Chapter 21:

RPOV

It only took a few days before most of the whispering and staring went down. Then it took another week to quiet down after I got my marks. That made three now. Many had said that taking down Natalie had been a lucky shot on my part. But beheading two Strigoi, one being the ringleader of the attacks, with a dull sword tends to leave even the most critical speechless.

But I was happy things were going back to normal. Although I now mostly wore my hair down to cover the marks up. Because they were still a little red from the tattooing and because otherwise people would just keep staring.

I walked across campus and was reminded by a very annoying voice and the scent of clove cigarettes that something had changed.

"Hey little Damphir, off to class?"

Adrian was standing against a tree smoking. He had been staying at St. Vladimirs since he left the resort. He was in guest housing and was working with Lissa and one of the teachers to explore the possibilities of spirit. He was teaching Lissa how to read auras and Lissa was teaching him how to heal. Although neither of them seemed to have a talent for the other. But mostly I think he was here to annoy me.

"You are not allowed to smoke on campus."

He gave me a cheeky grin

"I am not a student nor a teacher, so they can't expel me or fire me. And because of my aunt, no one will try. I am above the rules Rose."

I must admit finding out that Adrian wasn't just royal, but the current queen's favorite nephew was a bit of a shock. It meant that Adrian got away with everything. And he took advantage of that full swing.

I sighed at his statement. He was right; there was nothing I could do. He had been finding more and more ways to annoy me and to hang out with me. I liked Adrian but he was getting on my nerves. Although that seemed to be our deal. We would annoy and banter at each other. Lately though I had seen more than just good fun in his eyes. I knew Adrian had a bit of a crush on me. I mean the man reminded me at every turn. But I used to think it was all just good fun and he just used that as an excuse to swat my ass or make inappropriate comments. But now I could see the truth in those teases. I had seen the same with Mason too late. I wasn't going to make that mistake again. But with Adrian it was different. He knew about Dimitri and me. Adrian just seemed adamant he could change my mind.

"I have combat class to go to." I said walking past him.

"Oh Rose, I would let you beat me into a pulp anytime." He said winking and I just stuck my tongue out and kept walking, leaving a laughing Adrian behind.

DPOV

It was hot outside today, too hot for the time of the year. It was hot with my duster on. But there was no way that I was taking it off. But it did mean that the novices would have practice outside today. Although I was looking forward to seeing Rose spar with someone else for a change, I wasn't the only one.

Adrian was also watching the senior novice class with great amusement. I didn't like the way he looked at Rose, not one bit. He came and walked beside me and joined me in a casual stance watching them train. To my even greater annoyance he lit up a cigarette.

We kept staring at the field, not talking. He just kept looking at me and then back at the court with great amusement on his face. The way he looked at me, as if looking right through me creeped me out a little. I heard from Rose what Adrian's abilities are, and I was not pleased that my guardian mask would not work on him.

"Our girl is on fire today huh?, that's the third one she has taken down in less than a minute."

I turned to look at him angry.

"Our girl?" I asked. I had known he knew about me and Rose but does he have to lay it on so thick, people can hear him.

"Oh was you fucking the life out of her, all over campus, supposed to be a secret?"

God, what I wouldn't give to wipe that smirk off his face.

"Now, now, play nice guardian Belikov, all that jealous rage will do you no good."

He walked a little closer to me, somehow unfazed by my murderous look.

"I know exactly what has been going on between you two, you can hide from everyone else but not from me. Your aura's practically scream at each other when you two are close. But know this, I will not give up without a fight. I always get what I want, and I want Rose."

He walked past me and left me there standing, seething with anger.

How one man could get under my skin so much I did not know. But I didn't like it one bit.

When I was heading to the gym to let out some much needed anger on the dummies I got a call from Alberta, saying she wanted to see me in her office. I stopped dead in my tracks. Adrian wouldn't have told Alberta, would he? But somehow I didn't think he would stoop so low. If people found out it would hurt Rose too. I don't think he is willing to go that far. Besides, he seemed to be enjoying making me miserable, and he can't do that if I am in jail.

I walked into Alberta's office, trying very hard to keep my composure.

"Ah, Dimitri. I have gotten word from court, they will start the trial on Victor soon and you have been summoned as a witness. We will have to make some arrangements for those days you are at court."

Victor's trial. This was about Victor's trial. I let out a silent breath.

"When will we be leaving for court then?"

"We?" Alberta asked?

"I assume that the princess, Rose and Lord Ozera will be called as witnesses as well."

Alberta looked at me a moment and then sighed. "They will not be going."

I was about to protest but Alberta held up her hand trying to silence me.

"I know what you are thinking and I feel the same way, but the queen wants this done quickly and quietly, so they will not be going. There isn't anything you or I can do about it, so let it go. Now, if you wouldn't mind taking some more shifts before you leave to compensate for when you are at court, that would be great."

She went back to the papers on her desk and I knew I had been dismissed.

By then it was time for my afternoon session with Rose. I hoped she hadn't heard about Victor's trial yet because she was going to be pissed. And I certainly wasn't going to open that can of worms.

I walked into the gym and saw she was already there, doing some stretches. The way her lean body was flexing and bending, made me temporarily forget about Adrian and the trial. We had been good during practices. I still had a lot to teach her and I was determined to not let our personal relationship interfere with her studies or her training. I knew Rose was good. But with a bit more effort she could be the best. I knew she could take care of herself when it came to fighting Strigoi, but still these training sessions could one day mean the difference between life and death.

But that didn't mean I wasn't momentarily incapacitated when she bent over to stretch her hamstrings. Involuntarily, I let out a small groan.

Rose jerked up at the sound first on alert and then slowly a smile crept up her face. She hadn't known I was there. Bad form on her part. To cover up my aroused state I quickly went into mentor mode.

"Rose, you should watch your surroundings more, I shouldn't be able to sneak up on you."

That smile stayed on her face and I knew that wasn't good. She sashayed over to me swinging her hips and stopped inches from me. She spoke with a seductive and teasing tone.

"I'll keep that in mind, guardian Belikov. Although I think you watch your surroundings a little too much, don't you think?"

And with that she walked off to grab her water and start training. I allowed myself a moment to compose myself before I battered down the hatches in my mind and could continue training without ripping all the clothes off of her body.

I got through the hour of training without incident. Although I did keep thinking about Victor's trial. I was determined to get the girls to come to the trial. But I was coming up blank. Rose seemed to have noticed my absent mind.

"Comrade, what's wrong? You have been quiet all training. And as much I would like to blame it on me making you speechless with my dazzling beauty, this is your 'I am thinking hard and brooding face', instead of your 'I need to shut myself down before I claim Roza as my own right here on the mat's surface'.

Ah so eloquently put. But she was right. As always.

I sighed, she was going to hear about it anyway, better it came from me, besides she wasn't going to let this go.

"I have been summoned to court. I am to appear as a witness in Victor's trial."

I saw she was shocked. I knew she thought the same as me. That Victor had been sentenced already and was rotting away in a cell somewhere.

"Okay, when do we leave for court?"

Damn. I knew she would want to come.

"You're not going Rose, Myself and some other guardians that joined in the attack are going but neither you nor Lissa are going."

First there was confusion, then there was anger coming from Rose. I had prepared myself for this.

"What, why the hell not? I mean they should at least summon Lissa, she was the victim in this!"

I let out a large breath, but was already relieved that she would be fighting more for Lissa to go instead of herself.

"The Queen wants it done quietly and having half the student body and princess Vasilisa there, will draw more attention towards the trial."

"Well that is just bullshit. Can't you do something? I know you have contacts there, you could speak on our behalf."

I hated to disappoint my Roza, especially when she thought I could help her, but in this case I couldn't. I had a lot of contacts, that was true, but most of those were guardians, which would be useless in this case. I wanted to help, I wanted her there, but my hands were tied.

"I tried, Rose, I agree with you that you, Lissa and Christian deserve to be there, but there isn't anything I can do."

I saw Rose look disappointed. I wanted her to believe I could do anything, but this was beyond me. I also saw Rose was not letting this go. She was pissed. I could agree with her. She knew even after everything Victor had done, he still got special treatment because he was a Royal Moroi. I saw something cross her eyes.

"You don't think he will be released again. I mean if the Queen will not sentence him?"

"I doubt it. But she will try and keep up appearances."

She nodded. I knew Rose would not let this go, but for now she didn't see a way to join us at court. I didn't either, so she got her bag and was on her way out. Before leaving the gym she turned around and gave me a dazzling smile. Somehow making my whole day.