Omg, it's the last chapter! And it's a nice long one for you all!
Part 40
*One Week Later*
I ran my fingers through my hair, catching the ends and frowning.
"Rose, it looked fine," Lissa repeated with a face. It was probably the fifth time this hour.
Two days ago, I agreed with Lissa that I couldn't keep walking around with singed hair after spending the first half of the week putting it all up into a bun to hide it. But it was time for me to bite the bullet and get the cut.
I hadn't made a drastic cut to my hair since before we ran away from the academy at fifteen. When I started allowing Lissa to feed on me, I grew it to hide the bites; and then I grew it out because Dimitri liked it. I had to admit, my hair looked amazing. Abe really did bless me with his genes. Despite not taking care of it as I should, it still looked great. A bit frizzy, but it shined and was strong, hanging midway down my back.
That was until I went to the hairdresser to get it cleaned up, and they took five inches off. Lissa claimed that the missing length wasn't noticeable, but I knew. I noticed each time I ran my fingers down the length and would draw up short.
I hated it.
I had glowered the whole time walking back to the dorms, silently cursing Lissa for convincing me to go through with it and myself for agreeing. By the time I had made it back to my room, Dimitri already knew that a storm was brewing and was ready with open arms to cheer me up.
I made him promise me multiple times that he still loved my hair, regardless of the length.
It was the end of my shift, and I had taken my hair out of the high bun I put it into when working, massaging the roots and combing through it with my fingers.
Hans had only put me back to work today, Sage greeting me back like nothing had happened. There still hadn't been any mention of my turning Strigoi, only that Tasha and her guardian were being held awaiting their trials.
The Moroi were more upset that the Princess and Council member was in danger than the dhampir, the actual target. I shouldn't be surprised that people were more concerned that Tasha sent a man to attack us and had risked Lissa's life.
Guardians knew I had been kidnapped, but all believed the story that Dimitri, Pavel and my mother managed to find me and bring me back safely. The story had actually helped more guardians accept Dimitri again. Others swooned at the idea of my soulmate coming to save me.
So at least there was an upside to it all.
Once in custody, Tasha was willing to talk but made everything sound coincidental. The Council hadn't agreed on using compulsion on her as of yet. Tasha wasn't a well-liked Royal, but she was still one. As with Victor, they were hesitant about moving ahead with sentencing her.
Everything about it gave me a headache and put me in a bad mood.
Lissa bumped me with her elbow, giving me a pointed look. "Stop thinking about it. You are just going to stress yourself out."
I scoffed, muttering, "You don't know what I'm thinking."
She rolled her eyes, "I do, and I don't even need a bond to do it."
"Well, luckily for me, I don't need the bond to tell what you are thinking either," I shot back. Our lack of bond had been a touchy subject for the first couple of days, but now we both saw the benefits of not having one. Lissa had her privacy back, and I didn't have to see Christian naked anymore.
There were still times that I would wake up in a panic because I couldn't feel Lissa. Or when I'd try looking through the bond for where she was. It made guarding her without it a new experience. I guess I should be thankful that Alberta had given me Christian as my Moroi for my field experience; I really won't be able to rely on the bond to keep her safe.
"Well, use your great knowledge about me, and tell me which class I will like more." Lissa slid her computer to me, the Lehigh University website opened.
Classes started in three weeks, and Lissa needed to choose her last one. Reading their descriptions, I realised it was a choice of boring and really boring. I shot her a look, brows raised. "This is the kind of stuff I'm going to have to sit through for the next three years?"
Lissa crossed her arm defensively, "It's not that bad."
"I'm falling asleep just reading about it."
She snatched back the laptop with a pout, grumbling, "I will just ask Christian."
"Ask me what?"
We both turned in our seats to see Christian; as soon as my eyes met his, he looked away. I internally sighed. I never once blamed him for what his aunt did, but he did.
"She was going to ask which class was more boring," I replied to his question. He may be acting awkward, but I wouldn't let it stop me. It's been creepy, him being almost nice to me; I much preferred insults.
Christian walked over to the table, peering over Lissa's shoulder before pointing to one of them. "That one will be better."
Lissa beamed up at him, "Thank you."
"So, are you looking forward to going back to school, Sparky?" I asked, determined to make him realise I wasn't holding a grudge against him.
They were both moving into a house close to the university and culinary school. I know Christian wanted to move away from Court as soon as possible but had to wait three weeks because Lissa was required to be in meetings with the Council.
He shrugged non-committal.
He was really making me work for it. "Have you chosen a guardian yet?"
One of the requirements for them living away from Court was they both needed protection. Lissa had Sage, Sabels, and I, but Christian had yet to choose who he wanted.
I had considered offering Dimitri for the job but knew it wasn't my place to do so. It didn't stop me from dropping subtle hints to Lissa, though I don't know if she's caught on yet.
"No one has really clicked yet," Lissa answered with a sad smile.
Christian released a humourless laugh, "No one wants to guard someone part of a family of murderers." He left the room before either of us could respond.
Lissa watched after him, crestfallen. I took her hand in mine and squeezed, trying to reassure her, "He'll be okay, Liss."
"I know, but it's just so hard. I don't know what to say to help."
I didn't need the bond to see how much this affected her. "Just being there for him is enough. He'll come to you when he's ready."
She gave me a half-smile, not quite reaching her eyes. "I think he's worried about how the trial will go. He hasn't seen Tasha since they locked her up."
I shifted uncomfortably in my chair. As much as I felt bad for what Christian was going through, I felt no sympathy for Tasha. We will all be seeing her tomorrow at her trial; it will be what decides if she will have to pay for her crimes.
I didn't know too much what punishment they would give her; I just wanted her far away from Dimitri and me.
Glancing at the clock, I decided it was time for me to leave. Dimitri's shift would be over by now, and there was nothing I wanted more than to spend as much time as possible with him tonight.
"I'm going to head off. But I'll see you tomorrow," I told Lissa, giving her one last look of encouragement.
I will see them both tomorrow in the courtroom.
I closed the door with my foot, balancing the takeout in my hands. The dorm rooms weren't the best place to cook for two, or even for one really. Dimitri had agreed with me, and we submitted a request for a larger room to share. Until then, we were both cramped in mine.
With me moving with Lissa in three weeks, there wasn't much point to us getting a permanent living situation, but at least having a larger room, I would have somewhere to sleep whenever back at Court.
I frowned. Three weeks was not enough to spend with Dimitri. After everything, I never wanted to leave his side again, but our duty came first.
The bathroom door was closed, steam seeping out the bottom of the door. I could feel his emotions were as jumbled as mine, the trial making us both nervous. I wasn't aware of how much evidence they had against Tasha. The fact she never got her own hands dirty didn't help.
I groaned, feeling a headache build again, rubbing at my temples in the hope of relieving it.
Long fingers weaved their way through my hair, massaging my scalp for me. I moaned, letting my hands fall. Sparks of pleasure travelled through my body from his touch.
I dropped my head back, staring up at Dimitri with a lazy smile, "Hey, comrade."
He smirked back, "Hi." Better?
I nodded, letting my eyes close as his fingers worked magic. The tension left my body as I felt his love flow through me.
"I've been feeling your stress all day," Dimitri noted, leaning down to kiss my forehead, "Everything is going to be fine."
"You don't know that," I replied, stepping away from his hands.
"No, but I know your father won't let Tasha get away with hurting you." He tried to reason with me, but it just agitated me more.
"I don't want Tasha to pay for what she did because my father went all Godfather on her. I want her to be convicted. Just because she's a royal doesn't mean she should get away with it."
"Victor was charged, and he was royal."
I turned to glare at him, "That's because he did actually kidnap Lissa. We just have Moore saying that Tasha told him to knock me out. Unless they agree to use compulsion on her, we have no way of proving it." These thoughts had been running through my head all week, trying to ignore them the best I could. But with the trial tomorrow, it was hard not to become lost in the world of what if.
Dimitri caught my hand in his, tugging me closer and into his embrace, "I know, Roza. But there's nothing we can do now except trust that the system will work."
I buried my head into his chest, breathing him in. "And if it doesn't?"
His arms tightened around me, "Then I will protect you."
I scoffed, "I'm more worried about you."
"Fine. I'll protect you, and you can protect me."
I laughed, leaning more into his embrace, my nerves easing from his presence. Using the bond between one another had become second nature now, easily slipping in place as if we had always been using it. With us both working again, we constantly sent emotions to one another, we could send thoughts, but it took more concentration when apart. If we were close, and touching we could easily send a thought to the other. Part of me wondered how strong it would be with the distance between us when I leave for Bethlehem.
And this was all without completing it.
Dimitri hadn't brought it up, but I knew the question was always on his mind. His want to complete it is always just below the surface, keeping it concealed enough that I can only feel it when he is relaxed or if I pulled at the bond.
I know he was putting off asking me because he was worried I wasn't ready, still healing. And I was, but I also felt ready to take that next step. It was just bringing it up.
It was never the right time, and then we were both stressed. I hated that Tasha did come between us in the end, just not in the way she had hoped.
"Hey," Dimitri's finger curled under my chin, tilting my head up, "let's eat and watch a movie. No more overthinking. Okay?"
"Okay, comrade."
I woke with a scream, cutting off the sound as I jerked up in bed. My body was covered in a cold sweat, breaths coming out as harsh pants. A light turned on next to me made me flinch back, a person sitting beside me with concerned eyes.
I felt a soothing presence first before his hand reached out for me. My body tensed and then leaned back into the touch. I was quickly encased in his arms, feeling safe and protected in them.
It was another nightmare.
We seemed to be taking turns with them as of late. Some shared, some not. Both discovered that it was easier to soothe the other with the bond first and then offer comfort. Dimitri found out the hard way that I was quick to lash out after a nightmare, still lost in the horrors of my dreams. Whereas he would still be stuck in the memories of the past, and I needed to lead him out of them and back to me.
I peered up at him through watery eyes, wiping the moisture off my face with the back of my hand. He was always understanding and patient, stroking my hair until I had calmed down enough to talk.
"Was it the same dream?" He asked in a soft voice.
Most of my nightmares revolved around me being Strigoi these days, Dimitri killing me, or I would kill him. Each time felt too real, especially when it was a shared dream. I shook my head, "It was different this time," I croaked out, throat sore from screaming. I wondered how long I had been screaming. How long had Dimitri been trying to wake me?
Glancing up at him again, I noticed he appeared wide awake, with no traces of sleep lingering.
His lips pressed against my cheek, sending a pleasurable feeling through me, "Do you want to talk about it?"
"Tasha." It was only one word, but Dimitri didn't need much else to fill in the blanks, and I didn't want to go into more detail. He knew of my fear of her getting away with everything and taking him away. This dream included her trying to kill me again, but before she could, Dimitri had protected me and been killed instead. Dying in my arms.
I curled up closer to him, hands greedily exploring his chest and back, desperate to feel every part of him and know he was okay.
I don't know how Dimitri survived my death, the bond breaking. I knew that if he died, I would be soon to follow. I wouldn't be able to survive losing him again.
Nothing will happen to me, Roza.
His voice was soothing in my mind, the deep tones feeling like a balm for my heart, and his words easing my anxiety. I know.
I stood outside of the Council building. The same building that held the courtroom for Tasha's trial. I had a couple of minutes before I had to be in there, but my feet didn't want to move. The last time I was in that room was for Victor's trial. That time had been filled with anxiety that he would go through with his threat of exposing Dimitri and me and the lust charm.
This time I was just as worried, but for different reasons.
I was dressed professionally, hair tied back into a neat bun and in my guardian uniform. I wasn't some wet behind the ears teenager that doesn't know what they were doing. I was an accomplished guardian that should be taken seriously, and I wanted those in the courtroom to know it.
Tasha could taunt about no one believing me because I was a dhampir with a questionable reputation as much as she wanted. I knew I was much more than that.
"Roza?"
"I'm ready," I declared. Squaring my shoulders and stepping through the large wooden doors into the building. Dimitri beside me.
A crowd had gathered inside the building. The trial wasn't open to the public, something I was grateful for. Like Victor, I was expecting Tasha to try to derail the proceedings by revealing my recent stint as one of the undead.
It wouldn't be enough to have me locked up, but it would raise eyebrows and questions, making things harder for me as a guardian. Unlike Dimitri, I didn't have much of a stellar guardian reputation to convince others that I was worth being part of society.
The guardians blocking the entrance nodded at us as we passed them, letting us through the doors into the courtroom. The room was half full, a handful of members of the Council seated in the front rows talking amongst themselves. Lissa sat on the opposite side with Christian, solemn looks on their faces.
Behind them were my parents and Pavel.
I had finally built the courage to approach Pavel, apologising to him. He had allowed me to get three words out before he told me it wasn't my fault. Like Sage, he acted as if nothing had happened, only that he was sorry he didn't stop Tasha before she compelled him.
My relationship with my mother hadn't gotten worse since the family dinner I ran out on, but it hadn't improved either. I had let go of the anger I had for being turned, especially the part I held against her. I realised I couldn't stay mad at her, yet forgive Dimitri and Pavel for their part in it. Janine didn't always show it when I needed her to, but she does love me.
I think what happened shook her, ever since she had been making a genuine effort when interacting with me. When she noticed our arrival, she greeted us with a reassuring smile.
Abe stood and reached over the seats to kiss my forehead, his new preferred way of greeting me, then shaking Dimitri's hand. "How are you feeling?" He inquired, a critical eye aimed at me.
I kept my face impassive, "I'm fine. Just want to get this over with."
I took my seat beside Lissa before Abe could push for more. Dimitri took the spot beside me, leaving me sandwiched between the two of them. Lissa released Christian hand for a moment to squeeze mine, giving me a tight smile. This was going to be difficult for her and Christian.
Tasha had treated Lissa like family, helping her prepare and settle in with the Council, even being someone she aspired to. Unlike me, she never grew to dislike Tasha as I did. I wished I didn't have to be part of taking someone so important from so many people in my life, and yet here we were.
Dimitri took my hand, pushing understanding and love through the bond, having sensed the guilt in me. This guilt had often dragged me down, and each time he would remind me that Tasha made her choice.
I swept the room with my eyes, noting again that there was no jury, just the judge and the Queen who would make the final decision. Tasha and Tatiana had about as good of a relationship as they did with me. But Tasha was well-liked, especially by progressive Moroi and dhampirs; Tatiana's favour could go either way.
When the guardians brought Tasha into the room, my breath caught, hand tightening around Dimitri's. I felt no fear looking at her, despite what she did to me. No, I felt anger.
I may have been healed of a chunk of the darkness when restored, but there was still enough that would emerge when I was extremely pissed off. And looking at Tasha definitely brought that out.
Breathe, Roza.
My eyes caught Dimitri's; he had turned his head to gaze at me. I took a slow, deep breath, feeling more in control. Thanks, comrade.
He lifted my hand to his lips, a chaste kiss to my knuckles. Always.
I could feel eyes on me, glancing around until I met her's across the room. Tasha stood between two guardians, a fierce glare aimed at me, then changing to longing when her eyes shifted to Dimitri.
He was still sending love through the bond; it made satisfaction and joy flow through me. Tasha didn't stand a chance of taking him from me. He was my soulmate.
It made me pity her.
Rather than moving on and just remaining friends, she threw away her life and betrayed those she cared most about for something she could never have.
Dimitri was of two minds when he looked at her, anger at what she did to me and sorrow for his friend. None of his inner turmoil showed on his face. I returned comfort and love of my own to him, running my thumb over his knuckles.
I stared back at Tasha, observing her as her sight continued to move about the courtroom, seeing her distraught expression when looking at Christian. From the corner of my eye, I could see Christian kept his head down. She looked like she wanted to say something to him, but the entrance of the judge and then Tatiana prevented her from speaking.
Standing and then bowing to Tatiana, the trial officially started.
I didn't recognise the lawyer defending our case, Ms Rowling, only knowing that Abe had hired her. So she was either really good or really corrupt. She definitely had Tasha's lawyer floundering at times. The Moroi woman was a blonde bombshell with quick thinking. I would be concerned if I couldn't tell that Dimitri was more focused on the proceedings than her.
When she had called me up to give my statement, she had asked about all of the events while easily avoiding any mention of my turning. I had to identify the Moroi that had attacked me, James, and confirm that he was the same man in a surveillance video of Tasha and him. I don't know where Abe got it, but I was glad about it. Tasha couldn't deny a video.
And so each of us went up, Dimitri following me, then Lissa, and eventually, Moore.
His trial still wasn't scheduled yet; the fact he was claiming to be under compulsion made things more difficult.
"Mr Moore," Our lawyer started. Moore's guardian title had been stripped when arrested. "What happened when you and Lady Ozera arrived in Bethlehem?"
Moore's eyes fidgeted around the room, landing on Tasha and then flicking away again. "Tas—Lady Ozera and I separated from the others to meet with a human that was working with a Strigoi."
My attention had perked up, not hearing this part of the story before.
"How did she contact the Strigoi?" Ms Rowling questioned. Working with a Strigoi was seen as much of a taboo as willingly turning Strigoi and would gain them jail time if proven.
Moore shook his head, "I don't know." He was encouraged to continue with his story, "We gave the human the details of where the safe house was and a way to contact them to… retrieve Rose Hathaway."
I cringed at the mention of me. The knowledge of another guardian betraying me like that didn't sit well, tainting the beliefs I had of guardians being someone I could trust and fight side by side with, knowing they would have my back.
She continued to question him, and he told everything. Tasha directed him to wait until my shift had started, faking a reason for me to come outside, pretending to be the other guardian calling me out. After he knocked me out, he passed me over to the human who delivered me to Robert, then they planted the stake, breaking the wards after enough time had passed.
Moore claimed that Robert was meant to just kill me, and when Tasha found out the job wasn't done, she came to do it herself before I could reveal the truth. He defended his actions by saying Tasha first used his feelings for her to convince him and then compelled him to go through with attacking me when he thought it was going too far.
Finally, it was Tasha's turn, sitting at the witness stand, a look of innocence on her face. She and her lawyer must have been practising the best ways for her to dodge blame for each question.
Yes, she knew James but had nothing to do with the attack. He was radical and must have taken it too far.
Yes, she met a human in Bethlehem, but they didn't work for a Strigoi. She was considering moving there and was looking into places to continue self-defence training.
No, she had no idea what Moore was planning and only defended him because she cared for him.
"If you didn't tell Mr Moore to do anything of this, then why did he?" Ms Rowling inquired.
Tasha's face became pained, "He has feelings for me and became jealous when he found out how I feel about Dimitri. And now he's trying to blame it all on me."
I had to stop myself from calling out her blatant lie, Dimitri squeezing my hand to remind me where we were. With a scowl, I kept quiet.
"He isn't stable," Tasha continued, turning to Moore with a look of pity as if revealing this about him was the most painful thing she had done.
Ms Rowling crossed her arms, "Then why did you go to that cabin and attempt to kill Rose Hathaway?"
Tasha sat up in her chair, eyes locking with mine. My heart dropped—this was it. "Rose turned Strigoi, and I was trying to save my nephew from her."
A murmur instantly broke out in the courtroom, eyes narrowing in on me. From the satisfied look in Tasha's eyes, this was exactly what she wanted.
I had seen the look Dimitri received; people staring at him like he was still a monster and would wreak havoc at any moment. Untrusting. I never understood the weight of that look until it was aimed at me. As much as I wanted to shrink under it, turn away from them all, I kept my face impassive, and head held high.
I will not show that it affected me.
It's okay. It will pass. Dimitri soothed me, remaining an ever-present strength keeping me standing tall.
The judge frowned, calling for order in the room. Everyone eventually quieted down, though the stares didn't deter. The older woman gestured to Ms Rowling, "Continue with your questions."
"Thank you," Ms Rowling strolled back to her table, searching through her bag for a moment. She appeared unfazed by the information Tasha had just revealed. Finding what she was looking for, she turned back to the stand. "Lady Ozear, you were at the cabin that Rose Hathaway was held in a week ago, correct?"
Tasha raised her eyebrow, wary, "Yes. I went to help restore Rose."
Our lawyer nodded, turning to the judge and Queen, "I would like to submit a new piece of evidence before the court." There was another low murmuring around the room, everyone looking at a small device in Ms Rowling's hand.
Tasha's lawyer tried to get the new evidence rejected, but in the end, it was decided by Tatiana. She looked down her nose, her thoughts carefully concealed. She waved her hand, "I'll allow it."
"Thank you, Your Highness," Ms Rowling bowed. Turning back to Tasha and pressing a button.
"...I'm telling you, I don't know what happened! I went in there to make sure he didn't need any help, and she broke free! Please, Dimka, you have to believe me."
A hush fell over the room as Tasha's voice sounded from the device. I realised then that it was a voice recorded. I spun around in my seat, catching my father's eyes, a cunning grin on his face and eyes glinting. This was the ace up his sleeve, the thing that made him so confident.
He recorded Tasha's confession.
"That's because he wasn't there to hurt them…."
It was strange hearing myself, the anger and exhaustion in every word I spoke. My eyes shifted back to Tasha, watching the blood drain from her face as the realisation set in.
"You really are pathetic."
"Everything would have been fine if Robert had just done what he was meant to, but no, he had to play with the bloodwhore! Doesn't matter what any of you say, no one in Court is going to believe you. I am a Royal, you're just some dhampir slut."
Ms Rowling stopped the recording, "That is your voice on the tape?"
Tasha didn't respond, her mouth opening and closing as she tried to think of some way out, but nothing came out. For the first time since entering this room, I started to believe that she wouldn't be able to get away with it—damning herself with her own words.
"I have no more questions." Our lawyer turned on her heel, walking back to her seat with a satisfied look in her eyes, one very similar to Abe's.
Tasha's lawyer even looked at a loss, not knowing how to salvage their case.
"I believe we have heard enough," Tatiana spoke, voice commanding the attention of the room. "Given all the evidence and testimonies, I am prepared to give my verdict."
I stared out into the garden, the flowers weren't as vibrant in the dark, but the view was still pretty, not that I was taking any of it in. I just stared blankly ahead as the events of the day caught up with me.
I felt conflicted about how to feel. Happy, yet sad. Part of me didn't even believe it was real.
Tasha was found guilty.
Despite the relief that had shot through me when Tatiana had revealed her decision, I had caught sight of Christian's expression breaking. I wanted to wait until the courtroom had cleared out to talk to him, but with my secret now out, I was drawing attention. Rather than being surrounded by people talking about me behind my back, I slipped out. Dimitri had promised to come and meet me after, needing to take care of something first.
My mind was so preoccupied that I didn't think to ask what he had to do.
Surprisingly, it wasn't Dimitri that ended up finding me, but my mother.
"How are you feeling?" She queried, joining me on the stone bench.
I glanced at her, "Relieved. A little guilty. Worried."
"That's all understandable."
"Did you know Abe recorded that conversation?" I asked, still shocked that that was what won the case.
Janine laughed, "Your father is suspicious all the time. He and Pavel are often recording conversations. It's useful to have a person's own words to use against them."
I shot her a look, "Couldn't have started with that? You know, before Tasha had to tell everyone about me turning?" I felt irritated and anxious. Most of the Council members knew now, and a handful of guardians. It won't take long for the news to spread.
My mother frowned, "I wish we could have. But she would have said it regardless."
"So, what do I do now? Are they going to want to test me or something?" My real concern was that they would want to revoke my title as guardian until I passed their inquiries. I reached through the bond, feeling Dimitri reach back. It wasn't much, but with the distance, it was the closest I could get to feeling the calm he brings me.
"There won't be any test, Rose."
I angled my head to face her, doubtful of her words.
"Your father expected this, and so he spoke to the Queen. Before the trial started today, she released a statement saying you were acquitted."
I blinked at her. Once. Twice. I dropped my head into my hands, groaning. "All this time, you two have had it planned. Why didn't you say something? Do you have any idea how worried I've been about this!"
At least Janine had the decency to look guilty, "We didn't want to say anything just in case."
"So that means everyone in Court knows now." I blew out a long breath. As much as that thought concerned me, it also eased the anxiety I had been feeling. It was out, and because of my father's habit of planning ahead, it had already been dismissed by the Queen. I peeked up at my mother, "Am I still Lissa's guardian?"
Her brows furrowed in confusion, "Of course. Why wouldn't you?"
"Because Tatiana doesn't like me that much, and she could use this to put me back to filing paperwork."
"Yes, you have made quite the impression with her," She agreed in a thick voice. I jumped when her hand covered mine. "You were right. I had no idea about what had happened before. I had no right coming here and reprimanding you like I did. I'm sorry."
Janine seemed to enjoy throwing me off balance today. I felt my brain short circuit. My mother just apologised to me, admitting she was wrong. I subtly tried to pinch my arm.
"I let my anger take over and put all the blame on you and said things that aren't true." Janine continued. "Such as about soulmates making you weak. I was wrong." Her eyes met mine, concern pinching the corners, "I saw how much Dimitri cares for you and how much he has helped you this past week. I'm glad you have someone like him."
I nodded slowly, "Thanks." I didn't know what else to say, still thrown by her change of tune. If only it didn't take me dying for this to come about. But she was trying; that was something. "That means a lot to hear."
I wasn't ready to forgive her, but it was a step in the right direction.
She looked disappointed but didn't try pushing for more. Standing from the bench, she dusted non-existent dirt from her pants and jacket, "I have to go meet your father, but I'm glad that everything worked out in the end. When you have a chance, you should come over. Maybe even stay for dinner?" The hopeful note in her tone was hard to say no.
"Sure, I'll call when I have some time."
I waited until she was out of sight before burying my face in my hands again, running through the conversation with my mother again. Tatiana had pardoned me, my mother apologised, and Tasha was going to jail for life. And it was only the afternoon.
"Everything okay?"
I jumped at the sound of Dimitri's voice, too distracted to notice his approach. I reached for him as soon as he sat beside me. "Yes, and no."
"It's been a long day," He commented, rubbing my arm and back.
"It's been a long week."
He chuckled lightly. "That it has. But it's all over now."
There was something he was hiding, feeling a combination of apprehension and excitement. I drew back enough to look up at him. "What is it?" Remembering that he had to take care of something.
The start of a smile tugged at the corners of his lips, "Christian approached me after the trial."
"Was that what you had to take care of?"
"One of the things," He answered cryptically.
I rolled my eyes, "So what did he want to talk to you about?"
"If you let me finish, I will tell you," He quipped, "He asked me if I wanted to take the job of being his personal guardian."
I stared up at Dimitri, my already overworked mind taking a moment to comprehend the words he spoke. My eyes widened. "What?"
"Christian wanted to wait until after the trial to ask me. But this would mean that I will be moving to Bethlehem and attending the culinary school with him."
My mouth felt dry, "Lissa's moving to Bethlehem."
He smirked, "Yes, she is."
"And she's living with Christian."
"Yes."
Excitement surged through me, throwing myself from the bench and into Dimitri's arms. I knocked him off balance, but he managed to catch us before we tumbled to the ground, arms wrapping tightly around me as I laughed. "I'll be able to see you every day! Do we get to share a room? Are you working nights?"
He laughed with me, the sound full-bodied and light, making my insides feel warm and gooey. "As far as I know, I will be working the day shift."
If I grinned any wider, I was going to split my face. Sage had already informed me that I would be on the day shift, meaning Dimitri and I would have nights off together. I had hoped that Christian would ask him but doubted it actually happening with each passing day. Now I felt like I could explode from the overwhelming happiness of it all.
"Are you happy?" He asked. Like he didn't already know.
I pressed a kiss to his lips, "I'm very happy." It was the best I had felt all week, almost all month, if not longer. So much had happened, not even just since Dimitri was restored, but since I met him that night in Portland.
So many ups and downs, so much heartbreak. All of it leading up to this moment. And at this moment, I knew I was ready.
"Dimitri," I waited until his eyes were on mine, running a hand down his face lovingly, "I want to complete the bond."
Dimitri's breath caught, eyes widening slightly, anticipation and love overflowing from him. He licked his lips, "Are you sure?"
I placed my hand on his chest, over his heart. Closing my eyes and letting my certainty and love flow through to him, feeling his heartbeat quicken. When I opened my eyes again, I found his boring into mine, the look in them taking my breath away.
"What do you say, comrade? Want to make this thing forever?" I teased.
He chuckled, eyes becoming dark with want, pressing my closer, "Yes, Roza."
So that's it for the main story! It's so surreal.
I will be posting an epilogue in the coming days, but otherwise, it's done. It's been a long journey and yet was only two and half months which is honestly shocking. Thank you to everyone that has read and commented, and left me a like.
And a huge thank you to MagpieandtheHound and Alice-Roza for all of their help and putting up with me constantly messaging them as I wrote!
I'm going to have a little break from posting, after the epilogue, rest and refresh myself and then come back and finish my other stories. Thank you again!
