It's a little bad that this story has taken most of my inspiration, but at the same time, I'm not gonna fight this. Wrote 3 chapters in one day.

Sometimes it just be that way.

But don't worry I won't forget my other stories :)

Part 5

It was such a strange thing to do, walking down the stairs hand in hand with Dimitri, Lissa and Christian in the kitchen talking about setting the table. It was so mundane and domestic. Through the bond with Lissa, I could feel how much she was enjoying the moment with Christian; they had sorted out their issues and embraced their new connection.

Seeing your best friend being rejected by their soulmate really puts things into perspective. At least my pain had brought some good.

I suppose I was like a cautionary tale now.

"Look who finally made it out of bed," Christian teased as we entered the kitchen. I glanced at him; though he was smirking, I could see the underlying worry, eyes flicking between Dimitri and me.

Lissa looked at us with hopeful eyes, the image of what she saw earlier flashing in her mind. She believed there was still a chance, and I didn't have it in me to tell her how wrong she was.

"How are you feeling?" She asked, placing down the last plate. I counted the amount, surprised to see six.

I dodged her question, "Who else is eating with us?"

"Mikhail and my aunt," Christian replied. His back to us as he finished whatever he was doing on the stovetop.

My heart sank.

Mikhail, I had expected, he would want to see how I was doing, But Tasha. While I respected her for being progressive and her ability to take care of herself, I always hated her attraction to Dimitri and how she never hid it. Even after her offer to him was rejected.

And then there was the fact that I knew Dimitri had allowed her to see him, but not me.

I inhaled sharply as the pressure in my chest twisted painfully. Great.

Dimitri's hand moved from mine to around my back, ready to support my weight if needed. "You should sit down," He led me to the table and pulled out a chair for me.

The bitter part in me wanted to ignore his offer and take a different seat, but I gave in at the earnest look Dimitri gave me. My resolve around him really was weak. I sunk into the chair, internally berating myself; I wasn't going to achieve anything if I kept giving in.

However, it was all so I could leave tonight.

I had made a plan while Dimitri was changing. I would stay for the rest of the day, give the bond some more time to heal and then tonight, I would go back to my place, call Abe and ask him to help me get away from here so that I could get past my feelings for Dimitri. And then, once I did that, I would return and break the bond.

I didn't have the funds or connections to support myself out of Court, but Abe did, and I'm sure I could play the 'abandoned daughter' card on him.

Dimitri took the seat beside me, his hand returning to mine instantly, his eye on me, looking for any signs of pain. I could feel his concern constantly, especially with us touching, but it didn't change much from that. I had tried poking at the bond again to see what other emotions were there. If just maybe, there was some kind of affection. But all I found was concern and guilt.

When I first took his hand upstairs, there may have been a burst of joy, but I couldn't be sure if that was from him or me.

A couple of minutes later, there was a sharp knock at the front door, Dimitri and I both tensing. A guardian positioned at the entrance was the one to answer it.

I had been right about guardians being placed here. One was in the hallway by our room, and another five were sitting in the lounge room as we came down. I could tell Dimitri felt shame that there were so many here to protect us from him. I had simply tightened my hold on his hand and walked past the guardians.

A moment later, three people joined us in the kitchen, the third person a surprise.

My eyebrows shot up, "Eddie? Why are you here?" Our interaction had been limited since we returned from Las Vegas. I regretted that I had practically ruined Eddie's guardian career when I had him join us in our plans of restoring Dimitri.

Mikhail and Tasha stood on either side of him, all three not so subtly looking between Dimitri and me and our interlocked hands on the table. I felt myself become ashamed by it, retracting my hand, so it was under the table, breathing through the ache.

Dimitri shot me a look before irritation came through our bond; his hand retook mine, resting them on my thigh.

I bit my lip; his irritation was like a slap. Proof that he hated this. I looked down at the table as I blinked away the tears gathering in my eyes. I don't care. I repeated it to myself. I don't care—just one more day.

"I heard what happened, and I wanted to make sure you were okay," Eddie answered me. I couldn't tell if the hesitancy in his tone was because of our relationship or the current situation.

Panic went through me when I comprehended his words. He had heard about it. My eyes snapped to his, "You heard about it? How?" Eyes flicking to Lissa and Christian, wondering if they had been telling others. Lissa's eyes caught mine, shaking her head.

Mikhail was the one to fill in the blanks, "Hans informed Castile because he is taking over your duties until you are fit to return to work again."

I groaned, "Hans knows?" I rubbed my forehead with my free hand. Of course, Hans knows. It would have been the only reason they didn't drag Dimitri back to wherever they placed him last night. Despite Dimitri's freedom still being questioned, our laws had preference. Dimitri was my soulmate, and by law, could not be separated from me, especially since our bond was so fragile.

Everyone would know by now.

My plan to leave just became so much more enticing.

"And we are sure that Dimka is Rose's soulmate?"

I clenched my fist as Tasha voiced her question, pissing me off. The rage grew when Dimitri didn't even answer. I look back up, glaring at the woman, "I'm pretty fucking sure."

Dimitri squeezed my hand, but I knew it was in warning, not support.

Lissa quickly tried to break the tension building in the room, "How about we eat? The food is getting cold. Sit down, Eddie. I'll get you a plate."

I tuned out the room, seething in anger and hurt. While Tasha didn't have any malice in her voice when she asked, I knew it wasn't her being genuinely curious. But then Dimitri couldn't even find it in him to defend me. I know he didn't feel the pull, but surely he didn't think I was lying about this?

My rejection from Dimitri kept being openly shown to everyone, and now everyone knew. Word travels fast through guardians, just as it does with Morois, and this news would travel. A dhampir couple as soulmates, and one being an ex-Strigoi. People are going to point and stare at me like I was a circus sideshow.

Food was placed in front of me, but I couldn't bring myself to eat it. My thoughts had soured my stomach; the idea of eating made me feel sick. The conversation continued around me, everyone terribly hiding that they were looking at me.

"Rose," Dimitri prompted, leaning in close to me.

"Don't," I warned in a low tone. I should have just stayed upstairs where we would have just eaten in silence, where I wouldn't have become the focus. I breathed out slowly, trying to calm myself.

It took everything in me to not yell at Lissa to stop thinking about me, her thoughts travelling to me so clearly that I was having difficulty just hearing my own.

Dimitri's hand clenched around mine, trying to be soothing, or just trying to get my attention, I wasn't sure, but it worked for neither.

I wasn't going to make it through another day of this. The bond had healed enough that I could be apart from Dimitri, sure it'll hurt, but I could push through it. As novices, we were trained to ignore pain, not allowing ourselves to focus on it because you never know when the next hit will be coming.

And staying here with Dimitri, I never knew if he was about to deliver the final blow or not.

I moved my eyes to Eddie; he was sitting at the head of the table beside me, having already finished his food; just watching me. He would be the least likely to ask too many questions. "Eddie, can you walk me back to my room at the dorms?"

The conversation died.

"I don't know if that would be a good idea, Rose," Mikhail spoke carefully.

I turned to him, "I'm much better now."

Before they could say anything else, I stood from the table, stealing myself against the ache as I moved away from Dimitri. He was staring at me in barely concealed shock, other emotions swirling in his eyes.

"I just need to get my bag. I'll be ready to leave in a minute," I told Eddie, walking away from the silent table.

The pain felt more like a stitch I would get when I pushed myself too hard when running. It was uncomfortable but not overwhelming. Managing to even climb the stairs without too much of a struggle.

I wasn't too surprised when another person followed me up the stairs, feeling that it was Lissa. She was panicked and confused.

"Rose, I don't understand. You don't need to leave," She started, following me into the spare room, "I know you are still hurting, and you need Dimitri to help."

I shook my head, putting my dirty clothes into the bag and zipping it closed. "I'm fine, Liss. This is better for everyone, trust me." I had to kill her hopes before they took hold in her mind. There was no hope for Dimitri and me.

"But you two were getting along, I thought -"

"I know what you thought, and it's wrong. I can feel his emotions, Lissa. He doesn't want this." Remembering his irritation before and his reluctance even to accept me as his soulmate. "It'll be okay. I just need to get away for a while and -"

"Get away? Get away where? You can't just avoid Dimitri he-" She cut herself off, eyes widening in realisation. "Rose, you can't leave."

I gave her a resigned smile. She didn't understand; she couldn't. Her soulmate wanted her. "I have to. It's the only way I can get past this, and once I can, I'll come back and release Dimitri from the bond so he can continue on with his life. Without me." I didn't mean for the last bit to escape, nor for the depressed tone I said it in.

Lissa wasn't expecting it either, sympathy for my situation growing. She had been so hopeful that Dimitri would have come back to me, but now she was accepting the truth, just as I had to.

She didn't try to stop me as I left the room, quickly making my way down the stairs, knowing if I didn't go right now, it would be more challenging later. Eddie was already at the door waiting. Mikhail was by the kitchen doorway, watching me with sad eyes. And just past him, I could see Dimitri still at the table, unmoving.

I suppose there had been a part of me that expected him to leap from his seat and beg me to stay, not to leave his side again. But it was all just wishful thinking.

Eddie took my bag from me, opening the front door for me. Without another word, I left.


We were almost at the dorms when Eddie spoke. "Are you sure you're okay?"

If my heavy breathing hadn't given away how much I was struggling, the constant tripping would have. My knees were becoming weak and shaky from the pain, making it hard to walk in a straight line. The distance was making everything worse. But I ignored it all, pushing onwards. "Of course I am."

Denial was a freaking ocean, and I was drowning in it.

When my knees gave out again, Eddie had to catch me, quickly leading me to one of the stone benches that lined the walkways in Court. "Yeah, you are doing just great." He sighed, exasperated. "Just sit and take a second to catch your breath." He ordered when I moved to stand.

Grumbling to myself, I relented, not willing to admit how good it felt to sit down. I may have significantly underestimated just how difficult it was going to be leaving Dimitri and Court. I wasn't even that far from him, and it was already becoming unbearable.

I groaned, letting my head fall into my hands, "This is so stupid."

"Yeah, you really aren't the poster child for soulmate bonds right now."

That pulled a laugh from me. "They sure as hell didn't cover this part in class." I could still remember Alberta telling us all about the soulmate bond and what it would be like. It was only the dhampirs in the class; the Morois were told in their own class, probably because they were given more hope for it. Alberta had mentioned the pain of breaking a bond, knowing it was a real possibility for us, but she never said about what to do if you loved the person breaking it.

Mason had been so excited to find his soulmate, giving me a look that I now realised was longing. That class was where I very clearly and loudly announced my absolute disgust for soulmates.

Alberta had told me it could be an amazing experience. If only she could see how wrong she was.

Suddenly I felt it, causing me to groan again.

"What's wrong? Is the pain worse?" Eddie asked, concerned, his hand resting on my back as I doubled over.

It wasn't the pain. No, that was going away because Dimitri was coming closer.

A couple of moments later, I heard him running towards us, Eddie's hand stilling on my back when he noticed him. Distantly I could other's running, wondering if it was his security detail.

"Rose!" Dimitri called, his long strides bringing him closer until I could see his feet in front of me. "I knew you shouldn't have left. Why are you making this harder for yourself?" He scolded me. Not waiting for a reply, he was crouching before me, hand replacing Eddies on my back. At the contact, it was like life was getting breathed back into me.

This was hell. I decided. I had died back in Russia and was now living in my own form of hell.

"What do you want?" I bit out. Couldn't he have just left me to my misery? No, he had to keep adding to it.

Irritation spiked from him again, "I want to help you."

"Well, you can help me by leaving me alone."

He flinched but didn't move away. His tone had softened, hand gently rubbing my back, "Rose, I -"

Whatever he was going to say was cut off by a voice I really didn't need to hear right now.

"Isn't this just lovely to see?"

Adrian.

I sat up, Dimitri's hand falling to my hip, but he didn't move from his spot by my feet. I looked at Adrian as he approached, his glare on us both.

He gave me a condescending smirk, "Don't you look lovely, Rose. Been crying much lately?" He asked with a tilt of his head, then gestured to Dimitri, "Seems to be all he's good for. At least that's the word going around Court."

I grimaced; his words proved that my situation was the latest gossip. I stood from the bench, wanting to appear unbothered. "Drop it, Adrian."

He laughed, though it was chilling, "You really are pathetic, Rose."

Dimitri suddenly rose, stepping in front of me, "Don't talk to her like that." He growled out.

Adrian looked him up and down like he was nothing more than the dirt on his shoes, "You really chose him over me. Such a joke." His words slurred slightly.

"Are you drunk?" I demanded. I felt some concern for him rise to the surface; while I didn't love him like I did Dimitri, I cared for Adrian. I never wanted to hurt him like this.

"What of it?"

Yep, he was drunk. If he didn't leave, now we were both going to say things that would make everything so much worse. "Leave now, Adrian," I told him firmly.

I could see Dimitri tensing; he was holding himself back, just barely. We had gathered a small crowd, and the last thing we needed was Dimitri losing his temper.

Soulmates were meant to be able to calm one another; I wondered if I could calm him. I placed a hand on his back, focusing on projecting soothing energy through the bond. I wasn't sure it had worked until slowly, his muscles relaxed. I heard him take a deep breath before releasing it, the tension with it.

Adrian scowled, "Pathetic." He muttered before stalking away from us.

I drew back from Dimitri, unsure what to make about using the bond to calm him or that it had worked. When he turned to look at me, I could see he was confused.

"I'm sorry about that." I apologised, wrapping my arms around myself.

Dimitri stepped towards me, hands hovering as if uncertain about touching me. "Are you okay?"

Before I could reply, Eddie called my name, making me turn. While most of the crowd had left with Adrian, the ones left were now watching with curiosity as two guardians approached. Two of the Queen's Royal Guards.

I had been expecting them to march straight to Dimitri, my body already coiling, ready to defend him from them if needed. But their attention was on me.

"Rose Hathaway. You are requested before the Queen." One of them informed me sternly. This was not a polite request. This was an order.

Suddenly I remembered publicly calling the Queen a bitch, "Shit."

Dimitri had taken a protective stance beside me, Eddie on my other side copying him. Dimitri side-eyed me, "Why does the Queen need Rose?" It was brave of him to question a Royal Guard.

He was not going to be impressed, "Probably because I called her a sanctimonious bitch at the last Council meeting." I explained in a low voice. His reaction was instantaneous, eyes snapping to mine in disbelief.

"You did what!" He yelled. "Rose, insulting the Queen can get you thrown in jail."

I shot him a look, "I know. I was mad, okay. It hasn't really been a great week for me." I bit out. My irritation covered the fear I felt. Dimitri faltered, guilt flashing on his face.

The guardians had had enough of waiting; the second one scowled, "Come with us now, or we will restrain you."

I held my hands up in surrender, stepping away from the two men determined to protect me. I felt Dimitri's panic through the bond.

"Rose."

I glanced over my shoulder, giving him what I hoped was a reassuring smile, "It's okay, comrade."

He was fighting with himself on what to do, and so again, I tried to push a sense of calm through the bond, hoping it would be enough to stop him from doing something stupid.


Despite going willingly, both guardians wrapped a hand around an arm, dragging me between them. The further we got from Dimitri, the more I was leaning into their hold; at this point, it was the only thing keeping me on my feet. They shot me looks, but neither questioned why I was becoming boneless and breathing like I had been running for my life.

Dimitri had tried to follow at first, but his guardians kept him back.

I still couldn't believe that I had been able to calm Dimitri using the bond earlier; I don't think he realised it was me doing it. But that means he could feel it. Right?

I was unable to dwell on it any longer as we stopped in front of a large door. I recognised this room; it was where Tatiana had told me I could never be with Adrian. I guess she finally got her wish.

The guardians released me, and it took a lot of energy to keep myself standing—stupid soulmate bond. I took a deep breath; I wasn't going to appear weak in front of the Queen, I was still plenty pissed about her choice to send teenagers off to die, and that anger gave me the fuel I needed to stand tall as the door opened and I was directed in.

Tatiana sat in her plush chair, looking every bit the royal bitch she was, a calculating gaze on me. What I hadn't been expecting was Abe seated in the chair before her; hearing me enter, he turned in his seat. His suit was offensive to the eyes as always, and though his smile was friendly, I could see an undertone of annoyance. Hopefully, that wasn't aimed at me.

Tatiana spoke first, "Ahh, Rose. Thank you for coming."

I bit my tongue not to point out that I had no choice. Instead, I nodded towards Abe, "Why is he here?" My relation to Abe was still very hush; I was unwilling to offer that information if Abe hadn't.

A defined arched eyebrow raised, Tatiana smiled, though it had no warmth, "Your father and I have come to an agreement in regards to your consequences for your actions in the Council meeting."

Well, that proves my theory right. I hoped the agreement wasn't me locked in a cell, because Dimitri wasn't in there anymore and that place had lost its appeal. My eyes flicked to Abe's and then back to Tatiana. This conversation was going to be like a minefield; I had to tread carefully.

Abe stood from his chair next to me, standing close to me. While to most, it would look like a fatherly gesture of him offering support, it was just so Abe could lean forward and whisper under his breath, "Couldn't have stayed out of trouble, could you."

I wanted to roll my eyes. Could he really be that surprised considering who my parents were?

An upside of Abe now beside me was that he was helping me stand steady, feeling his grip tighten on my elbow when I swayed a little. I was going to either need Dimitri or to lay down soon, or I was going to pass out from the pain building in my chest.

Tatiana continued, seemingly unaware of my current state. "So Rose, you have a choice here." That sounded unlikely, but I didn't say so. "I can throw you into the cells for a couple of days, have a mark against your name and take any chance of you ever being Lissa's guardian away from you."

If I wasn't already pale, I was now as I felt what blood was in my face leave. It must have been concerning enough that Abe made me sit in the chair he had vacated.

"Or," Tatiana grinned, "you complete a task for me."

Tread carefully, Rose. "What's the task?" I asked.

Her eyes lit up; this is what she wanted. There was never a choice involved, just what the Queen wants. "Vasilisa has a sibling, illegitimate. I want you to find them and bring them to Court so that Vasilisa can be part of the Council."

I think my brain just stopped working. I blinked at her as I tried to comprehend what she had said. "I'm sorry, what?" I must have looked like an idiot as my brain tried to catch up. "A sibling. But that would mean -"

"Yes. Her father had an affair." Tatiana waved it off like she was talking about the weather. She barely allowed for a second of reprieve before speaking again. "The reason why your father is here is he has negotiated this deal with me and has offered to fund your search. So choose. Which would you prefer to do, Rose?"

I glanced at Abe, his annoyance now making sense if he had to negotiate with Tatiana. My appreciation for him grew knowing that he had done so for my sake. Not too bad for an absent father for the first eighteen years of my life.

I thought over my 'choices'. I needed more information. "Do we have any leads about the sibling?" I would much rather be put into a cell for a couple of days than being sent off on a wild goose chase that would send me away from Court for the rest of my life.

Abe answered, "There is a bank account."

My mind made the connection, "The one that the records of were recently stolen from the Alchemist?"

Tatiana didn't look too pleased with me knowing this information, "Indeed."

Abe's eyes shined in amusement, "I have found a name connected to it. One Sonya Karp."

Yep, this was a wild goose chase. "As in Miss Karp? The one that became a Strigoi." I replied, unimpressed.

"That would be her."

I gave them both a doubtful look, "How am I meant to find her? Go up to some Strigois and ask?"

"You could," Abe gave me a look that I did not like, "or you could use the connections of someone who used to be Strigoi." And there it is.

My plan was to contact Abe to escape Dimitri, and now here he is, telling me to go on a trip across America hunting for Strigois with him. I scowled, "No. I'm not involving him in this."

It wasn't just because of my recent soulmate discovery that I refused to ask him to help. No, Dimitri had just come back to this world, was finally able to get some peace and a chance to regain his place in the guardian world. I wasn't going to make him call up some old buddies that would only bring back everything. The overwhelming guilt he felt. All of it would be too much for him.

Abe's hand landed on my shoulder, squeezing it, "I don't think you have much of a choice here."

This was going to suck.