Hello again! (: I love your reviews and response to this story. Keep them coming, as they motivate the crap out of me! Anywho, I hope you enjoy this next chapter. Let me know what you think! Also, I have a poll on my profile I'd like you to go vote in! I'd like to know whether you prefer Adrian or Dimitri as Rose's love. It's important to this story, so please do it! (: Again, enjoy this next chapter of Last Sacrifice!
Last Sacrifice
Chapter Four
Frustrated.
The silence of the ride was beginning to become extremely awkward, and with a clearing of my throat, I removed my eyes from Adrian and I's intertwined hands to the scenery outside.
"Where are we headed?" I questioned quietly, feeling next to on edge. Adrian could feel that apparently, and with a light chuckle and a squeeze of my hand, tried to reassure me.
"One, you can stop being so uptight, because these windows are tinted enough so that people can't see inside. Second, we're far enough away from the west side of the court that there is no way they could have contacted the people over here yet. Besides, you know that this section of the court is for visitors only; they have maybe two general Guardians over here. No other Moroi's guardian is going to leave their Moroi for this cause. You're important, Rose, but you're no Strigoi."
I felt slightly comforted by his words. I hadn't thought of all that, and I was largely impressed by Adrian's ability to find reason in all of this chaos. Although I'd fought many Strigoi, I could learn a thing or two from him about patience and rationality. Which was ironic, especially because Adrian was usually the one to be the least realistic considering his overwhelming sarcasm and small issue with drinking.
"While you did manage to satiate some of my fear, I can't help but notice how you intentionally avoided the main question," I said with a roll of my eyes. Adrian was also very good at distractions, it seemed.
"Ah," He said with a nod, and I noticed him swallow with some difficulty, "Well, I was hoping it would be a surprise…"
"Which is code word for it will probably be a place that makes me mad, right?" I sighed.
"Not so much mad as much as…weary," He mumbled, and I felt his thumb begin to stroke my hand. I shifted in my seat, trying to think of where we could possibly be going. We were still in the court, and from Adrian's earlier speech it sounded like we weren't leaving. Where could we go in the court where he thought I would be safe and undiscovered?
"No," I stated firmly, shaking my head, "We are not going there!"
"Rose," Adrian's voice was even firmer, and his grip on my hand tightened, "It's the only place where we can successfully buy some time."
"Are you kidding me? We'll be lucky if they don't search there first!"
"Don't underestimate your father," Adrian murmured, shaking his head, "He has his ways, and he makes sure that what he wants is handed to him on a silver platter."
"Silver platter? I hardly call barely escaping and arriving in a dented car a silver platter."
Adrian sighed, obviously frustrated, "You have no other choice, Rose. Not unless you've decided that living in that cell is where you'd like to be."
That shut me up. My mouth closed and I continued to stare out the window, trying to focus on something other than meeting up—and temporarily living—with my father. The Queen's note was first to ring in my mind, and I almost reached in my pocket to grab it. I caught myself, however, and glanced at Adrian out of the corner of my eye.
'Tell as few people as possible.'
Was Adrian one of those select few I could tell? He was the Queen's favorite nephew, but did that mean anything to her? Once upon a time I had thought I had the Queen all figured out, but after this note, I wasn't sure who she was anymore. The note portrayed her to be kind and caring, and was almost proof that her political actions and beliefs were just a mask. Maybe she wasn't as bad as I thought, and maybe, someone else realized that before I had.
'If you're reading this, then something terrible has happened.'
"Something terrible" was definitely an understatement, but the sentence itself made me wonder: Had the Queen even known she was going to die? It left several holes open. She didn't say, "If you're reading this, I'm dead," and she didn't say, "If you're reading this, this person killed me," either. It seemed as if she didn't know what exactly was going to happen, and that made things even worse. It definitely made the easiest of all the journeys I could have gone on impossible; breaking into and searching the Queen's royal room didn't seem like it would give me any answers.
'…an illegitimate child…'
And that was the part that scared me and excited me the most. Was this a hint that whoever had murdered the Queen knew about this supposed brother to Lissa, or was this a suggestion we find him? Whatever the case, the action was imminent and unavoidable.
We had to find Lissa's brother.
I wasn't sure how to key Adrian in on this without letting him read the note, but it seemed that train of thought was meant for another time. The car was coming to a stop and Adrian was removing his hand from mine.
"I packed you a suitcase," He disclosed as we both got out of the car. He headed to the trunk, "I'll carry it in for you."
I was glad he offered to. Although I could have carried it myself, I was currently too preoccupied to carry a large suitcase up several flights of stairs (which was the way we had to go—neither of us wanted to risk walking inside and taking the elevator).
The place my father was staying at was much like an apartment complex in the human world, except with the amount of money and muscle strength Dhampir had over humans, was four times as big. This meant that each "apartment" was like a miniature house. I could only assume very wealthy Moroi stayed here, because the few times I had visited Tasha, her place had looked nothing like this.
As I climbed the stairs, Adrian climbed behind me, somehow managing to keep up with a Dhampir who was carrying nothing while he, a Moroi, was carrying two large suitcases full of clothing and necessities. A part of me grudgingly accepted that although Dhampir were the ones sent onto the battlefield, full-blooded Moroi were probably overall stronger than Dhampir. They were just never trained how to throw their strength into a good punch.
Finally we made it to my father's suite and his door opened, "Rose!" He called, opening his arms wide with a large smile adorning his face. It was as if he had sensed we were there.
"Were you staring out your peephole for thirty minutes, Dad, or what?" I grumbled, pushing past him and denying his hug. I probably shouldn't be taking my anger and worry out on others, especially because my father was willing to help me, but I couldn't help that.
Adrian clambered inside and glanced at my father, silently asking where he could put the two suitcases. Zmey clasped his hands together and jerked his head behind him.
"You can put both suitcases in the back room," He said, and when I snapped my head to look at him he held his hands up in defense, "As big as this place is, I only have one other room available."
"I'll sleep on the couch," I muttered, but Adrian shook his head.
"Don't be so pissy, little Dhampir," He whispered into my ear, "Who knows? Maybe you'll actually enjoy the extra time with me," Offering me a small smirk, he gave me a kiss to the cheek before heading to the back room, calling out before he shut the door, "I think I'll take a shower. Don't bother me unless there's a group of naked girls waiting to have an orgy with me!"
I rolled my eyes and turned to my father, lifting my arms to cross them across my chest as I stared at him expectantly.
"What?" He questioned innocently, looking around, "You look at me as if I've done something terrible. It's not as if I murdered the Queen, you know."
"Funny," I growled, "You know why I'm looking at you like this. Why am I here and what exactly are you planning on doing?"
"I can't help my own daughter?" He challenged, to which I narrowed my eyes.
"Not unless there's something in it for you, too."
"Tsk tsk, Rose, you have a poorly misguided sense of humanity," He placed his hand to his forehead and sighed.
"Let's see, humanity currently wants to deep fry me. You tell me how I'm supposed to be optimistic."
"I can see how that would alter your view," He nodded then gestured me towards the kitchen table, "Have a seat. Let us discuss."
"I have some questions I want answered," I declared, taking my seat across from him at the circular, wooden table.
He rose his eyebrow, "I'm usually the one asking questions."
I glared, "Not with me, you don't, so get used to it."
He let out a boisterous laugh, "Of course. So much like your mother."
"Don't speak of her," I growled, removing my eyes from his.
"Fair enough."
"Now, tell me what the Hell I'm doing here?"
He seemed unimpressed, "Hiding."
I wanted to punch him already. "Why here?"
He shrugged, "So I can protect you."
I was growing tired of his round about answers, "And what do you plan on doing to protect me?"
His eyes lifted and found mine, and something about them was unnerving; like he was hiding something. It was quiet for a moment before he answered, "All in due time, little one."
"I'm eighteen, I'm hardly little." He knew how to distract me, that was for sure. Insult the mighty Rose Hathaway by calling her little and you'd be lucky if your balls stayed connected to you.
He smiled, nodding his head, "I can see that. Now, I can see it hidden behind your eyes. There is something you want to share with me besides ruthless questions?" His eyes did that twinkle sort of thing that made me think he was psychic. My hand had subconsciously been fingering the paper in my pocket underneath the table, and I swallowed. If there was one person who could help me, it would be Zmey the Snake.
"I…before I was dragged off to my cage to be treated like an animal," I began, slowly removing the note from my pocket, "When I was leaving the court room, Amberose, the Queen's lover," I didn't miss the look that crossed my father's face and I sighed, "Yes, I know. But just wait, you'll be questioning what kind of person the Queen was in a few seconds."
I finally removed the entirety of the note from my pocket and slid it across the table to him, looking around to make sure Adrian wasn't going to pop out of our room. I heard the shower still going, and felt safe enough to take my hand off the dirty paper.
"Amberose handed me this from the Queen," I was whispering now, just in case, "Read it."
He took the note just as carefully off the table and opened it. I watched his eyes scan over the paper as he read, noticing the subtle changed in his face as he got to certain parts. When he was finished, it was like a rock was being forced down his throat as he swallowed.
"Illigitemate child…" He murmured, setting the note back on the table, "I can't believe it…"
"What?" I questioned, eager to hear his thoughts on what the Queen had said.
"If Lissa has an illegitimate brother, then do you know what this means?"
I shook my head, "I've thought of a few things, I guess, but what?"
He looked up at me, and for the first time I saw true excitement etched onto his face. This wasn't just excitement for the kill, this was excitement that gave him hope; a hope that his daughter could be saved.
"If Lissa has a brother out there, half or not…"
Suddenly the Queen's words echoed through my head.
"The ancient rule says that unless there are two or more in a family, the Moroi cannot vote."
"Lissa can vote!" I proclaimed loudly, jumping from my chair. It made a loud noise as it scooted back against the wooden floor.
"Shhh!" My father reprimanded, also standing up but more quietly than I had, "Be quiet! We can't let Adrian know."
"Why?" I asked, stopping my menstruations. Sure, earlier I had also decided that telling Adrian wasn't the right course of action, but I was curious as to what my father's reasons were.
"He's a royal," He said as if it were common sense.
"And? He was the Queen's nephew. Favorite nephew. And you obviously trust him."
"To an extent, Rose," He said, shaking his head, "We can't afford to let him know…at least not yet. Not until we have a course of action planned out."
I ran a hand through my hair, "You know not telling him will be hard."
"You have faced harder tasks, my Rose."
I decided that that was about all I could handle from my father for that night. Bidding him a goodnight, I headed back to the room he had designated for Adrian and I. I could still hear water pouring in our connected bathroom, so I took the opportunity to begin unpacking the suitcase Adrian had left on the bed.
He'd definitely packed by his own bias. I found several tank tops and pairs of short shorts, along with the few dresses I owned that showed off what I was gifted with. A couple pairs of jeans were in there, so I wasn't so mad at him, but I would be lying if I said I felt like wearing jeans at the moment. It was all I had worn during my month and some-odd stay in that dirty cell.
I yawned and picked out some clothing I could sleep in. I decided that taking a shower tomorrow was the best option (as cruel as they were, they did allow me to take showers while I was down there, so I wasn't so much physically dirty as I was mentally).
"Damn it, Adrian," I murmured, lifting up the lingerie he had packed me. Of course he would choose the laciest things I owned, along with a few thongs.
Opting for my red lace, I slid the new bra and panties on without much worry (the water was still going) and pulled a black tank top over my head. Finally I grabbed a pair of black shorts and finished my wardrobe for the night.
I occupied more time by putting the clothing away in some drawers Adrian hadn't taken and placed the suitcase under the bed. It was a large bed; big enough for maybe four people, but it was still only one bed. A bed that Adrian and I would have to share.
"Won't this be fun," I spoke to myself, shaking my head.
"I think so."
I spun around, surprised to hear Adrian's voice. I had thought he was still in the shower, but I guess I had missed the stopping of the water due to my incessant thoughts.
"A-Adrian," I stuttered, trying to force my eyes away from him, but that was easier said than done. Standing before me, clad in only a towel around his waist, was a very wet, very mouth-watering Adrian Ivashkov.
"What's wrong, little Dhampir? You seem…rattled," He was moving in closer to me. I instinctually took a step back, but felt my legs hit the bed, "I see you found the clothing I packed you. I figured that this would be more comfortable than the other suffocating things you owned."
I shrugged my shoulders, swallowing and trying not to let anything bother me, "I guess. How was the shower?"
He shrugged in return, "Good. How was the talk with your father?"
I shrugged again, "Good. He's a very infuriating man."
Adrian smirked, "I can only imagine."
He was gaining distance on me, and quite quickly, he was next to me, bending over to remove some clothing out of the drawers next to the bed. I released a relieved sigh.
"I'm sorry about today," He started, still picking out clothes, "I know that that must have upset you, seeing Dimitri…"
"Don't worry about it," I interrupted, shaking my head, "I did what I had to do. Dimitri chose his path, and I chose mine."
"Running alongside me as a fugitive?" Adrian stood up, offering me a smirk. My eyes lingered on his muscular stomach.
"Wouldn't be as much fun with anyone else," I answered, smiling shyly. I ran a hand through my hair.
I felt Adrian's hand brush a stray hair from my face and slide it back behind my ear. I looked up from the floor and found his beautiful crystal eyes, and suddenly, I was as lost as I had been the time we almost made love.
"Rose," He murmured, bending down and pressing his lips tentatively onto the top of my head. However, he didn't stop there. He continued along, kissing my temple, then my cheek, whispering to me as he found my jaw line.
"I promise I'll protect you," He kissed my neck, down the slope of it until he was at my exposed collarbone. Involuntarily I craned my neck to the side, wanting him to kiss me more. "I promise that I won't leave you."
"Please don't," I found myself saying, my arms wrapping around his neck as I pulled him closer. I heard the clothing he had pulled out of his drawer hit the ground. His arms found either side of me as he lowered my back onto the bed, holding himself up.
"Kiss me," I pleaded, and all was lost.
