Thank you for the great reviews to this story. Just because it has been a while since the last update, I will give you a quick recap:

Previously: Dimitri and Rose sleep together for the first time, and later, Adrian sees something strange in Rose's aura when he dream walks her, but doesn't tell her what it is.


Chapter 7:

I woke up the next morning, still smiling from the night before. However, after remembering my strange encounter with Adrian, my mood sank. I had to talk to him today.

I did my best to cast my worries aside as I headed towards the gym to meet up with Dimitri. We would be having a normal training session this morning, although it was hard to imagine that it would be completely normal after what happened last night. We could try to act like it was all business, but in reality, it was always going to be so much more.

When I entered the gym, Dimitri was sprawled out on a mat reading a Western novel. A quick scan of the gym told me that no one was around, so I decided to try pinning him. I slowly made my way towards him, crossing my fingers that he would not hear me from behind. When I had finally gotten close enough, I pounced, preparing to pin him down. Only, the moment I jumped, he rolled away which made me basically fall into the mat.

"Good morning Roza," he said with a chuckle.

"Do you ever let your guard down?" I groaned, still lying face first on the mat.

He thought about it for a moment, and then replied, "On rare occasion, I do."

"With last night being one of those times?" I asked.

His dark eyes bore into mine when he responded. "Yes, last night was definitely one of those times." His voice was husky as he spoke the words, with his accent coming through even thicker. It was so sexy, I wanted nothing more than to jump in his arms and make him mine again. However he broke eye contact quickly and then turned back towards his book. "Go run your laps, and then we can spar."

"Sure, where is Alberta though?" I asked, since she had been monitoring our sessions lately.

"I'm not sure. She said she would be here, but she probably just got busy. Monitoring our sessions is really not a high priority for the guardian captain of the entire academy," he replied with a shrug.

I nodded, and then ran my laps. I pushed myself to finish them quickly so that I could be back with Dimitri sooner. When I made it back, Dimitri was up and ready to fight.

"Ready to lose comrade?" I asked him.

He chuckled as he got into position.

The two of us began circling around one another, each looking for an opening. The problem was that he knew all of my moves, while I only knew most of his moves. My only shot at being him is by trying something new, that he wouldn't expect. I could try something reckless, but he will probably only scold me for it later. I ended up deciding to try an offensive manoeuver that Alberta had once used on me. When I had my opening, I locked my leg with his, and tried to hit him down backwards. Only, I couldn't knock him down, and he ended up using the twisting of our legs to his advantage. With my one leg immobilized, he was easily able to knock me over, and then pin me.

He was lying on top of me, with our legs intertwined, and his arms holding down my wrists. Our lips were so close, and suddenly the minimal distance disappeared and we were kissing each other passionately. He let go of my wrists, and tangled his hands in my hair as his lips continued pressing into mine. I pushed him off of me so that we were both lying on our sides. Our arms wrapped around each other's shoulders, and my legs wrapped around his back as we continued making out.

"Ahem," an annoyed voice yelled from behind us. The two of us sprung apart, but sighed in relief when we found that it was only Alberta.

"I arrive late to one training session, and this is what you to get up to?" she exclaimed. "I suppose monitoring these sessions isn't a complete waste of time after all. Now get up, and begin working!" We both blushed, but got up.

I ended up asking Alberta to teach me how to do the move that I had tried using on Dimitri. My mistake had been that I hadn't shifted my weight properly, so there wasn't enough force behind the action to take him down. After using Dimitri as a test-dummy for the rest of the session, I finally learned how to effectively use the new move.

Just as I was about to leave at the end of the class, Alberta spoke. "Be careful you two. Anyone could have walked in on you just now. Count your blessings that it was me and not Stan, since I had considered sending him over for this morning."

Yeah, Stan walking in on that would definitely not have been good.

Dimitri and I both nodded to her before making our way out. As much as I wanted to spend the day with Dimitri, it would look too suspicious if I was seen just hanging out with him, so I decided to pay Adrian a visit.

I knocked loudly on the door, and I heard a groan and some footsteps scurrying around before the door opened.

"Little Dhampir, what brings you here at such an early hour?" he asked. His room reeked of alcohol which saddened me. I did actually care about Adrian, and it was hard for me to watch the darkness and alcohol consume him.

"You know exactly why I'm here," I replied, while walking right into his room and sitting down on the bed. "What did you see in my aura last night?"

"It's probably nothing, I told you that already," he responded, but something told me he was lying.

"Adrian, I can handle it. Just tell me already!"

"Fine," he said. "I told you that there was even some gold in your aura last night, remember?"

"Yes," I replied.

"Well, you don't normally have gold in your aura. When I got to thinking about it, only spirit users ever really have gold in their auras. But then as quickly as I saw it, it was gone. But when the gold disappeared, so did a lot of darkness as well as shades of pink, and brown."

"What does that mean?" I asked him. How could something just disappear from my aura like that? Although, maybe it was a good thing if it took away darkness.

"I'm not really sure," he replied, scratching his head. "But the way that the darkness left your bond reminded me of the way it disappears from Lissa's aura when you take it from her."

"Are you saying that the bond between us is working both ways?" I asked. The prospect of having Lissa in my mind did not thrill me at all, but I suppose things could be worse.

"I don't know, but I am pretty sure that is impossible." Adrian replied. "I can check on her aura later just to make sure, but I am fairly certain that the colours in her aura won't match up to the ones that disappeared from yours."

"Well what is happening then?" I asked, getting annoyed by this point. "This has to be spirit related if darkness is disappearing, right?"

Adrian sunk his head down. "Maybe," he replied. "I'm really sorry Rose, but I just don't know. I'm trying my best to figure this out. It would be so helpful if there were more spirit users that we could talk to."

"Too bad it's such a damn rare element," I replied.

"Well, let's head over to Lissa's room." He said after a moment.

"But your hair isn't styled messily. It is just messy!" I replied to him teasingly. Instead of being stylishly tussled, his hair was mainly lying flat with a couple strands sticking out oddly.

"It's ok, I still look good, don't I Little Dhampir?" he responded flirtatiously.

I groaned. "Let's go," I told him, grabbing his arm to pull him along.

I got some weird looks from the moroi, so I quickly dropped Adrian's arm. The last thing I needed was to fuel the gossip about Adrian and I.

I texted Lissa to tell her that we were coming over. She replied immediately and told me that we could come over, but that Mason and Eddie were there with her and Christian since they were their guardians for the field test. I groaned. I ended up deciding to go over to Lissa's anyways. Mason could just leave if he wanted to. I had it on good authority (Dimitri) that the guardians didn't attack students in their own rooms during the field test since royal moroi have complained about it being too big of an infringement on privacy in the past.

Adrian and I walking in and sat down on the opposite end of the room from where Mason was.

"What did you want to talk about that was so urgent?" Lissa asked. Mason completely ignored me, but Eddie did smile at me when I walked in which was a good sign.

Adrian explained to her what he had seen in my aura, and then confirmed that the bond was definitely not two ways.

"Well, whatever happened removed darkness, so isn't that a good thing?" Lissa asked.

"That was my thought as well," I replied.

However, Adrian didn't seem to agree. "I don't know. There is just something about this whole thing that is giving me an uneasy feeling. If it was just darkness that had disappeared, then this would probably be a good thing, but I can't figure out why other colours would just disappear from your aura."

The three of us were then silent. None of us could explain the events of last night.

"Adrian," I began. I really hoped he wouldn't get mad, but the question had to be asked. "Are you sure that you saw what you are saying you did? Your room did smell like alcohol and…"

"I wasn't that drunk last night," he replied immediately. "If I was, I wouldn't have been able to visit your dreams. I am very sure of what I saw."

"Ok, I'm sorry, I just had to make sure," I told him.

"It's fine," he replied quickly.

"So Rose, Tasha is coming to the academy to visit Christian, and asked me to invite you to join us for supper tonight." Lissa said, effectively changing the topic.

"No invite for me?" Adrian asked jokingly.

"No," Lissa replied before turning back to me. "Although, I expect you to be on good behaviour this time! You were such a bitch to Tasha last time she was here, and I have no clue why. She is really nice."

I groaned. The last thing I wanted was to have a dinner with Tasha. I was pretty sure that she knew that Dimitri and I were together. She could easily spill our secret to everyone in hopes of splitting us up. Best case scenario is that tonight will just be really awkward since I assume Dimitri will be there as well.

"Please come to the supper and give Tasha another chance," Lissa begged.

"Yeah, come on Rosie, I don't see what your problem with my aunt is either." Christian added.

Tasha was admittedly very good to Christian, so I couldn't deny their wishes.

"I will be there," I said reluctantly.

"Good, she is staying in that cabin on the northern grounds. Dinner is at 6!"

I nodded.

"Rose, can I talk to you?" Mason said suddenly. "Privately?"

"Of course," I replied, and the two of us headed out into the hallway.

"Rose, I still haven't forgiven you for cheating on me. But, I am sorry for reporting you to the headmistress. I should have gotten more information before doing that."

"It's alright Mase," I replied after a moment. "If you will quit being an ass to me, then I will be able to forgive you." I then paused for a moment. "Mase, the two of us were no good together as a couple, but we were amazing partners in crime. I would love to get back to being like that again one day."

Mason looked at me, with sadness in his eyes. I felt terrible since he clearly still had feelings for me, but hopefully he would find the right girl soon and get over me.

"We can try Rose," he said after a moment. "It's just hard. I need some space first."

"Yes, of course," I replied immediately. The two of us then headed back towards Lissa's room, but I felt bad about staying there after Mason finally opened up to me. If he wanted space, then I can give him space. It's the least I can do.

After a very boring day, I met up with Lissa and Christian, and headed up to the cabin Tasha was staying in. Dimitri was already there when we walked in, and I was thrilled to find that him and Tasha were making awkward small talk as opposed to having a deep conversation.

"Christian!" Tasha exclaimed as we walked in. She threw her arms around Christian and his cheeks blushed beet red.

"Hi aunt Tasha," he mumbled in response.

"Aww, you know you love her," I teased. He glared at me, but remained in his aunt's arms. I really was happy that Tasha could bring some sense of normality to Christian's life. Now that Dimitri was mine, I would hopefully be able to get along with Tasha.

"Good to see you too Rose," she said, acknowledging me with a small smile. Only, she always used to greet me with much fuller smiles. This smile almost seemed fake. Maybe she knows that I am the reason that Dimitri refused her offer.

"And Lissa!" she exclaimed, returning to her joyous self. Dimitri and I exchanged a knowing look, but Christian and Lissa didn't seem to pick up on the tension.

"Dinner is ready, so you can all come to the table now," Tasha announced. I took a seat next to Dimitri, wanting to at least feel close to him.

When Tasha went to the kitchen to get the food, I quickly turned to Dimitri. "Does she know?" I asked him.

He nodded in response, knowing exactly what I meant by my question.

"She had made the assumption earlier, and I confirmed it just before you arrived," he told me.

"What are you guys talking about?" Lissa asked.

"Nothing," we both replied quickly. I couldn't help but smile afterwards. Even Dimitri cracked a smile.

"Whatever," Lissa groaned. "So, how are you Guardian Belikov?"

"Great, and how about yourself princess?" he asked. I outwardly groaned at his response.

"Comrade, this is a dinner for family and friends. You don't have to be so formal," I chastised him.

"Ok then, how are you, Lissa?" he asked awkwardly. The three of us burst into laughter.

"It's alright comrade," I said, patting his back. "We just enjoy teasing you."

"I know you do," he replied in a way that would not be flirtatious to innocent ears, but was dead sexy and attractive to mine. I grinned at him in response. Through the bond, I could sense that Lissa was glad that Guardian Belikov and I seemed so friendly since we would have to work together in the future. Her gleeful thoughts about me only made me feel even guiltier for not telling her about Dimitri and I.

Tasha returned shortly after, and the food was actually quite delicious.

"Rose, can I talk to you?" Tasha asked me abruptly, during the middle of the meal.

"Umm, sure," I replied, shooting Dimitri a concerned look. He shrugged his shoulder in response.

When we were out of hearing distance from the others, she turned to me with her piercing blue eyes.

"What are your plans with Dimka?" she asked me. "To my knowledge, he has never been in a serious relationship, and he takes you very seriously. But you're just a teenager! I thought at first that it was just some fling, but here you are, and you are still with him!" she exclaimed. "I know it is exciting to date an older man who is handsome and charming, but you have to stop this ridiculous affair before one of you gets hurt! Dimka values his guardian status and reputation so highly, and you are going to ruin both for him!" she spat.

"This isn't a ridiculous affair!" I exclaimed angrily. "I love him. Did you not just have this exact conversation with Dimitri?" I asked her.

"Do you even know what love is?" she exclaimed. "Because I can tell you what it is! As I assume you know, my feelings for Dimka extend beyond friendly ones. I have loved him for my entire life! Stop fooling yourself into believing this relationship of yours is going to work. Not only are you going to end up hurting yourself and Dimka in the process, but you are also hurting me. Rose, I love him like no one else does. I know him better than anyone does."

"Tasha, I am willing to risk absolutely everything for Dimitri. I swear this is not some school-girl crush. You claim that you know Dimitri better than anyone else, but did you know that he has to fight to stay in control daily?"

"Yes, of course," she replied, but she hesitated first before replying, indicating that she was likely lying.

"Did you know that he is still blaming himself over what happened to Ivan?"

Tasha groaned. "I know everything about him Rose! I told you that already. You are proving absolutely nothing with these silly questions of yours. You are a child."

"You can pull the age card on me as many times as you would like, but Dimitri tells me that I am wise and mature beyond my years."

She scoffed at that. "Mature? The girl who just recently broke a girl's nose over some boy troubles cannot seriously be considered to be mature."

My anger was continuously spiking up. Why wouldn't she leave me alone already? Why can't she just accept that Dimitri and I are more than just a fling?

"You are so selfish Rose!" she exclaimed. "You are depriving me and him of the life together that we both deserve. Did you know that Dimka has always wanted children?"

That one hurt. I would never be able to give him children and we both knew it. I couldn't believe she would sink that low. Well, if she was sinking low, then so could I.

"Did you know that Dimitri's dick is over eight inches long?" I yelled in outrage.

Her eyes widened. "Get out!" she shrieked.

"You didn't know that one? Well I guess I win then!" I declared angrily as I walked out.

I slowly stomped my way towards my dorm but was stopped when Dimitri ran up from behind me.

"Dimitri, what are you doing here?" I asked him.

"It was hard not to hear your yelling Roza," he replied.

"Oh shit," I muttered instinctively. A small smile crept over his face. "You have a lot of explaining to do to the princess."

Oh god, of course she heard. How could anyone of not heard my shrieking? Once I cleared my mind of my anger towards Tasha, Lissa's thoughts poured into my head. She was angry at me for keeping Dimitri a secret from her. She was also feeling stupid and upset for having not figured it out herself. In her mind, she began connecting all the different clues that had been present that she had missed.

'Don't you trust me?' she sadly asked through the bond. 'Because I trust you with my life.'

I put my head in my hands and sat down. "I'm sorry if I embarrassed you Dimitri," I said softly. He simply stroked my hair with one hand, and wrapped his other arm around my shoulder.

"Tasha was out of line. When she called you out to discuss matters privately, I had no idea she would say those kinds of things to you. I didn't believe she was capable of being so rude. She is supposed to be my friend. I thought she would be happy that I have finally found the right woman for me." He replied sadly. "Although, you made for quite an awkward moment when you just had to go and make your comment about my, penis." I broke out in laughter again at his awkwardness, but quickly gave him a light peck on the lips.

"Yeah, I'm really sorry about that. It wasn't meant for your ears."

"Let's get you back to your room. The princess will talk to you when she feels ready," Dimitri told me.

"Do we have to go back already?" I whined. "I want to stay here with you," I moaned, pulling him into a hug. "I really do love you."

"I love you too my milaya," he responded. The two of us ended up spending the evening curled in each other's arms, enjoying the silence around us. Life was so hectic always, so it felt unbelievable to pull back from everything.

After one last heated make out session, Dimitri walked me back to my dorm. I stayed up so that I could watch Lissa. When 1 A.M. rolled around and she went to sleep without coming to talk to me, I finally decided to go to sleep as well.


How did you like it? A lot of stuff happened in this chapter! Are you glad that Rose and Mason have at least made peace? Are you happy that Lissa and Christian finally found out about Dimitri? And what did you think of Tasha?

Many of you were concerned about Rose being pregnant or sick, but I can assure you that is not the case! What do you think is in her aura?