Dimitri was kissing me awake.
"Come on Roza? Let's go train!"
"Ugh," I groaned. I was so tired.
"Come on baby, you know how good you'll feel afterward," he promised.
Opening one bleary eye, I saw Dimitri in his workout pants.
"I've got another idea how you could make me feel good," I teased.
Dimitri chuckled.
"Wasn't last night enough for you?!"
Last night had been fun. He'd been in such a playful mood, which was surprising given the information we'd just received. We'd had sex, laughed, at one stage he decided to tickle me, and finally we'd fallen asleep relaxed and happy.
"Alright then," I grumbled, rolling out of bed and walking to the bathroom and then to our closet, emerging minutes later in workout clothes. Coming out of our suite we bumped into Alberta and Mom who were also in training gear, and the four of us headed downstairs to the gym. After warming up, we spent an hour helping Dimitri run the Guardians through spar maneuvers. If the Guardians felt embarrassed having three female Dhampir, one not yet promised, running them through their paces under Dimitri's watchful eye, they knew better than to mention it.
Mom and I decided to do some weights while Dimitri and Alberta were sparring with some other Guardians. Mom was lifting, and I was spotting her.
"So. Another bombshell last night. You're having a lot thrown at you at the moment," she observed.
"Yeah, I know. In some ways, I'm not surprised. I mightn't have known what it was called, but I already had a feeling that what Dimitri and I have is exceptional. And it kind of makes me feel better to know that giving in to being with him wasn't selfish or weak. We really do belong together," I finished, smiling.
Mom looked up at me appraisingly.
"You know the more I see you two together, the more I can appreciate that," she admitted.
"So what's going on with you and Baba?" I asked her, after carefully looking around to make sure there wasn't anyone else within earshot. "You were both very friendly last night?"
"Well, that's complicated, too," Mom sighed. "He's asked me to consider retiring and coming to live with him," she said.
"Wow! Are you considering it?" I asked, very surprised.
"Yes, I am. He only asked me last night, so I haven't had a lot of time to mull it over. I've been a Guardian or training to be a Guardian my whole life, Rosemarie. It's hard to imagine any other future. But I'm also starting to feel the need for a change," she said. "And I still love Abe very much. Our timing wasn't right eighteen years ago, but maybe it's the right time now?"
"It's a big decision," I said encouragingly.
"It is. And not one that needs to be made quite yet. I told him I'd let him know my decision after your graduation. Speaking of which, your father is making arrangements for us to visit the school and work out the details for your return to classes. The plan is we'll all fly in on Friday, meet with Kirova, and then return here with your friends. We'll celebrate your birthday over the weekend, and we'll fly back in time to resume classes on Monday."
"Do you think she'll go along with the plan? Kirova I mean?"
Mom laughed, "Rosemarie, you've obviously never seen your father in action. He's quite the negotiator when he wants something." Thinking back to my initial meeting with Abe, I could see Mom had a point. At that moment Dimitri came over and wrapped his arms around me from behind, kissing my head and nodding at Mom.
"Oh Dimitri, Pavel asked me to tell you he's arranged for the tailor to come around 2 pm to fit us for Mazur Guardian uniforms. Abe thinks it will help when we meet Kirova if we're visibly different to the Academy Guardians."
"Are uniforms custom fitted?" I asked. I was yet to earn my own proper Guardian uniform.
"Not the usual ones," Dimitri said. "You just pick the closest size, and they never fit right," he grumbled.
"Probably explains why Baba's Guardians look better dressed than the Court Guardians," I observed. While seeing Dimitri in his uniform could do funny things to me at the best of times, I have to say I was really looking forward to seeing him in one of the Mazur uniforms.
"Your father has also said he wants you and Lissa to order more clothing this afternoon. He wants you to go back to school with the best of everything."
"Mom? I'm a Dhampir, not a Princess. No one cares what I look like, or what bag I carry."
"That's not true, Rosemarie. Your father and I have discussed it, and we believe it will be easier to sell the idea of a rich, overprotective father insisting on a private guard for his daughter if you look the part."
"Meh. It's his money. I'm sure Lissa will have no problem helping me spend it," I said with a laugh, already imagining Lissa's reaction when I told her we'd be online shopping with a virtually unlimited credit card.
After that, Mom and Alberta sparred. Again it was close, but this time Alberta was the victor. Reaching up to grasp Alberta's outstretched hand after the 'kill' Mom was laughing.
"You got me that time, Petrov! How about we go best of three? Again tomorrow?"
"You're on!" Alberta laughed, helping Mom to her feet.
Walking back upstairs with Dimitri, I asked whether he was excited about new uniforms.
"I am. I know you're not Moroi, but the idea of me being your Guardian makes sense to me. It just feels right. A different uniform might help everyone else see that," he said.
"Can I be there while they fit them?" I asked flirtatiously.
"If you want, milaya," Dimitri replied with a gorgeous smile.
"I want," I confirmed, jumping up and wrapping my arms around his neck, legs around his hips and letting him carry me the last few steps into our bedroom, much to the amusement of the Guardians flanking our doors. Dutifully at ten to ten, I stopped our heavy make-out session to get ready for breakfast with Abe and Lissa.
"You're killing me here, Roza," Dimitri moaned, referring to the sizable bulge in his pants. Leaning over to rub it while I gave him a lingering kiss, I promised Dimitri I'd take care of the situation later. Shaking his head at me and laughing, we got changed into casual wear and came down to breakfast. Lissa was already there, and I was surprised to see Adrian was too.
"Don't you even have the decency to be hung over?" I asked him.
"Who said I'm not," Adrian grumbled. "If you and lover-boy are going to sit together, please try and not touch, alright?" he asked. Of course, Dimitri immediately grabbed my hand and kissed it, looking into my eyes suggestively.
"Wah!" grumbled Adrian, whipping out some sunglasses and putting them on.
Abe didn't look a huge deal better when he came down the stairs with Mom not long after.
"Overindulge last night did we old man?" I joked.
"I guess I'm not as young as I used to be," he nodded. Mom's lips were pursed, but as far as I could tell it was in amusement."Rose? Did your mother tell you about the shopping?"
"Shopping?" Lissa's head shot up with excitement.
"Yeah. Apparently, I need a whole new wardrobe."
"No argument from me there," Lissa said sweetly. "I've been trying to get her to buy nice things for years!"
I didn't want to point out I'd never had money to buy nice things before, so instead, I said "Well looks like all your dreams are coming true then, Liss! We can't go to the shops, but Baba gave me a credit card so we can online order."
"You'll need at least three formal dresses," Mom said. "Something for your graduation, something for the end of year dance and of course something for your birthday."
"So what're the plans for your birthday?" Lissa asked.
"Honestly, I'm not sure. Maybe just a nice dinner here at home? It's just going to be us plus Eddie and Christian," I said. "Speaking of Christian, does he know where you are?" I gasped, realizing Lissa hadn't once contacted Christian to let her know she was ok.
"Yes. Christian knows Lissa's ok and she's with you," Adrian piped up. "Lissa had me tell him, but I didn't give any details," he promised.
"Tell him how?" Abe asked. I noticed Dimitri look up in interest too.
"I sleep walked him," Adrian said absentmindedly, sipping his coffee.
"Sleep walked?" Abe repeated.
"Yeah. I went into his dreams. Didn't Rose tell you about it? I do it with hers all the time."
Crap. Crap. Crappity crap.
"Is that so my love?" Dimitri turned to me, one eyebrow raised.
"Yeah, he's done it a couple of times," I mumbled.
"So just what does this 'sleep walking' entail?" Dimitri asked, his voice hard, his eyes fixed on Adrian.
"Um… Well, the subject has to be asleep, and basically, I slip into their dreams and talk with them."
"So they're dreaming about you?"
"More dreaming with me," Adrian clarified. "I usually pick a location, but sometimes their subconscious picks the place. And then it's like we're there together."
Dimitri was looking angrier by the second.
"And does the subject get a choice in this?"
"Well not really," Adrian admitted. "Although if they get angry enough it's usually enough to wake them so yeah in some ways, I guess?"
"And who do you usually do this with? Lissa? Christian? Eddie?"
"Um well, usually just Rose," Adrian admitted.
"Roza?" he said, turning back to me "How often does he do this to you?"
"Not often," I whispered. "It's not like you think it is."
"I don't know how to think it is!" Dimitri said quietly, putting his napkin on the table and standing up. "Excuse me," he said formally to the assembled company, "I have some business to attend to in the gym. Janine? Please let me know when the tailors are ready for me."
I stood to follow him, but he turned around shaking his head and holding his hand up.
"Don't," he warned, before turning and walking off purposely towards the gym.
"I'm so sorry," Adrian said, truly apologetic. "I didn't realize he didn't know."
"Why didn't you tell him?" Lissa asked. I could see Mom and Abe watching, also waiting for an answer.
"Because I knew this is how he'd react!" I hissed. "Adrian's already such a sore point with Dimitri."
"Why?" Mom asked.
"Because he pursued me when Dimitri already loved me but wasn't in a position to act on it. How do you think he felt to see a rich, single, handsome, well-connected man make advances on me when he couldn't tell me how he felt, and couldn't act on his feelings even if he did? It tortured him."
"So you think I'm handsome then?" Adrian joked, trying to introduce some levity into the situation.
"Fuck off Adrian" I grumbled. "Mom? Can you please go down there and make sure he's ok? He's probably beating up the punching bag, but get him to wear gloves and shin pads if you can. And if he does happen to listen, tell him I'm sorry, and I love him, and I'll explain when he's ready," I said with a sigh. Mom nodded, standing up and heading towards the gym. "There's no point me going down there. He'll come back up when he's ready. Liss? Want to choose some dresses and school stuff?" I asked flatly.
"Sure!" Lissa replied, with a misguided attempt at enthusiasm.
"I'm really sorry, Rose," Adrian apologized. "I knew it irritated Dimitri when I went after you. If I'm honest, I enjoyed that aspect. It was fun trying to get under his cool Guardian demeanor. I didn't appreciate the depth of feelings you had for one another until later on. And the last laugh is his. You willing shared your soul with him- all I get is occasionally being able to play messenger boy when I barge my way into your dreams," he added bitterly.
And then I felt like an asshole to him, too.
"I'm sorry Adrian. I should have warned you he didn't know. It's my fault for not telling him." Turning to Lissa I said, "Come on. Let's go get the laptop from Suzanne." Looking to Abe, I continued with my apologies. "Sorry, Baba. Hopefully, we can have a meal together sometime soon without drama happening," I joked ruefully.
Abe looked at me and smiled.
"Rose? Remember Dimitri is still a young man coming to terms with the intense love you share. By all accounts, your road together hasn't been easy. Of course, he worries. Even the most invincible man is easily brought to his knees by the woman he loves," he reminded me.
Giving Abe a quick hug, Lissa and I headed to the kitchen to find Suzanne.
"Can I have the laptop, please? Baba wants me to buy more clothes for school." Nodding, Suzanne headed to a cupboard off to the side of the kitchen.
"Did you see Dimitri by any chance?" I asked hopefully.
"Yes I did," she said sympathetically. "He's down in the gym now with Pavel."
"Ok," I said in a small voice. It was good Pavel was with him. He was a level-headed guy. "Let's go shopping then Lissa," I said, in a voice completely devoid of interest.
Back on the third floor, Lissa was looking around our suite in open-mouthed appreciation.
"This is incredible, Rose!" she gasped, standing near the windows overlooking the ocean. "I can't believe your Dad owns a place like this!"
"Apparently it's the smallest of his houses," I said. "He has others in Russia and Turkey and Hong Kong."
"So you and Dimitri really sleep here together?" she asked shyly.
I nodded, my eyes flicking to the side of the bed where he usually slept.
"I was so upset the night of the Strigoi attack, I wouldn't let him leave me," I all but whispered. "He bathed and fed me. Suzanne made a bed for him on the couch, but I needed him beside me. So he wrapped me in his arms and kept me safe while I slept. That was the first night, and he's kept me in his arms every night since."
Lissa looked at me sadly, knowing the disclosure at breakfast was still troubling me.
"Come on, let's buy you some amazing dresses."
Much like the way Suzanne directed me the first time, Lissa helped me choose what I needed this time. Lissa had a lot of practical suggestions. I'd be completing my Guardian training, so I needed sports bras, leggings, crop tops and other training necessities. She also chose gorgeous leather training bags, designer water bottles, and new sports shoes. In fact, pretty much everything I'd need, she selected for me.
I'd also be sharing a room with my mother, so a robe and some more pajamas were in order. For practicality, we chose a strapless dress for my promise and graduation ceremony, a gorgeous cocktail dress for my eighteenth, and a pretty enough rose-colored dress for the end of year dance. Of course, every dress needed shoes to match.
"Get the heels, Rose," Lissa pleaded. "Your man is six foot seven. You need to have the sexy high-heeled shoes to match the dresses so you look right together. It won't look right if you're not in killer heels."
"What if he isn't there with me, Lissa? He looked so hurt before, maybe he won't forgive me?" I said with my voice breaking.
"Of course he forgives you," I heard a welcome voice with a Russian accent say from the doorway behind me. "Buy the damned shoes, Roza," he grumbled, heading to the closet and picking some clothes for himself before heading to the bathroom and closing the door.
Dimitri finished his shower just as we were finishing entering the credit card details for the last of our purchases. Walking out wearing a pair of black cargo pants, and nothing else, he was toweling his wet hair. Leaning down, he gave me a lingering kiss.
"I hope you had a good time ladies?" he inquired.
"Yes very," Lissa replied. I could see her looking at him, taking in his muscled shoulders, amazing arms, and sculpted abs. He nodded to her, turning to get a hair tie from his nightstand. That's when she saw his magnificent back.
'Oh hell!' she said through the bond 'Yeah, I really see the appeal.'
I looked at her and winked before hugging her and asking, "Can you take the laptop back to Suzanne please Lissa?"
"Uh ha!" she said giving me a meaningful look, taking the laptop and saying "see you later Dimitri," before exiting our room, closing the door behind her.
Walking over to the doors, Dimitri bolted them behind her. Looking at him uncertainly, I started, "I'll tell you whatever you want to know about it…"
"I don't care, Roza. I trust you. If you didn't tell me, then it's because there was no need for me to know. We can talk about it later, but right now we have an hour before the tailor arrives to fit my new uniform. I'd like to spend the time continuing what we started before," Dimitri said with a sexy gaze, putting his arms around my waist and lowering his lips to mine.