~ DIMITRI POV ~

I stood frozen. I couldn't move. Couldn't breathe. All I could do was look at her.

To me, Rose was the most beautiful woman in the world. It didn't matter whether she wore that damned black dress or puerile pink pyjamas. It had nothing to do with her designer clothes or styled hair. It was just her.

Until now, my favourite image of Rose was when she lay beside me in the cabin, wrapped in nothing but a thin sheet and my arms. Her hair was a tangled mess, her soft lips pink and swollen from my kisses. She laughed happily as I kissed my way up her shoulder until I reached those full lips once more. For a while, I lay frozen just looking at her, trying to engrave that stunning image into my mind forever. I couldn't believe that this brave, beautiful, selfless woman wanted me. Loved me as I did her.

When Rose opened the door, I felt my breath leave my body entirely. Rose seemed to be glowing in the dim light of the room. Her eyes shined with joy and a bright smile bloomed on her red lips, lighting up her face as our eyes met. When I took her in, I knew that I would never forget this image of Rose. That I would replay this moment every time I thought of her until the day I died. It didn't matter that we couldn't speak or embrace or kiss as we would if we were alone. Just seeing her made this Christmas the best one yet. I never wanted this moment to end. But, like all good things…it ultimately did.

"Rose, is that Guardian Belikov?" Called Vasilisa from the sitting area. Rose blinked back to reality but did not turn away from me. The light in Rose's eyes dimmed slightly as she gestured me to enter.

"Yeah. Everyone is here now, Liss," she called back but her voice sounded slightly flat. I walked through the door and Rose shut the door behind me. With my back turned from the others I took the opportunity to ask Rose the question I had been dying to know all day.

'Did you tell her?' I mouthed. She shook her head sadly.

'I'll tell you later,' she mouthed back. I gave her a small smile and discreetly reached out to brush my fingers against hers reassuringly.

'I love you,' I mouthed once more. Her eyes lit up once more and that gorgeous smile returned to her lips.

'I love you too, Comrade.'

"Merry Christmas, Rose," I said aloud in a nonchalant friendly way. Vasilisa, Christian and Janine Hathaway did not know, and I planned it keep it that way tonight. It was up to Rose when and where she told Lissa and I would not interfere. I had to play the role of a friendly mentor tonight and I would not slip.

Rose's smile turned mischievous as if she understood what I was doing. "Merry Christmas to you too…Guardian Belikov." To most, it would sound like her usual cheerful greeting, but I knew what she was doing. She was baiting me. The seductive smirk did not help. She was testing my self-control. This was a dangerous game Rose was playing and she knew it. Because if there was one person who could get me to break my control, it was Rose Hathaway.

She walked away, swishing her hips a little more than necessary for my benefit. I was in trouble. That dress was the same one she wore to Tasha's gathering but tonight it looked completely different. Had it always been that tight? The heals on her boots made her legs look even longer, her figure curvier. Suddenly, I wasn't hungry for anything other than Rose.

'Self-control, Dimitri. Remember we are in a room with her friends and her mother. Keep it together.'

I took a deep breath and followed Rose deeper into the princess's dorm to join the others.

Dinner (or should I say breakfast?) was rather interesting. The Princess had explained the food situation and how Rose stepped up with a solution. They found a local twenty-four-hour Diner that opens in the early hours of the morning on Boxing day. I suppose there wasn't a wide menu to choose from when the sun was just beginning to rise. It was breakfast food or nothing. Rose didn't seem to mind, but she had always had a sweet tooth. That was where we differed. I preferred more savoury foods.

Since I arrived in the US, I've noticed that breakfast in America is nothing more than disguised dessert with sugar being a heavily necessary ingredient. Even the bread is sweet. Russian breakfasts tended to be much more savoury. We favoured salt and pepper instead of syrup and sugar.

I avoided the waffles and pancakes, leaving them for Rose to enjoy, and filled my plate with bacon, eggs and hash-browns.

At the head of the table, Vasilisa stood, raising a glass filled with sparkling water. Everyone paused serving themselves and raised their glasses in tow. Beside me, Rose raised a brightly flashing plastic wine glass filled with a dark bubbling liquid. Coke-a-cola, I assumed. At the foot of the table beside me, Adrian lifted a flask that smelled strongly of Whiskey. I refrained from scolding him. he wasn't underage and It was a holiday after all.

I expected Janine to say something, but she surprised me when she tapped the young lord's arm and asked if he could give her some. Rose's jaw dropped.

"Mom?" she asked as if sceptical the woman before her was indeed her mother and not an alien in disguise. Janine shrugged.

"I'm not on duty until later. It's Christmas, Rose. Loosen up. It's been too long since I've had a good Scottish Whiskey." Adrian pulled out another full flask and handed it to Janine.

"This is Eighteen-year-old Glenfiddich. It's older than your daughter. You have very good taste, Guardian Hathaway." Janine took the flask and poured a good nip into her glass before handing it back.

"For tonight, you may call me Janine." Rose's face was priceless. Her raised brows, wide eyes and dropped jaw. My lips tugged almost letting out a bellowing laugh. I had to squeeze my fist to keep my laugh in, but I still managed to let out a small huff. Rose's eyes shot to me and her face shifted into a displeased frown and she turned to stare at her plate. I looked around, finding the others momentarily distracted, and slipped my free hand under the table. My hand instantly found Rose's as if drawn to it like a magnet. I slowly drew soothing circles with my calloused thumb on the soft top of her hand. She didn't turn back to me, but her frown disappeared, and I knew I was forgiven.

Lissa coughed loudly bringing our attention back to her. I released Rose's hand and raised my glass of water into the air. "This year has not been the easiest. There have been many ups and downs. As it comes to a close, I am grateful for moments like these where I can look around and smile knowing I am where I am meant to be. Surrounded by my family. Not the family I was born into, but the family I choose." Vasilisa smiled gently and looked around the table. Rose smiled up at her bond mate and best friend. "Merry Christmas. Let's hope next year is a little easier."

"Doubt it," called Rose from her seat earning a small chuckle from everyone. Lissa smiled.

"Cheers," Lissa called, and she sat down once more. The room filled with the melodic sound of glasses clinking.

"Let's eat," Rose called, and we all dug in simultaneously.

Just as Rose dug into her second helping of pancakes, heavily drenched in sugary sweet syrup, Vasilisa stood, calling everyone to gather before the tree to unwrap presents. Rose groaned through a mouthful of pancake, gesturing to her recently refilled plate. Lissa relented, allowing Rose to bring her plate with her.

I had to clamp my lips shut to keep myself from laughing. As everyone left the table Rose's eyes found mine and I allowed a small smile free. I gave her hand one final gentle squeeze before I stood from the table and left to join the other on the sofa with Rose trailing close behind me, plate in hand.

Lissa began, opening Christian's gift first. I paid little attention as one by one each person opened one present after another. Instead, my attention was focused solely on my present for Rose. Not the one sitting under the tree, but the one, hidden in the pocket of my duster. The heavyweight of the gift at my said brought back my earlier fears. What if she didn't like it? What if she took it the wrong way? Was it too late to run back to my room and lock it away for another time? I blinked, shaking away my anxieties, and returned back to reality.

Rose swallowed her last bite of pancake and sucked the remaining sugar from her fingers, ready to dig into her small pile of presents. Lissa first handed her a small box the was neatly wrapped in gold Christmas paper.

Rose tore the glitter paper to shreds and opened the box. The scent of roses floated out and Rose froze, staring at whatever was inside. Slowly she pulled out a string of maroon-coloured beads with a heavy gold crucifix hanging from the end of them. The Princess had given Rose a chotki. It was similar to a rosary, only smaller. Bracelet-size.

"Are you trying to convert me?" Rose asked, warily.

Vasilisa shook her head. "Flip it over," she said, clearly amused at Rose's shock.

Rose turned the chotki in her hand and placed a hand over her mouth to smother her gasp. I discretely looked over Rose's shoulder. On the back of the cross, a dragon wreathed in flowers had been carved into the gold. The Dragomir crest. Rose looked up to her friend who stood smiling.

"It's a family heirloom," Vasilisa said. " It belonged to my great-grandmother's guardian."

"Liss ..." Rose stuttered. "I can't... you can't give me something like this."

"I can and I just did. It's meant for a guardian, Rose. My guardian."

Rose wound the beads around one wrist. The gold cross glinting in dim light. Even though Rose was not particularly religious, I knew this was important to her. It was almost the same as getting her Promise mark. This was a symbol of her duty as a guardian and her promise to protect the Dragomir Princess.

"You know," She teased, "there's a good possibility I'll get kicked out of school before I can become your guardian."

Vasilisa grinned. "Well, if that happens, you can give it back." Rose smiled and nodded whispering a quiet 'thank you' to her best friend and future charge.

More and more presents were opened. True to his word, Adrian had gifted Rose a new pair of fluffy pink bunny slippers. Adrian made a joke about how Rose needed some comfort in her life, to which Rose rolled her eyes, feigning indifference but I could tell she was grateful.

The princess opened my gift. I didn't know much about her so I just got her a simple gift card as I knew it was something she could definitely use. She smiled, thanking me even though she had said not to get her anything. I smiled and thanked her for inviting me.

Rose had surprised me by getting me a brown leather holster that looked designed for a long knife of some kind but would hold my stake perfectly. It wasn't really leather or authentic to the western era by any means, but it still amazed me where she could have gotten it from. My face must have told me my amazement as she smiled wider upon seeing my expression.

"Amazon," she said simply with a shrug. "I swear you can get anything from there."

Rose opened my gift next and the smile that lit up her face as she held up the pair of gloves, made me excited to give her my other present. I would do it later when we were alone as it was too personal, and I wanted to give it to her in private. She thanked me with a small nod which I reciprocated, our eyes conveying how much we wanted to thank each other later.

The gift exchange was coming to an end with the last present under the tree gently handed to Rose. It was very big compared to every other gift she had received that night.

"Who's this from?" she asked.

"Tasha," answered Lissa. Before she left, she brought a pile of gifts for us. This one is yours.

"She got me a gift?" Rose asked.

Christian nodded. "She said she saw it and thought of you." Rose held the joyful smile on her face even as her eyes dimmed. She carefully peeled away the paper revealing a red silk dress embroidered with tiny intricate flowers. She held it up revealing the curvy silhouette. I couldn't help but imagine Rose wearing it, the red silk wrapped around her body. The deep red suited her exotic featured and would bring out the dark colour of her deep brown eyes and magnificent wavy hair that I loved to run my fingers through. I had to look away or else our secret would have been revealed right then and there.

Rose was stunned. "It's beautiful."

"That was very nice of Tasha," said Janine.

"Yeah," Rose agreed. "I don't quite know where I am going to wear it though."

"It's too bad she had to leave so soon," said the Princess. I saw Rose slightly tense as she folded up the gown and neatly added it to her pile.

"Please thank Tasha for me, Christian." He nodded solemnly. He must miss his aunt, especially because she was meant to be here with him now. However, Rose and I were very grateful Tasha left early. Things were already complicated enough with Adrian knowing and the Princess soon to know too. It would have been impossible with Tasha's knowing eyes trailing us around the academy, waiting for us to slip up again so she could expose our relationship to the world.

As the bright colours of dawn began to bloom across the even sky, we all sat before the tree now littered with discarded Christmas paper listening to the stories of past Christmases spent at the academy. I watched as Rose's cheeks turned red as Vasilisa shared story after story of a young Rose running rampant around the academy. She buried her face in her hands as the group erupted with laughter.

Janine stifled her amusement and stood announcing her departure claiming she was on duty in a couple of hours and she needed some rest before her shift began. I kept quiet even though I suspected it was just an excuse to leave early. Guardians, especially legendary ones like Janine Hathaway, knew to schedule their sleep before and after every shift.

I supposed Janine must have felt a little awkward surrounded by a group of teenagers laughing and gossiping about academy politics. Even if one of them was her daughter. I understood even though I wasn't much older than the group. As a Guardian and almost member of staff at the Academy, it was strange hearing all the drama that went down behind the scenes. I could only imagine how Janine must have felt hearing the wild stories of her daughters' infamous reckless endeavours.

That was the old Rose. The Rose before the accident. Before the bond. The young, reckless, wild Rose before she and the Princess ran away from the academy. I listened to the stories that the Princess shared, and I smiled thinking about how different that young girl was to the woman sitting beside me now. The woman I loved with all my heart.

Vasilisa thanked Janine for coming and wished her a happy New Year. Rose stood and walked her mother out. Vasilisa began to tidy up the area while continuing on with her story of the time She and Rose went Skiing with her parents and Rose almost broke her ankle. I discreetly looked over my shoulder to see Rose hugging her mother tightly. Janine was smiling as she held her daughter close and whispered something in her ear. I couldn't help but smile at the sight. Their relationship had changed so much. I only hoped it would get continue to grow from here.

I turned back into Vasilissa's story and turned my head back to the group to meet Adrian's eyes. the sound of footsteps alerted me of Rose's return. A smug smirk blossomed on Adrian's lips as his eyes moved to Rose. The story ended and Rose burst out laughing arguing that she remembered that trip very differently.

My eyes stayed focused on Adrian and I swear I could almost see the cogs in his head turning as his eyes darted from Rose to me. In an instant, something changed. His eyes flashed like a lightbulb coming to life and he cleared his throat and stood.

"I think I should take off. Give you lovebirds a chance to talk," he said, brushing invisible wrinkles out of his expensive coat.

"Thank you for coming, Adrian. It was great seeing you again. Maybe we should make this a regular thing," said Lissa as she moved to walk him out.

Adrian smiled a sincere smile and nodded. "I'd like that. See you later Little Dhampir," he waved to Rose.

"Thanks again for the slippers, Adrian," she called back.

"No problem. Next time you want to make an early morning trip to my room, try to wear appropriate footwear." He'd done it. The Princess turned to her best friend; eyes wide in surprise. I couldn't help but feel the pang of jealousy shoot through me at the thought of Rose visiting Adrian. I knew it was irrational, of course. I had told her to go there. We visited his room together to talk with him privately and explain our relationship.

The door clicked shut behind him and Vasilisa ran into the room ready to interrogate Rose. "You went to Adrian's room?" she asked.

Rose groaned, "Yes, but it's now what you think. He just wanted to talk to me about stuff."

Vasilisa sat on the sofa, squashed between Rose and Christian. "You aren't seeing him?"

"No. Definitely not," Rose said taking hold of Lissa's hands.

"Well do you?" Vasilisa asked.

"What? No!" exclaimed Rose. I stood, claiming I should get ready to leave soon.

"Why not?" The Princess whispered but I could hear everything. "He's hot and he clearly likes you. He's been staring at you all night long, Rose. You could at least give him a chance. I mean do you have any reason not to?" I could almost hear Rose's voice in my head debating whether she should tell her friend the truth of us. It was Rose's decision. I would support her no matter what she decided. If she wanted to tell the princess now, I would help her and stand by her as I would do forever. In the end, Rose sighed and shook her head.

"I'm just not interested," she said. Lissa's shoulders drooped in defeat. She couldn't argue against that. I tugged on my new knitted scarf from my Mama as slowly as possible hoping Rose would get the hint that I wanted to talk to her alone and give her my second gift.

"I just want you to be happy, Rose. You used to have a lot of fun but since the Victor incident you have been so serious and never seem to have any time for anything except guardian training." The corner of my lips lifted as I thought of all the 'fun' we had in training.

"It's okay, Liss. There will be plenty of time for fun after I'm graduated and officially your guardian." The princess laughed.

"Okay. You'd tell me if something was going on though. Right?"

Rose smiled sadly. "Of course." I could tell she felt guilty. There were too many secrets between the girls. Once Lissa knew, a weight would be lifted from Rose's shoulders. I only hoped the Princess would listen and trust that I would never do anything to hurt Rose.

"I better go," I called out. The princess thanked me for coming as she had her other guests.

"Wait! I'll go with you." Rose called.

"Are you sure, Rose? you can stay if you want." Lissa said. Rose hugged her friend and whispered something into her ear. Lissa laughed and nodded.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Liss," Rose said as she tugged on her coat and made her way to the door with me following close behind.

"What did you whisper to the Princess earlier?" I asked once we were out of the Moroi building.

"There was a truffle crisis earlier. I suggested Lissa could use some alone time with Christian to…make up for it." Her words sunk in and I shook my head pretending I did not hear that.

Rose laughed. "Since when were you such a prude?"

"I'm not. I just don't need to know the details of my charge's love life." Rose laughed again. "What's happening tomorrow?"

"It's this stupid tradition we have. On boxing day, Lissa and I try on everything we got for Christmas and pose taking photos pretending we are models." My mind instantly went to the dress Tasha had given Rose. I couldn't wait to see her wrapped in that silky red dress. "Sometimes we even send them to the people who gave us the present as a kind of 'thank you' card." My anticipation dropped at the thought of Tasha receiving the photo and a wave of Guilt washed over me once more.

"Would you send one to Tasha?" I asked.

"I don't think so. Lissa will insist but…I was also hoping to be able to tell her about us tomorrow." She turned to me slowly as if scared to see my reaction. I gently brushed my fingers against the back of her knuckles.

"It's up to you," I said. "Honestly, I thought you were going to tell her when she was questioning you about Adrian." She smiled.

"I almost did. I think I might've if Christian wasn't there. I don't think we should tell him. If he learns of what happened between us and his aunt…well, it won't be pretty." I had to agree. The entire situation was a mess. Right now, telling Christian about us would do more harm than good. I only hoped the Princess would understand.

"Anyway," I said changing the subject, "I have a little something for you."

"Comrade, you already gave me a present. I don't need anything else," Rose said.

"That was just a decoy gift, Roza. I was saving the best for last." I looked around. The sun had fully risen now. It was late in the vampiric evening. The few guardians on patrol were walking along the ward line. The coast was clear. I took hold of Rose's hand and pulled her around the side of the guardian building and into a small alcove hidden by shadows. I reached into my duster pocket and watched Rose's face light up with astonishment.

"A real silver stake?" she asked not truly believing her eyes.

I nodded. "Yes. You've got to keep this secret. Technically you're not supposed to have one of these until you graduate, but I trust you. I know you're ready, Roza." Rose reached forward and hesitated as if she were afraid to touch it. She took a deep breath and took the stake into her hands.

"Another secret? These are getting a little hard to keep track of," she teased.

I smiled. "Very funny. Just take a look at it would you?" I watched as she ran her fingers along the cool silver, her eyes examining the craftsmanship of the weapon. Her fingers traced over the engravings I had etched into the silver months ago.

"You did this?" She asked.

I nodded. "I started working on it after our night in the cabin." A graceful pattern of swirls ran along one side of the stake from the handle to the sharp point. The pattern resembled a rose vine with small blossoms and thorns intricately imprinted down the swirl motif. Rose's face was frozen, her brows furrowed in contemplation. I started to worry. Maybe this was a bad idea after all. "Sorry, I know you don't like 'rose stuff'. I wasn't planning on ever giving this to you but after seeing you work with a stake…I thought you might like it. If you don't like it-" I started before Rose interrupted.

"I love it," Rose whispered still staring at the weapon in her hands. Suddenly her head shot up, her brown eyes meeting mine. She smiled widely. "I love it." My shoulders relaxed as a wave of relief washed over me. I returned her warm smile. Rose raised onto her toes, tilting her head up, trying to reach my lips. She was still too short, even in her high heels. I laughed but bent down to capture her lips with my own. Her arms snaked around my neck while mine wrapped around her waist, lifting her off the ground.

I stayed holding her, kissing her for what felt like hours. I would have stayed that way but eventually, I had to release her as I felt the warmth of the sun's rays start tingling on my skin. Rose ran her free hand along my jaw.

"I should get to bed," she said sweetly. I nodded but continued to hold onto her waist. She kissed me gently as if to say farewell, but I couldn't let her go. Not yet.

"There's one more thing," I said. "Look just below the handle."

Rose looked confused but did as I asked. She turned the stake in her hand around and around until she found the small mark I had etched in last night.

"What does it mean?" she asked.

"It's a Cyrillic R and D." Rose's jaw dropped. "It's our initials," I clarified.

"Yeah, I got that, Comrade. Isn't this dangerous? I mean someone could see this and put the pieces together."

"Well, since it's a secret, I'm hoping no one will see it until after you have graduated, and we have officially gone public. And if any of your friends see it, I'm hoping they won't be able to read Cyrillic." Rose smiled brighter than I had ever seen her smile before.

"Dimitri, this is the best present I have ever gotten in my life. I love it. I love you. Thank you."

"You're welcome, Roza. I love you too." I kissed her again. This time our kiss was short and sweet. We were running out of time. Soon the sun would be right above us and we would be exposed to the whole world. I pulled away. "I'm sorry. We have to stop now before I lose control." Rose nodded and kissed my cheek.

"I'll see you in a few hours for training," Rose said as she pulled back and sashayed away, hips swaying in a tantalising way that had me growling in frustration. How was I going to survive six more months of this?

Hello. Sorry for the long wait for this update. Honestly, I had a lot of trouble writing this chapter. I knew what was going to happen but I kept writing things and deleting them and re-writing and re-deleting. I got in the flow today and couldn't stop writing which resulted in this chapter which is a bit longer than the others in this story. Hoped you liked it and liked Dimitri's present for Rose. I wanted to make it something personal that had meaning to both of them and would be a significant gesture to Rose. Let me know what you thought. Next update should be up much quicker.