AN: Hello all! This is my first try at a Vampire Academy fanfic, and I just wanted to clarify some things first. Most importantly, the Queen hasn't been murdered, and the end of Spirit Bound is disregarded. So then, Last Sacrifice is also disregarded. I'm sure it'll make sense, but feel free to ask questions anyways.
And just so that everyone is aware, this will contain darker, mature themes; I don't want that to catch anyone off guard.
I hope you enjoy.
Disclaimer: I do not own the Vampire Academy series, and am not making any profit off of this story. This disclaimer stands for the rest of the story.
Only the Strongest Will Survive
Chapter One
I'm Dying, You're Crying
No one said no to Rosemarie Hathaway.
"I want you, no one else," she said, the determination in her voice reinforcing the fierce expression on her face.
Adrian crossed his arms over his chest and a tense look came over his features. "As flattering as I know you think that might be, little dhampir, you can probably understand my reluctance."
Rose clenched her fists. Of course he'd choose now – of all times – to reject her. Maybe she should have been shocked at his refusal, but she honestly thought he would jump at the opportunity she was offering him.
"Why not?" she demanded.
Adrian smiled at her calmly. "Don't misunderstand me – I've wanted nothing more than exactly this since the first time I laid eyes on you." As though to prove his point, his eyes lingered over her body. "I have always wanted you, but I think we both know there is a lot more going on here than just your sudden change of heart."
Rose smiled softly. She had to hand to him, he was right. There was a lot more behind this than a simple change of heart.
This was the result of months of preparation and there was no way in hell she was going to allow him to put the brakes on it.
"I need this, Adrian," she said softly, reaching out to him. "Why deny me?"
He took a quick step back and held his hands up.
That was a first.
Rose frowned. She knew this wasn't going to be easy – or simple, but she hadn't expected him to say no outright. He was Adrian Ivashkov for god's sake. He was the epitome of crazy and impulsiveness. This should have been right up his alley.
"Because you're doing it for all the wrong reasons, that's why," he said impatiently. He ran a hand through his artfully messing hair, and watched her carefully. He apparently knew her well enough to know she had an ulterior motive.
This was going to complicate things.
"No," she persisted. "I'm doing it for all the right reasons and the sooner you realize that, the better."
"Tell me why then – tell me why you're asking me to do this," his face seemed anxious, his hair falling into his eyes.
Rose paused for a moment. Adrian's expression hinted at something that she couldn't quite put her finger on. There was a certain determination in the set of his shoulders and an almost angry look in his eyes.
The doubt crept in. Maybe he was right – maybe she was asking too much. Maybe she was expecting more than she had any right to ask for.
He seemed to have taken her hesitation to mean that she wouldn't answer.
"Because of him," he said finally. "It's because of him that you're asking me to do this for you."
She clamped her lips shut. She wouldn't deny it.
Her actions always revolved around him.
Dimitri Belikov.
Rose's gaze settled on the wall opposite her. It was easier than to look at the hurt that was settled over Adrian's features. He might try to mask it, but she knew it would be there if she looked close enough.
Because she knew him that well.
True, it was different than what she had shared with Dimitri - that intense, wordless connection that she had with her former mentor was indescribable, but that didn't diminish what she had with Adrian. It didn't make it any less powerful or compelling. And ever since Dimitri's words in the church all those months ago - that crap about love fading - she had found that Adrian was the only one capable of keeping her from drowning in her own self pity. Not even Lissa was able to keep to darkness at bay.
And so that was reason she was here now, because she trusted him – chose him, really, to be the one to embark on this journey with her.
She needed a new beginning, one that wasn't overshadowed by her past – overshadowed by her unfailing need for a certain Russian ex-Guardian.
That, and the fact remained that Adrian Ivashkov had the means to financially back whatever it was she had in mind.
Sure it was wrong, but she had run out of options, and besides that – she knew he wouldn't mind.
After what seemed like an eternity, she could see his shoulders sag forward.
"It'll kill Lissa, you know that."
Rose tried to ignore the hope that surged through her at his words - he was giving in. Instead, she nodded her head reluctantly. Of course she had already considered this. "Yes, but she'll heal – eventually. Besides it's not like we'd be going far."
Adrian's eyebrows shot up. "Oh really? Already have a destination in mind, do you?"
She thought she could see resentment flicker over his features, but she couldn't be sure. Resentment over what? The fact that she was so sure he'd agree that she had already made plans for their departure from Court?
Maybe. Actually, it was very likely that was the reason he was practically glaring at her.
Rose shrugged. "I wanted to have everything planned out before I asked you to do this." Before I told you to do this, her mind supplied for her. She stamped that idea from her head. No way was she letting herself turn back now. Not guilt, not remorse, not even her feelings of obligation towards Lissa were enough to make her change her mind.
Adrian was nodding his head, preoccupied with his own thoughts for a moment. "So how exactly do you propose I do this?"
"You're the Queen's favorite nephew – are you honestly trying to tell me that you don't think she'd give you anything you wanted?"
Adrian laughed at that. Maybe because she was right – Tatiana would give him anything he asked for. Isn't that one of the first things he had said to Rose? That all he had to do was ask for her to be his Guardian, and he'd have her?
Well, now that Rose herself was standing before him, asking for him to do exactly that – it seemed like he was having second thoughts.
She could see the indecision on his face, and decided to throw in the last bit of news. "Besides," she said with a flippant shrug, "once they know that you've been admitted to Cornell, they'll basically give you anything you ask for."
"Cornell?" he asked, clearly wondering why that was news to him as well. "Since when did I get admitted to Cornell?"
Rose smiled and took the remaining three steps to close in on him. "Since I applied for you back before Christmas." She wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed herself against him.
He laughed suddenly and shook his head. "So I take it the money you said was for that orphanage in Russia, was actually used to secure my enrollment?" He gave her a crooked grin. "And all this time I thought my money was going towards something useful."
She made a show of looking offended. "Take that back Adrian Ivashkov - the majority of that money did go towards the orphanage in Novosibirsk. As it happens, it wasn't that hard to get you in." Which was a lie. She had spent countless hours writing essays and fictionalizing his life. But the money really was the thing that guaranteed it. There was a lot that they were willing to overlook, when they received an 'anonymous' donation.
Adrian groaned loudly. "Never mind all that. You overlooked the fact that going to college requires something I hate - studying." He paused as Rose sighed in exasperation. "Besides, what are you going to do while we're there." He eyed her suspiciously. "I don't suppose that you thought to enroll yourself."
"Hell no - but that doesn't mean I won't have to sit through the classes with you. Part of the whole 'Guardian' thing."
He smiled at her, and Rose took that as a good sign. But there was still indecision in his eyes.
She hesitated, but threw it aside. "Don't tell me you don't want this," she whispered against his lips.
Adrian raised an eyebrow at that – remembering all too clearly the last time those words had left her lips. It had been here, as a matter of fact, on her bed . . . where they had nearly had sex. How long ago that seemed.
His hands reluctantly wrapped around her waist. "You clever temptress, little dhampir," he mused, a small smile tugging at his lips. He closed the gap between them as they kissed – at once passionate and powerful, fierce and determined.
His hands wandered her body, igniting feelings and impulses she had long ago resolved to bury.
But now – right now – she didn't want to fight it anymore.
Before she could fall too heavily into their actions, Adrian surprised her by pulling back. His green eyes blazed into hers with an alarming intensity. She could feel the flush of her face, and the way that her breath came out in quick, short spurts.
He regarded her for long moments, before a smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. A quick nod from him was all she got before he turned, walking out her door.
It was then that she knew she had won. He would make it happen, she was sure of it.
The only question that remained, was when? And how long before the news reached Lissa?
Adrian was going to put a 'request' in for Rose to be his guardian – and they would grant him his wish. She had made certain of it, by getting him admitted to Cornell. They would think he was finally off to do something with his life. And besides that, Adrian had it in his power to be incredibly persuasive - with or without the help of compulsion.
And so Rose sank back down onto her bed. She had just seen the last piece of her plan fall into place. She was going to leave Court and Lissa would be safe here. They'd eventually take Dimitri off of probation and assign him to the Dragomir princess – she was certain of it.
So now, why was it that when her plan was finally coming together, she felt even more hopeless than before?
Reviews are much appreciated and I don't mind constructive criticism. I think you can expect updates a few times a month, at least that's the plan until I'm out of school. Also, this chapter is significantly shorter than the ones to follow. This is basically an introduction for what to expect for the rest of the story.
Until chapter two!
Theodora
