"Guardian Belikov? Can I interest you in some eggnog?"

Christian grimaced. Tasha could not make the words sound any more suggestive if she tried.

"Thank you, but no Lady Ozera. I don't drink on-duty."

"Well, perhaps you'd care to walk me to my accommodations once your replacement arrives? We could share some Christmas cheer?"

Eddie had a coughing fit as Dimitri once again turned Tasha down. Lissa smirked as Rose rolled her eyes. Tasha's inordinate interest in the Russian Alpha hadn't waned. In fact—if possible, she'd stepped things up a notch.

Meredith, on the other hand, seemed to have overcome her interest in Alphas, her attention now focused on a certain Beta male. While they still weren't yet 'official,' Rose was willing to bet Meredith and Eddie were well on their way to second base if they'd not got there already.

Training when it resumed on Monday was a relief. Tasha arriving in workout gear to their afternoon Monday session was less welcome. Explaining she taught Martial Arts to humans, Tasha was certain she'd be able to hold her own against the Novices. One round with Rose in the sparring ring immediately put paid to that delusion. While Tasha and her repeated amorous attempts on her mate hadn't threatened Rose, she took pleasure knocking her on her ass in seconds! At the end of the session, Dimitri politely explained the gym was out of bounds during their training periods.

Rose and Dimitri settled into a pattern; train with Eddie at 5:00 pm, breakfast, sleeping (separately) in their respective dorm rooms, a late lunch, training again at 5:00 am, dinner, hang out in the common room with Lissa, Christian, Tasha, Eddie, Meredith, Mason or a combination thereof, then back to Lissa's dorm room where Dimitri would guard until 1:00 pm sitting on the sofa with Rose. The split sleep shifts were a bitch, and they hadn't gone any further than making out, but the arrangement gave them at least a little privacy.

Now here they were. Christmas Eve. Tomorrow there'd be no training. The gang agreed to meet for breakfast, then spend until lunch ice-skating on the frozen pond. A Dragomir tradition for as long as Rose could remember, Christmas without ice-skating just wasn't Christmas as far as she and Lissa were concerned.

"Tasha? Why don't you come to my suite early? Say 7:00 pm? We can swap pressies before breakfast," Lissa suggested. It was a kind thing to do. Dhampir present swapping, where it occurred, would be a more moderate affair. It would be indecorous for the Moroi to flaunt their excess, so they'd exchange gifts privately.

"I'd love to," Tasha replied. "Although I'm a little worried traveling around the campus alone at that hour… Perhaps Guardian Belikov would be kind enough to collect me?" Dimitri was put on the spot, before he quickly formulated an excuse.

"I'm sorry, Lady Ozera. I'll be Skyping my family at that time. If you call Guardian Petrov, she will arrange one of the on-duty Guardians to escort you tomorrow if required."

Tasha unhappily agreed, while Dimitri shot Rose a smoldering look. With Tasha gone, Chaung guarding overnight, then Matthews come morning, Dimitri would be free to visit Rose in her dorm before breakfast.

Chaung arrived to switch shifts with Dimitri, Lissa occupying Tasha's attention so she would not ask Dimitri to walk her back to her room. Not long after everyone said their farewells, all headed to their own beds except for Christian who was using Dimitri's absence as an opportunity to stay overnight with Lissa.

Rose, Mason, and Tasha set off to the dhampir dorms together, leaving Eddie and Meredith to follow. Mason said goodbye at the foot of the staircase to the boy's dorms. Rose and Tasha walked across to the stairs to the girl's dorms climbing the stairs to the third floor together.

"You've been staying with Lissa a lot the last few days," Tasha remarked in a neutral voice.

"Yeah. Christmas is hard because of her family, you know? She has Christian, now, but that first year was horrible. I'm just trying to be there for her." As she said it, Rose felt guilty. True to her word, Lissa had been disappearing into her room as soon as they got back to her suite each night, giving Dimitri and Rose maximum time together. Plus she'd been distracting Tasha wherever possible. Christmas was a hard time for Lissa, and this year Rose had been so preoccupied with Dimitri she hadn't been there much for her best friend.

"I thought it might have something to do with Guardian Belikov guarding overnight?" Tasha commented.

Shit! Tasha was a lot more observant than Rose had given her credit for.

"It is, in a way. Guardian Belikov doesn't approve of Christian sleeping over, so on the nights he guards, I've been staying with Liss. Then nights like tonight, when he's off duty, Christian has been staying with her." Rose snuck a look at Tasha. She seemed to have bought the shit Rose was shoveling.

"Off duty…" Tasha muttered, an idea occurring to her. "Rose? Where exactly are the Guardian dorms?"

"Oh? Um—they're in the Guardian Administration building. Upstairs."

"You wouldn't happen to know Guardian Belikov's room number, would you?" Tasha asked.

Rose bristled. Tasha's interest in her mate was getting old really fast. Dimitri could not have made his disinterest more obvious, but she still would not leave him alone! And that was pissing Rose off big time. Perhaps it was time she taught Tasha a lesson.

"Umm? I'm pretty sure Lissa said it's room three-twenty-two," Rose replied.

"I might go pay Guardian Belikov a visit," Tasha said as they reached the third floor. "It must be lonely spending Christmas so far from home."

Rose made a noncommittal grunt in response, disappearing into her dorm room before collapsing onto her bed, burying her face in her pillow so Tasha would not hear her laughter. Sure enough, ten minutes after they'd arrived upstairs, Rose heard Tasha's door close and the distinctive sound of high heels clipping toward the stairs.

About half an hour later, Rose heard two sets of footsteps coming along the hallway toward her room.

"… while your actions were well-intentioned, the Guardian's dorms are out of bounds for a reason, Lady Ozera." Rose would recognize Alberta's voice anywhere.

"Of course, Guardian Petrov. I understand that for students, but surely an adult visiting is another matter?"

"Adults may visit the Guardian dorms," Alberta allowed, "but it's strictly invitation only. I'm sure you can appreciate the very awkward position you put Guardian Alto in this evening!"

"I've already explained I had the wrong room number," Tasha growled sounding embarrassed.

"Even so, I need to ask you not to visit the Guardian dorms again unless a Guardian is accompanying you."

"Certainly, Guardian Petrov," Tasha said, closing her door with more vehemence than was necessary.


Thanks to the thin walls, Rose heard Tasha's 6:30 pm alarm. After a quick shower, Tasha returned to her room, leaving it again at 6:55. It seemed like hours, but in reality, it was only 7:05 pm when Dimitri let himself into Rose's dorm room.

"Merry Christmas," he said quietly walking over to where Rose sat on the side of her bed waiting. Tempted to greet him in just her underwear, the cold weather and capricious boiler had won out—so instead Rose was wearing a tight pair of skinny jeans and a fluffy sweater. With her hair out and brushed, and a little lip gloss and mascara on, Rose congratulated herself on looking good for just past seven.

"Merry Christmas, Comrade," Rose cooed, standing up and wrapping her arms around Dimitri's neck and kissing him solidly. Dimitri's arms wrapped around Rose; one around her waist, the other cradling her head. They stood kissing for what seemed like forever, but it still wasn't enough. Dimitri eventually pulled away.

"I heard you had an unexpected visitor last night?" Rose asked with a giggle.

"Not me… Although I heard Alto got the shock of his life when Tasha Ozera knocked on his door carrying a bottle of Scotch and wearing nothing other than an open robe and a skimpy set of underwear," he replied with a rich chuckle. "She said she got the wrong room."

Rose giggled. "That would be my fault. She asked, and I told her I thought you were in three-twenty-two."

"Three-thirty-two," he corrected.

"Oh. Silly me," Rose replied, not in the least bit apologetic. "I must have accidentally given her Alto's room number. Anyway—now you're here, I have something for you. A Christmas present!"

"You didn't need to get anything for me."

"I wanted to," Rose replied, picking up a small box from her side table.

She'd spent two hours scouring the mall at Billings to find something suitable. Something meaningful, but not over the top. Not too expensive, but something he could keep. After going through almost every store, she'd eventually found the right thing at H and M. As soon as she saw it, Rose could imagine it on Dimitri. She just hoped he liked it as much as she did.

"It's not much…" Rose said, passing him the beautifully wrapped present, thinking the buck to have it gift wrapped was worth every penny! Sitting side by side on her unmade bed, Dimitri took the gift, carefully peeling off the ribbons, sticky tape and then opening the paper revealing a small box. He lifted the lid to reveal a narrow plaited leather wrist cuff. "I thought you might like it? It's the same color as your duster," Rose explained.

"I love it," Dimitri crooned, carefully taking it out of the box. Rose was right—it was a good match for his duster—but more than anything he liked that she'd bought him something to wear. Almost as though she were marking him as her own.

"Did you want to try it on?" Rose nervously checked.

"Yes. I'm going to wear it every day. I won't ever take it off," Dimitri replied, putting out his left arm and passing Rose the cuff.

"Tell me if it's too tight," she warned, taking the cuff and positioning it on Dimitri's wrist. "I don't want to impede your movement."

"If anything, it will keep me safe. After the neck, Strigoi go for the wrist. I'll soak this in vervain. It won't kill a Strigoi, but it will make my wrist unappealing to them."

Rose nodded, adjusting the strap until it was a firm, snug fit.

"You don't have to wear it all the time," she said with a blush.

"I want to, Roza. Anything you give me is special and precious."

The cuff now in place on Dimitri's wrist, the couple stopped to kiss again. It was quickly developing into something more when Dimitri pulled back. "I have a little something for you, too."

"Really?"

"Yes. I hope it's something you'll wear every day, too." Handing across his artfully wrapped present, Dimitri appeared nervous. It wasn't an expression Rose was used to seeing on him.

Forcing herself to open the gift carefully rather than shredding the paper and ribbon, like Dimitri she was presented with a small box. Opening it she found a circlet of glossy black beads interspersed with golden rose charms. For as long as she could remember, Rose hated anything rose themed. Images, scents, flowers… it didn't matter, she hated them. Yet this she adored, and the fact she adored it because it came from Dimitri was no surprise.

"It's an anklet," he explained. "You can wear it under your socks."

"It's beautiful!" Rose sighed happily.

"Not as beautiful as you." Moments later Rose was pressed back onto her bed, Dimitri looming above her as they kissed. "Nothing is as beautiful as you!" he moaned. He was pushing his hardness into Rose's covered core and things were heating up. They both wanted more, but Dimitri pulled back.

"Put it on for me?" Rose asked once she'd caught her breath.

"My pleasure."

Rose offered Dimitri her left ankle as he plucked the anklet from its box. Securing it firmly, Dimitri dropped a delicate kiss onto her instep, causing Rose to moan. Following up with a kiss on the ankle, then another on her calf, Dimitri kissed his way up Rose's left inseam until he was at the juncture of her thighs.

"You smell so fucking good!" he growled, sniffing and then nipping at the crotch of Rose's jeans. Holding her hips down, Dimitri was mouthing the denim directly above Rose's heated core. Her scent was indescribable; delicate but overwhelmingly alluring. Licking and nipping, Dimitri moaned in response to Rose's excited gasps, thrilled as she tried to push her crotch against his mouth.

They'd gone too far. Neither of them could hold back a moment longer!

Sitting up, Dimitri was fumbling with the button on Rose's jeans while she was likewise occupied with opening his pants. One way or another, this was going to happen right now. Oh! What a Christmas present!

Footsteps stopped in the hallway outside, followed by a rap on Rose's door.

"Rose? It's time for breakfast—are you ready?"

Rose had always liked Meredith—especially now her classmate had an interest in one of her closest friends—but at that moment Rose was well and truly willing to murder her! Sucking in a fortifying breath, and pushing Dimitri away from her, Rose called out, "I'll be there in five. I just need to get changed."

"Sure thing. I'll let everyone know, and I'll save you a chocolate donut if there are any," Meredith promised gleefully. "See you soon!"

Dimitri was leaning against the wall drawing in sharp ragged breaths, fighting to control himself. All he could think about was how close Rose had been to touching him and how much he wanted her to.

"I'll go over now. Join us when you can," Rose said, unable to look at Dimitri lest they start up again.


"Merry Christmas!" Lissa squealed, throwing herself at Rose as soon as the dhampir walked into the cafeteria. "What the hell is up with Tasha? She's in a foul mood!" Lissa whispered as she hugged Rose.

"Last night she paid a surprise visit to Dimitri in the Guardian's dorms but got the wrong room. She ended up at Alto's door in underwear with a bottle of Scotch. Alberta brought her back and bitched her out about it."

Lissa couldn't contain her giggles. Rose's pranks on Guardian Alto were legendary, and given Tasha's brazen flirting with Dimitri, Lissa knew Rose was somehow behind last night's mix up.

"Morning all!" Rose chirped happily, waving at the assembled company before grabbing a tray. Christmas was one of the few times the Academy kitchens could be relied upon to serve anything decent. While Russian Orthodox Christmas wasn't celebrated until January, that was mostly a day spent at church, so the Academy did the celebratory Christmas lunch on December the twenty-fifth.

Wishing the kitchen staff a happy Christmas, Rose loaded her plate with scrambled eggs, sausages, and bacon before picking up two chocolate iced donuts. She made her way back to the table where the other students were seated. She'd just started in on the eggs when Dimitri appeared, his face impassive.

"Guardian Belikov—would you like to join us?" Lissa asked, greeting Dimitri with a genuine smile. "It looks as though most of the Guardians are enjoying a sleep in." Dimitri glanced at where the Guardians usually sat, and it was empty. Alberta gave most Guardians Christmas Day off, so it was unsurprising.

"Thank you," Dimitri replied, going over to get some food before seating himself at one end of the table between Eddie and Mason, opposite Rose. Their eyes met briefly before he, too, started in on his meal.

From her position on the side, Celeste observed the couple with interest. It was subtle, and they were doing their best to conceal it, but there was absolutely something going on between those two. Hoping to help them along a little, she made a suggestion.

"Belikov? I appreciate you're off duty, but we're going ice-skating after this. If you're willing, it might be a good chance to show Hathaway, Castile, Edwards, and Ashford how to guard in a casual situation? You can skate can't you?!"

Dimitri smirked. "I grew up in Siberia, Matthews. I can most certainly skate. It is a good idea—I'd be happy to join you all skating."

Tasha's grin was massive. She no doubt had ideas of gliding across the ice wrapped in Guardian Belikov's arms. Not that that was likely to happen! The rest of breakfast passed quickly, the group wanting to hit the frozen lake as quickly as possible. Dimitri finished up first, going via his room before meeting everyone at the gym. Choosing skates from the abundant supply there they made their way over to the lake.

"Here," Dimitri said, passing Rose a pair of extra fluffy hand-knitted socks.

"I already have a pair," she said, pointing to the cuff of the sock above her skates. Dimitri might have missed it, but she had her anklet carefully tucked beneath them.

"Those are for your hands. I noticed your gloves are very thin. I looked for a new pair in Billings, but I couldn't find anything suitable."

Rose almost swooned. It was such a sweet, thoughtful gesture! She pulled Dimitri's socks over each hand. Similar to a mitten, they gave her enough flexibility to move her hands but were infinitely warmer than her split, thin gloves.

"Castile? Partner with Edwards. Ashford—team up with Matthews, please. We'll follow Lord and Lady Ozera and Princess Dragomir around the lake. While you're skating you need to appear casual while still actively guarding. It sounds easy, but it's a hard thing to master."

Rose was thrumming with excitement.

"So, Comrade? You said you can skate?"

"I can," Dimitri confirmed. "You?"

"I've been around the lake once or twice," Rose smirked.

Once they were ready, the couples made their way onto the ice. Lissa and Christian, Eddie and Meredith, Mason and Celeste plus Rose and Dimitri. In fact, the only one skating solo was Tasha.

"Guardian Belikov? Perhaps you could skate with me? I'm the only one not partnered," Tasha pointed out.

"Sorry, Lady Ozera. I'm using this as a teaching opportunity."

Rose snorted under her breath, turning it into a breathy sigh when Dimitri placed an arm around her waist.

"The aim of this is to act as though you're relaxed and doing your own thing, but still stay close to your charge," Dimitri instructed Rose and the other Novices. "In the human world, you will often be required to blend in like this. It can take a bit of practice. As you skate, I want you each to comment to one another about what the Princess and Lord Ozera are doing. The idea is to watch them without being obvious about it," he instructed before gesturing for the dhampir to follow Tasha, Lissa, and Christian out onto the ice.

"Do you really want me to report their every move?" Rose asked her mate once they were out of everyone else's earshot.

"I don't give a shit," he growled, pulling Rose closer to his side. "I will not be looking at anyone other than you!"


If you'd like to see Rose's Christmas present to Dimitri, drop by my Facebook Page:
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