I had my seat reclined as much as I could on the plane, hoping that being horizontal would help me sleep. Lissa, Christian and Adrian were near the front of the plane, giving me a bit of space to sleep. They all knew I was having issues sleeping, and Lissa all but demanded I sleep on the plane.

There was a little turbulence and I grimaced each time we hit a bump, gripping the armrest with a death grip.

A hand brushed over my forehead gently and I cracked my eyes open, finding Alberta looking down at me with a soft look.

"How are you feeling?"

I shrugged. "Not fantastic. I'm hoping to get some sleep so I can function. Does this pass? The exhaustion?"

"It will, but you seem to be getting the symptoms earlier than most. It might be because of Spirit. Fingers cross the symptoms pass sooner too," she said as she sat in the vacant seat beside me.

"Any other symptoms?"

I shrugged. "I don't really know what the symptoms would be."

Alberta smirked. "Heartburn, constipation, gas, indigestion, breast tenderness, increase in breast size, skin darkening. You might even experience hair growth at some point. The sickness should pass by the second trimester," Alberta explained.

I shrugged. "I have had a bit of heartburn, and my boobs hurt. I have had a bit of gas," I said quietly with a grimace. Alberta nodded and stroked my head again.

"Ginger ale helps, and so do crackers when you can't eat. Try eating soft foods too, like apple sauce."

I made a face but she chuckled, moving her seat back so that she was laying next to me.

"Is it selfish that I wish my mom was here? Because I have so many questions and I don't remember them half the time," I whispered.

Alberta shook her head. "There is nothing wrong with wanting your mom, Rose. It's a normal want. This is all so uncertain and new and sudden. You want your mom because she's done this."

I nodded and licked my lips and closed my eyes, sighing to myself as I tried to get comfortable. Alberta snapped her seat back into place and whispered that she was going to talk to the pilot. I curled on my side, trying to stay warm against the air-conditioned cabin. I finally managed to fall asleep and was woken up by Christian.

"We're touching down soon," he said as he stepped out of the way of my flailing arm.

"Thanks, sparky," I grumbled as I tucked the blanket around me, pressing my face into the fabric. I opened my eyes after a moment when I remembered that I didn't have a blanket. I sat up and moved my seat into the upright position for the descent, noticing that the 'blanket' was a duster. I smiled to myself and folded it in my lap, burying my fingers between the folds to keep them warm.

Once we touched down I couldn't help but yawn and then groan as I stood up, stretching my body from its cramped position. I watched as the Moroi walked off the plane first and then handed Dimitri his duster, sighing quietly when our fingers brushed.

"You look a little better now that you've slept," Dimitri commented as he put his duster on. I nodded and rubbed my face. I felt better. It was the longest I had slept in a while.

I climbed down the steps and was happy to see familiar red hair waiting at the bottom of the stairs, arms crossed while Janine spoke to Alberta. I walked towards her quickly and slipped my arms around her waist, resting my head on her shoulder. Janine didn't break her stride in conversation as she hugged me back, rubbing my shoulder softly.

It was one of the first times when maternal instinct felt natural between us, and I needed it.

"What are you doing here?" I asked her.

"Lord Szelksy was invited to the same dinner as you were."

I nodded and pulled back. Lissa and the others were already being escorted to the cars when Janine cupped my face gently.

"You look so tired," she said quietly.

"I've barely slept. I slept a few hours on the flight here and that is the most I've gotten this week," I grumbled.

Janine nodded and patted my shoulder before wrapping her arm around me, and leading me to the cars. I climbed into the one with Lissa and rested my head on her shoulder. She chuckled a little and patted my hand.

"Hey, are you still having nightmares from the caves? Maybe I can find a way to make a charm so you can sleep?"

"Don't push yourself, Liss," I said tiredly. Another thing that I had worried about. I knew what the darkness did to me, but there was a lingering fear deep inside me about what it would do to my baby.

The thought alone made me stop. My baby. I hadn't really and stopped and wondered at the thought. I was so consumed with how terrified I was with everything else that I hadn't stopped to think about the miraculous being that grew inside me. I knew that I was so early on that most women didn't know, and that I couldn't really tell anyone because of the risk of miscarriage, but was that even a fear for Dhampir?

I wasn't sure what ectopic meant, but I could tell from Alberta's expression that it wasn't good.

But back to the Spirit, I didn't want Lissa to use it because I didn't know what it would do to either of us.

Adrian smoked as we drove, the window rolled down out of consideration for us. I couldn't help but find the smell different, almost appealing in a way. Christian seemed almost annoyed by Adrian's presence, but Lissa had reminded him that Adrian was his ticket into the party.

"Can you put that out Lord Ivashkov? Some of us do not particularly enjoy the smell," Alberta asked politely.

Adrian raised his brows at her but flicked the cigarette out of the car and rolled the window up. I sighed and wrapped my arms around my waist and rubbed my lips together. I was getting a little antsy about being cooped up all day and I needed to stretch my legs.

Once we stopped I practically jumped out of the car and stretched before grabbing my bag. Dimitri led Lissa and I to the main desk in Guest Housing and gave us our room keys. I rubbed at my face as we walked, stifling a yawn as we went. Lissa giggled at me as we walked.

"You need a longer nap," she said.

"I do, but I need to work out a bit," I said with a roll of my shoulders. Dimitri's head turned the slightest bit toward me before looking straight ahead again. Once we got to our room, Dimitri went in and did an initial sweep of the room and then gestured for us to follow.

He didn't need to do it, but it was a habit.

I directed Lissa to take the corner room while I took the one closest to the door. Dimitri was staying in the adjoining room that was designated as a Guardian suite. I unzipped my bag and pulled out some workout clothes, heading into the bathroom to change.

"Do you want to grab a quick lunch first?" Lissa asked.

I shook my head and tied my hair back. "No, I'm not all that hungry right now. But I know that Christian would be more than happy to go with you," I said with a smile.

Lissa had a small smile on her face. "I know, but I wanted to check with you first."

I nodded and grabbed my room key and my headphones before waving at Dimitri as I headed out the door.

I started with a jog and slowly increased my speed, running around the track while breathing in the cold air. April was cold so far, but I didn't mind it completely. It was nice to feel the burn in my chest as I ran. I had been so tired that I hadn't had a chance to train this week, so I took the golden opportunity to be out in the sunlight.

I did my laps and did a cool-down lap and walked back towards the gym, picking up the towel I left on the bench when I walked in.

There were a lot of Guardians in the gym, and it was a little startling to see so many Guardians at once. There was more than I had ever seen before in one room. I wiped my face and spied a Guardian I recognized but couldn't put my finger on why I remembered him. I noticed that there were a few Guardians walking around with smoothies that looked surprisingly delicious and I approached him a little hesitantly.

I waited until he was done with his set before clearing my throat and he looked up at me in the mirror.

"Hi, sorry to bother you, have we met before?" I asked awkwardly.

He set his weights down and turned. "Once. I was at St. Vladimir's shortly after the attack. You are?" he said, extending a hand to me.

"Novice Hathaway," I said shaking his hand, "I'm sorry to be random, but I keep seeing everyone with those smoothies."

"Pavel. And yes, the gym just built a juice bar. It's just out there," he said and pointed toward a set of doors. I smiled and nodded my head.

"Thanks. Are you posted here year-round? Or does your charge travel a lot?"

Pavel smirked and shrugged. "My charge rarely stays in one place for long," he chuckled.

I smirked. "I have a feeling my future charge will be the same. She has crazy plans already."

"Dragomir Princess, right?"

I stilled for a second. "How would you know that?"

He shrugged and picked up his own towel, wiping his face. "It's widely known amongst the Guardians that you are almost secured in the spot of being Princess Dragomir's second Guardian. But I heard a rumour that Guardian Belikov would be transferring out."

"That is in fact a rumour. He isn't going anywhere. Lissa suggested I take a few months off after graduation to celebrate with her before I take on my position. Sort of a gift in a sense," I said cocking my head to the side.

"That's kind of her, but you aren't her sanctioned Guardian yet. Isn't it a little early to make those plans?"

I shrugged and turned the subject around. "Who is your charge?"

"An influential non-Royal who contracts his own Guardians. He's a good charge," Pavel said and stepped away from the machine he was using so someone else could use it. I spotted Dimitri in the gym a few feet off, his jaw clenched so tight I was surprised I couldn't hear his teeth grinding from here.

"Well, I'm going to go get my smoothie. I'm starving and have a bit of jetlag," I said, "Thanks for the conversation, Guardian Pavel."

"Have a good time here, Rose," he said as I walked away. I glanced back over my shoulder as we walked. I hadn't given him my first name. I knew that I was somewhat known in the Guardian world, but nobody had called me by my first name.

I headed for the juice bar when I was pulled into a small closet. I put up a fight when I was pressed against the door, hand gripping mine and pinning me.

"It's just me," Dimitri said quietly in my ear.

I relaxed against his hold and sighed. When he let go of my hands I punched his shoulder not so lightly.

"The fuck, Dimitri?!"

The light flicked on overhead and I blinked as I adjusted to the light.

"You say that we can't be around each other to protect your family, and now you've shoved us into a cleaning closet. What?"

"Do you know who you were talking to?"

"Guardian Pavel."

"No. Guardian Damir."

I raised my brows. "Why would he lie?"

"Because if you don't know his last name, you can't track who his charge is. That man's charge is the one who threatened us."

"Us? Dimitri, he threatened your family," I said but he shook his head.

"You are a part of that now," he said his hand resting on my lower stomach, just between my hipbones. I rested my hand over his and smiled at him.

"What does that mean for us?"

Dimitri shook his head, unsure. "I don't know. But I will do what I have to to protect my family."

"How exactly do we do that when we can't be around each other? Because to be perfectly honest, we don't know who is watching us. It could be anyone. I can't keep looking over my shoulder. That man can't hurt me because he wants you to stay away from me. He doesn't know what we know, nor does anyone else. I haven't told anyone other than you. I haven't even told Lissa!"

"You haven't?"

"No! And that terrifies me even more because she wants to use Spirit and I don't know what will happen to the baby. Will the darkness hurt them? Will I hurt them during the fit of rage? How can I tell anyone right now, nor why would anyone believe the truth?"

I could feel myself start to spiral. I hadn't told anyone my fears and now that I was saying it out, it was like the words couldn't stop falling from my mouth. Dimitri shushed me soothingly and pulled me to his chest, holding me tightly.

The pressure of Dimitri's chest against mine hurt a little bit, but I wasn't about to complain about being held close.

"It's okay. We'll figure this out," he soothed.

I nodded and pulled back, wiping my hand over my face. "We should talk about this where we won't be accidentally caught," I said with a sigh, "Plus I can't stop thinking about the smoothie bar. I'm starving."

Dimitri nodded but pulled me back to him slowly, slipping his arms around my waist. I couldn't help but smile and lean into him, tilting my head up to catch his lips. I had missed the way his lips felt against mine. I didn't think that I'd get to feel it again but I was soaking up every minute of it.

I pulled back with a grin and I ran my fingers over his neck for a moment before pressing another kiss and pulling back.

"Bye, I have to go feed the monster," I chuckled.

"Roza, don't call the baby a monster," Dimitri chuckled.

"I wasn't, I was talking about my stomach. The monster needs to be fed so that I can feed the spawn," I said sarcastically, wagging my brows at him as I slipped out of the closet.

I had to admit that I was enjoying being pampered for once. I enjoyed the massage and the manicure, despite it being simple. I sat in the chair and it felt like a blur while my makeup was applied.

"Do you want a glass? My parents used to drink this all the time," Lissa asked, gesturing to the bottle of champagne that was brought out.

"You aren't old enough," I chuckled.

"Princess perks," Lissa said gesturing to the glass.

"No thank you," I said as I closed my eyes again so the lady could finish my makeup.

"Really?"

"Yeah. I don't want to get caught drinking. All I need is another black mark on my record," I droned with a smirk.

Lissa snickered and she glanced around before reaching out for my hand. "How have you been doing? It's been a while since we talked and I wanted to make sure you're okay about that situation."

I smiled at her and squeezed her hand. "It's okay."

"Just okay? I thought it was really sweet when he draped his coat over you on the plane. He thought we were all asleep, but I was pretending to see what he would do."

I smirked and chuckled. "Yeah, that really was sweet of him. He stopped me earlier, wanting to make sure I was okay."

"Do you think you might be able to patch things up?"

I shrugged. "Maybe, I don't know. We'll see," I said quietly.

Lissa bumped my shoulder with her hand gently. "Well, his jaw will drop when he sees you in that dress," Lissa giggled.

I shook my head with a grin. Maybe it would, maybe it wouldn't. Who knew, but I had to admit it was a pretty dress and I was excited to wear something that wasn't my go-to.

"Do you think Christian is going to go or do you think he's going to bail?"

Lissa grimaced. "I hope that he'll still go, but I think the whole idea of going where everyone is going to treat him like an outcast freaks him out. If he goes, great! But if not, then I'll be okay with that. You're still coming with me," she said with a smile.

I grinned at her and nodded. "Of course."

I waited for Lissa in the lobby while she finished getting dressed. Christian ended up bailing, saying that he wasn't up for going to the dinner. The dress looked nice on the rack and I was happy that it looked as nice as it did when I tried it on, but it felt a little tight now. Alberta was probably right about some of my symptoms coming on quicker than usual, but it sucked.

As I paced slowly I heard the click of shoes on the floor and I turned to find Janine a few feet away.

"You look pretty," she said with a small smile, "Glowing even."

I rolled my eyes and she laughed. "Okay, I know that the last one was a little on the nose."

"You got that right," I chuckled and unwrapped my arms from my waist, smoothing my hands over the skirt.

"Is this too little for things thing?"

"No, but Moroi will look simply because you're Dhampir. But at least you look lovely and modist."

"Not like the last dress?"

Janine blanched a little and frowned. "My comments last time were a little uncalled for."

I shrugged. "We've both said things that were uncalled for," I said quietly.

Janine nodded and clasped her hands loosely in front of her and she looked uncomfortable. Almost as if she was unsure of what to do.

"Are you working?"

"Yes," she said quickly.

"Then I guess I'll see you inside then?"

Janine nodded and walked away without a goodbye. The interaction must have been as uncomfortable for me as it was for her. I sighed and ran my hand through my hair as I sat on the puffy chairs and rested my head back but was careful not to crush my hair.

I could hear multiple voices floating around the lobby but I caught one that was much different than the others. There was an accent to it that I couldn't place. I looked in that direction and saw the odd-looking man I saw at the Academy.

It was startling to see him again, but it was even more so to see Pavel, Guardian Damir, standing close by.

Just a dose of feels in preparation for the finale tomorrow ;)

Let me know what you think!:)