Spirit Bound page 352 and so on

by Charboday

Starts from Love Fades, Mine Has in a different setting. Rose is unable to take the heartbreak Dimitri is putting her through and seeks a way out of the pain. To escape her troubles she runs away from court where strigoi and psychotic moroi lurk. Read to see if Rose will survive the dangers awaiting her outside the wards. I don't own VA. Multiple POVs.

1. Chapter 1: Cute Without an E

Spirit Bound starting from page 352

Chapter 1: Cute Without an E

Just want to say I own nothing but the clothes on my back. Beginning consists of actual material from Spirit Bound. Spoilers for those who haven't read Spirit Bound. Richelle Mead owns VA. MY first fic please don't be TOO ruthless. Taking Back Sunday owns the song for chapter heading.

Rose POV:

He was seated almost in as he had been when Lissa arrived: On the bed, curled up into himself, back facing us.

Words stuck in my throat. Coherent thought fled from my mind. It was like I'd totally forgotten the reason I'd come here.

"Dimitri," I said. At least, that's what I tried to say. I choked up a little, so the sounds that came out of my mouth were garbled. It was apparently enough, though, because Dimitri's back suddenly went rigid. He didn't turn around.

"Dimitri," I repeated, more clearly this time. "It's…me."

There was no need for me to say anymore. He'd known from the first attempt at his name who I was. I had a feeling he would have known my voice in any situation. He probably knew the sound of my heartbeat and breathing. As it was, I think I stopped breathing while I waited for his response. When it came it was a little disappointing.

"No."

"No what?" I asked. "As in, no, it's not me?"

He exhaled in frustration, a sound almost –but not quite –like the one he used to make when I did something particularly ridiculous in our trainings. "No as in I don't want to see you." His voice thick with emotion. "They weren't supposed to let you in."

"Yeah. Well, I kind of found a work-around."

"Of course you did."

He still wouldn't face me, which was agonizing. I glanced over at Mikhail, he gave me a nod of encouragement. I guessed I should be glad that Dimitri was talking to me at all.

"I don't want you here," said Dimitri flatly. "I don't want to see you."

"But –" I started.

"Go! I said I don't want to see you!" He whirled around, glaring at me. "Just leave me alone. I don't love you anymore. Love fades, mine has." He spoke through clenched teeth. My heart shattered.

I felt the familiar sting of tears, threatening to fall. Pain swelled within me, strong and powerful. My teeth bit down on my lip, refraining me from saying more, as I ran out of there as fast as I could.

Anguish and loneliness swept through me. My feet were carrying me to God knows where. Tears were running down my face by now, making them known.

A blurry gate came into view. I now realized what I was doing. No, I can't leave again but it didn't matter because this time I wasn't going to be returning.