A/N: I just want to thank everyone for the comments and likes, they really mean a lot to me! I wish there was an easy way to respond to comments without messaging each person
SPOV
I'm lost in my thoughts, cooking lunch because Alcide is coming over today. It's a strange situation for me, Alcide is my friend, he has been since Eric introduced me to him way back when he was hired to keep me safe during the day when Eric couldn't. I stop thinking about Alcide at that thought, was Eric already trying to protect me, even then because he cared? At Russell's house, he said he didn't care about me but obviously, that wasn't true, if it was, he wouldn't have bought my house and fixed it up for me while I was in the fairy, he wouldn't have told Lucky Sookie that he loved her as soon as he got his memories back. I can't believe how blind I had been because of Bill back then.
I shake my head, none of that matters anymore, that's not my Eric, heck, that's not my life, my world anymore. It's best not to think about things concerning Eric that didn't happen in this dimension anymore. It'll just confuse me and it won't do anything to help me connect with this Eric here.
Anyway, it's weird because with these memories of the Alcide here, I get the picture that he's not really a great friend. From what I can tell, he likes to call me when he needs help and that's about it. Yes, he's helped me out a few times but most of those times was him working off debts for Eric so it wasn't even out of the kindness of his heart or because we're friends. And still, Lucky Sookie would defend him and his actions to kingdom come but scrutinize and put the worst spin on things she could come up with when it came to Eric.
I'm knocked from my thoughts when there is a knock on the door. I plate up the BLTs I made for lunch and quickly make my way to the front door. I smile brightly when I open it to see Alcide. He smiles back and leans in to give me one of his bear hugs.
"Hey, Sook. It's been a while, I think the last time I saw you was at my pack meeting when everything happened with Sam. I am real sorry about that, you know that right? I'm glad he's okay."
"Yeah, it was, it all worked out in the end though, so you know, it's okay, I guess. It's not like you were behind any of it." It was definitely not okay, and it'll be a cold day in hell before I let myself get dragged into any more shifter problems or squabbles but it doesn't really make sense to bring that up now, especially because I'm about to be asking for his help.
"Yeah, but you used your secret fairy thing or whatever. I wish you didn't have to, it would have been good for you to have something like that to keep you safe, you do get yourself in dangerous situations often. Although it does seem to be quiet for you lately, thankfully. Since you finally lost the dead weight." He chuckles at his own joke, I really hate how he talks about Eric.
"Yeah well I wish I didn't have to use it either, I had something important I was saving it for. Anyway, there's no need to bring this up, it's not like there's anything that can be done to change it. Anyway, that's not why I called you here, are you hungry? I make BLTs."
"Sure Sook, I'm never one to turn down your cooking."
"Not much in the way of cooking, just frying up some bacon."
He sits down at the kitchen table and I grab the plates before sitting down across from him. Nothing else is said before he puts his napkin down on his empty plate, although I'm still only about halfway done with mine.
While we're eating I can't help but listen into his thoughts. I know it's rude but part of me is weary of this Alcide, I don't have a reason to be but I'm trying to be a safer Sookie, especially because of how I've messed up lately, like talking to Russell on my house phone.
'She looks so good, what am I thinking, of course she looks good, she's Sookie. I think she'll always be the one that got away for me. Maybe not though, we're both single right now, what would be the harm in trying? Shit, what am I doing? She's a telepath she could be listening right now. Are you listening to me, Sookie?'
His eyes shoot to me but I continue focusing on my plate, I don't want him to know I heard him, I'm in no mood to deal with him trying to make a move on me. After I feel his eyes burining into my head for a while he sighs.
"So Sook, I'm happy for the call and to catch up, I am but I have a feeling you didn't just call me because we're friends. Why don't you tell me what I can do for you? I'll do what I can, I feel like I owe you after all."
I smile sheepishly because it's mighty rude of me to call a friend over just to ask for a favor, I almost feel like I'm using him. "Do you know Resmend Uberlley?"
He looks at me speculatively, I guess trying to figure out why I'd want to talk about him. It makes me certain that he does know him at least. "Yes, I know him, not well. Once a year he calls all pack leaders together so we can speak about the problems we're having and what we need to change, he also calls from time to time, to check up on things. Why?"
"In the near future I'm going to set up a meeting with the supernatural council and once the petitions and everything are in, I'd like to set up a meeting with him, perhaps have you there and make it known I'm a friend of the pack."
"Sookie, why? I mean I won't have to tell him you're a friend of the pack, you're pretty well known in my circles."
Fuck this better not have anything to do with that vamp, why to I have a feeling this is all about Northman? Why can't she just get over him already? I know damn well that asshole ain't sitting in his pretty mansion spending the days pining over Sookie.'
"I just told you, I'm bringing a petition to the council and I need another vote."
"What is this petition for?'
"Does that really matter?"
"Uh, fuck yeah it does. Why don't you want to tell me?"
"Because frankly, it's none of your business. I'm sorry Alcide but I can't tell you, not yet anyway. It's supposed to be kept quiet for a few days. I'll tell you when I can."
He stares at me for a long time, looking at me as if he's the mind reader. "Fuck Sookie, this is about Northman again, isn't it? Why? He left you, he ran away and got married to someone else!"
The nerve of this guy. "First of all, I never said that it was about Eric, second of all, it's none of your business, and thirdly, I really don't get why you think you have the right to come into my life spiriotically and tell me how to live it, to tell me how you think I'm living it wrong and being stupid. I'm not asking you to do anything other than what you owe me for all I've done for you. It has nothing to do with our friendship, it's simply quid pro quo."
"Christ, Sookie. I just don't understand it, what is it about that man that will make you consistently put your life in danger, that makes you willing to throw away everything you want in life just for a chance to be with him?"
"I think you need to realize you don't know me as well as you think you do. You don't know what I want in life, I'm not giving up anything." That might not be strictly true but it's none of his business. "So are you going to do this for me, or not? All I need is a meeting and you vouching for me."
He sighs and eventually replies. "Yeah Sook, I'll do anything for you, you know that."
"Thank you. Now, I made cookies, would you like some?"
He doesn't stay long after that, he eats a few cookies and makes his excuses to leave. It's good because it's awkward and the conversation is stilted after that anyway. I'm just breathing a sigh of relief as I'm watching his truck pull down the driveway when I hear the signature pop behind me signaling a fairy has come for a visit. When I turn it's Niall standing there with his arms open for a hug. I oblige him and as always it lasts much longer than anyone that's not a fairy would consider normal. He pulls away with a smile on his face and I can't help but to return it, the feelings you get from coming in contact with your kin are like a little boost of pure happiness and contentment.
"Good afternoon, Niall, I wasn't expecting to see you today. Aren't we leaving for Oklahoma tomorrow? I did mess up the days?" I really hope not, I planned a full night of me talking myself up. I've never done anything like this before, it's completely out of my wheelhouse and I need time to get myself prepared.
"No, no, worry not. Everything is still on plan for tomorrow. I figured today would be the time to go to the faery so that you may drink from the fountain of light. I do hope you've been working on getting control of your light as we spoke about."
"Uh yeah, I have, I think I got pretty good control of it, the only problem is that I haven't used it on anyone since I've started practicing, I'm not sure how strong it is, how much damage it will do to an enemy."
"You've used it on people before, yes? Before learning to control it, I mean."
"Yeah, a few times."
"Then you know how it'll affect people, you weren't practicing to make yourself stronger, you were practicing to have control over it, to be able to use it in times other than extreme distress."
"Oh, okay, that makes sense, I guess."
"Yes, now drinking from the fountain, on the other hand, that will make you more powerful. This is why I think it's best that we go today and not after you get back from Oklahoma. I do not foresee there being a need for you to use it while we're there, it should be a fairly simple and quick process, but it's better to be prepared."
Ugh, I hate that that makes sense, I really have no want to go back to the faery, I only have terrible and frankly scary memories of that place. Then again, from when I can figure from the memories of this dimension, the faery is very different here. I'm pretty sure Mab doesn't even exist here. "Question, is there a queen named Mab in the faery?"
"Hmm, no, not that I can recall. Oh, wait, there was a princess Mab but she died centuries ago when she was still a child, she would have one day become queen of the earth fae."
"Hmm, maybe that's who I'm thinking of, she didn't die in my dimension."
"Sookie, dear girl, this is your dimension now. It's probably best that you stop connecting yourself to that one so deeply."
Easier said than done I think dryly. "Right. And you're sure that I won't come back and years will have passed, correct?"
"All the time I'm not with you, I'm in the Faery, if that makes you feel better."
It kind of does. "Okay, and you're sure that if I consume anything there, I won't be stuck there forever."
Niall laughs heartily. "Oh Sookie, where do you come up with this stuff? You've quite the sense of humor, I enjoy it."
"Yeah" haha "Funny. Okay, let's go. I wanna get back here as quickly as possible."
"I understand."
He holds out his arm, so I grab on like I assume he wants and a second later I feel the whole world shift around me, I feel myself disappear, like I don't exist but my consciousness still does. When I come back to myself we're standing in a field with beautiful bright green grass that has the prettiest flowers I've ever seen growing throughout. I don't need to be told this is the Faery, something about it seems otherworldly, but another part of me feels like I'm home. It's a feeling I never knew I was missing but now that I have it, it feels indispensable. Not that I have any intention of staying here but I know to my bones that I'll have to come back.
"Wow."
"Yes, I know. The fairy part of you knows this is home. You are welcome here whenever you wish. Though I've closed the entrances, the one by your home has a secret clause that can open it if need be."
"That's good to know, I might have to take you up on that. Now, let's get to this fountain, I have a lot of self pep talk that needs doing tonight."
"Self pep talk?"
"It's intimidating going up against a queen for a guy who might not even want me." I shake my head, "I mean, it doesn't matter if he wants me or not, I'm going to do what I have to, to get him out of the situation." I feel some dread when I look over to Niall and I see a look of unease on his face. "What?"
"What? Oh, nothing."
I stop walking and grab onto his arm so he has to stop too. "It's not nothing, you might be closing your mind to me but I know you well enough to know when something isn't going to plan. You have to tell me, what am I walking into in Oklahoma?"
He sighs, "Eric might not be handling the change as well as I had hoped."
'What do you mean? What changed?"
"You."
"Okay, I'm going to need some more information because the cryptic BS really isn't working for me."
He sighs again, "Sookie, the Eric you left never really knew what he lost because he never really had a relationship with you. This Eric on the other hand, well the only thing I can think to say is that he's mourning, he's lost the woman he loves. And worst off, she's not even dead, she's left him to run off with some other version of him."
Right, yeah, I could see how that would be hard for him. I feel a rush of sympathy for him but also, selfishly, I feel bad for myself and even a little hurt and almost betrayed even though I have no right to feel that last one, especially because not an hour ago I was feeling bad about my loss of the other Eric. It doesn't stop me from feeling it though.
"So… So what does that mean? For me, for us?" I feel slightly uncomfortable speaking to Niall about this but really, who else am I going to tell? Maybe Pam but it feels like she'd have a conflict of interest when it comes to the two of us.
He sighs for a third time, I have a feeling this is just as uncomfortable for him as it is for me. "It means, well, it means you just have to take things slow, wait and see. When the idea of you was first brought up to him, he didn't even want to meet you, he didn't see the point because he figured you just end up treating him the same as my Sookie did."
This time I'm the one to sigh, going from the memories I have from their relationship, I can't blame him for being weary. "Okay. Well, it doesn't change anything, we're still doing this tomorrow. It just seems like we're going to have to talk after."
Nial just nods and then continues walking toward our destination, I follow this time slightly behind him lost in thought. Now, considering what Niall told me, I have even more worries. Niall said that after I make my case known, Eric will get to choose where he stays up until the vote with the council. What if he chooses to stay with Freyda? I really hope not and know logically he probably won't but I can't help but worry. On the other hand, if he does come to stay with us, he'll have to stay with me, the whole point of the petition is to say that we're a married couple and wish to stay that way. It'd look bad if he came back to Louisiana and we just lived separate lives. It'd make the claim seem fake. I accepted that reality when we came up with this plan but stupid cocky me thought he'd be happy to be with me again. I really must think too highly of myself.
Of course he'd be missing his Sookie, how stupid and self-centered was I not to realize that? I take a deep breath, there's nothing I can do about it now, it doesn't change anything, I'm still going to get him out of the situation, and I'm going to be strong and talk to him, like actually talk, not like what he and other Sookie did when they used sex to avoid having serious conversations. No, I'm going to tell him that I'm here if he wants me. I get a weird feeling in my stomach, I'm not used to putting myself out there like that, not since Bill anyway. And even then, putting myself out there is a relative term, I don't know if I could consider it me 'putting myself out there' after over twenty years of being a telepath, the walls I built around myself were already pretty darn high.
"Sookie, are you alright?"
"Huh?" I look around and realize I must have been too lost in my thoughts because I comprehend that we're standing in front of the most beautiful ornate fountain I've ever seen. "Wow, so this is it?"
"Yes." He pulls a rich-looking goblet out of seemingly nowhere before bending and filling it up with the liquid in the fountain, then turning and handing it to me. I take it gingerly, still not feeling too comfortable with this situation but I'm pretty sure that's only because of the bad experience I had here in the other dimension. Niall knows how important it is for me to get home and save Eric, so there's no chance he's trying to trick me into staying here forever.
With another sigh and prayer that I'm not being stupid I drink the goblet. It takes a few seconds to notice a change but once I do I feel like my body is on fire. Not in a bad way, more like every cell in my body is lighting up, I feel every molecule that I consist of buzz with electricity, I've never felt more like myself than in this moment and I know that this is how it's supposed to be. My skin burns but in a pleasurable way, I'm not sure how else to explain it. The hair on my arms stands up on edge. After a few seconds of trying to get control myself and slowing my screaming body, I hold my hand up and call my light to it. It's easier to do it than ever before and the light is so bright I have to squint my eyes to even look at it. I know this is much more powerful than I ever was before. I wish I had a test dummy or maybe the Russell Edgington from the other dimension here tied up, so I could test my new strength out on him. After another deep breath, I pull my light back and close my eyes in enjoyment of the feeling of it moving back throughout to rest until I need it again.
"Wow," I say for lack of anything better.
"Yes, each time you drink from the fountain your fairy strength, traits, and abilities will grow stronger. It will lessen over time but the more you drink it, the more of it will stay with you until eventually, it will become a part of you permanently."
"What do you mean? Will it like turn me into a full fairy?" If so, that's really something he should have disclosed to me beforehand.
"No, It's not changing your DNA, it's just making the fairy parts of you more prominent."
"Will it do anything else? Like has my life expectancy just doubled or something?" Again, it's something we really should have spoken about before I drank the cool aid.
"Not this time, though if you continue to drink it as I hope you will, yes."
"Okay." Good, at least I have time to think these things over before any of it becomes permanent. Either way, I'm happy I did this, it will help in Oklahoma, if for nothing else, it'll give me more confidence, which is something I'm sorely lacking, especially after the conversation with Niall about Eric.
"Come, let's get you back home, I'm sure you want to prepare for tomorrow. As long as all goes to plan, Eric will be home by the day after."
A small smile comes over my face at the thought. "Okay, let's go."
He holds his hand out to me and I grab it before there's another blur around me. It's easier to handle this time, not as jarring, I'm not sure if it's because I'm more prepared for it or if it's because I drank from the fountain and now I'm better able to handle fairy stuff. Heck, I'm not even sure if that makes sense but either way, it's easier. When the world around me becomes clear again we're back in my kitchen and it's just how I left it. I quickly check the clock and notice that only about twenty minutes have passed, thankfully.
"Hey, now that I'm drinking the cool aid will I be able to do that?"
"I don't see why not. I'll send Claude over here to help teach you, the other version of you became a pro at it."
"Cool!"
"Okay, my dear girl, get some rest, tomorrow is a busy day, we have a lot that must get done before we can get Eric."
"Will do. Thank you, Niall. I appreciate all the help."
"I must admit, although I care about you and want to see you happy, this is a selfish endeavor as much as it's altruistic."
Alarm bell goes off in my mind, what is he after? "What do you mean."
"I've already told you Sookie, the world depends on this."
I breathe a sigh of relief, "Oh, right, yeah, okay, that's fine then."
"I'll see you tomorrow, granddaughter."
"See ya later, gramps." I work hard not to chuckle at the look of distaste that comes over his face at the monicker I've given him. After a quick hug, quick for fairies anyway, he's teleported away and I'm alone.
I spend the rest of the day giving myself pep talks and preparing for tomorrow. By the time I go to bed tonight, I feel confident and a smile comes over my face at the thought of seeing Eric tomorrow.
EPOV
Thankfully, I'm getting used to these unplanned visits from Niall because I'm barely surprised when I come out of the shower and he's lounging on my bed again. In greeting, I say, "Fairy."
"Vampire."
"To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"Tomorrow."
"What about tomorrow?"
"It's the day we are coming for you. If all goes to plan, by the time you go to your day rest tomorrow you'll be in a coffin on your way back to Louisiana."
"Hmm." It's all I can think to say for a moment, I honestly wasn't sure this day would ever come, and if it did I thought it'd be years from now. It begs the question. "And how are you planning on making this happen?"
"My granddaughter is citing a prior claim on you."
"She broke the bond, we're divorced. It won't work, Freyda would win in a second if it was brought to the council."
"You're divorced by your kind's ways, yes but not in mine."
"What are you saying?"
"I'm saying she's planning on claiming you as being her husband by way of the light and saying that it was never ended so your marriage to the queen is null and void."
"That might have worked if Freyda was not a queen, that holds weight with the council, they'll take her claim more seriously."
"Again, that might have been true if Sookie hadn't taken her rightful seat and rightful crown as princess of the sky fae, they are on even footing in that regard. And since Sookie's claim is prior to the queen's, she'll win. You'll be able to come home in the meantime before the vote takes place."
"Oh" as unintelligent as I sound with that response it's all I can think to say. Sookie was really willing to take her crown to get me back? She wanted nothing to do with it, which I understand better than most, it was how my whole human life was spent and how the last few centuries have been too, at least since people started hinting that I should take a state. I clear the shock out of my mind and think of the logistics. "She understands we'd have to live as husband and wife, yes? At least until the council's vote takes place."
"Yes, she understands. I told you, she's the same Sookie, the only difference is she sees things more clearly now, she wants to be with you."
"Hmm," I hum, it's all I can think to do. This conversation has caught me off guard too many times for me to feel comfortable, to feel stable on my feet. It feels as though my whole life has shifted ten degrees in the last five minutes. "Okay, I guess we shall see how it goes."
"She's worried you'll choose to stay here during the interim."
I scoff. "Not a chance, if I stay here I'll be permanently bonded to Freyda by the end of the week, she's already forced me into a second exchange. I've scared her though, so she's stopped pushing for the third but I doubt that fear will last much longer. She's smart but she's just confident and arrogant enough to push her fear away and think she has the upper hand to force her wishes on me."
"How can she force such things on you?"
"I've given up much in our marriage contract in order to secure Sookie's continued safety. Every clause I added to keep the people who wanted Sookie away was another one added to give up my autonomy."
This time it's Niall who hums while he's looking at me too hard for comfort. I try to give nothing away while he's trying to read my intentions and emotions. He eventually nods knowingly, it seems my face was not as blank as I hoped. It never is when it comes to Sookie. "Play it safe tonight, Viking, don't do anything to give our plan away, make her angry, or make it so that she wants to force the blood bond issue. It'd be unfortunate to tie yourself to her so irrevocably on the eve of your freedom." I simply nod, it's not as if I haven't already come to the same conclusion. "Right then, see you on the morrow, stay safe, it should be quick and painless."
I don't quite agree with him but nod anyway. "I will, and you do the same."
He nods once then pops out of the room. I let out a long sigh, "Fuck." I say out loud. That was a lot of information to wrap my head around. I'm frankly astounded that Sookie is going through all this just to get me out of here, that she wants to live with me as man and wife. I'm not quite sure how I feel about that myself, if it was my Sookie I'd be euphoric at the notion. Honestly, I feel it creeping up on me anyway but I ruthlessly shove it down, this isn't my Sookie, this isn't the woman I love, the woman who I consider my wife. No, she's off somewhere I'll never be able to follow married to some man who stole my face. I shake my head, there's no need to go down this rabbit hole again, I've already spent an obscene amount of time thinking, or more honestly, brooding over it since I found out. Nothing will change the fact that she's gone and she's not coming back, for all intents and purposes, she's dead to me. I shake my head minutely, time to focus on current circumstances, I'm due to meet Freyda in her room before we make our way to the throne room. She wants us to go down there together tonight to show a united front since the kings of New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania are due to arrive tonight. She has some plans in the works with them and she needs to make a good impression. Though she needn't worry, I'm close with the three of them and have been in business with the monarchs of the North East for centuries now. Or at least she wouldn't have to worry if I were still going to be here by the time negotiations were complete but it seems as if that won't be the case.
I check myself in the mirror one time before I leave my suite but stop when I realize I have a small but honest smile on my face. I haven't felt the urge to smile in months, it almost looks strange on me at this point. I just have to wait one more night and I can finally get the fuck out of here.