Rose was unable to hold back tears as she fixed the Dragomir family tiara onto Lissa's artfully arranged hair. As promised, she'd arrived early and helped her best friend, her sister, prepare for the biggest day of her life.

"Mom used to wear this for Royal functions," Lissa said, fingering the platinum and diamond decoration in her hair. "As children, Andre and I were allowed downstairs to see Mom and Dad before they left… I always thought Mom looked so pretty, and Dad so handsome."

"They're here looking over you," Rose replied, hugging her friend from behind, their eyes meeting in the ornate mirror of the dressing table in the master suite. While Lissa and Christian had stayed at the Dragomir Court townhouse for some time, Lissa refused to use her parents' rooms, until now. When Rose arrived that morning, Lissa announced that she wanted to prepare for her wedding in her parents' rooms. Without it being explained, Rose understood it would make Liss feel closer to them on this major day.

Natalie, Tasha, and Camille were all in another set of rooms getting their hair and makeup done. Lissa had gone first, followed by Rose, leaving the two to have some private time while the other women prepared for the ceremony.

"I'm so sorry about Tasha," Lissa murmured, yet again.

Rose rolled her eyes but smirked. From the moment she'd arrived, Tasha inflicted a blow by blow description of her sex-life on everyone present. As Christian foreshadowed, Tasha had lost none of her interest in Alpha males, so was thrilled to announce she'd found an unmated Alpha in his thirties who'd taken her up on her undoubtedly blatant offer for a roll around the sheets. She'd been describing, in detail, an Alpha's knot when Camille interrupted.

"Rose would know all about that… Is an Alpha really so much better in the sack than a Moroi or Beta Dhampir?" she quizzed curiously.

"I wouldn't know. My husband was my first; I don't have any comparison." Yet still Rose smiled. She doubted lovemaking with a Moroi or Beta could surpass what she experienced most nights with her Alpha husband.

"Really?" Natalie asked. "I heard the rumors and assumed you and Lord Adrian Ivashkov had…"

"Ugh! GROSS! I have never had anything to do with Adrian, especially in that way!" Rose snapped. "He might have been interested in me, but I can assure you the reverse was not the case!"

Natalie looked unsure, causing Lissa to step in.

"It's true, Natalie. Adrian didn't hide his obsession with Rose. She did nothing to encourage him—in fact, she did her best to avoid him."

"I'd avoid him, too," Camille declared, an unexpected ally in the discussion. "He'll sleep with anything and anyone! I'm not saying you want a guy to be a virgin, but who wants to be the latest notch on a very crowded bedpost?!"

While Natalie was still uncertain, Camille climbed a few points in Rose's esteem.

It had been interesting interacting with the three Royal Moroi also there to support Lissa as she dressed and prepared to marry Christian. Tasha remained completely unchanged. Not mentioning she'd ever had an interest in Rose's mate, Tasha's chat was all about herself and her, mostly venereal, encounters. While uncomfortable to hear, Rose found comfort in the fact that nothing had changed. Tasha still saw Rose the way she always had.

Camille, however, treated her differently. Even at St. Vlad's, Camille had been an ardent follower of fashion and haute couture. A privileged daughter of a prestigious Royal family, Camille had always had the money to dress well. While Rose couldn't give a shit about labels, her status as the second-in-charge at Mazur Industries found her dressing professionally and more to the point expensively. Visiting fashion shoppers in Paris, New York, and Turkey, Rose allowed them to select items each season, ensuring she looked like a well-healed businesswoman and the daughter of a very wealthy man. Rose didn't feel any different from the young Dhampir who used to dress in hand-me-downs and cheap knockoffs—but Camille saw the difference in Rose's status via her attire.

Natalie, on the other hand, seemed almost afraid of Rose. They'd always interacted easily enough—Lissa's Dhampir best friend by choice and the Royal Moroi best friend by long association. Nice to Rose when she was just a Novice, Natalie was confused about how to interact with Rose now she was an Omega and a successful entrepreneur outside their world. Not that it bothered Rose. She just wanted to be there for Lissa.

"I wonder what Christian's doing?" Lissa murmured, pulling Rose back to the here and now.

"Probably freaking out, hoping you're not running," Rose quipped, only partially joking. Over the last forty-eight hours, Christian had become more and more nervous about the upcoming nuptials. It was understandable. A man with a checkered past marrying the youngest ever Royal Princess—tongues had been wagging at Court since they announced their engagement. Those who knew the couple understood it was a love match, however, others had not been quiet in their conjecture.

"Do you think he is?" Lissa asked, looking panicked. Rose instantly regretted her ill-chosen words.

"I am sure he's fine," Rose sighed, pulling out her cell and scrolling to find Christian's number. It rang twice before it connected. "Hey, fire crotch. Checking your feet aren't getting cold?"

"No? What's going on, Rose? Is everything ok with Lissa?" The dude was more worried than Lissa. Hell—he hadn't even noticed Rose had addressed him by his least favorite epithet!

"All good here. Our bride is about to get dressed and her feet are toasty warm. Any last words before you meet at the end of the aisle?"

Christian let out a sigh of relief.

"Just tell her I love her, and I can't wait to see her in an hour and a half," he replied.

"Make it an hour forty-five," Rose said, smiling at the nerves clear in his voice. "I have it on good authority the bride plans to be fashionably late!"

Disconnecting the call, Rose recounted Christian's words to Lissa.

"I'm sorry… I'm just so nervous! Were you like this for your wedding?" Lissa asked.

"Our wedding was tiny. Just Dimitri's family and my father, then dinner at home afterward," Rose admitted. The whole thing cost less than a quarter of what she'd paid for the dress she'd bought to wear today, but was none the poorer for it.

"Eloping was a good idea," Lissa said with another sigh.

It hadn't been eloping. It had been running away to have a chance of being together—but there was no value in pointing out the difference. Especially today.

"I think it's time!" Tasha said a little later, stepping back into the master suite. Rose had to hand it to the estheticians; Lissa had asked for classic and classy hair and makeup for Christian's closest relative, and they'd delivered. Tasha looked tastefully made-up.

"Let's wait for Camille and Natalie," Rose said, walking over to a conveniently placed ice-bucket, plucking a bottle of champagne out before finding five flutes. Pouring a glass for each of them, it was only moments later when Camille and Natalie appeared, made-up and dressed in their matching mint-green gowns.

"To the bride!" Tasha squealed, picking up a glass and passing it to Lissa, then quickly distributing flutes to the other women. They toasted Vasilisa Sabina Rhea Dragomir, the bride to be, before downing their sparkling wine, then preparing to assist the blonde-haired, jade-eyed beauty with her final task—donning her wedding gown.


"Did Her Majesty see you?" Dimitri asked when Rose slipped into the corner seat on the left side back row, just as the wedding started. The Queen had taken her seat ten minutes before, officially the last seated before the arrival of the bride.

"No. She was already inside when Liss arrived." Rose had helped the two Moroi attendants smooth Lissa's dress and veil, then stood to the side as Camille started the bridal procession, followed by Natalie. Hidden out of sight in the Narthex, Rose had given her best friend a final hug, kiss and words of encouragement before sending her on her way, waiting until Lissa reached Christian at the alter and all eyes were on the happy couple before slipping into the back row of the church beside Dimitri and her father.

There'd been a lot of discussion about who would walk Vasilisa down the aisle. Several members of the Royal Council offered their services, as did senior members of the Ozera clan. Not wanting to favor or slight anyone, and perceiving no one could ever take the place of her venerable father, Lissa had asked Guardian Croft to escort her from the car to the door of the Church, but that she'd walk down the aisle alone. A statement in itself, it was probably a wise choice given the size of her dress! A classic lace gown, with covered shoulders and elbow-length sleeves, the simple silhouette and clean lines were complimented by a long train and cathedral length lace-adorned veil. The dress was classy, romantic, and everything one would expect of the Princess of one of the twelve Royal Moroi houses. But the main thing was, Lissa looked stunning!

Rose clasped Dimitri's hand, her head leaning on his shoulder, trying not to cry as they listened to the priest, then heard Vasilisa and Christian say the time-honored words which declared them man and wife. More modern than the traditional ceremony they'd shared in Russia, Dimitri nonetheless understood Christian's triumphant smile when he and Vasilisa were declared one. He'd felt the same way when he and Rose wed.

'You're stunning' Dimitri said to Rose through their bond as they stood when Christian and Lissa made their way back up the aisle. Admiring his mate's layered, fitted lace gown, her long, dark hair down in loose Hollywood waves, Rose was the most beautiful woman there according to Dimitri. The Church large, and each pew packed, Dimitri, Rose, and Abe were unobserved as Lissa and Christian exited to the recessional The Arrival of the Queen by Handel, followed by Her Majesty, then the rest of those gathered.

'You look amazing, yourself,' Rose complimented. Unless she was mistaken, her man was wearing the same suit he'd worn to their wedding. And that did things to her!

'I can't wait to take you home later… I'm going to strip you out of that dress, then I'm going to…'

"Ready to move out?" Abe asked, eyeing his daughter and her mate. Used to them conversing without words, he could tell from their eye-fucking what they were probably saying to one another through their bond. They'd dallied enough that the official receiving line was done; Vasilisa, Christian, and their attendants slipping away for photos, the rest of the guests following Her Majesty to the vestibule outside the ballroom where the reception would take place.

"Has anyone noticed you?" Abe asked Rose, his mind pondering every eventuality.

"Liss, Camille, Tasha, and Natalie," Rose responded. "Plus a few Guardians, and Guardian Croft."

"Well, we'll be seen at the reception," Abe said. "Rose? I want you on the dancefloor as much as possible. I want everyone to get a good look at you. Dimitri? Do not let her out of your arms unless it's me, Croft, Christian or Adrian Ivashkov."

"You want me to dance with the Ivashkov horn bag?!" Rose squealed, the reception suddenly much less appealing.

"Maybe," Abe replied with a disingenuous grin. "Let's see how the night plays out."


In deference to Lissa's status as Princess, Her Majesty had made a great display of allowing the wedding reception to be held in the main ballroom of the palace. A kind gesture, it was also expedient; no other space at Court was large enough to accommodate such a large gathering. Plus, the event being held at the palace meant Her Majesty would have greater control of security. Not that the Queen anticipated any problems, tonight. Every Royal Moroi present had at least one Guardian with them, plus there was the Queen's Guard and a large supply of general Court Guardians in attendance.

Taking her seat just before the bride and groom were to be announced, Tatiana gazed around, wondering whether Mazur and his daughter were here. She couldn't see them, but there was a veritable sea of tables, the closest of which contained Royal Council members and their families.

"Who are you looking for, Aunty?" Adrian asked. Scrubbed up, and relatively sober tonight, he looked like the debonair, eligible Royal Moroi she'd like him to be. In the three and a half years since Mazur left Court, taking Hathaway and Belikov with him, Adrian had continued his playboy ways. Initially regarded as a young man sowing his wild oats, now certain society matrons were viewing his conduct with disdain, debating whether the allure of the Ivashkov name and regal connection was worth the ignominy of a daughter or granddaughter married to such a shameless rake. If Adrian wanted to continue in this vein, he needed to be more discreet. It was something she needed to raise with Daniella, Tatiana decided, but certainly not tonight.

"I was noticing how many lovely young ladies there are in attendance," Her Majesty lied, schooling her face into a smile and facing her great-nephew. "You're not getting any younger. It's time you find a nice young woman and settle down."

Adrian grimaced, reaching for his tumbler of scotch and throwing it back. First his mother, now his Aunt. What they didn't understand is that he had no problem finding women. Hell—he found a new one almost every night! It's just that none of them held his interest for very long. Certainly not long enough to marry.

"I mean it, Adrian," Tatiana said, uncharacteristically sharp. "I expect you to dance with every single Royal young lady here this evening, and to make yourself agreeable. If you can't find someone, maybe your mother and I need to decide for you!"

That he might be a party to an arranged marriage hadn't occurred to Adrian, but if Tatiana decided, then that's how it would be.

"I promise, I'll dance with every eligible Royal lady present," Adrian quickly agreed to appease his aunt.

"You're a good boy," she said, patting his hand fondly before going back to perusing the guests.


They'd made it through the appetizer, and the speeches, before they were spotted. Moroi at the surrounding tables had, of course, noticed the handsome Alpha Dhampir and his beautiful Omega wife seated with her father and several other Dhampir, as had numerous Guardians and Dhampir serving staff. Yet it wasn't until they hit the dancefloor that gasps and tittering from the front of the room showed the Royal Moroi had noticed Rose and Dimitri.

'I think they've spotted us,' Rose said through their bond, her eyes meeting her husband's with merriment. Held tight within Dimitri's manly arms, hips pressed against one another, he was moving them around the edge of the dancefloor, so they were certain to be seen.

'Of course, they have,' he replied. 'You're the most stunning woman in the room—every male between nine and ninety has their eye on you!'

'Hmm… you know I have a thing for older men,' Rose teased, referring to their seven-year age gap.

'Not going to happen, Mrs. Belikov,' Dimitri growled playfully, causing the muscles in Rose's core to clench pleasurably.

"Isn't Lissa a gorgeous bride?" Rose said, making conversation out loud as they danced. It would look weird to onlookers if they weren't speaking to one another, at least occasionally. "Even Christian has scrubbed up well!" After her first dance with Christian, Lissa was passed to Prince Ozera to dance while Christian partnered his Aunt Tasha. Rose knew Liss had helped choose Tasha's dress, which was probably the only reason it was suitable for the occasion. She actually looked rather pretty.

"She is, but not as beautiful as you were when we wed."

"You have to say that—you're my husband," Rose joked, pleased that Dimitri still admired the way she'd looked at their nuptials. As they danced, Rose noticed her father moving from table to table chatting to various Moroi. Some looked happy to see him, many did not, and through their bond, Dimitri was telling Rose who owed money, secrets or favors. Rose never attended Moroi meetings with Abe and Dimitri, so much of what she heard was new to her. Tatiana had reason to worry about Abe and his influence - half the room owed Zmey in one way or another!

Done with working the room, for the time being, Abe returned to his table when the mains were served, Rose and Dimitri exiting the dance floor to do likewise. Rose couldn't suppress a giggle when she saw their food. Contrasting with the dainty serves on the Moroi tables surrounding them, the meals on their table were enormous. A tiny detail in the overall scheme of organizing a wedding, Rose still felt a surge of love for her best friend that she'd made sure her Dhampir guests would not go hungry.

Casting her eyes around the room as she ate, Rose spotted her Mom in her black and whites positioned against a wall thirty yards away. On duty attending Lord Szelsky, Janine was attending the reception, but not as a guest. Still, it was an easy gig as far as guarding went, and Rose knew she'd have fun later on with her mother discussing the best and worst dressed! She'd also seen Mason, Eddie, Celeste, and Meredith as they surveyed the room.

"No one has approached you to dance?" Abe asked Rose when they'd finished eating their mains.

"Nope," Rose said, popping the p. "I think they're all too scared of Dimitri to cut in!"

"They should be," Dimitri said, his eyes crinkling as he smiled at his wife.

"Well, I hope you'll allow your old man a couple of dances," Abe commented. "The mains are done, and the speeches are over. It's time for the party to really start!" Standing up and holding his hand out to his daughter, Abe suggested Dimitri might like to offer Mrs. Harton a spin around the room.

The two couples joined the dancefloor, Abe guiding Rose through a foxtrot to Michael Bublé's The Way You Look Tonight. Segueing into Kelly Rowland's I'm Beginning to See the Light, Rose appreciated her father was a good dancer. She'd never seen him and Janine dance, but she couldn't help wonder if they ever had.

"Can I have this dance?" Christian asked, stopping beside Abe and Rose as A Moment Like This started. Dimitri was already back at their table, and Abe nodded, kissing Rose's cheek before melting away, no doubt to continue his meet and greet.

"Absolutely," Rose said, smiling at her best friend's husband. "Congratulations!"

"Thank you," Christian said, only slightly awkwardly putting his hand on Rose's back as she put her hand on his shoulder. "And thank you for supporting Lissa as she planned all this. It meant a lot to her that she could bounce ideas off you."

Rose smiled, not trusting herself to answer. Her guilt, already high, was now approaching stratospheric levels.

"We've been best friends for a long time," she eventually murmured, more to herself than Christian.

"You have—and she misses you."

Gliding around the dance floor for another moment or two, Rose asked, "So you're certain you won't leave for your honeymoon until next week?" A bone of contention between Vasilisa and Christian; he'd wanted to start their honeymoon straight away, while Lissa wanted to give their Guardians a chance to rest and recover from the wedding, deciding to depart in a few days. They'd chosen to visit New Zealand as it was peak snow season there, and they both enjoyed skiing and snow-sports.

"It's close to twenty-four hours in the air. Liss wants to wait until Thursday…"

"Makes sense," Rose replied, her guilt ratcheting up with every word. She honestly wished this night would be over. And just when she thought the night could get no worse, it did. The song ended, and Rose was about to return to her seat.

"Congratulations, Christian. I wish you and Vasilisa every happiness together! Little Dhampir? Please join me for this dance."


If you'd like to see Lissa's wedding gown, and what Rose wore, check out the 'Her Alpha' album on my facebook page:
www facebook com / swimmingthesamedeepwaters