A/N: The may be the longest chapter I have ever written. For any of my fan fictions. I hope this makes up for the fact that I go MIA all the time. So I hope you like it! We are really getting into the drama of my story! Woo!

PS. The story starts off in Dimitri's POV, like the last chapter ended. It will then change to Rose (which is labeled) and then it's kind of third person at the end. You'll see why that is later.

Previously on Careless Whisper: Veda finds out who her father is because Rose and Lissa are horrible at whispering. Rose then lays the bomb on Dimitri that he is the father of said child. Lots of emotions come up and then suddenly Dimitri is kissing Rose, again. And everything is a mess, again. Let's not forget that Rose and Michael have a little thing going on even though he is out of the country, and Adrian is always there to play batman (well a hero).

Now on with the chapter!

Her hair.

It has always been so beautiful to me. The color of it was so dark that most of the time it looked black. The rays of the sun brought out its true colors, though, a deep chocolate brown with random tints of red to it. The soft waves of her hair were flowing behind her, pieces wrapping around her face. She smiled at the camera lighting up the whole picture, and her eyes were actually sparkling. Her whole aura just seemed to shine.

My eyes slowly traveled down to her hands as they wrapped around her protruding stomach. One rested on the top of her belly, while the other rested at her lower curve. And while her stance was open towards the person taking the picture, she still had a protective nature about it. The way her shoulder was slightly turned in; the way her leg was bent inwards, as though she was ready to run at a moments notice. Although I don't think she would be able to make a quick escape in her long skirt.

It accord to me, however, that that was what her life was like. She couldn't trust anyone, not after what I did to her. She had to be protective over the child inside of her, not allowing the world a chance to see what was really going on. Even when she was six months pregnant she was fighting against the world.

My gaze was pulled away to the other picture I had. This one was taken after my daughter was born.

Rose's hair was in disarray. Strands escaped the high bun she had and stuck to her face, but she barely seemed to notice. She was smiling back at the camera with a smile so bright it hypnotized you. She was resting on a hospital bed, the sun starting to spill in the window. And in her arm was a beautiful little miracle.

My miracle. My life.

She was perfect. Everything about her. Her brown eyes were staring at wonder at the camera. I really could not describe everything I felt while looking at her. Yet, nagging thoughts keep coming to mind. How could I not have known she was my daughter? Almost more importantly, how could I have left Rose to do all of this on her own?

Of course I had no idea that this could have happened when I shut the door behind me at the cabin, but as my heart and soul split in two, how could ever think I could give her up?

She was my match. She was my life. I have loved her since the moment I saw her. I would still laugh thinking back to that moment in the street. She had such determination in her face, like she would take on anyone no matter the size. She wasn't afraid of anything even though she had barely learned anything to become a guardian. But in that moment, I knew she already had the wisdom and determination it took to be a guardian. Hell, she had more than most guardians twice her age.

The moment she lunged at me, the moment I saved her from falling backwards, something sparked inside of me. Something I have never felt. And yet, as I fought my emotions for her every day, losing just a little more self-control with every passing moment, I was able to lose everything within a heartbeat.

And Veda, my daughter. My daughter who barely knows anything about me besides the fact that I abandoned her and broke her mother's heart too many times.

I should have known.

I haven't stopped staring at these pictures since I got them this morning. I was trying to find answers, answers that would never truly be resolved. Every moment I had with Rose had haunted me, plaguing me with regret, desire and passion. Because every moment I was with Rose that was all I felt. Well those and love.

God, I loved her so much. I was a fool to ever think that that feeling could ever go away. Every moment I was with her, it was like a magnet was just pulling me to her. And last night was no different.

The world around me washed away. I felt at peace when my lips crashed into hers. It sounded crazy, that this woman was the key to my peace, even though I was in the biggest mess of my life.

Yet, none of those things mattered at that moment. The only thing I could concentrate on were the way our lips molded together, the way her skin warmed as my fingertips traveled down her arms, or the way her scent wrapped around me, intoxicating me.

We broke apart, both in need of oxygen, resting my forehead against hers. "This is wrong," she whispered.

My hands, which were resting on her hips, tightened slightly. "I know…"

She pulled away from me, but not out of my arms. "Why?"

"Why what?" I asked giving her a quizzical look.

"Why is it so hard to stay away from you?" she started, looking towards the wall. "Why can't I stop thinking about you?"

"Rose I-"

"No listen," she said moving away from me, turning towards the open window. "My life, it's been hidden from everyone since I met you. I couldn't tell anyone about the way I felt for you. No one would have understood, no one would understand."

She whipped around, her eyes full of sadness. "I love you, Dimitri. I have loved you for so long, but there are so many times where I wish I didn't."

I stood there, feeling paralyzed. The love of my life was wishing me away. I couldn't say that I was surprised, or that I blamed her. After all, I have only ever seemed to cause her pain. I was a ghost of a man, a man who would never deserve a woman as amazing as her. I lost my chance the moment I left only giving Adrian a message to tell her I left.

Adrian. He claimed my daughter, saving her from being an outcast. He saved Rose from being humiliated. He's watched over my girls for six years now. He loved Rose with all of his heart, but never expected anything from her. He should be with her.

"Adrian has been there for me since the beginning," she said reading my thoughts. "He has claimed Veda, loved her, and has given her anything she may need. He has loved me and been there with me through everything."

She looked away from me again, gazing towards the door, her face pained with the statement she was about to make. I already knew what conclusion she has come to, being that I had come to the same conclusion moments ago.

"It should have been him," she whispered.

My heart clenched. It really should have been him. She has captivated him since they met in the hotel during Christmas. And he has never hurt her.

I walked towards her slowly, and as I stood in front of her, she continued to look beyond me, refusing to meet my eyes. I cupped her face, lifting it up towards me. After a heartbeat, her eyes finally gazed into mine. I could see all the conflict running through them. I'm sure my face displayed the same conflict.

She was like a magnet to me. I was always drawn to her, always wanting to be as close to her as possible. That was the only time I ever felt right in the world.

"Rose," I said gently, "he has been everything you have needed, everything I should have been." I took a deep breath and closed my eyes briefly. "It should be him."

She smiled sadly, hearing the words I was only thinking. "But?"

I returned her smile. "But you weren't meant for him. We weren't meant to be apart. You have carried a part of my soul since you tried to attack me in the streets of Portland."

She snorted, rolling her eyes at me. "Dimitri-"

"Rose," I said, shaking my head, interrupting her, "you were meant for me."

My eyes bored into hers, trying to figure out what was going through her mind. I could see the love. She knew it as well as I did that we would never truly be able to stop loving each other, but she also knew we could not be together. Not with everything that is going on in Court. I wanted to tell her differently, but there was no way I could.

"Tasha," she said sadly. "You can't just leave her."

"I know."

"Then why are you saying these things?"

"Because you need to know, you must know, how I have always felt about you, and will always feel about you," I said softly, brushing my fingers across her cheek. "I will love you till my last breath. You and Veda will be in my thoughts, always. I will do what ever I can to be apart of your life."

She closed her eyes briefly, a sly but sad smile playing across her lips. Like a private joke between us, we both knew I should have never said these things to her. But like always, I go against everything I have ever been taught, and I knew she was amused that she was about to do the same.

"I will always love you, Dimitri. You have changed my world in so many ways, and have helped me grow into the woman I am today." She took a breath and looked away for a moment before returning to meet my gaze. Her expression was confusing. "There won't be a moment that goes by I won't hope to some day end up with you."

I returned her sad smile, about to utter the words that should have never even thought of. "We will."

I knew what I was saying, that I would leave Tasha and our unborn child to end up with the love of my life, but I truly felt that we would be together again. "We are meant to be, Roza. We will find our way to each other."

The next day, we arrived back at Court. The three of us headed towards Lissa and Rose's homes, strangely not running into many people.

Lissa gave me a quick hug and then Rose one as well. "Thank you two so much for this weekend," she said as she pulled away from Rose. "I don't think you realize how much I needed this."

Rose gave her a pointed look. "Well okay, maybe you did," Lissa said. "But Dimitri I can't tell how grateful I am that it was you who came, and not one of my other guardians. They aren't so easy to get along with."

I gave her an easy smile. "It's no problem at all Princess."

"Lissa," she corrected, smiling back at me. "I will see you guys in a couple of days for my wedding!"

Rose laughed as Lissa jumped up and down before turning towards her home. I gave Rose a tight nod, hoping she could see the pain and regret in my eyes, before I made my way to the home I shared with Tasha, not knowing how she was going to take the news that I was going to move out.

"Dimitri," Rose called after me, "will you come inside for a moment. Veda is still with Adrian and there is something I want to show you."

I gave her a puzzled looked before nodding and following her inside. Rose smile and shut the door behind me before heading upstairs. "I'll be down in a minute," she called over her shoulder.

I stood awkwardly in her foyer not quite understanding why I was here. I took a deep breath and wondered further away from the door and went to study a picture Rose had hanging by the stairs.

It was of her and Veda. It was taken at Veda's birthday party this year. Veda was looking down at her birthday cake, getting ready to blow out her candles, and Rose was gazing at Veda with such love in her. Study Veda's appearance closely in this photo made me, again, wonder how I could ever doubted that she was my daughter.

She had my soft brown eyes and straight brown hair like mine. Her more defined bone structure was clearly that of a Russian. She just reminds me so much of Victoria when she was younger.

Rose came walking down the stairs just then with a shoebox in her hand. I raised my eyebrow as she reached the bottom step and beckoned me to follow her. When I entered the kitchen she was already laying out photos on the counter.

"What are all these?" I asked as I picked up the first photo. It was a photo of Rose standing next to the wall in the cabin. What the hell was she doing in that cabin? She had her shirt raised so that he flat stomach could be shone. She looked annoyed but her eyes were slightly amused looking at the person holding the camera.

"That was my very first picture with Veda," Rose said smiling. She gestured at all the photos she displayed for me on the counter. "These are all the photos taken of me while I was pregnant. There even some in here after Veda was born. I know that this won't in any way make up for not being able to be there for me, but I figured-"

"Thank you," I said, barely able to tear my eyes away from the picture I was holding. "This means the world to me."

She smiled shyly, and gazed around at the pictures. She pointed to one of her and Lissa. Rose was laughing with her hands on her hips as Lissa's eyes shone with wonder with her hands resting on Rose's protruding stomach.

"That was the first time Liss felt Veda move. I was kind of annoyed since she hadn't stopped moving all morning making me feel so sick. But Lissa was so amazing, it made me forget all about it."

"Lissa didn't try to use spirit to help your morning sickness?" I asked curiously.

Rose shook her head. "I wouldn't allow her. I was too worried what would happen to Veda. Of course at the point we didn't know if she was going to be a boy or a girl. Well, when I say we it was just Lissa and I, Adrian said he could tell."

"How?"

"My aura. Lissa was still having trouble reading them at the time so she couldn't make it out, but Adrian swore he could see the colors of the gender," she said giggling at the memory.

"And that one," she said pointing towards a picture of her laying in the grass laughing. A hand was on her stomach, which seemed to have grown from the last picture significantly, and the other hand was running through her hair. "Was a picnic Adrian set up for me."

"He set up a picnic for you?"

"Mm it was more just random gross pregnancy food on a blanket. I had the strangest cravings at that time. I was cracking up because Adrian insisted on trying one of my strange concoctions and almost threw up in the process."

"What did he try?" I asked curiously, smiling at her beautiful laugh. Adrian did the same thing I would have done. I would have done anything to make her smile, even if that meant eating something bears wouldn't touch.

"I know what you're thinking," she said laughing, giving me a pointed look. "You're thinking that I came up with something not even lions would consider eating."

"No not true," I said shaking my head and laughing with her. "I was thinking you came up with something not even bears would eat."

She threw her head back at this one and really laughed. "My mistake. But you're probably right. Bears wouldn't eat chili peppers and jalapeno peppers with mustard on a piece of bread."

"You ate peppers?"

"Like hot cakes," she said smiling. "In hind sight it probably wasn't the best thing for me since I get heartburn now anytime I even look at a pepper, but when I was pregnant, I couldn't get enough of them."

I smiled looking around at all the pictures on the table. It was amazing. Rose explained to me that every week, Lissa would demand that she stand against the wall and lift up her shirt to show the progress of her pregnancy. During the last couple of months Rose said it was the last thing she wanted to do since she felt like a walking balloon animal, but to me she look so beautiful.

She was absolutely radiating in every picture. Even the ones she said were taken next to a bucket because seconds later she would get sick. "I don't know why it was, but it was such a hard pregnancy. Sometimes I wondered if it had to do with being shadow-kissed, or because of the fact two dhampirs made her. But whatever it was, I was sick all the time."

I grimaced, feeling horrible I couldn't be there to whip the sweat from her forehead and hold back her hair. I should have been there for her, and I wanted to keep groveling because I truly couldn't believe that she would ever forgive me for what I did to her, but one question was burning in my mind. "Why were you in the cabin?"

The air around us quickly changed. Tension was swirling around us, the unspoken past creeping in on us. And the answer that ever plagued our relationship, why did I leave?

She took a deep breath and looked off towards the stove. "They thought it would be best for me to get out of the dorms, but they still wanted me under the protection of the schools force field so they put me in the cabin," she said quietly.

"Rose, can I-"

"ROSE?" Adrian sung loudly as the door opened up. "I have a little monster here just dying to see you!"

I heard Veda's giggle coming from the foyer as the door closed behind them. Rose's eyes went wide as she scrambled to grab all the pictures.

"Here let me help," I said picking up the pictures and handing them to her.

"Wait," she said stopping my hand from grabbing the last two pictures, "those are for you. I figured you might want them."

I smiled at her sadly. "Thank you."

Veda then came running in as I pushed the pictures into my pocket. My daughter froze, looking excited yet worried, as soon as she saw me. She didn't know that I knew. "Veda," I said softly, "моя дочь."

She looked up at me and then up at her mother expectantly. Rose was looking at me curiously, but then looked back at Veda and nodded. "It's okay baby, he knows."

She smiled and lunged herself into my arms. It was the best moment of my life.

Rose's POV

Watching my daughter with her father was the best moment of my life. I could see just how much Dimitri loved her so much, that was easy to see. Veda was just so happy to finally have a true family, but the aftermath of this reunion was going to be ugly.

How could I explain to my daughter that Dimitri wasn't going to be in the picture full time? Would she be able to understand? Would she later resent me for essentially being the one who caused this problem?

I looked up to see Adrian leaning against the doorframe, watching the scene in front of him. I could see the sad smile on his face, probably thinking that Dimitri would replace him in Veda's heart and mine. I walked towards him, bumping him in the arm.

"Hey, you okay?"

He nodded, probably wishing he never gave up smoking. "It's just weird. It's like as long as neither of them really knew, then it didn't really happen, if that makes any sense."

"No not at all actually," I said completely perplexed.

"It just makes it much more real, the past you and Dimitri share."

I nodded. "You'll always be her favorite uncle, though. She doesn't have half of that much fun with Christian and Lissa."

He laughed. "True, I am more fun than those two love birds."

"And remember, once she gets older, she'll fully understand the lengths you went to protect me and her. She will never be able to thank you enough. And neither will I."

He turned towards me. "You don't have to thank me Rose. I would do it all over again in a heartbeat," he said softly, brushing a piece of hair from my face. "I'll see you later little dhampir."

I smiled as I watched him. Things would have been so much easier if I loved him like I love Dimitri. As I turned my head back towards the other man, I found him staring right at me. I had the feeling he knew exactly what I was thinking. The sadness in his eyes showed that.

His words from earlier rang in my mind, you were meant for me- I will love you till my last breath.

How would we ever fine our way to each other?

Lissa's wedding day.

After months of planning, and one minor freak out, the day was finally here. All day her emotions would take over mine, making me anxious and panic. I was constantly getting pulled into her mind, not able to keep my walls up strongly since it was plagued with Dimitri and our moment in the hotel room.

The moment that should not have happened. It went against everything we were ever taught, everything he has ever taught me. Yet, he was the one who was constantly breaking the rules. His promise to find his way to me is something that should have never been said, no matter how much we feel like. Our feelings are never one that matter in this world. After all they come first.

They come first.

The saying of the dhampirs that has been etched into my mind since I was little The more I think about that saying, the more I realize that I have never truly taken that saying to heart.

Yes, Lissa has always been at the top of my concerns. She was always put above anything that happens to me. But she's hasn't been the first person I wanted to protect for a long time.

After we were brought back to the academy after our two year "abroad" was when I met Dimitri, and while I always thought I would throw myself in front of Lissa if anything were to attack us, I remember what he said to me after Natalie attacked me. "If I let myself love you I will throw myself in front of you". He wasn't just telling me we couldn't be in love, he was telling me he was already in love and he would have done anything to save me, even if that meant sacrificing a Moroi.

I may have done the same at that point. I was so infatuated with him from the moment I met him. I don't know what I would have done if his life was in any danger. Therefore, Lissa was taking a back seat, so to speak. And then when he left me, I was pregnant. No one has ever taken precedence over Veda, ever.

Lissa knows that, but does that mean I'm not the best guardian for her? Or anyone for that matter? I haven't put a Moroi's needs first in a long time. Of course when it comes to my own life, I have no problem throwing it away for someone I love. Isn't that what is needed in a true guardian?

So, have Dimitri's confessions ever really gone against everything we've been taught?

I rolled my eyes at myself as I watched the man continue putting my hair up. Of course it goes against everything. No matter what way I try to spin this, it will always be wrong, taboo.

"Almost done cher," he said with a deep southern accent. He was dark skin, and stood a little taller than me. His clothes were a flashy, but matched perfectly with the scarf he had eccentrically wrapped on his head. His eyes were highlighted with gold eyeliner, and I can truthfully say he worked it.

"Do you really think I can pull this off Lafayette?" I asked as I patted the side of my head. It wasn't anything crazy, like I thought it would be when I first saw him, just simply pull to the side and curled, but still, my hair felt huge to me.

"You are going to look so fine girl," he said snapping his fingers as he curled the last piece. "Would I ever steer you wrong?"

"You would be a fool if you did."

"And don't I know it."

I smiled back at him wondering what everyone will think of my look. Rose Hathaway actually looking like she has her life together enough to look presentable. What a joke.

"Mamma you look so pretty!" Veda exclaimed as she ran into the room, Adrian following closely behind her.

Looking at my reflection in the mirror, I saw Adrian do a double take, his eyes full of admiration, as he saw my appearance. I blushed a little worried about the pale pink dress I was wearing, worried that the color didn't flatter me at all. The shape of the dress, however, seemed to fit my body like a glove. It hugged all the right curves and it's sweetheart neckline showed off just the right amount of cleavage. Of course pink was not really my color, but the pockets made up for it.

Veda's pale pink dress was just everything a flower girl's should be. It stopped just above her ankles and had a beautiful neckline that looked like a turtleneck, but was actually tasteful.

"You look beautiful little dhampir," Adrian said kissing me on the cheek. "I do have some news for you though."

I sat up a little straighter, Lafayette grumbling at my sudden movement. "Nothing like that," Adrian said quickly. "Lissa's doing just great. She's on her way here now, actually. My aunt just had to talk to her."

I forgot the queen wanted to talk to Lissa today. I hadn't felt anything alarming through the bond. In fact, I barely felt anything at all. It was almost as if she was trying to keep something from me.

"It's strange… I haven't felt anything alarming from Lissa for an hour," I said softly.

Adrian shrugged. "I wouldn't expect there to be. I doubt my aunt was going to talk to her about something major the day of her wedding." I gave him a pointed look. "Okay, I know she doesn't really care what people are doing, but she does like Lissa. She wouldn't want to ruin this day for her."

"I guess we'll find out soon what she wanted. Anyways, what was the news you had for me."

"Your Michael had to go back to Croatia. Apparently the Zivics needed him back immediately."

I sighed as I looked over to Veda who was spinning around, watching her skirt flow up in the mirror. I have barely seen Michael since he kissed me in the street. We've been so busy with our guardian duties, plus Lissa's wedding, and everything with Dimitri. We were able to talk a couple times a month on the phone, but our schedules rarely matched.

"I guess I shouldn't be surprised. He took leave early to look after Tasha so Dimitri could accompany Lissa and me on our beach adventure. I couldn't expect him to stay here forever."

Adrian nodded, looking at me curiously as Lafayette finished the last bit of my hair and makeup. "Are you guys together?"

I raised my eyebrow at him and looked at Veda quickly. She didn't seem to notice what we were talking about, but she normally doesn't let on that she knows anything. "No," I said in a hushed tone, "no we aren't."

He nodded, looking towards the door as Lissa burst in. "I only have two hours to get ready!" she exclaimed. "We need to hurry!"

And two hours later, on the dot almost, we were lined up outside of the church doors ready for one of the biggest ceremonies in Lissa's life.

The music started and Veda took her place as flower girl and walked down the aisle like she was the proudest girl in the world. She threw pale pink rose petals carefully after every two steps until she got to the alter where he took her place next to Ambrose who was sitting in the front row.

Then suddenly it was my turn. The aisle seemed much longer in four inch heels, but I held my head up high and acted as though I lived in heels this high. I was barely halfway down the aisle when my eyes locked with Dimitri's. He was sitting on the right side in the second row furthest from the alter.

He looked like a god wearing all black with a gold tie. His hair was pulled back into his usual ponytail, with strands framing his face perfectly. His face and posture gave away nothing when he saw me, but his eyes… They were full of adoration and something more animalistic. Lust. Pure lust for my appearance. It took everything in my to keep walking without hesitation, hoping now one saw my quick falter. I tore my gaze away from him and pointed stared ahead, my smile changing from genuine to fake in a matter of a moment. Dimitri's smoldering stares now ingrained in my mind.

As I took my spot and turned back towards the door, winking quickly at Adrian and Christian, bother dressed in black tuxes with pale pink ties, the doors opened once more as Lissa made her grand appearance.

She looked absolutely radiant in the dress Veda picked out for her. Through the bond I felt her excitement and utter love for Christian. It seemed to be pouring out of her. And as she took her place next to Christian, his eyes shining with adoration and a love so strong, that I knew they were completely meant to be.

"…Now if you will join me in raising a glass to Lord and Lady Oreza! May your marriage be a long and happy one. I truly could not imagine the world without you two together," I said fondly as I finished my speech and took a sip of champagne.

Lissa, with tears in her eyes, got up and hugged me. "You are truly the dearest friend anyone could ask for."

I laughed through my own tears. "I could not be happier for you. But I do have to push you away from me because we are not having our first dance together."

She laughed and smiled back at me as Christian grabbed her hand and led her out onto the dance floor. After several minutes the DJ invited other couples to join the newlyweds.

Adrian's parents were the first ones to join, followed closely by some of the other royals. Then in the blink of an eye, Adrian appeared next to me with his hand extended. "May I have the honor, Guardian Hathaway?"

I smiled at him brightly. "I thought you would never ask."

And just like that he swept me away, under the florescent lights, twirling me like we were dancing in a movie from the 50's. It was just perfect for this night. As the song faded into another slow song, more and more couples made it onto the dance floor.

"This is truly a magical night," Adrian said softly in my ear. "Anything could happen."

I pulled back slightly and gave him a sly look. "Whatever do you mean?" I asked mocking shock.

Adrian smiled, but shook his head at me. "As much as I wish I were talking about the two of us, little dhampir, I'm afraid I am not the only man who has you plaguing his thoughts."

"What on earth are you talking about Adrian?"

He jerked his head behind me, and I craned my neck to see Dimitri making his way towards us. My head snapped back to Adrian. "He can't be serious."

"And why not?"

"We shouldn't dance together. People would get the wrong idea, and we would definitely upset Tasha."

"Tasha barely moves anymore, complaining that her feet are too swollen," Adrian said shrugging off my concern.

I scoffed. "She clearly does not know what she is in for then."

"May I cut in?" a deep voice came from behind me. Dimitri.

Adrian's expression suddenly changed to quite serious. He nodded and handed me over to Dimtri's waiting hands.

Dimitri was surprisingly quite graceful on the dance floor. The way he moved made me feel like we were floating on a cloud. It was like everyone around us faded away, leaving the floor open to only us. And from the look in Dimitri's eyes I could see that he felt the same way.

The song that played in the background was much slower than the one before, and the saxophone playing made the dance much more intense. His eyes burned into mine as his fingertips seem to heat up on my hips. Every accidently brush of our legs sent a shockwave through my entire body.

The air around us intensified as his hand slipped a little lower on my waist, his eyes daring me to challenge him. But my voice was caught in my throat. My eyes were glued to his. I wanted to look around, to see if anyone was staring curiously at us. After all this was not the type of dance a student should be engaged in with her former teacher, but my eyes couldn't pull themselves from his. And truthfully my mind, and body for that matter, no longer cared what anyone thought of us. I could only concentrate on Dimitri.

The song ended much too soon and the next song was no longer slow and the spell between us seemed to have broken. Or at least that's what I believed, until he grabbed my wrist and pulled me out of the room.

The next thing I know he's pushing me up against the wall behind some potted plants. "You look so beautiful tonight," he said hoarsely before his mouth claimed mine.

Her hands grazed across the top of her growing stomach as she watched the couples dancing. But a flash of dark brown hair caught her attention. She could almost blush at the utter attraction between the two former lovers. Their passion seemed to scream from their proximity and their faces.

She rolled her eyes and tossed her long black hair over her shoulder as she stood up and walked towards the door. She pulled out her cell phone and quickly dialed the familiar number she received almost seven months ago, shortly after arriving back at Court.

"Is everything alright?" the man ask concerned as soon as he picked up her call.

"Yes, your two girls are doing just fine," she said smiling slightly. "But we do have a problem."

"What is that?"

"We need to move up our plans. I want this to happen next week."

There was a pause before the man cleared his throat to answer her. "Moved up?"

"Yes," she said impatiently, tapping her foot rapidly as she scanned the room around her to make sure no one able to hear her. "This needs to happen soon."

"And are you sure the blame needs to be one Rose?"

As she opened her mouth to answer, the doors burst open. The girl in question was clutching the arm of Dimitri as the hurried to a secluded corner of the lobby. He pulled her into him, behind the potted plants and almost unseen by anyone. Except for one.

She watched Dimitri spin her around and back her up slowly so that her body was pressed against the wall, her face looking up into his. She could almost see the electricity between them. Dimitri placed his hands on either side of her face as he bent down and whispered something to her before crashing his lips into hers.

Tasha turned away from the couple. "Yes. Rose must take the fall." She turned her head towards the couple again. "This time next week, the queen will be dead."