Disclaimer: Sookie Stackhouse - Southern Vampire Mysteries belong to Charlaine Harris. I DO NOT own this story!

Chapter 8

Sookie's Point of View

The trio made their way down a route Sookie had only taken once before. When she first came here Eric and his brother took her to Eric's chambers were Niall was waiting for them and everything…well most things were explained as to why she was here.

"Eric what happens at breakfast?" she asked, suddenly feeling very nervous.

"Nothing much," he replies in a tone that's hard to read.

Christian jumps in and explains what Eric did not.

"We walk through the door we went through when you first came to Eric's chambers and the people rise in greeting. Then they wait for us to take our seats. Mr High-Handed here says a few words of wisdom or something and then we say grace; thanking the Gods and Goddesses for our food, health and families."

Sookie noticed Christian seemed to like the way she described Eric when she called him 'Mr. High-Handed!' But hell it was true, so she didn't feel bad about calling him that.

When they reached the door, she suddenly found herself very nervous and tense. Eric seemed to pick up on this because he pulled her closer into his side. His scent alone seemed to calm her nervousness so when his arm tightened possessively around her waist she rested her head against his shoulder. Eric paused, letting Christian in front.

Christian walked passed and winked at her half smirking, half smiling as he made his way out of the door. From what she could see the vast dining hall was packed and she listened to Christian's mini speech as she watched the scene play out before her.

"My loyal subjects I would like to apologise for our King's and my delay to start the day. We apologise for keeping you waiting. I would like you all to stand in greeting our King this morning and his mistress."

Sookie stiffened at being referred to as a mistress. Eric sensed this and pinched her side in warning to keep quiet. She kept her mouth shut.

Mixed Point of View

He wasn't a fool to not miss the fact that he didn't get his usual greeting. The noise level wasn't the same. The people still rose, but the volume was mute with the odd clap. People seemed to be in shock or in a state of disbelief that he'd taken up a 'mistress' and was bedding only one woman.

He didn't really blame them. He was known for his womanizing ways but Sookie was something else. She was meant for him and if that meant he had to give up his old ways to have her and keep her in his time, then he'd do that.

Eric moved forwards with Sookie in his arm after his brother's introduction and moved along the raised pallet and towards the long wooden table centre stage.

Christian was well aware of the people's reactions and the stiff tense form of his brother's shoulders as he led Sookie, who was looking anywhere but the crowd before her. He followed closely behind them, sending a warning look to the crowd before them.

Sookie felt awkward and really uncomfortable. She could tell Eric wasn't happy about something and the vice grip around her waist was the only thing that was keeping her from running back through the door that she came from.

She had a feeling that this wasn't the usual reception that Eric got in the morning when he and Christian came down for breakfast and that she was the cause of this not so normal greeting. Judging by the thoughts of Eric's people she knew it was her and it was becoming increasingly difficult to keep their minds out of hers, especially when they were practically screaming directly at her.

When they reached the centre table, that felt like it took forever to reach, Eric pulled out a chair to the left of a large throne-like one and she sat down, silently thanking him with her eyes. As his met hers he nodded and sat down next to her in the throne and took her hand in his, squeezing hers in comfort. She gave his hand a little squeeze in acknowledgement.

Christian took his place not next to Eric but one chair down from his brother. He was not a King. The place Eric currently occupied was where their father used to sit when he was alive and the empty place between himself and Eric was where their mother would have sat next to their father.

Christian could also see a few jealous and dark gazes directed towards Sookie sitting. These gazes were from his brother's flings. None of them had ever sat at the 'Royalty' table, neither had any of the women he'd had or dated.

Christian would be lying if he said he wasn't surprised that Eric had brought Sookie to their table. But then after hearing the strange man from the future, Niall's, explanation he wasn't surprised. If what he'd said was true, then Sookie and Eric are destined for each other. Also if what the man Niall had said was true then Sookie was of Royal blood too, meaning of course Eric wouldn't allow her to sit at a table before him and dine like an ordinary person; he'd have her next to him or at some place on the 'Royalty' table.

Eric stood, pulling Christian out of his thoughts as he heard the chair scrape against the wooden floor. He must have missed something because there were now curious faces mixed in with the jealous and dark glares. He watched as those before them took their seats and listened to his brother's speech.

"Ladies and Gentlemen I'd like to apologise for our late arrival to dine this morning with you all this day. We had a little situation to deal with."

Christian couldn't stop the smirk that his lips formed and knew the amusement he felt was shining in his eyes as he remembered the maid.

"I'm sure you all have noticed we have a guest amongst us. The guards will be punished for the way she was treated upon her arrival. She is of Royal blood; a Princess from another land and will stay here until her family come to collect her. Thieves stole her from her home land and left her here, even after her grandfather who raised her gave the thieves the money they wanted in return for the Princess. She's travelled long and far and will be treated with respect; the same amount of respect as my brother and I receive." Eric said.

Christian had trouble stopping his eyebrows from rising at the made up story that was partly true. Eric turned and glared at his brother, who looked up and smiled innocently up at him.

"Also, Sookie is not my mistress brother." He turned back to look at the people. "I will say this once and only once. What myself and our Princess do behind closed doors is nobody's business. I am King and I will choose who I court and who I may not court. I will also choose my own wife. Neither I nor my brother will be forced or pressured into marriage or blackmailed into dating one of your daughters out of sheer jealousy or any other means. If I want to take our Princess here as my wife then I will; with her consent. If I choose to court, I will choose to court whomever I please."

Sookie kept her face completely blank through out Eric's speech giving nothing away. She kept her eyes fixed on the wall above the people's head in front of them. They'd spoken about what to say to Eric's people about her arrival and the story behind it. They hadn't made anything set in stone but she guessed what Eric said was close enough to the truth. She was glad the table had a barrier of wood in the front of it so people wouldn't be able to see that when Eric sat down his hand went to her thigh and hers rested on his.

"Now we dine." Eric said, as he nodded to one of the guards near one of the side doors that she guessed led to the kitchens.

True enough cooks and maids came out with dishes of various breakfast things and talk and laughter filled the vast hall and women had their heads pressed together gossiping.

Sookie of course new it was gossip regarding the King's speech.

So, what did you guy's think of Eric's speech?