The Far Reach (Southern Vampire Mystery)

Chapter 1 - Riding at Anchor

Eric walked with purpose into the pool house. In three strides he was through the porch; in four strides he was through the living area; in two strides he was in front of the telepath and on his knees so he could be at her eye level.

"What happened this time, älskare?" he asked. Eric scanned her pale face. At least she had the grace not to shrug and deny she was injured. But then again, with the way her shoulder was bulging she probably couldn't shrug. He found himself sighing. "I don't suppose I need to ask how you dislocated your shoulder. Would you like me to fix it or do you want me to call a doctor?" he asked.

"Fix it," Sookie gritted out between clenched teeth.

Eric leaned forward, placing his own shoulder against her injured side preparing to use his own leverage to slip the limb back into place. But before he made any further move he whispered in her ear, "Blocking your feelings from me is not worthy of you. You make me worry unnecessarily." When Sookie didn't respond he grabbed her forearm in one hand and positioned his other hand in front of her clavicle and twisted. He knew that the swift movement was painful but she had been ready. She still managed to mute the feelings that flowed across the tie between them which made Eric Northman feel real fears.

Eric kept his head beside hers. He rubbed her shoulder as he held her arm at an angle across her chest. "I love you, Sookie," he whispered. "I love you more than myself and you are safe." It had become a mantra between them.

It had been three weeks since they had returned from the Amun Summit. The initial plan had been to stop just long enough in Jackson to collect Sookie's things and then journey on to the palace in New Orleans. But the stress that Eric felt from the telepath made him reconsider. He knew that once the business of the kingdom began in earnest, his time with Sookie would be stolen between meetings and duties. It occurred to Eric that now, while the work of planning was needed there was an opportunity to spend time; real time with his woman.

Eric had discussed the idea with the kings. Russell had been skeptical but Bartlett had been enthusiastic. "Who is going to march in and wrest the kingdom? It's not like the old days. Eric was introduced on national television; the journalists are lining up to interview him. If someone else shows up there is too much explaining to do. And it makes perfect sense to do strategic planning from a remote location. It will allow conversations away from distractions."

"You are a romantic," Russell had said sourly.

"And so are you!" Bartlett had answered. And so the princess and the Viking had taken up temporary residence in the pool house located behind Russell Edgington's mansion. The Mississippi and Indiana kings announced they would be traveling to the Indiana palace with no plans to return south until the Zeus Summit.

Before they left, Bartlett Crowe, the Indiana monarch, had pressed Eric and Sookie to move into the larger house. "Consider the house as your own," he had told them. But Eric knew that the close quarters of the pool house were better suited to their needs right now.

As he held Sookie close Eric thought back to the night of the Amun Ball.

Three Weeks Prior:

His being named king had seemed like the answer to all their prayers. They had been surrounded by well-wishers; there had been not one sour face. Even Ralph, King of Kansas had unbent when Sookie turned her charms his way. Eric had experienced a moment as they stood with Sandy Seacrest, Kansas and Pam; Sookie joking and everyone smiling when he was sure that he could never be happier. They had danced and their lovemaking that night had been sublime. She had fallen asleep in his arms, her sweet smell in his nostrils.