Again, thank you to Big J Ivashkov, BabyAnne116 and Ashes2Dust18 who reviewed and favourited!

My next target is to get to over 10 reviews, so please leave your comments!

Someone wanted to find out why Adrian was annoyed at Rose in the last chapter, although I don't think I mention it in this chapter it will all be explained in due course. Remember, what don't we know they know about Adrian yet? If you can figure that out you've got it.

Disclaimer: I do not own VA. I couldn't think of anything funny to say so that's all.

After breakfast, we met up with Eddie and Mason for some more skiing, although, Mason did take it easy because of his ankle. Christian, Lissa and Jill couldn't keep up with us for long though-I personally thought we were taking it easy-so by the end of the day me, Mason and Eddie were the only ones left.

When we'd finished we all headed up to where the Moroi were sitting on a balcony above the slopes. Apparently we'd caught Lissa and Christian in the middle of an argument.

"I don't see why I have to go to this stupid dinner. I mean, all I get is glares and snide comments behind my back all the time. My Aunt is gonna be there to represent the family so do I really have to go?" Christian was pleading with her; he hated these stupid things just as much as I did.

"Yes, Christian, you do have to go. Because by you going to these you prove that you actually care about being Royal and prove to everyone that you are nothing like your parents. Do you think I really want to go? I have to because Jill and I happen to be the only ones left in our family so we have no choice, and if you want to be my boyfriend you have to at least appear like you're supporting me."She was practically shouting at him now. So much so that people were beginning to stare. I could feel through the bond that Lissa knew that, but she was so pissed at Christian she ignored them.

"I don't care about being Royal." He said simply. "You saying you want to break up?"

"No I'm not. I'm sorry. I'm just saying, this is something you'll have to get used to when we're together." she said, her tone softer. She reached across the table we were sitting at grabbed his hand.

"Just this once, can't you go with Rose instead?" he pleaded.

Oh shit, Lissa is gonna say about Adrian. To be perfectly honest, I didn't even know if I was going with Adrian. Stupid dream. I still hadn't figured it out yet.

"Rose has a date." Liss said calmly, looking down at her feet.

I could feel everyone's looks.

"You and Jill going?" Christian asked, while Mason and Eddie stared at me dumbfounded.

"I'm going alone actually Christian." Jill said "Who asked you then, Rose? This was royal invitation only."

"I'm err... going with ...err..." I paused. I so didn't need this right now.

"Oh my God. You're going with that bastard Zeklos aren't you?" Mason fumed.

"No! Why would you think that? After what he did to me?" I got up to leave, hoping that I gave the impression I was outraged enough to do so.

Mason saw through me. He grabbed my hand and pulled me back into my seat. "No way, Hathaway. Who invited you?" he said his expression a combination of curiosity and hurt. He still hadn't got over that crush...

I looked at Lissa for support. Just tell them, Rose. There isn't anything they can do to stop you going with Adrian Ivashkov. She said through the bond.

Shit. "Err... Adrian Ivashkov." I whispered.

"Sorry, Rose. What was that? Didn't quite hear you." Mason said, annoyed.

"I heard her!" Jill piped up, practically bouncing in her seat. "Adrian Ivashkov!" she shouted.

"Keep your voice down!" I hissed. I so didn't want this getting around.

"Adrian Ivashkov?" Christian said. "Adrian Ivashkov."

"Yes, Christian. Does repeating his name make any difference?" I snapped. I really didn't want to have this conversation right now.

"Rose, you have heard about him, right? He gets through copious amounts of women a week; he is famous for his drunken partying. Just being an Ivashkov , to some, is a bad thing." Christian said, for once he actually sounded like he cared.

"I think it's a good thing." Jill stated. "Maybe he wants to change that image. I mean no offence Rose, but no high ranking royal would ever ask a dhampir to a royal dinner as a date unless he was serious." She sounded suspiciously like Adrian did in the dream.

"Ok, Jill, believe whatever you want. You do know that everyone is going to think you're his blood whore."

"Christian! How dare you say that!" Lissa said.

"No. He's right. I mean, like Jill said why would an Ivashkov ask a dhampir girl to a royal dinner?" I said standing up and practically running from the table.

So, maybe I knew deep down that everyone thought I was Adrian's blood whore, but seriously? I never gave it much thought. Again, all I thought about were my own stupid, selfish reasons.

Suddenly, I walked straight into someone. "Oh my God! I'm so..."

"Ah, Little Dhampir. We need to stop meeting like this." I heard the familiar voice say.

I looked right into the eyes of Adrian Ivashkov. "Adrian." I moved passed him and continued to walk in the direction of my room. I would not cry in public.

"Woah there amigo, where are you going in such a hurry?" he said catching up to me. I swear I'd said that to him last night in my dream...but then that could be coincidence?

"Sorry, Adrian. I need to go to my room." I kept walking and looked down at my feet.

"Little dhampir, are you ok?" Concern laced his words.

"I'm fine." I replied, why was he so persistent?

I felt him grab my wrist and turned me to face him. We weren't far from my room, so it was quiet in the corridor we'd stopped in. I could feel his eyes on me, I refused to look up.

"Hey, what's wrong?" he said. He put his hands on either side of my face and tilted my head up to look at him. I could feel unwanted tears running down my cheeks. He brushed them away with his fingers. "Tell me, Rose."

I had to tell him. I had to know where I stood. I know I was just using Adrian as a way to distract me from Dimitri but I couldn't deal with gossip it would circulate, not after the whole Mia/Jesse/Ralph thing.

"Why did you ask me to this dinner tonight? Honestly?"

"Because I like you." He replied simply. "I don't know what it is Rose, but there is something about you that I'm attracted to. Something no other girl has. Moroi or dhampir. Why'd you ask?"

I hesitated. Did I tell him what Christian and Jill had said? I know Jill thinks that maybe Adrian asking me is because he is serious, but then, like she said, no royal Moroi would ever go to something like this with a dhampir unless they were their guardian.

"Rose? You're killing me over here." I could see concern in his eyes. True concern. Maybe he did care? If he did, that would make me feel so much more guilty about using him.

"Because I told Lissa, Christian and Jill about you asking me out. Lissa doesn't mind but Christian seems to think that you want to make me your blood whore." I whispered the last part.

His eyes hardened. "Two things. First, who are Christian and Jill? I'm assuming Lissa is Vasilisa, by the way. And second, if I was going to make you my blood whore, why would I make it public? Even among royal Moroi that's frowned upon."

"Christian Ozera and Jill Dragomir, Lissa's boyfriend and twin sister. And I suppose you have a point."

"Christian Ozera? Seriously? You listen to Christian Ozera? And I thought you were smart." He joked, taking his hands away from my face.

"Hey! I am smart, Ivashkov and don't you dare think otherwise!" I laughed and smacked his arm playfully.

"Finally, a smile."

We stared at each other. He had this look about him that I couldn't resist. I know he was incredibly good looking and by this conversation, he'd proved he wasn't as arrogant and cocky as I'd originally thought.

"So we're still going tonight?" I asked

"Of course we are. And I'm sorry I stormed off last night."

"I didn't see you last night." I said confused. Last night?

"Of course you didn't." He smirked.

With that, he turned on his heel and walked away. "You only have a couple hours to get ready, Little Dhampir. I'm picking you up at seven, remember." He called over his shoulder while I stared after him, completely bemused.

So, up next is the big dinner. Excited? I am! It is still are work in progress but I will try to upload it ASAP. There may also be a few funny moments (well I thought they were funny anyway).

Remember I want over 10 reviews so get reviewing amigos!