Chapter 4: Scene & Talking

Adrian's POV

I watch Rose as I sit on my throne with Sydney. She is talking to Sonya about something more like arguing. Her guardians were watching them like hawks. I look at Rose closely and notice she looked uncomfortable. Probably from all the stares she was receiving. The old Rose would thrive on the attention but the new Rose hated the attention. The other reason I can see that she is uncomfortable is that she was shifting her weight from one leg to the other. I frown then I remember I haven't seen her in over a year that means my healing charms would have worn off by now. She must have had her school spirit users charm something for her to wear tonight. Otherwise she wouldn't be standing here. I shake my head how could I have been so careless so selfish. I let my own sister suffer because I was too busy dating Sydney and keeping it a secret to make a two-day trip to Russia to help her. I can't believe she hasn't yelled at me yet.

I look at her again and I see my father walking towards Rose. Oh crap this is not going to be good.

"Hathaway", he sneers

With that everyone turns their attention towards them. Rose looks at him coldly not showing a single emotion like she had been doing all night.

"Ivashkov", she corrects calmly

"You are no Ivashkov and I will not have you with my families name", he growls causing Rose's guardians to all tense and move towards them.

I roll my eyes at my father. If only he knew that she was his daughter and that she was more Moroi then Dhampir.

"That is not for you to decide. If you must speak to me you will address my as Lady Ivashkov or My Lady unless I tell you otherwise", Rose replies calmly

I think our father couldn't get any redder. I look around the room and see everyone shocked as Rose controlled her temper. Something she couldn't do before.

"I will never do that", he snarls looking ready to leap towards her

Her guardians were quickly at her side ready to protect her from danger.

That causes the court guardians to jump into action. Soon they are advancing towards each other.

Rose acts quickly seeing the danger approaching.

"Don't", she says sharply to her guardians as they advance towards our father and the other guardians

They all quickly stop and look to her for orders.

"Enough we are not here to start a fight. No matter how just our cause is", Rose says calmly coming to the front of her guardians

I can hear the last part was directed at our father.

"Let us withdraw to our rooms. I'll hate to see us cause any more of a scene", Rose says calmly heading towards the door

All of Rose's guardians straighten out of their crouches quickly start to follow Rose.

"Are you running away from a fight?" Nathan says smiling

Rose turns around looking at him coldly.

"Lord Ivashkov I don't run away from a fight. But I choose my fights and this one is not even worth my time. I have more important things to worry about then arrogant royals who think they know everything", Rose says turning away from him and glides out of the room her guardians following her

Everyone looks after her in silence and with their jaws on the ground they have never seen Rose that calm when someone was insulting her. That was a first for them.

"Lord Ivashkov I will not allow you to talk to Lady Rose Ivashkov like that. You will address her by title or you and I will be having words. My father or not", I say sternly

He looks like he wants to comment but one glare from me shuts him up.

"That goes for everyone. We were lucky a fight didn't break out tonight. If Lady Ivashkov didn't take action so quickly many people could have been hurt. Her guardians are trained to kill. They are all trained differently to our guardians. They are more lethal then any other guardians. Everyone I expect you will treat them all with respect and address them all by their titles unless they tell you otherwise. Do I make my self clear?" I ask firmly and loudly

Everyone quickly nods their heads at my order.

"All right then. Everyone is dismissed", I order

After everyone is gone including Sydney I make my way to my room. When I reach my room all the lights are out. I quickly turn them on and start to take off my clothes.

"I really don't want to see you naked brother", a familiar female voice says

I quickly spin around to find my sister leaning up against the wall watching me.

"Damn Rose you scared the crap out of me", I say

She smiles but I can tell it is forced. I look at her closely and realize that her charms must have nearly worn off. She is a bit wobbly on her feet. Without saying a word I go to her side and help her over towards my bed.

"Give me your ring and bracelet and I'll charm them before you fall over", I say

She hesitates for some unknown reason.

"Hand them over", I say sternly

Rose sighs and hands them both over quickly. I quickly charm the both of them. As soon as I finish I can feel the darkness come over me but only for a second before it is gone.

"Thanks Rose", I say handing her the charmed items

She quickly puts them both on and stands up and sighs with relief.

"Thanks brother", she says, "Sorry I caused a scene"

I shake my head at her, "You didn't cause a scene sis. Our father did. I'm really am surprised that you held your temper"

Rose grins, "It did take some effort. But as you know I have grown up"

"What are you doing here Rose?" I ask her

She sighs, "I'm here to help with the up coming battle. Did you really think I'll let my brother fight alone?"

I sigh, "I guess not. But are you sure about this?"

"I'm sure", she replies shortly

I have a feeling she is blocking something from me but I can't be sure because she is keeping me out of her head.

"Ok then. What…", I start at say

"I'm tired I'm going to head to bed. Have a good night", she says leaving the room

I look after her shocked. She is acting strangely. She can't be tired because she must have just slept were she was they are on a different schedule. I will find out what's she hiding…

Rose's POV

I walk out of Adrian's room feeling his eyes on me. I know I'm acting strangely but I can't tell him. I walk to my rooms to find Sonya waiting for me.

"How did the meeting go? I see that Adrian has healed you again" she asks

"It was fine", I reply

"I take it you didn't tell him", she says

"How do I tell my brother, the only one who has stuck by me for years, that this is going to be my final stand. The final battle after which I will not let any one make any more charms for me", I say looking her in the eye

"I see your point. Why don't you just tell him the charms are barely working anymore?" she asks

"Because he won't understand. And he will still try to help me. But the time has come for me to choose and I have chosen", I say firmly

I have known for a while that I'll soon have to chose where I make my final stand. And this is it. Fighting with my friends and family. I will do anything to protect them…

Author's Note: What do you think? Please review and i'll update as soon as possible:)