The court had changed, it had become something you would see in medieval times. Gothic even. Instead of the formal guardian attire, we wore black hooded cloaks. The court was run some what now like a castle itself. It had been moved to Ireland, on osme odd thousands of acres. It may seem hard to guard but no, the wards were n outrageously strong, and were replaced often. Tatiana decided that due to the outbreaks in strigoi attacks we would go old fashion. I don't know but she is queen, and surprisingly I have taken to love this life. Moroi women wore formal dresses, and the men elaborate suites. And guards, we had the kick ass stuff, we had tight black pants almost like leggings but not, a black lace up short, black leather boots and our cloak, the black made it extremely easy to blend into the shadows.
But Dimitri Belikov wouldn't know any of these changes except the whole fact about being in Ireland. Yet. He had taken the offer and gone with Natasha Ozera for the last two years, but hey, I couldn't really blame him. I mean, yeah I was pissed he upped and left me but to be fair it was an amazing chance that I could never give him and I didn't really think I stood a chance against someone who could give him a family and a relationship that wasn't looked down on. So, I have locked my marshmallow- like thoughts away and embraced my inner badass once again.
However, Tatiana has sent an invitation to Natasha to come stay at the royal court. All I know is that I have to meet them at the front of the castle and lead them through the twisting, confusing halls of the castle.
Ah. Speak of the devils, they have arrived. My acute smelling has given them away. I sent a smirk towards Eddie and Jack, who also waiting with me at the top of the large stone stairs that led outside. Another thing I forgot to mention, most of the female guards became maids and ladies to the moroi women, yeah I know old timey. It was their choice and I had given it some thought but I remain one of the few female guards.
Just then the carriage rolled up to the bottom of the stairs. The three of us flipped our hoods up so not to be seen. I herd sharp intakes of breath, shocked at the obvious transformation. They spotted us and cautiously walked up to us. When we said nothing and only turned and began to walk down the torch lit hallway they followed.
After walking for what I'm sure seemed like forever to them, Belikov tried to approach us.
"I knew the court had changed but not like this..." he trailed of obviously still in awe.
However, our place as royal guars was not to hold conversation. Don't get me wrong some of us were quit the talkers but we were serious when it came to work. Belikov, not getting the hint continued, obviously not knowing it was me.
"It doesn't look like many woman guard either. You don't happen to know if Princess Dragomir is still here?"
I figured I could give him a friendly welcome. Jack and Eddie saw my decision and paused giving me a moment to get it out of my system. I whirled around and grabbed him around the neck, pushing him back into the wall. Tasha let out a squeak and Eddie and Jack restrained her.
"Look, obviously you don't know the rules of guards around here but if you plan on staying I advise you take a look. We are here for protection, not to strike up a friendly conversation with. Things have changed. Get used to it or get out! And as for Vasilisa, yes she is still here but upon seeing my shining face you should know that. Even you GUADIAN BELIKOV should remember that. If you have anything to take up with her you better enjoy my company 'cause she's my charge!"
And with that I flipped my hood that had fallen back on my head, and with my cloak billowing around me I burst through the doors into the queens chambers with Jack and Eddie flanking me. We immediately took a knee. "Your Majesty" we murmured before backing up and melting into the shadows, seemingly not there.
While the queen welcomed our guests I studied him. Don't get me wrong, just looking at him was enough for me to want to beg him to take me back but I was stronger than that now. He was the same as I remembered. Only the faint lines and lightening of his still gorgeous locks gave away that time had passed at all. I decided to try and tune into the conversation.
"I would be honored to have you as an Ozera live among our villages and in the royal court. I wish for all royal families to take residence here but seeing as how we now live differently than I'm sure your used to I would not force this life among anyone."
"I would love to stay here Queen Tatiana."
Well damn. I thought. So much for my peaceful life, well as peaceful as it gets for me.
"Very well, Hathaway, Castile, and Kings will show you your cottages. You are more than welcome to have a look around our lands." And just like that we were all dismissed. I had become a favorite of Tatiana's over the years. Unbelievable I know. But since our wards were stronger than before most guardians were in service of the queen when we weren't patrolling. Another change was we rode horses now. It was actually pretty fun and when I wasn't on the job or training I spent hours at the stables. We replaced the wards once or twice a week, and had parties of three sometimes four check sections of the border, seeing as how it was huge. A brick wall surrounded the whole place.
Anyway, we showed Tasha her cottage in the moroi village. It was close to where Lissa and Christian lived. We then rode over to the dhampir village. Now most dhampir women stayed with whatever moroi they were a maid or lady to. But for me and the other guards we lived in the dhampir village. We showed Dimitri his accommodations and made our way back to the castle.
The dhampir village wasn't near as peaceful and family oriented as the moroi village. We had more bars and pubs and tended to be much louder.
Another thing, some people had their own horse. There was a main stable in the castle and some had small stables at their home. I was one of those people. My five year old Dutch Warmblood had become one of my closest friends. Brego. Since Lissa was often busy trying to start a family or with politics I often spent time with Brego.
I and Lissa still had our girl's night out along with Mia though. Mia and Eddie were now a thing which hadn't surprised me. Adrian was now newly married to a moroi whose name was Abigail Kings. Who just so happened to be Jack's little half sister. Jack and I were the Hell raisers in the dhampir village along with two other of our friends Anthony Garbowski and Rachel Halfling. Jack and Rachel secretely liked each other but were too stupid to see it. And me and Anthony? Well we were uhm close friends who uhm kinda had lapses in self control every once in a while… Don't get me wrong we liked each other like friends, hell even best friends but Anthony's past love, a moroi girl, a year and a half younger than me who was a year younger than Anthony, got knocked up by some royal. Yea, we were a mess. But we were a mess together.
I was interrupted in my thinking as the queen walked down the front stairs and stopped in front of me Eddie and Jack. "I would like you three to go and hunt some, we need a little more wild life seeing as how we have a feast every Sunday." And we were dismissed. How did I forget about the feast? O well being favorite had its perks not everyone got to hunt for the royal chef. "Your majesty can I get Garbowski and Halfling as well?" The only consent she gave was a nod of her head as she walked into the castle. I smiled a wicked smile and set off. All you could hear were the thundering beats of three mighty horses running for maybe a little over an hour before we pulled up in front of a cozy little cottage, larger than the others. Being the favorites and doing whatever the queen willed got me Jack, Rachel, and Anthony our own little cottage to share between the four of us.
It was still fairly early in the moroi world and considering I knew exactly what Anthony had been up to last night I didn't expect to find him awake. I was proven right as I tied Brego and walked into our house. Rachel greeted us, her eyes lingering upon Jack. I simply gave the two an eye roll before walking into the back bedroom Anthony and I shared. He was sprawled out on our bed looking a little to comfortable. I walked over and sat near his head, leaning over. I kissed down his jaw, to his collar bone. The only response was a groan as he turned away from me. Anthony had brown jewel like eyes and short black hair. His well muscled body was something many girls would kill for. I lent over him and kissed him slightly before leaning back. We were like friends but not in a way. We acted as a couple would; we kinda licked our wounds together. I honestly don't know what I would do without him, he put me back together.
I ran my hands down his side and over his tight stomach and flipped him so he was looking at me again. "I suggest you get your hung over sexy ass out of bed before the queen kills both of us for not hunting." I said with my signature smirk and raised one eyebrow. He pouted and circled his arms around my waist, pulling me to him. "Pweease let me sleep some more." He said his voice rough from sleep and he was trying to blink some of the sleep from his eyes. It was pretty adorable. "I had to get up and work this morning and all I wanted was your company to help me hunt, but seeing as how you would rather stay here…" I trailed off moving to get off the bed. "NO, don't, I'm coming hang on." He said in a rush pulling on his clothing. All I could do was smile. He looked over to me seeing this as well. "O wipe that grin off your face." He said as he walked out the back door to the barn running his hands through his already messy hair. I laughed and walked out the front seeing Rachel on her gray horse Asfaloth and Jack on his dapple grey FireFoot. I mounted Brego just as Anthony rode up on Strider his big black Morgan.
We all took off Eddie left to check up on Mia, so it was just the four of us. We arrived in the forest within the hour and successfully shot down two large bucks and killed a few hair. With our killings we ran up to the castle. We went to the door below that led to the kitchen. A few of the women came and thanked us for our killings and went to work on what will be within a few hours time, our Sunday night feast.
Jack and Rachel went back to our cottage with the excuse of needing to tend to our few animals. I laughed and told them they had better hurry. Anthony and I slowly made our way to the moroi village to see Lissa. We slowed once we were in the village itself and continued at a walk. I easily found Lissa's cottage and we were almost there when I herd an all too familiar voice.
"Tasha, do you really want to stay here? Stuck in the medieval times forever?" He asked. I froze and Anthony noticed. He came around and tied Brego for me. "Its him." He stated, his eyes growing cold. All I could do was nod. He wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me to him. I had kept it together this morning but it took all I had not to break down. Brego, sensing my distress nuzzled my head, reassuring me. I let out a small laugh and cuddled closer to Anthony for a moment more before walking up on Lissa's porch and knocking.
"Come in!" I laughed and opened the door. "Really Liss, it's great to know that we two hard working friends are welcomed by royalty I joked. She just scowled and hugged me. "I guess you know who my neighbor is?"
"Yup" I said popping the 'p' as Anthony wrapped his arm back around me. "I was the one who showed them their way." I said with a sneer.
"I'm sorry." Lissa said. "Its fine, really I'll be okay." I reassured her. "Well that's good 'cause her she comes."
I gave Lissa a dirty look and proceeded to make myself at home. I munched on some sort of sweet as Dimitri and Tasha made their way over. Dimitri's eyes locked with mine and I raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. Anthony came behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist and laid his head on my shoulder, silently asking for one of whatever the awesome creations was I was eating. I gave a small chuckle and fed him one. He thanked me with a kiss on the neck and went to talk to Christian who I just noticed was in the room. "Fire Crotch!" I screamed and went to hug him. He had become like a brother to me and it was sad only seeing him once in a while. Chris gave a chuckle and patted my bag as I squeezed him. "You know Rose, you better be glad I understand or I would think you were hitting on Chris." She said with a wink. "Eww, Liss I have personally seen a few of you and fire crotch's escapades and need I say I prefer tan as opposed to pasty ass." I said and even our guests got a laugh while the two love birds blushed. I patted Chris on the shoulder and walked back over to get another one of the little candies when Lissa had to have the last word.
"Rose you just gave it away that Anthony has a tan ass." She said with a giggle. Well at least that shut Anthony up. "Humph" was my reply as I stuffed another candy in my mouth. "Wait so you and Rose?" Tasha asked Anthony. He began to squirm which in any other circumstance would have been enjoyable. Thankfully Lissa answered for us.
"Well, they kinda comfort each other." She started but stopped when Anthony stiffened. I walked up behind him and put a hand on his shoulder, immediately relaxing him. I felt him lean back slightly. I looked up at Lissa at told her with my eyes it was okay, trying to ease some of the guilt I was feeling through the bond. "We were both left by the people that we loved and we understood each other." I finished, looking down. Anthony excused himself, quickly walking out the back.
"I'm sorry Rose! I didn't mean to upset either one of you. I just wasn't thinking."Lissa said frantically. "Liss its fine, I will see you tonight. I'm gonna go see if I can find him." I said with a sad smile. I turned and walked out, careful not to make contact with either of the newcomers.
I noticed Strider was gone and sighed. He could be anywhere, but I had a feeling I new where he had gone. I hoped on Brego and looked up in time to see Dimitri looking at me with longing in his eyes before swiveling around and taking off. We swiftly weaved and dodged trees at a fast run until we came to a clearing. I slowed to a walk and looked around. This place really was beautiful. It was a small clearing that lead out to a ledge and when you looked over you were looking into a beautiful lake with a small water fall. Strider was grazing and Anthony was staring out onto the lake. Just as I'd thought. I dismounted and walked over to him.
"Anthony?" I asked quietly. He let out a shaky breath a turned to look at me with tears in his eyes. I walked up and put a hand on his face, he lent into the touch.
"I'm sorry" he let out brokenly. "I just had to get out of there." I stepped closer to him and wrapped him in a hug. I kissed his chest through the fabric of his shirt. "There's nothing to be sorry for." I reached up on my tip toes and kissed him, lingering there for a moment before falling back flat footed. "Come on, lets go home and get ready for the feast." I said as I grabbed his hand and drug him back to Strider and Brego.
Tell me what you think and if i should continue. Just an idea that came to me an i thought i should give it a try. All horse names are from the Lord of the Rings.
Disclaimer: I do not nor shall i ever own Vampire Academy