EPOV
"Who is calling?"
"Eric Northman, for the queen. I'm returning her call."
"Ah, Northman. Yes, it's about time you called back, she's been expecting you. Hold."
Gods, I despise Andre. He has a chip on his shoulder because his maker is a queen. He has an overinflated ego because most won't speak against him for fear of gaining their queen's anger. It's probably why he hates me, I have no such fear. If I had even an inkling of wanting to be a monarch, I'd kill them all and take the throne. The problem is, that sounds like a greater hell than dealing with their bullshit.
"Hello, Eric." She purred. The bitch has been trying to get me to fuck her since I moved to her territory a century ago. She's fine to look at but I know better than to get myself any more involved with her than I already am.
"Your Majesty."
She sighs, "Oh Eric, you're no fun. When are you going to stop playing so hard to get?"
"My queen, you know my stance on that."
"Yes, yes. Don't mix business with pleasure. That old saying, what a bore. We're immortal, Eric, what's the point if we're not having fun?"
"I take my enjoyments when and however I wish. You know I have no interest in being any closer to that crown than I am right now. It's too messy."
She laughs "Ah yes, and I'm quite lucky you feel that way. I would hate to lose you as one of my most favored sheriffs."
"Well thankfully, you don't have to worry about that. Now, I'm returning your call."
"It's always straight to work with you. Oh well, yes I called, yesterday." She says pointedly. I assume she feels I should be sorry for not calling her back right away. When she realizes she's not going to get the apology she's looking for, she continues. "I've heard from my procurer that you are in possession of someone I have an interest in."
"And who might that be?"
Her voice lost all the flirtation it just held "Don't play coy with me, Northman. You know exactly who I'm talking about. I want the telepath. She's mine, so send her over to Bill so he can bring me my new toy."
I'm surprised when I feel Sookie's rush of anger in the bond, it seems her hearing is even better than I expected it to be and we've only had one exchange so far.
"I'm sorry, Your Majesty, but that is just not possible I'm afraid."
"And why is that?" She asks shortly.
"She's mine."
"What do you mean she's yours?" She snarls.
"I mean she's mine, in every way. She's mine through contracts, blood, and bond."
"You've bonded with her?" She asks, clearly surprised. As she should be, I'm not one to take pets, let alone bond with one. I've never done it before.
"Yes. Well, we're twice bonded, the third is not far off."
"So what? You found her and instead of bringing her to your queen like you rightly should have, you kept her for yourself and tied her to you? For what, some sort of power play?" She's angry now.
"No, nothing of the sort. She… intrigues me and I enjoy her company. I had no intention of keeping her from you, this week she's reading a few of my clients and some of my underlings' pets, to try to ascertain her skill with her ability. Once I knew more I had all intentions of calling you and letting you know. I plan to send over the business contract she has for all her clients so that you can see if you're interested in setting up an appointment."
"Unacceptable. She's yours? Fine. But I need her here so I will just have to make it worth your while. I have a promotion here at court for you. And of course, you'll bring your pet with you." She says smugly, thinking I'd jump at the chance to be closer to court. Have we not just been speaking of me wanting nothing to do with it?
"And what position would that be?" I ask, I'm not interested at all but there aren't many positions higher than mine without taking her place. I doubt she'd be even arrogant enough to think I'd want to marry her.
"My second in command." I hear a growl in the background.
"Oh? And what does Dear Sweet Andre think about getting a demotion?"
"He'll just have to accept it."
"I'm sorry, my queen, but I'm going to have to decline."
"What? Why?"
"I just have too much going on here right now. I simply cannot move."
"Hmm. Okay. I accept that. I want you to send her contract right over to me, I have a few things I'll need to hire her for."
"I will get right on that, Your Majesty. Is there anything else I can do for you tonight?"
"No, that is all. Unless you've changed your mind about spending a week with me at some exotic vampire resort, spending that time just going at each other like animals." I feel Sookie's jealousy fill the bond, it makes me smirk, which makes her even more jealous because she thinks I'm smirking at Sophie Ann's suggestion.
"No, I'm afraid not, my queen. My hands are quite full right now organizing things for my pet and her business. For the foreseeable future, she'll have all my attention."
"Work work work, that's all it ever is with you sheriff. Oh well, I shall talk to you soon after I look over the contract." If she thinks work is my only interest in Sookie, all the better. The longer my attachment to Sookie stays quiet, the safer it'll be for both of us.
"Of course." I hear the sound of her line disconnecting and look at Sookie. She still has the most becoming pout on her face and the jealousy is still strong in the bond. "Come now, lover. You must know by now I have no interest in anyone other than you. No need to get territorial, though I must say, it is quite sexy."
Her pout disappears and a blush takes its place. "So, the phone call went well, right? We're in the clear?"
"Not at all, she's only playing nice. As I said, she'll back off a little but I know her. She's already thinking of other ways to get you to her permanently. Whether it be by making me live over there or separating us."
"She seemed like she was fine with the situation as long as I'm able to help her every once in a while."
"Yes, that's because she thinks she's smarter than everyone around her. She thinks she tricked me and now my defenses will be low so she can swoop in and take you. She's devious and is never happy unless things are exactly how she wants them. Most monarchs would be happy just to have a telepath in their retinue and to call on her when the need arises. Sophie Ann is different, she had envisioned you living on her compound, there to be shown off whenever she wants to feel special, and there to be her toy whenever she felt like it. So she's not going to be happy until that's how it is. This situation is a little bit more difficult for her though because, as I said, she doesn't want to make me angry. So she's not going to steal you, she's going to try to get you to choose to go to her of your own free will, or convince me to move."
"I haven't even met her yet and I really don't like her."
"You have good instincts. It wouldn't surprise me if you receive a phone call from your cousin in the next few days telling you how great her life is and how much she misses you."
Sookie scoffs. "Yeah right, she hates me, always has. She hates my telepathy and she hates how much time Gran gave me because of my telepathy. She thinks I'm Gran's favorite and she's always been jealous of it. The thing is, I'm not. She only spent so much time with me because I had no one and she wanted to help me however she could. I was constantly in pain, I had the worst headaches from hearing everyone's thoughts all day. Especially when I was in school, that many people that close together was torture for me."
I think back to when she originally told me about her telepathy and how she thought of it as a curse, I thought she was being dramatic and not living up to her potential but when she brings up memories like this, I can see where she's coming from and why she hates her telepathy so much. It's not often I feel sympathy. In fact, I would say it's been a few centuries, maybe even before I was a vampire since the last time I felt it, but I feel sympathy for my lover when I think of her childhood.
"I'm sorry you had to go through that, min stjärna. That does not sound like an enjoyable childhood. You didn't even have family to fall back on with your mother treating you as she did, your cousin acting as if you were crazy, and your brother too focused on his own life. I am thankful for your grandmother. Did you have any other family?"
"No." She says shortly as she turns away from me. I can feel through the bond that it's a lie. I put my hands on her face and turn her so she's looking at me.
"Sookie, you know I can tell when you're lying to me. Why?"
"I'm not lying, I might have family that's alive but no one that means anything to us. We have an uncle but my Gran kicked him out of the family years ago."
"Really? She is one of the most caring maternal people I know. What could he have done to make her turn away from him?"
"He's… He's just not a good man."
"You do not want to talk about this?"
"I just don't like thinking about it, I've gotten past it. He hurt me and Hadley. When I told my mom, she didn't believe me, no one did until I moved in with Gran and told her. The next time he came over she threatened him with a shotgun and told him she'd use it on him if he ever came back."
The immense rage I feel is indescribable at the realization of what she's saying. If he's still alive, he's going to wish he wasn't. Sookie can feel my anger because she's looking at me worriedly. I try to calm down and give her a quirk of my lips. It didn't calm her down at all. As casually as I can, I ask. "Is he still alive?"
"Uncle Bartlet? Why do you want to know?"
Good, I have a first name, along with his relatives is all I'll need to find him. I shrug my shoulders. "Just learning all I can about you, lover."
"You're lying."
"Nothing to worry about, min stjärna. Now, let's not worry about such things. We have some space from the queen, your brother is safe, we've gotten a killer off the streets, and you've started up your own business, all within the last few days. I believe this calls for a celebration, no?"
She stares at me for a long time, trying to figure out what I'm hiding from her. In the end, I think she decides she doesn't want to know. "What do you have in mind?"
"Why don't I take my two lovely house guests out to dinner?"
"Eric, we have plenty of food here, you don't have to do that."
"It's a celebration, Sookie. Plus, I want to. I'm sure Adele would like to get out of the house, she does not seem like the type to want to sit around being idle for too long."
"That's true, okay I guess you're right. I'll go talk to her."
She turns to leave but I grab her shoulder, spin her around, and pull her in for a kiss. It has been too long since I've tasted her lips, our night has been filled with too much business and not enough pleasure. When I pull back she opens her eyes and they look glassy, she just stares at me for so long that I chuckle. That snaps her out of it so she turns to leave and I take the opportunity to smack her ass before she goes. She lets out a squeak and gives me a look of admonishment, but doesn't chastise me further. I find it rather adorable. I shake my head, when was the last time the word adorable was used by me, let alone the last time I actually thought of something as adorable? Doesn't matter, I suppose. I take out my phone and text Pam all the information I have on this uncle of Sookie's and call to let the manager at my steakhouse know I'm coming in tonight with two humans. When that is handled, I walk over to the study and they're just sitting there talking.
"Did Sookie tell you we want to go out for a celebration?"
"Oh, no. I must have distracted her. Where are you two going?"
"No just us, Adele. I was hoping you'd both accompany me out to dinner."
"Well, it's true, I haven't eaten dinner yet. Where are you thinking of going?"
"Bites, have you ever heard of it? It's a steakhouse near here. I've already called and made reservations. It's a celebration, after all."
"Of course, I've heard of it. I'm pretty sure everyone in the tri-county has. I'm not dressed for anything fancy, Eric. We can just go to a bar and grill." Sookie cuts in.
"Nonsense, go, get ready, we're in no rush."
She smiles and then dashes to her room. Adele stands up to do the same, on her way out she says, "You're spoiling us, Eric."
When Sookie comes out of her room, my fangs come down when I see her. I almost regret making dinner plans, I'd much rather take her back to my room and get my meal that way. Alas, she needs to eat too. She's wearing a tight little black dress. She looks spectacular, I walk up to her, pull her into my arms, and kiss her soundly. In fact, maybe we have time for a quick detour… Unfortunately, I hear that Adele is walking to her bedroom door so this is going to have to wait.
"Sorry, lover. We'll have to continue this later." I take a step back and Adele walks out of her room while Sookie is still looking at me dazedly. I smirk at her then turn to look at Adele. "Adele, don't you look lovely this evening? I'm one lucky vampire, being able to be the escort of you two beautiful women."
"Oh pish posh, stop trying to flatter me, it won't work."
"I assure you, I'm quite serious. Adele, do I seem the type to lie to you?"
"I don't think you want me to answer that, Mr. Northman. Now, let's go, I'm starved."
Gods, I enjoy this woman. I chuckle and hold my arms out in a gentlemanly way, they each wrap their arms in mine and I lead them to the car. It's still quite strange, acting the part of a gentleman, but it's getting easier. It's a quick drive and when we pull up, Sookie gets excited.
"Oh, Eric. I've always wanted to eat here, I've heard great things but the waitlist is like months long! How did you get a reservation so quickly? I don't know if we should go in, from what I've read, if we all eat here it'll cost more than our mortgage for the month. I have always wanted to try it though. No, let's just go to Mcdonalds, it's cheaper and I saw one down the block."
As if I would ever feed her Mcdonalds. I went in there once in the 80's and it smelled of poison, that's not real food. I can tell she's going to say more so I cut her off before she has the chance to talk Adele out of wanting to eat here too.
"Sookie, it is fine, I can eat here whenever I want, I have a table permanently reserved for me. I take a lot of my business clients here. We won't even get a bill tonight, I have an expense account for things like this. It is fine, lover, worry not. Now, come, I've heard the steak is to die for and they have Royalty Blend for me. I'm quite parched."
I turn off the car, get out, vamp around to their side of the car, and open the doors before more protests can come out of Sookie's mouth. She blows a raspberry at me, at least, I think that's what the children are calling it, but she takes my hand and exits the car. Adele gracefully takes my other hand without complaint. We barely have opened the door before my manager walks up to us.
"Mr. Northman, it's great to see you. You haven't been around in a while. All is well, I hope."
"Yes, Johnathan, all is well. We'll take my normal table."
"Of course, of course. It's already set for you. Please, I'll ask you and these lovely ladies to follow me." When we sit at our seats, he just stands there looking at me, I quirk my brow at him, I doubt he's going to be our server for the evening. "Is everything to your liking, Mr. Northman?"
"I'm not sure yet, Johnathan, seeing as we haven't even looked at the menus, let alone ordered drinks."
"Right, right, I'm sorry, Mr. Northman. You know we're known for our amazing service and I just want to ensure you're getting the best. If there's anything I can do to make your dinner more enjoyable, please let me know."
I look over to Sookie and she mouthed the words 'kiss ass' and then made a loud kissing sound with her mouth. I almost laughed, instead, I looked at the manager and continued. "I don't want special treatment, Johnathan, I want to be treated like everyone else. I want you to pretend I'm not here and act as you would if I were any other customer and not your boss."
"Yes, of course, sorry again, I'll leave you to your meal. Adriana! Where are you? Your table has been sitting here without drinks for five minutes." He bowed and walked away. Did he really just bow? I don't really know how to react to that. I know I've been known to be a hard ass but to be so visibly nervous and to babble on like that is uncouth, and not what we're known for here. I look to my company.
"Sorry, he's new." Is all I can think to say.
"Seems nervous." Adele chuckles.
"You own this place too?" Sookie asks somewhat incredulously. "Do you own all of Shreveport?"
"No, only about half last time I checked. Most of my holdings are elsewhere, you have to diversify."
Finally, a waitress makes her way over to the table. She immediately annoys me because she's looking at me with 'fuck me' eyes and I'm clearly here with someone, Sookie is sitting next to me and my hand is on her knee in the possessive way I must so she can have contact with me while in a crowded restaurant. She throws the wine list on the table, hands me the blood list, and doesn't even look at Sookie or Adele.
"Hello, my name is Adriana, I'll be your server for the evening. What can I get you, Mr. Northman?"
I look at the ladies and ask, "What kind of wine do you two want? Have you decided what you want to eat, from what I remember, certain wines go better with certain meats. It was a long time ago though, I'm afraid. I doubt the alcohol from my lifetime tastes anywhere near the same or as it does today."
"No, I haven't chosen what I want to eat, though I think I'll just take a gin and tonic."
I smile at Sookie then look at Adele, "And what about you, Adele?"
"Just ice tea for me, please."
"And I'll take a Royalty Blend."
"Okay, I'll be right back with your drinks to take your order."
I just nod and she leaves. I take a look around the room and come up with an idea. "Sookie, you said having contact with me helps you focus on certain people, yes?"
"Yeah, or it helps me block everyone out, which I'm doing now. It's so peaceful."
"Well there's a reason the wait list for Bites is so long, there's much more clientele than just humans, in fact, we only allow about twenty percent of the people dining here at a time to be human. Supes only need to wait a week or so to get a reservation because there is more room for them. I figured having a long waitlist would be a turn-off for humans So that the Supes could meet in peace but I'm afraid it didn't work that way. In fact, it made it so we're the hot place to be. There has to be a place in every city where Supes can meet safely and enjoy themselves, this is that place for Shreveport. Anyway, the reason I bring this up is because there are many different species here and I thought this might be a good chance to see how you are at reading some of them."
"Really? They all look human, who's not?" Adele asks excitedly.
"Most of the supes do look human most of the time, and those that don't, use magic to fit in with the humans. Those at the table two over from us are demons." Adele inhales sharply, seemingly frightened. "They're nothing like they're made to be in different religions, Adele, do not fear. They are usually quite docile unless attacked. My Lawyer is a demon, and I've been working with him for 300 years and never had a problem. Sookie, listen to them, if you will, and tell me what you hear."
She listens excitedly, "It's almost like it's static, I can't hear them at all but I can get emotions from them, they're both enjoying their evening and meal. One of them is nervous about something but I don't know what."
"Interesting, and them?" I point to a table across the room, "They're trolls."
"I can hear them plain as day, just like humans."
"Okay, what about them? They're Werewolfs."
"They're a lot like Sam."
Before I get to ask about the pixies, witches, and goblins that are here tonight, the waitress comes back with our drinks. She's still ignoring the ladies and getting on my last nerve. I don't want to ruin the time for Sookie and Adele by making a scene so I ignore it. The rest of the meal is nice and I know they enjoy themselves. It's good, I think Adele needed to get out of the house I know she's not used to being stuck inside all the time. From what I can tell, they both have very active lives in their town so it must be hard on Adele with the situation she's in. You can't tell though, she's acting like she's on vacation.
We spend the rest of dinner talking, having Sookie listen to other supes' thoughts, and enjoying the meal. Well, they are. I'm just taking a few sips so as not to be rude, I plan on feeding off of Sookie as soon as we get home. There aren't many types of supes left that Sookie hasn't been able to listen to now, the only one left is fairies, and I don't know when we'd be able to come in contact with one of them. I wouldn't trust having her meet them without me, they're vicious and secretive. So it'd have to be a fairy that can hide its scent from me, or there wouldn't be a fairy left to read once I caught the scent.
"Thank you, Eric. Dinner was delicious." Adele says as I help her back into the car.
"I'm glad you enjoyed it, we can go back whenever you'd like."
"Oh, no. That's the type of place you go to celebrate something, not on a random Wednesday. Maybe we'll go when your queen is no longer a worry for Sookie, I think that's reason enough to celebrate.
"Don't worry, Gran. I'm not going anywhere, Eric will protect me."
I feel a strange feeling I don't think I've ever felt before at her words. I don't really know what it is, though I like it. I just squeeze my hand which has idly been resting on her knee and decide to think about that later. When we get home I plan to get Sookie to my room as fast as possible and hopefully initiate the second exchange in the blood bond, so as soon as Adele says her goodnights I start leading Sookie to my room.
"You're not trying to go to bed this early, are you? It's only one am. Yeah, it's late for us humans but it's only like midday for vampires… or I guess midnight. You know what I mean." She giggles.
As soon as we're in the room I shut the door and push her against it. "Oh, Sookie, I have no intention of sleeping, dear one. In fact, I think it's time we spoke about the blood bond."
"I thought you were okay with the fact that I can feel your emotions."
"I am, which is why, I want to make our second exchange tonight. Eventually, we'll have to meet Sophie Ann and it'll be good that we're at least twice bonded by then, preferably thrice but one step at a time."
I smell her arousal grow at the thought. She remembers what it was like during our first exchange. I want to laugh because that was before there was even fucking involved. She has no idea what she's in for tonight. As soon as I feel the approval and acceptance in the bond I smash my lips to hers and proceed to fill that jar she doesn't remember telling me about during the height of her ecstasy last night.