Disclaimer: Charlaine Harris owns all.
Rated M for several reasons.
Chpt 43 Fuel
SPOV
His hair falls forward, droplets of water landing on my upturned face.
My hands come up automatically but I don't know whether it's to stop him coming any closer or because the temptation to touch him is more than I can stand.
God he feels good, my thumbs brushing over the edge of his abs as my fingers splay against his sides. Skin so smooth, so soft, muscles fluttering. I can feel his ribs moving as he starts to breathe, and my heart thudding in my chest . . . . He smells, wonderful . . . . My hands flex on him, wanting to feel . . . .
His eyes close and he shudders, his unnecessary breath stuttering.
"Your hands are warm." His voice is so quiet I can barely hear him over the blood roaring in my ears.
Don't move, don't touch me, please, I don't want to have to take my hands away, not yet . . . .
Just looking at him, those long lashes resting on his cheeks, makes my heart twist painfully in my chest, forcing my own eyes closed.
My hands slide down his body slightly and his breathing hitches, his cool breath bathing my face, chilling the water droplets resting on it.
His hands are on my arms all of a sudden, ghosting up them until they come to rest lightly on my shoulders.
Now it's my turn to shudder, gooseflesh breaking out all over me.
This feeling . . . . whatever it is . . . . I can't find the words for it . . . . it's painful . . . . exhilarating . . . . terrifying . . . .
And being mirrored back to me perfectly through our bond?
"Sookie . . . ."
Confusion . . . . uncertainty . . . .
I can hear it in his voice.
My hands, acting on instinct, tug him closer and though he doesn't resit me I feel his uncertainty spike.
Screwing up my courage I open my eyes.
And it's not a vampire, a monarch, or a jerk, staring back at me. It's just Eric. The man I thought I was getting to know and then convinced myself didn't exist.
His face slowly descends and my fingers tighten reflexively on his skin, I can't look and my eyes drift closed. His hands glide across my shoulders and up my neck until they're wrapped around my head, his fingers in my hair and his thumbs resting on my jaw, then his lips brush softly against mine and I'm lost . . . . passively resting against the door as his lips explore my face with leisurely enthusiasm, his nose rubbing lightly against mine between each pass of his lips . . . . I've never wanted anything as much as I want him to part my lips and really kiss me in this moment and there's an alien warmth building inside me, curling around his light, beginning to pulse in time with it, urging me to let go of my passivity and make him kiss me . . . . I know I can . . . .
His cell rings.
Breaking the spell, bursting the bubble, bringing us both back to our senses. Saved by the bell . . . .
His lips rest briefly on my forehead and I feel him exhale before pulling away, my hands sliding regretfully from his body as mine sags against the door seeking much needed support.
"Northman."
"Your Majesty, your first meeting is due to start in five minutes and I have a report from Area 2 you will wish to read first."
"Thank you Charles, I will be down in a moment."
There's no avoiding it, I open my eyes and we stare at each other for a moment in mutual . . . . whatever it is we're in.
"I have to go."
I nod, not trusting my voice.
"I have a meeting with Nevada's representative scheduled for nine, I do not trust Nevada, will you be able to attend?"
I nod again, not sure if the voice is actually working anyway.
"Good." And he smiles again, inflicting a little bit more damage. "I will meet you in my office."
There's some embarrassing 'after you Claude' with the door I was formerly pressed against and then he's gone.
Well, that went well, I feel I stayed completely in control there, no ground was given. Excellent. Good. I'll just nip in the shower then . . . .
…..
An hour later I make my way downstairs, filled with trepidation and a load of other things I'm refusing to think about.
The vampires are all up and about and the Palace has a very different feel to it. During the day it belongs to the human's that take care of it and there is a quiet air of purposeful activity. At night the pace is more frenetic, the humans are all far more on edge and everything is just sharper in some indefinable way.
I pause a couple of steps from the bottom of the staircase, scanning the crowd in the lobby, getting a mental feel for them all and organising my shields. It's more complicated now I can hear the vampires and I'm having to try and work out how to filter everything and control it.
I'm still hovering there wondering what to do when Charles comes to my rescue, bounding up the steps to stand next to me.
"Ms Stackhouse, it is lovely to have you back."
"Thanks." I murmur, embarrassed by his sincerity.
"His Majesty is in a meeting at the moment but he asked me to keep an eye out for you. Would you like some refreshment?"
"Yes please." My stomach rumbles in agreement, reminding me that I haven't eaten properly in a while.
"Come on." He chuckles. "I would offer my arm to escort you like a true gentleman but I am afraid His Majesty would amputate it later."
He's not entirely joking and I hesitate, consternation and confusion written on my face.
"It is perfectly natural." He assures me with a gallant smile. "His Majesty is what you humans would call an Alpha Male and if I had a woman as beautiful as you I would behave in exactly the same way."
Good grief . . . .
…
Chatting to Charles helps the time fly and it seems only moments later that he escorts me into Eric's library cum office, squeezing me past a group of vampires from Europe, who are just leaving. Their thoughts, at least the ones in English, give me pause but before I can analyse them Eric captures my attention.
Who do I have to pay to stop him leaving the top buttons of his shirts undone? Or wearing suits for that matter. Suits, no matter who is wearing them, have never done anything for me in the past, since in Bon Temps they're almost exclusively for 'hatch, match and dispatch' situations, but there's something about Eric in one that sends my hormones a little crazy.
Then, because for a moment it's only Charles and I in the room, he smiles at me.
Seeking verification my eyes flick to Charles but he's studiously, and his mind loyally, inspecting the heavily brocaded curtains.
Bereft of rescue I let go and smile back at Eric.
Who then prowls the room like a caged lion while Charles briefs us both on the Nevada representative, a vampire by the name of Vasquez who is apparently so new to a position of power in Nevada's court that intelligence has revealed little about him.
"Bring him in Charles." Eric orders.
Moments later Charles ushers in a swarthy vampire, in a very sharp suit, who is exuding a confidence he doesn't feel. He is nervous that he's been given his first chance to prove his diplomatic skills on the legend that is Eric Northman, and to say I'm fascinated in an understatement.
Eric takes his seat and offers one opposite his desk to Vasquez, who takes it with a cool nod. Jeez, these vampires are such fakes, if he was human he'd be sweating.
"Your Majesty." Charles murmurs. "Please call me if you need me."
Eric nods and he and I watch as Charles leaves the room. Vasquez would like to as well but he's sure turning in his seat would be a sign of weakness.
Eric gestures me into the other vacant chair opposite his desk.
"Your human is staying for the meeting?" Vasquez asks, raising an eyebrow as I settle myself into it.
Eric chuckles.
"I can assure you that your intelligence is correct, she cannot read your mind. However, if you were human she would certainly not need to be here, Jax's Brewery would be close enough."
Vasquez files that bit of information away for his King and looks me over once more, committing me to memory, idly wondering about bending me over one the nearby tables.
"It is unusual." He says eventually.
"I am a new King." Eric responds with an easy shrug of his broad shoulders. "Indulge me."
Vasquez is fully aware of Eric's history and scrolls through it briefly, to my absolute benefit, before wisely deciding not to question my presence any further.
"Firstly, His Majesty Felipe de Castro, King of Nevada, bids me extend you his congratulations on your ascension to the throne of Louisiana."
"Thank you." Eric replies politely.
"He is looking forward to attending your coronation in a few nights' time."
Eric inclines his head. No wonder he hates this stuff, get to the point already . . . .
"He has requested that I ascertain your willingness to discuss a number of matters during his visit."
Eric raises an eyebrow.
"And he asked me to repeat his request for your permission to bring personnel with him to conduct a search for his missing former Second, the King of Philadelphia."
"I appreciate his concern for an ally but as I have already told him, there is no need, Louisiana has already been thoroughly searched for Madden and no trace of him has been found."
"His Majesty will be most disappointed to hear that." Vasquez murmurs. "He is of course caring for Philadelphia in the King's absence but I am sure you understand that cannot continue on an indefinite basis."
"I feel his pain." Eric observes with no sincerity whatsoever. "However I can assist him no further in locating his missing friend."
"Very well." Vasquez sighs. He didn't expect Eric to grant permission but he had to ask.
"I am glad we understand each other." Eric's voice is suddenly hard, his eyes narrowed. "Perhaps His Majesty, Felipe de Castro, King of Nevada, would like to recall the vampire he already has searching my state before I am forced to do something unpleasant to them?"
"I will relay your message." Vasquez responds quickly.
I manage not to laugh, he might not be showing any outward reaction but the Nevada vampire is definitely having a clean underwear moment . . . .
"Excellent. How else may I assist your King?" Eric leans back in his chair, flipping his expensively leather shod feet up onto the top of his desk and folding his hands over his abdomen.
"His Majesty would like to use the opportunity of his visit to discuss with you any strategic and business alliances that Nevada and Louisiana may be able to forge. He has worked very closely with the former Queen in the past."
"So I understand." Eric drawls. "I am open to such a discussion."
"His Majesty will be most pleased." Vasquez, bows his head slightly.
"Is there anything else?" Eric inquires, crossing his legs at the ankles. Purple socks?
Vasquez glances at me and I smile back, even though I know what's coming and my insides are in knots.
"His Majesty would like to enter into negotiations with you for the purchase of your asset, Ms Stackhouse."
Very slowly Eric withdraws his feet from the desk and sits up, leaning forward over it.
"Ms Stackhouse is an extremely valuable asset." He observes without even looking at me. "A twice bonded asset."
"His Majesty is well aware of that fact."
"Then he should be aware that I am extremely disinclined to sell."
"He considered you would be Your Majesty, but he believes he may be able to convince you, given the opportunity."
Eric leans back in his chair again.
"Such an opportunity may be arranged." He concedes finally.
My stomach turns over and I swallow back bile.
"I will relay that to His Majesty." Vasquez is keen to be going now, on his feet already.
"Good night." Eric says coolly, watching as the Nevada vampire hustles out the door and someone closes it behind him.
"I cannot find out what de Castro is after unless I talk to him and refusing to do so would be like drawing a large target on your back. Under normal circumstances any vampire would be prepared to enter into such a negotiation even if they had no intention of selling."
"Okay." My voice comes out dry and scratchy as my eyes drop to inspect my lap.
"The contract forbade me from selling you." He continues and I find myself compelled to look at him. "But I meant what I said that night in Rhodes regardless. I will not sell you, not unless it is your desire for me to do so."
I should probably say something like thank you but once again my brain isn't sharing anything coherent with me.
"The night is still young, would you like to come to the French Quarter with me?"
"Shouldn't you be working or something?" I ask, surprised back into working order.
"It is work in a way." He says, looking slightly embarrassed. "Louisiana is a high profile monarchy, apparently it will enhance my image and that of all vampire for me to be seen enjoying the city."
My eyes widen.
"If you laugh I will be displeased." He threatens without malice.
"I'm sorry Eric." Don't even smile, just don't. "I had no idea being a King came with such indignities."
"You do realise that I hold you partly responsible for this?" His eyebrow shoots up.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
…..
Though my inner thirteen year old insisted on calling it a date there was nothing especially romantic about strolling through the city, arm in arm, surrounded by a phalanx of vampires, weres and photographers. Nevertheless, I had a great time.
A/N Happy New Year!