Baile Siochanta (Southern Vampire Mysteries)

Chapter 44 - Beyond Light

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.

For Sookie, life settled into something she thought of as new normal. For the first time in a long time, she knew what to expect every day. She rose within a few hours of noon. She ate, shopped, and cleaned her house. Early afternoons Sookie spent completing class work on her laptop and later Ian arrived, bringing paperwork and trading small gossip over tea. Tuesdays and Thursdays, Sookie had late lunch with Maryann before walking to the detached garage behind the B&B to continue her magic training.

When the sun started to set, Sookie made her way home, lying full length on the bed under the eaves so she could be the first thing Eric saw on his rising. It was, mostly, the way Sookie imagined married life would be. They talked about things and made plans for their future. Eric pressed her about taking a vacation to his home in Barbados later this year. "We can celebrate the anniversary of our bonding. It falls at the end of tourist season. October in the Caribbean is something I think you'd enjoy." He'd purred in contentment, stroking her hand with his long fingers.

"Is that what vampires do on anniversaries?" Sookie asked. "Go on vacation?"

Eric laughed his easy laugh, his eyes crinkling. "Vampires don't celebrate the same way humans do. Since most pledged couples don't live together, they choose a place to meet, usually their ruler's court, and renew their contracts. Once everything's signed, they exchange blood and have wild, animalistic sex," and he waggled his eyebrows at her.

"Sounds romantic," Sookie snickered, but then she rolled over to rest her chin on his chest. "So, should we have a contract?"

It was just a moment. It was in his eyes and within their bond, but then it was gone. Sookie wouldn't have even remembered it except for what happened later. "We are bonded!" he told her. "Most vampires don't do that either, but we are."

When Eric did have to be away for a night or two, it was discussed in advance. Eric told her these trips were Sheriff business and Sookie knew better than to ask for details. She knew on these nights he rested in the house in Ballytyne, and images of the utility room with its shelves of towels with its gray slate shower came to mind. 'It's who he is,' she told herself, and lifting her chin extra high, reminded herself that this was acceptable because Eric Northman was an honorable man.

Discussions about opening a fourth Ghoul's Kiss became plans, and then trips to scout locations. For the first time, Sookie was part of things. She was the one Pam and Eric relied on to run the numbers. When the paperwork was drawn, Sookie's name was listed as part owner. "You're sure?" she asked Eric.

"You're my wife," he'd shrugged.

"You've earned it," Pam added. It was another moment of pure happiness in a life that had never seemed so sweet.

To add to Sookie's happiness, magic training was also showing promise. Fergus, the leprechaun, was replaced with Moira. "I didn't master his magic," Sookie protested after her Grandfather told her of the change.

Niall just laughed, telling her, "You are too hard on yourself! Fergus told me you made his head turn, Granddaughter. That is far better than any other Fae could manage. Don't expect to humble the man! Even among the Fae, Leprechauns are known for their pride. Had you been able to truly replicate his skills, he would have come to resent you."

Moira was a merrow, which meant she could become a seal. "But not like selkies!" she'd been quick to explain. "Selkies swim and fish, but merrows? We have the gift of illusion." Within short order, Moira transformed Maryann's garage into a sea island, surrounded by crashing waves and shrieking seabirds. Sookie was sure she could smell salt in the air. Together, they'd enjoyed the illusion of sunrise and before Sookie could blink, she'd seen herself transformed into a seal, dipping and diving through green-tinted waves.