Hey everyone. Thanks for the wonderful reviews.
I noticed that Fanfiction doesn't always bump up one of my favorite stories when the author, maxiemoose, updates a chapter. So, if you haven't read Why Me?, do yourself a favor and find it. There are so many wonderful stories that are out there, but for some reason, I haven't seen this one at the top of the list recently and I don't want anyone to miss out on such a good story.
I don't own Vampire Academy.
Rose POV
I can't believe it didn't work. Strigoi Adrian still walks the Earth. And the fact that he is now buddy buddy with Ezekiel is not comforting. At least it is offically NOT my eighteenth birthday anymore, so there is no immediate danger that they will try to turn me. Amazingly, our side suffered only minor injuries, no casualties. Since we're students, we didn't have to help clean up the entire mess, except Dimitri, and Rose Ann who offered to help. The rest of us went to Lissa's room to try and relax. Lissa was still a little freaked out, so I wanted to stay as close to her as I could till she calmed down. Of course, Jacob wouldn't shut up about what happened.
"That was totally the coolest thing I ever did. Did you see me out there? I was like 'take that you undead bastard'." he says while jestering with his hands how he threw flames at the Strigoi. How old is he, six? He's lucky it turned out the way it did. I know all too well how it can go horribly wrong.
"Yes, Jacob, we are all very proud of you, but can you do us all a favor and shut the hell up?" I yell at him. His incessant blabbering is giving me a headache and not helping Lissa's nerves. He looks at me shocked.
"Sorry Chickie. I'm just still riding the high from all that adreneline. Do you know how many girls I'm going to impress when they find out I'm a big, bad, flame-throwing Strigoi killer? Man, this is going to be fun." What a sleaze. I was liking him before he opened his big mouth. And why does he insist on giving me these stupid nicknames?
"So you and Belikov are getting hitched, huh?" Christian asks while putting an arm around my shoulder and leading me over to where Lissa is sitting. He must have noticed the look on my face that said 'Jacob needs to bleed'.
"Oh my goodness, Rose. We need to start planning. Have you guys set the date yet? Where should we have the services? Does he have a big family? Are you going to invite your Mom? Whose going to walk you down the aisle? What are your colors...".
"Lissa! Maybe if you took a breath I can answer a question. Now, one at a time." We spend the next few hours making wedding plans. I don't really care too much, but I know it makes Lissa happy. I let her do most of it, I just get to use my veto power when she goes a little overboard. "I draw the line at swans. You know animals don't like dhampirs. And no releasing of doves either. I just want something small and simple. We could get married buck naked in a field for all I care. I just want to make Dimitri my husband." I smile.
"Thanks Rose. I really needed that visual in my head." Christian cringes at the mental image of the two of us sans clothes. Of course, Jacob had to add his two cents.
"Maybe you two could get married in those chicken getups in someone's barn. Dimitri could be the rooster and you the hen." He laughs.
"Only if you're in a horse costume. Alex can be the head and you could be the back. You know, 'cause you're a horse's ass." I can play this game too.
"Alright, what about Lissa?" He continues.
"Oh, I want to be a swan. They're so pure and graceful." Lissa pipes up. This game is really ridiculous but at least it has taken her mind of this morning's events. "What about Christian?"
"Isn't it obvious? I'm a bull." he puffs his chest out for Lissa who giggles and gently punches him in the arm.
"Nah. I think I see you more as a goat. You know, stuborn and always butting heads." I taunt. He just sneers at me while Lissa pats his shoulder reassuringly.
"You'll always be a bull to me, honey." she tells him. The rest of us just start laughing and rolling on the ground. When we finally calm down enough to talk, we continue.
"What about Peter?" Jacob asks.
"Hmm. I think he can be a dog. Very loyal, hard-working and sensitive." I think that fits him well. Peter smiles at me, liking his animal. "Okay, Rose Ann next. What could she be?" Alex suggests one without much thought.
"She can be a fox, sexy and confident." he has a big grin on his face and a far away look. I'll have to talk to them later to find out what exactly is going on between the two of them. But fox?
"No way. If anyone is going to be a sexy fox at my wedding, it will be me, thank you." You can't upstage the bride. "How about a cat. They're quick and agile, always killing mice like guardians kill Strigoi." Alex nods at the compromise.
"Whose left? Oh, we can't leave out Adrian. That one is obvious. He's a peacock. Vain, pompous and always strutting where ever he goes like he owns the place. Do you like that Adrian?" I know he can't answer back but I want him to know I haven't forgotten him.
"Don't forget all the colors, like the auras he sees." adds Peter. We all let a silence fall over the room as we think about Adrian and what we still need to do for him. The moment is interupted when Dimitri and Rose Ann come walking through the door. He walks right over to me a plants a big kiss right on my lips. It feels so good not to have to hide anymore. I notice Rose Ann make a bee line right to Alex and sit right next to him on the couch. His face just lit up when she walked in the room. I'm glad he found someone that makes him happy. Now we just need to find someone for Peter and Adrian. I don't want to subject some poor girl to Jacob just yet. He still needs some work.
"You three" Dimitri points to Alex, Jacob and Peter. "should be getting to your dorm rooms now. It's almost curfew." They all get up to leave, including Rose Ann when Jacob opens his mouth.
"What about Rose? Is she above the rules now that she's 'clucking' a guardian?" Enough with the stupid chicken jokes. He's the only one that even thinks they're funny. I can't wait until he runs out of material. I look at Dimitri and I can tell he is also getting pretty annoyed by Jacob's mouth. I squeeze his hand reminding him to keep control.
"Yes, she is." he simply states silencing Jacob. It's about time someone found a way to shut him up. We say goodnight to them and Lissa and Christian. He starts walking me back to my dorm room. I'm disappointed because I was hoping we were going to spend the night together in his room, continuing the celebration we started this morning. When we get to my room, he goes to my closet and pull out my suitcase. I look over at him puzzled. "You are no longer staying here. I got permission for you to stay with me from now on." he grins. I'm impressed. All of a sudden, realization hits me and I start to panick a little. From here on in, Dimitri and I will be living together. He is going to see me at my worst. He'll be introduced to all my bad habits. Like leaving my dirty clothes all over the floor, how I always seem to get toothpaste splatter on the bathroom mirror and never bother to clean it up, how I sometimes like to eat sunflower seeds and try to spit the shells into the wastepaper basket across the room and usually miss, and all my femine products for when Aunt Flo comes to visit. Everything I keep behind closed doors. And what about him? What weird habits does he hide from the rest of the world? This is happening all too fast. Oh god, I'm getting a little light headed and can't take a deep breath. I need to sit down. I think I'm having an anxiety attack. Luckily, Dimitri notices and pulls me over to the bed and sits down with me.
"What's wrong Roza?" He looks so concerned. He's going to think I'm an idiot. Well, if he wants to be with me forever, he needs to know what he's getting.
"I can't believe I'm going to be living with a boy." I say dazed. He just smiles at me shaking his head. I know Dimitri is no boy, far from it. He is the very definition of a man, a drop dead sexy man.
"Oh Roza, it will be fine. I understand it will be an adjustment for you. If it makes it easier for you, remember that I grew up with three sisters. Nothing you do will shock me." That does make me feel a little better. I give him a smile and get up to finish packing my bag.
We walk over to the guardians quarters and to his, I mean, our room. After he unlocks the door, he picks me up bridal style and walks me into the room. He shuts the door with his foot and makes his way to the bed. I put my head down on his shoulder and inhale deeply, taking in his wonderful scent of aftershave and shampoo. He must have showered before coming to get me. I look up into his beautiful brown eyes and get lost in their depth. He leans down and kisses my lips so softly. Without taking his lips off mine, he lays my down on the bed. He increases the intensity of the kiss while he positions himself over me. My hands start to roam all over his chest and back with such urgency. His shirt is getting in the way so I start unbuttoning the front. I'm not the most patient person and the buttons are not the easiest to undo, so I say 'screw it' as I just pull it apart and send little black buttons flying across the room.
"Roza, If you needed help, you could've just asked. I liked that shirt." I didn't want to chit chat about ruined shirts, so I put my hands around his neck and pull him back down so I can feel his lips on mine again.
"Sorry." I say against his lips, barely stopping to let the word out. My body is so full of lust and love for Dimitri at this moment, it's almost overwelming. He pushes my shirt up and over my head so fast, I barely noticed is was gone. His hands went around my waist and made their way up my back to undo my bra. When it was added to the growing pile of clothes on the floor, he paused to take look at me. As his gaze swept from my bare chest to my face, I could see the hunger in his eyes. "You don't need to be in control anymore comrade. Let it go." Those words must have triggered something because the next thing I know his lips are on mine and moving with such passion and intensity, my whole body begins to ache with anticipation of what's to come. Something I have never done before. I'm so glad that I saved myself for him, the only man who will ever know me in this way. In what seems like only seconds, the rest of our clothes have joined the others. We have so much skin rubbing and touching together, I'm surprised we haven't caught fire. We spend most of the night making love and just enjoying being as close to each other as we could possibly get.
"I love you, Roza. I'm so happy that your beautiful face will be the first thing I see every morning and the last thing I see every night. You make me so happy, Roza. I promise to spend the rest of my days devoted to making you feel the same." his kisses the top of my head as we are laying together, legs entangled and arms wrapped around each other tight. My head is resting on his chest, moving up and down with his breathing. I am so exhausted from the day's events, and especially this evenings activities, that I feel myself being pulled into a deep sleep.
"I love you too, Dimitri. Always." I murmer as I close my eyes. The next thing I know, I am sitting in a lovely garden, full of colorful spring flowers. The sun is shining brightly and there are a few puffy, cottonball clouds floating overhead. I look around for Adrian, but I don't see him. I start walking around, knowing he's here somewhere, but probably not too pleased with me. I failed him, again. He must hate me now. As I round a corner, I see a beautiful white gazebo off in the distance. Adrian is sitting on the steps, resting on his elbows looking up at the clouds. I walk over and stand right in front of him and wait to see if he notices I am even there.
"Hello Little Dhampir. I'm glad you were able to come up for air long enough to come see me." Great, a guilt trip. Well, it's not going to work this time. I didn't do anything wrong.
"Well, if you're just going to act like this, I'll leave you with your little pity party. See ya." I huff as I turn to walk away. I thought he was going to stop me, but he doesn't. So I walk to the other side of the garden and sit on a little bench by some red rose bushes. I try to relax, enjoying the fragrance of the flowers and the feel of grass between my toes. I close my eyes and tilt my head toward the sky feeling the warmth of the sun on my face. It isn't long until I feel someone sitting next to me. I turn my head and open one eye and see Adrian. "I'm sorry I wasn't able to send you back. I don't know what happened. I tried. I'll do better next time." He snaps his head up and looks at me like I just slapped him in the face.
"There isn't going to be a next time Rose." Wow, he sounds pissed. "Do you know how terrified I was with you being so close to him? He could have killed you in seconds. But nooo, you go right up to the monster and give him a big old smooch. You either have the biggest cojones ever or absolutely no regard for personal safety. It's probably a mixture of both, actually. I can't believe Belikov let you do that." He is fuming. This is so not the reaction I thought I would get from him. I thought he'd be mad, but because it didn't work, not because I tried. I stand up in front of him and he stands up too. Now we are face to face just inches apart.
"What the hell was I supposed to do? Your body was right there in front of me. It was probably the only opportunity we were going to get. I wasn't going to just sit there and let it walk away." I say yelling just as loud as him.
"Do you really hate having me here so badly that you would willingly go running into the arms of some Strigoi just to get rid of me?" he yells. How could he think that?
"Are you crazy? I don't mind sharing my body. I like having you here because I know you're safe." I yell back.
"Rose, you can't just go running into danger without thinking. You'll get yourself killed. Then where will either of us be?" Good point. But I'll never admit that to him.
"You need to trust me Adrian. You need to trust in the others too. We are going to do whatever it takes to get you back. We can handle it." I see his face soften a bit as he is calming down. He pulls my hands in his and looks down at the engagement ring Dimitri gave me earlier.
"I can't lose you, Rose. Not more than I already have." I hate seeing him hurt like this. But he always knew how I felt.
"Adrian, don't do this. Don't you want me to be happy?" I wait for him to respond and of course he nods his head in agreement. "Well Dimitri makes me happy and he will do everything possible to keep me safe. Isn't that what you want?" He lifts his head up and looks me in the eyes.
"But I wanted to be the one to make you smile and keep you safe."
"You do, Adrian. But, he is the other half of me. Neither of us makes sense without the other. We belong together. That doesn't mean I don't need you in my life too. And the others. We all work so well together, even Jacob to an extent." He gives a little chuckle.
"So you think I'm a peacock, huh?" he smiles a little.
"Well that's better than being a chicken. I forgot I'm mad at you. How could you do that to us? You should be happy I didn't succeed today or Dimitri would have killed you right after we saved you." We both start laughing. I'm so glad he is out of that foul mood. We hold each others hand as we walk around the garden and talk about how we can make this work. The next thing he wants to work on is trying to communicate with me while I'm awake. I'm not too sure about that. I can't run away from him if he is always in my head.
The dream starts to fade and I give Adrian a hug goodbye. "Tell Dimitri that if he doesn't take care of you and keep you safe and happy, I'll visit his dreams and dress him in drag and make him sing show tunes." he smiles.
"Will do. See you tonight." I wake up looking into the eyes of my lover, friend and fiance. He is gently placing little kisses all over my face.
"Good moring Roza. How is Adrian?" I'm so glad he has accepted this whole bizarre situation. I guess he realizes that a life with me is no where near the definition of normal.
"Better now. He said to tell you that if you don't treat me right, he'll haunt your dreams, and he won't be nice about it." he looks at me and lifts his eyebrow asking me to elaborate. "Think Broadway, center stage." He laughs and shakes his head.
"I guess I'll have to do what I plan all along and treat you like the goddess you are." He leans down and kisses me in a way that makes me forget my own name. I'm glad his bed is comfortable because I think we're going to be in it a lot.
Review and tell me what you thought. Also, I was wondering what you all thought about Moroi getting Molinja or battle marks. Should it be exclusive to dhampirs? I don't remember reading in Shadow Kiss is Christian got a battle mark for his part in the attack. Let me know what you think.