Disclaimer: I do not own Vampire Academy or the characters, they belong to Richelle Mead!
Chapter Two: The Tall Stranger
As I started to lose consciousness I was able to notice that they were backing away as a new presence appeared.
"What do you think you are doing?" Asked a voice of a new comer with a certain accent which I cannot pin the country on.
"Nothing your majesty, umm just enjoying the night before dinner time." Says the voice that almost shut my air supply if I didn't fight back.
"Well I can see that. What is your name?" Wow there is no play time with him, is there? "My name is Maryn Casly" Replies that same man before the rest started calling names out which I assume would be their names.
"Stephen Theobald"
"O'Nell Barome"
"Robert Ramsgate"
"Charles Richard"
"Bryce Mortensen"
"Well hope you have some sort of hearts big enough to at least not have attacked this young lady together. Do you feel no shame in hurting a lady?" The 'majesty' replies with such disgust that I had to look up hoping to see his expression which I was sure would have been a killer but instead I was met by a tall well built body and long dark hair. Throughout talking he had come and stood before me as if to protect me from them which I found strange I mean one man against six others just doesn't seem fair or possible to win.
I coughed out. "Leave before they hurt you too." When I looked back up after the coughing had put my look down in hopes of it stopping, he had turned around allowing me a view at his front side to stare at me probably because I just told him to leave when he was trying to help me from those horrible men. And speaking of them, they seem to have froze which was strange in my opinion as they had no problem when he wasn't around. I had thought they would have gone into attack mood but freeze themselves. In fact they seem to be bowing for this stranger in front of me. He bends down until he was able to look me in my eyes without looking down...much.
"Are you OK?"
"Oh yea sure, it's just my ribs, nose, arms, legs..."
"OK I get it, you're not OK." He quickly interrupted me with a sigh at the beginning. I could tell he was trying hard to hide his smile which I wished I could see, seeing at how God like he was already without them.
"Hang on, OK?' I just need to do something first Milaya." I got confused at the 'Milaya' thing but it did strange stuff to my body. I just nodded hoping whatever the emotion I just felt was didn't show on my face. He smiled this time before getting up and facing them.
"I will rip your heads off those shoulders you have with my bare hands and mouth. Got it?"
"Yes." They all nodded their heads
"You will have to deal with me if not the whole royal, understood?" There was a short pause of silence. The tall stranger growled so loud that it felt as if some kind of animal growl came from deep within, an unnatural growl I thought to myself.
"Get lost, don't show your face around me again...or her." He warned them still in that tone that scared the shit out of me. Wow talk about a voice, scary one at that. I'm not sure if it's because my head was hit against the ground hard when I fell or if what I saw as real but all I know is that they ran faster than it should have been possible for anyone. Yet again, unnatural happened right before my eyes, nah I must hit my head pretty hard.
DPOV
While warning them, I tried to be as gentle as possible for the sake of the most beautiful creature I have ever seen laying on the ground bleeding but it just provide to be hard, as I could sense the fear run through her fragile body because of my harsh voice. I sighed as I tried to think of some words that would make her see that I wasn't as bad, well I am, but she doesn't have to know. I don't want her to. For I want her to see me as some normal guy instead of the creature I really am. I turned to face her again when I was sure I couldn't hear their footsteps anymore which mean that they are at least few yards away.
Good I don't want them near her ever. I looked down at her as I took her whole body into focus and tried very hard to not focus on those beautiful and breathtaking dark brown eyes of hers. Note to ask what her name is. I told myself as I stepped closer to her with care, not to scare her into thinking I would hurt her. I just can't hurt her even the thought has started bringing some unknown pain into my frozen body. What is she doing to me? I sighed quietly to make sure she did not hear it.
"Hello, my name is Dimitri. Would you let me help you umm...young lady?" I asked putting my best civilized voice and look on which did prove to be difficult as I don't usually socialize with many people as I would rather stay and read one of my many western novels to take me into a different world than the one I live in. I realized that I have turned away from her as my thoughts took control of my mind, I turned yet again as I focused on her. I hate saying her, I would rather say her name instead. Would it be as beautiful as she was?
"Yes... yes please." She tried to smile up at me in politeness but I could see that it was very hard for her so she was only able to give me a half smile and that's when I made a promise to myself that I would do anything to see her full smile one day. What are you thinking one day, you can't see her after tonight. You're too dangerous to around her kind...to her. I hated the conscious of me who seem to be correct as I can't see her again if I want her safe.
"I would have to carry you miss, hope that is alright with you ma'am. I don't want to make you uncomfortable." I said even though I just wanted to wrap my arms around her small fragile body and never let go of her.
"That's alright. You don't need to be a gentleman every time you know." She replies with yet another half smile.
Sniff What I would do to see her smile the kind of a smile that lit up her face. "I like being a gentleman." Not every time though I added in my mind. I went on my knees to pick her into my arms before walking into the street that I turned up from. She felt so right in my arms as if they were made only for her even though I'm pretty sure that was wishing thinking on my part. I am not good enough for someone like her. "Would you mind if I ask for your name?" All the while hoping I would hear the answer I longed for.
"NO, I would not mind." Thank the Lord was all I could say as I heard her reply that sentence as if I depended on it. I was pulled out of my thoughts as I felt her pressing against my chest, seeking for comfort and warmth. There was farther pause between us but not for long as I wanted to know her especially her name.
"What is your name?" I asked while hoping during the silences she has decided not to inform me of her name, of her not minding.
"I'm Rose...well Rosemarie but don't you dare call me that. I don't like my full name." She whispered then with some pain present in her tone.
"Well Rosema...Ahem Rose, ready to be cleaned?" She looked at me as if I have grown a third eye or better yet as if my fangs had come out when I said cleaned. "I am taking you to my room that I rented. You did say it was OK to help you and I am not sure if you want huma... people to see you like this and my room is the only place that I could take you. You see I really do not know many people around here, Kind of new here." I looked at her for any sign of discomfort of being alone with me in a room but found none and I was relieved when I got the thumps up.
While still carrying her, I used one hand looking for my keys to get into my apartment. I liked this place which allows me some privacy from my kind. I opened the door, step inside and used my leg to close it slowly and silently as possible. I turned to the living room then slowly place Rose on the couch while being extremely careful to cause her as little pain as possible. Once she was comfortable I kneeled once again, kneeling down on the rug to look at her probably with the lights other than my own eyes light, supernatural eyes.
She had silk looking dark brown hair with matches her eyes and a very kissable pink lips, not just pink but darker towards red lips. Oh how I wished I could touch them. Snap out of it I scolded myself before grabbing some pillow that were on the next couch and put them under her head for comfort. "I will be right back Rose. Make yourself at home." I told her before getting up onto my two legs and started walking towards the kitchen which for your information never been used. I looked through the cabinet looking for the first aid kit which thank God I know how to use them. I also grabbed a glass of water for her before walking back towards Rose. Sniff Rose, how I love her name Roza even better. Would she still want to be around me if she knew? I wish she would but mostly likely the answer would be a no.
Dimitri left me on this couch before walking out of the room into the kitchen I assume to get something to clean me with. Why does he want to help me? I kept asking myself and getting infuriated as I realized that answer could not come from me, but that didn't stop me from wishing I knew why. When he first brought me in his apartment, I was able to see him fully and let me just say WOW. He was...is so gorgeous that he should not exist on Earth at all. His wonderful brown eyes which seem to go on deeper each time I try to look at the bottom of them. His hair went so well with his eyes as if he was made with care and just like his eyes they were brown, wonderful brown. I heard some noise from the kitchen as Dimitri looked through things. After a while he walked back inside the living room and wow he looked like a God sent to me with drive me crazy good looks. Gee sh Rose you were supposed to be in pain I scolded myself yet again in one night.
"Rose, ready?" Aw what a gentleman.
"Yeah sure, I'm ready." I tried to smile hoping he would loosen up a bit. I want him to loosen up.
As I walked back into the room where I left Rose in, she took my breath away again but I put that aside and concentrated at her injuries. I kneeled once again in front of her and started cleaning her face washing the dried blood from her...sweet smell she has. It was hard focusing on cleaning as my hunger worsen as I smelled her delicious blood. Dear God, let her get out of my apartment safe I prayed. I would not know what I will do if I lost control of my thirst. At some point of me cleaning her face, she took a deep breath and clenched her teeth together as if to stop herself from screaming out the agony she was feeling.
"О, мой сладкий, сладкий Роуз." I must have said it out loud as she looked at me with a weird expression that I didn't know the deep meaning of it but I could see the curiosity of what the meaning of my words were which I ignored to profess as the last thing I need her to know is that I cannot seem to stop saying sweet nothings to her. How should I tell her this, damn it, it was never hard for me to ask other women but I just can't seem to even think of it without blushing. Well suck it up Dimitri and ask her I demanded myself. "Rose, I need you to remove your shirt so I can see and treat the damage those bastards did to you." The aggravation that cursed through my body was present in my words and all I could do was hope that she knew it wasn't meant for her but the men.
"Oh hmm yeah sure but I need you help in removing it. It hurts when I moved my upper body to much." She avoided my eyes as she blushed, could she feel the same way as I do? Shut it I grimaced at myself as I realized how hopeful I was to her feeling something for me. Why would she? She probably thinks I'm a bad person from my tone earlier or a stranger not worth getting to know after tonight. I huffed out loud and put a smile on my face which surprisingly it wasn't faked as it usually is.
"OK I'll help but I wished I got there earlier to ensure this didn't happen in the first place." I said looking at the ground.
"Hey, don't blame yourself for something you couldn't control besides I'm fine now that I'm with you." She blushed at that. Wow her smell is simply delicious. Thinking back to what she said, I could have controlled it Roza I thought to myself. I should have controlled it then. I must have still been looking down as I felt Rose put her right hand under my chin and pulled my face back up to look at me. The spark that I felt just then was unbelievable.
"Dimitri, it's OK really. I'm just glad that you came before they did something worse. Don't you dare feel guilty you did nothing wrong." She was comforting me even though it was her that went through that horrible, unthinkable experience.
"You are an extraordinary girl, you know that Rose? I should be comforting you not the other way around. What happened to you back in that alley was beyond cruel punishment even on my enemies yet here you are smiling, trying to make me see that you are OK."
After taking a pause to breath I said. "How old are you Rose? Surely you are older than a teenage age for your personality yet innocent and young at the same time." I prayed she was old enough for me to get to know her. She seems to be lost in her thoughts before relying.
Wow I think that is by far the longest sentences he has spoken to me all night. His accent seems to be more noticeable as we talked more. What is he? French, Russian... betting on Russian. At that I realized that he was still waiting for my answer, oh dear, hope I'm old enough for him. "I'm 17" I answered while looking into his eyes, the eyes that I felt comfortable looking in and the way he looked at me it's like as if he could see right through me into my soul where everything is visible for him to see. He seemed to be troubled at my answer. What did he want me to be? Older? Younger?
Darn, why does she have to be so young? Whereas my body looks around 24 years old even if I'm way past that centuries ago. She is not even old enough to decide whether she wants a life with me and give up everything... Well she is but she would possible regret it in the future if she chooses me.
"Well that is good." I said trying to convince myself out loud.
"How old are you Dimitri?" The joy of hearing my name come out of her lips is enjoyable, beyond what it should have been. Oh lord, what do I tell her?
"Umm, I am 24 years of age Roza." She just looks at me as if not believing me. "What? Don't I look like a 24 year old man?" I asked.
"Well, I mean you do but are you sure? Feels like there is something else here."
"Oh Roza." I arched my eyebrow as if her questioning it meant nothing.
"What? Hmm what does Roza mean?" She blushed as if embarrassed of not knowing. I laughed and took her hands in mine wanting that spark of heat back.
"It means Rose in Russia."
"I knew it." I raised my eyebrow as if to say sure you did?
"Not the meaning, I knew that you were Russian." I was curious at how she knew.
"How?" She looked at me before answering.
"Your accent. It keeps getting stronger and thicker every time we talk.
"Oh that." I cursed myself in my head for slipping my native accent. "You alright with it?" I was afraid of anything that could take her away from me. I looked towards the window worried of what her expression would look like.
"Why not, I actually fancy a man with that accent." She blushes.
"Oh really, so you fancy about my accent?" I arched my eyebrow.
"Damn, you can do the eyebrow thingy. I always wished I could do that." Here it is, yet another thing she just feels safe enough to tell me about her.
"Rose, it's either you can do it or can't. And you definitely can't."
She pouted her lips. "Ha ha Dimitri every mature."
I laughed as I said. "Yeah that's why you're pouting." She hits my chest playfully.
"Lift your arms up Rose." She does as I told her. What else would she do that is an order from me? Maybe in the bedroom. What has got into me? I slowly took her shirt off while telling her to tell me if it hurts her. I gasped at her body as bruises has started to form and I slowly turned my hands on both sides of her upper body, checking for any broken ribs. Remember to hunt those bastards. To my relief, there were no broken ribs but that does not mean I'm still happy. "Rose? How come you are not crying from the pain? I don't want to hear I'm fine again." There was a small comfortable silence between us. "Look at me. Tell me how much does it hurt Rose?"
She cleared her throat before looking up into my eye. Damn, she has beautiful eyes. "I'm OK Dimitri really. I'm just trying to get their faces out of my mind, you know?" And I did know.
"Rose, do you want me to rap you up or do you want to take a shower first? You will have to wear my clothes though. Hope that's alright with you so what do you say?"
"That's alright with me." She said while laughing which earned strange look from me. "I laughed because I was imagining myself in your clothes. Would I even fit in them? Look at you, you are tall and muscular." She points at me as if to prove her point.
"Are you checking me out? I laughed when her face flushed as evidence she was and cause her more embarrassment. She cleared her throat while shaking her head as if to get something off her mind.
"No I mean I'm not checking you out but I'm not blind that I haven't noticed your body." She turned away before saying. "Any girl would notice." She kept looking around the room to avoid looking at my direction. I smirked even though she could not see it. I felt some sort of spark of joy and hope capturing the attention of someone like Rose. The feelings were so foreign to me through all these times...centuries that I have been alive. Rose...Roza, the thought of her name made me smile fondly towards Rose.
"What? Why are you smiling like that cowboy?" Hmm cowboy? Well that's interesting.
"Cowboy? Well where would you get that from now hm? I mean look at me." I asked laughing and pointing at my body. That made her laugh, the most beautiful sweet laugh that tightened my heart.
"Oh sorry, I didn't mean to call you that since you're only wearing a duster. How could I say such a thing?" She said while trying to look serious which was extremely difficult as she would constantly let out a chuckle.
"Umm, I know. How could you think of such a thing?" I could not stand it any longer by letting the compressed laughter within me out freely but some had to stop and I realized that Rose had as well. The reason to that was that we realized that indeed we have gotten closer to a point where we were only centimeters away from touching to which I closed that small distance by reaching out both my hands to capture her face between them.
"Роуз мой сладкий пирог" At those words she started to lean into my hands more and all I could see her beautiful lush lips, all I wanted no needed was to kiss her. She suddenly got up while clearing her throat and making it look like she had a purpose other than just jumping away from my touch. What I felt on the inside must have been visibly on the surface of my face as she opened her mouth to explain her action.
"I think I might take you up on those clothes of yours if you don't mind. Can you show me the bathroom" She scratched her head moving her hand up and down the back of her head in a nervous way.
"Sure just let me get you some clothes," I said while walking away towards my room upstairs.
"Thank you," She called after me, but I just kept walking not ready to face her again. I just could not.
Why Rose? Why did you have to jump up from his touch? That was all that went through my head as I waited for him to return. And waited. Darn him, doesn't he know that I hate waiting. After what felt like forever, he finally decides to grace me with his presence.
"Sorry but this happens to be the smallest size in my closet. Do you mind? If you do I could go out and try to find a clothing shop for you."
"Dimitri, its fine really. I should be grateful for them and I really don't mind them. I like that sort of clothes" I muttered the last part looking at the ground, blushing so hard. What would he think of me now?
"Rose as much as its a pleasure me to see you blush, you have nothing to be embarrassed about," When I looked up I found that he was smirking as if hoping to hide his desire to laugh his head off and roll on the ground. Get the picture? He came and put his arms around my waist before picking me before starting to walk towards the stairs.
"You know I can walk on my two legs," I heard myself complain while laughing.
"Yes I do know that, but you know what? I like carrying you and you will take to long to walk up the stairs." The movement that I felt as he laughed softly made me feel strange and found myself giggling. If I didn't know better I would say I was turning into Sonya. I cherished every moment of his laughter as I felt like he didn't laugh often.
"Do you laugh often?" I asked suddenly unable to stop myself.
Ahem "Uh-huh no, not often why?" He sounded nervous as if afraid of someone knowing him.
"Just that I felt like you didn't you know laugh often. Sorry random question though uh?"
"Not at all сладкий пирог" even though he said that his face was troubled.
"Shouldn't have said anything. I'm sorry Dimitri."
"No," He shouted it out loud which surprised me "Don't be. It's just we only met tonight and you know me better than most people in life."
"Oh." What else am I meant to say? Not sure why he did it but he slowly brushed his fingers across my face,
"сладкий пирог".
"Those words again. What do they mean?" I asked while touching his hair and putting them behind the back of his right ear.
"Curious uh?" He laughed shaking his head. "It means sweet cake." When we reached a door he said "Here you go," While putting me down then opened the door to a room. "Come in" He invited me inside my allowing me to go first, such a gentleman.
"Wow, is this your room?" I asked while looking around.
"Yea it is... Do you like it? I was touched that he wanted to know what I thought,
"Like? No, Love it." The smile he offered me made my heart beat faster as if that was possible.
"Just straight ahead is the bathroom. Go in and shower." As I started going towards the bathroom he said, "Rose, uh-huh let me know when you're done so I could give your change of clothes." To say I was stunned would be an understatement as I was beyond that. It was simply breathtaking and I started to question just who this guy is.
I heard the shower start after few minutes and now all I have to do is wait. I lay back on my bed as I waited for Rose to come out of the bathroom and not think of what she is doing.
As I waited around half an hour for her, all I could do was battle myself on the decision that I made earlier. I know I should not have said this but darn it, this could be my only time to touch her. I told my responsible side trying to get all of me into this, "Rose could you wear your under...clothing and the towel then come here with the lotion from there." About a minute later or so, I waited impatiently as she still did not appear at the door to grace me with herself. "Sweet cake, come on. I will behave, promise."
"I don't know about this, I mean come to you almost naked. No offense but you're still a stranger."
"OK sweet cake, I know you don't feel like I'm a stranger to you. Oh and none taken," I smirked.
"OK here I come," She mumbled so low that only my supernatural ears could hear. I could feel the lower part of body feel the heat, and excitement and oh boy was it a heat that I felt. Not good I puffed out loud before looking up as I heard her footsteps. "Come here Sweet cake, I won't bite...much" Even though it was meant as a joke, some part of me just wanted to warn her somehow about who I am. All she did was nod her head at that and I could feel her thoughts were starting to run wild as she thought of that comment. "Rose, really? You can trust me just this once if not all the time. Come here and lay down on the bed on your stomach." Her eyes widen when I said bed. "Rose I'm not going to take advantage of you," I said trying to comfort her. She has to trust me, I need her to trust me.
"Right 'cause that's not what people say just before they do," She said it with disbelief. I sighed before getting up to walk towards her, took the lotion out of her hands before placing it on the bed side table. Slowly I took her right hand in mine and lead her towards my bed, oh how I wish it could be our bed. As I reached the bed side I took my shoes off with my feet before crawling onto the bed with Rose. It felt right to be with her that thought kept circling in my head as if persuading me into forgetting the harm I could bring to this girl. I kneeled on my knees before ordering Rose to lay down on her stomach.
"But Dimitri, why do you want that for?" She whined, sounding scared and excited... Excited? Could that be true?
"I am going to give you a massage, let your body loosen up a bit and it will help you in the short term to heal your body faster." She slowly laid down on the bed then I reached for the lotion by pressing my weight on Rose, I was satisfied by her moan. Thank you mum for the lotion even if it's only for pretense that she brought it. I applied some on my hands and rubbed them together to give the liquid my body temperature before applying it on Rose's back, she started to moan as I messaged her back , the back of her neck and her shoulders which caused quite a discomfort to my lower parts especially there and my trouser started to tighten. Maybe I should have changed out of my jeans before messaging her.
"OK God whoa you're good with your hands. Dear Lord, where did you learn that?" I tried so hard not to hear the other meaning of her words.
"Yes, you like it? Maybe I could do that more often." I couldn't help myself in flirting with this stunning young lady. Slowly I put both my legs on either side of Rose's body and pushed on her sweet bottom. "Sweet cake you like it?" asked again, what is wrong with me?
"Uh-um mm yeah I like it... The massage I mean."
"That's exactly what I asked if you like it. Did you think of something else?" I was enjoying this way better than I should have.
"No," She shouted before reducing her volume, "Of course not." I allowed her to enjoy her massage in silence even though the pleasure she brought me from the constant moaning was both beautiful and painful, so to which I made sure to lock away my need for now. Maybe one day I can moan along with sweet cake here. I unclasped her bra to reach for her skin under them and I felt her take a deep breath before stopping all together, "Come on sweet cake breath. I don't want you to die on me." I joked.
"Oomph, Dimitri? That enough? I don't want to tired you too much."
"That's OK, I'm not tired." I replied before focusing on my work, Rose's body.
"Done, how do you feel? Any discomfort from before?" I asked after 10 minutes of pure silence and pleasing her tense body. Even though I wished I did not have to for certain area of my body.
"Thanks Dimitri that was wonderful. We should do it again," She had a smirk on her face as if meaning more than just massages again.
"Definitely, many more to come sweet cake, just come over." She giggled that sound it was memorizing. "Let me rap your ribs up so you won't feel the pain and discomfort at least not much." She nodded with a smile, a beautiful smile at that. Having me get to see every detail of hers is worth looking at. The way her whole face lit up and brightens when a smile is put upon her face. Shaking my head trying to gain control over my mind which happens to be difficult today. I got up and went down stairs to get the kit back to my room.
"Here we go Sweet cake."
"What's with the sweet cake? Already married?" She teased me. How I wished, I said to myself.
"Maybe? One day, who knows, right?"
"You want to marry me? We just met tonight"
"Hmm uh, what can I say? Love at first sight?" I joked even though deep down I knew that was the case and also what I wanted between us to occur. To marry a lady who is at ease with me around.
She laughed, "Yeah sure whatever you say my knight in shining armor."
"Knight shining armor?"
"Yeah you know, my hero," She pretended to pass out. "Or even better my cowboy in a duster," She giggled while I let a rare laugh for her childish act which was followed by more of her delightful giggles.
"OK, wear my shirt if you want me to keep my promise of not taking advantage of you."
"Oh I see, see something that you can't resist?"
"Of course," I said as it it's the most obvious thing in the world and it should be, "Rose you're a goddess even while injured." She pulls the towel off of her completely allowing me a look of her body before sliding on my shirt. Once she got off the bed and standing up straight, I could not help myself but to look her up and down. "Whoa, horny boy keep it in your pants, will you?"
"What if I don't want to?"
"Maybe I don't want you to want to." Oh I see Sweet cake wants to play a flirt game with me. I pretended to be thinking hard about what she said as I walked away from the bed towards her. She backed away every-time I took a step leading her to be stopped by the wall behind her. Once I was near enough, I bent my knees a bit and brought both my hands on either of her side next to her head. Leaning closer to her right ear, I whispered "Maybe I want you to not want me to keep it in my pants," Before kissing her under her earlobe then her neck.
"Dimitri, I really need to be getting home," She pushes me away. "Sorry, could I use your phone to call them?"
"Sure"
"Thanks" She replied even though she tried to act normal I knew she was avoiding my look. I kept staring at her and imagining all the things that I could have done to her if she didn't push me away.
"Dimitri, Your phone?" Putting her hand out in front of me as she asked for the phone.
"Oh yes, hang on a second" I started looking around before spotting it and handed it to Rose. "Here you go."
While she took it, I made sure that she touched my hand hoping to see emotions on her face which I was not disappointed in.
Translation:
О, мой сладкий, сладкий Роуз = Oh my sweet, sweet Rose.
Роуз мой сладкий пирог = Rose my sweet cake.
сладкий пирог = Sweet Cake