One week later...
"I still don't see why I can't wear any of the dresses I currently have." I stated, arms crossed watching as Lissa tore through the racks in the store. We were at one of the boutiques within court and had been at this already for half an hour. Surprise surprise, nothing so far in the pricey store catering to the Moroi elite fit my curvier figure.
"Because the only two dresses you've ever owned that would be formal enough for this event were either destroyed the evening I was kidnapped at the Academy or I'm pretty sure is still at the ski lodge in Idaho."
Oh, yeah.
"Fair point. But come on Lissa...I can't ask you to buy me a dress this nice." I stated, running my hand over a dress covered with stunning beadwork that had to cost more than $1000.
I checked the price tag. I was right.
"Think of it as my congratulations-for-officially-being-appointed-my-Guardian gift."
I rolled my eyes. There was no way I was winning this battle.
"Besides, this is our last 'hoo-rah' before we start college and I doubt we'll have the opportunity or time to get all dressed up while we're there. And...I know of a certain Moroi gentleman who would trip over himself all evening if he saw you wearing this."
With a flourish, Lissa pulled out a strapless sheath dress that was the color of a dark red wine and appeared to be made of the lightest, flowiest fabric.
I was practically tripping over myself just staring at it.
"And since it's in this material, it just might work." She was practically bouncing with excitement
I grinned and grabbed the dress from her as we headed for the dressing room, "Forget Spirit, Your real ability is to pick out the perfect dress for any occasion."
She laughed as she brought with her a dress of her own to try on.
Both of them we perfect.
Lissa and I were putting the finishing touches on each other's makeup when we heard Christian and Adrian enter Lissa's living room.
"Christian is going to be so upset that he missed out on months of dating this." I said with a grin, admiring my handiwork. Lissa's dress was a creamy champagne a-line gown that helped give her body the appearance of curves while the color accentuated her striking pale features. Add in a neutral smoky eye, some masterful contouring, and an elegant French twist and the look was complete.
Lissa blushed and looked away, unable to hide her smile, "I'm so happy that we're together again. That time apart...it was hard. We both grew a lot, but I missed him."
I nodded and gave her a playful shove towards her bedroom door, "Well, stop thinking about how much you missed him and get out there!"
She laughed and grabbed my hand, pulling me right along with her.
Whatever conversation the boys were having instantly came to a halt when we entered the room.
I walked over to Adrian while Lissa made her way towards Christian. I could practically feel the heat from the intensity of Adrian's stare.
I shifted weight from foot to foot, suddenly and irrationally nervous, "It feels weird having my shoulders bare. Maybe I should get a-"
Adrian held up a hand, effectively stopping me mid-babble, "The dress is perfect. Absolutely perfect. The only thing it needs is this."
He handed me a tiny black box and I shot him a questioning look as I opened it.
Inside was a small, but stunning diamond on a delicate silver chain that was inside a larger thin gold ring. It was elegant without being too ostentatious-almost understated in its beauty.
"Adrian, I can't accept this." I said, bewildered.
"Of course you can. Think of it as my gift to you for officially being hired for your life-long dream job."
I let out a shaky laugh, "Seriously, what is with that excuse today?"
Adrian motioned for me to turn around and I did, holding my hair that I had painstakingly curled up for him so he could place the necklace around my neck, "In any case, why do I need to an excuse to buy my girlfriend gifts? You knew from the beginning that I'm a gift giver, Little Dhampir."
Necklace secured, I turned around to face him, "Everyone will know that you bought it for me. It's not like a Guardian's salary could pay for a necklace like this and I haven't even cashed in my first paycheck.
Adrian shrugged, "So then they'll know. Who cares?"
I gave a cautious glance over to Christian and Lissa who were preoccupied with their own greeting and turned back to Adrian, "Once we arrive at the Guardian's ball together...everyone will know we're together."
Adrian's eyebrows shot up, "Rose, it's not like we've exactly been subtle."
I shook my head, "No. This is an official court function. It's different."
"I know." He stated matter of factly, "There's no other place I'd rather be and no person I'd rather be with. Who cares what everyone else thinks."
"Your aunt is going to be pissed."
Adrian grinned, "She'll get over it. I am her favorite nephew-she can't stay mad at me for too long."
"My apologies for running behind, Princess. I appeared to have misplaced my coat." Dimitri stated as he hurriedly walked through the door. As was traditional, the newly appointed Guardians of a Moroi had the night of the Guardian's Ball off to celebrate their new assignments before they started meaning that he would also be attending tonight's ball instead of working it.
Though I was still pretty upset with my newly official Guardian partner, I couldn't help but acknowledge how good Dimitri looked. He was in a crisp black suit with a black dress shirt underneath. He had forgone a tie and had the first two buttons of his collar undone instead.
When was the last time I had seen him without his duster on?
Dimitri caught me staring just as I remembered the answer to my question.
Siberia.
I looked away.
"Well, now that the gang's all here...shall we?" Adrian asked in an attempt to cut the tension that was threatening to build.
Christian cleared his throat, holding out his arm for Lissa and playing along, "We shall."
And like that, we were off.
After an hour's worth of dances and one pointed glare at another male Moroi who looked like he was going to ask to cut in, I finally started to relax under the scrutinizing stares from the other Moroi royals and enjoy being in Adrian's arms in such a public setting.
He was right, who cares what everyone else thinks?
In my line of work, these moments would be rare. I had to enjoy them while I could.
Queen Tatiana had frowned when I had walked in on Adrian's arm, but after he had made it clear to his aunt and everyone else that I was not some fling with his attentiveness and slight possessiveness, she turned her focus to someone else.
Still, I knew I probably had another fun conversation to look forward to with her in the future.
Every once and awhile I would see Dimitri talking with fellow Guardians or with Tasha, but even now, on his supposed night off, he couldn't seem to relax enough to get out on the dance floor even though Christian's cousin looked like she was trying her hardest to convince him otherwise.
I shook my head and turned my attention back to Adrian, and grinned.
He cocked his head to the side as he guided me through a spin, intrigued by my sudden change in mood, "What?"
"Oh...I was just thinking...you know how you were saying that there was no other place you'd rather be?"
He eyed me cautiously, "Yes…"
"Well, I can think of one."
"Oh?"
My grin turned devilish as I leaned towards him to whisper in his ear, "Back at my new apartment. Well, my new bedroom if we wanted to get specific."
"I think we've been here long enough. Let's get specific."
I laughed as he hastily pulled me towards the ballroom's exit.
I loved how he easily he could make me laugh. How he made me feel.
"God, I love you." I muttered, between giggles.
As soon as I realized what I had said, Adrian had abruptly stopped and spun around, facing me.
"What did you say?" He asked cautiously.
I shifted on my feet again, those irrational nerves flooding right back into me.
"I...er...love you."
The smile that broke across Adrian's face could have lit up the room and for a split second, I almost thought I could see his light of his aura.
"I love you too. Always have. Always will."
He grabbed my hands and brought them to his lips before turning around again, guiding me to the exit.
I felt my face turning red from his gesture and declaration and I looked around to see if anyone had noticed the significance of that moment.
Only one person had.
Dimitri.
