chapter thirty-

six

Christmas Eve Day

                Rachel and her parents happily began the preparations for their family holiday but Sky was miserable. Her family was in Minden, in their beautiful home, asleep in their bed all alone. She joined in with Rachel and helped her with little chores but what she really wanted was for the sun to go down and her Viking to come for her and bring her home. Why should this be such a hassle?

                “Hey, a couple more hours and you will be with your honey,” said Rachel. “What were you going to do for supper?”

                “I was just going to pop in a steak and make mashed potatoes and green beans and eat before he rose. Pam and India are coming over and we were going to exchange gifts and just be together for a couple of hours and then Pam and India were going to the nest party here in Bon Temps,” she said.

                “Well, the roast is almost done and there is plenty. Come and eat with us and then you will have that out of the way for when Eric comes for you,” said Rachel. “We are eating before Bill gets up, too.”

                “Thanks,” she said. She hugged the diminutive woman. “I love you.” Rachel laughed.

                “I love you too, Sky,” said Rachel. “I got a whole Bellefleur cake, so you can take a slice home and I will fix you a snack.”

                “That would be wonderful,” she said.

                The roast was succulent and everything was perfect. Sky discovered Richard had a wry sense of humor, bordering on the ridiculous. They were laughing over coffee and cake when Bill strolled down. “It appears everyone is merry this evening,” he said.

                “Merry Christmas darling,” said Rachel, going up to kiss her vampire. He kissed her gently. Richard and Celeste smiled. They apparently very much approved of Bill. Of course, Bill put humans more at ease with him than Eric, but Eric was working hard to try.

                “Hello Sky, did you rest well?” asked Bill, sitting down as Rachel brought him a bottle of TrueBlood and a glass. He poured half the bottle into the glass and drank from it.

                “I did,” she said. “Thanks for sharing your home.”

                “You are welcome,” he said. “Richard, Celeste, did you rest well?”

                “Like babies,” said Richard. “This is a fine house, Bill.”

                “Thank you Richard,” said Bill. “I built this house for Rachel’s comfort. I myself can’t wait till the weather breaks and we can have outdoor evening gatherings.” His phone rang. He begged pardon and answered it.

                “This is Eric, tell Sky I am on my way,” he said.

                “Very well, Eric, I shall,” he said. He hung up.

                “Eric is coming?” she asked.

                “He is,” said Bill. Rachel had made Sky a small canvas bag of a plate of food, some of the cake and some cookies and the fudge she and her mother had made.

                “Oh this is too much,” said Sky.

                “I am familiar with how you eat. You can save the supper for lunch tomorrow if you wish and there is some cake and cookies and candy in there,” said Rachel.

                “I should change, give Bill back his pajamas,” said Sky.

                “It’s too cold to go out in a skirt and blouse,” said Rachel. “Just throw them into the wash and bring them back sometime. I can even give you a pair of canvas tennis shoes to wear home.”

                “I must look like someone off a bender,” said Sky.

                “You look fine Sky dear,” said Celeste. “I imagine your Eric is just happy to get you back home.”

                “I missed him terribly,” said Sky.

                Eric buzzed at the gate and Bill moved faster than natural and opened the gate and they heard the low rumble of the sports car pull around to their port cochere. The doorbell rang and Rachel answered it. “Hi Eric, come in.”

                “Yule greetings Rachel, Mr. and Mrs. Westnight, Bill,” he said. His eyes went to Sky, scanning her to see that she was okay. She got up and hugged him and they kissed briefly.

                “Eric, would you like a TrueBlood?” asked Rachel.

                “No, thank you, I just wish to thank you for sheltering Sky and keeping her safe and be on our way,” said Eric.

                “Anytime,” said Bill.

                “Are you ready dearest?” asked Eric. She nodded.

                “Let me get my coat and purse and my goodie bag,” said Sky. He watched her retreat.

                “Was there any further word on the cross burnings Eric?” asked Richard.

                “No, Mr. Westnight, there were no further incidents and no one was harmed,” said Eric. “It is just unfortunate it has happened during the holidays.”

                “Chin up Eric, I am sure there will be a reckoning,” said Richard.

                “There will be indeed,” said Eric. Sky reappeared pulling her woolen coat around her and she grabbed both her purse and her little treat bag.

                “Thanks everyone, for everything. Richard, Celeste, we’ll see you tomorrow night at our house?” asked Sky.

                “We wouldn’t miss it,” they said. Sky went and hugged Rachel and gave Bill a peck on the cheek and took Eric’s hand and they headed out to the car. Eric opened the passenger side and let Sky slide in and he shut the door and walked around front and slid in. He looked at her.

                “Are you okay? I felt such misery and sadness in the bond,” he said.

                “I just missed you and our house is all,” she said. “I hated waking up without you beside me.”

                “But lover, you get up and leave our bed during the day,” he said.

                “When I wake up I cuddle you in your sleep and kiss you and tell you what I am going to do during the day. You were not here for me to cuddle and talk to,” she said.

                “Well, let’s get you home then,” he said.

               

                Sky was happy to see the stone walls of her house and the silhouette of the castle she lived in with her king. She had ridden all the way home with her head on Eric’s shoulder, which in this car was not difficult to do. He had held hands with her as he got them home and safe. It was cold and there was a sprinkly little rain in the air. They went into the house and Eric turned on the fire and helped her with her coat.

                “What are you wearing?” he asked.

                “Rachel lent me some things of Bill’s to wear,” said Sky. “She is so short, nothing of hers would fit. I am going to go up and shower and change clothes and get ready for Pam and India when they stop by.”

                “Please do,” he said.

                “Want to join me?” asked Sky.

                “If I get in the shower with you, I will not want to hurry. I missed you too,” he said. Sky kissed him and first put the food away and then scampered upstairs to take her shower. She pulled off the clothes and put her hair up in her cap and got in and took a hot shower, soaping and lathering all over with Japanese Cherry Blossom shower gel. She got out, put on lotion, brushed her teeth, put on deodorant, wrapped a towel around herself, and went to the closet. She got out a pair of purple leggings and a spring green silk sweater and a pair of purple footies. She put on a little lipstick, pulled her cap off, and fluffed out her hair. She could hear voices now. Pam and India were there. She put in a pair of jeweled violets on French hook earrings and scampered down stairs.

                “Hey there Pam, India.  Sorry I am so late,” she said. She kissed Pam on the cheek and India the same.

                “You look tasty,” said Pam.

                “Thank you Pam,” said Sky. Eric came into the living room with three warmed bottles of Imperial and a glass of wine. “Thank you love.” She took the glass and Eric shared out the bottles to the ladies. They sat down on the couch and chairs in front of the fire and Pam indicated with her hand the small pile of gifts.

                “I hope you like the things we chose for you Sky,” said Pam. “We were a little at sea about what to get you.”

                “I was too quite frankly,” said Sky. “And Eric was no help.”

                “He is not very imaginative,” said Pam. India giggled.

                “No respect, even for the holidays,” said Eric.

                “You know we love to give you hell Eric,” said Pam, winking at her maker.

                “Eric, love, would you like to be Father Yule and pass out the gifts to the girls? I have them right there under the tree,” suggested Sky. He stood up and picked up the boxes and laid them in front of Pam and India. They pushed their pile toward Eric and Sky. Sky got up and grabbed a garbage bag for the trash and they began to open gifts.

                “Oh Bill, this is lovely,” said Rachel, opening a large flat leather jewelry casket. It was a string of pearls with a gold clasp.

                “Those are my mother’s pearls. I had them restrung and a gold clasp to replace the silver one. I thought you might like to wear them for our wedding night,” said Bill.

                “They will be so perfect with my dress,” said Rachel. She leaned forward to get a kiss from him. He undid the clasp and put the pearls around her neck.

                “Bill, you will have to give me a piece of money for that,” said Richard. “I have a friend that makes those.” Bill took the long parcel and opened the paper and the custom-made box. He opened it and inside was an Arkansas Toothpick. It had a ten-inch blade on it and a deer antler grip. He picked it up and withdrew it from the handmade sheath. The blade gleamed in the light.

                “This is a wonderful weapon,” said Bill, wrapping his hand around the grip.

                “You can hook it on your belt,” said Richard. “It’s illegal to carry, but I figure it might come in handy.” Bill fished around in his pocket and pulled out a twenty and handed him the money. Richard took it and pocketed it.

                “Open my gift,” said Bill, nodding toward the large package. Richard hefted the box and then took the paper off. Inside was a leather case. He opened the case and inside were two dueling pistols. “They were my father’s pistols. He never dueled with them, but he and I used to take them out and shoot them. They still work, and they are pre Civil War, I thought they would be an excellent part of your collection.”

                “This is far too wonderful a gift,” said Richard.

                “Not at all,” said Bill. “I found them in the attic of the house in a trunk under a moth eaten blanket. They would still be there if you didn’t take them and display them.”

                “These are lovely,” said Richard. Celeste opened her gift from Bill. He had searched for a long time and found it in Splendide’s and then put out feelers for further pieces to go with it.

                “It is a music box,” said Celeste.

                “The large package with it has more brass cylinders to play on it. They are all popular Victorian tunes, even some seasonal things. About 100 of them. My sister had one and she had only three or four cylinders. They were quite merry to listen to when we were home and we had little,” said Bill.

                “I will treasure them,” said Celeste. She reached out and kissed Bill on the cheek.

                “Open something from Rachel now,” said Richard.

                “I never know what to get,” said Rachel. Bill smiled at her.

                “I am sure whatever it is, it will wonderful,” said Bill. He tore open the package and discovered it was a book. He looked at the binding. “The Rights of Man.”

                “It’s a copy of the first edition,” said Rachel. “Dad helped me find it.”

                “It is beautiful sweetheart and I will read every word of it,” he said. “Grab that package there, I think you will like it.”

                “This is a beautiful copy of the Joi d’Amore de Vampyre,” said Sky.

                “You have seen it before?” asked Pam.

                “Only the modern porn version, never the original texts with the original art,” said Sky. “Thank you.”

                “Well, I thought you and Eric would enjoy it,” said Pam. “What is this?”

                “A massage kit, for vampires. I bought one for me and Eric so I could give him a decent massage and I thought you would like it. Ming showed me how to use it,” said Sky.

                “It is wonderful and thoughtful,” said Pam. “We’ll use it tonight, won’t we honey.” She looked at India.

                “You do me first,” said India.

                “A TrueBlood cook book?” asked Sky.

                “Yes, I got one for Rachel and Bill too, it has consommés and drinks in there, they are quite tasty though the sorbets need a little work,” said Pam.

                “I shall definitely guinea pig the Regent here,” said Sky.

                “This is very nice,” said Eric. He pulled out a long robe lined in some expensive fur. It had elaborate patches of embroidered fabrics and thinly pounded leathers. “Thank you granddaughter.”

                “I thought it looked very like you,” said India.

                “It’s beautiful,” said Sky.

                “You may as well open that package as well Sky, I got you the lady version,” said India. Sky grabbed the package and opened it and pulled hers out.

                “I love it,” she said.

                Bill and Rachel and the Westnight’s were on their way to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church for Midnight Mass. They were in Bill’s car, and he steered the streets carefully and managed to slide into a parking place near the church. They could already hear the music and Bill took Rachel’s hand and they slowly followed the other worshippers into the sanctuary. They were waiting in the vestibule for the ushers to seat them.  They waited around for some time and finally an usher stepped up to them. “I can seat you ladies and you sir, but you,” he looked at Bill. “We can’t seat you in the sanctuary.”

                “I don’t understand are there no seats?” he asked.

                “There are seats, but you aren’t welcome. The pope was clear you and your kind would not benefit from the sacraments and therefore, you are simply making other worshippers who can benefit uncomfortable,” said the usher with no apology.

                “This is ridiculous,” said Richard. “All Saints has welcomed vampires in their services.”

                “Then perhaps you should take him to All Saints,” said the usher.

                “I can go and sit in the car while you go in and worship,” said Bill.

                “No, this man is a long standing member of the community, he is my son in law, if he is unwelcome then I say there is nothing good for me and my family here,” said Richard.

                “You all have a safe trip home then, and Merry Christmas,” said the usher, directing them out the door. The four walked down the steps. Rachel was crying.
                “I am sorry this has happened,” said Bill.

                “It’s not your fault, Bill,” said Richard. “Let’s go home, drink some more of that lovely wine and eat some more of that cake.”

                Pam and India were gone. Sky got up and went to the tree and pulled out a package. She laid it on Eric’s lap. “What is this?”

                “Something I want you to have,” she said. He smiled at her and opened the package. Inside was a pair of wine colored silk pajamas. “It will look good with your robe.”

                “Then you should open a package as well,” he said. He got up and handed her a package. She opened it. Inside was a long black lace gown.

                “Please don’t rip this one off me,” said Sky.

                “No, I promise,” he said. “Let’s go put them on.”

                Eric was changed and back in the living room in no time. He sat down in his favorite chair and waited for Sky. She came down, lowly like a queen. Her hair was a mass of curling fire and the robe made her seem…savage and noble at the same time. He felt himself becoming aroused just looking at her. She walked over to the center of the living room and let him look at her, then slowly opened her robe and slid it away from her shoulders. The lace gown was beautiful and elegant on her frame. His fangs extended in appreciation. He motioned her forward and she came and stepped toward him, trailing the robe behind her. She was standing between his legs. He leaned forward and slid his arms under her robe and pulled her against him. “My queen.”

                “My king,” she said. He pulled her to sit on his lap. She leaned down to kiss him. “I love you Eric.”

                “I love you,” he said. “My Sky.”

               

                Bill held Rachel to him and kissed her gently. “Is that better?” he asked.

                “Much better,” she said. They were in their bed and he was cuddling her against him. He ran his hand down her back to the curve of her hips. He marveled at her smallness, her delicacy and her strength and fierceness and her capacity for love. He brought his hand up to her hair and smoothed it and wrapped a hank of it around his hand.

                “I can’t wait to marry you,” he said. He kissed her neck and ran his hand back up to her breast. He squeezed the swell of her breast gently in his palm.

                “You aren’t tired of me yet?” she asked.

                “I could have all eternity with you and never tire of you,” said Bill. “You are an undiscovered world.”

                “You have known hundreds of women in your lifetime,” said Rachel.

                “I have had sex with hundreds of women. I have never fallen in such complete love with someone. I want you with me forever. I have never wanted to make anyone vampire, but I hope you will want it someday,” said Bill.

                “Someday, I will want it,” she said. “Do you think we will have to go our separate ways after a while?”

                “No, I don’t think so,” said Bill. “I want you to be with me forever, loving me, holding me, making love with me.” He laid her back on the bed and began to make love with her again.

                Sky was lying on top of Eric’s prone body. He was lying on his robe and Sky had hers slung over them. She was lying with her head on his chest, and her belly against him and she was sort of curled between his legs. “Are you okay lover?” he asked.

                “I am wonderful,” she said. “I still feel you inside me.” He raised up and pulled her up against him, pulling her around quickly and gracefully, draping her legs over his thigh. He pulled the robe around her shoulders and held her and rocked her.

                “I missed you,” he said. “I missed waking to you too.” He put his hand in her hair and massaged her scalp. “You smell so good lover.” He turned her head to him gently and kissed her. “You and I fit.”

                “We do,” she said. She put her warm hand to his cool face and he closed his eyes in the pleasure of her warmth. “You and I were meant to be. I was waiting for you.”

                “I think I was too,” he said. “Do that, what you did that night when I was injured. Show me what you did.” She sat up and looked at him.

                “You want to go to sleep?” she asked.

                “Only for a little while. Then I want to wake up and make love with you again,” he said. He put his arms under her knees and around her shoulders and stood up from the awkward position he was sitting in with an inhuman grace. He carried her up to their bedroom and he laid her on the bed. She slid from the robe and got under the covers. He slid in as well and he pulled her to him. “Tell me what you did.”

                “I just began to relax and I imagined me going into the bond and curling up inside you, sort of hugging you from the inside,” she said. “And I just relaxed my breathing and imagined you healing and relaxing too.”

                “What should I do?” he asked.

                “Just be still, and try to open yourself to me in the bond. You were injured and tired and weak and I could sort of…invade you.”

 Eric kissed her gently and relaxed, as though to go into down time. She closed her eyes and pictured the bond, something like an umbilical and she began to relax and travel the bond. She was talking to him again, telling him a story, just as the last time and he could feel himself giving in to the bond and the spread of Sky’s intention to send him warmth and relaxation. He felt himself getting warmer, as though he was in a warm bath and there was a sensation, like the sensation he had when he had a good blood meal. Suddenly there was a mild sort of contraction of his lungs. But they were not his lungs, he did not breathe, then he realized he was not breathing, Sky was. She patted him gently as if to remind him to relax. The more he tried to observe what she was doing, the more difficult it was for her. He stopped observing and simply allowed it. She was deep inside him, at least her warmth was and he was being pulled deeper into that state that made him feel very like as if he was sleeping human. And just when he was about to go deepest into sleep, he felt the steady pulse of her heart and it felt as though his own heart was beating. They slept like that for nearly an hour and as they both surfaced from the intimate embrace, Eric pulled her against him and they made love once again.

Rachel rose from her bed and pulled the blankets up on Bill. He had gotten up in the night and turned up the fire and it was warm. She went to the bathroom, had a shower, and put on comfortable clothes. Rachel went downstairs and collected her mail and opened the greetings. There was a card from Sky and Eric and friends back in Baton Rouge and clients who were eager to return to their yoga and tai chi classes. She taped up the cards on the back of her door and then put on coffee. She set out sausage and eggs and chopped some chives and shredded potatoes for breakfast. She made some biscuits and put them in the oven and cooked her sausage and put it in the warmer and saved the grease for gravy. She poured herself a cup of coffee and sipped it as she waited for her biscuits to come out. Her father came down and kissed her and poured himself a cup of coffee. “Mind if I catch up on the news?” he asked.

“Go head,” she said. The biscuits came out and she went to work making the eggs and frying the potatoes in crisp patties and then making the gravy. Her mother came down. “Need help?”

“No, it is only a few minutes from being done, unless you want to grab the jelly and butter and put it on the table,” she said. Her mother did that and added the salt and pepper and hot sauce for her husband. Rachel came and served up the eggs and potatoes and her mother poured the breakfast gravy into a large gravy boat and Rachel brought the sausage and biscuits. “Dad, your breakfast is ready,” she said.

Richard came in and took the seat that would allow him to continue watching the television. Rachel was more than happy to turn her back to it. She watched the news during the week, but she felt no reason to torment herself watching the news on Christmas morning. She busied herself with breakfast and chatted with her mother and they talked about the lovely gifts they opened last night. They did not talk about the way they had been turned away from the church. Rachel would think about it some other time. She had always heard her father say church was not a social club, it was a religion and if you could not conform to the doctrine, you would have to find another church or worship at home.

After breakfast, she loaded the dishes and pots and pans except for her iron skillet into the washer. This she washed by hand and dried on a burner. When it cooled, she rubbed it with some shortening and hung it on her hook. She had seasoned this skillet herself and she was inordinately vain of it.

The caterers were at the Northman residence. They came early to set up the buffet and they were happy to see the nearly professional kitchen waiting for them. Sky didn’t have to lift a hand as they put together the treats she was serving for her human guests. Sam and Luna were coming and so was Jason and Michele. Alcide said he was stopping by presumably with a date. She thought she understood Luna when she said he was dating Kandice. Andy and Halliegh were coming as well. They had their to do at Belle Rive last night.

Khan was there, watching the caterers as they went about their work. Eric had called him and asked him to be there while Sky was in the house with strangers. She sat and watched the caterers and read through the TrueBlood cookbook. Most of it was herbal infusions and some things added that vampires could absorb like gelatin. It would be kind of fun to cook for Eric and he could sit down and eat with her at the table. He did of course have his TrueBlood at the table if she was eating at the same time but if he could have something more like a meal…then she felt bad. Was she wanting him to mimic human behavior?

She thought about him, lying up there in their bed. He had enjoyed the thing she did in the bond and she had too. She liked the way he woke up hungry for her and he made love to her. He was on one turn very gentle and slow until she was begging him then he was wild and rough and demanding.

“Mrs. Northman?” said Khan. She looked up at him and realized he had said her name more than once.

“Sorry, I was wool gathering,” she said.

“Desmond Cataliades says he has a personal letter for the Regent,” said Khan.

“He should bring it right away then,” said Sky. Khan spoke into his cell phone and then hung up.

“He will be here soon, he is coming from Bon Temps,” said Khan.

Rachel closed the door and looked at the heavy vellum envelope. She did not recognize the handwriting but she thought the wax seal was an odd touch. She took it upstairs and laid it on the bedside table. Her phone rang and she picked it up. “Hello?”

“Did Bill get a note from Desmond Cataliades?” asked Sky.

“Yeah,” she said. “There is nothing on it that says who it is from.”

“Do you think it could be from a royal?” asked Sky.

“I don’t know, it has sort of a vampire touch, with the wax seal and all,” said Rachel.

“Well, that is all I wanted to know,” said Sky. “You guys still coming?”

“You bet,” said Rachel. “We are going to bring you your presents up. You don’t have to open them in front of us or anything.”

“I have all of your presents together as well,” said Sky. “Well, I will leave this for Eric to read when he gets up.”

“Talk to you later,” said Rachel.

When Mr. Cataliades left Bill’s house, he went to Hummingbird Road and walked up to the newly restored Stackhouse home. He knocked on the door and waited to see if anyone would appear to answer it. When no one answered he looked around. He did not know if it was weakness or simply a desire to finish delivering the letters he had been given, but he did something he would not have ordinarily done. He opened the screen door and slid the letter between the screen and the door spring and closed the door. The demon lawyer stepped off briskly and got into his car and drove away. Latesta waited a few minutes and then stepped out of the growth of weeds and scrub brush and saplings which screened the cemetery from the house. He carefully and quietly stepped onto the porch, still so new you could smell the fresh high gloss and opened the screen door and retrieved the envelope. He went back into the weeds and headed for the road where he had parked his car just out of sight.

He opened the car door and sat down behind the wheel and looked at the envelope. He saw the name, Jason Stackhouse and then flipped it over and saw the wax seal. Odd thing to come to Stackhouse. Of course he was pretty chummy with those fangers who were fucking his sister. He broke open the seal and pulled out the thick paper. He opened it and scanned the letter and his mouth fell open. “Holy Fucking Shit!!!”

Bill woke just as Rachel was coming out of the shower. “Mr. Cataliades brought you a letter,” she said, pointing at the envelope. He picked it up and looked at the writing on it.

“Sweetheart, come and lie down here with me for a minute,” he said. She went over and scooted over next to him. He pulled her against him and he looked at her. “This letter is from Sookie Stackhouse.”

“What?” said Rachel. “Is she back?”

“No, no darling, she has managed to get a letter to us through Mr. Cataliades,” said Bill. “I want you to read it with me.”

“It’s you letter Bill,” said Rachel. “You don’t have to share it with me.”

“But I do, we are about to be married, and I want you to be confident in the fact you are all that matters to me. This is not a threat to you. She can’t come back into my life,” said Bill. “In fact, I am going to ask Mr. Cataliades to not deliver anymore letters from her to me.”

“Are you going to write her back?” she asked.

“No, I will just be happy to know she is safe and sound and then I want to know nothing more of her,” said Bill. “You are all I want and you are all I want to know about.” Bill broke the seal of the envelope.

Dear Bill,

Great Grandfather says this is one of the few times I can get a message to you. I just wanted to tell you than I am fine and I made it. I had mine and Preston’s baby. I named her Claudine Adele. She is a healthy strong girl.

I know a little about you guys, from Mr. Cataliades. He says Eric is the regent of Louisiana and you are his second in command. He also told me Bubba met the true death the night I went through. I am really sorry to hear that.

I also know Eric got married to Sky. And I know you and Rachel are about to be married. I got married too, to Preston and we live in the sweetest little house. Right out of a fairy tale. Hunter doesn’t really remember a lot about Bon Temps. He does not seem to remember Eric is a vampire.

I sometimes dream of you and Eric and Bon Temps. I hope you are happy.

Yours,

Sookie Pardloe

                Bill closed the letter. “That’s all I needed to know,” said Bill.  “I just wanted to know she was safe and free over there.” He put the letter in the envelope and got up and put the letter in the fire.

                “You read it lover,” said Eric. “If there is something important in it, tell me.” He got up naked from the bed and walked to the fireplace and turned up the flame a little. He picked up his phone and checked his messages.  Sky looked at the envelope.

                “I think you should at least read it, Eric,” said Sky. He was looking at his phone and flicking through the texts.

                “Read it Sky,” he said. “Tell me if she and the child are safe.”

                “Eric Northman, you come here and read your own damned letter,” she said, tossing it on the bed. He went to stand at the foot of the bed.

                “Sky, do you know what this letter means to me?” Sky looked at him and shook her head. “This letter just tells me Sookie is where she needs to be. If she is unhappy, there is nothing I can do for her. If she is in trouble, there is nothing I can do for her. Read the letter and tell me what she says. I will call Desmond and tell him I am not interested in hearing from her again.”

                “Eric, it does not bother me she has written you,” said Sky. “Read her letter.” Eric’s mouth was in a grim line. He broke the seal and his eyes zipped along the sentences and in a few seconds he had read it and tossed it back on the bed.

                “She is safe, she has had her child and it is healthy. The boy is fine and she is married,” said Eric. “Now I know and I don’t have to hear from her anymore.”

                “Eric…” said Sky.

                “Are you going to come and have a shower and make love to me before our guests arrive or are you going to brood over that woman’s letter?” he asked.

                “Eric, you had a blood bond with her, you married her by vampire ritual. Is that all you are going to say about her letter?” asked Sky.

                “Sky…Sookie never cared about the blood bond, she hated it. She never took our marriage seriously, she thought it was bull shit. She didn’t love me and in the end, she didn’t want me, she chose someone else over me,” said Eric.

                “What are you talking about? You divorced her to marry someone else,” said Sky. Eric sat down on the bed.

                “Sookie was given a powerful magical object. She could have used it to save us, to save our relationship, and instead she used it to save another man. She broke the bond with me, and she judged me. I was always less than a person to her. She never thought about my feelings. She always thought I didn’t or couldn’t feel,” said Eric. “Now you want me to feel something for her and I don’t. I don’t love her anymore. Everything I ever felt, I gave it to you. Do you think Sookie ever played with the bond, she never explored how to be closer to me through it. She never liked to feel me inside her, except for my prick. But you come inside me and you are closer to me than when we make love. Do you know how incredible that is for me? How frightening that is for me? To feel your warmth and your life inside me? How could I care for her?”

                “I just want you to have, I don’t know, closure,” she said.

                “I have closure. I gained closure when you became mine,” he said.

                The Regent of Louisiana’s house was lit up and festive and Eric was relaxed and in his element. He was gregarious and friendly and at ease. The caterers were busy at the bar, pouring wine and Royalty and Imperial and opening bottles of beer. Everyone exclaimed over the house and the beautiful tree and the gracious atmosphere of the house Eric built for his new life. He watched Sky, being a wonderful hostess, tall and strong and with her mass of red curls and her beautiful smile. She was intelligent, passionate, and compassionate. Eric could claim no such compassion for others. He knew Sookie always wanted that from him, and he suspected Sky would like it if he did, but she did not make him feel less if he struggled with it.

                He was approached by Bill Compton. He still had very little feelings for the vampire approaching him but now he did not hate him. He was a trusted associate, his second in command and he knew Bill would have his back and protect him in a fight. Eric would need all the help he could get to pull off this coup.

                “Did you get a letter from Sookie?” asked Bill. Eric nodded.

                “I am satisfied she is safe and well. I want no more contact with her,” said Eric, sipping the blood.

                “I have decided the same,” said Bill. “Rachel does not ask it of me, but that is what I want.”

                “Sky had to force me to read her letter,” said Eric. “I read it and threw it on the fire.” Bill nodded.

                “The fae are what they are Eric. They are as inconstant as we are accused of being, they are best suited to their own kind,” said Bill. Eric nodded.

                “Your bride, is she ready for her wedding?” asked Eric.

                “She is, we are both ready to marry,” he said.

                “I look forward to doing the ceremony,” said Eric. “This is my first Yule in….I cannot remember. I may have been human.”

                “It is the first for me since just before the war,” said Bill.  

                “Merry Christmas Bill,” said Eric.

                “Happy Yuletide Eric.”