Baile Siochanta (Southern Vampire Mysteries)

Chapter 36 - Wings

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He was closer and then, the door opened, and he was there. His eyes were hungry and his fangs extended. Eric, standing in the door, looked like every vampire movie Sookie had ever seen, but she wasn't afraid, not for one second.

"You're well!" he sighed, and he flew, literally flew, to her.

"I was afraid," he whispered. She was wrapped in his arms so quickly, she didn't have time to return the favor. "You are back. I can feel you. Sookie..." and he pressed her closer.

"Ow!" Ribs protested. A place in her back protested, too.

Eric's response was immediate. His arms flew open as quickly as they'd enveloped her and she dropped back against the pillows, making all her hurts protest anew. "I've hurt you!" he exclaimed.

"And you've done it again!" but Sookie couldn't be angry with him. "Slow down, Big Guy, I'm right here, I'm just a little tender." She laid her hand against his cool cheek and said, "Let's say we try this again, only human speed this time."

Eric found the button to her bed and raised it. "Make room," he grinned, and then he slid his way onto the bed beside her. He eased one long arm under, and then waited for Sookie to move toward him. Wiggling into position involved a series of groans and grunts, but eventually she was comfortable, and Eric brought his other arm to rest over her clasped hands. He turned his head, burying his nose in her hair, "You are restored."

There was something about the sound of his voice, and Sookie tilted her head up to look at him. "What's wrong with your eyes?" she asked. "Were you in an accident, too?"

"No," and he chuckled. "I wasn't injured."

"But, you're bleeding!" and Sookie started to lift her hand to touch the blood drop on Eric's cheek, even though it hurt to raise her arm.

"It's normal," Eric assured her. "It happens sometimes when I'm under great stress."

"Okay," but Sookie was pretty sure there was more to it. She turned her head against his chest, "You definitely need to eat and after that, we're going to talk about what happened."

"I should probably feed elsewhere," Eric said above her. "You are still not..."

"I can't believe you're already arguing with me!" Sookie growled. "Just because I'm happy to see you doesn't mean everything is all great and cozy between us. You put a leash on me! Eric! I can't begin to tell you how many ways that's wrong! I mean, fun in the bedroom is one thing, but introducing me to all your friends..."

"They aren't my friends," Eric corrected. "They are...  Robert is a King, not an ally, and his Court has no one left that I consider a friend."

Sookie considered that for a minute. "Niall told me that going to the Summit was dangerous, that he wouldn't have taken me."

"I had no choice," Eric replied, confirming what Sookie had heard. "What has your Doctor told you?" he asked in the next minute.

"I haven't seen a Doctor," Sookie replied. It hadn't occurred to her until Eric said it. "Niall just left. Maybe he scared everyone away." Eric looked toward the door and shifted, as if to get up. "Don't!" and Sookie grabbed his hand.

"I will find the Doctor, see what he says..." Eric protested.

"About what? I feel fine," Sookie huffed, "Well, aside from the aches and pains, but that's ribs. Grandfather said by tomorrow I won't feel a thing." She didn't add that the Fae Prince had said drinking from Eric would be needed. Instead, she focused on the fine whine of tension she was receiving from the vampire beside her.