Instead of dressing up and partying, my 18th birthday had been more of a dress-down and pack-light affair.
It had been the same day I had left Saint Vladamir's, intent on finding Strigoi-Dimitri and killing him. Thinking back to that now, the life we had, I shuddered to imagine finding the cure after, if, I had been successful...
We got ready to board the plane, Lissa had gone to change into some fancy state robes, and I could barely hide my excitement for the belated celebrations. Johnny, who was sat across from me, picked up on my static. "Well, half the fun back home is we all get right hammered," he laughed watching my face delightedly turn to him "Drinking age is lower isn't it, so we usually just have a massive piss up with our mates and family. I had a ceili band at mine, throwin' ourselves all over't place." His weathered accent sounded homely, like it had just come in from the cold.
"England," I shook my head in jest, "Sounds crazy."
Johnny smiled, "Aye, but I think you'd love it pet." He chuckled, sitting back and gazing off into what I imagined was a memory of home.
"Do you miss it?" I asked, for all my talk of travels "home I mean?"
Cast raised his eyebrows, "Yes and no. I miss my open spaces, my river's and the next big city being a two hour drive rather than six." He paused, smirking thoughtfully "But what's wrong with seeing a little more of the world? All I knew was my home village and my academy, same as you I expect."
It's true Saint Vladamir's had been my home except from mine and Lissa's two years away.. and my recent ventures. "Bet your man is glad to be going back like."
I still didn't even know where we were going, for all I knew we weren't visiting Dimitri's family in Baia, I knew there was at least one member, Dimitri's sister Viktoria, who wouldn't be so pleased to see me.. and the rest probably wouldn't be happy that I'd left in the dead of night so soon after Dimitri's, well, funeral, without saying goodbye.
A little further thought, and I wondered had he told them he was alive? They hadn't been told when he had turned Strigoi...
"To be honest I don't even know, everything has been very hush hush. Just because I'm off full duty, they're taking advantage of keeping plans from me." I rolled my eyes.
Johnny smirked at my sulking,
"Doesn't everyone love a surprise?"
"We're guardians," I retorted "We're supposed to hate suprises."
It was true that Dimitri and Lissa had kept it all well hidden, after I'd heard she'd help organise (and probably fund) the trip, there had been numerous friendly interrogations this morning that she brushed off.
"Even if it is just for a few days," I said sitting up, "I can't wait to have some time away, for fun." Despite not being back at The Royal Court very long, it hadn't exactly been a joyful trip, "I heard that it isn't far away from the merry party anyway?" Glancing to Lissa's dressing room door. 'They'll be staying probably at the same place as us' I thought, 'Just we'll have some quiet time to ourselves.' Thinking of course, on me and Dimitri.
Truth be told I'd had more privacy and peace after mine and Lissa's bond separation than I'd had in years. It was starting to get to me, I missed our connection, the way I could know how she felt and if she was safe... I was secretly glad she wouldn't be far away from me. Besides, whilst Lissa could spare me for, probably the duration of the trip, Christian could not spare Dimitri entirely. Though he would be provided with extra guardians as the Queen's.. mistress? I mused at the thought. I couldn't think of the right word for that.. consort? Boyfriend seemed to casual for them these days but it still wouldn't be very 'proper'.
But either way this 'tour', between royal duties, and scandalous boyfriends, was going to be good. Good people, no drama, except from waiting for treason at every corner of course, but that was manageable.
And Lissa had been right, Johnny's personality really did harmonise within the group, - me, Lissa, Christian and Dimitri all felt it. I hoped that he wouldn't feel awkward being attached to couples, but he didn't appear fazed, though I hadnt seen him fazed by much. I did wonder when I was going to see him in action and was he as good as his reference. 'I should suggest us training together sometime' I thought. 'Though, I'm probably in bad shape'.
We all finished readying ourselves I heard footsteps approaching Lissa's rooms, light footsteps, not urgent. But I braced myself just in case, my chest pained. A sharp knock, followed the announcement. "Guardian Hathaway, Guardian Cast, I have been told to inform you that the rest of the party will be ready to leave shortly." I looked at Johnny confused,
"I thought all the extra guardians were already with us?" Yet more information I wasn't privy too.
He stared back, and then raised his eyebrows "Of course, sorry Rose, I believe that Jill will be joining us," I nodded, if this was Lissa building up her relationship with her father's daughter, by inviting her to join us, I was proud she'd made this step. But it appeared Johnny hadn't finished, "And an Adrian Ivashkov."
I just stared. You have to be kidding me.
No drama my ass.