THREE YEARS LATER
"For Vlad's sake! Let's call it a day, and I'll see you two next week," Abe said, interrupting the eye-fucking going on between his daughter and her husband. Dimitri had been tetchy all week—snapping and in a foul mood to everyone bar Rose. He was like this every year during the week leading up to his rut. Someone clearly needed a release!
"Thanks, Baba," Rose said, saving the files on her computer and packing away the documents she'd been working on in the thirtieth-floor workspace she shared with her father and husband. From the moment they'd returned to Turkey after her eighteenth birthday, Abe had been teaching his daughter and Dimitri about his business interests. An adept learner, Rose quickly mastered the basics and within a year had become a genuine second-in-command and a force to be reckoned with at Mazur Industries. Now, just days before her twenty-first birthday, she ran the hotel, import-export, and property management sections of the business and under her care, they were more profitable than ever. "If you need me, I'll be just downstairs," she teased, referring to the Presidential Suite of the hotel she'd booked for the next work week and the weekends on either side of it.
Abe shook his head. He didn't want to be anywhere near his daughter and her mate when her estrous lined up with his rut, nor did he wish to dwell on exactly what they'd be doing during their time off together.
"I'm actually taking a few days off, myself," Abe announced. "Since she missed your wedding and your eighteenth, and we need to talk strategy anyway, your mother is coming to visit for a few weeks for your twenty-first. I thought I'd keep her company while you're otherwise occupied."
Rose grinned. Janine had visited them in Istanbul several times over the last few years, and they'd met up with her in New York and Chicago. Rose's relationship with her mother was definitely improving, but the relationship between Janine and Abe had evolved the most. From occasional lovers to co-parents, now it was fair to say they were in a committed albeit long-distance relationship. Every time Janine visited, Abe would attempt to convince her to give up guarding and stay with them in Istanbul, and each time Janine's refusal became less and less convincing. Maybe this would be the visit when she finally gave in? Abe's grin suggested he hoped that would be the case!
Her mother being with Abe during Dimitri's rut and Rose's estrous was a stroke of good fortune. Dimitri took his role as Abe's primary Guardian seriously, and while the other Guardians on staff were first-rate, none of them were at the same caliber as Dimitri or his diminutive mother-in-law. Dimitri felt much more assured of Abe's safety knowing the 'Scottish hell-cat' would stay with his charge during his absence—and that they probably would not leave their bedroom let alone the heavily guarded compound!
Dimitri called the secondary Guardians in, barking orders for while he was away. Usually a good-natured commander, today he was terse and straight to the point. Everyone would be relieved when his rut finished, and he returned to his usual equable self.
When they left Court, Her Majesty had refused Rose access to the estrous suppressing medication they allowed every other married Omega. However, Abe obtained a supply, had it analyzed then replicated, so now Rose chose to estrous once a year to line up with her husband's rut. Anything more was just too exhausting.
'What are you thinking about?' Dimitri asked Rose through their bond, noting the sexy pull at the edge of his wife's lips as she packed her briefcase.
'Our first rut/estrous together,' Rose replied, turning to face her man. Dressed in a well-cut suit, Dimitri looked more businessman than Guardian, although he was skilled and able in both roles. And he still carried stakes every day.
Dimitri closed his eyes and counted to ten, trying to overcome the excitement that always accompanied those recollections. Being Rose's lover during her first time of need had been incredible, but it paled compared to when their rut and estrous first aligned.
They'd been in Baia ahead of Rose's eighteenth birthday. Dimitri could sense his rut approaching, and as expected, it corresponded with Rose's estrous. Not wishing to subject the family to days of listening to them fuck, Dimitri rented a very basic ski cabin in the middle of nowhere. Little more than a hut with a bed and a fireplace, they'd spent a week exploring one another in every imaginable way. They'd been packing to return to Baia when they were surprised by a pair of Strigoi. Dimitri gave Rose his second stake, and they'd slayed one each, earning Rose her first molnija on her eighteenth birthday.
This rut would be considerably more luxurious than that first one together. Rose had ordered gourmet meals and refreshments to be delivered at regular intervals, and with three bedrooms in the Presidential Suite to move between, they'd be able to continue their 'activities' while the other rooms were freshened up.
'It gets better each time,' Dimitri thought, eyeing his wife of three and a bit years lustfully. He couldn't wait to have her beneath him, screaming with pleasure and relief as he brought her to orgasm again and again. Between her needs, and his, they'd be fucking almost constantly for a week!
'You're right,' Rose thought, grasping her husband's hand and leading him over to the elevator where they walked in side by side. Only one floor down, they stepped out before desire overcame them. The Presidential Suite was ready, well-stocked with cold beverages, fruits, an expansive veggie platter with dips, and a glistening bottle of chilled champagne. Rose was surprised to find her nest already in place on a sofa opposite a TV and lit fireplace—the area surrounded by a heart of red rose petals on the pale carpet.
"You did this?" Rose asked.
"You're not the only one with connections around here," Dimitri smirked, lifting his wife and carrying her past her nest and into the largest of the suite's bedrooms. He was the luckiest man known to mankind, and he planned to spend a week showing his wife how much he loved and desired her.
When they woke, Rose's estrous had definitely started. Her scent was strong, overwhelming Dimitri with its intensity. His cock was already rock hard, and he wanted her. NOW!
Over their last three times of need, they'd noticed that while Rose would feel vulnerable and emotional during estrous, Dimitri was particularly Alpha. Usually equals in and outside the bedroom, during his rut Dimitri took charge—something both of them enjoyed.
"Dimitri?" Rose moaned, her voice raspy with sleep and need as she surfaced into wakefulness, automatically seeking solace from her mate.
"I'm here," he soothed, rolling over to reach for a bottle of water from the supply on the side table. "Drink," he ordered, making sure his wife was hydrated. Rose dutifully drank half the bottle, before passing it to Dimitri who downed the other half.
"On your back, baby," Dimitri demanded, pushing his wife of three years back into the crisp white linen on the oversized king bed. He wanted Rose pretty much all the time, but during his rut, he wanted to be balls deep in his mate twenty-four-seven. Watching as she stripped, baring herself to his gaze and touch, Dimitri roared possessively, wresting his own clothes off.
Rose's whimpering and their bond told Dimitri about her need. Knowing from her smell she'd already produced abundant slick, there was no need to delay, so climbing onto the woman he loved and kissing her hard, Dimitri penetrated her in one fell swoop, giving her no time to recover before he pistoned in and out of her core. Experience had shown they needed to start off hard and fast. Indeed, it was mere minutes later when Rose was squealing her relief as Dimitri knotted and then let himself go so they could cum together.
"Thank you," Rose moaned, stroking her husband's promise mark as he slumped on top of her, his cock twitching inside her. Both covered in a thin sheen of sweat, he knew they would soak the bed soon enough.
"No baby, thank you," Dimitri replied, pulling out of her when his knot deflated before streaking out into the main part of the suite to fetch the champagne, two flutes, and a platter of fruits, nuts, and cheeses. They needed to eat because the urge would overcome them again and soon.
"Eat," he said after placing everything on a conveniently located side table. Rose eyed the food before checking out her husband's still wet and semi-hard cock. Nodding, she stood from the bed, walking towards her mate and the table before sinking to her knees. Before Dimitri knew what to say, Rose was fellating him. Her small hands playing with his length and sack, Dimitri pulled his length from her lips, pulling her up by her hand. "On your stomach," he demanded, leading Rose to the bed and gently pushing her forward until she was face down on the mattress. "Open your legs!"
Immediately compliant, Rose moaned as Dimitri settled between her legs pushing into her from behind for round two. Kissing and nipping at her claim mark as he dominated and took her yet again, his cock was slamming into the front wall of her pussy in the spot that drove Rose wild. Meanwhile, through their bond, Dimitri was declaring his love, constancy, and unmitigated desire for his wife—letting her know in every way he could how much he worshiped her.
They had a whole week ahead of them. And honestly, Dimitri couldn't wait!
"It's not public news, yet, but Tatiana and the Royal Council are considering lowering the Novice graduation age to sixteen," Janine announced, recounting information her charge had shared with her, meanwhile lying naked in bed beside Abe. They'd spent the first hour after her arrival 'catching up,' but now it was time to talk.
The Queen thought out of sight equaled out of mind, so had paid scant regard to Rose and Dimitri since they left Court. What she failed to appreciate is her public threats to the couple, and her comments about dhampir were a sentinel moment, being the spark to ignite long-term discord. Those present quickly told others about what they'd heard, and unbeknownst to Her Majesty, her words and attitude became a topic of conversation throughout the dhampir and Moroi world.
Starting with subversive gossip between Guardians as they walked the wards, or dhampir servants bitching about the Royals they served, rumbles of discontent soon developed into organized meetings. Initially just dhampir, over the last year or two, even Moroi had become involved. People were angry and tensions were simmering.
"This is the catalyst we've been waiting for," Abe declared, wrapping his arm around Janine's waist. From the moment he'd first become interested in her—oh so many years ago—he'd hated Janine's dedication to Royal Moroi and the Crown. Over their time together, and apart, he'd grown to appreciate just how conditioned dhampir were to a life of duty. Yet it wasn't until he'd heard his own daughter ask what she could do with her life, other than serve, that he'd appreciated how thoroughly Moroi indoctrinated dhampir from their earliest years. And he hated it.
"Do you really think the Guardians will revolt?" Janine asked.
"What made you turn against Her Majesty?" Abe asked, already knowing how his love would answer.
"How she treated Rosemarie," Janine replied without pause. "I've given my life to serve Moroi…" She didn't say it, but Abe understood. Decades of sacrifice and risking her life in distinguished service had counted for nothing when it came to any protection for their daughter.
"As has almost every other dhampir," Abe interjected. "Dhampir and even some non-Royal Moroi are angry. They feel used and slighted—and rightly so! Royal Moroi are such a small percentage of our society, yet they rule absolutely and always to their own advantage."
Janine didn't argue. Her man was right. If you were Moroi and not Royal, you had little power—although still considerably more than most dhampir. Unless, of course, you had money. That was the only reason Her Majesty did not dare directly challenge Abe—because he was richer than she was. To add insult to injury, since the vast majority of his interests were illicit and/or conducted in the human world they were undeclared, so Tatiana wasn't able to tax him on them! It had given Abe much pleasure to use some of his ill-gotten gains to quietly promulgate dissatisfaction amongst dhampir and non-Royal Moroi ranks. It tickled him even more that Her Majesty was embroiled in a long game that she was unaware he'd been playing from the moment he took Dimtri and Rose from Court.
"But are they ready?" Janine asked. She'd played her part in the underground revolution, quietly spreading seditious thoughts and acting as a conduit of information from Court to Abe, yet now it was close to fruition she was nervous.
"As ready as they'll ever be," Abe assured his love, referring to both the dhampir population and his daughter and son-in-law. "Graduating Novices two years earlier will anger many people. And everyone is already right on the edge…"
Croft stepped inside his front door, wiping his boots before slipping out of them and into his house slippers. He was bone tired and wanted to crawl into bed and lose himself in his wife.
"There you are," Mirabelle said, coming out of the kitchen to regard her exhausted husband. Way after his usual home time, it had been this way for the last week. "I have some dinner if you haven't eaten?"
Hans smiled. He hadn't had lunch or dinner, and the smells wafting from the kitchen woke his stomach. "I could definitely eat," he said, leaning down to kiss his wife before following her to the kitchen, watching as she busied herself putting together a loaded plate for him.
"Another meeting?" Mirabelle asked, setting the plate and cutlery in front of him before turning to pour a glass of apple cider.
"Yes," he replied before starting in on his meal. While Mirabelle knew what was going on if everything turned to shit he was sure to be arrested so he made sure never to tell her anything specific. He was willing to risk his own career, and life, but not hers. "It should be over one way or another, soon."
Mirabelle nodded, standing behind Hans and massaging his shoulders as he ate – her touch conveying her abiding love for him.
"We must choose between what is easy and what is right," she murmured.
Hans stopped chewing, pondering her words. He'd heard them somewhere before. "Martin Luther King?"
"Albus Dumbledore," Mirabelle replied with a giggle. Hans laughed, too. He should have known - his wife was an unashamed Potterhead and had forced him to watch the movies many times over the years.
"How bad is it going to be?" she asked, her voice quivering just a little.
"I'm not sure," Hans said, rubbing his face with his hand. "But I don't want you here for it." Mirabelle started to object, but he held up his hand, cutting her off.
"Everyone knows the easiest way to get to any Alpha is via their mate. When this happens, it will happen fast, and it will be chaotic. Many people are on-side, but there are those that won't be. I can't risk someone hurting you to get at me, which is why I'm sending you somewhere safe."
"And where would that be?" Mirabelle argued, devastated her husband intended to send her away when he would be at risk. "You said it yourself—this will affect the entire Moroi and dhampir world. If you can't protect me, then who can?!"
"Abe Mazur. I spoke to him this afternoon. When the time comes, he'll fly you out to a safe location."
Rose sat in her nest and stared at the white embossed card that had arrived in the mail during her estrous. She'd been expecting it—hell she had the date put aside in her diary already—but now the invite was here she was out of sorts.
Lord Christian Ozera and Princess Vasilisa Dragomir request the pleasure of your company…
In an exciting call months ago, Lissa told her best friend that Christian had proposed. Since then, Lissa had been busy planning every detail of a society wedding. As the last Dragomir and youngest member of the Royal Council, her wedding would be large. Custom dictated representatives from each of the other eleven Royal families had to be invited as well as her Majesty. By the time the large Ozera side of the family was also accounted for, there were over five-hundred people invited. Lissa had confided in Rose that she hoped at least a hundred could not attend, although Rose doubted anyone would willingly pass up the opportunity to attend the wedding of the year.
Disappointed not to be asked to be her best friend's Matron of Honor, politically and socially it just wasn't possible. The fact she, Dimitri, and her parents had been invited would be enough of an affront to many there. Having a dhampir, and a disgraced one at that, stand beside the Princess would add insult to injury. Accordingly, Camille Conta and Natalie Dashkov would attend Lissa, while two distant cousins would stand up with Christian.
"You don't look happy," Janine commented, walking into her daughter's suite in Abe's Istanbul mansion. Dimitri knew his mate was in a strange mood since she opened the invitation, so he'd asked her mother to look in on her.
"I'm not unhappy," Rose countered.
"Then how are you feeling?"
"I don't know," Rose said with a sigh as Janine sat on an armchair across from her. "It will be strange going back to that world."
"You don't have to go if you don't want to," Janine said, trying to get a read on her daughter.
"I'm not missing Lissa's wedding. It's just going to be weird going somewhere where there're expectations on what I can and can't do, just because I'm dhampir and Omega," Rose explained.
