Chapter 23

"Enter," Queen Tatiana's voice spoke as I waited patiently at the doors of her chambers. This morning a telegram from Hans was delivered to me letting me know that Queen Tatiana has asked to see me. Nodding to the Guardian's at the door I took one last deep breath and walked through the thresh hold.

"Your majesty you have asked to see me?" I questioned, suddenly feel like I should have kept my mouth closed. Walking to the middle of the room I stood in the centre and faced Tatiana and the council.

"Yes, miss Hathaway, you are here for a few different reasons. First my great nephew has been by recently and has mentioned you needed to see me?" making draw a blank for a moment. Ah that is right I wanted to discuss Jackson.

"Ah right, well about that I was rather worried about Lissa's safety," clearing my throat before continuing. "Being still a novice and probably don't have any say on who guards Lissa but as someone who cares for her a lot. Recently my mother has been assigned back to Lord Szelsky after being temporarily her guardian leaving only Guardian Castile to guard her."

Tatiana nodded with what I was saying before telling me to continue.

"Anyways I was hoping you would take a look and consider Guardian Laura Jackson for the position. With her skills and history with my father who could vouch for her, and with her going back to Leigh University after the holidays, I thought someone around our age could blend in without sticking out like a sore thumb."

"What about your future?" Tatiana asked out of the blue. "Have you considered what you will be doing after the child is born?"

"Well, I assumed after he is born, I would whip myself back into shape and take the finals to graduate." I replied feeling a bit nervous. The people in front of me determined my future, any wrong words and ill be on desk duty until I retire. The thought of that made my blood turn, even if I messed up, I still deserve a shot at being a guardian even if I could not be Lissa's.

"Well, we are glad to hear that Miss Hathaway," One of the Moroi council leader spoke who I think is from the Lazar family. "We have brought you here for that very reason." Now I was confused, why would I be here for that. Technically I was still a dropout.

"We have been going through your records over the last year and a half and we must say we are rather impressed. With catching up after a two-year hiatus, killing two strigoi's at the age of seventeen, not to mention the kills recorded from the academy attack and Russia." Oh, thank the lord I thought I was going to get my ass chewed out for the Russia stunt.

Tatiana took over to speak she "What we are trying to say is even with you being behind you have been ahead of your classmates and a lot of other guardians. You have caught up and accomplished more than a lot have, so we have two propositions for you as well as title of being a guardian."

"After your maternity leave you can either become the main guardian of Vasilisa as you originally trained for or you can have more time with your child and become head guardian training and leading. You as well as Hans will give fresh guardians from the academy as well as any guardian who wish to learn more extra training and also lead strike teams to take out large groups of strigoi's."

Wow I was definitely not expecting this, here I though I was going to get my ass chewed out not getting my guardian title and two job offers.

"Wow I was definitely not expecting this it a lot to sink in." I spoke nervously rubbing my clammy hands on my pants. "And I appreciate the other offer, but I am not capable of training other guardian let alone run a strike team."

"Yes, you have quite the record at the academy, you have a tendency to get yourself into trouble but the good you've done outweighs the bad. Please take some time to think about it at least?"

"I will, but if I turn it down at least consider Dimitri Belikov for the position. Even though he is on suspension he is a dedicated guardian who mentored me everything I know, he also has knowledge and a huge advantage of once being a strigoi himself. he alone has the resources and inside on a strigoi mind not to mention where strigoi hideouts are." I bargained, I could not care less about the deal but maybe getting Dimitri his title and a job will give him something to live for and spend less time mourning the things he did as a strigoi. Another part did not want him to consider being Tasha's guardian.

Tatiana gave me a hooded look before agreeing. "Deal, but I still think you should think long a hard about this once in a lifetime opportunity."

"Yes, your majesty, I will let you know before the weeks over on my decision."

"We understand your circumstances of not working right now and why you can't get tattooed in, but we have commissioned a pin with the promise mark letting everyone know you have been promised." Waving Hans over who carried a tiny box.

Walking towards me Hans opened the box and gestured for me to take the pin from the box.

Picking it up I than pinned it to my jacket with excitement. Finally, a Guardian at last.

"Congratulations Rose Hathaway, enjoy your maternity leave before you start your life as a full-time guardian." She spoke before ushering me out the door before her next meeting.

Leaving the room with the promised mark pin on my left jacket indicating I was a guardian now. The feeling made me feel bubbly, I was now a full ranked guardian I felt a weight lift off my shoulder's. Skipping down the corridor and out of the building I wanted to find my friends to celebrate my great news.

"Roza?" Dimitri's voice spoke as I made it past the garden's in front of the building I just came from.

"Oh, hey comrade, what brings you here." I ask nervously, before nodding to his guardian's.

"I could ask you the same, what are you doing leaving the Queen's chambers." Making me grin excitedly.

"Well, you will be the first to know that I've been promoted." Showing him my pin. "They where impressed with my past accomplishments they gave me the promise mark. Well kind of I have to wait till the baby arrives before I can get the tattoo, hence why I have the pin."

"Congratulations, how about a celebratory lunch as my treat." Making me instantly caught off guard, frozen in my place I stared at him wide eyed.

"You, you want to take me to lunch?" I asked confused. Dimitri wants to take me to lunch. What twilight zone am I living in. This is your chance Rose next time he could go back to ignoring you.

Clearing my throat before speaking, I gave him a light smile. "Yeah, that sounds great where do you want to go?"

"Follow me, there is a nice little restaurant the guardian's go when they finish a shift you will like it." He spoke, directing me towards the restaurant. His guardian's followed in tow, quiet enough you would not think they were behind us.

Walking in step with Dimitri it was a quiet stroll to the restaurant.

"Wow this a cute little place." I mumbled. "Who knew this place existed, is this new?"

Dimitri smirked shaking his head at me. "Roza this place has been here for years."

"Oh." Replied suddenly feeling a bit dumb. Why oh why did I open my big mouth.

"Let's go in," Dimitri replied, before opening the door and let me through first. The little restaurant was a beautiful modern place that had a home feel to it, the place felt and looked comfortable.

Taking a window seat, I took my jacket off and sat down across from Dimitri as he did the same.

Dressed up in his usual style he has a black turtleneck while sporting a pair of slacks. The man looked good, model good and the damn pregnancy hormones was turning me on.

"Hello, my name is Abigail and ill be your server on this fine day," The bubbly dhampir girl spoke making us both look to her, making me forget my internal ache for the man across from me. "for starters what can I get you to drink?" She asks giving us both a sweet smile.

"A hot chocolate for me," I replied speaking first. "Comrade?"

"A coffee will be fine thankyou." He replies giving the girl a smile before looking back to his menu.

"Got it, ill be back in a few moments with your beverages." Abigail speaks before leaving our table.

Sitting here in that awkward silence was starting to get to me.

Looking up from my menu after I break "So… how is living with Adrian." Not really sure what to talk about, truthfully, I did not want to say something that will set him off and he goes back to ignoring me again.

Dimitri's face tightened a bit. "Don't get me wrong I appreciate him taking me in, but he is a slob." Making me laugh.

"Oh, it can't be that bad," I try to say before he interrupts.

"The guy leaves his paints and empty bottles everywhere; I feel like I've turned into his housewife." Making me giggle even louder. Man, this is the first time I have laughed this hard in quite awhile. The picture of Dimitri in an apron cleaning Adrian's apartment flashed in my mind was all it took for me to cry in tears of laughter.

"Sorry to interrupt your conversation," Abigail spoke placing our drinks on the table. "but what can I get you guys to eat?"

Smiling at her I waved off her apology and got started on what I wanted. "Don't worry about it, I will have a burger and some fries as well as a chocolate shake. What about you comrade?"

Clearing his throat before speaking he ended up ordering the same thing but with a side of gravy for his fries.

"Okay perfect, ill be back shortly with your food." She smiled before walking away to help another customer. Probably grabbing theirs before heading to the back.

Picking up my hot chocolate i took a sip, the rich chocolate flavor exploded my taste buds. Looking up at Dimitri he was smirking at me. "What?" I asked confused.

"Nothing." He answered, taking a sip of his coffee.

"No really what?" I asked instinctively wiping my face.

"Its good to hear you laugh, that's all." He muttered.

My heart sped up at his words. Did he just really say that or was I going crazy?

"It has been a while since I've laughed this hard." I admitted. Not to hut him but only to tell him the truth. With losing Mason to Dimitri turning a strigoi than getting him back only for him to push me away, took a lot out of me. Mentally exhausted and being pregnant felt like hell, he was the only thing that kept me going. The need to protect my son and give him love and the best future had pushed me forward without him I honestly do not think I could have gotten through it and survived. Id probably let Lissa's darkness finally take me, suffering the same fate was Anna.

Clearing his throat awkwardly which I felt bad for he than asked me a question that really did catch me off guard. "How is the child, is it alright. With the stress of that death threat and what your father has let me in on I was sure you were maybe you both were having problems."

"He's our child, he has our blood and spirit he is a strong little fighter. We are alright." I replied earnestly.

"That's good, what I said at your house as was out of line and I apologize for intruding and threatening to break the door down." Dimitri spoke lowly, but loud enough he was not whispering. "It was wrong of me to do that especially if it could lead you both in the hospital."

"Yes, that could have happened, but you also got me out of that room while I was stuck in a depression comatose estate barely eating only enough to feel my child. I've read all the pregnancy books I could find and knew that I could end up this way with the help with the side effects if spirit." I explained. I was ashamed of my behaviour and felt like a failure to my child who could have gotten hurt. "but you gave me a wake up call on actions and I am going to kick ass as well as being a guardian. Giving him a life, my parents unfortunately couldn't give me."

Dimitri silently looked at me assessing everything it just told him.

"Alright here's your food," Abigail spoke breaking us out of an awkward stare off, placing our plates down she looked us over once before speaking to us oblivious to our heated conversation. "would you like anything else?"

"That will me fine miss, thank you." Dimitri answered breaking eye contact with me giving Abigail a nod in her direction.

"Holler if you need anything." Before walking away.

Chowing down on our food quietly my mind raced with questions. Blurting out my conflicted option caught him off guard.

"I was offered a once in a lifetime opportunity and I am considering taking it." I rushed the words out.

Looking at me confused he wiped his mouth with his napkin. "Alright but why do you look conflicted when you say it? You should look excited so why don't you look that way Roza?"

"Because than that would mean I would not be Lissa's Guardian and that is what scares me, the thought of abandoning my best friend again, the thought of doing that is killing me inside. "I sighed looking into his eyes, as lost as I was. "I cannot lose her Dimitri, after my child she one my lifeline I can't do it again."

"Roza I…eat up we will talk about it after at your house." He speaks. "If that is alright with you."

Nodding, finishing what was left on my plate. The kid and I were in food heaven.

Eating our food and quicky he paid we left the restaurant and went back to my place.

Getting there in no time, the guardians checked the perimeter as Dimitri, and I went in and got comfy on the couch. Getting us warm beverages, he sat on the couch I nervously carried them to the living room table. Getting comfy on the couch I took a sip of my hot chocolate.

"Sorry for dragging you here if just felt like talking privately was better than a café." He spoke, as damn that Russian accent. I could just sit here and listen to his sexy voice all day long. "What is this promotion, and what does that have to do with the princess."

"Tatiana had asked me to come see her; I had asked Adrian awhile back to speak with her about recommended Guardian Jackson while I was on leave. She had been going over apparently everything about me since I've been back my quick catch up, my two kills she brought up the raid at the academy as well as recent missions and accomplishments." Making him flinch, he looked down at his drink before shaking it off.

"She gave me the guardian title the pin is my promise mark until I give birth. Tatiana gave me two options become Lissa's main guardian or have more time with my son and become Head Guardian Training, as well as the person to train guardian strike force to take out large strigoi nests. I explained. "Yeah, so either I guard my best friend and sister, or I take this position to train fresh guardians and who ever wants to join but also train an elite task force to wipe out strigoi."

Dimitri looked stunned. "Roza congratulations that's an accomplishment someone like someone Arthur Schoenberg, Guardian Hans or the elite guardian who guard the Queen. You've become an excellent guardian before you even became one and I am honored to have mentored the young famous Guardian Hathaway." He looked at me with complete respect, he looked at me like a woman. Something that made me fall in love with him in the first place, he made me feel like a woman an equal."

"Yeah, well you see I declined, I recommended you for the job comrade."

"What?" He sputtered. as I grinned my famous grin.

"Turning done the job for Lissa they wanted me to think about it before making the decision, so I told them I will think about it but if only they considered you as the next person for the position." Making his jaw drop he kind of looked like he was having a heart attack.

"The job is perfect for you, being as you mentored me was an achievement alone you have past experience as a strigoi. Sorry to bring this up but with your knowledge on one once as well as knowing locations of their nests and other resources you are the only one, I know who deserves it."

"Wow really, she actually considered it?"

"She agreed comrade. At the end of the week, I am declining the position, when my leave is over, I will find a way to juggle my son and attending Leigh when she attends. Yes, it is a once in a lifetime thing, but she is my what I spend my whole life training for, ever since kindergarten. Right know I hope they listen to me and let you take the position when your probation is up." Maybe I will be able to see him around court more often. Focus Rose do not get too excited. Who am I kidding there is no one I want more than the man in front of me.

"Will you speak to the princess about this position?" He asked.

"I have no idea; I have already decided to decline it so why would I need to tell her?" I replied.

"I just thought maybe you would tell her your news even if you decline it's an honorable achievement to share with your friends."

"Ill tell her later." I mumbled.

"I am proud of you." He muttered staring at me.

Nodding looking into his eyes I felt the heat building up inside of me, both in a trance we both moved closer. Lifting me up he placed me on his lap facing him, taking my clip from my hair he left it loose cascading down my back. Raking my fingers in his hair I tilt his head back and looked into his eyes as I bit my lips turned on by the look, he gives me, I felt the baby kick happily. Do not Worry baby, mama has got daddy I will bring him home.

Planting my lips against my his, heart felt explosive. Moving our lips in sync I reminisced in the feeling of his touch. Groaning as he rubbed me while I grinded myself into him, we both got lost in the feeling. Any regrets were washed away as he sent my body in ablaze.

"God you feel so great, but we shouldn't" Dimitri muttered, against my neck planting kissing down my body. "Roza I want to god I want to so damn much, but I can't use you, I can't defile you with my sins." He mumbled.

Lifting his face to look up at me I stared into his eyes. "Don't you dare say that don't you dare speak that way about yourself. You had no control over being a strigoi, so stop blaming yourself. Besides have not you gotten it yet, I am pretty tainted myself, we both share our own sins that is what we all must face being a guardian. But if you do not hold on to the love while it lasts what are you really living for, what are your reasons to get up everyday besides being someone's bodyguard."

Looking at me silently for a moment he than stood up with me still in his arm with my legs wrapped around him. Giving him a nod, he carried us upstairs to my bedroom.

Opening my door while holding onto me he managed that gracefully. Kicking the door behind him he walked us over to my bed and laid me down. Getting down on his knees he began stripping me starting with my socks, one by one he took each piece of clothing off me while managing to leave kisses up and down my body. Panting with need I groaned as he stripped me bare. Moving my hands to his zipper I undid his pants and boxer's dropping swiftly while keeping eye contact with him. Spending all this time away from him drove an internal volcano ready to erupt.

Both naked we ended on the bed with him on top of me locking lips.

"Wait a condom." Dimitri groaned into my neck leaving kisses down my neck.

"I am already pregnant no sense now wearing a condom as long as we are both clean what's the point." I replied.

Nodding with my consent he positioned himself before entering me.

Letting me adjust he slowly moved in me. Moving our bodies in sync I start to pick up the pace wanting to feel him. Wanted to feel that ache I have been lacking, the love I craved. Only Dimitri could truly make me feel complete.

"Roza…" He groaned moved quicker, letting our skin hit each other making a slapping sound mixing with the sound of our moans.

"Shhh…ahh" I moaned as he droved into me, digging my heels into his ass I urged him to go harder. Even with a pregnant belly we managed to screw like animals. We fought to get closer to each other something we both have been missing for so long, to feel.

Flipping him over I get on top I took control, riding him trying so desperately to get closer to feel closer. Grinding my hips harder moving as sent us over the top, over and over I rode us into an orgasm. Moaning in ecstasy we both released into each other.

Catching my breathe I get off him and lay beside him, drenched in sweat.

"Wow that was..."

"Yeah, I know what you mean…" I panting my words trying to grasp and thoughts.

Repeating our love making a few more rounds I was exhausted and sore. Let me just say It was definitely better than the first time.

"I told you," He spoke looking at me with a smirk.

"Told me what?" I asked confused.

"I told you that the next time I would make you do things to make you lose control in seconds." Making me think about our first time and laughed. Laying here content laughing with the man I loved made me feel like I was on cloud nine, but that could have been the multiple orgasms he gave me.

Just than my cellphone in my pants went off. Getting up from bed I raced to grab my cellphone.

Abe.

"Hey, look old man right now is not a good time ill call you back in an hour?" I got say before he starts interrupting me.

"Rose Hathaway listen to me right now! You need to come see me as soon as you can." Abe demanded sounding worried.

My faced turned neutral as I spoke my words even Dimitri sat up all serious now. "Marcus Oliver has been spotted in court recently, you are not safe in your home right now. Even with Mr. Belikov there." Making my face heat up embarrassed. What the hell and how did he know? that is just sick that someone outside shared my business to my old man. "He is one of the most lethal assassins and can take out a dozen guardians, he is very well known in the black market he isn't just a guardian he has a lot more training and background you can't comprehend. Unfortunately, we used to be quite close one time, but he had a tendency to take and touch what wasn't his."

"Damn it he has been here for who knows how long, how come no one has spotted him and you being out of court was the perfect time to get in and doing god knows what creepy thing his contractor requested. And I am sure I still don't know what this creep looks like or my baby brain is going to be the death of me literally." I frustratedly spoke.

"Get here as soon as possible and we will strategize a way to take him down once in for all along with his contractor. Be careful my grandchild is due any day now so remain calm."

"Will do old man Ill see you within the hour, and don't panic until I get there, I will be alright." I replied giving Dimitri a seductive look as I ended the call.

Dimitri looked at my naked body up and down giving me a smirk. Making me feel suddenly a bit shy the last time I had seen him I had a flat stomach and was not as huge as a whale. Never would I feel ashamed of carrying my child but to have a belly in front of your love is a bit nerve wracking.

"As much as I want you to ravish me a thousand other ways, I need to see my father about this Marcus problem, apparently he was on court recently." As I grabbed clothes for after my shower.

Getting up Dimitri, looking disheveled. "Don't you worry Roza, we will figure out who is doing this."

"Come have a shower, you can go home or do what ever you need to do after." I offered, hoping he would join me.

"Oh course, but I need to head home and change and make sure Adrian has not gotten into trouble." Making me snicker. Shaking his head, he follows me into the bathroom to wipe off our love making.

"He What!"

"When did he threaten you, when did it happen and why." I asked taken back as Dimitri brought up his talk with Abe.

"He has no right to threaten anyone who comes into my life. I am eighteen. An adult. I do not need his help. I can threaten my boyfriends myself. Wait… boyfriend, no I mean boy and friend… oh my gosh I better shut up." Covering my face embarrassed at the words I spoke as we walked to Abe's apartment he owned when he is at court. Dimitri chuckled beside me even the guardian's behind us where snickering at my words.

"Oh, Roza don't be embarrassed in flattered." Making me want to die with embarrassment. Abe is in big trouble.

"When I get my hands on him, he is dead." I threatened picturing my victory.

"That is a dangerous look," said Dimitri, giving me a brief glance before returning his eyes ahead of us on the sidewalk.

"What look?" I asked innocently.

"The one that says you have just got some idea."

I did not just get an idea. I got a great idea."

Just before he could speak Lissa's voice yelled up ahead with and her annoying boyfriend.

"Congratulations Rose, we just got back from Adrian and he was told you finally became a guardian." She squealed excitedly. Giving Dimitri a quick smile before winking at me.

"Well, you've finally got a license to kill. Its about time." Turning to an amused Christian Ozera, one-time annoyance who had become a good friend.

So good, in fact. That in my joyous zeal, I reached out and hugged him—something he clearly did not expect. I was surprising everyone.

"Whoa, whoa, "He said backing up, flushing.

"It figures. You are the only girl who would get all emotional about the thought of killing.

Everyone laughed, pouting at him I pretended to feel the hurt from his words.

"Well as much as I want to chat and catch up, I need to get to Abe." I spoke trying to break up our conversation before I lose track of time. "Call me later and we can go out before you leave for your trip." I offered.

"Sounds good, see you later Rose." Lissa nodded before her and Christian walked away.

Making it to Abe's Dimitri took off after dropping me off, probably scared of facing him after defiling me again. But at least he walked me there with our Guardian's he felt it was safer and felt more at ease which make me internally squeal like Lissa's gets when she talks boys and other girly things, she is into.

Being let it I walked to Abe's office intended to kill him for meddling in my personal life.

"Your old man are in big trouble. I am eighteen and an adult with a child on the way, I do not need you to threaten Dimitri or anyone I see. Especially when I am capable to threatening them myself." I defended myself as I entered the room.

Rolling his eyes, he crossed his arms. "I did no such thing; I only had a talk nothing more. Man, to man talk."

"Your talks happen to add body part disposal I am capable inflicting myself so back off before I perform it on you old man." I challenged. "I appreciate it, but I have been talking care of myself for so long I can handle my love life as well."

Giving me one last look Abe nodded, you could tell he did not want to let it go but thought now was not the time with Marcus nearby.

"Now let us focus on the big problem, Marcus. We need to locate him and find his contractor." I spoke sitting down on the sofa comfortably.

"Of course, I have here a photo of him, maybe if we can find him, we can figure out he is working for. the task won't be easy, but I think I can get him to talk." Abe smirked cracking his knuckles happily.

Leaning forward Guardian Pavel passed me the picture from a file with Marcus Oliver on it.

Looking down at the photo I froze. Eyes wide I had forgotten how to breathe.

Staring at the photo in front of me made me want to vomit. The man staring back at me was the man I met not to long ago, I felt like an idiot for not seeing it. Flashes of events swarm my mind. The missing documents, threatening letters, the dinner not long ago kept coming back to me making me piece everything together.

"Your nothing but a blood whore dhampir who is pregnant…"

The scheming bitch.

"First your lover than your friends…"

"All alone just you and I, ill take your child so say goodbye."

"For those who are written in this letter. Once by one they will suddenly linger."

Dimitri X

Lissa

Adrian

"I will enjoy as each of them leave you to suffer, for I will be near by watching.

Send my child love for me."

Sitting there in shock as everything made sense. How could I be so stupid to not realise who hired Marcus Oliver, how could I not realise who was behind all of those threatening letters.

"Oh no." I spoke.

"What, what's the matter?" Abe asked.

I know who hired Marcus. Abe, I know who sent those letters." I replied, staring up at Abe who was giving me a look of concern.

"Rose, breathe." Abe asked, trying to make sure I do not end up in a panic attack. "Tell me who is it. Who hired Marcus?"

"That bitch!" Was the last thing I said before I told Abe who was out to destroy me.