Sookie's POV:

I can't believe I'm in another airplane. It was only just two days ago that the furthest place I travelled in a long time was several blocks away from my apartment in New York to a local convenience store. Now I was going to Sweden. This time with another vampire whom I just met. I was tired. I was tired of being used, again, by vampires with a hidden agenda. Even though I was feeling agitated, I also couldn't believe that I had fallen in love with Eric again so quickly. I knew that I had always love him. He was a big part of my life. It was just that I was ready to live my life alone. In a weird way, I was ok with that. I hated being left hurt whenever I was in love. I loved Bill and he hurt me. I loved Eric and he hurt me more. I loved Marius and he left a gaping hole in my heart when he died. And now I loved Eric again. I was a bit afraid of what might happen. When it came to love, was I cursed?

"You seem deep in thought, milady," Octavius James said.

"Yes, I'm definitely out of sorts right now. I wasn't expecting to be jetting off to Stockholm with you, a virtual stranger," I retorted. He was about six feet in height. He was handsome with his brown eyes and short brown hair. He had a great smile and manners. But he definitely didn't seem trustworthy.

"Mr. James, would you mind telling me why we are going to Stockholm? Who is the person that I need to read?" I was tired of being kept in the dark.

"We need you to help someone. This person is brilliant. I daresay, perhaps the most brilliant mind that I have ever encountered in my long life. He holds the key to restore the vampire race."

I scoffed. "I assume you know that I cannot read vampire minds. You are voids to me."

"That is where you are wrong, Ms. Stackhouse. He is not a vampire. He is a young human," he replied. "He found something a few years ago. But it seems like he has forgotten how to w it. Or rather he could be choosing not to do what we ask of him."

"Have you tried glamouring him?"

"If it were that simple, do you think I would be requiring your services? He is like you, he cannot be glamoured," he responded. "I need you to go into his mind. Find the key. Find out everything he has learned from the structure."

"What structure?" I asked.

"It is an ancient structure that might just be the answer we have been looking for to restore our greatness," he replied. "We will be landing in Stockholm a few hours. I must retire. We have arranged transportation and lodgings for you at the finest hotel. The king of Sweden greatly desires to meet you this evening. I trust you know how to conduct yourself when meeting Royalty?"

"Yes, I know what to do. I was the Queen consort of New York once," I stated flatly.

A few hours later we landed in Stockholm. It was cold and winter here. Fantastic! I only had a thin blazer on. The winters in New York were mild. I wasn't used to this kind of weather. I was dropped off at a pretty fancy hotel. It looked old but elegant and modern. I was ushered to my room which was also elegant and had modern amenities. My luggage was already there as well as a large box. I opened it and read the note inside.

I trust you have found how cold it is in Sweden. I took you there once but that was during summer. Winters in Sweden can be harsh, but it is also beautiful. I took the liberty of purchasing a parka for you, my love. Keep warm and remember you are always in my thoughts. Love, Eric

I smiled as I opened it and found a beautiful white parka. I tried it on and sure enough, it felt very warm. I looked through my luggage and found the outfits that Pam had purchased for me. I was upset that Pam wasn't allowed to come with me. Octavius James said that he wanted me to be completely focused on the task at hand. I still wasn't told what I was supposed to be looking for. He had also told me on the plane that my audience with the King was to be a formal affair. I sure hoped that Pam packed an evening gown for me.

I opened one of the bags and found a dress. It was from Zuhair Murad. It was frilly, sequined, and pink. It was going to cling to my curves. It was definitely Pam's taste, not necessarily mine. I just hoped I would be able to fit it. I decided to take a short nap just in case jet lag started to affect me.

After a few hours of a well needed nap, I began to get ready. The hotel had a hair and a makeup team available so I acquired their services. After they had done my hair and makeup, I put on my dress. Thankfully it fit! I stared at myself in the mirror for the longest time trying to recognize the person staring back. I didn't look sad or lonely anymore. I looked and felt like a confident sexy woman.

I received a text that my escorts were here to take me to the palace. It wasn't only Eric or Pam that were not allowed to accompany me, it was also my bodyguards. But I didn't sense any danger so far. A guard greeted me outside my room and led me downstairs into an awaiting limousine. We drove outside the city to a large stone bricked palace. I looked at the large pillars as we arrived at the entrance. I was brought into the palace and into the Royal Hall. It was beautiful and grand. There were many other vampires and humans in the room whispering and staring at me. I could hear in the human minds that the main topic of discussion was me, the vampire queen killer. They were wondering who my next victim was going to be. Some were glad the King of Sweden didn't have a wife. They were sure I would seduce the king and dispose of his wife if he had one. I felt a little bit timid of the attention that I was receiving.

"His majesty King Alexander Karlsson of Sweden!"

I bowed down to the king.

He rose from his throne and came down to greet me.

"It is good to see you again, Ms. Stackhouse. I trust that you have been cared for since your arrival in my country?" he smiled.

"Yes, and thank you. I am honoured to be here in your kingdom. This is a beautiful country and your home is magnificent," I said respectfully. I had met Alexander Karlsson a few times when he had come to New York to meet with Marius. He was kind and respectful to me and to Marius. He was a tall vampire with blue eyes and shoulder length brown hair. Marius had told me that he was about as old as Eric. He was very good-looking with a killer smile. Apparently, he was immensely loved in Sweden by his people. They guarded him fiercely.

"James has not yet arrived. He relayed a message that he was in a 'zoom' meeting with the other members of the council," he said. "I take it that you know why you are here?"

"I know a little," I replied. "But I'm not so sure if I am able to help. I don't speak Swedish. Usually humans speak in their native tongue when I read their minds."

"You need not worry about that. You will be able to understand the young man."

I crinkled my nose. "I'm curious, do you know what Mr. James' plans are? What does he hope to achieve?"

"He means to help us. He wants to help all vampires in the world," he replied. "There are few ancient vampires left. We are a dying breed."

I didn't know how to respond so I just nodded.

"Would you care to dance Ms. Stackhouse? If I recall at our last meeting, you were quite fond of dancing."

"Yes, thank you," I smiled. I took his arm and he led me into the centre of the ballroom where there were many more people waiting.

He gestured to the orchestra and they began playing a waltz song. We glided around the room and for a moment I decided to enjoy myself. There were few things that I took pleasure in nowadays. One of them was dancing. I spent many years in New York taking dancing lessons in all forms. My most favourite dance was the waltz.

We were just finishing our second dance when Octavius James arrived into the ballroom. The king guided me to one side of the ballroom as the orchestra began playing another song.

"Would you care for a refreshment?" the King asked as Mr. James came walking towards us.

"Yes, I would like a glass of champagne," I replied. Soon a server approached us at the same time as Mr. James. The king took a glass and handed it to me. I thanked him.

"Ms. Stackhouse, you look enchanting this evening," Mr. James said. "I hope you will do me the honor of dancing with me as well."

I took a sip of the delicious tasting wine. "Thank you, I would like that." I didn't want to dance with him. He was so slimy. He reminded me of Victor Madden.

As the evening went on, I danced a few more times. I kept my promise and danced with Octavius James (ugh), once with a local sheriff and a few more times with the king. I felt safe with him. In many ways, he reminded me of Eric. But he seemed friendlier and more open than Eric. Not to say that Eric wasn't kind. Eric was the type of vampire who was satisfied with himself, he didn't feel the need to impress anyone except me. With Alexander Karlsson, he seemed eager to please people. I guess that's why his people loved him and would probably die for him.

"Dinner will be served shortly," the King said to me. "I had anticipated your presence tonight and arranged a feast with cuisine flown in from Louisiana and prepared by my gourmet chefs."

"Oh, that sounds like a wonderful treat," I said. I was trying to sound excited, but on the inside, I was feeling empty. I missed Eric. I wanted to be with him. I wanted to get to my task and head home right away after I was done.

We sat down at the table. Us humans at the table were served food, the vampires were served different variations of blood.

The King stood up from his chair and the whole table went silent and looked on.

"Greetings to all that have come to my home. I am so pleased to see all of you. Especially my wonderful guest from across the ocean, Ms. Stackhouse."

I was met with a few polite claps. I blushed a little.

"I know that many here are worried about our people. You worry about the losses we have endured. Not just the vampire lives, but also the financial security we have enjoyed for so many years. I know many of you would rather go back to the way things were. But rest assured, we, the kings and queens of the world, along with our esteemed council, are doing everything possible to make sure that we will continue to thrive. I know most of us have lost so many dear loved ones, including myself. There is not a day that goes by that I don't miss my wife, the dear Queen Sofia. I was truly devastated when the virus took her. But thanks to the strength and care from my people, I have survived. I raise my glass to us all. May we continue to prosper."

Everyone at the table raised their glasses and saluted the King.

After dinner, the party continued. People went back to the ballroom and continued to dance. I found myself feeling exhausted. I think jet lag was starting to catch up to me.

"Ms. Stackhouse, would you come with us? We would like to show you something," the Kind said to me. "It concerns the reason as to why you are here."

"Of course," I responded. I perked up a little. I was ready to get on with it.

Mr. James accompanied us down the hall and to an elevator. The king told his guards to stay upstairs and wait for me.

"You may call me Alexander, if you wish," he said to me as he pressed a button in the elevator. "May I address you by your first name as well?"

"Yes you may call me Sookie," I said.

It felt like the elevator went down more than a few flights. I wondered how far down we had gone. The elevator finally stopped and the doors opened. I looked and there was nothing but rock and darkness. I could hear the sound of water gushing somewhere. It smelled like water.

"Do not fear, Sookie. It is perfectly safe down here," Alexander said.

Mr. James grabbed a few flashlights from a box by the doors and handed one to us each. We started to make our way down. As we got closer to the water sounds, I could see a light coming from that direction. I suddenly felt cold. It was very cold down here. I could feel the goosebumps on my arms.

"Forgive me, Sookie. It didn't occur to me that you would be cold. I would've brought a warm coat for you to wear. I have only brought one other human down here and he was prepared for the climate down here," Alexander said. He took off his dinner jacket. "May I?"

I was shivering. I nodded and he placed his dinner jacket over my shoulders. I decided to put my arm in the jacket as well to try and retain some warmth.

As we got closer, I could hear someone mumbling out loud. I looked up in awe at the structure. It looked like four black, huge, monoliths. It took me a few moments to notice someone sitting cross-legged in front of them.

"What is this?" I asked.

"This is the key Ms. Stackhouse," Mr. James replied. "You are going to help restore balance in this world."

"Sweet Jesus," I whispered. How was I supposed to restore balance?!