Playing with Stakes and Hearts

This is the sequel to Aftermath, Rose has just left Adrian's room and it starts from the last chapter of Aftermath. The proper Author's Note is at the end.

This is an excerpt from the last chapter of Aftermath:

"I'm sorry that that is the way things turned out. But really, how do you expect this be a long-term relationship? You're a royal Moroi; I'm the most famous novice guardian this place has ever seen. But... We can have something." Rose offered.

"Need an endorphin fix?" Adrian asked sarcastically.

Rose shook her head and walked over to him, "I really wish you could see what I mean, there's still hope. We'll talk later. Goodbye, Adrian." She kissed his cheek lightly and shook out her hair, spinning towards the door and walking purposefully out.

Rose's POV

Song: Sunday Best by Washington

I let my lips slide into the famous Rose Hathaway man-eater grin as I swung the cabin door open. He was there of course, sitting on the edge of the bed, staring out the window.

"Hey Comrade," I said, walking in.

"Rose..." He said wearily, turning to face me and shaking his head slightly, "well, they always said you were a tease with that body."

Laughing I walked over to him, "This one?" I said, sitting on his lap and hugging him, he was still here, he was still mine. Dimitri. How I love that name...

"Mm." He said into my neck, "This dress..."

"Remember when I came to your room in it?" I said grinning, thinking back on the lust spell.

He growled in response, I had a feeling this was his dark side.

Kissing him fiercely, I wanted his dark side, his good side had too much of a conscience.

"Rose..." He tried to say around my mouth.

"Dimitri," I moaned, wrapping my arms around him.

"God, I love you." He sighed, kissing my jaw, trailing back to my lips.

I bit his bottom lip and tugging his shirt off.

He pulled us back onto the bed, all passion and fierce love. The time apart ripping our hearts out and each kiss our resuscitation. No hesitation, no questions or pauses. We were here in the moment.

Bodies intertwining while our hearts synchronised - moving, loving, feeling as one.

Falling against the pillows together, catching our breath, drifting to sleep amidst whispered pledges of love. Consummating his return, our return.

Waking in the morning to go back to my other life, where Dimitri didn't exist. Kissing him goodbye, his concerned face, he was so lost. Back in his body but still reeling. He still hated himself for being strigoi, for the shadows that now haunted his mind. He may be physically healed but we both had a long way to go.

Strutting my way into the cafeteria with renewed confidence and a mini skirt, smiling wickedly at the glances – the way it would happen every day this week.

"Welcome back, Rose." Shouting from Ralf's table, cheers.

Whispers from the girl's tables, "Look who's a slut again."

Confused glances, displeased glares, disappointed sighs from people who were my friends. I'm taking this all the way; some people are just never pleased. When I was going through my dark phrase they were unhappy, now I'm perfectly happy and they are dissatisfied.

Slowly, so cautious, Lissa let a smile show and whispered "Rose is back."

Christian just watched me intently, he was always so analysing. Well, there are no holes in this picture.

Eddie high fived me, "Morning beautiful,"

"It is a beautiful day, isn't it? When I woke up this morning I was taken away by how gorgeous it is." I said gesturing out the window, thinking of Dimitri.

"It's nearly a full moon, that's probably why it's so nice outside."Lissa nodded appreciatively.

Adrian was in the lunch line, but when he had his tray of food, he walked straight past our table, toward the exit.

I hit his butt as he went passed, grabbing his wrist, "Why so keen to escape?"

Lissa giggled, Christian's eyes narrowed.

"I'm sorry, did you need something?" He asked, resting a hand on my neck- where he had bitten me - and smiling, "I've got to go to the feeders." His head inclined in the direction, inviting me, trying to be horrible and mean. His first come back was always about endorphin addictions.

"Nope, I'm good. Oh, I have something for you." I reached into my bag, smirking when my face was out of sight.

I handed him the box and said, "Open it later."

He shrugged, "Sure."

"I might be looking to borrow it sometime, but I know you wanted one." I grinned and caressed his arm.

"Fine." He said, walking off.

I giggled at the memory of wrapping the gift, it was the black dress. The one Dimitri had unzipped last night, the one Adrian had wanted to unzip. Our private joke really was fun; he had to own it to take it off. It had started when I borrowed a t-shirt of his, now it was going big-time.

I was going big-time. It's funny; this was the closest to what the rumours were saying that I had ever been.

A/N: It's rated M for now and only to be safe, tell me if you think it needs to be M or not.

The first chapter is short, I'll admit it. Just a taster - enticing enough?

Putting things in bold is the equivelent to yelling, so I do this fully aware of that. I Need A Beta. Please? Aftermath was greatly improved when I got a beta. I'm desperate. I know everyone is busy.

Next time, more fun and games!

xx G.