The flight back to Court felt like it took centuries. I wanted to be able to freeze time so that I could think things through but nobody would give me that luxury. Dimitri and I sat silently in each other's presence. I knew he wanted to keep me safe but at the same time I felt he thought I was being reckless. I ran my fingers through the ends of my hair trying to figure out a way to break the silence.

Instead he did, "Are you sure you want to go through with this?"

I nodded, "Are you crazy? I've been waiting for you to ask me to marry you since our first kiss."

He shook his head. He mustn't have thought that was as funny as I had hoped. "You know what I meant, Rose."

I looked down and stared at my shoes. They were falling apart from wear and tear. I would need to get a new pair soon. "I know. And it's not that I want to go on some suicide mission of hunting down Strigoi but if I don't go after them they will just keep coming for me."

"So you admit that this is a suicide mission?" His eyebrows rose expectantly.

I threw up my hands in exasperation. "Yes! I mean, the last time I went hunting you down I was pretty unprepared. All I had was the clothes on my back, my trusty stake, and heartache the size of a black hole." I shot my eyes up and saw the sadness on his face, "I… I'm so sorry." I slapped my hand to my face and kept it there. "I feel so stupid. I didn't mean…"

He raised his hand to stop me. I shut up. "It's not a big deal. I get what you mean though." He let out a heavy sigh. "At least this time we will be prepared and you won't be going it alone."

I looked back at him and he seemed to be deep in thought. Probably going through a check list in his head. "So you agree that we cannot tell anyone about this?"

He nodded. "Agreed. It would only cause a commotion."

The plane landed and right as I stood Dimitri was at my side pulling me to him. He just held me there. "Roza." He stroked my hair to its ends. It had grown out pretty long. It now reached down to my lower back. He rested his hand there. "I would do anything to protect you. You are precious to me."

I closed my eyes and tried to capture this moment. I wanted to be able to picture this moment for the rest of my life. I wrapped my arms around him and rested my head on his chest. "I know. You are precious to me too."

My comments always seemed to bring a smile to his face. This one barely got a smirk. He pulled away and looked down at me. He tucked back some of his loose strands of hair, "I'm serious. It's hard for me to…" he sighed and gained his control, "It's just hard for me to agree to let you do something so, I don't know, reckless." He smiled fully but it looked a bit nervous, "You scare the hell out of me, you know that."

"I tend to have that affect on people." I smiled back reassuringly. I touched his face and he seemed to relax into the touch. "Don't worry so much. Plus, you'll be there to protect me. You've never let me down."

We walked to the palace and before I could even begin to think about breathing we were standing in front of Lissa's door. I felt my hand rise to knock as if some alien power were controlling my functions. She answered with such haste I wasn't even sure if my knuckles had even made contact. "Rose!" She threw her arms around me and then pulled me away to be examined. "Are you okay? I mean, you're in one piece but anything?"

I suddenly started to feel tingles in my arms of hot and cold where she touched and I pulled away. "Don't do it." She was definitely trying to heal me. "I'm fine. See? Still standing."

She looked a little embarrassed. "I'm sorry but you had me so worried and then you never called me either." She sent an unpleasant glare to Dimitri.

I forced a laugh, "He told me to call you but I was afraid you'd chew my ear off all the back home. I figured you might as well do it in person. How did Hope's test go? Did she pass?"

She clapped her hands happily, "With flying colors. She's staying in the apartments for Guardians. She has two guards with her at all times."

"But she's not considered a threat, is she?"

"It's just as much for her protection as it is for everyone else's comfort."

"As long as she's safe."

"Of course she's safe. She's in my care. I was more worried about you!" She squeezed me to her.

"Please don't. You're hurting my face." I laughed it off and she backed away.

She blushed, "I'm just worried about you."

"Hey, that's my job." Dimitri laughed as he walked in and greeted a silent Christian. I hadn't even noticed he had walked into the room. He looked like he hadn't slept. His yes had dark circles around them and his skin was pale. Maybe he was just sick.

I gestured to him, "Is he alright?"

She looked sympathetically at him, "He's been kind of sick lately. He's already thrown up twice in the past hour and he can't seem to keep any food down."

"Is he pregnant?" I laughed.

He looked at me and smiled amusingly, "I'm pretty sure I would know if I was." He rubbed his stomach. "But I do wish I had some food inside of me."

Dimitri looked concerned, "Have you gone to the med clinic?"

He nodded, "They said they couldn't find a reason. I don't have the flu, no viruses, not even a damn fever. It's just weird."

I thought about Tasha. Maybe all the anxiety from the upcoming execution was starting to get to him. I tried to ease into the subject, "Has anything been bothering you?"

He shrugged, "Not much. Just Lissa's mood swings and Adrian's damn aura readings. He said I looked like shit." He scoffed. "As if I didn't already know."

I was confused, "He said your aura looks like shit?"

Lissa laughed, "I know right. My readings have been kind of scrambled lately. I tried to read his but it looked kind of out of sorts. Like I was looking through beer goggles but I think it's due to all the stress I'm going through. Possibly even because of the charms."

"But don't the charms heal you?"

"Yea, but some also stunt the magic a little so I can't use it so intensely." She laughed, "Courtesy of Ms. Karp. Or should I say Mrs. Mikhail?"

My jaw dropped. "They got married?"

She smiled widely, "Yes! It was a small one with the justice of the peace but it is official. And," she paused as if for dramatic effect, "she is due in 4 months!"

"Wow!" I looked over to Dimitri but he seemed to be holding up his composure pretty well. I hated having baby talk around him. I knew it bothered him. "That's great." I cleared my throat, "Now back to Christian's aura."

"Like I said, it was kind of out of sorts. I tried to focus but the colors were all over the place."

"Like there was a disturbance in the force," Christian added smugly. He may look sick but that didn't take away from his biting sarcasm.

She threw him a sour face, "Ha. Funny."

He pointed at her and looked at me accusingly, "Do you see what I mean? She used to find that funny."

She sighed heavily and looked at me for back up, "Well it's only funny when it's done to someone else."

She nodded and stuck her tongue at him, "See? I'm not the only one."

"Okay, I am leaving now. Have fun catching up." He started for the door.

Dimitri's voice boomed, "Wait. We have some news for you two."

Christian paused and waved his hand as if signaling Dimitri to continue before he got bored and walked out regardless of news. "Did you find a cure for cancer?"

"Um, no." I wasn't sure what was bothering the both of them but it was starting to make me agitated as well. "We are getting married."

He shrugged, "We already knew that."

"Tomorrow," Dimitri smiled and pulled me to his side.

Lissa's expression was priceless, "Tomorrow? But the dresses don't come in for another week!"

I laughed, "Can't we just call and ask for a rush? I mean if we pay extra they tend to do that sort of thing."

Lissa laughed nervously, "I guess so. But you guys," she looked so baffled, "why the move up of the date?"

Dimitri tightened his hold on me, "We just didn't want to wait. May's in another two months and we figured why not just have it now." He kissed my head and I smiled meekly. Thank god he spoke up because Lissa would have seen through my lie.

Christian nodded, "Makes sense to me. I hope I'm feeling better by then. I wouldn't want to puke on anyone or anything."

Gross, "We'll have a bucket waiting for you on the sidelines just in case."

He gave me thumbs up and smiled, "Awesome." His expression was quickly replaced with pain. He wrapped his arms around his stomach and groaned. Lissa was instantly at his side. No matter how much they argued they were always there for each other. That was love.

She cradled him and caressed his face. "Are you alright?" Her voice held extreme worry. I felt for her.

He nodded slowly, "I think so." But he looked like he might keel over. Dimitri took him from Lissa.

"I am taking you to the med clinic." He threw his arms over his shoulder. "They must have missed something. There's something wrong."

Lissa put her hand to her mouth and choked back a sob, "Do you want me to come?"

I grabbed her hand, "Come on. I'll walk with you."

All four of us made our way there relatively quick. Once the nurse saw his face she rushed him to a room and sent out a rush announcement for the doctor. Lissa, Dimitri and I had to wait in the lounge. It was agonizing. I was actually starting to really worry about him.

Suddenly Arian walked through the door. I looked him up and down. "What are you doing here?"

He sent me a cunning smile, "I was paged. Someone needs to be healed?"

I looked befuddled at Lissa, "Why wouldn't they just ask you?"

Adrian shrugged, "They wouldn't want to risk her." He nodded to Dimitri who in turn nodded back. Then he disappeared behind the double doors. No doubt headed to Christian's room.

Four hours passed and they walked out head high. Adrian had his usual grin displayed on his face but Christian looked a tad embarrassed. We all stood as they approached. Before we could say a word Christian spoke, "I'm fine. It was nothing big."

"Nothing big? Back in our room you looked like you were in serious pain! Don't try to tell me it was nothing big!" Lissa was hysterical. Maybe this should have been a private matter.

He grabbed her hands and placed them to his chest, "It was nothing big. The doctors said it was just Costochondritis."

"What?" I felt so stupid. What the hell did that mean?

"It's just a pain caused by inflammation of cartilage on my ribs. Nothing big." He smiled again and looked Lissa in the eye. "I'm fine. Really."

Adrian shook his head, "I really doubt their conclusion but whatever."

"Okay, that's just weird. But as long as you're alive and breathing", I sighed.

"Barely!" Lissa was still out of sorts. "Come on. We are going home and you are in bed rest until the wedding." They started walking out the door with Adrian following when she called from over her shoulder, "I'll meet you in your room in about an hour."

I waved at her and looked back to my gorgeous Russian. His brown eyes were just taking me in. It was almost like he was lost in my image. His face held a smile revealing his pearly whites and butterflies took flight in my stomach. He took a step towards me, "Let's go to the room."

I blushed. "Why? What's up there?" I teased.

He grabbed me and lifted me off the ground. He cradled me in his arms, "A big cozy bed with our names on it."

His touch was nearly unbearable. I wanted him with every fiber of my being. Just being in his arms felt perfect but when we made love it was like nothing I have ever experienced. I was glad I had given myself to him and only him. Our bodies matched so perfectly and every move was in sync. His flesh still smelled like aftershave and now his scent was driving me up the wall. We barely made it inside the room before I started removing his clothes.

He threw off my shirt and lifted me up. I wrapped my legs around his body and our lips met with a passion so full of fire it burned us. It was a more than welcome touch. His hands ran the length of my body as he laid me on the bed. His very touch was pure pleasure to my senses. I arched my back which made my chest push against his. I brought him down on me and kissed his neck. His most sensitive spot, aside from the obvious, was the base of his neck. A soft sounding moan left his lips. I loved the sound of his voice even in the slightest form. He pressed me down and spread my arms out. His hands were firm on my wrist. He moved one hand up and traced the shape of my face. His fingers made their way down to my breasts, my stomach, and teased to dare touch my most intimate of intimates.

I giggled and squirmed under his touch. "Don't tease."

His eyes burned into me, "Is that an invitation?"

I smiled seductively, "It's mandatory."

He brought his mouth to mine and it was like liquid fire. What we did then was like pulling moon down to Earth. The magnetism was like the effect a full moon had on the tide. My body always yearned for his touch and once we gave into the craving it was like losing yourself. You could die in the ecstasy and choose to come back when you wanted. But I didn't want to. I wanted to stay entangled in his presence. I wanted to keep this completion that came as a result of our bodies making contact. Just the thought of it made me quiver.

I laid on top of him and felt his breaths coming and going heavily. I traced circles around his defined abs. "You are so perfect. It's almost like someone took the time to sculpture you."

He laughed, "Trust me, Roza. I am not perfect."

I traced my finger over a small scar on his side. "All your little imperfections make you that much more beautiful. It makes you human, fragile."

He tilted my head to look up at him. "You are perfect. You seem so invincible. I have seen you at your best." I looked deep into his eyes. I wish I could read him as well as he learned to read me. It almost felt unfair.

"You've seen me at plenty of my worst times."

He shook his head slightly, "You have overcome so much at such at young age. You are wise beyond your years. I have never met a more beautiful, wise, or wonderful woman such as yourself." He kissed me and I felt all frivolous inside. "I don't think I ever will."

I smiled and ran my hand through his hair. God, how I loved that silky texture. "I guess that's what makes us so perfect together. We complement one another."

He smiled back at me and I wished that he would always have his natural smile on his face. It made him that much more irresistible. I laid my head on his chest and started fading into sleep. I thought it would have been peaceful but then I saw the Court's church appear. The first person that came to mind was Adrian but that wasn't the face that came strolling around the corner.

"Surprised to see me here?"

I gave her a puzzled look, "When did you learn how to walk dreams?"

Lissa's smile widened, "Adrian showed me the last time he paid a visit to you. I watched as he made contact. Believe it or not this is my third attempt tonight. I finally got through. What have you been doing? I figured you'd be asleep."

I flushed at the thought, "Spending some quality time with Dimitri."

She caught on, "Oh. Well thank goodness I don't have a bond to you. That'd be weird."

"You have no idea." I recalled the time that I was sucked into her love making with Christian on more than one occasion.

"Sorry." She cleared her throat and looked around, "Wow, I didn't think you'd pick the church."

"What do you mean I picked it? I didn't…" My words trailed off. Adrian said he let me pick the place that time we met in Sonia's garden. "You mean you haven't tried to manipulate our surroundings?" I looked at myself. I was wearing blue jeans and the red shirt I had on with my last Adrian visit.

She shook her head. "I haven't gotten that far this is my first time succeeding." She smiled big and did a little victory dance.

I laughed, "Nice."

"Oh, Adrian's going to stop in once I leave. He is going to ask you how I did. Please give me a good report." Her eyes looked pleadingly at me.

I nodded and waved her away, "Duh. Like I'd make you look bad in front of him."

She jumped up and down clapping, "Yay! That puts me ahead of him!"

"Are you guys seriously racing to see who masters the spirit abilities first?"

She looked childishly at me, "Maybe. Well, he said he could do better and I couldn't back down." Her voice was rising in volume.

I grabbed her shoulders, "Lissa, have you been wearing your charms?" I realized she wasn't wearing any in here.

She looked sheepishly away, "I forgot to put one on today. But it's not a big deal. I'll just wear two tomorrow." She smiled and suddenly reached for a piece of my hair. "You should keep it down for the ceremony. You look so pretty with it down."

Sorrow swept over me. She was starting to ramble like Adrian would when he starts falling into the darkness. "Lissa, maybe you should go to sleep."

"We are asleep, Rose. I'm in your dreams."

"I know, but maybe you should rest your mind. This takes some spirit use and you said that you hadn't worn any charms."

"So?" She sounded a little offended.

"So maybe you should take it easy." I hugged her and when I pulled away she realized that she was starting to sound spacey.

She put her hand to her forehead, "You're right. I just need some rest."

I yawned and stretched out. "Plus, it may be a dream but I always feel drained and exhausted when I wake up. It feels real." I laughed to ease the tension.

She laughed back, "Sorry. Adrian said you didn't like dream visits."

I shook my head and held her hands, "But what kind of friend would it make me if I didn't congratulate you!"

Her smile widened. "Really? Are you honestly proud of me?"

"Extremely. You did so well. I'm impressed." I looked around at our surroundings. She had done pretty well for her first time. I almost thought this was Adrian's handy work. "Adrian would be put to shame."

She sighed with relief, "Thank you, Rose. I really needed that." She hugged me, "You're such a good friend."

Those were the last words I heard when the dream world faded into darkness. I stayed asleep but I braced myself. Adrian would be making a visit soon. Sure enough a new scenery formed around me. It was gorgeous. There were flowers everywhere and both the sun and the full moon occupied the sky. The sky took on a purplish-blue hue that made the dew on flowers surroundings us shimmer like they were covered in glitter. In the distance a waterfall overtook a wall of rocks and crashed down on a small body of water. It looked as crystal blue as Christian's eyes. Adrian was sitting with his back against a cherry tree. The pink flowers that filled the tree came floating down and he caught one in his hand. "Hello, little dhampir. Do you like it?"

"It's beautiful. Where are we?"

He shrugged, "I don't know. I just made it up."

I was shocked, "You can make up the place we go to."

He smiled smugly, "This was just a practice shot. I've never done this before."

"Tonight must be firsts for everybody, huh?"

"I see that Lissa made it to you then." He propped himself on one arm. His eyes shimmered as they caught the light.

"I almost thought it was you."

His smile faltered. "You were expecting me?"

I looked away, "No, it's just that you are the only one who visits me in my dreams."

He stood up and dusted himself off. "Just as well, how did she do?"

"I was impressed. She took us to the church on the Court grounds. She let me choose my own clothes too." I smiled sincerely.

He gestured at my clothes, "And that's what you picked?"

I looked down at myself. I had on the red dress that Dimitri had gotten me. "No, actually. Dimitri got me this as a gift for my surprise."

He laughed, "He has good taste. Why'd you choose that?"

I touched the soft fabric, "I just really liked it. I must have been thinking about it right when you dropped in."

"Good choice but shall we make this a little more casual?" He walked over and touched the strap that clung to the edge of my shoulder. It quickly changed into a white spaghetti strap shirt and my bottom was covered by blue jean shorts. "Better. It goes well with this weather."

I smiled, "What about you? You look like you stepped off of an Abercrombie magazine."

He looked at himself, "I think I look pretty good."

I circled him, "Oh no. If I'm dressing down so are you." I placed my hand on his chest and his designer shirt turned into a plain black t-shirt and his black slacks cut short just beneath his knees and turned a khaki color. I stepped back and looked him over, "That's a good look for you. Simple."

He looked at me in awe. "Rose, your aura."

I looked down at my arms as if I might be able to see it myself. "My aura?"

"It's all over the place. It looks like…"

"Christian's." I gasped the name. "I don't get it. Why is this happening?"

He reached out and placed his hand on my face. I suddenly started feeling that hot and cold sensations I got from Lissa when she healed me. Then I realized it. He had progressed in his training as well. The sensations stopped and he stepped away and examined me. He shook his head, "I don't get it. How do you feel?"

I shrugged, "I didn't even notice a change." But then it happened. A pain shot through my body and I wrapped my arms around myself and ended up on the floor on my knees.

Adrian ran to my side, "Rose! What's happening?" His voice was in a panic.

I could barely breathe in to speak. It felt like someone had taken a baseball bat to my ribs and my head was throbbing so loudly. It felt like my heart was beating in there. "I… I don't know. It fucking hurts!"

He put his hand on my side and my world rushed by, "Go to Lissa".

I sprang up from my bed and let out a yelp. Dimitri grabbed me, "What's wrong?"

I was still in pain, "Take me… to Lissa." I tried to suck in air between words.

His face was filled with worry. It always hurt him to see me like this. "Is something wrong? What's happening?"

I shook my head and pointed to the door, "Take me to her!"

He lifted me into his arms and carried me to her room. I don't even think he knocked. Lissa sprang up from her bed and Christian nearly rolled out. "What's happening?"

He laid me on the couch, "There's something wrong with Rose." He was still very uneasy. I could hear the distress in his voice. "She said to bring her to you."

"Christian", I pointed at him. "How are you feeling?"

His face went bewildered, "Fine. I feel fine now, why?"

"Great", I tried for a smile but it cracked and I curled up more from the intensifying pain. "I think you gave me whatever you had."

"What?" He was as lost as everyone else was. That included me. "What I had wasn't contagious. It was temporary."

Lissa looked at Dimitri. Tears were starting to make their ways to her eyes, "How did this happen?"

"I don't know. She just woke up yelling and told me to bring her to you!" He was starting to lose his control.

But then the pain started receding. I uncurled and just laid there. I saw that Christian's eyes were at the door. Adrian stood there staring me down with a gaze so intense it felt like he was reaching out for my soul. A split second later he leaned fatigued on the doorframe and broken eye contact.

Dimitri pulled me into his arms and I just rested my head on his chest. He looked around, "What just happened?"

Lissa's eyes were wide. She never looked away from Adrian, "What was that? What did you just do?"

He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair, "It was an overload of magic."

Christian shook his head, "That would explain my problem but not Rose's."

Dimitri looked down at me, "Rose doesn't have magic."

He shrugged, "I'm just telling you what I saw. She had the same aura and everything." He pulled out his pack of cigarettes and put one to his lips. "Hell if I know what that means." He lit it and took a drag.

Lissa nodded. "I saw her aura as well. It did look like Christian's but," she sounded like she was in disbelief. "How did you know it was magic?"

I flushed a little, "He came to me in my dreams," I looked at Dimitri reassuringly, "to get my report on how Lissa did on her dream walking."

Adrian nodded, "Yea and then her aura suddenly went haywire. When I touched her she felt like fire. I tried to heal it but it didn't change. So I shot her out of her dream so I could do it in real world terms." He took another long drag.

I placed my hand on Dimitri's. He still looked both worried about my situation and by Adrian's visit. "It's going to be alright. We'll figure this out."

He smiled at me and pressed a kiss to my forehead. "I know, Roza. You've always been so strong."

Lissa was still just standing in the same spot looking at Adrian. "How… how did you do that?"

I looked between them two, "Do what? What'd you see?"

His smile was clever, "The same way I did it to Christian. I took it out of her."

She shook her head, "Took what out? The magic?"

He shrugged, "Yea, I just focus on streaming it into mine. I've been using my magic to train so it's never too high so I figured I'll make room for them by filling my cup." He smiled at me, "Yours was peculiar."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, it wasn't a normal element. And I know what they feel like. Including spirit." He gestured to Lissa. "But you, it was like it was shaded. Almost like it was shrouded in darkness."

Dimitri looked to Lissa, "But that's not possible. They don't have the bond. It doesn't make sense." He looked down at me and stroked my hair.

Adrian forced a laugh, "I know, but that's what I felt. You saw it too, Lissa."

Lissa nodded slowly, "I saw a thin stream of, I don't know, a grey light flowing into Adrian. It made the air feel thick."

Christian threw up his hands, "This is crazy! How could Rose have magic?"

Lissa shrugged a little, "Maybe it was transferred when the bond was broken. Maybe some of it stayed stuck in her."

Christian looked so confuse, "So it's just a limited amount of magic or can it regenerate?"

"I don't know. This kind of thing has never happened before. Nobody has ever been known to break a bond and still be alive." Lissa sounded like she was trying to convince herself that she knew what she was trying to explain. Spirit was still not well known. We didn't know too much about it.

Adrian walked up to me and placed his hand on my forehead. "She feels normal now. No heat, no fire." He looked at Dimitri, "She just needs some rest now. Best to take her back to your room."

Dimitri nodded, "Thank you."

"Any time."

I grabbed Adrian's arm, "But what about the wedding? Will I be well enough by tomorrow?"

Christian took the lead, "I'm feeling just peachy after some sleep. Maybe that's all you need too." His smile was comforting.

I released his arm. "That helps. Thanks."

Dimitri helped me to our room. He had insisted in carrying me but I felt like I needed the walk. I laid down slowly on the bed and stared at the ceiling. Dimitri laid beside me and wrapped me in his arms. "How are you feeling?"

I nuzzled against him, "Better. Much better."

He let out a sigh, "You scare me sometimes."

"I don't mean to."

He laughed, "I didn't think you did."

I looked up at him, "And you're sure you still want to marry me tomorrow?"

He looked down at me like he was about to scowled me, "Of course I do!"

I looked away, "And you're sure you want to go back with me to hunt down the Strigoi that are after me?"

He tilted my head up so that our eyes met, "I will always be there when you need me. You know I'd do anything for you."

I pulled him to me and rested my head on him. "Then braced yourself because once we get started you're going to be having panic attacks from how much trouble seems to find me."

He laughed, "I don't think I'll ever get use to that."

The dream world took hold of me once more. I stood in the beautiful scenery that Adrian managed to concoct all with just his imagination. Adrian appeared. "Hello, little dhampir. How are you feeling?"

I smiled at him, "Much better thanks to you. But…"

"But?"

"What about this magic thing you spoke of? How did I end up with magic?"

He shrugged, "Lissa's explanation tells it best. That's all I could think of as well. I mean think about it. You heal quickly, you've died twice, the first time was when you became shadow-kissed but then you died again which detached you from Lissa. After all is said and done you did have those special perks that came from being close to the land of the dead."

I started pacing slowly, "True. But why would it suddenly appear now?"

"Well, you didn't know it was there so you never used it. Lack of use of magic causes a buildup. I've seen a few cases of it already. Christian was one."

"So that's how you know how to heal it."

He smiled, "Yup. The first time was a bit tricky but after the first two I got the hang of it. Never thought I'd ever get the chance to use it on you though."

I stopped pacing and stood right in front of him, "So how do I use it?"

"How should I know? This is unheard of." He was really clueless. I felt confident that if he did know anything he would have told me.

I looked at him meekly, "So do you think you could train me to use it?"

His smile faltered, "I wish I could but I have no idea how your magic is used. I'm not even sure what element it comes from."

"We know it's associated with spirit."

"Are you sure? It could be from the land of the dead. Maybe you're cursed."

I shot him a glare, "I don't need magic to feel cursed."

He laughed, "You'd be surprised at how lucky everyone finds you."

I shook my head, "Not after some of the conversations I've had with you and Tasha."

"I'm sorry." He really looked like we was making a sincere apology. "I shouldn't have talked to you like that. I was just…"

"You were just upset. I know." I turned my back to him. "I kind of deserved it though after the way I treated you."

His hand landed gently on my shoulder. He turned me to face him, "Nobody deserves to be talked down to. Especially not you."

I felt my cheeks blush. He was a really sweet guy and it bothered me more what I had done now that he had forgiven me. I needed to follow my own advice and forgive myself. "Will you come tomorrow? To the wedding?"

He smiled, "Wouldn't miss it for the world."

I hugged him, "Thank you. I really mean it. You're a great guy. Any girl would be lucky to have you."

He sighed, "Any girl?"

I felt the double meaning in that. I didn't want him falling for me again. I didn't want to hurt him, "You'll find her. Don't worry."

He pulled away, "I hope will still love me when I've gone completely insane." He forced out a laugh.

"Why haven't you been using healing charms?"

"I do. I just tend to forget sometimes when I drink too much."

"Did you just admit that you drink too much?" I looked at him accusingly.

He shook his head, "Only sometimes. I'm getting better."

"Yea, you're getting so much better that you decided to spark up a cigarette in the palace. In Lissa's room no less."

"Hey I have had a very stressful day. Lissa didn't seem to mind." He smiled smugly and leaned against the cherry tree.

I looked up and admired the small pink flowers floating down gracefully. "I suppose." I caught one in my hand and touched the delicate petals. It was so tiny yet so beautiful. "I have to get back to sleep. Big day tomorrow." I never took my eyes off of the flower.

His hand touched my cheek and our eyes met, "You will make for one beautiful bride. Even if you just wore a t-shirt and sweat pants." He laughed and I joined in.

I touched his hand, "I cannot thank you enough for everything you have done."

He shook his head, "No need. I already know I'm awesome."

This just made me laugh, "Yea but you still don't match up to my awesomeness."

He shook his head and brought my hand to his lips, "Always a pleasure, little dhampir." His lips made contact with my skin and then the world went black.

I woke in my bed and I could still feel his lips on the back of my hand. I looked up at Dimitri and I felt a sort of guilt. I hadn't done anything wrong yet I felt like I should tell him about the dream visits that Adrian and I have had other than the one just to talk about Lissa's dream walking skills. I caressed his face and felt the warmth of him on the tips of my fingers. He smiled in his sleep and it made my heart flutter. Luck was finally making itself known to me and I suddenly felt that everything was going to be alright.

By Shadow-Kissed Mori