Okay everyone, here is the next chapter! *cough* Well, I know its not much *sneeze* but I need to *sneeze* write the next chapter first! *cough* Oh, and if I did forget to mention *sneeze*, I have this terrible cold right now and honestly don't get much done! *cough* *cough* *blows-nose* Yeah, well, life is hard and full of bitterness!

But *sneeze* please enjoy the next chapter. *cough* Only two more until THE chapter comes! *sneeze* *sneeze*

CHAPTER 16

The next several days went by uneventfully. Dimitri and I had established some sort of routine to enjoy each day. Firstly we would sleep in late as my nightmares would keep us both up most of the night; mostly with me screaming and Dimitri comforting me. Amazingly, Olena never seemed to hear anything though I was pretty sure that I had screamed loudly several times. I had the feeling that Dimitri might have let something slip to her as not to questioning me.

I knew that sometime I had to talk about what happened to Dimitri but I still couldn't bring myself actually doing it. It didn't have anything to do with me being scared, but more with me not being ready to relive each of the sickening and painful moments of those weeks. Dimitri had assured me several times that he would be there for me to listen whenever I felt ready to tell him.

But it wasn't only that. I don't know when exactly I had figured it out, but it also had something to do with me feeling still dirty, used and humiliated. It wasn't that Steve had only beaten me, but he had also forced me into sexual interactions which hadn't always been painful. It would have been easier to live with the knowledge that he had raped me but on some point or another I still felt the betrayal of my body. Steve had known how to pleasure it to get the wanted reactions and this was something I felt totally ashamed of.

Pushing these pictures at the back of my mind, I tried to focus back on the task at hand. It wasn't an easy one but one that had gotten Dimitri in a round of laughter when I told him of my idea. I really had to fight back my own laughter as I threatened to spill, but keeping on my straight face, I stared at him with only a little thread visible in my eyes. If he wouldn't have stopped laughing almost instantly, I surely would have done something. Remembering that happy moment, I smiled a little into the pages that were in front of me right now.

Feeling him pulling a little bit on the strands, hanging loosely down my back, I turned my focus back on the letters, returning to read out loud.

Just yesterday I had informed Dimitri about my decision that I didn't want to cut off my hair anymore. It had been one of my best features back in my better days (that's what I always said when talking about the time before this incident which always brought a small smile to Dimitri's face) and I didn't feel like departing from something that I had been used to for my entire life. It also gave me the feeling of some normalcy in these new and confusing times.

So this is where we were set right now. Dimitri was sitting on the couch in the living room and I was seated on the floor between his legs. And I certainly was doing something I would have never thought I would be able to without being in immense pain: reading a western novel to Dimitri who was fighting the knots in my hair. He was very gentle, trying not to hurt my scalp while.

After ages – or so it seemed – and me being close to the end of the book (I still don't understand what could possibly be fascinating about these), Dimitri gave me the signal that he was finished. Braiding my hair into a thick braid, he let his hands wander off onto my shoulders. Feeling my stiffening at his sudden touch, I quickly relaxed after he started a soft massage. Letting his fingers work wonders on my always present hardened neck muscles, I let my eyes close and enjoyed his touch. It wasn't often that Dimitri would touch me on his own account, most of the times he only did it when I needed it. So this one of the very rare occasions and I intended on memorizing every second.

We must have both been deeply in our thoughts, as when Olean came into the living room, we both jumped a little at the sudden sound.

"Oksana just called and asked if they can come over. I hope you don't mind?" She had directed that question to both of us, but her eyes lingered on my face.

"No, I don't." I said, surprised by my own honest answer. My parents had asked them to look over me and I knew that if my parents trusted them, I could do too. Dimitri had also told me a little about those two and I was excited at the prospect of meeting them.

Dimitri must have also given his consent while I lingered in La-La-land, because Olena left the room smiling and with the words "Good. They'll be over here in about an hour."

After she had left, the silence reappeared between us. It was not an awkward silence but more a comfortable one. Dimitri and I didn't need words to communicate. We always did this by gestures and smiles. And sometimes both of us needed the time to hang onto our own thoughts, as dark and hurtful they may be.

Still I hadn't gotten any idea why Dimitri was doing this after he had left me for Tasha. I just really hoped that it wasn't just out of pity or feeling miserable. Dimitri was a person to do that: feeling guilty for anything that happens but yet never could have been his fault anyway. And it was hard to convince him otherwise.

"I don't know why I'm doing this." I sighted.

His hands stopped massaging my neck. "Stopping what?" I could hear the frown that showed on his face.

Smiling, I bent my head so that my gaze met his. "Reading a Western novel! Honestly! I'm Rose Hathaway for crying out loud!"

Dimitri let out a hearty laugh and I quickly joined. It felt good to know that I could still get him to laugh about my jokes. "Yeah, poor girl! But since I was braiding your hair, I think that's only a far trade!" Still grinning like a manic, he softly pulled on my thick braid, reminding me what we have been doing for the past hours.

"Thank you so much, Dimitri. It means a lot to me!" I said, my face switching from laughing to staring into his eyes earnestly. He could do that to me.

Leaning down, Dimitri placed a soft kiss on my forehead, making me enjoy the sensations his soft lips caused. "You're welcome, Roza." He whispered.

After a while the bell on the door declared that our visitors had arrived. Dimitri and I stayed in the living room, knowing that Olena would lead them in here soon. Confirming my thoughts without even knowing, Olena entered the living room, followed closely by two visitors.

The woman, Oksana, obviously was a Moroi with her strawberry-blond hair and her tall and slender figure. Her face was pale and the fangs showed when she smiled at me. Behind her was Mark, a Dhampir as I figured from his strong stature and the lightly tanned skin. He also gave me a small smile and a short nod to Dimitri.

"Rose, " Olena stepped towards me to introduce me. "This are Oksana and Mark, both living at the other end of Baia."

When I stepped towards them, Oksana extended her hand, shaking mine. As soon as our skins connected I had the weird sensation of hearing some soothing words in my mind. I felt Oksana's eyes boring into mine intensely, looking deep down into my soul. It was weird but not uncomfortable as I felt the soothing sound of her voice in my head.

"Hello Rose, it's nice to meet you." Her voice was soft and at easy, relaxing my body and the wards I had automatically put up when I felt her intruding my mind. I could only give her a short nod and a smile as I was too astonished for any other reaction. As soon as she had let go of my hand, the sensation was gone and I blinked a few times to return to reality.

Mark was already on his way towards Dimitri as they both greeted each other. Seemingly they hadn't seen each other in some time but this gave me time to adjust.

Looking up at Oksana, I could only mumble incoherent words. "You're … You're a Spirit user."

"Yes." Oksana confirmed, looking at me still closely. "And I have a gift for you." She handed me a simple silver ring, with only a deep red ruby embedded and some seemingly ancient engravings. "I've put Sprit in it to help easing you mind a little. Just put in on whenever it gets too much. It will take away the darkness."

Thanking her, I took the ring and placed it on my left ring finger. It fit perfectly and I felt the impact immediately. It felt as if some huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders and I was able to breathe more freely again. Meeting Dimitri's curious stare, I walked over and showed him the ring.

As soon as Olena called us to sit down on the table to enjoy some cake and coffee, the usual chatter went off. Oksana mostly asked about my parents and my education, while Mark and Dimitri had a silent chat at their side of the table. I could only guess what this was about, but hopefully not about more safety measures concerning me.

Then we all talked together about different stuff, mostly things concerning Baia and sometimes Olena, Oksana, Mark and Dimitri talked about their school time at St. Basil's, which got my interest pretty quickly.

But there was one thing that got me curious: the behavior of Oksana and Mark. It was odd, to say the least but yet it didn't. Not to me. They acted as if they where two magnets, being pulled towards each other constantly. As if one could not do something without the other.

I knew that Oksana and Mark were a married couple, but still this behavior was strange.

Again the chatter drifted off into separate groups. This time Oksana and Olena and as well as Mark and Dimitri again. I really couldn't figure out what these two were talking about, but glances towards me from Dimitri confirmed my suspicion.

And something else caught my eye: the exchanged glances between Oksana and Mark as well. It seemed to me that they were having a silent conversation though both of them had their respective partners for a chat.

Suddenly it clicked. It was so obvious, especially since I knew that Oksana was a Spirit user. But could it be? Could it actually have been happening without anyone knowing?

Looking up at Oksana, I caught her eyes and said "You're Spirit Bound! You have a connection!" Seeing Dimitri's proud smile, my suspicion was confirmed. He had known that and I was wondering whether he had wanted me to find out or not.

Thinking about Lissa's and mine connection; I had suddenly found a source I could ask all the many questions about this.

Please make my day *cough* and give me a short review. *sneeze*

Thanks.

Lilian85 with a big red nose *blows-nose*