LOCATION: LONDON, ENGLAND
DATE: DECEMBER 24TH, 1789
Vasilisa, the remaining Dragomir Moroi, and my best friend, had given me the day off of work. It was Christmas. I was thankful for her doing that. Because of Vasilisa's kindness, I would get to spend the day with him, the man I've been romantically involved with for the past six months.
His name is Dimitri Tatarinov, and he's a dhampir, just like me. Dimitri is seven years older than me and was assigned by Queen Tatiana to be Vasilisa's guardian, but our feelings for each other put Vasilisa's safety at risk, so he asked the Queen to be assigned to Vasilisa's fianée, Christian. Vasilisa and Christian's wedding was in two months, and them being married allowed Dimitri and I to have plenty of time together.
There is only one problem with Dimitri and I—since we're both dhampirs, and we're romantically involved, we're breaking a very big law. It is illegal for two dhampirs to have any sort of relationship that isn't professional. Any dhampir who breaks that law will be immediately executed. Dimitri and I have tried our best to keep our feelings a secret. But I've noticed how some of Dimitri's colleagues are getting a little suspicious. A good friend of Dimitri's, a female guardian named Alberta, has been watching us carefully for the past two weeks. The only place Dimitri and I can actually show our feelings without the fear of being noticed is in a wooden cabin hidden in the woods.
"An old guardian watch," Dimitri said, his Russian accent making his words sound exotic. "It has been abandoned for many years." He smiled at me. "A little sanctuary for us."
When I reached the cabin, I noticed the fire's light through the window. I smiled. Dimitri was already there, waiting for me. When I went in, I saw Dimitri sitting on our bed, looking at the fire intently.
"Hello, Roza," he murmured.
"Hello," I said softly. The fire cast shadows on Dimitri, making him look more godlike than before. I sat next to him and rested my head on his shoulder. "I missed you today."
Dimitri's arm wrapped around my shoulder, he kissed the top of my head. "I missed you, too." After a moment of silence, Dimitri spoke up. "Something happened while I was at the meeting."
I looked up at him. Dimitri went to a monthly meeting, to tell his superiors any news of his Moroi.
"What happened?" I asked worriedly.
"Alberta was with me," he said, looking at me with those deep brown eyes. "She told my superiors she believes I'm involved with another dhampir." He sighed, hugging me closer. "I tried to tell them I wasn't, but Alberta told them that she frequently sees us together, and she believes something more is happening."
I gasped. "That's ridiculous! I guard Vasilisa and you guard Christian, we're going to be seen together." I felt the backs of my eyes sting. "She couldn't possibly have any proof of this," I whispered. "We weren't that obvious, were we?"
Dimitri kissed my forehead. "I pray we weren't." He closed his eyes, his face grim. "A plan came to mind after the meeting." He opened his eyes, taking my hands and squeezing them. "We could runaway. We don't have to stay here, allowing them—the Moroi—to ruin our lives. How is it fair they can love freely but we must suffer?" Dimitri's eyes were pleading.
"I-I—" I stammered. "Runaway? Us? T-This is so much." Dimitri kissed me gently.
"You may think about it, if you wish," he said softly. "But I'm not sure what the superiors will do. Alberta is a highly respected guardian, they might believe her."
"And you aren't at the same level of respect?" Rose said bitterly. "You are the most respected guardian ever! Moroi even respect you! How could they believe Alberta?" I cried. Dimitri wiped my tears.
"Shhh," he said, hugging me. "I'm sure they'll brush it off. They can't be sure what Alberta said was true, they have no evidence." He kissed the top of my head. "I promise, nothing will happen to us."
After that discussion, Dimitri made a very delicious meal. We didn't speak that much—the silence was comfortable. We didn't need words to express ourselves. Once we finished eating, Dimitri washed the dishes. He took my hand and took me to the bed. He kissed me deeply.
"God I've missed you," he whispered.
I sighed. "I've missed you more."
Dimitri caught my little teased and pulled away. "Impossible," he said, his voice deeper, his accent thick. He trailed kissed from my jaw to my neck to my shoulder. Gently, he removed my dress, and laid me, carefully, to th bed. After removing his clothes, he went in.
"Dimitri," I whispered, my nails digging into his back, he gave a long sigh. His muscles tensing. Pulling out, he laid beside me, brushing hair from my face. I curled up next to him, burying my face in his muscled chest. "I love you," I mumbled.
"I love you," he whispered.
We fell asleep.
I was awoken by the sound of pounding on the cabin's door. I looked to see Dimitri, his body stiff, his eyes wide. He silently got out of bed, motioning me to get dressed. I did and Dimitri opened the door. A group of dhampirs and a few Moroi stood on the other end. I felt my heart pounding in my chest.
No, I thought. No, no, no!
Suddenly, I couldn't breathe.
"I see," a man's voice said. "Alberta's words were true." A sigh. "Dimitri Tatarinov and Rosemarie Hughes, you will be sent to the High Court for breaking the most crutial law—a romantic relationship between dhampirs. It's a shame, really. You both were very respected guardians. The Princess and her fiancée will be informed of this, as well as your families—"
"My family is dead," Dimitri said flatly. Dimitri's family was killed in a Strigoi attack when he was eleven. He was taken to an academy to train to be a guardian, when he still lived in Russia.
"That's right," the man said. "Then I will have to report Rosemarie's family of this, and hope that they will come. Your court date will be three days from today." The men left. Dimitri shut the door and looked at me, his eyes wide. For the first time, I saw fear on his face.
I rushed over and hugged him. "I'm so sorry," I whispered.
"For what?" he said. "You haven't done anything wrong."
"I seduced you," I said, sniffling. "It was my fault. They shouldn't punish you." Dimitri kissed me, cutting me off.
"Don't blame yourself," Dimitri whispered. "Please. I love you more than anyone in this world. If we were in a situation where I had to choose between you and Christian, I'd choose you. Always."
I buried my face in his chest.
ONE DAY BEFORE THEIR COURT-DATE
Dimitri and I were in our cabin, sitting on the bed. I was, actually, on Dimitri's lap, my head resting on his chest, hearing his strong heartbeat.
"I got it," Dimitri said. "I found it where you said it was located."
I looked at him. "Good," I said sadly. "I left a note at Vasilisa's bedroom." Dimitri nodded. Reaching for his shirt pocket, he pulled out a hankerchief, unfolded it, and showed me two flowers. The deathflower, it was called. Anything that ate these flowers would die within seconds. I gently picked up one of the flowers—I studied the delicate white petals. How could one flower look so innocent, but kill so easily?
Dimitri gently tipped my face up. "My Roza, are you sure?"
I nodded. "They'll kill us, and I can't live without you. I'm sure."
Dimitri nodded, brushing his lips against mine. He gently scooped up his flower. We laid down on the bed, trying to get as close together as we could. Looking at each other, Dimitri and I popped the flowers in our mouths and swallowed. I laid my head on Dimitri's chest. Dimitri's arms tightened around me. I felt lightheaded, my breathing sounded heavy. Dimitri's chest raised and lowered in shallow breaths. I tried scooting closer to Dimitri, his arms tried tightening around me, but they loosened.
Everything went black.
THE NEXT DAY
They stood around the bed, looking down in awe. The lifeless bodies of Dimitri Tatarinov and Rosemarie Hughes—they killed each other because of their love. In the crowd of Moroi and dhampirs, there were soft whimpers and silent cries.