RPOV.
We waited in the house for what seemed like an age before somebody came to give us news of Adrian's condition. Each face displayed the same emotions of fear, worry and apprehension as we sat in silence, everyone too tense to speak. My hand remained clamped in Dimitri's as though neither of us could function without the touch of the other. Just his presence was enough to comfort me and keep me as calm as I could be given the situation. As I gazed over the faces of my children a pang of sorrow registered in my heart, followed by a surge of protectiveness as I watched their pale faces, determined to do whatever it took to make them feel happiness again.
Eventually some of our misery was relieved when a guardian knocked on the door and entered the house. His face was dead pan and gave nothing away, exactly how a guardian was trained to look. Before he could even get into the room or sit down he was hounded with questions from Caleb and Daisy—both desperate to hear news on their father. Violet remained sitting, her face neutral but I could see in her eyes that she needed answers too. The guardian—whose name was Joseph—stood and looked over each of us in turn; "Queen Vasilisa wishes me to inform you that she, and the guardians involved, have tried tirelessly to help Mr Ivashkov."
"And?" Caleb asked impatiently before Joseph could continue. Violet slid her hand into his in attempt to calm both him and herself.
"They managed to stake him with a spirit infused stake, just as Mr Belikov described. From what we have seen it has been successful but we will need to keep him under close observation for a while…" Joseph was forced to trail off as nobody was listening anymore. I felt a smile spread across my face as Dimitri sighed with relief and the kids laughed in happiness.
Adrian was back. He was okay.
"When can we see him?" Daisy questioned before walking towards me and hugging me tightly. She gazed up at me with her emerald eyes, eyes exactly like Adrian's were once again. Carefully she lifted a hand and wiped it across my cheek, catching a tear that I didn't even realise had escaped.
"In a moment we'll be moving him to a private room where he can be monitored. I expect that you'll be able to see him there; we'll send someone to collect you." Joseph said before standing up and making his exit.
"Thank you!" I called after him before turning to my family. I could see the tears of relief on my face reflected on Violet's as she hugged Dimitri before turning to me.
"We've got him back now, mom" she smiled. "Right, dad?" She looked at Dimitri—the only person who knew how Adrian could be saved and if would work.
"I believe so," he said solemnly. His confirmation was enough to make me hope without guilt that everything would be alright again.
For the next hour we waited in building eagerness to be able visit Adrian. Images of his Strigoi form plagued me as I tried to fight them down. It had been my fault that this had happened to him, that we had been taken. But he was back now, and it was over. My anticipation only grew as we made our way to where they were keeping him. Two guardians were stood outside by the doors and I didn't doubt there were more surrounding the area and plenty inside. We were lead through a short corridor before coming to a halt outside a metal door. The door was opened and the kids cautiously walked through. I turned and saw Dimitri taking a step back against the wall. "I'll wait outside, it's better if only close family go in right now," he explained. I smiled slightly and squeezed his hand before walking into the room.
The entire room was white and definitely seemed to be aiming for a 'minimalist' theme. I saw Lissa sat in an armchair beside a bed that looked like it had been stolen from the nearby hospital. Violet, Caleb and Daisy were crowded on the bed, surrounding Adrian who was grinning and hugging each of them. He looked up at my entrance, "Rose," he breathed. The way he said my name brought all my feeling of guilt to the surface and I ran over to him.
"Oh, Adrian. I'm so sorry," I told him as I pulled him into a tight embrace. Tears leaked out of my eyes once more as I thought back to what had happened to us at Victor Dashkov's hand. Adrian hugged me back firmly.
"Shhh, Rose," he soothed. "It wasn't your fault, you helped save me. Thank you." He looked behind me and frowned "where's Belikov? I kinda wanted to talk to him, since he knows about… this."
"He's outside; I can get him if you want?" I offered. Adrian hugged me again before nodding and letting me go and collect Dimitri.
The two of them talked for ages. I stood in wonder and watched the men that I loved immerse in conversation about their experience. Any animosity held between them previously seemed to have been dissolved by their mutual understanding and experience. Like me, Violet watched them, a small smile on her face. I wrapped an arm around her and kissed the top of her head before turning to the men. "I think that we should leave you two to it for a while," I smiled. "You have a lot to talk about, and I think some of us really need some sleep," I gave a pointed look at Daisy. She looked at me and made a reluctant move to leave. "We'll visit again in the morning, I promise."
Each of the children said their goodbyes to Adrian before standing back. I kissed Dimitri on the forehead before hugging Adrian again. "See you later," I smiled at them both.
AN: Sorry I haven't updated in so long, please review!