Chapter 14:

RPOV

The next week went by without incident. Christian had said his aunt had left, but that she would be back for the dance next week. Apparently she couldn't wait to see him in a tux. According to Christian she had been in a much better mood.

The rumors about where we were had died down, but were replaced with the gossip of my parentage. I had several boys come up to me and apologize for their behavior in the line. I didn't really know what they were referring to but I guess they were just covering their asses. It became much much worse when I walked in the cafeteria and I saw my father sitting at a table waving me over with six guardians standing behind him.

I grabbed lunch and sat down with him. I said hello to Pavel and nodded towards the other guardians I didn't recognize.

"So old man, what are you doing here?"

"Can't I just want to see my daughter?"

I looked at him and raised an eyebrow.

"And of course I had to reinforce the rumors you are my daughter and I needed to make sure Belikov doesn't think he can pull anything funny when I am not around."

"Oh let it go. He has been nothing but a gentleman. Only when I ask him not to be he stops."

I wiggled my eyebrows at him and I saw him visibly shudder.

"But I mean he keeps it professional here right?"

"During practices yes, and when other people are around. And I don't see him as much as I do in Baia but we try to see each other every day and sometimes spend the night, usually at his place because it is larger."

"is he ashamed of being seen with you?"

I rolled my eyes. It wasn't good if he was with me and it wasn't good if he wasn't. Make up your mind old man.

"No, Abe, just not flaunting it either. We are not doing anything illegal, but at school I need to focus on training and passing my courses. I can relax more in the weekend even though most of our time is spent training too."

He seemed to be placated by that a little bit. We switched to more pleasant and more neutral topics after that. He threatened to hurt a teacher that had given me a fail. I did notice most boys that would at least look my way during lunch were now walking in a large circle around me, or rather Abe.

"So I heard you were quite popular for the dance next week."

I snorted.

"Yeah they had formed a cue and everything."

He laughed.

"Well that is my girl, of course you would be popular."

"Well they all backed out when they found out I was your daughter."

We had a good laugh about that.

After kicking ass in the afternoon combat class I made my way towards training with Dimitri. I was glad to notice the times my ass got kicked and I was kicking ass was working its way in my favor. Even the teachers here complement me. I didn't know if I just had a better work ethic here or if they were just that much more of a dick at St. Vladimirs.

I entered the gym we always practiced at. He was waiting for me. He was sitting on the mat, his back against the wall and his legs crossed at the ankle. And of course there was a western novel in his hands. He looked so relaxed. I thought he was deviously handsome when he was on guard, in this uniform with his duster and a stern expression on his face. But I loved seeing him like this the best. He was wearing loose sweats and a tight wife-beater and his overall demeanor was relaxed. When he noticed me his face lit up.

"Well hello Roza. I am glad you could fit me in. I hear there had been an actual line for your attention the other day."

Oh god not him too. I was actually surprised it took this long for the rumors to spread to him. But maybe Dimitri was out of the gossip loop. He wasn't particularly involved in many social activities. However, I am sure Ivan is and would have had no problem informing Dimitri.

"Yes and I turned everyone down, I did promise I save a dance for one of them."

Oh that was not the response he wanted. He looked murderous. I might have to clarify before he would kill every boy on campus.

"She was very sweet. Just because I am not available for an actual date doesn't mean I can't dance with her."

"Her?"

I nodded and I saw him visibly relax.

"Besides, when they learned I was Abe Mazur's daughter most of them just backed off."

He walked over to me and landed a small kiss on my lips.

"I don't think I have ever been so happy you are his daughter."

I laughed.

"Besides. I much rather go with you."

"I know but you can't."

"Because that would be flaunting it?"

"Well, yes, but I don't care about that. But I will be on duty."

I giggled. I was pleased to know he would take me if he could.

"Well you can still admire me from a distance. I don't know what Lissa has planned but I think it will be big. What would like to see me in?"

There was a playful smile on his face.

"Oh Roza. What I want you to wear would be highly inappropriate."

"I can't show up naked Dimitri."

"not naked. I would love to see you in some sexy lingerie."

"I could wear that under the dress and you can take it off after the dance."

He leaned down and kissed me. He pulled me closer to him and the kiss intensified. I hadn't seen him last night and I was a bit frisky.

"Roza not here."

I knew it took a lot for him to pull away. I was pouting a little.

"I know. I just haven't seen you all day today and yesterday."

He chuckled.

"I know, and I have a shift tonight, so maybe tomorrow."

He actually looked apologetic. It wasn't his fault he was rostered on.

"Come on Roza, let's start warming up."

The dance. Lissa and I were getting ready together with Viktoria. She actually had a date. A junior, Nikolai. Lissa had arranged dresses for us. She had been online shopping and had taken our measurements and said she would take care of it. I had no idea what she had picked.

It was nice seeing Lissa so happy and so normal. This was her element, picking dresses and doing our hair and make-up. As a royal she had always been concerned with her looks. It was practically in her job description to look pristine in the latest fashion trends. I remember spending hours getting all dressed up at Lissa's house whenever I was over there for the holidays or during summer break. The Dragomirs often hosted parties and we had to look the part. Well Lissa had to look the part. I didn't notice until I was older that nobody actually paid attention to me.

Lissa was excited. We remembered the last dance we went to at St. vladimirs. It had been wonderful, just a silly moment of teen innocence. We had been dancing and flirting and Lissa had lost her virginity to Aaron which at the time had been a huge deal, even if the result had been disappointing. It was a few weeks before we left the academy. Life had been so simple back then. I was hoping it would be simple tonight, girls dressing up to impress their boys. Even if my boy wouldn't be there as my date. I would still dress up for him. I would still want his eyes to meet me and wishing he was escorting me.

Lissa was unzipping the bags and taking out the dresses. I had actually done some shopping of my own and put the bag down.

"ladies, a good dress deserves good underwear."

I opened up the Victoria secret bag and handed them each there set.

"How did you get this here? I had to pull so many strings for these dresses to get here and I only had choice of a few suppliers."

I just smiled.

"Well you are not the only one with an influential name anymore."

"Oh my god Rose, you asked your father to get you sexy lingerie?"

I heard Viktoria giggle.

"I didn't say what it was for. I mostly just asked Pavel. The name Abe Mazur is enough to get things done. I don't actually need him to do anything."

I unpacked mine and looked at it approvingly. Sexy was right. I had gotten Lissa and Viktoria something a little bit more conservative. Lissa just didn't have the body to pull overly sexy off and Dimitri would never forgive me if I handed his sister sexy lingerie. Her lingerie was mostly there to make the dress look good. Good lingerie could really make or break a dress.

Mine however wasn't designed to be useful at the dance but after.

We put on our lingerie and a bathrobe covering it so we could get our make-up and hair done. Lissa would be doing both.

Afterwards we put on our dresses. Mine was strapless and black. It hugged by upper body but flared out a little just below the waist. Lissa had picked well. And of course it fit me perfectly. The bra I was wearing did a great job at making sure my boobs looked amazing.

The three of us together looked amazing. I was wondering how the line hadn't been longer for all of us.

Christian and Nikolai picked us up from Lissa's dorm and the five of us moved to the dance. I did feel a bit of a fifth wheel. But when we stepped in both Lissa and Viktoria left the arms of their dates and joined their hands with mine.

The cafeteria had been transformed into a dance hall. There were holiday decorations everywhere. The normal tables had been placed to the side and housed some food and more decorations. On one of them it had a computer in which you could put a request for a song.

I looked across the room. I saw Ivan in a suit talking to one of the other teachers. He was chaperoning the dance or in his words, 'even if I have to work, I am never one to miss a party, besides one of the hot teachers is chaperoning as well.'

It was nice to know he had his priorities straight. When we walked in he looked our way and winked his approval. I looked around the room, trying to see where Dimitri is at.

He was turned around with his back towards me talking to some other guardian. Even though he was on duty we were well protected and behind wards so guardians also took the time to socialize with each other. I looked him over in his uniform. He stood tall amongst the other's here. Even the Moroi.

As if he noticed me looking at him he turned around. He scanned the room and saw me staring at him. He drank in my form. Moving from my head to my toes. I knew I looked good, but I only wanted to look good for him. I knew a lot of people were looking me over once I had entered, but I didn't care. I just wanted him to look at me. And judging by the smile on his face. He liked what he saw. I blushed but after a moment I joined my friends, leaving him to his duty.

DPOV

I had noticed when she walked in. I hadn't seen her but I had seen everyone else look at the door. Now there were a lot of girls here tonight that looked amazing. Everyone had gone all out to dress up. And I am not trying to be arrogant but I knew those heads were turning for one girl only. My girl. I couldn't blame them, even if I secretly did, she was beautiful.

Now I felt her gaze on me. I had been in a conversation with another guardian reminiscing over the dances we attended here when we younger and I could feel her looking at me. I don't know how. I just did. I turned around and scanned the room searching for the eyes that bore into my back. I saw her standing a little to the side and she looked beautiful. She always looked beautiful but tonight she looked stunning. Her eyes met mine and a smile made its way up my face. She looked like this for me. She wanted me to notice her and I did. She went back to her friends knowing I was on duty and I needed to get back to that.

But I watched her as I did my duty. I watched her dance with her friends. I watched her have fun. I watched her have a dance with a girl that was clearly infatuated with Rose. I was glad she was having fun. It was nice to see Rose so happy and doing normal teenager stuff. After a few dances she walked towards the food. Not too far from where I was standing.

I walked over to her.

"Having a good time?"

She smiled at me.

"Actually I am. Wish I was dancing with you though."

I laughed.

"No, you don't. I am a horrible dancer. And with my giant feet your toes would have been black and blue tomorrow."

She giggled.

"Somehow I doubt that, besides we would pick a slow song, you don't actually have to dance, just hold me and swing a little."

I looked around to see if the other guardians were on guard. I grabbed her by the hand and let her outside. I took my blazer and handed it to her. She must have been cold in only her dress. I took my ipod from my pocket and I handed her one ear and put the other one in my own ear.

I played a slow song and I put one hand behind her back and one hand took hers. And I started moving. I wasn't lying when I said I was a bad dancer. I never understood the rhythm. But somehow as I was slowly moving with Rose I was getting it. She laid her head on my chest and I held her close to me. This moment was perfect. There was a shine of morning sun over the horizon and we were in our own little world. I never wanted to let her go. When the song finished, I pulled her back a little and kissed her. I let go of her hand and moved it to her face. She pulled me closer to her and snaked her hands into my hair.

After a few moments I very reluctantly moved back.

"We should go back inside."

She nodded.

"When does your shift end?"

"In an hour."

"You can walk me back to my dorm in an hour and I'll show you what is under this dress."

As she walked away she pulled her dress down a little on the edge revealing the top of a lacy dark blue bra.

I almost abandoned my post there and then, but I knew I had to finish my hour. We went back to the dance and she was mingling with Lissa and Christian. I was back on my post.

The hour went by painfully slow. She kept checking the clock and looking my way. I was doing the same. With another five minutes on the clock I saw Tasha making her way towards me. I knew she had come to see Christian at the dance but I hoped she would have skipped me.

"Hey Dimka. Can I talk to you for a minute?"

"Actually I am still on duty, and after what you said about Rose, I have no interest in talking to you."

That didn't seem to go over well. She had a storm on her face. But suddenly it transformed into a sweet smile.

"Actually you don't mind walking with me now, your shift is over in a few minutes anyway."

She was right. What were a few minutes. I was supervising a dance, what could happen.

She took my hand and let me outside.

"Tasha, what is this about?"

I didn't really know why I came with her but I didn't want to hear anything from her.

"Dimitri. I know you feel something for me. And I want you to go with me. Become my guardian."

"Tasha how many time do I have to say…"

"Dimka, I know you feel something for me, be my guardian and come with me."

My mind went blank. It was as if someone was pushing the backspace button and erasing my thoughts and typing in new ones.

It made sense. I did feel something for Tasha. I was a guardian. Why not be her guardian? No, Rose. I wanted to stay with Rose and Ivan.

"No Tasha, it doesn't matter how I feel about you, I love Rose I need to stay with her and Ivan."

"Dimka, you don't love her. I understand your fascination. If I was a man and heard a girl had been in a blood whore commune learning the ropes for two years I might take a swing at her too. But I am sure she was nothing but disappointing."

"She wasn't in a commune Tasha."

"Of course she was. She just screams blood whore."

My mind felt like fog. Rose wasn't a blood whore, was she? I knew she had been through so much but I couldn't remember what. And I had feelings for Tasha so she must be right. I shouldn't have let my lust take over.

"Dimitri. Why don't you pack your bags and we can be in the car in a few minutes."

"What about Ivan?"

"You love me Dimitri. Of course Ivan will understand you want to be with me. But just to avoid any drama we should leave now and tell him the happy news when we are on our way."

Of course she was right. Ivan would understand. After all I love Tasha, why wouldn't my friend want me to be happy.

"What about Rose's education."

"She doesn't need an education, Dimka, she is a blood whore."

I still couldn't see how Rose was a blood whore, but I trusted Tasha. And of course if Rose was determined to be a blood whore she didn't need me to help her graduate. And she certainly couldn't be an obstacle between me and the woman I love. Rose could take care of herself.

I walked with Tasha towards guest housing.

"Just take the necessities, we need to move fast."

"Of course."

After I packed up we went towards the cars. We had to move between buildings to get to the car park. We would drive towards the nearest private airport where we would take a plane. Tasha wanted to travel around the world. She always loved to travel and now she had to chance with me. I was never really keen on traveling. Ivan and I moved around a bit, but we did stay for long periods of time at one place. But if Tasha wanted to travel I would go with her. I just wanted her to be happy.

"Comrade? Where are you going?"

"Ah Rose, sorry but Dimitri is going with me, he is done with you. I guess even after two years of being a blood whore, you are still disappointing."

Rose's face was contorted in anger. I wondered why. Tasha was just telling the truth.

"Comrade, please let's go. Leave this crazy bitch behind."

"Don't talk to her like that. And I am not going anywhere with you. Tasha and I are leaving."

I didn't understand why the look on her face made my chest hurt, why the look in her eyes made me freeze over and stop breathing for a second.

"Dimitri, why? What are you saying?"

"I am sorry Rose, but Tasha is the woman I love, she has always been and always will be. I was interested in you because your reputation as a blood whore made me lust after you. I was weak but now I can see you clearly."

My words felt strange as they left my lips, rehearsed. I knew I was missing something. The time I spend with Rose I actually enjoyed but Tasha was right, it was only lust. Lust was all I had for Rose. I couldn't deny she was beautiful as I looked at her. Her curvy body encased in the sexy black dress. But the look on her face and in her eyes indicated how broken she was. I didn't understand why she was broken. I am sure men had rejected her before. After all she was just a plaything to us. But if I felt that way, than why did my body want to go to her so bad. Hold her and soothe her and hold her close to me. My body wanted to, my mind did too. I felt like I was breaking with her as I saw her breaking in front of me. But my body wouldn't move. It was like I was frozen, like a statue.

"Come on Dimka, Let's leave this pathetic heap of a whore and go."

There was a silent rage in me that didn't want to come out. I wanted to scream I was staying with Rose. That I loved Rose, but the voice was overridden by another voice with a female tone that told me to follow Tasha. That told me I loved her and needed to be with her. My body followed that voice.

"Please, Dimitri, she compelled you. You have to remember, you have to fight for us."

I stopped walking. The despair in her voice made me stop dead in my tracks. It was as if her words had cut me deep and I was bleeding. I tried fighting. I did remember us. I remember being in her room the first night afraid of loving her completely, I remember being at our house together. I just needed to see her, to see those brown eyes I fought so hard for to look at me with love and I knew I could break this. But when I turned around it wasn't brown eyes I saw, it were blue eyes.

"She is such a sore loser isn't she. We must go and not even give her the attention."

"Yes, she us such a sore loser. I am with you now."

I didn't turn around anymore to see Rose. A part of me died when I didn't, but the part that followed that voice didn't care. That part just responded automatically.

I walked away with Tasha. The sound of sobs from Rose left behind and forever edged into my soul.

"I'll find you again Dimitri. I'll find you and release you. I promise. I love you."

Her words instilled an odd sense of hope in me. I was with the woman I loved now, I didn't need Rose for anything anymore.

Tasha opened up a car and I sat behind the wheel.

"Okay, my darling, let's get out of here."

"Whatever you say, my darling."

I stepped on the gas and we were out of the academy gates and onto our new lives in a moment.

Now you all knew the happy stuff would be over soon. Can't have a story with just happy and delicious stuff now can we. I needed a plot twist and I have been fascinated with the minds of compelled people lately. I wanted to see how someone would react to the conflict in their minds. So I thought Dimitri was the perfect specimen and of course then Tasha was the logical choice to compel him. Don't worry, I always write happy endings.