Disclaimer: The characters depicted herein are the sole property of Charlaine Harris and HBO.
A/N: I sincerely apologize for the delay getting this chapter up. I had guests at my house over the weekend and no time to write. It will probably be like this until after Christmas; but if you decide to stick with the story I'll try to get a chapter posted every two or three days. Cheers!
Chapter 15
After an hour of lying next to each other and cuddling, we were both ready to get out of bed and make plans for the remainder of the night. Eric had just finished telling me what happened during the questioning; Felipe seemingly followed his plan to the letter and Preston was positively thrilled to learn that De Castro's retinue was on their way to Honolulu to offer him their so-called friendship and loyalty. Victor and Felipe were released from their guarded room, and had apparently then went to make arrangements for tomorrow's arrival of Nevada vampires. Felipe had been right; Preston's love of affection is a major flaw in his character. It is possible that Preston predicted something was amiss and was allowing it all to unfold, but I doubted it. Of course, Eric couldn't let on that he knew what De Castro's true intentions were but he assured me that he was planning a counter-attack and we should all be fine.
So…tomorrow night is the arrival of Felipe's vamps, Preston is planning a big party for Wednesday night as Felipe predicted, and Thursday night we are scheduled to leave. It looked like the next few days would be just as busy as the last few, but it seemed that for tonight everything was calm.
Hopping out and bed, I found that I was actually feeling pretty good. I had been managing to have some fun regardless of all the upheaval and drama. Even though the shit was about to hit the fan between Nevada and Hawaii, I couldn't bring myself to be too worried. I really do trust my Viking I thought to myself with some surprise. Since Eric had also told me that I should get ready while he finished making arrangements for tonight, I was happy to oblige and went to take my second shower of the evening. The only thing I worried about was when Felipe was planning to punish Eric for his disobedience. I had originally assumed it would be the night of the party aka bloodbath; but now I couldn't be sure. What if he was aiming for tonight? It seemed unlikely that Felipe would challenge Eric without hoards of other vamps nearby for protection, but what if he did?
Strangely, all these thoughts only helped to increase my desire to have fun with Eric now. We were constantly faced with adversity as a couple, it was inevitable. We had to enjoy every moment of peace. Lathering up my hair and letting the hot water run over my skin, I vowed to make the evening memorable.
* * * * *
"Lover" came Eric's voice from outside the bathroom door "I hate to interrupt" he said with a hint of playful sarcasm "but you need to hurry up. We're meeting Preston, Pam and Bill downstairs in less than half an hour." Eric finished.
"I'm going as fast as I can!" I said. "If I had known your plans sooner I'd already be dressed." I said, turning off the shower and opening the bathroom door in irritation. So we're not going to get even one night alone I thought to myself in frustration.
"Preston and I have planned something very special for tonight." Eric said softly, taking in the scowl on my face.
That shut me up instantly and I went to my suitcases and began rummaging for something to wear.
"Is this going to be formal?" I asked him sweetly.
"No, though I would recommend a simple dress anyway. I will be wearing jeans and a white button down shirt. Am I to assume that you will also be wearing the dagger, Sookie?" He asked me casually, as though it were a pair of shoes. I instantly thought this strange, considering his earlier reaction.
"Actually, yes I am. Niall insists that I keep it with me at all times while on vacation." I said, and grabbed a knee-length lacy blue dress which complimented my figure nicely but wasn't too fancy. It also flowed out from the hips enough that I could strap the dagger to my upper thigh and everyone would be oblivious to its presence. Unless they could detect the fae I thought to myself.
"I gathered as much, since you were wearing it when I got here. I asked you not to" Eric started to say thoughtfully "but Niall's right. You should be armed at all times. Make sure it is perfectly concealed, dear one." He finished, anxiety creeping through the bond.
"I will. Do you think we'll be in any danger tonight? Were Felipe and Victor invited to whatever you've planned?" I asked.
"Yes, they were invited as we had to keep up appearances. Luckily, they declined on the basis that they have too much to do." Eric said darkly.
"No doubt" I agreed. I was relieved they weren't coming, even though I knew they would inevitably be plotting our deaths over a few glasses of blood. Either way, one more night without Felipe in my presence was a night I could look forward to.
I quickly pulled on the dress, shoes, and strapped on Niall's dagger. I looked cute in a relaxed kind of way and that would have to do. Eric had already changed and was waiting at the door by the time I was ready.
* * * * *
When we got down to the lobby, I was relieved to see that Bill and Pam were already there but Preston was not. It would have been rude to keep a King waiting, I thought wryly to myself, even one as amiable as Preston. As we walked towards them, I noticed they were dressed in similar attire to how we had dressed. Pam was wearing a casual though pretty green dress, and Bill was wearing khakis and a white shirt. We looked beach-chic and I imagined that was exactly the point. We are going to get to enjoy Hawaii a little tonight! I thought excitedly, and noticed that Pam was just as happy about that fact as I was. Bill, of course, was standing a few paces away looking somber. I would have to make a point to talk with him tonight.
"Eric" Bill said, and gave a little nod. Pam did the same, and then Eric responded in kind.
"Sookie, we are going to have such fun tonight." Pam said, giving me a hug and grinning with fang.
"Sookie" Bill simply said, eyeing me from head to toe.
"Do y'all know what we're doing tonight?" I asked with a big smile.
"We were told that we'll be on the beach." Pam said with a glint in her eye.
"I've been dying to get my toes in the sand!" I said, and Eric laughed.
"You will have more than your toes in the sand before I'm done with you." He said mischievously.
At that moment, Preston entered the lobby. He was wearing white linen pants, and had a white linen scarf wrapped around his neck. He was shirtless, and his absolute physical beauty seemed to take up the entire room. As he walked towards us with his arms opened grandly, I realized that I had been looking forward to seeing him. Preston's air of supreme confidence and of course sensuality was totally contagious. I looked at Pam and Eric, and noticed that they too had perked up in his presence. We all bowed deeply, I was becoming adept at bowing regardless of my American heritage, and he walked right over to me and picked me up off the floor spinning me around.
"This will be a night to remember." He said, beaming. Pam then started laughing gaily and seemed to almost blush. Eric too, looked boyishly delighted.
Preston led us outside, past the pool where I had been sunbathing earlier. Like I thought, it was packed full of vamps, supes, and a few humans at night. The crowds naturally parted for Preston, and he smiled and inclined his head at a few guests while walking by. We made our way towards the sandy beach visible between the east and west wings of the hotel, and Preston paused to look at us.
"I have arranged for you a particularly exclusive gathering. It is my sincere wish that each and every one of us" he stopped and looked pointedly at Bill "relax and enjoy the night." He finished and walked towards the beach, rounding the corner and turning right. Before walking any further, he stopped and took off his sandals. I followed, and then gasped when I took in the luxurious and stunning setup on the beach.
There, by the ocean and under the stars, was an enormous shimmering tent which was translucent and absolutely breathtaking. You would be able to see the moon and stars and ocean perfectly from inside, and the large flap at the front was tied open, facing the ocean and breaking waves. Sitting in a small circle outside the tent, were a few supe men playing classical guitar. All around the tent and enclosed beach were male and female dancers in very light billowing clothes, dancing serenely and acting as though nothing else existed in the world. It was intoxicating, it was magical. The air even smelled of beauty and promise and pleasure.
Inside the tent, on the back wall, was a large table covered in a white cloth and sprinkled with flower petals of every imaginable color and size. On top, there were a few decanters of house blend and several bottles of champagne. There was no floor to the tent, so I was still walking on sand. There were a few small enclosures scattered throughout the inside of the tent as well; pushing aside a small piece of hanging fabric which served as an entrance to one such enclosure, I could see pillows and blankets covering the sand. I didn't think they would provide absolute privacy, but at least I wouldn't have to see Pam or Bill or Preston feeding outright. It was thoughtful of Preston to have it set up this way; surely the other vamps wouldn't have minded everything being totally open.
At that moment, Eric took my hand and looked at me. "I hope you like it. Tonight is all about you." He whispered into my ear, sending shivers up and down my spine.
Before I could respond, a beautiful voice rose above the warm rhythm of the classical guitars and began to sing. Pam took Bill's hand for a dance, Preston took the hand of a particularly striking dancer, and Eric took mine.
"You have made me very happy, lover." Eric breathed into my ear as we danced to the sultry sound of the exotic singer "I had forgotten what that's like." He said, and kissed me gently.
Rather than speak, I sent feelings of absolute contentment and love through the bond. I finally felt like I was on vacation.
* * * * *
After a few slow dances and a lot of slow kisses with my Viking, I went to get a glass of champagne and Eric went to speak with Preston. As I poured myself a glass of very expensive looking liquid, I felt a cool presence behind me and knew Bill had followed me to the table.
"You look beautiful when you dance, Sookie, even if it is with Eric and not me." Bill said into my ear quietly.
"Bill, please don't give me a reason to get upset with you." I said, turning around to face him. He looked crestfallen and I instantly felt guilty.
"Sookie, I" he started to say with a pained look in his eyes "I want you to know that I care about you. You're the only thing I care about." He said, to my utter amazement.
"Bill, I'm with Eric now." I said, trying not to be too brusque.
"I know that I hurt you. I regret it more than anything else." He said, staring at the floor.
"I forgive you for all that, Bill. I'm happy now." I said gently, and then turned back to my glass to finish pouring the champagne.
"The fact that you are happy with Eric has, Sookie it has changed me." Bill said, and when I turned back to look at him he was gone.
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