"LET ME GO!" Rose screamed, struggling against the grip that kept her from racing after Adrian, completely unaware of the tears on her face.
"Our only chance is a rescue mission," her mother's voice said from behind her in a firm voice, "You'll get them all killed if you try now, you know it. Snap out of it. There are others who were taken as well." Another pair of arms grabbed Rose, and Dimitri helped Janine pull Rose back into the large antechamber of the hall, where the guardians were regrouping. Rose struggled against them the entire way, refusing to let her mind think rationally. Finally, she had enough of the pulling, and she turned sharply, throwing her fist out wildly. She caught her mother on the right side of her jaw, causing her to stagger back, not expecting the blow. She let out a short string of profanities.
"Rose!" Dimitri burst out in a frustrated voice, but Janine just shook her head, rubbing her jaw, "I would have done the same thing once. Let her go, Belikov. She knows its suicide to leave again. The wards are going back up, so we're safe for the moment. Christ... Get a hold of yourself, Rosemarie." She walked away, still rubbing her aching jaw. Rose, who had remained completely silent since striking out, watched her go without saying a word. Her breathing was slightly heavy, and her eyes wide, frantic.
"Rose?" Dimitri asked uncertainly.
"I need to go," she said abruptly, turning to leave.
"You can't-" He started, but she shook her head firmly, taking a few steps back from him, "I need to go to my room. I need to see Lissa. I can't be here." He finally nodded, and Rose turned, racing away at full speed from the place where she watched Adrian be dragged out of the hall.
Meanwhile, Lissa and Christian had made it back to the Moroi housing. They sat together on the couch - Lissa wringing her hands in worry, and Christian rubbing her back.
"Rose is fine, you would know if something happened," Christian insisted. Eddie nodded from the doorway, adding, "She'll come when she can." Lissa sighed, and nodded, reaching up to pull the tiara that had held her wedding veil from her hair. She then looked down at her crumpled, ruined dress, sighing softly. Christian lifted her jaw, and smiled softly, "It's okay, Liss." She sniffed back tears, touching his burnt sleeve from wielding his fire, and the pink, tender skin beneath. He sighed, "I wish Adrian would hurry up - I swear, he was right behind me when I got out." A knock on the door prevented anyone from replying, and Eddie cautiously opened it to reveal a frazzled-looking Dimitri.
"Tasha is in full labor, I need to be there," he explained quickly. Christian jumped up, but Dimitri shook his head, "She'll be fine. She's okay. You need to find Rose."
"What happened to her?" Lissa asked quickly, eyes widening as she approached. Dimitri sighed, pausing for a moment. Finally, without looking at them, he softly said, "Adrian was captured by the Strigoi, along with Queen Naomi and a few other royals."
"Oh, no..." Lissa whispered, the room suddenly silent. Christian's face had paled, and he took a step back, sitting on the couch without even thinking. Eddie cursed under his breath, and Lissa demanded, "Where did Rose go?"
"She took off - she couldn't take being there. Use the bond, princess. I need to be with Tasha," Dimitri explained, nodding his head, "Come see us when you are able." Eddie said, "I need to go back down to the hall, will you be alright finding her?" Lissa nodded, and Eddie closed the door behind him and Dimitri. Lissa turned to Christian, who was staring straight ahead. Wordlessly, she moved to kneel in front of him, on the floor. She whispered, "It's not your fault."
"I should have checked behind me..." Christian muttered, shaking his head and looking ill.
"Christian.." Lissa begged, and he finally met her eyes, hearing the desperation in her voice. He touched her cheek, leaning forwards to kiss her forehead softly, "Mrs. Ozera." This made her heart ache, and Lissa bowed her forehead to touch his, and let the tears fall.
Rose sat on the all-too-familiar bench, looking out over the still pond. The Moroi day was beginning to end - the sun would rise soon, but Rose was completely content to ignore everything but her own, cold heart. Her knees were huddled against her chest, and her chin rested on crossed forearms. Every breath felt like an ache in her chest. She could see the gentle glint of the ring on her finger, left there and forgotten during the fight. Another tear fell down the same path that so many tears had previously made on her face, and she laid her forehead on her arms, shaking.
"Rose?" Lissa's voice whispered, as she appeared and sat down next to her. Rose didn't reply, didn't move. She couldn't.
"Rose..." Christian's voice chimed in, sitting on her other side. She felt his hand rub across her shoulders, and he gently pulled her closer, into a half-hug. Lissa took one of her hands, and rubbed it, watching with worried eyes.
"I should have been there," Rose finally said, in a raspy voice, "I watched him get taken. I watched him get wrenched away, thrown outside like he was nothing. I failed him."
"No," Christian said, "We were unprepared, outnumbered. You know this, Rose. We had no chance. We are lucky so few were taken. And we're going to get him back." Rose sighed, finally looking up at them. Her eyes were bloodshot, her makeup long since wiped off. Her hair was still done in the waves from the wedding, but now it was speckled with dirt and blood. She still wore her dress, but it too had been destroyed.
"Come inside. Please," Lissa begged, eying the approaching sun, "The sooner you sleep, the sooner you can help him. Please, Rose. They can't go anywhere during the day, anyways." Rose was immobile, but Christian hinted, "He might try to reach you through your dreams, Rose."
"Dreams. Right!" Rose said, standing suddenly. Lissa gave Christian an encouraging smile, and Rose turned, "Can I come to your place, Liss?" Lissa nodded, taking her hand, "Of course."
They set off to return to Lissa's rooms, and Rose had the quickest shower of her life. She changed into a pair of pj's Lissa had lent her, and walked into the second bedroom, suddenly realizing just how tired she was after the fight and dealing with the emotion of losing him. She sank into the bed, and within seconds she was fast asleep.
She wasn't sure, but when Rose woke, she knew she had been asleep for awhile. She could also tell it was one of Adrian's dreams. She bolted upright, and looked around wildly, desperately. She was in a stone room, the walls appearing wet and cold. There was nothing in the way of furniture - just one set of chains against the back wall. And beside them sat Adrian. His legs were stretched out in front of him, his arms held close to his body. He was watching her, waiting for her to wake up, with somber eyes.
"Adrian!" Rose burst, throwing herself in his direction. As she fell to her knees he caught her easily, holding her tight to his chest. She began to cry, and she shook her head, leaning back, "Where are you? Are you alright? Please-"
"I don't have much time," Adrian insisted, cutting her off, "They know about spirit - apparently every past Ivashkov Heir has had the same abilities. They wake me every fifteen or so minutes so I can't get far dreamwalking. Rose, we aren't far from court."
"Where?" She asked again, holding onto him tightly as she inspected him. His left eye was badly bruised, and there was dried blood still stuck to his neck, where two ugly purple bruises betrayed the location of the twin puncture wounds. He brushed hair from her eyes, and softly said, "I was unconscious, Rose. I'm chained to the wall - not too hurt, other then the bite to my neck. I think my leg might be broken - but the Queen is in much worse shape." Rose nodded, absorbing information. She glanced around, and hesitated before letting Adrian's arms go, walking to the small window in the cell's door. She could only see a stone passage through it, with a large shield hung from the wall. It had two swords crossed, and some Latin written on the bottom. Making note, she turned back to him.
"I'm so sorry," She blurted out, miserably meeting his eyes, "This is all my fault. If anything happens to you-"
"Shhh," He said, holding out a hand. She took it once more, sinking down. He kissed her cheek tenderly, and said, "Don't, Little Dhampir." He pulled her close, and she rubbed her forehead against his jaw. He sighed, and the room flickered once. He looked down sadly, "I'm being woken up. Please, be careful-"
"I'll find you," Rose said fiercly, "Adrian, I'll save you." He kissed her quickly, and gave her a grin, "When you do save me, I think you should play nurse again back at Court. But this time, there's this little outfit I had in mind..." The dream faltered once more, and Adrian was gone. Rose woke with a snap, and despite herself, she let out a soft laugh. Trust Adrian to request something sexual at a time like this. Feeling much better, she jumped out of bed. Checking the time, she threw on a pair of jeans and a black t-shirt, noting that it was morning. Perfect. She walked out of the bedroom, finding Lissa and Christian in the kitchen having breakfast. Lissa gave her a worried look, but Rose just pulled her wavy hair back into a long ponytail, and said, "I need to go see Alex."
"Are you okay?" Lissa asked, walking with Rose to the door. Rose turned back, and looked at her, completely serious. She said, "I love you, Liss. I'm going after Adrian. I'm not coming back without him." Lissa bit her lip, nodding, "Be safe." Rose nodded, nodding at Christian, and then leaving in the direction of Alex's office.
When she got to the Guardian Offices, she found it buzzing with activity. Dimitri was there, talking in a low voice with Alex. Janine was there too, and Rose fought to keep her determination as she remembered striking her mother the previous day. She walked towards Alex in a wave of guilt. She'd have to apologize to her mother, that much was obvious.
"Rose." Alex nodded, eying her carefully. Rose nodded back, and she looked at Dimitri, who despite his guardian mask was almost glowing with pride.
"Congratulations," She said softly, touching his arm. He gave her a huge smile, and said, "A boy and a girl. Everyone is healthy, but we haven't named them yet."
"After." Rose nodded, understanding. After everyone came back safe and alive, she thought to herself. She turned back to Alex, and quickly relayed any details she could get from the dream with Adrian. Alex nodded immediately, and said, "Swords crossing? Theres an old Manor a few miles away - it would fit the timing of the attack and sunrise, as well as the coat of arms being that of the manor's. Perfect, Rose. Good job." Rose nodded, keeping her face impassive, and Alex gently added, "We'll get him back, Rose. Our plan is to go in, in sets of four. Your set is for him." Rose nodded, and said, "Who am I with?"
"Belikov, Eddie, and.. Hathaway," Alex said, hesitating only slightly over the last name. Rose's mother. Rose's eyes narrowed slightly, and she spied the fiery redhead, wondering what her mother was up to. She excused herself and walking over quickly. As she reached her mother, Janine turned, as if she sensed her. Their eyes met, and held.
"I'm sorry I punched you," Rose said monotonously. Janine nodded, and said, "You need to be emotionally ready to leave, as soon as the sun comes up. Will you be?" Rose took her turn nodding, and as she turned away, she quietly said, "I'm sorry they stuck you with me." She began to leave, but Janine's hand gripped her wrist, stopping her. Rose turned back, and saw an expression on her mother's face she had never seen before. If she didn't know better, she would say it was almost tender. Janine stepped closer, touching Rose's cheek with her free hand.
"I asked to be with you," Janine said in a low voice, not wanting to draw attention but doing so anyways. Rose's brow furrowed, and she frowned, "Why?"
"Your an excellent guardian, Rosemarie," Janine admitted, "And I can only imagine how you are feeling with him gone. I want to help you get him back. I know we can do it." Rose felt a tightening in her chest, and a burning sensation in her throat. She thought that she was out of tears, but one fell as Janine pulled her closer, into a rough hug. Rose clutched her mother's shirt, and for the first time in her memory, she felt at peace with her.