Chapter 13

He laughed. God I'd missed the sound of it, it warm and rich. His teeth were still gleaming white. This, considering the day and age we lived in, was a miracle in itself. He was taller than me now. Obviously, and his voice was deeper, but his cheeky grin was the same. Ambrose.

"Oh my Goodness! It is really you! You came back! You... You... Do you have any doughnuts?" I stuttered, still in shock. This was a first for me. Princess Rosemarie Hathaway does not stutter. Ever. I don't like it. Why did I do it? I don't know why did you? Uh Rose stop having a conversation with yourself in your own head it's weird and Ambrose is looking at you funny. Did he say something? I don't know. Maybe I should shut up. Please. Right.

"Uh... did you say something?" I asked him. This got me a laugh. And I mean a proper head thrown back bellowing laugh. Another thing I dislike. Being laughed at. Dimitri is the only one who can get away with that and he's too much of a gentleman to do so. I narrowed my eyes at him.

"Oh Rose I have missed you! Thankfully you are famous and there are always little titbits from court arriving here so I am aware of some of your most famous escapades. But I must say this one with your lover is very interesting, I think you must tell me more my dear..." He trailed off suggestively.

I frowned. Had Ambrose really changed into someone only interested in court gossip? He had once been a lively boy who had enjoyed charging around with a wooden sword declaring breathlessly that he would protect me with his life, leading to a sharp remark that I wouldn't need protection because I was too clever to be captured by some rotten scoundrel. The thought of this change in my childhood friend caused a tightening in my chest.

"You really want to talk about court gossip while my stomach eats itself?" I asked drily, assessing his face sharply for any remainder of the boy I knew. Also, my stomach was growling. He grinned.

"Oh you haven't changed one bit! Come, I have some strawberries, and my aunt is preparing some doughnuts, they will be ready for supper. And of course I am not interested in court gossip! It arrives here already exaggerated thrice fold and is devoured by us humble country wolves as doughnuts to a princess! Tell me how you've been, and what you've been up! Oh there is so much to catch up on." He smiles wistfully. I frowned thoughtfully. I was not yet convinced and decided I would have to be careful on what I said to him. Perhaps I would set a trap.

"Good, and yes, by the river?" I said, hopeful of sitting out in the beautiful sun by a beautiful place. He laughed again.

"Rose you have given your guard the slip, and to go into such a public place without your them would be dangerous and risky, so therefore I offer my protection services to you milady" He swept into a low and extravagant bow, looking up at me with a cheeky grin. I rolled my eyes. Why change a habit of a life time?

"What makes you think I require protection sir? I am more than capable of protecting myself and no rotten scoundrel would be able to capture a clever girl like me!"

He laughed again. "Of course, of course. Come, let us have our picnic of strawberries and be merry."

"Milady?" A voice behind me spoke. I know that voice...

DPOV

I itched. I had been bought a new outfit, "fit for my new position" the oily faggot had rasped out. A Mr. Nathan Khoviva. I swear he had put some foul herb in it so that it irritated me to distraction.

I sighed again. I was currently in the coach to Winchester. And it had been a long journey, taking me further and further away from the woman I loved.

Beautiful Roza. I remembered her face, smiling at me, and scowling at my rival. The pain in her eyes as we bid each other good bye. The laughter that had come from her smiling mouth as Lady Vasilisa told her something amusing. She was so temperamental, and it was hurting my heart more and more to travel away from where she was.

I was determined that I would see her before our three months were up. I would have a ball, and invite all. And when, we were supposed to be sleeping, I would sneak into her room and we would laugh, and joke and love.

The scoundrel Ivashkov, was also coming to visit me. He was unbearable. Always talking about what he would do when he had my sweet Rose in the marriage bed with him, and then puncture it with a wink and a loud laugh. I had promised myself long ago, that he would not have her. Not if she did not want him. I would kill him if it saved her, kill him and take the consequences. As long as she was safe, I would happily offer my neck to the axe man.

We were approaching houses. We were here. Relief washed through me. I had finished my book, a griping read on villains, long ago and I was curious to see the place I had been banished to. Yet still, I didn't really notice the curious peasants as they openly eyed my smart carriage, I only thought of how I wished Rose was with me.

I stepped out of my carriage. The whole of my new household had assembled outside the castle and the most superior member was stepped out just in front of them.

"My lord "he murmured respectfully. "Allow me to show you your new abode, I am Mason Ashford, and my dear friend Miss Daniella Ivas is your housekeeper. I trust your stay here will be pleasant". I got the impression that he thought of me as a legendary kind of fellow. I wasn't quite sure what to make of this yet.

"Sir, Ma'am." I bowed my head slightly. "I thank you, but I wish to retire to my room, and then perhaps later a ride around the city?" I wanted to write to Rose, telling her I'd arrived, and to my family. Also, I needed to write to King and of course Abe Mazur. I frowned. I really hope that this time goes quickly. But I think it best now... to start organising that ball... maybe fancy dress?

Hello

Thank you Thank you Thank you! To all my reviewers :D I love reading them

I'm sorry for the huge delay in updating. My last exam was Thursday, and then I had to spend a couple of days playing catch up with the rest of my work! Not so fun...

I hope you like the DPOV... it is a bit harder writing things from his point of view, but I love a challenge. I'm thinking about adding a Tatiana and an Adrian POV as well... but I'm not sure because I don't want to give the entire plot away really quickly...

I will always finish a story. Unfortunately my life is very hectic and I am a terrible updater because of that!

Anyway... who do you think has crept up on Rose? And why does Dimitri need to send an letter to both Abe and the king...?

Disclaimer: If I was Richelle Mead, I wouldn't be doing all this coursework!

Review please :-D

DarkRomanceAddict