Note: I know this is short, but it's just the beginning so. I'm allowed to have a short intro :P Hope you guys like it. :)

As I sit in this prison cell I think about my fate. I knew there was a chance this would happen. I knew there was a chance I would lose everything. But, what can I say? I didn't cover my tracks as well as I thought I had. I looked away from the white wall as I heard commotion down the hall. My eyes grew wide and longing. I knew they would, they always had when he came around. I'd been in love with Dimka since we were young. He'd always been so strong and sure of himself. But, he was in love with that little bitch. I liked Rose, really, I did. But, I despised her for ripping Dimka away from me. I don't know if my decision to kill the queen would have changed if Dimka had chosen to be with me.

Six long months I've wasted away in here. Thinking back, I don't think I slipped. But, maybe I did. Maybe I played a game I wasn't ready to play.

He stood in front of me. All 6'7 of him. His face emotionless as he took me in. His eyes cold.

"Come on. It's time for your trial."

It was one small sentence, but it chilled me to the bone. Funny how committing murder didn't get this response. I rose to my feet. I was now going to face my fate.

I followed my beloved Dimitri and the Guardians he hand chose to move me through Court. They were treating me like a spectacle. So that the masses could understand that justice was being served. I wonder if Lissa will be lenient because I am Christian's aunt. Or will the fact that I shot her best friend cloud her judgement? Not that I really deserve lenience. I mean, I am on trial for murder.

I look at the faces of the Moroi who can just see me through my extremely tight guard. I'm actually surprised Rose isn't the one in charge of me, but Hans probably doesn't trust her to be in the same room as me, let alone touch me, without kicking my ass. But, why Dimka? Out of everyone here at Court why him? Oh, right, he's the only one competent enough. He didn't spare me a glance. He didn't give me a kind word. He just stood rigid before me. I knew he was tense, ready for action. He'd always been that way. But, this new coldness in him toward me was new. Which is understandable, I not only tried to frame his girlfriend, but I also tried to kill her.

I entered the court room and could see how formal this trial was. The entire Moroi council was preceeding over this. Lissa's word would be final, but they would definitely have their input.

My eyes landed on Rose who was standing with Christian, holding his hand. Being his friend. I respected her and appreciated her for that. He needed someone to lean on. And he could not certainly look to Lissa for comfort in this matter. But, at the same time I felt a wave of hatred for her. I didn't see Adrian or Jill which was weird, but then if I'd been hearing my rumors right, someone had attacked Lissa and Jill. Knowing the team Lissa has around her Adrian and Jill were probably hidden; away from harm's way. And the perpetrator had either been killed by Rose or Dimitri or he/she/it was in prison.

Rose's eyes landed on Dimitri and I saw the calm strength and pull of love that made me scowl in disgust. Then her eyes shifted to me and they turned ice-cold. A Guardian's mask, one that Dimitri had helped her perfect. But, then it dropped some and I saw an emotion I didn't expect to see. Pity.

Dimitri led me to my seat. And I sat watching and waiting. A moment later everyone rose to their feet.

"QUEEN VASILISSA SABINA RHEA DRAGOMIR."

I watched her. The beautiful queen. She walked toward her seat as she was announced looking regal and elegant. Her face was cool and she smiled at some of her subjects in the room. I watched her in awe. She was everything I thought she would be. Rose moved to stand beside Lissa and Janine Hathaway moved beside Christian. Lissa read my charges.

"Natasha Amelia Ozera, you are charged with First Degree Murder, Assault with the Intent to Murder, Making false statements to the Guardians, and Covering up a crime. How do you plead?" she announced diplomatically.

"Guilty, your majesty." I answer. What else can I say?

I tune out the hearing. And instead think back on my life...how did I end up here?