Hello everyone. Once again, thank you so much for your reviews. I appreciate each one of it.

Here's the next chapter. I hope you like it. Enjoy!

"Do you know how to pronounce this?"

Rose shook her head in negation. They were sitting in one of the back corners in the library, where geography and travel books were kept. Rose was leaning against a bookcase, while Dimitri lay on the floor near her, his head propped up on her knees. She was running her fingers through his soft hair and watching him still eye and finger the key chain she had given him just a few moments ago. He was talking about the Russian inscription carved out on the soft wood of it.

"I'll teach you," he said taking his eyes off the piece finally to look at her face with a mischievous smile on his face. He looked so handsome, that Rose had to pinch herself to make sure he was real. Better yet, he was all hers.

"Okay." Rose said smiling down at him.

"Alright, say 'Roza'." he instructed.

"Roza." Rose said. It was pretty easy. She had heard him say that many times with a look of adoration on his face.

"No no no. Not 'Roza'. Say 'Rrrroza'. Roll your r'sss," he said in a teasing voice smiling cheekily at her, but not before pinching her 'arse'. Rose gasped and whacked his chest as she realized that he was just messing with her.

"Okay, okay. No need to get violent, love." He laughed, bringing her face down to place a sweet kiss on her lips. And another. And another.

"Are you going to teach me? Or we're just going to make out?"

"I like the second option better." Dimitri said kissing her again. Rose giggled scratching his scalp lightly.

"Too bad, coz I want to learn some Russian now. If you won't teach me, then I'll just…" she made a move to get away but was quickly yanked back into place.

"Don't you dare leave me!" he growled as Rose giggled at his reaction. He was too adorable for his own good. "Alright. Let's do it again."

"Roza and Dimitri navsegda." heinstructed. Even it was just one word, hearinghim speak in Russian gave Rose goose bumps.

"Roza and Dimitri navsegda." Rose repeated her 'navsegda' a bit different from his. Dimitri smiled at her. "Perfect. You and me forever."

"Forever." she repeated.

They were just about to start what would have been another round of greatest make out session of the century, when Dimitri's phone started to ring. He cursed at the device before pulling it out from his pocket to look at the caller ID.

"Who is it?" Rose asked. She wasn't the girlfriend who always kept tabs on her boyfriend, stalking everything from what he ate to whom he talks, but sensing the change in his demeanor, it was obvious it wasn't anyone he would like to talk at the moment.

"It's Ivan." he replied, contemplating on whether to pick it up or discard it. He was in such a good mood right now that he didn't want to risk spoiling it.

"Pick it up, then!" Rose said urging him to make amends with his best friend. Dimitri thought about it and slid the green line finally accepting the call.

"Dimka." Ivan said

"Hello Ivan." Dimitri said tightly. Rose hit the back of his head and mouthed 'be nice!' He narrowed his eyes on her and pulled her straight into his lap, angling her so that she was straddling him.

"I…" Ivan was at loss of words. The disappearance of liquid courage wasn't doing him good. He had a faint memory of calling him earlier but he had no idea what he talked or who he had talked with. Fuck! He didn't even remember he had to apologize! So, instead he blabbered out the first thing that came in his mouth. "С днем рождения, брат"

Dimitri's features softened as he listened to him wish him a happy birthday in his native tongue. He knew well that Ivan was feeling extremely guilty for his behavior. Truth to be told, a part of Dimitri was still pissed at him but deciding to ignore the useless and brainless part, Dimitri replied in the softest voice he could muster "Thank you brother."

"Dimka, I'm…I'm sorry." Ivan said. A heavy lump in his throat constricted his emotions as he apologized to Dimitri.

"It's okay, Ive…."

"No it's not!" Ivan said. "I'm really sorry for whatever I said to you the other day. I didn't mean it. I was just angry that you won't come back, but still it is no excuse for what I did."

"It's okay Ivan, I understand and truthfully, there's nothing to be forgiven. I will come back, my friend. I'm not abandoning anyone." Dimitri said in a way of explanation. He looked at Rose, still astride his legs and pulled her close, running a hand through her hair. "It's just there's more to my life now. Roza. I can't leave her behind."

Rose eyes almost turned moist as she heard him say that to his friend. Words couldn't simply explain the warmth she felt as those words escaped his lips. She buried her face in his chest, placing a small kiss to express her gratitude.

"She must be amazing." Ivan said, happy to hear Dimitri's admission.

"She's more than amazing." Dimitri said adoration crystal clear in his voice. "She's so much like you. I'm sure you would get along real fast."

"But you would know, won't you?" he added with a playful tone to his voice.

"Would I?" Ivan asked a bit confused.

"Of course. Seeing as you two had quite a chat earlier…."

"Jesus Christ! I didn't talk to her in my drunken state, did I?" Ivan moaned in horrification. All he got was a full hearted chuckle in reply. Ivan couldn't believe he had embarrassed himself like that!

"Did I say something..?"

"No." Dimitri replied cutting Ivan off before he could say anything further. Rose was sitting way too close and he couldn't risk her hearing something.

"Tell her I'm sorry." Ivan grunted. "Fuck! It feels like all I'm doing these days is apologizing to people." he huffed.

Dimitri smiled. His Ivan was back.

"Why don't you do it yourself?" Dimitri said.

"She's there?"

"Right in front of me." Dimitri said pushing the phone towards her. Rose threw him a confused look but took the phone anyway when he motioned her to take the call.

"Hello?" she said into the speaker.

"Rose?" a similar voice spoke from the other end, although she understood the syllables much better when they weren't slurred.

"The one and only." she replied smiling at the perfect specimen of man in front of her.

"Ivan Zecklos." Ivan said in a way of introduction. "I don't know what you've heard about me but I'm Dimitri's best friend. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise."

Rose chuckled at his words. She already liked him! "Well Mr. Zecklos. You would be pleased to know that I'm well acquainted to the likeness of yours." she replied cheekily. Ivan grinned on the other side. He already liked her!

They talked for a few more minutes, with Ivan apologizing profusely at his ill mannered behavior and Rose assuring him it was well forgiven and forgotten.

"My brother loves you Rose." Ivan said in a more serious tone. "Whatever happens, promise me you will stand by his side."

"I promise." Rose said placing a small kiss on Dimitri's lips, knowing he could hear everything with his super developed moroi senses.

They bid farewell, and promised to get in touch later. Dimitri's heart soared as he saw them both staggering on the first level of friendship. It won't be long when they would both be fast friends. He could feel it in his bones!

"It's 4 already!" Rose said looking at the lit screen of his mobile phone. "Shit!" she cursed detangling herself from him.

"Hey, hey, hey, slow down tiger. Where are you running?" Dimitri asked catching her wrist.

"I uh…I have to go!" she said trying to run away but damn his moroi speed! He was now standing right in front of her.

"I need to be somewhere comrade." Rose said trying to maneuver her way out of there.

"Where?" Dimitri said jealously dripping out in gallons from the single word. What could be more important than to spend time with him? Lissa was with Christian, so there was no way Rose would be going to her and her mother was the last person she would want to talk to, then where was running off?

"I need to go, comrade."

"No you don't!" he said giving her his best puppy dog eyes. "I'm the birthday boy! I need some loving!" he said trying to distract her with a kiss.

Rose evaded the trap, knowing that once they started kissing, there would be no way she could escape the library. And she needed to leave in order to organize the surprise she had planned for her boyfriend.

"You'll get that later." she said kissing his cheeks.

"I won't let you leave!" he huffed like a kindergartener. "Not unless you tell me where are you going!"

"You'll come to know soon," she said. "Come over at seven?"

"You're not going to tell me?" he narrowed his eyes at her.

"Nope."

"Fine then!" he said pouting his lips. "At least give me kiss!"

Rose grinned and tip toed her way to his face, catching his bottom lip between her teeth before sucking on them. Dimitri moaned gripping her hips tighter and pulling her flush against him. She could feel his desire growing and poking her in her belly and she ran her tongue along biting his lips.

"See you later, comrade."

And then she was out of the door having left Dimitri high and dry standing in the middle of the library.

"Keep that fucking phone down and make yourself useful!" the hard voice of his moroi charge made Shade look up from where he was playing some racing game on his Smartphone. He put the device down and stood up at his full height, all in his six foot seven inches glory.

His golden brown hair was slightly longer than what usual guardians preferred, but he was never the one to go by rules, right? His brown eyes gleamed as he saw the petite moroi in front of him. He pretended to dust invisible dirt from his signature dark brown coat as he said.

"What orders do you have for me master?" sarcasm dripped out on every syllable as he tried to appear sincere.

"Fuck! You're so fucking difficult, I don't even know why I requested you as my guardian!" the moroi looked like he could pull his hair out in frustration.

Shade rolled his eyes and scoffed. "As if!"

"You wouldn't have been able to accomplish even half of what you have without Me." he said flopping down on his previous seat glaring at him.

The moroi gritted his teeth. "Except for the confirmation that Princess Vasilisa actually can heal, I don't remember you doing anything useful! And in that too, you almost risked my exposure! What if anyone had seen you hiding in the tree lines?"

"Nobody did. So shut it!" Shade said with his 'devil may care' attitude.

"And for your information, I have the next target locked." he said leaning back against the couch.

"And who that might be?"

"Rosemarie Hathaway."

The whoosh of the matchstick died down as Rose lit the last candle sitting on her dresser. She sighed in appreciation as she took in her surroundings. It was still her dorm room, but it looked completely transformed. She had, somehow managed to sneak some scented candles through the attic in the church and some room freshener from the academy kitchens and had used them in the most creative way to decorate her bland room.

It was anything but bland now.

Rows of candles adjourned the furniture she had along the edges of the room and floor creating a mystic vibe and at some level, a sensuous one. The scent was another plus point. Her study table had been pushed aside to make a makeshift dining table with two chairs placed side by side with a chocolate cake currently placed on it. She had changed her bedclothes into the best of the linens she could find. Everything looked perfect, just as she had planned.

All she had to do now was to wait for Dimitri to come.

She turned around to assess herself in the mirror attached to her dresser. A smile crept on her lips as she saw herself in the reflection. She was wearing a dress that would be too inappropriate for any occasion other than having some sexy times with her boyfriend. There, yes. She had decided that it was the time now. She was ready to be with Dimitri in every way possible. She was ready a long time ago; it was just the lack of perfect opportunity that had her backing off every time. She wanted their first time to be special. And what could be a more special day than her love's birthday? She had gifted him a souvenir in the key chain earlier, but that was it, a keepsake. Her real gift to him would be a much more special thing tonight as tonight; she would give him her virginity.

Tousling her hair a bit, she applied some matte red lip color and straightened her top. If you could even call it that. It was made up of sheer red material, barely covering her from shoulders to her waist and not to mention that, ahem, everything was visible. Her denim shorts were too short and barely covering up her plump ass. She had decided against wearing any underwear tonight, prime reason being her lack of any sexy numbers. But she had to admit, going commando gave her a kind of thrill.

Rose pulled down her top, exposing a ridiculous amount of cleavage. Comrade's not going to know what hit him! Cue to wink!

'Thump'.

Rose turned just in time to see Dimitri land gracefully on the floor. He dusted his coat before looking around to notice the fairly usual at the same time unusual surroundings.

Dozens and dozens of candles lighted up the room instead to the usual LEDs. The scents engulfed his senses almost relaxing him at the same time turning his stomachs in knots in anticipation. What's all this? He thought.

The air from his lungs were almost knocked out of him as he saw Rose standing on the other side of the room. Fuck! She looked gorgeous and so fucking delicious that he wanted to eat her then there!

Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Don't go there Dimitri, a hard on amongst these things won't be pretty. His mind advised him and for once, he decided to listen to the rational part of his brain. He took a deep breath to calm down his libido.

"Roza?" he asked confusion lacing his voice.

Rose caught his eyes. He saw something in her eyes change. The adoration that always shone from her eyes was now laced with hunger as she took in his form. Dimitri swallowed hard as he saw her sauntering towards him slowly, but oh so sexily. He pinched his skin to make sure he wasn't dreaming now.

She stood right in front of him right now. He gulped, not able to move his eyes away from hers. She lifted a finger to brush a strand of his hair aside and trailed then slowly over the side of his face, down his neck. He shivered at the contact, not wanting to break it.

"Roz…Roza…What..I.."

"Shhh.." she whispered placing a finger on his lips. "Happy Birthday Comrade."

Her voice didn't even sound like hers. It was pure want and desire. He saw the end of it when she bit her bottom lip, caressing him across the neck in sensual strokes.

Fuck deep breaths! He was fucking hard now!

Yanking her loose hair, he pulled her towards him placing a rough kiss on her mouth. Rough enough to leave bruises, but he couldn't think about that now. All he cared now was the delectable girl in his arms moaning as his hands caressed everything they could.

"Fuck Roza..What are you doing to me?" he growled kissing the slender line of her throat before nipping at the soft skin to mark her. Rose hissed and pressed herself more towards him.

"I'm ready comrade." And Dimitri could swear that it was just the admission he was waiting before. I one swift motion, he had her in his arms, carrying her to the bed.

He was just about to rip the tiny excuse of cloth from her body when….

….hihihihihi. Yep, I left it there! *feeling evil!*

So, any guesses what the 'when' in the last is about?

Dimitri and Ivan finally made up and do I sense some strong friendship coming between him and Rose?

I hope the part in the middle cleared your confusion about Dimitri being the 'bad guy' in the story and yes, we have a new character, Shade.

As always. Please leave me your reviews. Tell me everything!

Love,

Lara.