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The Moroi royals were always the same, discussion before action. Maybe they just talked for the sake of it. And now, they were arguing about how to respond to the Badica incident. Dimitri doubted that the Moroi would ever use their magic as Tasha was suggesting; magic was peaceful, that's what they had always been taught.

But his mind was not on the Badica massacre, or even the recent pillage of the Drozdovs. As always, his mind had strayed to the one person who mattered most—the one he was never allowed to care about.

Roza.

The thought came as a sigh of longing, stronger than even the thought of home brought about. As Dimitri strode down one of the many corridors that riddled the ski resort, he couldn't tear his mind's eye away from everything he loved about her; her smile, the dark silky hair that ran down her back, the way her lips felt as she kissed him…

The thought of her kissing him brought back a deluge of memories, including the unwanted realisation that loving her would destroy both of their reputations, as well as endanger Lissa's life. It was a risk he simply couldn't take.

Glancing at the watch on his wrist, he doubled his pace. He was late meeting Alberta. She had some information on the Strigoi attacks she wanted him to see.

He reached the lobby and pushed his way through the jostling crowds. Some Moroi were running. The Strigoi attacks had put everyone on edge. Dimitri still couldn't help thinking of them as cowards.

Dimitri entered the St. Vladimir's Academy wing, just off the lobby. Students strolled through the passage ways, all glancing at him in awe. Dimitri suppressed a smile when he remembered how Rose had called him a god.

No. Stop. Don't think about her. You can't think about her.

He set his mind to the task at hand- finding the Strigoi and their human counterparts.

He rounded a corner and what he saw halted him in his tracks.

Rose was halfway down the hall. With Mason Ashford.

Her back was pressed up against the wall, her arms wrapped tightly round Ashford's neck, her lips and his locked in a tight embrace. Ashford was running his fingers through her beautiful, silky hair.

And at that moment, Dimitri's heart froze.

As quickly as possible, he retreated back around the corner and leant against the wall, breathing deeply. Anger, jealousy and hurt coursed through his veins like wildfire.

Calm. She's not yours. Calm. Breathe.

Rose spoke suddenly.

"We could go… somewhere."

Mason laughed. "Not when you're drunk."

"I'm not … that… drunk anymore," she said.

Dimitri peeked around the corner, just in time to see Mason plant a butterfly kiss on Rose's lips. "Drunk enough. Look this isn't easy, believe me. But if you still want me tomorrow-when you're sober- then we'll talk."

Mason leaned in to kiss her again and she pulled him closer. He broke away with a laugh. "Easy there, girl." And he turned and walked away down the hall. Dimitri looked back at Rose. She was standing there, as gorgeous as ever, a beatific smile on her face. His eyes followed her as she crossed the hall and disappeared behind one of the many doors that lined the sides of the hall.

Dimitri stepped out from the shadows, his hands still balled in anger and frustration.

He walked the length of the hall, past Rose's door and onto the corridor beyond, trying very hard not to think about what he had just seen.