Chapter 18
The first thing I could my mind grasped what someone calling my name. the voice was angelic and familiar.
Lissa, Is that really you? I thought to myself, hoping I was not imagining that voice. Peeling my eyes open to bright lights I quickly closed them. Trying again, I slowly opened them to the lights I attempt to focus my eyes. Looking to my left sat a smiling Lissa, through her bond she was feeling mixed emotions.
Lissa was excited to see me back, as well as pregnant. She was also sad and a kind of mad. Mad? What is Lissa mad or sad about. Trying to dig deeper she but she then blocked me. Weird?
"How are you feeling?" Lissa asked, concerned. "The doctors said you and the baby is fine but wanted to wait until you woke before letting you check out. Unfortunately, Adrian is still out cold, all that spirit and lack of food and blood has wiped him out cold." Nodding her head to my right side.
Beside me laid a sleeping Adrian, peacefully sleeping and alive, thank god.
"Where is Dimitri? Is he alright, did they hurt him?" I asked, hoping maybe he was alright and not hurt. Lissa looked sad, not in a sad I just killed your puppy but a its not going well face.
"What is going on, is he alright? Lissa where is he, is he okay?" Starting to panic.
"He is alright for now, they have him in the cells until Queen Tatiana and the Council comes up with a verdict." She explained carefully. "Your father has been working endlessly since you've arrived to try and find a way to let him out of the cell, but Tatiana has asked him to wait for you and Adrian to wake up."
Getting up from her seat she gave me a hug. "You have no idea how happy I am to have you back, different circumstances would have been better, but I am happy your home." Causing me to break down in sobs.
Lissa held me as I cried everything out. Cried because I missed Lissa, cried for Dimitris punishment and I also cried for the comatose Adrian who was oblivious to my hysterical crying.
Ten minutes later, a stuffed-up nose and a blotchy face I finally got myself together. Wiping my face with a tissue I wanted to catch up with Lissa, but before that I wanted to know where the hell I am.
"Uh Lissa, where exactly are we?" Looking around the tiny furnished medical room. "I've spent a fair share of my life in the infirmary and this one is kind of odd looking."
|Lissa giggled, making me look at her confused. "Well, I should hope it would look different, this private infirmary belongs to Queen Tatiana." Making my mouth to drop.
Queen Tatiana? This is her private infirmary, why am I in here?
"I know that look to well and relax, she ordered you two to be located here."
"Yeah, but why? Adrian, I get, but why am I here when there is a dhampir infirmary on the guardian resident side of court." I questioned.
Lissa looked thoughtful for a moment. "Maybe its because your pregnant?" She guessed, shrugging her shoulders. No, I do not think its that, the bitch don't got a nice bone in her body.
"No that wouldn't be right, there are always pregnant dhampirs and none have ever been known to get special treatment from the queen. She's up to something and I'm going to find out"
"Oh Rose, what am I going to do with you." Lissa giggled shaking her head. Being here with her in the moment was nice.
"Maybe a back rub, where's Christian he can rub my feet." I joked. "Speaking of him, where is he? Usually, he follows your shadow."
"He is with his Aunt Tasha who just arrived at when she heard Dimitri was back from the dead, I mean undead." Looking at me sadly.
Me I was just annoyed. Of course, Adrian and I do all the work and she get the glory of Dimitri while I'm stuck in a hospital bed. The bitch.
"Are they letting visitors see him?" I asked hoping he was. "Do you think the doctors will let me go see him"
Lissa looked torn. "Well yes, but he requested only five people."
"Okay? And what's the problem with that." Not getting it.
"Well, you see…" She trailed off.
"Spit it out, what's going on?"
Lissa was fidgeting when Lissa fidgets she is worried on hurting me. Growing up together you pick up the traits and habits over the years. Especially if you are training to guard their lives.
"You see theirs is only five right." Making me nod. "On the list was Abe, his lawyer, Adrian, Tasha and I." My eye twitched.
Repeat that, did you just say You, Abe, lawyer, Adrian and TASHA! Yelling in my head, my face was neutral. One of these days scar face, one of these days.
"Rose, are you alright?" Lissa asked, as I stared at my protruding stomach. I did not say anything, I felt numb inside I could not breathe. Looking to her, I felt disappointed. Expecting to be on the list only to find out you are not felt like a kick in the gut.
Was this his way to push me away? Did he not want me or our child? Maybe the words I spoke to him as a strigoi was the reason he pushes me away.
More than one occasion I told him id kill him, or maybe it was the reversal. Did he hate me for choosing to kill him when I could have saved him? Did he hate me because I abandoned the thought of saving him to save my loved ones. What about our child? Will he abandon him too.
Blinking out of my semi trace I answered. "Ye-yeah I'm good, right now our child is more important anyways. Whether he abandons us doesn't change the fact I am going to be a mother." Looking back down at my stomach. More so, avoiding Lissa's stare that would cause me to break down, it would tell her what I really felt. Betrayed, mad and annoyed with Dimitri for shutting me out. He betrayed me by running and anything remotely Tasha makes me mad.
"Rose, you don't have to keep it all in, you can tell me anything." Putting her hand on mine. "Its alright to feel this way, but what ever happens Christian and I are here."
Just as I was going to thank her the door knocked and in came Christian and Tasha. Great! Now she is in my personal place now.
'Be nice, she is still Christians aunt.' Through the bond.
"Boy am I glad to see you up and awake, you gave Lissa and I a scare when you pulled up unconscious." Handing me a red stuffed toy of a fire breathing dragon, why am I not surprised. "That's for the boy," making Lissa cringe. Of course, she could not keep a secret from him. "And this, is for you.
Handing me a gift bag. Confused I looked inside. "Its not going to explode right?" Looking up at a smiling Christian and an annoyed Tasha. "This time no, next time you won't be so lucky." Causing me to laugh. Yeah, I have defiantly missed him too.
Pulling out the tissue wrapped gift was a beautiful red jacket, the feeling was so soft I felt like I could nuzzle up and sleep in it. "Thank you, its really beautiful and soft." Tasha looked annoyed.
"Wow Christian that's beautiful, how thoughtful of you to buy that for Rose." Lissa beamed at her boyfriend.
Christian on the other hand look embarrassed. "Well, I wouldn't say I bought it exactly, more like I made it actually." Both Lissa and I where shocked. Looking down at the beautiful piece I could not believe my eyes. Something so beautiful and elegant was made my pyromaniac airhead.
I laughed lightly, "You serious, you actually made this?" Quite astonished. Christian nodded, slightly embarrassed. "It was something my mother was teaching me as I was growing up. Wasn't particularly good then but I've been practicing here and there, no big deal." Shrugging he then sat at the end of my bed.
Moving my eyes from Christian to his aunt I see that she is staring at my stomach. "Tasha, pleasant surprise seeing you here especially at court." Giving her a small fake smile, just enough to fool her. She on the other hand did not look to pleased to be here particularly in this room.
"Well yeah, I came here to spend time with Christian. Few months from now he will be off to college for a few years." Narrowing her eyes at me. Liar, you are here for Dimitri you sleezy desperate bitch. Sorry scar face, ill be damned before i let him walk off into the sunset with you.
The fake giggle I let out made Lissa flinch. "Oh, how cute, isn't spending time with family the greatest. Recently I spent time with family too, it was a blast." Christian raised an eyebrow at me, I think it was the giggle that came out of my mouth.
"How...nice, it also it seems like your knocked-up congratulations." Nodding toward my stomach. Her heated glance made my skin crawl. "Its sad though."
Lissa and Christian both turned to look at her, eyes trained on her. "Sad that Dimka wasted his time on a little girl who ended up pregnant and now useless." My jaw dropped. The fuck did she just say. Did my ears play ticks on me or did she just bash me.
"Tasha! What the hell! You apologise to Rose right now, what has gotten into you lately." Christian raged.
'Rose be careful. Her aura is dark, what ever she is thinking is not good. Even when your pregnancy was brought up her face twisted.' Lissa said through the bond. Nodding my head my eyes where still trained on Tasha.
"You listen, listen real good got it cause I'm not going to repeat myself." Narrowing my eyes at hr threateningly at her I than said. "First keep anything about me or my baby to out of your mouth, it is none of your damn concern. You say one thing and I will cu that tongue from your mouth. Second, how dare you speak for Dimitri when you have no idea what he thinks so shut your mouth before I put you in a hospital bed, you got it bitch." Tasha gulped.
"Y-you can't threaten me, don't you forget I'm a Royal." She scoffed looking to Lissa and Christian for support. "Your nothing but a blood whore dhampir who is pregnant. ."
"Tasha! Take that back." Christian yelled at his aunt. Lissa gasped at Tasha's words towards me.
Now it was my turn to scoff. "Your lucky your Christians aunt or you wouldn't be standing here smack telling me. You honestly believe I care you are a Royal," I chuckled. "My fathers Abe Mazur but you don't see me using it as bitch excuse to hide from a fight you wanted to pick Want to talk smack be a woman and don't use your title as a shield because you're to much of a bitch to back it up." Tasha paled when I spoke Abe's name.
"Today I will be the bigger person since I'm pregnant ill let it slide but try it again, you behind Christians aunt is off the table, your ass mine." I warned giving her a menacing look. Turning to Christian he looked at me silently.
"Thank you for the gift Ozera, I love sweater a lot it means a lot and I will cherish it." Nodding at me with a small smile. "I'm glad I was informed red was your color, it was supposed to be for your birthday, but the time was off, and I didn't finish it in time. Looking over at a sleeping Adrian and laugh of course he told him that no one else but him has ever complemented me in red
Nodding I understood, I was in Russia at the time looking for Dimitri. "Well, no matter what for thank you."
"So, what are your plans for this lovey day." Trying to change the subject. after Tasha's temper tantrum the mood just seemed stale.
"We were thinking of some shopping," Lissa spoke rather quickly catching me off guard. Okay, saying it like that makes me know your lying. Feeling kind of hurt.
"Oh okay, sounds like fun," Suddenly feeling like I wanted to be alone. "Oh, and would you please get the nurse to please, I'd really like to get out of here." Nodding Lissa stood up, both Christian and Tasha got up with her. Thank god, Ursula is leaving to.
When leaving the room, I caught notice of two people standing outside of my door. Looking from me to both Guardian Brendan and Jackson, Christian looked confused on my guards and shrugged. Closing the door behind them I finally let out a large sigh. Tasha being here at court was enough to make my skin crawl, Tasha in my room made me want to do bad, bad things to her that would cost me my future.
Laying back down on the mattress I wait for the nurse to check me out, being in here makes me feel agitated.
After a boat load of tests and the clear that I am alright from the nurses later and I'm still in prisoned in this room. Abe and the queen thought it would be best to stay a night before I could leave, me I personally believed it was perfectly fine to leave. With both my guards our front and the queens order I'm imprisoned in the room. "this is stupid, the nurse herself said the baby and I are fine why am I being imprisoned here for no reason" I muttered to no one.
"Because they are the queens orders, now shut your eyes and it will come quicker." Guardian Laura Jackson answered through the door. Rolling my eyes at her comment I then say. "Yeah, well its to early how do you honestly expect me to sleep when its technically moroi daytime hours. Not even that my child's father is in a damn prison cell, how do you expect me to sleep when he is suffering down there."
Silence, figures.
Rolling over in my bed to get comfy I slip into Lissa's head.
"Look Lissa its alright if you don't go down there, just because Aunt Tasha wanted to visit Belikov doesn't mean you have to just because he was almost your guardian." Christian tells Lissa as they say beside the down leading to the prison cells.
'Wait what?' I thought to myself. 'Lissa's going to see Dimitri. But why its not like they where friends or close anything.'
"Well, I know that its just I have a few things id like to say to him actually, also just because he is down there now doesn't automatically mean he will lose his title forever. There is still a chance he will be my guardian." Lissa replied, suddenly blocking her emotions.
The large door than opened, making a creak as it was forcefully pushed by the person exiting. Tasha then emerged with a glum faced.
"What's the matter Tasha, did something happen?" Lissa asked curious on why Tasha looked down instead of happy for Dimitri becoming dhampir again.
"H-he said that I was a g-great friend,' she stuttered. "He told me that he doesn't have a heart to share and that I'm better off without him." Making me slightly happen for her rejection but sad for his lack of heart. Could Dimitri really be alright, did he not love me anymore. Has everything but the feeling of love return to Dimitri, was that the sacrifice in return of his soul.
"Aunt Tasha, he's just come back from the dead give him time, let him process behind alive before pushing him to date." Christian chastised his aunt, Lissa shuttered at the thought.
But Tasha on the pother hand looked a bit hopeful. 'Great now she is confident again.'
"Well looks like its my turn, will you wait till I return." Lissa asked Christian kissing his on the cheek. "Absolutely, see you when you're finished." He promised.
Walking to the door, the Guardian signalled the guy on the other side of the door that Lissa was coming in. A loud alarm sound went off signalling that the door was opening, walking through nervously.
Lissa instantly collided into the guardian. "Oh, I'm sorry, please forgive me I wasn't watching where I was walking." Lissa apologised.
"Don't apologise Princess, please follow me and I will guide you to his cell." From none other than Guardian Mikhail Tanner.
Nodding Lissa followed him. During the whole way there both Lissa and is nerves where going off the charts, scared of we might see.
Arriving at his cell Mikhail quickly places a seat far away from reach from Dimitri. "That won't be necessary." Lissa reassured.
"Alright, jut let me know if you need anything ill be over there until you're finished." He spoke pointing to the char near the door.
Turning to look at Dimitri I gasped, Dimitri there tucked into a corner of the room he sat looking out of the tiny, barred window. "What can I help you with princess," Not moving is attention from the window. "Why have you come to see me, I no longer am a guardian there for not your guardian. From what Mr. Mazur explained Guardian Hathaway has been filling in." his voice sounded so tired so broken. He looked like he has not slept since returning to his original state.
Lissa felt sad, she sympathy for him being a compassionate person was in her mind body and soul. The woman saves dying crows weekly. "No that isn't why I came; I do wish to know if your being treated appropriately."
"Your kindness isn't necessary princess this is what I deserve, the lives I've took," Sounding vulnerable, shattered. "This is my redemption for the lives, for what I did to…" Cowering away from Lissa in the darkest corner of the cell.
"What you did Rose." Lissa questions. "Rose doesn't blame you for what you did if that's what you think. She may get pissed at times, but she does tend to forgive, and she has already forgiven you."
"She shouldn't, I was a monster, I am a monster to her," Moving closer to Lissa, his unshaven face made him look ten times sexier. "Stalked her, threatened all your lives, injured her and Kidnapped Adrian and almost killed her and a child. The queen would do best to lock me away forever."
"Well than I forgive you," Dimitri looked a bit shocked. "And so, does Rose if anything she thinks you hate her. She believes putting Adrian and I our of harms way by sacrificing you, she feels like she betrayed you and your love. Rose may have not said it openly but the look on her said it all."
Regaining his composure quickly he turned on his guardian mask. "Then she is a fool, please tell her its over tell her move on.
'Like hell I wont! What about OUR child you fool.' Yelling at nothing.
"You don't mean that do you," Lissa gasped. "Rose doesn't blame you for what happened, there is no reason you guys can't work this out." Turning around and walking into the darkness Dimitri than said. "She doesn't live with blood on her hands, tell her not to come and see me there isn't a heart left in me." Making my heart shatter, I felt like my heart would stop. "Mikhail, the chats over please escort the princess out."
"Please don't do this," Lissa begged. "You'll shatter her, she's barely holding on now."
"Its for the best princess."
Leaving Lissa head, I could not bare it anymore, all I could feel inside besides our child was a broken heart I felt so much pain I felt numb. Crying myself to sleep I dream of what could have been. Another cruel reminder of what I cannot have, our child was the only thing I had if us left our miracle.
The first time I noticed when I woke the next day was that Adrian's bed was empty and my mother is sitting in the chair beside me. Not noticing that I am awake I watch her eat her apple sauce.
"Watching me is quite creepy even if you are my daughter." Making my cheeks flare up. Looking up at me she than says. "You and I are going to have a long chat, starting with you leaving after you promised me."
"I thoughts that's what we are doing." I replied confused.
"Don't get smart with me Rose," Janine Hathaway ordered. Somethings never change with her, always got to be in guardian mode and never just mom. "Care to explain why you left with Abe and why are you pregnant. Do you have any idea what you have done, how do you expect to graduate and become a guardian all knocked up."
Rolling my eyes, I wait for her to finish before explaining. "First of all, my pregnancy had nothing to do with why I left in the first place that was something unexpected. I was getting threats towards you and my friends, which his how you ended in the hospital awhile ago."
"Second of all don't act like you really care about how my life turns out, you not being involved gives you no right to judge it. Also, for your information Abe and Queen Tatiana already planned for my graduation so you have nothing to really fight me on. Now what was the reason for your visit or was it just to chew me out on how my life turned out when you are not that different, only I will raise my child unlike you." Crossing my arms, she will not treat me horribly for something she to went through.
"Your right I'm sorry, when I walked in and saw a pregnant it gave me flash backs to when I was around your age pregnant with you." Sighing she stood from her seat in the chair to sit on my bed. "You and I are alike in some cases, but I know now when it comes to this you will of the right thing and raise the child right."
"Though you could have waited a few years I'm to young to be a grandmother." Making me smile, this was the first time in a while she said something nice. Do not get me wrong she started out being a bitch, but she understood things I have not yet even when it is two different situations. Also, I think Abe was right she was unquestionably not ready to be a grandmother young. "So, would you mind telling me the gender of the child? Your father wouldn't budge on spilling that detail."
"It's a boy, and he's due December the 13th," Rubbing my belly happily. To think that there is only forty-eight days left before he arrives. With only a week till November made me severely nervous I was not prepared at all. No house, no job and the lack of baby items made me panic inside. My mother must of caught on because she hugged me. "Don't you worry, your father will have things situated the man wouldn't leave his daughter and grandchild homeless."
"Also, something seems to not sit well with me, where is the child's father?" She asked making me flinch at the word father, as it made me instantly think of Dimitri.
"H-he didn't want to be with us anymore, he said we where better off without him." Trying not to cry I blinked rapidly. "He refuses to acknowledge our child as his and it will just be the two of us. Besides, I only need him anyways." Trying to put on a brave face, when really, I wanted to cry in my mothers arms, how lame.
"Well than he is a fool for not seeing what he had. He had a change of a beautiful woman and a soon to be handsome boy on the way, he will forever regret what he could have had." She reassured me, finally feeling like a normal mother and daughter talk. The first time where if let like I had a mother, instead of just a woman who birthed me and left me at the academy. "Now let's get you signed out and some proper food for you and my grandchild." Getting up from the bed.
"Thank god, I hate hospitals." I grumbled.
"You and I both." Mom replied, making us both instantly laugh. Getting up from the bed I go and change into the clothes someone left for me and make myself look presentable. Exiting from the bathroom I throw the hospital clothes on the bed. "Thank god lets get out of here before they find a reason to keep me trapped here longer." Pulling the door open I see that both Jackson and Brendan still standing at my door.
"What are you two still doing here and not getting some sleep?" I questioned. "Did Abe make you two stay there the whole time I slept." Waiting for one of them to answer. Both looked at each other before looking back at me.
Of course, he did even when I do not actually need a guardian let alone two. Technically I do the guarding not the other way around.
Sighing I knew the answer without them telling me walking by I headed to find the person that will get me out of this place.
Once everything was set and finally got a taste of fresh air, I felt a hundred times better. Being cooped up in a bed for a few days makes you sire crazy. "Before we get you something to eat your father has asked me to tell you to meet him in the main courtyard, he said something about it being important."
"Yeah, sounds good." I mumbled, turning around both guardian Jackson and Brendan trailed along silently. "Also, if you're here with me who is watching Lissa?"
"The princess is currently with your other friends; Guardian Castile is on duty right now so she will be fine for a few hours while I spend some time with you." Shrugging. "Besides in a few weeks I will be back with Lord Szelsky, once the queen has made her final decision ill be back out to Nepal." Making me feel instantly sad, I finally feel like I got a mother to talk to and she is leaving again.
"Oh, so soon, I thought you would have stayed for at least a month or two. Also, if you're leaving who is going to guard Lissa." I asked, worried for Lissa. Especially who guards her life, what if the queen gives her someone untrustworthy and uncapable to really protect her.
"Don't worry Rose both your father and I has put in a good word for Guardian Castile and your father has including a few other recommendations. Nodding to her I drop the subject.
Making it to the little restaurant on court, we ordered our food and enjoyed a little bonding time. We talked about the baby to a variety of different things. There was no fighting or anything that could ruin the mood it was a perfect day in my books.
We spent a portion of the time we had left strolling around court admiring the beautiful day, while checking out the shops enjoying the general public. Few times here and there I would get the odd snitty look from a moroi and a sympathetic look from a dhampir but for some reason I just did not care.
"We should probably hurry your father is like you and doesn't have a lick of patience." Causing me to laugh again. Having experience to Abe's similar traits I inherited made me amused, I had just the right genes from both parents. The badass gene was from both, but I got my fathers hair and olive competition from my father and my curved body from my mother.
My fathers recklessness and short temper but I also shared with my mother is her loyalty and her strength we both shared a sense of devotion to our charges, even if for completely different reasons. Skilled at taking out strigoi if I do say so myself.
"Took you two long enough I though you both would be late." Abe spoke looking at mom. Gross.
"Where sorry Ibrahim Rose had to stop to use the bathroom, then we walked by a stand with food and she wouldn't leave until I fed her and our grandchild.
Making me chuckle awkwardly. "Well sorry my son is hungry; we shall not deprive him of his needs." Shaking his head Abe was not surprised having lived with me for the first part of my pregnancy he knew my odd eating habits.
"Very well now that he is all happy and content can we get a move on." Abe replied, leading the way.
"Where exactly are we going again, my feet are starting to hurt." Pouting at my father.
"Were almost there be patient." Abe answered. Stopping at a beautiful two-story home, I was slightly confused. "This right here was what I was working on when you guys went to find the Ivashkov kid."
Opening the white wooden fence in the front yard. Once we reached the door Abe unlocked the doors and opened it. Pavel, Jackson and Brendan stayed by the door but did not enter. Walking through Abe and my mother they showed me around the house.
The house was a four-bedroom, two bathrooms with a fully furnished basement for training. Both he and my mother looked continuously the last few days and found this perfect home and got it for a decent price.
Wow this place was beautiful, it was a home. A home for my child and I to make memories a place to go to and feel safe.
Thank you, guys, really it means a lot. Nothing could express how I really feel but I really appreciate it.
"Just let us spoil our grandchild rotten and we will call it even." Abe grinned.
"Deal also I have a question." Nervous to ask when everything is so great today.
"What is it?"
"Have they decided Dimitris fate yet?"
"There still deciding both you and Adrian will make an appearance to the queen and council this week after they will have a trial."
Taking a deep breathe and finally ask. "When is the date."
Abe looking at my mother turns to me and than says. "Dimitri's trial date is one week today."
My heart just dropped.
One week today.