Chapter 12

When I was younger, I wanted to go camping. Of course, I never went due to Moroi not exactly being the camping type. The only family I knew that I could have done such a thing with was Lissa's. But again, it wasn't their thing. So I never went.

I used to imagine what it would be like, roughing it, sleeping on the ground in a sleeping bag. I had been told that it wasn't comfortable, but I never believed them or figured I would be able to handle it.

But after laying on this thin excuse of a mattress for half a day, I now realise I would never survive sleeping on the ground. After the first hour, I tried to sleep only to find no comfortable way to lay. And as the hours dragged on, I was beginning to think I will have permanent damage from this mattress.

I lept up from the bed, trying to stretch out my muscles, which proved had with my wrist still bound in the handcuffs. The skin under the metal had rubbed raw. I started pacing in the small amount of area I had. It was not much.

I stopped below the only window in the room. It was barely a window, though, more like a crack in the wall. Placed so high up that I doubted even Dimitri could see through it without really trying. All I could see from it was that the darkness of the Moroi day was fading and bringing the light of sunrise. I have been here all day.

No one returned after Dimitri and Adrian left, my only company being the Guardian that stood guard in the hallway, and believe me, they were terrible company.

I had tried starting a conversation, but it was like talking to a wall. I had become so used to the professional manner that Guardian's used to treat me with, now I view that as them practically being cuddly.

How these Guardian's treated me, they were only cold and distant.

I had let my guard down so much around all my friends, being easily accepted back. It was like a bucket of cold water how I was treated now. Something that I realised will become extremely common in the future. Once everyone knows the whole story, it will be just me constantly trying to convince people I was no longer Strigoi.

Dimitri's words from when I asked if things would go back to how they were, I would have to fight harder than before to keep my place in this world, as a Guardian. Even just as a dhampir.

I was beginning to strongly doubt my chances of ever becoming Lissa's Guardian, though I could rest easy knowing she would always have Dimitri.

It had been a couple of hours, but I missed them both—the comfort and strength they gave me to keep going.

Abe was right; Dimitri was the one person that could truly help me through everything. I don't need him to fight my battles for me, but just knowing he is there supporting me, not judging me when I do fall.

Dimitri gave me everything I need and more. And I wanted so much more with him, more than I deserved, but I didn't care. I wanted it all with him .

"Miss Hathaway." A voice called from behind me. I turned to see Baldie and Reece standing in front of my cell; I stared at them silently, waiting for what they wanted.

Annoyed by my lack of response, Reece pointed to my bandaged arm, "I am here to check if you have healed."

I didn't want any of them touching me, so staying where I was, I twisted my hands at an awkward angle to unclipped the bandage and let it unravel to reveal the cut Baldie gave me earlier. It was deep enough that the wound was still open, letting a small amount of blood trickle out when I moved my arm.

Despite being a creature that literally drinks blood to survive, Reece recoiled at the sight of it. He averted his eyes, "Well, yes, it does seem you are unable to heal like a Strigoi."

"What a shock," I replied, my voice was low with an edge. My irritation of being locked up in here had darkened my mood considerably. Noticing the rays of light now stretching further into my cell, I extended my arms into the air, my fingers dancing through the streams of light, "Can even prove that I can be in sunlight while you're here."

Both of the men studied my hands, no doubt checking for any sign of reaction to it. Finding none, Reece stepped away, "I shall go and deliver my report to Her Majesty." With that, he scurried off.

Baldie stayed in place; the look he gave me was like he was only just seeing me for the first time.

I ignored him and tried to gather up my bandage again, "Don't suppose I can actually get this healed now? Or do I need to keep bleeding for another couple of hours to prove I'm not dead?"

Instead of the cold look I had been receiving before, he almost looked concerned, "I'll see what I can do." Glancing at me one last time, he followed Reece down the hall.

I guess seeing me touching sunlight and not burning was the thing that convinced Baldie that I wasn't Strigoi anymore. If I had known it would have been that easy, I would have asked to sunbake for a while with the Queen.

The sound of footsteps drew my attention back to the hallway; there were at least four sets of them. Sure enough, four Guardians came to a stop facing me, Baldie leading them. He unlocked my cell and swung the door open, "Her Majesty will see you now."

Part of me was elated to be getting out finally; the other part didn't trust that actually seeing the Queen was a good thing. Trying to stall for time to prepare myself, I nodded to my arm, "What do I do about this?" I had gathered the bandage against the wound and was attempting to press it against it. No way I could have rewrapped it properly while restrained.

"Walker, take care of it," Baldie ordered one of the Guardians. The blond one, Walker, came into the cell with a new bandage in hand and quickly took care of it.

I got whiplash from how quickly they changed the way they treated and looked at me. The hostility has left their expressions and Baldie's voice.

Now, no longer bleeding all over the ground, I left the cell. We marched away from the cells, falling into the same formation of two Guardians in front and two behind me.

My heart fluttered in my chest as we reached the Headmistress's office, where I knew Tatiana waited behind that door.

Baldie knocked on the door. After a second, it was opened by the Guardian I had seen earlier, Hans. He moved aside to allow us to enter. I shifted my eyes around the room. Everyone was here, Dimitri and Alberta against the back wall with the other Guardians, Lissa and Adrian, in armchairs facing the desk at the front of the room.

I never liked coming in here when it was Kirova behind that desk, but Queen Tatiana sitting behind it, looking all regal as she levelled her cold gaze on me, was much worse.

"Miss Hathaway," She greeted me. The way her smile bore her fangs made me uncomfortable, "Please do sit."

I was exhausted, I had lost blood, I wasn't in a good mood. "No thanks, I've been sitting for long enough." I replied smoothly, adding at the end, " Your Majesty ."

Rose, sit down, please! Lissa urged me through the bond. I ignored her, not looking away from Tatiana.

Kirova was quick to voice her disapproval of me, "You will not speak to your Queen like that, Rosemarie Hathaway!"

Tatiana silenced Kirova, raising her hand in the air, "It is alright, we can have this conversation with her standing if she so wishes."

There was an undertone to her words, almost like a challenge. I planted my feet, taking on a pose similar to the Guardians in the room, "I do."

The ice in her smile made my blood freeze. "I have read through the report Mr Tarus completed. And it would appear that what I have been told is in fact correct." I had to bit my tongue to not scoff at her.

"In that case, can we ditch the cuffs? Not really my style." I deadpanned, shaking my wrist for added effect. Tatiana nodded her head at Hans, who came forward, key in hand to remove the handcuffs. I instantly rubbed at the red skin. "Much appreciated, Your Majesty."

Tatiana continued, "The question now is what to do about this information."

A silence followed, all waiting to hear what Tatiana had planned. She folded her hand delicately in front of her.

"On one hand, there is Vasilisa, with the power to return Strigoi's to their original selves. A great asset. And on the other is you, Rose, living proof of that power. There would be many parties interested in you both."

I realised what she was implying at the same time Lissa did.

I called out, "You can't take Lissa away from here!"

At the same time, Lissa also voiced her opinion, "You can't take Rose, Your Majesty." However, she was more respectful than I was.

As if expecting this reaction, Tatiana nodded in agreement, "I had considered it. However, to do that would be revealing to all at Court and our world what had happened. To both Moroi and Strigoi, which will put the Princess in danger of those who will want to use her powers or stop her."

That gave Lissa pause; she hadn't considered that.

I tried to ease Lissa's fears, "I won't let anyone touch her."

"Do you truly believe that after news come out that you had been Strigoi that anyone would trust you to be her Guardian?" Tatiana's voice was calm. It made me grit my teeth. "This is why I have another idea."

Another pause for dramatic effect. My patience was thin, "And that would be?"

Ignoring me, she looked to Kirova, "What have you informed the students about what happened to Rose after the attack?"

Kirova was caught off guard, "Ahh… We said that she did not survive and held a funeral service along with others that had passed."

"And was it ever made public knowledge that she was turned?"

Alberta answered this time, "Only a handful of Guardians at the school knew, just as many know that she was turned back, but that was kept as need to know."

My mind was running. What could any of this have to do with what happens to me? What was the idea that the Queen had?

"Very well then. I will allow Rose and Lissa to remind at the Academy and for Rose to attend classes." Tatiana started.

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. She was letting me go.

"With conditions."

Of course, there were conditions.

"No one is to tell anyone about Rose being Strigoi or about Vasilisa healing her."

Now I'm confused, "What do I tell people then? I think they noticed I haven't been around." I added in a respectful tone, "Your Majesty."

"The official story will be that you were taken hostage that night by the Strigoi and believed dead. Sometime later, you were rescued by Guardians and have since been recovering here." Tatiana finished.

"So I'm pretending I was some kind of blood bag for a bunch of Strigoi's?" I confirmed. I could already hear the bloodwhore rumours spreading again. Though that would be better than everyone looking at me like I was about to try to kill them.

"Yes, Rose, unless you would prefer to be moved to the Royal Court permanently." She threatened.

I shook my head, "No, no, Your Majesty. Sounds great."

Though others in the room also appeared unsure about the Queen's plan, no one else tried to argue it. Taking that as agreement, Tatiana nodded to herself.

"Very well then, be sure to inform all the Guardians that are aware of the situation that they are to speak of this to no one. Anyone discovered to be revealing the truth will be punished severally," Her gaze locked on me again, "This goes for you too, Rose, step one foot out of line, reveal this to students, and I will take you to Court, and you will never be allowed near Vasilisa again."

The menace in her words chilled me. She was not lying. I nodded, "I understand."

"I will contact you if there is anything else. You may leave." She waved her hand at me. Effectively ending the discussion.

It felt so anti-climatic that, at first, it didn't register for me. Lissa, taking in my lack of reaction, stood, taking me by my uninjured arm. "Thank you, Your Majesty." Lissa put pressure on my back to make me bend with her in a bow. She then turned me and led me out of the office.

It wasn't until we were out of the building that I regained control of myself. Rooting my feet in place, Adrian, who had been trailing behind, bumped into me.

"You okay little dhampir?"

I spun around to face him. Dimitri was with us as well, apparently, unsure how I missed that. "Did that just happen?" I asked. Maybe the blood loss had made me hear things.

Lissa rested her hand on my shoulder, "Yes, that just happened."

"They aren't taking me away?" I had to voice the questions racing through my mind. I needed someone other than me to confirm it.

Adrian chuckled, "No one is taking you or Lissa."

"You're sure?" I asked, this time focusing on Dimitri. He will tell me the truth.

His face was closed off, professional, but there was a light to his eyes, a sense of relief, "Yes, Rose."

I choked on a sob, pressing my hand to my mouth. I didn't want to cry again. It forced itself out of me, the relief that hit me so intense my legs almost gave out. Lissa caught my elbow, Dimitri and Adrian both reached for me.

"I'm okay," I gasped to steady my breath. I grinned. I was fine. I was great. I looked at the three of them, smile beaming despite the tears that had escaped, "I can stay."

I sat on my bed, at least what was my bed for one more night; tomorrow I was moving back to the dhampir dorms, becoming an official student. The original plan was for me to start classes tomorrow, but Alberta decided to push it back until Tuesday after today's event. I didn't mind because I was still allowed to go to my training session with Dimitri, my first since returning.

There was an excitement to me that I hadn't felt since before the attack. Who knew I would be so excited to be in class again.

After returning to my room and Lissa healing the cut from the stake, Dimitri had remained with me so I could call and inform my parent's of the day's events. My mother was calmer about it than Abe was; I had just hung up on him after he repeated that he would be back at the Academy soon and that he had something for me.

Mildly concerned about the trouble he would stir up being here again, but I refused to focus on it too much.

I handed Dimitri back his phone. "I'll pay you back for the minutes." Realising now that two overseas calls would be expensive.

He smirked, "You don't have any money, Rose." He sat next to me on the bed, shoulder just barely touching mine.

"Well then, I'll make Abe pay you back."

"You don't have to pay me back. I'm just happy to see you like this."

I nudged him gently, "And what exactly is that?" I wanted to keep talking to him. After the day I had, I wanted to do more but could settle for this. For now.

Apparently wanting more as well, Dimitri laced his fingers through mine, "Seeing you happy." He brought my hand up to his lips, pressing a soft kiss to my knuckles.

My breath caught. Despite what we have done together, tender displays of affection like this still made my heart skip a beat. The was so much energy between us, like electricity, that lit up my body whenever he touched me.

I remembered the decision I had come to during my time in the cell. I was willing to admit that I wanted Dimitri.

"I've been thinking," I started, gaining his full attention, "I have a long way to go still, and starting tomorrow, I will be a student again." I had to take a breath. His brown eyes studied me in a way that made me feel like the most important thing in the world. "I want to be with you. I know after everything I did that I am asking for a lot. But I love you, and if you will still have me..." I trailed off. The feeling of uncertainty caused a lump in my throat.

I looked down, but his hand stopped me, tilting my face up. His lips crashed into mine. I could feel the affection he was trying to convey.

He drew back, leaving me breathless, his eyes intense, "What happened Rose, it wasn't you, and I don't blame you. I never will. I am yours, Always."

I tugged him back to me, connecting our lips again.

We fought for dominance of the kiss, Dimitri winning as he laid me down on the bed and covered my body with his. It felt so amazing that I wasn't even mad I lost.

Breathless again, we broke away, staring at each other.

He gave me a gentle smile, stroking my cheek with the back of his finger. "We should stop."

"Why?" I whispered.

"As you said, you're a student."

I started to frown but then realised. Smirking at him, "Technically, I'm not a student until tomorrow."

He wanted to deny it, but I could see he couldn't turn me down. With a soft laugh, he bent back down to me, "I love you, Roza."