Hello everyone! Thank you all for all your amazing reviews. I totally love them! Keep 'em coming!
I'm sorry for the late update. I didn't mean to hold this up, but I kinda had to travel across the globe for a much needed and amazing vacation. So, without any further delay, we shall move on with our next chapter. This had been a difficult one to write since my mind is still in vacation mode. I hope you like this! Enjoy!
"So you're telling me that this girl, what's her name again?"
"Rose." Dimitri grumbled clutching his phone tighter.
"That's right. This is a Dhampir girl you've fallen for and you two have been pursuing your relationship for three weeks now?" Ivan inquired from the other end, still not believing his ears.
"Yes. I've told you about it three times now. How much time do you need to process such simple information?!" Dimitri said exasperated.
Ivan ignored his tone and continued. "Does the Queen know?"
"I'm breathing right? Can't you guess?"
It was Ivan's turn to be exasperated now. "You can't keep doing this you know! You'll end up hurting yourself!"
"I'm more worried about hurting Rose." Dimitri said sighing loudly on the speaker.
"Dimka… Are you sure it's not just some infatuation? Some challenge? A girl is not worth…."
"Roza is worth of all of it and so much more! Look Ivan, if you don't wanna understand…"
"I want to. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that." Ivan apologized hastily not wanting to distress his friend further than he already was. "You…love this girl?"
"You can take her name you know." Dimitri said sarcastically. "And yes, I love Rose more than anything in my life."
Ivan was shocked at his friend's admission. Never in his wildest dreams would he have imagined having this conversation with Dimitri!
The Dimitri he knew sure liked the company of women, but they were never his weakness. He was always in power, never giving up control of any situation concerning his life. So Ivan couldn't digest the fact that a girl, a Dhampir at that had turned his mind around. He still remembered the call when Dimitri had asked him for his help to plead an apology to some chic. He should've known something was wrong but like the stupid he was, Ivan had ignored it completely. Those were the symptoms!
It's not like Ivan didn't want Dimitri to be happy, he did. But he was worried about the consequences it would bring. "Have you told her?" he asked, alarmed.
"No. I wanted to, but I couldn't bring myself to confess everything. That night…." he could hear the pain in his voice. "I couldn't…."
"I understand Dimka." Ivan said softly, the events of the particular night playing in his mind vividly. He shut his eyes to get rid of the images. "But if you really love her as you say and she returns your feelings, then you would have to tell her eventually."
"I know, but I feel it's not the right time. We've just started to explore our relationship and I don't want to ruin it." Dimitri explained. Ivan hummed his consent because honestly, what else could he have said?
"So what now?" Ivan asked.
"I don't know. I just felt like talking to you about this. And I don't want to sound like a sap but yeah, I'm kinda missing you…" Dimitri rubbed his forehead, already regretting his admission.
"Hah! I knew you couldn't stay away from me. It's me who's you true love Dimka. Dump Rose, come back to me!" Ivan said seriously.
"Заткнись, ты член" Dimitri said trying to sound annoyed but the smile etching on his face and the chuckle in his voice defeated the cause. Ivan laughed along with him, glad to cheer him up. After a few moments of silence, he spoke up again.
"Seriously Dimka, do you want me to come over…."
"No Ivan. Stay there, stay in Russia." Dimitri said. "Take care of Vika."
"She misses you, you know." Ivan said softly.
"I miss her too," Dimitri's voice was thick with emotion. "Mama, babushka…."
"Don't worry. You'll meet them soon. After graduation you are free to come back." Ivan tried to cheer him up again.
"No."
"No?" Ivan asked dumbly.
"No. I'm not coming back to stay." Dimitri clarified.
"What?!" Ivan was so shocked that he couldn't form a coherent reply. Dimitri? Thinking of not returning? "What do you mean? You..you can't.."
"I can't leave Rose behind." Dimitri said.
"You've got to be fucking kidding me!" Ivan's shock turned into rage. "That's absurd! You can't just leave behind your family, your friends, your whole life for some pretty chic!"
"Stop referring Roza like that! And to answer your question, I can and I fucking will!" Dimitri was outraged himself now. He had called Ivan today so he could get some weight out of his heart he had been carrying for months now. Being in a relationship with Rose was like a dream come true and he savored every moment of it but sometimes….sometimes his guilt got the best of him.
Lying was difficult but keeping something from someone you loved was exhausting. He needed some counsel, but seems like calling his best friend was a bad idea.
"Look Ivan, I'll talk to you later."
"Probably, when you've got some time after screwing the dhamp!" Ivan snickered, still not believing that Dimitri, his Dimka would leave him for a girl.
Dimitri hung up without saying a word. He did not want to lose his temper and say something he might regret later. He threw the device angrily on his bed before flopping down on the sheets himself. He ran a hand through his hair in frustration cursing himself. Calling Ivan was a bad idea, but he really couldn't blame him. It wasn't Ivan's fault that he found himself in his situation that day. In fact, if it had not been for Ivan, Dimitri would still be in depression now. He wasn't his best friend for no reason. Even after almost three years of separation, they were still 'brothers in arms' and Dimitri didn't want to ruin it at any cost.
It was expected Ivan won't understand his worries for he hadn't met Rose. Dimitri was sure once they were acquainted; they would be nigh inseparable, thick as thieves! Dimitri understood Ivan's disbelief at his admission. He would have done the same if he were in his place. Ivan was just worried for his friend, heartbroken that he would choose a girl over him. Dimitri really wasn't choosing anyone. He just wanted everyone he loved to be around him and be happy.
Deciding to give it a rest, he crawled back into the covers; to catch some few hours of much needed sleep before the school started for the next day.
"Hey comrade!" Rose sang before wrapping her hands around his neck and pulling herself closer to kiss him. Dimitri smiled in the sweet kiss they were sharing and caressed her warm cheeks, holding her by her waist.
"Hey yourself," Dimitri whispered huskily before leaning in to capture her lips again.
"Gross. I can't even say 'get a room, you two.'" Christian snickered from where he was sitting on one of the chairs in the cafeteria. Lissa had just left for her daily feedings and so it was just him, Eddie and Dimitri at the table. Well, until Rose joined them.
Dimitri pulled her to his lap, kissing her temple sweetly. Rose turned towards Christian. "What do you mean by that?"
"Ah! Don't pretend you don't know what I'm talking about." Christian wiggled his eyebrows at the couple. Eddie's eyebrows rose in confusion and excitement. Rose and Dimitri had eventually come forward to tell all their friends of their relationship status and surprisingly, no one was surprised! Lissa had hugged Rose and congratulated Dimitri. Eddie had responded with a 'finally!' and a 'congratulations!' and Christian, he had just grinned stupidly.
"Don't think I don't know that he," Christian pointed at Dimitri. "Sneaks out every night after he thinks I'm asleep and doesn't return until next morning, or night. And it doesn't take a genius to guess where he goes."
Rose blushed bright red at Christian's words. It was all true. Ever since that night, Dimitri had come to spend every night (morning) with her. There was nothing sexual involved in their time together, well, nothing beyond making out. They just lied down and talked and made out and slept.
Eddie chuckled at Rose's flushed face which sent both Christian and him into a fit of laughter.
"Enough you two," Dimitri's voice broke their chuckling. He wasn't embarrassed in the least. He turned to Rose.
"Come on Roza, the class starts in fifteen minutes." he said, getting up from the table with his tray in his hands. Rose had lunch already before this so she nodded at him.
"You coming?" she asked Eddie who was now sipping on his smoothie. They had combat now.
"I'll follow you." he said before munching on his chips. They nodded and left after bidding Christian farewell.
"How are you today?" Dimitri asked wrapping his hands around her shoulders. "I haven't seen you all day."
"I was with Natalie." Rose replied.
"Natalie?" Dimitri asked curiously.
"Yeah, Prince Dashkov just returned with his Guardians and some guests today. He'd be staying in the guest accommodation. Natalie finally started in St. Vlad's. She was looking for a roommate and I suggested she should bunk in with Lissa. After the fox incident, Lissa is a bit scared to be on her own. So, I thought sharing her room with Natalie might help her?" Rose said looking up at Dimitri, silently asking for his opinion.
"It's a nice thought. I'm sure Lissa would like it," he supplied to ease her worries. She beamed up at him. They had just entered the gym when a voice caught their attention.
"Dimitri, my boy! Come here!" a heavy voice called from the other side of the gymnasium. Surprised, Dimitri and Rose looked up to see an elderly man waving at him. Dimitri recognized the person as Prince Dashkov, surrounded by his two guardians. Another person, probably in his middle age was standing beside him, smiling. Dimitri smiled back and tugged Rose to move in their direction.
But Rose wouldn't budge. Confused, he turned to her to inquire of the matter, but was surprised to see her frozen, eyes wide with a shocked look on her face.
"Rose?"
But Rose didn't reply. She couldn't! For Rose had seen her mother standing on the other end of the room.
"Rose!" Dimitri said a bit louder shaking her to break her out of her frozen stupor. He succeeded as Rose blinked a couple of times before coming back to reality.
"Are you okay?" Dimitri asked, concerned.
"Yeah…yeah, I'm..I'm fine." No she wasn't. Janine Hathaway was glaring daggers at her. Or at Dimitri. Rose didn't know and she didn't want to find out.
"Dimitri!" another call from Victor Dashkov shifted Dimitri's attention to the entourage.
"You should go…"
"Come with me." And without any other word, Dimitri dragged Rose by her hand towards them. She started to protest but shut up quickly when she realized that there was no way to avoid the situation.
"Dimitri," Victor smiled at the young moroi patting his arms in affection. He had, for all intents and purposes seen him grow up from a sweet child to a handsome and vigilant young man. They weren't related but Princess Olena had been his school friend so he considered Dimitri as a nephew of all sorts.
"Prince Dashkov." Dimitri dipped his head in respect. He tried to keep the shock out of his voice. He had known that Victor was suffering from a chronic illness, Sandovsky syndrome but he didn't know it was that bad. He'd been sick when he had last seen him, but this – this was horrible. He was Natalie's father, only about forty or so, but he looked twice that age. Pale. Withered. Hands shaking.
Dimitri's heart broke watching him. Rose too was surprised to see him so ill.
"Ah! My boy. Do you remember Aditya?" Victor smiled pointing at the Asian looking moroi beside him. After racking his brain, Dimitri finally came up with his identity.
"Lord Szelky. It's an honor." Dimitri dipped his head again.
"Honour is all ours, child. Being a moroi, a royal lord, you have been a poster role model for every other moroi out there by actively participating in the novice program. It's people like you and your mother we need to finally establish a revolution in the moroi world." Aditya, Lord Szelky smiled at him. Dimitri blushed at the compliment and muttered a thank you.
"And who is this pretty lady with you?" Aditya asked curiously as he saw their joined hands. Rose stiffened as the attention shifted back to her. He mother, standing just behind her charge, which apparently was Aditya was glaring at her, her jaw clenched and eyes furious. Well, she had no right to be angry with her! Rose thought. She had intended to tell her mother about Dimitri but honestly, it was too soon to declare anything.
"Ah Rose! How are you my dear?" Victor asked cheerfully. A little too cheerfully.
"I'm good, thank you Prince Dashkov." Rose said and then remembering her manners, bowed in front of them.
"Rose?" Aditya asked curiously looking behind to see Janine's face which for the fact of matter was schooled in a perfect neutral mask. "What's your full name?"
"Uhm.. Rose Hathaway." Rose replied nervously.
"Is this your girl Janine?" Aditya asked turning around to look at her guardian.
"Yes milord. Rose is my daughter." She replied in a perfectly composed voice. It was Dimitri's turn to stiffen now. He now understood Rose's hesitation to come with him. This was Janine Hathaway, no scratch that. This was THE Janine Hathaway – the most badass guardian of her age they were talking about. Her simple posture reflected power and confidence and Dimitri wouldn't lie that he wasn't scared. Fuck! He was scared shitless but tried not to show it.
"What a coincidence!" Aditya exclaimed. "It's probably for the best seeing as we are staying here for a few days. You can finally have time for your daughter!" he exclaimed happily in his accented voice. He seemed genuinely happy. Guess, he wasn't one of those stuck up moroi's….
"Hey Belikov, you are assorted with Vin to spar with today." A boy called out, laying down the sparring mats. "Hathaway, you got Castile!"
Rose sighed relieved to get away from her mother's piercing gaze.
"I think we should go now," Dimitri said coolly, clutching Rose's hand tighter.
"Yes, yes. We wouldn't want to be the hold ups…"
"Actually, I would like to talk to you Rose." Janine's sharp voice stopped Rose from taking another step. She turned around and crossed her arms over her chest.
"Sure mother, as soon as I finish this class, I'm all yours." before turning around, already dreading the future conversation.
….so there you go!
I know its super short but I wanted to post this before my next chapter. Hope you don't mind?
So what do you think the conversation with Janine is going to be like, huh? Leave me a review, tell me everything!
Love,
Lara.