Title: A Rose that can grow anywhere. Dimitri POV
Straddling me was a creature I've come to know and love. Rose Hathaway. She had won over me during field exam. It had started off where I was sure I would win. I hadn't and it still didn't surprise me, however. She was good, we all knew that. So did Alto but, he still saw the old Rose. The old Rose. I remember how it started. She was defiant and undisciplined, but something about her sparked something in me. I still don't know why her and the princess escaped the way they did. It must have been important. Even though it was wrong I always thought that Rose was sort of in the right. She had given up everything for Vasilisa. Which is the way it should be, but no one saw it like I did. Of course I had only seen it that way later on, when my feelings for Rose developed. Of course it was faulty and could've been handled differently, but Rose was well… Rose. And she did what she thought was best. I remember how I had looked into those deep, beautiful brown eyes when she and Lissa had pleaded with me to take her under my wing. I thought I was making a mistake but, all I could see in her was Janine Hathaway. Her famous guardian mother. I knew she could do it, it was in her blood. I had said yes on a limb. Now I regret that I ever regretted it. She was my only and by far best student. She understood me in a way no one else ever could. And I loved her for that. Six months ago, if anyone had asked me if Rose Hathaway could ever beat me in a fake strigoi attack. I'd have laughed. Now I would have laughed in a "are you kidding" kind of way. There was now no doubt that she could. That'll show Stan.
Now looking at her where she sat I wished that I wasn't her teacher. But thinking that, I knew, was wrong. Rose deserved someone she could love openly. She deserved better than me. There was no doubt that I couldn't go back. I was in too deep with this girl. A second chance wouldn't be granted to me this time. I couldn't give her anything. Now, I didn't want her to go off and be a… a blood whore. But she could be anything she wanted; I have absolute faith in her. My love is all I can give her, nothing else. I wish I could give her everything but I can't. I pray that will be enough.
I looked into her eyes. She was still breathing slightly harder. I looked at her with pride and love. I had taught her to do that. I wished that we could stay this way forever. I loved everything about her, even her defiance. It made her strong. I always noticed just how much she gave up for everyone. She was incredibly selfless. She didn't know it though. Rose had grown to be strong for Lissa. She ignored her own problems, for her. A hand reached down and helped her up. I hadn't paid attention to who it was. I had eyes only for her. She was gone.
She was gone.
My Roza. A Rose that could grow anywhere. She had grown up to be a beautiful flower.