Chapter 32: Ticking Russian Time Bomb

So here's the next chapter. I apologize for the links on my profile not working. I wrote that chapter a while ago and those links no longer function. I could not find a photo that would do it justice . Sorry about that. Here is the next chapter. Dimitri is finally back. Here's a little explanation about why he went to Court. He didn't tell Rose because he didn't know if he could work it out and he didn't want to get her hopes up. Enjoy!

DPOV

I was sitting on a plane ready to return to the Academy. I'd spent the last two days meeting with some of my fellow Guardians trying to figure a way to be with Rose after she graduated.

After nearly a day and a half of no progress an idea was suggested to me by one of my colleagues. It was in my opinion the best solution to the problem. I felt that everyone would benefit from the situation. After an impromptu audience with the Queen in which she agreed to the switch as a political move I was finally on my way home. I felt as if I was gone for months instead of days.

The flight was long. My mind kept drifting to Rose. She'd been so angry with me before I left. I knew I was treating her unfairly and I wanted to stop, but sometimes I let my paranoia get the better of me. It wasn't about being in control of her. As much as she thinks I don't think of her as a Guardian I truly do, it's just that when I thought I lost her I went a little bit mad and the thought of being separated from her in any way shape or form ever again made me crazy. I knew that it was inevitable that we'd be apart from time to time, but actually living through it would be another matter.

I'd never been in a close relationship with a woman before. I'd been with other women casually, some in my hometown before I left and one when I was Guarding Ivan Zeklos, but none of them even came close to conjuring the feelings that being with Rose causes in me. I sometimes feel as if when I'm not with her I am missing a vital part of myself like an arm or a leg or more specifically my heart. I need to be with her and to be near her. I can't explain the hold she has over me. She touches my heart and soul like I never thought possible.

This past week had been less than perfect I had to admit that most of it was my fault. We'd fought several times. I'd made her upset. When I left for Court two days ago I could almost feel her relief in getting away from me. My heart constricted in pain at the thought that the love of my life was happy to be rid of me.

I was messing things up with her and I knew it, but somehow I couldn't stop doing things that made her angry. I wanted her to be calm in case we were going to have a child. I couldn't stand the not knowing. It was very poor timing and I knew it was wrong for me to ask her to give everything up for me. I was feeling guilty about the possibility of ruining her life as a guardian, but then again I wanted her to be the mother of my children more than anything.

I pinched the bridge of my nose and sighed heavily. "What are you doing to me my Roza?" I groaned in exasperation.

It had been pure torture being separated from her for two days without a form of communication. It wasn't allowed on campus, but I really needed her to have a cell phone. It would have eased my mind being able to talk with her and text her while I was away. I'd thought about getting her one, but then I thought about what her reaction would be. She'd think that I was keeping tabs on her.

The plane landed at the Academy and I grabbed my bag. I wasn't on duty tonight. It was Rose's birthday and I could not wait another minute to see her. I could only hope that she wanted to see me after the way I had been acting.

I threw my stuff in my room and headed out to find Roza. It was nearly six pm. Knowing her she would probably still be asleep.

I knocked softly on her door. There was no answer. I used my key and entered her room quietly trying not to wake her. To my surprise she was not here. The room was empty.

Where could she be? My first guess would be that she was with the Princess.

I decided to let her sleep a little and headed over to the Guardian dining room to grab some breakfast.

When it was nearing 8pm breakfast time for the students I made my way to the dining hall to wait for Rose.

A few minutes after nine a very tired looking Christian and Lissa showed up. They sat down at their usual table and a few minutes later they were joined by Eddie and to my surprise Mia Rinaldi. They were talking and laughing. Around nine-thirty Rose still hadn't shown up. By this time I figured the Princess would be calling to her through the bond, but she didn't seem to care that Rose wasn't there.

On their way out of the cafeteria the Princess noticed me standing outside and came over. She waved goodbye to Christian, Eddie and Mia and told them she'd meet up with them later.

"Princess." I greeted her.

"It's Lissa." She reminded me politely.

I nodded. "I just wanted to let you know that tonight we are having a surprise party for Rose's birthday over in the guest housing." She told me. "I wanted to know if you would come?" she asked.

"I wouldn't miss it." I said. Surprise Rose? I laughed a litter internally. She had probably known about the party for a while, but I didn't say so. I didn't want to hurt Lissa's feelings.

"Great." She replied. She seemed nervous and she wouldn't look me in the eye.

"Do you happen to know where Rose is?" I asked.

"Why?" she asked defensively a look of panic crossing her face.

"I just got back and I wanted to see her, but she wasn't in her room and she didn't come to breakfast. Do you think she is with her mother?" I asked full well knowing she was not with Janine as I'd seen her in the dining hall an hour ago alone.

LPOV

As we were exiting the cafeteria I saw Dimitri standing against a tree. He looked like he was waiting for someone. I was nervous that he was looking for Rose.

I said goodbye to Christian, Eddie and Mia and told them I'd meet them at Adrian's in a little bit.

"Princess." He greeted me.

"It's Lissa." I reminded him.

I wanted to invite him to the party tonight. I hoped he would come. I can't stand seeing him and Rose arguing. They need to get past this.

"I just wanted to let you know that tonight we are having a surprise party for Rose's birthday over in the guest housing." I told him. " I wanted to know if you would come?" I looked down at the ground while I waited for his answer.

"I wouldn't miss it." He replied.

"Great." I told him and as I turned to leave he stopped me.

"Do you happen to know where Rose is?" he asked.

Oh my God I can't lie. I'm such a bad liar I could tell he knew I was panicking.

"Why?" I asked hoping to distract him.

"I just got back and I wanted to see her, but she wasn't in her room and she didn't come to breakfast. Do you think she is with her mother?" He explained.

I chewed my bottom lip nervously. What should I tell him? I couldn't lie to a Guardian even if he would believe me which he won't.

"Uh, well." I stammered.

"Is she alright?" he asked. He looked worried.

"Yea she's okay." I responded. I slipped into her head for a minute and she and Adrian were stopped at a gas station. She was fixing her hair in the bathroom.

"Lissa please tell me if you know where she is. I just want to talk to her." He said evenly.

I had to tell him, I didn't have a choice. He was going to blow a fuse and I knew it, but he couldn't get too mad at me here on the quad where people could see.

"She's with Adrian." I said softly.

He looked somewhat relieved to hear that, which I found odd.

"Thank you." He replied and started to walk towards guest housing.

"No, they're not there." I called to him instantly regretting it. I should have just made a run for it and let him figure it out, but I was stupid.

"Oh well where then?" he asked.

I took a deep breath. "Kirova told Adrian it was okay for him and Rose to go to Missoula shopping." I said shakily.

"She left the wards?" he asked looking nervously towards the front gates of the school.

"She's 18 now. It's not like they could say no."

"How many guardians did they take?" he asked.

I gulped. As soon as I tell him I would set off a Russian Time Bomb. "None." I managed weakly.

And then it came.

"NONE?" he repeated loudly? His usually calm demeaner flew right out the window.

I nodded a little afraid of what he might do.

"Kirova just let a novice and a Royal Moroi leave the wards with no Guardians?" he said. His fists were clenched and he was practically shaking the look in his eyes was lethal.

"What would possess Rose to leave without a Guardian? Why didn't they send Guardian's for Lord Ivashkov ?" He exploded. I backed away slightly.

"You know Adrian doesn't take Guardians anywhere and besides Rose is a Guardian." I said as forcefully as I could trying to make him understand.

"She is NOT a guardian she is a novice." He responded angrily.

"No she isn't. She is a Guardian promise mark or not and I trust that she can keep me safe. She doesn't need a Guardian to protect her. She is the protector." I nearly screamed at him.

He looked rather surprised at my outburst. In fact I surprised myself at how loudly I was screaming at him.

He shook his head.

"How long ago did they leave?" he asked.

"Around 9am."

"And have they been in contact?" he asked.

"Well you know Rose doesn't have a phone and I didn't really think to ring Adrian." I replied. He was angry I could tell, but he was bringing back his control.

He sat down on a bench and put his head in his hands. A slew of Russian words escaping his lips. Some I recognized others I didn't.

I sat down next to him "Guardian Belikov. Rose has killed more Strigoi than some Guardian's twice her age. She can protect them." I said trying to ease his worry.

"NO Princess she cannot. Not right now." He cried angrily.

I wanted to tell him that she wasn't pregnant, but I couldn't. Even if he knew she wasn't I don't think his reaction would have been any different. I needed to make him understand that if he continued to stifle her independence that he would lose her. Rose was strong willed and she already lived in my shadow. She didn't need anyone else overshadowing her.

"You have to trust her. She has better judgment than you think." I said hoping that he would realize that Rose wouldn't have left the wards unprotected."

"I'm sorry Princess I shouldn't have yelled at you. It was out of line." He replied putting on his Guardian façade. "Please forgive my actions."

"Dimitri I'm going to give you a little unsolicited advice." I told him.

"You have got to start treating her as an equal. If you are going to maintain a healthy relationship with her then you can't think of her as your student anymore. She's an adult now and in less than two months I am going to put my life in her hands. I trust her 110% and so should you. If you keep suffocating her you'll lose her." I said firmly.

He looked at me and his face softened.

"I know." He replied.

I was astonished that he admitted to being wrong so easily. Hopefully that would set them on the road to recovery and boy would he have some explaining to do.

"Here's Adrian's cell number, but you might want to just wait and see for a little while before you go all stalker on her." I wanted to add that she probably already knew about his outburst. She usually got sucked in when I was this upset.

I also wanted to tell him that I knew for a fact that Rose was fine and that she and Adrian would be home in less than an hour, but I didn't.

"Hopefully we'll see you at 7 for Rose's party." I told him and walked away.

Haha! Lissa is kinda scary for a Princess isn't she? Was that what you were expecting that Lissa was witnessing or did you think it was Strigoi? Don't worry there will be Strigoi sooner or later. Do you think Rose will kick Dimka's Ass for yelling at Lissa?

Still lots of excitement to come. We have the Birthday Party, the Novice's trials, graduation, a move to Royal Court… Can't say too much without giving the rest away. Thanks for reading.

What do you think the arrangement that Dimitri made at Court is? If you guess right I might just tell you.

Review or you aren't invited to Rose's Birthday Party……=)