Sorry about taking so long!!! School just got into full swing & I have Cross Country practice EVERY SINGLE DAY!!!! TORTURE!!! Anyways, hope you like it. Plz R&R! I luv comments & advice, so don't worry about making me feel bad. :) Thanks!!!
Disclaimer: I am not the lucky person to own this. Richelle Mead owns all characters!
DPOV
We boarded the plane and sat down. Rose and Vasilisa whispered to each other, Rose occasionally shooting glaring looks my way. If looks could kill, I'd probably cold in my grave by now.
It was a private jet, but I still kept an eye on them. They huddled together in their seats, no doubt coming up with an escape plan. I held back a sigh. Did they really think I was that stupid? I signaled for Guardian Cordon to take Rose to the back of the plane.
"Don't let them talk to each other," I called cheerfully as Rose was escorted to the back. She sent me a fuming look before stamping down the aisle angrily.
Once out of earshot, I let out a low chuckle. I couldn't help it. She was so amusing when she was angry. Princess Vasilisa looked at me sharply. I shrugged and asked, "Do you need anything, Princess?"
She hesitated before replying. I leaned towards her to catch her quiet voice. "May I have a bottle of water, please?" I nodded and grabbed a water bottle from the mini-fridge attached to the shelf next to me. She accepted it with a polite nod.
There was a slight click as she opened her water. I didn't enjoy small talk, so I asked her one thing I had been curious about. I turned to her.
"Princess," I began, wondering if this was a good idea, "Do you and Rosemarie have a…bond?"
Vasilisa visibly turned pale and fiddled with the ring on her finger. She didn't answer me. "Princess?" I prodded her. I needed to know if they truly had some kind of bond or if it was all my imagination. Judging from Vasilisa's reaction, the two girls had something.
The ring she had been playing with clattered to the floor. I immediately bent to pick it up. It was a simple gold band inscribed with Russian words on the inside. It wasn't surprising that it was in Russian. Most of Moroi and dhampir blood lines went all the way back to Russia.
I read the words on the ring as I picked it up. Лучшие друзья, it read. Best friend. I handed it to her and smiled. She took it gingerly. I caught her faint murmur of thanks.
After a moment, she said, "It says best friend. From Rose."
I turned to reply. "Yes," I said simply. I watched her pale fingers toy with the ring fondly. We both fell silent. I lost myself in my own thoughts, wondering about my strange attraction to Rose and her unusual link with the princess.
When the end of the flight neared, I stood up to talk to Rose. I felt like I needed to figure her out, get to know her. And maybe to yell at her. I turned to leave.
"Guardian Belikov." A soft voice came from behind me. Vasilisa met my gaze pleadingly. "She did it for me. Don't blame her." Even though her name wasn't mentioned, I knew she was talking about Rose. I nodded and excused myself.
Rose glanced at me before purposefully turning her gaze out the window. I thanked Guardian Cordon for keeping an eye on Rose and switched places with him.
I looked at her, but she didn't meet my eyes. A few seconds of silence passed between us. I swallowed nervously before saying, "Doing that… protecting her like that–it was very brave." I hesitated. "Stupid, but still brave. Why did you even try it?" I felt bad about probing her, but I was interested to see what she would say.
She glanced at me, brushing her beautiful, dark hair out of her face. I swallowed. For a second, I was distracted by her action. It was a sexy and diverting motion.
I tried to concentrate on her words. Her dark eyes met mine evenly. "Because I'm her guardian," she said, as if I was stupid not to know that. She turned back to the window. It was clear I wasn't going to get anything out of her for a while.
Strangely, I was hurt she didn't trust me, or even talk to me. Not wanting to show that her lack of words stung, I left her sitting there, gazing out the window with something like despair in her eyes. I've never felt such regret at my actions.
***************
We left the plane soon after it landed; giving Rose and Vasilisa no time even to think of escape. Rose was surprisingly compliant, despite the angry set if her mouth and the defiant gleam in her eye. I sat in the passenger seat of the car, sneaking in glances at the two girls in the seat behind me. They each had a window seat with an uncomfortable Jake squished in between. He glared at me each time I met his gaze. As if it was my fault because of the seating arrangements. I shrugged innocently and hid a smile.
My eyes kept straying to Rose. She was clearly upset, her eyes fixed on the passing Montana scenery. I reluctantly pulled my gaze from her, perfectly aware that I had been studying Rose with undeniable interest.
As my thoughts wandered, I realized I was staring at Rose, yet again. Against my will, my eyes scanned her face, her body. A sudden thought hit me with a force strong enough to take away my breath.
I was crushing on a teenager seven years younger than me.
Disgust filled me. I was sick at myself for even thinking about Rose in that way. I shoved all thoughts of her out of my head with an effort. As we reached the Academy's gates, I took a deep breath and did one of my control exercises I was obsessed with.
The Academy was the same as the last time I had saw it. Everything was dark and forbidding, shadows concealing it from the rapidly dwindling sunlight. It was sunset, time for the Moroi and dhampirs to get ready for school.
Our car passed through the security inspection and was allowed to enter through the iron gates. We stopped the car outside the secondary campus. I got out, stretching out my long legs. They were cramped from the long ride, especially considering my height.
The air was cool and breezy, filled with the sweet scent of pine and oak sap. It smelled like the refreshing scent of the earth after rain. I took a deep breath of fresh air. We walked across the browning lawn.
I heard running after me as we entered the school. I had a pretty good guess who it was that was coming after me. It was probably Jake, complaining about the car seating arrangements. A scowl lit up my face. I attempted to hide it before he saw.
"Hey, Comrade," a dry, sardonic voice said from behind me. It was Rose.
I groaned inwardly. I couldn't believe she had the nerve to speak to me after her annoyed dismissal of me on the plane, not to mention dodging her guardian to talk to me. Her nerve impressed me, but not in a good way. I was secretly pleased at her attempt to talk to me, but my pride still stung at her shortness to me a few hours ago.
With an effort, I was able to ignore her. I kept walking. "You want to talk now?" I asked her, a little bitterly. I avoided meeting her eyes. She ignored my question and instead asked one of her own.
"Are you taking us to Kirova?"
"Headmistress Kirova," I corrected, instinctively. I braced myself for her sarcastic remark. Surprisingly, she managed to hold her tongue.
"Headmistress," she said, dismissively. "Whatever. She's still a self-righteous old bit–" Her words stopped as we entered the commons. I had unintentionally led them right to their former classmates.
It was breakfast time, students hooking up and laughing over whatever they found amusing. As we entered, all noise ceased. All eyes swung around to stare at Rose and Vasilisa. I looked over my shoulder. Vasilisa walked with her chin up, obviously attempting to look calm and composed. I turned my eyes to Rose.
She had a relaxed, lazy grin on her face, as if she found all of their reactions amusing. She clearly had everyone fooled. I saw her eyes scan the crowd.
Somehow, I could tell that she was tense and uncomfortable, even though her body language didn't show it. It was strange, almost like a second sense. I turned my head back around, still wondering about the weird sense I had just felt.
We walked into Kirova's office, leaving behind the still-shocked students. I heard Vasilisa let out a pent-up breath. Once inside, most of the other guardians left. I stayed, as well as Alberta, and we took our natural places against the wall. We both looked at Rose and Vasilisa without actually seeing them, our expressions hard and most likely frightening.
I ignored everything that was happening, scanning the room for any sign of danger. Suddenly, a voice yelled, "I did do my duty!" I winced at her loud voice. She was so loud and had no respect. I kept me face impassive as I, yet again, inwardly scowled at her rudeness.
Her voice kept me occupied. "I did keep her safe!" she spat out, still using her loud tone. "I kept her safe when none of you," she gestured dismissively at us, "could do it. I took her away to protect her. I did what I had to do. You certainly weren't going to."
Kirova's face was empty as she spoke to Rose in a cold voice. I watched, a silent observer, watching how Rose paled and bit her lip at Kirova's interrogation, watching how Kirova decided to expel her. But before she could though, I cut in through the tangible tension.
"They have a bond." I was using what I inferred from the plane. It was a huge guess, but I was rewarded with both girls' faces paling very slightly. "Rose knows what Vasilisa is feeling. Don't you?" I stared at her while I said this.
I turned when I heard Kirova's voice falter. "No…that's impossible. That hasn't happened in centuries." A grim smile touched the corners of my mouth.
"It's obvious," I lied. "I suspected it as soon as I started watching them." Okay, maybe it was a slight exaggeration, but no one could prove that I was lying.
The room fell silent, neither Rose nor Vasilisa was attempting to answer me. Rose shifted her gaze from mine and wouldn't look at me. "That is a gift. A rare and wonderful thing." I swung my eyes around to focus on Prince Victor Dashkov, sitting in the corner of the room.
My sharp gaze caught a disturbing gleam in his eyes before it could fade away. I would have pondered over that, but I had other things to worry about. Like why I was defending Rose.
I told myself it was because the princess needed her and, if sent away, a good guardian bond would be wasted, not to mention we would lose a female guardian. But inside, I really knew it was because I wanted her to stay, to be able to see and talk to her every day. I knew it was wrong, but I couldn't help it.
The room was silent. Before I could lose my slight advantage over Kirova, I added quickly, "The guardians always had that bond. In the stories." I regretted saying the last part as I saw Kirova's anger rise up again.
"Stories that are centuries old," she shouted. "Surely you aren't suggesting we let her stay at the Academy after all she's done?" Kirova stared at me like I was crazy.
I shrugged. "She might be wild and disrespectful, but if she has potential–"
Rose barged in. "Wild and disrespectful?" she quipped angrily. "Who the hell are you? Outsourced help?" Before I could answer her, Kirova turned her gaze on her coldly.
"Guardian Belikov is the princess's guardian now. Her sanctioned guardian."
After a moment of shock, Rose replied coolly, "You got cheap foreign labor to protect Lissa?"
I made an effort not to wince. I mean, how rude can you get? It was me who was trying to let her stay at the Academy, not the one wanting to kick her out. If anything, Kirova should be the one getting Rose's snarky comebacks.
I turned my head to see Kirova throw her hands in the air. "You see?" she asked impatiently. "Completely undisciplined! All the psychic bonds and very raw potential in the world can't make up for that. A guardian without discipline is worse than no guardian."
"So teach her discipline. Classes just started. Put her back in and get her training," I stated. I was determined to keep Rose here.
Kirova spoke. "Impossible. She'll still be hopelessly behind her peers."
Rose interrupted. "No, I won't." I ignored her. Man, couldn't she just keep her mouth shut for once? She wasn't helping at all.
I continued my argument. "Then give her extra training sessions."
We fought, back and forth. Neither one of us was willing to give even an inch. The two girls watched us, hope in their eyes.
"Who's going to put in the extra time? You?" Kirova was smug.
I hesitated. "Well, that's not what I–"
Kirova smiled and crossed her arms over her chest. "Yes. That's what I thought." I frowned thoughtfully. My eyes glimpsed Vasilisa and Rose. They were desperate, but I couldn't help but think how difficult it would be to train a rebellious, stubborn girl like Rose. Then again, it couldn't be that bad, could it? I would get to know Rose and get to train my guardian partner. It was a win-win deal.
"Yes," I answered after awhile, "I can mentor Rose. I'll give her extra sessions along with her normal ones." I knew that I would regret my decision later, but I unwisely chose to go along anyways.
"And then what? She goes unpunished?" Kirova was furious.
"Find some other way to punish her," I said coolly. "Guardian numbers have gone down too much to risk losing another. A girl, in particular." I was talking about how many dhampirs girls refused to become guardians and, instead, lived in communities. I saw Rose shiver at my unsaid meaning.
Prince Dashkov spoke in a raspy voice. "I'm inclined to agree with Guardian Belikov. Sending Rose away would be a shame, a waste of talent."
Everyone held their breath as we watched Kirova stare out the window at the darkness surrounding the building.
"Please, Ms. Kirova. Let Rose stay." It was Vasilisa, but there was something wrong with her voice. It was smooth and compelling. Compelling…
My jaw threatened to fall open as I realized what had just happened. Princess Vasilisa had just broken a law. She had used compulsion on another Moroi. I couldn't tell if Kirova, Prince Dashkov, or any of the guardians had realized this, but I could tell that Rose had immediately recognized it.
I heard Kirova sigh. "If Miss Hathaway stays, here's how it will be." She looked at Rose sternly. "Your continued enrollment at St. Vladimir's is strictly probationary. Step out of line once, and you're gone. You will attend all classes and required trainings for novices you age. You will also train with Guardian Belikov in every spare moment you have–before and after classes. Other than that, you are banned from all social activities, except meals, and will stay in your dorm. Fail to comply with any of this, and you will be sent…away."
Rose barked out a frosty laugh. "Banned from all social activities?" she asked. "Are you trying to keep us apart?" She jerked her head at Vasilisa. "Afraid we'll run away again?"
"I'm taking precautions," Kirova claimed, trying to keep her pride. "As I'm sure you recall, you were never properly punished for destroying school property. You have a lot to make up for." Her lips thinned into a disapproving line. "You are being offered a very generous deal. I suggest you don't let your attitude endanger it."
I shot Rose a warning look as she opened her mouth to speak. She looked away and closed her mouth. Her eyes burned holes through the floor.
"Fine," she said shortly. "I accept." I smiled inwardly.
Hey, so how'd ya like it? Plz R&R!!!