I knew that Rose had lunch now. I didn't think that she would get in much trouble. It was the only time since this morning that she would get to see Vasilisa—Lissa still felt too weird to call the princess.

It was my lunch as well, and I was anxious to get back to my room and focus on my western novel—certainly that would distract me from all my unwanted thoughts and images—and a nice hot cup of coffee. It had been a long day in every sense.

I walked hastily across the campus, making my way back to the guardian housing. I was just walking through the door to the lobby when I was spotted by an old friend. Something Smirnov.

Okay, friend wasn't quite the word I was looking for. I couldn't stand the guy. He had gone to school with me back in Russia and was one of the guys who had been immensely jealous of my combat skills. He was nearly my height but lacked a lot of the muscle I had. Up until junior year he was pretty uncoordinated and a lousy fighter. Though over the summer to senior year he bulked up and transformed into a relatively challenging fighter he was never able to drop his previous reputation.

When graduation time came we were both assigned to protect Zecklos'. I was given Ivan. Not only because I graduated with top numbers, but because Ivan wanted me—along with several other Moroi—and I wanted him. Seven years ago, the guardian numbers were a lot larger, therefore we had enough novices to protect every royal at our school, plus other important Moroi.

So, while I was given a Zecklos prince, Smirnov had been assigned to a kid. His charge had just entered middle school. And even though being prearranged with a Zecklos was still pretty impressive, Smirnov had envied my immediate arrangement.

When I arrived at St. Vladimir's Academy he was beyond shocked to see me. Once he found out that Ivan had been killed, he grew condescending and began to believe that he was better than me because his charge was still alive. It was a stupid thought. Not only had I taken down three times more Strigoi than him, but he never even had to defend his kid. Not until after he graduated this year would Smirnov have to defend him.

"Belikov," he greeted with that smug grin of his.

It was true that I didn't like him, but he was a fellow guardian and I had to regard him in a proper way. I gave him a polite nod.

I was almost to the staircase with my escape when he called my name again. I halted and turned to face him. "Is it true that you're taking Hathaway under your wing?"

I resisted the urge to scowl. I knew what was coming. Despite the fact that he had been teased throughout all of high school life, he hadn't learned just how much rumors could destroy a person's reputation. And just how much reputations could drag someone down—especially a dhampir.

I nodded. "Yes. I'm going to teach her how to be a great fighter."

He scoffed. "Not even you can manage that. But I bet you know that. You're just looking forward to all the physical contact. I mean," he let out a low whistle. "Have you seen her? She is one hot piece of—"

"Yes, I have seen her," I interrupted. "And want to know the first thing I noticed about her?"

He grinned. "I can only imagine. Was it her—"

"It was her youth." I sneered. Of course, it wasn't entirely true. But it was like the third or fourth thing I noticed.

His smile faded. "Damn, Belikov. You need to open your eyes. You have a great opportunity in front of you. I'd take it. I hear it's not so hard to get her to cave," he laughed. "Of course in that case, maybe my imagination serves better."

"Well, that's the difference between us," I told him. "I'm a professional. I don't think of students like that." Another lie. But I was hoping that if I could convince others, I could convince myself.

He brushed the comment off. "Well, there must have been a reason you offered help."

"Because I care about the Moroi protection. I'd rather she not get in my way as we protect the Princess."

He shrugged. "I don't know, man. The only other woman that I've seen you talk to outside of guardian business is that Ozera chick."

"Tasha," I corrected. "Besides Rose isn't a woman, she's practically a child. And this is guardian bus—"

He cut me off. "That's it! Oh wow, Belikov. You're more scandalous then I give you credit for. You and Oze—Tasha. Damn. I figured with all the dhampirs you fooled around with in high school you'd end up with one. Not a Moroi."

What he was getting at finally registered in my brain after several moments. "Me and Tasha Ozera are most certainly not involved," I told him. He looked doubtful.

Sure, Tasha and I had been together a few times. Only two or three, though. It was nothing serious. Of course we both liked each other. She was an extraordinary woman and she definitely had her own form of beauty. But last time she visited the Academy, we both decided that I was at no point in my life to commit myself to a relationship.

Finally, Smirnov began to walk towards the exit. I heard a few snickers before he called over his shoulder, "Whatever you say. But seriously, take some time to appreciate what's in front of you. "

I sighed and proceeded up the stairs. When I got to my room, not even cowboys saving the day could take my mind off of the day's events. There were a few things I knew for sure.

The first being that Rosemarie Hathaway was disrespectful, irresponsible, immature, reckless, and she did not think before acting. But she was fierce on protecting the Princess. Many believed she was a hopeless case, and there was little strand in the back of my mind that might have argued that such was true, had I not seen the protective nature she took around Vasilisa.

The second that I was absolutely positive—and I believed this with every fiber of my being—was that I would train Rose. She would become a great guardian for Vasilisa. She would face Strigoi. And I would be right there beside her.

That brought me to my third conclusion, and this one was much harder to admit, even to myself. There was something about this—this—teenager. Something about this girl that sent chills down my spine—the good kind. Something about her that made my breath stop and my heart beat a little faster with each glance. Something that undeniably attracted me to her and pulled me toward her like a magnet. Her looks were obviously a part of that, but there was more. And with many other things about her, I found myself not able to describe it.

I wondered what my mother would think of it. I knew the answer immediately. She would smile and tell me how pleased she was. She was thrilled with any decision that made me happy. That was just how she was—so kind and understanding. Compassionate. I missed her a lot. Along with the rest of my family.

Karolina, Sonya, Viktoria. Especially Viktori. I couldn't but smile at their names and the memories that consumed me. Then of course there was Yeva. Yeva who was so frightening, yet I still loved. Sure, my family had flaws. But they were perfect to me.

I spent a long while daydreaming after that. Rose didn't need me to look after her in all her classes. I recalled many glorious moments with my family—smiling, laughing, and really just enjoying life. I hadn't done a lot of that since Ivan's death. I found myself mostly haunted.

I drifted to thoughts of spring break, and winter break, and especially summer when I was younger. Sure, I loved St. Basil's. But my real home was with my family. I remembered trying to help Viktoria with her combat. And playing with little Paul. Those were very good days for me. I let myself fall into the depth of the memories, holding on to each one very fondly.

One look at the clock broke me out of my spell. I grunted as I realized my mind had wandered for over an hour, and the school day was coming to a close. Training with Roza. I was late, but I assumed that posed no problem for her.

I jumped off of the sofa and bounded down out of the guardian building. All the way to the front of the school where I figured I would find Rose with the Princess. My instincts were correct as usual. I spotted them not too far away speaking to each other in hushed tones. Planning an escape, I assumed. When were they going to realize they would not get away again?

I approached from behind them. "Rose?" I called. They immediately stopped talking. I focused my eyes on her and unsurprisingly, my heart rate increased. Traitor. Her eyes met mine and once again I found myself nearly drowning in their depth. "You're late for practice." I told her indifferently.

Before I reached the point of no return in her big, brown eyes, I flicked my gaze to Vasilisa. "Princess," I greeted with a nod.

Rose followed me without a word, though she stared back at her best friend. Her face told me that she was sincerely worried about Princess Dragomir. I knew it was none of my concern, it was one of those sisterly instincts. Not any real danger.

We walked in silence and I tried to keep my eyes on pavement ahead. But like I noticed before I had an unwilling pull to the girl. I allowed my eyes one look from the corner. She carried those same lifeless features that she had on the plane. I froze.

I wasn't really sure what was happening, but it was equally as scary the second time. Then something in my brain clicked. It had something to do with the bond.

Sorry it took so long to update. This isn't even that good. But Dimitri didn't play much of a role in chapter four and I wasn't really sure what to do with him. I guess I'll learn as I go though, because I really enjoy writing this story. Reviews please, to tell me what you think! :D