"Oh Dimitri", I gasped. He had come to see me in my lowly, imprisoned state. "You actually came", I breathed. He didn't respond. He just stared with his beautiful brown eyes. The idea of him standing outside my cell filled me with a hope I hadn't had since I'd been thrown in here. "Dimitri, say something please," I said gently. He slightly shook his head, a gesture only I would notice, looking as if he was breaking from a trance.

"Rose, I came here to make sure that you were alright. Lissa couldn't stand the thought of them keeping you unkempt," He simply stated. This made my hope shatter a bit. He hadn't come to REALLY see me. He had come to check on me. Which I guess was better than nothing, but I still wish he'd come for me, not because Lissa had told him to. "I can truthfully say that I've been in better situations. I'm thankful that you came for Lissa, but as much as I would love to see her also, I really wanted you. I wanted the satisfaction of knowing that you wanted to see me. Not you running some errand for Lissa," I whimpered. My words made him flinch a little.

"Rose, I keep telling you that I'm indebted to Lissa for eternity. I do whatever she wants, whenever she wants that is within my powers. I cannot escape her requests. And I am truly sorry that this isn't the reason you wished, but that is why I am here, for her," He said blatantly. This really upset me. I turned from the bars so he wouldn't see me cry if I couldn't hold myself together. Breathing evenly, calming myself, I searched my thoughts for the right words. As I turned slowly I caught a glimpse of regret in Dimitri's eyes. Something I doubted he thought I caught sight of.

"Do you realize what I went through for you Dimitri Belikov? I left school, went to Russia, and defended myself alone, all for you! I killed countless Strigoi! Risked my life for you! First, I went after you to save you eternally, by killing you! But after I spoke to a few people and failed to kill you, I formulated an alternate plan to save you! Return you back to your dhampir self! I broke Victor Dashkov out of prison, risked being put at a desk job for the rest of my life, and went out to a warehouse to save you! God damn it Dimitri, don't you see? I'm the one who went through HELL for you," I screamed. Thankfully not alerting the guards. Dimitri stared at me with hurt in his eyes. I felt bad for screaming at him, but what else could I do? I wanted him more than life.

He opened his mouth to speak. No words came out. He tilted his head against the bars looking at me so deeply I was sure he could see into my soul. "Roza, sweet, sweet Roza," He started. His use of my Russian name made me tear up. His voice was like dripping honey when he spoke to me. "I can't fathom what I did to you. I am tormented everyday with images, flashbacks, of what I did to you. I don't understand how you can possibly still love me," He whispered. I was getting heated again. I was suddenly feeling worse than ever.

"I love you. And that is why I can still love you, despite what you did to me. No, despite what that Strigoi did to me. You are Dimitri. Not Strigoi. And I could care less what's in the past. What matters is now. And our future together. Please don't spend a lifetime resisting me. Because I honestly don't think I can take it," I confessed.

He was still leaning his face to the bars. Staring at me. "Alright Rose. I believe you. If you think you can still love me, then maybe there is no point of my resistance. I don't want to pretend that I don't love you. But, if I must I will. For now I will remain undecided. When you get out of this place, I promise to give you a chance. Even if it means me regretting what I did every minute that I am with you. But I will try. For your benefit. Because I do love you. No matter what you feel," He explained.

His words made my emotions explode through the stone roof. I started crying. The tears dripped down my cold face. Dimitri was promising something that I'd waited for him to say for the past few weeks. I was breath-taken. I ran to the bars and shoved my hand into his hair. Finally caressing him for the first time since he was changed. "Oh Roza," He moaned. "Dimitri," I sobbed.

I kissed his lips with as much energy as the sun. "I wish you would never have to go," I silently said. Our kisses made it hard for him to respond. But still he managed. "Yes Roza, I wish I had realized what I was getting myself into when I came here. This is something I cannot possibly forget. I will keep my promise to you and I won't forget. I love you with all of my being. Roza, Roza, Roza," He sweetly whispered into my ear.

I gave in to my name being called out. I pushed against the bars pining for him. I wanted him so badly. But I knew that my efforts were pointless due to the heavy metal bars in front if me. "Guards are coming down the stairs. You better step back before they see you," He informed me way too soon for my liking. I quickly kissed him once more.

He faintly smiled and touched my lips before the sounds of the guards footsteps increased. He mouthed the words "I will come back," to me before I turned my back and I heard Dimitri walk up the stairs. The guards came to my cell and summoned me. They said I was due to a court meeting. My fate would soon be decided.

After my court meeting, I was escorted back to my cell. I was in a little offended by everyone's quick accusation that I killed Tatiana. I mean sure I had hated her, but I would never kill her. But I hadn't helped my case by causing a scene and voicing my opinions publicly about her. I guess I'd just have to see how this played out.

Meanwhile on of my guardians walked over to my cell. "You have a visitor Hathaway." He growled. I looked up and saw Adrian. "Oh Adrian! What are you doing here?" I exclaimed. I had been so out of it that I had forgotten about our makeup just less than three days ago. I unconsciously rubbed the spot on my neck where he'd bitten me in our romantic, non-sex, rendezvous. "Rose, I had to see you. I heard Belikov came here and I immediately made arrangements to see you." He told me. I looked away guiltily.

I was in a love triangle with Dimitri and Adrian. I wanted them both so badly. I had promised Adrian that I would give him the love and attention he deserves and I had gotten Dimitri to promise that he would give us another chance once I got out of here. I had no idea what to do at this point. I couldn't turn my back on Adrian and I still yearned for Dimitri with an individual passion. There was a distinct love for Adrian and another for Dimitri. They could both co-exist in my heart. I loved them both.

Adrian caught my attention when I was reveling in my thoughts too long. "Rose?" He asked worriedly. I looked up at him. "Adrian, I love you." I breathed. He looked at me with loving eyes. I went up to the bars. Pressing against them I tried to entwine my hand in his. It was slightly painful, but I managed. He kissed the top of my hand. I smiled weakly. "Adrian I want to get out of here. I want to bust through this door and go back to your place to finish what we started. I miss you. My heart aches for you." I whispered frantically in his ear. He rubbed my face with his other hand. I rubbed my cheek against his warm, smooth hand. I missed his touch.

"Rose, if I could be as badass as you and bust you out of here, I would do it. I wish I could compel every person that knows about this and make them forget it ever happened. I want you out. I want you safe in my arms. I never want to be away from you. And I don't know how or when, but I promise you, you will not be proven guilty." He spoke with a ferocity that I had never seen in him. It made him so sexy. I just wished he was inside the cell with me and not separated by this door and bars.

I tried to smile at him. "Oh Adrian, I don't know what's going to happen, but as long as I got to see you at least once, I'm going to face whatever they throw at me." I promised him. His jade eyes pierced my soul. I leaned against the bars and kissed him. He held my face still, considering he couldn't reach my neck. I was getting tired of these bars.

We kissed until the guards interrupted us. "Break this up." The guard ordered with a gruff tone. When I couldn't pull away from him, the guardian came over and pulled Adrian away from me. "Thank you sir, but I think I can see myself out." Adrian politely said to the guardian, pushing his hand off his arm. I saw Adrian meet my eyes and smile before I watched the second love of my life walk back up the stairs.

I was beginning to think I would never get out of here. The guardian looked at me and came over to the door. "Don't let me catch you doing that again. This is punishment not make-out hall. I don't think you're in any position to be having relations with any Ivashkov considering what you did." He snarled. Hearing him accuse me also flared up the rage inside me once more. "Considering you have no idea what I go through and what I have or haven't done, I would advise you to keep your mouth shut and stay in your own business." I snapped at him. I was in no mood for anyone to make false accusations tonight.

It must have been early morning for humans, because I was beginning to feel extremely tired. The guardian stood there and watched me walk over to my pathetic excuse for a bed and lay down. He was furious that I had yelled at him. But, I really didn't care. He had no right to assume things about me and tell me what he thinks I have done. I shut my eyes and went to sleep.

I was peacefully dreaming about being on a nice, warm beach when Adrian appeared. "Ah, little dhampir. There you are." He said happily. I forgot he could visit my dreams. "Adrian!" I screamed with joy and ran over to him. I hugged him tightly and he smoothed my hair. I stepped back a little so I could look at him. "I thought I'd find you here." He smiled. I noticed I was wearing a very skimpy bikini, only Adrian's doing. Today I really didn't care what he did. I realized I had desired him too much to care what he dressed me in at this point.

"I must say you look simply smokin' in that bikini." He mused. I laughed at him. The bikini was a sparkling red with two thin slivers of fabric on each of my breasts and two equally thin pieces covering my butt and privates. "Leave it to you to dress me like a skank in these awful times." I teased. He gave me that sloppy smile he always had. He ran his hand through his hair. I looked him up and down. He was wearing black swim trunks. They looked good on him. I noticed his slightly bronzed skin and then when I got to those smoldering green eyes I lost all control. I tackled him playfully and we rolled closer to the crashing waves.

I was hovering on top of him when he untied my top. It fell off against his chest and he threw it to the side. I kissed him passionately before I slipped off his trunks. "Rose are you sure?" He managed to ask between kisses. "Yes Adrian." I whispered. He rolled me over and took my bottom off. Here we both were, completely naked, on the beach, alone, and I couldn't help but feel guilty about doing this. I keep seeing Dimitri in my head. But I quickly pushed those thoughts aside and was thrown into the bliss of Adrian's bite and our bodies molding together. We were one. And god it was amazing. I had waited for us to do this ever since I had agreed to be his girlfriend. The sexual chemistry was at an unnatural high at that very moment.

When the both of us couldn't last any longer, I laid on the side of him and let the waves crash around us. He stroked my tangled, wet hair and I stared into his lovely green eyes. "I love you." He breathed with all the passion evident behind his words. I kissed him and ran a hand through his famous messy hair. I embraced what may be our last intimate moment together.

I drank in every feature. The golden sun fading into the vast blue ocean, the finely grain white sand, and the best of all, Adrian. His beautiful eyes, his smooth skin, his messy black hair, and his sexy smile. I couldn't help but rub my hand up and down his chest. I felt like if I stopped all of this would come crashing down and I would be alone once more. But instead I was able to spend what felt like hours with Adrian.

We waded in the blue water until it was dark and then we entangled ourselves together again in the water until we were tired. I laid on top of him on the shore and gave him sweet kisses. It wasn't until I noticed that he had fallen asleep that I got up. I got on my knees and bent over to kiss him. "I love you Adrian Ivashkov." I whispered in his ear before I got up. I looked back once I got up farther from the water and noticed he was gone.

I didn't know where I was walking to but out of nowhere Dimitri came up and grabbed me by the neck. I gasped and flailed until I noticed his eyes were red. And then I woke up screaming.

After a long night of shaking and tears, I finally pulled myself together. Just because I had dreamed that Dimitri was Strigoi does not mean he is. I was still disturbed. Adrian and I had, had the best night by far, but the ending was the worst. I could still picture those evil, glowing red eyes. They haunted my memory as well.

I got up and notified the guard that I needed to use the restroom. He opened my cell and brought me down a long hallway with a toilet, a sink, and a shower. I told him I would be a while and he walked a little ways back down the hallway before stopping. It was impossible to escape. Not that I dared to escape considering my already poor circumstances and low chances.

I used the disgusting toilet as fast as I could before turning on the shower. Figures there would only be cold water. I hopped in and felt the tingling sensation of the cold stream hitting my skin. It had been about two days since I had showered. I was filthy. I scrubbed myself for a good thirty minutes before turning the water off.

The guard startled me when I pulled back the curtain. He was faced away from me, but he held a towel in his right hand. "Here." He shoved the towel at me and left. I wrapped myself up and caught up with the guardian. He locked me back up and slipped a pair of clothes through the bars. I grabbed them and threw them on the bed. They were definitely not my clothes, but they were better than nothing. So, I pulled on the bra that was a bit too small and the underwear. I pulled the plain white shirt over my head and slipped on the boring black track pants. It's not like I was going anywhere, I thought to myself. I walked back over to the door.

"Hey, uh, do you think I could get a brush or comb by any chance?" I hollered. When no one answered I slumped onto my bed. I was laying there thinking about the amount of stress I was under, when I heard Lissa's voice through the bond. "Rose, are you there?" She was calling out. I couldn't answer her back, but I could only hope she kept talking. "I'm bringing you some necessities and the best clothes I could find at the clothing store here, since no one is allowed on the floor of your room."

I rolled my eyes. Of course they wouldn't let anyone around the "killer's" resting quarters. I couldn't believe this. "I'll be there soon." Lissa promised. I could tell she meant what she said and that she was getting ready to leave.

I sat on my bed until I heard footsteps descending the staircase. When I saw that it was Lissa I jumped up and ran to my door. "Lissa!" I shouted, happy to see her finally. "Rose!" She shouted back, just as excited to see me. "I brought you anything I could scrap up. I have deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrush, brush, comb, and clothes." She said in one breath. I smiled at her. "Thank you Lissa. I can always depend on you."

She handed me the stuff. She turned around and called one of the guards over. "Excuse me, but do you think it's possible for me to sit in there during my visit. If you stood close by perhaps?" She asked the guard. He stared at her with a hard expression upon his face. He probably thought she was either crazy or very brave. Either way he nodded and opened the door.

My mouth hung open. He let her in. I couldn't believe it. She quickly came inside and hugged me. "Thank you." She showed her gratitude to the man before he took a couple steps away. I realized it was compulsion.

"Oh my goodness Rose I've missed you so much! I haven't seen you in like four days aside from the court meeting. I've been worried sick." She said worriedly. I looked at her closely. Her hair was duller than usual and her eyes had dark circles under them. "Lissa are you feeling alright?" I asked, concern thick in my tone. "I'm not alright, but I'm definitely not the focus. You are the one locked up unjustly." She reminded me. I looked down at my hands. "Right." I mumbled.

She grabbed my hand. "Be strong Rose. You are a fighter. You always have been. I have faith in you. I know you'll be fine. We will be together again soon." She sounded so sure. I just hoped she was right. I nodded slowly. As I stared into Lissa's eyes an idea came to my mind.

"Wait, Lissa, do you think, well never mind." I cut myself off. "Anything Rose. Ask me please." She assured. I hesitated. The guard kept looking back toward us. I could tell my time with Lissa was almost up.

"Can you please use compulsion one me?" I asked all at once. Lissa's face showed her shock to my question. "Well Rose, I don't know." She said cautiously. "Please. I've been having terrible memories of Dimitri as a Strigoi. Can you please make me forget about the nightmare I had about him?" I begged. She looked at me with sympathy. "Okay. I will try." I nodded. "Only my dream. This will take those memories out of my mind."

She looked me in the eyes and held my arms. "Rose, listen to me. You will forget the nightmare of Dimitri. He was never in your dreams. You don't remember that dream at all." I was in a daze. Lissa's spirit compulsion was mesmerizing. After she had finished and I shook off the haze I was amazed. I forgot why she had used compulsion. She hugged me close again. "I will be back." She promised. Then the guardian let her out. I laid back down on my bed and waited for what was to come next.