A/N: I hope everybody is having an enjoyable weekend so far. I wanted to take the time to thank those of you who pm'd me with suggestions as to where Eric would take Sookie for this little chat. I love hearing any sort of feedback from my readers since these stories have the dual purpose of entertaining us all and helping me to refine my craft. Please, enjoy.

Sookie POV:

I didn't want to admit Eric was right about my claustrophobia, but I was starting to feel suffocated in that little basement. When he made the suggestion to take a walk outside, I sprinted up the stairs with Eric's laughter following me. I pushed my annoyance down and replaced it with relief that I was finally free from that cavernous and dark room.

I rushed up a flight of stairs to a landing with what appeared to be the front door directly in front of me. I glanced around and took in the layout of the house. To my right there was another smaller flight of stairs that lead to a spacious living room with large windows that would let in plenty of sunshine during the day. However now, the windows were dark and serene. I walked toward them, swearing I just saw something flash past. The closer I came to the window, the more speechless I became. It was snowing outside. I had never really seen snow and the closest I got to freezing my butt off was in Rhodes. I had a sneaking suspicion that we were further north than that now.

I turned around to find Eric watching me. So many emotions ran through my mind, but I was curious as to how he was feeling. I opened myself up to the bond and felt it surround me. Instead of the usual feeling of drowning in emotion I got from the bond, it felt like what I imagined snow to feel like. It whirled around me, circling my entire being in earnest.

"How do you like it?" I was broken out of my reverie by his silky voice. He was trying to turn on the charm to make me forget myself. That shit wasn't going to work on me.

"Where are we Eric?"

"I thought we could use a location that cancels out all interruptions. We're far enough from the rest of the world and its distractions to properly talk."

"You don't think you could have told me about this little excursion before going all caveman on my ass? You still haven't answered my question. Spit it out Northman."

"I knew you'd never consent; that you'd give me attitude and give me all sorts of excuses. As far as where we are, we are currently in my house in Barrow, Alaska."

"So I get no say in this at all? You could of at least asked me so maybe it seemed like you actually gave a damn about my input!"

"There is one particular reason as to why I picked Alaska instead of the Bahamas."

"And what reason would that be?"

He smiled impishly before replying, "I think I'll leave that up to you to figure out eventually." How the hell did this man get under my skin so much. His habit of being calm and smug just made me want to punch him or maybe at least slap him. Sadly, something about that image actually turned me on, which he most definitely noticed, but still said nothing. I kept trying to figure out why Eric would choose Alaska. He probably loves snow since it's part of his Viking heritage to love the cold.

"Because you love snow?" He laughed heartily at that, which only served to ruffle my feathers even more.

"Will you quit laughing at me? I get that you pulled one over on me, but I don't really find any part of this situation funny. Not in the least."

"Lover, I'm not laughing at your expense. I'm sorry if I made you feel humiliated. I didn't do this to deceive you. I'm being completely honest when I say that I want to come to some sort of understanding with you. We need to discuss the changes in our relationship since our bonding."

I snorted, "What relationship Eric? These past months I haven't heard a word from you. You think I want to have a relationship with somebody who... who doesn't even love me" He flinched at that, "who looks at me like an asset, a prize to be won? I am not a chase, not some challenge for you to complete, and certainly not a fucking fangbanger who exists to provide you with sex and blood."

He took a step towards me and I backed away until my skin was pressed against cold glass. He flinched once more. I didn't want him to touch me. I would lose all resolve if he touched me and I needed to have my wits about me. Instead of coming closer, he took a step backwards and sat on the ottoman closest to him.

"You know I love you. I have done all that you have asked of me and more. I bonded myself to you, not because you are an asset, but because I wanted to share this experience with you. I have made myself vulnerable and weak with love for you. I have respected your wishes to remain mortal, even though it makes me cry to think of my existence without you in it. I have always and will always protect you and love you. I will die for you."

My stubborn side just would not give up, though a large part of me agreed with everything he said. I couldn't allow anybody to hold this kind of power over me. I don't like or even understand the bond. If he really loves me, he has an awfully weird way of showing it. A thought came to my mind.

"How can I know that what you're saying is the truth? You could just be using the bond to your advantage. How do I know which feelings are mine?"

He looked at me with a mixture of hurt and exasperation.

"What do you want me to do Sookie?"

"I want proof. I want something tangible that leaves no doubt in my mind that you love and trust me."

"Very well."

He stood up immediately and walked into a dark room behind him. It was pitch black and I couldn't see anything. "Eric, what are you doing?" He didn't say a word, but instead the light in what I now recognized as a dining room was switched on. Even from far away, I marveled at the craftsmanship of the table and chairs. Eric knelt down next to one of the chairs and snapped the leg clean off of it. I gasped and the next second he was standing right in front of me. His beautiful blue eyes showing nothing but love. The soft light from the dining room fell upon his back and the rest was darkness. He took my hand that had been plastered to the glass and placed the broken-off table leg into my palm, making sure I had a grip of it before he let go.

"Eric, what is this?"

"This is a test for us both Lover. You need to know that I love and trust you and I want you to finally admit you love me. The best part of this test is that if you don't love me- if you hate being bonded to me so much- then here's your chance to be rid of me, and I won't have to live knowing you don't love me."

He started to unbutton his shirt and knelt down in front of me.

"It's up to you Sookie. I won't stop you. Both of our lives are in your hands."

A/N: So what's she going to do? Why did Eric choose Alaska? The anticipation is killing me. I'm going to start writing the next chapter now and if I get 10 reviews on it, I'll post it tomorrow. Let me know what y'all thought of the chapter. Hugs and kisses, PIP.