Looks like things are heating up between Dimitri and Rose… read and find out! - Val

Chapter 11

Rose and I had our extra practices now –which meant she spent two hours before classes with me and two hours after. When she arrived at the gym today, I noticed her looking at me; I wasn't wearing my usual jeans. If I didn't know any better, I'd say that she was checking me out.

I positioned myself then so that we stood facing each other on the mat and I crossed my arms. I asked her, "What's the first problem you'll run into when facing a Strigoi?"

"They're immortal?" Rose answered.

"Think of something more basic," I told her.

She considered this for a minute before responding, "They could be bigger than me. And stronger."

I nodded and told her, "That makes it difficult but not impossible. You can usually use a person's extra height and weight against them."

I then turned and demonstrated several maneuvers, pointing out where to move and how to strike someone. Rose went through the motions with me, gaining some insight I hoped that would help her understand why she took a regular beating in group practice.

She was a quick learner and towards the end of practice I told her, "Go ahead, try to hit me."

She didn't need to be told twice because she immediately lunged forward, trying to land a blow.

I blocked her immediately and almost effortlessly and she was knocked down on the mat. I saw that it hurt her, but she fought through the pain and jumped right back up again, I supposed trying to catch me off guard. The girl had heart when it came to fighting.

She wasn't able to land a blow on me though, I was too fast.

After several more attempts of her trying to get a blow in and me blocking her, she finally held her hands out in a truce and asked, "Okay, what am I doing wrong?"

"Nothing," I told her honestly.

She didn't seem convinced and said, "If I wasn't doing anything wrong; I'd have rendered you unconscious by now." Hardly, I thought.

"Unlikely," I told her, "Your moves are all correct, but this is the first time you've really tried. I've done it for years."

She shook her head and rolled her eyes, "Whatever you say, Grandpa. Can we try it again?"

I wanted to but knew that we were out of time. There would be a banquet later with the queen that Rose was actually allowed to attend. I would have to bring her back to the dorms immediately after though. "We're out of time," I told her, "Don't you want to get ready?"

She looked at the clock and then perked up, looking a little giddy and said, "Hell, yeah, I do."

I walked off in front of her. I then heard her yell a battle cry and I immediately turned around, she was going for my back, taking her opportunity to surprise me. I spun around too quickly for her, grabbed her like she was nothing because she hardly weighed anything and threw her on the ground, pinning her.

She groaned, "I didn't do anything wrong!"

That made me laugh; I looked levelly at her beautiful deep brown eyes as I held her wrists and told her, "The battle cry sort of gave you away. Try not to yell next time."

"Would it have really made a difference if I'd been quiet?" she asked.

I thought and realized, "No. Probably not."

She sighed loudly. This made me want to laugh more –sometime she was so… cute.

I started to notice her then, her hair, her eyes, her smell, her body which was now pressed against me. Her nearness was intoxicating.

I was still holding her down, feeling the warmth of her skin where I clutched her wrists. Our faces only inches away –so close –I could just move a tiny inch and our lips would be kissing

Oh how I longed for that kiss. I wondered what it would be like to kiss an angel.

My legs and torso we pressed against her –and suddenly kissing didn't seem like enough to satisfy me.

We stayed like that for a moment.

Then the spell was broken.

She said very calmly, "So um… you got any other moves to show me?"

I repressed a smile. I think she was trying to flirt with me, but I leaped off with what had to look like visible effort. I shouldn't have allowed myself to do that.

I told her, "Come on. We should go."

She scrambled to her feet then and followed me out gym. I refused to look back as I walked. I shouldn't have held her like that –it was so intimate.

So inappropriate.

An hour later I had to go to the reception for the banquet. It was held in the commons. The room had been turned into a gorgeous ball room fit for the Queen.

I saw Roza as she entered then. Her sweater was plain –but she looked incredibly perfect. It seemed effortless for her and I had to try to avert my eyes.

I noticed Roza look around and stop when she found me, I stared straight ahead trying to pretend I hadn't been looking at her.

Everyone in the room stood up respectively when the royals came in.

Queen Tatiana finally followed, along with her guards who hovered alert and ready. She stopped when she passed Lissa, "Vasilisa Dragomir," she called.

I doubted this could be good.

I noticed Rose's head shoot up in alarm as she tried to get a better view.

"We heard you had returned. We are glad to have the Dragomirs back, even though only one remains. We deeply regret the loss of your parents and your brother; they were among the finest of Moroi, their deaths a true tragedy. You have an interesting name. Many heroines in Russian fairy tales are named Vasilisa. Vasilisa the Brave, Vasilisa the Beautiful. They are different young women, all having the same name and the same excellent qualities: strength, intelligence, discipline, and virtue. All accomplish great things, triumphing over their adversaries. Likewise, the Dragomir name commands its own respect. Dragomir kings and queens have ruled wisely and justly in our history. They have used their powers for miraculous ends. They have slain Strigoi, fighting right alongside their guardians. They are royal for a reason. She paused for a moment before continuing, "Yes, you are doubly named with power. Your names represent the finest qualities people have to offer and hearken back in time to deeds of greatness and valor. But, as you have demonstrated, names do not make a person. Nor do they have any bearing on how that person will turn out."

With that, she continued walking. I could see the mortification on Lissa's face and the rage on Roza's; I prayed that she didn't try anything stupid.

After the post-dinner reception, I tried to find Rose and make sure to tell her not to try anything against the Queen; I wouldn't put it past her. She was very protective over Lissa.

I noticed then that she wasn't there and that neither was Lissa.

I went looking for the two of them knowing they would be together.

I saw a crowd of girls gathered around them in the garden and immediately smelled a fight. Rose noticed me as I strode forward, shifting my attention to the girls I asked, "Everything all right?"

"Sure thing, Guardian Belikov," Rose answered smiling; the fact that she had called me something respectful told me the opposite.

"We were just swapping family stories," Rose continued, "Ever heard of Mia's? It's fascinating."

"Come on," the Mia girl said and the little Moroi and her followers left.

"I'm supposed to take you back to your dorm," I told Rose dryly. "You weren't about to just start a fight, were you?"

"Of course not," Rose answered, her eyes still looking at Mia and her friends as they walked off, "I don't start fights where people can see them."

"Rose," groaned Lissa. I agreed, what the hell was I going to do with Rose, I couldn't even leave her alone for one minute.

"Let's go," I told her, "Good night, Princess." I turned but Rose didn't move.

"You going to be okay, Liss?" she asked. I gave her a minute, waiting for the answer myself.

Lissa nodded, "I'm fine." She looked like she was on the verge of tears.

"Liss…" began Rose.

Lissa gave her a small smile and said, "I told you, I'm fine. You've got to go."

Reluctantly, Rose followed me.

"We may need to add an extra training on self-control," I finally said.

"I have plenty of self-control –hey!" Rose called off to Christian Ozera refuting her own claim.

"You going to see Lissa?" she demanded.

He stuffed his hands in his pocket and answered, "What if I am?" with an attitude.

"Rose, this isn't the time," I urged her.

She ignored me, "Why don't you just leave her alone? Are you so messed up and desperate for attention that you can't tell when someone doesn't like you? You're some crazy stalker, and she knows it. She's told me all about your weird obsession –how you're always hanging out in the attic together, how you set Ralf on fire to impress her. She thinks you're a freak, but she's too nice to say anything."

I understood the whole Christian sticking up for Roza and Lissa now. He was actually after Lissa. I also had an idea that Rose was lying to him, I could always tell when she lied.

"No," he told her, his face paling, "But you aren't too nice?"

"No." Rose responded, "Not when I feel sorry for someone." I doubted that was the reason and didn't really get why Rose was getting all agitated about Christian hanging out with Lissa. His parents had turned Strigoi willingly and that hung over him, he was royal actually but no one spoke to him because of his family. I would think Rose would be more understanding to the poor kid, but I figured she just thought she was protecting Lissa.

"Enough," I said finally, steering Rose away.

"Thanks for helping then," Christian snapped at her.

"No problem," Rose called back over her shoulder.

I noticed her glancing back looking satisfied which I figured meant that Christian had decided to stay away. I didn't ask her about it, figuring she would probably just snap at me, now wasn't the time for reasonable conversations.