It was well after midday by the time I got dressed and wandered down to the lobby. The woman at the front desk gave me a little paper map and suggested a few nearby locations for food and sightseeing.

I traipsed up to the famous cafe by the river, ordering a beignet and a coffee and flicking through a local newspaper I'd bought on the walk. The stories were mostly about the aftermath of Katrina, the devastation still inflicted upon the city. To my surprise I found an article that mentioned Sophie-Anne. It was a retrospective on the hurricanes that had hit New Orleans in the last hundred years, with a focus on the infrastructure that had been put into place after a particularly devastating hurricane in the sixties.

The project had almost failed to proceed—the federal and state governments preferring to fund emergency responses instead of future and long-term planning—but at the last moment an unnamed investor had funded the long-term, protective development.

The investor was now known to be Sophie-Anne LeClerq, who the article described as a 'prominent vampire living in the Garden District'. The article talked about the tragic impact that Katrina had on New Orleans and surrounding areas, but also noted how much worse it could have been if the project had never proceeded.

It included a brief, generic comment from Sophie-Anne noting that vampires had always been proud residents of New Orleans, working to ensure the city continued to thrive, even before the Great Revelation. It went on to list other vampires from around the country who had donated to emergency funding after Katrina. I read through the list with interest, although I didn't recognise any of the names. I lifted out the page and folded it up, tucking it into my purse.

I still had a few more hours of daylight, and I wandered through the streets, poking my head into voodoo museums and art galleries, boutiques and thrift shops. In the daylight I could see the impact from Katrina more clearly: watermarks, damaged facades, boarded up shops. I knew the French Quarter was on a higher ground than other parts of the city, and I couldn't help but wonder at the damage experienced elsewhere. Despite the recent tragedy the city still thrummed with some magic in the air. I sat on the corner and watched a jazz band play to passersby, leaving a generous tip before I moved on.

I was back in the hotel suite, with a takeaway Po' Boy and a coke, when I felt the bond come alive—a piece of string pulled taut. The blinds in the living room suite were open, and I watched the door to Eric's room, as I probed the bond, trying to sense something from him. I couldn't feel a thing. I finished my sandwich, washing it down with my coke and made my way to the windows, where the afternoon sun was streaming in.

There was a button next to the windows, and I fiddled with it until metal light-tight security shutters whirred down on the other side of the windows, a mechanism I suspected was equally useful for vampires and hurricanes. The shutters clicked into place, causing the room to fall into darkness around me. I felt my way to the light switch, flicking on the lights. Then I repeated the process in my room just to be safe.

I went and knocked on Eric's door quietly. The sun was still up, so I didn't know whether he would actually rise, but if he could then I figured there was no reason for him to be stuck in his room.

"I'm not sure if you're awake," I said to the door, knowing he'd be able to hear me if he was, "but I've closed the blinds out here, so it should be safe to come out if you want to."

The bond pulsed with something like recognition. I tried the knob, slowly easing open the door when Eric didn't appear. The room was empty, the bed a rumpled mess of sheets. Light spilled from the open ensuite door, I could hear the shower running.

I closed the door quietly, my cheeks burning, and by the time Eric emerged I was curled up on the couch with my nose in a tourist magazine that the hotel had provided.

"Good evening, Sookie," Eric said, padding to the mini bar and grabbing a Tru Blood.

I glanced up by way of greeting. He was wearing jeans and a maroon t-shirt, his feet bare, hair damp. I returned my eyes to the magazine.

"What time do we need to leave?" I asked.

"We have at least an hour until sunset, maybe two. The Queen is expecting us at first dark." Eric grabbed his blood from the microwave, shaking the bottle to even out the temperature.

I nodded, stomach churning.

"Tell me about your day." Eric sat on the couch across from me, stretching his legs out on the coffee table. "I can smell the city on you."

So I described the city during the day. The grime and the music, the sweetness of the powdered sugar on the pastry, the thoughts I'd heard from the people in the streets, their grief and their hope. Eric listened intently, asking questions occasionally about the taste of the beignet, the instruments in the band, what I thought of the music they played.

"It was amazing, different from the bands we heard last night. I didn't know any of the songs, I think some of them were original."

"Perhaps we can venture to a different area after tonight's meeting with the Queen?"

"We won't need to spend all night at the palace?"

"I do not think we will be required for more than a few hours."

My heart leapt. The less time we spent with Andre and the Queen, the better. I checked my watch, surprised to find that almost an hour had passed. I didn't know if Eric had been intentionally distracting me, but I was grateful for it. I excused myself to get ready.

I'd selected a silky blue camisole that Amelia had given me and a pair of dark jeans with sandals. I swept my hair back into a ponytail. A slick of lipgloss and mascara, and a pair of faux-pearl stud earrings finished the look. I reviewed my reflection, feeling pleased.

I made my way to the living area, double-checking I had everything I'd need in my purse as I did so. When I looked up I was met with Eric's penetrating stare.

"How do I look?" I asked uncertainly. He was sitting on the sofa, his face held an expression I couldn't quite place.

"It's not your appearance we should be concerned with." Then he rose, moving toward me with vampire speed. I started, surprised by the sudden movement. "My scent is not strong enough."

"Why is your scent on me at all?" I asked.

He brought his hand toward my hair, running it gently through my ponytail. I could feel my pulse fluttering in my neck.

"The bond," Eric said simply, his gaze dropping to my lips. "My blood is in you, but it has faded since Rhodes."

"I'm not having more of your blood."

My words hung in the air. I wasn't even sure if Eric had heard them. His eyes were still fixed on my lips. After a long second they met mine. "There are simpler ways to ensure my scent is strong."

He moved his hand, holding it over my cheek, waiting for my permission. Realisation dawned on me. Touch. I nodded once and Eric's cool hand met my cheek. The bond flared, amplifying the sense of peace and contentedness that I associated with it.

Eric was watching me thoughtfully, and I knew he was waiting for me.

"Go on," I said quietly.

Eric brought his face to the crook of my neck and took a long breath in. His hair brushed my collar bone. The stubble at Eric's chin grazed my neck, his hands ghosted my arms, fingertips trailing over my shoulders and settling around my back, gathering me toward him. I stayed very still for a moment, before relaxing into his embrace, allowing myself the simple pleasure of being held. His scent enveloped me and I found myself breathing it in.

Eric's hands skimmed my hips, brushing the small of my back. The touch sent a trail of goosebumps over my skin. To my surprise I felt the ripple of pleasure travel through the bond, coming back to me two-fold.

I gasped, vaguely aware of a rumbling in Eric's chest. He moved to the other side of my head, nuzzling my hair, rubbing his face along the line of my jaw, his lips brushing the sensitive skin behind my ears. My hands were in Eric's hair, scratching at the base of his scalp, holding his head to me. The bond felt vivid and visceral between us. Lust and longing bounced back and forth, too quickly for me to ascertain which one of us was responsible for it.

Eric's mouth dragged along the line of my jaw, a trail of soft kisses that sent a surge of warmth between my legs. A little groan escaped his lips. He pulled back, his eyes blazing, his pupils dilated. An unspoken question in the air.

I let out an unsteady breath, taking a step back. Eric's hands dropped from my shoulders, with only a moment of hesitation.

"That will have to be enough," I said shakily. "Excuse me," I said, turning and leaving the room without looking at him.

I double-checked my make-up in the bathroom mirror. My cheeks were flushed, my eyes bright. I applied a new slick of lipgloss. The bond was quiet now, or maybe I was getting better at blocking it out. I redid my ponytail, stalling for time, but I couldn't stall forever. It must almost be full dark. We'd need to leave soon.

I returned to find Eric leaning on the wall next to the front door, his face neutral. He rose when I entered the room.

"Is there anything I need to know for tonight?" I asked, determined to move past what had just transpired. Eric either had the same idea or decided to go along with my plan, because when he spoke his tone was decidedly business-like.

"Stay close to me and do not mention her legs. Or the tiger." He looked up, his eyes flitting over me. "If you can refrain from drawing attention to yourself, that would be ideal." He moved toward the bar, grabbing a blood and putting it in the microwave.

"Not even to say I hope she recovers quickly?" I asked, veering straight to the point that had surprised me the most.

"Not even then."

"That seems a little rude," I grumbled. I wasn't going to try and drop around a casserole, but to ignore her injuries was bizarre, even for vampires.

"For a vampire as old and as high-ranking as the Queen, to acknowledge her vulnerability would be tantamount to a threat. At best, it would be a slight."

I thought on that as Eric shook his blood so it was warmed through, leaning on the kitchenette counter to face me.

"Exactly how vulnerable is she at the moment?"

"Without legs, she has lost her manoeuvrability. If she is attacked, she cannot evade it. A regular vampire with the same injuries would be lucky to survive a year."

"But she'll grow them back."

"Vampires can grow back limbs but it comes at a cost. To grow back a finger is excruciating and could take months. To regrow two legs could take years, and would drive some vampires to a state of madness."

"And meanwhile she's ruling over two states."

"Without Andre she would likely already be dead," Eric said, his voice matter-of-fact.

His words hung in the air. If I were smart, I'd change the topic.

"Would that really be so bad? I like Sophie-Anne well enough, but she won't leave me alone. And Andre is the reason we're blood tied. If they were both gone we'd be free of that."

Eric gave me an appraising look. I wasn't suggesting treason, but I was walking a mighty fine line towards it.

"You have not had the benefit of seeing other rulers. Not all are so amiable."

"Amiable?" I scoffed.

"Many rulers would have taken you by force long ago, instead of sending Bill to procure you. Even Andre can be swayed by reason."

"But I'm already bound to you, so even if a new monarch came in they couldn't do anything, right?"

"A takeover often comes with a comprehensive regime change."

It took me a moment to understand the meaning of his words. "So, what you're saying is if the Queen is killed, the new king or queen would kill you as well?"

"If they were smart they would kill all the Louisiana sheriffs, but my death would afford an extra prize," Eric said quietly, his eyes fixed on mine.

Shock rolled over me as I realised how close I'd come to send us down a different path altogether. How close Quinn had come.

"Why didn't you tell me sooner? I didn't know how important it was for the Queen to stay in power, or how important Andre is."

"I did not expect you would have the opportunity to end Andre's existence." He eyed me and I returned his gaze steadily. "Nor Quinn."

I'd kept my face steady, but I couldn't stop the emotions that lurched through me at his words. Eric gave a stony nod. I'd given up Quinn without saying a word.

"You can't say anything."

"Your boyfriend's secret is safe with me."

"Not just his. I was there, I was complicit."

He gave me a long look. "Your secrets are always safe with me, Sookie."

Something about the tone of his voice made my stomach flip flop uncomfortably. I smoothed down my top.

Eric emptied the last of his blood and set the empty bottle in the sink. "We should get going."

As we made our way down to the foyer, I thought about Pam's warning that Eric was at risk. I thought she'd been exaggerating, now I realised I had only known the half of it.

"You said before I should refrain from drawing attention to myself, what did you mean exactly?"

Surprise plucked at the bond. We were standing out the front of the hotel, waiting for the valet to pull the car up.

Eric looked over at me. "If you are uncertain of something, defer to me. We want them to have the impression that your actions in the past have been flukes. They know you aren't simple, but it will be best if you do not speak out of turn."

"You mean play pet."

"Better to pretend you are one now than to be forced into the role later." A shiver ran through me at his words.

"Sure," I muttered. And if I sounded bitter, well who could blame me?

I knew the palace had been damaged in the storm. The Queen had spent weeks in Baton Rouge while the grand house was repaired, but I could hardly see the damage now. The garden was immaculate, and the facade had a fresh coat of creamy paint. With the whole city in repair mode, supplies and workers were short. It must have cost her a bomb.

When I saw Rasul at the gate, I had to refrain from throwing my arms around him. I was so glad to see a familiar face.

"A pleasure to see you, Sookie," he looked at me appreciatively, eyes sparkling. "Eric."

Eric nodded his greeting. "The Queen is expecting us."

"They are in the main house, Clifford will show you where."

A smaller vampire approached us. He had red hair, his freckles standing out starkly from his pale skin. I had the sense he was young, maybe a few decades at most. I was sure I hadn't seen him before. I wondered whether the Queen was gathering new vampires after her recent losses.

He led us into a small waiting room. I'd been here previously, when I'd first met Sigebert and Wybert. Sigebert was nowhere to be seen tonight. Instead, two human guards stood sentry, wearing what looked like bullet-proof armour with semi-automatics positioned across their chests.

Eric and I sat on two chairs lining the wall. Eric had to almost fold himself up to sit on the small chair and absurdly I wanted to laugh. He looked over, his lips curving upward.

We waited for twenty minutes, I found each minute dragged. When the door finally opened it was Andre who appeared. I felt a rush of hatred, surprising me. For weeks he had been plaguing my dreams and here he was in the flesh. A surge of calm traveled through the bond, slowing my beating heart. Whatever I felt about the bond, right now I was grateful for it.

Eric rose first. "Andre," he greeted him.

"Northman," Andre's cold eyes met mine and held. "Sookie, a pleasure as always." His cold voice was silky smooth. He held out a hand and after a moment of hesitation I placed mine in his.

Andre pressed his lips to my hand. It took all my self-control not to pull my hand away. He took a long breath in through his nose. I waited until he rose, releasing my hand. His expression gave away nothing. He had scented me. That much was obvious. Whether we'd passed the test remained to be seen.

"Come along. The Queen is waiting."

We followed him into the room beyond.

"Eric, Sookie, so pleased you could join us," Sophie-Anne said jovially.

The Queen was sitting on a large gilt chair. She was dressed in a crimson dress, the colour a stark contrast to her fair skin, which looked more marble than porcelain tonight. A gold and maroon tapestry-style blanket was thrown over her legs, or where they would be, I reminded myself. Sigebert stood to the side and behind her. Mr. Cataliades was perched on a chaise lounge, his eyes met mine, a warning and a greeting. Andre slipped past us and sat on Sophie-Anne's left.

"Your Majesty," Eric said smoothly, bowing his head, the picture of a dedicated subject. "We are looking forward to the festivities."

"Sit, both of you," she gestured toward the chairs. Eric had positioned himself between Andre and I, and he sat in the chair closest to Andre, leaving me to choose between the chair closest to Eric or the chaise lounge with Mr. Cataliades. I chose the former, a pulse of approval through the bond.

"Sookie, you look well. It is fortunate you survived the bombing," Sophie-Anne said.

I wasn't exactly sure what to say to that, so I fell back on my southern manners. "Yes, thank you ma'am." But Sophie-Anne had already turned her attention back to a document in her hands.

"Make sure we know where they are staying." Sophie pointed to a name on the list, handing it back to Mr. Cataliades. She and Mr. C continued to comment on what I was starting to assume was the guest list and I let my mind wander.

It occurred to me that we were in a small group of what looked like the Queen's inner circle. A circle I was completely uninterested in being a part of. She had suffered numerous losses since I'd known Eric and Bill. Hadley, Waldo, Wybert. I wondered if anyone else had been lost in Katrina. Her engagement to Peter Threadgill, an attempt to bolster her queendom, had ultimately failed leaving her more vulnerable than before.

"It was a shame you couldn't stay with us," Sophie-Anne's voice was sweet as sugar, her attention directed back toward Eric and myself.

"Sookie wanted to see the French Quarter, I found I could not refuse." Eric draped an arm leisurely over the back of my chair and looked at me with fond amusement.

He was the picture of an indulgent lover, an owner who couldn't deny his dog a bone. I had a moment of admiration for his ability to hide so effectively in plain sight. Even the bond was calm. I suppose you learned a few tricks after a thousand years, you had to, to live that long.

"You don't want to spoil her, Eric," Sophie-Anne chided. "I can't imagine you were so indulgent for Pamela before she was turned."

Eric's fingers brushed my neck. Calm, caution. I relaxed slightly in the chair, turning the light touch into maintained contact.

"Pamela and I were never bonded." Eric's voice was casual, conversational. His fingers rested against my neck.

"Really?" The Queen leaned forward slightly in her chair, her interest piqued. "Don't tell me Sookie's your first?"

"She is."

"How quaint," Sophie-Anne murmured, a smile playing on her lips. "That explains it then. Remember how taken I was with you Andre? There's nothing quite like a first bonding to a human." Andre didn't respond, but his eyes had fixed on me. "And how do you like the French Quarter, Sookie?"

"I love it," I said honestly. "It's real lively, even after such a hard few months."

"The storms certainly aren't ideal, but you get used to them after a few decades."

Her comment reminded me of the newspaper article I'd read earlier that day. "It was real great what you did for the city back in the sixties." Sophie-Anne looked at me blankly. "After Hurricane Betsy," I added. "It was in the paper today."

"The infrastructure project you funded," Andre said. "I told the publicist she could give the paper a comment on your behalf."

"That's right, I almost forgot," she said nonchalantly. "It gets hard to keep track of these things over the years. How was the quote from me?"

"Good," I said, masking my surprise. "I actually have it here if you want to have a look." That hadn't necessarily been my intention when I'd folded it up, I'd planned to show Eric.

I fished it out of my bag, unfolding it and smoothing it out on my knee before handing it over.

Mr. Cataliades rose and took it from me, adding the clipping into one of the folders before him.

"Thank you, Sookie," Sophie-Anne nodded with satisfaction.

I had the distinct feeling she had taken it to appease me more than out of a genuine interest. She settled back in the chair, her face paling even more. Sigebert zipped out of the room and Andre leaned forward, taking control of the meeting. I wondered what had just transpired, recalling my theory that Sophie-Anne could communicate wordlessly with her children.

"Sookie we will need you to listen in on the human guests of the vampires," Andre gestured to Mr. Cataliades who leaned forward offering me an A4 envelope. "Review the guest list so you can easily identify any guests who have errant thoughts.

"If anything of concern arises, tell me at once." His eyes were focused on me.

I took the envelope, sitting back and opening it. Inside were a few pages of names and photos of both human and vampire guests. I recognised the vampire photos as the same style Bill had in his database, while the human photos were more mixed. Each name had notes next to it with details of the guests: name, species, state and age. I slipped the papers back into the envelope.

Sigebert appeared again, a gorgeous woman in tow. She was wearing what looked like an expensive designer dress, her hair in dark curls down her back. Faded bite marks were visible on the tops of her breast, her neck. Her hips swayed as she approached Sophie-Anne, offering her wrist to the Queen without looking at the rest of us. Sophie-Anne's fangs descended with a small snick, and she bit without hesitation. She hadn't moved from her chair, and I realised that she was not able to.

"We will have you check all the donors and human staff on your arrival," Andre continued, the scene beside him an everyday occurrence.

I feel funny.

The stray thought from the donor caught my attention. I looked over, a second before Mr. Cataliades did as well. Her face had paled, her eyes were dazed.

I spoke first. "She's taking too much blood." Andre's eyes flickered to her, his gaze bored. Sigebert zipped out of the room again.

Eric sent caution through the bond. I ignored him. "She needs to stop," I directed this to Andre.

At that moment Sigebert appeared again, another donor in tow. This one with long blonde hair. Sophie-Anne's eyes dragged up to the new donor, she pulled away from the brunette lazily, swapping over to her replacement. The brunette's arm was a bloody mess, the bite having torn her flesh.

"The Queen is still recovering," Andre said by way of explanation as the first donor walked unsteadily out of the room.

"It's an interesting time to be throwing a party," I said stiffly. Andre's eyes darkened.

"Enough Sookie," Eric's voice was harsh but the bond pulsed in time. Caution. Restraint. "Forgive her impudence, your Majesty."

The Queen waved away the fuss. "I know how our Sookie can be," she said, brushing off my remarks, her tone indulgent. "She sounds like Desmond."

She sat back in her chair, releasing the donor from her grasp. "Thank you Samantha, that was delightful," she purred. "Could you make sure Emily is fine."

The donor smiled and left. I watched her leave, curious she hadn't been more perturbed by the first donor's state. I suppose you can get used to anything.

"I am only thinking of your welfare, your Majesty." Mr. Cataliades said, his tone formal.

"I'm not going to hide away from my guests for half the night. It will undermine the point of all this."

"As long as you are in company, you will be at risk. An ally is only an ally while they have something to gain."

"That is why I am reminding them of what I have to offer."

"Or perhaps you are presenting the State's most valued assets as if they were fish in a barrel," Mr. Cataliades said solemnly.

"Enough." Sophie-Anne's voice was cold. "The ceremony has been set. If we cancel now I will be even more exposed."

Mr. Cataliades fell into silence.

"We have taken your precautions, Desmond. We even have our Sookie here to assist. Nothing will go wrong."

I felt the weight of that statement. I'd been at Rhodes, and I hadn't managed to stop a bomb going off. With Sophie-Anne immobile, if anything went wrong she'd be even more likely to be targeted.

"Excuse me ma'am, but have you considered getting prosthetics?" I asked suddenly. They all looked at me. "Like, prosthetic legs? That's what y'all are so concerned about right? The fact that you can't move around as easily?"

Mr. Cataliades smiled at me. "That is an interesting idea, Sookie."

"I knew a vampire once who used a peg leg, it was not very versatile," the Queen said.

"They're way better than that now. There's a man who comes into Merlotte's, and you wouldn't even know he'd lost his leg. He has a shoe on it and everything." The only reason I even knew was because the attachment itched so he thought about it real often.

Sophie-Anne looked thoughtful. "Would that ease your concerns Desmond?"

"If you were able to move quickly out of danger, it would certainly be preferable."

"I will see to it," Andre confirmed.

"I almost forgot your penchant for lateral thinking," she purred, her gaze fixed on me.

"She is certainly something," Eric said lightly.

Sophie-Anne looked between us before turning to Eric. "Have you reconsidered my offer?"

"It is very generous, your Majesty, but my position has not changed."

The Queen pursed her lips in displeasure.

"I hope this has nothing to do with Sookie, that would be quite unbecoming for a vampire of your age and rank. Even if she is your first."

Eric didn't respond but the bond came alive with apprehension.

Sophie-Anne continued, oblivious to the cord of tension that hung between Eric and I. "I do not want to order this of you Eric, but I will if necessary."

"What are y'all talking about?" I spoke out of necessity, knowing it was out of turn. I couldn't help it, some instinct was pushing me to intervene on Eric's behalf, to help if I could.

Sophie-Anne's attention diverted to me, if she was surprised I was interfering she didn't show it. "Your bonded has been offered an opportunity to advance and has refused it. He seems to think his position in Area 5 is more important."

"Sheriff Northman was offered a temporary role of regent for Arkansas," Mr. Cataliades explained.

"I thought Andre was going to be regent," I was just plain speaking out of turn now.

"The Queen and Andre believe he is better placed to act as regent of Louisiana, while the Queen returns to full health." Eric's hand moved to rest on my shoulder, his thumb rubbing miniscule circles at the base of my neck. "This leaves the role of regent empty for Arkansas."

"Do not fear Sookie, we would not expect you to relocate. We need you in Louisiana, after all," Sophie-Anne eyed me, a glint in her eye.

I reacted on instinct. "It's true I'd rather stay at home, but if Eric needs to go to Arkansas then of course I'd go with him."

The Queen's smile stiffened ever so slightly. "Sookie, you surprise me. I thought you'd welcome the break."

I looked up at him, the picture of an infatuated pet. "I don't know what I'd do without him." Surprise rippled through the bond. "Of course, we could come visit if you ever need to use my telepathy." I added the last part on a whim.

Eric's eyes didn't leave the Queen. "Of course, if you order us to relocate, we will accommodate your wishes."

Sophie-Anne's expression remained perfectly neutral. Inspiration struck, and I decided there was no time like the present. In for a penny, in for a pound.

"What I wonder though, is why you even want Arkansas?" Mr. Cataliades looked over with interest. "I mean I know they got all those lakes and hot springs and such, but they also got real bad weather."

"The territory is an asset," Eric said. "Her Majesty is interested in retaining it to bolster her control of the region." His tone was neutral but the bond didn't seem to be urging me to shut up. So I carried on.

"But will it? Reminds me of when I'm waitressing, and I need to cover two sections on a busy night. I always think I'm gonna get more tips, but I end up spreading myself thin. Then the food's late, stuff goes wrong, and customers don't tip as much. Somehow I always end up with more work for less pay. And I'm just thinking, what if this ends up like that? I mean, weren't all the vampires from Arkansas wiped out in the takeover?" I pressed on. "And I know we've lost some of our numbers this year. If you populate another state too won't y'all just be spreading yourselves thin?"

Sophie-Anne was watching me, her face thoughtful. "I cannot leave the state empty. It leaves us vulnerable."

"Why don't you give it to someone else?" I asked, sick of beating around the bush. "If we need allies right now and vampires love territory so much, maybe you should give it away. You could draw up a contract where y'all are allies or something."

Sophie-Anne turned to Mr. Cataliades.

"It is unorthodox, but I expect it would prove an effective bargaining chip," the lawyer relented.

"What do you think, Sheriff?"

"I see the appeal in maintaining Arkansas. However, as all the vampires were wiped out, the territory offers no additional taxes or revenue. It has never been a thriving state for our kind. As it stands, it may prove more liability than asset."

The room was quiet, the steady tick of Mr. Cataliades' watch the only sound.

"I will consider it," Sophie-Anne said, her accent pronounced. "I need to rest. Be here at first dark tomorrow. You are dismissed." Her face suddenly looked very tired.

Eric and I left the room, walking through the empty hallways of the palace in silence. It wasn't until we were in the car that I broke the silence.

"Why didn't you tell me about Arkansas?" I snapped.

"I was handling it."

"It didn't look like that from where I was sitting. It looked like she was going to order you to go." My chest tightened.

"The Queen would not have followed through on her threat. It would be imprudent to send me under the current circumstances and against my wishes." His voice was confident but I sensed his uncertainty.

"You don't know if that's true."

He looked over at me, his eyes darkening. A pulse of warning. I pushed right back. My anger, my frustration at walking in again without all the information.

He returned his eyes to the road. "You are improving quickly," he murmured. A passing car illuminated his eyes, the hint of fangs as he spoke.

"You should have told me everything before we went in there," I pressed on. "What would have happened to me if you'd been sent to Arkansas? How am I meant to trust you if you keep all these secrets?"

Eric pulled over, the car screeching to a sudden halt. "If I had gone to Arkansas, I would have made arrangements. Pam would have stayed. You would have been safe. And as for trust," his words were clipped, his accent pronounced, "I have made myself more exposed by entering into this bond than I have been for centuries."

For a second I thought he was about to say something else, but the moment passed.

"Do you regret it?"

Eric looked at me for a long moment. "I would not change my actions on that night," he said quietly. I sensed the truth of those words, but also the uncertainty, the resignation. It mirrored my own. I didn't want to be bound to Eric, but if I was taken back to that moment I would do it again. Being bound to Eric was hard, but being bound to Andre was unthinkable.

Eric pulled out into traffic, heading back toward our hotel. "In any event, the Queen will not send me now."

"You think she'll do my idea?"

"I expect she will. We are fortunate the demon agreed with you. He seems to favour you, although I do not understand why." Eric's eyes were fixed on the road, his expression thoughtful. "However, even if she decides to keep Arkansas, your vehemence that you would go with me will give her pause. Especially after tonight."

"Why after tonight?"

"You continued to do what you always do. You spoke frankly, provided insight, offered solutions. I expect she wants you now more than ever."

"Well, she can't have me," I snapped.

"If her interest is piqued she may not wait for you to agree," Eric said harshly.

"I know," I said quietly, a cold ball of dread settled in my stomach as I spoke to the window. "But I wouldn't change my actions from tonight either."

We drove in silence back to the hotel, the silence heavy between us. The valet met us at the car as we pulled up.

I got out of the car, closing my door a little harder than I normally would. I felt frustrated in a way I couldn't quite place. It sat in the back of my throat.

I started walking to the entrance when I heard Eric from behind me.

"Sookie."

I stopped. The hotel loomed ahead. If I were sensible, I'd keep walking. I'd take Amelia's tea and try to get an early sleep.

I turned around. Eric was half cast in shadow, his expression held something I couldn't quite place.

"It is still early. I said I would show you another face of the city." His voice was soft, the bond whispering sweetly for me to agree, to relent.

I looked back at the hotel. Even with Amelia's tea, I doubt I'd fall asleep for hours. I'd have nothing to do but lie in bed and relive tonight, anticipate tomorrow.

Eric held out his hand. I didn't hesitate in taking it.

We walked through the darkened streets, hands intertwined. The gas lanterns flickered to an unheard melody. The bond hummed in time. We walked in silence for some time, passed Bourbon Street and through the French Quarter. Eventually we turned onto a street with smaller bars, the muffled sounds of saxophone and bass, piano and trombone floating out of the bars we passed. Eric led us to a shadowy door, a young man sat at a table in front of it. Eric paid and stood back, allowing me to go first.

The room was dimly lit, the makeshift stage was cast in a glow of warm lights. The band illuminated. The music was quieter than what we'd heard the night before. Piano and double-bass, with quiet drums carrying the rhythm. Another instrument that reminded me of a clarinet wound through, adding depth and warmth.

I found a table with a good view of the room. Eric returned with a gin and tonic and a blood in a whiskey tumbler. We sat and listened to the music, not speaking. He was very still beside me, his chin resting in his hand. I wondered what he was thinking about. I turned back to the band and tried to sink into the music.

After a few minutes I took Eric's hand under the table. He let me, his fingers closing easily around my own. The bond was a cool balm on my nerves, and perhaps more significantly, the contact with Eric helped me block out the stray thoughts of the band members and the other patrons. I let my mind follow the waves and dips of the band's music.

We stayed that way until the band's last song.

Afterwards, we walked home in silence. The city was quieter tonight, being a Monday night I supposed that made sense.

When we got up to the suite I went straight into my room and shut the door. I turned the AC on. I showered, got into my big sleep t-shirt, turned off the lights and crawled into my bed.

The minutes dragged by. I willed myself to sleep, trying not to think about anything beyond the dark room. The sound of the AC, the cool air, the stiff and starchy feel of the hotel sheets. For the life of me, I couldn't sleep.

When the bedroom door swung open, Eric was silhouetted in the doorway like a spectre. Still in his jeans and t-shirt that he'd worn that night, he didn't say anything.

"I can't sleep," I said, my voice quiet.

"I know." In a few hours I knew he would need to be in his light-tight room, dead for the day.

I reached out my arm, a silent request. He walked around the bed, kicking off his shoes and sliding in behind me. His hand threaded through mine, coming to rest on my stomach.

"No funny business," I said quietly, my voice sounding less like a command and more like a plea.

"Sleep, Sookie."

And I did.

Author's Note: Thanks to SmokeAndEmber, who beta'd this chapter for me, as well as providing lots of encouragement. She is, quite possibly, the most overqualified beta reader ever. If you haven't already binged her stories then you need to do that asap - she's one of my absolute favourite authors on this site.

Thank you for all the comments, favourites, follows and messages! It's super exciting knowing people are reading and enjoying the story. The next chapter should be up next week.