DISCLAIMER: I do NOT own the world of VA or any of the recognizable characters. I just own THIS Fanfic's plot. All other credit goes to the lovely Richelle Mead

Edited

Chapter 1: A Year It Is

The beginning of Chapter 1 is in italics and it is taken from Spirit Bound, therefore I do NOT own it.

RPOV

"I've given up on you. Love fades, mine has."

I stared at him in disbelief. All this time, he'd never phrased it like that. His protests had always been about some greater good, about the remorse he felt over being a monster, of how it had scarred him from love.

'I've given up on you. Love fades, mine has.'

I backed up, the sting of those words hitting me as hard as if he'd slapped me. Something shifted in his features, like maybe he knew how much he'd hurt me. I didn't stick around to see. Instead, I pushed my way out of the aisle and ran out the doors in the back, afraid that if I stayed any longer, everyone in the church would see me cry.

I SPENT the rest of the night in my room, crawled into a ball, crying my eyes out. I didn't want to leave my room, I didn't want to see anyone, or go anywhere. I had felt my heart shatter at Dimitri's words, and I wasn't sure if I could fix it or even pick up the pieces.

'Love fades, mine has.'

God, it'd be easier if he'd just slapped me repeatedly. That would've hurt less. I wanted nothing more than to just stay in my room, crying until I forgot how, or didn't have anymore tears - whichever came first.

No, my mind rejected the thought. No, you are Rose Hathaway. The badass Guardian who never submits to defeat without a fight. You are not going to just lay here, acting like a victim. That is not The Hathaway way.

I figured the voice in my head was right, but I just dismissed it and continued to sob.

After everything we'd been through.. After everything I submitted to him with all my trust; I gave him my love, I gave my soul, I gave him my virtue, I gave him my heart.

After everything I'd done for him. I left my best friend who I'd sworn to protect, I dropped out of school, completely giving up on the life I worked so hard for. I went halfway around the world for him, I found a way to restore Strigoi and, in the process, broke Victor Dashkov -my sworn enemy- out of prison and turned to his crazy brother for the chance that I could save Dimitri, and yet, none of that seemed to matter to him. Only the wielding of the stake seemed to count. Only the fraction of the entire job I discovered possible done by Lissa seemed to matter to him.

The rest of the night, I got no sleep. I spent the hours crying and cursing myself for being so naïve and pushing Dimitri. I knew I shouldn't have pushed him so much and I should have given him time and space, but I couldn't help it. I loved him - I still did, admittedly, even after how much he'd hurt me - and I was so full of hope and excitement when I learned that we could restore him.. But all that came crashing down, didn't it? Now, that hope and joy left my body. I felt numb, and empty. A hollow shell of the strong, hopeful, and optimistic person I used to be. Dimitri held my heart and soul, and without him being my rock and the person who believed in me, loved me and never gave up on me, I couldn't do it. I couldn't continue life like this. I had to do something.

It was that night that I vowed to myself that I'd never, ever cry over Dimitri Belikov again.

THE NEXT morning, I forced myself out of bed and fought through my inner complaints and protests of leaving my room. I had too. I was a Guardian and I had a duty to do. Well, I had come up with a solution to my problem, unfortunately, it would involve lots of convincing and pleading.

I just threw on my formal Guardian outfit of black and white, and if I succeeded my task today, this would be the last time I'd wear it while I was on Guardian duty. I tried my best to cover up the evidence of my heartbreak from yesterday, and my reaction to it that I now found pathetic and overdramatic. I washed my face and combed my hair, trying to look a little more presentable. The final result was.. Okay..? I still looked like I hadn't slept well in days, and in reality, I haven't. Though, last night was the worst. I had to put make-up on to hide the bags under my eyes.

I looked in the mirror one last time before leaving. I had only meant to glance and 'okay' my reflection, but what I saw startled me. On the outside, I looked fine. Sleep deprived, but fine. But.. I looked into the reflection of my eyes and they looked... Dead. Lifeless. They mirrored how I felt and I prayed to no one in particular, that I wouldn't run into Dimitri, because, I hated to admit, the man could read me like an open book. And it was now that I hated that more than ever.

I left my room. Using the bond, I was able to find where Lissa was and I hurried to that spot. It seemed like a local café. I had to do this, and nothing was going to stop me.

"Rose!" Lissa gasped when she saw me and rushed to my side. "Where have you been? I've been trying to contact you by phone and the.. The bond." Addressing the bond in public was still strange to her, and I didn't blame her. A year ago, our bond was secret, known by very few people. Lissa, I and... Another person who I didn't want to name right now.

"I.. I was busy. Can we talk? I have to-"

"Princess Vasilisa, Guardian Castile is-" A new voice came. I recognized it immediately and I froze and stiffened up, while Lissa's head whipped towards the direction of the voice that abruptly stopped without any interruption. Slowly, almost fearfully, my head turned to the direction of where the voice came from and my heart nearly stopped when I saw him.

Dimitri... I could feel the heartbreak I felt yesterday come back as I stared at him, and he stared at me, stunned and speechless. An emotion flashed in his eyes but it was gone before I could identify it. And like that, Dimitri recovered and his face shifted into that expression I had come to expect from him these past days as he studied me. It was one that was almost fearful, but wary and guarded at the same time. It was hard and impassive, yet it softened a bit when he looked into my eyes. I quickly tore my gaze away from Dimitri and back to Lissa, whose discomfort I could feel through the bond. She felt the tension in the air with Dimitri and I in the same room. Dammit! This was exactly what I wanted to avoid.

Finally, the silence was broken, but unfortunately, it was broken by Dimitri, whose voice was like a dagger to my heart. A reminder of yesterday and our past that seemed to mean so little to him, and that he seemed to be able to ignore so easily.

"Rose," Dimitri addressed me softly, yet warily and stiffly at the same time. I could hear a hint of sadness, and regret in his voice. What? Did he regret hurting me yesterday? Well, it was too late for that. Ignoring his tone, I simply nodded at him, brief yet rigid. "Mr. Belikov. I hope you don't mind, but I have to speak with my best friend for a few moments in private." I said, my voice emotionless. Dimitri looked a little taken aback, but the impassiveness on his face returned. "Of course," Dimitri said in a monotone voice that was barely audible. I nodded my thanks to him and took Lissa's hand in mine, then practically dragged her off to the women's bathroom, desperate to get away from Dimitri.

"Rose!" Lissa yelped when I shut the door behind us. "What is it? Why were things so.. Awkward back there? What did you do?" she asked accusingly. I looked at her indignantly. "I didn't do anything! Other than getting my heart broken. But that's not why I brought you here-"

"I saw you and Dimitri at the church, Rose. I saw you two discussing and after Dimitri said something to you, you just stormed out! What happened?" she demanded. I could see the firmness in her eyes, yet she was trying to read my face. I bit my lower lip and looked down. "That's... I..." I fumbled as my mind went back to yesterday at the church. I felt my heart break all over again and tears welled up in my eyes. No, my mind rejected the tears. I would not cry. I promised myself I wouldn't cry over Dimitri anymore; let alone in front of Lissa. I didn't want to burden her with my problems.

"That's not what we're discussing." I said evasively, blinking back tears. I could feel a twinge of hurt through the bond. Lissa saw that whatever happened, left me sad and was the reason I was fighting tears. She felt hurt that I was sad, ('sad' was a huge understatement), and that I didn't trust her to tell her what happened.

I did trust her, but I didn't want to burden her with my personal life. She was Vasilisa Dragomir, the Dragomir Princess. She had enough worries apart from me. "Liss, that's not.. It's not important-"

"It is if it's making you cry." she argued and I sighed. "Forget it. Lissa, I'm leaving." wow, Rose. Nice way to be terse.

Lissa stared at me, stunned and shocked as she processed my words. "Wh-what?" she whispered, tears welling up in her jade green eyes. I felt a pang of guilt at hurting my best friend. "I... I have to go, Lissa." I repeated and Lissa shook her head numbly. "No. You can't. Y-you.. You promised you wouldn't l-leave me a-again.."

I looked down. I did. I had promised that when I had returned from Russia, but I had to go. I couldn't stay here. "Liss... Please try to understa-"

"No! Rose, you're my best friend and you're my guardian! You can't leave me! Not again! We - we just graduated and.." words failed her, silencing her outburst. I flinched when she raised her voice at me - that was rare for kind and polite Lissa Dragomir. "Lissa, I can't stay... I.. I can't. It hurts too much.." I said brokenly and I was shocked at how... Weak my voice sounded. Lissa realized this too and she knew it must be a grave decision if I was this desperate to go.

"For... For how long?" Lissa whispered, I could feel like she was trying to stop herself from breaking down right here in front of me. "I.. I don't know. I wasn't planning on coming back.." I mumbled and her eyes widened. "You have to. If you go, you need to promise me you'll stay in touch and come back."

I bit my lip. "I... About.. Five years?" Lissa shook her head, disagreeing immediately. "That's too long, Rose. Three months?" she suggested, tears brimming in her eyes. No. That wasn't enough time. I needed time to think and to recollect myself, try to heal my shattered heart. "No.. I.. I need time."

Lissa's face grew even more pained, but she nodded. God, what did I do to deserve such a supportive best friend? No matter how upset she'd been with me over pushing and insisting on seeing Dimitri, no matter how much she scolded me over hurting him, she would always support me and be by my side when I needed it, and right now? I needed her support and compassion, but.. I couldn't accept it while I was still here. "Is... Is a year good?" she asked softly and I thought about it. A year. Twelve months. Honestly, I'd rather have it longer, but I could feel that Lissa wasn't going to agree to any longer than a year.

"Okay.. A year it is." I sighed and a few tears escaped her eyes. I felt my heart break even further, (if it was possible), at seeing her cry and I pulled my best friend into a hug. She didn't hesitate to sob on my shoulder. "Why, Rose.. W-why do y-you have to g-go? Why ca-can't I go with you?" she cried and I felt a pang in my chest. "You need to stay here.. The council needs you and you have a job to do. I promise i'll keep in touch and i'll be back on the year mark." I murmured, trying to soothe her by stroking her platinum blond hair. She cried harder but eventually, calmed down.

"One year only, o-okay?" she said shakily. I nodded, "one year. Oh and... Don't tell anyone where I'm going, okay? No one." She turned confused. "Where... Where are you going?" she asked and I bit my lip. "I don't know yet. But i'll call and tell you. No one is to know but you and me, okay?" I said seriously. Lissa nodded. "I-i'm going to miss you, Rose.." she murmured sadly and I felt pained again. "I'll miss you too, Liss.."

After the sob fest, Lissa and I walked out of the bathroom, and back to where Dimitri was. Dimitri and his guards. Honestly, I didn't want to be anywhere near him, but Lissa insisted on spending the most time I could with her before I left for... Wherever I was going.

"Ah, Princess. Are you okay?" asked Dimitri when he saw Lissa and her bloodshot eyes and tear stained cheeks. Lissa nodded, "fine. Do.. Do you know where Christian is?" she asked softly and Dimitri shook his head, not acknowledging me. "No, princess. I do not. I do believe that he is having lunch with Tasha." I tried not to scowl at her name. Tasha Ozera, the lady I almost lost Dimitri to. Either way, I did lose him so, it might've hurt less if he'd left at that time, instead of ignoring me like the plague now. Now, I was leaving, and as soon as I could.

Suddenly, I felt a buzz in my pocket. I realized it was my phone and I took it out immediately. I expected it to be a call or message about Guardian duties, but it was a text. From Abe.

OLD MAN: Hey, little girl. I just wanted to let you know that i'm leaving for Istanbul now.

I froze as I read the message. Istanbul. He was leaving for Istanbul. Slowly, an idea creeped into my mind, as I sent:

When?.

Soon, my father replied,

Now.

Wait. Don't go yet. Meet me at my room in fifteen..

After I hit 'send', I turned to Lissa. "Liss.. I think i'm going now.." I whispered and I saw the pain and declinement on her face, but nonetheless, she nodded. Ignoring the curious look Dimitri shot us, I leaned in and hugged my best friend, for maybe the last time in a year. And she made sure it counted, holding on to me tightly and a little longer than normal.

One year, remember your promise. She sent through the bond. When I pulled away, tears were swimming in her eyes, and some were in mine too. I nodded and turned to Dimitri, blinking the tears back, I gave him a sharp and fierce look. "You." I addressed him, taking a few menacing steps towards him. Dimitri looked completely lost.

"Take care of her. If anything happens to Lissa, I'll come back for you, and personally make sure you regret it." I warned in a low and dangerous voice. Dimitri looked puzzled and shocked by my threat, but when he got the full meaning of my words, his eyes widened.

"Wait. Rose, what do you mean -" Before he could finish, I gave Lissa one last look that told her how much she meant to me, and rushed out of the room.

To meet my father.

"YOU WANT to come with me?" Abe reiterated, incredulous. I nodded, "just for a year before I have to come back." I said and Abe took time to process this. "You have everything you need?" he asked and I shrugged. Looking over my shoulder at my bedroom door, I said in an almost wistful voice, "there's nothing left for me here. I need to leave as soon as possible." I turned my head back to my father and he nodded. "No one you want to say goodbye to? Kiz, Turkey is some distance away." He said cautiously. I narrowed my eyes at him, "Nope. Not anyone. Can we go now?" My voice was hard and robotic. It didn't sound like my own. Abe's eyes widened slightly and he nodded, "sure. Just let me call my driver.." he muttered, taking out his phone.

With a satisfied smile, I leaned back up against the wall. My life as a Guardian ended here. Well, atleast until I came back. Until then, I was free. Nothing to tie me down or control me.

'Dimitri is asking where you are. Should I tell him?' I heard a voice in my head. I immediately identified it as Lissa's and I felt myself panic. No. Dimitri couldn't know. Not yet, atleast.

I quickly pulled out my phone to send a text to Lissa. Don't tell him! Not until i'm gone.

I hit 'send' and sighed, hoping Lissa hadn't said anything. Well, it's not like he'd care. He wanted me as far away from him as possible, right? I was granting his wish. I wouldn't bother him anymore; he could live without the worry and burden of Rose Hathaway.

Suddenly, an idea popped into my mind. "Hey, Abe. As a matter of fact, I do have to do something to do before we go."

Abe pressed a button on his phone and looked at me. "Sure, Kiz. What is it?"

"Do you have any paper...?"

HEY EVERYONE! So, here's the first chapter of In A Year, did you like it? Hate it? Should I continue? Let me know!

Updates for this story will be random, and I just ask that you're patient with me as I get very busy in the Summer with work and all that, so thanks for your patience in advance!

Also, I'm sorry for any mistakes. English is not my first language, so please bare with me!

So, let me know your feedback and stay beautiful!

Stay beautiful! Xoxo,

||RozaBelikov1996||