AN: Not a lot to say tonight. I hope you like the chapter and maybe when you are done you can go check out my new story. Let me know what you think.

Chapter 32 Doubts and Dresses

Eric's Point of View

To realize you have lost your memory is one thing. To know that you are a vampire and have lost three years is another. In all honesty three is nothing for a vampire. I could have stayed still for three years and it would not have mattered. It is unnerving to think that I have been alive or undead for over one thousand years, but I can't remember what I was doing last week. Unfortunately the three years I have lost seem to have been important.

"Sookie is ours. She is the most amazing woman I have ever met. She is kind, loyal, and loving. She puts herself out there, even when she knows people think she is weird. She has taken in her cousin's child and intends to raise him as her own. She is wicked smart and driven. Sookie is stubborn as hell when it comes to making her own way in the world. She works for everything she has and is the hardest person to give a gift to." Godric pauses and laughs. I don't know why that would be a good thing. "Her trust in us is astounding, especially for all of the things she has been through. She can trade quips with Pamela and come out the victor. When she cares about someone, it does not matter to her what they are but who they are. She is the love of my life and I know you have felt the same way."

"When you say ours you mean she is our pet?" I am trying to wrap my head around this idea.

"No and never call her that. Sookie is our mate or at least that is what I think. She makes us better." He smiles looking down at her picture. "She made me feel like I was not wasting my existence. Before I met her I was extremely depressed. I wanted to finally die. She made me see that there is still a reason for me to be in the world and she gave me hope."

Listening to my maker explain that he and I are in love with the same woman put me on edge. I did not think I was capable of such a feeling. I wanted to laugh at him when he told me. I have never known what it is to feel love, but I can tell something or someone is missing. There is an ache in my chest, like a part of me is gone.

Looking at her picture I can tell I am attracted to her but I don't know what else I feel. She is not familiar in anyway. "Where is she?" I ask hoping if I see her in person it may spark something.

"She is in the Fae realm. She is part fae and burnt out her light so to speak. Her fairy cousin took her there to get healed. I don't know how long they will be gone. Time works differently there, a day for us is like three hours for her. She has been there for eight days. I can only hope that her cousin will bring her home soon."

"When you say home you mean here? Why is she living here? For that matter where is here?"

"Yes I would like to think of this as her home but it is one of your houses. She has been staying here because a vampire in your area tried to burn her house down. You are having it restored and redone for her. I think you have gone a little overboard with it but I know your heart was in the right place."

"Why would anyone in my area do something like that? Surly they would know, I would not take kindly to someone trying to harm what is mine. " I ask, I want to believe that I would take care of her. I must feel something for her to want to fix her home. I want to see this house I am paying to have fixed.

"He was here to take her to Sophie Anne. You eviscerated him and his maker. There is nothing left of them or Sophie Anne for that matter. Sookie's grandfather staked her during the day. Stan Davis is now the king of Louisiana and Texas."

I was confused why the former queen would want Sookie. "Why did Sophie Anne want Sookie?"

"Sookie is a telepath among other things. She wanted to use Sookie for her gift. She was going to force a bond with Sookie and then eventually turn her." Godric explained sounding angrier with every word.

"How did she find out about Sookie in the first place?" Did she have spies in my area?

"Sookie's cousin Hadley was the Queen's pet. I imagine she told the Queen in hopes that it would benefit her in some way."

"Where is this cousin? Is she the mother of the child? Speaking of said child where is he? What is his name? How old is he?" So many questions spin through my head.

"Hadley came here in hopes of Sookie being able to help her son. Hunter is a telepath like Sookie, but the boy has other powers as well. He is three years old and has a hard time with his powers. I don't know where the woman is but it is better that she is gone. The short time I have spent with the child has shown me that he is where he needs to be. Sookie loves him with all of her heart." We were silent for a time. I tried to process all that I had learned so far this evening. I still had questions but they could wait.

Sookie's Point of View

Hunter and I eat quietly while the ladies maids are busy cleaning and selecting clothing. I feel like I am stuck in another time. Between the clothing and maids I just don't know what to do. I have a hard time letting them clean the room. I want to stop them and do it all myself. Once Hunter is done eating I take him into the bathroom for a bath. Just as I am about to help him into the tub Brande comes into the room.

"I can do that your highness. Jackie has the selection of dresses for you to choose from. Go find one you like, I will get the young master clean." She all but pushes me from the room. I don't want to leave Hunter alone but I go into the other room. I figure if I am stuck here for the foreseeable future I might as well make the most of it.

"Your highness please sit down and we can start. Is there a color that you like?" She asks hopefully gesturing to the rack of dresses. The dresses are more extravagant then the dress I was currently wearing. Some were made of silk, others chiffon, organza, taffeta, tulle or satin. There were dresses in every style and color imaginable.

"I like jewel tones, especially in purples, blues, greens, reds and pinks." As I say this, dresses in pastels and muted tones vanish. I wonder what kind of magic this is.

"Would you like more of a ball gown or evening gown?" She asks next.

"I don't know, what do you think would be more appropriate?" I counter.

"If it were me I would pick a ball gown but I think you might be more comfortable in an evening gown. Why don't you try on one of each and we can see which you like more?" She leads me behind a changing screen and helps me into the first dress. It is a blood red, satin ball gown. It has a sweetheart neckline and cathedral train. The bodice is adorned with sparkling crystals and the skirt has gathers with clusters of crystals. When I stepped out from behind the screen to look in the mirror, I gasped. The gown was stunning and I felt like a princess. I paused at that thought I guess I was a princess. While the dress was beautiful it was hard to walk in. The train had to be carried and moved so I could navigate the room.

"I don't think I like this one." I say after almost tripping.

"No I think the train is too long for you. Maybe we should try one without a train and then one in a mermaid style." Jackie tried to cover her giggle. She helped me out of the gown and into an organza ball gown with no train. It was in white with jade green embroidery. I could move more easily but still wanted to try the next. The next dress was a royal blue taffeta mermaid gown. It had a beaded belt that hit me right under my bust. By the time I was in this one Hunter and Brande were out of the bathroom. He was in an outfit just like yesterdays but with a royal blue shirt.

He giggled when he saw me. "Mama Sookie we match."

"Yes we do Hunter. What do you think do you like this one?"

"You look pretty but I like this one." He said pointing to an iridescent purple ball gown. It had a short train and was embroidered in silver along the bust line and the edge of the top skirt. It had ruffled, layered, off the shoulder sleeves that covered my upper arms. It reminded me of a dress from Gone with the Wind. I loved the way it looked.

"I want to try this one next." I said pointing to it. The gown fit perfectly and I knew it was what I would be wearing that evening. "This is the one." I smile looking over my shoulder in the mirror.

"Well let's get you out of it and into your regular dress." Jackie unlaces the corset back and I switch to the "regular" dress. I laugh at that thought there was nothing regular about it.

"Your highness what would you like to do the rest of the day?" Brande asks helping Jackie with my gown.

"I would like to take a walk. Is there a garden?" I question hopefully.

"Oh yes, your highness, it is quite something. We can have a picnic lunch made up if you would like. I am sure the young master would like to run around outside as well." Brande smiles broadly. I turn to see Hunter holding his kitten. He walks over to me and reaches to be picked up. I hold the two of them in my arms. I follow Brande down a set of stairs that leads outside. The garden is truly wonderful. There are so many flowers that the air is sweet with their aromas.

Too soon our quiet retreat is over and I am being ushered back up the stairs and into the room. Jackie has drawn a bath for me, it is scented with perfumed oils. They leave me to get clean. I soak in the water and wash my hair. When the water turn cold I get out and dry. I wrap myself in a fluffy towel. It is amazingly soft and reminds me of the one Eric wrapped me in at home. My breath catches in my throat. I had not thought about either of them all day. I sit down on the edge of the tub. I hope I am strong enough for what is to come. After another hour of dressing, hair and makeup Brande and Jackie deem me ready. Along with the dress I am draped in jewels. The necklace is a huge amethyst pendent on a delicate silver chain. My hair is pulled back and held in place by diamond and amethyst barrettes. On top of my head is a delicate tiara made of the same. I do not look like a small town girl anymore. I almost don't recognize myself.

There is a knock at the door and Brande opens it to reveal a dapperly dressed Claude. "You look like the princess you are cousin." He smiles at me.

"I still don't feel like one."

"Give it time. Now I am here to escort you down. Don't be nervous. I will be with you most of the night." I was reluctant again to leave Hunter but after spending time with both Brande and Jackie I knew he would be ok.

"I will see you later Hunter. Be a good boy and go to sleep when they tell you to." I kiss him on the head.

"I will Mama Sookie." He says hugging my waist. I wave goodbye as we leave the room. Claude leads me to a huge room filled with people. On one side is a large throne with three smaller chairs on either side sitting on a raised platform. Niall is sitting upon the throne. On the other side people are milling around and dancing. At the door to the room is a man announcing people as they enter.

When Claude brings me to the doorway the music stops. The herald calls into the room once it is silent. "Presenting His Royal Highness Prince Claude and Her Royal Highness Princess Susanna Adele Stackhouse of the House of Brigant." The people in the room clap and some start to whisper. Claude leads me over to where Niall is now standing in front of his throne.

"Sookie you are an angelic sight to behold." Niall said kissing the back of my hand. He helped me up to sit in the chair to his right. Claude sat next to me. Over the next two hours I was introduced to hundreds of people. All of the faces and names started to blur together. I could tell when the person was important by the way Niall introduced them. He would spend more time talking to them than those that were deemed not as important. The only face I recognized was Preston. He and his father were the last ones to be introduced.

"Sookie this is Preston Pardloe and his father." I smiled at them. They both bowed like those before them, but Preston took my hand and kissed the back.

"You are bewitching Princess." Preston says and I blush. I wonder why he calls me princess instead of little dove but I suppose it is not the right time to call me that.

"She truly is." Niall beamed at the complement. "Now I think we have sat long enough, don't you my dear?" He made a motion with his hand and led me down onto the dance floor. A waltz starts to play as we dance. "You are magnificent my dear. I could not have asked for a better introduction to court." We dance for two songs and then he hands me off to Claude.

"I am proud of you Sookie. You are doing so well." Claude whispers in my ear.

"It is not that hard to sit there and pretend to be interested." I whisper back. We chuckle. Claude is taped on the shoulder.

"May I cut in?" Preston queries hopefully.

"You may but return her to us when the song is over." Claude passes my hand off to Preston.

"Princess, allow me again to say how beautiful you look tonight." He says pulling me closer as the music changes. We dance for several songs before my feet start to hurt me. I find that Preston is extremely easy to talk to. We discuss my home life and schooling. He tells me about what he does in court. We talk of books and music. He tells me about his desire to visit the human realm and how he would like to paint. Before I know it the night is over and I am exhausted. Claude escorts me back to my room. Hunter is asleep on the bed with his kitten. Brande and Jackie are sitting on the couch laughing.

"Your highness did you have a good time?" Brande ask standing up.

"It was nice but long. I would like to get out of this dress and go to sleep." They both jump to it and I am free of the gown.

"We will be back in the morning your highness, but if you need anything just call out our names and we will come help." They close the door. I tuck myself in behind Hunter.