Baile Siochanta (Southern Vampire Mysteries)

Chapter 33 - Night Dawns

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

Scratch, scratch.

Sookie shook her head and shifted, then buried her nose deeper in her pillow.

Tap, tap, tap.

And Sookie rolled over. There, in the window, where there shouldn't be a face, there was, and it brought Sookie upright. "Eric?"

"Come out and fly with me!" he called through the window. The moon was bright and its light caught the vampire's bright hair.

Sookie got out of bed. She tried to tiptoe, but stubbed her toe and swore under her breath. In spite of the glass between them, Eric heard and he chuckled. "Shut up!" Sookie hissed, staring at the wall that separated her from her Uncle and Aunt's room. "What time is it?"

"Night time!" her mate crowed.

Sookie pushed up the window, "Really, Eric! If you wake everyone there's going to be some explaining to do!"

"I'll just glamour them," Eric shrugged. "It's beautiful tonight. Come on!"and he held out his arms.

"What? You expect me to just climb out the window?" It was a pretty big window, but Sookie still wasn't sure how she'd shimmy her way out without losing any dignity. "Besides, you're not supposed to be seeing me right now. Seeing me before the wedding is supposed to be bad luck."

"It doesn't count," Eric told her. "We're already married."

"Pledged," Sookie reminded him. "It's different."

"Not to me," and Eric floated back a bit. "If you're worried about showing your charms, meet me downstairs."

"This is a stupid idea!" Sookie protested, but she grabbed the bathrobe her Aunt lent her and headed out the bedroom door anyway.

Eric was on the front porch, waiting for her. "Really, Eric. It's two in the morning! What are you doing here?"

"Seeing you," and he smiled. It was that warm smile, the one Sookie now knew she could believe. What she was feeling from him wasn't diluted with anything else. It was what he truly felt, and she walked straight to him and kissed him. She could tell he was surprised, but his recovery was quick.

Eric's arms snaked around her. He pulled her against him and he lifted her, just a little. His lips moved over hers, and then his head slanted, giving him better access. It felt glorious. They nipped and tasted, exploring until Sookie was heavy-eyed and breathless. When he pulled back, she could see the question forming, but she tugged on his shirt, "Well, what do you say, Sailor? Going to take this lady for a ride?"

He grinned, his joy reflecting her own. Sookie didn't realize her feet had left the porch until she glanced down to see fields slipping beneath them. "Look," he told her, and he turned so she was lying flat against him, staring up into the sky.

"It's beautiful," Sookie sighed.

"You are," Eric answered.

"Älskade" she whispered, and then lifted his hand to kiss his palm. He stilled beneath her and she could feel his disquiet. "Don't worry," she whispered. "Your secret is safe with me."

After a moment, Eric said, "Perhaps we should make a habit of this marrying thing. There are many cultures, many religions. We could try them all out."