A/N: I know I said this would be a one shot for a while, but I keep thinking about it so I'm just going to go with it! I'll try to do the three stories at once and we'll see how it works out! We pick up with Eric's feelings about the night of the argument and what happens next.

EPOV

I was sitting in my office feeling the utter despair of hopelessness. The night before, I had tried to get Sookie to tell me about the Faery token in her possession but it turns out that she was not going to be forthcoming. I didn't understand how my beautiful little faery could hold such a rare treasure and not only keep it from, but not even think of using it to help us…to help me. When I took to the sky that night after a fruitless argument with her, I thought for sure my fate was sealed.

Perhaps it is a fate I deserved. Though I try not to be cruel or unfair, I know in my long life I have done more than my fair share of bad deeds. I have stolen, killed, lied, and schemed if it would keep me alive or thriving. That's what I was though; a vampire, a creature of the night. I prided myself on the fact that since the Great Revelation I had not killed without good reason and the lying and scheming were just part of my DNA as a vampire. I was fair to my underlings, I was good to my child, and damn if I hadn't tried hard to be good to Sookie.

It seems now though that none of those good deeds mattered. None of the love, devotion, respect, and joy that I feel for her was going to get me out of this mess. Maybe this is what has to be done; maybe this way she can lead a half normal life without all the vampire politics to fuck it up. I feel an ache in my chest that I'm not familiar with and I realize it's the hurt I feel from knowing I've lost the only woman I've ever truly loved. Not once before the night she walked into my bar did I ever imagine I could feel the euphoria I feel with her. Every night I wake with her on my mind and every dawn she is the last thought in my head before the sun steals the day from me.

I know things have been difficult for us; we've never had an easy relationship, but I honestly thought she was tough enough to stick it out with me. I can't be angry with her because I want her to be safe and live a happy life beyond my own selfish yearnings for her company. If that means that I have to leave everything including her behind, then so be it. The least I can do as my last act of freedom is try to ensure that she will be safe once I am gone. My marriage, or rather slavery to the Queen of Oklahoma is my last bargaining chip and I'll use it to make sure Sookie will be looked after.

I barely realize where I'm going until I see that I've already made it to Shreveport and I've landed a few miles away from my house. In front of me is a lake that I used to visit on occasion before I met Sookie where I could be at peace and relax. After Sookie and I started dating, I remember wanting to show her this beautiful place but unfortunately it seems we just never found the time. Between the constant threat on our lives, her safety, the never ending list of creatures that wanted to hurt her, me or both of us; we just never made the time to enjoy something so simple.

It tore me apart to think of all the times I had literally risked my life for Sookie and now that I needed her to help me, it seemed she wasn't willing. I didn't know whether to be angry or understanding, but I knew that it fucking hurt. The thought of never seeing my sweet, kind, and luscious angel again felt like silver coursing through my veins. The nights I enjoyed inhaling her scent while burying myself inside her would be no more. No more of that cute laugh she has, no more of her small hands braiding my hair, no more tender kisses or feisty arguments that ended in makeup sex. I couldn't stand the feeling of dread that was creeping up inside me. I had spent so long being alone and then after a thousand years to find the one person who makes life worth living only to have them stolen from you.

I let out a mighty roar that quieted all the other creatures in the woods. I grabbed a huge oak tree and ripped it from the ground, sending it flying through the air. I screamed, I cursed, I slammed my fists into the earth; but the pain did not go away. Nothing was going to end this pain that had become my existence. Without Sookie, without my light, I would be only a shell of the man I had been.

To add insult to injury; Freyda was insisting that along with Sookie, my child Pam would be banned from Oklahoma as well. I didn't care if it seemed weak; without my two precious women, what the hell was I supposed to do? Not being able to joke with Pam or hold her next to me would be as painful as not having my beloved wife, but at least Pam would still be waiting for me after the 200 year contract. If I lived through the marriage contract to Freyda, it wouldn't mean anything because Sookie would be long since dust in a grave.

I made my way back to my house and though the dawn was still a few hours away, I layed on my bed and wished for relief from consciousness. Realizing how screwed I truly was, I began to make plans to take care of Pam and Sookie. I would make sure that my affairs were in order so that neither would ever want for anything and then I would make my move. I knew Felipe would go after Sookie the moment I was gone to Oklahoma and I wouldn't allow that. No one was ever going to hurt her again, no matter what it cost me.

I would leave my girls everything I owned and make sure Sookie had a safe way to escape and make a new life for herself. A life without me, without other vampires who knew of her ability, a life where she could start over and be happy. Once Freyda and Felipe believed that I would go along with the marriage, I would strike. I would take out Felipe to keep my wife out of his hands and if I didn't die in the process, I would meet the sun at the next dawn.

After being a slave to my maker for over one hundred years, I knew I couldn't do it again. I couldn't be someone else's play toy and bodyguard while the woman I loved would still be in danger and eventually die before I could ever see her again. It made me sad to think of leaving this world and leaving her behind, but if it meant saving her life then I would meet the true death a million times. As the sun peeked over the horizon, I went to rest knowing if it was my last act upon this earth, I would make sure she had a life worth living.

I rose the next night and apparently because I'm a masochist, I tried opening the bond up to see what Sookie was feeling only to quickly remember that she had broken our blood bond. Our bond hadn't been made under ideal circumstances but I remember how much comfort it brought me when I could feel her life force running alongside my own. When she had the witch break it without even warning me, I felt a horrible pain as I thought she was dead. I was of course happy to discover she was alive, but I know a piece of me died that day as she rejected the most precious thing that I had ever offered another.

As if my night wasn't already going great; I arrived at Fangtasia to find that political whore Freyda waiting on me. Just who I wanted to see…..impaled…on silver. I tried my best to hide any emotions I was feeling and walked casually to my office.

Of course Freyda walked up to me in what she thought was a sexy sway and bid me good evening. Personally I would rather see her move awkwardly because I had broken every bone in her body, but alas tonight was not about making my dreams come true. It did seem unfair that if I was going to meet the true death soon that I didn't get to have some kind of make-a-wish like I heard terminal children get to have. I'm pretty sure my wish would not be very pleasant for Freyda or Felipe, but it sure would make me feel better.

I sat down behind the desk ignoring the Queen and began checking emails. At this point I would have read the autobiography of Hilary Clinton if it would help me to avoid interacting with Freyda.

"So, my dear have you thought of how you would like your quarters decorated at the palace? My interior designer says he can give you whatever you desire."

Ha! Her sad attempts at bribery were not nearly enough to make me consider being her personal gigolo.

"I have actually." I said returning her smile. She seemed to perk up hearing my interest and leaned forward listening intently. "I was thinking gray walls with lots of red splatter to imitate blood. Then I would like to have a mural of Victorian age women being tortured and disemboweled to add a little creativity. I've always been a sucker for true art."

She sat back and scowled at my answer. My not so subtle reference to her human life was taken just as I hoped.

"I know you hate me now, but I think in time you will come to see that I am not the enemy. Perhaps one day you can even love me. I can make you immensely happy and powerful Eric Northman; or I can become your worst nightmare."

"I'll take my chances with the hatred." I answered in an icy tone. This baby vampire must be truly insane if she thinks I will ever feel anything but hatred and vengeance towards her. She would never have to worry about painting a room for me because I had no intentions on being her puppet. I hope she lost a fortune paying my shitty Maker for a contract that would never come to fruition.

Sensing my anger and agitation, Pam walked through the door and looked between Freyda and me as we were apparently having a staring contest. I judged from the anger I could feel from her and her stance that she was about to attack the Queen. Not wanting any harm to come to my child, I relaxed my stance and sat back in my seat.

"Good evening Master." She said nodding to me.

Freyda watched her, obviously expecting a formal bow but my child was not having it tonight. She gave Freyda a smaller nod than she did for me and then took up her place behind my chair. I caught myself reaching back to stroke her hand as I could tell that I would have to command her not to kill Freyda before all this was over. My only hope was that once I was gone she would continue on and make a child of her own to ease her suffering. She could be maddening and irritating sometimes but by the Gods she was a glorious child and my greatest accomplishment.

After a few tense minutes of Pam and I pretending everything was normal, the bane of my existence came waltzing through the door like he owned the place. Felipe DeCastro; the Count Chocula of the south. I nodded to him and smiled imagining how it would feel to remove his head from his shoulders. As Pam had said before; 'he should be sentenced to the true death for wearing that stupid cape.'

"Majesty; Sheriff, I hope all is well this evening." He said with his stupid accent.

"Oh yes Felipe. Eric and I were just discussing interior decorating. He is mighty excited to begin decorating his quarters at my palace; aren't you Eric?" She asked sarcastically.

"So excited I could just go play in the sun." I replied just as sarcastically.

"Now I hope that's not insubordination I hear in your voice Northman; I'd hate for you or your little telepath to find yourselves being brought up on charges of murdering a Regent because you couldn't play ball." His voice was icy and his threat was very real.

"Of course not Majesty." I answer trying to prevent my anger from making me act out impulsively. His time was coming, but it had to be just right.

The two monarchs carried on chatting for a little while as I tried to blend into the background, hoping they would forget I was there. Pam and I were checking my stocks on the computer when I picked up the sound of a car outside. I didn't pay much attention as I assumed it was Maxwell or Thalia coming in to help Pam with inventory. As the footsteps drew near the back door, I picked up the unmistakable scent of my blood….and my faery.

"Excuse me." I say before zooming to the back door.

The door opens just as I reach for the handle and there stands the demon lawyer, his niece, and most importantly Sookie. Too many emotions are running through me to understand why she's here, but I know it's not safe for her tonight. With Felipe and Freyda in the building, I'm likely to end up with a bloodbath if they so much as look at her the wrong way. I stare at her, taking in her delectable curves which are promptly on display in the black dress I bought her a few months ago. Her hair is flowing in golden waves of honey and her natural aroma is only enhanced by the little hint of perfume she's wearing.

If I died this night with her beautiful face as my last sight, I would leave this world a happy man. I do not wish the same for her though, so I am snapped out of my reverie by fear for her.

"You shouldn't be here." I say harsher than I meant to.

The look on her face is one I can't decipher. I can't tell if she's happy to see me or if she's come to officially rid herself of me since she brought her lawyer and Godfather. She doesn't speak but Mr. Cataliades tells me he has important business to discuss with me and it is something I will want to hear. The smile he gives me makes me at least curious to hear what he has to say but I still fear that Sookie should not enter the building.

Seeing my hesitation, she finally opens her mouth to speak and leaves me dumbfounded.

"Please my husband." She begs in my native tongue. Hearing the words pour from her mouth instantly made me hard and I'm shocked that she has not only addressed me in Old Norse, but she called me her husband. No matter how many times I tried to show her my love and respect by calling her my wife, she had always fought me on it.

Something in her words and the way her eyes pleaded with me made me reconsider. I took her arm and threaded it through my own as I walked the three of them back to my office. It didn't escape my notice that the King and Queen's nostrils flared as she followed me into the room and the look of jealousy on Freyda's face was priceless. My child on the other hand is shooting worry and caution through our bond as she sees Sookie enter the room. She seems to relax fractionally as she sees the demon with her but I know she is on high alert as am I.

I look to Pam about to tell her to get Sookie a chair when my angel surprises me again by sitting down on my lap. Her small, warm body on mine only makes me ache for her touch again and reminds me of everything I'm about to lose. Of course Freyda has to speak up and make an ass of herself by happily declaring that tonight I can divorce Sookie since she is here. I don't even have time to give her a reply before Mr. Cataliades laughs and explains to her that our marriage contract is as dead as Appius.

I try to stay calm and not get my hopes up just yet but I want to believe so badly that he has actually found a way out of this for me. I vow right then to give him the biggest bonus of his life if he has succeeded. Hell, I might buy a private island for him if he wants. The wheels in my head are turning and I feel like an idiot for not thinking of this myself. If Appius can't collect on his end of the deal; whatever that was, then she doesn't get to collect on hers. Oh that cunt is going to pay for this; she knew this all along but didn't say a word. She better hope Oklahoma is guarded better than Fort Knox or I swear I will have my revenge on her.

The Queen of course is outraged and making a scene, like the trash she truly is. She makes the mistake of threatening Sookie and again before I can take care of it myself, the young demon girl has cowered Freyda by threatening to set her on fire. Vampires are impervious to almost every kind of element that would hurt a human, but not fire. We will burn faster than Michael Jackson in a Pepsi commercial.

Looking like a scorned dog, Freyda takes her seat and pouts as Felipe takes his turn lashing out.

"Well good job Northman; you've just screwed me out of an alliance with Oklahoma. You and your little telepath whore will pay dearly for this." Felipe says.

I growl warningly at him and I hear my child doing the same beside me. I see that Pam has pushed Sookie even farther out of harm's way and is now ready to attack with me. I know if we take on Felipe we can easily kill him and with the demons here, Freyda won't have a chance of harming Sookie. I do regret that my love will inevitably witness my true death as Felipe's guards will surely come for me. I mentally communicate with my child to shield Sookie because I can't bear for her to see this. I was right all along; I can't let him live because he's made it very clear that Sookie will be his and suffer tremendously at his hand.

"It's okay honey, I don't care if he wants to call me names." Sookie says from behind me. "You know Felipe; a little bird told me that someone hasn't been paying their taxes to the Authority. There was also talk that said person was engaging in illegal activities, such as selling vampire blood. Now you wouldn't know anything about that would you?" She continued in a menacing tone.

I warn her to back off but the two have another heated exchange before the coward calls for his guards. I know we're all going to be in trouble now and I step forward to grab Felipe before his guards can come. To my surprise though, it isn't the guards that show up but Niall Brigant. He pops in holding a silver sword covered in vampire remains and begins to taunt Felipe. As the faery reads an edict that the Authority passed on Felipe, I start to feel a glimmer of hope. My fierce survival instincts are taking over and my will to live and save my lover are coming back in force.

Felipe makes the fatal mistake of badmouthing Sookie and attempting to grab her only to be caught in midair by me. Why the idiot thought he would get anywhere close to her with me in the room is beyond me but I get a sickeningly sweet gratification as I crush his throat and slam him against the wall. Revenge is a cruel mistress and one I know quite well. Niall's last words on the subject are music to my ears as he announces that the Authority not only sanctions Felipe's true death but they wish for it to be by my own hand.

I praise Freyja for her last minute stay of execution for myself and gladly carry out the sentence. The beast inside me relishes the feel of tearing his limbs from his body and his agonizing screams only make me happier. I want to rip his heart out and bathe in his blood, but I know I must stay in control with Sookie watching on. Only because she is in the room, I end him quickly with a stake when I would have loved to lock him up in my playground downstairs for Pam and me to take our time with. It's no matter; the end result is the same. Felipe is dead, I am King, I will not be marrying anyone but Sookie, and hopefully she will still accept me.

After making sure Freyda understood that I would be more than happy to kill her as well as her children she holds dear, I allow her to leave….for now.

"Eric I'm sorry! I was such a fool, can you forgive me?" Sookie asks wrapping her arms around me.

The feeling of her in my arms again and asking me to forgive her is almost more than I can bear. I thought for sure my life would end in an abyss of sadness without her by my side but now I begin to feel something strange. I feel hope for the first time in a long time. With her, I can make it through anything life throws at us and I fully intend to never let her go again.

Tears are streaming down her face but I know they are out of love and relief, not sadness. She asks our guests to sit down as she retrieves a package from her bag. She hands me a bundle in a beautiful cloth that I have seen long ago; it's Faery cloth and it's only used for special occasions. The wrapping reminds me of when I gave her the ceremonial knife for our bonding and my mind races. I try to keep my joy tamped down because I can't imagine that she would ever do this with me again after the lashing she gave me the first time.

Opening the cloth, my unbeating heart seems to twitch as I gaze down at the dagger. I can tell it's a faery treasure and judging by the symbols on the handle, I'd say it's from the Royal family. As happy as I am I can't help but think that Niall must have his reasons for blessing this union but I can't bring myself to care. All I know is that Sookie is in front of me asking me to renew our bond and our vows. I say the sacred words to her that I should have said the first time I married her and she says her own beautiful vows to me.

When we drink from each other simultaneously, it's nirvana; pure and unadulterated bliss and lust. I can feel my blood making it's way through her body; searching for her heart that belongs to me. Her blood is acting as a repairing elixir and healing the broken pieces of my soul as it pulses through me. We manage to pull away from each other as I feel the first tiny connections of the bond trying to form.

It's the same faint connection I was excited to have after she took my blood in Dallas. I knew from that moment that I never wanted to feel the loss of her inside me again. I would do whatever it took to prove myself to her and heal what had went wrong between us. There was no price too high to pay to keep her and if I had to change things about myself to be the kind of man she deserved, then that's what I was going to do. After all she brought in a lawyer, a demon, a Prince, and the entire Royal Faery guard to save me; it was the least I could do really.

I nodded at Desmond and Diantha and thanked them for all their hard work.

"I will not forget what you have done for me or Sookie. I am in your debt." I said formally to the lawyer.

"It was my pleasure your Majesty. You have always been a fair and gracious client and I would do anything for my Goddaughter." He replied. Sookie threw her arms around him and hugged him tight surprising him in a good way.

"Niall, this is not the first time you have come to Sookie's aid but I can't tell you how much I appreciate what you've done for me." It was galling to show so much humility to a faery but truthfully he had saved my life in more ways than one.

"You are welcome vampire. This was all thanks to Sookie; she was willing to do whatever it took to save you. I couldn't bear to see her suffer the way she would without you." He said.

"She is quite amazing isn't she?" I looked down adoringly at her.

"Well she is a Brigant." He said smiling.

"Thank you Grandfather." Sookie said serenely before giving him one of her huge hugs.

"You're welcome my child. I'll be in touch soon." He kissed her forehead and then vanished.

"We must be going as well I'm afraid. I'll file all the necessary paperwork to make the contract null and void and I'll speak to you soon your Majesty." Mr. Cataliades said before leaving with his niece.

We were left standing there in my office with only Pam who was sitting quietly on the couch. I could feel that her emotions were in a jumble as she was happy, relieved, worried, anxious, and confused.

"Come here Pam." I said gently.

She stands and walks to us slowly before bowing in front of Sookie.

"Mistress." She says reverently. "You have saved my Maker and I will be forever grateful to you. I'm glad you're part of the family sister." She kissed her hand and then stood to hug her.

I knew without even looking that Sookie was crying again. It warmed my heart to see them embrace each other with such love and I had to join in. I pulled both of them to me and softly kissed Pam's head before kissing my lover's lips. If I lived another one thousand years I would never forget this moment.

"Well goodnight. I will see you two tomorrow; we have a lot of work to do so try to make it out of the bedroom before dawn." Pam joked easing the mood. She gave me one more small bow before leaving.

I stood in my office silently holding my most prized treasure against me. She was wrapped around my waist as I softly rubbed her back with one hand and stroked her hair with the other. I wanted to devour every inch of her. I wanted to sheath myself inside her warmth, drink her sweet blood, taste her ecstasy on my tongue, and never let her go. If I could surgically attach this beautiful woman to my side it still wouldn't be enough.

"Let's go home." She whispered.

Home. She wants to be with me; by my side, in my heart, in our house. I picked her up easily and walked outside before launching us into the air. She held onto my neck and nuzzled my chest as we flew past the lights of the town to reach the house that once felt so empty and alone. If I had my way, she would stay here with me and turn it into our sanctuary. I didn't care if she wanted to paint the entire house pink with polka dots as long as she was beside me at every dawn and with me when I rose for the evening. To me it was just a house; a nice place to hide from the sun but with her by my side it would be a real home.

No words were needed as I carried her inside and took her downstairs to my bedroom. I layed her down on the bed and gazed at her beauty. Her hair was windblown, her cheeks were pink, and her eyes were alive and sparkling. They had looked so dull and defeated the night before at her house, but now the fire was back inside her. I pulled her stilettos off and tossed them aside before rubbing each foot. Once they were well massaged, I moved my hands teasingly up her smooth calves and under her dress to rub her succulent thighs. She was in no way large but rather she had the perfectly soft, rounded body that could only belong to a Goddess such as she was.

I wanted to touch every inch of her and remind myself that she was real and she was mine. The little soft groans she kept making as I caressed her made it hard to withstand ravaging her but somehow I made it through. I pulled away and stood up causing her to pout, but the pout turned into a leer as I unbuttoned my shirt and tossed it down and made quick work of my pants. As much as I admired her form, she made me feel like a God as she took in my body and sighed appreciatively.

Still neither of us said a word as we spoke volumes with our touch. I pulled her to the edge of the bed and kneeled between her legs to slide her panties off. Her heart beat sped up as I pushed her dress up and pulled it off over her head revealing her magnificent breasts that beckoned to me. With all my control I gently ran the back of my hand over her taut nipples and my fangs snapped down. She pulled me to her to kiss her and our tongues danced in harmony for a few moments before I pulled away and planted open mouthed kissed down her neck and across her collarbone. Her head fell back as she moaned in delight and I slipped a finger inside her heat.

Dear God maybe I had died and this was all a dream because I swore right now I was in Valhalla. Her tights walls clamped onto my finger as I pushed another inside her. I looked down mesmerized as she gently moved her hips in rhythm with my fingers. The scent of her arousal was filling the room and my need for her was overwhelming. After trailing a few more kisses down her breasts, I licked her slowly all the way up her hot folds. I growled low and dangerously as her juices hit my tongue. It was the most beautiful mixture of sunlight, honey, and pleasure and it only increased my own arousal.

I picked up speed with my tongue, flicking her just where she likes it as I curled my fingers inside her and rubbed her mercilessly. Her breathing was becoming erratic as well as her heartbeat and just as she hit her orgasm I moved my mouth and sank my fangs into her thigh. She screamed rapturously and pulled my free arm to her face as she sat up and bit into my wrist. I sucked harder on her thigh as the pleasure of her feeding from me drove me wild.

Again I felt the magic of our combined bloods working to heal us and bring us together. I reluctantly stopped drinking and closed her wound before taking too much as she took one last hard draw before releasing my wrist.

"I love you. I'm yours." She murmured looking me straight in the eyes.

"Jag älskar dig min fru. Allt jag är din." (I love you my wife. Everything I am is yours.)

We spent hours worshipping each other and reconnecting. For the first time in a long time, I cursed the sun for taking me away from her. I pulled her close to me and held onto her for dear life as I inhaled the scent of my lover. At that moment I hated that I was vampire and I couldn't stay up with her all day and show her how much I adored her. In my last moment of clarity before I died for the day, I heard her whisper in my ear.

"Don't worry I'll be here when you wake up. I'll never leave you again."

I fell asleep that morning with a smile on my face and peace in my heart.