Spellbound

Chapter 71

Thank you all so much for reading and reviewing. Thank you for making the story one of your favorites and thanks for sticking with me while I worked on my other story. I hope that you all enjoy.

The characters belong to Charlaine Harris but the story idea is mine.

As Sookie ate the last bite of her seared asparagus, she sighed and patted her belly. She looked at Eric and said, "This is by far the best meal that I've had ever in New Orleans. This place is a treasure. I can't believe that we've never dined here before tonight. Everything was absolutely delicious. Thank you for bringing me here."

He smiled proudly. "I'm glad that you enjoyed it. It's just a little hole in the wall place that I've known about it for years. Not many supes come here. I thought that it would perfect for tonight … for us. We needed a night alone with no supes around; asking for something, needing something. I think that a little quiet time is just what we needed." He then rested his elbows on the table and leaned towards her. In a hushed voice, he said, "You look absolutely beautiful tonight. You are glowing. I've never seen you look so good."

She blushed as she dabbed at the corner of her mouth. "It's the dress. Claudine has always said that I look better in white. She said that it sets off my tan." She'd chosen a basic white neoprene dress with gold embellishment around the neckline. It was perfect because it left a lot to the imagination. It had nothing to do with how she was feeling or looking. She looked down at herself and said, "I don't think it's the dress. I think it's the company."

"It's not the dress or the company," Eric countered. "It's you."

"You don't have to kiss up, my dearest love," Sookie replied. "I'm already your biggest fan."

His bountiful laughed filled the air. He winked at her as those icy blue eyes melted her insides. Sookie noticed how so much more at ease Eric was since they'd taken their second shower. He was so pleasant. He was as friendly as he wanted to be. He was polite to the owner of the restaurant. They talked as if they've been friends for many years. He was extremely polite to all of the servers. After all that has happened tonight, she didn't expect him to be so relaxed, so cheerful. Only one thought entered her mind.

She got up from her seat and went over to sit in his lap. She wrapped her loving arms around his neck and looked into his eyes and smiled. She stared at him for what seemed like hours before speaking. "You don't fool me in the least, Eric Northman. I know you. What are you up to?"

Eric looked confused at her words. He even laughed. "I haven't a clue to what you're speaking of, lover. The night has been quite pleasant. The dinner was beyond what you'd expected and you question me? My lover questions my motives?" He shook his head. "Your suspicions astound me."

"Really?" she asked. "Earlier tonight, you were ready to kill anyone that came anywhere near me. When we left the house, you almost choked the poor vampire guard to death when he reached out to open the car door for me and now you're as calm as I've ever known you to be."

He looked guilty when she mentioned the vampire guard from earlier. "He moved a little too quickly. And," he added as an afterthought, "I apologized to him. Didn't I give him the rest of the night off?"

"After you'd practically ripped his head from his neck. You're too calm. I just don't buy it, Eric. What gives? What are you up to?"

"Nothing," he said. "I swear."

"You're such a liar."

He shook his head and widened his eyes as if he were an innocent child being scolded for something that he'd hadn't had a chance to do yet. Once again, he was about to open his mouth in protest but she stopped him.

"I'm not buying it," she warned him as she leaned in and kissed him.

Without hesitation, he leaned in and returned the kiss. He lovingly let his fingers trace over her face. "My lover," he whispered. He didn't if their guards were watching them or heard his endearments. He loves and he was never again going to hide it.

Since the council meeting, they weren't afraid to show their affection for one another. Andromeda told them that being in love and showing their need for one another made them stronger. It doesn't make them weak. It makes them a force to be reckoned with. They will do whatever it takes to keep the other safe and may the gods be with the one that tries to destroy what they have. Sookie more than proved that when she killed her kinsman for her husband. Every supe in the world now knows that she will do anything for him. And for him to let her stake claim to him in front of their fellow supes showed them that he felt the same way. They have more than a contractual marriage. They are in love. There was no room in their lives for hiding what they feel for one another.

"Let go of me!" the loud and obnoxiuos voice screamed out. "Put me down! I'm Copley Carmichael! You can't do this to me!"

Sookie and Eric turned around to see Copley Carmichael dangling in the air with nothing holding onto him ... as far as he could tell. The faery guards had captured him before he'd had a chance to approach the Northmans.

"What are you doing here?" Eric asked.

With his legs swinging back and forth, Copley said, "I only wanted to speak with you and your wife. I didn't expect to be accosted by invisible forces." He continued to struggle. "Let me go!" he yelled. "I'm Copley ...!"

Sookie rolled her eyes and cut him off before he could introduce himself again. "Let him go," she said.

When the invisible guards released him, there were now two visible guards standing in front of him. "Take another step in their direction and you will not leave here alive," Carson stated. His and his partner's swords were in full view. They never make idle threats. If Copley had taken a step forward, he would've died right there.

Copley almost lost complete control of his legs; not to mention his other bodily functions. His bodyguard, Tyrese, hadn't moved a muscle. He was just as afraid as his employer. He had silent tears rolling down his cheeks. Both men looked at Carson and Kellan and nodded their heads. "Okay," they said simultaneously.

Eric and Sookie continued to look at them as if they'd never seen either of them before in their lives. The remaining guards took that as their cue to appear. Three guards stood behind the couple. Two stood behind Copley and Tyrese and Carson and Kellan remained in front of them. Kendrick and Anastasia stood behind the two guards that were standing behind the potential enemies.

Copley looked at the lovers and begged them with their eyes to tell the guards to cut them some slack. He wasn't going to hurt them. He'd only wanted to speak with them about the case. He wanted to know if they needed anything from him. He only wanted to help so that he could bring his daughter home. He only wanted to know ….

"Stand down," Sookie ordered after reading his thoughts. "But each of you stay in position."

"Yes, your highness," they answered. They surrounded both men and were ready to kill them once she'd given them the word.

Copley's eyes widened when he heard the word 'highness'. He had no idea that the vampire's wife is royalty and he chastised himself for not knowing. He should've known. With the way that she carries herself, she couldn't be anything but. She exudes grace and elegance. She has the look of power about her. The first time he'd seen her, he knew that there was something about her. He told Tyrese after they'd left that police station that night that she was …

"If you're done eyeballing my wife," Eric said.

Copley didn't know whether to bow or to shake her hand. So he did the next best thing. He gave her a deep nod. "I was over there having my dinner and I saw you two. I just wanted to say hello to you both. I was wondering if you'd made much progress with the case. It's been a few days and I wanted to know if there's anything that you need, if there's anything that I can help you with."

Eric and Sookie looked at each other and then back at Carmichael. Eric wrapped his arm securely around Sookie's waist and rested his other arm on the table. "Really now?" he asked. "At the station you didn't want to have anything to do with me because I'm a monster. You didn't trust me. At least that's the vibe that I got; especially since you told me as much." Looking at Sookie, he asked, "Am I wrong, lover?"

Staring at Copley, Sookie shook her head no. "You're right. He was extremely vocal about his distrust of you. I believed him to be quite suspicious of us wanting to help."

Copley didn't know what to say. He'd gone so far as to try and punch the vampire. He was also insulting to him but he didn't mean it. He couldn't show his fear. He couldn't show that he was afraid that he'd never see his dear, sweet Amelia again. He had to be strong or he would've broken down right there in the Police station. Everything that the Northmans have said is true. "I was wrong. I apologize for my ignorance," he finally said. He looked as if the apology had left an awful taste in his mouth. He's used to receiving the apologies; not making them. Even so, he meant every word.

Eric gave Copley a sideways grin. "Say what it is that you want and leave us," he ordered smoothly.

"I want to make sure that the police officers are giving you everything that you need," he replied.

"Detective Bellefleur has been wonderful," Eric answered. "Detective Beck is the problem. He doesn't want to be cooperative but his chief has made him see the error of his ways. As far as we know, he's been helpful."

Copley frowned. "Is he trying to hinder the investigation? Does he not realize that my daughter is among the missing?" Nodding, he added, "Don't worry, Northman. He will do as he's told. They'll all do as they're told."

"We have some information on some of the girls that have been known to be around your daughter and the others," Eric said. "It was hard to obtain but he gave us the information; with a little coaxing from his partner. There's no need to make waves where none are needed."

Copley didn't seem to hear a word Eric had spoken. "Well, I'm going to make a few calls to make sure that he doesn't need any further coaxing," Copley promised. He took a step forward and Anastasia raised her sword. Wisely, Copley took a step back.

Looking at her, he said, "I was only going to shake their hands."

"No, you weren't," Anastasia countered. Her flaming red hair brightened and her green eyes darkened.

Copley shook his head no. "I wasn't," he agreed. "Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Northman." He said nothing else as he and Tyrese sprinted from the restaurant. They never looked back.

Once Carmichael and Tyrese had vanished, so did the guards.

Sookie turned to Eric and smiled. "Copley seemed a lot more cooperative than when we first met him. Do think the guards addressing me by my title had something to do with Copley's sudden change of heart?"

Using his thumb and point finger as emphasis, Eric said, "Just a lot."

The lovers laughed and talked for a little while longer before Sookie told Eric that it was time for them to go. "We need to get home so that we get that meeting started. As much as I love it, you can't keep tucked under your arm all night long. Our first priority is to find those girls. I think that once we find those girls, we'll know for sure who tried killing me."

"You're my priority," Eric argued.

Sookie sat tall in his lap and eyeballed him. "No," she said. "Our first priority is to the council and to those girls. We said that we were going to find them and we are going to find them; be it dead or alive. We have an obligation and we will follow through."

"You're the most difficult woman that I've ever known," Eric said. "Do you know that? Do you realize how difficult you are?"

"Yes," she answered simply. "Now, let's go. We have a meeting to attend."

He pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and called Selene. "We are ready. When you arrive, have the guards check out the surroundings before Sookie and I leave. Make sure that everything is clear for our departure."

"Yes, master," she said.

Within seconds, the surrounding area was checked and cleared for their departure. Selene called Eric to let him know. "Everything is clear, master. I'm driving to you now."

Eric dropped two bills on the table. He kept Sookie underneath his arm as they left the restaurant. When they went outside, the faery guards were visible for all to see. They were armed and ready. They surrounded the vampire and the fae and waited anxiously for even a glimpse of an enemy.

As they waited for Selene's arrival, Eric nuzzled Sookie's neck. She lovingly caressed his head and peppered his face with kisses. He whispered sweet endearments in her ear. She'd giggle and snuggle in closer to him. The snuggling and the giggling didn't stop when their car appeared.

Selene emerged from the driver's seat and opened the door for them. "Good evening, mistress. I hope that your dinner was pleasing."

Sookie looked at Selene and smiled. "It was wonderful, thank you. How has your night been so far?"

Selene almost looked sad. "I haven't had a chance to kill anyone but I'm hoping that it'll pick up soon."

Sookie's melodic laughter filled the night air.

Selene smiled.

Eric shook his head as he watched his wife and their vampire guard. Another one bites the dust, he thought as he helped Sookie get into the car. He slid in beside her; never once letting her go.

Once the lovers and their many guards were gone, the vampires emerged from the shadows. "She's stunning," Bill said. "She's absolutely stunning. No wonder the Viking is so taken with her."

Freyda rolled her eyes. "You're not going to fawn all over her too, are you Bill? It's so unbecoming. And as far as looks go, I've seen better. She's okay but she's a problem and she needs to be gotten rid of. My maker has turned his back on me because of her. You agreed to help me, Bill."

Bill eyed the vampiress with contempt. "And I will help you. We wouldn't be following them now if you'd listened to me. I told you that we weren't going to rush it but what did you do? The opposite of what I told you to do. Your incompetent hit man, the one that you said was so great, was a complete fuck up." He looked at her with apparent disgust in his eyes. "Did you kill him as I told you to?"

"Yes, Bill," she said. "I killed Roman. I didn't want to. Regardless of what you believe, Roman has always been a great hit man. When she ducked, it threw him off. That could've happened to anyone. Roman shouldn't have had to die because of a simple mistake."

"Well, thank yourself for that," he spat at her. "If he'd been caught, we would be the one's paying the price. It had to be done."

Freyda knew that she'd made a mistake. She'd let her anger get the best of her and she'd fucked up. She'd acted too quickly. She regretted her actions because she didn't think things through. She never really does. If she'd thought things through when she'd planned Sal's death, she'd be richer than she could have ever imagined and a vampire. Eric may not her turned her but she knew vampires and many of them wanted her. They would have turned her just so they could have her.

"I know and I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking. I won't do it again," she promised.

"That's your problem," he replied. "The plan with Lucian and Claudette was a failure. You didn't think then either. You never think." Bill shook his head in disbelief. "I can't believe that you've lived as long as you have. You're almost as stupid and careless as Jade and she's a new vampire."

"Fuck you, William."

He smiled at her. When she calls him William, she's angry. "We've already played that game. What we need to do now is make the Viking suffer."

Freyda's eyes were soon filled with anger. Eric has always been a great maker. He's one of the best. He's always made sure that she has everything that she needs; well had. He's always protected her. She may have been defiant and she may have her childish and selfish ways but she would let no harm come to her maker. She loves him just as any child should love their maker. She didn't care what happened to Sookie at all. She could turn into a ball of glitter dust and blow away for all she cared but nothing was to happen to Eric.

Freyda's voice dripped ice cubes. "He may have abandoned me for his wife but he is still my maker and you will not harm him. If you even try, William, I will kill you," she warned.

Bill looked at her as if she'd suddenly lapsed into German. "We have a job to do and we will do it. If your maker is caught in the crossfire, then so be it. He will meet his end."

Freyda wrapped her pale white hand around Bill's neck and forced him against the brick wall that stood behind them. "There has never been an agreement to hurt Eric and there never will be. Never," she repeated.

Bill laughed. "You are stupid. What do you think is going to happen to him when the faery dies? He will meet his end and we won't have to lay a finger on him. They're bonded, idiot. Did you see how they were with each other not minutes ago? Did you not hear of what she did for him because one of her kinsmen tried to goad him into killing him? If something happens to her, he will meet the sun. He will die. I guarantee it."

"No," Freyda said as she shook her head. It was almost as if she was trying to shake the very thought from her mind. "Eric is too strong to succumb to something as simple as love. What we saw earlier was merely an act. He doesn't need her. She's nothing more than a contract. You'll see. I want the faery. She's the problem. You will not hurt my maker."

A slow and steady smile appeared on Bill's face. "Whatever you say," he replied.

"Eric's no fool. He's smarter than your master," she said. "You'll never get close enough and you will NOT go near him. I will kill you," she warned. She gave him a final shove and blurred into the night.

Bill watched her and his smile deepened as the final solution to his problem came to mind. He shrugged his shoulders and said, "What's one more dead vampire on my list? It doesn't matter as long as I get what I want."