Before we can say our wish out loud, Eric and I are stopped by three extremely beautiful deities from the Greek Pavilion. The three acted and spoke as one being.
The fates are not ugly old crones with one eye. They see, think, and act as one. All three women were beautiful, with ivory, pale skin, and long black hair. The three had eyes as blue as the sky and always had to be touching.
"If you wish them back now fair Queen, it will be for naught," they say as one, and I feel Eric's pain with my own.
"When?" I ask in defeat as Eric brings me into his arms.
"After this night, the ripples appear, to bring back that which you hold most dear," the three say as one.
"After tonight," I say with relief as I gently place the Object in my pocket until I can hide it away.
"I am so happy to see you all," I say with sincerity. "Would you like to stay and feast?" I offer as they all agreed.
As we walk through the entrance into the main house because I refuse to call it a castle, I look at how beautiful everything is. There must be a fireplace in every room with lots of windows and natural light.
There is a movie theatre room in the basement with surround sound and all the trimmings. There is a game room, and I am sure this is because of my checker playing rival. There is a home gym that is state of the art. A complete wine cellar and blood cellar that are both entirely stocked with vintage wines and types of blood. A fricken tanning bed in a room stocked with lotions. There are two massive bedrooms with adjoining baths on each end of the enormous mansion. Everything else was in the middle of those rooms with a beautiful massive staircase leading to the main floor. The main floor looks big enough to be Buckingham Palace.
There is a massive living room area to the right with a dining hall and kitchen area at the back. We have a butlers pantry as well as a food pantry. This new house is some fancy shit; I think to myself as we inspect our new home. There are servants quarters at the back of the house, and I mentally eye roll.
The rest of the house are beautiful bedrooms with private baths. There have to be at least twenty bedrooms or more, and I think to myself as I mentally cringe at the size of the house.
The decorating is to my taste as well as Eric's. I notice that our Master suite takes up half of the fourth floor. We have a beautiful Cobalt blue suit with white wooden furniture that is ancient and beautiful. The bathroom is an entirely white marble room with a Roman bath in the center of the room.
The damn tub is big enough for ten damn people. There are various creams, lotions, bathing spices, and scents for Eric or me to use.
The shower is just as big as the bathtub. I think the damn toilet is even marble.
On each side of the bathroom entrance are rooms that are bigger than my living room at the farmhouse.
I look inside and see all of my belongings from the Fae palace as well as my human belongings. There are also rack after rack of new clothing — all manner of shoes and accessories — drawer after drawer of underthings, lingerie, shorts, tank tops, and anything else I could want.
I see shelves of expensive handbags, and I gasp. Leave it to those two deities to stock a closet so fashionably. I look in Eric's wardrobe, and it is the same. "They have excellent taste, my lover," Eric tells me with approval.
On Eric's side of the bed opposite the bathing area and closets, I see a door that leads to a private office with state of the art technology. I walk into the door on my side, and it has a safe door behind the door I just opened, and I frown. I hear the combination whispered on the wind in the voice of Freya. I see Eric's eyes widen as I push in the combination to the safe or whatever the hell I am in for when I open this door?
When the doors open, I see cases of Jewelry. I recognize the Fae family heirlooms in glass cases, along with a lot of PenDragon heirlooms. I see my Grans jewelry as well as my momma's.
There are also tons of other pieces that are gifts from the deities that are presently partying in my backyard. All thanks to Niall, Merlin, and the rest of my family. I am speechless. I even see jewelry pieces that Eric had bought for me at a different time.
At the very back of the room, I see a glass case with various crowns. Fae princess tiara's as well as PenDragon family princess tiaras. Then the multiple Royal Queen and King monarchy crown.
"Eric, this house is like a mausoleum. It's so damn big," I say in esasperation as he looks at me in question. "I think it is a beautiful home, and it would be rude to refuse a gift from gods or deities, or whatever they may be Sookie," he tells me, and he is deadly serious.
"How can the two of us live here?" I ask in exasperation, and I am interrupted as the fates walk through the door together.
"Fair Queen of a lost legacy, triumphant over your enemies you will be," they say in unison. "Beautiful King of PenDragon, your fears are for naught," they say as his eyes widen. "PenDragon blood does not easily fall," they tell him as one.
"Although in size, it is impressive to see," they say as Eric and I are listening intently. "In time, children will fill the home from thee," they say as I gasp and feel Eric agree through the bond.
"How many kids am I gonna have?" I ask in bewilderment.
"A great many are needed for PenDragon and Brigant to proceed," they say as I listen. "For immortal now you both shall be," they finish as I sit numbly, thinking about how many times I gotta give birth again to fill this house up.
"We will have many children?" Eric asks as they stare at him in a trance. "Many children continue the line, with power so strong the world will survive," they say together.
"Our children will be powerful and save the world?" I ask in confusion. I see all three women nod as one.
"Eliminate the evil of the world to save the remaining lights here on earth," they say as I nod.
"It is our duty," I ask for confirmation as they nod. "YOU are the PenDragon," they say in a whispery voice together.
"I thank you," I say as I stand and embrace them in a group hug because it's hard to hug individuals who are not able to separate. In the blink of an eye, they have disappeared, and I am alone with Eric.
"I accept the responsibilities, Sookie," he tells me because he thinks that is my concern as I shoot him a dirty look.
"It isn't that, Eric," I say to him as he scrunches his face in confusion. "My instincts were right," I say as he nods. "Yes," he simply answers as he takes my hand.
"I do not know much, but I do know that you should keep that safe combination from Pamela," he tells me, and I feel his sincerity through the bond and double over laughing.
"Wait until Karin sees the weapon's vault," I say with laughter, and I feel his gleeful agreement. I close my eyes and concentrate. "We now have guard towers around the estate so we can see a threat, and they can't see us," I say to him as he smiles.
I also added A fae jail that Jason is in charge of as my second in command," I say as he nods. An Iron lined building on the back of the property on the fae side," I say. "It will weaken but not kill because the iron is between the walls," I tell him as he nods.
"There is also now a vampire jail that rests on the back of the property on the vampire side," I tell him as he nods. "It looks like the dungeon at Fangtasia," I say as he smiles. "There are just more toys for Pam to play with," I continue as he smirks. "I am sure she will be ecstatic about that," Eric says dryly. I agree.
"Mustapha and Warren can live in my farmhouse by the lake," I say as he looks impressed. "They enjoy the privacy, and Warren enjoys the quiet," I tell Eric as he nods. "They will arrive tomorrow," he says as he takes my hand.
"It is time to join our guest," he says as he pulls me to him. "Yes, I have missed them," I say as I snuggle into my husband's massive chest.
As I was thinking, I saw Tara's face flash through my mind, and Eric could feel my panic through the bond. "Tara," I say as understanding lights his face. "Call her and invite her over and we will figure out what to do from there," he instructs me as I grab my phone.
I hear it ring twice and she picks up "Hey Sook, how ya been?" she asks as I try to my best to sound like myself. "I didn't get a chance to talk to you at Gran's funeral because of who showed up," I say as disgust washes over me. "Yeah, I saw that," she says with anger. "Tara, I was wonderin' if you could come by for a visit?" I ask as she agrees to be here in thirty minutes. I inform her that Lafayette is here, and we have tequila already. As we hang up, Jason is at the bedroom door with Merlin.
"You have more guest Queen Aslynn," Merlin says as I arch a brow in question. "The panther packs are here, and so are the Were packs," Jason informs me as I nod. "Your other instructors are also here," Merlin tells me, and I give him a look of confusion.
"How is that possible when they are dead?" I demand. "I may have transported them through time," he says in nonchalance.
"My King, there are two that are eager to speak to you," Merlin says to Eric as Eric tries to think of who would need to speak to him as understanding lights his eyes. His father and brother are here.
When we pop downstairs to the party that is happening outside, I see Leif and King Henrik. I squeeze Eric's hand as he steps forward and embraces his family for the first time in over a thousand years. I send him love and understanding through the bond as I leave him to speak with his family.
Merlin has spelled everyone to speak the same language, and I can see deities and warriors gathered in groups recalling battle stories and strategies. I'm talking to Marie Laveau as Jason leads a wide-eyed Tara out to the patio. Marie freezes in her speech and locks eyes on my childhood friend. At that moment, Claude appears with a laughing Lafayette, and I see my mentor's eyes widen even further as she slowly approaches Tara and Lafayette.
"Blood of my blood she whispers as she stands in front of my friends in shock and confusion. "How is this possible?" She demands in anger. "How is what exactly possible?" I ask with confusion as Marie stares at me in bewilderment.
"These are my descendants," she tells me with happy tears in her eyes. She touches Lafayette on his forehead like Merlin and Niall do to me when they bless or awaken something inside me I think to myself as clarity fills my mind. She is awakening the powers that they have.
Lafayette looks dreamily around as he collapses in Claude's arms. As she touches Tara's forehead, her eyes widen, and she gasps in surprise. I can see in Marie's mind that she had fallen in love with an immortal that was cloaked inside her mind from even me, which I find interesting.
"Merlin," I say, and he appears. "Great-Grandfather," I say, and he appears before me. "They are Fae, and I don't know what kind, but they need to be blessed and awakened," I say as both men nod and do as I ask them to. Then I step forward and do the same.
"Her gifts are many," I hear Hadley say as Remie agrees. "He will be powerful too," Remie says as I look at him. "You can sense the gifts in other Fae," I state as Remie nods. "So can Had," he tells me as she nods.
I see Tara and Lafayette huddles with Marie in a corner, but Marie shields the conversation for privacy. The sun is starting to set, so I pop on clothing to meet a monarch. I make sure that the Cluviel Dor is hidden in the safe as I look down at my ensemble for the night.
My hair is a shimmering blonde against my golden tan. I have decided to wear the red Crown of my great grandmother. Queen Guinevere. I style my hair in an updo with curls cascading down my right shoulder as I pop on minimal makeup with heavy mascara and red lips.
I pop on my red lace thong and matching bra and my red silk slip. I conjure matching red strappy heels that are every bit of six inches tall. I pop on a flowing red empire style dress that is flowy and beautiful with diamond chips adorning the bodice. I add the matching necklace, earrings, and bracelets that match the Crown that adorns my head. A leather belt hangs on my hips where Excalibur rests in its sheath. I see the words PenDragon branded into the leather in old English lettering.
I pop to the top of the stairs as I see Eric's father look up at me, and his eyes widen. Du har valt bra på din fru, min son, hon är en vacker kvinna och lika hård som en Valkyrie," his father tells him as Leif nods and agrees. I nod my head to him, "Thank you for your blessing majesty," I say in gratitude. "But beauty is in the eye of the beholder," I say.
I snap my fingers, and Eric is wearing black leather elven armor with his black boots. My great grandfather's red Crown rests on his head, and his father's sword rests on his side. Merlin conjures seating in the front yard for our guest as I feel Sophie-Anne and her entourage approaching from the west and two other vampires approaching from the east.
We are seated on our thrones in front of the massive castle, as they pull up to the gatehouse.
"Any of them who mean harm may not enter," Merlin says as our vampire family joins us. I see Jason and Merlin flanking Eric as Pam and Karin flank me. The rest of my guest is alert and eager for a fight if it comes to that.
I see Sophie-Anne step through the barrier with confusion. She can smell the magic, and it is strong magic. Siegbert and Weibert flank Sophie-Anne. I see other members of her court make it through the barrier and take seats opposite of us as I look and see Andre, Bill, and Quinn stuck behind the magical barrier.
"Before I address the offense of my Sherrif beside you wearing a crown," she says with malice. "Why is my child not permitted or the other two members of my court?" she demands in outrage as Merlin steps forward I hold my hand up and walk gracefully to her.
"OUR kingdom is magically protected and blessed so that any who mean us harm cannot enter," I hiss in her face. "You may be vampire Queen of Louisianna Sophie-Anne, but here in this place, WE rule," I say as she seethes in anger.
"You owe me very much," I say to her as she narrows her eyes in speculation. I lean forward and touch her forehead and whisper "remember" as she gasps at the memories that flit through her mid with astonishing speed.
"Would you like to keep your kingdom and avoid your true death?" I ask in a menacing tone. "Who are you?" she asks me wearily. "I am Queen Aslynn PenDragon," I say as she gasps. I see her eyes rest on the sword that adorns my hip. I am also Susannah Brigant, Princess of the Royal house of the Skye Fae," I tell her as she blinks repeatedly. You know me as Sookie Stackhouse, telepath and barmaid," I say as she stares at me blankly.
"I came back to keep you from your true death as well as many other things," I say as she regains her composure. "Why is my sheriff on a throne and wearing a crown?" she demands.
"My newest name is Aslynn Susannah "Sookie" Stackhouse-Brigant-PenDragon-Northman.
Your sheriff is my three times blood bonded husband by the knife as well as by Fae custom, but more importantly, we were married and coronated in Avalon," I say as she gasps in outrage.
"This is treason," she yells as I step forward. "Careful Sophie," I say as she looks at me with murder in her eyes. "I can take the knowledge that I just gave you as easily as I gave it," I gritted out in annoyance.
"You have spies in your kingdom, and I have invited you into my kingdom so that we can be allies," I say as she looks at me, stunned. "Who are these spies?" she demands as I lean forward in her face. "Sam Merlotte and John Quinn spy for the King of Nevada," I tell her as her eyes widen.
"They have Quinn's mother and sister and are using them for leverage, or he would not have been involved at all," I say as she nods. "Freyda of Oklahoma had struck a deal with Eric's maker to sell him to her as a consort," I say as Sophie-Anne hisses. "He has met his true death, and she lost a fang," I tell her as her eyes widen.
"Who ended Appius," she demands with doubt. "a maenad that owes me a favor," I tell her as she gasps in surprise. "Freyda is in Oklahoma right now, making plans with Philipe DeCastro and Viktor Madden to send you to your final death and take over this territory," I say as she sits and huffs angrily.
"Are we allies or enemies?" I ask her as she sits and runs through the memories in her mind. She looks up with a bright, menacing smile.
"We shall be allies," she answers as she cuts her hand, and I repeat the gesture. A spell is performed by Merlin to bind the blood oath.
As she stands, she looks at the assortment of people gathered for this meeting.
"Allies indeed," she says to herself with wide eyes as she recognizes many faces in our front courtyard before she looks over her shoulder, issuing a command to Andre, and he commands Bill and Quinn back into a long black limousine.