I felt my cheeks go hot. Oh God, I was blushing. Fantastic. I couldn't look at him. I focused, hard, on the ghost of a footprint on the tiles. I forced my eyes to trace every line of the print, resisting the desperate urge to look up at Adrian. I didn't want to see what was in his eyes, at the same time I needed to. He said nothing and I sensed him move his hands around.
"Rose.' He finally said, " That's not funny. You can't just play with my emotions like that, its not a joke."
What?! I tell him something important and he thinks I'm joking!?
I looked up at him glaring, "For Gods sake Adrian! I'm not joking!"
He looked at me, his magnetic gaze not letting mine go. His gaze was probing, searching for something in mine. A second, no two… maybe five passed. We stared at each other in silence, both waiting for the other to crack. Slowly Adrian took a step towards me. I watched him approach, never breaking the eye contact. He carefully, slowly closed the distance between us until he was pressed against me and I had to practically crane my neck to see his eyes.
"Really?" he said softly. I watched his perfect lips form the word and suddenly I couldn't even remember what he was going on about. He leaned down and my heartbeat sped up in anticipation. He stopped millimeters away from my lips. I leaned up, but he leaned up as well.
"I said really Little Dhampir?" he smirked.
He was evil.
"Adrian shut up and kiss me."
He chuckled but soon his lips met mine and I felt myself falling back into that the world were only Adrian existed. My one hand was soon running through Adrian's hair, his hand pulled me closer and held me there. I could feel the subtle beat of his heart. It was just as fast as mine. The two beats pulsated together, working perfectly in sync. His hand soon found mine and he entwined his fingers with mine.
"Ivashkov your suit for the service arrived and – woah!"
We moved apart, surprised, Adrian moved his hand out of mine, only to put it around my waist. Eddie stood at the now open door with a dry cleaning packet over his arm. He was grinning maliciously and I felt myself blush. Eddie's grin got wider. Urgh I was going to kill him.
"Sorry for interrupting." Eddie winked and I glared at him.
"But there is more than your making out session going on in the world. The service starts in two hours. Your father called Adrian, he said look decent and try not to embarrass the family in front of the members of council who are coming to St. Vlad's to attend the service here."
Adrian nodded and Eddie grinned again and walked out.
"Well I guess Eddie knows now." Adrian said carefully.
"Yeah I guess so."
"Do you mind?"
"Nope." I said, popping the 'p' and smiling like I had air where my brain should be.
He smiled down at me and I felt all fluffy and completely un-Guardian inside.
"Me neither. I think I should start to get ready for the service."

His face got sad for a minute.
"Little Dhampir how's it possible for one man to feel two extremely powerful and opposite emotions at the same time?"
"I… I don't know."
"Is it wrong?"
"No." I said, "Nothing that feels like this could ever be wrong."
"Who knew Rose was such a softie?"
"I'm not soft!"
"Little Dhampir just accept it. You pretend you're such a hard, sharp smartass but on the inside your just one big fluffy softie."
"That's .. that's just not true."
"Oh yes it is. And that's one of the reason's why I love you."
He winked, grabbed a towel and was in the bathroom before I even had thought of a response. My brain was all soppy and mushy from what Adrian said and the kissing. I couldn't think straight. It was like some smokey haze had clouded my thoughts. And I liked it. I was disgustingly disappointed in myself. This whole love business was so ridiculously frustrating and confusing and just plain… ridiculous. Irrational.

I sighed for what must be the millionth time today and walked back to my room, still glowering about the unexpected feelings I'd recently gained towards Adrian. Who is not only my Guardian duty, but a royal Ivashkov who was the stereotypical prince charming, destined for some princess. And I meant that literally. I wasn't a princess. I wasn't even moroi. I was a Guardian. My destiny was to protect them. They come first. Not a family, not love. Why did I always fall for the guys I couldn't have?

I didn't know what to do with myself while I waited for the service to start. I sat on my couch and tried to think about anything but Adrian. It didn't work. Every time I closed my eyes I saw his eyes. But at the same time I didn't, not his real eyes. I wanted to though, I mean see his real eyes. So I tried desperately to remember them. I couldn't. Not exactly. It was, at the least, extremely frustrating.
Another frightening symptom of this whole love sickness was Adrian's touch. Or rather lack thereof. When I didn't feel it, I went almost insane. I needed it, I craved it. It was like some horribly addictive drug. It just felt so right, so soothing when he touched me. But the more I got the more I wanted. It was a deliciously evil thing, destined to go spiraling out of control.
But I was going to enjoy it. Come what inevitably may. Because for once I was happy, and for once, I intended not to ruin that. Plus I was Adrian's guardian, he was still first. I settled back and allowed myself to dream about his perfect face, his smartass wit and his amazing kisses.

The shrill sound of the room phone ripped me out of a particularly nice scene involving Adrian and… well I'll leave that up to your imagination. I sprinted to the phone and nearly broke my toe when I stubbed it in the process.
"Hello?"
"Ahh Little Dhampir."
"Adrian why are you calling me?"
"I require your assistance. Immediately."
"Why'd you have to call me? You're barely 10 meters away from me."
There was a brief pause.
"I don't know."
He hung up and that was that.

I walked in to find Adrian practically strangling himself with a gray silk tie.
He looked up at me desperately, "Please help."
I sighed and rolled my eyes like the task would put me through physical pain. I walked over to him and expertly did his tie. It was like a useless talent of mine, being able to tie perfect ties. When I was done I stepped back to admire Adrian. His hair was messy, as always, but at the same time looked good. He had shaved. His tailored black suit fit him perfectly, making him even more painfully handsome. His leather shoes just screamed expensive and the crisp white shirt only made him even more debonair.

"Didn't someone ever tell you its rude to stare Little Dhampir?"
"Oh look whose talking."
"Well how can you dress like that and expect me not to?"
"Coming from the man in a suit. You know what formal wear does to women."
"Hence the reason I wear it at every opportunity."
"And you say you're not a player."
"I'm not. I just like to illustrate what the perfect man should look like."
"Wow modesty is one of your greatest virtues isn't it?"
"Right after my wit."
"Oh and your smartass remarks?"
"I'm sorry but they're second only to yours."
We bickered on. I have to say, I do love arguing. And Adrian was possibly the only competition I had, smartass-wise. Christian was fun, but he often backed down after a few minutes. Adrian only got more fired up. Just like me. By the time we arrived at the church I had nothing left to say but I was determined to get the last word.
"Oh I'm so sure Adrian."
"It's true! I read it in The Times! The amount of women who find smoking clove cigarettes attractive is at an all time high."
"That's such rubbish, you know it and I know it. Adrian you don't even read The Times."
"I might. You don't know that."
"I don't need to. It's obvious."
"Now your judging me!" He said in mock horror, holding a hand to his heart. His face was so serious I had to laugh. Some of the more serious guardians glared at us and we both shut up pronto.
Dom saw us and ambled over looking overly serious, "Rose. Ivashkov."
"Dom." I said back equally serious.
Adrian nodded at him.
"I've been given strict instructions to remind you both that this service is a serious matter and is no place for your immature bantering."
"Oh Guardian Yelvich we wouldn't dream of it." Adrian said winking. Dom smiled and we all walked into the church. I left Adrian's side to get in one of the back pews with Eddie and Dom but Adrian grabbed my elbow and pulled me to the front pew with him. There is a definite and unspoken hierarchy of seating in the church, 1st pew is the council members and Adrian (apparently me too), the pew behind is royals, the 3rd pew is Kirokov and the senior Guardians, then the school sat and right at the back sat the junior Guardians. I was clearly expected to sit at the back, where I belonged. I noticed more than one face ogling Adrian and I. The council members gave me the death glare, which I returned all too enthusiastically.

The service lasted over two hours. The entire time the church was completely silent, even the first years didn't make a sound. The church was a sea of black. At the end we slowly filed out, row after row, starting at the front. I felt the thousand eyes focus on me and every one asked the same question, what is Rose Hathaway doing in the front pew?. Adrian put his arm around my waist and, call me paranoid, but I swear I heard more than one person gasp. We had barely gotten out of the church when a council member grabbed Adrian (and consequently me) and pulled him (us) around the side of the church.
"Mr. Smitherson, nice to see you again. How is your family?" Adrian said politely, apparently not finding anything strange about the situation.
"Fine, Lord Ivashkov. What's this?" He answered in a hard voice nodding towards me.
"Ah I'm sorry but I forgot to introduce you to my girlfriend. Rose this is Timothy Smitherson. Mr. Smitherson this is Rose Hathaway."
"She's a Dhampir." He said, choosing to ignore my extended hand.
Adrian smiled like he was talking to a retard, "I know."
"Adrian your father specifically asked me to make sure you don't embarrass your family at the service."
Or to ignore me completely.
"I know. And in no way am I embarrassing them."
"This is ridiculous Adrian! Now I know you may find 'rebelling' fun but not at your aunts service. You should have never pulled a prank like this in front of so many people."
A prank? Is that what this looks like?
"It's no prank, Mr. Smitherson."
He narrowed his eyes, "Adrian how many times do I have to tell you before it sinks in, never play with your food."
Adrian glared back at him, "Timmy quite frankly I am entitled to make my own choices, and she is my choice."
Mr. Smitherson said in a low voice, "Don't think I don't know about the will. And your father does too. More so: the entire council does."
"Wow how surprising! And here I was thinking daddy merely guessed without seeing the will."
"Don't get smart with me Adrian. The council is not blind. We have voted, it's the throne or the Dhampir."
"How-"
"That is final. End of mourning period you're coronation will take place. Your education here is no longer needed."
He disappeared before Adrian had a chance to say anything.
"I'm really sorry Little Dhampir, you didn't need to hear that. Or be treated like that. Tim's a real… asshole. But he is my father's assistant."
"No its okay. It was stupid of me to think everything would just be fine."
Adrian stood in front of me and put both his hands on my shoulders.
"Listen to me Little Dhampir, everything will be fine."
He looked deep into my eyes and I felt stupid tears forming. I can't believe it, ended before it ever really started. The story of my life. Embarrassed I looked down.
"Yeah I mean we can still be friends right? And –"
"Woah, Friends? What?"
"I know it's a hard decision but-"
He gave me a little shake.
"Rose there's no decision to make. There never was."
I felt like I'd been stabbed.
"Oh right.. Well I guess I understand." I couldn't help it, I just wanted to run and cry in private. How could I ever let myself think for a moment that Adrian actually loved me? He just loved the thrill of the chase. I pulled away from him but he grabbed my elbow and stopped me from leaving.
"Little Dhampir I choose you. I always have and I always will. You're the most important thing in my life. I never wanted the throne, but I've wanted you since I met you. I love you Rose."

He pulled me in for a hug and I sniffed laughing.
"So what now?"
"Now I go get disowned!"
"Oh my God! Disowned?! No Adrian!"
"Nah I'm sure my mom will slip me some cash, plus since I'm legal they can't take away my trust. I'll live."
"And your family?!"
"I never really liked them anyway… Except Ivy. Hence the reason I live 500 miles away from them."
"Whose Ivy?"
"My cat."
"Oh… I always thought of you as a dog person."
"Again with the judging!"
I laughed against his chest. Dom came round the corner.
"Oh God. What am I witnessing?"
We pulled apart but I stood next to Adrian holding his hand.
"Err… love?" Adrian offered.
"I think I'm going to be sick." He said, pretending to gag.
"Jealously makes you nasty Dom." I said.
He sighed and rolled his eyes, "Oh yes I'm seething inside. But, I regret to inform you two people are about to start a man hunt."
"Whose missing?" I said, panic raising.

"You and Monsieur Love." He said sniggering.
We walked back to the reception. I punched Dom's arm when I got close enough, "Oh please, grow up Dom."
"Oooh make me!"
I rolled my eyes and hit him again, this time a little harder.