Chapter Five - Touch The Sky

It was difficult to sleep after the talk in Alberta's office, but somewhere around 12pm I managed to fall into a dreamless rest. I was thankful for that, a dreamless sleep being a lot more welcoming than a nightmare-filled one.

Much like the previous days I found myself naturally waking up at 5.30pm, once again giving me no other option than to be on time for my morning training lesson with Dimitri. Admittedly being on time wasn't as bad as I'd expected, giving me an extra fifteen minutes of alone time every morning with my secret lover. Why I hadn't started doing it sooner was beyond me. Nevertheless, I dragged myself up out of bed and, after getting dressed, left my sleeping mother alone in our shared bedroom.

As I was throwing my duffel bag across my shoulder I noticed a small white envelope by the front door with my name written on it in an elegant scrawl. I recognised it immediately as Alberta's handwriting and bounded over to it swiftly with excitement, assuming it was the schedule for my flights with Dimitri tonight. I opened it up as I was heading out of the room, taking my time to read over it as I made my way through the empty campus over to the gym.

"Hey, have you ever been to Paris?" I asked as I walked into the gym, my nose still buried deep in the flight list in my hands. "We have pretty much a four hour gap there between our flights. I know it's not much, but I figured we could perhaps do some shopping while we were there. I here Paris is to die for." I was grinning as I looked up to see Dimitri staring at me with a playful grin, love in his eyes. I giggled at his expression as I made my way over to where his bag was to dump my own, placing the piece of paper and the envelope on top of it.

"I have, Malýshka, though I can assure you a four hour stop over will not do it justice." He smiled as he plugged in his phone to the overhead speakers, playing his usual workout tunes as I made my way over to him to start our stretching. "There is a shopping mall next to Roissy-Charles de Gaulle Airport which we can hopefully get you some suitable clothing. During February and March, Siberia can get very cold, though things tend to warm up in time for the summer."

"Do you know anything of the classes at St Basil's? Are they exactly the same as here?" I looked up at him as I knelt down on my left knee and extended my right leg, stretching over it with my body to stretch out my hamstrings.

Dimitri appeared thoughtful for a moment as he shook out his hands slightly, just keeping his muscles warm since he probably stretched before I arrived. "As far as I know they have the exact same classes as here, both academic and combat-orientated, though they do have a slightly different curriculum. It's not entirely different to ours, you'll get into the swing of things within the first week or two."

I switched over to my other leg after doing several reps on my right, making sure both were equally warmed up before shifting to warm up the rest of my body with torso swings and arm rotations. "What do they know about the situation here?"

"They know that there was an attack on the school directed for you," he replied honestly, moving to set up some equipment for their first lot of training. "They know that you're transferring for your safety and that I am unofficially instructed to be your Guardian, for all intents and purposes. That's why I managed to convince the head Guardian Alexei Mikhaelov to give us a two-bedroom Guardian dorm. The school is twice the size of St Vladimir's so they're more common, and he didn't seem to question the request since I am supposed to be keeping a eye on you for most hours of the days."

That definitely caught my attention, and I stopped dead in my movements from where I was stood stretching my biceps above my head. "So does that mean I get to sleep besides you every night for the next five months?" I bit my lip with a devilish smile on my lips, watching him as a small smile crept across his lips as well.

"On paper you'll technically be sleeping in the room next to mine," he clarified as he stepped towards me, our bodies almost touching as he looked down at me with thinly veiled lust. "But in reality, yes. I would love for you to be sleeping next to me, Malýshka."

I grinned up at him as I tried my best to keep my hands to myself, knowing that we still needed to be discrete despite the amount of love that was evident between us while we were alone. "Malýshka," I tested the word out on my lips, looking curiously at him. "What does that mean?"

"It means 'baby girl'." He smiled, leaning down to press a sneakily soft kiss onto my lips before pulling away. "Because you are my baby girl, for as long as you'd like to be."

"Forever, Comrade. If you'll have me." I whispered lovingly up to him while he turned away to officially begin our training lesson.

The rest of the day I attended lessons as usual, trying to keep as low a profile as possible. I didn't want to get detention or get hounded by Stan on my last official day here at St Vlad's, and luckily my prayers were answered as I was barely acknowledged the entire day. At dinner I had invited Lissa and Eddie over to where I was staying in guest accommodations, passing it off as a casual get together when in reality I would be telling them where I'd be going. They knew these few days would probably be the last days they'd see me for quite a while, so we'd already been prepared for an emotional goodbye for a while now. Lissa had said that she wanted to go to a feeder first and would meet her there after, Eddie coming straight away.

It was 7.30pm by the time Lissa came knocking at the door, and I bounded up from my seat on the sofa to let her in. "Wow," she let out in surprise as she took in the room despite the fact she tried not to be doing so. "I've never been in guest accommodations before. It's very... quaint." In other words, lame.

I laughed, gesturing for her to take my previous seat on the sofa next to Eddie. "Yeah, I had the same reaction." I bit my lip hesitantly as I looked between my two best friends, the words needing to be said caught on my tongue. "Guys, listen. I know I told you before that I'd be leaving after the Strigoi attack, and I knew I'd be gone by the end of the week, but they've finally decided on where I'd be going."

Both of them were on the edge of their seats at that, Eddie looking more curious and Lissa more offended. I could tell that she was still mad at the fact I'd be abandoning her for five months, but I know she also realised it was for my own safety. "They're sending me to St Basil's. It's far enough away from here that they hope the Strigoi won't be able to track me. And even if they can, they're hoping to hunt them down and find them before they can do much damage. They kinda screwed themselves over by giving us such a wide window to hand myself over." I laughed humourlessly as I looked down at my hands where I was picking nervously at my nails. "It also means that I can continue my studies and graduate as a Guardian, though I'm not sure yet if I'll be graduating there or here."

"What? You have to graduate here!" Lissa stood up, outraged. "That's not an option. St Vladimir's is your home, it's where all your friends are. How could you even consider graduating anywhere else?"

"It might not be safe for me to come back by then, Lis." I explained with a scowl on my face, having hoped that we had gotten past this offended-princess demeanor after I told her I'd be leaving. "If they've not neutralised the threat back here, then I'll have to graduate there. It sucks, I know, but it's what has to be done." I outstretched a hand to take hers comfortingly, swinging it slightly between us as I looked up into her eyes with an apologetic look.

"We're sure gonna miss you round here, Rose." Eddie sounded wistful as he got to his feet, making his way over to where I stood. "It's gonna be strange with no Hathaway mouthing off to Stan every lesson, no ball of spitfire pulling pranks on everyone."

I giggled at that, giving him my other hand to hold as well. "I'll call you both whenever I can, I promise. I'm gonna miss you guys so much." I could feel the tears threatening to spill as I looked down at my feet, not having expected to get so sentimental.

Lissa must have seen them because she reached forwards and wrapped her arms around me in a tight hug. "Don't cry, Rose. We'll be here for you when you get back, I promise." I laughed into her shoulder as I let the tears spill, not afraid to cry in front of the people who had already seen my ugly tears enough times before.

I looked over her shoulder to Eddie where he was stood awkwardly still holding my hand, before tugging him towards us. "Get over here and hug me, Castille!" I demanded as he chuckled, before complying and wrapping his longer arms around the pair of us in a goodbye group hug.

After Eddie and Lissa's visit I did my packing for Russia, packing all of my warmest clothes as well as some prettier stuff including sexy lingerie. It would be my first time sleeping besides Dimitri, and I hoped it wouldn't be the last, and so I wanted to pack for every opportunity. After my packing it was 10am, an hour before we would be leaving for the airport. I knew that I probably wouldn't able to get much sleep until our second flight, which was much longer than the first, and so I decided to take a nap to recuperate my energy for the meanwhile.

I was woken up by a knock at the front door, and I stirred with a whine of complaint from where I was balled up on the sofa with an ancient red quilt over me. I'd barely moved an inch by the time my mother came walking out of the bathroom, heading to get the door herself. Dimitri was stood there, duster and all, with a large suitcase sat behind him. I smiled sleepily at the sight. dropping the quilt around me to stretch up.

"Sorry if I woke you, Guardian Hathaway. But I am here to pick up Rose for the airport. There is an Academy-signed van outside waiting for us." He said formally, stepping inside after mom welcomed him in.

She waved her hand dismissively as she disappeared into the bedroom for a moment, before returning with my own two suitcases pulling behind her. "You didn't wake me, Belikov. I was awake to spend as much time with my daughter as possible before she left for goodness how long, despite the fact she spent the last hour of it asleep."

"Hey, a sleep-deprived Rose is an angry Rose." I defended myself as I stood from the sofa, folding the quilt up and laying it over the back of the sofa. "I thought I'd save Guardian Belikov the pain of experiencing the fury of a Hathaway woman."

"Stop arguing and give your mother a hug." She snapped, though I could tell her heart wasn't in it as the tears threatened to spill. I frowned at the sight, moving instantly to wrap my arms around her tightly. "It feels like I've only just stepped forwards as a mother, and I'm already losing you."

"You're not losing me, mom." I mumbled into her hair, pulling her tighter. "I'll call you all the time, and I'm sure Alberta can schedule visits for you to come see me. Besides, it's the safest option for me right now."

I felt her nod into my shoulder before giving one less sniffle, pulling away. Her eyes were red and blotchy and her cheeks were tear-stained. I smiled comfortingly at her as I rubbed the wetness under her eyes, noting it to be the first time I've ever seen the formidable Janine Hathaway to cry over something.

Now it was 1pm and I was already sat on my first flight, jumping up and down in my seat as a ball of nervous excitement. Dimitri was sat besides me with a loving smile on his face as he interlaced his fingers with mine, placing our joined hands on the arm rest between us. I cast a glance down at our hands before up at him, smiling at the fact he was being so open in public already - we hadn't even left Montana yet!

"I know we haven't had much time to talk these past couple days," Dimitri began thoughtfully once we'd leveled off in the sky, rubbing circles on the back of my hand. "But we should. A lot has happened since we've returned from Spokane."

"I know," I sighed, unbuckling my seatbelt to pull my legs up to my chest and sit sideways facing Dimitri, our hands now in my lap. "Everything's moving so fast. Who'd of thought that I'd be on a plane to Russia right now? Well, to Salt Lake City, but still it's the beginning of our trip to Russia."

"This isn't a trip, Roza." He said almost desperately, ducking his head to force me to look into his concerned eyes. "It's a protection detail. There are Strigoi out there after you, and you don't seem the least bit worried."

I frowned slightly at that, not completely understanding where he was going with this conversation. "I guess I just haven't had time to really think about it. Strigoi don't scare me, I've told you that."

"That doesn't change the fact that you are a target to some of the most dangerous creatures in the world." He clarified quietly, keeping his voice low so nobody else in the cabin could overhear. "I suggested St Basil's to Alberta because I knew it was a place where I could keep you safe. I couldn't imagine them sending you somewhere on your own, or with another Guardian that didn't really care for you."

"And I am so thankful for that!" I leaned forwards with wide eyes, cupping the side of his face with my free hand. "You have no idea how relieved I am to be going to St Basil's, and not to Court or some Dhampir commune. And I'm even happier to be going with you."

Dimitri closed his eyes and leaned into my touch with a blissful smile, kissing the palm of my hand gently. "There are some things we need to discuss, Malýshka, things that I know you won't like."

"Just tell me." I pleaded with a small frown. "I want you to be able to trust me. We're together now, and I don't want you to feel scared to tell me something. I promise I'll be reasonable."

He seemed to chuckle at that, and it made me smile to hear a noise I loved and treasured so dearly. He looked up at me more seriously, then, and I pressed my lips into a tight line as I prepared for the worst. "Alberta has instructed me to be your personal Guardian. Theoretically, that makes you my charge. I'd like to talk about plans of actions and escape should worst come to worst and the Strigoi do find us in Russia."

"Escape?" I furrowed my brows, sitting up straight. "I'm not escaping. If we get attacked then I'm fighting alongside you to protect us both."

"Roza, you can't do that, not in this situation." He shook his head. "They want you for something, and whatever that reason is we can't let them get to you. If you fight, then we risk losing you to them, and that means they win. I know it's not in your nature to flee, but it's something you need to consider if we're to ensure your safety."

"No." I said firmly, my tone of voice clearly conveying that I was not prepared to fight him on the topic. I was stubborn, and once I had my mind set on something I wouldn't let anybody change it - not even Dimitri. "In a little over five months time I'll be a fully fledged Guardian, and I'm going to damn well start acting like one."

I could see the defeat in his eyes as I leaned my head against the back of my chair, feeling somewhat guilty for having to talk to him in that way. But what he was suggesting was unfathomable to me - I couldn't even imagine running and hiding while the love of my life fought to protect me, all the while I knew I could be doing something to help. I just wouldn't let him.

I hadn't managed to sleep the entire rest of the flight, so by the time we arrived in Salt Lake City at 2.45pm I'd been awake for over 21 hours. We had a two and a half hour wait until our next plane boarded, so Dimitri urged me to get some rest. When I fought him on the topic, saying he needed his sleep as well, he promised to sleep on the next flight since it was the longest of the four. Reluctantly I agreed, finding myself drifting off in his arms in the middle of an airport surprisingly easily.

A soft kiss to my forehead woke me up a little while later, and I stirred noisily before opening my eyes to see Dimitri looming over me. "Our flight's about to board, Roza. Time to wake up."

Sure enough by the time I'd stood on my feet, it was almost 5pm, and people were already gathering to enter the plane. I could see Dimitri was getting tired, and was thankful that he would be able to get some rest on this next flight. He'd been up for at least 24 hours, and knowing him he'd probably spent most of it worried or stressing over me and this journey.

We were the only two in our row at the back of the cabin, and the next lot of people were sat two rows in front. I was happy that we could have our own space, even if it was just on an airplane. Once the plane had once again leveled off into the sky, I unbuckled my seat belt and shifted so I was sat facing Dimitri once again with my legs tucked between my chest and the arm rest.

"Why do you sit like that?" Dimitri asked curiously with an amused expression as I took his hand in both of mine and placed it in my lap, fiddling with it absentmindedly.

"I like being able to see you." I shrugged, looking up at him with a smile. "Plus I feel more secure like this - as if being curled up or something creates some sort of physical protection around me. I know it's silly, but it just makes me comfortable."

He leaned forwards and pressed a sweet closed-mouth kiss on my lips at that, turning the hand I was holding to rub my thumb soothingly. "I want you to always feel protected, Roza. Especially when you're with me."

"And I do." I smiled genuinely, looking up at my man with adoration. "Now get some sleep. I'll wake you when the food comes, though knowing you your body will already sense it beforehand." I teased. He chuckled and shook his head, though complied with my orders by shaking off his duster and settling more into his chair. His hand was still in my lap, and he turned his head towards me as he closed his eyes with a smile on his lips.

I must have fallen asleep myself not long after, because I shortly found myself being awoken by a tickling sensation on my nose. We'd been flying for two hours when Dimitri woke me up for the food service. It was some chicken dish with ratatouille and polenta with sides of bread roll and salad, and a chocolate brownie for afters. It was a pretty decent size, which I was thankful for, and tastier than expected. Dimitri had also taken the opportunity to buy us both a bottle of water each, and after the trays were clear we just sat talking for a short while before I ended up falling asleep mid-sentence.

I naturally woke up about an hour before the plane begun serving breakfast, having slept for four hours straight. I was feeling much more refreshed this time, and was even happy to watch my sleeping Russian for a short while before I eventually woke him up for breakfast. Even better than the dinner just hours before, the crepes suzette with cream, orange and watermelon preserves was utterly to die for. There was even an option for hot chocolate, and of course I took that offer! The flight attendant in our cabin was even kind enough to allow Dimitri to wrap some of the extra fresh fruit and pastries up for later, after having a casual discussion of how we were off to Russia and had another two flights still to come.

"So, is there anything specific I need to buy for Russia?" I asked my man, tracing swirling patterns on his forearm as he gazed at me, though I pretended not to notice. "After all, you are the expert."

"Not particularly, though it may be helpful to buy you a new coat. We can buy some presents for my family as well, if you'd like. If we're going to be in Russia for five months then I'd really like for you to meet them."

"Really?" I sat up straight and looked at him with a gleam in my eye. "You'd want me to meet your family?"

"Of course I would, Roza." He placed a hand on my cheek and rubbed soothingly with his thumb. "I've already told them that there's a girl in America who I'm madly in love with, and they're just begging me to bring you home to them."

"You told them about me?" I felt like all I was doing was asking question after question, but I was too in shock to do much else. "What if they don't like me?"

Dimitri seemed to find that amusing. "They'll love you, Rose. I've never met a single person who you couldn't win over with your Hathaway charm."

"Queen Tati seems to hate me," I pointed out with raised brows, though I knew I was just nitpicking - he spoke the truth.

"Yes, but I have a feeling she doesn't like many people." He chuckled, pressing a kiss to my forehead.

The landing in Pairs was quicker than I could ever of hoped for, giving us maximum time to be able to go shopping for everything we needed. It wasn't too expensive for an extra suitcase, so neither of us were too concerned on buying too much that we wouldn't be able to take it on. Three hours later we'd bought some warmer clothing for me for the winter months, as well as a present or two each for Dimitri's sisters, his mother, grandmother, nephew, and niece. It was a lot of people to buy for and I got rather overwhelmed quickly, never having to buy so many things for so many people before since I grew up in the hands of the Academy. But it was nice to have Dimitri by my side, and in the end we managed to find the perfect gifts. He even let me get a passer by to take a picture of us both together, shopping bags and all - our first picture as a couple.

Penultimate flight from Paris to Moscow was scheduled to be a little over three and a half hours long, though due to delays at the beginning of the flight it ended up being more like four. Dimitri and I spent the entire time talking, holding hands, and kissing, as we planned some days together to do in Russia. Although we were still having to keep 'us' a secret, he had said that internal security was a lot less strict than St Vladimir's and so there would be opportunities where the school would let us off campus together, giving us time alone and away from prying eyes.

Surprisingly, Dimitri had also told me than it ran on human time, despite it being host to Moroi students. "Believe it or not, Dhampir outnumber the Moroi at St Basil's, since they like to focus on pumping out a lot of Guardians every year, which is why they run on a human time table." He had explained after my questioning. "Daylight hours are also a lot shorter over here than back in America, so they don't have to worry as much in that sense."

He'd also told me that, since St Basil's focused more on being a Guardian school than a Moroi school, the classes were quite big and sometimes even needed two teachers. "With your senior year, I will be teaching alongside a second Guardian since you will be student number 50. Apparently the second Guardian was reallocated during Christmas, hence their opening."

"Do you know who it is you'll be working with?" I inquired curiously, silently wondering if a second teacher during lessons would make things difficult for me. Admittedly I was always a bit of a problem student, and I knew that with Dimitri as my teacher I could get away with more than was typical. But if the second teacher was a bitch, then I had no hopes of being the bratty seventeen year old everyone knew and love.

Dimitri shook his head. "I've not been given any information on them, I've only been emailed the curriculum and the class list. We'll be arriving in Omsk pretty early Saturday morning, meeting with Guardian Mikhalov in the evening, and then starting classes on the Monday. Whoever they are, I'll meet them then."

Towards the end of the flight I had begun to get a little uncomfortable in my previously chosen sitting position, so Dimitri helped me by lifting up the arm rest between our seats so I could lean into his side. He wrapped an arm around my waist as I nuzzled my head into his chest, closing my eyes to relax as he kissed the top of my head.

It seemed like no time at all until the plane started to descend, and I felt an excitable Dimitri nudge my ear gently with his nose. "We're here, Malýshka. Welcome to Russia."