Writing Christian and Rose is just so much fun! I love this pairing. I've got more than 100 reads on each of my chapters, which is incredible, thanks guys! Thanks for the reviews, they're the main reason I keep updating daily, they really motivate me :D I'm so excited for the chapter after this, it's definitely going to be one of my favourites. Review please! There's also a link for Rose's dress on my profile.

Chapter Ten

Christian was sat grimacing on his bed whilst pretending to do some homework whilst I rushed around the room trying to make sure I had everything Lissa had told me I needed. I'd got all the make-up, my straighteners and the dress so far, but I was saw Liss would tell me I'd forgotten something. There wasn't much else that I'd brought from my room to Christian's, though, and I was sure Liss would have more than enough beauty products for the both of us anyway.

"I'm sure you could just get ready in here." Christian rolled his eyes at me. "I have no idea how it takes you both so long. I'm ready already." I fixed him with a pointed look. "Well, nearly." He replied. "I just need to change clothes."

He was currently sat in his training clothes and even though he wasn't wearing a tux, he definitely couldn't get away with those. "I'm going to Liss's." I told him, having finally gathered everything into a bag. "You know what time to come, right?" I checked. Lissa would be upset if he was late, and I didn't want anything to ruin tonight. It had all been going so well.

Five days after they'd arrived and Dimitri and I had spent every night together. Not only was the sex amazing, but just talking and laying made my heart soar.

Although, training with Christian was equally as interesting. Most of it was normal, but there was just some moments when the sexual tension between us was almost too much to bear. We didn't act on it, but it was so obvious to the both of us and it was starting to take a toll – I could tell.

Right now, though, I didn't want to think about that and when Christian had assured me that he was going to be on time, I left and went to get ready with Liss.

Liss beamed at me when she opened the door and gestured hurriedly for me to come in. "I'm so excited!" She exclaimed. "It feels like ages since we've done something like this, just the two of us." I knew it was because of the field experience, but the guilt momentarily gnawed at me.

"I know." I replied with a grin of my own. Laying out my things, I felt Liss's slight annoyance at the dress. Christian hadn't got her anything, but she quickly told herself that it didn't matter and focused on plugging in her curlers and my straighteners.

"Are you going curly or straight?" She inquired.

"Curly." I replied immediately. That was how Dimitri preferred it.

Liss was equally as happy at my choice. "That means I get to curl it for you." She announced happily. "I'm going straight, so mine won't take long." She replied.

Talking to Liss as we did our hair and make-up almost made me forget about the horrible thing I'd done to her. Maybe I had been right when I said that we couldn't feel guilty forever: when I was distracted like this, there was no reason for me to even think about it, it was normal conversation between me and my best friend.

"Adrian healed a plant today." Liss informed me proudly. She was upset that she hadn't managed to make any progress with his skills yet, but was still impressed with Adrian.

I laughed quietly. "Cool. I guess at least that means you know it's definitely possible to learn each other's techniques." I tried to boost her confidence a bit more.

It worked and her smile widened. "Yeah," she agreed. Then it dimmed slightly. "Adrian really likes you, you know." She told me seriously, giving me a sideways glance as she momentarily stopped concentrating on her hair. "He told me about it, he's really genuine." Then a thought popped into her head. "Though I guess you probably know that from being able to see into my head."

I managed to chuckle. "I had no idea. You normally practise whilst I train Christian, so I'm too focused to notice what you're doing." Then I dipped my head slightly and tried to focus on doing my make-up. "I'm just not interested in Adrian." I admitted. "It wouldn't be fair to lead him on."

Liss sighed. "But why?" She complained. "He's perfect for you. And you have to like someone!"

I resisted the urge to cringe. "I'm just not bothered about anyone right now." I lied effortlessly. "I have to focus on training." I decided that I may as well try this route since it was something she couldn't really understand. Lissa had no idea as to the pressure I was under to keep her safe – maybe she'd believe that it took up all the time and I had no room for a relationship. "Since Dimitri left I don't have as much training time. I mean, training with Christian is fine, but it's not the same as training with someone who knows what they're doing. I want to make sure I'm on top of everything."

"I suppose." Liss admitted. "I still wish you'd try it, though." She pouted with a small chuckle.

I laughed and shook my head at her. "You just want to feel like an awesome match-maker." I told her with a smirk.

She chuckled. "Maybe." Her tone was light and thankfully the conversation moved in a different direction.

When we were both finished, I pulled the dress over my head and almost flushed at my appearance as I admired myself in Lissa's full length mirror. Christian's dress fit me perfectly and clung to all the places it was supposed to. Because it came down to my knees, it passed as being formal, though it was sexier than I had expected. The lace around the top meant that you could just see the top of my breasts, but their shape was emphasised by the tight material anyway.

Lissa looked equally, if not more, beautiful than I did. She was wearing a floor length gown of pale pink satin that hung perfectly over he slim figure. He straightened blonde hair swished around as she moved and she appeared to glide. She looked absolutely like a princess.

We couldn't help but grin at each other. Both of us loved dressing up like this and it was rare we had the opportunity to do it.

There was a knock on the door and I checked the clock Lissa had hung on her wall. Christian was surprisingly right on time.

Lissa opened the door and was greeted by Eddie and Christian. Christian's eyes widened slightly as he took in her appearance and immediately stepped forwards to peck her on the lips. "Wow Liss, you look gorgeous."

She beamed at him and though she was still a bit disappointed that he wasn't wearing a tux, couldn't help but admit that he looked fantastic.

Which he did. He was wearing relatively tight black trousers with a black shirt. His shirt was definitely tight and I could see the muscles he'd begun to develop clearly. His hair was as messy as normal, but it was a style that complimented him and I couldn't fault his decision not to change it. His was tie was a dark blue – a colour very similar to my dress, though I was sure it was by coincidence.

Liss gestured for them to come in whilst she made the final touches and searched the bag that she'd matched with her outfit.

Christian's eyes caught mine when he came in the room and I saw them do a long sweep over my body. They hovered over my hips and my breasts and I willed myself not to blush under his scrutiny. He didn't say anything to me, but his expression said enough. He liked what he saw.

Eddie sat awkwardly on the bed. He was wearing a pale shirt and black tie and I knew he wasn't keen on dressing up: he was probably just waiting for the after party, where he could finally relax for a bit.

When we arrived in the hall, there was no set seating arrangement and so we grabbed an empty looking table and waited for other people we knew to arrive. We'd actually gotten ready quite early and therefore the hall wasn't so full yet. Tables were all around the outside and there was a dance floor in the middle, though no one was on it yet and there was quiet music coming from speakers in the corners.

We were soon joined by Adrian, who wasn't at all subtle in his appreciation of my outfit. "You look stunning tonight, little dhampir." He winked shamelessly at me and I sighed, shaking my head at him, though I was in high spirits and couldn't help but grin at the compliment.

Tasha and Dimitri entered shortly after and my eyes instantly found Dimitri's. It was one of the only times I'd seen him dressed up, but his shirt wasn't as tight as Christian's and I couldn't appreciate his toned body as much as I wanted to.

We all talked lightly until the room had filled up and one of the Moroi in our year approached the table. "Hi Rhea." Liss greeted her with a perfect smile.

Rhea beamed back at her. "Hi Lissa." She replied, glancing around the table slightly awkwardly as we all focused our attention on her. "I was wondering if you'd like to meet my parents. They'd really like to meet you."

Rhea was a Tarus and although we hadn't spoken much to her before, Liss was famous everywhere as the last Dragomir. "Of course." Lissa grinned, standing up and smiling at us before following Rhea.

Eddie left shortly after as a novice from the year below asked him to dance. When I turned around I realised that the dance floor had filled up significantly and Adrian soon disappeared to speak to some of his distant relatives.

This left Dimitri, Christian, Tasha and I at the table. Christian and Tasha were wearing equally distasteful looks as they glanced around the room. I smirked at Christian and he caught my expression. "You can't tell me you're enjoying it any more than I am." He complained.

I grinned. "Of course I am." I teased back. "You know how long it took me to get ready, I'm practically obligated to have a good time."

Christian chuckled. "Well it looks like my money was put to good use anyway." There was a gleam in his eye that I was forced to ignore.

I almost blushed. "Looks like you're Aunt has good taste." I countered with a smirk.

I heard Tasha laugh from across the table and I suddenly remembered that they were there and also that Christian and I had been flirting. Friendly banter, I corrected myself as Christian returned his eyes to mine. "Let's dance." He blurted, holding out his arm to me. My eyes widened slightly in surprise and he shrugged. "I'm using you as practise so that I don't fall over or something when Liss asks me to." He explained.

Grinning, I accepted his arm and he led me onto the dance floor. Just as we got into the thick of the crowd, the music became even slower and more romantic and I met Christian's eyes as I was forced to loop my arms around his neck whilst he rested his hands on my hips.

We danced in silence for a few moments, our eyes not leaving each other. Christian's hands were hot through the thin fabric of my dress and I resisted the urge I had to play with his hair. I moved one my hands and began to play with his tie. "Was this on purpose?" I inquired about the matching colour.

He chuckled. "Not exactly." He admitted. "I'd put it on before I realised, but then I couldn't be bothered to change it."

I chuckled as we moved with the other dancers, our attention never leaving each other. "You look good." I commented without really meaning to – it just slipped out as I admired his outfit and his blue eyes bore into mine, shining at the compliment.

"Thank you." He seemed to pull me closer with his words and I could feel the heat between us, becoming increasingly hotter by the moment. My hands unconsciously did what they'd been yearning to do since they'd been around his neck and I began playing with the tufts of hair just at the nape of his neck.

We glided around in perfect sync, our eyes never leaving each other. "Rose?" Christian broke the silence, his voice slightly guarded, though the gleam was still there and the heat continued to burn between us.

My expression turned questioning and I felt that he gripped me even tighter, his welcoming fingers biting into my flesh. "What?" I inquired, curiosity, mixed with desire, running through my brain. I wondered momentarily if he was going to suggest we ditch the ball and go back to his room. I had the distinct feeling that I'd accept, if that was what he offered.

Instead, he just shook his head as the song stopped. "It doesn't matter." He dismissed, removing his hands from me and I returned my arms to my side. "We should go and sit down again."

I nodded and followed him back to the table, my skin still on fire, though I tried to deny it. When I saw that Lissa was back I feared that I looked awkward, or that I was blushing, though no one said anything if I looked any different. I felt the guilt gnaw at me as I sat down, despite nothing having actually happened.

"I'm going to go and get something to eat." Christian excused himself after a few minutes. There was an adjoining room with a buffet and that was where he was headed. Lissa decided that she'd join him. I noticed that his face fell slightly, though it was such a small change I doubted anyone else would have realised.

Adrian paid his attention to me though and he was pouting. "I can't believe you danced with him before me." He complained, gesturing to where Christian was walking off. "I didn't even think he could dance."

I laughed. "Adrian, I'll still dance with you." I assured him, causing his face to light up and Dimitri's to dim slightly.

"Then let's go!" He exclaimed. "Quickly, before some more family come and take me away."

Adrian held me close, though not as tight as Christian, and this time it caused no reaction from me. I pondered what was even happening between Christian and I – how had we become so sexually aware of each other.

My thoughts were interrupted by Adrian's prying comments. "So, how are you and Dimitri?" He inquired, though he looked like he already knew the answer. "I keep trying to dream walk you, only you're never asleep."

I flushed and averted my eyes for a second. "It's going pretty well." I admitted, not really wanting to have this conversation with Adrian – the sadness it caused in him to hear about it made me feel uncomfortable and guilty, even though there was no reason for me to be in this instance. "I've seen him every night so far."

"Seen." Adrian repeated, understanding the connotations perfectly. "Will you be okay when he leaves again?"

I'd been trying to ignore this part and make the most of what I had whilst it lasted. I shrugged. "I don't know." I replied. "Probably not, at least not for a while anyway. I'll get over it. But I'm just trying to make the most of it whilst it's available."

"I know." Adrian responded dejectedly. "I'm just looking out for you little dhampir."

We left the dance floor shortly after that and returned to the table. Dimitri and Tasha had disappeared to dance and I couldn't help the pang of jealousy that dimmed my smile slightly. Lissa and Adrian left as well when they were summoned to go and talk to some high ranking Moroi.

I leant across and stole a mini-sandwich from Christian's plate. "Thanks." I told him teasingly.

He shook his head, but was still smiling. "I'm just looking forward to this after party." He complained.

I sent him a surprise glance. "I didn't think you'd be bothered about that kind of thing."

He shrugged. "I'm not, normally." He admitted. "But since it's gonna be you and Liss and Eddie it won't be so bad." Then he smirked. "And it's got to be better than this."

I chuckled and we shared a grin just as Tasha and Dimitri returned to the table. Tasha was glowing and chatting animatedly to Dimitri. Christian sent me a subtle glance, but I ignored him. I wasn't going to give away that I was jealous.

After a few moments, Dimitri glanced at me and seemed a bit uneasy. "Would you like to dance Rose?"

Everyone at the table looked a bit shocked, including me, but I tried to hide my grin as I accepted. "Sure."

He didn't offer me his arm like Christian had and instead I just followed him onto the floor, letting my grin show as soon as we were alone. "You look beautiful tonight Roza." He murmured. His hold on me was gentle and I realised that he was extremely conscious that people might be watching us. It was lucky that Dimitri had just paid me a compliment because I blushed at the realisation Christian had held me tight without even thinking that someone might see us – he'd been too caught up in the moment, just like me with his hair.

"Thank you Comrade." I hoped I hadn't left a large pause before replying, my thought process had unnerved me slightly.

We smiled at each other and continued moving to the music. "Will I see you tonight?" He inquired, his eyes sweeping over every part of my body hungrily.

"Of course." I acknowledged, deciding it was probably best not to mention the after party, since he might have the innate urge to bust us, and hope that Dimitri didn't mind me turning up drunk.

The ball had no more excitements and I mainly chatted to Christian, Tasha and Dimitri since Adrian and Lissa were constantly occupied. Eddie spent most of the night with the other novices.

I was more than ready for the after party by the time it came around.