Chapter 16 – Tell

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“I could get used to this,” he murmured into her hair as she refused to let up on her iron grip on him. She simply hummed in agreement in return.

 

“You should install some UV lights in the bathrooms,” Sookie said after a while. She had spent quite the time to think of things while pacing. “Keeps people from using drugs in there too.”

 

Eric just made an agreeable noise as he continued to enjoy the closeness of the embrace between them. An intimacy he had never experienced before and he never thought to enjoy. He found himself more content than in any other physical interaction he had experienced before. It was almost as comforting as the fairy healing she had performed on him.

 

“Toss the police force some delinquent vampires now and then,” she continued into his chest. ”So they meet their quotas by the end of the year.”

 

The things she was telling him made sense until he was pulled from his own reverie as he analysed her words.

 

“How did you know it happened in the bathrooms?”

 

Shit, she cursed to herself as she realised that was something she had picked up from someone’s mind. Remembering her earlier conversation with Godric she fibbed, hiding the nature of her mental procurement.

 

“I assumed.”

 

“I can feel you’re lying to me,” he said with a steel edge as she stiffened in his hold. Cursing internally wasn’t going to safe her from his scrutiny this time. A large gulp was the last audible sound before she was whisked away in his hold and pinned down on the sofa. The frightening silence was soon replaced as all she could hear was his deafening growl.

 

“What are you?”

 

 

“Who the FUCK are you?” Eric seethed at her with the full force of his rage when she refused to answer.

 

The scenario ran at high speeds through his mind. The inexplicable breakdown of a brand new car. Her sudden appearance, taking them to the only vampire friendly establishment available. Her grandmother and her collecting intel on the world’s most powerful vampires through their quaint B&B front. Ingratiating herself amongst him and Pam. Her warring personalities that made him walk around semi-erect at all times in her presence. She played an innocent but was a more experienced bed partner than any that he had encountered with her single notch. The dreams must have been some sort of entrapment spell. Even now her face, the picture of innocence, was making him rock hard rendering him unable to see what was apparent. Fucking Fairy tricksters.

 

He had dismissed the rumours of certain Fae houses aligning themselves with the Fellowship of the Sun, effectively bankrolling the anti-vampire faction. Now the evidence was lying paralysed beneath him. Her intelligence and natural aptitude should have made him suspicious. A barmaid from a backwater town should not possess such skills. They had moulded her perfectly to him, the right amount of allure mixed with resistance. Godric’s weakened mind had already foolishly fallen to their charms. The thought of a vampire guild in protection of her now deemed preposterous, fangs and fairies didn’t mix no matter how good she had felt strangling his cock to unchartered heights.

 

She had to be a siren because all he wanted was to drown in her.

 

“I’m Sookie,” she sobbed. The delectable tears were only further enticing him when he should be ripping her throat out cleanly and be done with it all. Instead he wanted to comfort her and apologise for his rage, only frustrating him more. She even had him warring within himself now, Eric despised himself for it. He let out an angry cry as he released his hold on her pinned down arms.

 

“Are you a spy?” he demanded with such terror she barely held it together. She shook her head. “I need to hear it. I need to feel it through the blood.”

 

“No,” she replied in truth. His hands rested over her waist as he continued to hover above her.

 

“What are you?” Eric requested again as his roughened thumbs pushed up at the fabric hem of her dress. Cool hands moved with soft wisps forming a dam of fabric beneath her breasts.

 

“A waitress?” A low growl emerged deeply from his throat when he could discern no deceit from her side of the bond.

 

“Did you come to seduce me?” he whispered against the heat of her skin as he followed the path of his fingers north bound. His tongue jutted out briefly as he delicately trailed the rim of her belly button sending shivers throughout her body. “Tell me,” he commanded bringing her to sobs again as his fangs descended with an audible menace. “Tell me.”

 

“No,” she returned softly not finding the courage to speak any louder with the confusing flux of emotions. Hid tongue delved down into the navel, fangs pricking but never piercing the surrounding flesh. Sucking briefly, the sharp incisors moved further over her skin, scratching, leaving behind delicate scrapes of her unique scent as his tongue followed behind to lap up the intoxicating life blood. He needed a taste even if it was the final one.

 

He looked down into her tearful eyes seeing the pain he was causing her reflected in his own orbs. Eric wondered if she was tricking him once more, making his own blood lie to him. In a fit of rage the bundle of cotton by her breasts split harshly into two. The sight of the fretful startle on Sookie’s face had him take control of the trembling bottom lip, in direct opposition to his anger the caress was soft and gentle. Feeling himself succumb to her charms again he pulled back harshly releasing the lip that had lingered between blunt teeth.

 

Her tears returned, as she couldn’t understand this sudden suspicion of her. She didn’t break, only to be scarred by the inflicting wounds of his accusations. “Why won’t you trust my word?” Sookie asked with such desperation and pain that were Eric standing upright he would have fallen to his knees. He hated her for it. That this wisp of a girl would make him succumb to her every will.

 

“How did you know it happened in the bathrooms?” he repeated his earlier question, when his anger had cooled down enough and her sobs had quieted.

 

“Ask me anything but that,” she pleaded.

 

He eyed her suspiciously, grabbing her hard by the roots of her hair just above her neck. “Tell me,” he pressed for with cold fury as her watered eyes cut right into his soul, breaking him all over again. “Tell me how you made me fall in love with you.”

 

Sookie stared at him with glistening eyes as she looked at the harshest expression that anyone had ever carried for her claiming to hold the greatest. “You love me?” she stammered out. Only then did the bond between them flutter back into full effect, as he allowed her to feel the truth in his words. There was something there she couldn’t describe; it was a mixture of distraught, a hint of lust and anguish. In the background of it all there was something else; hope mixed with an unknown warmth. Love she supposed. She hoped.

 

He forced her mouth on his at the edge of pain and pleasure. She gasped in surprise and he used it to invade her mouth with his domineering tongue as his body encompassed completely over hers. “You love me,” she whispered, now no longer a question, after finding her breath again after being momentarily deprived of it. His lips moved swiftly down her throat, blunt bites pressed lovingly into plush flesh in a complete absence of fangs. When he reached her pink lace clad breasts without pardon the fabric of the cups were ripped away one by one. Suddenly she felt very naked, the assault of the cool air stiffening her nipples, only further tightening with the accompanying accusing glare that refused to leave his face.

 

His tongue swept round the little peaks as the remnants of her bra stayed put, the remaining underwires framing the supple roundness of the most magnificent breasts he had ever come across. Another sign she was too good to be true as one fit perfectly in the palm of his hand while he continued to suckle on the other. Sookie could barely register the change in temperatures that assaulted her near naked body at all angles, only noticing his invading fingers in her warmed folds when the cool digits started stroking against her walls. Somewhere the matching pair of lacy underwear was ripped away but all she registered was the harsh red line that the pull of the elastic left behind and he was even more naked than she.

 

Eric refused to answer as they stared at each other down as in reversal she now carried the accusing gaze. He was embarrassed, the bond revealling his greatest humility to the one he wanted to hide it from most. “Eric I need to hear it,” she pleaded repeating words he had spoken to her earlier, nipping at the strong line of his jaw where her soft lips prickled with the sensation of the scruff present there. His mouth found hers again in a kiss of longing desire seeking a reciprocation that he had yet to find, to not be the only one weak in this moment. Refusing to fall alone into daringly deep depths.

 

“Yes,” he answered with a growl of disgust as she pulled her mouth from his to breathe. “Now tell me how you did it,” he demanded as she let out a cry from his inducing pleasure between her thighs.

 

“I don’t know,” she said with a stolen breath. He recognised it as the truth but it did nothing to soothe the ache she caused. “No one’s ever been in love with me before.”

 

He felt her nearing the precipice of a release and he brutally yanked his fingers from her leaving her empty and frustrated, just like him. “Please,” she pleaded with new tears in her eyes as she sought out his lips in apology. “Ask Godric why I can’t tell you.”

 

“No,” he returned while spreading the lubrication from between her thighs over his own shaft, pumping it back and forth. He swatted away her hand in admonishment as she tried to reach for him. “You will tell me.”

 

She continued to sob in agony and in being denied the pleasure he had been steadily building up in her. “I can’t,” Sookie cried as she reached her own fingers between her thighs seeking a promised relief before he could hold it hostage again. The hand he had been using to pump himself stilled her intended movement instantly as he stared her down. She bit down on her bottom lip before offering, “I’ll tell you after Jackson, I promise.”

 

“Promise?” he asked so softly she almost didn’t hear. It was only through the movements of his lips that she had registered it at all. She desperately nodded her head up and down as her body heaved in desperation, tears clouding her vision. He cupped her cheeks between his hands and pulled his forehead to hers. “Is this for your safety or mine?”

 

“Both,” she whispered back. Eric moved away the fallen tears as acceptance fell upon them. A conciliatory kiss was shared, promising peace.

 

“You want this?” Eric questioned when he felt their collective need threaten to tear them apart if they held out from consummation for a moment longer. Worry washed over him when she didn’t respond and his cockhead stilled at its position where it was pushing against her folds. “Sookie, I’m going to fuck you now. Yeah?”

 

“Yeah,” she swallowed, spreading her legs further apart in invitation.

 

As brutal as his sudden thrust into her was, she could only cry out in relief as she came instantly from his filling presence inside her. The cold anger and rage melted instantly from the tense musculature in his body as his cock drenched itself in her tight heat. He remained still till he felt the last of her orgasm die out and the panting breaths she exhaled in his neck fell to a normal rhythm again.

 

“I love you,” he spoke sincerely, the face matching the expression now for the first time. His subsequent moves were soft and tender as the pads of his fingers traced over silken skin. Eric kissed her softly as he moved inside of her with a gentleness that spoke of benevolence. He didn’t matter anymore in comparison to her, as he taught himself what it was to make love to another. It was her, only ever her and from that moment it didn’t scare him anymore.

 

“I’m so sorry,” he pleaded as a bloody tear trickled down from his eye. Eric couldn’t fathom how his paranoia could ever doubt for how good this felt. She hushed him in response as she moved her hips to meet his every tender thrust. Moving as a singular entity neither one wanted to relinquish the close hold they had on each other, as pleasure ceased being a goal.

 

They kissed as if it were their source of sustenance as they rocked back and forth with the pace of calm waters. He held her to his chest as he moved kneel below her. She clasped on tight with her arms around his neck following his ascend as her lips refused to leave his. He thrust up hard with more strength as he contentedly watch the force ripple through her body, breasts bouncing till it was projected out her mouth, releasing a deafening cry. He took his mouth to his own wrist and sank his fangs down deep. “Please,” he said as he presented the bleeding wounds in offering. She looked at him in confusion as he readjusted her neck while shaking his head, which she had curved to him in an automatic response.

 

“Why?” she asked as she leaned her back into his other engulfing arm allowing the sensations of their movements to flood through her as he continued to gyrate his hips slowly against her clit.

 

“My blood is yours to keep,” he supplied in answer. At her hesitation he added, “Keep me. Just me.”

 

She fell forward as she took his blood in her mouth, conscious and aware this time, the sense of it was unparalleled. Sookie’s gaze fell to the erotic sight of his cock pistoning in and out of her damp folds between them, it was all too much. Her body fell slack with the sensitivity that ignited the reconnaissance of her system through his, eyes falling shut as her forehead rested to his chest. He thrust into her with greater force as she found him again through the heavy lids of her eyes while his hands moved up and down her spine holding her weakened body up. “You’re mine,” she whispered with the realisation of his earlier statement, her vaginal walls clamping down on him milking his swelling cock for every essence he could spend. “I’m yours,” he strangled out before their collective orgasms spilled out in an eruption of fluids soaking limbs hot and cold.

 

They didn’t dare move as they clung to another, afraid it would cause the world to fall in pieces around them. She panted heavily in the aftermath with the weight of her head on his shoulder and he moved instinctively along with the heaving of her breaths.

 

“I trust you,” he said finally breaking their silence.

 

“Thank you,” she returned in a whisper. Of all the words spoken that night those meant more to her than the grandiose ones spoken of his affection for her. Yes, hearing that he was in love with her had been magical and flattering. However, knowing she was the first and only one he had ever spoken those words to came at a greater appreciation.

 

To grant his trust to her was worth more to her than even that. Placing a thousand years of defying death in her novice hands without an answer or reciprocation. She didn’t know it, but his offering of blood had been his test to her. Had she refused he would have had to separate from her, despite the love that had blossomed inside of him. He would have allowed her to live but only if he could afford it without the expense of himself. Her acceptance meant she was keeping something for him rather than from him. She had let him in where she was once guarded. She had succumbed to him, tumbling down in equal descent even if she had yet to return the words.

 

“Are you cold?” he asked as he felt the goosebumps ignite under his hands.

 

“I don’t want to be anywhere but here with you,” she replied snuggling in tighter into his body looking for any source of warmth. He chuckled a little as she tried to fight the chill that was assaulting her body. He took her legs and wrapped them around his waist and in one swift movement only afforded to the supernatural he closed the still opened front door and had them lying under the covers of his bed.

 

“I forget how handy that is,” Sookie sighed as she settled in from the disorienting movement and relaxed her legs from around him. She whimpered with the loss of his softening member that her wiggling movements caused.

 

“I’m really going to have to look into that sling for you,” he chuckled at which she playfully slapped his hard chest next to her resting head. “We’d never have to be apart again.”

 

“I never didn’t trust you, you know,” she said after he finished laughing at her menacing scowl.

 

“I know,” he replied. “You foolishly trust anyone according to Godric.”

 

“Pfff,” she exclaimed the vibration travelling on his chest delighting him to no end. “He doesn’t know what he’s talking about. I never trusted the vampire next door or the company he kept. I may reserve judgement but that doesn’t mean I trust anyone at face value. The list of people I trust is decidedly short.”

 

He stole her lips for another kiss keeping her from impending slumber. “I better be at the top of that list,” he all but demanded, though the jovial tone betrayed the harshness of it.

 

She looked up at him in earnest, softly pecking at his chest before replying, “I never thought about it. Yes, you’re at the top of the list. You pretty much are the list right now.”

 

“Good,” came his slurred response before his day death took him from her. It wasn’t until she glanced at the clock he had placed on her bedside at her request that she realised it was now well past dawn. The torrents of emotions and physical exertion having taken its toll, she too fell to rest.

 

 

Sookie was desperately trying to get a hold of everything that had been happening the evenings past but it was a useless excercise. She was fidgeting at everything that could be fidgeted at in front of the full-length mirror as she regarded her chosen outfit for the evening. All her things had been packed except for this outfit and the one she would wear while travelling.

 

Nothing had ever scared her in anticipation, for her telepathy had always afforded her preconceived knowledge. Sookie’s immersion among vampires meant the cost of blissful silence came in the form of the unknown. That scared her along with Godric’s warnings that she would be regarded as slightly more than a disposable pet but that didn’t necessarily afford her immunity.

 

“What has you so worried my sweet,” Eric asked with his sudden appearance behind her. His hands roamed softly over her midriff as he nuzzled her hair.

 

“The unknown,” she said meeting his eyes in the reflection of the mirror.

 

“I was once unknown to you,” he returned as he placed a soft kiss atop her head. “I think it turned out alright.”

 

“True.” She let out a small snort and couldn’t resist to tease, “Who knows maybe I’ll find my next Mr Right at the barbecue.”

 

He growled and spun her round, “Don’t you dare. Mr Right is right here,” he declared following it up with an oxygen depriving kiss.

 

“Maybe you’re just Mr Right Now,” she sassed back after catching her breath. The resounding playful growl was beginning to become much more feral in nature with warning.

 

“Maybe I should introduce you to Mrs Right,” he said coolly as he stealthily slipped a ring on her finger. Sookie startled at the feel of the cool metal and gasped when she looked down. It was clearly old, with an intricate pattern showing the patina of age. Despite the impressive workmanship there was a slight crudeness to the finishing.

 

“Eric, I…” she started but was abruptly cut off by another kiss now atop her newly fit ring.

 

“It was my mother’s,” he explained. “One of the few things I still retain from my human days. No one has worn it since.”

 

She only then dared look down on it with interest. Sookie traced the seal in the middle as he continued to explain, “My father gifted this to her upon my birth. It matched his crown.”

 

“This is as old as you,” she said smiling at the realisation. “Just as rough around the edges too. Beautiful.”

 

“I know I am,” he said smugly which earned him a playful swat.

 

“I think I should stop yielding to you to slap some humility back into you,” she said with a shake of her disapproving head.

 

“I’ve tried that, it doesn’t work,” Pam drawled with her unannounced arrival. “Nothing gets this one in line.”

 

“Nice to see you too Pam,” Eric greeted with annoyance as the comfort of their restored private sphere had been interrupted.

 

“Mistress, Master,” she intoned with an emphasis on the s’s as she accompanied it with a small bow. The spectacle of her decorum was clearly to get a rise out of them both even if it was appropriate practice for the upcoming events. As always Pam was successful in her outset grating them both. Eric dealt with her insubordination with forced labour as he commanded her to ready the vehicle with their luggage in order to steal a few private moments with Sookie before their departure.

 

They arrived in Jackson before midnight after Eric and Sookie had suffered through hours of Pam’s taunting. Despite the exceedingly high speeds that this incurred the time gained was lost as they waited in the long line of vehicles entering the sumptuous estate.

 

“Russell has already requested a private audience for tonight,” Pam informed as she scrolled through her emails on her smartphone.

 

“I’d expect nothing less,” Eric replied. “The Queen?”

 

“Tomorrow,” she answered in their shorthand.

 

“You’ll be fine Sookie,” Eric offered sensing her nervous energy through their bond as his hand reached out for hers. She merely hummed an answer of understanding as their fingers interlaced, though her anxiety dissipated little. They were interrupted by one of the valets who directed them to their assigned parking.

 

The rooms that they were led to in the sprawling antebellum mansion were luxurious and as impressive as one would expect from a royal residence. Pam had been right in informing Sookie that women were a clear minority in the palace. She had never seen such an amount of well-groomed and attractive men in one place. From their thoughts it was unmistakeable that none had any sort of interest in the opposite sex, most couldn’t care for anything human either, as they leered and lusted at the tall blonde by her side. Eric couldn’t help but revel in the sparks of jealousy that trickled through from her side of the bond.

 

Sookie pulled her outfit for the night from its garment bag. The sewing demon had done miracle work with the alterations as it hung like a couture piece on her body. Eric helped her zip the dress in place finishing with a soft kiss to her neck. Pam entered, disturbing them once more, to primp and preen Sookie while Eric looked on in annoyance as her natural radiance was covered up by make-up. He was never a fan of pretence and didn’t enjoy it on a woman’s face either.

 

Pam had Sookie ready with ten minutes to spare before their meeting with the king. Eric had only met privately with Russell Edgington once, on the evening of the ball that had ended with their least favourite company in Bon Temps. Despite his raking and lustful eyes Russell would always be a politician first therefore there was no doubt in Eric’s mind that this was merely a business formality. It was like with any vampire marriage negotiations; a carefully played game of chess. As the king and queen were accounted for on the board, Eric was most definitely the rook that needed capturing.

 

Eric’s station as Sheriff would not grant him such an important credit were it not for his age and connections. His maker being out of the political field only strengthened his position further. Russell knew if he were to capture Sophie Anne’s precious piece he would happily sacrifice any minor pawn for the exchange.

 

Russell sat proudly in his receiving hall, a line of guests waiting to greet and pledge their loyalty to him. His throne was a modern incarnation of red velvet in a neo baroque style that was surrounded by a harem of men dressed in tight black briefs that barely covered their glistened bodies as they ceremoniously wafted feathered fans around him.

 

Sookie and Eric waited patiently outside as the line of greeters trickled out the opposing set of doors. At the sound of the heavy panels of wood closing on the last set of visitors, the vampire and part fairy were introduced to the ancient king. Per protocol they stood directly in front of him and greeted him with a deep and respectful bow.

 

With an excited clap of his hands the harem and attending staff disappeared from the room leaving the three on their own. Russell looked over the couple appreciatively, their matching Northern European features were predictably boring to him but the sight together was alluring nonetheless. They were a comical dichotomy; pale and tan, tall and short, hard and soft, dead and alive. Most striking was what could not be seen and would be rare for a vampire of any age to recognise instantly.

 

“You bring before me a Royal Fairy,” Russell said as amusement sparkled through his beady eyes. Nervous energy and shock shot from Sookie into Eric as she clamped down her hand onto his fearing that they were caught in their deception, finding themselves at the mercy of one the most powerful vampires on the continent, mocking her supposed pretence.

 

Eric willed her to calm down even though she successfully deflected it. They had yet to find the time to talk about her heritage and her curiosity proved to Eric she had been too out of it in the aftermath of their formed bond to comprehend what was said at the time. An apologetic glance was thrown sideways before he spoke.

 

“Allow me to introduce her Imperial Highness Sookie Brigant, Princess of the House of Sky.”

 

A/N: Eric shaped cookies for anyone who predicted that outcome on the ‘Telepathy Talk’. Now I shall go and hide while you yell at me for leaving you hanging right there… remember at least one of their stubborn asses admitted to what he was feeling before you throw your rotten vegetables my way…

 

Today’s Thanksgiving Fixin’s can be found here.

 

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