When we arrived at the chamber doors, Hans turned to us and paused slightly before speaking. He wore the guardian mask I had become so accustomed to. I tried to peer through the stiffness and see what he was thinking, but he gave nothing away.
"The Queen requested Guardian Hathaway alone, Mr. Ivashkov," Hans said politely.
"Ah, well I am her favorite nephew. I'm sure she won't be too upset if I accompany Rose," he answered smoothly.
Hans hesitated for just a moment before his eyes glazed over ever so slightly. I realized Adrian was using compulsion to weasel his way in with me. I shot him a warning look as Hans opened the door and gestured us inside the throne room. We had barely made it through the door before I heard her calling for me.
"Rosemarie, welcome! And Adrian, what a surprise! I didn't expect to see you back here so soon," Tatiana smirked.
"Well Auntie, I just thought I would help out here while I can. You know, make sure no one comes to any rash decisions. Help keep everyone calm, that sort of thing," Adrian answered, looking completely serious and not the least bit like his usual laid back self. Tatiana narrowed her eyes at him before turning completely to me, jumping to the point rather quickly.
"So I take it Adrian has informed you of my task for you?"
"Kind of. I know some bits and pieces... I think," I answered, not wanting to completely sell Adrian out.
"Well, I won't keep you waiting. The guardians are extremely interested in the information provided to us by the former strigoi, Mr. Belikov. I too believe that information could help us do something we haven't before. We can use it to strike out against the strigoi, especially the powerful ones who want to end royal lines. Dear Vasilisa is a prime target for them, and I think we can all agree keeping her out of harm's way is a top priority."
I gave myself a few seconds to digest her words. The strigoi targeting Lissa was a huge problem, one I hadn't really let myself consider until now. I knew from my time in Spokane and Russia that these vampires were interested in destroying royal families.
However, leaving Lissa to deal with it separately seemed like the wrong answer. I knew we would be better off together, and if that meant waiting until the danger came to us, we would have to consider that option. She would be assigned the best guardians available, and together we should be able to keep her safe.
"I appreciate you looking out for Lissa. However, with our bond, I think it would be better if we stuck together to assess any threats. I'll be with her every step of the way at Lehigh, so I can take care of any danger," I responded confidently.
"Rose, I've heard about what you've done, what you're capable of. Things at St. Vladimir's, as well as what you've done in Russia. Ibrahim is quite the imaginative storyteller, but I knew he was telling the truth when he was bragging about you. I think this little... task force would greatly benefit from having someone with your bravery and strength, not to mention your experience," she responded with a tight smile.
"I appreciate the compliments, Queen Tatiana, but I can't leave Lissa. I am supposed to be her guardian and I take my position very seriously," I hoped I looked a lot more brave than I felt, being openly defiant to the Queen. Her smile vanished from her face as Adrian fidgeted nervously beside me.
"Vasilisa has removed her bid for you to be her guardian. So there isn't anything holding you to court, or your new position as a guardian. Hans has made sure you won't have a charge, so joining this mission is going to be the only offer you receive. I suggest you take some time to think things over before you make any rash decisions," she said as she looked pointedly at Adrian.
I was reeling from Tatiana's admission. Lissa didn't want me as a guardian? That was impossible, and I got angry at the thought of her trying to manipulate me using Lissa. But the look on her face was almost sympathetic, and I started second guessing my initial opinion of the situation.
"What do you mean Vasilisa has removed her bid for me to be her guardian. Who else would be her guardian?" I asked, panic rising in my throat.
"Vasilisa was given a choice. The Dragomir Princess is extremely important, and she can't have two loose cannons in her protection. I can't believe I'm even allowing her one, but this was the compromise we settled on. She was allowed only one, and she picked Mr. Belikov. He's being reinstated as a guardian as we speak. That leaves you with this opportunity, Rose," the Queen spoke slowly.
I felt my body freeze as my mind went into overdrive. It was almost too much to process, and I stood before the Queen in silence as I tried to come to terms with the fact that my best friend was abandoning me.
"Don't act like she has a choice in this matter. It's not an opportunity, it's a command," Adrian sneered, unusually disrespectful to his great aunt.
"Oh Adrian, I suppose you're right, even if you're not quite as tactful as I would like. The taskforce will leave Sunday and convene at a location away from court. I'm trying to keep this little project under wraps until we see what you all can accomplish. I expect you'll be ready to go by then, Rosemarie."
I looked up at Tatiana as she smirked down at me. I wanted to reach out and smack it off of her face. Adrian sensed that I was about to explode and grabbed my hand, pulling me a few steps backwards before turning me around and walking towards the door. We were within reach of the heavy doors before she called after us.
"Two days, Rose. You have two days to prepare."
I took a deep breath as we left the throne room and I felt myself on the verge of hyperventilating. I leaned against the wall as Adrian stared ahead, tense. He pulled out a cigarette and put it between his lips with shaking hands.
"We'll find a way to sneak you out tomorrow. You'll need to call Abe and let him know you need to get the fuck out of here," He said in between my sobs.
"Did you know? That she doesn't want me as her guardian? That Lissa picked him over me? She picked the man who broke my heart over her best friend?" I screamed at him, finally reaching my breaking point.
"I don't know why she did that. I know she would have to have a good reason to do it. That doesn't mean that I agree with it, or that she went about it the right way. I'll figure it out after we get you out of here," Adrian responded.
"No. Why would I leave and run from people who actually want me? If I'm going to get rejected by him over and over again, if my best friend is going to pick him over me, then what the fuck do I accomplish running away? I'm not going to hide," I replied.
I knew my logic was faulty, at least in part. The guardian task force didn't "want me" so much as they wanted my skills. It seemed that much like Dimitri, I wasn't going to be able to leave what happened in Russia behind me.
"You can't do this Rose. You won't make it out alive," Adrian looked so broken at that moment. I almost hesitated, I almost told him that I would run, and we would figure it out together, away from court. But I couldn't bring myself to do it. Adrian needed some separation from me as well. This would end up being good for him too.
"I won't make it out alive if I'm running. I need to be the one doing the chasing. I need this, Adrian. If I don't make it... so be it. At least I'll end up doing something worthwhile with my life," I shrugged.
Adrian started laughing, slowly at first, but it built and built into something manic and hysterical. I could see the Spirit Darkness taking over him momentarily, making him lose control. I went to him, ready to try and calm him down, but in that moment I was struck with a feeling of overwhelming joy. Suddenly, I was being pulled away from the scene in front of me. Adrian and court melted into a new vision behind my eyes.
I was now in the guardians office, watching Hans sign off on Dimitri's paperwork. I watched in a mix of anger and relief through Lissa's mind, unable to pull myself away.