Sorry for the delay, I went to a little convention this weekend :)

Enjoy!

Dimitri POV

I avoided Christian and slipped out the backdoors; I wanted to avoid people and headed to the side of the house. The music and chatter from the party became distant, and I welcomed the silence. I couldn't stay there for long or Rose would suspect something was wrong.

I just needed a moment to swallow down my feelings and rebuild my mask.

Later, I could dwell on losing my chance at something I should never have considered.

From the start, Rose said she didn't want something; she never hinted that there was a possibility for more, and yet I read into the situation and gave myself false hope.

I just needed to make it through the next hour, and then I could leave… and things would go back to normal. Rose and I would continue as we had—exchanging pleasantries but nothing else.

My fists clenched in irritation at myself, shaking my head. I blamed Ivan for always implying there was something there whenever Rose would interact with us at the restaurant she worked at. I blamed myself for looking too closely at what the invite to the party meant.

Rose just needed someone to help her out of a situation. That was all.

"Hey, you okay?"

I spun around and found two friends Rose had introduced me to earlier, a blond and a redhead. I took a deep breath and schooled my expression, "I'm fine; I needed a moment." I studied them both and tried to remember their names.

The redhead—Mason, I believe—nodded his head in understanding, "Tell me about it. If I could avoid the invites, I would."

The other, Eddie, laughed and squeezed Mason's shoulder. They were close, and both gravitated to each other; I wondered if they were soulmates.

"You're fresh meat," Eddie began with a grin, "and you came with Rose; I'm sure everyone wants to know your business."

I tilted my head, shoving my hands in my pockets, "Is it that surprising that Rose brought someone?"

"Considering everyone had been talking about her and Nathan getting together for the last couple of years."

My jaw clenched. "He doesn't seem like a good match for her."

"And what the fuck would you know!" All three of us turned to locate the new voice; dread washed over me at Nathan stalking towards us with a sneer, two friends trailing behind him. Nathan looked every bit the part of a spoiled trust fund kid; I could tell he wasn't told no often.

He pushed past Mason and Eddie, stepping into my space, "You come here off the side of the street and act like you know anything. You are probably just a charity case to her."

I scoffed. I might not be rich as they were, but I wasn't ashamed of it, and I wouldn't satisfy him by reacting to it. As much as I hated how uncomfortable Nathan made Rose, I didn't want to start anything at her parent's house. "You aren't worth it," I muttered, and brushed past him.

Nathan chuckled, "You never were an issue; Rose is easy enough that she will give it up soon. I'm sure I can put her mouth to good use."

I swung my fist at him before I thought through what I was doing. All I saw was red, and felt my blood boil; hearing him speak about Rose like that made my anger take over and all care for not causing a scene left.

Nathan didn't expect it, not even dodging as my fist struck him in the jaw. He lost his balance and took a few steps back; it only took a moment for him to snarl and fight back. I had the height advantage on him and the muscle, but he wasn't as useless as I had expected; he had some technique, but his punches felt weak compared to Ivan's.

Nathan swung at my face, and I dodge, but he managed to hit me in the stomach. I retaliated by punching him in the jaw again, which knocked him off his feet. I had thought that would be the end of it when I heard a gasp behind me.

"What the fuck is going on!" Rose exclaimed. I looked over my shoulder and met her eyes.

I messed up.

My apology was interrupted when Nathan threw himself at me and brought us both to the ground. He tried to gain the upper hand, attempted to pin me and got in a couple of hits.

"Do something!" I heard Rose yell, and then Mason laughed.

"Nathan had this coming."

Rose huffed, and I watched her come closer. I needed to stop the fight before she put herself in danger. I gripped Nathan's arms, but he shook me off, pulling back and knocking Rose in the process. I growled and hit Nathan in the face again; it was enough to roll us over so I had the upper hand in the fight. I pulled my fist back again, only to freeze.

"Everybody, stop!"

I barely recognised the voice, but I did recognise the authority behind it—so did Nathan.

We stopped fighting, and I didn't struggle when I was pulled off of him. Shame and disappointment washed over me that I had done the one thing I promised myself I wouldn't do. Even my mother would be ashamed when she learned I had been in another fight.

If Nathan pressed charges, I wouldn't be able to get out of them. If I were arrested, I would lose my job and the main income for my family. I would lose my scholarship and never finish my degree.

In a matter of minutes, I had destroyed my life.

Gentle hands lightly brushed over the wounds on my face, my eyes meeting Rose's; they were so full of concern. "What the hell happened?" she asked softly.

I winced when she touched my lip. I regretted that my actions would lead to such disastrous consequences, but when I looked at Rose, I knew I would do it again to defend her.

I glared at Nathan, he had no respect for her or others, and I hated he was likely to get away with it.

"That's what I would like to know." Rose's father stepped in my eye line, so he was between Nathan and me. His eyes hardened, lips pressed in a thin line as he regarded us both. "Someone better start talking."

Abe directed me to take a seat as the wooden doors were closed behind us. I didn't know if it was a good thing or not that I was taken to what I assumed was Abe's study; I had expected to be taken out front for the police to deal with.

Abe dropped into the leather seat behind his desk with a sigh and clasped his hands, resting them on the dark wood. "So you started a fight with one of the most annoying guests here. As much as I am glad someone took a swing at him, it doesn't bode too well for you, does it, Dimitri?"

I shifted in my seat, my fist hurt from the punches I threw, and the cut on my lip stung when I spoke. "I apologise for causing a disturbance," I repeated. It's what I was sorry for; I didn't feel sorry for hitting Nathan, and I wasn't about to pretend I was.

"Why did you start one?" Abe asked, a ghost of a smile on his face.

My jaw clenched. "Nathan said some things about your daughter that I wasn't going to allow, Sir."

He scowled. "Nathan truly is scum, and if I had my way, he wouldn't be allowed to step foot near Rose." Abe's reaction was not what I'd expected, and it threw me. His eyes met mine, "So you defended my daughter's reputation, is that correct?"

"Yes."

"Good," He approved, and then he gave me a knowing smile, "I see you still have that protective streak in you." My brows furrowed in confusion and Abe laughed. "It took me some time, but I was finally able to place where I knew you from. Your mother once called on me to help her."

"My mother?" I didn't recognise Abe, positive that I hadn't seen him in person before. I had heard of him and seen his name in articles or on the news, but I had no idea how he knew my family.

"Yes," he began, "I'm friends with your grandmother, and when Olena needed help, she contacted me."

"What did she need help with?"

Abe's eyes met mine, "You."

I was even more confused.

"It would have been thirteen years ago now. Olena called me and begged me to help keep her son from being punished for beating up his abusive father. I always wondered how you turned out," he mused and then scoffed. "To think you would show up as my daughter's date to a Soulmate Ceremony."

I felt all the blood leave my face and shame wash over me as I dropped my eyes to the floor. I could never regret protecting my family, just as I couldn't with protecting Rose, but I did hate that I carried that kind of anger in me. I did beat up my father and gave it to him as badly as he had my mother. That anger that I never realised was so strong took over me that day.

It was the same anger that led me to beat the man at the dorm party that was forcing himself onto another student; then again when fighting Nathan.

I disliked when someone thought they had the right to hurt another just because they wanted to. They preyed on the weak and vulnerable and didn't care about the pain they caused.

But even if my intentions were noble, no one wanted someone like me to be near their daughter. "I'm sorry for today. I promise that I won't cause any more issues for you or your family. I'll stay away from Rose."

Abe hummed, head cocked to the side, "Do you intend to harm my daughter?"

My head snapped up, and I met his eyes, vehemently disagreeing, "I would never hurt Rose!"

"Then why would you need to stay away from her?" he asked. "As far as I'm concerned, I can trust you to keep her safe and to care for her. Plus, it isn't up to me to decide who Rose can or cannot date. My daughter is a stubborn woman that does exactly as she wants, as I'm sure you are aware." Abe reclined in his chair, "I will handle Nathan and his mother; they won't cause any more trouble once I'm done with them."

I swallowed, my mind slowly comprehending his words, surprised that he wasn't sending me on my way. I had to confirm it before I let myself believe it. I asked hesitantly, "You won't be calling the police?"

He chuckled again, "No. If I did that, I would have to deal with Rose, and I don't want to deal with her bad mood aimed at me."

I could have left. I could have taken Rose up on her offer to leave, and not have any hard feelings between us. But like the fool I was, I chose to stay.

Though I knew Rose wasn't interested in me, I wanted to see it through. I wanted to see if there was a change for something more. If the candle between us didn't light then I knew it would be a fleeting romance between us, but if it lit—I didn't know what I would do.

I had changed into the suit Abe had lent me, noting that I owed him another thanks. The fact that he would smooth over what happened with Nathan was already an unexpected kindness. I briefly wondered what methods he would use to do so, which made me think of how he had prevented me from going to jail when I was thirteen.

I remembered being locked in the interview room; the arresting officer was conflicted about how to continue with the case after I had given my side of the story. My mother cried as I was handcuffed at the house. She begged for me to be released even as she was loaded into the back of the ambulance.

When I was released and asked how she told me they dropped the charges, and then we never saw my father again.

I never thought to question it again afterwards, but now, I was curious. Was it simply a favour that Abe did? Or was there a price?

Rose was on her bed when I exited the bathroom; I was fixing the cuffs on the shirt as I walked towards her. "The jacket didn't fit," I told her, shrugging my shoulders in the crisp white shirt. I couldn't get the buttons to do up so I opted for just rolling the sleeves instead.

"The rest looks good," she offered with a tight smile; an emotion flicked over her face and then disappeared. I assumed it was nerves.

I reminded myself that I was simply a stand-in for the ceremony that would be starting soon. Rose's options were limited, and she preferred someone she wouldn't have any chance of lighting a flame with. Even if there was the smallest of flames, she could pass it off as nothing and eventually, everyone would forget. I didn't run in anyone's circle; there was no one to know this was all for show.

She stood from the bed, rearranging her dress and pulling at her hair; there was no need to—she already looked perfect.

I reached forward and moved some of the stray stands, and laid them with the others. Despite accepting that it was going nowhere, I wanted to enjoy the small amount of time I had left in the fantasy.

Rose inhaled slowly, eyes flicking to mine and then down to my hands. She reached out and ghosted her fingers over my bruised knuckles. "Does it hurt?"

"I'm fine," I assured her with a smile. The fight wasn't her fault. If I wasn't going to regret it then neither would she. "Nathan won't be a problem anymore. You won't need to fake a date again." My smile fell, and I stepped back.

Another emotion showed in her eyes, but I couldn't decipher if it was disappointment or not. It was gone and replaced with a cheer that felt forced, the smile not reaching her eyes. "Lucky me. That will make next year much easier."

I gestured to the door, eyeing the setting sun visible from her windows, "I think it's almost time."

Rose stood silently for a moment. "Right. Let's get this over with."

Rose was agitated, unable to stand still as we waited. Mason and Eddie had spoken to us for a couple of minutes, congratulating me on the fight and wishing us luck. Mason kept nudging Rose and whispered something to her that made her blush and become more irritated.

We were made to stand to the side and told to wait for our turn, each couple eagerly awaiting theirs as one man arranged the candle and tied their hands. Each one that was completed made my heart clench.

The ceremony felt cheapened, made into a spectacle just so they could throw a party. The ceremony was meant to be between two people that loved each other, a test of the strength of the soul's connections. It was originally performed with only a select few people to witness it, but over time that tradition changed. Now, it was all a show.

Just for show.

Rose didn't want to be doing this.

She shifted nervously beside me again, and I resisted reaching for her by shoving my hands into my pockets. "Relax, Rose," I soothed.

Her eyes didn't meet mine, no longer gravitating close to me for comfort; instead, she crossed her arms and stared ahead. "I just want to get this over with, and then I can drink a glass of wine and we can leave."

We would leave and just go back to how we used to be. I hated it.

I laughed despite myself, "You really don't like this."

"No," she hissed, "it's stupid and a waste of time. And all a lie. I don't give a fuck about what a candle says."

Her response only solidified what I already knew. Whatever the outcome of the ceremony, I would never hold Rose to anything. If I forced her to be part of something she didn't want, then I was no better than Nathan.

I shrugged and watched the man fasten Lissa's and Christian's hands. I wouldn't force her into anything, but I was wistful. "It could be nice having a soulmate."

It was silent as everyone waited; no one breathed until the candle lit.

There was a collective gasp—excitement and awe at the bright flame. I wasn't surprised; even in the short time I had interacted with them, I could see they had a strong connection.

I wished the excitement I saw spread over Lissa's face would be what would show on Rose's. I wished I was participating in the ceremony with joy and anticipation rather than dread.

Rose dropped her chin, no longer watching her friend. "I don't think so," she whispered, so soft I almost missed it.

It felt like part of me broke.

It was our turn, and I kept the emotions churning in my chest off my face. It was almost over, and then she would be free from the requirement of finding a soulmate for another year. I would have played my part.

Her hand was soft, her palm small compared to mine. I swore there was a spark each time we touched, and I knew I would miss it. The silk wrap was tied securely, and the blue candle was placed between our palms.

There was no reason to be nervous.

It wasn't meant to be.

Rose glanced up at me; her face pale in the twilight. I tried to reassure her as much as I was myself, "It's okay, Rose."

The feeling shot through me. So intense and unexpected that I was stunned.

Ivan had told me what it felt like, but his description didn't come close to experiencing it. It was like every nerve in my body became aware, and an energy went through me.

My eyes met Rose's, drawn to hers and unable to pull away. The sunlight was no longer the only light; instead, a bright glow illuminated the soft lines of her face. I didn't need to look down to confirm it. I could feel the heat of the flame just as I could feel it in my soul.

Our candle was lit, and it burned brighter than any I had seen before.

Roza was my soulmate.

…and she didn't want me.

So, there's a chance that the future updates may be slow. I have managed to get a job, because bills must be paid. This means that I won't be able to write as often.
Sorry in advance for that :)
I will be posting (hopefully as often as normal) on my Instagram Hiccupped_studio, so feel free to follow me over there :)

Next chapter will go back into Rose's POV :D