Part 2 Chapter 29

DPOV

Songs: Un4gvn by Ruby Beardman ft. Two Beards

The council room reeked of anxiety. I could feel it pouring out of all the attendees seated around the circular table. It wasn't the usual crowd that used to attend when Victor ran them, but they had become somewhat familiar to me. Unfortunately, these meetings had also become about as useful as tits on a bull.

"Any news from Inferion," I turned to ask Tasha.

"No. I'm afraid not," she solemnly shook her head. "We sent another raven this morning but one of the scouts saw it shot down before it even made it past the pines."

"Damnit," I huffed under my breath. We had been trying to get word out to our allies for weeks but to no avail. The humans had yet to wage a serious attack again, other than a few attempted spurts to test our weaknesses, but many of them had set up stations around our perimeters and were blocking the way in or out. We tried sending messages in the dead of night as well, but the humans were diligent and always seemed to be on guard.

"What's the status of our supplies," I asked Guardian Alto. A few days prior I'd charged him with performing a detailed inventory of our food and water, a task he was less than pleased with. He claimed it was below his station and questioned my position to get a rise out of me, but honestly, I could care less what the imbecile thought and quickly shut down his protests.

"We had a healthy harvest this year and all the coups and wells are intact. We have 400 barrels of grains, 200 cases of potatoes, and about 3 dozen of each livestock." Alto read off a list in his hands.

"About or exactly? I need precise numbers Alto," I sternly pressed.

"3 dozen goats, 2 dozen cows, and 4 dozen pigs, Sir," he replied, red-faced with an angry sheen of sweat on his brow.

I ran the numbers through my head silently for a moment as I looked back down to the round table. "That should be enough to last us the winter even with the extra villagers we've taken in since the attack."

"You think they will try to wait us out all winter?" Ashford sounded surprised.

I kept my focus down and slid some pieces of parchment around. "I don't know."

Some of the attendees shuffled uncomfortably in their seats but refrained from any side comments. "Either way, we can't stay isolated that long. We need to find a way to get messages out."

I waited for someone to speak up, to hopefully share some brilliant idea we had yet to think of, but they all remained silent. I let out a low breath and finally fell back into my seat, my head pounding from lack of sleep. "We'll try again in the morning, a raven in each direction at sporadic times. If we're unsuccessful again, we'll have to try something more drastic."

"Drastic," Tasha quietly asked. "Like what?"

I didn't bother looking over to her, knowing a worried expression was most likely waiting for me. "We'll need to send a group of men out. See if they can get through one of the barriers and personally deliver a message."

It was an unpopular choice and most likely a suicide mission, but I was running out of options. We needed to preserve the men we had in case of another attack, but if the Sage King decided to come at us with his full forces and by some chance got past our walls, we'd need backup or we wouldn't survive.

Some of the group finally decided to speak up, but I wasn't in the mood to hear them argue. I held up my hand and motioned to the door, "That's all for today."

After a few moments, they scurried out one by one, finally leaving me alone with my thoughts. Or so I hoped.

The heavy door closed with a thud, but rather than being met with silence, footsteps inched their way back into the room. I looked up to see Tasha standing at the other end of the table, looking down at me with an unreadable expression. She wordlessly gazed at me for a moment, her crystal blue eyes penetrating me and making me feel slightly agitated.

"Dimka," she sighed at last, "when's the last time you slept?"

It was the same question Vasilisa had been asking me for days.

"I'm fine," I curtly replied as I gathered the loose papers together into a neat pile.

Tasha rounded the table and slowly approached my side. "No, you're not," she softly said as she placed a hand on my shoulder. Her thin hand was cold, but the gesture was warm. "You need to take a break."

I picked up the parchments and turned to face her. "I can't take a break. In case you haven't noticed we—"

Tasha's arm dropped and her voice hardened. "I wasn't asking, Dimitri."

Technically, Tasha was a Lady, a Royal Moroi with the authority to command others, but she was still a visitor in St. Vladimir's and I was now the head of the Dragomir forces. However, I really didn't feel like picking a fight and arguing over who had more power over who and decided to just give in. Besides, I was utterly exhausted and there was no way my overworked brain was going to be of any use the rest of the day anyway. So I nodded and placed the parchments back down on the table, telling myself I'd come back to look at them later.

She tilted her head towards the door in a gesture that told me to follow her and I silently obeyed. We walked down to one of the smaller dining halls and she engaged in a hushed conversation with one of the staff members as I took a seat at the dark oak table. I began drumming my fingers along the smooth surface but my mother's voice echoed in my head, telling me that showing signs of boredom or annoyance in front of company was rude. I moved my hand on top of my knee to keep myself from fidgeting and remained quiet until Tasha came to join me.

We sat there quietly for a few moments. I could tell there were some questions itching to get out of her, but Tasha was good about not pressuring me to talk when I didn't want to. It wasn't something she had always been skilled at. When we first met she was constantly trying to pull information out of me, drilling me with questions until I became annoyed with her, but she quickly learned to bide her time instead. Eventually, the servants entered the room carrying two steaming bowls of stew and a loaf of fresh bread and butter. My stomach grumbled as soon as the aromas from the food surrounded me and I realized I couldn't recall the last time I'd eaten. I thanked the young servant girl as she handed me a wooden spoon and she flashed me a shy smile before scurrying away. I took a few glutinous gulps of soup, resisting the urge to moan as the warm liquid slid down my throat and straight into my empty belly. We ate in silence, the only sounds coming from the occasional scrape of spoons against bowls until Tasha finally got up the nerve to strike a conversation.

"So, tell me. What's troubling you," she asked with a heavy dose of concern. There were about a thousand things troubling me throughout each day, but I knew that wasn't what she was asking. I took another sip of stew and tore off a piece of warm bread before answering her.

"I feel like I'm failing," I had to stop myself short before saying I feel like I'm failing her. The warm soup in my stomach slowly began churning into a familiar empty pit. "There are so many things wrong and just when I find the solution to one, three more problems fall into my lap."

"Well, maybe if you'd let someone help you, Dimitri, you wouldn't be so overwhelmed," I could sense the tiniest bit of irritance in her voice. She had been asking me for weeks to delegate some of the more time-consuming assignments to her and the other Guardians to try and relieve some of the load, but I was so buried in everything going on I couldn't see a clear path for them to jump into.

"It's not your responsibility, Tasha," I rubbed the top of my forehead, abandoning the piece of bread.

"And since when did that matter?" She stubbornly slid the remaining loaf towards me, motioning for me to eat.

I was starting to get annoyed with her pushiness but I had to admit, with each bite of food I was beginning to feel less testy and anxious than before. I dipped a piece of bread in the creamy butter and stuffed it into my mouth. Seizing the opportunity of me with a full trap, Tasha spoke up again.

"You need help, Dimka, whether you'll admit it or not, and I'm tired of seeing you suffer. We all are." I knew by we she meant Christian and Vasilisa as well. Although their methods were less forward, they had still managed to make their concerns heard. I opened my mouth to speak but the fired up Moroi cut me off. "Don't tell me for the hundredth time that you're fine. You're not. And that's okay. You don't have to tell me everything, but you don't need to pretend with me either. Maybe we can just meet halfway and you can let me find a way to help you. Even if it's something small."

I looked into her hopeful gaze and bit back the automatic responses I had been forcing out the past couple of weeks. Since finally coming to terms with the fact that Rose was gone, I shut out everything that didn't pertain to helping Vasilisa and the kingdom. It hurt too much to allow my thoughts to drift near any semblance of what used to be. I wouldn't go as far to say I had turned into a heartless prick, but unfeeling was relatively close. I thought it was better to remain as emotionless as possible in order to focus on the tasks at hand, and to maintain a clear head that especially meant keeping anything and everything that had to do with Rose out. As long as I stayed focused on what needed to be done and nothing else, I could make it through the day one hour at a time.

But as her crystal eyes settled on me, tiny bits of emotion crept their way in when I finally allowed myself to see Tasha for what she truly was in that moment. Not a royal commander, or an overbearing council member, or even a Lady of Inferion, but a friend. A friend that was desperately trying to get through to me. And as her words sunk in, I realized she was right. Despite pretending to be, I wasn't fine—and I wasn't sure if I ever would be—but so far secluding myself had only been making matters worse. I wouldn't be able to confide in her like she wanted, but if I was to turn things around for the kingdom, it was time I sought help. And Tasha was willing and ready for me to ask for it. I didn't want to send men out on a mission where their chances of coming back were slim, and maybe if Tasha and I could come up with a better plan, it would be worth letting down my barricade for a short while.

A small nod was my only response, but she knew I wouldn't offer up a hollow agreement and didn't press me for something more concrete. Not a moment later the doors to the hall swung open and familiar voices flooded the room.

"All I'm saying is the fewer people we invite, the less chance of anything going awry," Christian said as he held the door open for the Princess.

She waltzed in with her hands clutched around the fabric of her dress, lifting it up to step down the few steps of the main entrance. "I understand, but we need to keep the people's spirits high and right now their support is of the utmost importance."

They both walked over to the table and sat beside Tasha as Christian reached for a piece of bread.

"Besides," Vasilisa continued. "We both know the real reason you don't want to invite anyone to the coronation is so you don't have to dress in formal attire."

Christian swallowed down his food and turned to his betrothed with a slanted grin on his face. "That's not true. I'd be happy to wear it for you, just not the entire kingdom."

Tasha laughed at her nephew and pushed her bowl of stew over to him. Discussion around Vasilisa's coronation had been a popular topic over the past few days. We agreed that with Victor's unchanging condition and the state of the kingdom, it would be best to officially declare Vasilisa as Queen of St. Vladimir's Valley; especially now that she had accepted Christian's proposal of marriage. The three of them began discussing particulars for the ceremony and I listened intently, only supplying a response when questions around security were brought up.

I watched as the three of them smiled and indulged in their light conversation. It was nice to see Vasilisa finally somewhat at ease. My mind drifted towards how happy that would make Rose, but I quickly suppressed the thought and began mentally calculating all the possible entrances and exits of the Royal Hall. I became so engrossed and focused on my task that it took me a moment to realize their laughing had completely died. I looked over to see Vasilisa's face pale and a worried look fixed on the door.

I whipped around and rose to stand, my hand ghosting over a stake at my side, but was confused to find just a lone woman standing in the doorway. Her short red curly hair was tousled and her clothes were covered in a thin layer of snow. She must have just come in from outside, but she wasn't anyone I recognized from St. Vladimir's. I looked more closely at her to see a green sigil indicating that she represented the Szelsky family hailing in Galloway, a nearby kingdom and one of the allies we had been desperately trying to get word to.

Realization struck that she was an outsider—here, inside the castle walls—but before I could question her Vasilisa quietly rasped out, "Guardian Hathaway."

As much as I wanted to remain completely passive, I couldn't help my eyes from widening at the Princess's soft recognition. Rose had never described her mother to me, she rarely spoke of her at all really, but as I stared dumbfounded at the woman before me, their similarities suddenly became painfully clear. The confident way she stood—despite her shorter stature—, the power behind even the simplest movements as she bowed, the determined yet fierce look behind her eyes.

"Princess Dragomir," her thick Scottish accent sang as Vasilisa began making her way beside me. "It's good to see you well. I heard about the human invasion. It's a blessing to find you unscathed."

"Yes," Vasilisa shakily spoke. I couldn't tell why, but she seemed extremely uneasy around this woman. Maybe it was the fact that she was a ruthless Guardian meant to induce fear, or maybe it was seeing her dead sister's mother threatening to bring about unwelcome memories. "Our forces were successful in the initial attack. High Constable Belikov here has been diligent in his work to maintain our safety in preparation of another attempted invasion."

The red-haired woman glanced over to me as she quietly questioned, "High Constable?"

Her eyes narrowed as she slowly looked me over, but quickly realizing she wasn't sticking to protocol she gave me a curt bow of acknowledgment. "An honor to meet you Guardian Belikov. I'm Janine Hathaway."

I returned her greeting with a quick nod but didn't waste another second on anything else that could distract us. "I mean no offense, Guardian Hathaway, but how did you get in here? We've been trying to send out ravens for weeks but the grounds are surrounded by human forces. We haven't been able to find a gap in their ranks to even sneak scouts through."

Vasilisa stood a little taller as I spoke and waited for the Guardian's answer. Janine took a couple steps into the room and shrugged off her cloak and some of the snow along with it. "There are secret tunnels below the castle leading out beyond the walls."

I glanced over to Vasilisa, hoping a sense of familiarity would spark but she just stood there wordlessly, a slightly puzzled look forming on her brow.

"They were constructed decades before your father's rule and once he took over the throne, Eri—" Guardian Hathaway paused before correcting herself, "King Eric ordered them to be sealed."

"Why," Tasha questioned from behind us. I had almost forgotten that she was there.

Janine's gaze flicked over to her for a brief moment as she responded, "They were too intricate and impossible to maintain, My Lady." Then without a breath, she immediately turned her attention back to Vasilisa and me. "He feared that they could one day be used against us if the wards along the outer borders of the walls failed."

"If my father had them sealed," Vasilisa cut in, "then how did you make it through."

A sly grin ghosted over her face and my throat tightened at the familiarity of it. "I have my methods."

I swallowed down any feelings that were threatening to rise and focused on the information she was giving us. "And you're sure no one saw you?"

Janine threw her cloak down onto the table and began removing her gloves. "Other than the small group of men I brought with me, no one saw us get through. And don't worry, I completely trust them or wouldn't have bothered enlisting them in my service."

This was fantastic news. We now had a way in and out of the castle and could start getting word out to neighboring allies. A million thoughts and plans began running through my head: how many scouts we could send out at once, who we needed to contact first, strategies to be put in place, but they were all quickly replaced by one thing as Janine spoke up once again—dread.

"Now, if you don't mind Your Highness, I would like to speak to my daughter."

RPOV

Songs: Young And On Fire by BEGINNERS Night Panda, Flower by Moby

It will be fun he said. Just one drink he said.

After one drink quickly turned into two, I began to wonder why I listened to anything that came out of Adrian Ivashkov's mouth. But by the fourth, I wasn't thinking about anything other than how funny his ridiculous impressions were.

"And all the while the trumpeters exquisitely serenaded us as we made our entrance into the great hall." I snorted at Adrian's haughty accent and scrunched facial expression as he imitated his dull uncle I'd been forced to meet.

My eyes began to prick when wine threatened to shoot out of my nose. I quickly wrapped my hand around my mouth to keep the plum colored liquid from spewing out and giggled into my palm. Adrian let out a pleased laugh and carefully reached for the cup in my other hand. After relieving me of it and setting the gold tankard on the table he took a small bow and beamed at me.

Although his antics were exaggerated and oftentimes absurd, the wine in my belly was quickly warming my cheeks and lightening my spirits. I gave him mock applause, letting my laughter finally die down.

"You're pretty good at that Ivashkov," I returned his smile.

"Why thank you, your Highness. I only live to serve."

I rolled my eyes at him and reached back for my abandoned cup. Adrian stepped in front of me before I could grasp it and began to guide me away from the table.

"I think that's enough for now, Little Dhampir," he lightly said.

I looked up to him, holding in a hiccup that threatened to invade my throat. "Hey! That's not fair. You've had at least twice as many as me and your cup is still full."

I reached across him towards the cup in his hand but he deftly moved it out of reach before I could get my fingers on it.

"True," he glanced over at me out of the corner of his eye, "but I am far more experienced in the art of wine consumption and it appears you are a bit of a lightweight." He accentuated his point by poking the tip of my nose with his finger.

"I'm—hiccup—not a lightweight," I stammered, swatting away his hand.

"Oh really," Adrian let out a low chuckle causing my brow to scrunch at him. I stopped walking and continued to stare him down. Noticing I was no longer beside him he stopped his casual pace and turned to face me. When he noticed the face I was making his amused expression began to fade.

"So it's pouting you've resorted to? You really think that's going to work with me, Little Dhampir?"

I stood my ground, refusing to budge an inch—although the sudden stop in movement was making me feel slightly wobbly in place. Adrian looked at me speculatively, trying to meet my stare but eventually, he caved and let out a long sigh.

"Fine," he conceded. "We'll play for it."

"Play," I questioned, unsure if I'd heard him correctly.

"Yes. We'll play a game. If I win, I get to keep my cup. If you win, it's all yours," he smiled at me with that wicked smirk he sometimes adorned and I sensed a hint of trickery behind his offer.

"Why do I get the feeling that this game is going to play out in your favor," I irritably muttered.

"Don't be so pessimistic, Rose. I haven't even explained the rules yet," Adrian insisted with conviction.

I rolled my entire head instead of just my eyes this time but agreed nonetheless. "Ugh okay. How do we play?"

"Let's see," Adrian rubbed his chin with his free hand as he inspected the crowd. "First we have to find a—"

Suddenly, the blaring sounds of horns filled the room and my hands shot up to my ears in surprise. I looked around nervously to see that everyone else seemed completely at ease, almost as if they were expecting it. Was this hideous sound some form of entertainment?

As one, the crowd began moving towards the front of the room and I looked up to Adrian in question. "What's happening?"

"Ah, our beloved Queen has finally decided to grace us with her presence," he craned his neck above the crowd as a warm smile played on his lips. The mention of any and every other family member in this place had granted no more than a sneer from Adrian, but as he guided us towards the grand stage where the Queen was perched that warm smile only grew. Then suddenly, my thoughts were pulled away from his affection towards their ruler and back to the fact that Tatiana was here. She's actually here.

Remembering my original goal in attending this soiree in the first place had me darting from our position as fast as I could, forcing my way between the Moroi to the front of the crowd. I heard Adrian quietly calling me from behind, but I was on a mission and didn't bother turning back. Once I reached the front I was finally able to get a good look at her. She was obviously regal, adorned with dark rubies and gold plated jewelry to compliment her full, beige dress, but there was something else about her that made her appear sort of...sanctimonious. She had an expression on her seasoned face that said "don't fuck with me" and seemed to look down at everyone over her nose rather than directly in their face. However, no one really seemed bothered by it. If anything, they practically welcomed her imperious attitude.

Rather than dawn on it for too long though, I reminded myself that I didn't have to like her, I just had to get information out of her. A brief ceremony commenced where the other Ivashkovs recited some words and I tried my best not to fidget impatiently as I shifted from foot to foot. As members of the family approached her one by one to unload their grievances, my nervous movements started causing my stomach to churn. The wine was no longer sitting well inside me and I was growing more anxious by the minute.

When the next guy stood up to ask Tatiana to approve him taking a few extra Guardians back to his castle so he could have them assist with moving furniture into his new, grand dining hall, I'd had enough.

"Excuse me, Your Majesty," I called loudly out to the stage. Heads whipped around towards my voice complete with wide green eyes that quickly narrowed when they fell upon my face. Tatiana, the person whose attention I wanted most, was the last to turn her crown of dark gray hair in my direction.

"I beg your pardon," I took a wobbly step forward before righting myself and straightening my back to appear more confident in my actions. "I was hoping to—"

"My pardon is not the one you should be asking for," her stiff voice stopped me short. "Prince Rufus was in the middle of an inquiry before you so brutally interrupted him."

I angled myself to face the rankled Moroi man beside her and dipped in a small curtsy. "I deeply apologize Prince Rufus," I dryly spat out before turning my attention back to the Queen. "But I have a matter of grave importance to breach and I fear it cannot wait another moment. It's in regard to—"

"What is your name, girl," the Queen's sharp words cut me off once again.

"Rose Hathaway," I was becoming irritated with the old bat and gave her a response before even thinking to use my full title. But it turned out to be pointless anyway.

"Ah, the Dhampir Princess from St. Vladimir's Valley." The Queen moved her intricate dark gray braid over her shoulder as an arrogant smile formed on her face. "It's a shame your royal sister could not join you. I would have been more than pleased to make her acquaintance."

I pushed down the urge to shout at her that I didn't arrive here by choice and decided to stick to a topic that seemed to interested her instead. "Actually, my inquiry involves my sister. You see, I've been away from her for quite some time now without the means to reach her. I need to get word to her and see if the kingdom is alright."

The Queen brought a jeweled hand up to her chin as she let out a contemplative hum. "Yes, I remember hearing something about humans attacking the castle. But fear not, Miss Hathaway, I'm sure the great walls of St. Vladimir's will hold out any threatening force. You of all people should know of their strength."

She began to turn her attention back towards the narrow-minded Prince but I wasn't letting her brush me off that easily.

"Your Majesty please," I rushed the stage causing some of the Guardians behind her to charge to her side with their hands wrapped around their weapons' sheaths. "I fear my sister could be in danger. I have to get word to her. You must know a way."

Tatiana stared at me, her green eyes filled with a tangible harshness that had me seeing another side of her that probably should have scared me, but instead only tempted me. After a long pause, she finally held up one of her hands, motioning for the Guardians to stand down and relaxed her stiff gaze. "As you well know, messages to St. Vladimir's kingdom have been consistently intercepted. There is no point in wasting more of our resources until they clean up this mess they've started with the humans."

"So that's it," I gritted through my teeth, letting my anger fuel the hint of hers I had just seen. "You're giving up even attempting to reach out to them without trying something else? You're the Queen of the Western Isles for crying out loud! You're really going to let a bunch of unorganized humans outsmart you?"

Tatiana finally rose from her perch as a simultaneous gasp swept the crowd. I'd probably just lost any chance I had at gaining the Queen's good favor, but hoped that my desperate attempt at goading her would get me what I wanted. However, it looked like I would be sorely disappointed as she began to speak.

"Do not forget your place, girl. I know that your father took it upon himself to anoint you a Princess of the Dragomir line, but as you have so clearly shown today you don't know the first thing about behaving like one. I had hoped Lady Daniela could provide you with the proper guidance but it appears I am too trusting."

A couple snickers echoed beside me at her steely words. Tatiana could say whatever she wanted about me and it would go unfazed, but realizing that I had unknowingly brought shame upon Daniela was a bit of a slap in the face. Sure, the woman annoyed me to no end and I wouldn't exactly say I was all that fond of her, but she'd been trying to take care of me in her own way. Rather than fire back at the old bitch, I held my tongue in hopes it would avoid any more backlash Daniela may receive.

Pleased by my placidness she continued. "You are guest here, so it is only custom to continue to provide you with food and shelter, but if you wish to remain here you will fall in line." My shoulders went stiff at the idea of her kicking me out without any means to get home or any help getting word to my family first.

"We are not obligated to go out of our way to serve your petulant demands. As you can see," she gestured to the room, "I have a kingdom of subjects to rule and my obligation is to them, not some foreign Dhampir Princess. However," that one word had my heart leaping in my chest. Even after all the subtle threats she had just made, the dramatic pause had me internally pleading that she was going to make an exception despite my poor behavior. "Although I cannot assist you with your needs, perhaps one of my loyal subjects would take the time out of their busy schedule and offer their resources to you. Do we have any volunteers?"

A catty smile crawled across her cheeks as she addressed the crowd. I turned around, my eyes desperately scanning the room for someone who would offer to help me, but the same snickers and chuckles as before were the only things filling the air. They were mocking me. Tatiana knew that none of these people would help me. Hell, they probably wouldn't agree to help anyone unless it benefited them to do so, and after the display Tatiana had just made of me there was no way any of them saw me as a valuable asset. I whipped back around towards the stage as the Ivashkovs' laughter increased to see Tatiana staring at me with wicked delight. Flames of rage erupted inside me and I opened my mouth to curse the Queen's name, when a calm voice rose above the cackling crowd.

"I'll do it."

The laughter died along with Tatiana's amusement. The crowd parted near where the voice had come from, but I still couldn't see over the masses. Moroi began shuffling away from each other then back together as someone began moving towards the stage and I took some steadying breaths to try and tame my temper. Only when he was a few feet away did I finally see who had decided to come to my aid and I had to grind my teeth together to keep my jaw from falling to the ground.

"Aunt Tatiana," Adrian greeted once he'd reached the stage. "You are as kind as you are wise to grant our lovely guest with an opportunity so few others have the honor of receiving."

Honor? Kind? Was he out of his mind? Before I could even react to his degrading words, I felt his fingers lightly wrap around my forearm, giving it a gentle squeeze. I looked down towards it, but he released his contact before I could even manage a glance. I realized it was a sign, it was him telling me to trust him and keep my mouth shut. Even though it was the absolute last thing I wanted to do, I decided to give him a shot...at least until he did something to piss me off.

Tatiana's smile returned at his flattery so he continued. "Since it seems no one else has the decorum to indulge in your thoughtful bid, I will take it upon myself to honor your word and help the Dhampir Princess."

My eyes shot to him at the mention of my royal title. Tatiana had used it to mock me, but when Adrian spoke it he seemed to be regarding me with respect.

"Adrian, my dear," Tatiana spoke to him in a gentle voice, something I never would have expected to come out of her. She suddenly seemed more genuine than her interactions with the other family members and I briefly thought back to the admiring look he wore when she first entered the hall. It was a strange notion, but maybe the two of them had a deeper relationship than the others in the room. "As much as I appreciate your gallant sacrifice, do not think just because the two of you are—"

Adrian quickly cut her off, which I would have expected to aggravate her, but the Queen remained calm as he rushed on. "Aunt Tatiana don't trouble yourself. You have enough to worry about without your great nephew adding to the pile. Let me take this burden from you. It would be an honor."

An affectionate smile formed on her wrinkled face as she leaned down and lowered her voice to a volume that I was sure only he and I could hear. "I will always worry about you, Adrian." I couldn't understand how this woman who was publicly berating me in front of an entire room was now acting as an adoring grandmother would to her favorite kin. Before I could dawn on it for too long she quickly straightened up and addressed the room once again. "Nonetheless I will accept your offer."

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Adrian said with a quick bow.

As soon as Tatiana turned her attention back to Prince Rufus, Adrian snatched my arm and pulled me away from the crowd. Once we were near, what I assumed was the front entrance to the hall, I expected him to give me an explanation of what was going on, but before either of us could get out a word I was met with another Ivashkov's dark, scornful glare. Lady Daniela.


A/N: We finally have a full DPOV in Part 2 where he's not too wrapped up in his depression to reveal what's going on back in St. Vlad's. I know some of you have been wondering when Janine was going to enter the story, and here she is! Her part may have been cut a little short in this chapter, but it won't be the last time we hear from her. And speaking of overbearing, slightly bitchy broads...Tatiana makes her first appearance as well. I couldn't help but make her as arrogant as possible lol. Needless to say, her and Rose's first interaction didn't go so well. Hope you guys enjoyed the chapter. Things will start moving a little faster once a couple more details are nailed down ;)

Thanks for reading!