Okay so this is my version of shadow kissed, or at least part of it. I like most of you really wanted Rose to end up with Dimitri and get her happily ever after but by the end of SK I was wondering what it would be like if Rose wasn't with Dimitri but someone else. Someone that could love her publicly and also take care of her. So this is my story. Also I started to think more about Dimitri and his 'friendship' with Tasha, how easy it was for them to be together and how it might have ended if he had taken the opportunity with Tasha
Things to remember:
Instead of Lissa taking Rose to the spa Adrian does
There was never a fortune telling
So basically forget everything that you know happened after the royal court
Tasha was also at the court for the trial
The queen approves of Rose, although she warns her not to disgrace the queen in any way
Rose is getting tired of the hard faced Dimitri
BTW- All Rose wants is for someone to love her and protect her, not make decisions for her (Victor's trial), also since frostbite Tasha has visited the academy a few times and Rose has seen that there is some sort of connection between her and Dimitri. At first she's jealous but then she gets a bit confused and annoyed at herself not Dimitri!
Don't worry all will be explained!
Disclaimer: I do not own anything! Everything belongs to Richelle Mead!! This is just something I did to pass time in the lead up to Blood Promise!!!
Royal Court- Victor's trial
"I can't believe Victor would say those things about you and Dimitri, it's disgraceful!" Lissa was still carrying on about the so-called accusations made by Victor in court. Suddenly Dimitri appeared behind her with Tasha in close pursuit.
"Tasha!" Lissa exclaimed, "I didn't know you were coming."
"Well I thought I had to be here to support all of you," as she said this her hand found Dimitri's, without looking down he entwined his fingers through hers, "and I didn't think Dimka could go through this alone."
Dimitri looked down at her and laughed, "silly Tasha always putting others before yourself-"
Tasha cut him off, "are you saying you'd rather I hadn't come?" she looked at him with mock horror.
Dimitri smiled at her and put a stay piece of her hair behind her ear, "I always enjoy your company Tasha."
She just laughed at him. "Dimka, Dimka, Dimka, you always did know how to get yourself into trouble with the ladies."
Lissa quietly cleared her throat. "Um, sorry to interrupt but Rose and I have to go, she's got a meeting with the queen. We'll see you two later." She grabbed my arm and wheeled us around, heading for the back of the court- and the queen's chambers.
She waited outside while I went in to see the queen.
I went into the room and found Tatiana standing with her hands clasped, posture stiff and impatient. She was dressed like a corporate businesswoman again, with a sleek brown blazer and skirt set. That color wouldn't have been my first choice to go with her dark gray hair, but that was her style adviser's problem, not mine.
I bowed just as Lissa had and glanced around the room. Priscilla was gone; only a couple guardians remained. I expected Tatiana to tell me to sit, but instead, she stood up and walked right over to me. Her face did not look happy.
"Miss Hathaway," she said sharply, "I'm going to keep this brief. You are going to stop this atrocious affair you're having with my great-nephew. Immediately."
"I...WHAT?"
"You heard me. I don't know how far things have gone, and honestly, I really don't want to know the details. That's not the point. The point is that it's going to go no farther."
The queen was looking down on me, hands on her hips, clearly waiting for me to swear I'd do whatever she wanted. Except I kind of couldn't. I glanced around the room, certain this was some sort of joke. I looked to the two guardians across the room, half-hoping they'd explain what was going on, but they were doing that seeing-without-actually-seeing thing. No eye contact. I turned back to the queen.
"Um, Your Majesty ... there's been some kind of mistake. There's nothing going on between Adrian and me."
"Do you think I'm an idiot?" she asked.
Wow. That was an opening.
"No, Your Majesty."
"Well, that's a start. There's no point in lying to me. People have seen you together, here and back at your school. I saw you myself in the courtroom." Damn it. Why had Adrian chosen that moment to be chivalrous and sneak another hug? "I've heard all the illicit details about what's going on, and it is going to stop right here, right now. Adrian Ivashkov is not going to run off with some cheap dhampir girl, so you might as well rid yourself of that delusion right now."
"I never thought he was going to-seeing as how we're not involved," I said. "I mean, we're friends, that's all. He likes me. He's a flirt. And if you want to talk illicit stuff, then...yeah, I'm pretty sure he's got a list of illicit things he'd like to do with me. Lots of illicit things. But we're not doing them. Your Majesty."
As soon as the words left my mouth, I felt like an idiot. From the look on her face, however, it didn't seem like things could really get any worse for me.
"I know about you," she said. "All anyone talks about are your recent awards and accolades, but I haven't forgotten that it was you who took Vasilisa away. I also know about the trouble you used to get into-I know about the drinking, about the men. If it was up to me, I'd pack you up and send you off to some blood whore commune. You'd probably fit in well."
Drinking and men? She made me sound like an alcoholic prostitute when, honestly, I'd probably drunk no more than other teenagers at high school parties. Telling her this seemed useless, though. Pointing out that I was still a virgin probably wouldn't have made much of a difference either.
"But," she continued, "your recent... achievements make sending you away impossible. Everyone believes you have some glorious future ahead of you. Maybe you do. Regardless, if I can't stop you from being a guardian, I can affect whose guardian you are."
I stiffened. "What are you saying? Are you threatening me?" I spoke the words tentatively, not as a challenge. She couldn't be serious. Taking me away from Lissa during the field experience was one thing, but we were talking about an entirely different matter now.
"I'm just saying I have a great interest in Vasilisa's future, that's all. And if I have to protect her from corrupting influences, I will. We can find her another guardian. We can find you another Moroi."
"You can't do that!" I exclaimed. I could tell by the look on her face that she was happy to finally get a real reaction out of me. I was both angry and afraid, and I fought hard against my normal explosive instincts. Diplomacy and honesty were what I needed now. "I'm not doing anything with Adrian. Really. You can't punish me for something I'm not doing." I quickly remembered to add: "Your Majesty."
"I don't want to punish you at all, Rose. I just want to make sure we understand each other. Moroi men don't marry dhampir girls. They play with them. Every girl thinks it's going to be different with her-even your mother did with Ibrahim, but she was wrong too."
"With who?" I asked, the name hitting me like a slap in the face. Ibrahim? I'd never even heard of that name, let alone someone called that. I wanted to ask who he was and what his connection to my mother was, but Tatiana just kept talking.
"They're always wrong. And you can try your hardest to change that, but it's a waste of time." She shook her head, like she felt sorry for these dhampir girls, but her smug air contradicted any true sympathy. "You can use your pretty face and easy body as much as you want, but in the end, you're the one who'll get used. He may say he loves you now, but in the end; he'll get tired of you. Save yourself the grief. I'm doing you a favor."
"But he isn't saying he loves-" There was no point. The ironic thing here was that I was fairly certain Adrian did just want to use me for sex. I didn't have any delusions about that. But seeing as I wasn't actually sleeping with him, there was no problem-except, well, that Tatiana seemed to see of all this as a problem. I sighed, suspecting no argument was going to make her believe that I wasn't interested in Adrian. "Look, if you're so certain we can't have a future together, then why are you telling me this? According to you, he's going to throw me away anyway. Your Majesty."
She hesitated for just a second, and I nearly laughed. Despite her trash-talking about me, my mom, and other dhampirs, some part of her really was worried that I might indeed be charming and pretty enough to seduce Adrian into a disgraceful marriage. She quickly hid her uncertainty.
"I like to take care of things before they become messy, that's all. Besides, it's going to make things easier for him and Vasilisa if they aren't dragging around baggage from you."
Whoa, whoa. My moment of brief satisfaction shattered- into confusion. I was as lost now as I'd been when she first started accusing me of being involved with Adrian.
"Him and... Vasilisa? Lissa? What are you talking about?" I forgot the Your Majesty, but I don't think she cared at this point.
"The two of them are an excellent match," she said, sounding like she was about ready to purchase some artwork. "Despite your bad influence, Vasilisa's grown into a very promising young woman. She has a very serious, very dedicated nature that will cure some of his recklessness. And being together would allow them to continue examining their...unusual magical situation."
Five minutes ago, me marrying Adrian had been the craziest thing I'd ever heard. It had just been trumped, however, by the thought of Lissa marrying Adrian.
"Lissa and Adrian. Together. You can't be serious. Your Majesty."
"If they're both here together, I think they'll come around to it. They already have a certain charisma around each other. Plus, both of Adrian's grandmothers came from branches of the Dragomir family. He has more than enough blood to help her carry on the Dragomir line."
"So does Christian Ozera." In one of their more disgustingly cute moments, Lissa and Christian had looked up his family tree to see if he had enough Dragomir genes to be able to pass on the name. When they found out he did, they'd then starting naming their future children. It had been horrible. I'd left after Lissa told me they'd name their third daughter after me.
"Christian Ozera?" That condescending smile of hers tightened. "There is no way Vasilisa Dragomir is going to marry him."
"Well, yeah. Not anytime soon. I mean, they're going to go to college and-"
"Not now, not ever," interrupted Tatiana. "The Dragomirs are an ancient and exalted line of royalty. Their last descendent is not going to attach herself to someone like him."
"He's royal," I said in a low voice that was on the verge of becoming my scary voice. For whatever reason, her insulting Christian made me angrier than her insulting me. "The Ozera line is every bit as important as the Dragomirs and Ivashkovs. He's royal, just like Lissa, like Adrian, and like you."
She snorted. "He is not like us. Yes, the Ozeras are one of the royal houses, and yes, he has several respectable distant cousins. But we aren't talking about them. We're talking about the son of someone who purposely became a Strigoi. Do you know how many times that's happened in my lifetime? Nine. Nine in fifty years. And his parents were two of them."
"Yes-his parents," I said. "Not him."
"It doesn't matter. The Dragomir princess cannot associate with someone like him. That position is simply too prestigious."
"But your nephew is the perfect choice," I said bitterly. "Your Majesty."
"If you're such a smart girl, then you tell me-back at St. Vladimir's, how are they treated? How do your classmates view Christian? How do they view Christian and Vasilisa together?" Her eyes gleamed knowingly.
"Fine," I said. "They have lots of friends."
"And Christian is fully accepted?"
Immediately, I thought of Jesse and Ralf grilling me about Christian. And yes, there were plenty of people who still avoided Christian like he was already Strigoi. It was why he'd had no partner in culinary science. I tried to hide my thoughts, but my hesitation had given me away.
"You see?" she exclaimed. "And that's just a microcosm of society. Imagine it on a bigger scale. Imagine how it'll be when she's active in the government and trying to get others to support her. He'll be a liability. She'll make enemies just because of him. Do you really want that to happen to her?"
It was exactly what Christian had feared, and I denied it now as much as I had to him. "It won't happen. You're wrong."
"And you're very young, Miss Hathaway. You're also delaying your flight." She moved toward the door. The guardians across the room were by her side in the blink of an eye. "I have nothing more to say and hope this will be the last time we ever have a discussion like this." Or any discussion, I thought.
She left, and as soon as etiquette said I could go, I sprinted off to catch my plane. My head reeled as I went. How insane was that lady? Not only was she convinced that I was on the verge of eloping with Adrian, she also believed that she could work some kind of arranged marriage with him and Lissa. It was almost impossible to figure out which part of that conversation had been the most ridiculous.
Lissa was still waiting for me outside, I quickly composed my expression and went to greet her. Her eyes were full of excitement when she saw me. "Rose you'l never guess what happened! The plane is delayed so we have a few more hours to explore the court!"
I smiled at her, "Well what do you want to do first I asked," struggling to keep my face calm.
She looked a little sheepish, "well when Christian called with the news we sort of-"
I cut her off, "Liss I completely understand."
She turned to me her eyes ful of appreciation that abruptly changed to concern. "Rose you look a little green, are you sure you're alright?"
I met her concerned gaze, "Lissa you need to stop worrying about me and go meet Christian. You know he probably has something really special planned to celebrate."
She continued to look into my eyes, her eyes full of concern. "Rose you could always come with if you wanted to-"
I cut her off, "Lissa seriously I'm just tired I'm going to go have a nap before the plane leaves."
She gave me a quick hug before practically running down the passageway.
I wandered out onto the path, it was dark, the tall street lamps cast shadows across the deserted road. I walked up to the nearest post and slid down until I was sitting on the cold cement. Suddenly the light above me was cut out by tall blonde haired figure, with green eyes, Adrian.
"Adrian, what are you doing here?" I asked
He looked me over twice before answering. It was during this time that I noticed I was still wearing the black short shorts and blue tank top I had intended to fly in. "I'm here little dhampir, because I was worried about you, considering you just faced my great aunt, alone."
"It wasn't that bad, she just told me that I was not to have a relationship with you otherwise she would send me to a community."
He winced a little at this. "Well seeing as I am the cause of that at least let me make it up to you, please!"
He stared into my eyes almost as if he was searching for something. "Make it up to me how exactly Adrian?"
He laughed before grabbing my hand and leading me off down the street.
"Adrian I may be a bit upset but I not that upset," I told him as I eyed the guest lodgings that we seemed to be heading towards.
"Silly little dhampir, I'm not really the bastard you seem think of me as, I would never dream of taking advantage no matter how upset you may seem."
I stared at him shocked. "Adrian it's just I really don't know enough about you to think otherwise."
"Well I'm just going to have to change that aren't I?" he asked, he laughed again and suddenly came to a stop. I looked up at the entrance we had stopped in front of, it had a sign in front that read; 'Royal day SPA'.
"Adrian you know very well that I cannot go in there!" I stared at his amused expression with shock all over my face.
"Little dhampir, you're with me, you can go anywhere." He took my hand again and led me straight through the entrance and into a well-lit room with a receptionist sitting at large wooden desk to the far side of the room. The other walls were lined with doors.
Adrian approached the counter and after a short conversation with the receptionist led me through one of the doors and down a passageway and into another room. This room was dimly lit with soft coloured walls and two large plants in clay pots against one wall. It gave the room a rainforest feel, and the soft sounds of a waterfall coming from the speakers in the roof only added to the relaxed atmosphere.
Positioned in the middle of the room side by side with a small aisle running between them, were two massage tables. Two moroi sat on the end of the tables facing each other whispering. They looked up on our entrance but I managed to over hear part of their conversation.
"I really don't understand what he sees in her I heard she's just after him to get his money…"
"Er, hi I'm Adrian Ivashkov and this is Rose Hathaway, we have an appointment." Adrian spoke directly towards the dark haired man who had been talking when we entered. The poor guy was almost frozen in place, shock on his face. It was the taller blonde haired man who spoke.
"Yes of course Mr Ivashkov, we've been expecting you."
"So I've noticed," muttered Adrian under his breath. The dark haired man seemed to snap out of his daze and handed both me and Adrian large fluffy white bath robes. Before ushering us towards change rooms.
I was walking a bit too fast when I emerged from the change rooms and bumped into Adrian. I slipped on tiled floor. I landed on my side with a sickening crack. I looked into Adrian's face which was full of alarm before I felt the pain. I cried out in pain.
Adrian quickly lent down and scooped me up in his arms, softly cradling me against his chest. Even through his thick robe I could feel his well-formed chest. Suddenly I felt like there was an electrical current running between the two of us. He must have felt it to because he was huge smile plastered across his face. Without even thinking I snuggled myself in closer to him.
He walked over to one of the massage tables and sat me on it. The two moroi were quickly by his side arguing over whether or not to get a doctor.
Adrian cut them off, "it's ok, she just cracked a couple of ribs, and I'll just heal them."
I looked him in the eyes, "Adrian you know what using spirit will do to you, and I'm not going to let that happen."
He laughed, "my little dhampir, it is very lucky for you that there is a pub next door," I raised my eyebrows, "alright well let me put it this way, I'm going to heal you but in return you can accompany to the pub, after our massage if you want."
I realised I wasn't going to win, "fine and I'll come to the pub with you to make sure nothing happens."
He smiled at me and before I could even say anything he had slipped his hand through the front of my robe. I gasped as he brushed my boob. The two moroi were basically frozen still with shocked expressions on their faces. I couldn't help blushing as his hand felt along my ribcage until it came to a stop and my blush deepened. I looked over to see him smirk before I felt the magic flow through me and the pain in my rib cage began to dim. Before I knew it 'it' was over, his hand brushed my boob again and this time when I gasped his smirk grew more pronounced.
We continued to receive our massages. I felt great after my back and feet had been done. Although I didn't look at him directly I could feel his gaze throughout the session, and each time I looked up and met his gaze I would blush and he would laugh.
I had a lot of time to think while the dark haired Moroi worked on my back.
Suddenly everything seemed to fall into place. It was obvious to me that Dimitri loved me and that I also loved him. However there seemed to be a very deep connection between him ad Tasha. The connection was so natural that I was sure Dimitri didn't even notice. The way she made him laugh and how there was always a smile on her face while she was with him. The other thing I noticed was that some part of me was yearning to be closer to Adrian! Some part of me wanted to grab his hand where it lay limply over the side of his massage table.
The most important thing I realised was that I didn't love Dimitri enough to have felt pain when he held Tasha's hand, or tucked her hair behind her ear. I loved Dimitri, but I loved him like a best friend and sure I lusted for him towards the end of last semester but that was only because I was lonely and there were no other men in my life that I trusted or respected. That was exactly it, I trusted Dimitri and respected him, like a best friend, a close guy friend to whom I could confide all of my troubles. Sure Dimitri and I shared a bond; we met when we were both in vulnerable times of our lives. I loved Dimtiri, but I was not in love with him.
I realised that although I had worked all of this out Dimitri probably hadn't, and this needed to be sorted out ASAP so that we could both move on. With this in mind I sat upright making sure that I wrapped my robe around me as I did so.
Adrian looked up, "Little dhampir, it's not time to go yet."
"No Adrian I'll be back in time to go to the pub, but I need to see someone first."
"Oh ok, well I'll see you soon then." He took my hand and kissed it, I blushed and he laughed. I ran my hand through his hair before the dark haired moroi escorted me back to the reception.
I wandered along until I came to the guest lodgings and made my way to Dimitri's room. He answered on the second knock. He was wearing a tight black t-shirt that hugged his muscled chest tightly, although this usually would have set my heart beating a million miles an hour, it did nothing for me today.
He invited me in and I immediately explained everything, and my thoughts on 'us'. Finally when I was finished he looked at me a smile spreading across his face.
"Roza, my dear Roza, how can I ever thank you? You have helped me so much, I think what you are saying is right. We do love each other, but we are not in love with each other. I'm glad you brought my connection with Tasha to my attention. Like you said everything with Tasha has always felt so natural and I would be a fool to have let that slip away, but I'm curious. How are you going to move on?" he asked this with a straight face with no hint of jealousy and I suddenly realised it would never be that way between us again.
"In case you haven't noticed Dimitri there are lots of boys around here, and most of them are pretty decent."
He smiled at me, "I know that, but promise you'll be careful Roza."
"I promise Dimtiri," I answered immediately, I got up quickly and gave Dimitri a hug. The hug didn't have the same electricity as Adrian's touch but it did give me warm feeling. I realised that now there would be nothing but trust and friendship between Dimitri and I, and I wasn't upset.