Chapter Twenty

We left the little café two hours later. Rose was thinking hard about something, she was blocking the bond but at a guess I assumed she was thinking of saving her mum and reuniting Abe with the love of his life. I didn't want to say anything to discourage her, but I was worried. I would be lying if I said I wasn't. We headed home and whilst Rose was playing some games with all the kids I headed over to our home that I would present to my flower.

I must admit things were coming alone rather quickly, the roof was repaired and the majority of the rotten floorboards and walls had been taken out and replaced. I was expecting a new kitchen to be installed in the next couple of days so I got started on my special project the fire place. It was my favorite part of the house. The stonework was still in good condition it needed a good clean and a chimney sweep but needed no major repairs. A knock on the door an hour later interrupted me I quickly checked through the bond, Rose was fine still playing with the kids and still thinking of that book.

To my surprise Christian stood on the thresh hold looking awkward and uncomfortable. "Christian what are you doing here?" it was the first time that I had seen him since he was caught plotting and I could see that he was dead tired.

"I, umm I wanted to apologize to you for the things I said at the airport, I am sorry Dimitri" he said

"Why bother now Christian?" I was glad he was obviously seeing the error of his ways but by no means did I trust him.

"I ah realize now what an idiot I am, what a mistake I made and I wish I could go back and change how I behaved and what I said" he looked genuine but the jury was still out.

"Yes you were, but like I said Christian why bother now, after all you were going to help to discredit my wife and me, you were going to cause further unrest and mayhem, so I ask you again Christian why bother now?"

"I was hoping that you could have our sentence reduced, I hardly see Lissa now or Tasha"

"You really are a piece of work aren't you? No I will not influence the council to reduce your sentence you should be happy for the manual labor and escaping Tarasov instead you are wanting to fuck your girlfriend, you are so god damn pathetic"

"I have rights" he shouted at me

"And so do everyone else, did you ever think about that Prick?" I was so enraged I was physically shaking "What about Rose's right to have a normal life? What about Sally's right to approach council to help her siblings, you selfish sack of shit"

I was so pissed off now that I grabbed him by the arms and started to drag him towards the area that was Sally's old neighborhood. We passed Adrian and Eddie and the workers and I half threw him half pushed him into what was once Sally's home. He hadn't said anything on the way here I think he knew he had gone too far.

"What about the three tiny children who lived here, starving freezing what of their rights?"

"Ok, ok I'm sorry"

"yes you are, you are a sorry sack of shit who lived through discrimination and a lot of other things for your own families actions, you know I used to respect you thought you were doing so well considering the circumstances but your just like them" Christian looked hurt and shocked I could see the tears in his eyes.

"You know it is true" I knew I had just said some pretty hurtful things to him but on the whole things he needed to hear, I walked out and headed back to my Rose leaving Christian sobbing on the ground in that disgusting house.

On arriving back at the mansion everyone had gone to bed, well so I had thought but my wife was sitting at the kitchen table reading.

"Roza, what are you doing up?"

She jumped up from her spot and kissed me. "I was waiting for you" she then proceeded to pull two plates that were kept warming in the oven.

"Roza you shouldn't have waited for me" I was touched that she had waited so patiently for my return home, even holding off her own meal. What did I do to deserve such a woman?

"I wanted too Comrade, we have hardly had a moment together since we left Turkey, well not even then" I pulled her over to my chair and sat her on my lap.

"I love you Roza"

"As I love you"

We ate our meals together which was nice, we had no need to rush off anywhere no one interrupting us it was perfect we both did the dishes and cleaned up what was left to be done. I had never spent a more enjoyable meal with anyone in my life.

The next morning both Rose and I prepared to go and meet Katherine, Michael and baby Peter. All the kids were coming with us as well as Abe and Mikhail. Little Peter was bouncing around clutching a pillow with Peter stitched into it. He wanted to give it to his little name sake which was so sweet. This little boy who had never had anything in his life was as generous as my Roza. I could see the pride in Sally's eyes after he said he wanted to gift it to the baby. It was one of the first things Sally had bought him with her new wages. All four of them were starting to look a little better. Mamma and Babushka were constantly feeding them and making them take additional vitamins. They were still skinny and gaunt but no longer did they have dark shadows under their eyes in fact each of them had a new bounce in their step but Peter was the only one out of the littlies that had started to come out of his shell.

Sally was doing great, at the moment she had been only allowed to do lighter duties around the house. Rose had wanted her to rest for months but the young girl had insisted and done herself proud. Mamma and Babushka were helping her but Sally was the official house keeper and she took her work seriously.

We arrived at Katherine's and Michael's home it wasn't what I had been expecting. It was a marvelous a simple little three story home that was missing the usual Moroi embellishments. Dormant rose's surrounded the paths and I was impressed with the design making a mental note to chat with Michael about his landscapers. We found the little family in a cozy living room. Both were glowing with happiness to my surprise Valissa was there, she looked really tired but I could see a subtle difference to her. I think the charm Roza had made was taking effect because even though she looked tired I could see a little light in her eyes. I was glad about that because yes Lissa had lessons she needed to learn and she had done some despicable things but deep down under all that fakeness she did in her core have a kind heart. It saddened me the lengths Valissa had gone too but I wondered if darkness was taking its toll or that was just who she was. I guess we would soon find out.

"Dimitri, Rose oh and Abe it is so good to see you again" Michael stood quickly shaking our hands and giving Roza a hug, delighted to see the children he ushered us all inside and we sat down. Roza had instantly gone to Katherine and little Peter. Whilst I was introducing Abe, Mikhail and the kids I watched Roza looking down at the baby trying to imagine how our child would look. I personally hoped for a mini Roza. Peter had soon joined Rose and presented his gift to the new mum and baby. He was fascinated with littler Peter; Kat had been touched at his thoughtfulness I wasn't sure if it was hormones when she cried but I snickered alongside her husband until they both gave us dirty looks.

"Mike how about you and I take the kids for some fun outside" and looking at his wife and mine still glowering at us took off out the door hiding our amusement kids following. I however had time to glance at Valissa, I think she understood the warning in my eyes as she nodded properly frightened of what Rose could and would do to her if she stepped out of line.

We played with a football the boys whooping and hollering, even Abe was having a kick. Mikhail had stayed with the ladies and baby as well as the majority of the Badicia Guardians. We eventually got close to the future home of my Roza and our many babies. I was quick to block the bond, but I knew Rose had an idea of what I was doing, this was after all a Turkish tradition and she in fact had said I hadn't found our home but I still would keep it a secret from her until our final wedding night. We didn't get too close I knew not to trust young kids with big secrets Victoria had taught me the hard way!

"You're Majesties" came a shout from behind us and I turned to see Guardian Croft "I thought I would let you know that young lord Ozera has requested being transferred to St Vladimir's" I really wasn't all that surprised

"What would make him do that?" inquired Abe

"I am not sure but he stated that he needed to be away from all influences and wanted to go back to work at the school"

"Will you grant his request?"

"Yes the council decided that it would be good for the lad to get away from his sister and the Princess he may find the back bone he was missing"

I nodded my agreement, I felt glad for Christian even though I knew I was behind his leaving I knew it would do him good to be away and hopefully find himself. We headed back toward Michaels home where the ladies were setting out the meal. I was having such an enjoyable time I had never felt like I belonged much of anywhere but once I had met my Roza I felt whole and comfortable within my own skin. Abe was cuddling the baby shooting Roza and I suggestive looks. Abe wanted grandbabies and I could already imagine him doting on them and spoiling them. Rose hadn't told Abe about the book Adrian had found, she was torn I knew she didn't want to get his hopes up and then have the rug pulled out from under him, but I knew that's what Roza and I would be doing and the more she watched her father the stronger Roza's conviction to reunite him and Janine became.

"So Princess Mazur, do you think that Adrian and I will be able to channel darkness the way you do?" Lissa asked hesitantly

"I am not sure Valissa, Adrian and I will be practicing with it after this whole Tatiana business is behind us" replied Rose cautiously "why do you ask?"

"I had Dr Olenski take a sample of my blood, I was curious as to whether it would show properties similar to yours and she found that like your blood it showed traces of darkness, she then compared the slides and yours is obviously more advanced and evolved but mine showed a smaller substance trace" she started

"Well Princess I am not an expert on darkness but should you be able to channel darkness what would you do with it?" And without further ado Lissa pulled out a book from her oversized handbag. "I have as part of my punishment for being stupid have been learning about my ancestors" Lissa was talking rather rapidly the way she always did when she was genuinely excited about something. "My family for generations were advocates for equal rights and also fighting, your father in trial mentioned the Dragomir Queen Veronica, she fought alongside her people until her dying day and I want to be just like them and not the person Tatiana had said they were. I want to be spoken about in history like they are as someone who fought the good fight and not hid behind better men and woman"

"That is all very good Lissa but you are the last of your line there is no way you will be allowed to leave court to fight Strigoi" I said Lissa looked extremely disappointed

"Valissa what my husband said is true and I agree with him to an extent, to go and fight Strigoi would be foolish but I will agree to help you train and manipulate your madness so it will no longer be a weakness for you" Roza said. Her generosity and kind nature always stunned me; oh I knew that Roza was generous to a fault and loves with her whole heart. Valissa went to thank her but Rose predicting that held up her hand "Don't thank me yet Princess, to attempt to access the darkness comes with great risk you will need to embrace the madness and it can either go two ways you fight through and are successful or you end up in a padded cell. Think about that first before you decide."

"Valissa" Abe interrupted "have you looked into your fathers and mother papers and what not yet? You have come of legal age" I was confused as to why he would ask this.

"Not yet, I asked Lord Taurus for them but he has yet to hand them over" she was clearly frustrated with this.

"Why do you ask Bubba?"

"Lissa your father and I were very good friends in fact Janine and I were appointed your god parents and guardians should anything happen to them, for obvious reasons that never happened but I was also appointed legal executor of their wills. Never doubt young lady that I did everything I possibly could to for fill my promise but Tatiana…" he led off lost in memories

Lissa was clearly shocked "Taurus and Tatiana were thick as thieves" and something snapped in Lissa I could see it happen. She stood up thanked Kat and Mike for their hospitality and was out the door. Roza was quick to follow shouting she would catch up with them soon and ran out after Lissa I was three steps behind her. I never thought Lissa would ever be able to move as fast as she was. She was halfway across court before we had caught up to her and without Rose looking at her Aura I could see that Lissa was caught in darkness rage. This wasn't going to be good. Roza didn't say anything to her just followed as she approached Jonathon Taurus's door, she didn't knock just took a leaf out of Roza's book and with an almighty effort kicked the door in.

Jonathon Taurus was in the middle of shredding papers, we were too late or so I thought as all I could see was shredded paper and empty files. Lissa took one look around the room realized what he was doing and lashed out at him, what happened next I didn't expect, similar to what Rose had been using in the Gym on Mikhail flew from her hands. It wasn't as potent as Roza's nor as deadly for as it hit him he crumpled and screamed but his flesh wasn't burning. He passed out the moment her darkness had fully hit him. Properly a good thing for him. I picked up the empty folders spying the Dragomirs in the middle.

"Lissa we are too late" I said handing her the folder, she broke down sobbing, and my Roza she just grinned a malicious grin, she knelt down and placed her hands above the first pile of shredded paperwork I wasn't surprised that she could do this but I could see and feel the concentration it took to do it, all the paper in the room from the largest to the smallest started to float in the air, it would have been the equivalent to a snowstorm without the freezing cold temperatures, paper was flying all across the room joining themselves up like a puzzle piece. Once they were all assembled Rose the touched each page in turn and the paper miraculously started to rejoin, I was watching the closest page to me, it was one of the most amazing things I had ever seen. I could now read the page the only damage that it held was tiny spider web lines across the pages, they were almost undetectable except for the silver hue that caught in the light. The final piece assembled itself and Roza passed out.

I am so sorry for the delay; I had some chapters for Broken Angel that I needed to get out of my head. Hope you enjoy this one.

Cheers liv