I stood there in his embrace for what felt like an eternity. His warmness sinking into my skin. There was no feeling better than this.

Pulling away from Dimitri we headed towards the doors hand in hand. The coronation had just ended and we were meeting up with Christian to go to the ball. We had barely taken three steps when none other than my mother approached us.

Uh-oh. I thought. This can not be good. I guess we should have told her. I mean I have been meaning to, but how do you tell your mother something like this? It is hardly a conversation to have in a hallway as you are passing each other.

"Belikov!" Janine, my mother, shouted as she began her interrogation. "What do you think you are doing?"

"I...uh." Dimitri looked down at me for help. It took all I had not to laugh in that moment. Dimitri, viewed as a god by most, was scared of my tiny mother.

"He's not doing anything." I answered.

"Oh really? I'm pretty sure nothing is not what I just saw." She spat back.

"Guardian Hathaway, I love your daughter. I can't be without her." Dimitri finally spoke. Although he has told me numerous times he loves me hearing him declare that love to my mother made it seem even more real.

Stunned for the first time in her life my mother faltered. She was lost for words. Unable to to wrap her mind around this piece of information my mother stood there open mouthed.

Regaining her composure, and to Dimitri's fear, anger my mom began her rant.

"What do you mean you love my daughter? You are her teacher Belikov. And she is underage."

"Mom!" I yelled. "I am eighteen. I have been for months. Though I wouldn't expect you to know that."

"Don't even pull that Rosemarie. And don't think I am stupid. You have been in jail for weeks and before that he," she said pointing at Dimitri. "Was a strigoi. When he was changed back he refused to see you. Now unless the two of you hid out at a high class resort while you were on the run, which i highly doubt, this all began while you were at the academy."

I started to tell her she was wrong when Dimitri's hand squeezed my shoulder to tell me not to.

"Shh Roza." He whispered. Louder he said, "You're right."

"I knew it."

"This did start at the academy, but you have to believe that we tried to ignore it. We did everything we could to stay apart but we just couldn't.I love Rose so much and even if it was wrong I don't regret a minute of it. As long as she wants me I'm going to be with her." Reaching down he took my hand back in his.

"You are right Belikov, it was wrong and still is. No one will except this when it comes to light. I will not stand in your way but I won't stand up for you either." With that she turned on her heel and left.

I looked up at Dimitri.

"She has a point Dimitri. No one is going to like this. But…" I paused grasping his other hand. "I'm tired of hiding. I love you Dimitri Belikov and I want everyone to know that you are mine."

"I love you, too. And I can't wait to tell people that you are mine as well."