Despite the hurry, Rose took her time getting dressed and dolled up. Perhaps, because she knew she wasn't getting ready for the dance itself, but her boyfriend instead.

"Come on Hathaway! The dance started thirty minutes ago!" Eddie complained well naturedly.

"Wait up, Eddie! You know how it is with us girls. Always got to look perfect. And perfection takes time." Rose said pulling her hair to one side. She checked out herself in the mirror and had to admit she looked good. More than good, actually!

She had donned the black dress, and it was everything she'd hoped it would be. In fact, she wondered if Alberta would call her on the appropriate dress code! The fabric clung everywhere, it was like a second skin and Rose was sure that no moroi girl's chest could have held that dress up. She had done a hasty blow dry of her hair, leaving it down the way she knew Dimitri liked it. She'd skipped wearing tights, leaving her legs bare and had worn a pair of chunky heels. She held the rose – necklace Dimitri had 'gifted' her, contemplating whether she should wear them or not.

"What's wrong?" Eddie asked seeing her finger the chain of the necklace dubiously. "You don't like it?"

Rose sighed. "I like it. I more than like it. But…"

"But?"

"I'm not sure I should wear these." She said.

Eddie's eyebrows knitted in confusion, "Why?"

Rose ran a hand through her hair, not sure how to explain this to him, "I was angry at him today for a silly reason. He pounded on Andre when he kissed me."

Eddie looked mildly surprised, "Andre kissed you?"

"Yeah. And Dimitri kinda lost it. He didn't hit him, but had every intention to. I had called Andre so that he could help Lissa and not because he would mope around with his own heartbreak."

"Okay? So…"

"So I went nuts! Called him names! Oh my god Eddie! I…I didn't know what I was thinking! How I must have hurt him?!"

"Rose?! But why?" Eddie asked incredulously.

"I was angry, I guess." Rose explained lamely.

"And now?"

"This necklace," Rose pointed out to the pretty thing in her hand. "I don't want it."

"Huh?" Eddie said.

"I like it. I do! But if I wear it….I don't know. Dimitri will think I'm apologizing to him because he gave me an expensive gift. He'd probably think I'm a money – hungry bitch." Rose sighed.

"Come on, Rose!" Eddie exclaimed. "You're not a bitch and you certainly aren't money – hungry! And Dimitri knows this."

Rose smiled, happy to see her friend defending her furiously. "But you're probably right…" he conceded. "If Dimitri doesn't, then someone else definitely will." That was the thing Rose loved most about Eddie, apart from being fiercely protective, he was a realist too.

"So don't..." Eddie suggested.

Rose sighed and flopped down on the bed, clutching her hair and gave a cry of frustration. "What now?" Eddie scowled.

"What if I don't wear it and he thinks that I'm ungrateful? It is the first time he has ever given me anything. Apart from flowers and chocolates – and those were apology gift!"

Eddie chuckled throatily. "Only you, Rose!" he laughed.

Rose groaned once more, "Only me!"

"I suggest what? You wear that neck piece for now, and as soon as you find Dimitri, take it off and make him understand that you don't need expensive ass gifts anymore!"

"That seems genuine." Rose mulled over his words and then sighed again. To hell with it! Eddie's right. She clasped the hook of the chain at the nape of her neck and turned to Eddie.

"I'm ready!"

Dimitri adjusted the collar of his tux for the millionth time. He hated formal wears. It made him seem like he was one of those stuffy royals who flaunted themselves in expensive suits. He didn't fit among them. Not anymore.

"The party's quite exciting, eh?" a voice called out approaching him.

Dimitri snorted and turned to his guest, "If your enthusiasm is anything to go by, then yeah."

Shade grinned and leaned against the pillar, holding out a sparkly amber drink for him. Dimitri raised his eyebrows. Somehow, he doubted Kirova wouldn't be pleased supplying champagne.

"It's apple juice." Shade chuckled.

"Of course," Dimitri rolled his eyes.

"Trouble in paradise?" Shade asked after watching Dimitri sulk in silence for couple of minutes.

Dimitri snorted again. "What gave away?"

Shade grinned. "Tell me Dimitri, what's wrong?"

Dimitri sighed. Rose wasn't there yet and he had a sinking feeling in his stomach that she wasn't coming. That she was so angry, she wouldn't forgive him. Fuck, What if she broke up with him?

"Roza." Dimitri said softly. "She didn't come."

Shade laughed out loudly. "So what's the problem? Do her good next time, try a different position…."

"Lord mercy! I wasn't talking about that!" Dimitri's exasperated sigh made him break in another fit of laughter.

"Seriously man, I was just kidding. Tell me. Is she not coming to the party tonight?" Shade asked.

"Fuck, if I know!" Dimitri growled. "She's mad at me."

"What did you do?"

"He almost punched Andre in the face after he kissed Rose." Christian answered for him, joining them with a similar flute in hand.

"No kidding. You punched Prince Dragomir?" Shade asked incredulously.

"Almost." Dimitri grumbled.

"You know you could have been prosecuted for that. Harming the last Dragomir Prince physically?"

"Huh!" Dimitri snorted. "I don't give a shit about who he is!"

Shade shook his head in despair. "So Rose got pissed?" he asked instead, changing the subject.

Christian chuckled. "Pissed? She asked him to not to come and pick her up because she won't be going 'with an asshole like him'." It was a good thing that Christian wasn't taking sides in the situation. Though Dimitri could tell he wasn't happy about him losing control over his future brother in law, he sure as hell was angry at Andre for kissing Rose without any preamble. Acting neutral was the only way he could handle both Lissa and Dimitri.

"And what is the excuse of Vasilisa for ditching you?" Dimitri retorted.

"Andre. But don't worry. She'll come."

The last part caused both Shade and Dimitri to dissolve in another fit of laughter.

"Well, well. It looks that you were worried for nothing my friend." Shade said after a few moments.

"What?" Dimitri asked. In answer, Shade tipped his head in the direction of the entrance.

And Dimitri lost his breath.

Rose entered the auditorium – where the dance was vended, Eddie walking beside her. Her eyes immediately started scanning the faces. Looking for him. She didn't know it was because of his height or her natural inclination to him, but he always stood out. Even in a crowded room.

It seemed that he spotted her as soon as she did, as he turned around. It looked like all the breath had been punched out of his gut. His eyes almost bugged out as he handed his drink to smirking Christian before moving towards her. Dazedly so. He bumped into two people on his way. Rose giggled at his demeanor. If that wasn't a compliment, she didn't know what was.

"Roza…" his voice was mere whisper.

"And that's my cue to get the hell the hell out of here!" Eddie chuckled when Dimitri's eyes so much never left Rose's as he departed.

"I-"

"Comr-"

They both chuckled. Dimitri rubbed the back of his neck. Why was he so nervous? For lord's sake! They had done nasty things together!

"Can we talk?" Rose asked softly.

"Of course. Let's…"

"Alone."

"Alone?" Dimitri asked dumbly.

"Yeah alone…." something in her voice suggested that she wanted to do more than talk. And hell yes! He was game for it.

"Where are we going?" Dimitri asked as he followed Rose into the clearings. The sun was up and he preferred to walk along the line of tree shades. Unfortunately, in doing so, he couldn't touch her.

She turned around, with mischief in her eyes and winked at him. "Follow me comrade. You'll like this. I swear."

With a few turns, they reached their destination.

"A cabin?" Dimitri asked perplexed.

"Yup! It used to be my hideaway when I was a kid. It was Guardian's watch post before. Alberta used to take me here sometimes with her. I loved it here." Rose explained with a fond smile.

"Why isn't it used anymore?"

"The numbers of guardians were way high back then. Now we barely have enough to cover shifts." Rose sighed. "Come on in."

The door was unlocked so they had no difficulty in trespassing. It was an open floor plan. The space wasn't much, but the small area sported a sofa, an induction, some pots and a bed. A queen sized bed took most of the space but it was clear that the place was highly unused. A thin layer of dust sat on all the furniture.

Rose was flicking on the lights when she felt him behind her. He was not touching her but she could still feel his body heat. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. His smell surrounded her, permeating her senses. His cologne plus something that was entirely his scent had her mind shorted.

"Dimitri…"

"You look stunning." he gasped, running a hand through her waist to her hip. No skin to skin contact. "I haven't been able to take my eyes off of you. And that dress? That dress is killing me!"

Rose turned around, gasping as he close he was. "Then kiss me?"

"You have to ask?" He leaned closer.

But before she could formulate a reply, he was all over her, hands, lips, tongue, everything. His lips slanted over her own, taking control of her mouth and then her tongue .His fingertips played along her jaw line as he kissed her silly.

They broke away for a gasp of air. Dimitri held her close, giving in to the urge to reach up and touch her lips. They were swollen, soft and wet from his kiss. Rose's eyes were glazed as she looked at him with. It was as if she was high. It didn't help that he felt high as a kite himself.

He was confused for a second. Being with Rose was drugging, yes. But he had never felt like this. Something was different this time. They were both almost….unaware of the world. There was a...voice in his head, calling onto him to forget about everything other than her. He blinked. And resume kissing her. This time with renewed hunger.

Hell! Who needed to remember the world when she was in front of him like this?

He ripped the dress off her body, throwing it away with careless shrug. Rose gasped. "You got rid of that faster. I thought you liked the dress?"

"I do like it." He replied kissing the top swell of her breast. "I love it."

They moved towards the bed. Dimitri ripped off the bedclothes, pushing her against the mattress. She wiggled closed, pressing her lips eagerly to his. His tongue flicked against hers encouragingly and so she grew bolder, taking more liberties with the kiss and twirling her tongue around his.

"Touch me," Rose told him softly. "Please."

Dimitri's hand went to her side as he gently pushed until she rolled onto her back. He lightly ran his fingers over her face. Then he leaned in and kissed her mouth, his lips skimming her skin until he reached her jaw, where he pressed another kiss. Her chin was next. Rose closed her eyes, enjoying the sensation of his mouth on her skin, his weight over her. She could feel the heavy heat of him cradled against her pussy.

"This," Dimitri growled, tugging on her strapless bra. "I like these so much." He ripped it off her in a second.

"And these," he said grabbing a handful of her tiny panties.

"You like these too?" Rose guessed.

Dimitri shook his head in negation. "Fucking love those." And they were gone.

He continued worshipping her body, moving upwards to take her taut nipple in his mouth when something caught his eyes.

"You like those?" he asked fingering the necklace. Rose stopped moving, the sound of their gasps echoing through the sparse house. Her eyebrows scrunched up as if she was trying to remember something.

"What?" Dimitri asked.

"I…I don't remember. I had to tell you something but I…I can't remember...I.."

"Shhhh…" Dimitri quieted her with his lips. "I bought them for you. So beautiful…."

"Oh god!" Rose groaned as one of Dimitri's hands sneaked below tugging her panties. She wiggled her hips desperate to get the off.

"So soft Roza..." Dimitri growled ducking his head between her thighs licking up a path from her upper thigh to her sweet centre.

"Вкус настолько хорош. Блядь!"

Rose was clutching his hair for dear life as she tried not to shout out her approval for his act.

Dimitri continued to eat her out, sucking and nipping as he massaged her clit between his fingers.

"Come for me milaya…"

And Rose shattered like broken glass. Her cries of pleasure couldn't have been muffled even if she tried.

"Dimitri…Dimitri…Dimitri…"

"Yes Roza..Just like that. Fuck, you're so good!"

After what felt like hours but couldn't have been more than few minutes, Rose started to come down from her high. Her eyes fluttered open and she peered up at her lover.

"I love you, Comrade. So much."

Dimitri smiled, revealing his fangs. "I love you too milaya. Ye tebya lyublu...Please forgive me."

"You shouldn't apologi-"

"I should. Please Roza…Accept my apologies." Dimitri nipped her ear lobe.

"On one condition, Comrade."

Dimitri smirked hearing the breathless tone in her voice, certain of what her 'condition' will be. Still, he played along. "And what would be that?"

"You gotta fuck me hard now!"

Dimitri chuckled, mounting her. "As you wish!"

He was already hard to the brink of pain. Dimitri palmed his cock, stroking it a few times before he guided himself to the heat of her core.

Slowly, inch by inch, he eased inside her. Fuck! It was always like the first time with her. Rose was so tight and hot, that he could've come with just his tip inside her. He inched inside, her snug warmth gripping him. They both gasped once he was fully inside.

"Move, Dimitri, Please."

He obliged, pulling back and then pushing himself back in a slow rhythm.

"Faster..Fuck me faster."

Dimitri let out an almost feral growl as he started pounding inside her with renewed vigor. And within minutes they were coming again. Together. Dimitri fell down beside her, spooning Rose from behind as he placed delicate kissed behind her ear.

Within no time, slumber invaded both of them and they fell in a deep sleep.

It was warm. Too fucking warm. And not the kind that makes you snuggle to the source closer. It was like fire. Pins and needle of fire.

"Bloody hell!" Dimitri screamed as he threw himself down from the bed.

Shit. Where was he? His thoughts were so disoriented that he had to take some time to place Rose's voice.

"Comrade?" Her voice was sleep ridden yet alert.

"Close the curtains. Roza." Dimitri said.

"Shit." Rose said as she scrambled to get the drapes. Once there was sufficient darkness, she turned back to him.

"Comrade, are you alright?"

"Yeah. Just sunburn. Should heal fast." Dimitri rubbed the side of his abdomen.

"Are you sure? Do you want somethi- "

Rose's words were cut off by a loud knock to the cabin door.

For a moment, both of them froze. Who could it be? Rose was still a little dazed. Dimitri looked equally confused.

Shit. Had someone seen them sneaking off here and alerted the guardians? That couldn't end well in many scenarios. Shit. Shit. Shit.

The persisted knocking broke both of them out of their trance as they scrambled to get their clothes. The knocks were getting louder.

"For god's sake! Open the fucking door or I'll burn it down now!" bellowed a familiar voice.

"Hell! What is Christian doing here now? The sun's blazing outside." Dimitri cursed and went to get the door.

Christian entered looking like death warmed all over, scanning the room as if he was looking for something. But what?

The instant that question entered Rose's mind, she knew. She knew what he was looking for.

"Christian…"

"They took her. They took my Lissa."

…..here we go.

First of all I apologize for such a late update. I know it's been too long but if you all are still reading it, thank you for your patience. The reason for the delay was once again – real life.

Now as for the story, as many of you must have guessed, this is heading towards the end. This chapter will lead us to the climax, where finally (oh so finally!) all the secrets shall be revealed. Up until now, this story has been going on just as I had planned it to be. I would love to update sooner, but I don't wanna rush the ending. After all – All's well that ends well? ;-)

About 'The charmed Rose necklace' – It doesn't have a major plot changing factor in my story as opposed to the book. It just plays the role of distracting Rose and Dimitri for their special time. I guessed since they are already a couple in the plot, there wasn't much that necklace could do!

Thank you so much for your reviews! I appreciate every single of them.

Liked it? Loved it? Hated it? Want more? Leave your thoughts in the reviews!

Love,

Lara.