I had just rounded the corner when I ran into something solid I looked up and the first thing I noticed was the flaming red hair.

"Mason," I exclaimed wondering if he had heard my conversation with Dimitri.

"Hey, I was just looking for you," he said with a bright smile.

"Well, you found me. You weren't here a couple of minutes ago were you?" I asked.

"No. I just came around the corner and ran into you," he said.

"Literally," I finished under my breath.

"Where were you off to?" he asked.

"Nowhere. Lissa and Christian are still stuck inside with the Royals. Was going to wait for Liss to come back so I could ask her about what was going on in there," I said honestly.

"That could be a while. Do you wanna hang out?" he asked. I was a bit uncertain.

"What did you have in mind?" I asked.

"Well, I think we have done the pool and my muscles are still sore from you whipping my ass on the slopes. I was thinking we could just watch a movie," he said.

"Sure," I responded. "Where?"

"How about your room. We'll be alone there considering Lissa will be with the Royals," he said.

"Yeah sure. Sounds good," and we both turned down the way he came and headed to my room. On the way there I couldn't stop thinking about Mason and how he didn't deserve this. Yes I promised Lissa I would have fun but that didn't mean I had to date Mason. I knew he liked me but it wasn't fair to him to be with him when I couldn't take my mind off someone else.

Once inside we longed on the couch and put on a movie. I didn't know what it was called but Mason did. Apparently, it was one of his favorites although I suspected he was only watching this for my sake. The movie was a romantic comedy where two friends pretended to date and fell for each other. Cheesy chick flick. I stopped paying attention halfway through and thought about what Dimitri had told me. That underneath a mall full of humans was a group of strigoi waiting to come out and knock off royal families. It wasn't until Mason put his arm around my shoulders and brought me to his chest that I was brought back to the movie. I rolled my eyes at the couple confessing their love. "Lucky," I said in my head wishing one day I could say those words out loud to Dimitri. That will never happen.

Mason pulled me closer and tighter. I looked up at him into his eyes and saw my own reflection staring back at me. I looked so fragile in this moment, almost like the anorexic alchemist girl I used to be. I blinked a couple of times and look at masons face. His love for me was written all over it. It was clear how he felt for me. How could I have been so blind? He looked back at me and then to my lips. Slowly he leaned down and I ignored the voice in my head saying to stop him. He loved me so much. He deserved at least a chance to see if I could return it. He kissed me long and deep. His lips were soft as they moved against mine. I responded with the same urgency. My mouth opened wider allowing him to explore my mouth. He moaned deep in his throat as he lowered me down onto the couch with him hovering on top of me. Our lips never parted except to breathe every few seconds. I closed my eyes and let myself be swallowed up by the feeling of him.

His hands traveled up and down my body sculpting my curves and edges. His lips traveled to my neck where he sucked and nipped at my tender skin. It felt good. His lips continued further down to my collarbone and that was great. He pulled back for a second and traced his hands on the hem of my shirt asking me permission. I nodded and helped him pull my shirt off over my head. I was left in my jeans and bra. It wasn't the most exciting bra I owned but rather one for normal day wear. He didn't seem to care. His lips returned to my collarbone and traveled back to my neck. His hands went down my waist to the top of my jeans and to the top button. As his lips moved along my jawbone I released a small noise that encouraged him to keep going. I was gasping and a smile formed on my face. My lips started forming a name but before the name could come out I heard him moan and it was like a bucket of ice water was thrown on me. My eyes flashed open and I pushed him off me. I grabbed my shirt and pulled it back on with my back still to him.

"What's wrong?" he asked. "Were we going too fast?"

"No, its not that it's just… it doesn't… its doesn't feel right," I said honestly. I didn't dare to turn back to face him. I could feel the disappointing look he was giving me on my back.

"What do you mean?" he asked. I turned back to face him.

"I'm sorry Mason I wanted it to work I tried but it just doesn't," I admitted.

"Great here it comes. The 'we'd be better just being friends' speech," he said.

"We are better as friends. What we had was simple and not complicated like everything else in my life is. I don't want to ruin that by doing this," I said.

"So dating me is complicated? I'll ruin you?" he asked his voice getting louder.

"That's not what I meant," I said but I knew he knew that. He just needs to be angry.

"God Rose, I liked you so much for so long and then when you finally take notice you push me away," he said and it only made me feel worse.

"Mason it's not like that. I like you and I wanted to give this a try but it's not working out," I said now raising my voice.

"You didn't try. You kissed me once and held my hand once where have you been since then? With Adrian, with Lissa, with Christian. With everyone but me. You call that trying?" he accused.

"I gave us a chance. I let you in after I have closed myself on and it didn't work don't blame me for this," I said getting angrier.

"No I am going to blame you for this because it was you who closed yourself off," he said and stood up and walked over to the door. "I hope one day you learn to stop being stubborn and open yourself up to the chance of happiness." And he slammed it behind him as he left.

I jumped at the sound. If only he knew the truth but I couldn't tell him. No, it would just hurt him more and put Dimitri's job at risk. No, I couldn't tell anyone.

I turned off the TV and made my way to my bed where I curled up and sunk into my thoughts.

I must have fallen asleep because I was woken up by the sound of Lissa slamming the door as she walked in steaming with rage. She growled as she collapsed onto the bed beside me.

"What happened?" I asked.

"Christian happened. After that meeting he was going on and on about how stupid these royals are being and how he won't be in the same room as any of them," she explained.

"And you don't agree?" I asked.

"No I do agree they are being stupid but there is a ball tonight and all royals have to go. As the princess, I have no choice but Christian is refusing. I can't go alone. Can you come?" she asked.

"No," I said instantly. "No, I can't be seen. The queen can't know I'm here," I said.

"Why not?" she asked.

"Alchemist reasons," I responded.

"Well, you won't be seen. It's a masquerade ball and I have already ticked plus one. Please," she begged. I ignored her. "Please" she begged again. "Please. There will be food," she said. I looked at her with a small smirk.

"Can I leave when it gets boring?" I asked.

"Of course I just need someone to sit with. I can't have an empty seat beside me or else it will look like I have no support," she said.

"Okay I'll go but the instant things get boring I'm out," I said and she squealed and hugged me tightly. I rolled my eyes but couldn't help but smile and hug her back. Honestly, I was excited. I had never been to a ball before but from what Lissa told me it was a room with rich people and royals where they eat, dance and socialize with other rich royals. Basically, it was a gossip session and a chance for those with more money to show it off with their dresses. It was a good thing I packed the dress Tasha gave me for Christmas.

She was right, the color was perfect, and the material fits my new body figure perfectly. Looking in the mirror I felt better. This was the real me. I wasn't as thin as a stick nor was I fat, I was fit. I could see the outline of muscles that I had gotten from training. My waist was still so small but it had always been that size. My bust was still big as it had been before but it seemed to have gotten bigger. I almost needed to go up a cup size. This dress wrapped around my hips and waist accentuating my figure and the color made my dark skin, hair and eyes stand out.

I put on a pair of sleek black stilettoes and a pair of fake ruby earrings. I put on a little makeup mostly on my eyes, as that was where the mask would direct people's attention most. Lissa did my hair in a half up half down style that has a fancy knot where my hair met. She finished by adding a small sparkly clip and I finished with a blood red lipstick. Lissa looked as beautiful as a sunrise and as delicate as a snowflake. Dressed in a sleeveless deep purple satin ball gown by some famous royal designer. Her blond hair was pulled back into a low side bun and looked like gold in contrast to the dark purple. On top of her head sat a small tiara with only a few gems on it. It was simple but still stood out. She looked like a real princess.

We both made our way down to the banquet hall where the ball was being held. A few people turned to look at us but we were plain compared to some of the people. Everyone knew Lissa but I was hidden. They would be able to tell I was a dhampir just by looking at me but the simple black mask worked to hide my true identity. I had done my makeup so the tattoo would be covered and I would blend in as just another guest.

We sat down at a table with our names written on small place cards. Mine said Christian Ozera but I ignored it and folded it down so it would be hidden. I saw a few people staring at me and I felt self-conscious of my tattoo until I realized that's not the only reason I would be interesting. I was a dhampir at a Moroi ball. I was an outsider not worth the time of day here. Lissa was a young princess and yet she had already made a name for herself and here she was bringing a dhampir friend. I guess it wouldn't be much better if Christian did come. He was as much an outsider among these people as I was. Suddenly it all made sense why he didn't want to come.

Thanks everyone for telling me my mistake so I could fix it up. Sorry it took me so long to edit it, I was on hollidays and couldnt get online to change it. just quickly i wanted to let everyone know anout the new fanfiction app. it is amazing and you can download any stopy and read it offline wherever you are. i love it and i recomend it to anyone using this site. thanks for following this story and i hope you like it and where it is going. i will be updating more because i have written alot of chapters and am eager to publish them. please review if i make anymore mistakes or just let me know what you think. xx