Okay, I'd like to give a SHOUT OUT to DarkRomanceAddict! I love her story and she gave me a shout out as well on her story so check that out :D And one of you got who Anastasiya reminded them of correctly! Congrats, and you know who you are ;)
Hopefully this will clear up some of the Felix mystery. Felix's story is told next chapter.
Disclaimer: Only own Felix, this plot, and Dimitri! Well, no, I don't own Dimitri… Not yet…. But I have a plan, never fear!
Oh, and READ THE AN AT THE END OF THE CHAPTER! It's got some stuff you might wanna know
"Is Felix Belikov your younger brother?"
Dimitri looked at her incredulously. "Yes," The "Duh" was implied.
Lissa narrowed her eyes. "Why didn't you tell any of us you had a brother that was graduating this year?"
"Because I didn't think we'd run into him. Up until three months ago, he was going to school in Alaska, according to Headmaster Lazar." Dimitri said, his tension rising.
"But this is a member of your family! Don't you care?" Lissa screeched.
"No, I don't. I haven't seen him in seven years, when I graduated at this very school. He hated us then." Dimitri replied. I noticed his fists were clenched as he tried to calm his emotions.
Lissa, cool down a bit. I advised.
Lissa softened slightly. "Why does he hate you?"
Dimitri snorted. "Hell if I know. After I beat my dad up, he and Felix took off together that night. Felix was in school the year I graduated and he and our dad did their best to ruin mine and my sister's lives. We didn't know why, but it broke my mother's heart to know her little boy hated her and her family." Dimitri stared broodingly out the window. "So no, we don't exactly see eye to eye."
Lissa stared at him. "So, you beat up your dad when you were what, 13?" Dimitri nodded and Lissa continued. "Felix was 6 and you saw him five years later, when you were 18 and he was 11? And he hated you guys?"
"He idolized my dad. I didn't tell him it was wrong, or show our father's flaws. Whenever my dad would get mad, I'd steer Felix and Viktoria away from him so they wouldn't have to watch. Maybe it was stupid, but I wanted them to think they had a decent father. Maybe if Felix had seen what our dad did to our mom, he wouldn't have left with him." Dimitri's voice was agonized, his voice filled with bitter guilt and regret.
Lissa rushed to reassure him for me. "Don't think like that. Felix made the stupid decision. You would have traumatized him for life if you'd let him see. You did the right thing in letting Felix have a father figure he thought he could believe in."
Thanks, Liss. I breathed as Dimitri gave her a grateful look. God, I haven't even met Felix and I already hate him. But you know, I'm biased.
I don't hate him, but I definitely don't like him. Lissa said. Her eyes drifted over the crowd, roaming around for Felix. Next to him was that Anna girl or whatever, twisted around in her seat and giving Lissa a glare of unabashed hatred. Lissa blinked in surprise.
Instead of turning away, the girl's lips turned into a sneer and her eyes narrowed. The hatred in her gaze grew stronger.
What the hell? Lissa said, stunned. I've never met that girl, how can she hate me?
Geez what crawled up her ass? I said lazily. This stupid Moroi girl did not bug me. I could easily beat her up. You want me to take care of her?
Lissa was uncertain. No…
Fine. I huffed. But she was bugging me.
Dimitri touched her shoulder. "Princess, it's time for the Promise Mark Ceremony. Headmaster Lazar has agreed to give you and Christian your guardians right away so we can leave as quickly as possible. Make sure you're ready to vouch for Rose."
Yea, and he better not forget to second your little speech. I said snarkily. Remind him, will you?
"Dimitri, I'm apparently Rose's messenger. Don't forget to second my appeal." Lissa said slowly, rolling her eyes.
Dimitri nodded. "I won't forget." He promised. "This way, Princess, Christian." He led us to the gym. The gym at St. Basil's was almost identical to the one at St. Vlad's, with the exception of the weights and sparring mats in switched positions. Silently, Dimitri pointed to the first row of chairs.
We obediently sat down and watched the other students fill in the seats around us.
Headmaster Lazar stood up. "Here's a review. I will call out the name of a Moroi. Then, I will say the name of your new guardian. That new guardian will go to their respective locker room to receive their promise mark." He paused and surveyed the crowd. "Let's begin." He looked down at the paper in his hand. I guessed that it held all the assignments on it.
"Vasilisa Dragomir!" He said. "Your guardian is Rosemarie Hathaway." At my name, the novices shifted around and looked for me. I was happy to see my reputation preceded me even here. "As I understand it, Rosemarie is unable to receive her promise mark at this time because of a head injury."
Lissa stood. "Yes, Headmaster, that is correct. But, I can fully speak for Rosemarie when I say that she is 100% dedicated to the protection of Moroi at all costs. She is willing to throw herself into battle without a moment's hesitation. She is strong and able to carry out her duty well and to the best of her ability."
Dimitri stepped forward. "I, Guardian Dimitri Belikov, second that statement. Rosemarie is the most deserving novice I know of. As her mentor, I can attest to her hard work to reach this point. I can readily guarantee her devotion, commitment, and ability to protect her charge, Princess Vasilisa Dragomir."
Headmaster seemed to pretend to be considering their statements. I knew he already had his mind made up even before their statements. "Very well. I welcome Rosemarie Hathaway to the guardian ranks as Princess Dragomir's guardian." A small smattering of applause broke out.
Lissa smiled broadly. We did it. Against all odds we graduated and you're my guardian!
Relief rushed through me. Now that we were high school graduates and we would have each other for life, I knew that all would be fine. This very thing of me being Lissa's guardian had been questionable; there was absolutely no doubt that the Queen bitch hated me, all because of some supposed "affair" with her great-nephew Adrian. If only she knew the truth. She would find any reason to believe me incompetent. I can't believe it. I murmured. We've come so far . Now we're actually free. The thought of freedom excited me. Lissa and I could be together and finally, finally, news of my relationship with Dimitri could extend beyond my circle of friends after all these months of hiding it. Once I got back into my own body.
"Christian Ozera!" Christian sat up straighter. He and Lissa looked at Headmaster Lazar expectantly. Headmaster Lazar hesitated and checked his sheet, looked up with a face completely transformed by shock, the double-checked the paper.
Ohhh, shit. I thought. What went wrong now? Is Dimitri not assigned to Christian?
Lazar looked at Dimitri apologetically. I knew it then, Dimitri wasn't assigned to Christian. And it would take time to get him reassigned-time we couldn't spare.
"Dimitri Belikov and-"
Okay, thank God, that theory's out…. Wait, and? There's an and? Lissa shrieked.
Shhh, listen. I know who it is. I said intently. Only one person could have Lazar so shocked.
All of our group's eyes were resting anxiously on Lazar. He licked his lips nervously.
"Dimitri Belikov and Felix Belikov."
Okay so IMPORTANT NEWS: I am going on vacation in two days! There is no internet connection where I'm going, so I will not be able to update AT ALL for a week. I will update tomorrow and the day I leave, but then don't expect anything for a week.
Okay, yea, you all probably saw that coming. Rest assured, all will work out but this is essential to the sequel. Don't forget about Felix!
Next chapter, you're in for a major shock! I hope it's shocking at least. Ten metaphorical bucks if you can guess at least part of Felix's story.
Review please!