held me back. I knew I was still not out of the woods, so I asked him, "do.., do you still want to marry me?"
"Of course I do Sookie. But now I have to consider how we can avoid this from happening again for your safety. You need to know I would never hurt you or want to kill you although in the past you've certainly led me to consider it. We will need to find a way for you to control your emotional tells; you will have to learn to control yourself as vampires do. I will need to think more on this so I can teach you." He finally pulled me into him, kissing my forehead.
"Bill, I'm sorry but what I saw scared me, you scared me and I reacted without thinking; then I thought well you know what I thought. I'm sorry." I spoke into his chest, letting out a sigh I'd been holding since we flew out of the palace. We walked back to the palace Bill carrying me most of the way; I fell asleep in his arms by the time we made it to our room. The room had been redecorated with flowers and rose petals leading the way to the bed. Bill set me down on the bed and I woke to him staring down at me – I could still see the fear in his eyes as this new revelation was a serious one. He leaned in to kiss my lips; it was two hours before dawn.
"We need to see the king tomorrow and Chris' assistant will be here in the morning. She will be the one meeting with you in Bon Temps to help with all the wedding details. You will need to set a schedule that suits you not her, Chris will also keep contact with you. I wish I could be of more assistance but I know nothing about these types of things and I also believe I am not allowed to see your dress before the wedding" (He smiled and lightly kissed my lips). "I think you should also contact Claudine, she could be of great assistance also. Sweetheart, are you sure all this is fine with you or would you like more time?"
"Wow Bill, that's a lot but I think I can handle it, it's not like I am going to be doing it alone. At least I won't have to worry about draining my bank account and can use the money for the dress if I don't find something second hand. Maybe I can get something made if I can't find one I like." I was again lost to my wedding high, Bill just shook his head and rolled his eyes at me teasingly.
"What? Bill, you just don't understand. Like every southern girl I always dreamt of my wedding day, it's just that I never thought I'd be planning my wedding let alone that I'd find someone that would want to marry me. I had …." Bill's lips quieted me.
"I wanted you to be mine forever, since the moment I met you and if marrying you is what I have to do to get that, then that is what I will do everyday if I have to. Still, exactly what is it that I am required to do?" He asked inquisitively.
"Baby, all you have to do is agree with whatever I say, occasionally giving me your opinion and show up for the wedding rehearsal and the wedding on time." I laughed.
"I can do that. Can we also rehearse for the honeymoon?" He asked leaning into my mouth, his fangs already out for me. I had to pull myself away to answer and breathe.
"We can practice for the honeymoon until the end of the month. After that no more sex until we're married." His face went paler than normal with shock.
"Sookie, you are kidding me right? Two months without sex? You want me to abstain for two months? Do you realize what I will do to you on our honeymoon? I know you are joking, you won't last two weeks. You are as bad as me actually much worse."
"Is that a dare Mr. Compton; because if it is, we can start counting from right now if you like?" I looked him in the eyes, daring him to dare me. I've been without sex for longer than two months all I needed to do was avoid being alone with him until we're married.
"No! Not tonight, tonight I want this." he pulled me into him and brought his mouth to my neck as he bit down. The sensation was amazing; it didn't hurt at all I just felt my arousal go from one to a million in a flash. I moaned as he sucked in my blood his hands finding their home between my legs. Bill grunted as he pulled in my blood and I felt each grunt inside me causing me to groan myself.
He flipped me over on my stomach and placed himself above me kissing my neck and my back; his tongue leaving a wet trail on me. He entered me with a deep thrust and I let out a moan that possibly was heard by all in the palace. He pushed in to the hilt and pulled himself almost completely out with each thrust. He pulled me up into him, my knees and arms supporting my body as he continued to drive himself into me. I wanted this, I wanted more of him, I needed him all over me; I took his hand in mine and pulled his fingers into my mouth making Bill push deeper into me as he let out a deep groan. I sucked at his finger as if it was his cock each pull my mouth gave gained me a deeper sweeter thrust from Bill as he found my special spot making me shiver under him as I bit hard into his fingers drawing blood.
"Drink, drink from me darling" Bill said between grunts and thrusts and I did. I felt myself tighten around him and felt him grow harder inside me.
"Tell me you're mine. Tell me you love me," he said before hitting my spot again.
"I… I love you. I'm yours. Oh God Bill, I'm Yours. Don't stop please don't stop. Whatever you do don't stop. Fuck me harder but don't stop. Oh shit honey I'm… Oh Bill. Oh fuck, oh fuck oh fuck! Aah" I dug my nails and mouth into his arms biting down as I came. Bill grunted and picked up his pace pulling me up into him and releasing himself into me; letting out a primal growl of his own. He flipped me over and looked into my eyes entering me again and making me groan. "Don't move" he said as he started to thrust into me building up my climax again. I wasn't sure how many times I came or if it was all an extended climax, Bill came two more times only biting me once more. By the time we were done, the bed was drench from our juices. Sexually sated and with dawn fast approaching Bill moved me to the dry area of the bed and we held each other until I woke in the morning.
I gingerly got out of bed, my body sore from our sexual marathon. I had the impression Bill was trying to make up for the months we would be abstaining until we marry; I wondered if I'd be able to abstain for two months myself. I took a shower and called down for breakfast, the light on the phone blinked that a message had been left for us. I called the operator and she informed me that there was a delivery from someone named Leif (Eric's name when he went incognito), it would be brought up with my breakfast.
I brushed my teeth and wrapped myself in my robe as I waited for my breakfast wondering what Eric had sent. I closed the steel reinforced bedroom door setting it to lock itself after typing the security code. A bell alerted me to the presence of my breakfast being brought up and I opened the door to find two young ladies; one pushing a food cart and the other a beautiful but extremely huge flower arrangement. The food was arranged on the dining room table and the flowers placed on its center, a card clearly visible. I thank them for their service and saw them to the door, locking it and setting the security doors in place.
I ate my breakfast while staring at the flowers and the little card; I noticed one strange and somewhat obscene flower I'd received before from Eric and felt sadness in my heart. I finished my breakfast, went to the bathroom to turn on the water in the spa and took my cell phone and the card with me to the bathroom to read it there. I didn't know if I wanted to hide it from Bill or not; I figured I would decide after I read it…