The characters of the Southern Vampire Mysteries belong to Miss Charlaine Harris. No infringement on my part is intended. The characters on True Blood belong to Mr. Alan Ball. No infringement on my part is intended.
I have no BETA, editor, or other such charming person. All mistakes are my own. This Story is rated M.
Believe—A Christmas Story
There were a couple of rules you lived by…no matter who you were. Eric knew from experience that when you thought the water was deep and still, always look for the currents that could pull you under and drown your trusting ass! Or, you thought to take a lover under a full moon, chances were good a Were would show up and scare the hard on out of you and make off with the girl.
“If I only knew then what I know now,” he rolled his eyes thinking about past fuck ups and unfucks. “All things in retrospect. But this still holds true, shit just stinks and Were shit stinks most of all,” was hissed as the thousand year old once-upon-a-time unflappable vampire tossed another log onto the flame.
Being nostalgic…it did not sit well on him and he was deep in thought and maybe there was an echo of regret. He had walked away from his Fae heritage when his beloved mother had died. Then his beloved grand mother passed. With her dying breaths, she had sliced open her hand and then his and bled out a back-to-the-beginning-of-time fucking long line of women’s magic into him.
“Mo fo’n,” he hissed as smoke rings came out of his mouth. Watching them float in the air and link, creating a chain, he blew another smoke ring that turned into a longboat and anchored to the chain. “Mo’ fo’n,” he hissed at it and the smoke winked out.
Apparently one of his ancient female ancestors was not at all embarrassed about having sex with a dragon.
“Good on you, o’ ancient wise woman. Who am I to deny you a good time and pass judgment on whom you invite to your bed?
Because I am no better,” he chuckled and then actually felt self-conscious. There were one or two, and to this day he was still not for sure just exactly what they were, he was embarrassed to admit, he had fucked. And after meeting O.I., he could sympathize with those that had wanted to get into bed with him, no matter what they were. Dragon blood made you charming, handsome, and you reeked of magic. The deep and mysterious kind that promised…well…just promised. And the lady fair could find in your eyes an-oh-so-subtle understanding of what her day had been like. All packaged in I-can-shift-to-whatever-form-you-want and fuck your brains out.
“But trust me,” he said to those wise women ancestors who had gone on before him, “everyone wants the original dragon bad-boy form because this gives them bragging rights.
Bragging rights. Well yes, have some,” he rolled his eyes and made the sign for the evil eye. “After my mother died, my fae father left, hauling his ass off to grieve and plot revenge leaving me in charge of the village. Did I want to be in charge of the village…fuck no! But that did not matter. Here new clan chieftain, let your day be eaten away by all those who want to moan and cry and complain. Fuck…that was not an honor and those were bragging rights I did not need. Fuck…” he hissed and then willed himself to relax and relive those days.
“And because of my warrior skills and dragon blood ways I warred, lived, fucked, was mortally wounded on the battlefield and as I lay dying, was made vampire.
Fucking fae-ness,” he growled as he thought back on early days with Godric. Godric trying to understand and would just nod and then ask more questions Eric did not want to answer.
Then there was O.I. tracking him down and his father reappearing, wanting him to engage in a civil war! Unfortunately, Samuel had been in residence and O.I., the little lying bastard, could be very charming and talk reams of bullshit and poetry with just enough truth thrown in to keep you coming back for more.
“Fuck…” Eric sighed as he watched the flames. “No one here to blame, Erikr Sookiehawk, but yourself…” he growled again, this time making a face…his phone chimed… “Fucking perfect….!” It was his lower than Were shit queen. “Now she is worthy of me using my fae-ness and calling down the harpies and have them cover her residence in their shit.”
There it was! The world should stop and all hail her mighty and merciful wise words! Rolling his eyes he read the message:
Was he available? Was Sookie available? “Available for what?” he snarled as he glared at the note.
“She is in the midst of their holy days. I will have to get back to you,” he sent off.
“Fuck me running,” he closed his eyes and took in a deep breath. “Sookie…” Sookie who was Fae and if she was willing could be Sookie, mother of his child. Which meant she would be Sookie Northman…or in the land of the Fae, Princess Sookie Sookiehawk. Because with the promise of a child came the promise of a ring, vows, and the promise of forever after. That was who he was. No way in hell was his child or the mother of his child walking around without his name. Not ever.
“Sookie? Where the fuck do I even start?” he pushed back into his chair and watched the flames. “Well, actually, that is fairly simple. Start with that lying bitch, Etty, her fairy godmother. Time to do the meet and greet. And see just how forth coming she has been with Sookie. If I think just one something is out or place, Etty the fairy godmother will be Etty of the Living Death. Go O.I.”
The Living Death…that thought made him chuckle. The one that had betrayed his mother, that piece of Were shit was screaming her head off in the Ice Mountains of Endless Dreams. That was the one time as an adult he had willingly gone to the Land of the Two Blue Moons. To see fae justice served out on to the one who had killed her queen…and his mother.
He wiped at the tears that were forming in his eyes.
“Come on sunrise…get me past this and onto the new dark.” When he woke it would be Thanksgiving. Sookie would take the day to be with her family and friends. That was good. They had waited a lifetime to have this type of occasion. To be able to feed their loved ones with no holds barred.
Perhaps around ten in the old dark he would call her.
Or….
She had to be up at two to put in the turkey…”I could just send her a text and see if she is up…” he mused.
At five until two off went the text: Wish to see you with the new dark. Is that convenient? And within seconds, one came right back to him.
Yes, perfect. What time?
How about ten? Your guest should be gone?
Yes! Perfect. See you then!
“Perfect,” he grinned. “I shall go to my day rest and when I rise it will give me time to get caught up on the news and then I shall see Miss Stackhouse where we will really exchange some news.”
Er-erikr Sookiehawk sat at his desk, facing the fire. There had been some gut wrenching decisions made in this room, and not just by him, but by all of those who had ruled before him.
O.I., the King of the Dragons, sat with him. No words were exchanged. There did not need to be. Just O.I.’s presence alone was enough to tell him that the king of the dragons smelled trouble and was awaiting his marching, burning, and living death orders.
“O.I.,” Er-erikr began, his eyes making contact with the crystalline purple ones that now stared into his own. “Erikr will fish this out.”
“O’ my King,” the small dragon bowed, “I doubt not. But there are even big fish, my king, who will keep to the shallows just not to be eaten by the bigger fish.”
The king of the fae, frowned. “I know you are not politely trying to pin that reference on my son,” he glared at O.I. “We both know he is not a coward. He proved that during the war. Reckless perhaps but not fool hearty.
But in my heart, I need to know, O.I., that he is capable of asking the hard questions and striking against any that would threaten him or his.”
The small dragon watched his king. Hard decisions. Well yes…this king was famous for them. Had plunged them into civil war to make his point. And when he walked through those left standing, he was given a rousing cheer.
“He has walked as vampire for an age, my king. That speaks much to what he knows he must do to survive. I know we are staying low key but what do you know of Etty?” he asked, blowing smoke rings in the shape of a crown while carefully keeping his face masked.
“Low key?” the king snorted. “Do I have a choice?” he mumbled. If he could, he would personally hang each and every fairy godmother by her ears and poke out their eyes with his thumbs but not even he could justify that. So he bided his time. “Right,” his eyes held the dragons. “Low key. That is the royal position for there is not another. The fairy god mothers are clannish and suspicious. They know what needs to be done in regards to their jobs. I do not interfere. Do I know this Etty, personally? No. Should I take an interest now? No. That is now Erikr’s job. In my heart, I am believing that he shall be all that I expect him to be.
Besides, if those that bless the babes are planning something and I interfere now, this will haunt us the rest of our days.”
“Then we shall trust the crown prince to be ruthless,” O.I. chuckled. “And pardon the expression, cold blooded.”
“Well, for starters,” the older man nodded with a small grin. “Then proceed from there. If he is serious about this young woman, then the two blue moons will not stop him from doing what he believes to be right. The light in his spark will drive him and empower him.”
“Mo’ fo’n,” O.I. nodded. “I hopes this Etty is not lyin’ to the light or Miss Sookie.” O.I.’s eyes took on a shimmer. He could feel his saliva beginning to change, to prep him for bestowing the living death.
“Low key, I hears the words, my king. But low key does not means completely hands off. Yous been lookin? Do we knows what house Etty is descended from?”
The king of the fae made a face and glared. “O.I. I am doing my best to be hands off.” He shook off his angst and continued.
“So, no. But for Etty to be able to locate Sookie, they must be from the same house. Before too long, I am sure Erikr will know.”
O.I. said nothing, just sat and stared at his king.
“Listen, Lord of Thunder,” Er-erikr finally gave up the staring contest and sighed. “I am not going to interfere with Erikr’s life. He told me not too. Told me…in a loud rude voice…and I am his father and his king!” The older man’s voice rose several octaves. “And he told me! You were there when he voiced his discontent.” Shouting he continued on. “As in stay the fuck out of my life, spit in my face with his fangs down and his hair on fire.”
“Saws that I did,” O.I. nodded. “Was mo’ fo’n scary.”
“Yes,” Er-erikr nodded, reason returning. He hated to admit it, but that was some of the best advice he had ever been given in his lifetime. “That dragon blood of his does surface from time-to-time. All of the wise women of our clan that passed him his dragon magic would have been proud of him that day. It just terrified me. Too many lethal combinations mixed into him. With respect to the spark, why would The Light allow that?” he said crossing his eyes and shaking his head.
Then he was back to being all business. The set of his shoulders said his king of the righteous mind was back. “So I will abide by his wishes until he asks me to do something different.”
O.I. was watching his king. That Er-erikr had produced an heir should just terrify the harpy shits out of everyone. And apparently, his half-ling heir was far scarier than a full blown fae. “If my mo’ fo’n prince is a-n-y-t-h-i-n-g,” he drew out the word, long and breathy and filled with smoke, “likes his proud poppa, coulds be too late when he sends the words outs for help. And if its too lates there, we just might be under sieges here. And busy ourselves blowin’ unrighteous harpy shits-for brains up!”
“What are you thinking?” Er-erikr asked.
“So, can’ts be putting our noses here and theres into the crown prince’s biz. Or pokin’ rounds abouts and makin’ suggestions that might be needed but not wanted. So, howze abouts Plan B. That would be me settlin’ in about Miss Sookie’s neck. Who would think to take on the King of the Dragons? The Lord of Thunder himselves and Star Namer to the Light? It would takes some mo’ fo’n drug addled fae squatters and runners from the light, that’s who. And I gots no problems flamin’ their nasty asses. Or anyone else’s that poses a threat. ”
“You charming rascal,” the king of the fae laughed out loud. “That just might work.”
Upon rising and smelling the turkey, pumpkin pie, and pancakes and bacon, Sookie looked skyward and said, “For Eric Northman, I am grateful! Time to haul my ass out of bed and get stared!”
It was a grand day! Gran had made pies that sat proudly on the table. There were one or two divots missing from one of the pumpkin. Looked like someone had perhaps run their fingertip around the edge of it for a small taste!
The house was full of wonderful smells and friends and Maxine was coming in the door with another side dish! Looking around, Sookie realized that she, Jason, Lafayette and Tara, who had come home for the weekend, were the youngest ones there.
The rest were Gran’s friends. All of them single, their spouse having passed on and had left them to face the holidays and the rest of their life, by themselves. But not this Thanksgiving! No sir! They were all sitting down and giving thanks!
And tonight, Eric would be here and things in her life would get sorted out. Fairy…well…okay. Gran was a bit hopeful. Etty had hinted that sometimes half-lings were able to find their way by mistake to the Land of the Two Blue Moons. That maybe Earl was there and knowing this, maybe he could be located. There was not much hope, she had clearly stressed, but maybe…
That information had been left hanging in the air. So there was a bit of a lilt to Gran’s laugh today and a lightness in her step. There was the hope of seeing her husband, again. Hope…Gran had it. Sookie just did not know if she did.
After saying grace, the meal commenced. And the meal was grand! They toasted those who had gone on before them and spoke of the love they had for each other. Cancer survivors were congratulated and a glass raised. Great grand babies were saluted and anyone who had a reason to be thankful raised their glass and often with a teary voice, blessed this day and those under this roof.
At the end of the day, the food was divided up and sent home, Gran pshaw-ing all those that did not want to take from their kitchen.
“Had a bumper crop of pecans this year,” she would hug them and hold them close. “Sookie and I are doing fine. More than fine. There is a new roof in our future so you just say thank you for the wonderful day and I will enjoy these leftovers for breakfast,” she said grinning hugely as she walked them out to their car.
When the last person had left, Tara, Lafayette and Sookie began cleaning up the kitchen.
“Shame Jason was too good to come and sit down with us,” Tara snarked while she washed the roasting pan.
“Yes,” Lafayette shook his head, “gots a new girl he is tryin’s his best to de-pantie. Was braggin’s ‘bouts sittin’ down with her folks, today. Showin’ his church goin’ side. Hopin’ that woulds do the trick.”
“Church goin’ side?” Sookie’s voice held distaste. “Since when? Since never. He’s usin’ God to get this girl into bed?” her voice held a bit of horror. “Just how well do you think that is gonna’ end?”
“In hell,” Lafayette nodded his head as he dried plates and put them away. “Maybe he does the deed and maybes not. But at the end of this here path we alls walks, there sits our hallelujah bringer and all His angels. That boy will be havin’ himself a face-to-face and ‘splain’ his fucked up ways.”
“Coal shoveler in hell,” Sookie nodded.
“Or somebody’s bitch,” Tara whispered.
“Most likely,” Lafayette nodded. “The Big Man’s himself says your reaps what you sows. Wonder’s if they gots lube in hell and mighty glad I’ll never have to find out.”
“Amen,” they all three said at the same time and continued on with cleaning.
“Sookie,” Gran smiled at her when she came into the kitchen. “Look who has stopped by!”
“Etty,” Sookie smiled at her. “Can I get you somethin’?”
“No thank you,” the fae smiled at her as she looked around the kitchen. “I had some time, I just wondered if you would like to sit and chat…I did not realize you had company.”
“This is Lafayette and Tara, our family,” she said.
“That’s right,” Tara faced the woman and felt something like remorse flood her. She had the urge to get her jacket and leave. “Not in this fucking lifetime,” Tara thought as she poured herself another cup of coffee. When she picked up the cup and inhaled, the feeling was gone and I will kick your ass Tara was back. Smiling, she then cut her eyes to Sookie with who the fuck is she?…all over her face.
“And this is Lafayette,” Sookie noted the expression on Tara’s face and then did a reevaluation of the situation when Lafayette did not extend his hand to shake Etty’s, just nodded his head in her general direction, instead.
“Lafayette, here,” Tara put her hand on his arm, “have a cup of coffee. I think we deserve another slice of pie.”
Sookie nodded in agreement. “Gran, you want another piece of pie?”
“I did not have any of the pumpkin,” her voice sounded wistful and trailed off on a sad note as she looked at the pie on the counter and then looked at Etty.
Sookie took note. Gran loved pie. And there she stood, like she could not decided if she wanted any or not.
“Gran,” Tara smiled at her, “let me pour you a cup of coffee, cut you a piece of pie, and we can all sit down and give thanks for being family.”
“I’d like that,” she nodded when the coffee was handed to her. “I was hoping Etty was bringing news about Earl.”
“Adele,” Etty took a step toward the older woman. “We should not be discussing this in front of…” she had to choose her words carefully. No one else was to know that she was fae. Secrecy was an important part of being from the Land of the Two Blue Moons.
“We are family,” Sookie took a step forward. “We have no secrets from Tara and Lafayette.”
“Besides, she has news about Grandpa Earl?” Tara was passing out forks and napkins as folks started toward the living room. “Look,” Tara was shaking her head at Etty. “I don’t know you. And Grandpa has been gone for decades. It would be great if you had news of him, but if you are running a scam on my Gran, I will kick your ass.”
“Mo’ fo’n right,” Lafayette replied. “So’s you can either sits and has pie, or sits and not has pie. But if you have news, we are listen’ in and passin’ judgments on you, your sources and whatever else yous is bringin’ into this blessed household. Cause if it is bullshits,” he said raising his finger and pointing at her, “we are shovelin’ it and you right on outs of here,” he said with a snap of his fingers and an arched eyebrow.
“So’s, a toast,” Lafayette raised his cup of coffee and the rest did the same. “To the truths, to the righteous lives of the saints, and to the those who deserves the livin’ deaths. Which is like makin’ it through the livin’ shits, only worse!”
“What?” Etty shrieked.
“What?” they all replied looking confused as a bit of wildness covered her face.
“Oh…nothing,” her smooth composure was back. “I…I just had a moment,” she said smiling. “I have had the living shits…not pleasant and it brought back memories.
Why, I do believe I will have a piece of pie, no coffee though,” she said as she took Adele by the arm and led her out of the kitchen.
“Comin’ right up,” Sookie said as she turned back into the kitchen, mouthed “What the fuck!” at both of her friends and motioned with her head for them to follow.
Lafayette and Tara listened as Etty told her story. With each word she spoke, Sookie noticed, wisps of what could only be fog appeared.
From time-to-time would one of them would nod and say, “Cover your ears, Gran…now that explains some fucked up shit.”
“Jason,” Tara was sadly shaking her head. “Fae certainly explains his fucked up shit. Sorry Gran,” she gave the older woman a small smile. “I know you love him and a part of me does also…but lordy…there is some fucked up shit.”
“Yes,” Etty smiled sadly. “He is the perfect example why the fae should not have mated with humans. We should have stayed home, but we did not. And here we are today.”
“Any…any thing about Earl?” she asked.
“Nothing yet,” Etty shook her head and looked very sad. “But do not give up. With his abilities and fae aptitude, he could be anywhere in the realm. I continue to ask discretely about anything that seems odd, out of place or if anyone has noticed anything gone missing. He could have easily survived by helping himself to things that we just leave scattered about. The forests and streams could provide enough for him to live out his days. And because our time moves differently then yours…” eagerly she nodded, “why yes, he could still be alive.”
Sookie had another drink of coffee and could see the fog disappearing in the room. After she drank, then Lafayette raised his cup to his lips and then Tara picked up a crumb off her plate and had a drink as well.
Gran, who was sitting next to Etty, seemed to be the only one who was not drinking her coffee. Time to change that.
“Gran, let me warm up your coffee,” Sookie smiled at her as she walked over to the older woman, took her cup and headed to the kitchen.
“God bless Tara and Lafayette,” she whispered to herself as she heard them grilling the fae who was politely bouncing their questions back to them in the form of another question.
Lafayette called her on that shit. “How’s abouts just a yes ma’am or no sir,” and she could hear him rolling his eyes. “His La La Fineness says you’s is speakin’ and sayin’ nothin’.” Lafayette had spend two years at Tulane with a debate scholarship and was pre-law. Nothing got past him, especially when it came to his family.
“Fair enough,” she heard her reply. There was a moment of silence and then Etty began a history lesson. Which had nothing to do with the question that was asked but Sookie had to give her credit. That fae was walking through the minefield that was Lafayette’s brain and… there was a knock at the kitchen door.
“Eric,” she grinned when she opened it. “You are early.”
“Is that a problem?” he asked.
“Oh no, just the best,” she reached up and hugged him.
“Don’t stop,” he said as he ran his hands through her hair and inhaled her. “I told myself it was a lesson in patience if I waited but then I said I don’t need a lesson in patience. I just wanted to see you…touch you…kiss you.”
Sookie raised her face to his. He tentatively licked her lower lip and then lightly kissed her mouth.
“I realize you have company. I can wait outside if you want until they are gone.”
“No,” came out of her mouth a bit too abruptly. “I mean, no and no,” she softened her voice and snuggled in closer her eyes still holding his. “Besides,” she said pulling back a bit. “I want you to meet her. That is Etty, my fairy godmother and something is just not right about her. It is like she…she has a glamour thing…and can fog the room and your brain. And interestingly enough, if you are drinkin’ coffee, it breaks the spell…or somethin’ like that. She has been tryin’ to bullshit Lafayette. He just takes a sip of the black brew and lets her have it…both barrels.”
“Good to know,” Eric kissed her lightly on the lips. “You can make the introductions. Between all of us, perhaps we can ferret this out.”
Eric could hear the bullshit…the history of the fae houses…only she was not specifically naming anything. Just this and that and tra-la-la-la-la. In the midst of all of that worthless nonsense, she was laying down a spell. And not a very good one. Fairy godmothers should stick to what they know…which was blessing babies.
When Sookie and Eric entered, it was noticed by all that they were holding hands.
Eric casually swept the room. He did not grin. Etty’s jaw just dropped open, causing her to hesitate in her telling of this tall tale and then started coughing up glitter!
Possible not noticeable to the humans, but to the half-ling vampire, it was all in slow motion and lasted for minutes.
“Hey everyone. This is Eric. Eric Northman. I know you have heard me talk about him. I am very pleased to be able to finally introduce you.
Eric, this is my gran, Adele Stackhouse. My brother Lafayette Reynolds and my sister Tara Mae Thornton, who is also Lafayette’s cousin.”
“Please to meet you,” he said as he approached Gran. “Miss Adele,” he picked up her hand and kissed it. “Tara, a pleasure,” he said bowing to her. “And Lafayette,” he said with another bow. “A real pleasure. And who,” he turned and looked at Etty, “is this?”
“That is my fairy godmother, the one I have been telling you about,” she replied as they both sat down on the couch, still holding hands, everyone noticed. And even Etty this time.
“What?” the fae looked startled. “You told him about me? Sookie, I was to be a secret. Not someone who is chatted about on social media.”
“I don’t have a social media account,” she replied, “and Eric is special to me. I have no secrets from him…none,” she said with a little heat in her voice.
“He knows you are a telepath?” her voice sounded shocked.
“And he also knows I am a half-ling,” she countered.
“Sookie,” she looked aghast. “Seriously,” her voice became soft and smooth, “the more people that know, the more dangerous your situation becomes. I am truly concerned for your safety! What happens when you two break up? In a fit of hurt male ego, will he post your status on his social media account?” Turning her gaze on Eric, he could feel the slight push of what Sookie had called the fog, at him.
Etty’s gaze deepened. Eric laughed as he held her gaze, pushing his will at her. It was not long before she was once more coughing up glitter.
Laughing he released his hold on her. “Your bullshit lacks staying power,” Eric said sadly shaking his head. “You must be young.”
“Young,” she narrowed her eyes at him and then regained her composure. “They do not grant fairy god mother status to young ones whose job it is to shepherd the half-lings here. And shepherd Sookie I have,” she smiled sweetly at Gran. “All of her days, I have walked unseen beside her.”
“Really?” Sookie spoke up. “You stood by and watched while my uncle molested me as a little girl?” There was shock and horror in her voice.
“I…” the fae hesitated a moment too long. “We do not interfere.”
“You are interfering now,” Eric replied.
“Mo fo’n,” Lafayette was shaking his head, disgust in his voice, “and yous do not lie very well. I doubts the truths ever leaves your lips.”
“Nicely put,” Eric smiled at Lafayette.
“His La La Fineness thanksyouverymuch,” he said with a grin.
“So what are you doing here?” Eric asked as the human likeness Etty was sporting fell away and there sat a fae. Complete with pointed ears and tiny wings.
“She is a half-ling. She has come into her spark. I am here to evaluate her abilities.”
Lafayette clucked his tongue. “So’s you aint’s here to spread a lifetime of joyous star dust upon our girl, you’s is just here to take a lick off the sweet and pure ice cream cone and report back in on the flavor of the month. That is some unrighteous shit,” Lafayette hissed, pointing his finger at her.
“It is not for you to judge me,” she replied haughtily. “I am a fairy godmother. I come and go as I please and bring blessings or cursings to those that I will. This half-ling should be honored that I passed this way at all.”
“Half-ling…” Sookie nodded her head.
Eric felt her squeeze his hand, transferring a bit of her disgruntled self to him. Either Etty really was that arrogant or was exceedingly young…or perhaps both. Not that it now mattered. She had just stepped in it.
It was easy to judge the room. No one was impressed with how this was going. Whatever Etty’s marching orders had been, she was not going to win back this crowd. Judging from Gran’s face, she was the only one who has still holding onto hope…Lafayette started to say something and there was a knock at the door. For a moment Eric thought it might be Pam who was tired of listening at one of the windows. His child did so love a front row seat to the entertainment.
“I’ll get it,” Sookie said standing. As she started for the door, the fog was back.
“Sookie,” came Etty’s voice carrying on the quiet of the wisps of hazy confusion moving slowly through the room, “we need to finish this conversation. Who ever is at the door, perhaps you should tell them to come back at a latter time.”
Etty had turned her attention to Gran. Being grandiose in her plans for looking for Earl.
Looking out the window, a huge grin covered her face. There is the warm glow of the porch light was one of the most exquisite things she had ever seen! Opening the door, there was a small dragon fluttering in the air who was smiling at her and waving like crazy!
“Most beautifuls and preciouses of the Realm of the Two Blue Moons and the Land of the Cold Moon. I am most pleased to make your acquaintance o’ fair and favored one. My name is O.I. and I am a friend of Eric’s and I tracked him here.”
“Awwww Eric,” she looked from the small dragon, over to Eric and then back to O.I. and then back to Eric. “Someone is here to see you.”
“If it is Pamela, do not invite her in and send her on her way,” he replied as he listened to Lafayette re-engage in the conversation.
“Definitely not Pam,” Sookie smiled.
O.I. vigorously shook his head no. “Not Pam!” he mouthed.
Eric came to the door and stopped. “I have seen many things, o’ wind rider, and thought I could never be surprised again. But I must say, if it were not so unbecoming, my lower jaw would drop to the floor.”
“Beens an age and an age since I traveled the Land of the Cold Moon. Seein’s you, got me to thinkin’ on this and that and I always loves me a good brawl and Eric, well, good brawls just follows him around and around,” he winked at Sookie. “And sometimes, that brawl has background music. Last time it was what, the harpies singing?”
Eric chuckled.
“I need some guidance. I don’t know dragons. Should I invite him in?” Sookie asked.
“I wouldn’t,” Eric countered with a grin. “He is charming, elegant, beautiful and shovels poetry and bullshit mixed in with truth and perhaps side stepped truths.”
O.I. had a shocked expression on his face with both paws clasped over his heart.
“But,” Eric stressed, “another set of eyes on this situation might be of help.”
O.I. wiggled his eyebrows. “This one heres,” he smiled at Eric, “ just mights knows what I am abouts,” he chuckled.
“Please come in,” Sookie smiled.
“Sookie,” came Etty’s voice, “please…Gran wants to believe that her Earl is still alive. I would think you would want this as well. Send whoever it is away and come join us.”
“Mo’ fo’n,” O.I. chuckled as he blew out a nearly invisible stream of fire and burned the mists, away. “Who is tryin’ to wrap this here room in her bad magics?”
“One of the Sky fae,” Eric said to Sookie. His attention was now on Etty. “Sookie, you are descended from the Sky Fae clan. As is your fairy godmother.”
“What?” the fairy screeched, now her teeth were pointed. “You cannot know that! And…and…no dragon can walk here. I have this. I am her fairy godmother. No one,” she stressed, fighting for control of her emotions, “of the realm should be in attendance! Especially a male fae,” she pointed her long, bony finger at Eric. “You are obviously of the Sookiehawk house. Er-erikr’s sister, that whore, whelped you in the Endless Dreams of the Ice Mountains where we could not find you” she hissed at him. “Don’t think I won’t report this,” she threatened. “Don’t think you won’t be banished to the Realm of the Cold Moon for the rest of your days! Spy Fornicator! Spy Gypsy! You will be homeless!
I have passed this way for a reason. You can tell our king that the fairy godmothers do not take kindly to being investigated!”
“Well,” Eric and Sookie sat back onto the couch and he brought Sookie’s hand up for a kiss. “This half-ling,” he pointed to himself, “is not at all pleased that you passed this way at all. My mother Gretta was a half-ling and I deeply regretted that her fairy godmother passed her way,” there was death in his voice. “And if one more foul word leaves your mouth I shall rip out your tongue.”
Etty had a moment. Then maybe she had another moment…then swallowed and clasped both hands in her lap.
Eric laughed out loud. “Well yes, I do look exactly like a younger version of your king. And it is not because he is my uncle.”
That thought settled around her face like a shroud. Her complexion now resembled grave rot while she wished for anything but to be here. Lies, the stench of harpy shit, and betrayal. All of it shoveled onto her!
For a moment, there was terror! “No,” she said shaking her head. “You are mistaken. You resemble no one that I know. And especially not my king.”
“Really,” came out in a low growl. “My mother used to tell me I looked exactly like my father, your king,” he said with a slight bow to his head.
“O.I.,” Eric’s gaze never left Etty’s. “What say you? You sit is audience daily with Er-erikr Sookiehawk, King of the Realm of the Two Blue Moons.”
“Mo’ fo’n my prince, yous is a ringer. A younger ringer,” O.I. nodded with the look of a sage about him, “but yous looks just like him,” his voice was full of wisdom and rightness with a bit of kiss my ass you mo’ fo’n fairy godmother bitch thrown in.
“You died at birth,” Etty whispered. “They told me you died at birth!” she screeched.
“Apparently our prince, he did not, just say’n,” O.I. grinned. “So you needs to be recordin’ that’s fact in your baby name’m lullaby book. However, Saisy’ll, she who screams in the Endless Dreams of the Ice Mountains, she knew that,” O.I. licked his fangs. “She knew it and so did one hundred other godmothers of the Sky clan. Can’t be speakin’s how many knows it now,” he smiled and wiggled his eyebrows. “Durin’ the war, they went to greet the Light, along with other houses who thoughts they were more than the Light. Our king,” O.I. said with pride, “brought justice to those who raised their might and magic against our queen!” O.I. roared out, flames dancing around his head.
“That’s not the truth,” she hissed at him. “Those are lies recorded by the dragons so they could destroy at will!”
“Sorry,” Eric said looking around the room. “Dearest Sookie’s family, it is rude of us to discuss events of which you have no knowledge.
Saisy’ll,” Eric began slowly, “she befriended my mother. She was her fairy godmother. I grew up with Saisy’ll in and about our home, our village. It was not unusual to see her helping my mother in the garden or hunting for eggs. Or helping her with whatever task my mother was about.
When I turned ten, the murdering bitch,” Eric’s fury spewed out into the room. “She poisoned my mother! Since my mother was a half-ling and was descended from dragon’s blood, it took her a long time to die. And it was awful and agonizing,” Eric’s voice was hard, but you could see the love in his eyes for the woman who had given him birth. “My grandmother doing what she could to ease her pain, my father raging and grieving as his wife, mother to his child, and his lover, wasted away; coughing up blood, choking on her own spit because she could not swallow, tumors covering her back so she could no lie back and find ease for her breathing.”
“Found the dragon I did,” O.I.’s eyes held death, “who offered up his spit and blood for the murdering bitch to use against our queen.”
Lafayette, Tara and Sookie all turned and looked at Gran and then the fairy that sat beside her.
“They are treacherous and not to be trusted,” Eric wiped the tears from his eyes. “They believe in race purity. Which makes hunting half-lings sport for them.”
Dear Readers,
A very small gift from me to you!
I was hoping to get to Christmas in the story. Apparently not.
So there will be more chapter(s) to Believe.
A very, merry Christmas to you and yours.
And the very best in the New Year to come.
May God bless you and keep you and pour out His love and mercy on you.
As always, thanks for reading!
Be blessed and be the blessing,
CES
- I am sure mistakes abound….but I want to get this posted.
On to 2018!
Royality gets to be royality because your flame is the biggest you just kill the completion and crown yourself…
.”