"Whoa. Listen, Talia, I didn't mean anything by that 'blood whore' comment. I was just messing with you!" Jaylin exclaimed, wiping his face with his sleeve.
Adrian and I shoved past him and I rubbed my hand.
"Here." Adrian took my hand and I felt a tingling sensation run through my body.
Letting go, I felt better. "Did you heal me?" I asked.
"Lissa's waiting." Adrian pulled me into a room.
"Tali!" Rose exclaimed, dressed in red.
"Hey, Rose. Your sister just punched Jaylin Badica in the face." Adrian grinned, wrapping his arm back around my shoulders. "It was awesome."
"Why did you punch Jaylin? Not that I'm complaining." The Moroi Queen, Vasilisa Dragomir, stopped next to Rose, Christian Ozera by her side.
"Your Highness." I nodded my head respectfully.
"Oh, please. Call me Lissa." The Queen smiled.
"Very well, Lissa. I punched Jaylin because he called me a blood whore." I winced.
"Adrian." Lissa said.
"Cousin, he did. I had half the mind to punch him myself, but she beat me to it." Adrian grinned. "That was flawless, Talia."
"I learned from the best." I smiled at Dimitri, who hugged my sister.
"You learned from Belikov?" Adrian asked.
"No. We trained at the same academy in Russia." I laughed. "He was the best of his class and I was the best of mine."
"Well, Talia, I hope you enjoy the party. Christian, let's dance." The Moroi Queen pulled her boyfriend out to dance.
"Rose?" Dimitri asked, nodding to the dance floor.
"Oh, Comrade, you know me so well." Rose grinned, following Dimitri.
Adrian and I chose to dance as well, and I have to admit, the boy had moves. After about an hour of non-stop dancing, Adrian and I found ourselves next to a drink table. Grabbing two cups, Adrian handed me one.
"I want to go, Adrian." I said.
"Why?" He pouted.
"I'm tired. I flew in from Rome earlier." I began to walk, but my legs gave out.
In an instant, mine and Adrian's drinks were on the table and I was in Adrian's arms. "Did you eat supper?" Adrian asked.
"No." I said, wrapping my arms around his neck.
"We're going to get you something."
Something turned out to be a cheeseburger with a chocolate milkshake. Adrian stole fries from my plate as I scarfed down my burger, not caring what he thought. When I was done, I said, "This does not count as a date, Ivashkov."
"How about I pick you up from your room for breakfast?" Adrian smiled.
"What time?" I asked.
"Whenever. It's about nine-thirty am now, so how about at eight?" Adrian glanced at his Michael Kors watch.
"Sounds great. I'm going to shower and sleep." I stood and he stood with me.
"I'll walk you back to your room." Adrian said.
We walked through Court, holding hands. A Moroi walked up to us, smiling. "Hey, Guardian Mazur. Lord Ivashkov, your father is looking for you."
"Thanks." Adrian snapped.
"Why does your dad need you?" I asked as we changed directions.
"We'll find out." Adrian growled.
"Oh, no. I am not going to meet your father in this dress." I stopped.
"Please, Talia?" Adrian turned his beautiful eyes on me and I felt helpless. We walked to his father's house and he knocked on the door.
"Adrian!" A man that looked like an older version of Adrian glared at him.
"Father." Adrian nodded, sitting on the couch and pulling me down with him.
"Who is she?" Lord Ivashkov asked.
"My name is-" I began, but Adrian cut me off.
"She's Guardian Mazur. Rose's sister."
"Mazur? I once had a drink with a man by that name. Most interesting Moroi I've ever met." Lord Ivashkov smirked.
"What did you need, Dad?" Adrian snapped.
"I need you to find Guardian Belikov and give him a letter."
"I don't run in the same circle as Belikov." Adrian growled.
"I can give him your letter, my Lord. I know Dimitri." I offered.
"Thank you, Guardian Mazur. Tell your father hello. And if you're looking for a charge, I'm sure my son would love a guardian." Lord Ivashkov winked.
"I'll keep that in mind, my Lord." I blushed.
"Call me Nathan." Nathan handed me an envelope addressed to Dimitri.
"Yes, sir. Please call me Talia." I smiled, walking out with Adrian.
"He wants you to be my guardian." Adrian stated.
"I could see that. He made it seem like he wanted me as your guardian. And he knows Dad, so that can't be good." I smirked.
"Talia Catalina Mazur!" My father yelled. "It's late. You should be in your room!"
"Dad, it's only ten. And I'm nineteen!" I exclaimed.
"You. Adrian. Leave." Dad growled.
"He's not going anywhere. Nathan Ivashkov said to tell you hello. Now, if you don't mind, Adrian is walking me back to my room. Then I'll go to sleep." I shoved past my father, pulling Adrian with me.
"Beautiful name, by the way. Talia Catalina." Adrian smiled.
"You think so?" I asked.
"Definitely." Adrian smiled wider, walking me back to my room.
"How did you know where my room is?" I asked as we walked inside.
"Belikov told me." Adrian grimaced. "I sort of had to beg him."
"Goodnight, Adrian." I hugged him.
Adrian tilted my head up and kissed me. I pulled away and hugged him again. "Thank you for everything, Adrian. I'll see you in the morning."
"Goodnight, Tali." Adrian kissed my cheek and left my room.
I showered quickly and changed into a T-shirt and shorts. I washed my face and towel-dried my hair. At eleven, I was lying in bed and thinking about what Adrian said.
'He wants you to be my guardian.' And there was the part he left unspoken, 'And so do I.'