Disclaimer:
Anything you recognise belongs to the creative genius that is Charlaine Harris and/or Alan Ball. I'm just playing around with their universe(s).
A/N:
Can you dedicate a chapter? If so, I'd like to dedicate this one to all you unregistered reviewers, whom I can't PM directly to say thank you for awesome feedback. So Phoenix, Jofrench22, Ali, VampireElf, Clara, all you unnamed Guests and anyone I've shamefully forgotten; thank you.
xXx
16
After getting into the black limousine Nora had arrived in, the little redhead had immediately climbed on top of Godric's lap like some common house pet, where she now sat with her arms wrapped around his chest, staring unblinkingly at Nora with no small amount of distrust in her strange eyes.
The brunette kept her face passive as she watched her Maker with his new Daughter. When Rosalyn had mentioned that the ancient Sheriff of area 9 in Texas, despite numerous refusals to entertain the subject of area-wide efforts in increasing the vampire population, had sired a young one, Nora hadn't felt the same astonishment as the rest of the Council. She hadn't partaken in the jests of the magical vagina this Daughter would have to be in possession of, and she had had no illusions of the girl being a vision of beauty. No, as Godric's first Daughter, she knew better than anyone that beauty and physical pleasure didn't hold the ancient being's interest for more than a night or two, and never would he choose a Child for such superficial qualities.
Of course, she hadn't exactly expected that he would have chosen a progeny as some sort of charity case either. Nora stared back at the feral thing, wondering what was so special about her, when the world was literally filled with underprivileged humans he could have chosen to bestow this great gift on. Humans, who wouldn't have turned into half-savages, who could have been an advantage in the political scene, as she had, or been an admirable warrior, like her brother. This baby vamp… what skills did she bring?
Her gaze flickered to Godric, who seemed content in letting the two females measure each other up in silence. He held the redhead loosely around the waist, but as soon as she shifted against him, his hand came up to stroke her smooth hair in a soothing gesture. She, in turn, leaned into his touch, not lessening the comparison to a pet. Whatever his reason to turn her, they clearly had a strong bond now.
Nora shifted in the seat, ignoring the sting of jealousy. He had always been kind to her, too, especially when she was new, and when the adoration in Irin's eyes inevitably turned to lust, she too would face a kind and polite rebuttal. There was no need to envy the years of frustration and hurt her little Sister had ahead of her, when the pull to be close to her Maker would be the thing that pushed him away.
"Kitten."
Irin's gaze snapped from Nora's blank face to her Maker's, the sound of his soothing voice breaking the silent staring contest between the two females.
"Before we arrive you should know that no one is aware Nora is my Daughter – and it needs to stay that way. Do you understand?"
She frowned at him. "Why?"
A small snort sounded from the other seat. "Why do you think to question your Maker in matters that go above your understanding?"
"Nora, please." Godric clamped a hand around the redhead's shoulder, the pressure from his fingers indicating that she best not retaliate. "Do not presume to interject when I am instructing my progeny."
Irin blinked at the steel in his still-soft tone; she was not used to that being directed at anyone but her, and a quick glance at her Sister's face told her that it had the exact same effect on others; the brunette had visibly shrunk back into the seat, her lips moving involuntarily once before she managed to smooth out her features again.
"Apologies, Father," she offered meekly. "I meant no offense."
He nodded once and turned his attention back to his youngest, who was still pretty astonished at witnessing a trademark Godric Scolding as a spectator rather than the receiver. "Vampire politics are complicated, little one, and the less information another has on you, the more leverage you gain. The ignorance of the rest of the Council members on our relationship has benefitted us all on more than one occasion."
That sounded mightily complicated – to keep family ties a secret for political gain. And lonely. She glanced at the brunette again, feeling an odd pang of pity for her. To stay away from her Maker, only seeing him when there was an excuse like this meeting… The mere thought made her shudder and bury in closer, forcing his arm up over and around her shoulder before digging her fingers into his taut stomach muscles in a silent demand to be held tighter.
Sighing quietly he obliged her, and she relaxed into the firm embrace, her fingers uncurling and snaking around his back. If he ever got the bright idea to ship her off somewhere for political advantages, he'd have to part with an arm first, because she wasn't letting go of him – ever.
She breathed in his scent and allowed the calming sensation of his hard body against- and around hers to block out the presence of his real Daughter, even when they started talking quietly about places and people she didn't know. After this visit it'd just be the two of them again – along with his annoying work schedule –and Nora would be out of sight and out of mind. He was hers now, and hers alone.
Something deep within pulled warmly and possessively as her mind finally put words to the feelings that had been sparked the night he claimed her as his own. She had accepted and welcomed the notion that she was his, but she hadn't fully understood how the claim went both ways. He was her Father and Protector, her Sun in the eternal night, but also hers to protect and care for.
The redhead glanced up at his calm face, wondering how she could guard him from dangers. Was there even anything he would not be able to combat, save the sun itself? His power always radiated from him, leaving no doubts of his strength, even though it was a subtle and constant presence… not like… his. His had been violent and unpredictable, terrible in its all-encompassing force, but as she pressed against her saviour, she felt certain that even he would be no match for Godric.
Her Godric.
She wasn't quite sure what she'd expected from all the talk about a 'King's court', but it certainly hadn't been the flashy skyscraper they pulled up in front of in downtown Houston. Maybe something a bit more… castle like. Or at least an old manor home.
"Irin."
She stopped pressing her face up against the toned glass as she tried to take in as much of the impressive tower and surrounding buildings as possible, noticing several vampire guards standing immobile in strategic positions, and twisted around from her crouched-down position to look at her Maker.
"You remember what we have discussed?"
Quickly nodding her assurance she climbed back to him so she could keep her promise of staying close at all times, and he folded his hand around hers, ensuring her proximity. "Good. Are you both ready then, my Daughters?"
Did he have to throw them together with a term like that? Irin sent an annoyed glance in Nora's direction, and met equally displeased grey blue eyes. She may have felt a moment's worth of pity for the other woman's Maker-less life, but that did not mean that they shared a sisterly bond.
Perhaps, she thought as she followed Godric out of the limousine, clinging to his back at the attention of the armed guards, perhaps it would have been different if they shared blood. Maybe then she would have felt the same sort of kinship to the brunette as she had to her human brother, who, even though he had been a pain to live with, had always felt like family.
The thought of Jannik made it pull in that place in her chest where her heart used to beat. She hadn't thought about her human family much at all since her death, had been too preoccupied with trying to survive, but as she followed Godric through the sliding doors into the massive building hosting the King of Texas' residence, she remembered an echo of that life and the people who had filled it.
Her other Father had shared her colourings; an image of his kind face and the wind moving the glowing strands of his redgolden hair flickered through her mind, followed by an unexpected pain in her abdomen.
"Is all well, kitten?" The soft note of concern made her realise that she'd gasped out loud at the sudden stab, and she looked up into compassionate, bright blue eyes.
There was only him, now. The image of the man who had raised her wavered and faded, pushed back into the darkness of the time before her brutal Turning. She was only barely clinging on to the lightened area of her mind that her Godric had created; she could not delve past the darkened parts in search of what she had lost, without losing what little sanity she had regained.
Only Godric.
"Yes, Father." The final shudder of pain released its hold in her, making way for the warm affection and sensation of safety he instilled in her with his care and attention. "All is well."
A shimmer of recognition at her chosen title settled in the upward tilt of his sculptured lips, his only response being to tug her closer to his side, preparing them both for the imminent meeting with the King.