Disclaimer: Sookie Stackhouse - Southern Vampire Mysteries belongs to Charlaine Harris.

Chapter 14

Eric and Sookie finally materialized from under the covers after several rounds of lovemaking before the maid came in with Sookie's clothing for the day. Both of them were very quiet and lost in their own thoughts. Though they were alone in the room and there was no threat of immediate danger, Eric felt an overwhelming urge to stay close to Sookie.

He felt a fool for putting her in direct line of a possible enemy. Hell, he knew he'd just made an enemy out of Crawford, though the man should be thankful that he let his daughters stay at court. When the maid came, Eric slipped on his black linen trousers and boots and kissed Sookie on the lips. He told her to let the maid help her with the clothing before he left the room.

As he passed the maid, he told her to bring Sookie to his study, where he would be waiting. When he reached the study he was surprised to see Sookie's great-grandfather perched on top of his carved, handmade wooden desk.

"Viking," the irritating man said.

"Prince," he said, using the same tone as the man before him. "To what do I owe this un-announced visit?" He asked.

"I can see that you and my great-granddaughter are becoming more than just friends. I can smell her on you."

Eric didn't know whether to feel revolted by the man's declaration that he knew he and Sookie had been intimate or thrilled that if Sookie's scent was on him, that would mean that his scent would be on her; so perhaps others would be able to tell in the same way the irritating twit in front of him could - that Sookie was… is… his.

"You did not answer my question." Eric pointed out, wanting to get off of the topic of his relationship with Sookie.

"Oh but Viking, I'm here to talk about my great-granddaughter, you, your brother and his Lady friend."

Eric raised an eyebrow, but remained silent.

"Viking, dark days lie in your path ahead. My great-granddaughter has been here for nearly a month now. The danger that approaches will be fatal to you both, as well as to those around you. I must warn you that if you do not claim Sookie as yours properly and do right by her, then things may not go according to the prophecy."

"Stop speaking in riddles, old man and just tell me the truth. I know of Sookie's mind reading... She's the reason Lady Isabelle is here now."

"That is a good step, a good progress. It means she is starting to open up and trust you as well as being intimate. You have four months, Viking. During the fifth month is when the danger will start to be more open and begin to act. Follow your heart, and act on your instincts." He watched the Viking's color start to change to a red-purple, and he added in before the Viking could start raging at him, "Continue to do what you are doing, and do not hold back. Trust Sookie and let her in on your meetings. Allow her to become a counselor to you. She can be of great help to you and your people, if you let her into your life fully and not just intimately." He paused, "I am glad you let her out of here. I feared I would have to step in."

Then the irritating man was gone with a pop. Sookie came rushing in with the maid trailing behind her, calling for her to come back.

"Eric?" Sookie asked, noticing the angry, confused and irritated look on his face. She knew all too well, as she watched him unclench his fists.

"Leave, maid." Eric said through clenched teeth, the maid huffed but she followed the order. She, too, didn't miss the fact that the princess had called her king by his first name. The maid left without a moment to lose, noticing the angry look on the king's face.

Sookie rushed over to Eric, and he pulled her into his embrace, burying his head in her hair and inhaling her unique scent.

"Eric?" Sookie asked again, warily. She'd felt the sudden change in the air around them and recognized the shift in the air, that signified that her great-grandfather's arrival.

"Sookie..." Eric whispered.

"My great-grandfather was here, wasn't he?" she asked. Eric stiffened, and that was all the confirmation she needed.

"What did he want?" she asked, feeling a little hurt. It must have shown in her tone when she spoke, because Eric took hold of her chin and met her gaze.

"He didn't really say much, and kept talking in riddles." Eric grumbled, frustrated.

"Well, if you tell me what he said, then maybe I can be of help, and perhaps work around those riddles. I'm used to it," she offered, looking up into his eyes pleadingly. He told her everything that Niall had said. He watched as various emotions flickered through her eyes and color change in her face.

"What is it, lover?" Eric asked her, when he noticed that she'd turned a little green.

"I think I know what he means regarding the danger, but unfortunately that will be something I can't tell you." She looked at him sadly, and he found he hated seeing her sad.

"The other things I think he is referring to are topics that I don't think we are ready for." She whispered the last part.

Eric arched an eyebrow. "Do you mean commitment?" he asked her, watching her eyes lower. He titled her chin up further, and gripped it a little more firmly, but in a gentle way.

"I think he wants us to get married, and have me pregnant, before the danger arrives." Sookie whispered so quietly Eric had to really put his hearing to use.

"Why would he force such a delicate topic and task upon us?" Eric mused. He liked the thought of having little blond haired blue eyed babies running around his rooms, including making Sookie his, officially and having a ring on her finger, making it plainly obvious she was his.

"Eric?" Sookie asked him, recognizing the look on his face and not liking it at all.

"Are you ready to leave lover?" He asked her, glancing down at her attire, for the first time, he thought that she looked beautiful in a dress of royal blue silk that hugged her frame perfectly in all the right places. The dress itself had a bodice that was done in a corset style that was attached to a floor length skirt that fitted the corset nicely.

Eric bent down to brush his lips against hers.

"Beautiful." He whispered. There was yet another knock on the door. It felt like they were forever being interrupted.

Eric rested his forehead against Sookie's, and she was looking up at him shyly through her eyelashes; they stayed like that for a few moments, before the person knocked again impatiently.

Eric growled in frustration and went to swing the door open with force to be greeted by an annoyed and unkempt looking Christian.

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