Chapter 2
I woke up with a start, to a headrush.
Phew. That dream, had been… wild. Super hot, but wild. I could still feel the heat of it in my body.
I put my head in my hands, breathing slowly and trying to calm myself down. It was usually guys who had kinky and graphic dreams, but what the hell – I'd take it. Ha, maybe I could tell Dimitri about it. He'd probably get jealous and try making the dream a reality.
But something wasn't right. My room smelled of… cloves? Had someone been smoking in here?
Oh shit. This was so not happening.
Okay Rose, I told myself. Relax. You're still dreaming. You're going to close your eyes, and pinch yourself hard. And when you open them again, you'll find yourself in your own room, alone. Or hopefully, beside Dimitri.
I opened one eye, tentatively taking in my surroundings.
Yep, I was screwed. Literally.
Instantly, I jumped out of the bed, pulling my dress back on as I made a pointed effort not to look at the sleeping guy. It was one thing to have a one-night stand with a stranger, but another thing to reveal identities and have further dealings in the future.
My stomach lurched as I realized that I had just lost my virginity to a complete stranger.
I contemplated making an exit through the door, but then I had no idea which part of the hotel I was in. I looked out the window, and saw that I wasn't all that high above the ground, but I'd probably sprain my ankle or something with the jump. Well, that meant that I'd have to take the door and say that I crashed out somewhere in a corner after drinking a little too much.
Fortunately, I didn't come across anyone other than some of the staff of the hotel. After much hiding and sneaking, I quietly slipped into my room, hoping not to wake Lissa up. She was thankfully still sleeping. I went to the bathroom, splashed water on my face and stood in front of the mirror. I looked good. It was probably an after sex glow or something.
By now, I was starting to think that maybe I shouldn't tell Dimitri about my… indiscretion? No, it wasn't exactly an indiscretion. I wasn't really in my senses.
But a small voice at the back of my head said that even through the haze of the vodka, I knew exactly I was doing. And the thoughts of Dimitri had been spurring me on to do it. Whatever. It was probably just the alcohol.
It took a while before I finally managed to calm myself down. I had now convinced myself that soon, there was going to be a new beginning for me. I was graduating in a few days, and I'd be at Court with Lissa and of course, Dimitri! We would finally be able to spend time alone together, and not have to worry about how people would think we were in an inappropriate mentor-protégé relationship.
Well, technically he was the one worrying over that issue, not me. I couldn't care less what people thought. Dimitri had always been reserved and a bit inexpressive around me at St. Vladimir's… Maybe once restrictions were lifted, I would see a different side of him? Happiness flooded through me at the prospect of finally being able to have him to myself. He would still be busy with his Moroi, but honestly, any Moroi had to be better than Tasha.
Of course, I was going to consider myself a virgin. Like nothing had happened last night.
I slid into bed quietly, and just when sleep found me, my eyes fluttered open when a pair of brilliant green eyes flashed before me. With a shudder, I went back to sleep.
A week later
This couldn't get any better.
I had been led to my new suite at Court, where Lissa would be attending college under the guidance of Queen Tatiana. I had been assigned to Lissa, after taking a number of oaths that had scared me a tad bit. But if I was going to get perks like these, like a suite of my own, it probably wouldn't be so bad after all.
My suite was decked out in white. The wallpapers were made of a soft white material, the couch was made of white leather, and the wardrobes had mirrors in their doors. There was a tiny kitchen too. I flopped down on the bed over the fluffy white comforters, expecting the mattress to be soft and heavenly, but instead, my back met with a somewhat hard mattress. Gits. They probably didn't want us to get too comfortable sleeping.
There was an LCD television, and on a small desk in a corner I saw a laptop. Cool.
Anyway, my room was stylish, undoubtedly. But there was a certain quality to it that showed that we guardians weren't meant to get too comfortable, unlike our Moroi. Lissa's room had been a whirl of splendor and luxury. It was almost thrice the size of my little suite, with a study covered with book shelves and a cool lounge.
I started to unpack and arrange my stuff. After I was done, I spread myself on the couch and turned on the television.
A notepad with the Court's emblem on a nearby table caught my eye. There was a message scrawled on it.
Rose,
Meet me at the Court lounge after you've settled down. I'll be there around two hours after you arrive. Can't wait.
Love, D.
Two hours were almost up ever since I arrived. I proceeded to change, but was caught in a bit of a dilemma. What kind of clothes were casual at Court? I threw on some clothes I thought would be appropriate, not too bothered. It was meeting Dimitri that I was super stoked about. I was meeting him after a whole week! He had left behind a letter for me at St. Vladimir's, saying that he was really sorry that he couldn't attend my graduation, as he had been assigned to a new guardian at Court, and that he would be busy with duties for just a few days. By the time he was done, even I would arrive at Court.
After having been given a short tour of the Court earlier that day, I could easily find my way to the lounge. And there, was Dimitri.
He saw me too, and as our eyes met, a smile spread across his face.
I almost ran as I jumped into his open arms. Finally, that restlessness I had been feeling for the past few days, dissolved entirely. I kissed him enthusiastically, taking in the feel of the soft lips that I had been deprived of for the past week.
"I'd love to take this further, Rose, but we're being watched by some Royals." He whispered close to my ear, sending a thrill down my neck. I saw him looking at an old Moroi lady looking at us in quite a scandalized manner.
"To hell with them." I murmured, but pulled away anyway. He chuckled as I lay my head on his shoulder. As he stroked my hair, I felt completely at peace.
Until my eyes caught sight of tousled glossy chestnut brown hair. And the green eyes that lay beneath it. Oh, I couldn't forget those eyes.
It was him. The guy from, ummm, after the Graduation party.
He was sitting on a couch, with his arm stretched over the back-rest. I couldn't help but notice that he was exceptionally well dressed.
His head was turned slightly as he watched us, an amused look on his face – and a mischievous glint in his eyes.
I froze. My heart's beating came to a thud, and then picked up double time. I buried my face in Dimitri's chest.
Even Dimitri must have felt my traitorous heart. Great. "Rose, are you okay?" he asked, confused.
"Uh, yeah. Yeah I'm cool. You tend to have that effect on me," I said, trying to roll my eyes and look normal.
I was Rose Hathway, slayer of around twenty Strigoi. And for a cute guy to affect me this way, no matter what, was wrong. I was going to pretend like I had nothing to do with Hot Moroi guy, like I had planned. Like nothing had ever happened that night. That I went back to my room after the party and fell asleep without any detour on the way.
"So, Dimitri. Aren't you going to introduce me to your charming Little Dhampir?"
It was the same musical low voice back from that night, and my heart seemed to beat even faster (if that was possible) when he said Little Dhampir. He's just a harmless Moroi pretty boy, I told myself. Nothing a good kick where it hurts him won't fix, if he threatens to open his mouth.
Plastering a smile on my face, I released myself from Dimitri's hold as he said, "Of course. Adrian, this is Rose Hathaway. She's guarding Princess Vasilisa. And Rose, this is Adrian Ivashkov. He's Queen Tatiana's nephew. I've been assigned to guard him."
Dimitri sounded quite happy as he said this. He seemed to like him.
Me? Oh, I was just congratulating myself on how my brilliant luck couldn't get better.
I must have looked fairly stupid though, as I stared at Dimitri with my mouth slightly open.
"You're kidding, right?" I croaked. Then in an attempt to cover up, I added, "I mean, you're guarding a Royal? That's wicked!" My fake smile was so not working.
Dimitri beamed. "And, I get to be with you. Adrian's cool, you know. You'll like him."
Sure Dimitri. I'm certain we'll hit it off like fireworks. When I'm not trying to decapitate his handsome little head.
"Rose Hathaway," Adrian said as he held out his hand. Somehow, I couldn't tear my gaze off his twinkling emerald green eyes, which seemed to be drawing me towards him. All thought was wiped clear from my head, as I looked at him, dazed.
I stretched my hand out, and he took my hand lightly in his. I was surprised when he bent a little, and ever so slightly grazed his lips across my hand. Even when he withdrew, there was a tingling in my hand.
He looked up at me with warmth in his eyes, that suddenly turned into a smouldering, seductive look as he said, "The pleasure is mine."
Please leave behind a review with your thoughts, because I'm seriously considering dropping this story judging it's reception :o
