It didn't take long after classes started back up for rumors to fly that I'd been replaced by a clone of Dimitri in the time off.

Sure, I had been slowly improving my reputation since I'd gotten here - and after many blunders - but the shift in my performance since coming back from Baia was enough to make everyone notice. And talk.

"It's not fair that she gets to learn from a god," I heard someone whisper as Viktoria and I made our way out of the cafeteria.

"I heard Vasily say he saw them kissing on the track."

Dimitri had been right, whether it was about my improvement or the noticeable demeanor change between the two of us, high school students loved to talk.

Viktoria giggled in my ear, pulling me through the entryway. She had been sworn to mild secrecy, meant to deny knowing anything should someone bring it up to her, but she wasn't the best at keeping secrets.

I poked her in the side, causing a new fit of giggles. "You're going to give us away."

"You're going to give yourself away," she teased.

I grumbled a weak denial, but she was right. It would be hard not to notice the lovestruck way my eyes could find Dimitri in any crowd, be it in a hallway or outdoors. It was sickening but, no matter how slow he wanted to take it before I turned eighteen, everything was going so well. While we had to keep a low profile for the most part, we let our guards down while meeting with the boys. Were spending more and more time one on one in my room. And stole quite a few hidden... or not-so-hidden kisses on the track.

I saw him ahead in the courtyard, deep in discussion with the Head Guardian. No doubt planning for the arrival of our ultra-special guest.

Queen Tatiana.

None of my group of confidants found it surprising that the Queen had chosen to make her yearly visit to St Basil's just after news broke about my bond to Lissa saving her life. Though information about the events had been kept need to know, administrators and top Moroi officials in Court and both schools had been looped in. From her eyes, it had been a weird ride for Lissa since.

And it apparently was only getting stranger.

A loud voice called over the intercom. "Would Ivan Zeklos and guard and Novice Mazur report to the headmistress's office? Would Ivan Zeklos and guard and Novice Mazur report to the headmistress's office?"

I groaned. Though I'd stayed out of trouble since being here, the sound of being called to the office still haunted me.

"Have fun", Viktoria chuckled.

I caught up to Dimitri as he was exiting the courtyard, falling in line next to him. When we rounded a corner without students I brushed his hand with mine. Glancing up at him in a way I knew he found irresistible, I was rewarded with a soft smile and a mirth-filled eye roll. He knew exactly what I was doing.

"Any hints about what's going on?"

He nodded shortly, back to business. "The Queen informed Ivan that she was going to be meeting with us during her visit. But, considering she just got in, I'm surprised she didn't want a moment to get settled first."

Tatiana's face was dark as she welcomed us as the last to arrive. She motioned for me to take the open seat in front of her next to. It felt weird to be sitting, as a royal guard stood to her side and Dimitri and Alexei stood on either side of the closed doors. I doubt I'd ever see her in this form again.

"I have some appalling news," she announced, cutting to the chase. "Viktor Dashkov has escaped."

You could hear a pin drop in the room.

"Excuse me?" Dimitri finally breathed, and it didn't escape my notice the way he took a step closer to me and my chair. He'd been clear with me since the incident about just how painful it had been to watch me be tortured through my friend's experiences.

"Yeah, what do you mean?" I pressed.

"It seems as though, in the last few hours, a visitor broke him out of his holding cell in the court detention center," she elaborated.

"How could someone just break him out of court?" Alexei demanded, almost as ferocious as Dimitri. "He was supposed to have top security at all times."

"His visitor… well his visitor killed a dhampir guard to turn herself Strigoi and free him."

We paused. Longer this time. A Moroi turning themselves Strigoi was the ultimate sin in our world, which sent me spinning.

"Herself?" Ivan asked, just as the truth hit me like a ton of bricks.

"Natalie," I deadpanned.

Poor Natalie, the quietest girl in St Vlad's… the world's most devoted daughter. Natalie had killed someone to free her father. I was going to be sick.

"She was the ultimate devotee of her father," the Queen confirmed. "We just didn't see it until it was too late, but I assure you, we are doing everything we can to locate them. Your father, Miss Mazur, volunteered his own services."

I chuckled wryly. It sounded like something Abe would do, all previous actions considered. Tatiana, for her part, seemed to accept the offer. Making a deal with the snake might have its consequences, but it also proved results.

"I'm sorry to have to bring you that news," Tatiana continued, turning towards Ivan. "And I apologize for the quick change, but I do think it's all we can say now, and it's not the thing I meant to talk to you about. I really came here to see your course in action."

Ivan choked slightly. Though normally well composed, he thought his course was a secret within the school, thanks to my father's influence. "My course?"

"Mr. Mazur, unconventional as he is, makes a great proposal. He told me about the Moroi magic and self-defense courses he funded you researching and designing and, might I say, I was astounded." She paused dramatically. "I thought I was the only one who'd thought of that."

I'd give her one thing, Tatiana really knew how to leave us gobsmacked.

"Guardian numbers are at an all-time low and I am appalled by the suggestions some of my political colleagues are making at how we can remedy that. I have been working with my guardian here, Grant," she waved lazily at the man beside her, who only reacted with a muted nod. "To learn how to wield my air magic to be of use in my own defense. I think it's something that we could work on, with some development. All the political sway in the world, but I need to break this from the ground up. Create a curriculum and introduce it in more schools so we can really get the ball rolling. So, are you up to the task?"

I turned to Ivan, dumbfounded.

"I'm sorry," he stuttered, clearing his throat. "I'm not quite sure I understand what you're suggesting."

"I'm suggesting, that you take your course on the road. One semester seminars at a time. And I think I know just where to start." She turned towards me. "Considering recent events and the Dragomir Princess revelation, I believe a reunion is in order. Headmistress Kirova has been informed that you are to be reinstated as a student of St Vladimir's Academy, following the winter recess. Is that okay with you?"

My heart panged. I would miss St Basil's, but I was ready to be reunited with my friends. And with the boys in tow? I could continue my progress and bring about change. Be part of something bigger. A realization struck me, "My dad suggested we go there first, didn't he?"

Tatiana smiled knowingly.

"If the boys are okay with that, I'm in."

Without acknowledging their opinions - perhaps talking them as a done deal because, after all, she was the Queen - she clapped her hands together. "Well, then I'd say it's a done deal. Those who have assisted in your teaching or partaken in your classes can maintain the courses here. At your next station, you'll also train other guardians and Moroi teachers to be self-sufficient when you move on next fall."

"Thank you for the opportunity, your Majesty," Ivan blurted, head deeply bowed in reverence. "I can't thank you enough for believing in me. In this work."

"My beliefs in your abilities, Mr. Zeklos, do not end at simply teaching this course," she said, standing from the table to leave us, but looking at him pointedly. We stood with her, out of respect. I'd say it's about time the crown implements some progressive measures… or perhaps a regime change could be for the better."

"Your majesty, I don't suppose you're suggesting what I think you are."

"I believe you know exactly what I'm suggesting Mr. Zeklos."

"But I'm not the Prince of my line," he pointed out, awestruck.

Tatiana tisked. "That's just a formality. It's been a while since we've had a Zeklos on the throne, and I can't think of any other member of your family who's worth the time… no offense."

"None taken," he said earnestly, escorting her to the door as Dimitri and Alexei held it open. Dimitri was stoic as ever, but I could see a curious twinkle in his eye. His counterpart could barely keep the confusion and awe off his face. It was an open book that said 'what the fuck just happened' and he whispered as much to me as I joined the three of them standing in the doorway.

We watched Tatiana's figure disappear down the hall.

Author's Note:

It's FIN.

I know Dimitri seemed OOC but I really loved exploring what he could've been like had Ivan not died and really tied him down to duty. That being said, I'm sorry to say I only planning on this story being one installment. I'm considering a series of one-shots that will act as sneak peeks into what life would be like for characters going into the future, but my schedule is so unpredictable I don't want to keep everyone on the same chain as I have the past two years!

Thanks to everyone who stuck it out!