Lissa's POV
When I came out of unconsciousness, my head was pounding and my vision was blurry. I struggled to sit up, the scratchy hospital blankets tightlly wound around me, like pinchers holding me down.
My eyes found the person next to me. With everything going on, he was one of the people I was glad to have. No matter how hard things got, he would never leave me. Christian's hair was sticking out in random places, as if he'd just got out of bed. His blue eyes were overcast with worry and when he saw I was awake, those same eyes filled relief and joy.
"Lissa! You're awake!" He smiled widely and leaned forward, taking my hand, "I was worried something might be wrong."
"I'm fine," I answered, smiling slightly at him. Happiness flooded through me now that the danger of being drained into a husk by Adrian was gone. I kissed his cheek. "How about everyone else?"
Christian shrugged, "Rose is fine, just banged up. Adrian's in his room. Since Dimitri was turned, the guardians decided he wasn't worth watching."
"And the girl? The one that Adrian bit?" I asked, my heart hoping that she had lived. As my eyes swung around the infirmary, I found that Rose and I were the only patients.
Christian's eyes fell, "She died from blood loss."
My hope died with those words. Hot tears stung. As Queen of the Moroi, I knew I wouldn't be able to save everyone from death but it still hurt that she died. She died protecting me. How could I be okay with that?
"I'm sorry, babe," Christian murmured as I began crying. He took my lightly in his arms, the only thing that can truly help grief.
Rose's POV
Dimitri had been with me the entire time I was in the infirmary. He hadn't left my side, stoically sitting in the chair, eyes unwavering. Even though I told him I was fine and he should go do his guardian duties, the stubborn man wouldn't leave.
After I'd gotten out and was safe, Dimitri had tried to pull me back to our room but I'd had one thing I needed to do. Talk to Adrian.
So now I found myself standing outside his door, trying to brave myself to see this person that would take Lissa and use her to get me. I tapped lightly on the door and Adrian's voice called from farther in the room. After several moments, the door opened.
My eyes rose up to meet Adrian's. He was staring blearily at me, drunk. "Rose..." He murmured and bent his head in greeting, waving his hand and letting me in. I smiled sadly and slipped in, the memories of the times I spent in here plaguing me as I sat on the bed.
He sat down on the chair, staring at me. After a few moments of silence, I made myself speak, "Why did you do it, Adrian?"
He shrugged lightly, "Why not? Before you came, sometimes I would think about it. The idea that I wouldn't have to deal with Spirit anymore. It would be so easy and I wouldn't regret doing it- or so I thought. I was sad, yes, because you left. But deep down, I knew that you would never love me like you loved him. It wasn't a surprise, really. I just... just wanted to let go."
"Was it worth it?" I asked then winced as I thought about how rude that sounded. I guess he deserved it though. He did take Lissa for ransom and drink from her.
He chuckled lightly, shaking his head, "No, it wasn't, Rose. I found that it was nowhere close to worth it. I wish now that I could have taken it back, that I could have never done that." He sighed lightly and shook his head. "I can't. I bet you've heard all about what it's like to be Strigoi from Dimitri but let me tell you, it hurts when you come back."
I nodded and stood, walking over to him. I lightly took his hand and squeezed it then whispered, "I'm sorry, Adrian. About your mom, about how we turned out. But one day you'll find someone that will make all your troubles worthwhile."
Adrian's POV
That night, I stayed in my room, thinking over why I became Strigoi. I had done it to get rid of Spirit, to try out what it would be like to just not feel, to not care. To not want to drink or smoke to get rid of unwanted needs or the depression.
All in all, it wasn't anywhere near worth it. I had told the turth- that I regret the change and that I would not do it over again.
I guess though, eventually, this played out well. In some ways. In others, it was harder. Eventually, I got over Rose. That night, Jill was attacked and her, along with a few others including myself, went to Palm Beach, California.
And then I met Sydney.
Life got better.