Author's Notes:

So, I hope that you like the direction I going in. The next one will have some major action, so continue to be patient. Please review and give me your thoughts on:

Who should kill who? Where should the deed happen?

All translations are in Swedish, unless otherwise stated here in the ANs.

SPECIAL THANKS to Lilrobo02, ashmo2000 and 'Sienna' for your reviews. I'm happy to report that the guest from last chapter did return and I thank them for not 'clicking the X in the right corner' too soon.

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

**I OWN NOTHING**

Chapter 46

EPOV

I can only think a few times in my life, both human and undead, when I felt true fear flow through me. As a Viking, I was bred to only fear the Gods and no other. However, no one tells you how to face one of these said Gods when confronted with their potential wrath. Godric moves to my side as the Goddess glares at me. Her pupils have grown to the point where the whites of her eyes were no longer visible.

"Please, Goddess. We do not mean to offend you or the honor of our mates. We only mean to protect them. Especially, Sook…" he tries to explain before a surge of power emanates from her like a shock wave and knocks all of us on our asses. Well, all except for Odin.

"WHY?! Are they weak? Although only one of them is my offspring, they all have powers that could rival your own. THEY don't need you. THEY can protect themselves!" she yells as she spins around to focus her words on all of us puny men. Turning her fury on Odin, "And you! Did you do nothing to persuade them that this line of thinking was folly?!"

"I had hoped that one of them would figure that out. That one" he pointed to Vayl "was getting there, but the others would not listen." He shrugs as if he did his part.

"ARRRGGGHHH!" she bellows as she blasts Odin, with what looks to be fire, which sends him crashing through the back doors of the house, taking out the entire wall.

"YOU PATHETIC MEN ARE ALWAYS THINKING WITH YOUR DICKS! Sookie has more power than any of you could imagine, and yet you doubt her? I am beginning to doubt your abilities as her mate and true protector!"

I can honestly say that I do not know what came over me in this moment. I lunge at Freya. The matriarchal deity of my human (and undead) life, the mother of my lover, and the Goddess of War amongst her many titles. She disappeared while I was in the air, so I landed in the spot she was just standing in so hard that I crack the concrete. Godric and Sinclair rush to my aid, but no one takes their eyes off of the Goddess. She reappears where I had just stood, whips around with a look of disbelief on her face. Odin calmly walks out of the kitchen and over to her. He places a hand on her shoulder, drawing her attention to him.

"As you can see, your doubt is misguided. I have spoken to my son and I know of the things your daughter has suffered in the past; travesties beyond what any being should endure, let alone someone as kind-hearted as your daughter. He will do anything to prevent it, even if it means taking on one of us, apparently. This is all just a miscommunication. Isn't that right, my child?" both of them are now staring at me expectantly.

"I love her. I will die for her as many times as it takes to keep her and our children alive and safe. And I will kill ANY who threatens her, my children, and my bloodline." I have finally risen from the ground and dusted my clothes. The Goddess suddenly appears in front of me. Her aura is so powerful that I struggle to stay upright.

"Mmmmm. Yes. I see your love for her, but your fear for her safety will destroy you both if you don't handle it. She cannot and WILL NOT be caged for your piece of mind or for any other's purpose. It is her destiny to possess the power to defeat any foe. Do you not think that your faith in her to be able to do so is not a requirement?

When she died and came to us, her only thoughts were of you. She did not care that she was standing in the presence of the Gods. All that mattered was you. If you are unable to have the same unyielding faith in her as she has built for you in all your time together, say so NOW." It was not a request but a command to answer.

"No. Tell me what needs to be done. I WILL do whatever it takes. I have always believed in her." I drop to my knees. She is the only being I can think of that has the power to take her away from me. I will not and cannot let my fear control me now, just like I have not let it control me in the past or any other area of my lives.

"You will know when the moment comes. You will have to fight against your most basic instinct and have the faith to stand behind it. It will be the hardest thing you will ever have to do. If you love her like you believe you do, then you will make the right choice. The outcome of this war depends on it." With another sonic boom, she is gone.

"I think we should go inside and think about this later. Our mates should be returning soon." Vayl motions for the group to go back into the house, which of course requires them to enter through the destroyed back entrance. I let everyone else go in as I motion for him to go ahead, leaving Sinclair, Godric, and myself in the backyard.

"Master, please give me some guidance." I beg him. He just stares at me for a moment.

"I think you know what you will have to do. I will give you as much of my strength as I can. I believe in her, just as I believe in you." His words are almost a whisper yet insurmountably powerful in their meaning.

"I know you didn't ask for my opinion, but from what I've seen, she is the only creature to have surprised me more so than my own wife. My failure to acknowledge her as a being just as capable as myself caused us both a lot of heartache in our beginning. And from what you've told me, the same was true the first time for the both of you. If you have the chance to skip all of that now, then do it. Save yourselves the pain." Sinclair words were strained and full of regret.

Without saying a word, I walked into the house. Instead of going into the game room with all of the others, I retire to our bedroom. The need to be alone is suddenly overwhelming.

SPOV

After AP confirms my vision, we all settle down. We were able to come up with a solid plan of how to lure Breandan into the backyard. Amelia said that she had a spell that would prevent him from leaving the area once in it, but that also meant I couldn't either. I decided that it was time for the Valkyries to make a showing. I was confident that my girls - Betsy, Bella, Alice, Pam, Jessica, and Tara - would be able to stop anything that tries to get to me and the babies during delivery. Plus, I know Claudine will not be too far away, being my inside man and all.

AP mentioned that we will need to secure the palace so that we aren't overrun at the most inopportune time (i.e. while I'm in labor), so we conclude that the current Royal Guard will be replaced by a mixture of my fairy guards and Valkyries. This way, Niall and his people won't be able to get too close to us.

Finally deciding that we have talked this plan into the ground, I dismiss them and tell them about the pre-battle party at Fangtasia tomorrow night. With hugs and kisses, I'm almost alone. Pam stays for a few moments longer as Tara nervously paces the front yard.

"You know that I would sacrifice myself for you as you would me, right?" I ask her. She's been avoiding eye contact with me until now.

"I know and you have before, but I don't want you to. Not now. You shouldn't make such a sacrifice." She says this matter-of-factly as she looks at my stomach. I hear him in her words.

"Then why should you? You are his child. He wouldn't want you to be hurt, just as much as he wouldn't me." I am pleading for her to understand.

"True, but he gave me this gift of immortality while you have always been his other half. One is more important than the other. The loss of one will have more of an impact than the other. It's alright. I understand that finally and it should be that way." She pulls me to her chest and we hug each other tightly. The emotions flowing between us are heavier than when Eric had to be held captive by those lunatics. Back then, we were comforting each other because we both worried for his safety. This is because of the worry we have for each other's safety, as well as that of our family and nest.

"I love you Pam and wouldn't ask this of you if I thought I couldn't do this. I will kill Breandan. You will be fine. Eric will believe in me. And the babies will be home with us before we know it." I squeeze her to emphasize my resolve and she returns it.

"You better be right" she said as she kisses me on the forehead and vamps out of the house. I close the door and go directly to the cubby. I remove each article of clothing as with make my way to the tub. Mari hands me an Ambrosia fruit while Kaitlin helps me into the tub.

Once I am settled and completely alone, I lay back and close my eyes. I must have fallen asleep because I open my eyes at the sound of rippling water around me. I watch as my gloriously naked husband sinks into the tub with me. Surprisingly, he stays at the opposite end.

"Hi" I greet.

"Hello lover". His voice is smooth as silk. I feel my lady parts tingle from the sound.

"What did you and the guys end up getting into?" I ask. There is worry and apprehension in the bond. I'm concerned but don't want to show it, so I go for curious.

"I would rather hear about the baby shower…how are my sons?" With his arms stretched across the lip of the tub behind him, he looks like the sexiest man alive. Well, he is. I continue to hide my concern, but his rapidly fleeting emotions are beginning to drive me crazy.

"They are wonderful as usual. The shower was interesting to say the least. Everyone loved dinner and we got some amazing gifts for everyone in the nest. Even AP had a gift for the boys, but only they can open. So I guess it will remain a mystery for quite a while." He nods but remains silent.

"Was there anything else that happened? I know that you closed your end of the bond with me earlier. Curiously, Pam did so as well." He noticed. Damn bonds.

"It was nothing to be worried about. I didn't even realize I did that." I pray to my mother that he can't tell that I'm lying. His eyes narrow for half a second before he beckons me into his lap. I climb to straddle him slowly, pulling my way up his body. As I touch his ankle, he relaxes for the first time. Why is he so tense? I want to ask so badly, but it will leave me open to questions that I don't want to be forced to answer.

His long frame is perfection. I should have known that he was created by a God. Once I'm where I need to be, his strong arms wrap around me. My humongous belly is pressed up against his chest as if he is hugging the babies. Soft kisses are place all over it and the boys go crazy. Eric's eyes light up with joy.

"Saknade mina söner mig?" (Did my sons miss me?)He asks directly into my stomach. A strong flurry of kicks answers him.

"That's definitely a 'yes'" I tell him. He nods his head and lays his face against my skin. My belly begins to glow and his sighs. I don't know what the hell is going on, but it is unsettling to see something so amazing and yet feel how worried Eric is through the bond.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing" he replies.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes" he says, a little too quickly before his lips cover mine. I know this is him trying to distract me, and I let him because I'm trying to do the same. Something happened tonight and he doesn't want me to know, but I will find out. I only hope that I won't be too pissed off.

His mouth moves down to my neck. He licks his favorite spot before slowly sinking his fangs into my flesh. Although my body seizes up, I don't feel any pain now when he bites, only pleasure. I strain to hold back the orgasm that threatens to end me before we've barely gotten started.

I hold his head to my neck with one hand and pull his wrist to my mouth with the other. As I bite into him with my own fangs, he shudders and pulls me closer. He enters me and we both come from the sensation. We hold each other even tighter as the aftershocks roll through us. Moments later, Eric is working us towards number two.

I tried to move with him, but he holds firm to my hips. Guiding me, he lifts and lowers me onto his large cock as if I am weightless. All I can do is hold onto him and revel in the feeling of being massaged from the inside.

"Jag har aldrig älskat någon lika mycket som jag älskar dig, inte ens själv" (I have never loved anyone as much as I love you, not even myself.) he whispers as his thrust become more powerful. I can't speak as the pleasure is too much. The room becomes filled with sounds of our love-making and splashing water. He rises to his knees, which leaves only our lower halves submerged. Instinctually, my legs wrap around his waist.

"Jag måste hålla vår familj säker. Det är mitt ändamål att skydda dig." (I must keep our family safe. It is my purpose to protect you.) His voice cracks, forcing me to pull his head up. Blood tears stream from his eyes, eyes which are currently glowing blue. I want to know what's wrong. I want to comfort him, but my body is no longer under my control. He is pounding me at vamp-speed and my head falls back as my moans turn into screams.

"Gruva…gruva…gruva…gruva…gruva…" (Mine) becomes his mantra, both aloud and mentally. If I were human, he would have killed me with his grip alone. The desperation he is feeling has almost overridden the love and lust in the bond. But there is something else there; it is fear. I can barely sense it, but I know it too well to not recognize it.

I climax for the second time and he loses all control. His fangs savagely bite into my breast, causing another full-out orgasm to occur before the previous one had ended. He is fully engulfed in blue flames. The bath water, which had turned cold, is now boiling. The steam quickly fills the room.

I'm exhausted and can barely keep my eyes open as I regain my ability to breathe. I feel Eric lean back and slowly slouch into the bath water, taking me with him. Before our heads can go under, I use my remaining strength to pop us to our bed.

No more words are said. I finally let darkness take me as Eric pulls the covers over both of us and holds me.

EPOV, Three days until childbirth…

It is 7:00am, which means I have only slept for four hours. I do not know if this is because of my newly acquired powers, but it is worrisome. My wife has not moved. We fell asleep near dawn, wet and still joined. I slowly roll to my right and pull out of her. Her brow furrows when I leave her depths, but she does not wake. I cannot help the pride I feel at the sight of her displeasure of not having me inside her.

She looks so beautiful when she sleeps, especially now that she is swollen with my children. After several minutes of watching her, I say good morning to my sons and slip out of bed. I enter the bathroom to shower expecting there to be a watery mess, but it is spotless. I guess those handmaidens are handy.

I shower and dress at vamp-speed. The entire nest, as well as every vampire in my kingdom, will be at Fangtasia tonight. We will not be open to the public, but I still expect there to be a line of vermin since this is a night that we would usually be open.

I told Pam to plan for this evening the moment I knew that we were going to war. It has always been important to have a 'Last Feast'. I plan to spend the day double-checking all of the security measures I have in place at the club and here at the farmhouse to ensure nothing will happen if we are in either location.

I levitate up to the cubby door, but before I open it, I hear two people arguing.

"What do you mean? I thought I gave you explicit orders?" says a deep male voice. I know that is the Fairy Prince and I feel my power roll under my skin, itching to end him now.

"I know your highness., but I have not been able to get close enough to speak to her, let alone gain her trust, or observe her as they seem to be moving constantly. Yesterday was the first time I have seen her in this home in months!" says his lackey in earnest. This voice also belongs to a male, but he is younger.

"Your failure could cost me everything!" Niall seethes. "So much has been done to put everyone into the right positions. If I cannot get to her and the abominations in time, then all would be for not. I already have one half of the puzzle. She is the other half." It takes all the strength in my not to blast through this fucking door and drain the fairy fucker. But his time will come. I must be patient.

I try to breach his mind, but I can attest to the strength of his mental barriers and don't want to attract his attention with my attempt, so I stop. As if having been in deep thought for the last few moments, Niall finally speaks again. "Leave my sight. Your incompetence has caused me much and now I have to fix it myself. I will deal with you later." I feel his underling depart, which just leaves him. Following his movements, I blink back into our room. Using my mind, I call to Sookie's handmaidens.

They appear and bow to me without speaking, so to not wake their Mistress. In hushed tones, I give them orders and they disappear. I return to my levitating position and listen for my cue.

Mari and Kaitlin pop into the living room, half startling Niall.

"Who are you? What do you want with a child of the Brigant Royal House?!" he commands.

Mari is the first to speak. "Forgive us. We are our Mistress handmaidens. We have just arrived to prepare things for her day."

"You must be her great-grandfather, on her fairy side. It is an honor to meet you sir. Can we offer you a beverage until our Mistress rises?" Kaitlin adds. I can sense his surprise. He didn't know of their existence and doesn't disappoint in his reaction.

"Where do you come from? And your Mistress is here? She was not in her room when I arrived." That was what I was waiting for. I blink not far behind him. Both women drop to their knees, shocking him again as he was unaware of my arrival in the room. It is not until I speak that he realizes that I am there.

"You may rise. Yes, he is family. You both may attend to your normal duties." They do as they are told and retreat into the kitchen. Soon the smells of breakfast begin to waft their way into the living room.

Meanwhile, Niall is staring at me with open shock and horror. I imagine it being the fact that I have command over Sookie's servants or that his worst nightmare has now come true in me becoming a day-walker. It could be either or both. Who knows? In an attempt to adapt Sookie's southern hospitality, I motion for him to sit down. He takes the chair that most strangers do when they come here while I sit in her spot on the couch. It is a clear sign that his traitorous ass does not belong in my lover's life, let alone presence.

"Good morning, Niall. I hope all is well. Such an unannounced visit from you, especially at this time of day, is most unusual. Is there something I can assist with?" My voice remains calm and gentle.

"Eric. I…I wasn't expecting to see you…here. All is fine. I wanted to check in on Sookie and the babies. It has been a while since I've seen her. I hope that isn't a problem." His words lack the sincerity they should have and his body language is defensive. More reasons for me to kill him right now.

"Oh? You didn't attend the baby shower yesterday? Sookie stated that you dropped by." Again, the surprise crosses his face, almost too quickly to be seen. Not by me. I just loving toy with such idiots.

"Yes…yes. However, I don't consider that a visit since she was busy and we couldn't talk." He almost spat the words. "And how is she doing…with the pregnancy?" he asks trying to seem happy and casual, but failing miserably.

"They are miracles as you well know. The three of them are resting soundly." I reply.

"Here? In this house?" he inquires abruptly.

"Of course, they are always at my side. Where else would they be? You are acting strangely. Are you sure there is nothing I can assist you with?" His departure should be in T-minus 3…2…1…

"Yes…no. All is well as I said. I will come by a little later when she is awake. Tell her I stopped by…again and that she is in my thoughts." Without any salutation, he pops not just out of the house, but out of the realm as well.