Rasa's POV

I happened upon the scene. It was heart wrenching to see her pain but the vampire in me rejoiced at his carelessness. I had always admired, even respected the Northman, but that day I saw him for the fool he is. He stood towering over the most dainty, heavenly creature known to all supes and angrily tried to convince her that marrying another woman was the only way to gain the alliance with Oklahoma and keep them safe. I can actually see the merits in his argument but his path is faulty. Yes, Louisiana needed an alliance to fend off the circling sharks but it did not need to be with Oklahoma, contract or no. Not to mention the number of friends they both have made in the supernatural community and her fairy relations; he could have turned to any or all of them. I really can't believe with his Casa Nova reputation that he would believe any woman would accept the load of shit he was trying to sell her.

I had already spoken with her grandfather and other council members; she did not realize she had made friends with them through her many deeds. As we have been working to assimilate into public life and regain some of what the darkness claimed from us, we have realized our need for humanity and compassion. Her name was in the fore thoughts of many when we discussed bringing in a council member whose contribution is justice, truth, and compassion for all the races.

She ran from him that night and all of us. She returned to her home and then fled to Faery. It was agony to await her return. Weeks passed and months turned to seasons and the years changed us all.

Eric's POV

I'll never forget the night she left me. We were at the sheriff's ball in Las Vegas. She had always told me to keep her out of my vampire shit. I tried more diligently as we grew closer to honor that wish. Things had been going well. Until I received a royal summons. I attended the meeting without either of my favorite women to stand by me because I feared the purpose of the meeting. Appius. Despite his death at my lover's hands he still continues to haunt me. He must have seen his death in my lover's eyes because he spent his last days signing my life away in a contract to the queen of Oklahoma. Queen Janet was powerful, cold, and completely forgettable. She did not hold a candle to the angel of my heart. I could have fought it, but I could not see how. I was at a loss. I had just taken over a kingdom that was weak and poor. There were many that sought my state and my wife. How could I fight all of those fronts and fight a legal battle too. Marrying Janet, while not ideal, would have fixed our other problems, the threats and the finances, and then I could have worried about getting rid of her. Perfect. Her death would have voided the contract then I would have had two states, Oklahoma's wealth and strength, and my sweet Sookie.

Pam warned me when I came back from that initial meeting with Oklahoma that I needed to talk to Sookie about it. She even reminded me how clever Sookie is and that together we would be able to handle it. I scoffed. Sookie did not want to know about my vampire shit and so I would not tell her. That was childish and foolish of me. She overheard a conversation at the sheriff's ball. She came to me and asked if it was true. I told her the truth, but far too late, that I as a new king needed this alliance to keep myself, my state, and her safe. I broke her heart that night. She did not just leave the ball; she left this realm.

I never realized the impact she had on the lives around her until she was gone. My relationship with the witches and weres in Louisiana dissipated over time. My fun and easy relationship with Pam ended badly. There are no exciting adventures, mysteries, or injustices to surprise and entertain. It was her that bound us together; we all believed in her goodness. She was a light for us all.

I did not marry that forgettable queen. Apparently a vampire, such as me, suffering from emotional troubles with a failing state is not worth pressing into a marriage contract.

Pam's POV

I knew he would fuck it up. I knew when he received a summons that there was trouble coming. All he had to do was tell Sookie about it. He refused. I could tell by the emotions swirling in our bond that he had decided to go through with the marriage. I begged him not too. He explained all of his reasons to me a hundred times but still I begged him. If Sookie had ever been a pet or just some worthless human then I would not have cared. Sookie, was, is maybe still, my friend and she deserved way better than what he gave her. Sookie never wanted to be out of our lives or away from vampires she wanted to be away from the using and abusing, not just of her person but of her heart.

Sookie left the night she learned the truth. I stayed with Eric for a few months, hoping she would come back, if just so I could tell her how sorry I was and how deserving of better she was. She never returned. I left my maker's side six months after Sookie left. He had released me years ago; I just never had a reason to leave before.

Bill's POV

What a bastard. I know that I hurt her but he was her hero. He saved her more times than I ever cared to hear about then he betrayed her tender heart. How could he be so daft? I know that it angered him how she fought to keep a distance from our world but his actions are precisely why. He has proven her point.

Now she is gone. I remained on Hummingbird Lane for ten years after she left, in hopes that she might return. I had her house cleaned and fixed up. After my hope was lost I had it boarded up. I could not bear to stay any longer. Even if she had never returned to me as a lover; she was my friend.

Her brother died about three years after she disappeared. He died in a car accident. I raced to the hospital as soon as I heard, but it was too late for me to be of any help. Jason had passed.

Niall's POV

I thought I had lost her. I still feel partially responsible. I should have stopped her interactions with the vampires long before the night the Viking broke her. I had just been in awe of her abilities to sooth and charm the supes she came in contact with. I had always known the Viking to be a good man and he seemed to genuinely care for her; I was as blindsided by his treachery as she. That is where I failed. I should not have allowed her way with supes to lull me into trusting the Viking, or any other supe, with my kin.

The council had spoken of adding her to our numbers. After that night we agreed that we should give her time to grow and experience before we burdened her further. The Viking's betrayal only held her future up even further. I intervened in hopes of avoiding disaster. I was afraid if things did not get better that she may cease all contact with all supes; then where would this dark world be without her light.

She accepted my invitation.

Sookie's POV

I asked how he could even consider it and told him if he married this woman that I would leave. I could tell from the look on his face that he had already decided. I returned to Louisiana that night. Thank goodness for my grandfather. He invited me to live with him in Faery and I accepted.

Grandfather has helped me tap into my light. I can now use my light to fuel my magic. He also taught me how to fight. Not just with weapons; with my mind and magic. We spent hours in his personal library researching and discussing the most fantastic topics. He even schooled me in proper supernatural etiquette and protocols of over a dozen different races. I learned the language of my people, French, Spanish, Italian, Latin, German, Dutch, and Japanese. I sat at my grandfather's side as he heard cases, listened to briefings, returned calls to his friends and allies, and when he plotted and strategized to achieve his goals. A well rounded learning experience; one I sorely needed.

As wonderful as Faery has been I long to use my powers to help me see more of the world I miss. I told Niall of my wish to return to my world. He said that he would help me.

Grandfather did more than help me. He explained that time passed more quickly in my world than in Faery. He also pointed out the changes in me brought on by my presence in Faery. I am slightly taller, my hair is slightly longer and blonder, and my eyes are more radiant, my skin more bronzed; all of my attributes are a little 'more'. He set up accounts in my name, my royal inheritance from Fintan, and an interview for me for a job. He said it was a very important position and that they had requested me for the opening. He told me that this position would protect me and allow me to make an impact on the world but that any position with that much influence would not be without its difficulties.

He had not been joking. I stood before the Supernatural Council of North America slack jawed. I really could not believe they had requested me but they made me understand before the appointment was up. I never understood that I was valued for my heart. There was a vampire, a were, a shifter, my grandfather, a witch, and demon on the council as well as the Ancient Pythoness. They wanted me to help them decided the rules, regulations, judgments, punishments, and directions for the greater supernatural community.

It took me nearly a week in Faery to come to terms with their offer. I gratefully accepted. Now I have a home in Texas, New York, and California. I travel between the three depending on where the council is meeting.

I have come to be friends with most of them. My grandfather represents fae interests and it is fair to say that we get along well. Mr. Barbaroussa represents the demon interests and is a very quiet man and always patiently listens. He is a rather large man, very tall and broad, dark complexion, dark hazel eyes, and dark curly hair that is clipped short. He always dresses impeccably but does not quite pull off handsome, more courteous with an imposing demeanor. Octavia Fant is an aging witch that has the kind heart and smile of a loving grandmother. She has dark caramel skin and peanut butter eyes, combined with her white hair she is a startling beauty. She always rocks a loose fitting wild printed strangely cut dress. She owns one for every occasion. Brock Vilgfried is one of the few full shifters residing in North America. He has blond hair, fair skin, and pretty blue eyes. He has a rugged look that I associate with a lot of weres. He dresses more casually than anyone, donning the standard jeans and white t-shirt; very effective in showing off his exquisite body. Brock does his best to represent his kind but it is difficult since they are so scattered and disorganized. Regardless of the organization level of the shifters, his position, like Marius, grants him long life to fulfill his role in the hierarchy. Marius Kaiser is the were king. He is very handsome but somewhat aloof. He always wears the most runway worthy designer clothes but in a messy hap-hazard way. He has dark blond hair and heather gray eyes. His skin is almost as pale as a vampire. I suppose it comes from his life being extended because of his centuries of service on the council. Then there is Rasa. He is a vampire. One of the oldest vampires in the world, he is handsome, funny, sweet and all the things I wish he weren't. He is so wonderful I will not be able to stay away from him and I swore I would stay away from vampires.