Author's Note:

Well, I just now read The Ruby Circle, and I am disappointed that things that I had been planning are already in that book, just in a different capacity. But I will continue on with this story anyways. Maybe it isn't such a horrible thing that I could come to similar conclusions as Richelle Mead. My original plan was to start this story right after Last Sacrifice, and have them go visit Dimitri's family. I knew it had to be a priority that Dimitri told his family that he was really alive again, but then I found the 10 page story by Richelle Mead, Homecoming, where she did just that. So I altered my story to start after that. But here I was, thinking I was being brilliant by two wonderful ideas, and it turns out she had thought of BOTH of them already. Great minds think alike maybe? Alright… Rant over.

Alright guys, Im going to make a lemon within the next couple chapters, just not yet. Don't give up on me!

Chapter Four

The next few days went by in a blur. Dimitri and I were nearly constantly on duty, playing the role of consultants to various people, or sleeping. We didn't really have time for extracurricular activities so to speak. While there were plenty of capable guardians at court, Dimitri and I had become rather sensationalized. Dimitri's battle prowess had become fairly legendary, and my name had become somewhat of a household name by various means. First of all, the entire vampiric world knew my name because I was the only suspect in the former queen's death for an extended period of time. It had become widely known how I had escaped jail time, and then cleared my own name. People had also began spreading around other stories about me. Of course, a lot of it had started before that time, but the stories seemed to fly after the vampiric world learned I was innocent. My first Strigoi kills, my role in defending St. Vladimir's, and speculation on how many Strigoi I killed in Russia were just a few of the stories floating around. As a whole, people recognized that it was rare for someone to graduate with two molnija marks and the Zvezda mark on their neck, as I had. I killed more Strigoi before I graduated than some guardians encountered in their entire lifetime. This in particular made my father exceptionally proud. He enjoyed thinking that he sired such an exceptional bad-ass. But none of this meant I was used to being regarded so… reverently by some. Well, of course, I'm amazing. I had always known that. But I was used to people, like the teachers back at St. Vladimir's, putting me back in my place. Dimitri, Janine and Hans still did it sometimes, but it was happening less and less. Did that mean I was becoming more of an adult? I had matured significantly in the past year. Although, I certainly didn't mind people recognizing what I had known for a long time, that I was talented at my chosen profession. So when you really thought about it, I was just gifted at guarding and killing. I guess there could be worse things that I was gifted in. One of my talents usually included getting into trouble, although I had been trying to avoid that lately.

Dimitri and I were currently in one of the rooms used by Lissa while seeing guests and making plans. It had become a priority after the attack to protect Jill. Lissa had come to the conclusion that she needed to be hidden away, for her own safety, until the law was passed that made Jill in less danger. I had guarded Lissa all day while she had been making plans, and was currently still here playing a consultant role. I couldn't abandon Lissa if she needed me. She was currently consulting with an Alchemist who had made the trip in person to talk about such an important matter. This alchemist was dressed up in formal business attire, a navy suit. She had her hair pulled back into a tight, controlled bun. I wouldn't be surprised if it actually hurt her head, it was pulled so tight. Her name was Stanton. Stanton looked distinctly uncomfortable in a room full of 'evil' vampires. Jill had been here all day as well, along with guardians lining the walls. It had been a long day on all of us, but Stanton looked especially tired. She had kept her guard up the entire day, eyeing each vampire in the room, full blood or otherwise. Yet, not a single lock of her hair seemed to be out of place. Part of me wanted to hassle someone who was so uptight, but I knew better than disrupt any planning that was going into Jill's safety. When the plans were becoming finalized, it was late in our vampiric day, and I went to sit next to Jill. She shot me a look of hatred. I was shocked. I had always thought that Jill and I had a decent relationship. After a moment, I regained my composure.

"Jill, what's wrong?" I asked, leaning out to touch her arm. She recoiled as if I had bitten her. "Jill?" I asked again. Her face lost some of that vehemence, but she still didn't look happy to see me. She looked warn out.

"You of all people should understand, Rose. You were once bonded. Did she never feel an emotion so strong, that it took over every part of your being? It makes it hard for me to look at you, even if these aren't my feelings, even if I am not the one you hurt." She said very quietly, making sure that Stanton couldn't hear her. I looked over at Stanton too, making sure we didn't disrupt them. We hadn't. I looked back at Jill, confusedly. It took me a moment to understand what was happening.

"Adrian." I whispered. She nodded. "You can feel intense feelings he has, right?" I asked, seeing how far their bond had progressed. She nodded again.

"I can see his dreams very vividly. I feel his emotions, but they become my emotions, they over ride mine sometimes. He doesn't sleep a lot, so I feel tired because of it." She murmured.

"When it started, I could get a general hum of Lissa's emotions. She then started pulling me into her mind when she started feeling particularly strong emotions, so I could feel them with her. It took me a couple years to really learn how to control it. Lissa hadn't used as much spirit by then as Adrian had though. So maybe your bond is progressing quicker because he already has more side effects from spirit." I said quietly. As we continued talking, Jill calmed down, being able to stand my presence more easily than when I had first approached her. Part of me was surprised how affected she was by his choices, like not being able to sleep. Maybe it was the dreams he was having that were keeping her awake at night.

She had been sitting virtually all day, so I was surprised when she leapt to her feet. At the same time, Adrian had strode into the room. By taking one look at him, I could tell he had been drinking. Although, this wasn't the worst I had seen him by far. I was astonished though, when Jill stumbled to him. The Jill I had known had always walked a lot more gracefully than that. She went up to him and hugged him, looking at him adoringly. They had always had a brotherly and sisterly bond, but something looked off tonight. It took me another moment to put it all together. Jill looked buzzed, as if she had a second hand high from Adrian. I immediately felt furious.

"Lissa." I called across the table, trying to get her attention for a moment. When I had it I continued, "Are you done with Jill today? Can some guardians escort her back to her room?" She nodded. I appointed two trustworthy guardians to take Jill back, before anyone else realized, especially Stanton, that something was amiss. I couldn't let Stanton think that Jill was just a troublesome party girl, and not worth protecting.

I decided to stand back on the wall for the remainder of the meeting, like any other guardian. My mind was swimming in rage, although I managed to keep it off my face, for now. There was no way I could offer advice to Lissa at the moment. Most of my advice had come in handy during earlier planning. Stanton had been excused, and Lissa was now catching Adrian up to speed.

"Jill is going to live in Palm Springs, California, until I can get the law changed." Started Lissa. Adrian's mouth hung open.

"Why there? There's got to be nicer places than a desert… Somewhere that isn't quite so hot." He stated, obviously handling his alcohol well. I knew I needed to stay out of this conversation. My blood was boiling.

"The Strigoi count is low there, and it has a lot of sunlight. Hopefully that will keep her safe in that regard. Since there is so much sunlight, there also isn't a lot of Moroi in the area, which should hopefully keep her safe. That means there are less people there who will recognize who she is, and her importance to our world." Countered Lissa.

"So you're just going to ship her off, not knowing anyone, so she can live by herself?" Adrian asked, seemingly shocked. Lissa gave him a pointed stare.

"No. She is being enrolled in an elite boarding school there, along with a guardian, and an alchemist. Although…. I had hoped that you would go as well, as a mental stabilization for Jill. Plus, you two need to work on your bond." She finished after a moment's hesitation.

"You want ME to go to Palm Springs?" Adrian roared. Lissa shushed him.

"Quiet your voice Lord Ivashkov!" Lissa said, using his formal name to capture his attention. It seemed to have worked. He was looking at Lissa wearily. "We don't need word getting out where Jill is headed. No one can know, so no one can follow her." She finished quietly.

"So you want me to follow Jill around like I have nothing better to do?" He asked, seemingly offended. Lissa cocked her head, looking at him.

"What is it that you do here, that is keeping you from aiding the Queen's sister?" She asked, pulling her royalty card. Adrian winced at that. Lissa sighed. "Adrian, Jill looks up to you. She admires you. She's going to be in a new place with a bunch of new people. Don't you think it's best for her if she has someone who she can talk to? Someone who she likes? I know you have already done Jill and me an enormous favor, but can't you see that Jill still needs you? She is affected by your mind, your bond. You are the person she needs to be near in order to understand everything that is happening to her." Lissa said in an eager voice. She was hoping he could understand. Adrian looked contemplative while muttering something under his breath about denying the ladies of court such a fine specimen as himself.

"I'll go, but I want my own place." He said firmly.

"You're going to stay with the local Moroi for a while. There's only one there, and he is the only one who has a feeder. If all goes well, the alchemists can maybe get you another place. It will be up to their discretion what happens there. Their priority is to keep Jill safe. If they think you can have your own place and remain… objective, than that is their prerogative." She countered. Adrian didn't seem very happy by this, but it looked like he realized that Lissa wasn't going to budge on this. Maybe this was part of the reason he hadn't been in on the initial planning and negotiations between the alchemists. He seemed to be mulling things over in his mind.

"When will we be leaving for… our destination?" Asked Adrian, erring on the side of caution instead of speaking the name of the location. Lissa looked at a clock on the wall.

"Stanton is leaving now to go get her alchemist. She should be able to reach her tonight. They will need some considerable debriefing done, but they are efficient, and should make it there by sometime tomorrow. You will be leaving tomorrow night our time, morning for a human schedule. I suggest you go home and pack. You can't tell your father where it is that you're going, so you will need to make something up. Remember, the fewer the numbers who know exactly what is happening, the better." Lissa warned. Adrian seemed to finally understand. They wrapped up their conversation with the pleasantries. I must have been wearing a good guardian face, because Lissa asked me to escort him home for the night. If she had been able to see the rage swirling within me, she wouldn't have dared, especially with our questionable history. But I nodded my head anyways, acquiescing to her wishes. Adrian didn't seem particularly happy with this arrangement either, but didn't dispute Lissa's choices. It was well known that I was a capable guardian.

For a majority of the walk to where Adrian resided, we were quiet. Our footsteps were easily heard. It was an uncomfortable silence. Adrian seemed to be brooding, and I kept my fury spiraling within myself. When we were close, it was I who finally broke the silence.

"You should know, that I will be attending you on your journey, until Jill is settled in." I told him in a matter of factly way, after clearing my throat. He stopped, turning towards me. He seemed to be sizing me up.

"Please tell me, that I won't have to enjoy the pleasure of your company for too long." He spat, his words laced with poison. It was all I needed in order to unleash the wrath I had been holding back so well.

"Oh no, Adrian, my goal is to see the Dragomir Princess safe, and then return to my position here at court. Although, it's hard for me to believe she will ever be safe with you around, or while she is bonded to you." I shot back just as venomously. He narrowed his eyes at me.

"And what exactly do you mean by that." He stated harshly, it didn't even sound like a question.

"How can she ever be safe when she is connected to you. You're unstable, and she is already catching on to your mood swings. Hell, she couldn't even walk earlier since she caught a second hand buzz from you being so drunk. I don't even think she's sleeping at night. Just what exactly is it that you're dreaming about that is keeping her awake?" I asked, invading his personal space aggressively. The look he shot me was pure ice. We had reached his building, although we weren't at the front doors yet.

"You, Rose." He stated simply, his voice low, painful. This caught me off guard. Out of everything I had tossed around in my head as a possibility, this was not one of them. I had assumed he had been dreaming of one of the various women he had been seen around with. I hadn't expected what he did next either. He pushed me up against the wall, although barely touched me once my back pressed against it. He was most definitely the one invading my personal space now. "No matter how much I try to forget you, there you are in my dreams, full of that vivid fiery passion that makes up your entire being. It's who you are, the way you live your life, the way you love." He spat out that last part like it was the worst thing he had ever tasted. With him this close to me, I remembered how much I had loved him once. He had done everything for me, and I had chosen Dimitri. With Adrian this close, I could also smell the alcohol on him. "I've tried my damnest to forget you Rose, but not very woman can compare. I watch you move like poetry, see you flash those enchanting smiles around. It used to be for me, but now that the Russian is back, it is all for him." I could almost feel the eccentric air around him. It was as if spirit was helping him talk. I felt part of my rage shatter inside of me. So much of this was pain I had caused him. It's hard hurting someone you loved, but I had to follow my heart.

"I realize that none of this is easy Adrian, but think of Jill. You're getting her drunk-" I started, but Adrian cut in.

"I would never give her alcohol." He retorted.

"That's what you don't understand," I started again, glad to push the conversation back on Jill. I was still startled over those dreams he had of me. I shifted my posture against the wall, now standing in a position of power. "You've never been bonded before, but I have. She can feel you Adrian. She knows your moods. She can see what is happening in your head. Every torture you put yourself through, she is enduring as well. When you drank, she felt the buzz! It's slightly different than my bond had been with Lissa, but that shouldn't be surprising. She shouldn't be getting drunk, Adrian! She can see your dreams, your fears, your highs, your lows. She might mirror how you feel and act. It is YOUR responsibility to keep yourself together, for Jill's sake." I finished, feeling passionate about Jill. I should have seen what was coming next. Adrian didn't act like he heard everything I said. He looked enraptured. He was watching my lips the entire time. Next thing I knew, his body was pressed up against me, and his lips came crashing down on mine. We had each been in each other's personal space during this fight, but this crossed the line. I reacted without thinking, combat moves were a second nature to me. I kneed him in the groin, causing him immediate pain. With his body off balance, I pushed him away from me forcefully, and then slapped him across the face as hard as I could. "Don't you dare touch me like that again." I stated slowly, my voice low and dangerous. I watched as a bright red hand print grew across his face. We were both glaring at each other malevolently. If looks could kill, we would both have keeled over dead.

"What's going on here?" A Russian accented voice spoke from the darkness. Both Adrian and I froze, then turned our heads in the direction of the voice. Cringing, I remembered then that we were technically on the street. It was Dimitri and Christian. They were headed in the direction of the way we had come from. My guess was that Dimitri was taking his charge back to Lissa, where he would be safe for the night. I took a deep breath, then turned my head back to Adrian. I tilted my head in a fake way as I responded.

"Lord Ivashkov was just about to go inside his building. I assume he no longer needs my guidance." I said coldly. Adrian didn't respond. He just simply turned around and stormed into his building.

"If your guidance comes with a cherry red handprint across the face, remind me to never ask for it." Quipped Christian, snarky as ever.

"Let this serve as a reminder to never give me a reason to slap you." I countered. Dimitri was patiently waiting, watching me. I was purposefully not looking at him. Engaging Christian was much easier. "I'll let you guys get on your way. I have to go pack." I said, starting to turn towards the direction of my own building.

"Pack?" They said simultaneously. Both of them seemed surprised.

"Yes, I asked to accompany Jill until she was safe in alchemist hands. Her safety is of the upmost priority." I stated. They had been there for some of the planning stages, but had apparently missed that part. Dimitri's eyes darkened. It seemed he didn't like the idea of me leaving after what he had just witnessed. Christian looked between Dimitri and me, seeming uncomfortable. Which, for what it's worth, is a rare occurrence.

"Maybe I'll actually get some alone time with my girlfriend now that her most annoying guardian won't be hanging around." Joked Christian.

"Oh yeah, because I am the problem in that department." I said, letting out a casual laugh. Dimitri was still looking at me, intently.

"I'm going to drop off Christian, and then I'll come help you pack." He said simply, but it was his eyes that delivered the true message. 'I am going to finish my job, and then we need to talk'. I sighed and nodded, leaving to go to our room.

I already had my bagged packed, and was currently lining up the toiletries I would need to grab tomorrow after I used them. This included deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, ect. I wouldn't be staying long. Presumably, the alchemists wouldn't take long to arrive in Palm Springs and start their role in protecting Jill. Hopefully, I would feel that the alchemist taking the position was competent.

I heard the front door open and close, and I made my way into the main area. I leaned against the bathroom door frame as I took in the sight of my boyfriend. I took a moment to really celebrate those words. After struggling for so long with my feelings over him, nearly losing him to Tasha Ozera, losing him to the life as a Strigoi, after believing him when he told me his feelings had faded… after all of that, he was finally mine. We had struggled, but it had made us stronger. Sometimes I woke up, afraid that all these good times had just been a dream. Afraid that I was still back at the academy, Dimitri-less. But no, this was my reality now. Dimitri was mine. He was currently watching at me with one of those hard to read looks. I knew he was thinking something though, so I stayed silent, waiting him out. He finally came up to me, and wrapped me in his arms. He kissed me powerfully, and it had an equally powerful effect on me. I smiled widely, like a kid in a candy store. I enjoyed this possessive side of Dimitri. I wrapped my arms around his neck, and jumped up on him. With the help of his hands on my waist, he helped guide me high enough to wrap my legs around his abdomen. He took a few steps and pressed me up against the bedroom wall. He held me effortlessly, as if I weighed nothing. I had to admit, it was damn sexy. I did thoroughly enjoy how strong he was. When he finally stopped kissing me, we were both out of breath.

"You put Adrian in his place." He stated, after taking a moment to catch his breath. I grinned.

"Of course I did, Comrade."

"If you didn't, I would have to do it myself." He said huskily. He paused, before continuing. "He is leaving tomorrow as well, isn't he?"

"Yes. We are taking two separate planes. Adrian and I will be leaving first, landing in Santa Barbra, California. We will rent a car, then drive to Los Angeles, and pick up Jill and Eddie. From there, we will be able to drive to Palm Springs. It makes it safer, having different destinations." I explained, knowing I wouldn't have to. Dimitri was much better than I at planning such things.

"I wish you didn't have to travel with him." He said softly, his face only inches from mine. He was sending such electric waves throughout my body by being so close, it was a wonder that I could string together coherent sentences. I sighed.

"It's less conspicuous this way. If anyone were to see them from their new school at the airport, it would make sense since they will both be together during school. If someone saw me at the baggage claim with Jill, they could ask her weird questions about it later. Hopefully we won't have such problems. But, it won't be easy traveling with Adrian, especially after slapping him tonight." He looked at me amusingly as I said this.

"I do have to admit that watching you slap him was entertaining. Although I'm not sure which hurt him more, getting kneed, or getting slapped. Hopefully both got the point across that you are mine." His voice got husky again at the end, his Russian accent hanging thickly off his words. His mouth came crashing down on mine again. It was the last words we said all night. He wrapped his arms around me tighter, as he walked us to our bed. Our clothes came off quickly, it was already way to hot in our room, and we were about to make it even steamier.

We made love for hours that night. It was passionate, and animalistic. I don't know how our neighbors could have slept, for neither of us were quiet in the slightest. No one else could make me feel this way. Every time he touched me, he brought me to even greater heights than I had ever felt before. Our passion wasn't fading, it was growing and intensifying. In the midst of our desire, I literally felt like I could have burned the entire building to the ground. I only got a few hours' sleep before I had to get up to make my plane with Adrian.