I waited to post so I could respond to reviews first. Your support is amazing! Thank you so very much.

Some viewers have asked me nor to abandon so I'd like to mention that I never abandon a story, not ever, so rest assured!

I wasn't planning on any Dimitri POV's, but he's kinda nagging to be heard so this chapter is all his. I'm sure he'll want to voice his opinions again during our journey, which is necessary sometimes.

Song for Chapter 3 – Trying not to love you by Nickelback

You call to me, and I fall at your feet
How could anyone ask for more?
And our time apart, like knives in my heart
How could anyone ask for more?

But if there's a pill to help me forget,
God knows I haven't found it yet
But I'm dying to, God I'm trying to

'Cause trying not to love you, only goes so far
And trying not to need you, is tearing me apart
Can't see the silver lining, from down here on the floor
And I just keep on trying, but I don't know what for
'Cause trying not to love you
Only makes me love you more
Only makes me love you more

And this kind of pain, only time takes away
That's why it's harder to let you go
And nothing I can do, without thinking of you
That's why it's harder to let you go

But if there's a pill to help me forget,
God knows I haven't found it yet
But I'm dying to, God I'm trying to

'Cause trying not to love you, only goes so far
Trying not to need you, is tearing me apart
Can't see the silver lining, from down here on the floor
And I just keep on trying, but I don't know what for
'Cause trying not to love you
Only makes me love you more

I watch silently as Rose limps from the gym, mentally shrugging the dull ache in my fist. My heart is screaming for me to follow her, my emotions flooding my chest so I can't breathe. Yet I stay still, forcing myself to leave her be.

I've never been ruled by my emotions and I can't allow myself to go down that route now. There's a reason why I'm currently the best Guardian around. I don't allow myself to feel, I don't allow myself to get involved. I'm driven, focused and I'm damn good at what I do.

Damn lust spell! If it wasn't for Victor, Rose would be oblivious to my feelings. I'm good at hiding what I don't want others to know. I've been doing it for years. She would have gotten over this so much easier if she thought I didn't feel anything for her.

But the damage was done the moment she walked into my room. I close my eyes as I do so many times, picturing her flushed skin, her warm hands on my shoulders, her eyes filled with desire locked with mine as we kiss.

I pull myself out of my thoughts as I shake my head. I'm still on duty so I start making my way down my usual route.

I've tried so hard to ignore the pull between Rose and me but it's getting harder and harder. After seeing her tonight…what she's doing to herself. She's always been so strong, so full of life, always on hand to make someone smile when they're down or stand up for those she loves. But not anymore. I watch her closely. How she's distancing herself more and more from the people who care about her. I've overheard countless fights between her and the Princess because Rose doesn't want to admit that there's something wrong, although it is so clear to see. Every day I see her she seems worse. I've stayed away from her, believing time would help her forget just how much she feels for me, but tonight has proven to me it's only getting worse.

I kick a rock flying into the forest, frustration running through my veins. She knows I love her. I know she sees it when I look at her. My aloof attitude might hide my true feelings, but I can't look at her in any other way than with the love I have for her in my heart. She's not asking for much, just three little words. Why can't I just fucking say it to her?

Because our love will ruin us, I remind myself. I can't care less anymore what people say about me but I won't taint her life any more than I have. Even if we keep it hidden until she's graduated, what life is there for us? There's no guarantee we'll be placed close to each other; how will we survive not seeing each other for maybe years at a time? She's had her heart set on guarding the Princess since the car accident; it has been her sole drive for existing. Not just because we're ingrained to protect Moroi; she's her best friend, and their bond keeps her safer with Rose than with anyone else. How can I be so selfish to allow our love for each other to undermine her goals?

Running footsteps to my left has me momentarily forget my problems and my senses go on high alert as I turn towards the sound. But I straighten from my crouch as soon as I see who it is, walking swiftly towards her, pissed off that she's alone.

"Princess," I admonish sternly, trying to keep my tone as professional as I can. "How did you get out here on your own?" I ask as I look behind her for any sign of her appointed two guards following her, but there is no other movement.

"I compelled them," she answers simply, her long golden hair loose and wind swept around her face.

"Why would you do that?" I ask agitated. "You know better than that."

"Oh for God's sake, Guardian Belikov," she says angrily as she leans against a tree with her shoulder. "For one fucking moment, can you please get off your high horse and forget I'm a Princess and just have a normal conversation with me? Do you think I'd do something so stupid if there wasn't a good reason?"

I watch her closely for a few seconds. She's dropped her usual royal composure, her face one of worry and concern and utter helplessness. And so I drop my role as Guardian and lean against a tree as well. If she needs a friend right now, then that's what I'll attempt to be. She starts speaking as soon as she sees the shift in my demeanor.

"It's Rose," she says seriously, a few tears escaping her eyes.

This gets my attention very fast. I stand upright again immediately, my body vibrating with the need to get to Rose, to make sure she's safe.

"What happened?" I ask urgently.

She eyes me speculatively before sighing loudly.

"I knew it," she whispers almost to herself before addressing me again. "Relax, she's not in danger. But you know as well as I do that there's something seriously wrong with her. I've been trying so hard to figure out what she's hiding from me. And I think you've just confirmed my suspicions by your reaction."

"Which are?" I ask formally, slipping my guardian face on again.

"I've been watching the two of you for a while now. Actually, since you cancelled her extra classes. She thinks I don't see how she stares at you when you're not looking. You do the same when she's not paying attention. I couldn't quite figure out why you would cancel Rose's extra classes seeing as though she has so much to catch up on, but I think I finally know. You're in love with her…and she's in love with you."

"I cancelled Rose's classes because she is an excellent student, Princess. She managed to catch up where it would have taken other Novices years. There was no reason to continue taking time away from her busy schedule."

She shakes her head crossly as she pushes herself away from the tree, walking over until she's right in front of me.

"Why are you doing this, Dimitri? Can't you see its killing her? I went to her room just before I came here. She was sleeping, but…" The Princess' voice breaks slightly and she takes a few deep breaths to steady herself. "Her hands, her legs, they were covered in blood. I can only assume she took a work out a bit too far. She didn't even bother to clean herself up. I didn't wake her, but I did heal her. Dimitri…If you really do love her, you have to tell her."

I want to keep arguing, but my heart gets the better of me and once again I drop the mask of indifference, revealing my feelings for Rose to her best friend. Rose trusts her with her life, how can I not?

"I won't ruin her like that, Princess. I love her too much to put her career and reputation on the line. She deserves more than that."

"She deserves to be loved, Dimitri!" she almost shouts at me, looking at me like I'm the biggest fool on earth, like it should be obvious. "Whatever your reasons are, forget them. There's many ways to hide this from everyone else until graduation and you damn well know it. And as for after graduation, when Rose becomes my Guardian, do you think for one second I'd allow them to assign you to anyone that is going to cause you to be apart? You forget that I'm a Princess, Dimitri. I have slightly more pull with the Queen than most other students here. Rose worries that she won't be assigned to me, that she's not good enough, but there's no way I will accept anyone else. So if any of this is part of your reasoning to stay away from her, then worry about them no more. Leave them to me."

I know my sadness is written all over my face, as is the yearning I feel for Rose every single second of every day.

Princess Vasilisa's hands are shaking slightly as she reaches out to me, taking my own hands from my sides and into hers.

"Please, Dimitri, I'm begging you. If you love her, really love her…then tell her. Your omission is slowly turning her into someone I don't even recognize anymore. You think you're doing what's right by her, but I'm telling you, you're wrong. As her best friend, I implore you, please, fix this before its too late."

She doesn't wait for me to respond. Her hands let go of mine and then she turns and runs back the way she came, leaving me more confused than ever on how to handle my love for the woman we both care so deeply for.

So…did you enjoy Dimitri's POV? He loves her so much…I just hope he tells her before it is too late…

Love your reviews…thank you for reading.

See you in Chapter 4