Chapter 16

SPOV

Now that we were back upstairs, I found myself eager to start our discussion. A lot of things had changed on various levels in the span of a weekend. Whether it was our overall situation such as the new unknown threat heading our way or our new powers and family additions, there were major decisions and planning to be done. I was happy that Eric thought it best for us to have this conversation away from all the others. Pam and Jessica are very distracting as it is, adding our new guests to that mix and we would never have the opportunity to deal with everything in a private way.

As soon as we entered the living room, the raven that Odin gave Eric appeared and perched itself on his shoulder. It didn't make any sounds like you would expect from a wild bird, he was certainly different. Its eyes were blue, which was kind of weird. As I looked at the bird, it tilted its head and stared back at me. I waved at it and it bowed its head. At least it had manners.

"Lover, this is Huginn. He is capable of many magical things. One of which is that he watches all and can report to me whatever I need to know. Since Odin gave him to me, he has been watching our nest. He tells me that all four planes arrived in Louisiana safely and everyone has been transported to the residences. Godric and Jessica are playing the roles of host and hostess in our absence. Pam will fly back to Nevada tonight to check in on her state and prepare her forces in the event that they are needed." I nodded as the relief of knowing all was well on the home front set in. Eric turned to Huginn and rubbed his head as he spoke to him.

"Huginn. This is my wife, daughter of Freya and Queen of Faery, Sookie. Her command is equal to my own. Odin charged you with my protection, but she is also a part of me. Go meet your Queen." Huginn nodded and flew from his shoulder to perch himself on my left one. I was beyond surprised when Huginn rubbed his head against my cheek. I cupped my hands around the bird and brought him to eye level. We stare at each other for another moment and I place a soft kiss on his head. A blue light passed through us with the intimate gesture. I opened my hands and he flew back to Eric. He just looked at Huginn and nodded. In the blink of an eye, the raven disappeared to return to his task as watchman.

I walked over to my husband and took his hand. Walking over to the two thrones, I lightly pushed him into the one that was definitely his and sat on mine. The cushion was amazing. It looked as if it would be useless on the old, oversized high-back chair, but I could easily curl up in it to take a nap.

He leaned on the arm of the chair towards me, looking at me intently. I don't know if he was waiting for me to begin or what, but we were both reluctant to speak first.

"Where shall we begin?" he asked as if I knew all the answers to his questions. One would have thought that I would be used to being decisive by now, but I was still adjusting to it.

"How about we go in the order of how the events have played out." I offered. I figured that the best way to proceed as we both probably have different takes on when things got weird this weekend.

"Alright, lover. When we were making love in our room at the castle, everything suddenly went black. Then I woke and we were on some staircase in a strange land. What happened when I blacked out?" He was patient and calm, something I probably wouldn't have been if I were in his shoes.

"Since my return, I have been searching for a solution to a big problem. As I am heir to the throne of Faery, I would be required to live there amongst my people. I was visited by Niall shortly after I came back…but this was before our reunion." He nodded and I went on. "I asked him if there was a way for you to be able to enter Faery, safely at my side. He was unsure, but vowed that he wouldn't stop looking until he found something useful. Boy, did he find something. When I went to Faery this morning to rally my forces there, he gave me the info I needed. It required that I take you to Sessrúmnir and ask them to give you the ability to enter Faery. Little did I know you already he had the power to do so. As the children of gods, I guess we are able to go anywhere in the universe. In order to take you to their realm this first time, you had to give yourself to me completely. When you went unconscious, I went into your mind and grabbed ahold of our bonds, pulling you with me as I ascended into the heavens. We landed in one piece, but the environment was different from my last visit. Half of the realm was daylight and the other was nightfall. I carried you through the daylight until…I was met with opposition. After making sure you were safe, I dispatched our would-be attackers and continued the trek up those stairs. The crossover just so happen to be midway, so once I crossed into the night, you woke up." He listened to every word with a look of amazement that grew as I spoke.

"Did these attackers hurt you? In any way?" he asked, concern filling his voice.

"No, I killed them quickly. I think they were a test to make sure that anyone on the journey to see the Gods was meant to be in their presence." I replied.

He nodded his agreement to my assessment. "Are you curious about my powers? You have not inquired."

"I am more than curious, but you never asked me about my powers when I returned to you. I kind of like discovering as I go. I figured it would be the same for you." He looked at me thoughtfully for a moment.

"You are right. It's just...I can not ever remember feeling this powerful, even my first night as a vampire." I reached over and took his hand. He squeezed it slightly and continued.

"I am curious as to why the shifter and wolf avoided me like the plague tonight at the reception. Did something happen today while I slept?" Dammit! I was so hoping that he hadn't noticed. But, of course, he did. He is Eric fucking Northman!

"Let's just say that words were exchanged and they have been set straight." I know it was a huge stretch of my imagination if I thought he would accept that explanation and move on. His arched eyebrow and sly smirk confirmed my suspicions. With a sigh, I fessed up.

"Fine! I went to the lounge area to firm up things with Alcide about our day protection. Sam and Alcide were already in deep conversation when I arrived. I directed Alcide to the bar and Sam followed. As soon as they approached, I could hear them both. Their line of thinking pissed me off, so I went off. I told Sam that if I ever heard those thoughts from him again, I would set you loose on him. I may have mentioned his balls as decoration in the Corvette." Of course, he would smile at that. "As for Alcide, he got mouthy. He said that I was becoming more like you every time he saw me. No change there. He tried to say...declare his feelings, but was stopped short. Not only did I bust him out in front of Amelia, but Carlisle had to remind him of the friendship he was about to ruin. He came to his senses. He will be sending us the contract for his pack's protection soon."

"I must thank Carlisle for his assistance. And I think there is no use hiding the fact that I can day walk, so I will not any longer." I agreed and couldn't wait to be out and about with him during the day. "As for the shifter, he has one more time to question our relationship, and then I will end him. You have protected him long enough. If he still doesn't accept this and he has a woman of his own, then I can not help but consider that an offense against our bond." I nodded as there was nothing I could say. Eric had been more than tolerant of Sam's attitude towards us and has showed great restraint. I couldn't ask him for more.

"Alcide, on the other hand, is very lucky that he is the Pack-master in my state. I will remind him that I am not some lowly Sheriff anymore. I am King. He can accept this or I will be more than happy to wipe him out and let someone with a little more respect take the lead." Again, all I could do was nod. Louisiana was his kingdom. Faery was soon-to-be mine. No matter what, I would support his decisions just like he will mine.

There was a long silence that fell between us. Although we have a telepathic connection, we didn't delve into one another's minds without just cause. I may have been tempted to, as I know he has faced that same temptation, but I refused to devalue us in such a way. So I just waited patiently for him to formulate his thoughts in the way he needed to.

"I want to know how you truly feel about what 'we' were doing at the reception." I knew it was coming, but I didn't expect it to be so soon in this conversation.

"Before I go into what I was thinking, you need to know that some of that was out of my control." I said quickly.

"What do you mean?" he asked just as quick.

"Well, I think the change in my 'behavior' may have a little something to do with what AP foresaw. I can't confirm this because we were inside and we couldn't see the sky at certain moments. I don't know about the blood, but I enjoyed myself more than I like to admit." That sly smirk of his had resurfaced, but I continued. "Cassandra is a great person. She would make an excellent addition to the retinue, but for mine not yours. I realized, after the fact obviously, that I am a jealous woman. I will blame the tent situation on my new powers affecting my hormones. I don't know if I will be willing to go 'that' far with her, or anyone else, in the future." He shook his head steadily in agreement.

"I understand. Cassandra is a beautiful woman, but you are the only one I want. I have never wanted to feed from anyone other than you since the first time I tasted you." I couldn't help but blush and smile at his words. "But if you develop the need for blood, then we will have to adapt. It can be strictly innocent."

"I don't even remember when I start feeling differently towards her. When we first met, I picked up on her thoughts about getting Quinn in the sack. I think I may have been feeling somewhat vengeful and wanted to cause a little hell. But the blood, though. I felt the craving as soon as we returned. I saw her, read her, and decided that she was what I wanted. I thought you would enjoy her too. I just couldn't do that without you." I was relieved that this was out in the open and that we were on the same page. I probably would have regretted it later if I would have let them touch each other in 'that' way. I may have killed her in a fit of rage.

"When you say that you think this 'change' has something to do with what AP showed you, are you referring to "colors"?" he asked as if he read my mind. I know he hadn't because he wouldn't have asked. I nodded and he nodded in returned. He closed his eyes for a moment. Out of nowhere, Huginn flew to his shoulder. He petted him and then spoke.

"Huginn. I need to know if the colors of Faery could be seen in the sky anywhere on Earth last night, just after sundown. Go to your brother and my father to find out if necessary." Just like a human, Huginn nodded and flew towards the door, disappearing into nothingness.

"What are you thinking, Eric?" I was more than curious, although I knew damn well what the implications could be.

"I suspect that the colors could be seen somewhere, but we did not due to our geographic location. If the colors were present, then we may have done the unthinkable. And if I am right, then AP will be making an appearance soon." His body language told me that he was excited, but trying to restrain himself as to not get our hopes up to be deflated.

"How do you feel about this? I mean what if we DID it?" I asked. I was a little worried about his response, but I was also hopeful.

"When I was human, I had seven children. Four of them died at birth, but the three that lived were my pride and joy. I hated not being able to spend more time with them due to the many battles I had to fight during that time. My wife, who was originally my brother's widow, had five children with him. They became my responsibility, so they were mine as well. If you would have been my wife back then, you would be pregnant every year. I pray that we HAVE done it. I can't wait to play with our sons..." he drifted off, deep in his thoughts.

"Our sons?" I asked. Did he know something I didn't know?

"Yes. I dreamt that I was in a field, on a bright sunny day playing with our boys. I think they will be twins, mirror images of me. They will compliment each other in every way." He spoke with so much confidence. Or was it arrogance? There was no telling with my gorgeous husband. I don't know why, but I wanted to start working on making those twins he was telling me about right this minute.

Just as I was about to say as much, Huginn returned. He flew directly to Eric's left shoulder and rubbed up against his temple. His eyes fluttered close and then they opened wide.

"Huginn. Can you tell if your Queen is with child?" The bird left his shoulder and landed in my lap. He rubbed his head against my stomach and nodded towards Eric. His eyes went even wider, but he said nothing.

"What's the verdict?" I asked impatiently.

"Let's finish discussing all that we need to and revisit this subject." he offered. What? He can't be serious! I think I must have begun glowing because he was in kneeling in front of me.

"Lover?" I didn't answer.

"My Queen?" I still didn't answer.

"Sookie?" I looked at him. His eyes were pleading with me to be patient, but he knew me well enough to know that when I get wound up, there isn't much that can stop me.

"Our suspicions are correct. The colors of Faery could be seen from our home, but due to the time zones we would not have been able to see them while in London. I believe that when we were making love during the wedding, this occurrence took place." He placed both his hands on my stomach. "You are the most precious gift the Gods could have ever given me. With you, I have discovered that I share blood with a God and the woman I love will bear my children after one thousand years of having that be impossible. In this moment, you have made me the happiest I could ever be living a hundred eternities." As the words he spoke fell from his lips and tears ran down his cheeks, I saw them.

I slide down and out of the throne into his lap. I kissed his lips lightly. I brought his wrist to my lips and kissed it. He took my lips, deepening the kiss. We were so consumed in licking each other's fangs and nibbling on the other's lips that we didn't sense AP's presence in the room.

"I hate to interrupt this beautiful moment between two connected souls, but I do not have long before my escort will return" We looked at the tall, frail vampire before us. We were frozen, awaiting the unexpected. Eric rose from the floor with my wrapped around his chest. He walked us down the three small steps and kneeled in front of The Ancient Pythoness. I tried to get down, but he wouldn't let me go. All I could do was wave and bow my head.

Her smile was still frightening, but it did meet her all white eyes beautiful. "I am here to give you the knowledge I promised. You have consummated during the 'Colors'?" I couldn't help be blush. It was like hearing those words coming from Gran's mouth. I was happy that Eric spoke for us.

"Yes, Ancient One. Although we didn't see them, I confirmed through Huginn that it did occur at that moment." His head still hung low. I saw this as my opportunity to escape his grasp. Once my feet hit the floor, I moved to his right. Moving for the first time, AP strolled between us and up the steps to sit in my throne. What surprised me most, besides to obvious, was that she chose to sit in mine and not Eric's.

"Huginn? One of God Odin's ravens? Ahhhh...you have come into your true self. I wasn't expecting this to happen for another century." She was speaking to herself more than she was us. She waved her hand, dismissing that particular train of thought, and continued. "Did you unlock your powers as a demigod during the consummation?" She was looking directly at Eric.

"Yes. We both did." he replied.

Her eyes flew open and she straightens in the seat. "You both are demigods? Mmmm...Let me guess." She turned her focus on me. She pointed and said, "You are the daughter of the Goddess Freya." I nodded and she rose from the throne. She began pacing back and forth in front of us. We looked at each other, for the first time since she appeared, with worry. She did this for several minutes, mumbling all the while. This was the first time I realized that I wish I could read her.

"These revelations explain things that I had not been able to make sense of. It is rare that I have a vision and not immediately able to connected with previous ones, allowing me to understand their meaning. But now..." She stopped pacing and stepped closer to us. I don't know what it was, but we both looked into her eyes, waiting for her next words.

"Your children will be here in three months time. I have still not been able to confirm the exact moment of the final battle, but I do know that they will have been born by then. It is vital that you both are ready. Make your preparations. The safest place for the children will be with the Gods in Sessrúmnir. They will require human blood; hence you will now have to feed like a vampire. They will grow very quickly. You will need to give birth in Faery. It is the only way to secure their future rule. Lastly, I can tell you that they will be born knowing what you know. Just as they grow quickly in her womb, they will grow like this once born. I would say that they will age at half the rate as a human would until their reach the age of 30. That is when they will go through the Faery transformation."

WOW! I was panting and Eric was staring with his mouth hung open. We connected minds and shared our feelings with each other. She noticed some sort of change between us, other than our facial expressions, because she held up her hand to stop us. We snapped to attention.

"You both also need to know that this battle, this war, will cross realms. Blood will be split on both Earth and Faery. Many lives will be lost, on all sides. This threat is not one, but several species that have somehow learned something about the two of you that they deemed you both to death. Viking, it is time to call in those old friends that owe you favors. You will need to utilize all of your allies in order to secure the safety of not just yourselves and your children, but of all supernaturals." She stepped towards Eric and cupped his face.

"I have known since my first vision of you that you would be great. I could never have foreseen just how special you would become. You know all that you need to know and have enough power to protect those that are most precious. But when times look dire, do not forget the supernatural race as a whole. You would willingly give up all of their lives in order to save her." she said, tilting her head in my direction. "Always remember to trust in her abilities. You have never doubted it, but you have also never faced what is about to come." She kissed his forehead and stepped in front of me. She mirrored her actions with me as she did with Eric.

She took a deep breath, something that still seemed strange for a vampire to do. "You remind me so much of myself before I lost my sight and gained my power. Your loyalty and devotion to those you love will be the leading force behind all of your future victories. You have survived more than anyone could imagine you ever would, and most of it was as a human. Never forget this. Do not let any doubt cloud your decisions. You have the power and assistance you need to bring peace and order to the entire supernatural race. First, you will help your mate win the war here on Earth. Then, he will help you win the war in Faery. Your children are the continuance of that peace and order. And finally...Welcome to motherhood!" She kissed my forehead and gave me a bear hug that knocked the wind out of me. Just as she let me go and took a step back, Niall appeared at her side.

"Great-grandfather!" I stepped forward and kissed his cheek. "Prince" was Eric's greeting as he bowed his head respectfully. He smiled at both of us, giving me a wink, and took AP into his arms. She giggled like a 16 year old girl. It was so adorable. They disappeared and we turned and faced one another.

"Well...I don't know what to say." I was so overwhelmed by everything we had learned that I was exhausted. Too much, too fast. It was like I was the mere telepath again, drowning in the sea of minds that I struggled to keep out. My knees buckled and I fell into the best set of arms a girl could dream of.

"We must rest, lover. The rest we can discuss once we get home." He started towards the hall leading to the mural, but I grabbed his arm to stop him.

"No. Get us there now." I ordered.

"Yes, my Queen." he replied and blinked back down into our gigantic bed. I was sleep before my head hit the soft, fluffy pillow.

Author's Notes:

That was a whopper of a chapter. I hope it answered some of those 'burning' questions.

*All the characters in this chapter belong to Charlaine Harris with the exception of the Norse Gods.

**I OWN NOTHING**