Chapter 43

SPOV

After 20 minutes of Freya and Odin pawing all over my belly, which was now protruding even further than before, we discussed the best way for me to approach Niall about his 'loyalty' without showing that we were suspicious of him.

The plan is to start a conversation about something random and use my 'southern charm' to get him to spill the beans. Freya was confident that since my powers had increased, I should be able to read the Fae Prince. At first, I was feeling guilty about doing something so deceitful to my great-grandfather. However, when I really thought about it, I was anxious to get it over with. With need to learn how he found out about me and what he did to AP, I was pissed and determined to discover the truth.

"Lover?" I turn to see those bright blues staring at me. My thoughts shifted from plotting about Niall and got lost in my gorgeous husband.

"Yes?" I reply in my haze. He's so sexy…and strong…and tall…and did I mention sexy. I am the luckiest girl in the universe.

"I asked if you were ready to go back to the palace. We have been away for almost three days." We had been sitting by the hearth in the living room area of the hideaway.

"Yea, I'm ready. You know Pam is going to talk shit about this" I say as I rub my hands over my stomach.

"Of course she will, but you know that is because she wants them to hurry up and come so she has others to spoil." He did have a point and I nodded. I rose from my seat to be twirled in his broad chest.

"Whoa! What are you so excited about?"

"My amazingly beautiful wife is swollen with my children. It turns me on and I love to rub it the faces of others" I couldn't help but laugh. Moments later, we were in the foyer of the palace. We didn't even take a step towards the dining room before Pam was in front of us.

"Holy shit! I just saw you the day before yesterday and you were just showing. Now…" she bent down to be level with her stomach. "Hey, boys! I hope that you making your mother fatter means that you will be here soon. I have soooo much to teach you about the world and your father." I don't know why, but they went crazy. I grabbed her hand and placed on my belly so she could feel them.

"Whoa!" she sighed. "Hey. Don't come out yet…if you kick your way out it will be messy. And ruin my Choos" Eric and I both laughed before I left them. While they caught up about everything that's happen over the last 36 hours, I went to our room. Even though everything looked the same, it all seemed different in some way. I sat on the end of our bed and thought about the pending conversation with Niall.

I was deep in my thoughts when I heard a familiar pop. Expecting to see the man in question, I was shock to see my long lost godmother.

"Claudine!" I shriek.

"Sookie!" she replies as we slam into one another in a fierce hug. I had expected to never see her again. Now, after all these years being back, I immediately wondered why she was here.

"I thought I had lost you forever" I say almost in a whisper.

"I know and you did. I stayed away because I knew I would be a distraction. But the babies will be here soon and I want to be there for you." I understood her explanation, but the timing of this visit still irked me.

"Something else brought you here…especially at this moment. Why have you come?" I ask. She is hesitant; looking around the room as if she thinks someone may be listening. She raises her hand and creates a bubble that completely surrounds us. I know it is a privacy sphere, but the reason for it is what's troubling.

"I know that you are about to confront our grandfather. I just recent learned that you still live and the changes that you have gone through…"she says before I interrupt her.

"How?"

"Karedon came and told me everything he could before he left to not be discovered by anyone in Faery. I knew that in the past Niall and Breandan were close. They would meet in his office and travel together, but of course, I didn't know why. With Karedon's information, I was able to put the pieces together."

"Can I trust him? This is one of the most important things I need to know because if he has betrayed me…" Now, it was her turn to interrupt.

"I don't know. I have my suspicions that he has kept you secret from me out of some fear. He should have told me that you were back when he discovered it, I am your fairy godmother after all. But he didn't and still has not acknowledged to me or anyone else in Faery that when he comes to the Earth realm, it is you he visits. I'm concerned to say the least."

"You know what it means if he has betrayed me. I need to know where your loyalties lay, Claudine. I love you and will understand, but please be honest with me." I am practically begging and she knows it.

"I have never lied to you and will not start now. After everything I have learned and trusting my instincts, my loyalty is with you and will always remain to Faery." I see the sincerity and sadness in her eyes.

"Okay. Go before anyone finds out about this visit. I will be there soon to give birth and need you at my side." She nods and kisses my cheek before dissipating the bubble and popping away.

Although her words did more to raise my anxiety than to relieve it and at least I was confident in my course of action if I believed that Niall was not the loving relative he pretended to be. I felt Eric right before he blinks into the room. He sniffs the air and looks around, deep in protective mode.

"Sookie, is everything alright? What is wrong?" He kneels in front of me and wraps his arms about me. I sigh and lay my head on his shoulder.

"I have a feeling that things are about to get ugly." He raises my head to look into my eyes.

"Are you referring to Niall?" he asks

"Yes. If he has betrayed me, then I will kill him and take the throne way earlier than anyone planned. I wasn't expecting to have to think about these things right now. Not with everything else going on." He wipes away the tears that I didn't even know had fallen.

"You are the strongest person I know and I will be behind you 100%. I am sorry that you have to go through this, but maybe we should deal with Breandan before Niall. That way, if Niall is found to be dishonorable, you won't have to worry about the threat of Breandan." My pragmatic husband was right. I needed to prioritize my threats. I know Niall wants to be rid of Breandan as much as I do, but he can't exist and be near my family if he is the reason for the threat in the first place.

"You are right. I will wait to deal with Niall later, but I will learn the truth and hold onto it until Breandan is gone. We don't have much time. The babies will be here in a matter of days. We must keep them safe."

"And we will. Let's go eat dinner with our nest and we can strategize on making an offensive move." I nod in agreement and let him lead us to the grand dining room.

About an hour into dinner…

After all the ladies cooed over my belly and the men gave congratulations again to Eric for his newfound breeding abilities, we settled at the table to enjoy a feast with our nest. We laughed and shared stories about the happenings we missed during our absence. But the tranquility was soon interrupted.

I could feel the minds of all the fairies guards fade as they went invisible. That was our signal that a vampire had arrived that was not aware of our fairy force. Rasul sped into the dining room and vamped to Eric's side. Speaking only loud enough for us to hear, he let us know what was going on.

"There is a King Carloman of New Mexico demanding an audience with you. He refuses to make an appointment." Eric looks at me and I nod to him my approval.

"Let him in and get your people into position for any scenario." He nods and vamps out the door. Addressing the nest, Eric fills them in. "Well, it seems that we have an unexpected guest that impatiently requires an audience." Our nest, which has grown very protective as of late, begins to whisper their curiosities as to our guest's identity.

Gran raised me to be the epitome of southern hospitality; manners, gestures of good will, and everything in between. The fact that this man storms into my home as if he owns it with no apology make my blood boil.

"NORTHMAN! I was trying to be a gentleman when I brought you into my home and you dare disrespect me by disgracing it! HOW DARE YOU!" he yells. I raise my hand to stop the guards from delivering his true death and gesture for them to remove the humans. As they move to carry out my order, he glares at me. "Oh, and is that who was running your kingdom doing your absence? Shouldn't she be leaving with the rest of the blood bags?" I could feel Eric's anger rising, but he face remained blank.

"Carloman. There is no need to be insulting to my Queen. And due to her title, she is well within her rights to rule in my stead. What is it that you want? I thought my answer to your proposal was more than clear." All eyes were on the man who interrupted our lovely evening. As I look around the table at those remaining, their thoughts echoed mine.

"This is going to be interesting…I'm happy I came along" thought John.

"Just say the word…please let them say the word so I can blow this fucker's head off. I wonder if it will grow back…it would in the Nightside" Suzie contemplates.

"This bastard is so lucky that we retired…I know he would have been a target…I think he just got added to my 'Hit List'" was the line of thinking from Jasmine.

"Please don't move…I pray that Jasmine doesn't react to this…that would be the last thing we need" thought Vayl, which was echoed by Dave, Cassandra, Cole, and Raoul. I think she became my favorite person at that moment.

Everyone else was of the same mindset.

"What I want is for you to make sure that is your final answer because if it is, then I will make true on my word." That was just what I wanted to hear, but the hardest thing for me was to sit and listen to his rant.

"Just so I am clear; you want me to pledge fealty of not only my kingdom, but those I do not rule over to you or you will take them. Is that a correct assessment?" The fucker nods. "Well, my official answer remains the same. However the monarchs of those 'states under my influence' are all seated here so perhaps you should ask them if they will turn their kingdoms over to you in person." The look on his face was priceless.

"Wh…what do you mean, they are here?" he stammers.

"Forgive my manners. I will let them introduce themselves." One by one, the monarchs of Minnesota, Nevada, and Arkansas, stood and made their presence know. I thought I was about the see a vampire shit his pants.

"Since you are speechless at the moment, I will ask for you." Turning his attention to our nest, he continues. "My fellow monarchs, the King of New Mexico is requesting that you, as well as I, give over our kingdoms or face death. What say you to his request?"

Standing, Betsy turns her attention Carloman. "My answer is no and I consider your request a challenge on my rule. Once I present my grievance to the Exalted One, I will devote all my attention to your removal as King and make sure that whoever replaces you is not one of your followers." To say that he was shocked would be an understatement.

"You aren't old enough nor haven't ruled long enough to challenge me!" he yells.

"Oh, but you know that I am and as the Royal Consort, I make my Queen's will my personal goal" said Sinclair as he stood next to his wife.

"And she will not be alone." Godric stood and walked over to Carloman. "You know that I am older than your maker. And I know that he taught you to know your enemy before you pick a fight. Even your father knew that. Such a disappointment you are as a progeny and a monarch."

"How DARE you!?" he yells as he takes a couple of steps back from Godric.

Pam looks at me and winks as she stands as well. "Personally, I don't like threats. Never have and never will. So, I accept your challenge Pip and dare you or anyone who owes your fealty to step foot in Nevada. They will leave, renounce you and swear fealty to me, or meet the true death." She pulls her phone out and sends the text to her second in command. "I don't think your regime will appreciate how your side dealings have now crippled them financially."

"Mark my words; this will be a mistake that you will all regret." He turns to storm out but is face to face with me. "Get the fuck out of my way, blood bag. Don't let your master get you killed." I just couldn't help myself. I raised my power and forced him to his knees.

"You walk into our palace, interrupting our dinner, making demands and threats. It is you who just made a mistake that you should already regret at this moment. And that would be leaving New Mexico. You will be our guest until the Ancient Pythoness gives us her ruling on your future." Rasul was at my side before I could call him. "Take him to a cell."

Just as Carloman fixed his mouth to speak, six guards armed with assault rifles aimed at his heart, before he realized that he had no choice but to do as he was told. His head slumped down and he looked utterly defeated. Rasul grabs his arm and begins leading him out of the room.

"You don't know what is coming. You are a naïve little blood bag bitch who will be squished for your insolent attitude." His voice was calm and certain.

I move into their path. Raising my power, I could feel my body throbbing with light. The fear in Carloman's eyes was very pleasing. "It is you and Breandan that are naïve. You and all your little followers will pay for betraying your kind. And I am the one to do it." I plunged my hand into his chest and quickly ripped out his black heart. Just before he disintegrated, the bastard watched as I crumble it in my hand.

EPOV

As I, and everyone around me, watched as my lover viciously gives Carloman the true death, I thought back to all the moments in our life together. Every moment I grow prouder.

I survey the room and it seems like everything has been frozen. Pam, Godric and everyone else…including Sookie…were motionless. Just as I am about to stand from my seat, I am stopped by two small hands.

Standing on either side of my chair, there are two teenage boys who look just as I did when I was 15, are trying to keep me seated. To my left, the blonde with blue eyes smirks at me. To my right, the blonde with brown eyes nods. I sit back down.

"She grows impatient, father. It is time to begin taking them out" says my son with brown eyes.

"This will leave Breandan alone and he will have to call Hela for help" says blue eyes. "Then, the other Gods can take her out."

"What are your names?" I ask. I know…such an intelligent question in this moment. They both laugh with innocence much like their mother's.

"We aren't going to tell you. You will decide soon, though" answers brown eyes.

"Get ready Dad. We'll be here soon" says blue eyes. They both move their hands away, but I cannot let them go just yet.

"Wait! I need to know…should we trust Niall?" They both look at one another, having a silent conversation.

"I don't think we can answer that, father. GG & the old man gave us strict orders" says brown eyes.

"GG? The old man?" I ask.

"Yes sir. Freya & Odin" they reply in unison. Before I can ask them anything else, they disappear.

I sit back and am in deep contemplation about what my children have told me as I watch everything come back to life. No one else seems to notice that anything happened. I grow tired of this bullshit waiting, sitting around as the enemy continues to push us. I stand and call everyone's attention to me.

"The time for patience has ended. The audacity for Carloman to walk in here and demand our surrender means that they are too confident. We need to isolate Breandan." I state plainly. I watch as the nest nods in agreement. "We will need to divide our efforts in order to strike a defiant blow that will bring them down to our level."

Over the next four hours, we all worked together to come up with a plan that will show the universe not to fuck with us. The kingdom of Minnesota will handle de Mada. Vayl and his trust will focus on Salome. Godric volunteered to rally the monarchs of North America & Europe to determine who was friend or foe. Pam will find me warriors, those with special abilities much like our nest and recruit them. I told them all that I will find the locations of all our targets; de Mada, Salome, Breandan, and even Hela.

I step out of the meeting to instruct Huginn and Muninn to find them and report back. They both disappear to do my bidding.

During these hours of strategizing and plotting, I plead with Sookie to rest but my stubborn wife refused. She sat in silence, only speaking when a suggestion was not feasible or put one of us in danger. On the multiple occasions I tried to talk to her, she would just shake her head and tell me later. It was times like this that I wish I was the one with telepathy and could know what she was thinking; however, her shields are unparalleled, so if she did not want me in her head I was not going to gain access.

Dawn had finally drawn near by the time we reconvened. I stand and watch as our nest files out of the room, only my maker, my child and my mate remain. Once the doors closes, all eyes focus on my wife.

"Spill it, my telepathic friend. We may not be able to read your mind, but we can feel something is up." Pam was always one to cut to the chase. Sometimes it was a good thing, mostly it was annoying.

"Sookie" my maker calls and her eyes focus on him. "I must concur with Pamela. We know you have an opinion and aren't sharing it. We need to know how your are feeling about all this." We pause for a few moments, hoping she would respond in anyway, but she still does not speak.

"Dawn is moments away. We will meet at first dark and continue this conversation." They nod and vamp out of the room. As I turn to look at her, I find that her eyes have been on me. I do not know what is going on behind her intense stare, but it is chilling.

Not knowing what else to do, I pick her up out of her chair and blink us to our bedchamber. The silence goes on until about 7am when it is replaced by the steady rhythm of her heart, telling me that she is asleep. It was only then that I could close my own eyes.

Author's Notes:

HELLO! I had to take a hiatus, but I have returned and I'm ready to finish this one out.

Whew! That was one of the hardest chapter to write, so far. I got a little lost, but I have regrouped and decided where I want to go with this.

Thanks for hanging with me and my long-windedness. I promise that it will be worth it.

Please review and give me your thoughts on the endgame. What would you like to see this happen?

*The characters in this chapter belong to their respective authors, CH, & AB.

**I OWN NOTHING**