Chapter 43: Moroi Graduation
Disclaimer: I do not own Vampire Academy or its characters or plotline.
Here is Moroi Graduation. First you will see it through Janine's POV and then Christians. I hope you like it. I felt Sparky needed to be heard for once.
Also I just wrote a first draft of the end of this story…Yea it makes me sad too but don't worry there are a lot of chapters left before that happens. I think I'm satisfied with my rough draft, but we shall see.
JPOV
I watched from the bleachers as the graduates processed down the aisle to pomp and circumstance. I was sitting in the parents section in civilian clothing. Abe had insisted that I attend as Rose's mother and not as a Guardian. I was slightly uncomfortable, but what I wouldn't do for this man after all these years. He was sitting next to me in his traditional flashy attire beaming with pride as he watched Rose walk down the aisle next to her classmates.
I could see how easily he'd won Rose's heart over even after being absent from her life for eighteen years. I was extremely jealous of their relationship. I knew in my heart though that it was my fault that Rose and I weren't close. In my own stupidity and naivety I had left her to be raised by strangers and kept her father away from her. Surprisingly though she and I were getting along for the first time in I can't remember how long. It wasn't as if I thought Abe would be a terrible father. In fact it was the opposite. I hadn't planned on becoming pregnant and I knew that if I stayed with Abe and married him that my life would completely change. I would have become one of those Dhampir women who ran off to raise her child in some commune or so people would think. Even though he seemed devoted to me and the idea of raising our child together in the back of my mind I was always afraid that years later he would regret it or leave, or cheat. Whatever the case I was a chicken and now I was dealing with the consequences. If I'd raised Rose with Abe they'd be inseparable I just knew it. Even after being apart all these years they were thick as thieves. They were so much alike it was uncanny.
As each of the Moroi students were called their Guardians were called off as well. Princess Dragomir would be receiving two Guardians because she was the last in her line. I looked off to my right where Guardian Belikov's family was sitting. Abe had again outdone himself and arranged for all of them to fly over on his private jet to attend graduation for Rose. She would be very pleased to see them again. In fact I was nearly sure she'd prefer Olena Belikova as a her mother before she would consider me if she had the choice. Next to them was Natasha Ozera. She was Christian's only relative. She was chatting lightly with one of the Belikov's. I had great respect for her. She not only used her magic to protect Christian and save his life, but she had great respect for us Dhampirs and what we gave up to protect our Moroi charges. She was a social outcast and I felt genuinely sorry for her and her nephew who sadly would probably end up unprotected once again. Moroi politics were corrupt no thanks to the acting Queen Ivashkov. Needless to say that although I respected her I did not care for her as a leader or a person very much.
As the names were called out I waited patiently through the endless list of Badica's until they got to Dragomir. I already knew that Rose was chosen as her Guardian, but Rose wasn't entirely sure and it had to be killing her not knowing.
"Princess Vassilisa Dragomir."called out Headmistress Kirova. I watched as the Princess made her way across the stage. I owed this girl everything. She had saved my daughter's life not once but twice now. I generally didn't have a high opinion of Royal Moroi, but for her and the rest of Rose's friends I had to make an exception. They were truly a remarkable group of individuals. The respect, love and friendship they showed Rose and the rest of us was unprecedented.
"Guarding the Princess will be Guardian Edward Castile and Guardian Rosemarie Hathaway." Announced Guardian Petrov.
The princess let out a squeal and nearly jumped on Rose as she and Guardian Castile, one of Rose's friends joined her on stage. All of the Belikov's, Natasha Ozera , Abe and Lord Ivashkov jumped out of their seats in applause. Rose looked slightly embarrassed, but I could see the happiness radiating off of her.
As the Princess received her Diploma Rose and Guardian Castile were congratulated by Guardian Petrov. She handed Guardian Castile his silver stake that every Novice received upon graduation, but did not hand one to Rose instead she hugged her and whispered something in her ear.
Rose looked off to the right of the stage and there was Guardian Belikov dressed in his Guardian attire. He walked closer to her and handed her a long skinny box. I watched her open it and pull out her Stake. She looked at it and then jumped into his arms and hugged him tight. I guess the cat was out of the bag on their relationship now that graduation had come.
They preceded to call the rest of the names on the list. They had just finished the N's and I watched anxiously as they called his name.
"Christian Ozera."
Tasha looked anxious as they said her nephew's name, but she stood up and cheered as loud as she could as did the Princess, Rose and the rest of their friends.
"Guarding Lord Ozera will be Guardian Dimitri Belikov." Announced Guardian Petrov. As surprised as I was to find this information out there were some who were even more flummoxed by the announcement including Christian himself.
I watched as Christian and Tasha shared a look of shock and then contentment that they'd finally been reinstated into the Royal Circle. Rose's jaw was practically on the floor as she gaped at Dimtiri. He just smiled at her knowingly. She obviously did not have prior knowledge of the plans. I had to laugh at that. I sometimes did not understand how the two of them ended up together. Then there was the Princess who was squealing and jumping up and down like a crazy person. Guardian Belikov's family just beamed at him proudly.
CPOV
I watched sullenly as Lissa got her diploma and Eddie and Rose were announced as her guardians. They were all excited and celebrating. Rose and Dimitri's families were cheering and they all looked really happy. I loved Lissa beyond words, but sometimes it floored me at how well she was treated because of her status as the last of the Dragomir line. I knew it was a lonely life to lead and a hard road in life, but none the less I was jealous. She herself was not into acting Royal and that is what I loved about her, but sometimes I felt like moving to Court and being around all those other Royals was going to change her into their puppet and she'd eventually have no use for someone like me. I was at best a Strigoi wannabe in everyone's opinion, although I had received a battle start tattoo for my help in the attack. I wasn't going to get it, but Rose had convinced me that it was an honor and I should be proud to wear it. She was really a true friend.
My family was always going to be tainted with the fact that my parents had willingly turned Strigoi. Even though Tasha and I had nothing to do with that we were still viewed as outsiders. They treated my Aunt like crap and that is why she rarely came around the other Moroi and even when she did she stayed away from them as much as possible. They wouldn't even assign her a Guardian.
She'd asked Belikov to be her Guardian earlier in the year because they were friends, but he'd turned her down. She was kind of in love with him and at first I thought he turned her down because it was more prestigious to be Lissa's Guardian, but then I found out about his relationship with Rose and I couldn't blame him anymore. I knew what it was like to be alone and I didn't want my Aunt to be the reason that Rose was unhappy. I love her like a sister even though I give her a hard time. She and I were more alike than I'd care to admit and we were really badass when we teamed up to kill Strigoi.
I heard them call my name and I walked purposefully up to Headmistress Kirova to get my diploma. Ozeras will hold their heads high no matter what anyone else thinks.
"Guarding Lord Ozera will be Guardian Dimitri Belikov." Announced Guardian Petrov.
Did I hear correctly? Did they just assign me a guardian? My mouth was hanging open as I registered what they had said. I glanced at Tasha. As I figured she hadn't expected this either. She smiled at me though and clapped her hands. I heard Lissa squealing with excitement.
I walked across the stage dumbfounded.
"It will be a pleasure to serve you Lord Ozera." Said Guardian Belikov bowing to me.
Now he was making me uncomfortable. It had been a long time since anyone had bowed to an Ozera.
"Thanks." I managed. To my surprised Rose stepped forward and embraced me tightly.
"See Sparky I told you so." She said with smirk.
"Glad you were right for once Rose." I said smiling back at her before retaking my seat.
So Rose and Eddie get to be Lissa's Guardians and Christian gets Dimitri for a Guardian. Yay! I like when there are happy times. Although don't forget about those Strigoi. They certainly haven't forgotten about Rose.
Review and Abe will buy you something pretty…=)
