These great characters are all credited to Richelle Mead

Chapter 9

Friday seemed to drag on all together. I knew to expect Adrian at dinner but could not wait to find out what had happened in his meeting. Even though I knew Adrian had every intention of us staying together, I could not help but be worried. I did not get much of a chance to talk to Lissa about it because she spent most of her free time throughout the day in the library. She refused to tell me what she was looking for and even blocked the bond. She promised me that when she could properly explain everything, she would let me know.

Both practice and classes were horrible because I just could not focus on anything. I had a bad feeling about what Tatiana wanted with Adrian.

As the bell for my last class rang, I was about to make a run for the cafeteria since I was very anxious to see my fiance. Since I was still lost in thought I didn't even notice Adrian standing outside the classroom until he grabbed my arm as I was walking past. I actually turned to attack since I could not think of who would touch me like that without wanting a death wish.

"Whoa there, did I do something wrong to deserve the wrath of Rose?" he asked with a worried expression on his face.

When I realized it was him I jumped into his arms giving him several kisses. Wow I really missed him alot, I thought.

I looked into his eyes and with a serious face but teasing tone, "Have you done something, Mr. Ivashkov, that makes you think you deserve the wrath of Rose?"

Adrian pulled me closer to him inhaling the scent of my hair. He then whispered in my ear so only I could hear it, "I would never do anything to you, my love, soon-to-be Mrs. Ivashkov."

I smiled at this, as I usually did when Adrian called me that. I couldn't help but love the thought of me being his wife. Even though I knew we were rushing into things I somehow knew, deep within myself, that Adrian and I were meant to be.

That thought made me think about Adrian's meeting with the Queen earlier.

"Adrian, what happened today?" I asked as we intertwined our hands to make our way to dinner.

"I will tell you when we get to the table so I can tell Lissa, Christian and Eddie at the same time."

This of course made me anxious and before I knew it I was basically dragging Adrian to the cafeteria. We went up to get food and by the time we got to the table the gang was there.

"Okay Adrian I've been a nervous wreck all day will you please tell us what she wanted?" I pleaded with him. I also made sure to give him my best puppy dog eyes since I knew that he was a sucker for that.

"Fine, fine! But please Rose, know that no matter what she says I love you with all my heart and will marry you," he said with all honestly and true devotion. Then he began to explain,

"So I went into the meeting and everything was good, at first. My aunt began by just asking how my training was going with spirit. I thought that maybe it would not be such a bad meeting, until she brought up Rose....."

(Adrian flashback)

"So I have heard rumors that you have been recently dating the dhampir, Rose Hathaway." the Queen began.

Adrian immediately stiffened his posture and with all seriousness in his voice he answered, "Yes Aunt. Rose makes me very happy."

Queen Tatiana made a face like she just sucked on something rather sour.

"Well be that as it may, this relationship will be over by the time her graduation comes in three weeks. I will not have my nephew dating some bloodwhore who only wants him for his wealth and status."

Adrian immediately got angry. "Aunt Tatiana, Rose is not like that. It took me quite some time to even convince her to give me a chance."

"I DON'T CARE!" The Queen was beginning to get angry and impatient with her nephew. She continued, "You listen to me and you listen to me good. As your father may have mentioned to you, two weeks ago I decided it was time for me to step down as Queen. My health is fading and I want to make sure all my affairs are in order before I die. The council had a meeting last week and it was decided that in six weeks you will become King. I will not allow you to ruin your family's name and your future for some dhampir." She said dhampir with discust in her voice. "If I find out your relationship with her is not over, right before her graduation I will make it my priority to make sure she is assigned somewhere far from you with a Moroi that will treat her the way she deserves and I think you understand what I mean by that." Tatiana actually had a smug smile on her face when she said that. She had thought she had won.

Adrian was discusted that his aunt could ever treat anyone like that but decided to play it cool for now.

"I am honored that I have been chosen to become King, Aunt Tatiana, but that will not keep me apart from Rose. I will not stand for it. Now if there is nothing else I have a plane to catch."

With that, Adrian walked out to go back to the love of his life.

"So now we must come up with a plan. There is no way I will let her take you from me now." Adrian said simply as he looked at me with his beautiful green eyes that I could get lost in.

When he saw I was about to cry he kissed my cheek and said, "Don't worry it will be okay." He then turned his attention to Lissa, Christian and Eddie and said, "Why don't we go back to my room so we can discuss this there."

As Adrian helped me get up I got a flash of excitement from Lissa. I gave her a "whats going on?" look in which she replied by winking. I thought it was rather strange that Lissa could be happy when we just found out I could be taken from her in only three weeks.

Unlike Lissa, I felt like my world was falling apart. I had just found happiness with a man that loved me with all of his heart and of course someone had to come in to ruin it. Although I did understand that many would not accept their King married to a dhampir, I hoped that they would all just deal with it.

At that moment, as we were midway between the cafeteria and Adrian's room, I stopped in my tracks as I realized something so big that I couldn't believe I did not realize it before.

Adrian, who was holding my hand, took a second to realize I had stopped but when he did, he turned around to look me in the eyes and ask, "What is wrong?" I was guessing at that point my face gave away that I just thought of something that I couldn't figure out.

"Adrian, if we are married, and you are King... what will that make me?"

"My Queen, of course." Adrian answered like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"But how could that be? A dhampir cannot be Moroi royalty. People will never accept that." This idea made me feel even worse. This evening really sucked.

Adrian smiled and turned to continue leading me to his dorm. As we walked he explained, "Actually, I thought about it on the flight back here and I really believe that you being the Queen will be a good thing. Together we can begin to change what has always been and dhampirs could eventually become equals in every way. As it is, there are many Moroi willing to fight alongside Guardians with their element. This will just be another step. We cannot be the only couple, a Moroi and dhampir, that have fallen in love only to have obstacles be put in their way by society. By us ruling together we will be opening the doors to changes that are necessary. I think this is going to be great once we get past my aunt's bullshit." He smiled at the last line.

Adrian must of really been mad since I had never heard him talk about his aunt that way before.

"Now lets get to my room so we can decide on a plan with our family." I smiled at him referring to Lissa, Christian and Eddie as our family because it was the truth.

We got to Adrian's room and settled in to be comfortable, Christian with his arm around Lissa on the loveseat, Eddie in Adrian's 'manly' recliner and Adrian and myself half laying/half sitting in eachother's arms on the bigger couch.

Lissa was still grinning ear to ear.

Since I was getting frustrated with her I finally said, "Lissa please just spill it already. What is going on?"

"I know what to do so the Queen can never seperate you and Adrian," she explained with so much excitement in her voice that it actually squeaked.

Adrian and I both kinda jumped up and looked at eachother as we took in what Lissa just said.

My heart began to flutter nervously as I waited for Lissa to explain.

A/N Sorry it took a few extra days with this post.. our internet kind of sucks but we finally have it sorta fixed for now..so anyway I hope you all enjoyed the chapter.. I'll try to have the next one up by Thursday or Friday..

Mishkah