THE QUEENS PROTÉGÉE

Ch 1

The beginning

4 years ago

"Guess what I heard?" Mason said as he dropped his tray down on the table.

"You know Mase you gossip more than a girl" I teased him.

"Fine if you don't want to hear it I won't tell you. But it's really good." He sat down and crossed his arms over his chest.

"Spill it Ashford!" Eddie piped in and threw one of his fries hitting Mason on the head.

"Hey no need to throw food at me!" Mason whined as he picked it up and put it in his mouth.

"I'll tell you." He said with his mouth full.

"So you remember the two runaways from St. Basil's?"

We both nod because of course we remembered them. It happened two years ago when we were fifteen. They had run away following an attack on their school by strigoi. The attack was unlike anything our world had ever seen. Schools like ours were supposed to be safe places for moroi and dhampir children.

Wanting to make an example out of them the Queen had made sure every academy heard about the "two runaways". I knew for a fact she didn't care about finding them, even though one was a royal Moroi. That royal Moroi happened to be Christian Ozera, his parents had willingly turned strigoi. They were the ones who planned the attack on the school in hopes of taking Christian and awakening him. The other being a dhampir, Dimitri Belikov. All I knew about him was that he was top of his class and Christian's best friend.

Mason cleared his throat and brought me out of my thoughts.

"They finally found them. St Basils wouldn't take them back so they brought them here to St Vlad's. I guess they were in Portland the whole time."

"Wow, so they're still alive and not strigoi." Eddie exclaimed.

"Yep and they are already in Kirova's office."

"Sucks for them. I'm sure she's not happy they got dropped off here. We all know she's not one for charity." I laughed.

There has to be more to this story. She would never willingly take two "delinquent's". I should know. I've probably spent more time in her office than any other novice. If she had it her way I would have been kicked out years ago.

All of a sudden I felt a rush of different emotions.

They are not mine, but Lissa's. I looked over to where she was sitting with some of the royals. She looked uncomfortable so I slipped into her head to see what's going on.

Did you hear that they found Christian Ozera?

Yeah I heard they found him and his dhampir friend in a strigoi den. I guess they were keeping him for his parents and only feeding him blood bags.

I heard he was the one that broke the wards and Queen Tatiana was going to arrest him for it so he ran away.

I guess they brought them both here because no other school wanted them.

I rolled my eyes. God these stupid royals and their stupid rumors. I could feel Lissa getting irritated at them.

You know what happened at St. Basil's was tragic and he's not the one to blame for that. Plus the Queen was never going to arrest him. I would think royals such as yourselves would be above spreading such rumors.

You're right we're sorry Lissa.

Yeah sorry.

That's what I love about Lissa, she knew how to shut them up. All while being perfectly nice about it. She actually had met Christian a couple of times before his parents turned. Lissa being the kind person she was couldn't stand the way people were talking about him. She had heard enough of that from the Queen. Tatiana had nothing nice to say about him all because of what his parents did. Lissa knew what it was like to live in your parents' shadows. Her parents and brother had died a little over a year ago in a car accident. The same one that technically killed me and started our bond. Tatiana took her in and was grooming her to be the next Queen. Saying that her father was to be the next King and since he is gone she is now to take his place as the next monarch.

I came back to my own head to see Mason waving his hand in front of my face.

"What?" I snapped.

"We were asking you a question and you zoned out."

"Sorry. So what did you ask me?"

"We were asking if you were ready for our math test next period."

"Crap! I forgot all about that." Me and Lissa had hung out last night talking and ended up not going to bed at all.

"Well that answers our question then."

"Ugh I hate math. It's not like I'm going to need it being Lissa's guardian anyways."

"You're lucky you already know who your charge is going to be." Mason piped in.

"Yeah, some of us have to worry we are going to get someone like Jesse Zecklos." I cringed, he's easy on the eyes, but is a complete jackass who looked down on dhampirs.

"I know, Lissa is great. But with her comes the Queen and she's always on my back about something." I got up to dump my trash. As I was putting the tray up I felt Lissa getting closer.

"I hate royals sometimes." She said while dumping her mostly full tray.

"I have to agree with you. I heard what they were saying about Christian. It was tame compared to what else I've heard."

"He shouldn't be compared to his parents." She sighed thinking about her own family. I thought about mine too. Well just my mom, I had no clue who my father was. She was a highly respected guardian who was all about duty. I haven't even seen her since the Dragomir funeral.

"Hey Hathaway, didn't you hear the bell?" Eddie came up to me and put his hand on my shoulder. No I didn't, what's up with me today and getting distracted?

"No."

"We better get to class, we don't want to miss the test." He said with fake enthusiasm.

"Alright let's go and get this over with. I don't want to add being late on top of failing a test."

You'll do fine. Lissa said to me in my head.

"Sure." I rolled my eyes and gave her a quick hug goodbye.

"See you in biology later." She said with a smile.

"See ya."

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I was in my seat trying to cram what I could before class started. Eddie was sitting next to me trying to help with a couple of problems.

"Oh man, that is cruel." I heard Mason say in my ear. I looked up to see what he was talking about. When I raised my head to see what was going on I was met with the most beautiful brown eyes I've ever seen. I'm assuming it's Dimitri, the dhampir runaway. Mason was right, it was cruel to make him go to class right away.

I watched as Guardian Smith talked to Mr Adler then walked out of the room. Leaving Dimitri to stand there looking awkward. I took a moment to really look at him. He's hot, like the kind of hot that makes you want to drop your panties and get naked. He is well over six feet tall and had shoulder length brown hair. I can see he is built even though he is covered up in a coat that I think is called a duster.

"If you keep staring at him like that. I'm going to have to wipe your drool off the table." Eddie laughed, bringing me back to myself.

"I don't know what you're talking about Castile."

"Please, look at him, I'm even drooling." He said in my ear so no one else would hear him. This summer Eddie has confided in me that he was bi. It's a very taboo topic amongst guardians. I was proud of him for not letting our society dictate who he can and cannot fall in love with.

"Alright Belikov, go have a seat, we are taking a test today. Here's a pencil you might as well join us." He nodded his head, took the pencil, and went to sit in an empty seat in the front row. That was definitely cruel to make him take a test his first day here.

Mr Adler stood up and started passing out the test.

"Class you will have thirty minutes to finish, please bring them to me when you're done."

When it was passed to me I took a look at it and groaned. I was so unprepared for this.

I tapped my pencil and stared at my test wondering where to begin. I put my head up and saw everyone else writing away. I looked over and saw Dimitri with his head down focused, his pencil moving quickly on the paper. He really is gorgeous. I heard Eddie clear his throat. I glared at him and then noticed the clock and realized ten minutes have passed and I have yet to answer one question. I started to furiously write. I'm not even halfway done and I see Dimitri get up to turn his test in.

"Well Belikov let's take a look and see how you did." Mr Adler said loudly, he made sure everyone in the class heard him. Dimitri turned to head back to his seat.

"Stay, you can wait till I'm finished grading."

"It just keeps getting worse for him." Mason whispered in my ear. I nodded in agreement, Mr Adler never grades anything in class. He was just doing this to humiliate him in front of everyone. I finished my test as quickly as possible, not caring if I got any of the answers correct. I stood up to go turn it in. I walked by Eddie and he grabbed my arm and whispered .

"I know what you're doing Rose. Just let it go, you're only going to make it worse." I ignored him and kept walking. I made my way down to the front of the class. Going to the side of the desk opposite of Dimitri.

"Here you go Mr A." I placed my test over Dimitri's and stood there. Mr Adler huffed and took it off and put it to the side with the others. He glanced at me over his glasses.

"Is there a reason you're still standing there Hathaway?"

"Yep! Just waiting for you to grade my test."

"Go back to your seat." He said without even looking up at me.

"Well if you are grading tests why not do mine first?"

"That's not necessary, go sit down." I went to say something snarky and caught Dimitris' eyes. He gave me a look that said let it go. I took a deep breath. I hated backing down, but I was going to take Eddie's advice and let it go. I didn't want to make things worse for Dimitri. So I looked him in the eyes and gave a slight nod that I understood.

"Now if there will be no more interruptions I'd like to finish." Mr Adler said, looking directly at me.

"No Mr A. I'll leave you to it." I turned and walked back to my seat grumbling under my breath.

"I'm proud of you Rosie." Eddie said as I walked behind him. I plopped down in my chair and let out an audible sigh.

"Don't call me Rosie." I punched him on the arm playfully.

"Has anyone ever told you that you hit like a girl?"

"Say that to me again and you're going to know what it feels like to be a girl." Our banter was interrupted by Mr A clearing his throat.

"I don't know how, but you managed to pass Belikov." He held up the test to show him before putting it back on the stack with the others. He waved his hand at him.

"You can go back to your seat now." Dimitri walked back to his seat with a slight smirk on his face. He glanced at me before he sat down and I gave him a small smile.

The rest of the class was uneventful after that.

Before I knew it the bell was ringing. I grabbed

my bag and hopped out of my seat. I got to the door and Dimitri was standing there. He was looking at what I assumed to be his schedule confused. I waved goodbye to Mason and Eddie and walked over to him.

"Hey do you need some help?" I stood in front of him pointing to his schedule.

"If you don't mind. I just need to find my next class." Oh sweet sassy molassy he has a Russian accent.

"Here let me take a look." I reached out to grab it and brushed my hand against his. The moment they touched it was like a spark of electricity moved from his hand to mine. I jumped back a bit and looked up to see if he felt the same thing. I couldn't tell because he had a mask on his emotions. I quickly looked away not wanting to embarrass myself.

With his schedule in my hand I took a look at it. I was happy to see that we had the exact same classes.

"Looks like we have the same schedule." I handed it back to him. He took it and put it in his duster pocket.

"Want me to show you to our next class."

"Yes thank you." He reached out his hand to me. "Dimitri Belikov nice to meet you." I went to take his hand and when they touched I felt that same spark again. I looked up to see if he felt it this time. When I did, we locked eyes. It's like his brown eyes were staring into my soul. We stood there for a moment just holding hands. Pulling myself together I slowly took my hand away.

"Rose Hathaway, nice to meet you as well."

I adjusted my bag and started to walk. He followed closely behind.

"As in guardian Hathaway?" I clenched my fists and closed my eyes for a second.

"If by Hathaway you mean my wonderful mother, then yes." I slowly grumbled. My voice dripped with sarcasm.

"You sound as if you don't like her."

"I'd have to know her first to not like her."

"Sorry. She seemed like she was excited to see you."

"What do you mean see me?"

"She was the lead guardian on the team that found us and brought us here." I stopped dead in my tracks. My mom was the one to find them and she was here.

"I take it you didn't know." He said slowly.

"Does this look like the face of someone who knew?" I didn't mean to be so rude to him, but I was fuming. It didn't surprise me she was here and hadn't bothered to see me yet or even tell me she was coming. What surprised me was that she was a part of that team. I knew this wasn't the Queen's idea or even sanctioned by her, she didn't care. So why would my, straight by the books, mom decide to leave her charge to come lead a mission to find two runaways?

"Sorry, I didn't mean to snap at you. I'm just a little shocked she is here. I haven't seen her in over a year."

"It's ok. I know you didn't mean it towards me." He gave me a smile that made me melt. I continued to walk with him following me. We didn't say anything else to each other.

We arrived at our next class and walked through the door. I immediately spotted Lissa. She looked up at me and then noticed Dimitri.

Is that Dimtiri? She asked in my mind. I nodded my head confused on how she knew who he was. Sensing my confusion she answered in my head.

Christian was in my last class. We talked and he told me about Dimitri.

When she mentioned Christian's name I was hit with an emotion. One I haven't felt from her in a long time. I shook my head. Oh Lissa what are you getting yourself into?

Everyone was looking at us as we walked in. I knew that they were staring at Dimitri and not me. I mean who wouldn't? He is very good looking. But that wasn't why they were staring. They were gossiping. They kept looking up and then away from him.

Just let it go

Lissa said through the bond because she knew I was getting irritated, sending some calming emotions before I punched any of them.

I sat down and motioned for Dimitri to take the seat next to mine.

"Hi I'm Lissa Dragomir." She reached around me to shake his hand. Dimitri reached out his hand to hers.

"Dimitri Belikov. Nice to meet you."

"How are you holding up?" She asked him genuinely concerned.

"I'm ok. I'm more worried about Christian." I could tell he really was nervous about him. Which made me wonder why they left in the first place. To run away and be on your own at fifteen was scary. Even more scary in our world. It wasn't any of my business to know, but I was still curious.

"I met him in my last class. He was a little bit tired, but other than that he seemed fine.

"Yeah we've been living on a human schedule, so we've been up for more than twenty four hours. They brought us here straight from Portland. We haven't even unpacked our stuff in our new rooms."

"If you or him need anything don't hesitate to ask." Lissa said and she meant it.

"Thank you. Christian could use a moroi friend. Most tend to stay away from him, especially after what happened." He looked down pausing. I could tell he wanted to say more, but stopped himself. Needing a change of topic I turned to Lissa.

"Did you happen to hear who brought them back?" I asked curious if she knew about my mom being here.

"No, why?" She looked at me confused.

"It was my mother!" I said to her practically screaming. Everyone's head turned in my direction at my outburst. Lissa put her hand on top of mine.

I'm so sorry Rose, I had no idea. Have you seen her yet?

"Of course not? Why would she tell me she's here? It's not like she's bothered in the last year!" She squeezed my hand even harder.

"If everyone is done talking now, I'd like to start." Mr. Nagy said, clearing his throat.

She squeezed my hand one more time before letting it go. I grabbed my book and sat it in between Dimitri and me so we could share. He mouthed thank you to me and I nodded back. Honestly he could have the book for himself. I wasn't in the right mind to pay attention today. I kept thinking about my mother. I still couldn't wrap my head around why she was part of the team that found them. It is so out of character for her. She is very by the book. So much so she dropped me off at the academy as soon as she could and left.

Before I knew it the bell was ringing and class was over. I put my book back in my bag and got up. Lissa gave me a quick hug.

Hang in there. I promise it will all be ok.

"If you say so" I say back, not believing a word that was coming out of her mouth.

I made my way out the door with Dimitri and looked up and saw someone that made me want to turn around and run back into class. My Mother, all five feet nothing, fiery red hair, standing there with her arms crossed. She quickly came up blocking me so I couldn't go anywhere.

"Good to see you again, Guardian Hathaway." Dimitri said being polite.

"Afternoon novice Belikov. Rosemarie."

We stood there in an awkward silence. Me giving her the stink eye and her looking me over. You would think she's not seen me in over a year!

"If you don't mind, I'd like to talk to Rosemarie alone for a moment." She said alone slowly to him to make her point. He looked at me, his eyes asking if it's ok to leave. I nod slightly, it's not ok, but she won't let me leave without talking to her.

"That's fine. See you around Rose."

" See you Dimitri. Your next class is going to be down the hall, take a right and it's the first door in your left."

"Thank you." He said quickly as he walked away.

Now I'm standing all alone with the women who caused me more pain than anyone else. The women who I'm always being compared to. The women who left me on the doorsteps of the academy at four. The women I haven't seen in over a year. Most importantly the woman who has never once said she loved me.

"Hello Mother."

"Rosemarie, come with me we need to talk."