I tossed and turned all night, still angry at Lissa and Christian going behind my back to plan a death mission. I don't understand why they bother. They both knew I'd never let her close enough to Dimitri to stake him. I didn't think I'd ever fall asleep, but when Adriean came to me in a dream, it became clear that my exhaustion had finally taken over.
"Las Vegas?" I asked, turning towards him. He smiled, leaning against a pole covered in paper ads for concerts and escort services. "Well, we didn't really get a chance to enjoy it while we were there," he said.
"I thought you were avoiding me, we really haven't had a chance to talk '' I still wasn't entirely sure where our relationship stood, despite his flippant attitude back at the witching hour.
He snorted. "It's not my choice, little Dhampir. Those guardians are doing their best to keep you in solitary for the most part, other than some mornings and picking up Raven, I feel like i've barely seen you.'' I looked at him and rolled my eyes at his dramatics at not seeing me throughout the day as much as usual. I knew he had a point however. He hadn't seen me for more then half an hour at a time, and we always had Raven during those times "Christian managed to sneak in and talk to me earlier" I said, hoping to avoid the issue that had to be on Adrians mind: that I risked lives to save my ex-boyfriend. "He's going to try to teach Lissa to stake a strigoi"
I waited for him to join my outrage, but he appeared as lax and sardonic as usual. "Not surprised she's going to try. What surprises me most is that Christian is interested in helping with this crazy theory" I shrugged "well it's crazy enough to appeal to him...and can apparently overpower them hating each other"
Adrian tilted his head, giving me a smirk "come on, we both know why he's doing it"
"Because he thinks his afterschool group with Jill and Mia qualifies him to teach something?"
"Because it gives him an excuse to be around her. He doesn't want to seem like he's caving, its for his manly pride"
"That's ridiculous"
"Guys do ridiculous things for love" Adrian said, reaching into his pocket for a pack of cigarettes. "Do you know how badly I want one of these right now? But I suffer for you Rose. you and Raven." I shifted "don't turn romantic on me" I warned, trying to hide my smile. "We don't have time for that, when Ravens godmother is planning on going monster hunting"
"Yeah, but how is she going to actually find him? That's kinda a problem" Adrian said, not bothering to elaborate on who the 'him' was. We both knew. "True," I admitted.
"And she hasn't been able to charm a stake anyways" he pointed out
"Are you helping her?" I asked, looking at the ground. I heard him give a chuckle. "What do you think?" he asked. I hesitated "I...I don't know. You help her with most spirit things, but helping her with this would mean…"
"...Helping Dimitri?" He finished for me. I nodded, not trusting myself to elaborate.
"No," he said at last. "I'm not helping her, simply because I don't know how" I exhaled with relief. "I am really sorry," I told him. "For everything...for lying about where I was, and what I was doing. It was wrong. And i don't understand…well...why you're still being so nice to me"
"Should I be mean?" he winked. "Are you into that"
"No!" of course not. But, I mean, you were so mad when you came to Vagas and found out what was going on. I just thought...I don't know, I thought you'd hate me."
The amusement faded from his features. He came over to me and rested his hands on my shoulders, his dark green eyes dead serious "Rose, nothing could make me hate you"
"Not even trying to bring my ex back from the dead?" Adrian held me. "Yeah, I'll admit, if Belikov were walking around right now, there would be some problems. I don't know what would happen with us...with Raven, but...he's not here, and it's not worth wasting time worrying about"
"I'd still...I'd still want us to work" I said meekly. "I'd still want you with me, in Ravens life, I would still try, even if he were back. I just have a hard time letting someone I care about go."
"I know you did what you did out of love. I can't be mad at you over that. It was stupid, but thats how love works. You do stupid things for it, besides im sure its hard, he is still Ravens father" I couldnt meet his eyes. I suddenly felt unworthy. The only thing I could do was lean in and lay my head against his chest, letting him wrap his arms around me.
"Don't be sorry for loving him, it's a part of you, and Raven, something you have to let go of, but still what made you who you are." he said, pressing a kiss to my forehead.
I brought my lips to his, and even if things were still somewhat shaky in our relationship, there was no uncertainty in how we kissed.
I felt myself starting to fade and stepped back. "I'll see you later, for the little time the guardians give you" he said with a smirk. Before I woke up, I heard Raven down the hall. I got up and prepared for her night feeding.
