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Loving is Sacrificing

Chapter 1

Beginning where Spirit Bound left off.

It had been a few hours since they had locked me up for a crime I didn't do; killing the Queen. Sure, I have plenty of reasons to have killed her… and had many witnesses that heard me called her a "Sanctimonious bitch," but that doesn't prove anything. The only tangible evidence they have is my stake; how it had gotten there is beyond me. Someone framed me. Now I'm depending on my father- who's never been a part of my life- to bail me out. I hope he can put his reputation to use and prevent me from being executed. Otherwise, there will be no more Rose Hathaway... No more Me, I sighed at the direction my thoughts were carrying me. Exhausted from today's events, I fell into a deep unwanted sleep.

In the background I could hear my best friend, Lissa- with whom I am bound to- crying. Her boyfriend Christian held her in a protective embrace, whispering calming words. Beside them sat Adrian. My..boyfriend? Yes, definitely my boyfriend. He sat there alone staring blankly ahead in disbelief. Lissa's crying form and the hectic chaos in the court couldn't keep my eyes from finding him. Dimitri Belikov. My former lover, trainer- and Strigoi- was walking out of the room.

There was a time in our world where everyone believed being turned Strigoi was a death sentence; no coming back. Now, there were doubts. Dimitri had been cured... by Lissa. She had infused spirit into a silver stake that had all four elements of Moroi magic already infused into it; the Dhampir weapon of choice for destroying Strigoi. Lissa the last Dragomir had staked Dimitri and cured him. Since then he hasn't wanted anything to do with me. Too ashamed of what he had done while he was a Strigoi- to himself, to others, to me. A sudden yank on my arm brought me out of my trance-like dream state.

How the hell did you get yourself in this one Rose?

I started to struggle against the Guardians who held me in place. There was no way in hell, I was going to be executed for a crime I did not do.

"Don't make things harder on yourself Rose; it will only make situations worse." I turned around to the familiar voice. It was the same Guardian that watched over Dimitri while he was stuck in here; the one I had been talking to earlier.

"Well, if I weren't being blamed for a crime that I didn't do; there would be no reason to. With everything I've have been through; you'd think I'd get a break." My words silenced him.

"Wait. Where are you taking me? There is no God damned way I'm going back in that cell. You're crazy!" The Guardian looked at me, pleading with his eyes for me to go willingly.

Rolling my eyes I turned my head in the direction we were heading. In the hall, Moroi stood together in groups doing what they did best. Talk. As I was lead in the cell, I self consciously fingered the note I had completely forgotten about. When they locked me in the cell, I read it once again.

Rose,

If you're reading this then something terrible has happened. You probably hate me and I don't blame you. I can only ask that you trust that what I did with the age decree was better for your people than what others had planned. There are some Moroi who want to force ALL Dhampir into service, whether they want it or not, by using compulsion. The age decree has slowed that faction right down.
However, I write to you with a secret you must put right, and it is a secret you must share with as few as possible. Vasilisa needs her spot on the Council and it can be done. She is not the last Dragomir. Another lives, the illegitimate child of Eric Dragomir. I know nothing else, but if you can find this son or daughter, you will give Vasilisa the power she deserves. No matter your faults and dangerous temperament, you are the only one I feel can take on this task. Waste no time in fulfilling it.
- Tatiana Ivashkov

I woke up with sweat coating my body. Her words floated around my head. Coming in all directions. Only one stayed, pulling me to solve its riddle.

No matter your faults and dangerous temperament, you are the only one I feel can take on this task. Waste no time in fulfilling it.

I heard the rattle of keys and voices before they reached my cell.

"You have a visitor, Ms. Hathaway." I looked up and saw Adrian standing there sheepishly. Of course he would find a way to see me.

"You shouldn't be here." I whispered.

"Why? You know I had to see you Little Dhampir." I shook my head. This was going to ruin his reputation, or what's left of it.

"What are people going to think Adrian? Tatiana's own nephew visiting her 'murderer.' It will destroy your family even more." Adrian's head shot up. He looked like a mess but he looked at me with such a fierce passion.

"You think I give a shit what they think Rose? You're my girlfriend. You did not kill Aunt Tatiana, no matter what the court says. Dammit Rose," He ran his fingers through his hair and started to pull, then stopped abruptly. "I love you. I'm not going to stay away from you, just because it may hurt my family's reputation!"His eyes were glazed over, tears beginning in the corners.

He was really hurting. His Aunt was just murdered and his girlfriend was being accused of killing her.

This was because of me. He was hurting because of me.

"I know it may be too early for you but, I'm in love with you, Rosemarie Hathaway. I'm going to stand by you no matter what until we figure all this out -" I cut him off before he could continue.

"Adrian. I'm most likely going to be executed." I tried to be strong while saying it but my voice broke on the last word.

"Wh-what? No. There's no way in Hell you're going to be executed Rose." There was a confidence about him that I'd never seen before. "I'm going to break you out." He whispered. "Yes! I'm going to go find Lissa and Christian. We'll be back for you Rose. I promise." He gave me a quick peck and ran out.

I glanced back at Tatiana's note.

If this works, I have to find Lissa's other sibling. No matter what it takes.

A/N: Here is chapter 1! I hope you enjoyed it. Now, you guys have made me addicted to reviews. I've seen a couple of writers do this to their story and Im gonna try it out. I would like to get to 20 reviews. Thank ya so much.

Now go and press that review button! :P