Chapter 2:

RPOV

"Keep them separated, if we leave them alone for five minutes they will come up with an escape plan."

Naturally, tall, dark and handsome was not only well.. tall, dark and handsome but also smart. Although Lissa could convey messages through the bond, I could not communicate back. Stupid one-way bond.

We were ushered into a vehicle, I in one car and Lissa in another car. I was pretty upset about this and was about to protest but Lissa gave me a look that said to not start any trouble. We had to accept the consequences. I reluctantly climbed into the other car. Lissa was accompanied by five other guardians in that car and me with three in the car behind her. The last of the 11 guardians were in the last car. I almost had to laugh. We looked like one of those security details you see on royalty or dignitaries. Not conspicuous at all. But I suppose Lissa was Royalty and now that we were in the open it meant if Strigoi got wind of where Lissa was, we would need this security detail. However, leaving Lissa's side made me anxious. Strigoi might not be such a problem with 11 guardians and me, but we still don't know who wanted to hurt Lissa. I trusted no one and one of the guardians could be relaying information as we speak.

We rode the car in silence, with tall, dark and handsome, I mean Guardian Belikov next to me. He had made the correct assessment that I was the one needing the closest watch. Although Lissa would probably be more effective with her compulsion, she would never attempt any escape route without me or without consulting me. He seemed to have realized this too. I was quietly fidgeting with the strings on my jacket glaring at the car in front of me, willing Lissa to be okay and making sure I don't miss anything if something happened. I saw Guardian Belikov look at me from time to time.

"Rosemarie, don't worry, the princess will be safe with them."

I glared at him.

"It's Rose, not Rosemarie," I said a little annoyed. Partly because I hated to be called Rosemarie and partly because I did not like the fact that he seemed to have guessed the source of my nervousness so easily. However, I must admit hearing him speak my name with a slight Russian accent did make it a little better.

We arrived at the airport and there was a jet waiting to take us back to the academy. I was very conflicted. On the one hand, we would be putting Lissa in danger again at the Academy and I knew that once we were back, we (and by 'we' I mean 'I') would be punished. I would be blamed for letting Lissa escape. I would be lucky if they did not expel me.

However, I also missed our old lives. We had friends there and the Academy was the only place I had ever known. I gave it all up for Lissa and to keep her from going insane with thoughts of someone being after her, but I did miss the place. I never told Lissa that. She would feel guilty and I could not have that. Besides, being just the two of us alone in the world, away from politics, just living our lives, did have its charms too.

I saw the privet jet on the runway and at least it meant I would be in the same room as Lissa again. Although I doubt that my Russian jailor would permit us to sit next to each other. I got on the plane and I saw Lissa was already in her seat. I smiled at her, letting her know I was ok. She was conveying the same message through the bond.

Don't worry Rose. I am fine. They can't keep us separated forever. We will find a way out of this, and who knows it has been two years, maybe the person that we were worried about isn't after us anymore.

I kept smiling at her as Guardian Belikov led me to my seat a few rows behind Lissa. I was a little grateful to him. I don't know if I could keep the skepticism of my face. Although Lissa could not read my mind, she was pretty good at reading people in general. I did not have the heart to tell her that probably when we would get back, I would be expelled and the person after Lissa would still be after Lissa, only I would not be there to protect her.

I sat in my seat and buckled my seat belt as the plane took off. After being in the air for about 20 minutes, the seatbelt sign turned off and people started to walk around.

"That was very brave, what you did back in the alley, stupid but brave." I glared at Guardian Belikov a bit. I'll show him stupid. But he did have a soft look in his eyes that made me bite my tongue.

"Why did you try and attack us, when you knew it was a lost cause? I have seen your record, you had good marks in combat before you left, but still, taking on 11 guardians seems a bit much?"

I looked at him, he wasn't trying to be smart or condescending, and he was generally interested why I would attack them when there was no hope of winning. Well no hope of me winning in his eyes, I had other thoughts on the matter. Also, did he mention my good scores in combat class? I internally cringed when he mentioned my record; I knew there was a lot of bad stuff in there. I suppose it also contained my academic record, including my scores for combat class, but when looking at my record that must be the one page in a very large folder with positive information about me.

"Because I am her guardian and would do anything to protect herchance" I said without a doubt or waver in my voice.

"But why protect her from the people trying to protect her? How is running away with one novice safer for her than a well-warded, well-guarded Academy looking after her?"

Again no condescending tone in his voice. Or maybe there was and his Russian accent just hid it from me. But I had no answer for him. I looked down at my hands, and then I stared out of the window. I trusted no one.

I heard him sigh and pull something out of his pocket. My curiosity got the better of me as I turned my head slightly to see what came out of the pocket of his duster: a western novel. I almost laughed, it did explain the duster. He had a fascination with cowboys, interesting.

I turned back to look out the window and started to count down the minutes to my doom. The in-flight information was like a clock towards my execution. Once we landed my life would be over. I at least hope they will let me say goodbye to Mason and Eddie. They were some of my best friends before we left. Don't get me wrong they will have to drag me out of the confines of the academy kicking and screaming Hathaway style, but I knew I would just be postponing the inevitable.

My heart sank into my stomach when the plane was making its descent. Guardian Belikov seemed to sense my apprehension.

"Don't worry, it will be alright."

I looked at him with sad smiling eyes,

"Thanks for lying to me, but we both know it won't be alright, not for me at least."

He looked at me and smiled a little. We both know where this was heading, and all the comforting lies in the world could not change that. I lifted my head high and walked out of the plane with as much dignity I could muster on my ways to the gallows.

He showed me some pity at least when he allowed Lissa and me in the same car on the way to the academy. It was only 30 minutes from the local airport and I know he also saw my resignation with consequences we both knew were coming. He was driving this time. I sat next to Lissa. I knew better than to push my luck with him and chitchat away with Lissa, but that did not stop Lissa from chitchatting away with me through the bond.

Don't worry Rose, I won't let them expel you.

So she did have a sense of what was to come.

I don't care how much money and power I have to throw around, you only did what you did because I asked you. You kept me safe. Even they can't deny that. I need you, Rose, you are my best friend and I won't allow you to be taken from me.

I saw the steel determination on her face when she looked at me while relaying those words. I don't think I have ever seen Lissa so strong and regal. It made me almost believe her. I smiled at her and squeezed her hand. I then turned my attention back on the road to my untimely exit out of the academy. I saw Guardian Belikov give us a funny look through the front mirror. What was that about?

The gates of the Academy. Maybe if they let us off here we could still make a run for it. I could kick at least a few of their asses, and Lissa could compel some. We could make a run for it. But I knew I would never get past Mister Russian Jailor over there, and would probably make it worse. So I sighed and got out of the car after Lissa had exited.

"Headmistress Kirova will see you two in her office immediately."

"What, no rest, no cleaning up, no we will see about punishment in the morning, just like that, towards her office?" I asked him slightly unnerved. I thought we would at least be taken towards to dorms to freshen up or something. Anything to give me some time to maybe figure out a way out of this or at least come up with a good excuse why we left, without sounding insane.

"I have my orders. Less time to give you girls a chance to escape or come up with a way to talk yourselves out of this." I just stared at him. How did he know what I was thinking? But I suppose there is nothing he can do about this.

So we both followed him.

It was the middle of the Moroi day, meaning night time. It was also lunch hour and to my horror, he led us straight through the commons towards Kirova's office. I could see all eyes on us and all the whispers going all around of our return. I could care less about the juvenile gossip I was picking up. All I cared about was getting this over with.

We entered Kirova's office. She looked exactly the same. Including the very condescending look, she pointed at me. Guardian Petrov was also in her office and I swear she was giving me a slightly sympathetic look. She knew where this was heading and she knew I would bear the brunt of the punishment. Kirova could scold Royal Moroi but had very little power to actually make them do anything. Lissa was too valuable to them to punish severely. So that left me as the scapegoat.

We were ushered into seats in front of her desk. Lissa and I sat whilst Guardian Belikov was standing behind us.

"Congratulations, Guardian Belikov, you have managed to find her. Thank you for bringing back the Princess."

"Thank you Headmistress Kirova, but I must attribute everything towards the sound information we were given. They were exactly where the report said they would be. I am glad I was able to bring both girls back here safely."

I did not miss the slight emphasize on both girls when Guardian Belikov spoke, trying to correct Kirova's previous neglect of me. I must admit, I was starting to like the big bad Russian.

Kirova then directed her attention towards us. She looked at Lissa and me and then back to Lissa.

"Princess Vasilisa, welcome back. I must admit although I might have expected Miss Hathaway to try and get out of punishment for destroying school and private property I would never have expected you to follow her. Although it showed loyalty as a friend, it showed poor judgment as a princess. You are now far behind on your peers in all subjects and will need extensive lessons to be able to catch up and graduate this year. Luckily you had an outstanding academic record before and were even ahead in some classes, so I expect you will do just fine."

That was it? Lissa got off the hook that easily? I did not expect Kirova to have too much power but at least give her some detention or a curfew or something. Not that I was not happy about this for Lissa, but still the contrast to how a royal Moroi was treated compared to a dhampir girl was a little ridiculous. Lissa felt the same way and started to protest.

"Headmistress Kirova, Rose did not make me leave with her, I made her leave with me. Rose is not at fault here, I am. She was being the loyal friend and gave up her life here to keep me safe. And just to be clear, she did keep me safe. More than you know."

The last part she whispered under her breath, but I could clearly hear it.

"Why on earth would you have wanted to leave the Academy, Princess. Besides even if that is the case, as a guardian in training Miss Hathaway should never have allowed it. There is no safer place for a royal Moroi such as yourself then behind the wards of the Academy."

Lissa started to speak again but I squeezed her hand, letting her know it was useless. No matter what we said we could not convince Kirova. I would rather them not find out why we left in the first place. It could put Lissa in even more danger.

"Miss Hathaway, seeing as to me it seems as if you left the academy to escape punishment for your latest transgression, I see no other choice but to suspend your training as a guardian until further notice."

Wait suspension? Not expulsion?

"Headmistress Kirova, if I may? Although I cannot comment much about Rose's previous transgressions, it would be a shame to not let her continue her training. Female guardians are rare and Rose has a lot of potential."

Ah, my Russian knight to the rescue. I knew I was starting to like him. I am still not forgiving him since he was the one that took us back and landed us in this situation in the first place, but he was growing on me.

"That may be Guardian Belikov, but I simply cannot allow such acts to go unpunished. Miss Hathaway has demonstrated that she is unfit to be a guardian and make the right decisions for her charge"

"The princess and Rose are bounded." He stated without a doubt in his voice. Wait what? Did he just say we were bounded? I looked at him with confusion. How did he figure that out? When?

"What? That is impossible the bound is a myth." Kirova stated a little flabbergasted.

"I have seen them communicate through the bond. Rose knows what the princess is thinking and feeling."

"Is this true?" she asked turning her attention towards us.

We looked at each other and stayed silent.

Should we tell them? It may save you from suspension or expulsion?

I shook my head slightly and Lissa nodded saying she understood. Although the whole exchange was very subtle and completely normal for us, I heard Kirova gasp. I guess talking through the bound when trying to convince people there is no bound was not such a good idea.

"In the stories, the Guardian knew what the other person was thinking and feeling and most importantly when they were in danger. Rose would be the ideal candidate to guard Princess Vasilisa together with me after she graduates."

Wait, with him? I turned around and looked him in the eye.

"What do you mean: with you?"

"Guardian Belikov is Vasilisa's sanctioned guardian. And as you know, royal Moroi, especially a princess is granted at least two guardians."

I was dumbfounded. But I guess he was pretty good to just be a school guardian.

"However, Guardian Belikov, not only did Miss Hathaway break the rules a hundred times over, she also missed two years of training. Even with the bond we cannot grant the princess an incapable guardian."

"Rose is not an incapable guardian, she has kept me safe for over two years, she is better at her job then any student here."

Lissa chimed in. I was grateful. She was fighting for me. Although both Kirova and Guardian Belikov ignored Lissa's outburst.

"Then teach her. Let her catch up to her peers if she hasn't been able to catch up by graduation I understand that you cannot assign her as a guardian."

"She cannot do three years of work in one year. She needs extra training lessons to be able to catch up. Who is going to give them? You?"

I looked at him with pleading eyes and saw Lissa do the same.

He seemed a little flustered.

"That's not.. I mean. all I meant was.. Fine. I'll train Rose." Although I was ecstatic that I now had a small change to stay and become Lissa's guardian, I was a little hurt that training me seemed like such a hard task.

All three of our pair of eyes were now on Kirova. You could see the gears turning in her head. She was hesitant. To my horror Lissa was speaking to her in a sweet velvety tone I recognized immediately, compulsion. I knew Lissa was good, but to be able to compel another Moroi when surrounded by guardians was bold, very bold.

"Please Headmistress Kirova, let Rose stay."

"Alright. She can stay."

We both let out a breath of relief.

"But, Rose still has to be punished for destruction of public and private property. She will be under curfew. She can go to the training with Guardian Belikov and to her other classes but has to report back to the dorm matron immediately after. No socializing, and if I even hear of Rose stepping out of line once, it is over. Do I make myself clear Miss Hathaway."

She looked at me and I was on the verge of losing it. I felt calming words through the bond and I took a deep breath. Through clenched teeth a said: "Fine."

It was settled. I escaped expulsion. I knew I walked a fine line today and found myself miraculously on the right side of that line. I could still be Lissa's guardian and all I had to do was catch up three years of work in one year, not have any social life and stay out of trouble. That should not be that hard. Right?