Disclaimer: You know the drill!



Roza's POV:

I walked into Alli's bedroom and saw her sitting on the bed. "Alli? Are you okay?"

She shook her head. "You should have let me die."

I sat down next to her. "Never in a million years."

"I ruined everyone's lives."

"Not mine." I rubbed her scar. "You are more beautiful then I could ever imagine."

"How can you say that?"

I pressed my hand against hers "Look at our scars. They match. As long as that happens, we know we are a perfect fit." I leaned in and kissed her. "Besides, red is my favorite color." I slipped on my sunglasses. "Ready?"

"What are you doing?"

"Solidarity."

Alli smiled and kissed me back. "I love you."

"I know."

We walked through the palace and to the dining room. "Roza?"

"Hmmm?"

"Will you hold my hand as we go in?"

"Of course." I felt our scars rub together. "I love you."

"Thank you for staying."

I walked her into the dining and helped her to her seat. I stepped back against the wall with the court guardians.

"Princess Roza... what are you doing?"

I looked at Tatiana. "Ma'am?"

"Why are you standing there with... the help?"

"I am Alissa Ivashkov's guardian."

"This is ludicrous."

"Thank you ma'am." I stepped back into the shadows.

"AJ, take off your sunglasses."

"Mom... I have a migraine..."

"Oh aren't you a barrel of sunshine?"

I saw Alissa's hand start to twitch. I looked at Adrian. He needed to do something...

Adrian smiled at his daughter. "Well... I think this is time for a happy announcement... AJ and Roza are together."

There were gasps all around the table, and Alli suddenly stood up. I stepped forward for safety. Her voice was low. "Actually..."

Adrian looked at her curiously. "What do you mean?"

She looked at me as she reached into her pocket. Her voice got a little stronger. "We... We are going to get married..." She held out a ring. "I hope..."

I took the ring and looked at it. "Of course." I wanted to look in her eyes and not thinking, I removed Alli's sunglasses. Big mistake. There were screams and Alissa was ripped from my arms and thrown on the ground. It seemed like 100 people were pointing stakes at her. I went into panic mode. "NO!!!!!! STOP IT!!!!! ADRIAN!!!!"

Mason's POV:

I knew something bad would happen and that is why I had Andre with me. "Now Andre!" I watched the ball of fire in his hand grow and he launched it. It wasn't enough to hurt anyone, but it was enough to get their attention. "Leave. My. Sister. Alone." I went to her side. "Are you okay? Does it hurt?"

"Roza...."

"She's fine. Are you okay?" AJ nodded and I helped her up. Everyone was staring at me from across the room. "Let me take you to the infirmary..."

"I'm okay."

"I know you are, but think about my niece or nephew." I looked around. "Yes... she is pregnant." I looked at my biological father. "Thank you for that by the way... like we didn't have it hard enough."

"You are a good brother." AJ whispered.

She was starting to sway so I took her in my arms. Even at 3 years older, she was still smaller than me. "I know I am. Just remember that when you are naming your kid." I felt her body stiffen in my arms and I tightened my grip around her waist. "Take deep breaths. It's okay." She pulled away from me and lunged at Christian.

Roza screamed. "Alli... think... think hard. This isn't you."

AJ's POV:

I stared into Christian's eyes. He didn't seem afraid. I was a little upset. I wanted to smell his fear. I lowered my mouth to his neck and saw Tasha out of the corner of my eye. I saw the scars going across her face. Suddenly, I was Alissa Janine again. I pulled away from Christian and looked into his eyes. "I'm sorry." I whispered. I jumped off him and with my head held high, I walked towards the front entrance of the palace where the sun was starting to rise. No looking back. No more hurting people. I was almost into the sun when I felt strong arms grabbing me. I turned and found myself staring at Tasha and Christian Ozera. "Go away."

"I already lost my parents to the Strigoi. I am not going to lose you too."

"I'm not afraid to kill you both."

"Yes you are. Otherwise you would have done it by now."

I started shaking. "They all hate me."

Tasha hugged me. "They don't hate you. They just don't understand."

"You do?"

"Not totally, but I want to. Can you explain it?"

"I am part Strigoi. I was bit and just slowly started changing." I took a deep breath. "I noticed that when I don't feed, my eyes get really, REALLY red."

"Let me take you to a feeder."

"I would be scared I would hurt them."

"We will show you how to do it right. Please Alissa... It hurts to look at you."

I looked at my arms that were almost as red as my hair. It didn't hurt though... maybe it was one of those weird Dhampir/Strigoi things. "Okay..." Tasha stood on one side of me and Christian on the other. "I think I'm okay on my own."

"Very cute AJ... I may want you to live, that doesn't mean I trust you." Christian looked at Tasha. "You take her to the feeders and I will get the doctor. Do not let her out of your sight."

Tasha nodded. "Right."

When Tasha and I were finally alone, I looked at her. "Out of everyone in this family, why did I have to go crazy?"

"Well, I think I have an idea as to why. Let's get some food in you and I will tell you all about it."


Cliffy much?

Anyway, I would LOVE to hear your theories!

The ring is in my profile! As are AJ and Roza's dresses.