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Chapter 16

ROSE POV

I wake up hearing voices. I blink, and blink, and blink some more. I am so confused and my whole body feels tingly. I can't recall what happened or wear I am. My eyesight is blury, I try to focus. I finally she three Lissa's move into one.

"Oh My God Rose. Can you hear me?" she asks frantically. "Rose! Rose!" She screams my name.

Christian says maybe she is deaf. Lissa screams louder. "ROSE, ROSE Please be okay?"

I barely open my mouth. "I am not deaf you idiot." I look at Christian as I say this.

"What happened?" I ask.

Lissa begins to sob on me.

I realize everyone is in my room. Adrian, Eddie, Mia, Lissa, Christian, Alex, and Alberta.

"Um, Hello can you people hear me. I asked what happened?" I felt like I was having an outerbody experience, maybe I was dead, and they really couldn't hear me.

Finally, I see Alberta walk to my bed. Before she can tell me what happened, it all comes back to me. I started to cry along with Lissa, as I remember how it ended.

I remember fighting and killing the asshole that wanted to kill my best friend. I had straddled his chest and staked him. I looked up to Lissa to make sure she was alright. I should have helped Dimitri, not checked on Lissa. That was a mistake, that is where I hesitated. This is where I failed. The second strigoi was no longer fighting with Dimitri, but was now biting and sucking the life out of my body. I felt my soul being taken with every thirsty pull. Everything flashed before my eyes. I realized how childish and stupid I had been. I realized who I was meant to be with, and it was too late to tell him. I just now prayed that this strigoi either was killed by Dimitri, or killed me. I did not want to be turned. I faguely remember the teeth being pulled out of my neck, and being held in my strong Russian God's arms. He spoke to me (but I couldn't make it out) and then I heard him sob, and wanted to comfort him, but I felt myself losing that battle.

I look up at Alberta. "Where is he? Is he Alive?" I ask, trying to control my sobs.

"Roza, Dimitri has a fractured skull, and is in a coma. The doctors are working on him, but it is very serious." I try to get out the bed, and suddenly hands come at me pushing me down.

"I need to see him. I need to see Dimitri now." I tried to get up again, but Eddie holds me down.

Adrian stands next to me. "Rose, the only reason you are alive is because Lissa brought you back. You were technically dead. You need time to let the transfusions settle into your body. You may not realize it but you are very very weak." He says holding my hand now.

"Lissa, that's it. You can heal Dimitri." I say pleading. "Please you have to."

" Rose, I can't." She says. I hadn't realized she was in a wheel chair herself.

"I passed out after I healed you, I don't have the strength to help him. I tried everything I could think of. I drank from several feeders, but I think when you were that deep in death, and I pulled you out. It took a lot out of me, a lot. I love Dimitri you know that. As soon as I have my strength back I will heal him. I promise." she holds my hand.

I look up at all there faces, even Alex's, pleading. "Please bring me to see him, I won't get up. I promise. I just have to be in the same room with him, please."

Alex reads my expression, and leaves the room. A moment later he comes back with nurses. They push my bed next to his. I move all my cords out of the way and grab his hand, careful not to hurt him, but I have to feel him. I look at his face. He looks like he is sleeping. I notice when I touched him the spark is gone, there is no electricity flowing between us. Tears start to fall down my cheeks. I feel so guilty.

Dimitris' family walks in the room, including Alex. I look up into their faces, and then I look back at Dimitri.

"I am sorry I let this happen to him, I should have protected him. Alex had Lissa protected, but I had to be sure. I just looked up for one second to make sure she was safe, and that is when I was attacked. If I would have done what Dimitri taught me he would be awake and talking to you. I am sorry I could not save your son." More tears fall down my face.

"I am sorry I didn't tell you all how much I loved him, how much he meant to me. But when he left me, I was broken. I didn't think I could go on, and that is why I fought back so hard when he came back and told me he loved me. I was scared to let him have my heart again. I put a wall up from him convincing myself I had to protect it. I realize now he always had it. It was always his. It will always be his. I will regret every moment that I live that I did not tell him how much he meant to me." I try and sit up the best I can to lean over and kiss his hand. I manage it weakly, and softly press my lips to him palm. "I am sorry I was not strong enough for you, I am sorry I let you down, I love you."

I ask Alex to please bring me back to my room. He starts to move my bed, when Yeva stops him. I prepare myself for what she is going to say- I can only imagine its going to be in Russian and something along the lines of how unworthy I was of her grandson, which I I know I am.

She takes my hand in hers and looks at me in the eye. "Eventually Roza, you will come to understand that love heals everything, and in the end love is all there is."

I start to cry more. This evil crazy lady, who has been giving me such a hard time, has just comforted me, and she speaks English. I quickly realize where Dimitri must have gotten his Zen life lessons. I sigh.

I look back at all of them, while they move me back to my room, and tell them again how sorry I am.

A few days later I am released from the hospital. Lissa comes and picks me up. She told me yesterday that she went to visit Dimitri, she tried to heal him, but he remained in his coma. She said the doctors are looking towards a full recovery it just might take time. I don't want to leave Russia, without him, but I can't have his family face me daily, and know I am unworthy of there son, grandson, brother. I let him down, I failed him. I wrote a note and asked Viktoria to give it to Dimitri when he woke up. It was simple and to the point.

I'm sorry I failed you. I'm sorry I was not strong enough for you.

I love you Always. Roza

We boarded the private jet, the same jet we came on just five days ago, but that feels like years now. The stewardess hands me a letter. I open it.

Rose,

We were so happy to see you were fine from the attack two days ago. Your father and I had a lot to think about. You were right, I was wrong. I am sorry. I am sorry for how we handled our relationship. I am sorry for not giving you a chance to meet your father. I thought at the time, it was the right decision. Love is complicated. It was back then, and it still is. You can't help who you fall in love with. When you find that one person, the person you are meant to be with. You will know. Its an undeniable love. Time nor space can alter it. We cancelled the wedding, we decided to have a long engagment, and if you are willing to try. We would love for you to have a relationship with us. On your terms! We will wait to hear from you.

Love,

Mom and Dad

I fold the note and put it in my pocket. Lissa sits by me.

"Rose I have something I have to talk to you about." she looks determined.

"I love Christian, I love him more than life itself. I don't want to wait to get married. After this week, I realized life is too short. I want to get married this Saturday I want to be his wife. If it is okay with you, I would love for you to still stand as my maid of honor?"

"I would love to Lissa, I think a little happiness is what we all need." I hugged her.

She got up and returned to her seat next to Christian, and Alex came to sit by me. He grabbed my hand, and I rested my head on his shoulder.

"I'm sorry I hurt you Alex, I never meant to." I say.

"Shh! Rose don't apologize. I hate to admit it, but I had already started to realize I was in a losing battle. You two are connected in a way that supercede's love. I can't explain it. The night of the attack, I saw you had made your choice. I accept it. I am here as your friend only." he says gripping my hand.

The next week flew by fast. We had a lot to get ready for in a short amount of time. I thought of Dimitri often. I would call the hopsital and speak to nurses and ask about Dimitri. I would never talk to his family. I was to ashamed. They said he was getting better everyday, and should wake up soon.

The day of the wedding, the Queen asked to speak to Lissa and I. We were both surprised by the request, but we met her relunctantly. Lissa was already nervous enough, I was trying to calm her down.

We knocked on the door, and to our surprise the Queen herself answered it.

"Please come in." She said. "I will not keep you long, I promise. I understand today is a big day for you Princess." We sit down and she begins.

"I am sorry for the way I have treated you both in the past. I know you are skeptical of the change in me, but I would like to explain it. First of all Rose, I realized after you left that you were telling the truth about Adrian. I had no business butting into your relationships anyway. People should be allowed to love who they want. I have just myself fully understood what that means."

We knew she was talking about Ambrose again.

She continued. "Lissa, I am truly elated that you are marrying Christian. I know after the last time we spoke, you realized I had an alterior motive. Well you were correct. After much consideration, I realize it is time for change. Time for a new Queen. I will be resigning after this year, and I cannot think of a better replacement. Your marriage will make you a united/strong choice. I think our moroi need to realize that we can no longer survive, unless we change the way we do things. I think you have that power in you to make them see what needs to be done. I would ask one thing of you though."

"Your majesty?" Lissa asks.

"I would request you stay at the Royal court until the time of my resignation comes. I have lots to teach you my dear. Of course, Rose can stay too." she says.

"Yes your majesty." she says. The Queen stands up and bids us goodbye. Before we walk out the door. The Queen calls my name.

"Rose, I was sorry to hear about Dimitri. We wish him a full recovery."

"Thank you, your majesty." I walk out the door.

The wedding was beautiful. Lissa was beautiful. We had all arrived at the reception and Eddie had just given his toast. It was my turn. I stand up next to my best friend and call the room to attention.

When Lissa and I were little girls, we dreamed about our wedding day. We discussed centerpieces and honeymoons and where to hold the reception. We dressed up in gowns, veils,and gloves and practiced walking down the aisle. Sometimes we even stole flowers from the dining room table, to use as our bouquet.

We even knew who the groom would be. It just depended on who was on the cover of our teen magazines. It was all so easy back then because our imaginations had no limits. And a twelve-year age difference between you and the celebrity groom you'd never met could never stand in the way of true love.

As we grew up, the style of the gown changed as did the color of the bridesmaid dresses. The goal was simple, to find the man who was perfect for you; your soulmate; and declare your love in front of family and friends. How wonderful that your dream has come true. I am so proud to have you as my best friend Lissa. I wish nothing but the best for you and Christian. I love you both. Congratulations to you and may you spend the rest of your lives fulfilling each other's dreams.

I hug Lissa and Christian and excuse myself. I start to go for walk. It's chilly, but I could use the cool air. I think about the last year. I think about Dimitri and I, and how we wasted so much time that we could have spent together, happy. All the sneaking around, hiding, fighting was such a waste of time. I see different kinds of love all around me, and it is all worth fighting for. I decide that it's time to let the hurt go, and move forward. Time for regret is behind me.I make my decision. I am going back to Russia. I have to see him. I have to touch him again. Before I turn back around, I hear the most beautiful words every spoken to me.

"ROZA"

I AM SORRY THIS IS NOT THE BEST CHAPTER, BUT I PROMISE THE NEXT ONE WILL BE GREAT. PLEASE REVIEW!