His freedom is short-lived, as he soon receives word that Ocella arranged a marriage for him to Freyda, the vampire Queen of Oklahoma. He tries to extricate himself from the contract, even as he struggles under Victor Madden’s rule as Regent of Louisiana. Fangtasia is facing stiff competition from Victor’s new club, Vampire’s Kiss, and Victor himself is causing pain for Eric’s child Pam, denying her permission to turn her seriously ill lover. Eric includes Sookie in planning Victor’s demise but tries to hide his seemingly unavoidable nuptials to Freyda, finally admitting to the contract after pointed prodding from Pam. He tells Sookie that he will have to dissolve their vampire marriage. Unable to convince her of the need to honor his maker’s wishes, Eric concentrates his efforts on the assassination of Victor, persuading Bubba to sing at Fangtasia after hours to lure Victor to the club. The event goes fairly smoothly and culminates in the death of Victor at the hands of a vengeful Pam, while Eric kills Victor’s powerful second, Akiro. Eric becomes angry and frustrated with Sookie for what he perceives as her hypocrisy in not rejoicing over the death of Victor (when she knew it was necessary and even participated in both the planning and the deed), and without regard for her comfort, he takes the blood she offers to help him heal from his battle wounds. He lets Bill take Sookie home as he and his vampires begin to clean up the club. (DUD, LDID, CD, DTTW, DN, DAAD, DD, ATD, FDTW, DAG, DITF, DR; mentioned L, GW, TB, STW)

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