Sookie's POV
I could feel his blood coursing through me. I could feel our new connections forming like thousands of strong cords anchoring us to the other. He was very calm while I explained my powers. His outward expression revealed none of the amazement the bond expressed. I am overjoyed that he likes touching me as much as I like it.
We arrived at Fangtasia just as he finished speaking. Before I could blink he was at my door and escorting me to the rear of the club. We entered the employee door, walked down a short hallway and entered his office. It was decorated in rich colors and mahogany wood. His desk was large enough to accommodate his towering frame and was as sturdy as the hand-carved bookcase, cabinet, and chairs. An old leather couch filled up one wall and was nearly the color of the wood. The carpet was a rich coffee color and the walls were painted a honey color with a bit of a metallic effect. It was very beautiful but remained masculine. There were two doors in his office, beyond his desk and on opposite sides of the wall.
Eric seated himself at his desk. "Lover, I have a few proceedings to preside over. These discussions may be uncomfortable for you but I feel it is your best interest to remain in attendance. It will help you learn our ways better, I will feel more at ease if you are in my presence, it will show the others how important you are to me, and it will let all know that you are mine."
Just as well because I was not keen in participating in vampire politics. I climb into his lap and am overwhelmed with the amount of comfort, relief, and happiness this act brings us both. I only hope I can behave myself. I lay against Eric's chest while he reads some paperwork at vampire speed. Eric softly says "Enter" to a quiet knock from the door. Pam steps in the office and greets me with a broad grin. "I am so glad that you could both make it. I was beginning to worry. In any case I have your meetings scheduled consecutively so that you may head back to New Orleans when you are through here. Your first appointment is here and eager to avail you of your mercies".
"Bring them Pamela. Make sure the basement is prepared first. I have a feeling that you may have a few guests before the evening is through." He spoke with a hint of teasing in his voice and his grin only added to his sexiness.
I remained quietly on his lap absorbing everything around me. I had been taught some about vampire culture but it was a rather twisted and biased view. Not to mention that reading and hearing about something is not nearly the same as experiencing it. Eric kept touching me and I must admit that I really liked it. His fingers ghosted up and down my arm, through my hair, and around my waist. I warmed under his affections and was barely aware when Pamela opened the office door to escort Eric's first appointment in.
A short fat man entered the office and he was looking quite nervous. Ahh, he's the accountant for Fangtasia and a few of Eric's other businesses.
"Mr. Langley what can I help you with this evening. The last we spoke you indicated some rather pressing matters and an unwillingness to speak over the phone."
"Mr. Northman, thank you for meeting with me so quickly. I am not sure how to say this… I mean….. well you see….."
"It wasn't him lover, it was the one that is at your bar now." I say confidently from my comfortable position.
"What did you say?" Eric pushes me forward on his lap a bit and turns me so that he can see my face.
"He is too nervous to speak to you lover." I turn to look at the accountant "Isn't that right Mr. Langley? You are afraid to tell Mr. Northman what is wrong because he may take it out on you. It wasn't you though. Don't worry, my lover is no fool. You may go." Mr. Langley did not even wait to make eye contact with Eric again he stumbled and fumbled his way out of Eric's office as quickly as he could. Eric watched the exchange silently until his office door was once again closed.
"Lover, you have some explaining to do."
"Not really lover, since I already told you about my telepathy. It was very easy to read from your accountant's mind that $60000 is missing from your bar funds and he was afraid to tell you because he thought you may blame him. I knew that it was not him since I caught from the blond waitress's thoughts that she couldn't wait to join Longshadow after work but she hoped he would share some of the cash he leaves with at night with her again. He glammoured her not to speak about it but did not glamour her to not think of or remember it."
"You got all of this sitting here on my lap?"
"Yes lover. Are you upset with me?" I ask with worry in my voice and a little quiver in my lip.
"No angel, you did very well. I am pleased that you used your gift to help protect my interests." His mouth had gotten closer to my neck "I will have to find some way to reward your efforts" he lowly growled the last line sending his hot breath over my sensitive juncture and delicious shivers down my spine.
A knock brought him back to his upright position and I relaxed deeper into his hold. Pam opened the door "Alcide Hearveaux to see you majesty." She stepped away and a giant of a man entered. He was around six feet tall, black wavy hair that was nicely groomed and brushed away from his face, olive complexion, and gorgeous. His mind gave him away, were.
"Your majesty, thank you for meeting with me. I understand that my father owes you a great debt. He is no longer able to fulfill his obligations and I would appreciate it if you and I could work something out in order to satisfy this debt."
"Why, exactly, is Jackson Herveaux no longer able to meet his obligations?" Eric asked very directly.
Alcide looked at me when he answered "He is dying. He has cancer. I settled in closer to Eric's side.
"Are you planning to assume all of your father's debts?"
"Yes your majesty. It is my understanding that nearly all of them fall to you or a member of your kingdom. It may be more efficient and effective if I only have to answer to you."
"You are correct and lucky Herveaux. I agree to allow you to repay all your father's debts in Louisiana to me. I will notify the other debt holders in my state and clear your debts with them. I will hold all of them. I assume you will be taking over leadership of the Long Tooth pack?"
"Yes your majesty. I am alpha now."
"Good. Your first task is to arrange your best guards to work for me. I will need four of them. They will work in shifts of two at a time around the clock. I want them at the royal compound by dusk tomorrow. They will be given very important guard duties and will be compensated fairly. Their failure will result in your death so choose wisely. Also, you and your pack will assist me in the future when I call on you, failure to respond or comply may result in your death as well."
"Yes your majesty." Alcide was looking at me again and I could feel Eric's ire rising.
"You may tell Pamela to send in my next appointment."
Alcide knew when he was being dismissed. He broke his eye contact with me and left the office. Eric was mumbling under his breath to himself and did not seem to be able to decide whether he wanted to purr and rub on me some more or if he wanted to growl and get rough. I turned and kissed him. I pulled my legs up so that I could face him straddling his lap.
"Do not be upset lover. That wolf was only curious. He did not recognize me for who or what I am but he thought I smelled good. He has never seen you with someone like me or being so affectionate with anyone either. He was confused."
"Lover, did you get all of these things from his mind?'
"Yes, that is okay right? I really can't help it."
"It is just fine. I am very glad that you are here with me. I can't wait to show you how glad I am you are with me." He kisses me very slow and sensuously.
Pam clears her throat outside the door and opens it. "Your majesty your last appointment is here, Mr. Compton."
I can feel my pulse speeding up with thoughts of that creepy stalker. His appearance in the doorway does nothing to calm me. Eric pulls me tighter to him and lets me hide my face in the crook of his neck. He brushes his fingers through my hair and traces patterns on my back. I try to relax and focus on the safety and comfort he is sending through the bond and his soothing touch.
"Pam, place an ad for a bartender. You need to hire one immediately." Read stake Longshadow, and then replace him.
"Absolutely, your majesty." Pam left the office grinning.
"Your majesty" says grease ball with a slight bow as he enters Eric's office.
"Compton, I did not realize I had a meeting with you. Quite frankly, what are you doing in my kingdom?"
"Your majesty, I only just arrived in the last few days. My last remaining relative has passed and his property was forfeit to me. I would like to move back to the area and mainstream. I lived my human life here and I would like to reconnect with my roots. I was hoping meeting with you would count as my official check in."
"Why Compton did you feel it necessary to meet with me? And you have only been in my state for a few days?"
"Yes, I just arrived just two nights ago and King De Castro asked me to speak with you regarding a human in your territory."
I knew Eric could hear the oily lies roll off of his tongue as clearly as I had. He nudged me a bit so that I would look up at him. "My darling, do you hear his lies as clearly as I" he asked me while holding my face in his hands.
"Yes lover. His lies are thick and slimy."
Compton watched our exchange with rapt attention before foolishly interrupting. "I do not know who this blood-sac is that you would think to listen to her over me."
Eric and I both turned our heated glares at him. "I will always listen to her over you because she is everything and you are nothing. Now what human in my territory is De Castro interested in and why? Also, what are you doing running errands for De Castro? I recall your fealty belonging to Edgington."
"Just some young man in Bon Temps, he is supposed to be very attractive. De Castro has need of someone particularly beautiful in his retinue. Russell has never stopped me from earning a little on the side."
"Do you feel the lies lover? They are making me nauseated." Eric strokes my hair and pats me back into the crook of his neck.
"It is really pathetic William when a young girl is capable of seeing through your bull shit. Since you do not seem to be forthcoming or honest and you have behaved inappropriately towards my bonded, I know that you have been harassing her for the last week! You will be held until I am satisfied of your loyalties, allegiances, and motives for being in my area. Pamela!"
Pam stepped in the door once more. "Pamela, you are to escort Mr. Compton to our guest quarters. He may stay a while, be sure to make sure he is secure and comfortable."
Pam snickered then rushed to do Eric's bidding. I get the feeling that Eric was not being literal when he spoke of Bill's accommodations. I also get the feeling that Pam especially enjoys following Eric's orders regarding punishment and violence.