CHAPTER THREE
Disrupted Peace
Dimitri POV
I had seen Rose already break down once today; it had sent me over the edge. Seeing her so vulnerable, compared to her normal Rose Hathaway, carefree attitude, it had struck something in me. The one person who I thought was the strongest had a weak moment, now she was having another one. Rose had been through a lot, it seemed like more than the rest of us. When she had been able, we had lain in bed and she had told me about some of the things she had done in the times that I hadn't been with her. Now knowing the extent she had gone to in order to 'kill', then save, then deal with me claiming to no longer love her; it was a big thing. Yet she never got to receive peace, here she was, now dealing with her best friends pain.
I knew she would blame it on herself; she always took the blame for everything, she felt like she needed to help and protect everyone, even if it caused her pain, both physically and mentally. As she ran to where Lissa was getting treatment, I couldn't help but try to get her to stop. Her wounds weren't healed and she was already weak. She kept running though, the only thing that was on her mind was her best friend, and her charge. The part in Rose that told her to protect and save everyone but herself was the one of the many things that made me love her, but it also was the hardest thing about her. She would run in the path of danger and be rebellious, never thinking about how it would affect people if she got hurt or worse. It meant that my job of protecting the one woman I loved was the hardest job I had ever had to do in my life. I wouldn't have traded such a job for anything in this world.
I got to the room where Lissa was being looked after just a few moments after Rose. I took in the scene of Lissa on the bed, paler than usual and looking so weak. Adrian healing her, focusing harder than I had seen him do in his life. Then there was Rose on the floor, her legs must have given out and she hadn't gotten back up again. Seeing such a scene seemed to make me feel helpless, the only other time I had felt like this was when Tasha had shot Rose and I couldn't do anything. It wasn't Rose in danger this time thank god, but I knew she needed Lissa. She couldn't lose Lissa, she was the queen, Rose's best friend, Christian's girlfriend. She was also my friend, my queen, plus she was a Moroi. They come first. The words came into my mind, they had been taught to us since most of us could remember.
I walked over to Adrian and put my hand on his shoulder. He flinched under my hand, he had been solely focused on healing Lissa. As I watched his face, I could see the determination, the hurt and every other emotion in his eyes, I couldn't help but regret how I had hurt him when it had come to Rose. "Adrian, you need to feed before you can do much more" I said softly. Lissa's color was a bit better, but she was very weak. She would heal though, I knew she would. I knew that Adrian was about to protest, but I'm assuming that the look I gave him made him decide differently. I knew he would also figure out that he needed blood to get stronger so he could keep healing her. He nodded and got up, walking to the door, on the way he stopped in front of Rose. "She will live Rose, she is holding on, and somehow, she is healing herself slowly from the inside out. I'm doing what I can, but I'm not like her with the healing". Adrian's voice seemed to sound as though he was years older than he was. Rose just nodded and gave him a look that I knew only Adrian and her would ever share. They had a connection, one that was completely different to ours.
Now that I knew Lissa would survive, I needed to put my focus back on Rose. I could tell she was hurting, physically from her wounds. Running and what not would have put strain on her stiches, some may have even ripped. I went to her and squatted down. I slowly unbuttoned the top of her top to see her bandage. There was no blood, but I still knew that she wasn't fine. She needed to rest. I wrapped her in my arms and kissed her forehead. She didn't seem to be trembling as much as she had been when we had been at the door of Lissa's room. b"I know you don't want to leave her Roza, but you need sleep. You need to heal, just like she is. She won't be alone, I promise you. We can come visit later, but for now you need to rest/b". The usual Rose would have objected to leaving her friend, but she knew I was right. As I got her up off the floor and too the door, Christian walked in and went to sit beside Lissa's bed. He seemed to look as though he had a little more hope.
I took Rose back to the room, walking in silence. I helped her into bed, pulling off her shoes and pulling the blanket up and over her. I saw her face, so down and pale. I gave in and lay down beside her, wrapping her in my arms. We didn't speak for a long time, but when Rose looked up at me with a confused expression, I was instantly aware of the eeriness of this moment. "Oh God, they're coming" Rose whispered. Who was coming? Why were they coming? How did she know? Just at that moment I found out.
Disclaimer: I do not own Vampire Academy, nor do I own the characters, unless specified