This is an AU story, set in modern times with a medieval twist. I'm still working out some of the kinks, so be sure to keep an open mind. And don't worry, lemons to come! :D

In a world where Vampires have enslaved the human race, King Eric Northman is ruthless ruler whose spite knows no bounds, along with his loneliness. Until one day, browsing for slaves, he comes across a young blond woman whose blood holds the key to his salvation. "He was bored. He wanted something new – a plaything, a lover, a meal, anything to sate him." AU. Sookie/Eric

Chapter One

"This one, sire?" A young brunette was shoved forward. She fell to her knees in front of him, her lips trembling, shoulders heaving with silent sobs. Eric Northman was disgusted.

"Cease your sniveling!" he barked. The girl quieted, lifting her gaze to him. He considered her for a moment. Heart-shaped face, doe eyes. Her lips were a bit thinner than he liked, and her nose a tad beaky. Eric sneered.

"Did you listen to me at all, Pam? I thought I was quite clear with my request." High heels clicked against the ivory tiles as Pam grabbed the girl by the arm.

"Stand," Pam ordered and the girl obeyed, her tattered dress falling back around her ankles. He regarded Pam with a steely gaze and she blanched only slightly. Her tongue flitted over her blood-red lower lip fleetingly. "What am I to do with her?" Eric flicked his wrist towards the left.

"Feed her to the wolves, I care not." The girl let out a wretched scream.

"No! No, please!" she begged. "I can clean! I can cook! I –" Pam grabbed the girl by her hair, quieting her immediately.

"You petulant fool," Eric hissed. "I do not EAT!" He sighed tiredly, pinching the bridge of his nose. His throne was growing uncomfortable and the girl's whining had put a damper on his mood. She was the fourteenth candidate today and certainly not the best so far. "Take her to District Five. I am certain that Debbie's pack would be pleased with her, and in exchange I want another." Pam raised a perfectly penciled brow, tightening her grip on the girl's hair when her sobs began again.

"Eric, we have been at this for months. I am beginning to believe that there is not a woman on this planet that will please you." Her tone was casual, but the words cut Eric deeply. For he knew it was probably true. He'd tasted, fucked, killed, and eaten every type of woman in the world. He was bored. He wanted something new – a plaything, a lover, a meal, anything.

"Do your job, Pam," he ground out, rising. "Feed this one to the wolves and bring me more." With that, he left, slamming the door behind him. Pam followed, dragging the girl behind her. Beseeching words poured from the girl's mouth and Pam snatched her around to face her.

"You shut those pretty lips of yours or I will peel them off and eat them," she drawled, pulling the shuddering girl close. When she complied, fear written plainly on her face, Pam smirked. "So kind of you."

Sookie Stackhouse was laughing so hard her sides hurt. She gasped in a breath, watching her brother Jason try to fix the window latch for the fifth time. Twice he'd hit his finger with the hammer (a hammer he didn't need, mind you), and he'd already managed to get two splinters.

"Sook, if you're just gonna laugh then go outside and do it." Sookie grinned.

"I'm sorry, but you know you should just get Sam to come over here and do it. I don't know how much more I can take." Jason's scowled brought another chuckle tumbling from Sookie's lips.

"I'm a man and men fix things. I'd be done already if you wouldn't sit there laughin' at me." Sookie shrugged, still smiling.

"All right then. I'll leave you be." She turned to leave and called behind her – "You know, Gran would agree with me!"

"Yeah, well women always agree with each other. It's like some stupid rule or something," he responded. "Where you goin'?" Sookie shrugged.

"I was thinking I'd head over to Sam's. Ask him if he can fix our window." Jason let the hammer fall to the ground.

"Now, you wait a minute. It ain't the window that's broke, it's the latch!" She gave a languid shrug in return.

"I'm sure it'll be more than that by the time I get back," she teased, starting up the stairs as Jason grumbled behind her. Though their Gran had been gone for almost a year, both Sookie and Jason had kept everything the same. In effect, most of the house had fallen into disrepair. Sookie fixed what she could, called Jason for what she couldn't. But Jason was a klutz and almost always ending up breaking whatever he fixed later on.

She rifled through her closet, frowning at the meager selection of clothing she owned. Before Eric Northman's reign, she was working and making decent money. But with most of the country in poverty and all the wealth being distributed between the fangers, Merlotte's just dwindled. Sam still kept it open, still served to those who could afford it, but to Sookie it was just the shell of a once prosperous business.

She shook off the negative thought. It wasn't like her to dwell on bad things. She plucked a light pink sundress off a hanger and quickly changed before pulling her hair into a low ponytail. Descending the stairs she heard a 'clunk' and Jason cursed.

"Don't burn the house down," she said, slipping into a pair of white sandals. "I'll be back in a bit." Jason mumbled something akin to a goodbye under his breath as he fiddled with the rusty latch. She figured he'd be in exactly the same spot when she returned later on.

"Bye!" she called, and let the screen door shut behind her.

Sam Merlotte was not in a good mood. It was a Friday, six o'clock, and there were exactly two people in his bar. Sheriff Bellefleur was having his usual burger and fries for lunch and Hoyt Fortenberry was nursing his second Bud Light. Arlene leaned against the bar, twirling a strand of her hair around her finger as she doodled absently on a napkin.

"Hey, you think you could do something besides hold the bar up?" Sam snapped. She slapped the pen down on the counter top.

"Sure, Sam. I'll go dump out the sweet tea and refill it again. Or I could sweep the floor for the millionth time. If you'd like, I could even take Hoyt here's beer, dump it out and get him another one!" Sam sighed heavily.

"Have a seat, Arlene. I'll pour you some water." She was five months pregnant and absolutely playing the part.

"Thanks, Sam," she muttered, sitting next to Hoyt. Sam poured her a glass and brought it to her just as the door to the bar opened. In strode Sookie, a vision in pink. Sam's heart skipped a beat, as it always did. Even though he knew where they stood, he couldn't help but wonder what it would be like – what her naked body would look like writhing beneath him, her mouth glistening with the aftermath of his kisses –

"Anyone home? Sam?" He shook his head.

"What'd you say, Sook?" She smiled.

"I said hello. It's polite to return the favor." Her tone was gentle and playful. Platonic. He hated it.

"Get anything for ya?" he offered, hoping she wasn't listening in. He knew she'd seen and heard way too much about the way he felt about her over the years. He also knew she didn't like it.

"Sure. Water? It's hot as blazes outside." She turned to Arlene, who had resumed her doodling. "How you feeling, hun?" Arlene gave a weak smile.

"Oh, ya know, just trying to get by. What with the heat and Terry and the kids I'm just dying for a second's peace." Sam poured Sookie some water as well. This is a damned bar and ain't no one drinking any alcohol. Should have opened a convenience store, Sam thought irritably.

"Terry? You and him fighting?" Sookie asked, accepting her water. "Thanks, Sam." He nodded, waiting with mild interest for Arlene's answer.

"That ain't it. He's wonderful. Waiting on me hand and foot and always asking how I am…" Sookie laughed.

"Don't sound too bad to me," she offered and Arlene groaned.

"Maybe to you! Imagine if Bill followed you around all day-" She clapped a hand over her mouth. "Oh, honey! I didn't mean it, I only meant… well I meant that he ain't like Terry." Sookie smiled, though Sam caught the slight flinch in her eyes.

"He's not like anyone," Sookie said lightly. "Besides, he left town remember? Summoned by the new 'king'." Arlene jumped at the chance to change the subject.

"I know! What do those creatures think they're doing? Taking control over a country when they aren't even real Americans!" Sookie giggled.

"Some of them are," she responded. Sam grabbed a rag and began to wipe the counters, though they definitely didn't need it.

"They wouldn't be able to do it without the shifters and werewolves," he commented. Arlene shuddered.

"It ain't natural. None of it. No offense, Sam. You being a dog's all fine and dandy but vampires just ain't right." Sam smiled graciously.

"Well, that's mighty big of you, Arlene," he said, and she beamed.

Eric was seething. Ten girls. TEN. And not one had even piqued his interest in the slightest bit. He paced in his parlor, racking his brain as Pam lounged on his sofa.

"Look, Eric. I've been all over the United States, abducting these young women. Can't you at least feed on one so I'll know I'm not wasting my time?" In a flash Eric was across the room, his hand around her throat.

"It is never a WASTE to serve your King," he breathed. "Understand?" He released her and she inhaled sharply.

"Clearly." Eric ran a hand through his tousled hair, a habit that had stayed with him when he changed.

"Look harder, Pam. I want… someone. Where haven't you been?" She stood up, smoothing out her short, pleated skirt.

"I have been everywhere. I didn't linger down South, though. Inbreeding makes me nervous." Something in her tone made Eric stop and look at her. "What?"

"You didn't look?"

"Well, not for long, but-"

"GO! What about Bill Compton's old female friend?" Pam chuckled.

"Really, Eric? Bon Temps? You are desperate, aren't you?"

"Fuck you, Pam. There was obviously something special about her. I just do not know why I didn't think of it." Pam laughed.

"Because she has no class – didn't you hear me when I said Bon Temps?" Eric growled, fangs protruding.

"Did you not hear me when I commanded you to leave?" Pam bowed mockingly.

"Fine."

"And send someone up before you do. I'm starved."

My first True Blood fic! I'm usually writing for HP or Twilight, but I thought I'd try this out. Leave me a review and let me know if I should continue this!