Disclaimer: Charlaine Harris owns all.
Rated M for several reasons.
Chpt 48 First Contact
SPOV
Eric's arms are wrapped around me, drawing me back into his body and away from Niall. I don't know what he's concerned about, but considering my own mixed feelings about my Great Grandfather, I'm not surprised that Eric's concern is arcing across into me like a lightning bolt. Threatening to shred our bond wide open and let all of him flood into me.
Now is such an inappropriate time for me to be stretched out twitching on the floor, yet his light inside me is blazing like the sun . . . . I feel like I'm going to explode . . . . or scream . . . . or multitask and nail both . . . . but there are several minds here that are already focussed on our weird tableau, Alcide, Thalia, Pam, Charles, and worse, de Castro . . . .
With more strength than I knew I possessed I take the deepest breath of my life, plastering my Crazy Sookie smile on, straightening in Eric's arms and even managing to tug one loose. He resists me for a split second but I bombard our connection with certainty and he acquiesces, pulling me into his side and turning us both to face Niall.
In my periphery I can see Charles go back to amusing his leggy brunette, Alcide and Thalia deliberately focussing on each other and Pam politely disengaging from her conversation to sway casually toward us. My focus is shot, I've lost de Castro and I can't spare the mental capacity to look for him.
Pam arrives, leaning briefly in, air kissing Niall's cheek and then doing the same to woman with him.
"How lovely to see you both again. Isn't it Eric?" She gushes, turning to us with a whispered. "What the fuck?"
Charles's lips quirk as he fights a smile and, bizarrely, my simple amazement that he can hear that well, he's on the other side of the room, grounds me, sets me back in touch with my senses, snaps the room back into focus.
"De Castro's coming." I hiss under my breath.
He's totally focussed on us, rabidly curious, intent . . . .
"Your Majesty!" Charles calls out, cutting him off, his leggy brunette firmly in tow. "I promised to show you the very best of New Orleans, please allow me to start by introducing you to Helena, she is a vampire rights activist and an award winning documentary film maker . . . ."
I turn my attention to Niall, whose smile would melt glaciers.
"Wonderful." He says, clapping his hands together gleefully. "Northman, you certainly know how to assemble a loyal and talented team."
A growl rumbles deep in Eric's chest, vibrating his body against mine, sending tremors of shadow through the Eric light in sympathy, and looking up I marvel again at his ability to hide what he's really feeling behind an impenetrable mask. He looks exactly the same as he has all night though what he's feeling is impotent fury.
"Crisis averted." My Grandfather continues with an indulgent chuckle.
"What do I call you?" Eric asks quietly and I glance up at him again, as if his face will give me any clues.
"For now you may call me Niall." My Great Grandfather smirks. "But if you feel an overwhelming urge to genuflect when we are in a more private setting we can discuss it again."
Eric vibrates with another soundless growl and despite not knowing what the hell is going on my fingers on his waist begin to gently knead him of their own volition. His body doesn't relax but he does stop growling, after a moment or two.
"Perhaps we should find somewhere to talk?" Niall suggests into the ensuing silence. "Desmond intimated that you wished to speak with me?"
…..
On an occasion like this a simple desire to talk is not so easy to accomplish and it was a full hour before we assembled in Eric's office, leaving Charles and Pam to bid farewell to the last of the guests.
Eric is perched on the edge of his desk, Aga seated demurely on one of the ornate sofas, Niall straight backed in a straight backed chair and me, standing, despite the crippling pain of my shoes, hovering indecisively, wringing my hands for good measure. The weight of what I don't know trying to crush me into the carpet like a potentially troublesome stain.
Tense, nervous, silence. I thought I was getting used to them but apparently not . . . .
"Alright." Niall asks finally with an amused smile. "Who wants to go first?"
Eric's eyes immediately snap to me and he raises an eyebrow, but I shake my head, shrinking in on myself, I wouldn't know where to start . . . .
He sighs, closing his eyes, almost stifling me with the depth of his resignation.
"Sookie does not know who you are." He says, finally opening his eyes and fixing them heavily on Niall.
Niall shifts in his seat, capturing me with his slightly apologetic gaze.
"And you think I should explain?" He asks Eric quietly. "Do you think it will make any difference to her?"
"No." Eric's voice is hoarse but I can't look away from my Great Grandfather's rueful smile to find out why. "But she needs to know."
…..
I don't know how I didn't sink into the nearest chair, nor dissolve into that carpet stain that would have so vexed Smith in the morning.
I felt like I was alone there, learning such potentially life altering things, like the dream recipient of the world's most barbaric pop quiz. Sookie Stackhouse, this is your heritage, live up to it, grasp it, understand it . . . .
But I wasn't alone. When Niall finally stopped speaking I found myself at Eric's side, leaning against his desk, our hands resting behind us on the wood, fingers twisted together. Pulse, light, and breathing in perfect synchronicity. Marvelling that he's still here, hasn't shoved me at Niall and run for the hills . . . .
I can't look at Niall but Aga is smiling at me gently, like she understands my chaotic thoughts.
This is somehow far worse than being a mildly disabled waitress. Nobody expects much from busty blonde waitresses, except maybe to get their beer pitcher refilled in a timely manner, or their face slapped when they go too far of a Saturday night. What's expected of a Fae Princess? Great Granddaughter of the most powerful supernatural figure in existence? Powerless, Great Granddaughter of the most powerful supernatural figure in existence.
I feel sick . . . .
I want to clutch at Eric for reassurance but I don't have the courage. It's asking too much. The feeling of solidarity I have from his close proximity could just be an illusion, surely I'm too much of a burden for anyone to bear, let alone a mortal enemy with a myriad of problems of his own . . . . no 'benefits' can be worth that . . . .
Once again I'm regretting my issues with Gran could never be resolved, unworthy bitch that I am, I'd quite like to slap her right now, what was she thinking . . . .
Jesus.
"The contract?" Eric asks quietly, breaking the silence.
Of course, there's so much more here than just my issues, Eric's . . . .
Niall sighs and I find myself able to look at him as he focusses on Eric.
"Your Maker and I were friends." He says seriously.
"Friends?" Eric's voice is incredulous.
"Yes, friends, Northman. Do we need a dictionary for this conversation?" Niall responds testily.
"Niall." Aga objects softly.
My Great Grandfather blows out a long breath.
"Thalia, Godric and I met many years ago but it is not all my story to tell." He pauses, seemingly pained by the memory. "Thalia may wish to share it with you."
My heart is hammering in my chest, I know some of it, she was thinking about it earlier during the ceremony. Sometimes I hate being able to do this, Eric deserves to know, but like Niall it isn't my place to tell him . . . .
He obviously wants to demand more but after a moment his anger subsides and he nods, briefly.
Niall settles himself more comfortably in his chair.
"My son, Fintan, Sookie's Grandfather, and I were not always on the best of terms. He was my youngest and the most like me. He did not wish to be defined by my existence, his relationship to me, he wished to live his own life and make his own way.
When I took the decision to close the Portals between realms and appoint the Keepers, he was one of the Fae who chose to remain here. Though we met from time to time over the years he told me very little about his life and he used his magic to hide it from me."
He is silent for a moment, contemplating the past.
"Most of the Fae who chose to stay in this realm did so out of opposition to me, there were times when I feared that my son was one of them."
Oh Niall . . . .
"I knew nothing about his children, my Grandchildren, Great Grandchildren, until he died and his magic faded.
You were little more than a babe in arms Sookie but already I could sense your spark.
No one knew about any of you and I wanted to respect Fintan's obvious wish for you to lead normal lives. So I watched over you."
He intense gaze turns back to Eric.
"But I have not lived as long as I have by failing to plan ahead. I knew you were Sheriff here so I sought out Godric, he agreed that Sookie's obscurity could not be guaranteed and he agreed that you, his beloved son, would be the best person to protect her, he countersigned the contracts that were drawn up in readiness."
"Why?" Eric's voice and emotions are congested and if I didn't think he'd hate me for it, I'd hug him.
"Because he also believed in souls."
"That is not an answer." Eric grinds out.
"No. But it is all the answer I should give you at this point." Niall looks sympathetic and maybe a little excited and expectant. "I realise Northman that asking you to trust me as you trust my Great Granddaughter is an exercise in futility at the moment, but nevertheless I ask it. Know that Godric loved you and only ever had your best interests at heart when he agreed to this, neither he nor I intended for this to cause you harm. Quite the opposite."
Eric's body vibrates with a silent growl that surprisingly calms when I stroke his fingers with mine where they are still joined on the desk behind us.
"The situation amused you." Eric observes.
"Yes. You are a strong vampire and a proud one. I apologise but my life has become very boring of late, your reaction to being so trapped was highly entertaining."
Oh dear, here it comes, right up from the toes, just like last time, how dare he do that to Eric, he could have been killed. With super human effort I manage to keep my mouth closed over the vomit of harsh words threatening to spew out of me. Mouth shut, keep it shut, let Eric handle this.
"Why did you cancel the contract?" Eric asks.
"It was no longer necessary." Niall shrugs with a grin.
"She is safe then?"
"No, of course not, she is a Fae Princess living in your realm. In what way will that ever be safe?"
"Then why." Eric presses with extreme patience. "Is the contract no longer necessary?"
"You are protecting her are you not? You have entered into negotiations with the Britlingens, have you not? You are committed to her safety whether she chooses to stay with you or not."
"That is beside the point." Eric snaps, edging away along the desk, breaking the contact of our fingers, leaving me suddenly cold.
"No." Niall chuckles nastily. "Actually I think you will find that is precisely the point."
"You are saving money?" Eric observes coolly, raising his eyebrow. "How very pragmatic of you . . . ."
Niall's eyes narrow dangerously and they're off. Testosterone stare down, this is usually the part of the night where I fetch Sam and he gets his baseball bat from behind the bar . . . .
Aga must be sensing the same thing because she rises to her feet and walks across to place her hand on Niall's shoulder.
There is a long tense silence.
"I protect what is mine Northman." Niall's voice is low and compelling. "I dealt with Newlin's bombers and the man himself. I removed Madden from the equation because he was a danger to my Great Granddaughter and the ones she cares about. I rescued Thalia and your child for the same reason. I will continue to do so whenever I feel it necessary."
"Your interference risks her exposure." Eric growls.
"Then perhaps, now that we know each other, we should work together to stave that off for as long as possible?" Niall suggests, suddenly the picture of reasonableness.
Such a shame I can't be.
"Excuse me." I huff. "I am right here and I would like a say in all this!"
Eric tenses and Niall smiles at me.
"Of course my dear. You have choices. You do not have to stay in this realm. You would be most welcome, and much safer, in Faery. It is where you belong."
Behind us, on the desk, Eric's large hand closes over mine.