A.N: Hey guys!

You've been doing so good with the reviews that I had to update sooner! And i made it extra long too :) I'm really glad you are liking it so far it mans a lot to me. You are the best readers in the whole world!

Now my beta Shadowkissed23 is writing a story called 'Vampire Academy through the eyes of Mia Rinaldi'. Honestly you should give it a try and I promise a sneak peek of my next chapter to the people who will review her story.

Well I really hope you are going to enjoy this chapter. Don't forget to review, I love reading what you think and it motivate e to update sooner.

Steffy

Chapter 3:

I didn't know how I managed to survive a full week in that lame cell. The days were so long that they seemed to last fifty hours instead of twenty-four. I didn't have the right to many things except books, so my father brought me some every couple of days. Who would have thought that me, Rose Hathaway, would end up waiting for those books eagerly? Yes that was a whole new level of boredom right there. I even took a certain pleasure to read Chaucer…how depressing was that thought? Well, not that it was wrong to love these books. Hell, to my father's credit he only brought me the best of the best, the most renowned books but still, for me to look forward to the next book he would bring me, was slightly a stretch of personality.

The highlight of my days - or rather nights- were my dreams meetings with Adrian. I was really longing for them. That also was a change, not so long ago, I had been trying to find a way to keep him out, now…I was just closing my eyes early hoping to fall asleep to see him. It was the only moment in the day when we could talk freely, no pressure…nothing.

"So two more days before the start of my trial," I said as Adrian had taken me in New York. It was actually pretty eerie to see Broadway with no one except us.

Adrian was sitting on a bench in front on a theater that was presenting Cats. He nodded. "Yes and tomorrow we have the funerals." He was trying to sound nonchalant but I knew he was hurting.

I came to sit beside him. "I know, I wished I could be there with you."

"You are always with me," he said pointing at his head and heart.

I chuckled trying to hide my uneasiness. I was not used to all this romantic stuff even if it was almost 3 months that I started dating him. "Dude that was cheesy, even for you."

He smiled. "Yeah…" he trailed off.

We stayed silent for a moment just looking up and down the avenue. I was thinking about my trial that was set to start the day after tomorrow…the day after the Queen funeral but I was scared to mention it. I was somehow angry that we were going to trial, my father promised it would be fine.

I looked at Adrian and noticed that his St-Christopher was glowing slightly, I smiled.

He looked down. "Yes I gave it to Lissa for whatever spirit related charm she wanted to make."

"You didn't ask her why?"

He shook his head. "The threat of not seeing you naked again was enough to scare me! That would have been the worse fate."

I laughed. "I'm glad you did."

"You shouldn't worry Rose," he said reaching for my hand kissing it.

"I'm not worried Adrian, I just want you safe. I mean you're my boyfriend can you blame me really?"

"Thanks but I'm not talking about that I'm talking about the trial. It won't last long."

"You have something?" I asked expectant.

He nodded. "Some stuff that proves you have been framed alright; but I can't tell you everything, not right now."

"Why?" I asked getting mad. "I can't know my own line of defense?"

He smiled. "Oh Rose, the element of surprise is essential plus your father still needs to get his hands on a couple of things. Trust us."

"You know I do," I sighed wearily and leaned back so I could rest my head on his shoulder. "How long do we have tonight?"

"All night if you want Rose," he said wrapping his arm around my shoulders kissing my forehead. "I don't have plans tonight."

I moved my head and looked up, meeting his trouble eyes. He leaned in and gently kissed my lips.

"What do you want to do?" I asked. "Take a walk on Broadway?"

He grinned raising one eyebrow and I knew it meant trouble ahead. He let go of me. "Well I'm glad you asked Little Dhampir. You see, since the 'threat' you proffered against me, I cannot stop thinking."

"Is that so?" I said trying to sound serious.

"Yes, so-I came prepared like… we never know right?" He reached in the back pocket of his jeans and took off a condom. "A dream condom, if you ever have the urge for dream sex. I mean…you wouldn't want a dream baby would you?" He winked. "That's pretty difficult to raise but I'm sure if we team up we could do it."

I burst into laughter. That was something I loved about Adrian, he could always make me laugh.

"Ahhh Rose you don't know how good it is to hear you laugh," he said reaching for me hugging me tight, burying his face in my neck inhaling deeply.

I wrapped my arms around his neck and moved slightly so I was straddling him on the bench and gently caressed his neck. I liked being in his arms, it made me feel good to feel his body against mine. I also enjoyed knowing that he needed me so much; it felt good to be needed, wanted and loved.

"You should go to bed Adrian," I said after a while as he still had his face buried in my neck. "Tomorrow… tomorrow will be a long and emotional day."

"I don't want to let go," he mumbled against my neck. "I'm good here with you."

"I know," I said adjusting my position so my body was even closer to his. "But we're not really together and I know how cranky you get when you lack sleep, plus you really need sleep, even I can see that."

Adrian sighed and let go reluctantly resting his forehead against mine.

"Tomorrow I'll be here with you," I said softly. "I'll be in Lissa's head during the funeral, if you need me just look into her eyes and know I'll be there, looking back." I kissed him tenderly. "I'll be here."

"I love you Rose, so much," he whispered against my lips.

I couldn't reply, what could I say? 'I care about you a lot'? 'I love you a little too I think.'? That would be insulting. So I just stayed silent, holding his gaze and he didn't seem to get hurt by my silence. He knew I couldn't reciprocate on the same level and he didn't hold it against me.

He finally sighed. "Well I better go you are right, but I'll be back tomorrow night and soon enough I'll be able to do that for real," he said kissing me a bit more passionately than before resting his hands on my hips.

"I truly can't wait," I said as the warmth of his kiss started to fade. His kisses were always special and even if I enjoyed the dream kisses they had nothing on the real deal.

"Good night," he repeated kissing my forehead.

"Goodnight," I replied as the dream faded.

I woke up to a pair of blue eyes ringed of red, Strigoi eyes which made me jump out of the bed. I caught my foot in the cover and fell head first.

I quickly looked around but there was nothing on my cell, I was still dreaming!

"Are you okay?" asked a guardian coming near the bars. It was neither Mikhail nor Liam so it was impossible to tell what time it was.

"I-Yes I was just dreaming I guess," I said still looking around warily.

"You're bleeding," he replied pointing at my face.

I growled getting up and groaned even louder after seeing my face in the mirror.

"And a nice cut lip!" I whispered putting some cold water on the corner of the towel before putting pressure on the left side of my bottom lip. It looked just liked I had been punched. Like I need that!

"Where is guardian…".Man what was Liam's name? I called him so many nicknames that I didn't even remember his real name.

"Trent? Or Tanner?"

"Both actually. What time is it?" I added taking another corner of the towel to pressure it on my lip.

"Let me request some ice for that first, we wouldn't want it to swell." He clicked his Bluetooth stuff. "Hey Mike do you have any ice cubes up there? Or if not a cold can of pop or something. No…A little accident, nothing much… Okay thanks."

About one minute later we heard a little bell and the guardian rushed to open.

"Only one? Really?" I heard him say. He sighed. "Yes I know, I know thanks."

He came back handing me one ice cube.

"Don't ask," he said with a sigh. "I work with morons."

"It's more than perfect," I said wrapping the ice cube in the corner of the towel pressing it to my lip. "Why are you helpful?"

"I shouldn't be?"

I shrugged.

"I don't think you killed her," he simply said.

I had a small tired laugh. "Oh right you are one of them. The 'I think you are psycho enough to do it but smart enough not to leave crazy proofs behind you' believers."

He shook his head. "No I'm in the group, 'you might have a big mouth and tell what you think but you are way to respectful of life to go and kill our Queen'"

"Thanks," I said honestly.

"Don't mention it." He sighed sitting on the chair in front of my cell. "As for Tanner and Trent well I took over Trent two hours ago as he has to assist to the funeral you know."

I nodded.

"So it's a weird shift really, I'm here till Tanner take over mid-afternoon after the funeral."

"When will the funeral start?" I asked and I could feel my lip swell already.

He looked at his watch. "Four hours, you should try to sleep a bit more, breakfast won't be served for another two hours or so."

I muffled a yawned and nodded. "What's your name anyways?"

He smiled. "Jonas Brevnev."

"Nice to meet you Jonas," I said lying on the cot. I was still tired but those Strigoi eyes iced the blood in my veins. They were a lot like Nathans' eyes.

I closed my eyes letting go of the half melted ice cube not really expecting sleep to find me that was why it startled me when Guardian Brevnev woke me up for breakfast what seemed to be five minutes later.

After eating the two slices of toast and drinking the coffee, I told the Guardian that I would take my shower when Mikhail would be here and he agreed, thank God for that.

I looked at my lip in the mirror and saw it was a bit swollen and blue around the cut, like I had been punched.

I sighed sitting comfortably on the bed - well as comfortable as possible- the back to the wall to slip into Lissa's head. The funeral was supposed to start in a bit more than an hour now and I knew I would spend hours in her head, I needed as much comfort as I could get.

When I made it into Lissa's head she was already dressed up in a very strict black dress that she only accessorized with a pearl necklace and pearl earrings. She was brushing her hair that was already a perfect blond veil.

I could see how tired and worried she was and I knew it was all because of me.

It will be okay Lissa, I'll be out soon I thought even if I knew she couldn't hear me.

"You're perfect Liss," said Christian coming out from the bathroom dressed in a classic black suit with black tie.

Okay they really are back together, I thought happy that one part of her life was actually working.

She turned around and smiled at him, some of her pain and worry fading as soon as her eyes connected with his.

"You look dashing," she said walking to him trying to put some order in his crazy shaggy hair. His hair was falling in his eyes and she was trying to move them out of the way.

"I've been trying for the last twenty minutes there is no use," he said quickly kissing her lips. "Plus I like looking shaggy."

"I find that very attractive," she replied and weirdly enough she meant it.

"And I like that you like it," he replied with a wink.

At this instant there was a knock on the door.

"This is our queue Princess," said Christian extending his arm gallantly for Lissa to take.

She smiled and rested her hand on his arm. "Thanks Lord Ozera."

When they open the door, I was surprised to find Tasha and Dimitri but apparently I was the only one to be surprised and I couldn't stop the huge forceful wave of jealous to hit me hard quickly followed by a wave of guilt.

I just promised Adrian to give him a fair shot, and not even a moment later, I felt overly jealous of Dimitri just standing by another woman, that was not moving on!

"Aren't you a bit early?" asked Christian.

Tasha smiled. "Nice to see you too my dear nephew. Lissa is expected with the honor cortege behind the coffin"

"What? Why me?" asked Lissa getting uncomfortable.

"You are the Last Dragomir, each Royal family has an emissary in that cortege but there is also the very closer Queen relatives, including Adrian. He is waiting for you in the main building lobby."

Lissa sighed with relief, she rather be with Adrian to keep her company.

"Plus he told me something like staring in Roses' eyes whatever that means," said Tasha apparently confused.

Dimitri pursed his lips when Tasha said my name. What now? He was getting pissed just to have my name spoken aloud? Did I turn into freaking Voldemort? Was I becoming 'the one who can't named'?

I was getting mad by the second. Stupid Assbutt! I thought.

However Lissa understood straight away what Adrian had meant by that. So you're here with us today Rose? I know you can't answer me but thanks, knowing you're with us make me feel better, she thought.

Anytime Liss, I replied even if I knew it was pointless.

The four of them walked together out of the building where they parted.

"Meet you in Tasha's room at the end," said Christian giving Lissa a quick kiss before joining Dimitri and Tasha that were already going the other way.

Watching them walk side by side made me mad again, jealous and I hated that.

Lissa met Adrian in the lobby, he was leaning against the wall trying to look casual but I could see he was tired and cursed myself for keeping him up that long last night, but I couldn't deny that he looked positively dashing in his creator suit.

Lissa tension faded a bit as she met Adrian, she was pleased to at least be with him.

"Hey, how are you?" asked Adrian hugging her quickly.

"I can't wait for this day to be over," she whispered making me smile and wince as smiling hurt my lip.

"I hear you," he was wrapping her arm around his so her hand rested lightly on his forearm. "I've spend the last hour with the mourning hypocrite family. Believe me, a bullet through my skull looked positively more fun after fifteen minutes."

Lissa giggled lightly, and both she and I, were grateful to him for keeping her in check.

They took position at the back of the cortege that was forming behind the carriage holding the coffin.

"The back?" wondered Lissa.

"Would you rather be in front?" Adrian asked.

Lissa shook her head vigorously.

"That's what I thought. We are the youngest here so I asked one of the funeral organizer to put us at the back, lucky it was my own mother."

"Thanks again."

Adrian looked into her eyes. "A promise is a promise. I'm glad to do that."

And I knew he was talking to me right now, how he promised to watch out for Lissa while I was locked up.

They walked for about ten minutes and stopped in an area that was probably built for the occasion in order to fit all the guests of the funeral as the Court chapel was clearly too small.

All the 'normal' guests were already seated in the left side. There were about five hundred people, which I considered as being a very small number for a Monarch funeral, not that I had experience but still.

The group of about sixty that was behind the cortege went to sit on the right side, just behind the priest.

"Don't you think it's a small group?" whispered Lissa to Adrian echoing my thoughts.

"They wanted an intimate funeral…" Adrian snorted slightly as they took their seat at the back. "What a joke…"

They sat in silence, Lissa curiously detailing the crowd across from them. She didn't really listen to the priest words because it didn't mean much to her. Since her parents' funerals Lissa didn't see them the same way, she was always trying to tune them out and who could blame her.

Her eyes locked on Christian and even if she was sure he couldn't see her she couldn't help but smile. But, as she felt better to see him, I was irrationally jealous to see Dimitri sitting by Tasha. Lissa was surprised to see Abe sitting beside Christian. For once, he was not wearing a flashy scarf but a white one, that was the shocking vision of the day.

Abe was looking our way scrutinizing the panel of sixty like he was looking for something.

"What do you think he is up to?" whispered Lissa leaning slightly toward Adrian.

"I don't know but all I can say is that this man is one of the most intelligent persons I have ever met, such a keen sharp spirit it's insane." And I could hear the true awe in Adrian's voice. "He came up with a defense plan and stuff… it's unbelievable how he handled everything."

"Are you guys confident?" she asked and I could feel the true wave of worry hit her.

"Do you think either him or me would let her go to trial if we were not hundred percents sure to make it all blow in their faces?"

"No…" whispered Lissa. "No you wouldn't." she said thinking on how protective my father was and how much Adrian loved me. "Can you tell me more?"

"No not really, we need the element of surprise plus there are too many ears wandering here and," he smiled. "Even Rose doesn't know anything."

"Really?" asked Lissa surprised and it was true that I was pissed they didn't expose their defense strategy to me! I was the poor girl wrongly accused for Pete's sake!

Adrian nodded. "Yes, really."

Lissa nodded concentrating on the crowd again, spacing.

They stayed there for about an hour with the private Queen guards surrounding the coffin. Lissa didn't notice anything but I noticed Liam in the middle of them, looking grim but I guessed the guy always looked grim.

After the 'public' funeral, the Cortege with Lissa and Adrian followed the Coffin to the old Cemetery as the others were now excused. Some were meeting in private rooms, others were already leaving.

Only the sixty 'important' ones continued the process….lucky them.

They spent about forty minutes at the Cemetery each putting a rose on the coffin, paying their last respect. I could see the hurt in Adrian's eyes and I realized I didn't really know how much he loved Tatiana. She clearly loved him like her own son, maybe he did love her like a second mother.

"Where to now?" whispered Lissa as they walked back as a group to the main building.

"I think to the main banquet hall so they can mourn in group you know," said Adrian sarcastically. "I think it will be safe to sneak out after twenty, thirty minutes."

Lissa nodded. "Okay good, I'm supposed to meet Christian, Tasha and Dimitri back to Tasha's room."

Here we go again, big stabbing jealousy just hit me right in the chest. I thought as Adrian looked at Lissa with a questionable look on his face but he stayed silent and I was grateful for that.

"I need to find Abe myself, we still have a couple of things to discuss."

When they made it to the room Daniella came to meet them giving Lissa a quick hug.

"How are you doing princess?" she asked resting a hand on her shoulder.

"I'm fine thanks, maybe a bit worried for tomorrow but-"

Daniella squeezed her shoulder. "Oh of course yes…poor Rose," she said in a hush tone. I knew that taking my side in public would be social suicide, I didn't blame her. "She will be fine, I still don't know why she took that Mazur man as her representative," she added scrunching her delicate eyebrows, "but I'm sure she'll be fine."

"She is innocent!" whispered Lissa with urgency.

"I know dear, I know," said Daniella looking sincerely pained.

After less than twenty minutes the room was starting to get empty.

"What's up?" asked Adrian to his mother.

"Well the Council has to get ready for tomorrow as for us, Ivashkovs, we have a dinner as a family to honor your great-aunt's memory," she said with such a tone that clearly implied that Adrian presence was mandatory. "You can come too I presume," she said to Lissa.

Lissa shook her head. "No thanks I have to meet Christian and Tasha."

Daniella lips tightened at the mention of Tasha's name. She was Voldemort too as far as Daniella was concerned.

"Sure, well I'll see you later princess," she said to Lissa before going to meet Rufus.

"Well Adrian, I'll see you later," she said giving him a quick hug.

"Don't worry I won't go to that dinner," he gave her a wicked grin. "Plus I still need to find Abe for tomorrow we still have to discuss my 'role' if I might say."

"Your role?" Both Lissa and I asked/thought at the same time.

Don't go do anything stupid Adrian or I swear to God I'll punch that lesson out of you, I thought getting super mad at both him and my father wondering what the man managed to sweet talk Adrian into.

Adrian shrugged scanning the room. "You better go if you don't want to be sucked dry by my super crazy cousin Ian Ivashkov," he said nodding toward a guy that was looking at them intensely. "If he manages to talk to you, you'll never, EVER get rid of him."

"I'll see you later," said Lissa quickly exiting the room just as this Ivan guy started to walk toward them.

Lissa had almost exited the building when she turned on her cell phone again and there was a voicemail from Christian telling her that they were in Abe's room actually and that they were waiting for both her and Adrian there.

Lissa sighed quite reluctant to go back to the room full of pompous Royals but she needed to tell that to Adrian.

When she made her way back to the room she saw most of the people exiting in mass so she decided to wait for Adrian by a pillar, it was easier than to enter the lair again.

However, after about two minutes, nobody else exiting the room and Adrian was nowhere to be found.

"Damn it!" she cursed under her breath walking back into the room but stopped in the small lobby as she heard a clear argument between Adrian and Daniella.

Please Liss be curious enough, I begged silently.

Lissa quickly looked around before getting closer to the door to eavesdrop them.

"You can't be serious!" Daniella hissed. "You'll come with me now! Stop acting like a spoiled brat!"

"No, Rose needs me Mom! It's more important than listening to the stupid Ivashkov hypocrites mourning a woman they didn't really care about," he replied angrily.

"Rose is irrelevant right now!" She snapped.

"Irrelevant? Irrelevant? She is about to be trialed for murder! I thought you approved of us!"

"I approved of a fling! Right now you are betraying your parents and dishonoring your class for her! That looks a lot more than a fling to me."

"But it's way more than a fling! I never lied about that… I never pretended. You knew where I stood."

"You have no right to turn your back on us!" she spat getting furious now.

"Don't talk to me about right! You have nothing on me. I don't owe you anything!"

"You know what people say right? There is no way out for you! In order to save your honor you have to leave her and now!"

"I look at you and I'm ashamed to be related to you! I don't care about what they say! We're above all that!"

"Adrian this relationship…It's insane! You live like an angel, nothing is bothering you, you think that everything will be alright but someday life takes its revenge!"

"What do you want me to say? You're trying to punish me for my honesty. You know everything about me, why are you doubting my choices so much?"

"But why her?" There was some anguish in her voice and I stupidly felt bad for her.

"I don't know! Life chose, I can't help it. It was written I guess."

She snorted. "Don't go around with some freaking destiny mumble jumble that won't work on me young man!"

Adrian sighed with heavy exasperation.

"Every girl wants you in their bed. Why did you have to chose her?"

"I live my life the way I want to, the way I am, the way I FEEL!" he shouted making both Lissa and I wince.

"If you walk away now, choosing her instead of us… They will never forgive you Adrian, the family, the Royals will hold it against you forever."

"I didn't betray anyone by choosing Rose. I'm not looking for your understanding or your forgiveness," he said calm again. I was worrying sick for the effect of his fight on the Spirit.

"I will not be able to keep you shielded for long Adrian, not after everything that happened, not with what you intend to do! Your father is that close to disavow you. The family…They'll turn their back on you. You'll have to make a choice. Her or us it's as simple as that."

"That's the easiest choice I ever had to make Mom, and I know how sorry you are, that you wished it didn't have to come to that but if I ever had to chose it would be Rose. No doubt, no questions asked."

"Rose above the Ivashkovs?" she asked with clear incredulity.

"With you, I might be someone, but without her I'm nothing. I don't need you to understand, I simply know that without her I'm empty, like a part of me is missing."

"You are very passionate son, it's… You can't know that, don't do anything radical." She was panicking now. "You can't be that much in love."

"I won't dignify you with an answer. You know where I stand now, you know where goes my loyalty. Now if you ever make me chose….I can't leave her I-I just can't. She is running in my veins, filling my lungs. I-I might be crazy, I know what you say about me but I was never so sure. She is the one I was destined to love! But how could you understand love? You don't know what love is, you all settle into these weddings of convenience. You- You might grow fond of each other but you don't know what this all consuming love is and I thank God I got to feel it."

"Adrian," she whispered.

"I have to go, I'll see you tomorrow at the trial. I'll be easy to spot, I'll be sitting just behind Rose." He kept silent for second. "I won't apologize because I'm not doing anything wrong but I'm sorry to cause you distress."

At this instant Lissa quietly left the hall, she knew Adrian would be embarrassed to have been heard and she really wouldn't know what to say to him.

I exited her mind completely numbed after Adrian and Daniella argument. I never wanted to be source of trouble for him, especially not be the reason for which he could be disavowed by his family. I was not worth it.

"Rose?"

"Oh hey!" I said to Mikhail that was standing in front of my cell.

"You seemed to be so far away, I've been trying to get your attention for the last twenty minutes."

I turned to face him completely and I saw anger flash in his eyes. "What happened?"

"Nothing I just had a silly nightmare and ended falling face first." I saw the doubts in his eyes. "It's true I swear."

He sighed. "Okay I believe you."

The rest of the day was pretty much spent in an awkward silence probably as Mikhail could feel my stress over tomorrow start of trial increasing.

When I fell asleep, that night I was surprised to find Adrian waiting for me, on the same bench on Broadway.

"I didn't think I'd see you tonight," I said coming to sit beside him.

"I know it wasn't planned but," he smiled however his smiled faced when he saw my lip. "Rose…" he trailed off.

"I swear nobody hit me, I fell," I said connecting eyes with him to show I was telling the truth.

"I can heal it for you tomorrow," he said nicely brushing my lip with his fingertips.

"No need to heal it, it's not my first cut lip but you could kiss it better, a real kiss, not a dream one."

He smiled brightly like I just gave him the most beautiful present ever. "That's a deal Little Dhampir I won't forget that, I hope you won't either."

"Why on earth would I forget that?"

He looked at me with what seemed to be longing but also like he was pained about something.

"You know sometimes you have to do what need to be done. It might seem wrong but on the long run it's for the best."

"What-What are you talking about?" I asked worried.

He kissed my forehead. "Oh Rose," he whispered against my forehead. "If only you knew how much I love you."

I have a vague idea, I thought remembering the argument with his mother. "Adrian…"

He let go and met my eyes. ''I better go before spilling the beans but I'm- We're doing what need to be done. I know you might end up being angry at me, even not waiting to see me for a long time, maybe forever but your freedom, your life is worth that much. Just remember that I'm doing that for you and I love you." "Adrian wait I-"

The dream faded and I was not dreaming some ordinary silly things, only hours before confronting my accusers and executors as well as my probable framer in the same room and all my hopes were on the shoulders of my mobster father and my dream walker boyfriends…oh dear Lord help me out of this one.