Author's note: I do not own Vampire academy or any of the characters. (Except one; Jenessa. That I know of for now.) I have done some editing to the chapters and made some changes. (Some of them subtler than others.) I hope you enjoy. (Only updated if you see this header. If not, I am working on it.) Thank you, and please enjoy. 😊
Chapter#1
I was more than anxious to get away from real life. Lissa and I had both just graduated from high school. Next fall I would be starting shadowing for my new position as her guardian, but for now it was time to get my bags packed.
We were heading out to the beach. To a house that the Dragomir's; Lissa's family had left her when they died.
In the same car accident that killed me, but Lissa brought me back using her spirit magic. Which made me shadow kissed.
Some Moroi were royal, or at least wealthy enough to afford land, but on a beach? It was baffling. Unlike dhampir's they couldn't stand to be around the sun for very long.
It had been a fight for that very reason. I didn't want to see her get hurt, or in the least sunburned, but as usual, she won me over with her charms and sweetness. Not compulsion. Never compulsion, as I had allowed myself to believe, at least I hoped not.
It wasn't illegal magic, but at the very least immoral. It was a magic that forced the users will onto the victim. All Moroi had it, but since Lissa specialized in spirit she had a true knack for it. Those she had used it on in the past hadn't known. The only reason I knew was that I could feel it sometimes when she did it through the bond.
The words played deep within my chest and had now become a part of who I was.
They come first.
Which I thought maybe was part of the reason that she had fought so hard to give us this. Maybe this was her way of trying to put me first.
One last vacation before officially becoming adults.
Graciously, the vampiric government had allowed us this opportunity and agreed to keep the palace running while the soon to be queen went on vacation.
Of course, it came with strings.
Lots and lots of strings.
I had to do shadowing before I was officially ready for the guardian title. Normally, as a graduated guardian I would be right away, but since I was guarding the queen the government wanted me to have extra training.
(Something about learning to get along with others… psh…)
So, until that was done we had to have a chaperone.
Dimitri Belikov. He was a legend, a god among the dhampir clan. He had been my instructor, my mentor at St. Vladimir's academy, but now he was Christian Ozera's guardian. Another Moroi and Lissa' boyfriend.
Another reason he was going. Moroi rarely went anywhere without their guardians.
Of course. I thought as I threw my bag into the trunk of the car. My ex-boyfriend would be coming along.
Well, no he wasn't ever my boyfriend, as he reminded me repeatedly.
Friend with Benefits? No, not that either. While I've done a lot of different things with boys I never thought about having sex with anyone but him. I wouldn't have allowed myself to lose my virginity to a FWB. No, he loved me and I loved him, but duty kept us apart.
They come first.
I hated his hot and cold temperament. I mean only a few weeks ago he was ramming me hard with his massive sized dick.
My cortex shivered, leaking in recognition at the remembered feelings of him inside me.
Thank god, I had a pad on. I'd be getting my period soon.
I turned, looking into his dark, championing eyes. I imagined him in a speedo, surrounded by blistering rays while he put suntan lotion on my body. His dark hair fluffing over his face and I running my fingers through it feeling each silky strand in my fingertips.
I gulped and turned away, forcing myself to stare behind the front passenger's seat. Where Adrian another royal Moroi sat.
I just couldn't bring myself to sit next to Dimitri.
"We are making a stop along the way."
The lushness of his voice called to me, making me stare back up at his face.
"We are picking up someone."
"Who?" I asked, at least I thought it was me. I had opened my mouth after all, but I didn't recognize the sound of my own voice. It was small, not at all the commanding booming that everyone in the car had come to know. In school, I had a bit of a temper.
Man, this whole adult thing has really changed me.
He smiled, as if coming to the same conclusion as me.
"Jenessa."
The way he said her name made me feel so cheap. Almost like he was serenading the very mention of her. Maybe I had been fooled into believing he really loved me. Maybe I had allowed myself to have my virginity lost to no more than someone who regarded me as just a casual encounter.
Crap. I thought as I weaved my fingers through my long dark hair. I started to sweat and boiling acid rose from my throat. I was so disgusted with myself I thought I might throw up.
Lissa spoke next, as if she knew the question that was burning through me.
"Dimitri, who is Jenessa?"
"Your royal highness." He said in a sweet voice. "The palace insisted on having someone supply the wards. She's very gifted, and will be the one in charge of them."
Wards were protective, magic barriers that kept out ghosts and Strigoi. Even though they were strong they were not invincible. They did break, and needed regular maintenance.
"Oh." She said with a gaping smile, and turning to me.
"The one we had talked about before?"
Through our bond, the bond that had been forged in my death, (or rather my awakening) I could feel her sending me calming and nurturing emotions. It took the sharpness from the acid, and immediately my stomach felt better.
Being shadow kissed had its perks.
"Yes, your majesty." He said, just before turning the key and revving the engine. "The government wanted a ward keeper. They asked for my recommendation and Jenessa was the first to come to mind."
He turned back to her from the driver's seat. "I hope it's still ok that I pick her up."
"Of course." Lissa chirped. "No problem."
"Thank you, your highness."
After that Dimitri sat forward and put the car in drive. Then we headed through the palace gate.
