SPOV
I open my eyes this morning and my first thought is about how I'm pretty sure I've never felt this refreshed in my entire life. I'm sure some of it has to do with the copious amount of Eric's blood I had last night but I think a lot of it is the completed blood bond too. It just feels right, I've never technically had a blood bond before but I have memories of it and because of those memories, since I got them, I've just felt like something has been missing. My whole mental load and my emotions feel lighter now that it's finally back. I have the vague worry that that thought is very codependent but I'm easily able to push that thought away. I look over to Eric and can't tell if he's in downtime or if he decided to go to sleep since he no longer has to follow the sun. I listen into that little part of me that's now him and feel him there resting, calm, comfortable, content, though I'm still not sure what that means in terms of his consciousness.
"Eric?" His eyes open and I figure out he was just in downtime. There's something different behind his eyes today when he looks at me, it's softer and the look makes me smile. "Good morning."
His eyes soften even more, "Good morning, lover."
"How are you feeling? Are you tired? Still no urge to die for the day and no sign of the bleeds?"
"None whatsoever. I'm okay, dear one, you don't need to worry about me so much."
"Oh, good. And what are you talking about? Of course, I'm going to worry about you!"
He smiles at me but doesn't comment further, "Your phone has been ringing incessantly, I would have answered it myself but I did not want to disturb you, I would have had to move you in order to reach it."
"Thanks, I needed it after all you did to wear me out last night," I say ignoring the blush my words cause me, and stretch before getting out of bed and searching for it, I'm still using the phone Pam gave me but I've given the number to everyone important so that they'd be able to reach me if it were an emergency.
It takes me a while but I finally find my phone on the floor, it was in my purse last night but at some point during our late-night activities we must have knocked my purse over. I pick it up and sigh when there's only three percent battery left but thankfully Eric already has our chargers hooked up and ready by the bed. I plop back down next to Eric, plug it in, and scroll to my missed calls. It seems Jason finally decided to call me from that note I left him when I tried to visit a few days ago, Niall called twice, which is good, I have to talk to him about a few things, and it seems Sam accounts for that 'incessantly' Eric was talking about because he called a total of 7 times, leaving a voicemail twice. I wonder what on earth he has to talk about so importantly, he sure wasn't in the talking mood the last time I went there.
I listen to the voicemails and of course, they give no decent information or idea what to expect, they're just the basic 'call me back' with some shade thrown at Eric just to spice it up. I shake my head and take a deep breath before I start returning the calls, first Niall, who only answers after pulling it away from the phone preparing to hang up because he takes so long.
"Hello, dear Sookie!"
"Hi gramps, I saw you called, what's up?" I know he hates when I call him that but I gotta keep him on his toes, especially because I don't trust him completely. I trust him to do as he says as long as we have the same goals, it's just, that I never know what his goals actually are.
His voice is a little annoyed but still cheerful, "I was just checking in, we have the council meeting in just a few days, do you have the votes properly prepared? Do you have plans set for after? I do not like that king of yours." He says the word king as if he's talking about children playing make-believe instead of the vampire hierarchy.
"Yes, as long as everyone keeps their word we have more than enough votes, and yes, things are properly prepared for after. Though, I wouldn't be against taking a trip to the faery to get another drink of the Kool-aid, if that's okay with you."
"More than okay, dear girl. I'm free later today if that works for you."
"It does, thanks, what time should I expect you?"
"I'll be there at three, human time."
I giggle at 'human time' but nod, "Okay, see you then, bye Niall."
Of course, he's already hung up the phone, God forbid a supernatural says goodbye with common manners. Oh well, I should be used to it by now. I don't even put my phone down, instead, I scroll to the next name on my list, Jason, I'm just going to put Sam off till last, I'm not really in the mood to have my good mood ruined by him. I move my finger to press the call button but my phone starts to ring before I have a chance.
Speak of the devil, I roll my eyes, I guess this is call number eight, I sigh answer it, and bring it to my ear. In my most professional voice, I answer, "Hello, Sam."
"Sookie, thank god you're okay, I've been trying to get a hold of you, I thought something happened!"
"Yeah, I know Sam, I was getting ready to call you back. For future reference, calling me starting at 7 am probably isn't the best way to get in touch with me, I'm more of a late sleeper these days."
I can't be sure but I think I hear him mumble a sarcastic 'yeah, and I wonder why' before speaking up, "Yeah, sorry about that, I was just looking for you."
"Why? Did you figure out how you're planning to buy me out?"
"I'm working on that, I'm gonna need you to come down and sign some stuff but yeah, I think it's all figured. That wasn't why I was calling though, I was wondering, we have a big event coming here tomorrow and I was thinking since you're still part owner and all, and we're real short-staffed, that you'd come help me work it tomorrow?"
I sigh, the part of me that still cares about Sam, the part that remembers the good times and how he was there for me with a job when no one else was, wants to help. And, he's right, it is still partly my business. I'm about to agree but I take note of Eric's emotions and to say he's vehemently against the idea is an understatement. Plus, if I know Sam at all, this is another ploy to get me alone so that he can try to convince me to leave Eric and stay with him, or at least stay with humans. "Sorry Sam, I can't help but I can call some staffing agencies if you tell me exactly what type of help you need."
He sighs "That won't be necessary, Cher, I can handle that myself. Thanks anyway. Can you still come by tomorrow morning and I'll have the paperwork necessary to buy you out?"
Warning bells are going off in my head, he was very against the idea of buying me out just a few days ago and he is one of the most stubborn men I know, I'm not sure I believe he really changed his mind that much over a few days and I don't miss the fact that he wants to set up a meeting time when he thinks Eric can't be with me. Then again, I need this done and I have guards following me whenever I leave the house, along with the feeling that he's up to something, I have the time and resources to be properly prepared, so I say, "Sure, what time?"
"How about ten, is that too early for you nowadays?" The derision in his voice is clear.
"I'll make it work."
"Okay, good, I'll see ya soon, Sook." His voice softened to the kind caring Sam I knew so well at the end of the phone call but he hung up before I had a chance to respond and say goodbye.
I look over to Eric and see him already watching me, his feelings are pretty neutral in the bond right now, he's not happy that I just agreed to go meet Sam without him but he understands my reasons and trusts me. I lean over and kiss him, it doesn't take much for me to get wrapped up in it and forget what we're supposed to be doing. That's why I'm surprised when Eric reaches for my hand which is starting to explore his cool chiseled chest as he pulls back from the kiss, a needy wimper leaving me before I have a chance to stop it.
"Don't you have another phone call to make, lover?"
"Hmm?" My foggy mind answers. When I remember I pout and my voice shows it when I add, "Oh right."
"Business first, then pleasure, dear Sookie, you know that."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, you're one to talk mister," I grumble putting my attention back to my phone, taking a second to calm down my libido before I'm forced to talk to my brother, those two things do not mix at all.
I press call and he answers only a few rings, "Sookie! Where have you been? I haven't heard from you in weeks and when I went to the farmhouse it was empty. I few days later I went back and now there are a bunch 'a construction workers doing God knows what to it." I smile when I hear his kids playing in the background.
"Hey Jace, sorry, it's been a crazy few weeks, I didn't mean to disappear on ya. I'm fine, everything is fine, the farmhouse just needed some work is all."
"Yeah, that's why I saw that vamper company outside it bringing in material to make it safe for vampires during the day. Sook, please don't tell me you're getting back with Compton, I know you're still on the rebound from Eric but don't get back into bed with that one, I don't trust him, never did… Ha, back into bed, I didn't actually mean that literally, but yeah, literally too."
I chuckle, it seems Jason also grew some in the brains department since my original dimension, he'd never have been able to make a double entendre like that, heck, I wasn't sure he even knew what the word 'literally' meant back then. "Don't worry Jason, there Ain't no way in hell I'd ever get back together with him."
"So you got a new vamp, er, man then?" I appreciate his effort in not using derogatory words for vampires, he's been working hard to respect my decisions and vampires in general, it still needs some work but an a for effort.
"No, not new but I am with someone."
"I thought Eric left town."
I smile softly, "He did but I brought him back."
"Oh, well good for you, Sook. you know I just want you to be happy. Well, happy and safe, normally that second one goes without saying but with the crazy life you live, I figure it's best to put it out there anyway."
I laugh, "Thanks Jace, I miss you, and the kids. We have to do dinner soon."
"We can make it a late dinner so your guy can join if you want."
My smile widens and I feel silly but I have to stop the tears I feel from falling, this is all I ever wanted from Jason, for him to be supportive and there for me. "Yeah, I think that'd be great."
"Alright, sis, take care of yourself. And don't be afraid to call if you need me."
"I will. I love you."
"You too. Talk to you later." Well, I guess it isn't only supes who have terrible phone etiquette because Jason hangs up before I have a chance to reply, although, I guess he's a supe too, considering the whole Werepanther thing. I'm not upset though, that was probably the best conversation I had with Jason, maybe ever.
I look at the clock on my phone before flipping it closed, there's about an hour before I have to get ready for Niall. I lean back and cuddle in with Eric who's still relaxing on the bed. It's strange, I'm not used to seeing him stay this relaxed and inactive unless it's right after sex or right before he dies for the day, I think it's because he isn't quite sure what to do with himself during the daytime. He's relaxing right now but I can also tell he's preoccupied and planning things out, especially because he doesn't even react when I cuddle up next to him other than to lazily wrap his arm around me.
"Everything okay, honey?" I feel silly as soon as the pet name leaves my lips but I stand by it, he has so many names for me and I only call him Eric, I want something just for him. Although, it's definitely going to take some trial and error before I find the right one. I can't stop the laugh from escaping me thinking of the possibilities.
"What is so funny?"
"Oh, nothing, Schnookums, just thinking." I try to keep my face blank but I fail miserably.
I don't have a chance to blink before I'm flat on my back and he's on top of me playfully growling into my neck, he pulls back just enough to say, "Schnookums? No, I wasn't going to comment on honey but I'd have to end any vampire who heard you say that to me without consequence, it'd be very time-consuming, and I'd hate if you let it slip in front of Pam or Karin, I'm still quite fond of them."
His growls are almost tickling me now, that along with his words and I'm laughing loudly. "Eric stop, it tickles!"
He redoubles his efforts and soon I'm laughing so hard I'm sure I'm hurting his ears with his enhanced hearing but I can't stop. I feel my hands heat up, unsure why but I'm laughing too hard to worry about it. Well, until the room gets really bright and I realize I just shot him with my light again, I try to stop to make sure he's okay but his tickles turn into licks, nibbles, and kisses and soon my laughter is breathy sighs and moans, "Eric a-are you okay?"
His growl is much more feral now and even though I'm still getting used to the bond, I can tell he feels much like his growl sounds, he's going wild on the inside. Is that what my light does to him? I don't have much time to think more about anything because I get swept up in his passion. The next few hours are just a blur of passion, pleasure, body parts, blood, and light.
As I'm panting lying down on top of Eric after our most recent round I know I need a break, the surplus of his blood I've gotten over the last few hours doesn't matter, I'm worn out, I'm not sure I can move at all, I know for sure I need a nap. Fuck, don't I have something to do today? What was it again? Oh well, I'll just have to postpone. Double fuck, I can't postpone on Niall, I need to get to that fountain, in fact, I was kind of hoping to go at least two times before the council meeting and the takeover.
Eric doesn't seem or feel any worse for wear, the big athletic jerk.
His husky chuckle reminds me that I'm still not all that used to keep people outta my head, or the fact that we're telepathically connected, damn. "Well, it's true. I'm worn slap out and you're completely fine."
"That is true, perhaps after your exclusion with Niall you won't tire as easily."
"Hey, I did pretty good if I do stay so myself, I kept up with for…" I look over at the clock and my eyes widen, "Three and a half hours, shit, he's going to be here any minute!"
"Get up then, I know you're one to care about modesty and things of that nature, I have no problem with him coming and finding us just like this, I know you don't feel the same."
Ugh, he's right, still, though, I grumble and burrow more into his neck with no intention of moving. He sits up taking me with him, somehow maneuvering us so that I'm now sitting sideways on his lap and I groan at being forced to move. Sometimes it hits me how I weigh absolutely nothing to him, I'm sure he could throw me like 20 feet in the air without even trying. He uses his hands on my hips to stand me up, and then slapped my ass as I reluctantly start to walk away.
I quickly throw on a simple sundress and walk over to the mirror to brush my hair and then teeth, I like staying in the suite, it's nice, there's room service and it has almost anything I could need, but it's not a home. I regret that I told Eric not to buy that house that I fell in love with because I thought we were leaving the state. "Hey, Eric, do you think there's any chance that beautiful home is still on the market?"
"No, it's not. Homes like that don't stay on the market for long."
"Yeah, that's what I figured," I say sadly.
"That is why I bought it when you told me how much you loved it." He adds so nonchalantly that it takes me a few seconds to comprehend his words. I turn to him with a smile growing on my face, of course, Eric would buy a house just because I showed interest in it.
"Really?"
"Of course, I told you that I prepared for all of our options, did I not?"
I laugh, "I guess I really shouldn't be surprised, it's a very you thing to do. Is it done, can we move in? Or at least go look at it?" I ask getting excited.
"Whenever you wish."
I open my mouth to tell him 'Let's go right now' but hear the telltale sound of a pop signaling a fairy has just arrived in the living room area. I sigh, that's right, Niall. "Tonight?"
"As I said, whenever you wish. Everything is prepared for the council meeting and the takeover, so these next three days we're just waiting for the most part."
I nod at him and then make the realization that he's still naked as I hear Niall walking down the hallway (he knows better than to pop right into my bedroom after the last time I yelled at him). My eyes open wide and I quickly run over to Eric, give him a kiss goodbye, and run out to the hall to meet Niall and block him from the room.
"Hey, Niall!"
He looks at me strangely, am I talking too loud? I sometimes do that when I'm nervous or embarrassed, oops. He nods at me before opening his arms, "Sookie, come, greet your grandfather correctly."
I want to roll my eyes at his words but hug him anyway, a hug from another fairy is too good to pass up. I feel that weird feeling of the whole world changing around us, of my molecules separating and then quickly coming back together. I pull back from him to see we're already in the faery. I take a deep breath, I'm still not used to the sensation at all, and I'm not very fond of it. None of that compares to the feeling of Eric just disappearing from the bond, I know it's brand new but it feels like I've had it forever and a part of me is now missing, stolen from me. I know logically Eric is fine and that this must be some weird side effect from traveling here but just because I know it doesn't mean I've comprehended it, accepted it. My heart is racing, adrenaline is coursing through me, and even though most of my brain is trying to convince by the body to calm down, part of it is flooded with grief, anger, heartbreak, and the need for revenge.
Niall grabs onto my shoulders and spins me to face him. Huh, when did I turn away? "Sookie, you did not tell me you finished the bond." He sounds mildly alarmed but I can barely hear him with the blood rushing in my ears.
"It's not like you gave me much of a chance!"
"Breathe, take one deep breath, there, that's it. Now another, everything is fine, your bonded is safe. Breathe." Gradually my heart rate and emotions begin to calm down and I can think more clearly. I nod at him when I think I'm okay
"Thanks for the warning," I say sarcastically.
"I thought it might make the transition easier if you did not see it coming."
"Easier for who?" I grumble while bending over and putting my hands on my knees while trying to get ahold of myself.
"Come now, Sookie. Do not be so dramatic."
"I'm not even sure which bond made me react like that. I guess it is a plus that I didn't have a chance to be nervous." I say as I stand up, trying to make the best of it. I don't want to fight with Niall, he's doing me a favor, plus, I still need his vote for the meeting. Although I'm not dumb enough to believe that he is helping me out of the kindness of his heart, I'm sure he's getting something out of this.
"You've finished both the fairy bond and the vampire one?" I nod, "No wonder your reaction was so intense." He says before he shrugs and turns around.
He can be a real jerk. Still, I follow him without complaint when he starts walking. This place really is beautiful, and a part of me feels a strong sense of home here, it has to be the fairy in me, I'm sure. I wonder if that means that Eric would feel it too since he has some of my light in him. I don't have time to ponder that thought because the fountain comes into view.
"When we came here the first time, I only gave you a small taste, enough to give you a temporary boost but not enough to make any permanent changes. I assume because you've asked to come back that you decided you want to drink enough to extend your lifespan and harness your full abilities?"
I gulp, yes that was the plan but now that we're here I'm nervous. "Uh, yeah, that is the plan."
"Why are you frightened?"
"I'm not! I'm nervous, there's a difference." I defend, maybe a little petulantly.
"My senses might not be as refined as your vampires but fairies have extraordinary scent, sight, and taste as well. I smell it on you."
"Fine, I guess it's because it was all theoretical until now. Now, it's real. I guess it's just hitting me that my chances of living a normal human life are over after today. And the funny thing is, I really don't want to live that life anymore, so I don't know why I feel this way. I suppose it's just because I'm closing that door forever. You know what I mean?"
He pats my back a little awkwardly. I get the feeling as if he's trying to be sympathetic and here for me but he also doesn't understand or see the point in my emotions right now. "This is for the best Sookie, you know it is."
"Yeah, I know." I take a deep breath, "Alright, let's do this."
He nods at me and this time fills the container much more fully, and with one last mental goodbye to that possible normal life I could have had, I drink it down. I couldn't in a thousand years explain how it tastes, well other than it's something more than delicious. As I swallow it I feel each drop resonate through my whole body, from the tip of my longest strand of hair to the tips of my fingers and toes. Fuck, it didn't feel anything near to this the first time I drank it, I just felt a burst of power, which I do now too, but my whole body didn't shiver in pleasure as it is now.
I put the cup down and realize my hands are glowing again, light ready to shoot out from me. Normally, when this happens I have no choice but to let it out, now though, some part of me knows exactly how to pull it back inside me, so I do.
"Good, that's good, dear girl. It's working already."
"Wow," I eventually say, not sure how else to respond to what just happened to me. Niall's deep chuckle rings in my ear and I cringe a little at how loud it is. Not that it hurts or is too loud or anything, it's just I wasn't expecting the difference.
"Ahh, I know that cringe well, your senses have increased too. Then perhaps it is a good idea to try some other abilities and see if you have any of them. You have Bridgant blood, Sookie, that means your abilities will be plentiful and powerful, we just might have to come to the fountain again, a few more times perhaps, to draw your royal blood forward."
I know that makes sense, and it's the whole point of me coming here but for some reason, alarm bells are ringing in my head. It's probably because they always do whenever Niall feels the need to bring up that I'm technically a princess. I shake my head, I have to think about that more later. For now, I should use the help while I have it.
"What other abilities could I possibly gain?"
"You have the light already, and it's strong, your telepathy is one of the strongest I've ever encountered as well. You already know that you'll live much longer, but you will also gain strength, and it'll take more to damage and kill you. There's teleportation, I feel as though you already have the allure, it is why so many of the supernaturals are drawn to you."
"That's a fairy trade?"
"Indeed. There are also different uses for our light, it is not just meant to kill, or bond. You can use it to heal, daze, and in some cases, entrance. There's also a certain light female fairies also use on their mates when they want to procreate, though that won't matter much to you. We're also immune to certain magics, though I think you've had that from the beginning."
"What do you mean?" I think I'd know something like that.
"You're immunity from vampire mind magics."
"Oh, yeah, that's true. I guess for some reason I never considered that magic."
"Though vampires are not witches they are filled with magic, it's how they survive. Magic is how anything supernatural exists at all."
"Wow, I never realized how many abilities I already had, abilities since birth, before I had vampire blood or dealt with other supernaturals at all."
"Yes, and there are many more still. It varies from fairy to fairy but you're most likely to have the same as your kin. We've even been mistaken as Gods before, some have even leaned into it and have been worshiped."
A memory pops into my head, it's not my memory but Lucky Sookie's. It was when Eric was explaining to her the attributes of fairies. "They're lovely, male and female both. Incredibly tough and ferocious. They aren't immortal, but they live a very long time unless something happens to them. You can kill them with iron, for example. There are other ways to kill them, but it's hard work. They like to keep to themselves for the most part. They like moderate climates. I don't know what they eat or drink when they're by themselves. They sample the food of other cultures; I've even seen a fairy try blood. They have a higher opinion of themselves than they have any right to. When they give their word, they keep it." He thought for a moment. "They have different magics. They can't all do the same things. And they are very magical. It's their essence. They have no gods but their own race, for they've often been mistaken for gods. In fact, some of them have taken on the attributes of a deity."
I shake my head, wow, that was strange, it was almost as if I was there reliving that memory for myself, not just remembering it. I focus back on Niall and he's looking at me knowingly. "Another one of our abilities you have gained."
"What? What was that?"
"Not important, it won't have much use to you at this time. For now, let's focus on things you might need this week with that battle you're about to partake in."
My eyes shoot back to him, how does he know? I sharply ask, "What battle?"
"Come now, Sookie, I've been alive a long time, much longer than your Viking, I know what must happen if you are to stay in your home. It doesn't take much thought to know the logical next steps. You master these abilities before then and you won't be a hindrance to your people. Who knows, you might even help."
"Well I'm not saying that's what we're doing, but if there was to be a battle, could I count on you to help?"
He laughs. Loudly. "Oh Sookie, your sense of humor always gets me. You should know by now that we won't bother with the petty battles of those lesser than us. Perhaps if your life was in danger, I'd come to whisk you away but no I would not help with a battle such as this. Look around you, as far as the eye can see and further are my lands, my people, here is where my attention needs to stay." And there's that high opinion of himself Eric told me about.
I sigh, I didn't expect much different but figured it was worth a shot. I nod my head, "Okay, let's figure out what this new supercharged body can do."