Sookie's POV:

It was a little after one in the afternoon when I finally woke up. As I was taking a long, warm shower, I started thinking about what my next move was going to be. I wouldn't be able to get close to the king by myself now that Eric had proclaimed 'his ownership' of me to him.

High-handed annoying vamps, I thought dryly. The water was starting to cool so I decided to finish up.

I had to think of another way. My best bet was Eric now. Somehow, I was going to have to convince him to help me. He would be able to get me an audience with the king again so that I could give him the letter. But I was going to have to tell Eric why I travelled to the past and what the plan was to save the vampire race in my time. The biggest question mark was: would Eric help me? From what he told me about himself in the past and from the stories that Pam provided, he never helped anyone. Not until he became a sheriff in Louisiana. Even the Eric Northman that I first met was selfish, which was one of the reasons I didn't think too highly of him at first. Would he believe me? To him I was just some crazy woman who claimed to be from the future, whether he believed me or not. And someone who was an easy lay…. I added to myself, still mad that he didn't leave a note or phone number. And the other big question was, would I even see him again? Did he write me off as just another notch on his bedpost?

As I dried off I, I started thinking about what he said last night. He knew that I loved him because he could feel my emotions. He had given me his blood before I came to Stockholm. I guess somehow that blood exchange transferred to 70s Eric. I didn't even want to try to figure out how that might have occurred. I was no expert on vampire/human blood exchanges, much less a time travel expert. I suddenly stopped drying my hair. A dark cloud formed over me. If Eric could sense me, did that mean Marius would be able to as well? Even Bill? The last time I had Marius' blood was four years ago. He had only given me blood once in awhile to help keep me healthy and youthful. And our exchanges were minimal amounts. I couldn't remember the last time when Bill gave me his blood.

I started feeling more guilty. I didn't know what I was going to do if either showed up as well, but especially Marius. As I dressed for the day I started to think more about it. When Marius died, I could feel our connection disappear. I no longer sensed his presence. Even now I couldn't feel him near me. No, I don't think our blood exchanges would have transferred to 70s Marius since he was dead in my era At least I hoped not.

I went downtown to a small restaurant to eat brunch. I needed a back-up plan just in case my plan to include Eric helping me, wasn't feasible.

As I bit into my burger, I suddenly remembered. The security box! Eric had given me information about a security box he maintained in some bank in Stockholm. I could write my own letter to him with information about what was going to happen and how to create a vaccine to save the vampire race. Luckily I had another copy of the formulas in my satchel.

I went back to my room after brunch and started writing my letter on the hotel stationary. As I finished it up, more questions popped up in my head. Would he find the letter? If he found it, would he believe the contents? I didn't know how often Eric would have visited this Swedish bank in the coming years. I decided to go ahead because it was my only back-up plan. I stuffed my letter along with the copy of the formulas in an envelope. I wrote Eric's name on the front of it. I followed the address and directions when I reached the bank. Surprisingly, they gave me access to the box. I was given a private cubicle to review the box.

There were different currencies in large quantities in the box and passports. I looked at a few and stared at his picture longingly. My mind went back to previous night of the amazing sex we had. Even though this Eric wasn't in love with me, he was still very warm and tender towards me. I started panting at the thought of his 'gracious plenty'.

Yum!

I put my letter on top of the passports and handed the box back to the bank employee. As I was leaving the bank, I noticed it was almost 5pm. I decided to explore the city by going for a walk. I was pretty much adamant that I was going to try and go back to my time either tonight or tomorrow. Though my backup plan was in place, I still wanted to try and give the king his letter. I knew I had to try. I'm sure he would be disappointed if I went back to the future with his letter still in my hands. One important thing I learned about vampires, never disappoint them.

But how?! How was I going to give it to him? I thought as I walked along a park.

Eric's POV:

I rose and my thoughts immediately went to the Aphrodite that I spent the night with. My cock went hard as I thought about the taste of her skin, her essence, and especially her blood. I thought about how her warm, wet, tight pussy gripped my cock as I plunged into her over and over. I could not get enough of her last night. I wanted to experience every pleasure she offered. I was surprised that I wanted to reciprocate the pleasure that she gave me. I rarely bothered with trying to please a woman because I did not think anyone of them were worthy of such attention. I took what I wanted from them and left. But her, I wanted her to feel ecstasy as much as I did. She was intoxicating. I had had thousands upon thousands of women in my lifetime. She was perhaps one of the best.

I also knew that she loved me. Normally I would not care or encourage such impractical feelings from a woman, but I found myself enjoying it because it was coming from her. Her love for me, in a way, took our pleasure to another level. But it also bothered me last night when she had become fearful and upset with me. I never cared about how I made others felt, until her. I wanted her to feel safe and comfortable with me. Normally I never had any physical contact with women unless I was fucking them, feeding from them or dancing with them at social occasions. I enjoyed touching her, kissing her, and holding her in my arms.

I thought about what she had shown me in what seemed to be visions of her future. I still wasn't quite sure what to make of it. I wanted to get the full truth from her but she had distracted me last night. Maybe she was from the future. I had seen many things in my years on this planet, but time travelling Faes wasn't one of them. Maybe she was a witch and she bewitched me?

If that was the case, I would gladly fall under her charm again.

Whatever she was, she was a threat to me. She was stirring feelings within me that I had never felt in my long life. Not even when I was human. I respected and cared about my human wife Aude, but I didn't love her. Whatever I was beginning to feel for this woman was dangerous to me.

The logical step for my safety was to eliminate the threat.

"Sookie," I said to myself out loud. But the thought of hurting her pained me. The other thing that I could do was to never see her again. Both options were the best choices for me.

I put my leather black jacket on and was ready to fly back to Stockholm to see her again. She must be a witch and put a spell on me as I made the foolish decision to go back to her.

As I was getting ready to leave to look for Sookie, my phone rang.

I answered it.

"Eric Northman?"

"Yes, your majesty," I answered. Alexander Karlsson. What did he want now?

"Ahhhh, by the time I had finished up my business affairs last night, you and your lovely companion had already left," he said.

"Yes I wanted to take her back to my room and enjoy some 'one on one' time before sunrise," I commented.

"I see. That was what I enjoyed as well. Although my evening companions were probably not as desirable as yours," he said in an airy tone.

You will never know her pleasures, I thought furiously.

"But I was going to offer you another invitation last night. I found Miss Kingsbury to be intriguing to observe. She is a wonderful dancer. I am having a little get together for the next few nights at my chalet in St. Moritz. We will be leaving in a few hours by my private plane. Would you and your woman like to join my group?"

I wanted to tell him no, but when the king or any king or queen offered you something, it was unwise to decline. "Yes, we will join you. Thank you for your invitation."

"Wonderful, I will connect you with my secretary for the details," he said as his assistant took over and started filling me in on airport arrangements.

I hung up the phone and threw some clothes in a suitcase. I changed my clothes because I knew there would be a party as soon as we reached his retreat. I was going to St. Moritz with Sookie. Although I wasn't sure how she would react to the invitation. I was fairly certain she would go. She seemed adamant last night about meeting Karlsson. Irritation rose within me as I thought about her with him last night. I needed to know why she was pursuing him in his club.

I decided to drive to the city since I was going to take Sookie to the private airport with me. I probed my connection to her and I found where she was.

I drove and parked on the street. I walked the few minutes to her location. She was standing on the sidewalk looking up towards the Royal Palace.

Right away she turned around.

She seemed a little scared but when she saw me, her fear had eased. She looked beautiful in brown boots and a gray fur coat. She was wearing a white hat and white cashmere gloves.

"Eric," she said in a surprised tone. "I didn't expect to see you here."

"I came here for you," I replied.

"Oh, so you used your special senses to find me," she said.

She had shown me in her visions that she knew what I was. For a brief moment last night, I thought about killing her after I realised she knew I was a vampire. But for reasons I still cannot make sense of, I did not.

I walked up to her and stood in front of her closely. She gazed into my eyes, still feeling unsure.

"I take it you know more about blood bonds than I do," I said quietly.

I could feel and hear heart pumping faster as she continued to hold my gaze. I reached and pushed a strand of her soft blonde hair away from her eyes. I wanted to kiss her again, so I did.

I broke away from our kiss. "You must be cold."

"I was," she whispered. "But not anymore."

She was bewitching and distracting me again. I thought about asking her all my questions, but that would have to wait. We needed to be at the airport.

"I have an invitation for you. Alexander Karlsson has invited us to stay at his chalet in St. Moritz." I told her.

"Ohhhh, ummmmm," she began twiddling her fingers. "I don't really know him. Is it safe?"

"Do not fear Lover, I will keep you safe," I said as I took a hold of her hands.

She looked up to me, "Okay I'll go with you. I need to get some stuff from my room first."

I drove her to her hotel. She invited me to go with her up to her room.

"I don't have a suitcase," she said as she gathered up clothes from shopping bags.

"You can put your clothes in mine," I replied.

She nodded and put her clothes in one of the bags. She gathered the rest of her things and put it in her brown satchel bag.

"I think I'm ready to go," Sookie said.

"You know that Alexander Karlsson is a vampire?" I needed to know why she was interested in him.

She stopped to look at me. "Yes, I know. I know him in my time. He was the one who arranged for me to be here."

That sent red flags. "What do you mean?"

She sighed. "I don't know him that well if that's what you're thinking. I just met him a few days ago. Before that it was just a few times through vampire events. I travelled back in time to do a task for him."

"What task?"

She started getting nervous and hesitant. "I was sent here to give something to him. I know that he's the king of Sweden. That there is a vampire hierarchy in the world."

She opened her bag and handed me a letter.

I took it and examined it. It had Karlsson's name on the front. I looked at the envelope seal. It was his royal insignia.

"He wrote that letter to himself," Sookie said.

"Why did he write a letter to himself?"

"Because….. in my time, the vampire race is in trouble," she replied. "I came here to deliver that letter to him. It holds the key to a vaccine for a virus that almost wiped out all the vampires three years ago."

I stood still for a moment trying to take that information in. We were on the brink of annihilation?

"I didn't come back in time because he told me. I came back for you, to keep you safe. I don't know what I would do if you got sick," she said in a saddened tone.

I held her in my arms. She put her head against my chest and wrapped her arms around me.

"Nothing will happen to me," I said reassuringly. "I have lived a thousand years and always survived various challenges."

She laughed lightly as her body eased against me. "You said something similar to me before I left."

I thought for a moment. "Why did I let you go?"

"Because you know how stubborn I am. You have tried many, many times to 'control' me. But I have my own willpower, Eric Northman."

"Why do I get the feeling that trouble always follows you," I replied.

She let out a huge sigh again. "You know what? I have to agree with you on that one."

We went back downstairs and drove off to the private airport field. I put her clothing bag in my suitcase when we reached the field. A handler took our bag and we boarded the jet. A stewardess led us to our seats and took Sookie's coat. The king had not arrived yet.

Sookie put her satchel bag underneath the seat in front of her. I could sense that she was nervous.

I put my hand over hers.

"You said that you do not travel very much?"

"Yeah. For the past few years I've just mostly been staying home," she replied.

I wanted to know more about her. "You prefer staying home?"

"Ummm sort of. I mean lately there hasn't been much of a choice."

The king and his entourage boarded the plane. He stopped at our seats as he was walking by.

I bowed my head down but did not refer to him as his highness. I did not want him to know that Sookie knew about vampires. More than likely, he would either order her death or have one of his security glamour her, though she could not be glamoured.

"Northman," he said acknowledging me. "Miss Kingsbury, I am glad that you have joined us."

"Thank you for inviting me, sir," she said politely.

"Please, you can call me Alexander," he said with a grin.

"Oh, okay. Thank you, Alexander," she responded.

What the hell? Even I was not allowed to call him by his first name!

I tried my best to stomp down my growl and my continuing 'irritation'.

The king took his seat and soon the plane took off into the air.

We reached an airport near St. Moritz where there were a dozen black cars waiting for us. They took us up towards the mountain to Karlsson's mountain retreat which was about and hour from the airport.

As we reached the entrance, Karlsson's assistant came up to us.

"Mr. Karlsson will be hosting a party in his hall shortly. Miss Kingsbury, would you follow me? There is a changing room where the other girls are getting ready. Mr. Northman, you may go into the hall with the others."

I could feel Sookie's apprehension.

"It is alright Sookie. The females that come to these parties get ready together," I told her.

"Yes, everything you will need will be in that room," the assistant added.

"Okay," she said still sounding hesitant.

I watched her walk away as the assistant took her upstairs.

I walked down the corridor, towards the hall. The servant opened the door for me. I was greeted by other vampires I had known and was acquainted with.

"Eric Northman!" a vampire called out to me from behind.

I turned around. It was the king of New York, Marten Meijer. I knew him well enough. We had partaken in many, many social events throughout the years. We even fought many battles together.

"It is good to see you again, your majesty," I said as I greeted him.

"I didn't think you were going to be here. That should make this party even more far out," he said. He was wearing a cream-coloured suit and with a black shirt. His hair was styled to suit this generation.

While most vampires had difficulty adapting to the latest trends of each generation, Marten always seemed to transition easily through the different times we lived.

"I heard there was a chick here that has everyone's tongues wagging," he said.

I was wondering if he was referring to Sookie. Since the moment I met her, no other woman had crossed my mind.

"I have no doubt that we are to be supplied with a variety of options," I commented.

We chatted for a few minutes longer before Karlsson joined us.

"Marten, I am glad you made it," he said with a smile. "I found Northman in Stockholm last night. He showed up at one of my clubs. I thought I would extend an invite to him as well."

We chatted about some of things that were happening in North America. Apparently, there was talk that North American vampires wanted to come out of hiding. They were tired of living in the shadows.

As we continued talking, I heard the doors opening behind me.

"I call dibs on the blonde one in the striped gold, blue, red, and purple dress," Marten commented as his mouth went agape.

I turned around to see what suddenly caught his attention.

Dozens of women came walking in, but it was Sookie who stood out. She would have taken my breath away if I was human. She shined like a beacon amongst those other women. Her soft, wavy blonde hair was now curly. She wore a sequined multi-coloured halter top dress that was cut open around her naval, in the shape of a diamond to reveal her smooth, flat stomach. She had a glow, a glow that only vampires could probably see. The gold, blue, red and purple of her dress matched her eyes.

"Fuck me," I could hear Marten whispering to himself slowly.

I could see all the vampires in the room eyeing her like a piece of savoury meat.

Sookie looked nervous as she walked in the room with the other girls. She glanced around as she strolled in, probably trying to look for me. They stopped in the center of the room like a buffet.

"But alas, I am afraid Northman has beaten all of us to her, Meijer," Karlsson said to him as I walked up to the ensemble of women.

Sookie ran her hand through her hair as she stopped. She finally locked eyes with me as I walked up to claim what was mine. I faintly noticed the other women eyeing me up, hoping that I would pick them. But they may as well have not existed. I only had eyes for her.

I pulled her close to me. I could feel her tense body ease up as she leaned against my side. I put my lips against her forehead and took in the scent of her hair. I wanted to rub myself all over her body to show the other vampires in the room that she was mine.

"Lover," I whispered in a low tone to her.

Other vampires started to come and claim the other ones. I took Sookie to go meet Marten. I knew I needed to make it clear to him that she was mine and I was not going to share.

"You look beautiful," I told her.

"Thanks," Sookie stammered, still feeling nervous.

Suddenly, I could feel very strong, tense feelings coming from her as we got closer to Marten. She stopped dead in her tracks as she saw him. I could feel her trying to pull away. The shock, fear, and trepidation coming from her was overwhelming, they were in rolling in like waves.

What the fuck! She knows him!

Marten walked up to us.

"Eric, are you going to introduce me?" he said as he thoroughly ogled her whole body.

I could feel Sookie trying to overcome her emotions as I was trying to overcome mine at the same time. How did she know him? Was he a past lover? Why was he making her feel this way? I had no answers.