Rose was confused. She had just received a text from Lissa asking her to send Dimitri down to her. She couldn't understand what was going on so Rose sent a message to Lissa:

What are you talking about Liss? Dimitri left thirty minutes ago. I watched him the leave the apartment.

Rose

A few minutes later, another text came through:

He didn't arrive here. His sister is waiting for him. Do you feel up to coming down?

Lissa

Rose took a few minutes to think about her answer. She was lonely and she figured that an hour or two wouldn't be so bad. So she sent Lissa a message saying that she was coming and then put shoes on and headed out.

Dimitri opened his eyes. He was in a small, dark room. He could feel his hands behind his back, tied up with what felt like rope. He could feel a stinging sensation at the back of his head and assumed that was where he had been hit. Suddenly, a thought occurred to him. He had left Rose on the couch in their apartment. She would have no idea where he was, not that he knew anything about his current whereabouts, and he had never gotten to Lissa. No-one would be able to find him for at least another few hours.

"Damn it!"

The voice came from somewhere in front of him. Dimitri tried to focus on it but the silence was thicker than before.

"Hello? Is anyone there?" called Dimitri.

Rose opened the door to Lissa's quarters. When Lissa had become queen she had decided that the place needed decorating. Rose had been given the task and had wowed Lissa with the results. The room was now a dull pink, Lissa's favourite colour, and had all sorts of little knick knacks in it. Lissa was sitting on a couch with a woman that Rose recognised immediately: Viktoria Belikov.

"Liss?" said Rose in a somewhat quieter voice than usual.

On the way over from the apartment, Rose had gotten a bad feeling. She knew something wasn't right, but she didn't know what that something was.

"Hey Rose, come and have a seat. Do you want something?" asked Lissa. She had figured that Rose would be scared for Dimitri and she wanted to help.

"No thank you Liss. Hi Viktoria." Rose took the seat next to her best friend.

"Hey Rose. Is Dimka coming?" asked Viktoria.

"Remember what I said? He isn't here Viktoria," said Lissa.

"I know. I was kind of hoping that it had been a mistake."

"What's wrong Viktoria?" asked Rose.

"Why does something have to be wrong?"

"You live in Russia. It's a thirty hour flight."

"Nothing's wrong. I actually came to visit you. Dimka kept saying that I should wait because he wanted you to get better before you had too many visitors but I missed you. And I wanted to apologise to you. I shouldn't have gotten angry with you that day. You were only trying to help me. I'm sorry."

"I'm not upset Viktoria. But thank you anyway. And it's been almost six years. Why didn't you just call me?"

"I wanted to see your face when I apologised so that I knew you were being honest with your answers to me. You can easily lie to me over the phone and I wouldn't know. I was getting ready to leave home to come here when Dimka called me to say that you had been hurt and that you were in the hospital, unconscious. He said that nobody knew whether or not you were going to wake up. I was scared."

"I wouldn't have lied to you Viktoria. I promise. Liss, has anyone heard from Dimitri?"

"Not yet. Eddie's leading the search party. He called just before you knocked on the door. They had an idea as to where he might be, but they are still looking. He promised to call as soon as they find him. I sent Adrian with the guardians to heal Dimitri if it's needed," said Lissa. She added at the look on Rose's face: "He'll be fine Rosie. I promise."

Rose looked at Lissa and silently begged her to get rid of Viktoria. She wanted to be alone with Lissa. Lissa immediately understood what Rose wanted.

"Viktoria, Rose and I have some things to do, but I can get my sister to show you around the palace if you like," said Lissa. It had taken almost two years after finding out that Lissa and Jill were sisters for them to get comfortable with each other. But now they were as close as Lissa and her brother had been.

"That sounds like a good idea. Thank you your majesty," replied Viktoria.

"That's okay. And call me Lissa. I hate that your majesty stuff."

Viktoria and Rose both grinned at Lissa's discomfort. Then Lissa picked up her cell phone and a few minutes later someone knocked on the door.

"Come in," called Lissa.

The door opened and Jill walked into the room. She smiled when she saw Rose and immediately went to give her a hug.

"I'm so glad you're alright Rose! I missed hanging out with you," rambled Jill.

"I missed you too Jill. And I'm not better yet," laughed Rose.

Jill's smile faded a little but she hugged Rose anyway and then turned to Lissa.

"What's up?"

"Can you do me a favour?" asked Lissa.

"Sure. What do you need?"

"This is Viktoria. She's Dimitri's sister. Can you show her around the palace for me?"

"Of course."

"Thank you Jill." In a whisper, Lissa added, "take your time too. I think Rose wants to be alone with me. I feel bad for them but Rose is best friend and she gets my attention first."

Jill gave her sister a smile and nodded. She understood why Rose wanted to stay with Lissa. Everyone knew that they were best friends. They knew not to mess with them as well. After saying goodbye, Jill and Viktoria left the girls alone. Rose waited until the door closed and then started crying. Lissa pulled her into a hug.

A new voice answered Dimitri. One that he knew very well.

"Eddie? Is that you?" asked Dimitri carefully. He didn't want to make his situation worse by saying something he'd regret later.