Spellbound
I would like to thank everyone for the great reviews and the encouragement. Your private messages have been just wonderful and encouraging. I appreciate that you all have taken the time to read and review; no matter how nice they are or how critical. I appreciate them all. I hope that you all enjoy this flawed but sincere story.
The characters belong to Charlaine Harris and Allan Ball (Godric).
Addition: The story has only been going on for 2 nights and a day. Please, just give the story a chance. Some people automatically assume that Sookie is being petty and small. I haven't given any of the back-story yet on Sookie or Eric. I haven't given any explanation as to why she expected things to be different or why his feelings suddenly changed.
The vampire that looked like an undead version Hugh Jackman walked in as if he owned the place. His chestnut brown hair was cut in a corporate businessman style and the side swept bangs set off his smoldering chocolate brown eyes. His everlasting and ever perfect mustache and beard were groomed to absolute perfection. His handsome face carried the faintest hint of a smile. He knew that he looked damned good. The Ferragamo tuxedo fit his toned body as if it had been made especially for him and it was. The beautiful young lady on his arm completed his dashing look. He looked every bit the gentleman.
He looked around the elaborately decorated bar with boredom displayed on his face. He didn't try hiding the fact that he didn't want to be there. He'd had other plans but the AP told him to cancel them. She didn't want to hear about his other plans. She didn't care. She needed for him to do a covert job for her.
Covert, she said.
The job is so covert that she didn't bother telling him exactly what it was. She told him to be his normally charming self and things would fall into place. He couldn't tell whether or not she was trying her hand at comedy or not but he knew to do what she asked of him. He just wished that he knew what she was asking of him. She gave him a single clue and nothing more.
He only knew that it involved the Viking and the fae. When he heard that, he was more than willing to do it. He has never liked the Viking. As a matter of fact, he hated him. He hated his irritating progeny even more and he loathed the area. It was beneath him. The bugs, mosquitoes, the hick people; he just couldn't stand it. The only reason he didn't defy the AP was because he wanted to meet with that delightful faery, Sookie. Plus, the AP would've had him staked if he'd defied an order that she'd given to him.
Stan began to scan the room for the faery princess. He looked and looked for her but she was nowhere to be seen. But whom he did see, made him want to turn around and walk out the doors.
It angered him that the Viking was the first choice; the chosen one. Stan wanted the faery princess for himself. He was just as worthy as the Viking. He wanted to be given the opportunity to meet with her alone but alas, it was not meant to be. When she'd met with Eric, all bets were off. Every vampire in attendance could see that she wanted him and that she was going to have him. She'd made her decision right then and there. Stan stood by the doors of Fangtasia and stared at the vampire that had stolen his golden, opportunity … his ticket to unlimited power.
Eric was walking the floors of Fangtasia and mingling through the crowds as he too, looked for Sookie. She wasn't at home when he'd risen. She'd left him no note. She sent him no text message. He hasn't received so much as a phone call from her. Her Were guards hadn't even seen her.
When he called Alcide to see if Bassir was still with her, Eric was disappointed to hear that Bassir had lost her. Alcide told Eric not to worry because her kin was with her. Eric knew then that she was seriously thinking about leaving him. Her fae guards have taken over her security. She was always with her Weres during the day. She'd told him that she enjoyed their company. She never went out without them and now she has willingly thrown them to the side? This was not a good sign.
As soon as Eric walked into the club tonight, every supernatural in attendance greeted him. They told him how handsome and suave he looked in his flawlessly tailored tuxedo. The compliments always led up to one particular question. They wanted to know where his most charming wife was.
"I hope that she will be here," they'd say.
"You know how women are," he would say jokingly.
One guest even said, "I heard that she wasn't coming."
He laughed at that reply. "Supes gossip more than the humans," he said.
That would get everyone to laughing and he would then excuse himself from their company and proceed along as if nothing was wrong even though everything was.
After greeting his guests, Eric went to his throne to have a seat. "Pam," he called to her softly.
Within seconds, his progeny was at his side. "Yes, master."
"Is she here?"
"Who?" she asked coyly.
"You know very well who I am speaking of. Is she here?"
"I haven't seen her." Pam stood at Eric's side. "She wasn't at home when you woke for the night?"
"If she was, do you think I'd be asking if you'd seen her?" he asked with a little more attitude than necessary. "I apologize, Pam. You didn't deserve that. No. She wasn't at home when I'd risen."
Eric's eyes remained focused on the crowd. He saw Alcide and his date. They were having a conversation with Sam Merlotte and his new squeeze. Alcide gave Eric a look that seemed to ask if Sookie has been found. Eric gave him a quick nod of his head before letting his gaze flit quickly over the crowd. There was no need in letting the Were know that he had no idea where his wife was.
Eric decided to change the subject into a more pleasant one. "You've done an exceptional job on the decorations."
The club didn't look like the same vampire bar from last night. It looked like a ballroom. There were striking black crystal centerpieces on each table that were filled with black and white tulips. The tablecloths were in two shades of shimmering black and white. Everything was extraordinary. It was better than he'd expected it to be. Even the music was better. KDED was not blaring through the speakers. A small vampire quartet playing stringed instruments were providing the night's musical entertainment.
"I did my best and I'm glad that it pleases you. I must also add that you are particularly impolite. You've been here all of two hours and not once have you complimented me on how astonishingly beautiful I look this evening." Pam twirled around for Eric as she showed off her white ruffle layered mini dress with the black trim. Her black red bottomed Jimmy Choos were no doubt the favorite part of her outfit. Her beautiful blond hair was piled beautifully atop her head as curly tendrils decorated her face.
Eric looked to his right and smiled at Pam. "You know that you are gorgeous. You are the most beautiful vampire in the bar."
"Vampire?" she asked. "I am the most beautiful vampire? Really, Eric? Is that all you have for me after everything that I've done? These decorations, the entertainment and all that I get from you is 'beautiful vampire'. This magical night only gets a lame compliment like beautiful from you?"
"Being," he corrected. "You are the most beautiful being in the entire building. No one has ever looked as beautiful as you look tonight. Every female here is in total awe of you. They are so embarrassed by your beauty that they all considered leaving as soon as you walked into the room. No one has ever looked as stunning as you look tonight. How's that?" he asked.
Pam feigned embarrassment. "You flatter me." She rested her hand gently on his shoulder. "One day, dear Eric, I'm going to have to question your loyalty to me."
He looked at and laughed wanted to apologize to Pam for what he'd done to her last night but a master doesn't apologize to his child. So he did the next best thing. He reached up and placed his hand gently on hers and squeezed.
Pam squeezed his shoulder. "All is forgiven."
"Master," Clancy said as he approached the throne.
"Yes."
"A messenger has left this for you." Clancy handed Eric an envelope.
He opened it and read it quickly. He balled the piece of paper up and handed it back to Clancy. "Get rid of this."
Seconds later, Clancy was gone.
"What is it?" Pam asked.
"She's not coming."
Pam giggled. "You got lucky. Aren't you glad that you'll get to stay married to Sookie for another night?"
"Go and mingle, Pam. Meet some new supes. You're beginning to make me regret my compliment and apology."
Pam cackled as she walked away.
Eric got up from his throne and walked the room once more. He continued to work the room with false graciousness. He nodded to this one and that one without so much of a glance.
"Great party," a voice said from behind him.
Eric turned to see Stan Davis standing there. He was surprised to see Stan. Pam sent Stan an invitation but he'd declined. He told her that he had vampire business that he needed to take care of and he wouldn't be able to make it. Pam was glad to hear it. She's never cared much for Stan. Neither did Eric. He couldn't help but wonder what has made Stan Davis decide to make such an abrupt appearance. He wondered what happened to his important vampire business.
"Good evening," Eric said courteously. "I had no idea that you were coming."
Stan knew better than to mention that the AP had sent him. She would have had him staked the second she found out. So he shrugged his shoulders and looked around the room as nonchalantly as he could.
"I changed my mind. I figured since my other plans fell through, I would come to your little gathering." As he looked around the room, he said, "I see that the ... uh, the best of the best have arrived."
"There's no need to be insulting to my guests," Eric replied.
"Forgive me." Stan glanced around the room and asked, "Where is that delightful wife of yours?"
Eric gave Stan a cold stare. "She will be here."
Stan looked surprised. "Really? I was under the impression that she wasn't going to be here. I wonder what changed her mind." He then ran his hands over the lapel of his suit as he looked at Eric from the corner of his eye.
Needless, to say, his actions didn't go unnoticed. "I'm sorry to say that your impression is erroneous."
"At least you've corrected me." Stan smiled innocently but Eric could see the deceit behind that smile.
In order to remain in control of his emotions, Eric changed the subject. "Have you tried the exotic bloods that we have here tonight? Pam has done a superb job in selecting only the best. The donors are from different corners of the world. I hope that you have a chance to sample them."
"Why thank you, Eric. I can't wait to try what you have on hand." He stared Eric in his eyes when he said that. "I'll bet that it's the sweetest blood in the world."
"I hope that you are speaking of the donors because there is a certain sweetness that you will never get to try." Eric's fangs snapped easily into place as he watched Stan.
Stan grinned; fangs down. "I was speaking of the donors."
Eric laughed at the vampire. A pitiable laugh and he made sure that Stan didn't miss it. "Where's your date?"
Stan waved his hand about. "She's over there somewhere. Forgive me if she's not up to par but I didn't know that I was coming until the last minute."
Eric saw the young lady that Stan walked in with and she was quite attractive. "You have made a suiting choice. The only thing that I see wrong is that she came with you. I would think that would be her only flaw." Eric laughed at the insult.
Stan didn't.
When a waitress walked by, Stan grabbed a glass of blood from the tray. After taking a sip, he asked Eric, "Do you have any idea when your wife will be arriving? I only ask because I want to say hello to her. She is quite the young lady. She has done a lot for the supe community since you two have been married. The 'Deserted Baby Vampire' program that she came up with was a brilliant idea. The blood drive for the deserted vampires was an even better one. I couldn't believe that she got the human government to go along with such a plan. She is somewhat amazing. I have to say, old chum, I am quite jealous. I keep hoping that she will one day tire of you and find her way to a more suitable vampire." He grinned at Eric over his glass.
"Sookie is mine," Eric growled.
Stan looked coldly at Eric through hooded and amused eyes. It pleased him to make the vampire angry. It also made him wonder why the AP would send him to tease the Viking in such a way.
"I'm just making an observation. I'm surprised that you came here without her on your arm. I tell you, Eric, if she belonged to me, I would never let her out of my sight. No one would ever have to wonder where my wife is."
Eric stepped close to the vampire and asked, "Are you aching for a fight, Stan?"
"Not at all," he said as he took another sip of his blood.
"As I told you, she is my wife."
"I know that. I know that," he repeated for emphasis. "I've only met her the one time at the vampire/fae summit in California. We didn't get to talk long because she was extremely busy. Everyone speaks of how charming she is. I only want to see for myself. I meant no harm. All I'm saying is that you are a very lucky vampire but obviously, you know that. But a word of advice, if I were you …" he trailed off.
This time, Eric's fangs slid down. "Do you want to do this tonight? Die, I mean. I would be more than happy to oblige."
Stan knew that if he had to battle Eric, he would lose. Eric is older and stronger. "Did I cause offense? I did not mean to. I was going to say that a treasure such as she should remain at your side at all times." The devious and cunning smile on his face said something entirely different.
"Walk away, Stan," Eric warned. "She is my wife, my lover. Sookie. Is. Mine."
As he walked away laughing, Stan pointed in the direction of the doorway with his head. "That's good to hear but does she know it?"
Eric followed Stan's nod and there she was. He'd never seen her look more beautiful. A cascade of golden curls shimmered over her shoulders; falling beautifully to her waist. Her big, beautiful blue eyes sparkled and were filled with excitement and awe as she looked around the room. She looked as she did the first time he'd seen her. Her beauty was so magnificent that she didn't need any makeup. Her cheeks were naturally glowing. Her full lips were pouty and pink. Her bright eyes finally landed on his. A small smile passed over her lips as he stared at her. He tried to look away but found that he couldn't. He didn't want to.
"What is she wearing?" Pam snapped. "What the fuck is she wearing?"
Sookie was wearing a red sequined gown with black trim. The dress hugged every curve of her body. The split was up to there. The red stilettos accentuated her shapely legs. The cleavage exposed the tops of the most beautiful pair of breasts he'd ever seen.
"What the fuck was she thinking when she chose that dress? Does she not know the dress code? This is a black and white ball. She's ruined the entire party with her red fucking dress. Why does she have to be different? Why can't she follow the fucking rules? Everyone else did." Pam was infuriated.
"Because she is," Eric remarked.
"You're only saying that because you love her. If she was anyone else, you'd throw her out on her ass. She is the only one here not following the fucking rules." Pam braced herself for the backlash for the 'you love her' remark but she got none. He was outright taken with Sookie and for the first time in a very long time, he didn't bother to hide what he was feeling.
The vision before him reminded him of the first time he'd seen her descending the crystal staircase of her grandparent's home. His eyes remained latched onto hers as he swallowed an unnecessary gulp.
"Isn't she the most beautiful creature here?"
Pam gave Eric a genuine smile. "I can tell that you've completely forgotten about me. How fickle we are," she said as she kissed his cheek.
His gaze remained on Sookie. He was helplessly and hopelessly enthralled with her.
"I understand that you are so enthralled with her but you need to shuffle along. You need to go to her, Eric and you need to go to her now," Pam ordered.
He couldn't move.
"Godric shouldn't be entering your party with your wife."