I woke to an empty bed. Dimitri was gone, his quilt neatly folded over the spot he had been. I touched his pillow, cold. He must have been gone a while. It was still early, only Karolina was up in the kitchen making breakfast for her children. She looked up as I walked in and smiled.

"Morning, I was just making breakfast. Do you want anything?" she asked. I shook my head.

"I'll just have coffee for now," my stomach was churning from what I had done only a few hours ago. I wasn't quite ready to eat yet. She poured me a steaming cup and Handed me the cup of sugar and milk. My stomach wasn't ready for food but my tongue was. I always had a sweet tooth, especially for chocolate. I stirred my coffee with four sugars and a dash of mink. Karolina had pulled the bread from the toaster and was buttering it. The black bread sat on the plate and all protests from my stomach faded and I suddenly became very hungry for Russia's famous black bread. Karolina noticed my staring and smiled.

"Do you want some?" I nodded shyly. She laughed handing me the plate.

"Thanks," I said taking the plate from her and quickly taking a bite. I moaned at the flavour on my tongue, almost as good as Dimitri's. Karolina laughed lightly. "Dimitri made this for me back at the academy," I told her. She tensed slightly that if I hadn't been trained to be a guardian, I would have missed it. "What?" I asked.

"Sorry. I like you, a lot. I know your circumstances are very rare but I still cannot believe my brother was involved with his student. He was always about the rules and following them," She said.

"Yeah, I still don't quite understand it yet myself."

"Can you tell me what happened. My brother's version of the story was brief," she said.

"There are some things I don't think I can explain without Dimitri but I'll tell you my version," I told her. I didn't want to go into the details of the lust charm or the cabin without Dimitri's okay. She Shooed her kids out of the kitchen and sat down at the table. She pushed out the chair across from her for me. I took a deep breath before taking a seat. The wooden chair squeaked a little when I sat. I shuffled around for a second before deciding it was sturdy enough to hold me. Karolina looked at me with curious eyes waiting for me to begin.

"When I first met your brother, I wasn't a student or a novice, I didn't even know I was a dhampir. I was an alchemist." I brushed my hair back showing off my golden Tattoo. She Gasped as the light hit it and she could see the flower. The Tattoo could hide against my skin in some lights so I was used to the reactions when people finally saw it.

"My mother was a guardian. My father, a royal Moroi, the last of his line. My mother was assigned to my father and they fell in love. They were wed and I was born but not a lot of people were happy with this. My parents fled with me when I was young. They stayed in hiding for a short while before they were found. My mother stayed to give my father time to get out and save me. My mother was taken back to court where they compelled her to forget about me and my father. She was assigned to a new moroi far away. My father went to an alchemist who owed him a favour. She agreed to take me and raise me as her child with the alchemists. My father returned to court and told everyone I had died. They stripped him of his title and banned him from court. I grew up with the alchemists believing I was one. I graduated last year and I was assigned to an area neat St. Vladimir's Academy. One night, I got a call. Three guardians were traveling when Strigoi ambushed them. One of the guardians was killed, another one bitten but all Strigoi were slain. I needed to go disintegrate the bodies and check out the injured guardians. Dimitri was there."

Karolina looked worried. "He was fine. It was the other guardian who was hurt. My adoptive mother wasn't like most alchemists. She wasn't scared of Vampires and so she taught me to be the same but to pretend with other Alchemists. Dimitri and I worked together to clean up everything and then we went to a diner to get some food for the other guardian to help get the endorphins out of his system. Later, I went to the academy to fill in my report. I saw Dimitri there again. He must have seen I was a dhampir and so he tested me. He was right. I asked My mother, she came and told me the truth and after that she handed me over to the Alchemists to be taken away. I knew all the alchemist's secrets, a Dhampir with the knowledge of an Alchemist is a dangerous weapon. Next thing I know, I am at court. Dimitri pleaded for the queen to let me go to the academy, he promised to train me and I would become a guardian. She agreed with terms, if I failed becoming a guardian, the Alchemists could have me."

I paused to look at Karolina. She hands her hands over her mouth and her eyes were wide in shock. "A lot of things happened but then we went to the Ski Lodge. I Met my father but I did not know who he was. My friends and I got kidnapped by Strigoi but with the help of an alchemist Elixir I made, I was able to free us, but we had one casualty. Mason, one of my closest friends. I got my first two marks and then my father told me the truth about my birth and that I was a princess. I went to see the queen again and we discussed what this meant for me and my future. Dimitri was there. She told me that she would allow me to become the first Dhampir Princess. I accepted but was worried about what that meant for my future. Dimitri was there to help me. That was when he confessed his love for me and I confessed I loved him as well. That's when our relationship really began. We weren't sneaking around," I reassured her. "We just knew how the other felt even though we couldn't act on those feelings, that was enough for us." She nodded.

"It makes sense. You are not a student, you were already passed that before you met. You are young, and I never expected my brother to date a teenager, let alone a princess. But, I can see how you both fit together. You are equals, partners. He may be your guardian but I know you will protect each other because you are a protector," she said. I smiled reaching for her hand.

"Thanks. So, you are okay with this?" I asked. She nodded.

"Absolutely. If my brother ever hurts you, tell me and I'll knock some sense into him." I laughed.

"Don't worry, I'll do it myself." She laughed, standing up taking out a plate of fresh toast for her kids. I watched them as they giggled biting into the crunchy bread. Paul's two front teeth were missing so it was hard for him but he managed. Zoya ate quickly, she had already started on her third piece before Paul was done with his first.

The door opened and Dimitri walked in. Beads of Sweat decorated his skin. His hair was lied back with a few pieces loose framing his face. He saw me and came towards me.

"Hey, did you go for a run?" I asked. He nodded taking a drink from his water bottle.

"I was going to ask if you wanted to come but thought I should let you sleep," he said. I nodded and he leant down kissing me quick.

"Have you had breakfast?" he asked after pulling back.

"Yeah, I had some of your mothers' famous Black bread. I think you have some competition, Comrade." He laughed.

"Well she did teach me, not all students can surpass their teachers," he said with a knowing smile. I shot him a look. "I'll have a shower. Go get changed and we'll go out."

"Where?" I asked.

"You'll see, Roza." I didn't push. Within fifteen minutes we were out the door walking down the street. I wore a shirt that covered the glowing tattoo on my arm. I trusted Dimitri, but I wanted to tell him when we were alone, I also didn't want him to ask any questions in public. I didn't know where we were going but I didn't ask, I just followed. We approached a house that looked like something out of a children's picture book. White picket fence surrounded the modern two-story building. Dimitri walked ahead while I stood gawking. I had to run to catch up to him as he knocked on the door and it opened to a beautiful Moroi woman with a kind smile that seemed to light up her face. They talked quickly in Russian before she turned her attention to me. Something flashed behind her eyes, but her smile stayed on her lips. Dimitri turned to me.

"Roza, this is Oksana," Dimitri introduced. Suddenly another figure stepped into the picture. A tall man looking lovingly at Oksana. "This is her husband Mark."

"So, this is the famous Rose Hathaway," said the man, Mark. Oksana ignored him and approached me placing a gentle hand on my shoulder.

"It's lovely to meet you Rose," she said.

"Same to you. You have a beautiful house," I said.

"Thank you, it was one of the original houses in this area. We have done it up a bit to stop it from crashing down, but the original style is still obvious," she said.

"Come in," said the man and they both moved inside the house. Dimitri and I followed closing the door beside us.

"Make yourselves at home," said Oksana as she made her way towards the kitchen and towards a plate of freshly baked cookies. I inhaled a deep breath, taking in the warm comforting smell of cinnamon and chocolate.

We sat at a table and Oksana placed the tray in front of us. I didn't wait for anyone before I took one and almost moaned when I bit into it. Dimitri chuckled.

"I thought you said you had eaten already."

"There is always room for cookies, Comrade," I mumbled through the crumbs in my mouth. He laughed again and wrapped his arm around me.

Mark Was getting the drinks. I nibbled on my cookie, watching how they moved. It was like when Dimitri and I spar, we know each other moves before they happen. Mark and Oksana knew where the other was going and made sure to step out of their way, they knew what the other needed and passed it to each other without words. Perhaps they just knew each other well enough that they were almost psychic, but I knew better. I almost dropped my cookie as my jaw dropped and my eyes widened.

"You're Bonded," I whispered and they both stopped and turned to me.

"I was wondering how long it would take you," said Dimitri. Mark brought a stack of cups and jars over to the table while Oksana brought a pot full of steaming black coffee.

"She's a smart cookie," said Mark smirking at the abandoned cookie in my hand.

"You're Shadow-Kissed?" I asked. He nodded.

"As you are. Dimitri told me about you this morning when I ran into him on a run." He said.

"You're a Dhampir." I stated. "Are you a guardian?"

"No, I gave that up after Oksana brought me back. She's not royal but she is the only Moroi I want to protect." He said. Oksana smiled at him.

"I don't understand," I started. "I know the Spirit user can communicate through the bond, but It looked like you were also communicating with Oksana. Can the bond become two ways?" I asked.

"No. Oksana's spirit magic gives her the power to heal and read minds. I can't talk through the bond to her, but she can read my mind to know what I am telling her." Said Mark. I turned to Oksana who had finished pouring herself a cup of coffee and was putting the pot back down.

"You read my mind earlier?" she nodded.

"I don't try to do it, it happens without my knowledge. What I saw wasn't meant for me, but I won't tell."
"What did you see?" I asked. I have had a lot of things on my mind recently, I needed to know what she saw specifically.

"The gift on your arm," She whispered quietly but I knew Dimitri heard her. His head snapped in my direction and I sighed.

"I guess this is the best time. It's actually probably a good thing to have another bonded couple I can talk to about this," I said as I pushed up my sleeves. The Golden tattoo in the shape that was similar to a treble clef glittered in the light. Dimitri's expression changed to confusion as he examined the Tattoo.

"Whoa," said Mark. Oksana just sat their sipping her coffee looking guilty.

"Roza, what have you done?" Asked Dimitri. Decorating yourself in Alchemist Tattoos is putting a bigger target on you."

"It's not actually an Alchemist tattoo. I created it when I was younger. It combines Pieces of all Moroi elements including spirit, with Moroi blood. It gives me Temporary abilities to control the elements." I explained.

"Why would you need that?" He asked. I Took another deep breath.

"Adrian," I started and turned to Oksana and Mark. "Adrian is another spirit user, he has the ability to walk into people's dreams and communicate with them. Adrian went to see a fortune teller at court and asked her to read my fortune. Apparently, there is something coming, and they are dangerous. As a precaution, I dug up my old experiment and here we are."

"Ronda," said Dimitri through gritted teeth.

"You know her?" I asked.

"My grandmother has always had the gift of sight. When I first came to court and heard of a woman that could do the same thing as Yeva, I went to visit her. Her predictions were very accurate."

"What did she predict?" I asked. Dimitri's face fell.

"Ivan's death." He whispered. "I didn't believe in that stuff because I always thought my grandmother was just making it up. I left Ivan with his other guardian and he died, all because I didn't believe Ronda." He said. "Roza, if she gave you a warning, we have to be careful."

"We are being careful," I said. "We are hiding far away from court with your family in Russia. I don't think they are going to chase me down here. This is just a precaution." I promised gesturing to the new tattoo. Dimitri smiled and leant in, kissing my tattoo quickly.

"Keep my Roza safe," he told the tattoo and I laughed pulling his face up to mine and joining our lips in a loving kiss.

We stayed with Mark and Oksana for hours before the cookies ran out and it was starting to get dark. We left with hugs and a promise of dinner some night. I put on a brave face but, inside I was panicking. They alchemists could find anything and anyone, I wonder how long I would have before they found me. I hoped I wouldn't have to use the powers that came with the Tattoo, but I should start practicing how to control those powers. Just in case.