Chapter 13

SPOV

When Niall kissed me before I returned back to my body, he transferred to me some information that I had been waiting almost 25 years to learn. As I think back on it now, I can say that it was definitely worth the wait.

I had been back for about a month. I had yet reclaimed Eric, but had already settled into a new home. Of course, it was one I had conveniently purchased from him. I had just dismissed my two handmaidens for the evening and was mediating when we saw each for the first time, again.

My eyes popped open as soon as I registered another being in my bedroom. We stare at each other for a long moment. Although no words were spoken, we both knew that our positions had changed very much. Before he finally found me, I was the one that didn't have all the pieces to the puzzle that was me. It was through pain, bloodshed (mostly my own), tears, and death that I discovered that I was a fairy. Not just any fairy, but one that had never existed before and held the power to rule over Faery and all of our kind. If you add to this that I am also the great-granddaughter of its current ruler, the threats on my life were coming from all sides. It took many, long years for me to accept that I was more than human. I will admit that I know Niall didn't have all of the answers, he knew a hell of lot more about what was going on than I did and he didn't share. That had always been the thorn in my side when it came to him.

Now, that wasn't the case now. I didn't know what, if anything, he knew of my death and resurrection. As the crowned ruler of Faery, he was probably told something. He stared at me in awe and curiosity. He struggled to speak as if he couldn't find the right words to say, even in greeting. I smiled slightly and popped to stand before him. As he looked down and I looked up, our palms met. The physical contact calmed him and I could feel his presence within my body. Our shared blood tingled and we both began to glow.

"My child…I thought that I had lost you to the Summerlands before we had time to really grow as family. I've missed you so much." His eyes glistened with tears that shimmered with diamonds.

"As did I great-grandfather, but the Gods had another plan. I am here now. And I love you very much." I wrapped my arms around his neck and hugged him as if I would never see him again. He was hesitant to embrace me. Once he finished the battle that was going on in his mind, I felt his arms wrap around me and I was lifted from the floor.

We sat for hours and talked about everything that happened. I cried as he recounted the deaths of fairies that I considered loved ones and the ruin that had befallen Faery. It was he who shed tears when I told him of my death. He face grew cold and rage coursed through him when I told him that it was dear old Mr. Bill Compton that did the deed. I laid my hand over his so that he would feel my next words.

"Do not waste your time with vengeful plots on Compton. I will be dealing with him soon. After all, he killed me. If anyone should send him to the true death, it shall be me."

He was stunned. He remembered the old me that was weak and wary of killing. She had died long before Compton succeeded. He perked up and became cheerful again knowing that I was now the killer I needed to be in order to rule.

We discussed the future and my ascension to the throne. I wasn't happy with the fact that Niall had to die first, but I came to terms with that very quickly. No use fretting over something I couldn't change. It was during this conversation that I posed my question.

"Although I'm to ascend to the throne, you do realize that my mate will not be a fairy. With the history between fairies and vampires known, how will Eric be able to be with me? There has to be a way for him to enter Faery with no threat to him or our kind. Do you know of a way for this to happen?"

"What you speak of has never happened. Our kind chose Faery, specifically, because vampires would never be able to gain access." He was deep in thought, trying to remember anything that may be of help with this problem.

"Is it possible for me to rule from Earth?" I asked. It may have been considered childish, but I had decided that Eric and I would never be apart again. The universe couldn't separate us.

"Of course there will be long periods of time when you are away from Faery, but you must reside in the kingdom. I will begin searching for a solution. I do not know how long it will take, but I will not forget or stop searching. Your happiness means everything to me, even before that of our people. We have lost too much time and love ones as it is." He rose from his seat and pulled me up with him. We hugged and said our goodbyes.

"I love you, my dearest child."

"And I love you, my dearest father." I bowed to him and his face was lit in happiness. He popped away with a wink.

I finally learned what I would need to do in order for Eric to come into Faery. It required taking him to see the same Gods that resurrected me and asking them to make this possible. I didn't know how to go to them on my own, so Niall figured that out and now it was up to me. In order for Eric to come with me, two things had to happen. The first thing was that he needed to be near death, so that was why I start draining him. The second was that I had to enter his mind and grab a hold of our bond. This was how I could bring him with me and hopefully, back again.

I was relying on his trust in me for this to work. When his blood touched my lips, I almost went feral. Our minds were already one, ingesting his blood deepened my influence on him and I began to take him with me. His eyes closed and I knew that he had given me full control.

I rose out of my body, holding tight to the black and gold intertwined coils that were our bond. Unlike most vampires whose bonds were from the side of a maker or a child, Eric also had the one with me. With the other bonds, there was eternal superiority of some sort. One half is the maker, the other the child. However, we are both. We are equal in control.

I finally spotted the flicker of light, indicating our destination. I pushed harder and the light grew brighter. At the point where it was blinding, we slammed to a halt and then plummeted to the ground.

When I woke up, I was laying on a dirt road. I was holding a hand I knew to belong only to Eric. WE MADE IT! I scrambled to his side. I rolled him over onto his back. His looked to be in peaceful rest. I slapped lightly and kissed his lips, but he didn't stir.

I looked into the sky to see that both the sun and moon divided the sky. We were on the day side while our destination lay on the night side.

I stood and dusted myself off. Looking around to inspect my surroundings as Eric had taught me long ago, we had landed next to a river with a forest on the other bank. I turned towards our path. I looked into a field that stretch to the left and right of me as far as the eye could see. Ahead of me and directly across the field were the stairs I had ascended during my first visit (my resurrection). From where I stood, it looked like there were a thousand steep stairs that would make any normal person rethink this journey. But not me; I was determined to get what I came for.

The crossover from light into darkness was in the middle of the stairs. The temple's entrance was right at the top. The temple itself was cloaked in the dark, making it seem menacing. Only those who are truly blessed know the truth of its magnificence.

I grabbed Eric's other hand, having never let go of the one, and pulled him onto my back. Once I had him situated so I could walk, I began the trek. Knowing that I am strong enough to rip a human in half like it were a stick in my yard, carrying him was surprisingly hard. I felt as if I were the simple human telepath, struggling to carry a 6'4 adult man. I immediately remembered all the conditioning I got from running for my life as some creature chased me down. I continued moving, reaching the edge of the field.

I paused and set him down. After making sure that he was fine and that nothing had changed in his condition, I looked in both directions of the field. I casted out my mental net, checking for any other beings and to my surprise, I found about 20 minds. There were 10 on either side of me and their thoughts were all the same. "DO NOT LET THEM PASS."

I wasn't expecting this. But I had no fear. I raised my power and made my katana appear. Its blue and silver handle fit molded to my hand. Its blade was as black as onyx and reflected no light. It had been a gift from my godfather, Desmond, after my return. This blade and I spent many years training, becoming a perfect match. I kissed the blade and let go of Eric's hand. I took one step away from him and used my powers to encase him in a protective bubble.

The minds around me weren't expecting me to have defenses. Some became weary and wanted to retreat, but knew that death awaited any cowards. Since they knew I sensed their presence, the revealed themselves. They were beings of various sizes, their bodies covered in black wrapping much like those of mummies. They had no weapons, only their claws that reminded me of surgical knives. The most disturbing thing about their appearance was their faces. No eyes or nose were present, only a mouth full of silver fangs. This caused my anger to rise to almost a maniacal level as vision of Neave and Lochlen flooded my mind. They had been the closest to killing me before Compton finally got the title. My bloodlust took over and within seconds, I popped to nearest creature and took its head.

Their screams were like nails on a chalkboard. They were fast and strong as I could feel the wind as they swung desperately to hit me. After dodging some swings and providing a few of my own, I had killed three more. I popped quickly behind one and decapitated it, but another knocked me down soon after. It was like taking a hit from a linebacker. I jumped to my feet, ready to confront it. We circled one another for a few seconds before it launched at me. I used my free hand and lit him up like a tree with my lightening. It turned to ash and faded away with the wind.

This made the others really reconsider this attack, but it was too late. They all had to die. I spent the next five minutes killing all but one. I wanted to know how commanded these beings. I had my suspicions, but wanted to know for sure and there was only one way to do that. I grabbed the remaining creature by the throat and lifted into the air. I felt its wind pipe collapse as I got ready to bite. But I paused. It was as if something was telling me not to taint myself with the blood of this creature. Having finally learned to trust my instincts, I snapped its neck and released from my hold. If crumbled to the ground, dead like the others.

I walked back to my husband, who remained untouched throughout. I released the shield and lifted him back onto my shoulder. The adrenaline from the fight was still coursing through my veins, so I used it to make quick work of the distance between us and the edge of the light.

As I took the first step over into the night side, he began to stir. Once we were complete in the dark, he was fully awake and able to stand on his own. He looked around us and snatched me into his arms. He kissed me so ravenously that my knees would have buckled if I were standing.

"Where are we, lover?" he asked. His mind was calm and curious, but trusted that there was a reason for his new surroundings.

"You'll see, baby. Come. We have very important people waiting for us." I thought he was about to set me down, but instead he swung my legs over his arm and carried me bridal-style the rest of the way up. We made it to the entrance of the throne room in a matter of seconds. I so love vampire speed.

He set me down and turned me the face him. He searched my face and eyes, looking for the explanation as to what we were about the face. I placed a hand on his cheek and sent him all of my love and devotion. He closed his eyes and a single tear ran down his other cheek. I licked the tear away and kissed his lips.

Grabbing his hand, I led us down the path, which was now a gold carpet. The room was lit by small fires along the walls that were suspended in mid air. The walls between the fires were cascades of the clearest water that seem to have no origin or destination. There was a breeze that filled the room with the fruity fragrance of moonflowers. At the end of the carpet, there lay a small garden with several beings lounging on either the ground itself or on granite benches. They were all in whispered conversations, but two in particular stopped and walked toward us.

The man was the God Odin. His face still covered in the long and thick, blond beard that he's worn for centuries. Unlike most beings that have lost an eye, he didn't cover it with a patch. He showed it proudly as he should. He waved his hand and dismissed the ravens that were perched on each of his shoulders. He slowly walked over to me, paused and kissed me on the cheek. I couldn't contain the giggle that slipped from my lips as he moved away. He stepped over and stopped right in front of Eric. Eric moved to bow, but Odin stopped him with a hand on the shoulder. They didn't speak any words, but just stared at each other intently.

I released his hand and moved to meet the other being that approached us. The Goddess Freya was as ethereal as ever. Instead of her warrior braid, she let her long blond tresses hang about her bare shoulders. She still wore the amber necklace that she had before. I dropped to my knees immediately and bowed my head.

"Sookie, my beautiful child. Welcome back. I see you finally got your Norse Man back." Freya teased as she forced me to rise.

"Merry meet, Goddess. Yes, I have my heart again and I have you to thank" I replied. She looked at me, somewhat confused. Then it dawned on her what I meant and she hugged me. Strangely, it felt as if I was hugging Gran and I didn't want to let our embrace end.

"Well daughter, I see that you brought him here so let us get a good look at him" she said as she looked over at the two men who were standing mere inches from each other. Their height was dead even. As we looked at them, I began to see some other similarities. Their blond hair, the set of their jaws, and the arrogance in their stance; they were like the younger and older version of the same man. Odin could have been Eric's father.

"As you are my daughter Sookie, Eric is Odin's son. That is why I was able to keep him in my home until you returned." Freya whispered in my ear. I looked at her in shock and she smiled mischievously. She circled the two men and stopped on the other side. I moved to stand facing her.

"Do not fear, my child. Odin has never met one of his children before, so this is a new experience for him too" she explained.

"What is it that you seek from us, liten Fe Drottning?"Eric's eyes grew wide at hearing one of his pet names spoken in his native tongue from the lips of a god and his true father.

"I've come to ask you if there is anyway that Eric would be able to enter Faery once I ascend to the throne. I cannot rule a kingdom and not have my King at my side." I said. I was nervous about the response we would get and Eric could feel this. Although he didn't do it often, he spoke to me with his mind.

"Am I really standing in front of the God Odin? And was it just said that he is my father as the Goddess Freya is your mother?" he asked.

"Yes, my love. I know. I was shock when I learned about Freya." I confessed.

"You brought us here? Did this for me, lover?" I could feel that he was overwhelmed with love and gratitude. It hit me with force that I had to rebalance myself as not to stumble.

"Isn't it beautiful, Odin? Our children are in love. Look at what we created" she interrupted. She draped one of her arms over Odin's shoulders and hugged him like a best friend would. For the first time, a smile crossed his face.

"It is and I am proud. Before we address your request, I have a question for my son." His baritone was commanding and all in the room gave him their attention.

Looking back at Eric, he said, "Eric Northman, are you willing to give up all that you have to walk the universe with your mate? Although you have died once before for her, are you willing to sacrifice yourself again to ensure that she lives?"

"NO!" I screamed. Everyone's eyes turned to me. I couldn't bear the thought of losing Eric again. The only peace that came with my death was the thought that I would be with him again. If he meets the true death and I live forever, our sacrifices would have been for nothing.

As Eric was about to reach for me, Freya took three steps in between the two men and grabbed me by the shoulders. "Daughter, do not fear. Like you, we will give him the tools to ensure that he will forever be your protector. Do you not trust in us?" she asked accusingly.

"I do. With everything I am." I replied.

"Then, let the Norse Man answer for himself" she commanded.

She stepped back to her original position. I did the same and felt calm and devotion wash over me as Eric took my hand. He looked back into Odin's eye. I just noticed that both men had the same eye color, although Odin's twinkled.

"She is my life. I live for only her. I will give all that I am to be certain that she lives. Yes, father. I willing give my life to her." Eric's words filled me with so much happiness that it was hard for me to contain myself. Freya watched me, smiling widely at the joy I was feeling.

"Very well" was Odin response. He placed both hands on Eric's shoulders and closed his eye. Eric slowly began to struggle with the weight that Odin was putting on him. I tightened my grip on Eric hand and he straightened. This brought a smile to both Odin and Freya's faces.

Odin released him. When Eric opened his eyes, they held the same twinkle as Odin. They both had big smiles on their faces. It was like looking into a mirror and seeing what the older, human Eric would have grown to look like. I guess the same could be said about Freya and me.

"I would say it is now time to celebrate, but you two have somewhere to be and are already fashionable late" said my Godly mother. In that moment, I swear I thought I heard Pam.

"My son, I have given you some of my power to ensure that you will be able to defeat any foe that wishes to harm you, your mate here, and anyone you deem worthy. I know the man that you are and trust that you will judge fairly. I am also entrusting you with one of my most prized protectors." Odin pointed to Eric's left shoulder and one of the ravens landed there. The other landed on Odin's right shoulder.

"As a demigod, you are able to go anywhere in the universe. Therefore, you will now be able to enter the world of Faery without fear of any kind." Eric nodded and the two men grabbed each other forearm.

Freya walked around them and gave me another hug. "You have yet to disappoint, just like I anticipated. I know that the war is about to begin, but rest assured that I am always with you. All you need to do is call to me and I will help you. I love you child, never forget this." She kissed me on the lips and I felt a warm tingling sensation travel through my body. When I looked into her eyes, she held the same twinkle as Odin and Eric.

"Thank you, my mother. For everything." I was so overcoming with joy that the tears ran down my face unchecked.

Before Eric or I could speak another word, everything went black and we slammed back into our bodies. We were in the same position as before, him inside me and me with my fangs deep in his shoulder. The water in the tub was ice cold, so I popped us to the bed.

Releasing his shoulder, Eric sat up and crashed his mouth to mine. We kissed for what seemed an eternity. He moved my hips with his strong hands and in the next moment, I was overtaken by the most earth-shattering orgasm ever. I raised my head to the ceiling, screaming his name. I felt his fangs enter my throat like a hot knife through butter. This made the orgasm continue. My light shot out of me and engulfed us in a brilliant light.

Eric's orgasm soon followed and we rocked back and forth. We both rode out the waves of euphoria. Once we calmed and were able to speak, one of us had to be the voice of reason.

"If we can dress in the next 10 minutes, we can catch the tail end of the ceremony." Eric was that voice.

Using the same power I used to conjure my katana, I clothed us in our outfits for the wedding. Eric rose from the bed, carrying me with him. He took us to the full length mirror in the walk-in closet so we could inspect ourselves. He was the Viking sex god once again in his all black tux. I stood next to him in a light, charcoal gray strapless dress.

Having approved of our attire, he bowed his head to me, impressed with my skills. I laughed and swatted his arm. Just as I was about to turn away from the mirror to exit, I caught a glimpse of my eyes. Just like Eric's, mine held the same twinkle. I guess that is one of the perks to being a demigod.

Author's Notes:

Thoughts?

SPECIAL THANKS to erin1705 for your continued support.

Here's the translation for this chapter:

liten Fe Drottning = little Fairy Queen

*All the characters in this chapter belong to Charlaine Harris, with the exception of the God Odin and Goddess Freya who are part of Norse Mythology.

**I OWN NOTHING**