Chapter 1

Niall's POV

It has been centuries since I have spoken with the Viking. I know what is coming and I can think of no one's assistance I require more than his. He is a deadly warrior, master strategist, a man of his word, and could be a very powerful ally. Much time has passed since we fought alongside each other in war but I believe I can turn him to my way of thinking. I simply need him to see how valuable an ally I can be. I will make him a king. That is it! I will make the Viking a king and then he will know the value of my friendship and the reach of my influence. He will fight alongside me once again to ensure the safety and peace of my people. Ah, Breadan will never know what hit him!

After the last Fae war, more than 200 years ago, I sealed the portals. This kept the Fae closed off from the mortal world. It was my only option, at the time. We lost so many in the wars, our magic was dwindling, and birthrates were the lowest in our long history. My people needed a respite from war and many believed the Earth realm was polluting Faery and polluting our magic as well. Since closing the portals, our numbers have dwindled even further, our ability to procreate diminishing. There are fewer and fewer fae births each year. There are those that are happy about our increased magic reserves, believing there is only so much magic to be shared and the fewer that share it the better. Then there are those that are unhappy because they fear our extinction. Each day I am surer and surer of the latter.

Breadan, the last living noble of water fae, believes closing the portals was not enough and wishes to take things further and slay all non-pure fairies in our realm and Earth. His faction believes that even though closing the portals slowed the problem it did not eliminate it. Dwindling numbers and magic is a serious problem, closing the portals was a serious and drastic solution, one that should have appeased even the most zealot of Fae patriots but Breadan is maneuvering for something greater. The patriarchs of the earth, water, and fire fae perished during the last war, or our seclusion, leaving me the only Prince of Fae, patriarch of the sky fae, and I can't allow him to succeed. Not just for the good of my rule, but for the good of Faery, for the good of my people and my family.

While other clans shrank during our seclusion, the sky fae seem to be quite prolific…. specifically, with their non-pure off-spring. What can I say, the sky fae have always been free and curious, enjoying dalliances with many races and their non-pure off-spring have actually blossomed in Faery displaying talents and magics greater than pure fae and passing those talents to their children. The water fae are jealous, they are not as attractive as other fae types and when they do couple with a "half-breed", or another species, off-spring are rarely produced. Breadan further fuels discord by claiming the "half- breeds", his words not mine, are stealing the magic in which pure fae are entitled. He proclaims loudly to all that will listen that we must cleanse ourselves of "half-breeds". It seems a little late to cleanse ourselves of non-pure fae that have resided with us, in peace mind you, for over 200 years!

Breadan does not know that among my descendants there is a seer. She is my granddaughter; I brought her to Faery just before I closed the portals. My granddaughter, her scheming is admirable, truly! She told me long ago that vampires would come out of the closet and we should create a blood substitute for them. When I first heard this, I fiercely disagreed. Then she explained that she foresaw many benefits to this course of action. The vampires would feel safe in exposing themselves with a blood substitute on the market. Humans would be more accepting if vampires had a food source that was not their own necks. Humans would also be more accepting of us should we ever be forced to reveal our existence. Once vampires expose themselves, there is no turning back and they would be obliged to help us fight Breadan's forces as repayment for the creation of their new sustenance. If they do not assist us we could pull the blood-substitutes off the market and humans would panic. We took it even further. After patenting the various blood substitutes (we own all of them just different formulations through various Fae corporations) we pushed the Council, of supernaturals, into creating the American Vampire League to help introduce vampires to society and to help protect their legal rights. A brilliant girl my granddaughter is!

I have always maintained some contact and influence in the human realm to deter anything that may interfere with Faery but her plans to use our money and influence in the human realm to change things in Feary is ingenious! We worked on this masterpiece for 200 years. Her plans outlined legitimate reasons to move back and forth between the realms with all the council meetings so Breadan would not grow suspicious of my visits on Earth, a way to make a fortune off our natural enemies with blood substitute, a place to relocate our people should things in Faery ever become too dangerous (because what human would mind pretty fairies if they already know about vamps) and, most importantly a way to destroy Breadan. Just beautiful! She delights me to no end and I'm sure that if she can convince me to feed the vampires then she can convince the vampires to fight on the side of fairies. There is also that small side project I have been working on that my darling knows nothing about, but I am sure it will work out as soon as the Viking meets her!

Sookie's POV

Grandfather has asked me to help with a special mission! I can't wait! I haven't been in the human realm in several decades. I do not remember much about it but am excited none the less. I am on my way to meet with him now. I nearly pass the door to his office due to my inner musings. I knock on the beautifully carved door and wait for permission to enter. I hear his voice call out to me and I do not fail to hear the amusement and superiority in his tone. He must have one glorious plan developed to be this happy. I am even more excited and honored to be asked to participate. Our scheming over the years has been legendary and there is nothing more that I enjoy doing with grandfather than strategic planning.