Spellbound

Thank y'all so much for your very nice and inspiring reviews and PMs. I needed the encouragement.

I appreciate that a majority of you do understand and realize that the story is only in the first 2 nights and so much hasn't been said or revealed. Please don't mistake what I'm saying as being rude. I appreciate each and every review that you take the time to post; be it good or bad. Y'all are the best and I can't thank you enough for your support and time. Y'all are just wonderful.

Godric walked in proudly as he stood at Sookie's side. A wide grin spread across his handsome face. His tousled dark brown hair emphasized his stunning smile and his clear green eyes. He knew that his eyes were his best feature. Even without the glamor, he had the humans swooning. They made him look dangerously sexy. His cool and calm demeanor only made his appeal more appealing. He stood over six feet tall; almost as tall as Eric. His tuxedo fit his broad shoulders and muscular body perfectly. He looked like a Roman god; if Matt Bomer was a Roman god. He knew that he was the most handsome vampire at the party. He also knew that he looked even more handsome with Sookie walking in beside him.

He stared at her with adoring eyes. He's walked this world for many centuries and he's never seen anything so beautiful. She's not only a beautiful face but she has so many adoring characteristics. If only she was his.

Just like Stan, he had hoped that when Sookie had come of age, she would have chosen him over the Viking. Eric wanted to meet the princess before his time and he took the sneaky route. He didn't go through the counsel as he was supposed to. He contacted her grandparents. Eric won the fae princess's heart by default. Or so he was led to believe.

But just like all patient vampires, Godric was biding his time. He'd seen her at quite a few summits. She would be with Eric but not with Eric. They worked the rooms together but not together. The others may not have noticed but he did. He noticed everything about her. He was always watching her … studying her.

There was something about her that intrigued him. Not because she was fae but because there is more to her; a sadness that he wanted to heal. He wanted to love her. He wanted to give her what she seemed to be missing with the Viking. There was something missing behind that smile and he was going to take the first opportunity made available to him to figure out what it was. He would then try to use it and win her away from Northman.

Tonight, was just as good as any night; especially when he saw the faery princess entering the party without her vampire husband. That was something that was never supposed to happen. Eric should always be standing by her side.

When he saw her standing in the parking lot, staring at the door, he approached her slowly. He knew that if he'd moved too quickly, her fae guards would have killed him instantly. He knew that they were with her and were well armed. They would kill anyone that touched Sookie that wasn't the Northman. If Godric had so much as brushed against Sookie, he would have been dead before he knew it. They always had the upper hand on their enemies. Cloaking came in handy.

"Mrs. Northman," he said as he greeted her from behind.

When she turned to face him, his 'breath' hitched in his throat. He didn't remember her looking as stunning as she does tonight.

"Who are you?" Her voice danced on the wind.

"Forgive me," he said as he bowed. "I'm Godric."

Upon hearing his name, a flicker passed over her eyes. If he didn't know any better, he'd have thought that a look of familiarity passed over her face.

"Forgive my rudeness. You startled me," she said. "I'm very pleased to meet you." She gave him a slight nod as she proceeded to walk away.

Calling out to her, he said, "There's nothing to forgive, Mrs. Northman." Looking from her to the door, he said, "I thought that you would have already been here with your husband."

She gave him a cold stare and an even colder smile. Sookie may have been alone but what happens between her and husband is not up for discussion with vampires; especially with one that she doesn't know.

"Shall we?" Godric said with a sweep of his arms. Godric stood behind her. He was careful not to touch her in any way. When she walked ahead of him without responding, he blurred to the door and opened it.

When they walked in, the cold stare and smile were gone. A warm and caring smile was on her face for all to see. Every supe in the building was staring at them; one supe in particular couldn't seem to take his eyes off of Sookie and for him to be a vampire of no emotion and a vampire of total control, Eric didn't try to hide what he was feeling at all. The look of love and passion had a tremendous grip on him and it was made available for all to see. He didn't notice that Godric was with his wife until Pam had so eloquently pointed it out.

"Get your ass over there," she ordered him. "I'd hate for you to lose her to the likes of Godric. Now don't fuck this up ... master." She gave him a nudge and sent him on his way.

Eric needed no more goading. Godric was with his wife. The look of love and passion were gone. Eric was ready to kill. He remained calm as he walked over to where Sookie was standing. He didn't like the thought of Godric walking in with his wife as if she belonged to him. Guests were walking over to them as if they were a couple. Sookie nodded and smiled elegantly as Godric did a very un-vampire like thing and started shaking hands with the guests.

"Good evening," Eric said when he'd reached his wife's side. He stood between Godric and Sookie. He then did something that he's never done around other vampires before. He took Sookie's hand into his own and held it tightly.

Looking at her he said, "You are absolutely stunning."

Sookie was more than surprised at his reaction to her appearance. If she didn't know any better, she would have thought that Eric was expecting her to show up. The element of surprise had failed her. In the end, she was the one that was shocked. He'd told her before that she's beautiful but never as he'd just done. She almost wanted to believe that he meant it but she knew better but being the polite lady that she is, she opened her mouth to thank him but Godric spoke up instead.

"Why, thank you," Godric said as he bowed.

Sookie smiled at his attempt at a joke. Even a couple of the Weres and vamps laughed at the joke. Eric decided to join in.

"Good one, old man but I was speaking to my beautiful wife."

Godric ignored Eric and his gaze fell upon Sookie. "She is quite stunning, isn't she?"

Sookie blushed at the vampire's kind words and thanked him quietly.

Looking around the crowd, Godric said, "Isn't she lovely everyone?"

Every supe within earshot agreed with what he said. They complimented Sookie on her hair and her flawless and make-up free complexion. They especially loved the red dress that she wore to the black and white ball. Pam was the only one that wasn't complimentary.

"Yes," Pam quipped. "Wearing red to a black and white ball is quite the rage these days."

Sookie thanked the guests for their words of kindness; everyone except Pam that is. "You all are too kind. Your compliments are embarrassing me. And Pam, I'm sorry about the dress. It was a last minute decision on my part. Do forgive me."

Pam had the tiniest hint of a smile on her pale yet beautiful face. "There's nothing to forgive, mistress. You do look amazing."

Smiling at her, Sookie said, "Thank you. The bar looks beautiful. You've done a wonderful job on the decorations. No one would ever know that this is really a nightclub."

She had her. Pam was under her spell. "Thank you." Pam was beaming from ear to ear.

"Nonsense," Godric said as he took the conversation back to Sookie's beauty and appearance. "You know that your beauty outshines all others. Your husband must tell you this with every look in your eyes; a single glance in your direction."

Before Sookie could respond, Eric interrupted. "I must admit, I haven't told her nearly enough how wonderful I think she is."

Sookie's body stiffened at his words. Twice tonight he has shocked her and in less than thirty seconds. She couldn't believe he'd said them and in front of other vampires … in front of anyone. She thought that he was just saying those things because she walked in with Godric. She wasn't in the mood for his games; not tonight.

As gracefully as ever, she thanked Eric. "You, too, are quite handsome this evening, Eric but excuse me everyone, will you? I'd like to go and speak with a few of our guests." Sookie walked away while Eric and Godric remained behind. She's seen many of the guests at different summits and they were her last concern. The only guest that Sookie was in the mood for meeting with was Freyda.

Godric turned to face Eric once Sookie was out of earshot. "Your wife is …"

Eric interrupted his nemesis's comment. "What are you trying to do, Godric?"

Godric face was as blank as ever. "Are you being paranoid or are you regretting that you weren't the one to walk in with her?" Godric then had an afterthought. A gleam appeared in his crystal green eyes. "You didn't know that she was coming, did you?"

Eric's body bristled at the true comment. "She is mine."

A knowing smile appeared on Godric's handsome face. "You didn't know that she was coming." He cocked his head to the side. "You're losing her. She's not happy with you after all, is she?"

The two vampires dropped their fangs on each other. They began to snarl at each other. When some of the others heard the growls, the vampires soon changed their stance. They pretended to be laughing. Though the tension remained in the air, the guests went back to their chatting and socializing. Pam and Clancy moved in closer to where Eric stood. They knew that the growls weren't laughter. They knew that Godric was older than Eric and would have killed him. They would have died right along with him if a fight had ensued.

"Sookie is mine," Eric repeated.

"Is that going to be tonight's mantra to keep me away from her?" Godric asked. "Put your mind at ease, Eric. I saw her out in the parking lot. She was just standing there. It was if she was debating on whether or not to come in. It was almost as if she hadn't been invited."

Eric ignored his nemesis' comment. "Stay away from my wife."

"I haven't any notions to take your wife away from you. She's made her choice …unless you know something that I don't know." With a raised eyebrow, Godric said, "I noticed that you didn't answer my questions from earlier. Has she tired of you, Viking? Has my chance to be with the princess come?"

Eric sneered at Godric. "Don't flatter yourself. The last thing that I'm worried about is you taking Sookie away from me."

Godric eyed Eric suspiciously. "Your actions make me doubt your surety. Is all not well in the land of Faery?"

Eric moved in closer to Godric. They were standing nose to nose, toe to toe. "What are you insinuating? Do you think that you can take her away from me? Is that what you think?" Eric laughed confidently though he didn't feel it. "You will not have her. She is not leaving me."

Godric looked at Eric and asked, "Thou dost proclaim a little too much. My, my, my; the Viking's charms seem to have at last failed him. Tell me, Eric. Has the fae finally lost interest in you? Has she tired of your harsh treatment?"

Before Eric could stop himself, he had Godric by the lapels of his jacket. With quickness and precision, he punched the vampire three times before Godric knew he'd been hit. Clancy and Pam had flanked either side of him; ready to do Eric's bidding. Ready to kill if he'd asked them to. Ready to die if they had to.

Godric could've killed them all but instead he played the victim. Everything and everyone at the party stopped. Godric dangled from Eric's hand as blood trickled from his mouth. He looked like a helpless and defenseless rag doll when he was anything but.

Sookie was soon standing by her husband's side. "Eric!" she exclaimed. "Put him down right now!"

He released Godric's lapel and stepped away from the vampire. Godric pretended to not know what was going on or why Eric had attacked him. He shook his head as if he was hit harder than he really was. He even threw in a couple of backward staggers for show.

"Why would you do that, Northman?"

Pam was smirking. "About fucking time," she said under her breath. "You should've killed him when he walked through the door with her."

Sookie heard Pam but ignored her. "What is going on over here?" Sookie asked as she looked from Eric to Godric.

The vampires eyed each other with contempt.

"Pam," Sookie said.

Useless to say, Pam didn't say a word.

When no one answered her, she looked to Godric. "Are you okay?"

"I am fine," Godric said.

"Someone hand him a napkin," she said. "His mouth is bloody."

Godric looked disappointed that she wasn't the one to hand it to him. Though he knew that it wouldn't happen, he wanted her to clean the dribble of blood from his healing mouth but forever remaining the princess that she is, she didn't do it. Instead, Clancy handed him the napkin.

As Godric cleaned his bloody and already healed mouth, Sookie turned to Eric and asked, "What happened?"

"He angered me," Eric said. He kept his eyes on Godric. He wanted to rip the leg from one of the tables and stake him. He wanted to wipe that smug look from Godric's face.

Sookie looked at Eric's hand and saw that he'd hit Godric so hard that it had split the skin around his knuckles. She took another napkin from the table closest to them and dabbed it at his hand.

As his wound closed, Sookie patted his hand and held it. She looked at the crowd of supes and told them to go and enjoy the party. "I think that the testosterone has left the room. Everything is fine now. You all go on and continue with your fun."

As soon as everyone had gone back to their glasses of bloods and wines, she gave Eric her full attention. "What could he have done to make you react in such a way? I've never seen you act like this before. What did he do? How did he anger you?"

Eric looked down at Sookie and said, "He wants you."

"He said that?" she asked as she turned around to look at Godric.

Though he couldn't see her expression, Eric didn't like it. He didn't like that Sookie turned around to look at Godric when she heard that he wants her. He didn't like that one bit.

"He did."

"Hmm," she said as she stared at Godric.

"May we talk in my office?" I asked.

She turned to look at Eric and said, "No. I don't want to go in there. I don't want to go into your office. I hate your office."

"Please," he said. "I just want to talk to you … in private."

She was apprehensive but followed him anyway.

They walked down the hall in silence. He would glance at her over his shoulder to be sure that she was still there. Once they were in his office, he closed the door behind them. When he turned around to face her, Sookie was looking at her surroundings. She looked at the couch, the desk and the floor. She could only imagine the number of fangbangers he'd banged in this one space. She didn't want to touch anything in there so she stood stock still in the middle of the floor.

"Why would you want to bring me in here?"

"Because I want to talk to you," he answered.

"We could have talked at home."

"I need to talk to you now."

"Make it quick. I want to get out of here."

Eric didn't know where to begin so he decided to just start speaking. "You are beautiful tonight. I've never seen you look more beautiful … not since the first time we met."

She was shocked by him yet again. She thought that he'd only said it out there because others were around but she could see that he meant it. It was in his eyes. "Thank you."

Eric stood tall as he spoke to her. "I'm glad that you came. I wasn't sure if you were coming. I didn't think that you would."

"Since you didn't invite me, I wasn't sure if I was. I hadn't decided until the last minute." She eyed him suspiciously. "You almost looked as if you were expecting me to show up."

He shook his head no. "You surprised me last night with your decisions about our marriage. I figured that you would surprise me tonight by showing up. I'd hoped that you'd come but I wasn't sure."

Sookie began to look around the office. The images of Eric and the fangbangers appeared in her mind. "Why am I in here with you, Eric? If you have something to say then say it."

And that he did. "I didn't realize that you knew Godric."

Sookie shook her head. "I don't. We met in the parking lot. He's very nice. He flatters me with his many compliments … or so he thinks."

Eric smiled. He knew that Sookie wouldn't fall for Godric's bullshit.

"You shouldn't have hit him. That was so unbecoming of you."

He should've hit him. It made him feel better. "He bothered me."

Sookie almost laughed. "Jealousy is an ugly color on you."

He was going to deny his jealousy but decided against it. "I've never had a reason to be jealous. I hated seeing him walk in with you. I hated the way he looked when you came in at his side. It angered me. It should've been me."

Sookie didn't trust Eric's flattering words either. What in the hell was he up to? She could feel his sincerity but she'd felt that sincerity before. She'd been fooled by it once. She didn't know whether to believe him or punch him square in the nose. She didn't know what to say so she said nothing. Neither of them said anything. They stood in the office and said nothing for a few minutes. Sookie decided to break the silence.

"Well, if there's nothing else …"

He spoke up quickly because he didn't want to share her with the others. He didn't want her to go. "You weren't home when I woke up this evening."

She had a confused look on her face. "I had plans."

There was a knock at the door. Eric growled, "Not now!"

Whoever was knocking on the door, scurried down the hall as quickly as their legs could carry them. Eric continued to stare at Sookie. There was so much that he wanted to say. He just didn't have the words.

"Eric say what you have to say. I don't want to be in here any longer."

He looked into her eyes and said, "I don't want to end this marriage."

Sookie's heart picked up speed and fluttered wildly. He does love her. He does want to be with her. She wanted him to say that he was a fool and he'd never mistreat her again. She wanted him to take her into his arms and kiss her as he's never kissed her before. Pretty soon, he was going to drop to his knees and tell her how much he's always loved her.

And he wanted to do those things but he didn't know what to say. He didn't know how to say them. "We deserve another chance. Just give me another chance," he whispered. "We owe it to each other and to our people to make this work."

Sookie sighed. Why couldn't he just say that he wanted to make it work because he loves her? Why couldn't he say that he doesn't want to go another day in his life without her at his side? Why did he have to make things so hard? Why did she keep letting him play with her emotions?

"I'm not doing this with you tonight. I came here because …"

Sookie was talking but Eric didn't hear anything that she'd said. He looked at her pouty lips and all he could think of doing was kissing her. He was filled with the desire to hold her.

"My god, you are so beautiful," he whispered.

Sookie stopped talking immediately.

"You're amazing to me. You're so beautiful, Sookie," he repeated.

Eric gripped both of her shoulders in his hands. His gaze was excitedly looking over her face and her body. He raised his eyes to meet hers. His hands released her shoulders and crept up to her face. Sookie flinched at his touch but he remained gentle. He used his thumbs to brush over her cheeks. Her breathing became ragged. He leaned in to kiss her. She leaned in with him. She could feel his hardness pressing against her stomach. She knew that he wanted her. His lips brushed lightly against hers. She wanted to kiss him but she stopped herself. She stopped him.

"No," she said.

Eric couldn't believe what he was hearing. "What do you mean no?"

"Just as I said; no," she said. "I will not give myself to you like this. I believed in you before and look at what it got me. I won't fall for your charms this time. I am determined to stand my ground. You haven't earned me. You haven't loved me. You haven't cherished me. You've misled me, Eric. You made me believe that we were so much more than an arrangement. And to make matters worse you've cruelly mocked my love for you. I'm not going to do this anymore."

Eric stared at her as he searched for the right words.

"You may not love me but you will respect me."

Eric watched Sookie as she walked past him and to the office door. He wanted her.

"I have to say this to you before I go. I am insulted."

"It has never been my intention ..."

She glanced at him over her shoulder. "It's never your intention, is it? The fact that you would try to kiss me in this office when you won't kiss me in our bedroom is what's insulting. You've been with those fangbangers in here and this is where you try to kiss me?"

Eric decided that he would tell her the truth. "Since we've been together, I swear to you, I've never been with anyone else. I've never fed from another woman. I've never been with another woman. You're all that I know."

She didn't believe him. She thought that he was only saying those things because he was jealous of Godric.

"I only wanted to …"

"I know what you wanted," she said as she turned away from him. Sookie composed herself before opening the office door. "Everything is decorated beautifully. I wish that I could've been a part of it."

"Sookie," he said. She didn't turn around to face him but she waited. "I'm sorry."

She knew that his apology wasn't sincere. He wouldn't be apologizing to her if she'd never told him that she knew about the party. "I just want to go out there and meet and greet your guests. I want to mingle with your friends. I want to be a part of this even if it is of my own doing. Will you excuse me?"

"Yes," he whispered. "I hope that you enjoy the night."

"Thank you," she said as she closed the door behind her.

"You do look beautiful tonight," Eric said to the spot where his wife once stood.