The silence in the Royal Council chamber was absolute. Abe said nothing, lifting his eyebrows and letting Her Majesty's words hang in the air. A slow rumbling from the viewing gallery showed dismay about the Queen's declaration.

"What I meant is dhampir men rarely reproduce. Therefore, genetic variability is not a concern for them," she added.

"Of course, that's what you meant," Abe said, his sarcastic tone belying his words. There was no way he would let Her Majesty back out of what she'd admitted. "And no matter what your personal thoughts about the value of dhampir in our society, the fact remains that my daughter is legally married. There is no law stating an Omega has to marry a Royal Moroi, nor a law preventing a union between an Omega and another dhampir. Like every other married Omega, we should provide Rose with estrous suppressing drugs, and the matter of if or when they reproduce should remain a private matter between my daughter and her husband."

Tatiana considered her options. After her ill-chosen words, perhaps it was time to change tacks.

"I, for one, am interested in how this marriage came to be… My understanding is paperwork for the Church and ZAGS needs to be submitted some time in advance. At least a month, if I am not mistaken? Yet Miss. Hathaway has not been absent that long…" she said. "I'd hate to think there'd been some irregularity pushing though this union without the necessary checks and balances?"

"I can assure you all the requirements were met without undue influence," Abe lied. "Rose contacted me before they brought her to Court, asking for my blessing and signature to allow her to marry Guardian Belikov. He had already booked leave to return to his hometown in Russia, as her father, I would sign Rose out of the Academy and fly her there for their nuptials. When she was taken to Court and chose not to stay, I collected Rose and flew her to our family home in Turkey, then on to Russia. Guardian Belikov submitted all the required paperwork to his family priest, and ZAGS, in Omsk before he left America. There were no indiscretions."

"While all that might be true, it remains that Guardian Belikov seduced an underage student and convinced her to marry. That cannot be allowed to go unpunished." Tatiana was drawing a proverbial line in the sand.

"Nothing of the sort took place. Guardian Belikov is an Alpha—my daughter is his mate. Mate bonds do not occur by choice. Belikov, and Rose, knew from their first meeting that they were destined to be together. They made the choice to marry, and when they explained the situation to me, I supported their decision."

There was more rumbling from the gallery. Somehow, in all the discussion about Rose being Omega, Dimitri being Alpha had been overlooked. Not only was Her Majesty attempting to marry the pretty young Omega off to a Royal Moroi, but she was also prepared to tear apart a marriage between an Alpha and his mate to do so!

"Rose went through an estrous before she came to Court. She told me! Belikov obviously slept with her then, even though she was a student in his care! That makes it statutory rape, even if they are mates," Adrian said, moving out of the viewing gallery to stand alongside Abe, Janine, Dimitri, and Rose.

"Is that true?" Tatiana asked, latching onto this new information. Jailing Belikov would go a long way to splitting up the Alpha/Omega couple—particularly if he were incarcerated for a lengthy duration.

"I had an estrous before I came to Court," Rose admitted. "However, as I explained to Lord Ivashkov, I isolated myself on the edge of campus while it occurred. Dimitri didn't claim me until yesterday—our wedding night." Rose brushed her hair aside, showing the fresh claim mark on her neck. Large, and ripe, the sight of the mark caused the assembled onlookers to titter. It was visual confirmation Rose and Dimitri had consummated their marriage.

"I am sure you can imagine how distressing it was for my daughter and son-in-law to wake on their first day as husband and wife to discover a large group of Guardians waiting downstairs requesting Rose's company at Court." Abe's emphasis on the word 'requesting' revealed his thoughts about the nature of the entreaty. "It is bad enough the Royal Council passed a law in Rose's absence, disallowing an Omega to complete their Guardian training, or to work as a Guardian which has been Rose's life's endeavor. Trying to besmirch my son-in-law's sterling reputation is despicable!"

Several dhampir and even a few Moroi in the viewing gallery voiced their agreement, Abe's words resonating with them. From the facts presented, it appeared the two dhampir were legally wed and should be entitled to live their lives without further interference.

"I'm afraid the circumstantial evidence is just overwhelming, Mr. Mazur." Tatiana was keen to point out Abe was not a Royal. "You can understand the Royal Council and I need to gather all the information and consider it before the validity of this marriage can be established. In the interim, Miss. Hathaway will enjoy the hospitality of the Palace."


Alberta heard the news from Court as it occurred. She had Croft to thank for that. Standing in the viewing gallery in the Royal Council chamber, his cell phone picked up every word spoken and relayed it straight to Alberta's office, where Stan, Dr. Olendzki and Alberta hung on every word.

A long-time sounding board for Alberta, the Head of Guard at St. Vlad's knew she could trust Guardian Alto absolutely, even though he regularly irritated the hell out of her. A more recent confidant, since Rose's absence from the Academy, Alberta had grown to trust Marena—especially given their shared fondness for the Novice they'd known since she was all but an infant.

"Does the paperwork match what Zmey claims?" Stan asked, looking at the Head of Guard.

"Done and filed to Court a week ago," Alberta said smugly. A Luddite at heart, she outright refused to learn to use the computerized HR system favored by Guardian Headquarters. Instead, she submitted her manual paperwork every month for entering into the HR database. She had been sure to include a backdated leave request for Belikov amongst her latest batch of documents. Placed in date order alongside the various other forms, receipts, and payslips, it would not stand out. Given the invariable delay processing submissions at Guardian Headquarters, Alberta doubted they had yet entered the document online. They would no doubt locate Belikov's leave form amongst a pile of documents already submitted to Court—a fact which would support Abe's claims.

"Surely they won't arrest Belikov?" Dr. Olendzki asked, dismayed about the direction the Royal Council 'discussion' had taken.

"If they do, Zmey will make them regret it," Alberta opined. "I don't think Rose and Belikov need to worry."

"But what future will they have?" Stan mused. "Even if he's not jailed, Belikov will be demoted. Hathaway can't ever work as a Guardian."

"Lucky her father is loaded," Marena said, only partially joking.


"Pardon me, Your Majesty, my daughter will not be staying at the Palace. She is not under arrest, nor is she enrolled at an Academy. Court has no right to detain her." Abe wanted to steer Tatiana, and the Royal Council, away from the particulars of his daughter's wedding and the planning beforehand. The less that was said, the smaller the chance anyone might slip up. As always, the best defense was an offense.

"You make it sound as though we're trying to abduct her," Tatiana said, aiming at levity. For a second time, Abe paused, letting nebulous words and ideas hang.

"If the hat fits…" Abe said in an undertone, still loud enough to be heard in every corner of the room. "Or should I say the crown?!"

There was no misunderstanding the titter that echoed throughout the chamber. Even a few of the Royal Council were smirking. In the war of words between the Monarch and the mobster, the latter was indisputably victorious.

"I thought your daughter might want to stay at the Palace since Guardian Belikov will be at Court," Tatiana rebuked. She gave everyone a moment for her words to sink in. "Effective immediately, Guardian Belikov is relieved from his position as primary Guardian for the Princess Dragomir at St. Vladimir's, and is reassigned to general Court duties. He will guard the wards from 6:00 pm to 10:00 am."

A sixteen-hour shift performing the most menial task imaginable. Ward guarding was the absolute lowest of the low. Even office work in Guardian Headquarters ranked above hours upon hours trudging between the two ten-foot-high chain-link fences that demarcated the edge of Court. Abe's eyes met his son-in-law's, noting his anger and humiliation. An Alpha, and a high-ranking Guardian with a spotless reputation, Dimitri deserved better than this.

"I'm afraid that won't be happening, either," Abe drawled, his eyes meeting his Queen's. "Belikov has accepted a private allocation as my primary Guardian. He's only at Court to submit his resignation and to accompany Rose as she humors your request. When I leave Court, I will take my daughter and son-in-law with me."


Fedosia Kreft stared at her account balance on her phone in stunned silence. Her Majesty had been true to her word… Because of her call to Court, there were a million US dollars in her account. Translated into Moldovan leu, it was a veritable fortune. Even half of it still made her a woman of substantial means!

She planned to spend the rest of the evening checking out real estate sites online. She'd make a list of places she'd like to see, and she'd arrange a day of appointments for a few days' time. Not wanting to announce her windfall, or alert anyone she'd come into money, she'd book a personal day saying she needed to see her visiting sister. When the time came, she'd resign her post, pretending she was moving to be domestic support for Domnica. The fact her Moroi half-sister was the catalyst for her good fortune amused Fedosia. Treated as 'the second-class help' for as long as she could remember, Fedosia liked the irony that she'd profited so considerably thanks to her sister's indiscretions.

First things first, though. Zmey's instructions needed to be obeyed. He could have given her nothing—even punished her for her role in the situation. Fedosia knew she was lucky the snake had shown mercy and even let her benefit so substantially. She wouldn't dare invoke his ire by delaying the half-payment he'd requested. Bringing up the fund transfer screen on her phone, Fedosia carefully typed in the information Abe had provided, uncaring she did not understand to who, and why, she was sending half a million US dollars.

Olena Belikova

Account number: 697…..

Actioning the transaction, Fedosia sent a text to Zmey with a screenshot of the receipt, along with a genuine thank you, promising her eternal silence about the issue. She knew she had an angry conversation with her sister to get through, but Abe was right; Domnica had never mentioned Rose by name. Nor had she mentioned where, or precisely when, the wanted dhampir would be. There was no way Domnica could link her to the Omega's discovery, or suspect Fedosia's involvement in Rose's removal to Court. And after a lifetime of playing second fiddle to her Moroi sister, Fedosia enjoyed a victory. There was little about her current life she would miss. There was a certain older male Guardian she might reach out to once she was settled. Maybe there could be more to her life than she'd thought possible?


"You can't be serious?!" Adrian spat angrily at Abe. "Belikov should be in prison! Rose, you should never have married someone like him!" He reached to grab Rose's arm but was stopped by Dimitri.

"Do not touch her," he warned, growling loudly as he knocked Ivashkov's hand aside.

"I'll touch whoever I want!" Adrian retorted, reaching for Rose again. She stepped out of his range, Dimitri moving into the space she'd just occupied, effectively placing his mate behind him.

'Do not throw the first punch,' Rose implored Dimitri through their bond. That Adrian was about to get trounced if he tried anything was apparent to everyone except him.

"Lord Ivashkov? Kindly return to the viewing gallery," Guardian Croft said, approaching Adrian. "Please don't start anything you might regret…"

"I won't regret this!" Adrian said, throwing a clumsy punch toward Dimitri's face. He easily deflected it, capturing Adrian's fist within his larger hand, grasping it then twisting it behind the Moroi's back. Shoving it hard against Adrian's spine, Dimitri continued with downward pressure, effectively pushing Adrian onto his knees and then face down with his lips and chin pressed into the utilitarian, and none too clean, carpet. Following up his defensive move with a knee shoved into the small of Adrian's back which resulted in a satisfying crunch, Dimitri calmly requested help to remove the overwrought Moroi Lord. Croft summoned a few nearby Guardians to assist. Almost exclusively Alpha, none were sympathetic to a Moroi ass trying to touch an Alpha's mate, so they weren't particularly gentle as they helped Adrian up.

"Lord Ivashkov," Croft said, careful to keep his voice professional. "Can I suggest you take a moment to compose yourself?

Adrian replied by bleating a diatribe of expletives about dhampir, Alpha, Guardians in general, useless bastards who thought a tenuous connection to a Royal family meant they had a right to marry an Omega, and a Royal Council that was too gutless to stop it all. Within a few moments, he'd offended almost everyone in the room.

For his part, Dimitri maintained a dignified silence. As soon as Croft and his team had secured Ivashkov, Dimitri stood aside, wrapping his bride in his arms. An unconscious act, every eye in the chamber witnessed the way Rose melted into Dimitri's arms as the pair stood together, united against every opposition.

"As compelling as Lord Ivashkov's arguments might be, we're done here," Abe declared. "My daughter, son-in-law, and my Guardians will leave Court within forty-eight hours."

"If they go, they will never be welcome in Moroi society again!" Tatiana threatened, using her last avenue of control.

Abe laughed, a low chuckle that expressed genuine amusement. "You all but abducted my daughter, imprisoned her at Court and then put a million-dollar bounty on her head when she escaped. You pushed through a law meaning she can't graduate or work at her chosen vocation, then you sent Guardians to retrieve her on her wedding night. When she consented to your request to attend Court, you disparaged her mother's virtue, demoted and punished her husband, before allowing a shameful display from your younger great-nephew. If you think my daughter wants to remain part of this world, you are sorely mistaken. However, if you think I'll let her be forced out, you're even more deluded."

And for the first time, Tatiana looked genuinely afraid. Ibrahim Mazur could make things happen with just a whisper and a word. What he might do if his only child was in peril was not worth thinking about. For now, discretion may be the better part of valor. Her Majesty would let things lie. She'd deal with Zmey and his spawn at a later occasion.


"Hathaway… Thank you for meeting with me," Lord Szelsky said, gesturing for his long-term Guardian to be seated. Not a member of the Royal Council, Janine was certain that like the rest of Court he'd heard all about what had recently transpired. She couldn't go anywhere without speculative glances. That said, the number of kind words wishing Rosemarie well surprised her, some going so far as to decry Her Majesty's stance.

"Always a pleasure," Janine murmured to the cantankerous Moroi Lord. She'd worked for him for so long, she could read him better than almost any other, but even she couldn't tell what was on his mind today.

"So… you and Mazur, eh?"

"That was a long time ago," Janine replied, a red blush to match her hair coloring her cheeks. Fresh love bites hidden beneath her uniform told a different story, but her private life was just that. Private.

"Well, she's a pretty one, your girl. And a bad situation she's ended up in."

"Thank you, Lord Szelsky. The last month has been trying," Janine said.

"She's left Court?" he probed.

"Later today. Abe is returning to Europe, Rosemarie and Belikov will go with him."

"A damned shame. Should never have been allowed to happen. It's true Omega usually marry into one of the Royal families, but that doesn't mean they have to. Her Majesty has shown a particularly distasteful side to her character throughout this whole ordeal."

Not trusting herself to say anything, Janine waited for Lord Szelsky to continue, which he did. Discussing her return to work, they agreed that she would have the rest of the day off to farewell her daughter and would start back the following day.

"She has more support than you might realize, Janine," the aged Szelsky Lord said, concluding their meeting. Too stunned to reply, the seasoned Guardian wasn't sure whether it was the sentiment or the fact he'd used her first name.


"Has he agreed?" Janine asked Abe a little later, lying beside her lover in his bed at Court. While Janine was out visiting her charge, Abe broached the subject of Belikov becoming his primary Guardian. Initially, a throwaway line just to thwart Her Majesty, with Pavel moving to Baia and Abe eager to keep Rose close, it solved a lot of problems.

"He has. I think it will be a good fit. He is clever, has good instincts—and God knows he loves our girl."

"How is she?" Janine asked with a sigh. In the short time he'd known Rosemarie, Abe had already developed a stronger bond with her than she'd ever had. It was something Janine hoped to address in the future.

"Scared. They want to fly via St. Vladimir's to collect their stuff and say goodbye to everyone. Then I'll take them to Baia. Pavel wants to see his mate, and it's as good a place as any to train Belikov up before Pavel resigns. After her birthday, we'll return to Istanbul and I'll start teaching Rose about my business interests."

"Just the legitimate ones, please," Janine said, running a dubious eye over the father of her child.

"Of course! To begin with..."

"For Vlad's sake! What am I going to do with you?" Janine asked, rolling her eyes.

"I have ideas, Jeanie… But keep it down. The kids are upstairs somewhere," Abe said, bringing his lips to hers.