The next thing I knew, we were touching down in Los Angeles. I was groggy and had the worst headache. I was also dehydrated.
"Can I have some water?" I asked as we were taxiing towards the private terminal. Guardian Makar jumped up immediately to get me a glass.
"No Rose," Dimitri interjected, "I'd like to have you examined by the doctor first."
Makar shot Dimitri a defiant look, placing a tall glass of water in front of me. Thanking him, I eyed it longingly before asking, "Do we have far still to travel?"
"About thirty minutes, Rose," Guardian Makar answered officiously, but not unkindly.
"That's Novice Hathaway, to you," Dimitri immediately rebuked. Oh dear. There was obviously a history here I'd need to ask Dimitri about when we were alone.
The plane rolled to a stop, another Guardian opening the door and setting down the steps. Dimitri looked to Makar enquiringly.
"There are three vans. You will travel in the front van with four Guardians, I will travel in the middle van with Novice Hathaway and three Guardians, the remainder will travel in the rear van. We'll proceed in convey to the house."
"Dimitri?!" I implored, distressed.
At the same time Dimitri declared "No WAY!"
I moved towards Dimitri, tears starting again.
"I'm not going anywhere unless it's with you."
"You heard the lady," Dimitri barked at Makar, unbuckling me and lifting me gently, walking across to the middle of three vans parked nearby on the tarmac. Placing me in the middle of the three rows, he strapped me in, sitting beside me. I was shivering again.
Sorting themselves amongst the three vans, Makar climbed in behind Dimitri and me, and we were soon on our way again. Leaning my head against Dimitri's shoulder, I watched the blur of lights through the darkened windows. Behind me, I heard a sudden intake of breath. Dimitri immediately tensed, turning to look at Makar.
"She's marked, but not promised?" he asked Dimitri in surprise, referring to the molnija marks on the back of my neck.
"Yes. She killed two ancients Isaiah and Elena some months ago, and this evening Igor and a female Strigoi."
"That's impressive," Makar admitted.
"She's going to make one hell of a Guardian," Dimitri said with pride.
Leaving the main roads, we were in an increasingly residential area. The houses were getting more and more palatial. Traveling along a beachfront avenue, I saw the first van turn into a driveway, immediately disappearing underneath an imposing home. Our van followed, as did the one behind us. Driving down into an underground carpark, the vans parked amongst several other vehicles. We waited for the driveway roller door to close. When it did, the Guardians exited the vehicles, Dimitri again scooping me up from my seat.
Standing at one end of the basement garage beside a lift and a set of stairs was a middle-aged Dhampir woman. Dimitri carried me over, setting me on my feet in front of her. Smiling kindly, she introduced herself. "Hello, Novice Hathaway – I'm Suzanne, Mr. Mazur's housekeeper here in Santa Monica. I see you have already met the commanding Guardian hear Guardian Nikita Makar. I have your room prepared upstairs, and some clean clothes for you. Dr. Bojarovski is waiting for you in your room. I've poured you a bath, and your dinner is ready whenever you'd like it."
"Thank you, Suzanne," I replied wearily. "Please call me Rose."
"Of course, Rose," she replied. "And can I say what an honor it is to have you here? Please let me know if there's anything I can do to make your visit more comfortable."
Smiling at her I gestured to Dimitri. "This is Guardian Belikov. He's my mentor at St. Vladimir's. He'll be accompanying me everywhere during my stay. Can you please make up a bed for him in my room?"
Suzanne looked at me in surprise.
"We were ambushed by Strigoi earlier this evening, and I don't know anyone here. I'll feel much safer having Dimitri with me," I explained.
Nodding in understanding, Suzanne gestured us towards the lift - stepping in behind us and pressing the third-floor button. Exiting upstairs, she walked across a large landing, opening double doors into a sumptuous suite. There was an enormous bed with a veritable mountain of pillows facing out towards windows that looked out upon the now dark ocean, a couple of comfortable looking sofas in a seating area facing a fireplace, and a large flat screen TV. On the other side of the room, I could see a walk-in-closet, and a large bathroom with a window also overlooking the water. Standing in the sitting area was a middle-aged female Moroi. Walking forward with her hand extended, she introduced herself.
"Good evening Novice Hathaway, I'm Dr. Bojarovski. I understand you were injured in a Strigoi attack?"
Shivering despite the roaring fire in the gas fireplace I nodded.
"Guardian Belikov, perhaps we'll leave Rose to be examined?" Suzanne prompted.
"No. He stays - thank you." I replied politely but firmly.
"As you wish. The kitchen is on the ground floor. Take the lift, and it's to your right when you're ready," Suzanne explained, leaving the room shutting the double doors behind her.
Peeling off my filthy top I showed my ribs, the doctor gently palpating up and down my ribcage. Dimitri was asking her questions about the fractures and what ongoing care would be required. In the end, she determined careful management for a week or so would be sufficient. Taking her to one side, Dimitri continued his questions. Finally, she returned to me, and after ascertaining Dimitri knew how to strap my ribs once I'd bathed she shook my hand, telling me to get in touch if my symptoms changed. Dimitri showed her out through the suite's double doors, locking them behind her. Alone, at last, he took me tenderly in his arms.
"What do you need, Roza?"
Without hesitation, I replied, "I want a hot bath, some food and then sleep." Even though I was no longer crying, and had finally stopped shivering, I was cold and felt dirty.
Scooping me into his arms again, Dimitri carried me into the bathroom – setting me down beside the bath. True to her word, Suzanne had filled the oversized tub. Dipping my hand in, it was perfect – warm and fragrant and so inviting. Shedding my jeans I tried to reach around to unfasten my bra, but the pain in my ribs was making it difficult.
"Let me," Dimitri offered, coming around behind me and undoing the clasp. Standing naked beside the tub, I realized I was too weak to climb in. "Hang on, I'll help you in," Dimitri said, picking me up again.
Lowering me into the bath, the warm water on my bruised and sensitive skin was soothing. Stretching out, I floated for a moment. The bath was huge – it could easily accommodate three or four people. Looking at Dimitri seated on the step, I knew I wanted him with me.
"Dimitri? Bathe with me? Please?"
He didn't hesitate. Standing up and shedding his clothes, stepping into the bath behind me, he gently pulled my back to his front.
Grabbing a washcloth, he started slowly soaping me, starting with my sides, then my arms and front. On any other occasion, it might be sensual, but today it was just gentle and loving. Unbraiding my hair, Dimitri moved to one side, directing me to stretch out and let the water soak through my locks. Pulling me back to him, he poured some jasmine scented shampoo into my hair, massaging it through before rinsing it thoroughly. Rolling over, my front to his, I rested on his chest, rubbing his shoulders and upper arms through the warm water.
"It's been such a huge day," I mumbled, thinking that it was less than twenty-four hours since I'd crossed the ford at the reserve to find my man waiting. "I'm so sorry you had to go through all this for me."
"You're my everything," he said, as though this explained it all, repeating the words I'd said to Alberta.
"So how do you know Makar?" I asked, recalling the tension between the two earlier.
Gently rubbing a warm washcloth over my back, Dimitri sighed.
"Nikita Makar and I were in the same year but different houses at St. Basil's. He was a good student, but very competitive. And arrogant. At St. Basil's, the graduating assessments are done on an elimination basis by house. Nikita was the top combatant in his house, as I was mine. You need to understand; it is a real honor to be a finalist in the last few fights. Many people come to watch, and there's betting on the result. He won his semi-final, and I won mine, so we were the final participants in the combat assessment. He's never forgiven me for beating him."
"But that made him the second best of your year. That's still really good?" I said, not following.
"Yes. But his pride was wounded. Oh, and I think he lost a lot of money betting on himself," he added.
Lying against Dimitri in the warm water, my stomach gurgled loudly.
"That's the second time today I've been late to feed my lady," Dimitri teased. "Are you ready to eat?"
"Yes, but I think I'm too tired to move," I confessed.
Chuckling Dimitri stepped out of the bath, drying himself on one of the soft towels hanging from the heated rail. Helping me out, he wrapped me in an enormous cotton heated robe before dressing himself in his Guardian uniform. Sitting me down on a seat in the bathroom, he picked up a hairbrush from the washstand.
"How do you want it?" he asked, slowly brushing out my wet hair.
"Can you put it up or braid it?"
"Sure can," he smiled, combing my hair into three sections before deftly French braiding my hair.
Seeing my surprise in the reflection of the mirror he said, "Remember I have three sisters, Novice Hathaway! Now let's get some dinner."
Leading me through the bedroom and unlocking the doors, I was surprised to see two Guardians stationed, one on each side of the entry to my room. Obviously, Abe was taking my security very seriously. Ignoring them, Dimitri held my arm, helping me to the elevator. Once inside he pressed 'G' and we were whisked down to the ground floor. The doors opened to a delicious smell. Heading towards the right, we passed through a large meals area where approximately fifteen Guardians were seated at wide wooden tables and benches eating. Walking past them self-consciously, clad in the bathrobe, Dimitri steered me through to an enormous kitchen where Suzanne was presiding.
"Rose, Guardian Belikov. I thought you might be more comfortable eating at the counter?" she suggested, gesturing to a couple of places already set to one side of the kitchen. Nodding gratefully, with Dimitri's help I climbed up onto a stool, him sitting beside me.
"What would you like to eat, dear?" Suzanne asked kindly. "I have pumpkin soup with corn rolls, beef and vegetable stew, mashed potato, black bread and roast pork with vegetables. If none of that appeals, let me know what you fancy and I'll cook it for you."
"Um, that all sounds amazing," I assured her. "Can I have some soup and rolls to start with?"
"Of course dear," Suzanne replied. "Guardian Belikov? What would you like?"
"Dimitri, please. And soup and rolls sound great, thank you, Suzanne."
The food materialized in front of us, and it was delicious. The soup was warm, but not so hot as to burn my hungry mouth. Quickly finishing off a bowl, I used a corn roll to mop up the last of the liquid. Dimitri had disposed of his just as quickly.
"More soup? Or maybe some stew?" Suzanne asked us.
"Stew on mashed potato, please," I replied.
"Make that two, thanks," added Dimitri.
The stew was just as good as the soup. Thick with large hunks of tender beef plus carrot, celery, tomato, zucchini, peas and herbs in a rich gravy, the mashed potato was the perfect accompaniment, fluffy and buttery.
Moaning with pleasure as I disposed of mouthful after mouthful, I turned to Suzanne.
"You're an amazing cook Suzanne! This tastes so good!"
"Oh thank you, dear," she said, clearly pleased. "I'm glad you're enjoying it. It can be hard cooking to please so many," she replied, her hand motioning towards the large meals area next door.
"Try this bread, Roza," Dimitri said, passing me a heavily buttered slice from a dark-colored loaf, also taking one for himself. "It's called black bread. We make it back home."
Biting into the bread, it wasn't what I expected. Rye, there was also the taste of caraway seeds, the butter adding a delicious creamy moistness. Beside me, Dimitri was sitting with his eyes closed, chewing happily. He looked completely blissed out.
"Awww that's just like home," he mumbled with a grin.
Now I was full, all I could think about was sleep. Yawning and rubbing my eyes, I was about to suggest retiring when Nikita appeared beside us.
"I overheard Novice Hathaway's request to Suzanne earlier, but I'm afraid I can't allow you to sleep in her room," he announced brusquely, addressing Dimitri. "I've thought about it, and I am sure Mr. Mazur would not be comfortable with it."
Looking at Dimitri, and then Suzanne, I slowly stood up.
"Right. Then I'll grab my clothes, and we'll be going," I said. Dimitri nodded, also getting up.
Makar looked alarmed.
"Going? Going where?"
"I'm not sure. Maybe into the city?" I asked looking at Dimitri. He shrugged noncommittally.
Stressing now, Nikita looked back and forth between us.
"Mr. Mazur won't like that. He's arriving tomorrow afternoon. He's flying in especially."
"It will be a real pity for me to miss him. However, I feel I've made my position clear. Guardian Belikov will not be leaving my side at any time. If that can't happen here, then it will have to happen somewhere else."
Suzanne was watching the exchange between Nikita and me with a small smile on her face.
"Guardian Makar?" she said addressing Nikita. "While I appreciate your interest in the sleeping arrangements of the house, I'm afraid as housekeeper those responsibilities ultimately fall to me. Mr. Mazur was very clear that Novice Hathaway's every wish was to be catered for during her stay. If she wishes to have her Guardian sleep in her suite, given all she has been through today, I see no reason why this can't take place."
Turning to Dimitri and me, clearly dismissing Nikita although he was still standing beside us listening, she added "I've had a bed made up for you in Novice Hathaway's suite, Guardian Belikov. If you've both eaten sufficient, perhaps you'd like to retire?"
Shooting Suzanne a grateful look I nodded, following her back to the lift and up to the third floor.
"Rose? There's a selection of casual clothing and sleepwear laid out for you in the walk in closet. It's not a lot, but it was the best I could do at night with an hour's notice," she apologized. "Dimitri? Your bed is over there," she pointed to the longer of the two sofas where a blanket and a pillow had been laid out. "There's some sleepwear for you, too. If you'd like to change and give me your uniform, I'll have it laundered overnight."
Picking up a shirt and some boxers, Dimitri walked to the bathroom, closing the door to get changed. I walked to the closet and chose a pair of pajamas. Soft cotton knit pants in a pretty plum color and a matching white tank top with plum colored Japanese blossoms printed on it. Closing the door, I quickly changed, too.
Emerging at the same time as Dimitri, he handed Suzanne his uniform and the clothing I'd discarded prior to taking my bath earlier.
"Thank you so much for your kindness," he said. "It's appreciated."
"My pleasure," she replied with a smile. "I hope you both have a restful sleep. Guardian Makar has scheduled guards at your door, so you won't be disturbed. Please sleep as late as you like. You can come down to the kitchen when you're ready for breakfast, or call if you'd prefer breakfast delivered to your room," she continued, gesturing to a phone on one bedside table.
Looking at the bed, I noticed the decorative pillows had been removed, the lamps on the side tables lit, and both sides of the bed turned down to reveal snowy white crisp linen. It looked unbelievably inviting.
"Thank you, Suzanne," I said, suddenly so weary I could barely stand. Walking into the bathroom to quickly brush my teeth, Dimitri showed her to the doors, closing and locking them behind her. Joining me in the bathroom, he stood beside me at the twin marble and chrome washstand, brushing his teeth. Rinsing my mouth, I returned to the bed. Gesturing him over, I climbed in, resting against the soft pillows. Standing beside me, Dimitri's eyes looked more tired than I'd ever seen them. He asked softly, "Where would you like me to sleep, Roza?"
"Take your shirt off, and sleep next to me," I answered without hesitation.
Wordlessly, Dimitri switched off my bedside lamp and walked around to the other side of the bed. Taking his TShirt off, leaving him in chequered blue cotton boxers, he climbed into bed beside me. Rolling onto my uninjured left side, I pulled him close, resting my head against his chest. He draped an arm around my waist, avoiding my tender ribs and gently rubbing my back.
"What a day," I murmured, already half asleep. "Thank you for everything, Comrade. I love you."
"I love you too, Roza," he replied, kissing me softly. "Now sleep."