DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN ANY OF THE CHARACTERS AND NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGMENT IS INTENDED. ALL CHARACTERS BELONG TO THEIR REPECTIVE OWNERS. PLEASE DO NOT SUE. I AM SIMPLY TAKING THE CHARACTERS OUT TO PLAY FOR MY OWN AMUSMENT. WARNING: RATED M FOR SEXUAL CONTENT, ADULT THEMES, AND LANGUAGE.

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Life after Death

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Our romance was one that was forged in the midst of blood and battle, but for the last six years I have known the bliss of true happiness. Last year, we decided to spend some time at our island off of Nicaragua. It was called Pearl Island and it sat protected from the high seas by the coral reefs and surrounding islands. The island itself was something beautiful to behold. It was covered in coconut palm trees and thick green fauna which grew wildly but was surrounded by white sandy beaches and the bluest water you had ever seen.

I had three cabanas near the beach. Each were built sturdily out of concrete, but covered in thatch to make them appear more authentic. They each had a light tight bedroom with a king sized bed and bathroom, but the front porches gave a breathtaking view of the ocean and the sunset. Down a bit from the beach, more towards the center of the island were the guards' quarters. It was five floors, three below ground and two above. It would have stuck out like a sore thumb so above ground it was disguised to look like a fisherman's shack. It was painted a dark green and trimmed with brown in hopes to camouflage it some. It was a simple set up with bunk beds on two of the floors above ground for the werewolves and the two below for the vampires to sleep. The middle floor, which was at ground level, held the bathrooms and staff kitchen with a generous eating area. The last building on the island was our main residence.

The main house I had specially designed to be a fortress and a retreat. It sat in the center of the island and was made of heavy cement construction fortified with heavy steel reinforcement. The main house had three floors. Two above ground and one below. The building was circular and a porch wrapped around the entire second floor, giving me a 360 degree view of the entire island. The floor below was where Sookie and I resided in my personal suite. I liked this area the best because I had it decorated to my taste, with dark jewel tones and heavy cherry wood furniture. The bed was oversized and had the best mattress and linens I could get my hands on. The in-suite bathroom was also luxurious and included a huge shower and a whirlpool spa tub that could both fit six. The ground level floor was an open design with a full service kitchen with all the amenities, a dining area, and a living room area. I used the entire second floor as an office and library. I still owned or had stock in a lot of businesses around the world and I often worked when Sookie was asleep or out on the mainland.

Our island was only an hour away from the nearest town by boat and Sookie often went to the small town of Hog Cay. She liked to visit the markets and spend some time volunteering at the local church which happened to run an orphanage. Sookie loved kids and although she assured me she had never had plans to have any because of her gifts, I couldn't help but think what a great mother Sookie could have been. It was the only thing I could never give her. The children at the orphanage loved her too and she had been picking up a little Spanish, which let me tell you, had been a welcome addition to our lovemaking. "Se me hace tan caliente!" So I wasn't opposed to it. In fact, I encouraged it. I often reminded myself how young she was and how much she had yet to experience. I loved Sookie more than anything and I would do anything to help her become whoever or whatever she wanted to be. All I wanted was her happiness and in return she brought me back to life. I never felt more alive. My life had become blissful and I reveled in it, but all my years of experience told me that my peace would end at some point and we would once again be thrown back into the fold. It was inevitable and although I was disappointed, I wasn't surprised when she called.

"Eric," I hadn't heard from the old crone since the New Years Eve party at Nikolai's three years ago. They had been talking about creating a council at that time and vampires tended to do things slowly so I expected this call not to come for a couple of more years. The last time a global council was created to replace the last it took ten years of debates before they even had their representatives chosen. "Great, just great."

"Your Grace," I returned in greeting. "What could she want? Nikolai didn't even give me a heads up."

"How are you and your bonded fairing? It has been a while since I have heard from you two," she admonished and I rolled my eyes. Like most others, the old bat had taken a liking to my Sookie.

"We are fairing well. I regret that we have not contacted you sooner, but as you know Sookie and I have been spending time away from the everyday disturbance of our supernatural world." I had made it clear to her when we visited that I had planned to give Sookie a life of quiet adventure. We were going to travel the world and I was going to take the opportunity to see it anew through her eyes. I told the Ancient Pythoness that under no circumstances did I plan on involving myself any further unless what was mine was in danger.

The line went quiet and I thought maybe the old bag hung up for a second, "I am afraid that the rest of your honeymoon has to be postponed."

That certainly didn't sound good and I was instantly on alert, "What do you mean?" I growled. "What was it this time? If she was calling me herself things were serious."

"It's Nikolai, he is being forced to marry Freyda, the Queen of Oklahoma." She dropped that bombshell too casually. I felt absolutely nothing for the split second it took me to process that and then I was burning with fury.

"What? How? Who could possibly force Nikolai to do anything? Who had the balls to go against our family?" My thoughts spilled out in a growl of words.

"Ocella. He made a pact with Freyda before he perished. When he and Alexei passed through her territory there had been some damage. He offered Nikolai to her for one hundred years to pay off his debt to Freyda and save his disobedient child's life." The Ancient Pythoness sounded disgusted.

"How is this possible? How can this stand even after Ocella's death?" Nikolai must have been pissed, but why didn't he call me? "According to our laws the contract...it stands. There is nothing I can do to help him."

"There must be something we can offer her in his stead. Some monetary arrangement or something. Has he tried to negotiate?" My mind was whirling. I could not stand by and let Nikolai fall victim to Ocella again. Even from the grave, he was still torturing us.

"Freyda is merely a hundred and seventy five years old. She wants to use Nikolai as her sentinel. Freyda didn't rise up the ranks because she is meek. Her ruthlessness and deviousness got her where she is today. She has many enemies who are a lot older and stronger. She needs his protection."

"So what? He is to be her bodyguard?" I spat. Just the idea of it made me sick.

"No, he is required to marry her and protect her. He will not be equal in their rule. He is to be her consort, not King. Those are the terms your maker agreed on."

"That is preposterous! He is already a King! A fucking consort! How can he be expected to bow to her?" I was so angry you would think it was me who was caught in this horrible marriage contract. Nikolai bowed to no one...nor should he. He was the best thing that ever happened to Louisiana vampires. "How could the council sit by and let this happen?"

"This is why you need to go back. You need to take over Louisiana." I wanted to choke the old crone. "Fuck!"

"No. I do not wish to be King." I rejected the idea right off. I never wanted to be King. Sookie and I would be dragged right back into the limelight. "How could I subject Sookie to that again?"

"Eric, it would only be temporary." I didn't know if that was good news or not. Who knew what she had planned for us next. "While you are King you can use the time to find a way to get Nikolai out of his contract. You wouldn't really leave Nikolai to rot, would you?" The AP's tone was reproachful. She was good with the guilt trip. "Bitch"

I knew she was right. I couldn't leave Nikolai to suffer. "I will return to Louisiana. How long do I have?"

"Nikolai is in talks with Freyda now. He is expected to fine tune the terms and sign the contract by the end of the month."

That only gave us three weeks. "I must move quickly." I was ready to hang up but then asked, "You said you couldn't help Nikolai out of the contract, but does that mean you will no longer assist us in any capacity?"

The AP took her time answering, "I am calling now, am I not?" She let out a heavy sigh, "Nikolai is very important in the molding of the new supernatural authority. Many have a large stake in how this all plays out." The old bat didn't explain further and hung up. She always had to have the last word.

I was too busy brooding to hear Sookie sneak in behind me. I was up in my office and pacing the floor. Her voice broke into my scheming mind, "Eric? Is everything alright?"

I had cut off the bond when my feelings became chaotic. It had become almost second nature to shield Sookie when necessary. She didn't like it but she respected my privacy and I did the same for her. I put my emotions in check before I reopened the bond knowing it gave my emotions away but now she would feel my disappointment instead of my anger, "No my love, I am afraid we have to return to Louisiana." Sookie's eyes grew large and there was nothing worse than having to be the bearer of bad news.

"What's going on?"

I could feel her panic rise and it was something I hadn't felt in a long time. I didn't like it one bit. "Fucking Ocella."

I sat Sookie down and got her up to speed on what the AP had told me. She went through a gamut of emotions until she settled on resolve, "Well, we'd better pack." I knew Sookie would be all in and part of me was afraid of that. She never hesitated to risk herself for someone she cared about. It was one of the many things that I cherished about her, but it was also the trait that put her in the most danger.

When we got back to Louisiana, we immediately headed home to drop off our things and prepare for the meeting I had set up on the way back. Pam and Christian were going to meet us after two in the morning so Sookie and I had a couple of hours to get settled in the house. I had built the house on Compton's old property and it was just to Sookie's taste. I designed the outside but I let her decorate the inside. Her tastes were more southern, like her grandmother's, but she did make the place feel like our home.

The property had was entirely fenced in and a guard shack stood at the end of our long driveway. I had several outbuildings on the property that housed the guards and any guests we might have and also Sookie's Grandmother's house still stood untouched. I had the maintenance on it kept up and the place was cleaned weekly, but otherwise it stood like a shrine. Sookie would visit but she preferred to stay at our home next door. Sookie enjoyed many of the places we owned, but I knew this was her favorite. I liked this property for different reasons. The place was like a fortress and I knew if we ever returned there, we would need one. I tended to be pragmatic, but that is how I had managed to stay alive so long.

I put Sookie to bed. She was jet lagged and although she wanted to see Pam and Christian, she could barely keep her eyes open. I longed to join her. It had been too long since I had held her in my arms. Hell, if I had my way we would never leave the bed, but things needed to be attended to and Sookie was too worn out.

Pam and Christian arrived just before two in the morning. They were holding hands as they entered but Pam dropped it when she came in to hug me. I was a little surprised since Pam wasn't one to outwardly show such affection, but I welcomed it. "Eric, it's about fucking time." Pam released me and Christian stepped up. He reached out his hand and we gripped forearms in greeting. He was dressed in a fine black suit and I couldn't help but think that my child was rubbing off on him. "I knew she would break him." I held back a laugh.

"So I hear we have trouble," I stated as I walked into the living room and took a seat on the couch. They followed suit and took a seat in the loveseat across from me.

"No kidding. Nikolai is about to be sold off as a slave." I had missed Pam's bluntness.

"Eric we have to do something." Christian leaned forward. I had not seen him so perturbed. "Up until the last meeting, Nikolai has been fighting this contract tooth and nail, but since then something has changed. He announced that negotiations have begun and he will marry the witch." Christian shook his head and my child reached out a hand and rested it on his knee in comfort.

"I need to speak with Nikolai." I needed the story from him. He was keeping things from his child and mine. That could only mean he was protecting them from something. I just didn't know what.

"It is difficult to get an audience with him, but I will set something up. The palace is on lock down since Freyda is staying there while they negotiate." Christian's frustration was evident. I could understand how he felt.

"Good, the sooner the better." If I was going to be forced to take over the state, I needed to prepare.

"Eric, are you sure you want to do this?" my child asked and I was touched by her concern. She knew I never wanted to be King.

"It is only temporary. I will return the state to Nikolai once we have freed him." "And return to my life with Sookie," I added in my mind.

"I hope you are right." Christian seemed down and I wondered if I needed to worry. He had at one time thought about meeting the sun and if something happened to Nikolai, Christian would be a wild card. My poor child could be hurt by this relationship she had with Christian. I never really considered that until seeing this side of him. I wondered how deep their love went and if it was possible that Pam would follow him there as I would Sookie. I shook the thought from my mind. I couldn't bring it up in front of my child and I would command her to survive his death if necessary. Unlike Nikolai, I would not give my blessing.

I growled, "We will find a way. I will not stand by idly while he is enslaved." I hadn't realized I had risen to my feet, but I sat back down and composed myself. There were things that needed to be done and it was getting late. "First things first. Christian I want you work your magic. I need as much intel on Freyda as you can get." I need to know the enemy in order to fight her. "Then get me a list of anyone who owes Nikolai. We may have to call in some of those markers." It felt comfortable to be back in charge. I didn't think I missed it, but it did come with some thrill. "Pamela, call Cataliades and set up a meeting. Get with Ethan and Evan and start hiring some help. We will need this place fully fortified and I want it stocked and ready for anything. We will need a sanctuary and New Orleans is not it." I paused, "I will let you know when I have other tasks for you. We will meet again tomorrow night and I hope we will have made some progress."

"What will you do Eric?" Pam wasn't being sarcastic and it threw me off a bit. She was worried.

"I'm going to take over the State."

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I woke up the next night in the most pleasant of ways. My lover was in my arms and placing little wet kisses all around my chest. I could clearly feel her lust in the bond, but more than that I felt her love for me. I wrapped my arms around her and rolled her onto her back. My goddess was in need of worshiping and I was more than up to the task. "Oh yes...oh yes..."

"Eric," she whispered before my lips swallowed her words. I kissed her passionately, our tongues dueling in a dance that I never hoped to win. I moved my lips from hers only when she needed air and made my way down her neck to my favorite spot. My fangs were out and I ran them over the spot on her neck that made her squirm deliciously below me. I was careful not to break the skin and when I sucked her flesh hard enough to leave a mark, her resounding moan had me so aroused I was ready to bury myself inside her. "I'll never get enough of her."

Sookie was growing more desperate for my touch and I reveled in it. The bond we had went so deep over the years that nothing could ever compare to the pleasure we felt when we made love. I made my way down her body, caressing, licking and nipping my way to the promised land. Her voluptuous breasts deserved my attentions and I ran my tongue over her hardened buds and nipped at them with my teeth. I lathered each of them with much attention and care before resuming my course.

"Oh God! Eric please!" Sookie cried out as I parted her with my tongue. "That's it lover." Her back arched and her breathing hitched. I knew just how to pleasure her and even though I enjoyed dragging out the foreplay, tonight I just wanted to take her. I never stopped loving the taste of her sweet ambrosia and I doubled my efforts by sliding two fingers inside her as I continued to coax the sexiest moans I had ever heard a woman make out of my wife.

"It has been too long," I growled as I positioned myself to enter her. She was ready and I was past the point of no return. It was no longer want but need. I pressed against her opening and pushed in ever so slowly. She always felt so good around me and all thoughts of rushing things went out the window. I wanted to make it last. Sookie wrapped her arms around me and urged me to quicken my pace. I reached up and took both of her wrists in my hand and pinned her arms above her head. I wouldn't say Sookie was a submissive, but she did enjoy when I took control from time to time...and so did I.

"Eric..." Sookie whined, but the bond told me she was enjoying this and so was I.

"Slowly my love. Slowly," I whispered in her ear as I pulled out just as slowly as I had entered. I continued this pace, whispering to her how good she felt and how much I loved her. I took her to the edge and back, building her up for an explosive release, until my own body was screaming in unison with hers.

Our bodies glowed bright as we reached our crescendo. Her's was a soft gold and mine a deep red. As we intertwined, her gold over took my red and we both fell over the edge. That moment was one of the many reasons I couldn't stop coming back for more. When we made love she filled me with her light. It was if her light cleansed my very soul and it felt better than any orgasm, although when coupled with those the experience was mind blowing.

I knew how truly blessed I was to have found Sookie and I held her in my arms as we came down from our lovemaking. The glow from our bodies was dimming and as we laid there and they soon were no longer visible. I basked in the contentment, trying not to let the creeping thoughts of what the rest of the night would bring from ruining the moment. I was not successful.

"We should get going." Sookie looked up at me with her sparkling blue eyes, but she still hadn't moved from my side, and her arm was slung over my chest. She was feeling the way I was...uneager to jump back into the politics of the supernatural world.

"We should get going," I conceded.

Reluctantly, we both got up and got dressed. Sookie chose a tight black skirt that went just past her knees and a light blue button down blouse that she tucked in. She wore matching black heels but they were low. Since we were going to the palace I dressed up a little as well and wore a dark blue suit with a crisp black button up shirt. If I was to be King, even a temporary one, I had to keep up appearances.

Ethan and Evan were waiting for us downstairs. They had already gotten the coffee going for Sookie and were sitting around the kitchen table drinking Sangre. It was better than True Blood and was rivaled only by Royalty Blended and the real thing. Sookie and I bought the company years ago and made quite a hefty profit when we sold it last year. It was funny, before we bought the company Sookie had issues with me spending money on her, but since we made this money together her attitude changed dramatically. I was pleased since I took such pleasure in surprising her.

"Oh it smells wonderful in here." Sookie beamed at her two shadows and they smiled right back. It was funny how much Sookie affected my kind. She brought them in like strays and added them to our family. Our list of allies had only grown because of it and I couldn't have been be prouder that she was my wife.

"It's not that instant stuff. I brought it back with us from Pearl Island." Evan kept his face a mask, but he had grown fond of my Sookie. It was a good thing for him that it was not a lustful appreciation that he had for her. I had read his mind to make sure. My telepathy had grown over the years and with much practice and Sookie's guidance I have learned to break into the minds of others. I didn't hear every thought that crossed someone's mind. My telepathy worked a bit differently than Sookie's. I had to concentrate and force my way in. In the beginning it would bring physical pain to the one who's mind I was a practically raping for information. Sookie helped teach me how to sneak myself in gently and without causing pain. I didn't want whoever I was trying to read to know I was doing it, so in order to be able use my gift, I had to learn. It was a difficult process to master, but I was always good at picking things up. It helped that I had a wonderful teacher. I wouldn't say I was as good as Sookie with my control of telepathy, but I was definitely getting better at it everyday.

"Thank you! I totally didn't even think to pack some." She sat down and took a sip. I could feel she was pleased and I gave a nod of approval to Evan. "I miss Pearl Island," she sighed. The twins nodded in agreement.

"Do you think the kids will be okay. I didn't even get to say goodbye." I could feel Sookie's nerves ratchet up. I had already taken care of Sookie's children.

"They will be fine my love. Kervin and Jara will make sure they get the things they need while we are away. I also gave Padre Marcus a donation." The permanent staff we had on the island would be dropping of food and other necessities once a week.

Sookie seemed pleased, "Thanks, honey." I did my best to put her at ease and made it a point to anticipate these things. It was strange and very human like, but I felt a deep rooted pride at being able to provide for my wife.

"So what is the plan for tonight?" Ethan asked. He had be quietly observing as he usually did. Where Evan was more outgoing, Ethan was usually the more reserved of the two.

"We will go down with a full contingent. Christian has told me that Freyda has an entourage of twenty. I don't believe she would risk an attack on us when they are so close to sealing this deal, but better to be prepared. Set them up at Báthory." Le Báthory was a hotel I owned in New Orleans. It had come in handy over the years. It was close to Nikolai's compound and, since there was no way in hell I would be staying at Nikolai's place with that bitch running around, it was convenient.

We arrived at the compound around ten. We had been on stand by until Christian had managed to get us in for an hour meeting with Nikolai. I found it disturbing that we would need an appointment at all. Nikolai always left his doors open to us. This was very out of character for him.

Sookie and I sat in Nikolai's office for almost an hour before he finally showed up. He was looking like shit. I could tell he had not fed in a while and he was not the buoyant vampire I knew. Sookie immediately stood and she ran over to Nikolai. Her concern at his state was palpable. "Niko! What happened to you?" She reached out to embrace him, as they always did in greeting, even if I didn't particularly like it. Instead he took a step back away from her. I felt Sookie's hurt before it showed on her face, "What's wrong?"

"Petite soeur, I apologize. I am unable to have physical contact with women other than Freyda." Nikolai didn't even look Sookie in the eyes. "Who the hell was this imposter who called himself my brother?"

"Nikolai! What the fuck is wrong with you." I was in front of him shaking him by his upper arms. He was weak as a rag doll. His muscular body felt much thinner than it appeared. It scared me and I let go of him.

"Eric, I had no choice. Ocella set this whole thing up before he perished. The council had ruled that they will uphold the contract, although they have agreed that we can modify the contract if both parties agree to the modification."

"But that is good news!" I didn't understand why he was taking this so badly. "We only need to offer the Queen something more...appealing. Surely there is something she would take in exchange for your services?"

"Freyda may only be a bit over a hundred and fifty years old, but she is cunning and has spent years plotting and planning." Nikolai shook his head, "I just never saw it coming...outwitted by a child." He said more to himself.

"Outwitted? How?" I didn't see how Nikolai could have avoided all of this.

"One of the stipulations of the contract calls for me to allow her unlimited access to any of my assets that I did not share with my maker, to use as she so chooses." Nikolai was right to look grim. His list of assets includes Sookie, Christian, Pam, and I, along with anyone or anything Nikolai protected or owned.

"Oh my God," Sookie looked over to me frantic. She knew what this meant. We would be slaves to the Queen's whims just as Nikolai was.

I tried to calm her, "I will not allow this." I knew this was why the Ancient Pythoness told me I had to return.

"Eric, you need to take over Louisiana. Stripped of my Kingship, I will no longer be able to claim you as mine or offer my protection. The assets of the Kingdom I would hand over to you. It is your turn to keep everyone safe."

"And what?" Sookie's voice raised with her ire, "You just become her bodyguard and...lover?" Sookie choked on the words. I tried to look into her mind but it was closed to me. I had explained to her what a consort was and she had the hardest time with the sexual stipulations of the contract. Nikolai was required to bed her at least once a month. The frequency of the forced sexual contact was unheard of. Marriage contracts usually only required a bedding once a year. This was excessive, but Ocella didn't give a shit what Freyda did with Nikolai and as long as she didn't kill him, he let Nikolai be her toy.

Seeing Sookie's distress, Nikolai slipped into his normal casual attitude in an attempt to make her feel better. "Sookie, it is only a hundred years. There is nothing she can do to me that I have not already experienced. I will be fine. Perhaps after she experiences my superior lovemaking skills she will loosen the reigns a bit." He forced a smirk but he looked so unlike himself it was off putting.

"No, Nikolai. There has to be a way out of this and we are going to find it." Sookie looked over to me for confirmation and I nodded.

"Don't try to interfere. Freyda has agreed to let go of Louisiana and it's assets if I go quietly. This is the only way I can keep everyone safe. She wants above all else, everyone to see our unity as a mutual one. You don't know the extent Ocella went to make this deal. When he came to us with Alexei, he had already agreed to bring you and me over to Oklahoma in exchange for safe haven for him and Alexei. Alexei's indiscretions were to be overlooked as long as we remained her faithful servants. Things didn't go as planned and Sookie was not handed over to Sophie-Anne. We killed Ocella and then Alexei escaped. With Ocella dead, he could not force you and I to go willingly. Freyda took her time to get things in order, but she is here to collect. She can no longer get her hands on you, and trust me she is not happy about that, but he did sign me over for a hundred years and she will take what she can get." Nikolai sighed heavily. "I have been playing a part and I will continue to do so."

I knew what he meant. Years with Ocella made us master actors. We had to be in order to survive. I knew Nikolai would survive this, but I still didn't want him to go through with it. "We will do what you wish," I said and Sookie gave me a look that would have killed me if looks could kill. I opened my mind to her, "Sookie not here." I felt her relax. "Thank you, Brother." I stood and so did Sookie. "I will set up the transfer of state with Mr. Cataliades."

"That is fine. I have already made him aware of my intentions." Nikolai looked from me to Sookie and I could read those eyes. He couldn't see a way out. I wasn't ready to give up so easily. We had three weeks and I was going to use every last minute of them.

Note from the Author: Hey everyone! It's been a long time since I posted but I got a bit inspired and I missed you guys. So here it is another story, well the beginning of one anyway. I know the first chapter is a tad short, but I am just getting back into the swing of things. I have the first couple of chapters written so if enough people are interested in reading more I will continue it. I hope you enjoyed it. Let me know in that sweet little box below.

XOXO

GoddessD