DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN ALL OF THE CHARACTERS AND NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGMENT IS INTENDED. ALL CHARACTERS BELONG TO THEIR REPECTIVE OWNERS. I AM SIMPLY TAKING THE CHARACTERS OUT TO PLAY FOR MY OWN AMUSMENT. WARNING: RATED M FOR SEXUAL CONTENT, ADULT THEMES, AND LANGUAGE.

~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O

Chapter Four

~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O

We had only a week left before Nikolai would be forced to go to Freyda and he was looking worse every night. He was weakening much faster than he should have for his age and we suspected it was the effect of the witches death. I had left Sookie sitting at his bedside while I went to go speak to my child alone. I was lost in all of this and I needed her council.

Pam arrived just an hour after I had called her. Christian and Pam had a safe house outside of of town and he had insisted that she stay there instead of the compound. Christian had been busy doing...whatever it is he did and he still worried about my child's safety. I was shocked that he got her to agree. There was a definite change in Pamela since she and Christian got together, a change I saw in both of them.

Pam and I took a walk outside around the grounds. I was being cautious and didn't want to be overheard when we had our conversation. When we were far enough away from the palace Pam snapped at me, "Eric, what is it? You have me stomping around in the grass with my new Christian Louboutin heels!"

I laughed and she scowled, "You knew you were only going to see me, why did you wear them?" Pam always looked great and tonight she was dressed conservatively in her light blue pants suit. "You look great, by the way."

Pam loved a compliment. "Yes, well, I'm Sheriff now and I've been helping run the kingdom," she boasted and I gave in. "I missed her."

"I could not be prouder, Pamela. You are the finest progeny I could have asked for." I laid it on thick and Pam just smirked.

"Alright...what is it Eric? You didn't drag me down here to blow smoke up my ass." "She knows me too well."

"You are right. I am here for your council."

Pam's eyes widened and then she smiled so brightly I was almost blinded by her perfectly white teeth. "Well, spill."

"Did you happen to have a run in with Alexei?" I started with this before spilling anything about Sookie. I was putting off the conversation as long as possible.

"I got close, but he killed my strike team." Pam wasn't happy about that but I was just grateful she was alive to tell the tale.

"Were you injured?"

"No, he took out the team and left me standing in a pool of blood and ash. He may be young, but he is...something else." At least my child could see the threat Alexei posed despite his age.

"I want you to stay away from Alexei." Pam gave me a curious look. "He is far more dangerous than he is worth. When this is all over, I should hunt him down." I growled, "Have you had any dreams?"

Pam's eyes widened, "I did dream the other day but I thought it was the fairy blood." "Why the hell is she drinking fairy blood and where did she get it?"

"What fairy blood?" My ire was rising. In the middle of all this she was putting herself in danger by drinking fairy blood?

"Eric, it was nothing really," Pam started and then she saw the look on my face, "I got the blood in exchange for services." She held her head high, "Christian has been under a huge amount of stress so he and I partook in a small bit of fairy blood as a way to blow off some steam."

I shook my head in disapproval but what could I say? "Stay on topic Northman." "Tell me about the dream."

"If I tell you, you can't tell Christian." Why she cared about that I had no idea. What could the dream have been about that she would want to hide it from Christian? I thought about my own dream and became impatient.

"Pamela. You have my word." I was in no mood for games. "I needed the details. Now."

"Fine. Remember the old bed in the basement at Fangtasia. You know the heart shaped one with the leather straps built right into the bed." I nodded, "Well I was tied to the bed completely nude and a man in a black leather mask and domination gear stood at the end of the bed. He started out with a feather first..." I stopped her right there. There was no need for those details.

"I don't need you to be that detailed about the sex Pam, what happened after?" "As if that isn't disturbing enough."

She pouted a little as if I had robbed her of the telling of it, "The sex was great and you know I'm not into that kind of thing usually. I like my sex without pain, just pleasure, but this was just...anyway, the whole thing was ruined when he took off the mask." She didn't leave me in suspense long, "It was Alexei. That's sick right? I have no such interest in him in that way, but the dream was about screwing your crazy little brother."

"Did he say anything?" Nikolai and I had never told anyone the extent of Alexei's gift. We never spoke about what happened the first time Alexei paid us a visit via dream and the less they knew the less questions there would be. We decided to tell the ones close to us that he had only spoken to us in a dream.

"He asked me to go with him. He said I should leave Louisiana and roam the world freely as he does..." it finally dawned on my child, "you think he was speaking to me...for real, in the dream." Her face scrunched up in disgust. "Did he...I mean did we..."

I shook my head, "No. None of it was real."

Pam closed her eyes and let out a breath, "Thank you, God or Satan or whoever just answered my prayer." Pam could be so dramatic. "It seemed so real. Like I could feel, hear, and smell everything. When I woke, I seriously questioned if it had really happened. I mean I totally could have ended up doing some weirdo after taking that "FB". It was one hundred percent pure. I was pretty fucked up." She sighed, "Christian would have been so pissed. He has been on this whole monogamy kick."

"Monogamy? Like just you and him?" I had been successfully distracted by the idea of my child in that type of relationship. We walked over to a nearby bench and took a seat. It was a good spot to speak privately and what I had planned on speaking to her about I did not want overheard.

"No, me and him and someone else, but we have to both be there for that to happen." She frowned. "Does she even know what the term monogamy means?"

"That's not Monogamy, Pam," I said drily.

"Yeah, well it's as close as I'm gonna get so..." Pam crossed her legs and examined her nails. She didn't want to talk about it further and neither did I.

"Moving on..." I didn't know what to say. "How do I transition into the conversation I had planned from that?" "I need to speak to you about Sookie and Nikolai." Pam looked around almost alarmed, then back at me, "I have decided since there has been no progress to let Sookie and Nikolai attempt to break the spell, should they both agree." It was hard to even say the words. I knew I had to do the right thing even if I didn't want to. I was going to lose with any choice I made. If I refused Sookie, she would most likely do it anyway. She was not one who liked to be told "no." Sookie would sacrifice herself for anyone one of our family, not even I couldn't stop her short of locking her up. Then I would be to blame for anything that happened to Nikolai and the rest of the state. That of course would destroy us, not to mention my relationship with Nikolai if he survived. If I let them...join, if I could accept it, I might get to keep them both. I am not one for self sacrifice but losing Sookie forever...I couldn't accept that. I spent so many years alone, but now having experienced my time with Sookie, I wasn't sure if I could go back to nameless lovers and endless loneliness.

"Are you sure about this? I have been feeling your conflict for some time," Pam dropped casually, and I nodded. "Sookie told me she might have to fuck Nikolai to cleanse him with her light. Is that true?" Pam might have acted casual, but from the gleam in her eyes I could tell she had been dying to bring this up. Sookie and I agreed not to tell anyone but apparently my wife decided to include Pam.

"Thank you, Pamela," I sarcastically spat, "for bringing up such a traumatizing experience in such a crass way." I let out a low growl. I don't even know where it came from, "Yesss...Sookie will have to fuck Nikolai and I have to stand by and give them all my best wishes. Either that or hand over Nikolai to Freyda myself to try and force him to bond to save his life. I'm sure that would go over well. Or maybe..." I had stood and begun pacing. My voice had been rising and I was letting my rage get the best of me. I would have continued my rant if Pam hadn't interrupted.

"Eric, Your Majesty, calm down," Pam whispered furiously looking around us.

"No one will hear me out here," I rumbled. "How dare she."

"I think," Pam was careful not to sound condescending, "if you don't lower your voice the whole neighborhood will hear you. I don't know why you are taking this so hard."

I whirled on her, "What?" "She can't be serious!"

Pam took a step back, "What I mean is you could...ah...look at the gold lining of your," she made hand quote marks in the air, " "dark cloud," or whatever. You and Nikolai could fu..." I lifted my lip and bared one fang, "take Sookie together..or you could watch..." I didn't even respond I just stared at her as she babbled on. "Keep digging my child. Your hole is getting deeper." "I know! Get some FB and some Quickbane. You could make it a party! One night of debauchery with your wife. It could be fun." Pam grinned and I scowled. " Fine. What if you went out and fucked someone else? Wouldn't that even the score? Would that make you feel better?"

"No. I do not want to punish Sookie." I shook my head, "I know she doesn't want to do this. I feel her guilt." I could never cheat on Sookie like that. Her situation was not even comparable to mine. Sookie was making the biggest sacrifice of us all. That realization, just made me feel worse about my obstinacy.

"Then all the more reason to turn it around and make this a fun experience. Sex is fun, it doesn't always have to be about love, just good old fashioned pleasure." My child was trying but it was only making me agitated.

"Fun? Nikolai looks worse and worse by the day." When I thought about it, Sookie had the worst part of this deal. "Maybe a little Quickbane would help."

"That's why doing it now is best. If he can keep down her blood he should restore quickly...physically...right?"

I didn't want to think about it, less ponder the idea. "We know nothing for sure. This may not even work. Then it would be for nothing."

"Jesus, Eric, you would think the world was ending. You are over a thousand years old and have fucked so many over the years. You cared nothing for them and I get it. But seriously Sookie is in love with you. She married you. She gave up having children to be with you. Trust in her. Nikolai isn't going to lure her away." I gave pause to her words and she continued, this was why I sought out her council, "Besides, you owe him. You know it."

I didn't say the words just a nod of the head. I was going to have to have a serious talk with Nikolai and Sookie.

~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~

After my talk with Pam, I decided to rejoin my bonded. She was sitting next to Nikolai and his hand was in hers. "My petite soeur, you should go. Your husband has arrived."

Nikolai had seen me enter the room. Sookie had her back to me and turned to face me. She wore a mask of worry. "Nikolai, how are you fairing?" I walked over to Sookie and put my hands on her shoulders. She relaxed under my touch. I could feel her exhaustion as if it was my own. I knew the conversation we needed to have couldn't wait, even if I wanted to put it off . "Oh the sacrifices I am willing to make for love. I must be the insane one."

"I am still undead, so I guess that's something." Nikolai smirked and for a moment he looked like himself.

"We should let you rest. You need to keep up your strength. I would like to stop by later and have a chat after I put Sookie to bed." Sookie gave me a questioning look, but I would be telling her soon enough.

"Alright." Nikolai closed his eyes and went into downtime. He was conserving as much energy as he could.

I took Sookie upstairs to one of Nikolai's many guest rooms. Nikolai had sold off Sophie-Anne and her children's things to pay off the crown's debt and with the money left over he redecorated the place. Within two years of taking the throne Louisiana was prosperous. It was part of the reason he was so loved by the vampires of the state.

The room had a king sized bed and I sat Sookie on the edge of it. "What is it Eric?" Sookie was beginning to panic.

"I think we need to talk about our options in regards to Nikolai." Sookie's lip quivered and I felt a sharp pain in my chest but went on, "I know you have been working night and day on this lover and I have no doubt that you would figure this out with time, but I think it is time we face the fact that there is only one way to break the spell and free Nikolai."

Sookie looked away from me and I couldn't stand to see her so distraught, "I tried so hard. I tried everything I could think of."

I reached out and pulled up her chin so she would meet my eyes, "Don't you think I know that? Sookie this is not your fault, nor do I blame you. You did not fail my love, you just ran out of time. I also have been looking for any alternatives and we could kill Freyda. It would be a risk not knowing if the spell was linked to her but I have a plan to get rid of her. If you or Nikolai refuses to agree to either of those two choices that only leaves us with handing him over to Freyda and hoping he would take her blood rather than meet the final death."

"But, Eric, the truth is there is something else we could do." Sookie's face dropped and the bond swirled with Sookie's guilt. "Neither of us have brought it up, but we have the Cluviel Dor."

The very first Christmas present I had given Sookie was the Cluviel Dor. It was a Fairy token of love. It was very magical and very rare. I spent a fortune and called in a lot of favors to get my hands on one. It had the ability to grant a wish in the name of love that could change the world. That was the myth of them. Mr. Cataliades had spoken to us in further detail about the token and its abilities and limitations. The Cluviel Dor had to be wielded carefully. If the intentions of the user did not come from a place of true love there would be dire consequences. After much discussion, Sookie and I decided that we would keep the Fairy token locked away as insurance. If something unthinkable happened to either one of us we would use it as a last resort. To be honest, I did not even consider using it for Nikolai.

I could see the wheels turning in my wife's mind, "Eric, I have been struggling with this. I have run it through my mind time and time again. We could avoid me having to have share my light with Nikolai, if we wish away his curse." I couldn't say anything. I was so torn and now I knew what was eating away at her. "But we made a pact, you and I. The Cluviel Dor is the only true protection we have to preserve our lives. You and I both know that although we will have times of peace, there will also be times of war. It has and will always be that way. This is not the first or the last time we will face a life and death situation. I don't want to use the Cluviel Dor unless there is no other way." She paused and I knew this was hard for her to say. I could feel it, "Since we have other options, I think we should pursue those before turning to our last resort, but, what do you think we should do? Am I being selfish? If I needed the Cluviel Dor in the future to save your life, and I had used it now to save Nikolai when there had be another option...I would never forgive myself."

I was moved by Sookie's words. I would feel the same way about her. "Then we should attempt every other avenue, so if we are forced to use the Cluviel Dor to save him we will have no regrets. Ultimately though, you are the one giving Nikolai your body and sharing part of yourself with him. I think this is a decision you need to make. I will support whatever you decide."

"But Eric, I will have to..." she didn't want to say it and it hurt to hear it, "have sex with Nikolai. Are you going to be okay with that? If you say you don't want me to do this I won't. I can't lose you Eric. The Cluviel Dor would be nothing but a trinket without you. You mean everything to me."

I knew Sookie had already made her decision to go through with sleeping with Nikolai. I don't know if it was her overly emotional state that was affecting me, but my eyes welled with my blood red tears. "Sookie, you will never lose me." I took her in my arms and she buried her head in my chest. "If Nikolai agrees, do you really want to go through with it? Do you think you can handle it?" All my worries about Nikolai stealing away Sookie were long gone. "If you don't want to do this say the word and I will take full responsibility for whatever comes as a result. You are my wife and this is an unthinkable thing to have to ask of you."

"Nikolai is not only your brother, he is our family, and my friend. He became king to keep us safe. The two of us wouldn't have been able to lead the life we lead without his sacrifice. We owe him this Eric and I can do this, to save Nikolai, but only if you swear this will not come between us." Sookie pleaded. I didn't want to lie to her, she would feel it, but I didn't know what the aftermath of all this would be. I just knew things would change as they always do.

"I have bonded to you and I have vowed to stay by your side Sookie. Until final death do us part." I was trying to convince myself as much as I was her. Pam was right I had to make this as easy as possible. "Maybe the Fairy Blood and Quickbane idea wasn't so bad."

Sookie seemed to relax a little and pulled away from me. She cupped my cheeks in her hands and looked over my face as if it would give her some insight into my mind. "What does Nikolai say about this?"

I was surprised. I thought she would have talked with him about this, "You have not spoken to him?"

She dropped her hands to her side. "No." Sookie looked as guilty as she felt, "I just couldn't bring it up..."

"Would you like me to speak to him or would you like to do that yourself?" I didn't want to push. I did want to be there to hear the conversation. It would drive me insane not knowing what was said, but it was her choice.

"I think maybe it's better if you speak to him first, then we can talk...the three of us." Sookie tended to put off difficult conversations and facing things until she absolutely had to. It was something I counted on her doing.

"Alright, I will go speak to Nikolai to see if he is willing." I almost couldn't say the words. Nikolai was more than willing. He told me he would be first in line to court her should I ever leave her. I knew he would accept, but what I really wanted to talk to him about was the details of it. I wanted to know before the three of us sat down to talk. I moved closer to her and gave her a peck on the forehead before heading for the door.

"You're going now?" The slight whine to her voice almost had me back at her side. I had been restraining myself for days. I wanted to take her right then and there, but that would not solve the problem before us, it would only put off our conversation with Nikolai another night. I just wanted this over with so I could focus all my anger where it belonged at the Queen of Oklahoma. She was going to meet her end. There was no doubt. "I will kill that bitch for this."

"Yes, my love. Stay here and take it easy, I will send for you after I have spoken to Nikolai." Sookie just nodded and I took off to see my brother.

When I arrived at the room, Christian was sitting at the bedside with Pam at his side. Nikolai was sitting up and being strong in front of his child. I would have done the same. I tried to put myself in Nikolai's shoes. If I was in his position, wouldn't I want him to let his wife save me?

"Eric, I did not expect you back so soon. Is Sookie alright?" Nikolai asked. I suppressed a groan.

"She is fine. I am here about our chat." I turned to my child, "Pam, check on Sookie. If she is not asleep get her some food."

Pam got up and Christian followed, "I think I will help her with that."

I took the seat that sat closest to Nikolai, and as soon as we were alone I began, "The Fairies believe Sookie can break the spell Freyda has cast upon you."

"I have heard that you and Sookie have been working very hard at finding a way to free me. I can't thank you enough for that." "You're damn right." "So tell me is it some sort of ritual or is it like the Fairy kiss?" He was thinking this would work like it did when Christian was turned into a rat by Preston. We had not told Nikolai about this only working during sex, if it was going to work at all.

"Actually the only time Sookie has been able to share her light with me is when we make love. We think in order for this to work, you need to exchange blood and then..." My gritted teeth wouldn't let the words pass.

"Are you saying I have to sleep with Sookie for her to break the spell?" Nikolai was dumbfounded at first and then it was as if a dark cloud gathered above his head.

"Yes."

"Fate really is a cruel bitch," he spat viciously, "In order to break the spell I have to sleep with my brother's bonded wife. I will have to commit every great sin against you and her. Perhaps I should just accept my fate and go to Freyda." This was not what I expected, but deep down it made me feel a little better.

"No." I spoke without thinking. I couldn't watch him become a slave again. "I am giving you my...permission and Sookie has already agreed."

His eyes went wide, "You both have agreed?"

I hated repeating myself, "Yes."

"Eric, I vowed never to..."

"Yes and you will stick to that vow. This is a one time deal. If it doesn't work we will simply move onto step two, roll the dice and lure Freyda into a trap, then kill her."

"Maybe we should skip step one and kill Freyda now." Nikolai knew the risks, but I repeated them anyway. I wondered if he was putting on a show or if he truly didn't want to do this.

"There is a chance you could die with Freyda. If Sookie can break the spell we can kill her with no risk to you." I really never imagined I would be sitting here trying to convince my brother to fuck my wife. "What the hell is wrong with me?"

"Will you be with us?" "Huh?"

"What do you mean? In the room?" I wasn't sure what Nikolai was suggesting. I knew he preferred women as I did but when you live as long as we had, you try everything at least once.

"I mean will you be participating or spectating? Sookie is your wife and I know what a great burden this is for the both of you. I will only do this in the way you agree to. I will not let this risk our family. I would rather die with your affections than live with your resentment." Nikolai and I had issues before over Sookie, because of Alexei's dream. This was the real thing.

"I..." I was torn. In that moment, I didn't have the answer to the question I had been plagued with. "We will see what the three of us are comfortable with. Sookie wished to join us after we had our conversation. She wants the three of us to talk."

"Are you ready to bring her down or is there something further you wish to discuss?" Nikolai seemed a bit more energetic and I tried not to cringe.

"There is something else. I have rules." I leaned in and looked him dead in the eyes, "Do not fall in love with her. She is mine and after this you will never touch her again. No one outside of our family will know of this. There is only Pam, Christian, Claude and the three of us. I expect that after the...event you will not treat Sookie any differently than you did before. We shall never speak about the event again, not with each other and certainly not with Sookie. If she brings up the subject it is not to be discussed without me present."

"I agree to those terms." Nikolai and I shook hands. It wasn't common for vampires to do that but it meant something between us two old warriors.

"Then I will call Sookie down." I pulled out my phone and texted Sookie to tell her to come downstairs.

"So...you are going to leave this up to Sookie?" Nikolai seemed surprised at this but I had set my rules.

"Yes."

"What if she want's us both. Would you agree?" Just as I had feared, he was getting excited.

"Why brother, do you want to get me into bed?" I said flatly, not to give away my chaotic state.

"We don't have to fuck each other. We can share her." I wanted to wipe the smile off his face with my fist. My expression must have conveyed that thought since Nikolai lost his smile.

"I think I might need some of that FB." I muttered to myself, but Nikolai heard me.

"You would want to be high when this goes down?" Nikolai wasn't one to drink fairy blood. Its not that he never did, but he didn't like being out of control.

"It lowers inhibitions, possible memory loss, it might make things...easier," I shrugged.

"You mean that it will make you want to suck and fuck everyone you can get your hands on without a care." Nikolai may have been weakened but he had not lost his bluntness. "You want to be numb to this."

"No." "Did I? Maybe..."

"It wouldn't stop the guilt if that is what you are concerned with." Nikolai spoke with serious conviction, "If you don't want me to do this I won't." His words sounded a lot like the ones Sookie said to me earlier. "We can kill the bitch and take a gamble. It wouldn't be the first time."

He was right, it wouldn't be the first time, but I didn't want this to be the last. "I have already given you my blessing."

"You say the words but they are empty."

I rolled my eyes, maybe Nikolai has been spending too much time with the Pythoness. "Perhaps, but I stand by my word." That was all he was going to get from me. I wasn't going to put on a show and act like I was happy with this. I had my pride.

There was a knock on the door and Nikolai called out, "Enter."

Sookie walked in and her eyes found mine. She gave me a weak smile as she walked over and took the seat next to me. Pam had followed her in, "I forced her eat half a sandwich."

"Thank you, Pam. Now please leave." I wanted this whole thing over with. I felt we talked about this enough. Pam huffed but left, shutting the door behind her.

I reached out and grabbed Sookie's hand. She scowled at me, "You didn't have to be so rude to Pam. She only wants to please you."

"Oh my child is in trouble. What kind of conversations were she and Sookie having?" "I know, dear one, but I would like to end this conversation as soon as possible." It was my turn to be blunt.

I could feel Sookie's guilt right before she closed off the bond. "Alright then, lets talk." Sookie straightened her back and looked to Nikolai instead of me.

"Sookie, are you sure you want to do this? I will not force a woman into anything she doesn't want to do." Nikolai and I had been forced to do so many horrible things when we were young, so I knew his stance on rape.

"I know that, Nikolai. You wouldn't hurt me like that. That is one of the many reasons I've agreed to this." Sookie's face was as red as a tomato and I was green with jealousy.

"Do you want Eric here or participating when we make love, or would you like to do this one on one?" Nikolai stared intently on Sookie. He already knew that I would go along with whatever Sookie wanted. I tried my best not to think about the way he said "make love". It made my jealousy flame.

Sookie looked over to me and I felt the bond open. "Eric, what would you prefer?" She wanted the truth.

"I think it is best if I stay out of it." I wasn't sure I could deal with watching them. I had done that once before and it had not been enjoyable. Sookie shut down the bond as soon as I answered. Sometimes it really pissed me off that she had so much control over it. I didn't like that she got to pick and choose what she shared with me. Not that I couldn't, but I admit to being a hypocrite in this matter. I stood and looked down at my wife, "I think I will leave the rest of the discussion to the two of you." I bent down and gave Sookie a quick kiss on the forehead and then a nod to Nikolai before I exited.

I didn't want to think about what they could be talking about and I was hungry, so I went to the kitchen to look for something red to distract me. I would have preferred to feed from Sookie but because she needed her strength I was forced to refrain. I considered getting a donor, but I was pretty sure Sookie would take that the wrong way, so I was stuck with the Royalty Blended. "At least it's the good stuff."

I sat down at the table alone and had myself a pity-party as Sookie would call it. Most of the estate had been cleared out. The guards were on the premises, just not allowed inside the building, so there was no one to witness my weakness. I sipped on my blood, unsatisfied with the taste. I missed my wife. I missed what we had. It was a good thing that I had cut off the bond and Sookie couldn't feel my fall into despair. I was so distracted I barely noticed the pop of a Fairy arrival.

"Eric! I have come bearing good news." Claude was sitting in the chair across from mine with a huge grin on his face. He took a huge risk popping in here unannounced. I never thought any other Fairy, besides Sookie, could ever breath hope back into me but hearing those words, sparked it.

"What is it? Have you found a way for Sookie to share her light without having sex?" I was too impatient for the answer.

"No." Claude looked almost stricken as he stared at me. I had no idea what expression I had on my face but I promptly straightened it out.

"What is this good news then." I leaned back in my chair deflated. In my mind this conversation was over.

"I found a way for the three of you to have sex without the negative feelings that often come with an unwanted sexual encounters." Claude looked proud but it sounded like it was going to turn out an awful lot like what Pam had suggested.

"How are you going to do that? Sprinkle some Fairy dust on us?" I was being sarcastic but the little fairy bastard had gotten my hopes up and crushed them.

"No, with a potion." He looked at me like I was crazy.

"What kind of potion?" I asked dully.

"One that Fairies use when they are forced to copulate." It was my turn to look at Claude like he was nuts. "You know the Fae have a problem with population." I nodded. It was well known that their numbers waned as the earth became more and more toxic to them. "Well, so many of us are forced to breed with partners not of our choosing that this potion was developed to remove any negative emotions from the event. The participants simply can't feel those emotions while mating."

"Why would the Fae need this?" It was well known that the Fae had a highly sexual nature to them. I didn't think they took the whole monogamy thing seriously.

"When a breedable female marries a male that is found to be sterile and vice-versa. The man or the woman who can still breed is still expected by law to produce at least three births. So a segregate can be brought in or the couple can join a Merriment. This potion makes it possible for there to be no hard feelings after the merrimaking."

"Merrimaking?" I couldn't help but think of frolicking fairies in a field of flowers.

"Merriments are held in groups and all are encouraged to indulge in unbridled acts of passion and licentious revelry." Claude looked almost reminiscent or maybe he was just wishing he had participated himself. I wasn't sure and I sure as hell wasn't going to ask.

"In groups? Like a large Fae orgy?" "That doesn't sound so bad..."

"We do not call the events orgies, that word holds such a filthy connotation. A merriment is a beautiful joining of pleasure and indulgence." Claude seemed offended

"And afterwards?" This was all well and good for the event itself but it was the aftermath I was worried about.

"Afterwards, when you think back on the event, you will not be able to conjure any negative emotions that were purged by the potion. Everyone involved who partakes in the potion looks back fondly on the experience. The potion was made to keep peace between the Fae while faced with the difficult task of forced procreation to preserve our species."

"Does it make them love one another?" I feared that Sookie would grow to have feelings for Nikolai.

"No! If you take the potion and make love to Sookie that love would still be there along with everything else you feel for one another. If the two of you asked me to join you, which by the way I'm willing, I can promise it would be a positive experience for you both and you would enjoy it, but when it was over it would be over. You and Sookie wouldn't fall in love with me, Eric, but I can't say the same about me...I mean if I didn't take the potion and I got to touch that body of yours...those abs..." I growled and he grinned, "This potion doesn't create feelings, it suppresses feelings."

"Are you sure this would work with a vampire?" I asked sceptically. If this potion could make this experience into something positive it was possible for us to walk away unscathed, for the most part anyway. "Don't get your hopes up again Northman."

"It works on all races. The potion is often sold illegally and used recreationally. The worshipers of Dionysus often use this at their rituals. You know his worshipers come from every species."

"I don't know about this...we have no time to test it." I had my reservations, but if it worked, problem solved.

"Trust me. It works," Claude said earnestly. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a vial of sparkly blue liquid. He reached over the table to hand it to me and I took it.

When I held it I could feel the power of it. The potion was definitely fused with magic. "How does it work? Do we each take a drink? How long does it take?"

"You only need about a thimble's worth each. It kicks in pretty quickly within ten or fifteen minutes or so. The effects last for about twelve or so hours."

"But Nikolai can't hold anything down. I'm not sure he will be able to take this."

"All I was told was that each of you should take it before the blood exchange." Claude looked thoughtful.

"Where did you get this stuff anyway?" I sure as hell wasn't going to be taking or giving my wife and Nikolai some weird potion he picked up from some back alley, black market, magical drug dealer. Claude didn't seem to know very much about the potion.

"Mr Cataliades. This was his idea." Claude admitted. I was shocked. It had been a while since we had heard from him.

Mr Cataliades was a strange demon. For some reason he seemed to care deeply for Sookie. Cataliades was like her guardian. He had helped both me and Sookie in the times we needed help most. If he was giving this to us then I trusted it was safe. "Fine. I will speak to Sookie and Nikolai immediately." I got up from the table and started to leave.

"A thank you would be nice. An Invite would be better!" Claude called after me.

"Thanks." I waved a hand but didn't stop to chat further. I wanted to present this new option to Sookie and Nikolai. "And call the demon and find out how to take this shit properly."

O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O

A/N: I hope you're enjoying the story. Please drop me a review and let me know.