Rose's Point of View
After hiding in that closet for what felt like an eternity, Victor finally left the room. We waited 5 more minutes for good measure before making a mad dash for the door.
When we reached the hall way it was surprisingly deserted.
"The coast looks clear." Mason whispered as we started to make our way towards the backdoor. The back of the estate contained an elaborate garden and would serve as the best escape route with the most hiding places. We knew from the ride over that our location wasn't too far from the main road. If we could just make it there, we could hitch a ride back to town and call for help.
In a stroke of luck, Eddie was finally coming around, and when we walked out into the cold winter air I breathed a sigh of relief at the taste of freedom.
"Were not out of the woods yet Rose, keep moving." Mason reminded me. We took off at a dead sprint and for the first time since I began my training with Dimitri, I was grateful he'd conditioned me into such a great runner. He'd always told me there would come a time when I'd be outnumbered and when that day came, I'd need to run instead of fight.
We were just about to the edge of the garden when a motion censored light flipped on.
Shit!
"I think they're out here" I heard a Strigoi call out from somewhere nearby.
Shit Shit Shit!
Christian and I exchanged a quick glance before two Strigoi appeared in front of us, but we quickly engulfed them in flames. It bought us a few minutes, but their screaming gave our location away.
"Run!" Mason ordered and we all took off at a dead sprint.
Eddie, who had been doing so well, suddenly became a little wobbly on his feet. I had been trying my best to keep an eye on him, so when I glanced back I noticed he was no longer behind me.
"Looking for this?" Robert asked, his fangs pressed up against Eddie's pale neck.
"DON'T!" I shouted, drawing the attention of Mason and Christian. I could feel them both tugging on my arm, begging me to keep moving, but I wasn't about to just abandon Eddie to these monsters so I broke free of their grip.
"Good girl." Robert smiled, tossing a weakened Eddie to the ground with total disregard. I felt my anger beginning to build up inside of me. My palms started to get sweaty and I knew when I opened my clenched fist there'd be fire in my hands. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Christian already had Eddie up off the ground.
"Take Eddie and get out of here!" I ordered them, never taking my eyes off of Robert. Every time I looked at this man I felt a hatred I didn't even know I was capable of. I wanted nothing more than to set him on fire and watch his body burn.
"Rose, we're not leaving you." Christian argued, but I wasn't having any of that.
"Just go!" I yelled. "It's me that they want. Please, I can't do this if you guys are here. I'll be fine, I promise." I could see the indecision in his eyes, but when Eddie started coughing up blood I knew his mind was made up. With one last rueful glance they took off towards the tree line that headed toward the road.
"That was quite noble of you my dear. Foolish, but noble." Robert taunted as he sauntered a little closer to me.
"What the hell does your demented brother want with me?" I demanded, shooting off a rogue fireball in his direction. He neatly dodged it, but I could tell I'd caught him by surprise.
"Well he covets your beauty for one thing…although I don't really see the appeal." He mused, looking me over like a disgusting piece of meat.
"And then there's the little matter of him needing a Strigoi Queen. Did you know my brother discovered a way for Strigoi to breed? It's fascinating really. The power and strength a crossbreed can possess. And with your good looks, skilled abilities and Royal blood, you make an excellent candidate for breeding. You know what they say…Every good king needs an heir."
Was this guy for real? Gross.
"You people are sick." I muttered, trying to shake the disgusting thoughts away from my head.
"Perhaps so…" I heard someone speak up from behind me. "But very soon my dear, you too will be one of us." I spun around to meet the cold dead eyes of Victor Dashkov just before I felt his fangs sink into my skin.
"Roza…Roza wake up." I heard a voice call out. I could also hear screaming which was weird until I realized it was coming from me.
"Dimitri?" I croaked, trying to come to terms with reality. It took me a couple minutes to realize I was no longer in the garden of that wretched estate, but tucked away safely in a bed in the guest quarters of court.
"Yes Milaya, I'm right here. You're okay now, you're safe."
I could feel the sweat running down my neck and I laid a weary head against Dimitri's shoulder, using his warm musky scent to keep my grounded.
We'd only been at court two days and already I was itching to get back to my own dorm room and the familiar surroundings of Lehigh. Something about being at court was making the nightmares reappear with a vengeance. I think it had something to do with the stress I was under and the added pressure of seeing Adrian and the Queen tomorrow night. I'd been trying my best to avoid them since I landed, but tomorrow was Christmas Eve and we'd be expected to dine in the Royal hall with everyone else.
Lissa had managed to snag Ivan an invite, and it was the only reason Dimitri was allowed to be here now. He wasn't my sanctioned guardian, Sophia was, and given what my father knew about my feelings I'm sure he'd have never agreed to let him come otherwise.
Of course just because he was here, didn't mean we'd flaunt our relationship in front of everyone. I wasn't ashamed of Dimitri or what we shared, but with everything else hanging over our heads, the last thing we needed was the Queen's wrath.
The next evening came quicker than I had hoped but Lissa and Sophia had done a great job of keeping me distracted. By the time dinner rolled around, they had plied me with a few glasses of champagne and I was actually feeling pretty good.
"You look beautiful Roza." Dimitri whispered in my ear when he, Ivan and Christian came to escort us to dinner. Once we got there he'd be forced to hang out in the background on duty, but just knowing he was in the same room as me filled me with ease.
"Thanks Comrade, you're looking pretty handsome yourself." I winked, giggling a little more than usual thanks to the champagne. Dimitri smiled but there was an underlay of disapproval at my slightly drunken state. When we neared the doors to the dining hall he leaned in for a quick kiss before resuming an acceptable positon behind us.
I already missed the warmth of his hand in mine.
Damn, this was going to be a long dinner.
Dimitri's Point of View
I watched from the sidelines as the beautiful woman I love worked the room. Like a moth to a flame, people were drawn to her and I watched as she effortlessly won them all over. It's too bad she didn't have an interest in Moroi politics'; she'd be great at it.
"She's stunning isn't she?" Someone behind me asked.
My hands clenched into a fist at my side as I recognized the grating sound of Adrian Ivashkov's voice.
"Lord Ivashkov." I answered him formally, not turning to meet his gaze. I knew what I'd find there; that smug confident smile of his.
"Long time no see Cradle Robber. I'd heard you weaseled your way back into my Little Fireball's life. It's too bad really;But no worries, I'm still looking forward to spending some quality time with her."
He didn't give me a chance to respond before he sauntered over to where Rose was standing and placed a gentle hand on the small of her back. I watched as she jumped in surprise before her eyes shot daggers at him and she jerked out of his embrace. Not two seconds later her eyes searching the room for me. She gave me a sympathetic smile and I smiled slightly in return.
I hated this. I hated the way society treated us, and the fact that I had to lurk about in the background while guys like Adrian Ivashkov put their filthy hands all over her. Rose and I were together, we loved each other, but in our world, that didn't matter. Instead I was reduced to watch wistfully in the shadows.
As I watched Rose laugh lightly at something Ivan said, I couldn't help but think about her previous comment about the cabin a few weeks ago. That cabin was our escape, the one place in this world where we could just be ourselves, and being so isolated from her now, I wanted nothing more than to be back there.
"This sucks doesn't it?" Sophia piped up, startling me.
I really needed to focus more on my surroundings.
"I'm sorry what?" I asked. I hadn't really caught what she'd said.
"Watching them from the shadows, it sucks huh?"
Sucks doesn't even begin to cover it.
"Is this your subtle way of admitting you've been sneaking around with Ivan?" I asked with an amused smile. We'd all known about it for weeks despite their numerous protests otherwise.
"Whatever, it's not like you didn't already know." She scoffed rolling her eyes.
"True, but for whatever its worth, I think you two are really good for each other." I told her and she gave me a grateful smile.
I had meant what I said, Sophia was good for him. Ever since they'd gotten together, he was drinking less, and focused more. He'd even been talking about starting up his own business when school was out. Granted that business was a night club, but with a little focus and his charismatic personality, I had no doubt he'd be a success.
"Yeah well, he's pretty sweet when he's not half in the bottle." She admitted, a small blush creeping across her face.
As terrible as it sounds I was glad to have Sophia to talk to. At least I wasn't the only fool who'd had the misfortune of falling in love with a Royal Moroi. I was just about to thank her for lifting my spirits, but something, or should I say someone stopped me. I watched in horror as the last person I wanted to see right now walked through the ballroom doors.
Tasha Ozera.