Finally.....TADA...after the long wait.....SORRY SORRY SORRY guys!

i was down the whole week and my body,mind and heart were not as this chapter makes up for the past few weeks

so I made it extra longer. This was actually 2 chapters but I decided to make it up to you...

REVIEW EVERYONE! please please please

:)

AudenPaige0.o

Chapter 4

"Any news about Dashkov?" I asked idly at Dimitri.

"No." He replied in a monotone.

We were stretching in the gym for our daily training. He was giving me one-word answers on all the conversation starters I gave, by this time, I simply gave up.

We trained in silence, only talking to me when he gives pointers. When I was about to get my bag near the bench by the wall, he grabbed my wrist.

"Rose…Roza-" He started, not in that cold monotone. "Why are you doing this?" He asked in exasperation and hurt.

"What?! "

"Playing it up with Adrian."

I gave a harsh laugh "You think you're the only man I can really like?" I asked sarcastically.

"Rose! You don't have the right—"

"To talk to you like that?" I finished for him "FYI Comrade, I don't care a damn.."

"I'm still your mentor."

"And that's all.." I said, giving him a hard glare "You have no business in what so ever outside this." I pointed to the gym walls.

He sighed.

"I don't want to wait for someone, hoping he would somehow come to me when in the first place, I know that there would be no way he's coming." I shook my head.

"It hurts to you know." He mumbled as he looked away.

"What does?"

"Looking at you all day long, wishing we didn't live in this kind of society…in this kind of world" He smiled slyly "Maybe then we could be together."

"Maybe." I said hesitantly.

He saw my hesitation.

"I'm sorry" He said sincerely which surprised me.

"Why are you apologizing?" I asked startled.

"Being to harsh on you when it was my fault in the first place?" I gave a questioning look.

"Pushing you away then acting like a jerk." He smiled shyly.

"But…" He then took my hand again to squeeze it.

"I am always here, if ever he hurt you or makes you cry, don't ever hesitate to tell me."

He gave a mischievous smile but I could see he meant it. "I'll beat the crap out of him."

"Okay!" I agreed rolling my eyes and stifling a giggle.

"I love you Roza, if he's what you want," He shrugged "I won't stand in your way for your happiness…."

"Though I seriously don't get the attraction." He inquired amusement in his face.

"Neither could I."

I hugged him hard before rushing back to the Damphir dorms.

It was still early when I got back, since it was Sunday, I had the all day to myself.

When I got to the second floor hallway to my room, arms grabbed my waist and pushed me against the wall. The first thing I saw were two sparkling emerald eyes.

"Hey Beautiful" Adrian said against my neck as he kissed it.

"Hey…Adrian" I said between giggles.

"What no handsome? Gorgeous? Prince Charming? Nothing?" He asked pretending to be hurt.

I cleared my throat then looked deep into his eyes saying in my most seductive and charming tone-

"Hey Adrian." Then I kissed him…deep. Which I'm sure made him forgot his name and everything else.

"Wow.." He said breathless.

I laughed.

I had my arms wrapped around his waist while his hands were on my shoulders pushing me to the wall.

"I need to show you something." He said slowly and unwillingly letting go.

"Later." Pulling him back. He laughed.

"C'mon Little Dhampir, before I lost all my control and never let you escape now." He teased threateningly. That shut me up and made my cheeks hot.

He brushed the back of his hand on my cheeks making me shiver inside and making my cheeks burn hotter than before.

"Stop it already!" I said whining, he drives me insanely crazy.

"Okay..okay!" Holding his hands up as if to surrender.

"Let's go."

He grabbed my hand and pulled me back downstairs outside.

The second we stepped outside, he put his hands on my eyes.

"Hey!"

"Rose…" He threatened.

"I hate surprises." I pouted.

"Aww…" He kissed my pouted lips lightly.

After maybe 20 minutes of walking around or in zigzag or back and fort…

"Dammit Adrian, don't you dare tell me we're lost!" I said impatiently.

"Few more steps Rose." He said calmly.

"You're not walking us to a cliff now are you?" I asked him nervously.

"Don't you trust me?" He asked hurt.

"Uh…on certain things…" I said.

"We're almost there." Nervousness colored on his tone.

After 2 minutes.

"We're here."

"Finally!" Taking a breath of relief.

He then let go of my face to uncover my eyes.

Then I gasped, I don't know whether I lost my eyesight after the long minute of pressure in my eyes or I was suddenly seeing things.

I looked around.

We were in the lake by the cabin Tasha stayed. But I couldn't be sure. Maybe I was dreaming. Yeah, maybe it was one of Adrian's dreams. No No No…my head hurts, so I'm awake.

I looked at Adrian behind me and he was trying not to show his nervousness, I guess afraid that I might not like it.

The trees held star-like or diamond like lights in it's leaves. Everything was glowing, the lake had floating candles, many of them. It was like a dream, a beautiful paradise, there we're also pink and red roses everywhere, scattered anywhere. The whole place was like a magical foreign land where you can only believe that you are dreaming. I absentmindedly tugged Adrian's gift underneath my long sleeved shirt "my dreamer".

I slowly approached the lake and saw my reflection. I was glowing!

I had golden outlines and my face was angelically glowing. I looked back to Adrian and he was also like glowing, and man, he is so hot right now. His eyes we're like stars now, shining. His eyes gave me adoration, passion and something.

I grabbed his arm then pulled him in for the kiss of his life.

My hands on his hair and his on my waist pulling me closer which is impossible because we couldn't get any closer. Everything was spinning, the world was disappearing to a one great blur. I could feel him wanting for more and more and I too myself can't help it but we had to get air, badly.

We broke apart and we both had sore lips and red cheeks, he couldn't get anymore handsome than that.

"So I take that you like it?" I slapped his arms lightly.

"I hate you right now you know." I laughed when he looked worried.

"I more than like it…far from like it.." I kissed him again to prove how much I like it which convinced him entirely.

When we pulled apart, he hugged me then whispered in my ear, "Would you go to the Masquerade Ball with me Rose?" He choked out.

I pulled away to look at him.

Did he mean it?

"Um…sure.." I smiled

"Okay!" He lifted me from my feet then twirled me. He then put me down, both of us laughing so hard. "Thanks." He said as he kissed my forehead.

"No problem."

"The Ball would be in Friday right?" I asked.

"Yep."

I sighed.

"What's wrong?" He asked warily.

"My mother is then coming."

"Oh?" It was now his turn to lift an eyebrow.

"You'll get it in the next few days or so." I grimaced.

There would be lots of people attending; many socialite morois so my mother would be mostly some of the guardians the Academy would request to help the security on Friday. Great, now I'm afraid, no, I'm terrified.

I went to Lissa's room later that day for some girl bonding.

"Who's your date for the Masquerade?" Lissa asked eagerly. "I hear some morois and plentyof damphirs that are still dateless."

I sighed. "Lissa, it's a Masquerade. I would hardly recognize my 'date' and everyone would be a stranger." I dropped my tone on the last word.

"I know right! It's gonna be exciting!" She practically shrieked. I laughed.

"So do you have your ball gown?"

"No.."

"Great! I'm all over it!" Lissa squeaked.

"I didn't even realize this would be a big deal…until now." I added.

"Oh this is gonna be fun…I know it." She said mischievously.

"Yep." I simply replied. She raised an eyebrow and I shook my head.

"You're acting funny, do you know that?"

"Huh." I felt my cheek darken a shade while her eyes widen, I groaned.

"Ohmygosh! Rose what are you up to? SPILL!" She said each words an octave higher than the last.

I wanted to tell Lissa badly but I can't admit to anyone, even to myself that I'm developing something with Adrian. And what if it's not mutual and I ended up as another bloodwhore.

"No-"

"I know you too well Rose...So this may be BIG." She emphasized the word big.

"But-" She held up a hand to cut me off.

"If you're worried about us telling everyone about you and Adrian,no biggie, we won't spill. Good thing it will be a masquerade, no one will know you." She sighed dreamily.

I smiled at her encouragingly while she smied back. I' truly thankful that they won't tell anyone, if only that was the only case.

Something tells me that Friday's event would be a something.

I was walking back to my dorm after duty with Christian, everyone around were going back to their rooms for the night.

"Hey Rose." His breath by my neck that I silently shrieked of surprise, I may be dead by now if it was a strigoi.