Disclaimer: Charlaine Harris owns all.
Rated M for several reasons.
Chpt 29 Swords and Sorcery
EPOV
First I contacted Stan to inform him I had to terminate Newlin without eliciting any useful information. He was stoic about it. And I told him, purely in conversation, that Victor Madden had been in Louisiana. All legitimate and above board.
Then I called the Queen's palace to report the raid. I did not mention that I actually had Newlin at one point, if the Queen has been told my role with the counsel she will be able to read between the lines. I did not mention Madden, though I will have to tell either the Queen or Andre, I merely asked for one of them to call me back.
I have also despatched some resources to search for Compton and sent out requests for further information on the actions of Philadelphia and his key people.
And, having re-arranged my defences and my people for the umpteenth time, I have nothing left I can do this night. Herveaux and his pack will take over guarding my safehouse and Pam's in the morning.
I haven't used this safehouse for a while so I swing by a store on the way back to pick up some bottle blood and some food items for the non-human since I sincerely doubt Thalia would have been disposed to do so. Although I am assuming she has been behaving herself since I have felt nothing untoward in the bond since earlier.
This house is small and modest, set well back in the woods and I pull the car off the road into the trees beside Thalia's, prepared to enjoy the crisp night air on the walk in, mentally tracking that the additional guards are properly deployed.
The lights in the house are blazing and I wonder what the non-human is doing to keep herself awake and so happy, and why Thalia is not out here skulking around in the darkness as she is apt to do.
The answer is obvious as I soon as I clear the tree line and I stop to watch through the picture window.
Thalia is teaching the non-human to fight with one of my short training swords. Though she has clearly never wielded a sword before she does show some promise, although when she swings again the weight of the sword pulls her off balance and she falls on her bottom, laughing. I cannot hear what they are saying, I am too far away, but I am extremely shocked when a laughing Thalia pulls the non-human to her feet and shows her the correct stance again. This time she manages to stay upright although an opponent would have decapitated her easily. They continue in the same vein for a while until the non-human is managing to take a decent swing without exposing herself to a lethal counter attack. The sight of her learning my sword is ludicrously sexy but finally tiredness seeps into the bond and she throws up her hands, collapsing on the couch.
After a short conversation Thalia darts through the rooms and out, arriving by my side in moments.
"Master's woman bored and fretful. Was distracting." She explains. "Making her useful to Master."
"I am hardly going to be sending her out to smite my enemies with a sword." I point out, totally at a loss what to make of this development.
"Shame." Thalia shrugs. "The female of the species often most smiteful."
And with a smirk she blurs away. She knows I am happy for her to rest in the house but she prefers to make her own arrangements outside.
I stay where I am, watching the non-human stretch and wriggle, working the kinks out of her muscles and attempting to get comfortable on the couch. I dare not go in just yet, I am aroused and thirsty and I am supposed to be protecting her, not attacking her like a hormone crazed human teenager.
Eventually she stops flaunting her perfect body at me and settles down, falling swiftly into a deep sleep.
Just to be sure I down a blood before entering the house. Cold it is even less appetizing but at least it takes the edge off.
Again I go through the routine of clearing my daytime chamber so she can occupy it in my stead, the secure accommodation in this house is smaller so I will rest in my office space. Then, for reasons I cannot fathom, I go back to my car to retrieve her coffee maker and supplies, placing them on the credenza in her room. I would never in a thousand years have expected to find myself in the predicament of having to care for something so complex and time consuming as a human, even if she is not a real one, she is a burden. The reality of which has me usefully and protectively annoyed as I heft her into my arms and carry her to my bed. Again.
She sighs and snuggles into my chest, her warmth and softness burning through my annoyance like flame through a cotton thread. Immediately I can feel myself growing hard, fangs throbbing in my gums.
What could it really cost me to have her, just once? Perhaps it would be enough to free me from what is becoming something of an unhealthy obsession. It can only be abstinence that causes me to have this reaction to her.
I look down as I carry her. Her head has fallen back, her long blonde hair brushing against my thighs and I do not know what captivates me more, the sweep of her lashes on her cheeks or the beat of her pulse in her slender exposed neck.
Carefully I lay her down on the bed, settling her against the pillows, turning to leave when my cell leaps into life.
"Northman." I answer quietly.
"Sheriff. Andre. I am glad you called, I needed to contact you."
Yes, you did.
"Andre, I needed to report that the King of Philadelphia has allegedly been sighted in our state."
"Yes, Eric, thank you. I am unsurprised, he came to pay his respects to our Queen."
He did?
"I appreciate your informing me but there is nothing to be concerned about."
"Very well."
"We are calling all the Sheriffs in for a meeting at the Palace tomorrow night." He continues. "I trust you will be able to attend?"
"Of course, may I ask what the meeting concerns?"
"Just a general catch-up, her Majesty considers it necessary after Rhodes, I am sure you understand."
"She is well, our Queen?"
"Of course Eric. You will bring your human. Her Majesty has requested the use of her services."
"As her Majesty wishes."
I end the call, pressing the cool panel of the cell against my forehead.
"Fuck!" I curse softly.
"Isn't it a bit risky to have everyone in New Orleans when there's a possibility of a takeover, or whatever you called it?" Her question startles me, I had not realised she had awakened.
"How could you even hear that conversation?" I demand, immediately suspicious.
She shrugs. "Too much vampire blood."
"Yes." I find myself answering her. "It is stupid. All the Queen's assets will be in one place to be attacked."
"So it's a trap?"
"I am not sure. Sophie-Anne's children would never betray her, it is a gift of hers to inspire loyalty, even that deviant Andre would not willingly cause her harm. He would, however, willing harm anyone else."
Me for instance. Or you, for another.
"You are worried about it." She states, reminding me that our bond is still open.
"You should sleep, we will have a full night tomorrow."
"What will we do?"
"I do not know."
"Your honesty is frightening Eric." She observes with a wry twitch to her soft lips.
"It is not your problem. I will ensure your safety."
"Don't I have some responsibility for it too, didn't you tell me that just last night?"
"You will take my training sword and assist?" I tease her.
"If that's the best I can do Eric." She responds in all seriousness.
We're done with this conversation and I stalk out, closing and locking the security system behind me.
NPOV
Ah. There is nothing like the glow of orgasmic fairy. The recent recipient of my hands, mouth and other pleasure giving body parts.
Aghavilla.
She gave her soul to me a long time ago.
And I probably should have married her not long after. She is the uncontested head of my consorts, the one my children consider their surrogate mother, the true mistress of my household and what is left of my heart, the only one who knows my secrets.
"Niall." She purrs, scraping her finger nails maddeningly across my scalp. "What troubles you?"
"Is this a torture technique Aga?"
"If you will it my Prince."
"Do not call me that." I huff, rolling off her warm body but pulling her tightly into my side.
"My Prince." I feel her lips curving into a smile against my chest. "Speak to me."
"Humph."
"Use your words." She purrs, maintaining her pleasurable assault on my scalp and keeping her lips pressed to my skin.
"Forgive me Aga for I have sinned." I chuckle attempting to lighten the mood.
"What did you do?"
"I may have removed a few heads I should not have done."
"Hm?"
"And used a little a magic where I should not have done."
"Sookie?"
"I have done all I should have done to provide for her in her world yet I feel compelled to do more. "
"Niall." She sighs. "You have only ever done what you have needed to do. To protect us, your people.
She is your Great Granddaughter. Fintan's last gift to you. What else would you do but attempt to protect her too?"
"I should have just brought her here."
"And I am sure she would love it." Aga chuckles. "So many relatives vying for your attention. The petty politics. They would be decimated by her hand within a week I am certain, she sounds so much like Eildith."
"Aga . . . ." I hate when my poor departed wife comes up between us.
"Niall, my love, when will you accept that your love for her does not harm me?"
Her fingers leave my hair to trail up and down my back.
"I know you love me. I accept that you cannot give me your soul. In what way are we different to most couples except in that we know?"
"I do not deserve you." I admit to her hair.
"Perhaps not." She murmurs, pursing her lips into a kiss. "But you have me anyway."
I roll her beneath me again so I can show her how much I love her, despite everything.
…..
Ortel is waiting when I leave my chambers some time later.
"I thought." He begins. "That we had decided not to interfere in the politics of the mortal realm?"
"Are you telling me off?" I ask, raising an imperious eyebrow to illustrate my point.
"I would never have the nerve Majesty." He responds with a perfectly straight face.
Cheeky fairy. Of course he has. It is one of the reasons we are friends.
"What have I missed?" I ask, deliberately lengthening my stride so he has to work hard to keep up with me.
"Well for one 'disappearing' the Reverend Steve Newlin has created a media storm of epic proportions. Half the country wants to hang him and the other half are minting him medals."
Yes. He has a point, that was perhaps not the most sensible way to mete out his punishment but it seemed appropriate.
"The Princess's soul stalker very nearly met his end over it but they were able to deal with Newlin just in time."
Alright. I will have to be more careful.
"What else?" I demand as we enter the audience hall, scattering fairies in all directions.
"More than one vampire monarch is preparing to take over the Princess's state."
"The most immediate threat?"
"Victor Madden, Philadelphia."
"Do I know him, he does not sound familiar."
"No. He is only a few hundred years old."
I lean over the bowl and peer down into the still waters, leafing through the images quickly. This Madden is not the type of vampire I will sanction to be in close proximity to my Great Granddaughter.
"Ortel."
"Majesty?"
"Summon the Keepers and fetch my sword, I am in the mood for some more interfering in the mortal realm."
"Are you sure Majesty? Perhaps we should not use your sword to resolve this particular issue, your wild side is starting to show."
"Fine. Then rouse a few of the Guard to accompany us and we will use their swords."
"You are enjoying this just a little too much." He huffs, turning away to carry out my orders.
I am not of a mind to start a war, I have after all spent far too much time and expended a great deal of energy putting a stop to them, but I am not averse to making my presence known to a new generation of vampire if it becomes necessary. And it may, if my Great Granddaughter wishes to remain in that world, which of course she might.
And then of course the trouble will start everywhere else, there are already rumblings about my recent habit of leaving the realm when no one else is afforded the same privilege.
I take a deep happy breath and allow the watching fairies to bask in my most beatific smile. I cannot remember the last time I was this less bored. It is rather wonderful.