After Eric and I take our children upstairs, I walk into the large room that joins ours. I snap my fingers, and the nursery is complete. There are lifelike stars on the ceiling that shine as brightly as the night sky in the summer.
The walls are murals of different realms that we had visited together in the previous time. Eric stops as he looks at the painting of his home. The waters were so blue and beautiful from the dock, where I took the children to fish.
"I used to fish from this dock with my brother as children," he says in confusion. I took Arya from his arms and laid her in her white crib as she slept and then laid Aryk right beside her because they could never rest unless they were together as infants.
"I took them there to fish when we traveled for training," I said as he spun around to face me.
"They met my family?" he asked in disbelief. "Yes, and it was hard for them not to reveal themselves to you in your human life," I say as he stares in bewilderment.
"Your human children lived, and your line continues today," I tell him as he smiles at me. I warned your father and brother of the danger they faced and what would happen to you in so many words after Aude and your child died, and they agreed to watch over your human children," I told him as he sat in the oversized chair quietly.
"I live on in my descendants?" he questioned as I nod my head. "You also live on through your new family," I tell him as he stands to look at Aryk and Arya sleeping.
"They are beautiful children," he says with pride as he wraps his arms around me and his hands rest on my flat stomach. I smile in agreement.
"How do you think Pam will cope with pregnancy and being a mother?" I ask in concern, and I feel happiness through the bond.
"Pamela did not want children in her human life, or the body changes that accompany such a thing," Eric explains with a sigh. "I feel that she is happy to have daughters to dress up and spend money on," he explains with laughter. "I hope that Jason can afford her spending habits," he says with thought as I laugh.
"Eric, Jason has as much money as I do," I explain as he sends relief through the bond. I chuckle at his comfort because I know how much Pam loves to shop.
"Jason is delighted to have a son and daughters on the way," I say with happiness as I feel Eric's joy through our bond.
"You will be a grandfather to her children, and I will be an aunt," I say with bewilderment as he laughs.
"I didn't think we lived THAT far south," I say as he laughs more. "I am kidding, but it is odd," I say as he shrugs his shoulders.
"When do we leave?" Eric asks as I smile at him. "If you will stay and guard our treasures, I will make the announcement to everyone that is here, and we can be on our way," I say as he agrees.
I walk out the door, and I turn back to see him sitting in the chair with a baby in each arm. Smiling and staring at our children as if they are the sunshine in the night.
I make my way to the back patio, and I see that Merlin has everyone assembled. I see the vampires have also made it for the announcement now that the sunset was moments ago.
"As you know, thanks to Freya, Aphrodite, Venus, and Hathor, there are many women that are blessed with new pregnancies," I say through gritted teeth as they smile.
"I will be returning to the Fae realm for two weeks to give birth and train my children with my husband and King," I announce.
"My second in command Jason Stackhouse and his bonded mate Pamela Ravenscroft will be traveling with us to the Fae realm," I explain.
"In our absence, my godfather Merlin of Avalon and child of my bonded husband and King, Karin the Slaughter will rule in my stead," I command.
"Their wishes are my commands and will be obeyed, or there will be no place for you here," I say with finality as I look around. I see everyone nod in agreement.
"My Uncle Dermot will be here to supervise any building as I have charged him with this duty," I say as I see Dermot smile with happiness. "He is gifted in this area, so listen to what he says," I command.
"This estate is a haven and a sanctuary for supes or humans," I begin as everyone listens. "There will be no discord or violence, or I will end you myself when I return," I say, and my voice booms with authority.
"When I return with my children, I expect this kingdom that we have built to be thriving and safer than when we leave today," I say as I look into the eyes of everyone in the audience.
"Is everyone in agreement?" I ask as they all cheer, I relax a little more. "Queen Sophie-Anne, could we have a word in private?" I ask as she nods and is beside me in a flash as we walk into the house.
"Since Eric can no longer be your sheriff, I would like to recommend another for the position," I say as she listens. "There is a Roman vampire in Dallas named Godric of Ghaul, and he would make an excellent sheriff," I say as she smiles brightly.
I conjure an envelope on the Royal PenDragon stationary that I addressed to Godric. I had handwritten a letter to him explaining that this world was not finished with him and if he wished to redeem himself to come to Louisiana to be sheriff of Area five and protect the Queen of Avalon and the Queen of Louisiana from usurpers.
After reading the letter, I signed it, and Sophie-Anne signed as well, and I popped it to Dallas straight into the lap of Godric of Ghaul.
"Godric is ancient and powerful," Sophie tells me as I nod. "He will be an excellent protector for your kingdom," I say as she smiles. "And also for your kingdom, she smiles.
"With two of us looking out for this state, I highly doubt that you will meet your true death so easily this time," I say as she shudders at the thought.
"No, and I owe that to you," she says with gratitude. "I would rather have friends and allies than enemies although I have too many to count," I say as she looks at me in surprise.
"What enemies do you have, my new friend?" she asks me in question. "I can show you," I say as she nods in fascination.
I lay my hands on her head and show her my whole life as bloody tears streak down her face. When it is done, she stares at me in wide-eyed shock.
"I am glad that you came back to change the past," she tells me with sincerity. "I am honored to be your friend and ally," she continues. "Anyone who comes against you comes against me," she vows as she cuts her hand. "I accept your vow Sophie-Anne Lequrque," I say as I cut my hand. "I vow that whoever comes against you without just cause also comes against me," I say as she smiles. "Do not give any of my family cause," I say as she giggles.
"We depart soon, so I hope that you are comfortable in the Viking home while we are away," I say as she nods in agreement. "Whatever Royalty we drink, I will replace," she tells me with a shrug. "I know it isn't the same as a donor, but I do not allow that here on the premises," I tell her as we walk to the patio again.
"I will tell you that when I return, all vampires who swear fealty to the PenDragon heir will be granted daywalker status," I say as she gasps.
"Daywalker?" she asks in awe as I nod and roll my eyes. "To see the sun again," she says in reverence. "We are preparing for war," I say as she looks at me sharply. "Against whom?" she asks, and I can see the fierce vampiress that is underneath the teenage fifteen-year-old.
"A supe civil war is on the horizon, and this is a haven and sanctuary for any who wish to be saved," I explain as she stares with wide eyes, and her hands cradle her flat tummy.
"When I return, I will have to face Morgana," I say as her eyes widen. "You have heard the name?" I say as she nods with fear. "After that, I will have to end my blood grandfather for killing my children," I say as a bloody tear rolls down her face.
"How do you deal with the pain?" she asks in confusion. "I have seen your memories, and you have endured when anyone would have met the sun or ended themselves," she says with uncertainty.
"Because I am a Stackhouse.
I am a Brigant Princess.
I am a PenDragon Queen.
I am also the Northman's bonded wife.
Tomorrow is another day," I say as she smiles. "I do love Scarlett O'Hara too," she giggles. "Then together we shall never go hungry again," I say as she burst into laughter.
I hear nails tapping on the granite countertop and look to see Pam with a very distinct curl to her lip.
"Hello, MY friend," Pam says pointedly.
"Hey, Pam, are you almost ready to go?" I ask, hoping to avoid the confrontation that I know is about to happen.
"Not quite yet," she says as she stares at Sophie with distaste.
"I am glad that you are making new friends, Sookie, but I thought that I was your favorite undead friend?" she asks in a serious tone, and I have to smile at her as she growls in jealousy.
"Pam, you are my family, and that is more than my friend," I say as her face lightens, and she smiles. "Good, I won't have to fight this one to keep you," she tells me as Sophie's mouth gaps open in outrage.
"Ladies," Eric interrupts from the door.
"Fascinating as this all is, Sookie is MINE, and there will be no fighting over the friendship of my wife," he says with irritation as both look chastised.
"Pamela, we could share her as a friend," Sophie says as Pam cuts her eyes to Sophie.
"We shall see," she says and is out the door in a blink.
"Is she always like that?" Sophie asks in confusion.
"Yes, she is, "Eric answers as I smile.
"Like her maker, she is very territorial," I say with love as Eric wraps his arms around me, and I see Sophie smile and nod.
"Farewell until you return my friend," she says as she hugs me to my surprise and zips out the door.
"Not many see that side of her," Eric tells me in thought after Sophie-Anne leaves. I shrug my shoulders in bewilderment.
"Are you ready?" I ask as he smiles and nods. "Merlin and Karin are bringing the children, and I have called Pamela back as well," he says with humor.
"The summit is soon, but we should be back in time," I say as he nods. "All of our children will be safe by the time we return and able to defend themselves," he says with relief as he wraps his arms around me.
"Eric, I am sorry for going to deal with Hallow without more enforcements, but I hope that you realize that these deities that you look at with awe are who trained me and I am more powerful than them in many ways," I explain as I feel his struggle through the bond.
"I am not human, and I am not fragile," I say as I feel his agreement, but I also feel his fear. "I love you, Sookie, and I fear to lose you more than meeting my true death," he tells me as I lean into his arms.
"I don't love you any less than you love me, and that is why I did not take you anywhere near that bitch," I say as he finally accepts my apology.
"I won't put you in danger any more than you would put me in danger," I say as he holds me and sends love through our bond.
"I notice that the Sumerians have arrived and have conjured a dwelling," Eric says as we look across our growing community.
"Yes, they will all feast and catch up with each other in our absence with Merlin and Karin as babysitters," I say with humor as Eric laughs.
"They party hard," I tell him as he roars with laughter. "Which group is worse?" he asks in interest, and I laugh and give him a meaningful look. "I think you know that Asgardians party pretty hard, but so do the Greeks," I say as I shake my head. The Egyptians are more academic, but they do cut loose from time to time," I say as I look at Hathor and Horus dancing together.
"There are other pantheons and groups that were sent to protect humanity, but they have forgotten what they are supposed to do," I say as he listens.
"They trained me because Michael and Gabrielle commanded them to do so," I tell Eric quietly as I feel disbelief through the bond.
"I do not lie, Eric," I say as he holds me. "They are Celestial beings that were sent here to protect humanity from the fallen, and primitive humans worshipped them because they had power given to them by God," I tell him. "You know this?" he askes, and I nod.
"That is why they protect the PenDragon line," I confide as he listens. "The PenDragon line was created by God to protect humanity from evil," I say in a whisper, and I see all of the deities turn to nod at us because they have heard what I have said.
"You and Pam are blood bonded to the last of the PenDragon bloodline," I continue as they all nod at Eric in reverence. I can feel Eric accepting what I say through the blood bond, and I can feel his bewilderment.
"We are all God's children," I say as he holds me in silence as he thinks about what I have said. "My wife is not only a Fae Princess but also the Queen to the most honorable Kings in history, and now you tell me that you have Celestial blood as well?" he asks in confusion.
"Yes, and so do your children Northman," I hear Odin say as he steps forward. "We are here to protect the bloodline and finally do as we all were commanded to do in the beginning," he says as Eric stares at Odin with fear.
"Protect my wife and family from what?" he asks as his fear turns to anger.
"From evil," Odin answers as he disappears into the crowd. I feel Eric shiver as he holds me tighter.
"It is time," I say as he nods.
We say our goodbyes as Karin and Merlin appear with Aryk and Arya in they're arms. Eric holds Arya, and I hold Aryk as we walk toward the Fae home that keeps the portal to the Fae realm. Lucien follows beside Eric and holds Arya's tiny hand as Pam and Jason join us on the way.
As we reach the Fae home of my family, we all walk inside and to the closet where the portal is hidden. I see Lucien stare at Arya with love, and I lean to him.
"She will be back with you in two weeks," I promise him as he nods. "Thank you, my Queen," he whispers as he kisses Arya's sleeping head and disappears out the door, unable to watch us or to say goodbye.
I look around and see Niall is ready to depart, and Uncle Dillon will remain behind to watch over the home here. Merlin and Karin stand to say goodbye.
"We will be back soon," I say as I see Merlin's eyes twinkle.
"Train them well, Aslynn, my Queen," he says with pride as I nod.
As Eric takes Aryk into his other arm, a vision assaults me. As I wake, I see everyone crowded around me.
"What did you see?" Merlin asks
"Be prepared and get that hospital built fast," I tell him as he nods. I notice everyone's confusion as Pam huffs out, "What now?"
"There will be multiple births among those that were blessed that night," I say as her face scrunches in distaste. "Blessed?" she says with an arched brow as Jason rolls his eyes.
"They will all be very powerful shifters, as well as vampires," I say as everyone gasps. "Sophie-Anne will have two children born of her body, and they will be the first and only pureblood vampires for a long while," I say as I feel Eric's surprise.
"Protect her and those babies from harm," I demand as Merlin nods in understanding, and Karin looks at me with confusion.
"You expect trouble for her mistress?" she asks as I scoff. "I am Sookie to you, Karin, and yes, the FOTS will try to eliminate her children as soon as they learn of their existence. Warn her and tell her to wait for me here no matter what," I warn as they nod in understanding.
"Warn all of the expectant mothers that they will have powerful children or have those fertility deities explain to them," I say with irritation as Karin nods, and so does Pam. We agree that they should explain what they have done.
"Escort them to each dwelling to explain the nature and power of the children that they carry," I command as Karin smiles and nods. "It will be done your majesty," she smiles, and when Karin smiles, it scares the shit out of you.
We hug our family and turn to follow Niall through the portal into the Fae realm.
I watch as Jason holds Pam's hand as they step through together.
I take Eric's arm as he carries our children, and we walk through together.
This time he will watch his children grow.
This time he will be there for his children's births.
This time we go through this together, I think, as we step through to the other realm, and I can feel his happiness and his content through our blood bond, and I am thankful that my Gran warned me to make this right.