The night is as beautiful as I have ever seen as we step outside. I look and see Eric's face as he takes in the new buildings. The rock walkways with solar lighting are lovely. He inspects the wall and the gates as he beams with pride at the Valhalla sign above the entrance to the estate.
He pauses in front of the Viking house as I have named the new home on our estate. "You have put so much thought behind this new home," he says in thought. "Yes," I reply. "I want to be prepared for whatever the future holds," I reply as he whisp me up in an embrace. As he begins to kiss my lips, the front door opens, and Pam stomps out onto the porch, followed by a bewildered Karin.
"Sookie, you are my closest friend, and I do love the house as well as my new lodgings," she says to me through gritted teeth, but I do not understand why you would fill my room with roses or gift Karin with so many weapons" she continues as I stare at her in confusion.
"Pam, I didn't and wouldn't send you any damn roses," I say as her gritted teeth change to confusion. "Karin, although I enjoy a good weapon as much as you do, I did not send you any of those either," I continue as I begin to get irritated. "If I were the two of you, I would talk to the two clueless men who are fated to be your mates," I finish as understanding shows on the faces of the two pissed off vampire women.
"I am glad that you like the house, but I already have a mate, and I wouldn't send you roses any damn way," I say in a huff. I turn to glare at Eric. Who is laughing so hard that bloody tears are leaking from his eyes as he doubles over? "Your things were moved and unpacked today while you rested," I continued as they both glared daggers at their maker. "Thank you, Sookie," they both say in unison.
"If it is any consolation, I believe that they both are trying to woo you both," I say with a barely restrained smile. I see Karin contemplating this as Pam scowls and sets off to find Jason. "Good luck to the moron," I mutter to myself as I watch Pam retreating to go see Jason.
"Karin was the house and room to your liking?" I ask as she nods. "It is a very nice home," she says with gratitude. "Merlin has performed a smell to mask any Fae scent so that accidents won't occur," I inform her as she nods. " I did love the sword and daggers," she tells us. "I was only confused because you are blood bonded to my maker, and weapons are a very personal gift for me," Karin tells me as I shake my head. "I suppose you should speak to Merlin," I say as she nods and speeds away.
As we walk through the Viking house, I feel Eric's approval at all of the choices I have made. "Why so many rooms, my lover?" he asks as we walk. "Well, this is a vampire home, and we have allies that I would like to join us here," I say as understanding filters through the bond. "Yes, I will contact them tonight and have them updated," he says thoughtfully. "I don't want to be known as the bartender killer anymore, Eric," I say with irritation as he laughs again. "Yes, lover Pamela did make you into an urban legend among our kind," he says with a smirk.
I see him whip out his phone and call Fangtasia. "Yes, Chow, I will be sending Karin and Pam to collect you along with Maxwell Lee, Thalia, and have Long Shadow keep watch over the business tonight," he says to the vampire on the other end of the call. I can feel his anger at Long Shadow through the bond.
"See you soon," he says as he ends his call.
"Come on," I say as I tug him back out the door. "I want to show you something," I say as I pop us to the 5 acres behind our home where Jason's pond now resides. "Watch this," I say as I concentrate and the pond turns into a lake that covers 50 acres of land. I also conjure boat docks and a fishing shed for Jason's benefit. Parked at the docks are new fishing boats: a pontoon boat and jet skis. "The entire lake is fully stocked," I say as he stares in awe. "I don't think I will ever get used to how amazing you are, Sookie," he says as he holds me in his arms, and we stare out across the moonlit water.
I see the five-acre field between our home and the lake as I look back. I conjure a solid rock patio that stretches the entire length of the area with an elevated dance floor. I add a building with a Dj booth and also add dogwood trees surrounding the area that are all covered in wireless twinkle lights. The stones are flat and smooth. I add a huge fire pit between the pool patio and the party area.
"I know that we have a kingdom in Avalon, but I also know that our family would not only want to stay in Avalon," I say as he nods. "You did so much for me in the future," I laugh as he smiles at me. "I used to get so mad at your gifts, and now I realize that what you did is what a good man does," I say as he looks surprised. "I know that you are used to luxury," I say as he scrunches his forehead in thought. "I am building this for our family and friends, but I am doing this mostly for you," I say as he grabs me in a crushing embrace. "I know that I can't make up for how damn stupid I was before, but I can spend our lives trying," I say as I kiss his hand as I pop us to the gatehouse. I lead him to the side of the gatehouse, and I conjure a hospital sized parking garage covered in stone to match the rest of the estate. I see his eyes widen as I pop his vehicles inside on the first floor. I also add Pam's van and Jason's truck. I then smile at him and tell him to close his eyes tight, and he complies. I conjure a bright red Lamborghini Diablo, and I nudge him to open his eyes. When he does, his eyes almost pop out of his head. I add several Cadillac Escalades for the security people to drive or anyone else that lives here. "There's more than enough room for everyone else to park vehicles," I say as I look thoughtful and close my eyes. "They are now all bulletproof and pretty much indestructible," I say as he scoops me up and kisses me hard on my lips. "Lover, this would cost an extreme amount of money," he tells me in a severe tone. "Eric, I probably have more money than you and your vampire queen combined," I say as shock rolls through the bond. "I have my inheritance from my PenDragon bloodline, which amounts to almost 800 billion dollars, and there is also my inheritance from my Brigant bloodline," I say as I think. "So I believe that we have money covered," I say as he stares at me with his mouth gaping open.
"You have enough trouble with Pam and her shopping addiction," I giggle as he scowls. "All of this combined cost me around a billion dollars," I say. "Give or take," I finish as Pam arrives in Eric's SUV with his vampire allies. I quickly invite them into the estate, and the gates close. I summon Merlin, and he is beside me with Karin in an instant.
After Merlin brings back the memories they have not lived yet, I notice they all take a knee. "This is our haven," Eric says as I motion for them to rise. "Any vampire's that are loyal to myself or my wife are welcome here," he says as they nod and keep quiet.
"I will show you the light-tight home that my Sookie has built for any of our kind that wishes to join us," he says as they follow him to the Viking house. I stay behind with Merlin and Karin.
"I need to arrange a meeting with the Queen, and it has to be here," I say as Karin nods in approval. "The invitation sent," he tells me in boredom. "Merlin, am I misusing your talents?" I ask in humor as he shrugs his shoulders. (Men) I think, as I mentally roll my eyes. "Merlin, would you be so sweet as to gather everyone for the multiple protection spells that I need to protect our people," I ask as sweetly as I can manage with a bit of sarcasm as Karin smirks.
Merlin instantly squares his shoulders. "I am acting childish," he concludes. "Yes," Karin replies before I can concur with his assessment. "Thank you," I say sincerely.
As we finish our conversation, I see Eric approaching, and following him are our guests.
"They will all be moving in, and they all approve of the home that you provided," Eric says with pride. "That's great news," I say with a smile. "I know that we didn't get off on the best of terms in the future Chow, but I hope that my coming back and keeping you from your final death will change that," I say with sincerity as he steps forward and bows to me. "We stand by our oaths, my Queen," he says with sincerity. "You are worthy of my master," he says, and I am astonished. I nod my head to all of them and close my eyes. "All of your things are in your rooms and unpacked," I say as they stare in confusion. I close my eyes again, and I open them a moment later. "All of your means of transportation is in the garage," I say as I point to the parking garage, and they zoom inside to check, I assume. "I have Fae kin that lives here, but the smell is magically spelled for the protection of my relatives," I say as they nod.
"I have a meeting set with the queen for tomorrow night, but tomorrow morning, there will be a variety of beings here to preform the protection spells around the estate," I say as Eric starts to panic.
"I am not human, Eric Northman," I say as he struggles with my decision to meet with the queen. "She is the lesser of two evils," I say as I feel him agree internally. "Yes, Sophie-Anne is much better for the people than Philipe DeCastro," he admits as he remembers that time in our lives. I can see that the other vampires agree as they remember what will come. "Lucien will be here soon," I say as he feels grief but nods his head slightly and turns away.
As I think of a way to rid this world of The Hollow and her brother, I see a tall, dark blue-eyed vampire at the gate and my heart clenches. The gate swings open, and I begin to walk forward as his eyes widen with shock. I wrap my wings around him and kiss his forehead and whisper, "remember who you are," as he gasps, I take a step back, and the glow begins to fade.
"Majesty," he says as he falls to his knees. I give a grim smile and lift him with my magic. "Family does not bow Lucien," I say as tears stream down my face. "You have come back to save her," he says as a statement, and I nod. "To save them all," I say with hope. He looks behind me to see everyone gathered. Merlin walks forward and embraces Lucien. "We work on ways to bring Arya and Aryk back, but in the meantime, we have a favor to ask," Merlin says as Lucien frowns.
After the situation is explained to Lucien, he is hesitant. "The man chooses this life?" Lucien asks with incredulity. I nod. "Yes, Hadley is Fae, as am I," I say to Lucien. They have a son Hunter, and he wants to be able to protect them and also he will age and die, and she will not," I say in defeat. "I have never made a child," Lucien says with a heavy heart. "I will do this for you, my Queen," he says as he stands. "The sooner, the better," he continues. "Follow me," I say as I stand and walk to Hadleys home. We all walk over, and soon everyone that lives on the estate is standing in Hadley's front yard. I knock on the door, and she answers, wearing a beautiful pale blue t-shirt dress with matching pumps. Her dark hair and blue eyes shining out at me in the night. "It is time," I say as she nods. "Hunter is sleeping, so I am coming with you," she says with determination. I nod as she retrieves Remie, who looks very nervous, but he is set on this course.
"Claudette will cleanse you before you turn," I say to him as Hadley lowers her eyes. He nods. "I want a different life," Remy says sincerely. "Come," I say as he follows, and Hadley is fresh on our heels. I conjure a twin bed and instruct him to lay down. Claudette appears and begins the ritual as we lend strength to the spell as the vampires watch in fascination. A bucket is conjured, and he expels all of the toxins in his body. He mostly expels old toxins that have remained in the body. When the ritual is complete, I snap my fingers, and the bucket disappears, and he is clean. His mind is clear and steady. I motion for Lucien, and he steps forward. We step back and listen as he explains the process to Remy, who listens intently. Lucien stands and nods his head.
A strange feeling comes over me as I step forward, and my wings spread from my back and wrap around Remy. I kiss his head and whisper, "remember," as I give him my blessing. I step back and feel Eric's arms slide around me. I can feel his confusion. "You have Fae blood," I say to Remy in a confused tone as everyone begins to sputter in shock. "What tribe Susannah," Niall asks in wonder? I step forward again on instinct and cradle his head in my hands. I drop them immediately. "Earth tribe," I say as everyone gasp. "You have already claimed one another," I tell them. "You don't have to be turned Remy," I continue. "You will already live because I have awakened your spark," I say in confusion. "Your son will inherit gifts from the earth and the sky," I say as they hold one another and smile.
I hear a pop and look over my shoulder to see that Claude has arrived with Lafayette, and they are holding hands. "I have claimed a mate of my own," Claude says proudly, and Lafayette narrows his eyes at me. "Sook what is the actual fuck's is goin' on around here?" he asks as he scratches his head with his ever-present hair pick with his hand on his hip. I run and wrap my arms around him and cry with joy.
"Lafayette, I'm so glad your alive," I say through my tears. I can hear him let out a huff of annoyance. "Of course I'm alive, what the hell is you talkin' about woman?" he asks in exasperation. "Show him, cousin," Claude pleads, and I do. When Lafayette recovers, he looks at me with wild eyes. "What the fuck was that?" he demands as Eric steps forward. "That was your death," Eric says without compassion. "My wife saved you, so say thank you and do not insult her again," he growls at Lafayette as he drops his fangs. "You's married this vamp, Sookie Stackhouse?" he asks as he fans himself and looks Eric up and down as Claude becomes jealous.
"Oh hush," Lafayette tells Claude as he playfully slaps him on the arm. "I can appreciate a fine man when I see's one," he tells Claude as he narrows his eyes and looks Claude up and down. I burst out laughing because I can't help it anymore. I laugh from the cemetery to the house as Eric carries me all the way.
"What is on your agenda for tomorrow, my wife?" Eric asks as he carries me up the stairs. "Well, we have completed the bond, and we are married," I say as he arches his brow in question. "I thought about making love to my husband in the sunlight," I say as I send him a big old shot of lust through the bond.
He drops me on the floor, and for a moment, I am stunned until he holds his head in his hands and grits out painfully words that I never wanted to hear. "Master is coming," he groans, and I pop on my battle gear and sheath Excalibur.
I grab him and pop him to the porch and yell as loud as I can for everyone to help me. I hear pops and swooshes all around. I look to Merlin, and he knows instantly. He utters a spell to keep Eric from leaving, and I growl in ager as I wrap my wings around him to protect him. I am glowing so brightly that it looks like daytime. He is getting closer, and I can feel him now.
"Merlin," I say between gritted teeth, and he nods his head as I close my eyes and whisper, "serve him well," and he is holding Excalibur in shock. "Kill that son of a bitch and protect your king," I say, and my voice booms. "Jason, you watch your ass," I say again through gritted teeth. I see his eyes go wide with understanding. "Don't forget how crazy that fuckin' Alexi is," I say as Jason nods in grim agreement.
As I wrap my arms around Eric, all of our family and allies surround us in a wall of protection before the front gates burst open to show Appius, Alexi, and Freyda, the queen of Oklahoma, stuck at the barrier beside the gatehouse.