All Richelle Mead's...

They were getting close enough to the party to hear the thumping bass of the music and the general din of people talking and yelling. They were walking hand in hand. As soon as they'd left his dorm room she'd entwined her fingers with his and he'd let her. Something about him – his quiet nature, maybe - made girls, especially Moroi girls, unaccountable bold. He rarely had to do anything and girls were practically falling in bed with him. Katya had been different – he'd pursued her, she'd given him a fair chance and ultimately she ended things with a 'I really want us to stay friends' – but he hadn't really dated much other than that. He'd had quite a few girls share his bed, but that wasn't exactly dating. Malina asking him out was new, and… nice.

He found himself holding her hand a little tighter as they got closer to the party, and when he noticed, he intentionally relaxed his grip. She noticed the changes in pressure and glanced over at him, the question in her eyes. When he looked away, she let go of his hand and slipped her arm around his waist.

He was still taller than her, unusual in a dhampir-Moroi pairing, but she didn't seem to mind. She smiled up at him and squeezed his ribs. "I am going to make that scowl go away tonight, I swear I will."

He sighed and forced the muscles in his arms and back to relax, but couldn't quite make himself return her smile. "Sorry."

She laughed, sounding completely relaxed. "Nothing to be sorry for." They reached the edge of the party, and Dimitri estimated that most of the seniors and a good portion of the juniors were attending. Whoever had started the party had chosen a good spot – a fairly large cluster of trees on the eastern side of the grounds, on a hill sloping away from campus. Well within the boundaries of the wards, and obviously still in the usual patrol of the guardians, but far enough from the dorms that the guardians on duty tonight could "overlook" the gathering as long as it stayed under control.

A few people had brought music, the moonlight provided enough light, and quite a few bottles of vodka were being passed around. Most people had brought blankets to sit on, (or in the case of a few couples on the edge of the party and farther back in the trees, wrap themselves together in) and Dimitri's sharp eyes caught a few other substances being passed around on the periphery of the group. Malina led him straight into the middle of the party; a cluster of royals sitting on a few thick blankets, talking and sharing top shelf vodka and bootleg American beer. Ivan Zeklos was facing away from them, but turned and stood when Malina called.

"Ivan! Delivering one Dimitri Belikov, as ordered, sir!"

Dimitri stiffened and nearly turned away, then belatedly caught the teasing mischief in her tone.

Ivan raised one eyebrow and glanced between Dimitri and Malina, taking in Dimitri's scowl and Malina's grin. He grabbed Malina's hand and bowed low over it, exaggerating the kiss he pressed against her fingers. "Thank you, milady." He straightened and offered his hand to Dimitri. "Ivan Zeklos."

Dimitri returned the handclasp. "Dimitri Belikov." He forced himself to meet Ivan's eyes. He couldn't help noting that Zeklos was exactly his height, though Ivan's build was Moroi-slim. Dimitri was lean for a dhampir, but next to Ivan, the muscles he'd built over years of training were practically bulky. As he'd expected, he was immediately irritated by Zeklos's cocky smile and general self-confidence. "Malina said you wanted to meet me."

"Yes," Ivan answered, "I just transferred from the St. Petersburg academy, and my mother is pressuring me to make friends." "Friends", Dimitri knew, meant connecting with other royals and guardians-to-be, laying groundwork for the future.

They were interrupted by another Moroi – one of the Badica twins - throwing a blanket at them. "Sit!"

Ivan snagged a vodka and a blanket of his own and motioned to an open spot at the edge of the group. Dimitri almost hesitated, but politeness dictated he make some effort.

Then Malina surprised him. She stepped in front of him, almost protective, though her voice stayed casual. "I promised Dimitri we didn't have to stay long."

Ivan took the blanket from her and tossed it out on the ground next to his. "But he wants to stay, don't you, Belikov?"

Malina stepped back to Dimitri and slipped her arm around his waist. "We can go," she said, almost a question, looking up at him.

He couldn't figure her out. "It's okay."

She was still looking at him. "Just a little while, then."

Ivan raised an eyebrow at them and passed the bottle to Dimitri. "All right," he offered, lost in their odd exchange.

They sat, and Malina kept a loose hold on Dimitri's hand. He took a swallow of vodka and passed the bottle to her. "Why did you transfer?" Dimitri asked Ivan. He'd made the choice to stay, and he was curious in spite of himself. He tried to match Malina's casual tone, but even in his own ears the question was practically an accusation.

Ivan stared at him. "Long story," he said finally. "Let's just say the official reason is that my family has business here in Siberia, so I thought it would be good to go to school down here."

"And the unofficial reason?" Dimitri's voice was still harsh. Malina's hand tightened in his.

Ivan waved away the question but seemed oblivious to Dimitri's tone. "Not as interesting as you might think." Malina handed the bottle to Ivan and he gave a short nod in thanks. "So what are your plans for the rest of the evening?"

Malina looked back at Dimitri. "Just hanging out. Dimitri doesn't like parties much." He was confused by how much she noticed about him.

Ivan leaned forward, confiding in her as if Dimitri wasn't there. "Don't tell anyone, but I don't either. Mind if I tag along?"

"What about making friends?" she asked in the same conspiratorial tone.

He threw his arms wide. "You choose."

"What?" she laughed.

"I'm a horrible judge of character," Ivan laughed in return. "Trust me, I'd be much better off if you chose friends for me."

She laughed again, but shook her head. "Maybe another day." She stood and offered her hand to Dimitri.

"How long have you been going out?" Ivan asked.

Malina looked at Dimitri. She flicked her eyes back to Ivan, inviting Dimitri to answer. He raised one eyebrow at her. "First date," he said, watching for her reaction. Laughter gone, she smiled at him, that sweet, almost shy smile. Dimitri found himself smiling back at her and surprised himself by wrapping his arm around her shoulders.

Ivan looked back and forth between them, looking as confused as Dimitri felt. "Have a good night, then." He took another swallow of vodka and raised a hand in farewell.

As they moved away, though, Dimitri heard a familiar voice. "Hi. I'm Katya. Just wanted to introduce myself." Her voice was confident.

Ivan's voice was unexpectedly warm. "Well, hello, princess."

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