The next morning, Rose woke after a fitful sleep. As much as Adrian flirted, he had never gone as far as to kiss her. Touching her lips, she could almost feel his pressing softly against hers as he had last night. She rolled over, burying her face in the pillow with a groan. Why did things have to get so god damn complicated? He was her Moroi - she was sworn to protect him. She couldn't be thinking about how his lips felt against hers. Noting the time, she jumped up, throwing some training clothes on and heading outside for the track. A few laps would clear her head.
As she reached the track, she started at a brisk jog, willing all parts of her brain to shut down but the part controlling her legs. The cold air burned her chest, but it helped wake her up. She made it a lap and a half before she sensed someone jogging behind her, catching up slowly. When the wind blew up from behind and she caught an old, familiar smell of enticing aftershave, she picked up her speed, determined not to let him catch up to her. As they both sped up, Rose was forced to break into an all out sprint, heading for the thick white line striped across the track near the bleachers. She felt Dimitri push up beside her, then they were neck and neck as they crossed the line. Rose let her legs slow gradually, breathing hard to catch her breath.
"They'd need a camera to determine that one," Dimitri said, catching his breath as well. Rose nodded, rubbing her forehead wearily. So not how she expected to clear her head.
"Look, Rose. I didn't come out here to bother you. I didn't come back to court to upset whatever balance we have. I just.. I thought we could train together. Maybe even more then once." Rose raised an eyebrow, and felt tension coil in her chest like a cobra ready to strike, saying, "How long has it been, Dimitri?" Dimitri frowned, and said, "About three years. Why?" Narrowing her eyes, she stepped closer, and softly said, "After three years, all you can say to me is you want to train together a few times? Sure, Belikov. We'll train." She bent to pick up her discarded jacket, and started to walk inside to meet Gorbachov and the others for training. Dimitri fell into step beside her, and said, "I'm sorry, Rose. I regret how things happened. I just want to be a part of your life again, in any way you'll take me. It took coming back here for me to realize that." Rose was spared having to answer when Alexei barked an order for them to start warming up.
"Guardian Belikov, I didn't know you were training with us too," Eddie said, sitting on the mat beside them. Dimitri nodded, "Alexei used to be my mentor, and has allowed me to participate." Rose snorted, "Of course he mentored you. The guys intense." Dimitri let a small smile reach his lips, and said, "Why does that apply to me?"
"Your both tall, brooding, and Russian," Rose said, with a hint of distaste. Eddie laughed, "And deadly." Alexei barked another order, and they fell silent. Rose had a warm feeling in her chest - maybe Adrian and Lissa were right, and talking to Dimitri would help her get over things.
Training was hard, and Rose felt her entire body hit the mat at some time or other throughout the two hours. She couldn't wait to get out of there and meet the others for breakfast. As she hurried towards their usual spot, she was stopped by a large guardian just outside the hall.
"Guardian Hathaway, please report to the Queen's meeting room immediately," he said, with a thick Scottish accent. Rose raised her eyebrows, "What for?" The guardian didn't say anything else, so she sighed, shooting a wistful glance at the tables of food before she walked away. The Queen's meeting room wasn't far, and she entered without being stopped by anyone. They must be expecting her. Shit.
Another guardian let her into the chamber, and Rose automatically bowed her head when she saw Queen Naomi seated, waiting. Naomi nodded, and said, "Guardian Hathaway, please sit. I would like to discuss your charge, Adrian Ivashkov." Rose frowned, and nodded, staying wisely silent.
"We've received word from our sources that the Strigoi faction is very interested in him. You see, the late Queen Tatiana was my older sister - after me, Adrian is the next eligible Ivashkov for the crown. The Strigoi leader - I believe they called her Lara, has grouped together a large number of Strigoi. We checked the records - she used to be a Dhampir, in service to the Ivashkov family. So you see, she has a personal interest in this matter." Rose nodded, "We won't leave court." Naomi nodded, and smiled, "I know. You do your job well, Guardian Hathaway. See that you bring ample guardians if you find the need to leave court for any amount of time. How is training going with Guardian Gorbachov?"
"Excellent," Rose said honestly, "As far as trainers go, he's one of the best I've ever had." Naomi nodded, and said, "Very well. Learn all you can from him. What we know of Lara, is that she was one of the best. Twenty seven recorded kills, within five years. Not many can claim that amount, none of which are alive today. You'll need to be at your prime if you ever encounter her. But, I have taken enough of your time. Thank you, Rose." Rose nodded, and as she walked out of the chamber, she mulled the Queen's words over in her head. Twenty seven kills? Jesus christ. Rather then hope for any breakfast, Rose went straight to the gym. How could she eat when she just found out Adrian's life is in even more danger then she originally figured? If she had any hope of defeating that Strigoi bitch, she better get working.
"Hey Lissa, have you seen Rose anywhere?" Adrian asked, as he approached Lissa and Christian outside. Lissa frowned, "No, I haven't. She didn't make it to the hall for meals today." Christian snickered, mumbling something about Rose missing meals for once, and Adrian shook my head, "I haven't heard from her at all. I know she had another meeting with Queen Naomi this morning."
"If your looking for Rose, we just saw her at the track," Tasha's voice said cheerfully. Adrian turned, and frowned, "She had training all morning, what would she be doing there on her night off?" She shrugged, and said, "It was just a few minutes ago, I'm sure she's still there." Adrian didn't wait a second longer, walking off in the direction of the track. It was cold out, and he wrapped his jacket firmly around him as he strode across the grass, his eyes trained on Rose's small figure, on the other side of the loop.
"She's been at it for at least an hour," Dimitri's voice said from behind him, "But some other guardians said she's been here even longer then that." Adrian raised an eyebrow - there had never been any real animosity between the two, but they had never really been friendly, either. Adrian spent a lot of time after Dimitri had left putting Rose back together, time he wasn't willing to forget about just yet. Folding his arms, he said, "What on earth has her pushing herself so hard?"
"I was hoping you would be able to tell me that," Dimitri admitted, watching as Rose finish the last curse, leaving just a long straight stretch until she reached them. She was very flushed, indicating just how long she had been running, and Adrian had a sudden flashback to there years ago, at this very track.
He was standing outside, shivering despite the thick, black wool jacket he wore. Hands in his pockets, he watched Rose run, wearing not nearly enough to combat the frigid weather. His purpose for being outside? He fingered the slip of paper in his pocket, the proposed dating proposal that was long since overdue. Since things were as calm as they could get with Rose Hathaway around, he figured it was a good time to try to convince her into that date. He had spent the whole night before working on it, and was pretty damn proud of the results. As she came closer, he withdrew his hand from his pocket as he saw the telltale signs of tears - puffy eyes, streaks down her cheeks. She slowed to a stop, and as she reached him, she collapsed, barely giving him time to catch her. He sank to his knees, ignoring the icy ground as he took his jacket off, wrapping it around her quickly.
"Little Dhampir? Jesus, Rose, I'm no good at this. Whats wrong? Is Lissa okay?" She had merely sobbed into his shoulder. They stayed like that until little icicles began to form on her eyelashes, and he took her inside, forcing her to go to sleep in her warm bed. It was just after Lissa explained to him how Dimitri left, and left her, for Tasha.
He broke from his reverie as Rose approached. No tears, this time, but sluggish movements telling him a lot about how long she had been at it. "Where have you been all day?"
"Here," Rose breathed with a shrug, slowing to a walk, "Sorry I missed lunch, I lost track of time." She was ten feet away, but as she took her next step, her knee shook violently, and she went breathlessly down onto one knee. Both men were at her side in a second, and Dimitri gave her a disapproving stare, "You've pushed too hard, Rose."
"No, I'm just a little shaky. Need some dinner," Rose said, brushing him off. Adrian narrowed his eyes, and as he helped her up, he said, "I know I implied I would wait for you to tell me, but I want to know now. Why are you training so hard? What is Queen Naomi meeting with you about?" Dimitri and Rose exchanged a glance, and Rose bit her lip, "Well..." Adrian shook his head, taking a step back, "Not good enough. Belikov can know, after all he put you through, and I can't, Rose? Who was there for you? Who have you been in constant contact with the past three years?" His voice was raising, and Rose shook her head, "Not here, Adrian. I'll tell you-"
"Not good enough, Rose," he interrupted, ignoring Dimitri's glare, "I want to know now. Its got something to do with me, hasn't it? I'm not stupid."
"Yes, it has something to do with you!" Rose finally burst, getting frustrated, "And if you knew what was good for you, you'd butt out! Its nothing to be concerned about." Adrian stayed silent, considering her, and Rose growled in frustration, "God, Ivashkov. The Queen has a bunch of us doing extra training to counteract a Strigoi faction that's threatening the court. That's all."
"Why just a specific few?" Adrian pushed, clearly not impressed with her answer. Dimitri cut Rose off, saying, "Your one of the four specific targets we've received warnings for. As your sole guardian, its Rose's job to ensure she can handle whoever makes an attempt on your life." Adrian's face betrayed no emotion, and he turned back to Rose, "Why couldn't you just tell me, Rose?"
"I didn't want you to worry," Rose said automatically. Adrian shook his head, "So you'll let me worry myself sick about you, watching you push yourself this hard, and you won't let me worry about that? Why do you get to decide what I worry about?" Rose just shook her head, "Look, I've had enough interrogation. If I want to train this hard, I'll train this hard. Don't bother yourself about it." That cut Adrian to the core, and he raised an eyebrow, choosing sarcasm to hide his rejection, "Fine, next time you pass out from exhaustion, make sure its Lissa who catches you." With that, he turned and started to walk away. Rose's head screamed at her to call him back, but with Dimitri standing right next to her, and anger still coursing through her veins, she thought it best to let things settle a bit. Once Adrian was out of view, she let out a loud curse, and sat down, rubbing her sore thighs.
"That didn't go well," Dimitri observed solumnly. Rose let out a harsh laugh, "Tell me about it."