Rating:
This chapter is Rated T

Beta:
Icestorm51; your work is very much appreciated.

Authors Notes:
Well, here it is. The last chapter of this story!
There will be an epilogue, however, the epilogue is extremely long; which is why I have chosen to split it into two parts.
I want to thank everyone who has chosen my story for: Favourite Story and Favourite Author. I feel so honoured. Thank you!
I can't wait to read your reactions about this chapter. I'm sure some of you will be very surprised and thoroughly happy with my decisions.

Disclaimer:
The author Richelle Mead owns the Vampire Academy universe. I Want To Experience Love is a Vampire Academy Fan Fiction story and it is not intended to infringe on any copyrights held by Richelle Mead or Razor Bill Company. Richelle Mead is the creator of the Vampire Academy characters, however this story is my original work. Copyright 2010 by xx-RedRoseBlackThorn-xx. No copying or reproduction of this work is permitted without my express written authorization.

CHAPTER THIRTY

Unforeseen Miracles

We arrived at the hotel an hour later and Dimitri hadn't woken up yet. I was getting concerned but I knew he needed to rest. Having a stake sliced across your chest and getting bitten from a Strigoi would be exhausting, and because of that, it made my mind less worried. The Guardians helped carry him into a room and assured me more than once that he was going to be alright. I told them I wasn't going to leave his side, not until I was positive he was okay. They didn't seem to argue with me, for which I was grateful. Even if they tried, they wouldn't win. No one was going to take Dimitri away from me. No one!

Tasha came in a couple of times to check on Dimitri's progress. She seemed nice, polite, caring and helpful. She wasn't treating me like a child and actually spoke to me like a real person. I tried doing the same back to her. She did save us, after all. Without her, well, we would be dead. There was no 'if's or 'but's, about it. She saved our lives while risking her own. She told me she saw Victor take us hostage, but couldn't come to follow us straight away. She waited for the Strigoi in the other part of the building to be corpse before trying to see a way in to where we were. She saw an old window barred and hoped it was a window to us. She melted the metal and waited for an opening to step in. Surprisingly, we got on really well while we talked and I told her several times how much I appreciated her help. She nodded and said she would do anything for Dimitri and that included me as well. She didn't mention anything about knowing I was Dimitri's other half, but I'm certain she knew. She didn't try and say how stupid if was for me to take him away or even try and be rude to me; she just assured me that when he wakes up, all he would want to see was me.

Dimitri did finally wake up and he scared the shit out of me! I didn't want to leave his side, because he could have woken at any time and I wanted to be there for it, but I couldn't handle my stench any longer, so I reluctantly decided to take a shower. I was humming away to a song stuck in my head while washing my hair, so I didn't I didn't hear the bathroom door open. I felt two hands grab my waist. I didn't even flinch at the sudden contact because I knew his touch anywhere. I turned around and he was standing there naked in front of me. I was shocked to say the least. I've seen Dimitri with his shirt off and I've seen his man hood, but never have I seen him fully naked all at once, and gosh, it was a beautiful sight.

He came into the shower with me, and he helped me wash the shampoo out of my hair. He even washed my body, which he did ever so slowly. I couldn't keep the smile off my face. He too had one of his own. I've never seen Dimitri so bold. Yes, I've seen him confident in fighting, but not with us. We had to slowly take our intimacy slow for him to recover from his childhood. He however, made the step when he woke up to join me in the shower without me even suggesting it. It was definitely progress. Dimitri let me wash him in return and I couldn't help but laugh at him when he would flinch from my touch in certain areas. He said my touch did several things to his body and now wasn't the time to experience them. His chest was still badly cut, but over time it would heal. I rubbed soft circles over his arm with the wash cloth where the Strigoi had bitten him and made sure he knew how much he meant to me.

We finally made it out of the shower and got dressed. It was a long process but it was worth it. Dimitri couldn't keep his hands off me and kissing me every chance he got. I was thrilled, even when we had the moments where Dimitri and I were intimate, he never touched me the way he did now. The realization of us dying and not being able to experience our love fully definitely changed Dimitri. It was a good change; a change that needed to take place. If the battle never happened I knew Dimitri and I would finally be one, but the battle only made it happen faster and I couldn't complain.

Even though we didn't have sex in the shower and we haven't actually had sex yet, it didn't matter. All the emotions and feelings were there and showed. Dimitri eventually flaked it on the bed and I laid there, watching him sleep. He was still exhausted and honestly, so was I. He looked so peaceful and he had a faint smile on his face. I fell asleep as well and only woke up when there was a knock at our door. Dimitri jumped up in shocked and I rubbed his hands to calm him down. I slowly walked over to the door and unlocked it to see who it was.

"Mother?" I mumbled.

"Hey darling... sorry to wake you. I'm just checking in on Dimitri's progress."

I looked at her wide eyed and realized I didn't let anyone know that he was alright. "Um, yeah... he's alright," I stumbled.

"I'm well, Guardian Hathaway," Dimitri said, coming to the door. "Thank you."

Janine looked back and forth between Dimitri and I and I knew she would be wanting to talk to me later about the situation I was in.

"Great," she said, smiling at Dimitri. "The Queen would like to speak to you both as soon as possible. A car will be here in an hour to pick you both up to take you to the airport. Once at the airport, you will be escorted to a jet which will take you to the Royal Court." Her eyes moved to mine. "I will be leaving shortly to return to my Moroi."

"So soon? But I... I just got to see you again," I said with teary eyes.

"Yes, he is expecting me," she said, giving a small smile in return. "You made me proud Rosemarie. Graduation is only just over a week away. You will become a fine Guardian."

I nodded and without hesitation I pulled her into a hug. It was a second hug in two days and that was a record for us. Janine and I never were close. I always blamed her for not wanting to raise me and be Mother so she could be a Guardian. But I understood her more now and I was just happy that we were about to reconnect. Our relationship needed a lot of rebuilding, but I was willing to make the effort. I wanted a Mother and I knew she wanted her daughter. We pulled away and she gave Dimitri a hand shake before leaving and reminding us to be ready to leave.

There wasn't much for us to pack. Actually we had nothing to pack. We went to the abandoned building ready to fight, so we didn't have clothes or anything. Dimitri and I were just wearing the clothes we came back in. Dimitri and I sat in silence for awhile while he just held me close to him. I expected he was thinking over what Queen Tatiana wanted with us and what it meant for us.

"Dimitri, what do you think she'll do?"

He looked down and said, "I have no idea, Rose. Whatever she decides, I'm not leaving you." His voice was hard and cold and his eyes represented the same.

I smiled and nodded in return, I knew what he was feeling. Never, ever, was I leaving Dimitri! I said a final goodbye to Janine and Tasha gave us her best wishes approaching Tatiana. She said she was heading home, because it was time to sort out what she needed to do about Christian. Dimitri and I told her to contact us straight away if she needed help. The black, tinted windowed car pulled up in front of our hotel room and Dimitri and I gave each other a passionate kiss before we would have to leave. The jet flight to the Royal Court wasn't too long either. Neither of us spoke much, we just felt comfortable in silence. I knew he was thinking about all the possibilities and I was doing the same. We knew the time would come when we would have to come forward about our relationship, but Dimitri only hoped it was after graduation. I was a week away from graduating and Dimitri was worried I wouldn't make it.

The jet landed and a Guardian escorted us up to the apartment we would be staying in for the next few days. It did shock me. Our apartment was the same one, however there were two single beds and the Guardian said where would be staying a few days, which only meant I wasn't planning on going back to graduate. I saw Dimitri tense as he came to the same realization and I only hoped the Guardian didn't see it. He told us that there was freshly stocked food and drinks in the fridge and that our wardrobe was full of clothes for us to wear. I wanted to ask him how they knew our clothes size and how they knew about fashion sense, but instead he escorted us to the Queen.

Queen Tatiana Ivashkov was obviously not alone in her office, because she had her best friend and advisor, Priscilla Voda standing beside her as well as six other Guardians standing along the walls in the room. She stood up straight away when she saw us enter and not one emotion flickered across her face.

"Greetings Guardian Belikov and Miss Hathaway. I'm so glad you could make it with such short notice. Please forgive me, but I would prefer this situation was addressed eariler then later."

"It's an honour your highness," Dimitri said as he bowed.

She motioned for us to sit in the very expensive chair in front of us. "Please sit down and make yourself comfortable. There is no need to be anxious." She sat down herself, and I noticed she was rather relaxed. "I want to hear about the battle."

I looked at Dimitri and he gestured for me to go first.

"Where would you like as to start, your Majesty?" I asked softly. "When Victor Dashkov broke free? When he tried to kill me through using a charm or the final battle?"

Tatiana looked shaken and she looked at Priscilla Voda. They both couldn't believe what I was saying and the truth was, I didn't really say anything. What I was going to say would blow their minds away. I knew it would be hard to explain what happened and try to cover up what Victor knew about Dimitri and I, but I knew Dimitri had my back and he always gave me his strength. Queen Tatiana suggested I start from the beginning and I did. I told her every little detail excluding the bits about Dimitri and I figuring out that Victor was involved with the Strigoi attacks. Dimitri involved himself every now and then in the story when I was unaware of what had happened when I wasn't present. However, he pretty much let me talk and I was curious. Never would Dimitri let me speak about something so important. He would usually stop me before I would say anything to get myself into trouble. Where as, this time, I didn't get myself in trouble. Tatiana did seem a little harsh when she was asking questions, but I kept my cool and explained it all to her with going off the rails. Maybe this is what Dimitri wanted to see? To see that I had grown up and taken on a responsibility. I did see him out of the corner of my eyes, smiling a couple of times when I was explaining. Maybe he was proud?

After explaining the story to Queen Tatiana she seemed impressed with my behaviour and attitude, as did Priscilla. Priscilla told me that I would get my marks when I graduate, (yes – she said graduate) and Dimitri would receive his later on today. She didn't mention anything about the relationship we had going, and I was so glad we still had it as a secret. We stood up to say our goodbyes and before we could leave she gave me a smile. Yes, a real smile. Unbelievable, right?

"Rose? May I call you Rose?" She asked.

I looked at Dimitri in shock and turned back to her and said, "Of course you may."

She nodded and said, "You will be acknowledged for your involvement in Victor's case." I smiled and nodded before she continued. "There is something I think you will want to know." I gulped waiting for her to speak. "I understand that you are still being affected by the current events which have happened in a very short time, so I suggest you visit the hospital clinic here."

"Um, okay sure. I guess I could do with a check up."

"Very well. I'm sorry about your losses. A ritual ceremony for those who were lost will be held within a few weeks. You are invited to attend. Hope to see you in the future, Rose, Guardian Belikov."

Dimitri and I left but didn't speak to one another until we arrived back at our apartment. We both knew that what just happened when we spoke to Queen Tatiana was weird and not normal. We also knew that to speak to each other, we had to be alone. We couldn't risk the chance of us being caught. Not even the slightest. Dimitri unlocked the door and once we were inside, he slipped his arms around my waist and pulled me to him.

"You're an exceptional woman, Roza," he purred, his Russian accent rolling through his words.

"I don't know about that," I said, frowning. "What was that all about?"

He chuckled. "What was what all about? You just proved to her that you would be a damn good Guardian. I knew you could do it."

"But why... why did she give me a chance? I thought she was going to tell to me how reckless I was and get up me for hanging out with Adrian... blah... blah. But she... she listened and she smiled and she... she... she asked if she could call me Rose. She invited us to the ceremony – a members ceremony. That's – oh no! Is she sick? I bet she's sick. Shit, Dimitri what are we-"

He stopped my blubbering by holding his finger up against my lips.

"Queen Tatiana is not sick," he said with a smile. "Whether you will believe this or not, she gave you a chance because you acted like you deserved a chance. You have learned Rose. You have grown. You walked it professionally and spoke politely. You didn't interrupt when she spoke and you didn't give her an attitude when you were explaining. You showed her your potential."

"Whoa, I really did do those things, didn't I?" I looked at him shocked. "I learned all those things from you though."

He laughed. "Yes, yes you did."

I glared at him and playfully slapped him on his chest. He pulled his head down and kissed me while pushing me to his bed. We had a make out session for I don't know... an hour? And must I say, a best hour I have had in ages!

"Dimitri, what do you think Tatiana meant when she said I should go to the hospital here?"

He looked down at me and caressed my cheek. "Is it bothering you that much?"

"It was just weird, that's all. She was pretty much ordering for me to go. It should have been you she insisted on getting a check up. You're in worst physical state than I am. It's strange and weird. I mentioned weird, right?"

"Why don't we go then? I'll come with you. You could be suffering internally. We can both get checked over."

Dimitri and I made it to the hospital and the nurse made time to check us over, assuring us that we were fine, and we did the right thing by coming by. As we were about to leave, the nurse asked us if we minded waiting in Room 44 for her to come back with some pain relief for Dimitri. We obliged and started walking to the room. I noticed the door was closed, so I knocked to alert our presence. I heard mumbling and then the door opened.

"Oh my God! Lissa, what are you – why are you here?" I asked, surprised.

It wasn't long before she crushed me into a hug. She pulled back and said, "Why don't you come in and see?"

Dimitri held the door open for Lissa and I to walk into the room. I came to a halt. No way! No, no, no. It couldn't be, could it?

"Christian," I said crying. "It's really you? What are you doing here? I..."

"Did I make the famous Rose Hathaway speechless?" he said, smirking.

I stood there with my mouth open just staring at him. He was alive. How the fucking hell was he here in front of me when he died? I couldn't believe it. I slapped myself mentally and ran over to Christian and pulled him into a hug.

"It's really you! You're here."

I felt his chest shake with laughter. "It's really me. I didn't realize you would miss me this much, but if there's any doubt, I missed you too."

I closed my eyes and sighed. He was back. Christian Ozera was back. Who knew? He really could do anything. And then I remembered...

I moved back and punched his arm before slapping him across the face. He looked at me in shock and I heard Lissa gasp beside me.

"How dare you! I thought you were gone. You tore me apart. I thought I was too late to save you!" I yelled.

"I'm sorry," he muttered.

I sighed and stopped being angry with him. How could I be angry with him when he was here? Alive and well. Well, healthy enough.

"What happened? How are you here?" I said confused.

Christian sat up and told Dimitri and I to take the spare seats by his bed. Lissa sat on the hospital bed with Christian.

"This is what I know..." he began. "I remember speaking to you and then falling asleep. Next thing I know, the nurses and Dr Olendzki are all round me with noisy machines. I couldn't focus real well and Dr Olendzki told me to rest. Then, I wake up here! At the Royal Court. They transferred me when I was out of it."

"The Royal Court has the finest doctors. I'm not too surprised," said Dimitri.

Christian smiled at Dimitri and then told the rest of the story. "So this is what happened... I died... that's what you saw," he said, looking sad. "Dr Olendzki brought me back and stabilized me. That's how they were able to fly me here. Headmistress Kirova notified the Queen of the situation back at St. Vlad's and one of the doctor's here did some research. They found information on something similar happening over 2000 years ago. So they did what they had to do... and ta-da... I'm here."

"It's good to see you back," Dimitri said.

"It's good to be back," Christian beamed back.

"I'm still lost... How did Dr Olendzki stabilize you, you said she did everything else that she could..."

Christian turned back to me and gave a small smile. "Adrian. He dream-walked and stayed with me." He took a few moments to think back on memories and said, "He kept begging me to get better. He didn't know I died either and well, neither did I. So he didn't think much about freaking out. He said that he knew I wasn't well by my aura. He also knew I still loved Lissa. He kept me going..."

I nodded. It was so much for me to process. "But Eddie... he's... gone?" I whispered.

Christian and Lissa smiled at each other and Lissa said, "That's something you can see for yourself as well."

My eyebrows rose up and I couldn't help but laugh in joy. "Eddie's alive as well?"

"He most certainly is." Lissa smiled. "Why don't you go see him?"

"Yeah, I think we will," I said, looking at Dimitri. "But first... how come the effects of the charm worked differently on you then it did on Eddie? The nurses told you it was the bracelet, didn't they? That Victor charmed it? He wanted me out of the way..."

Lissa's face fell. "They told us this morning. I can't believe he would go that low. And to think, I used to call him family."

"He had us all fooled for a long time, Princess," Dimitri complied.

Christian rubbed Lissa's arm in comfort and then answered me. "I can't believe it, Rose The Strigoi Slayer still has the interrogation mannerism. And I thought coming back to this world would give me some hope."

"Very funny, Fire-boy. Glad to see your still yourself. But Rose The Strigoi Slayer, really? I thought you could do better than that."

"It has a nice ring to it," I heard Dimitri mutter under his breath.

"I probably could think I something more intelligent, but please, give me some credit, I'm still recovering," he teased back. "As for your question earlier, well, it's easy to work out."

"How so?"

"Because Christian's Moroi and Eddie's Dhampir," Dimitri explained. I looked at him to say yeah-explain-further-please and he did. "The charm was created to kill. It was draining his energy. Christian gets most of his energy from drinking blood. So while he kept going to drink more..."

"It was slowing the process down," I finished. "But because Eddie was Dhampir, he didn't have the strength of blood to keep him going. He had food and water, but blood is a lot stronger and Dhampirs don't drink. It effected him quicker because he wasn't eating the donours."

"Yep, see while you were trying to make me stop, Rose. You were actually killing me."

"You better take that back," I said, narrowing my eyes.

Lissa spoke protectively over him. "He will take it back, don't worry too much."

"Ah, no I won't. I'm going to hold it over you for as long as I can," he said with a sly smirk.

"And too think I actually cared that you were gone," I shot back. "Hey, Lissa, how were you healing the returnees if you were here?"

"Just got here this morning. Not many were there at the academy to help," she said sadly. "I'm just glad you and Dimitri made it out."

"We were lucky. Tasha saved us."

"Christian, where is Tasha?" Dimitri asked with furrowed brows.

"I spoke to her this morning as well. She was on her way back home. She thought she was delusional hearing my voice."

"She was shattered. She thought she had lost everything when she saw you die. She thought the battle was closure."

Christian nodded, "Yeah, she is on her way here now. Shouldn't be too far off, actually."

"Alright, well, it's good to have you back Fire-boy. I'm going to see Eddie."

"Same too you, Strigoi Slayer!"

Dimitri and I said our goodbyes and started walking to where Eddie was being held. Dimitri didn't say anything, but I knew he was thinking about Carly and how I chose him over her. I grabbed his hand and squeezed it quickly and let it go, before anyone would notice. I took several breaths before I walked into his room. Dimitri mentioned that he should stay outside in the hallway. I tried to protest but he said he wasn't as close to Eddie as he was to Christian. He also mentioned that it would be easier on Eddie to not have an audience when he finds out the news about Carly.

"Rose?" Eddie yelled happily. "Come here..."

I walked over to him and he pulled me into a big hug. It felt so good to see him.

"Eddie, I'm so glad you're alright. I thought I was going to lose you as well. You wouldn't wake up from your sleep. I guess they transferred you here as well?"

"I thought I was a goner to," he said smirking. "Yeah, I woke up here and they explained everything. A miracle, I say. Where's my beautiful girlfriend? She came here with you, didn't she?"

Eddie looked so happy. The love in his eyes for Carly made my eyes water and I started biting my lip to try and stop the tears from falling. I couldn't talk. My throat started to dry up and I felt a hard lump get stuck in my throat. He started at me and he noticed that I was going to cry. His face turned into a worried frown.

"Rose? Where is she? What's wrong?"

"Eddie... I..." I mumbled.

"Speak to me. Take your time... Is it Carly?"

I nodded and swallowed the lump in my throat. I needed to be strong for him; he needed to know the truth.

"There's something I need to talk to you about and it's not something you are going to want to hear."

He closed his eyes and nodded.

"Carly came with us on the mission. She was amazing. She was brave and focused. She even helped us killed a lot of the Strigoi." I swallowed and I felt a tear leak from my eye. "I'm so sorry, Eddie. She... she didn't make it out alive."

Eddie didn't move, he just stared at me. He didn't cry, he didn't shake, he didn't do anything.

"Victor was leading the gang. He caught me, Carly and a few others. He planned to kill us all. He planned it from the beginning."

Eddie voice was strong and loud. "What happened to Carly?"

I wiped away my tears and said, "Victor snapped her neck." I saw Eddie flinch, but his posture was still the same. "I had a chance to save her. But I didn't..." He glared at me and I read the anger in his eyes. "They caught Dimitri too, they cut him along his chest with a stake and bit him on his arm. I had a choice... to either stand by Dimitri or... or go and try to defend Carly. I chose Dimitri, Eddie. I'm so sorry!"

"Get out," he said, his voice hard and cold.

"Eddie, please, I'm truly sorry."

"I said, get out!" he yelled.

I shook my head and without thinking I blurted out, "I stood by Dimitri, because I couldn't watch someone I love die. I love Dimitri, Eddie. I couldn't let them take him away from me." Eddie looked taken back from what I admitted to him, but I saw his eyes soften. "I wanted to save her, but I couldn't leave him. Please try and understand."

He struggled to talk. "Does he... love you?"

I nodded my head and tried to smile. "Yes. He loves me back."

He shook his head trying to put his mind around it. "How long has this been going on?"

"A while," I whispered. "You can't tell anyone! Not until I graduate!"

"And this is why you didn't save..." he trailed off because he couldn't say her name.

"She loved you. She still loves you. I always saw it when she was with you."

Eddie turned to look away from me and said, "I think it's best if you leave."

I nodded even though he couldn't see me and moped to the hallway. Dimitri was there waiting for me and he came straight to me. He took one look at my face and embraced me in his arms. I started to cry and he murmured sweet things in my ear. We arrived back at the apartment and Dimitri suggested that I take a nice warm bath, which I did. Dimitri didn't come in and join me, instead he left me alone to think. Dimitri informed me that he spoke to Guardian Shanks and was told to pass on the message that the gold bracelet was now disposed of. They ended up smashing it with a brick. I was thankful I didn't have to see it again, because it had brought me nothing but death and torture. I came out of the bathroom and Dimitri had pushed both beds together in the middle of the room and was laying on my side of the bed, reading a western novel (somethings never change). We also found out it was Lissa who brought the clothes for us. That explained the clothes size and fashion. How did she know Dimitri's size... I don't think I want to know. He set his western book down and opened his arms for me. We didn't speak; we didn't need to. Dimitri started humming a song to me in Russian and I started falling asleep in his arms.

My black vision started to blur into different colours and then settled for a beautiful green garden. I was swinging on a wooden swing in the middle of a small play area.

"It's good to see you alive, Little Dhampir," Adrian said, stepping out from behind a tree.

"Adrian," I yelled and jumped off the swing into his waiting arms.

"Is this a one off or can I have you greet me like this everyday?"

I playfully punched him and said, "How come you aren't at the Royal Court?"

"I am, Little Dhampir. I'm just leaving you and Dimitri alone. I've already seen Christian and Eddie." he smiled. "So I heard from the grapevine that Victor is gone for good."

I nodded. "He is gone. There is no coming back now. Well, he might be able to haunt me," I shuddered at the thought.

Adrian gave a throaty laugh and said, "I'm sure Guardian Hathaway can protect herself."

"Guardian Hathaway? I haven't graduated yet, Adrian. You're a little early on the mark."

"I know," he winked.

I suddenly looked at him curiously. "So what are you going to do with yourself once we have all graduated? Lissa and I will most likely be coming here, and Christian will tag along... but..."

"Don't worry about me, Rose," Adrian said rubbing my cheek. "I'm thinking about going back to university and finishing my degree. I only have a year left to complete, so I much rather get it done and out of the way."

"Really? Adrian, wants to go back to school and study? What happened to the old Adrian?"

He laughed. "He's still here, but I've learnt a lot these past months I've been here with you and Lissa."

"So you're leaving?" I said with sadness in my voice.

He lifted my chin up in his hand and said, "Yes. University is only a couple of hours away from here, so I will be about to visit you. I'll be staying with my little sister, you remember, Tessa." He smirked. "But I'll also like to go visit my brother Jason. You remember the one I was telling you about who is in a relationship with the human, Kate?" I nodded and he continued, "He contacted me and we planned to meet up. I'll be taking Tessa with me, whether dad likes it or not."

"Sounds like you have thought about this for a long time."

"Yes and no, Little Dhampir, yes and no."

"When do you leave?"

"After I see you and Lissa graduate, of course." He grabbed my hand and walked me over to a garden seat.

I gulped and thought about losing Adrian. I knew my heart belonged to Dimitri, but I still cared about Adrian deeply. I didn't want him to go. I knew it was selfish, but in reality he was also a reason why I wanted to get up in the morning.

"So, ah, what about us?" I whispered.

He squeezed my hand and said, "You'll always be in my heart, Rose. I know you care about me, I've always known that. I can read your aura, remember."

"Adrian, I... I'm sorry. I know I said I'd give you a chance and I tried, I really did, but..."

"... but you're in love with Dimitri," he finished for me.

I nodded. "I always have been. I was a fool for giving you hope. I wish I never did, so maybe you wouldn't be leaving me, but I-"

Adrian cut me off. "Little Dhampir, I'm not leaving because you hurt me. Okay, maybe I'm a little hurt, but I knew I would be. I saw the way Dimitri looked at you and the way he treated you. I also saw your side as well. I knew in the end I wouldn't win, but there wasn't any harm in trying. I'm leaving because I need to reconnect with my family. That's something you have shown me that I need to do. I'm not leaving because of you."

Tears fell down my cheek. "I don't want you to go. I'm going to miss you."

Adrian pulled me into a hug and said, "I'll miss you too, Little Dhampir."

"You'll come visit us?"

"Absolutely and maybe you could meet my little sister."

"That would be great."

Adrian pulled away and stood up. "I can feel you starting to wake up Rose. I'll see you soon."

I nodded and stood up as well. "Adrian, thank you. You saved Christian. If you weren't in his subconscious..."

"No worries, he and I may not be the best of friends, but he is family to you and Lissa."

I walked up to him and wrapped my arms around him and mumbled, "We will always be friends, right? You won't get sick of me?"

He chuckled. "I could never get sick of you, Rose."

I felt his arms wrap around my body and I waited for the moment where I would wake up in Dimitri's arms.

"Roza," he whispered. "Roza, are you alright?"

I opened my eyes slowly and mumbled, "I'm good, Comrade. Just had a dream with Adrian."

Dimitri's voice was hard. "Adrian?"

I realised what I said and jerked up in bed to look at him fully. "He dream-walked into my dream. He was pretty much saying goodbye."

"Where's he going?"

"His going to go back to university." I kissed Dimitri on the lips. "Dimitri, I love you."

"I love you too, Roza," he said, smirking. "If I remember correctly, you said that if I asked you to marry me, you would say yes in a... what?"

I giggled, "I said, I would marry you in a heartbeat."

He placed his hands on my hips and rolled us over so I was on my back and he was hovering above me. "I might just hold you to that promise."

I trailed kisses from his jaw line down his neck, "I hope you do." Dimitri groaned when I nipped his neck and trailed his hands up my shirt. "I couldn't have a much better life at this point in time."

"Mm," he murmured against the soft, tender skin above my breasts.

"Yeah. I have a best friend named Vasilisa Dragomir, who is healthy and well and preparing to become Queen. A close mate, Christian Ozera, who had a miracle and came back from his illness, who will someday marry Lissa and become King. Isn't that a scary thought? I have my extended family, Adrian and Eddie who are well and would do anything for me. To top it off, I've just had a break-through with my Mother and it looks like we will be rebuilding our relationship."

Dimitri's lips left my skin and looked up at me. "Aren't you forgetting someone?"

I squinted my face and tried to pretend to think about his question. "Oh yeah. I forgot about you," I said, poking his nose.

He gave me a full mouth smile and started tickling my body. "That wasn't very nice, Roza."

"Wasn't it, Comrade?"

"No," he growled, tickling me further up my body.

"Okay, okay," I said getting my breathing back to normal. "And I have the most perfect, handsome, wonderful, caring, loving and sexy boyfriend anyone could ever have."

"That's better!" he said before moving his lips in sync with mine. "I love you, Roza."

"I love you too, Dimitri Belikov."