I don't own Vampire Academy, Ms Richelle Mead does.

The sun felt amazing on my skin. I was lying underneath a palm tree in a sapphire bikini... and in someone's lap as I felt lips kiss my neck.

Adrian.

"Nice choice of place," he said as he ran his fingers through my hair. "And nice choice of clothing."

I stood up, staring at him. He was shirtless and once again, wearing khaki pants. "I could say the same about you."

"Do I get a kiss now?" he asked in his most 'good boy' voice.

"Nope."

"Why not?" he said, sounding childish.

"Because that's not how bribing works," I replied.

He frowned. "Well, how about a hug?"

I thought about it for a moment. A hug wouldn't hurt.

He opened his arms and I walked into them; tiptoeing to wrap my arms around his neck. His lean body felt good against mine; as if they fit perfectly together and I couldn't help but nuzzle my head into his neck. He laughed.

"Aren't you going to ask how we are totally conscious and in control of this dream?" he asked.

"Spirit," I answered, feeling him shiver at the feel of my breath against his neck.

I didn't want to escape his strong embrace. I felt loved. And happy.

He didn't want to escape my embrace either but we couldn't stand there forever. Instead, we both laid down on the sand facing each other; my head lying on one of his arms while our fingers were intertwined with his other.

We stayed like that; staring into each other's eyes until the dream began to go in and out of focus.

"Someone is waking one of us up," he said, still staring at me.

"But I don't want to leave," I replied.

"Neither do I."

I opened my eyes to a bright light blinding me.

"Finally," breathed Sydney. "Hurry up. You're going to miss your uniform appointment. It's almost 3. You've slept through most of the day. Straight after your appointment, we're headed straight to Clarence's. Jill's due for her feeding."

After the fastest shower of my life, I sprinted to the uniform fitting room.

"Posey, did you have a few last night?" asked Dominic, grinning. "You only sleep in when you're drunk."

Angeline had an ugly smirk upon her face.

Dominic studied me for a second. "And wow, the 'battle goddess' look is really working for you."

What was he talking about?

"Come here girl," said the old uniform fitting lady. "Here, try this on," she said as she handed me a shirt and skirt.

I obeyed and looked in the mirror. I rocked this uniform. Finally, I realised what Dominic was talking about; some of my wet hair had clung to the sides of my face and scarily enough, I did look like a battle goddess. Damn.

I caught a peek at Dominic in his uniform and I couldn't help but comment on it.

"Dom, you look like a virgin," I giggled.

Dominic laughed and the uniform lady frowned at me, clearly showing her disapproval.

I shrugged and walked out of the room, waiting for Angeline and Dom to exit.

I got caught in one of Dominic's playful choke holds.

"Think you're funny, Posey?" he said as he messed up my hair.

I laughed, trying to get out of it. "I couldn't help it."

"Now the uniform lady thinks I'm a virgin," he replied as he let go of me.

"Come on Dom, we all know you're not a virgin," I whispered before being caught in another one of his choke holds.

Eddie called shotgun once I reached Noir. Dominic sat at the back, complaining about how he felt lonely.

Angeline and Jill went with Sydney in Latte.

Following Sydney was a lot harder to do with Eddie and Dominic laughing about who would win a spar out of Rosemarie and I. Eddie was sure I'd beat her, but Dominic thought otherwise. I couldn't help but laugh with them. I'd love to have seen that.

We arrived at Clarence's with both Eddie and Dom asleep.

I woke them both up before locking Noir. I didn't want her stolen from me.
The house was huge; almost mansion looking.

Clarence welcomed us all warmly, telling us to beware of Vampire Hunters. I wasn't going to call him crazy because he was an old man who had been through a lot. He had just lost his son to Strigoi.

"Do I get a kiss now, my battle goddess?"

Everyone stared at me.

Adrian stood in the doorway to the lounge wearing a maroon button down shirt and black dress pants. Once again, he looked good.

"Maybe," I replied. "But not out here."

He grabbed me by my hand and led me into another room; one that was bright, white and humungous. It was a bedroom.

"Now, may I?" he said, almost pleading.

I pulled him close to me, leaving a little distance for his lips to close in on mine. He closed the distance speedily, kissing me passionately, making me forget who I was, where I was and my reason for being here.

I dug my fingers into his back as his lips moved to my ear. He whispered my name over and over. I tugged at his shirt. Obediently, he took it off, leading me to the bed.

Stop. You're not here for this.

My shirt came off.

Stop. You might get caught.

My jeans came off.

STOP!

"Adrian," I whispered. "We can't do this."

Adrian's kisses lessened as he stared at me.

"If you don't want to, I won't force you," he said, kissing my neck.

"I want to. But, we might get caught." Suddenly, a thought occurred to me. "You can heal wounds right?"

"Yes..."

I exposed my neck. "Do it. Drink from me. Then heal the wounds. It'll be our secret."

"You sure?" he asked, obviously wanting to do it.

"I'm sure," I replied as I put a hand over my mouth.

I could feel his breath on my neck, hot and fast. The bliss of his bite came immediately, engulfing me in pleasure. If I hadn't placed my hand over my mouth, I would have drawn attention to this room.

He pulled back, leaving me wanting more. "I've taken more than enough."

He held my hand and closed his eyes. He was healing the bite. Once he was done, my neck tingled. The bite was gone.
Putting our clothes back on was hard as we couldn't keep our lips apart. The dizziness of the bite, I could handle. The loss of his lips, unbearable.

As we walked into the lounge, everyone was too busy in conversation to recognise us. I was grateful for that until I found out who was in charge of the busy conversation. It was bearded man in a velvet suit. Also known as my dad.

"Dad?" I said, staring at him. "What are you doing here?"

"I have great news for you. You're going to the Royal Court."

"Why?" I asked. "Am I in trouble?"

"Trouble? No. Well, not yet. Take this as a chance to meet your sister. But the real reason is that you've been nominated to be assigned!" he answered, smiling happily.

"Who to?"

"To Adrian."

I froze. Was that a good thing?
"You'll never have to leave me," said Adrian, his hand softly gripping my waist.

"But school—"

"You've been excused for 3 days. You will have to attend a hearing, of course. They will go through your test results and through your achievements."
I touched the back of my neck. These tattoos weren't achievements.

"When do I leave?"

"Now. You, Mr Ivashkov, Sonya and Mr Belikov will return to the Royal Court."
"I need clothes though," I protested.

"All of your needs have already been seen to at Court. And dear, your sister doesn't know about you yet. Your mother and I have been too busy to tell her so we want you to try and let her know."

I nodded. "Ok then. Let's go."

I hugged everyone goodbye before going to pick up Sonya and Dimitri.

I allowed Dimitri to drive as Adrian and I sat at the back. Sonya sat in the passenger seat, trying to keep Dimitri awake. The drive was long. I ended up falling asleep in Adrian's arms.

Dominic and Anna had followed me out of the school, into the forest. At their feet laid 2 Strigoi, dead. Dominic was fighting with one Strigoi whereas Anna was fighting two. She was being restrained by Helena while the male Strigoi watched. I ran towards her, screaming her name. The male Strigoi caught sight of me and fled.

I heard whispering.

When Helena let go of Anna's arms, Anna surprisingly didn't stake her. Instead, she staked herself.

Helena had compelled her.

"NO!" I screamed. "NO!" I ran towards Helena, staking her. Not her heart though; but the middle of her chest.

She snarled out in pain. I staked her shoulder. I staked her stomach. I staked each thigh and suddenly, after each satisfying cry of pain, I staked her heart.

I continued to stab her body, again and again until someone ripped me off of her. It was Dominic. He had killed the last Strigoi and had come to get me.

Annalisa Hawthorne was dead. It was my fault.

When I had received my molnija marks and a zvezda, I cried my eyes out. Not because of the pain, but because these showed the guilt I'd have to live with for the rest of my life. I was responsible for the death of Annalisa Hawthorne. It was my fault Jaden Lazar was a Guardian short.

I sat up quickly, hitting Adrian's forehead with my own.

"I'm sorry," I said as I kissed his forehead. "All better?"

"A little bit," he replied.

I kissed his forehead once more and then kissed his lips. "How about now?"

"Much better."

Dimitri was watching us in the rear view mirror.

"Sorry," I mumbled.

"It's not you," Dimitri said, still staring at me in the mirror. "I know you're not Rosemarie but I can't control how much jealousy I feel when I see you with Adrian."
I stared at Dimitri, watching how he tensed when Adrian held my hand. He must love my sister a lot.

In attempt to change the subject, I asked Sonya when the hearing would take place.

Monday afternoon, Moroi time, she had answered.

The Royal Court was humungous and fancy-like.

"You're staying at my house," said Adrian as we all got out of Noir.

"I think I look forward to that," I replied.

"See you at Lissa's. I've got to get a few things done," he said as he kissed my forehead.

"Be good," I called after him.

"For you, I will be," he replied before jogging off somewhere.