Happy Weekend, Loves. Sorry about the delayed update, but it is here now and that is all that matters. Lots of conversation going on in this one, so I hope you all enjoy. All my love to you all.

Chapter Twenty

Rose

"Queen Tatiana." Bowing to her majesty, "Council," I addressed the other twelve members before taking a seat in the single chair.

It had been a week since Tatiana first told me about wanting to start a program for Dhampir woman with children, and I hadn't come up with a better plan than hers, yet. Dimitri and Dad sat with me for hours every day tossing ideas around, but each one had something preventing it.

Give the woman Academy jobs, allowing them to work in a secure location and be around for their kids, pulling the men to work active Guarding roles. But that would send these woman all over, taking them from their homes, and comforts, which even though I wouldn't mind an easy assignment where I got to spend time with Munchkin, others might not be so subjective to the idea.

Or have them on limited term assignments, allowing them to go home when their children are out of school for holidays, and breaks. But they still have a job to return to when their kids go back to the Academy. But that only helps the ones who have school-aged children, not the ones with infants.

On and on the ideas went, and I combated every single one of them, finally reaching a point where both Dimitri and Dad stopped talking. After that, I sat down with Mom, and video chatted the Belikova women to see if maybe they had any input. Karolina had addressed a very important point that I hadn't really thought about, which I decided to bring up first to the council today.

"Guardian Hathaway," Tatiana smiled, "Congratulations, I have been told you're having a girl."

"Yes, your Majesty, thank you," I nodded.

"Well, if she is anything like her parents, she will be a force to be reckoned with," she laughed.

"Well, one can only hope she gets her father's attitude."

I didn't miss the rolling of eyes from the council members, no doubt drawing their own assumptions as to who the 'true' father is, though most around court know of Dimitri and I's relationship by now, they choose to believe what they want. In a way, I am thankful, it keeps the truth hidden, but at the same time, I wish the would at least keep their snide comments and looks to themselves. Each time we are out and about together, we catch the looks from unapproving members of our society, and I know it is slowly getting to him. Me too.

"Don't we all," Tatiana laughed again, "Now, shall we go ahead with our meeting. What have you drawn up for us?"

Drawing in a deep breath, I counted to three in my head, "Nothing."

"Excuse me?" one of the men rose their brow, I think he is an Ozera, judging by the trademark icy blue eyes.

"Nothing, Sir. I do not believe there is anything that will bring these woman out of their homes, their communities to serve as Guardians. You see," I looked back to Tatiana, "after speaking with the women that live in these communes, they have all informed me that they have no desire to return to the folds of Moroi society." Okay, so I may have stretched that a bit far, I had only spoken with the Belikova women, but they had assured me that the women in Baia would agree, "For hundreds of years they have followed the same system, woman have children, staying home to raise them, and the men become Guardians."

Tatiana opened her mouth, so I continued before she could speak, "What we need to focus on is the young women in the Academy's making it to graduation and serving, not bringing the older women out. The female to male novice ratio drastically decreases by senior year, most falling pregnant and dropping out."

"Are you sure you're the best advocate for abstinence, Guardian Hathaway?"

"My situation is a bit different," I snarled.

"How so," the Dashkov member spoke again, "You couldn't keep your legs closed, how do you expect to convince others too?"

"Enough," Tatiana bellowed, cutting off the slew of names I was about to unleash on the old bastard. "Guardian Hathaway, do you have any viable ideas to rectify our dropping Guardian numbers or no."

"Well, it wouldn't hurt to bring back defensive magic," I spoke clearly, holding Tatiana's eyes as I made the suggestion.

Christian had come to me this morning asking if I could throw the idea out there during my meeting, knowing it would mean a lot to Tasha. She was doing well, or as well as to be expected, but she needed something to be involved in, something to distract her mind from the heartbreak of her loss. The least I could do was make the not so subtle suggestion for her.

"That is not what we are here to discuss, Guardian Hathaway," her eyes turned to stone, "Moroi will not be allowed to fight alongside Dhampirs, it is far too much of a risk. You were instructed to provide feedback on gaining more Guardians, not throwing my people into battle."

"I understand, Your Majesty, but you can not deny the impact that Moroi magic, fire, in particular, has on Strigoi. During the battle at St. Vladimir's, Lord Ozera and I killed over a dozen Strigoi, single handly, in less than an hour. And again during the rescue mission in the caves, without their assistance the death toll would have been much higher, to include both your people and mine."

"Again that is," she started, but paused to take a deep breath, closing her eyes, "Thank you, Guardian Hathaway, you are dismissed."

I opened my mouth to protest but snapped it shut when she shot me a death glare. "Yes, Your Majesty," I bowed, "Thank you." Pushing my chair in, I headed toward the double doors.

"Guardian Hathaway," Tatiana called me again when I turned around, she didn't say anything else, but the look in her eyes told me not to stray far. I gave her another nod, and stepped outside the doors, remaining there for further instruction.

I knew bringing that up would cause a reaction, hell, I had planned for it, but I didn't expect her to shut me down so quickly. I had hoped to get at least two or three substantial points across before having the door slammed in my face.

Waiting patiently outside the council room, I ran my hand along the side of my stomach in small circles. Munchkin has begun moving around, a lot, and judging by the force of her kicks, she is going to be one hell of a fighter. Just like Mama. Hell, who am I kidding, like both of us. Tatiana had been right about one thing today, she will be a force to be reckoned with. I just pray that she gets his demeanor, lord knows I can't handle a mini-me running around.

"Guardian Hathaway," a young Guardian stuck his head out of the door, "She's requesting you back."

Drawing a deep breath, I rolled my shoulders and went back into the lion's den. The other members of the Council had departed, leaving her and me alone for this conversation. She had stepped down from her throne and now rested on the small sofa where I had met with her a week prior.

"Rosemarie," she whispered, "Why did you do that?"

"Do what, exactly?"

"Take this opportunity as a joke? I trusted you to come up…." she paused, sighing deeply, "You know, when I told Guardian Croft I wanted you assigned to Adrain, he actually questioned me." I shook my head, "He told me, despite your grades, and your experience with Strigoi, that you were a liability to my great-nephew. He wanted to make sure I knew of your entire record before making that decision."

"Yet, you still went through with it. Why?" I had been wanting an answer to that question since Dad first told me I was already assigned at graduation. Adrian had said he filled Tatiana in on exactly what was going on with me, but that didn't seem to be enough to throw away my past and give me a Royal Court position.

"Because I know you, Rose," she winked, "Ever since you ran away with Vasilisa, I have kept my eye on you. You have true Guardian instincts, that is something that can't be taught. You're born with it."

Did you hear that? That loud thud? That was my jaw hitting the hardwood floor.

"And when I found out you shared a bond with the Princess, there was not a doubt in my mind that you would be assigned to her, I would make sure of it. But, things don't always go to plan, do they?"

"No, no they don't," I smiled, "But I wouldn't trade it for anything."

"As it should be," she nodded, "my point being, Rose, I know you are going to be one of the greatest, I can see it. Which is why I wanted you to be the forefront for this movement, the role model."

"I understand, but every idea we had has some flaw that will prevent it from flourishing the way you want it to."

"And you believe defensive magic is the best route to go?"

"Not just me," I lowered my voice, not meeting her eyes, "Natasha and Christian Ozera have been talking to me about it, and I have fought with Christian. I know it has benefits, I have seen them."

She nodded, "I do have to agree," she paused, and I waited for the but of her statement, "unfortunately, it is something I can simply not allow, for various reasons."

There it is, "I understand." Standing from my seat, "If I think of anything else, I will let you know."

"Thank you, Rosemarie, take care of yourself."

I left without another word. I had far too much to think about to say anything else to her at this moment. Between the remarks of the Dashkov asshole, to Tatiana's praise, and the end result of nothing being accomplished in our meeting, my mind was spent. All I wanted now is to go home, take a long bath and relax. Peace and quiet. With the whole family gone it shouldn't be difficult.

Dad and Pavel had gone to look for houses close to Lehigh so Lissa and Christian wouldn't have to travel back and forth so much for school. Dimitri, Mom, and Eddie were with them now at Lehigh for orientation. And Adrian was off doing whatever it is that he does for fun nowadays- which mainly consist of pinning for Sydney until he is blue in the face, and below the belt.

Sydney is currently living in a hotel room a few miles from Court, both her and her superiors refusing for her to live here with the 'evil creatures of the night'. Which is fine by all of us, except Adrian, but the less she is around, the better. Even though Dad has assured us that Munchkin will be safe if the truth got out, I wasn't too keen on making a speculation of it. Sydney would be around until six months after I deliver- tracking the growth throughout my pregnancy, and after birth- making sure there are no abnormalities, then she would be returning to her post.

Setting my phone on the bathroom counter, I turned on my 'relaxation' playlist. It's just after Nine AM now, meaning I should have about five hours before the others get home. Filling the bath, and adding in my favorite lavender bath bomb, I lowered myself into the steamy water. Munchkin settled her constant movements as the warmth soaked into my skin, loosening the tense muscles in my shoulders and back. Laying my head back, and shutting my eyes, I gave myself over to the blissful feeling.

After an hour of soaking, I made a quick snack and laid down. The rest of the house may be on human time for today, but I had been awake for far too long. Dimitri would most likely come to bed as soon as they get home, so there was no point in staying up to wait for him.

The sound of my phone ringing woke me, checking for the time, I found two missed calls from Adrian. It's Two PM, they should have been home by now. I pressed Adrian's number just before the sirens went off. There is only one thing that the sound could mean…

Strigoi.