I do not own VA or its characters, Richelle Mead gets the credit for that.

Sorry it took a while for this chapter

Enjoy and review!

I dont know how long I layed in bed trying to figure out what just happened. I was grateful when I finally opened my eyes to an empty hotel room. I ran the conversation that Adrian and I had over and over in my head. I didn't fully believe what happened. Part of everything that happened felt right and the other part felt…off somehow.

As I looked into Adrians eyes I realized that after this conversation, things would be different between us. Truth be told I have wanted to talk to him about the events that occurred between us in my bedroom. I had been so hurt from what Dimitri said to me in church that I did something without thinking. I almost had sex with Adrian and even though that didn't really fall through, I let him bite me. Something that I swore to myself I wouldn't let any Moroi other than Lissa do to me. It made me feel like a blood whore, something I was not comfortable feeling.

We both sat on the bench waiting for the other person to start. I inhaled deeply and started to begin the conversation when Adrian spoke up first.

"Rose, I think that we have to end things between us." I can't say that I was shocked because I was actually expecting this.

"Adrian.."

"No Rose, please let me finish this while I still have some courage left in me." He ran his fingers through his hair and started to reach into his pockets. When he noticed me looking at him he smirked and pulled back his hand. I know his was itching to smoke a cigarette. He breathed in deeply and started to continue.

"I don't know where to begin…Rose, I'm fighting a war I can't win. No matter how hard I fight with all of my strength and might it keeps defeating me. So what I'm trying to say is that I know what's happening. Your body is here with me but your heart and mind is filled with him. Let's be honest I know what happened between you and Dimitri in the church. That's the reason why I came to see you that night in your room. I was surprised that things escalated the way they did between us. Now looking back on it I realized that the only reason that they did was because you was in pain because of him. It's not fair to the both of us to continue our relationship."

Honestly a part of me wanted to disagree with what Adrian was saying but another part of me recognized the truth. My mind and heart was filled with Dimitri, our souls recognize each other no matter how hard we fight it. Adrian didn't deserve this from me. He deserved so much more; he deserved someone to love him with every part of their being. I did love him just not the way he should be loved.

He paused to look at me and continued.

"If he is what you really want, then I will not stand in your way. I rather you be happy than be miserable with me. Go to where you heart is. You belong with him. Rose that is the truth, even I can see it. I have seen the connection between you and him from the moment I seen the both of you together." He looked at me and I noticed a strange twinkle in his eyes. I couldn't pinpoint his expression; his next words sent shivers through me.

"Besides Rose, do you really see us getting married or settling down. You aren't the type to quit being a guardian to be a housewife." I let a small smile play on my lips. Those were the same words his mother Danielle had told me the first time I met her.

"Adrian, I'm sorry. I never meant to hurt you. I do love you; there is a place for you in my heart but…"

"But it's a small place compared to Dimitri. Rose believe me I understand. I wish that you wasn't immune to my extraordinary charm." Adrian didn't sound upset at all. Truthfully he sounded well….fine with it all. Which bothered me, I can't say I wanted him to cry and yell at me but I guess just maybe a little pain would have made me feel better.

"Adrian, why are you breaking up with me now? I mean couldn't you have done it, I don't know earlier or something. It's just with me being accused of murder and probably being sentenced to death it kind of sounds like a goodbye."

"No this is no goodbye. I know for a fact that you did not kill my aunt. I also know you will not be sentenced to death." said Adrian nonchalantly. "I'm doing this now because life is truly short and underappreciated. If by some chance you are to be accused than you should spend you days with someone you love." He pressed his fingers over my lips "I know you love me but it's not enough, you need to be with Dimitri."

Something about the way he said that he knew for a fact I didn't kill his aunt bothered me. It didn't feel right. This I decided to tell him.

"Adrian, do you know who killed your aunt?" I asked, kind of confused.

He looked at me , his face growing sober. " Rose, I have a pretty good idea of who did it, I cant tell you for sure because you are not the only one that I have to protect."

"What do you mean? Adrian if you know you have to tell me!" I began to yell.

"I will tell you when I am completely sure." He said as he started to rise.

I was completely speechless, he knows who is framing me and yet he refuses to tell me. What is going on here? I was completely shocked.

He pulled me into an embrace and kissed me softly on my lips.

"Until next time little dhampir" and with that I awoke.

I needed to talk to the only other person who could help me sort through this…Lissa.

I sat up and realized that a note was on the nightstand next to me along with the charmed bracelets I slipped off so I could met with Adrian. I opened the note and recognized Lissas handwriting.

Rose,

I figured that you would want some privacy when you woke up, so I convinced everyone to grab something to eat at the restaurant in the lobby. I'm sure your starving….see you soon.

Don't forget to slip on the bracelets.

Lissa

As soon as I was done reading my stomach grumbled. Leave it to Lissa to know me better than I know myself sometimes. I pulled on my boots, put on my jewelry and grabbed the stake that someone left for me on the opposite bed. As I was about to walk out the door a familiar coat caught my eye. Dimitri's duster. I slowly reached out and grabbed it. I remember the last time that I saw him wear it when things were actually good. I didn't want my mind to take me back to that memory. It would hurt to much. I know that it was the right thing for Adrian and I to go our separate ways but I knew that things between Dimitri and I were not going to change until he was ready to let me back in.

I left the room and proceeded to meet them at the restaurant. When I arrived Lissa and Eddie looked relieved. It appears that Abe and Dimitri were in a deep conversation with each other. When Abe noticed me approaching he dropped the conversation.

"Finally you have arrived. Please sit so that we can all order some food." Abe said as he stood and pulled out a chair for me. " I suppose things went well with Adrian"

"Yes, he just thinks that I was not sleeping well." Just then the watress arrived and we all placed are orders.

Lissa was looking at me and I knew that she was observbing my aura. I felt a tingle through the bond and I opened myself to her.

Are you okay? I felt her concern flood through the bond.

I shook my head, truthfully I really didn't feel okay with what happened.

Did he hurt you? Did he break up with you?

I nodded, noticing that Abe,Dimitri and eddie were looking at the both of us.

"Oh Rose" Lissa said as she got out of her seat and hugged me. I felt tears that I didn't know where there threatening to spill.

I hugged her back and whispered softly into her ear "Lissa I am really alright with him breaking up with me but there is something else going on with him."

She pulled back from me and sat back in her seat. She spoke again to me through the bond.

Like what?

It was times like this that I wish the bond worked both ways.

I inhaled deeply and said out loud " He knows who killed the queen."