Godric found his way to your side, linking his fingers with yours as you sat at the back of the room. While you were aware the action was meant to comfort, you were just as sure it was intended as a way for him to have a semblance of control over your actions. Neither he nor Eric would be pleased if you got yourself killed trying to save your mate from a similar fate.

Your father and five other people took seats at the front of the room facing the rest of you. Eric stood in front of them, back to you.

"Do you know why you are here, Mr. Northman?" Kibwe Akinjide asked.

You shifted in your seat. Kibwe was the only other high-ranking member of the Authority in attendance. The others were in the ranks but not chancellors. Alonso was the only other face you recognized of those at the front of the room.

"I was led to believe it had something to do with the execution of Sophie-Anne Leclerq," Eric answered, his voice as even and flat as always.

"Indeed," Kibwe responded with a slight nod.

"The true death of Ms. Leclerq—while necessary—has unfortunately left an opening in the power structure of Louisiana," Alonso explained, his lips twitching slightly. "It is an opening the Authority wishes for you to fill."

You forgot to breathe for a moment as those words sunk in. King. They wanted him to be king. Your gaze darted to your father to find him pointedly not glancing in your direction. That slick son-of-a-bitch. You wondered briefly how long it would have taken him to come up with a reason to remove Sophie-Anne if she hadn't provided one herself. Or maybe it would have been another king or queen closer to his home. He couldn't maneuver you into a position of power, but Eric was another matter entirely.

"Excuse me, Magister, but it sounded as if you said the Authority wishes me to fill Sophie-Anne's position." Eric had gone very still and his shoulders were tight. You could tell he wanted to turn around, to find you in the crowd, but he didn't.

"That is precisely what I said, Mr. Northman."

"Might I ask what makes me worthy of such an honor?" Eric asked.

"Loyalty," your father answered, his gaze finding you briefly as he did so. "You're loyal to the Authority. You respect the traditions of our kind. I think we both know you could have been rid of Sophie-Anne long before now had you wished, yet you did not. Why?" He continued without giving Eric a chance to respond. "Because you respect the Authority and our decisions, Mr. Northman. Plus, you have the age, strength and cunning necessary to hold your territory and run it the way it should be run. So, do you accept?"

"I would be a fool to do otherwise."

"Indeed, you would." Roman gestured to either side of him. "All of those you see here are voting on behalf of one of the chancellors. Mr. Akinjide and myself will be casting our own vote as well as one for another member."

Your eyes never left your father as he called for the vote. Everyone voted yes except for one member. And just like that, your mate was king. As soon as everyone was dismissed, you were on your feet, dragging Godric along behind you as you made your way to where your mate and your father were deep in conversation with one another.

Kibwe was quick to join you as well.

"You might have mentioned," you said through clenched teeth.

"I might have but I didn't." Roman shifted his attention to the chancellor. "Kibwe, might I officially introduce my daughter's mate and the new king of Louisiana, Eric Northman?"

The other man's eyes went wide and moved between you and your father. They then focused in on your hand holding Godric's. Eric noticed and took your free hand in his before pressing a kiss to the top of your head.

"I wasn't aware that you were acquainted on a personal level with Mr. Northman, Roman."

Your father attempted to look surprised and failed miserably. "Didn't I mention it? Careless of me."

"An oversight I'm sure," Eric piped up. "It's a relatively recent development."

You just shook your head and rolled your eyes. You weren't even going to try. Everyone here knew your dad was full of shit. No, you bit your tongue until the last of the stragglers headed out the door, leaving you, Eric, and Godric alone with your father and Alonso.

As soon as the door shut, you turned to the man that raised you. "So, that's why you didn't want me coming with Eric. You didn't want anyone knowing what we were to each other until after the vote."

He smiled and poured drinks for all of you. After he passed them out, he gestured to the sitting area. After you were all settled, he leaned back in his chair. "Despite my position with the Authority, or maybe because of it, there are many who fear me gaining more power than I already possess. Several of them move behind the scenes, plotting, scheming. They think I don't know. This was a countermeasure."

"I won't be a puppet for anyone," Eric said. His tone was soft, but you could hear the anger in it.

"You would for her," Alonso argued with a gesture to me.

"I don't want a puppet." Your father spoke quickly before Eric could respond to the Magister. "Regardless of who you are to my daughter, I wouldn't have even recommended you for the position if I didn't think you capable of handling things on your own. There may simply be some things I need seen to on occasion. All within your purview as king, of course."

You pursed your lips. "What aren't you telling us?"

He didn't answer, simply looking at you over the rim of his glass.

"Sophie-Anne's holdings are being transferred to you, Eric. The outstanding taxes were covered by the Authority," Alonso stated. It was a blatant attempt to change the topic. One none of you fell for.

Eric nodded in thanks but his gaze moved between you and your father.

Finally, Roman sighed. "Can't you believe I simply want to see you taken care of? That there is no ulterior motive?"

"No."

Your mate and his sire donned matching smirks at that.

Your father leaned forward and placed his glass on the table. "Alright. Perhaps there's one thing I could use your assistance with."

You crossed your legs and leaned against Eric's side. Here it was. Eric shifted so his arm was around you and he pulled you more tightly against him. Godric still held one of your hands. He was content to remain quietly in the background and you didn't push. His continued existence was enough.

"I would like to state that you could have assisted with this particular issue without being king. Though it does help." As your father explained what he needed, your mind drifted. Eric was king. That made you queen for all intents and purposes. And Godric...what? The royal concubine? You snorted at the thought earning a disapproving glance from Roman who knew you weren't paying attention.

"Are we boring you, sweetheart?"

You sighed. "To be honest, yes. You over complicate everything." You tilted your head back to look up at your mate. He smiled and kissed your forehead. "What he's trying to say is Russell Edgington is being a dick again and he'd like us to take care of it before he becomes a problem."

"If you insist on being impatient you can word it that way, yes," your father said.

Eric and Godric both chuckled. "Alright, Guardian, we'll go to Mississippi to extend an offer of trade to my counterpart and see if we can figure out what he's up to while we're there," Eric said, looking up.

"Fantastic," Roman said. "I shouldn't think you'd encounter anything too difficult to handle."

***

A/N: This is the end my friends though it is only the beginning of their story. Maybe I'll write more of it someday. Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed!