Happy May Everyone! I hope you all are having an amazing day!
I know I said I would hope to get this up sooner rather than later, but its been a busy few weeks! I am in the process of getting Chapter 22 ready so I hope to have that posted in the next two weeks :)
A big big THANK YOU to Swimming the Same Deep Waters for betaing this chapter for me! She has been INCREDIBLE! She lets me bounce ideas off of her and she betas my chapters :) If you haven't checked out her stuff, you should! Its amazing!
A huge thank you to everyone who reviewed! I so appreciate it! I love reading your thoughts on each chapter :) Thank you so much!
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1. We are getting closer and closer to 500 REVIEWS! When I hit 500 reviews the person who is the 500th review will get sneak peaks of the rest of the chapters. We are almost a third of the way into my story so the sooner it happens the sooner you get sneak peaks! So, please leave me a short review! I really appreciate it.
2. I am participating in collaborations with VA10thanniversaryproject! I have participated in their Valentine's Day Story (mine is chapter 9) and I will be participating in their Mother's Day Story (It will be posted on/around May 14th)! Along with others to come in the future :) I would love for you all to take a look at the collaborations as they come out this year :)
And on to the chapter . . .
Chapter 21
A slow clap started from behind us. I turned to look and saw Abe walking down the steps towards the stage, Pavel right behind him. While it was unnecessary for Pavel to Guard Abe so closely within the wards, Abe liked to make a statement.
"Anthony," Abe began. "I didn't know you were going to be here."
"Mazur," Anthony Badica responded as Abe climbed the stairs of the stage.
"That's much too formal," Abe grinned showing off his fangs. "Abe is fine. Now, what is this you want to do?"
Anthony shifted uncomfortably. Abe never told people to call him by his first name unless he was done with you. It was typically right before he destroyed them. Abe knew this. Anthony knew this. And all of the Moroi/Dhampir world knew this.
"Abe, the Royal Court has moved to strip Guardian Belikov of his title and expel Novice Hathaway."
"Hathaway-Mazur," I muttered frustrated.
"He's trying to separate you from Abe," Dimitri whispered to me. "It's so that the Royal Moroi only see you as a Dhampir and not as a Dhampir with an influential father. More importantly, he's trying to distance you from all Moroi."
"Stupid," I grumbled crossing my arms over my chest.
"For what he wants, it's actually a smart move," Dimitri told me.
"Well, Anthony, I am surprised by you. Guardian Belikov works privately for me," Abe began. "Not to mention Rosemarie Hathaway-Mazur is my daughter. And I would very much like for her to finish her education here at St. Vlad's. After all, I am sure the Headmistress would be very disappointed to see my donations leave."
"Your donations?" Anthony asked Abe scoffing.
"Now, we are all wealthy," Abe grinned because he knew he had more money than all the royals put together. "And we all give donations to the school, and for anyone of us to leave it would be a disappointment. For example, fifty of my private Guardians reside here to bolster the security; the new Guest Housing was funded by me, the swimming pool, the cafeteria, the restaurants, and store were supplied by me, not to mention the sizable donations to the Chapel and Father Andrew."
"I didn't realize you donated so much." You could see the Royals becoming more and more squeamish. It was well known that St. Vlad's and St. Basil's were the most updated campuses, and Abe was spelling out for them that it was his doing.
"I'm sure you didn't," Abe grinned. "Now, if this continues, I would be happy to have my money and Guardians sent elsewhere. Perhaps St. Basil's? Would you like that Rosemarie?"
"I am afraid I don't have a choice," I said to Abe when he turned to me.
"Well, then St. Basils will have to do," Abe smiled at me. "Which means Guardian Petrov; I will need my Guardians ready to leave within the hour!" While Abe's money was a big deal to the school, what was a bigger deal to the Moroi were the Guardians he supplied.
"Now, Abe," Anthony started.
"Mr. Mazur is fine, Anthony," Abe said to him "If you are going to act like a child, you will be treated like one." Abe made his way toward the end of the stage.
"Mr. Mazur, sir, I am sure we can work something out," Anthony began sounding nervous as he chased after my father. "I mean, we can have all of this dropped and forgotten about."
"Rosemarie, grab your things. We are leaving," Abe told me. "Belikov, please help Guardian Petrov round up the Mazur Guardians."
"Mr. Mazur, please!" Anthony begged as we made our way out of the auditorium. "I give you my word that this will never happen again!"
"Now, now, Anthony, your word means nothing to me," Abe kept walking. "Rose how long will it take to pack your things?"
"With help, about an hour," I told Abe as we walked.
"Mr. Mazur, please! I am begging you!" Anthony carried on as we continued.
"I will have some Guardians sent to your room so we can have you all packed," Abe said to me. "Anthony, please, you are only embarrassing yourself."
"What can we do to make you want to stay?" Anthony all but shouted. "We will do anything!"
Abe stopped and turned around slowly; he had a sinister grin on his face. "Really, Anthony? Anything?"
"Yes, Mr. Mazur," Anthony said a little defeated. "Just please, leave your Guardians."
"Anything I want, Anthony?" Abe inquired.
"Yes! Anything!" Anthony begged much more defeated now.
"Well, well, well, how the tables have turned," Abe said smiling. "Would you like to know what I want Anthony?" Abe circled him slowly.
"Yes, just in return the promise that your generous donations will continue," he told Abe. You had to hand it to Anthony; he was putting up a good fight. Showing very little fear as he faced off with Abe.
"I always keep my promises, Anthony," Abe said slowly. "I want an iron clad contract, stating that the Royal Court will not object to Rosemarie Hathaway-Mazur's and Dimitri Belikov's relationship again. Plus a few other details that we can work out. Does that sound reasonable?"
"Yes, Sir," Anthony said beaten, along with all the other royals.
"It's settled then. Rosemarie, it seems you won't need to pack after all," Abe turned to me, before turning back to face the Queen — who had been strangely quiet this entire time. "Tatiana, I believe there is nothing more to discuss."
Did Tatiana want to play it this way to save Dimitri? Was she showing him that she wouldn't out him in front of the entire Royal Court?
"I believe you are correct," Tatiana stood. "This meeting is adjourned."
"So, Tasha comes in today," Dimitri told me as we started our morning training. It had been two days since the meeting about Dimitri and me.
"Yeah, she is," I murmured as we made our way onto the track.
"I thought we should invite her over for dinner tonight," Dimitri said as we started running. "Well, her and Lissa and Christian."
"If you want, sure," I agreed.
"Are you okay with it?"
"Why wouldn't I be?" I asked him. We increased our pace just a tad as we warmed up.
"Well, you and Tasha haven't always had the smoothest relationship," he mumbled.
"That's not true! I have always been nice to her," I exclaimed.
"You have always been passive aggressive," Dimitri corrected with a little grin as we kept running.
"Well, what's the difference? She's been over the top flirty!" I grumbled. We were starting on our last mile.
"Babe, nothing will ever happen between Tasha and me," Dimitri told me.
"Again," I mumbled to him.
"What?"
"Nothing will ever happen between you and Tasha again," I corrected him. "Stuff did happen between you two, and she wants it to happen again."
"Yes, but it's not going to," Dimitri said to me. "Because I love you." Dimitri only thought that Tasha wanted a physical relationship with him, but he didn't realize that in reality, Tasha wanted so much more.
"I love you too!" I beamed at him as we finished running. The two of us heading inside to stretch before we started conditioning work.
"Hey Rose, Dimitri!" Serena greeted as she and Eddie made their way into the gym. "We thought we would join you, is that alright?"
"Of course!" I beamed at them. "We are going through conditioning work; Jay has been in here for the past two hours," I motioned over to the weight room where Jay was lifting.
"Damn, Dimitri! You are running him through a rigorous training program," Eddie exclaimed as he and Serena came over to join us.
"He just got started early," Dimitri clarified. "He wanted to blow off some steam."
"Is it about Celeste and Adrian?" Serena asked.
"Celeste and Adrian?" My head snapped up fast. "What about them?"
"Well, apparently they have started something," Serena told us as we began pushups.
"Really? I thought she and Jay were going to start something," I mumbled. Celeste and Jay had looked like they were getting really cozy the other night. I was surprised that she and Adrian started dating.
"Apparently she really likes Adrian. And they both put in for her to be reallocated to him," Eddie filled us in. "Tatiana is also on board with it, surprisingly."
"Well, she would have to be, because of Ambrose," Dimitri said. I nodded agreeing.
"Who?" Eddie looked at us confused.
"Ambrose is Tatiana's Dhampir lover; he's been with her for what ten or fifteen years?" I looked at Dimitri.
"Going on fifteen years," Dimitri said. "They have a bit of an age difference too."
"Oh!" Eddie looked surprised. "Well, I guess that makes sense now."
"It makes sense that Jay would be a little frustrated," I told them. "We should let him have his privacy."
"I agree," Serena said as we all transitioned into sit-ups.
We continued conditioning work, going through pull-ups and rope climbs. Before we transitioned into weight training, Jay left the gym — waving to us as he did.
Soon it was time for the rest of the senior novice class to join us for the extra hour before class. Eddie and I took this time to spar and practice fighting while the rest of the senior class ran through conditioning work.
"Whats going on over there?" Eddie asked me motioning with his chin to where Dimitri and Emil were speaking heatedly.
"I don't know," I told him honestly. "That's the most I have ever seen Emil speak in one sitting."
"Same," Eddie nodded. We both stretched out as we watched them. Emil kept looking around. It seemed as if he didn't want people to overhear them.
"I wonder if it has to do with Lissa," I said softly as Eddie helped me stretch out my hamstring.
"Emil looks pretty upset, I don't think it's about her," he told me as we switched legs.
"Everyone!" Alberta called out. "The bell has rung, it's time for class to officially start!"
We all grumbled as we made our way to the center of the gym to listen to today's instructions and lesson plan. I looked over to Dimitri and Emil, seeing Emil throw up his hands and walk away. He looked upset about something. Dimitri caught my eye and shook his head.
"Hathaway-Mazur did you hear what I said?" Alberta's voice rang out loud and clear, pulling me back to class.
"I am sorry Guardian Petrov, I didn't," I told her honestly. It would be better for me if I just admitted I wasn't paying attention.
"Pay attention," she barked out. Who pissed in her cereal? "We will be running through staking techniques today! If for some reason the school were to be under attack, it is expected for Senior Novices to participate in the battle. For this reason, we will be using your morning combat class to become more familiar with the stake!"
You could hear the excitement running through the novices. While staking was taught, you really learned more on the fly once you were a Guardian. Rarely did you have a full class just devoted to teaching you how to stake. This was a new protocol.
"You will break up into pairs of two! Each pair will have a dummy. You will be practicing the best way to have a fatal kill," Alberta explained. "One person will run through five times, and then you will switch and so on and so on. Any questions?" She paused for questions. "Guardian Belikov, Guardian Jade and I will be going around and helping you. Pick your partner!"
"Partner?" Eddie asked me. The two of us being the top two in the class, it was natural for us to partner together.
"Might as well," I grinned. The two of us picking out a dummy and finding space in the gym for us to practice.
"You think Dimitri is going to tell you about what he and Emil were talking about?" Eddie asked me as I went through my staking practice.
"It depends," I told him honestly. "If Emil asked him not to tell me he won't. But if not he probably will."
"He's big on privacy," Eddie mumbled as he watched me stake the dummy.
"Dimitri?"
"Emil," he said as we switched places, him taking his turn staking.
"Oh yeah! The guy barely talks!" I agreed with him.
"The Human Statue," Eddie joked as he staked the dummy.
"Good Eddie!" Serena said as she came over to check on how we were progressing. "But let's adjust your stance a little," she grabbed his hips and turned him harshly. Her torso pressed against his back as she leaned in to whisper something in his ear.
After Eddie had staked the dummy again, Serena let go and walked away. He followed her with his eyes the entire time, and his breath was coming harsher.
"Wow, you got it bad Romeo!" I laughed as I grabbed the stake for my turn.
"God! Is it like this with you and Dimitri?" Eddie asked me as he continued to watch Serena.
"Yeah, it is," I told him as I staked the dummy. "Oh look at that! Perfect kill!"
"Rose!" Lissa exclaimed as I dropped my tray with overflowing food on the table and plonked down on the bench for lunch. "Tasha is coming in today!"
"I know, Dimitri and I wanted to invite you, Christian and Tasha to dinner tonight," I told her.
"Oh, that sounds great! In your apartment?" Lissa asked. Like it would be anywhere else, I rolled my eyes.
"Yeah, speaking of, where's Sparky?" I asked her shoveling food into my mouth.
"He's at the feeders. My class let out a few minutes early, so I went straight. He will be here in a second," she told me. "Is Dimitri cooking tonight?"
"Probably," I said with my mouthful of mac and cheese. "Where's she staying?"
"She was looking at one of the old Guardian cabins. You know Tasha hates mingling with Royals," Lissa said as she picked at the yogurt she was eating.
"Which cabin?" I tried to ask super nonchalant but failed.
"Well, the one you use," Lissa mumbled. "It's the only one fully furnished."
"Dimitri and I have stuff there! Clothes, books, and," I exclaimed in a startled whisper, "Kinky stuff!"
"What?" Lissa asked confused. "What's that mean?"
"It means handcuffs, hot wax, vibrators, and shit like that Lissa," Christian said as he dropped down next to her.
"Fire crotch!"
"What? No one is paying attention to us," Christian shrugged. "So you and Dimitri have an adventurous sex life?"
"Yeah, but your aunt doesn't need to know that," I grumbled. I didn't exactly want to rub Tasha's face in our sex life. Not to mention, I didn't want her going through our stuff. She could be a little psycho.
"I don't think she would care," Christian explained before taking a bite of his apple. "In fact, she has given me books on that shit."
"You're forgetting one tiny detail Christian," I hissed at him. "Tasha and Dimitri used to be fuck buddies!"
"Tasha and Dimitri had sex? As in Tasha Ozera?" Eddie asked as he sat next to me. His lunch tray was spilling over with twice the amount of food I had, which was saying something.
"Oh right!" Christian exclaimed. "Maybe we should find a different place for her." He turned to look at Lissa.
"Yeah," I turned to Eddie. "They had a no strings thing awhile back."
"You think I can get her a place in guest housing? She's supposed to be arriving in an hour," Christian told me.
"I don't know, but if you do I want her in a unit far away from ours," I told Christian. "Also you are invited to dinner tonight. Eddie, I would invite you too, but I thought you might want to spend some time with Serena alone."
"Totally get it, Rose!" Eddie smiled at me as he ate. "She and I have a hot date planned anyway."
"Is Abe coming to dinner?" Lissa asked me after we settled into a lull.
"I didn't invite him, should I?" I asked her. Sometimes I forgot about my father. Oops! It wasn't like I forgot I had one, it's just that he's always busy.
"He's your father and what else would he be doing tonight?"
"Probably dealing in some black market scam," I told her honestly as I shrugged. I could feel her irritation immediately.
"Rose, you don't help the rumors. Honestly, it's your father!" she exclaimed. "It wouldn't hurt not to paint him in such a bad light." Lissa shook her head; she was really frustrated. She believed that Abe was a better man than he really was.
"Sure," I mumbled, thinking that the rumors really didn't even get close to how bad Abe was. Not to mention I was being honest.
"Cuz! Little Dhampir!" Adrian greeted as he sat down at the table.
"I have a bone to pick with you," I turned toward Adrian.
"What did I do?" Adrian looked at me confused before his eyes flashed to Eddie's seeing the withering look he gave him.
"You and Celeste! She and Jay were really hitting it off! And now he's upset, and he might not accept the allocation request," I spelled out for Adrian.
"I don't know what you are talking about," Adrian grinned. "The two of them were not going to go for each other. And if he isn't going to accept the allocation request it won't be because of me."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Eddie asked confused as he stuffed his face with food.
"What allocation request?" Lissa asked.
I forget that Lissa and Christian don't hear about the things Eddie and I do. Part of it is because they aren't dating Guardians and the other part is because they have their nose stuck up so far in the air they sometimes forget we are people too.
"Jay was offered an allocation request by Alberta," I filled Lissa in. "Serena is going to be your Guardian, and they wanted your other Guardian to be male."
"So they asked Guardian Phillips?"
"Yeah, they'd be a good fit for you because they are close in age," I told her. "Not to mention they get along and would be working with Dimitri so they would be amazing fighters."
"I didn't know Guardian Jade would be mine," Lissa mused. "What about you Rose?"
"I think it's better for now. After all, I can't be your Guardian until I graduate! Plus you might really like Serena!" I tried to be nonchalant and not get Lissa suspicious. But the truth was, I didn't want to be her Guardian. Luckily for me, she bought it.
"Adrian what did you mean if he doesn't accept it won't be because of you?" Eddie asked steering the conversation away from Lissa and me. I shot him a grateful smile.
"He and Celeste weren't going to go for each other," Adrian told us. "That night after we all hung out, she came home with me," he grinned.
"But I saw you all wrapped around that girl the other day," I pointed out, now really confused.
"We weren't exclusive at that point," Adrian gave me a duh look. "And Celeste wanted time to think, so later that day we met up, and she told me what she wanted."
"And now you guys are dating?" Christian asked piping up for the first time.
"Yeah, and let me just tell you it's amazing," Adrian winked and wiggled his eyebrows; leaving no question to what he was referring too.
"You are such a pig!" I shoved Adrian right as the bell rang. "Time for class."
"I am not a pig," Adrian gasped in mock horror. "I am a young man with a great appreciation for the female physique."
"Nice spin," I rolled my eyes as we headed on our way to class. "Hey!" I greeted Dimitri and Jay as I walked outside. The two of them were off to the side and looked like they were in a heated discussion, which abruptly stopped when I walked up. Weird.
"Hey Roza," Dimitri said to me, leaning down to kiss me quickly.
"Hi Rose," Jay mumbled looking away.
"Everything okay?" I asked.
"Yeah, get to class, I will see you this afternoon for training," Dimitri smiled at me.
"Okay," I kissed Dimitri again and made my way back to Eddie who was waiting for me. "That was weird."
"Looked like it," Eddie agreed. The two of us making our way to class.
"You don't think it has to do with me?" I asked suddenly.
"What?" Eddie seemed confused as he held the door to class open for me.
"What they were talking about, you don't think it has to do with me?" I asked him again.
"It could be anything Rose," Eddie reasoned as we took our seats.
"Yeah but they immediately stopped talking when I went up," I told him. "It's just weird, first Emil and now Jay."
"I wouldn't read too much into it," Eddie told me.
"Castile, Hathaway-Mazur, if you are finished I would like to begin," Stan hissed at us.
"Stan, the bell hasn't even rung yet, not to mention a third of the students aren't here," I argued. "Keep your panties on," I said softly.
"What was that?" Stan asked coming over to us.
"Nothing Guardian Alto," I smiled sweetly at him. The guy was such a dick.
"Rose, focus!" Dimitri exclaimed as we sparred. The next thing I knew I was on the ground. "I've pinned you five times already! What's gotten into you?"
"Nothing," I grumbled.
"Is anything wrong?" Dimitri asked as he helped me off the ground.
"No, it's fine," I rolled my shoulders and stretched a little.
"Roza, wanna tell me what's going on with you?" Dimitri asked me again as he started putting the equipment away.
"It's just —" I was cut off by someone coming into the gym.
"Dimka!" Tasha exclaimed as she ran over to Dimitri jumping on him.
"Ugh!" I grumbled. Tasha literally threw herself at my fiancee. Great.
"I have missed you so much!" Tasha squealed as she dragged herself down his body. "Maybe we can reconnect tonight," she suggested.
"Hi, Tasha! That sounds like a great idea! Dimitri and I wanted to invite you to dinner. Lissa and Christian are coming too," I spoke loudly. Be the bigger person, I told myself.
"Oh Rose, I didn't see you there," Tasha told me snottily. I bet you didn't, bitch.
"Right. Well dinner at our place in, oh how long do you think we will need babe?" I asked my fiancee.
"Probably about two hours. We can shower together to save time," Dimitri told me, not realizing he was pissing off Tasha. "Why don't you meet up with Lissa and Christian, they can show you to our apartment?"
"Oh Dimka, I just wanted to catch up with you," Tasha tried flirting, looking up at Dimitri from beneath her lashes.
Be the bigger person. Be the bigger person. Be the bigger person. I took some deep breaths, trying not to let my anger get the better of me.
"Tasha, I don't think that's a good idea," Dimitri told her while I tried to calm myself down. "I asked Rose to marry me a while ago; we are getting married next fall."
"Oh," Tasha looked hurt and surprised. I felt a tad sorry for her. "Well, congratulations!"
"Thank you."
"I will see you guys later, then," she smiled and left the gym. You could tell her happiness was forced.
"She took that a little harder than I thought," Dimitri mumbled as we got our stuff ready to leave.
"Dimitri, how did you expect her to take it?" I asked him as we made our way back to the apartment.
"I don't know, I thought she would be happier for us," he said to me.
"Why do you think she wasn't?" It was obvious that Tasha was still in love with him. Always had been. But Dimitri was a little dense when it came to those type of things.
"I think she might still have feelings for me," he said thoughtfully. "Though we were never a couple, we were just friends with benefits."
"Yeah, but someone always catches the feels," I told him as we made our way inside. "You know she wants to stay at the cabin."
"Our cabin?" Dimitri asked in shocked his eyebrows nearly disappearing into his hairline.
"Yup, she doesn't want to deal with all the Royals."
"But, we have things in there! Like lots of things! And the video camera!" He exclaimed and shifted uncomfortably.
"Video camera?" I tried to raise one eyebrow at him as we walked into the apartment.
"Well, don't get mad," Dimitri told me. Whenever Dimitri told me not to get mad, it's never a good sign.
"Okay."
"Promise?" Dimitri pleaded with me. Uh oh, he never makes me promise unless it's big.
"I promise, now what video camera?" I asked him again.
"Do you remember how you said you wanted to see what we looked like when I was umm," Dimitri shifted uncomfortably, "dominating you?"
"Yes, babe," I smirked at him. Dimitri and I had found out really early on in our sexual relationship that I was very submissive in bed, and liked him to take control. We also learned that Dimitri loved being in control.
"Earlier this week when we were, you know..." he blushed a little.
"When you tied me up?" I bluntly asked him.
"Uh yeah." He was red as a tomato. "I hid a video camera and taped us. I thought we could watch it together after the holidays."
"Have you seen any of it?" I asked him.
"Yes."
"And? How was it?" I wrapped my arms around his torso and pulled myself close to him.
"It was really, really hot," he grinned down at me. "I will see if we can get her a different place to stay. I love you."
"I love you too," I smiled. "Now, you stink. Go shower!"
"You stink too! Come on," he hauled me into the bathroom. The two of us stripping as we made our way towards the shower.
"Dimitri," I started as he washed my hair, "I am so happy right now. I don't want this to end."
"The shower?" he asked me.
"All of it, not just the shower," I said softly turning around to face him. Dimitri wrapped his arms around me.
"What's wrong Roza? Does this have anything to do with why you were so distracted during training?" he asked me as he pulled me close to him, the hot water running down us.
"I don't know if I want to be Lissa's Guardian anymore. I don't know if I want my life to be anymore tied to hers than it already is." I buried my head in his chest.
"Roza, when we are in Russia, why don't we spend time talking about your options after graduation?" he suggested softly. "And figuring out what we want our life to look like?"
"Will you still love me if I am not a Guardian?"
"Once you're promised you will be a Guardian, even if you aren't actually guarding," Dimitri reminded me. "And I will love you no matter what. Now come on, I have dinner to make."
We climbed out of the shower and dressed. Dimitri made his way over to the kitchen to make dinner. Turning on the radio, I tried to clean our apartment; dancing around the apartment probably making it messier. But I didn't care. It was nice to relax and just enjoy myself.
I was dancing to Low by Flo Rida when I heard from behind me, "Nice moves Rosie!" I whipped around and found Christian, Lissa, and Tasha all watching me.
"How long have you been standing there?" I asked completely embarrassed.
"Long enough," Christian grinned.
"You just let yourself in?" I started actually putting things away, which means I just threw them into the closet.
"Well, we heard the music and after we tried knocking a few times, yup," Lissa said as she came over to help.
"Thanks and sorry I didn't realize how loud it was,'' I switched off the radio. "Tasha make yourself at home."
"Thanks, Rose," Tasha smiled at me and sat on the couch.
"I am going to go check on Dimitri and dinner," I smiled at her. "Do you guys want anything to drink?"
"Soda, for Christian and me," Lissa smiled.
"Where'd Christian go?" I asked, realizing he had disappeared.
"Probably kitchen to help Dimitri," Lissa told me. "Tasha, do you need anything?"
"White wine would be nice," Tasha turned to me.
"Sorry, Tasha, but Dimitri and I have decided to keep our apartment dry," I told her.
After Dimitri had opened up about his father and his father's drinking habits, we had decided we didn't want to keep alcohol in the house. That didn't mean we wouldn't indulge when we went out or at parties, but we wanted to keep it as an occasional thing.
"I am surprised by that, Dimka used to be a big drinker," Tasha told me smugly. Ugh, could she be a bigger bitch? Count to ten and then respond.
"I can offer you water, juice, or soda," I told her, ignoring her comment.
"Water is fine."
"I will be right back," I left the living room and headed into the kitchen to get drinks. Sure enough, Christian and Dimitri were in the process of making dinner.
"You okay?" Dimitri asked me as I walked in. I must have had a weird expression on my face.
"Tasha is upset that our apartment is dry," I told him dryly (pun intended).
"Well, tell her if she has an issue, she can take it up with me," Dimitri said to me as he put the finishing touches on the food.
"Okay, a few more minutes?" I asked him as I collected the drinks for everyone.
"Christian, you think a couple of minutes?" Dimitri turned to Christian; I had all but forgotten he was in here.
"I think so," Christian smiled at me. "And Rose, I know she's not your favorite person, so thank you. Also, she has a room two floors above you."
I nodded at him before joining Tasha and Lissa back in the living room. "So, the table isn't big enough for all of us, I hope you don't mind eating in here," I told them as I passed them drinks.
"Sounds good, Rose," Lissa grinned at me. "The Christmas Ball is in a couple of days, do you know what you're wearing?"
"I am not sure yet. With everything going on, I haven't had a chance to pick something," I told Lissa. "Tasha, I'm sure you will wear something gorgeous." I smiled tightly. Be the bigger person. I seem to be thinking that a lot. Maybe I should get it tattooed on me?
"I have this great, form-fitting blue dress. Dimka always told me that blue looked the best on me," Tasha smiled at me, leaving no question what she meant by that.
"I have this dark emerald green dress, it has this amazing corset and beautiful full skirt," Lissa gushed. "With these silver embroidered leaves on it and red berries. So Christmasy! It's just gorgeous!"
"I am sure you will look amazing, Lissa! Does Christian have his matching tie yet?" I teased.
"You bet I do," Christian said as he and Dimitri brought the food out.
"Christian you are a smart man," Dimitri teased as they set the food on the table. "Nothing fancy, just roast chicken, mashed potatoes, salad, and biscuits."
"Smells great, babe," I smiled at Dimitri before loading up plates and helping pass them out. "And a hundred times better than what's in the cafeteria."
"So true!" Lissa grinned as she took her plate.
"Dimka! I forgot that you were such a good cook," Tasha squealed. "Do you remember that time you cooked dinner for us right after —"
"Dimitri, how's your family?" Lissa interrupted. Thank God for Lissa. I shot her a grateful smile. I could feel that even she was getting annoyed with all of Tasha's subtle hints and digs.
"They are good, thanks for asking Lissa," Dimitri smiled at her.
"When do you and Rose leave for Russia?" Christian asked.
"Saturday morning with Abe, and we come back right before classes start," I told them. "I am excited; it's been a while since I've had Christmas at home."
"Yeah," Lissa looked away a little sad. Oh shit, I forgot to see what Lissa was doing for Christmas.
"Lissa! I am so sorry! I should have asked what you were doing for Christmas," I apologized to her. "I didn't even think!"
"It's okay," she brushed me off. "Christian and I might go skiing."
I could feel her disappointment through the bond. This would be the first year without her family and without me for Christmas. She wasn't sure what she was going to do. When we were on the run, it was just the two of us, but now she felt like she had no one.
"I'm sorry Lissa!" I exclaimed.
"I know," she told me.
After a few minutes, we moved on to lighter topics. Tasha spent the entire time trying to make subtle comments to Dimitri about when they used to be together. She sounded like she was trying to make more out of it than what really happened. On top of that, she flirted like nobody else. It was obvious and over the top.
This wasn't the first time Dimitri and I had been together and seen Tasha. She always flirted, but tonight was super obvious, and she was really pushy. The engagement seemed to push her over the edge. It was really getting on my nerves. How many times was she going to mention something from when they were "together"? They didn't even date; they were friends with benefits!
I kept trying to be the bigger person, but it was eating at me. Dimitri was going to have a lot of making up to do tonight.
Soon dinner was over, and it was just Dimitri and me cleaning up. The two of us collected everything and made our way into the kitchen.
"That was fun," Dimitri said as he started washing dinner.
"Sure," I grumbled as I dried the dishes.
"So," Dimitri dragged out the word, "how much groveling will I have to do?"
"I haven't decided yet," I teased him.
"When you know, just tell me," he grinned at me as we finished cleaning up. "Thank you for doing this for me."
"She's your friend," I told him in explanation. I didn't want him to feel like he couldn't have his friends over.
"Yeah, but she was flirting a lot," he told me. "It made me a little uncomfortable."
"I'm sorry."
"It's okay," he said as we made our way to sit on the couch. "It's just you and me now, what do you think we should do?" Dimitri wrapped his arm around me and cuddled me close to him.
"I don't know, but I am sure we can think of something," I smiled at him. "How was your day?"
"It was good," he smiled at me. "How was yours?"
"It was interesting," I told him honestly. "What was with your conversation with Emil?"
"It's complicated."
"And your conversation with Jay?" I asked.
"It's complicated," he sighed out.
"Are you going to tell me?" I asked him. He was being really odd and I was curious as to what happened.
"I don't know if I should," Dimitri told me seriously. "Not because I don't want to, but because I don't know if they want me to tell you."
"Is it personal stuff?"
"Yeah," he looked thoughtful. "I don't want to betray their privacy."
"I understand, Comrade," I smiled softly at him. "What do you want to do for the rest of the night?"
"Hang out with you," Dimitri kissed the tip of my nose. "So, the Christmas Ball is in two days, and I don't know what color tie to wear."
"I know. I don't know what I am wearing yet," I told him. "You think Kirova would let me skip class tomorrow to go shopping with Abe?"
"I don't know about that," Dimitri grinned. "You have anything in mind?"
"Yes, and no. I don't know," I cuddled deeper into Dimitri's arms. I didn't think I would find the dress I was looking for.
"This is nice." Dimitri wrapped his other arm around me so my back was against his chest and I was in between his legs. "I like it when it's just us."
"I do, too."
I woke up with a start in the middle of the night. My heart was racing, and I felt like I was being watched. After taking a few calming breaths, I realized the feeling wasn't coming from me!
"Dimitri!" I shrieked as I got out of bed looking for pants and a shirt.
"Rose? What?" He asked confused and groggily. He watched me for a minute before the dots connected. "Lissa?" He asked as he got out of bed.
"Yeah! Not good!" The two of us fully dressed racing toward the Female Moroi Dorms. I could hear Dimitri on his radio calling for backup. Both of us unsure what we were walking into.
"Rose," Dimitri said at the end of her hallway. "Stay here; I will go in first. Okay?"
"Okay," I sighed, knowing that it was for the best.
"I will call you when it's safe," Dimitri told me as he nodded to someone behind me. "Emil let's go."
I watched Dimitri and Emil head to Lissa's dorm and quietly head into the room. I could hear voices but wasn't sure what was being said. After a few minutes, Dimitri popped his head out and gestured me over.
"What's wrong?" I asked as I walked into the room. The first thingI I noticed was Lissa bawling her eyes out on her bed. She looked positively terrified. Her window was slightly open and a few things out of place. A picture frame that normally sat on the windowsill was on the ground broken; someone had been in a hurry to get out.
Lastly, on her bed was an envelope with pictures spilling out of it. Pictures of Lissa and me when we were on the run. Pictures of Lissa feeding from me. Pictures of the accident. And lastly, pictures of her healing me. Next to it sat a note. I couldn't read the contents from here, but I had a fairly good idea that it was threatening.
"What's going to happen?" I turned to Dimitri as I went to comfort Lissa.
"Alberta is on her way over," Dimitri told me. "Emil and Serena will stay the night with her, and tomorrow a plan of action will be created."
"How did this happen? She was supposed to have a constant guard," I argued. "I thought this had stopped!"
"It happened during the changeover," Emil told me. "The hall monitor also fell asleep, and the Guardian change over happens in the lobby. Whoever it is knows our schedule."
"You think it's a Guardian?" Dimitri asked him.
"I think right now, everyone is a suspect," Emil told Dimitri.
"I agree," Alberta said coming in. "If the person knows so much that they can get around us, we need to believe it's someone right under our noses."
"Hey Dad, Pavel," I greeted Abe as I walked into his room. Abe was sitting in the little breakfast nook having breakfast.
"Coffee, Rose?" Pavel asked as he pulled a cup out.
"Yes, please!" I grinned at him as I sat down next to Abe and stole some bacon off his plate.
"Shouldn't you be training Rose?" Pavel asked me as he got my coffee ready. Three sugars and cream; he didn't even need to ask.
"I am going after I talk to Baba. This is important," I told him seriously.
"What can I do for you?" Abe asked me as he read the paper.
"So, I need a little favor," I fidgeted in my seat a tad.
"A favor? Pavel did you hear, my daughter needs a favor," Abe grinned at me, Pavel sat the coffee down in front of me.
"Well, I need to go shopping for a dress," I told him.
"For what?" Abe asked me as he continued reading the paper not even looking up at me.
"The Christmas Ball. But I don't have the time to go get one because of classes," I explained. "So I was hoping that you wouldn't mind going and looking for the one I want."
"I guess I can make that happen," Abe's smile twitched. "Pavel, would you like to go shopping for a women's ball gown with me?"
"Hmm, I guess I can make the time, Abe," Pavel teased as he ate his breakfast.
"I also need a pair of shoes," I told them both.
"Well, of course," Pavel said. "You need to have the matching shoes."
"Pavel, stop teasing me," I grumbled a little miffed. The Christmas Ball was important! Especially this year. I wanted to have a dress that would be a giant middle finger to all the royal Moroi.
"Rose, we will leave in an hour, is that good for you?" Pavel told me.
"Thank you!" I gushed. "I promise I will do anything!"
"Kiz that's not necessary, but I might take you up on that," Abe grinned at me. "Now, go train before Dimitri has a cow!"
"Okay! Here is everything I need and the sizes!" I handed Abe a piece of paper with the style number of the dress and the shoes I wanted.
With a few quick gulps of coffee and a goodbye to Abe and Pavel, I was on my way to meet Dimitri for training.
I was on my way to the gym for my evening training when I saw Jay and Emil hidden behind some trees and up against one of the buildings. They looked like they were in a really intense discussion, and Jay seemed upset.
I slowed down to watch them. Both Emil and Jay had had a heated discussion with Dimitri. I wonder if this was related.
Emil leaned forward and put his hand on Jay's shoulder. Jay looked upset and like he was pleading.
"Rose!" Dimitri called as he came over to me. "You're late for training."
Emil and Jay sprang apart at the sound of Dimitri's voice. The two of them trying to blend into their surroundings.
"I am sorry, I got distracted talking to Lissa on my way," I told him as I followed him to the gym.
"You saw them didn't you?" Dimitri said as we walked inside.
"Yeah, what was that about?" I asked him as I started my warmup stretches.
"They are fighting," he told me as he helped me stretch.
"Why?" I was confused.
"Emil wants Jay to take the allocation request, and to see what happens and make things public," Dimitri started explaining. "But Jay isn't sure he wants to make things public. He's still struggling with everything, and he thinks things are moving a little too fast. Jay wants to calm things down."
"What?" I asked him confused.
"Roza, Emil, and Jay are gay," Dimitri spelled out for me.
THANK YOU! I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Its a little fluffy and a little build up, I promise we are getting close to the climax :) Please take a moment to leave a short review! It helps motivate me to keep writing and keep updating!
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