Spellbound
Thank y'all so much for the favorites, reviews, and alerts. Y'all are the absolute best. I hope that you enjoy the story. The story idea is mine but the characters belong to CH.
"My silly, silly vampire," Sookie muttered sweetly as she reached for Eric.
When she awakened to the luminous morning light streaming into her bedroom window she then realized that she wasn't in their bedroom. Much to her dismay, she was still in the guest room. Eric had left her in there instead of carrying her into the room with him after they'd made love. He'd even opened the draperies for her so that the sun would awaken her instead of the sounds of an alarm clock. It was all so sweet but it wasn't good enough. She wanted him.
She wanted to be lying in the bed next to her silly, silly vampire. The sensation of waking up without him gave her an anxious feeling. Since reforming their bond and the sharing of her essence, it's getting harder for her to be away from him; though it's only been two days.
Since Ludwig confirmed the not so big surprise, Sookie's need for him has gotten stronger. Dr. Ludwig said that being away from Eric is one of the side effects. She needs him and she needs his blood. That's another reason why there is no way he's going to go to the council and tell them what happened. After what happened with Adele and Fintan, there's no way they could survive the separation.
There's no way they were going to be separated from each other. Freyda is not going to win this battle. The council is not going to find out that Eric was involved with the killing of Lucian and his henchmen and they aren't going to find out about Claudette's part in it either. She was going to make sure of it. Her family was not going to suffer because of one selfish vampire's acts of violence. If one of the members of the council breaks those rules, they are to be punished severely; regardless of whom they were or what their status is in the supernatural community. They would understand but it would be unacceptable. There's no room for treason. It's not accepted.
She understood why Eric didn't tell her or Claudette what Freyda is to him. Claudette wouldn't have been accepting and neither would she. They both would have blamed Eric. They would have gone so far as to believe that he was a part of the assassination plot. Because they are fae, they would have been unforgiving and they would have killed him.
Sookie placed her hand to her chest. "I would have killed my husband and I would have never known the truth."
Fury filled her. Eric isn't at fault but Freyda … she is going to pay. There was no way that Sookie was going to let Freyda skate by without being punished. She is going to suffer for her actions; not Eric and not Claudette. Only one thing worried Sookie and that was her cousin's reaction to learning that Lucian was cheating on her. How was Claudette going to react to the fact that her husband's mistress was behind the plan to kill her? How is she going to react to the fact that he was going to kill her for her wealth? How is she going to react when she finds out that Lucian was going to kill her for his mistress and that the mistress is the child of her cousin's husband?
Not good.
Not good at all.
Claudette isn't the type that's going to sit back and let Freyda walk free. She isn't the type to approach the council for permission to exact revenge on her enemy. If she finds out, Claudette is going to go for Freyda with everything that she has. And that was the next problem for Sookie.
She wasn't sure if she should tell Claudette about Freyda. If Claudette went after her and killed her, she would be punished by the council members. She could be banished from this world forever and sent back to Faery. That's a punishment worse than death for her and one that she wouldn't deserve. There is no proof that Lucian and Freyda were involved in plotting to kill her. There is no one that can speak on why she would have killed Freyda. Eric can't do it. They'll have to tell the council about the killing of Lucian and his pack members. Pam can't testify because she'll have to speak against her maker. There's no written proof. There are no pictures. There are no other witnesses. There is nothing to support her claims of possible justified murder. Punishment would be a definite fate for her most beloved cousin.
Sookie's heart dropped to her feet.
Hypocrisy is a very ugly thing. She hated the thought of Eric hiding secrets from her and now she was contemplating hiding a devastating secret from her most beloved cousin. It is the most sickening feeling she's known. She wasn't sure of what she should do. Should she tell Claudette what Eric told her about Freyda? Should she help Claudette kill Freyda and not tell Eric? Should she kill Freyda all on her own and never tell anyone? Or should she keep quiet and never mention any of what she's learned to Claudette; even after Freyda is dead?
As she pondered her choices, her cell phone began to ring. When she looked at the caller ID screen, she closed her eyes and winced. "Hey, Claudette," Sookie said.
"That's what I hate about cell phones and caller ID as a whole. You can't surprise anyone anymore. I'll bet that my picture pops up each time I call," Claudette said as she mumbled under her breath.
Sookie giggled. "It does and it's the worst picture that you've ever taken. You're sleeping and slob is dribbling from the corner of your mouth. And by the by young lady, you couldn't surprise me if you wanted to. You suck at surprises."
"I accept your challenge, my friend. If I surprise you, you owe me a gift. Deal?"
"Deal."
"I was going to call you later but you are really bothering me. What's going on with you this morning? I can feel you all around me. Are you alright?" Claudette's voice was filled with concern.
"Oh, I'm great," Sookie said a little too quickly. "I was thinking of how much I love you and Claudine. That's all. No big deal."
"Okay," Claudette replied. "If that's your lie and you're sticking to it, then okey dokey. You're up quite early this morning. Did that vampire of yours give you a mediocre banging last night? You're supposed to be exhausted and sleeping. If you're up this early, I'll bet that sparks didn't even light up the entire bedroom."
Sookie rolled her eyes. "Don't be so vulgar and he didn't bang me. We made love."
"And unicorns shit out rainbows and popsicles," Claudette retorted. "You guys fucked. The day after a couple makes up, you make love. Almost everything else after the makeup session is considered fucking. You should know that. You've been married long enough to know that. Do I have to teach you everything?"
"Please," Sookie begged. "Why did you call me? I know you didn't call me to ask about the sex life of Eric and Sookie Northman."
Claudette cocked an eyebrow. "So you're a Northman again? Pretty cool. Are you drinking from him again? You need to be."
"Claudette."
"Okay, chill out. Do you want to go shopping with me this morning?" Clearing her throat, she added, "I have a date tonight so I've decided that a new pair of shoes would complete my fabulous new outfit."
Sookie stood up quickly from the bed and she soon regretted it. Her head began to swim. She had to compose herself before responding to her cousin's surprising news.
"Challenge completed," Claudette gloated. "You can pay for my shoes."
"I most definitely will! Do you really have a date?" Sookie finally asked. "A real, honest to goodness date … is it with a person?"
"Don't be a jerk, Sookie," Claudette sneered. "You owe me a pair of expensive shoes."
Sookie could almost see her cousin's smile. "With who?"
"I'd rather not say because if it doesn't work out, I don't want to have to explain what happened to us; especially not to Cissy. You know how she is. She'll blame my high strung attitude or my laid back attitude. You'll try to find out who it is and fix what went wrong. For now, we're not going to tell any names. We're going to leave it simple. Don't ask any questions. We're going to let this happen as it happens."
"Understandable," Sookie agreed. "Is this a blind date?"
"No," Claudette answered. "It's our fourth date."
"Bullshit!" Sookie exclaimed. "You didn't tell me that while we were on vacation."
"Surprised you again? I think I want a pair of shoes and a dress."
"Are you kidding me? We've been on a vacation together and you didn't mention anything about multiple dates. You didn't say one word!? I can understand you not telling Cissy but you didn't tell me?! I can't believe that you didn't tell me! I tell you everything. We share everything … or so I thought."
Sookie then thought about Freyda. For now, she wasn't too sure if they should share everything. Maybe some things needed to be kept private for all that are involved. It'll keep them all safe; especially Claudette. "Well, I guess it's okay if you keep it quiet … for just a little while. I understand that some things need to be left unsaid. I get it and I forgive you."
"That's all I've ever needed," Claudette said mockingly.
"Smart ass," Sookie responded. "Do you like this being … this person?"
"I do," she gushed. "I really do."
"Male or female?" Sookie asked.
"Does it matter?"
"No; I'm just curious. How long have you known … him or her?"
"For awhile, I guess. We met in passing one day. We talked a little bit and before I knew it, we were eating lunch. We spent the day talking to each other. The rest is history and it's been good. We talk on the phone. We email each other. We text each other constantly. We do everything that people in relationships do." Claudette was smiling as she talked about her new friend.
A broad smile spread across Sookie's face. "So this is a relationship?"
Claudette paused before answering. Her demeanor suddenly changed. "I guess it is."
"What's his name?"
"None of your business," Claudette answered.
"I'm confused."
"About what?" she asked.
"About it not working out," Sookie answered. "You two spent an entire day together. You've been on four dates already and you seem to be happy. Obviously it's going fairly well. What gives?"
"Lucian," Claudette answered simply.
Sookie was still confused. "You can't let him ruin this for you."
"I know," Claudette answered. "But I loved him, Sookie. I believed in him. I believed that he loved me. He made me feel emotions that I'd never known and then he kills our baby because he wanted to kill me. We were supposed to have a long life together. We were supposed to love each other forever. Sookie, I'm going to tell you something that we're never supposed to say."
There was a long pause before Claudette spoke again. That wasn't a good sign. Claudette has never been afraid to say what she feels or what she wants. This has to be bad.
"It's a sin for the fae to even think such things. Promise that you won't judge me or ridicule me. You're our princess and what I'm about to say embarrasses me."
"Never," Sookie whispered. She could hear the fear in her cousin's voice. "I love you. I'm your cousin; here and now. Don't think of me as your princess. My status matters not when it comes to your happiness and well being. Never fear my reaction. Never will I judge or ridicule you. We have always stood together and together we will always stand."
Claudette inhaled and let the forbidden words fall from her mouth. "Lucian has instilled fear in my heart. I fear believing in love. I fear love. I fear that love will no longer find me and I will never find love."
"I thought that you still believed in love," Sookie replied.
"I do but I'm afraid," Claudette said. "Maybe it's not supposed to happen for me."
She'd spoken so quickly that Sookie could barely hear her cousin's words but she could feel the pain in Claudette's voice. She could feel the ache as it coursed through her cousin's body. The fear was strong. She wanted to find love again but she couldn't open herself up to it.
"Nonsense," Sookie said. "I have a question for you, my dearest cousin. Did you mention my status as your princess because there is something that you want from me? Is there something that you need for me to do in order to make the pain go away … to make things easier for you? If that is what you want, no one but us has to know. We will never speak of it."
For a fleeting moment, Claudette almost said yes. She wanted to be free to love again. She wanted to be free of the fear. She wanted to find love. She wanted to feel as if her true mate was out there and she would find that mate without fear. She wants her mate to love her and to always love her. Her name, her wealth, and her position; they would not make a difference. They wouldn't see those things. Her true mate would see her and only her. They would know that her love belongs only to them. They would know, together, what true love means. She wanted to say yes but her heart wouldn't allow it.
"That cannot be," she answered. "It wouldn't be true if it has been altered."
"My most beloved cousin, that is not true" Sookie replied. "Your feelings wouldn't be altered and neither would your friend's. I would only take the fear away. The memories would stay. I would only open your heart to what awaits you. I would open your heart to love."
Claudette wanted it and Sookie could feel the urgency in her cousin's heart but she wouldn't act on it until Claudette requested it. Pressing the phone closer to her ear, she said, "I will give it time and I will persevere. I can't give in to the fear. I'm Adele Brigant's granddaughter and I am strong. I will win this. Now," she added with a little more umph in her voice, "How about those shoes? We can shop and then do lunch?"
Sookie knew that her offer was no longer on the table. If Claudette changed her mind, she knew what to do. "Yes and yes," she replied. "We have a lot to talk about. I want to hear about this mystery relationship that you have going on. Is Cissy coming with us?"
"I tried calling her but got no answer. You know that she's getting closer to having their baby. Plus with Gran gone, it's been a tough time for her. She's afraid of having the baby because she doesn't know what to do. Colman's mom is supposed to be coming here to help her out."
"At least she has Colman's mom," Sookie said quietly.
"Are you alright?" Claudette asked.
"I'm fine."
"You will be."
"Where are we going shoe shopping?"
"How about we pop ourselves to Malibu or New York and go to Jimmy Choos?"
"New York and give me fifteen minutes."
"Done," Claudette replied.
When they'd ended their call, Sookie took a quick thirty-five minute shower. Sookie stood in the middle of the overflowing walk-in closet looking for the perfect New York daytrip outfit. She also wanted to look as beautiful as she could if she decided to tell Claudette about Lucian and Freyda.
The thought of telling Claudette the things that Eric told her last night, saddened Sookie. After learning that Claudette's afraid to love again, Sookie didn't think that it was going to possible for Claudette handle the truth about the former love of her life and his undead lover. What if she ended her new relationship because of this new revelation? Her ability to be able to love wouldn't be the only thing that would be destroyed. Her ability to trust would be gone as well.
Sookie thought of how courageous Eric was in telling her all about Freyda and what he'd done. She was extremely proud of him. As a smile played across Sookie's lips, the urge to be near Eric increased. She'd assumed that the daytrip with her cousin would make her feel better. She almost wished that she could see his shy smile or hear his joyous laughter. She almost wished that she could feel his strong arms as they pulled her into his cool, muscular body. She almost wished for the glorious feelings that he'd made her feel when they made love. Instead, she kept her wishes to herself. She couldn't risk wishing him awake in broad daylight.
As she let her towel fall to the closet floor, her cell phone whistled. It was a text from Claudette.
Meet me in the private room at Versace. That's going to be our first stop. Then we'll go to Fendi. I was also thinking that we could stop at Chanel and Hermes. What do you think?
15 mins?
'Kay. Don't forget your credit cards or your cash. You're paying for my shoes and my dress!
You said that you already have a new outfit?!
I did until I surprised you twice in a row. I've changed my mind. I don't want to wear that outfit now. I want something different, something new and you're going to pay for it!
Sookie ran to the bathroom and tousled her hair and put on a little makeup. From the closet, Sookie grabbed a pair of black slacks and a sapphire blue blouse. She'd worn the outfit before and surprisingly, Eric complimented her. She remembered that because they hadn't been married for very long. That night he told her that the blouse made her eyes seem bluer and more beautiful. Sookie smiled as the memory of that night replayed in her mind. She continued to smile as she put on her black boots and grabbed her oversize leather purse as she ran from the room.
Stopping in front of their bedroom door, she grabbed a slip of paper from her purse and left Eric a note to let him know that she was going out with Claudette and that they would be in New York for a day trip. When she slipped the note underneath the bedroom door, it took all of her willpower not to go in the room and cuddle up with him. She knew that she couldn't do that because if she had, she never would have left his side.
When Sookie popped herself to Versace, Claudette was in the room waiting for her and she was surrounded by some of the most beautiful and some of the ugliest shoes, she'd ever seen.
"Oh, Sookie," Claudette said excitedly. "They're having a sale!" She spread her arms out and said, "A huge sale!"
Sookie laughed at the expression on her cousin's face. It was beautiful and it was priceless. She just hoped that if Claudette ever finds out about the secret that she's decided to keep from her, that she would understand it was for the best. It was better for everyone involved. She would have to understand. She would forgive Sookie for hiding things from her and it would be forgotten. Sookie nodded her head as confirmation. Claudette would understand.
It was the only choice.