I wake up and feel Eric's torso underneath my hand, and his hold tightens around me, bringing me closer against him, and I sigh with contentment. I feel his fingers caressing my arm as he sends his comfort back through our bond.
"I will have to deal with Long shadow before Sophie-Anne, and her entourage arrives." He says as I listen intently. "I will be present for the meeting," he tells me as I look at him in confusion.
"It looks as if we are building our very own supe community on this land, Sookie," he says as I smile.
"That is what we are doing," I tell him as he continues to stroke my arm as he stares at me, waiting for an explanation.
"Our friends and allies have a haven," I say as understanding filters through our bond. "A sanctuary for those that need one," I say as he nods his head.
"You are King of Avalon now, Eric," I say as I lean my head back on his arm. "Avalon is where all magic began," I begin to explain as he listens intently.
"All supernatural beings are born from that magic," I continue as he wonders what my point is.
"We are King and Queen of Avalon; therefore, it is our responsibility to be the King and Queen that the supe community deserves," I say as understanding lights his face.
"Sookie, are you saying that we are rulers of all the magical worlds or beings?" he asks in confusion.
"Yes, that is what I am sayin'," I tell him as he looks ahead in thought. "You have more power now because of our bond," I say as he nods slightly.
"You could easily kill another vampire three times your age," I say as he looks down at me in surprise. "You are bonded and married to the heir to the PenDragon legacy," I continue. "There is power in the blood and in bloodlines," I finish as he looks at me in awe.
"You knew this when you came back from the Fae with our children?" he asks me in a surprised tone.
"I knew," I say. "I also knew that you would be undefeatable pretty much," I continue. "You were pretty badass before you had my blood," I say as Eric preens. "My blood heightened all of those traits inside you, but the blood exchange that happened after I had claimed my PenDragon birthright is like a human on steroids," I surmise.
"You do not have to worry about retaliation from the council or Sophie_Anne," I say as he looks at me with wide, surprised eyes. "Why would that be?" he asks in confusion.
"When you bonded to me, you became a daywalker, and Pam will be a daywalker soon as well," I say as I roll my eyes. "My blood and Jason's blood are both powerful," I say as he waits for me to continue. "I suspect that Merlin has a spell to make Karin a daywalker as well," I tell him as I feel happiness through the bond.
"You possess the other part of my soul, and I possess the other part of yours," I explain to him as he listens. "Meaning that with magical training, you would be as powerful as I am now," I finish as his face lights with understanding.
"You might be able to read minds, or call on the elements as I can," I continue to explain. "I have vampire speed and strength as well as the heightened senses that you all have," I say in explanation.
"That is how you were able to hold Freyda so easily," he tells me as a broad smile brightens his face. "Yes," I answer as I snuggle into him. "Pam will inherit Jason's gifts, and he will inherit her vampire abilities as well," I say with a nod. "God knows what gifts Karin and Merlin will share," I say in thought. "I don't even know the extent of his power," I tell Eric as I feel fascination through our bond.
"The reason that Fae and Vampire have never mated before is that they don't bite at the same time," I say as understanding lights his eyes. "The vampire always drains the Fae before a bond can begin," I tell him, and he nods.
"When a bond forms, you are unable to harm your bonded because the blood bond stops you from drinking too much or being able to feel the pain that your bonded is in," I surmise as he finally understands.
"Lover, how do you know so much about blood bonds?" Eric asks me in interest. "I told you a little bit about my training before," I say, and he nods for me to continue. "I started with physical training because I wanted to be able to physically defend myself or the people that I love," I say as he nods in understanding.
"When I traveled back to this time to change things, I had already traveled before," I say. "I went to your time to train with your father and your brother, as you already know," I say as he nods and smiles. "I also traveled back to train with Achilles and Hector," I say with sadness. I see Eric arch his brow. "Both men were great warriors and very honorable," I say. "I hate that one friend killed the other friend," I say as he wraps his arms around me. "I learned to sneak through the outdoors by ancient highlanders and picked up how to use a dirk while I was at it," I tell him as he listens intently to me talk about my travels.
"Merlin and Niall also trained me to fight," I tell him, but he was not surprised. "I learned to fight from different cultures around the world and at different periods throughout time," I continue. "Miyamoto Musashi was who taught me the skills of the Samurai, and he was a powerful wizard as well," I say before I continue my history that Eric had missed.
"Alexander the Great was a great war tactician," I say in awe. "He was brilliant," I say, and I can feel Eric agree. "Khutulun was my Mongolian fighting teacher," I tell him. "She taught me how to escape from any hold," I say as I feel he is impressed.
"I also trained with Genghis Khan as far as fighting, but I learned a lot from him about consolidating land and kingdoms," I say with thought. "He was brilliant as well," I surmise.
"I learned to be ruthless from Xiahou Dun, who served the Han Dynasty. He was a ruthless military general," I tell Eric as he nods. "I was there when he got shot in the eye with that arrow, and he pulled the arrow out and ate his fucking eyeball," I tell Eric in disgust. "Needless to say, legends spread very far about him, and they are all true," I say as Eric nods for me to continue.
"I trained with Vlad the Impaler, briefly," I say as Eric sits up in bed so fast I didn't detect the movement. "You trained with Dracula?" he demands. I nod in confusion. "Before or after he turned, vampire?" Eric demands. "After," I say with sadness. "He chose to turn to avenge his wife," I tell Eric. "He was an angry and lonely being," I say as Eric nods. "We talked about our lost loves mostly," I say as he frowns at me. "What?" I ask in confusion. "I thought you were lost to me," I say as he sends understanding to me and wraps his arms back around me.
"I also trained with the Spartan King Leonidas," I say as his eyes narrow. "Sookie, the Spartans were harsh and extremely good at what they did, which is kill," he says as I nod my head. "Yeah," I say. "That's how I got most of my scars when I came back," I tell him as understanding lights his face.
"I learned gymnastics, meditation, strength, and endurance training," I say as I rattle off about my training. "I know that you have waited for me to open up to you about what happened in my one hundred years away, and I am doing that," I say as happiness floods the bond.
"I was trained in Fae magic by Niall after my combat training," I tell him as he listens. "That was the easiest because I am Fae," I continue. "Then Merlin for a little bit before I moved on to my next trainer in the highlands," I say. "Her name was Isobel Gowdie, and she taught me how dark magic works, which I only trained for because of what the Hollow did to you," I say with anger.
"Marie Laveau was a great teacher as well," I tell him as he perks up. "She was greatly respected and taught me all about voodoo and spells," I say as he smiles. "I should call her for the protection spells," I say as he arches his brow. "She faked her death and is alive and well," I huff out a breath and continue.
"I also trained with a powerful clairvoyant named Ursula Southheil, or better known as Mother Shipton, as well as Nostradamus," I tell Eric, and once again, he is impressed. "That is how I started my magical training.
"I was then further trained for war and combat by upper beings," I say as confusion filters through the bond.
"Mars, who is the Roman God of War. Aries, the Greek God of War. I also trained with Odin," I say in a small voice as Eric bolts from the bed. "You have seen Odin?" he says aloud in amazement. I nod and roll my eyes. "How is this possible, Sookie?" Eric demands as he sits back down on the bed.
"In the beginning, there was a war in the Heavens," I say, and he waits for me to continue. "The deities that humans worshiped as Gods were fallen angels that were kicked out of heaven by God the father. "They have power because they were made from power by God himself," I say as he looks at me in surprise.
"All things are connected, Eric," I say as he sits on the bed, stunned by my confession. "I trained with many different deities," I continue. "Some of the fallen came to earth to protect humanity from the corrupt ones that God kicked out of heaven for the mutiny that they attempted. "The Valkeries were among these beings," I say as he continues to listen. "God did not take their wings because they are his protectors of humanity," I finish as he sits to process all that I have told him.
"So, when the maenad said that she was here to repay a debt for her master, who is her master, and what debt did you earn from her master?" he asks me in suspicion.
"Dionysis was drunk, as usual, because he is the supposed God of partying, and he was bragging that he could beat me in any game," I say as Eric crinkles his brow in confusion. "I picked checkers and beat him about 50 times in a row," I say in a huff. "From what I hear, he is still trying to learn the game for a rematch, but he should play sober if he wants to have a victory," I say with a shrug of my shoulders as Eric burst out laughing.
"My maker met his final death because of a game of checkers?" he bellowed through his laughter in disbelief. I nod my head. "Yes, and I perfected the whole story into his head before the maenad started her assault," I tell Eric. "I wanted him to know that his humiliating death came because of a lost game of checkers," I say with no remorse.
Suddenly I am wrapped in his arms, and I can feel the love and disbelief through our bond. "Arya and Aryk were both also trained in every way that I was, but as they're mother, it was unthinkable for me to watch them fight," I say with sadness.
"We will get them back," Eric tells me with resolve as he rubs my back. I nod and send my determination through the bond.
"It's early, and Sophie-Anne will be arriving tonight with her entourage," I say, and Eric nods. "I have summoned Hot Rain, as well as Long Shadow, to be here during that time," Eric says as I agree with his choice. "I have also sent proof of the theft to the council and have the authority to end them both," Eric tells me. I have to agree. Then again, I don't like Long Shadow or Hot Rain. Both of those ass holes tried to have me killed or kill me themselves.
"I want Mustapha Khan and Warren brought in as soon as possible," I tell Eric, who agrees quickly. "I also want your sheriffs updated on DeCastro's plans," I say as Eric agrees.
"I plan to go shopping with Hadley today for clothes," I say as Eric becomes rigid. "I will go with you," he tells me, and I know better than to argue. I snap us dressed in casual clothes as we look each other over with lust.
He is wearing dark jeans that hang just at the V that leads to his pelvis but hugs all the right places. Yum. He has a black v neck cotton t-shirt and his boots. I am wearing a sleeveless rose pink babydoll dress with matching pumps. I slide on my white gold earrings and my necklace that holds my family crest of Brigant. I also wear my PenDragon insignia ring on my right hand and as always my wedding set on my left hand.
I snap my fingers, and our home is clean. Eric takes my hand, and we make our way downstairs. I see Jason and Merlin seated at the table with Hadley and her family having breakfast. I conjure Eric a glass of Royalty and myself some breakfast.
As we all eat, there is a knock at the door, and Jason pops to answer it. Ummmm, Sook, can you come here a minute?" he asks me in a voice that sounds uncomfortable.
I get up to go to the door, and I see Merlin smirking. I realize that I am being followed to the door by Eric as well as everyone else. I can feel curiosity from everyone except Merlin, who is trying hard to keep his smile from busting loose across his face.
I get to the door, and I see all of my teachers. Teachers of the deities variety, and I gasp in shock.
"We are here to ensure your safety," I hear a voice like thunder boom through the air. As I look out on my porch, I see various faces from the different pantheons that trained me, and I am in awe.
I rush forward and wrap my arms around Aries as Eric growls, and I send warning through the bond.
"Eric, this is Aries," I say as my husband's eyes widen. Aries lets out a booming laugh and takes off his sunglasses as fire dances in his eyes. He puts them back on and steps aside as I am greeted with open arms by Jupiter, Roman God of the Sky.
"Welcome everyone, would yall like something to drink or eat?" I ask as they laugh and shake their heads. "All of the pantheons will show to bless and lay protection over this haven PenDragon," I hear Odin say as I see Eric's head whip quickly to see who has spoken.
He is on his knees in an instant. "All-father," he says in reverence as I roll my eyes and secretly am happy that Eric has met the diety his people worshipped. "Your family sits in Valhalla," he says as Eric begins to weep bloody tears. "They watch over you as they drink, feast, and celebrate your victories mighty warrior," he says as he motions for Eric to rise.
As Eric rises, I see Freya step forward, and his eyes dilate as I elbow him in the side in annoyance. "She has that effect on everyone Balder says to Thor as they laugh. Freya kisses my forehead and steps back to Balder, her love.
I watch as the wall becomes magically enforced. Everyone gasps as the different pantheons form a line at the entrance of our Valhalla. The three hundred acres that were gifted to us by Uncle Dillon, as well as the two hundred acres that I already owned, are all blessed and protected.
When all of the protection and blessings are done, I see Dianysis sauntering his drunk ass over to me, and I roll my eyes as I shake my head.
"My lady, have you the time for a game of checkers?" he asks, and I burst into laughter along with Eric and the other deities. I shake my head, no. "I will have to take your pride another time, my friend," I say with a smile. "I promised to take my cousin shopping today," I say as he looks defeated.
"No need," he says as a mountain of clothing appears in front of Hadley, and her eyes go wide.
"I hope you plan to pop those where they should be," I say, scolding him. "Oh yes, you have the obsession with cleanliness he says with a huff as the clothes disappear.
"There is no need for shopping," I hear two lovely voices say as Freya steps forward, and I am dazzled by the beauty of these women. Venus snaps her fingers, and Aphrodite follows suite. Everyone that resides here now has a new wardrobe they say as Freya shimmers and cases of jewelry appear.
I watch as Odin, Zeus, and Jupiter motion for us to come into the yard.
We leave the porch to stand with them in the yard. When we do, the house levitates and moves to the edge of the lake. On an elevated hillside near the wooded area sits my home.
The rock walkway connects the house to the patio instantly. I am confused until an enormous mansion appears in front of us with the PenDragon crest resting above the massive ancient doors. The place looks like its always been here.
"My child," I hear Hera say as I look at her in surprise at the new house and gifts. "The PenDragon line has always fought for the light and good," she tells Jason and me, and I stare at the beautiful woman. "I have a gift better than fine clothing, or beautiful jewels, and even better than this wonderful home," she says, and I catch my breath, afraid to hope.
She extends her hand, and inside of that lovely hand is the Cluviel Dor. "Simply wish them back, for what greater love is there in the universe than the love of a parent for their children," says the goddess of fertility and childbirth.
Eric grabs the Cluviel Dor, and we hold it together and wish with all of our hearts.