Hello, my lovely readers. Thank you all so much for all the reviews, each one meant so much to me, and I'm so pleased you took the time to review, it makes writing this story so much more rewarding. Also some of you may have noticed I posted a new chapter and then took it down again. For some reason fan fiction wasn't working properly, and it posted the new chapter in a really weird format. Thanks to the guest reviewer who alerted me of the problem. I don't want to drag this out, because I'm so excited to reveal this chapter to you all. It's time for some secrets to come out, which I know you've all been waiting for. Enjoy.
Last Chapter.
"
That was all I needed to hear. I pushed past Jade and started sprinting out of the gym.
"What the Hell happened?" I shouted back at Jade.
"It was all so sudden." She answered, sprinting to come up beside me, both of us pushing ourselves to get there as fast as possible. "We had dropped Ivy off at Linda about an hour ago, and Ian and I were cutting through court to get to the cafe, when we saw Linda and Ivy being escorted through the corridors, by about a dozen royal Guardians. We tried to talk to them but we were unable to get through the crowd of Guardians so we followed them. They ended up outside the Queen's audience room. Your friend Eddie, came out, and the Guardians spread out. I ran up to Linda to ask what was going on, and Ian left to go fetch you and Master Gregori. But Rose, I'm so sorry…" She paused briefly, looking at me tearfully. "It was all my fault. While I was asking Linda about what was going on, Eddie brought Ivy inside, and they started to shut the doors. We tried to get in, but they had at least twenty Guardians guarding the door now, we tried to fight them, but there were too many for us. We left Linda outside, and I came to find you, and told Ian to just go for Master Gregori. I'm so, so sorry Rose, if I hadn't gotten distracted they wouldn't have been able to take her."
I kept running steadily, but turned my face to look at Jade, who looked distraught. Though I was in absolute panic to reach Ivy, Jade couldn't do anything to help if she was being held down by guilt.
"It wasn't your fault." I told her quietly. "I don't blame you. There will be time to be angry and sad later but for now, we just need to get to Ivy."
"Okay." She said softly, but she didn't look as desperate.
We soon reached the corridor leading to the Audience room, which was as Jade had said, being guarded. Although there were now only about 12 Guardians at the door. I heard people coming up behind us, and I whirled around ready to yell at the group of Guardian reinforcements, fortunately it was only Ian and Master Gregori. Both Ian and Master Gregori looked furious, but when they saw Jade's tearstained face and my expression, which was murderous, they wiped their faces clean of emotion, Master Gregori laying a comforting hand on my shoulder.
"Here's the plan." I told them quietly, not wanting the Guardians to hear us yet. "I'm going to try to get us in. If that doesn't work, we're going to have to fight. But once we get in there, I need both of you," I said, looking at Jade and Ian. "To go straight to Ivy and keep her quiet and I'll talk to the Queen. Ok?"
"Are you sure, Rose?" Master Gregori asked, hesitantly. "Is it really such a big secret that you're a mother?" I shot him a glare.
"Just do what I say." I told him, my expression leaving no room for discussion.
Keeping Ivy secret was the only thing I had to hold onto. Otherwise, everything I had done, would be for nothing.
They all nodded, their faces shining with determination, no hesitation in their eyes. I knew that whatever happened in there, they had my back. I strode down the corridor, my hair flaring behind me, my fists curled into tight fists. The three of them followed me. The Guardians guarding the door, some of whom I had handpicked for the job, all straightened up as they saw me. Linda stood to the side, and she came to join us as we approached.
"We need to go in." I told them, plainly.
Tim, a Guardian who I had personally chosen, stepped forward. "I'm sorry, Guardian Ha-" The Guardian next to him, coughed loudly. "Ms Bell." He corrected. "But the Queen has requested that no one enter, especially you."
"You do know there is a child in there, Tim." I said, looking him in the eye. He looked down. "A child of only 3 years old. Who is alone, in a place she doesn't know and with people she doesn't know. Taken from her mother. Part of our Complex. She was kidnapped. Doesn't that mean anything to you? How could you just blindly accept the Queen's word, to not let the people that little girl knows, trusts, and loves to enter? What's wrong with you?" Now all the Guardians were looking at the floor. "Now, I'll tell you again. We need to go in." I said, my voice threatening.
"I'm sorry, Rose. But we can't. Our loyalty is to our Queen. Just like yours used to be." Tim said.
"I would never so blindly follow someone's word. Even if they were my queen. So, what's it going to be? Are we going to have to fight our way in, or will you, get some decency and let us in?"
"I'm sorry, Rose." Tim said, stepping back into formation, guarding the door.
"Well I'm not." I said, surging forward and punching him square in the face.
The others took this as their signal, and moved forward as well. Soon it was a blur of fists and feet, flying through the air. Though it was five against twelve, we quickly gained the lead, our skills being at a much higher level than those of the Guardians. We were not trying to harm them, just incapacitate. Well everyone else was. I didn't really care, they had taken my daughter and were trying to stop me from seeing her. I was furious, as any mother would be in my position. When there was only 2 Guardians left standing, we stopped.
"We're going in." I told them. The Guardians just stepped aside, their faces red, with anger, or embarrassment. I couldn't tell, nor did I really care.
I took a deep breath and wrenched the doors open.
"What the fuck is wrong with you?" I roared.
The Guardians lining the room, all swiveled to stare at me, surprise lining their faces. Lissa was sitting in a chair in the centre of the room, along with Christian, Mia and to my surprise, and slight horror, my parents. Ivy was standing in the middle of the floor, her cheeks stained with tears, with Eddie standing uncomfortably behind her. Lissa stood up in surprise, and Ivy seeing me, smiled tearfully and ran towards me. Jade intercepted her before she reached me, and gave her a hug. I crouched down on the floor, next to Jade, my friends creating a protective shield around me, so the view was obstructed. I pressed Ivy into my arms, hugging her tight, placing a kiss on top of her head. She leaned into me, and sighed deeply. Knowing that all eyes were on us, I stood up again, leaving one hand on her shoulder.
"You're safe now baby. I'm here. But this is important. What did they say to you?" I asked, only loud enough for Ivy and my friends to hear.
"She kept asking me questions," Ivy said, pointing at Lissa, who was looking decidedly put out at our interruption, especially after I saw Tim limp up to her and explain why we had been able to enter. "But I didn't answer, cos you told me not to talk to strangers, and she's a stranger."
"That's my good girl." I told her fondly. "Now you stay here, with Aunty Jade and Uncle Ian, and I'm going to go talk to them about something. Is that okay?" She nodded, and I stormed up to Lissa.
"You're worse than Tatiana." I told her. "And you've turned into a complete and utter royal bitch."
Good to get that off my chest.
"Am I?" She said coyly. "I was just trying to speak to that little girl, and this was the only way I could get her alone." Christian seemed mildly surprised at her answer and stepped forward placing a comforting arm on her shoulder, she turned around and smiled at him. What was wrong with her?
"Quit the act, Lissa." I said, crossing my arms. "What do you want? Or maybe instead of asking me you should just torture it out of me, because that seems more in line with your techniques than just simply asking."
"I had some questions. And I wanted them answered. I didn't trust you to give me an honest answer."
"Oh shut up, Lissa." I told her, the Guardians surrounding her moved closer.
"Watch your mouth, Rosemarie." My mother told me, stepping forward.
"You can shut up too." I said to her. "I am no longer under Lissa's jurisdiction and as such I can say whatever I like." I glared at her, and she just rolled her eyes and moved closer to Abe.
"What don't you want us to know Rose?" Lissa asked.
"I just don't like you coming in, and kidnapping children, Liss." I said.
"Why don't you just let me ask her some questions, and you can watch and see I'm not doing anything terrible." She asked, quietly, but I could see the steely determination in her eyes.
Not only determination though, fury. The realisation struck me hard. She knew. Somehow she knew I was Ivy's mother, and she was not going to stop until she got the answers she wanted. It was all I could do to stop from crying out. Lissa knew. The secret was out. What would she do now she knew? I could only hope to contain her reaction and the fact that I was a mother. Maybe the information wouldn't have to leave this room.
"Fine." I said. "You can ask her a few questions, but you say one word to threaten her, we're leaving."
"Lovely." Lissa said, getting off her seat, brushing the wrinkles out of her pale pink skirt.
She walked towards Ivy and the rest of my friends, my old friends and family following apprehensively. I could see they didn't know what was going on. At first Ian went to block Ivy from them, but with a shake of my head I told him to let it happen. It was inevitable.
"Hello." Lissa said, sweetly to Ivy. "Do you know I used to go to school with Rose over there?" She said, looking back at me, smiling. I wanted to slap her. What was going on? Where had the old Lissa gone? Who was this new, bitchy Lissa?
Ivy shook her head. "No."
"Well I did, and I just wanted to talk you, I'm so sorry I scared you. I'm not really a stranger, so you don't need to be worried."
"Oh." Ivy said, smiling now. How I wished my fears could so easily be put at bay.
"I just have some questions to ask you. Is that okay?" Lissa asked.
"That's okay!" Ivy answered eagerly
"What's your name?" Lissa enquired, bending down till she was level with Ivy's face.
"My name's Ivana Vasilisa Bell," Lissa kept her face smooth, her eyes the only indication of the surprise at Ivy's middle name, as Ivy chattered on "but everyone calls me Ivy, unless I'm in trouble, then they call me Ivana again."
"Who's your mother?" Lissa asked, she was getting directly to the point.
"That's my Mummy." Ivy answered proudly, pointing directly at me. I could see Lissa already knew this, and this had just doubly confirmed her thoughts. Christian was glaring at me, and I could see Eddie was echoing his look of hatred, and Mia was outright glaring. Mom and Abe looked to be in shock, both having their mouths wide open. I moved to stand behind Ivy, and put one hand on her shoulder. No use being cautious now, the secret was out. Shit. Except Dimitri wasn't here, which meant he didn't know. I heaved a silent sigh of relief.
"And how old are you Ivana?" Ivy's brow wrinkled at the use of her full name but answered all the same.
"I'm nearly four."
"Four!" Lissa's eyebrows shot up, and I could see her trying to work out how pregnant that would have made me when I left. "Four, well that's very old." For a second she sounded like the old Lissa.
"That's what I told Mummy, but she said I had to stay her little girl. But I want to be a big girl like Mummy." I smiled at her words though inside I was breaking down. I had ruined everything. Lissa, Christian, Eddie and Mia would never forgive me. And I was finally making progress with my parents. Not anymore.
"Thanks Ivy. You've been very helpful." Lissa said, stepping back towards Christian, not even looking at me.
I shot a beseeching look at my parents, who were pointedly ignoring me. I felt so totally alone. They were never going to forgive me. Ever. I felt Ian's hand squeeze my shoulder, and I remembered I was not completely alone, I still had my friends- my family- from the Complex, I took a deep breath, and lifted my shoulders, looking Lissa in the eye.
As if a decision had been made, Lissa yelled out. "Everyone, clear out. Everyone, including Guardians, and all our visitors." She said disdainfully. Everyone looked surprised, but I heaved a sigh of relief, and went to leave the room. "Not you Rose." Lissa said. I was about to ignore her, when I realised this was my chance to make sure that Dimitri never know about what had been revealed here. I turned around and smiled at Ivy.
"You go with everyone and get some pancakes, and I'll meet you there. I just have to do a little more talking. Okay, baby?" She smiled at me and kissed my cheek.
"See you soon Rose." Master Gregori told me, shooting me a meaningful look. Be careful.
They left and soon most of the Guardians had left, as well as Eddie, Christian and Mia. However my parents still lingered. My mother seemed to be dithering, moving backwards and forwards, seeming to be struggling with the idea of leaving. Finally Abe whispered in her ear, and she nodded, and walked towards the door. But a few steps before she left, she turned around, and I saw tears glinting on her face, her hard exterior finally cracked.
"So much for telling us everything. Huh Rose?" She said, before spinning around and leaving the room, Abe hurrying after her. A choked breath left my body. She hated me. The last Guardians slammed the door behind them, and it was just Lissa and me. Her glaring, and me trying not to fall apart. Finally after a minute of tense silence, I spoke up unable to handle the wait.
"What do you want Lissa?" I asked tiredly.
"This is why you left us, isn't it?" She asked, angrily.
"What the fuck do you mean?" I shot back, not in the mood to put up with Lissa's bitchiness.
"You've got a child Rose. A child. You cheated on Dimitri, got pregnant and then were just too scared to face us. You were pregnant and you just ran away. You didn't think you could trust us? Why? Why didn't you think you could trust me?" Her furious eyes filled with tears, as she whispered those last words.
"Oh Lissa." I whispered, seeing through her anger, to her heartbreak at my betrayal. I stepped forward, my arms out to embrace her, but at the last moment she broke away, walking away from me.
"Don't pretend to be nice, Rose." She said, bitterly, wiping a tear from the corner of her eye.
"Lissa." I said softly.
"Stop it Rose." She demanded angrily. "I don't even know why I was upset when you left. Why I fell apart. You obviously never cared about me, at least not enough to stay. I'm sure though that your new friends are just perfect. So is Ivy of course. Your daughter." She said, looking as if saying Ivy's name had left a bitter taste in her mouth.
I was fed up, she could throw all the accusations she wanted at me, but at the end of the day, she had kidnapped my daughter. I couldn't forget that.
"Ok. She's my daughter. I have a child. And she is perfect. And I'm really, really sorry, I didn't tell you, but that wasn't why I left." I said firmly. "You had no reason to terrorise my daughter or me. We are no longer under your control or jurisdiction." Lissa still glared at me, but I could see mild guilt in her face.
"I got the information I needed." She said, smoothing her hair back.
"Well now you've got that information, I have a request for you." I continued. She still glared at me, but she nodded her head slightly.
"Dimitri isn't to know. It doesn't affect him in the slightest." I was not placing either Ivy or Dimitri in any more risk. Neither did I want Dimitri to think I had cheated on him, I had already hurt him enough. "Are we agreed?" I said, looking her in the eye. She looked away. "Lissa." I questioned, her face reddened slightly, she had done something. Something terrible. "Lissa…" I said warningly. "What have you done?" She didn't say anything, and just slipped off her chair, and began walking to the back of the room.
"Lissa." I shouted. She kept moving, and I was about to yell at her again, when I noticed the door at the back of the room was slightly a jar. As if someone had been there the whole time. Listening.
"No." I whispered, my eyes filling with tears. As if she had heard me, Lissa turned around and shrugged her shoulders, a blank look on her face, before opening the door.
"Rose." Dimitri said, stepping out from behind the door.
I'm so evil, another cliffhanger. Don't hate me too much. I hope this chapter explained what was going on a bit better, and of course the secret is finally out. Yay. Congratulations to all of you who guessed the password for the last chapter which was, of course, Comrade. Thank you for reading and I'd absolutely love it if wrote me a review, even just a few friends, saying you enjoyed it. That would be perfect. Have a great day (or night)!
