When Rose is shot by Tasha Ozera in Last Sacrifice, both Lissa and Adrian use all of the Spirit they can wield to try and bring her back. In a shocking turn of events, Rose is not only healed, but somehow ends up somewhere she never could have imagined. Canon up until Time-Travel. Rated T for language. First multi-chapter fic.
Queen Tatiana followed her guards, wearing a red silk dress and matching jacket. She was in her early sixties and had dark gray hair bobbed to her chin and crowned with a Miss America-type tiara. She moved into the room slowly, like she was taking a stroll, four more guardians at her back. She moved through the novices' section fairly quickly, though she did nod and smile here and there. Dhampirs might just be the half-human, illegitimate children of the Moroi, but we trained and dedicated our lives to serving and protecting them. The likelihood was strong that many of us gathered here would die young, and the queen had to show her respect for that.
When she got to the Moroi section, she paused longer and actually spoke to a few students. It was a big deal to be acknowledged, mostly a sign that someone's parents had gotten in good with her.
Vampire Academy
-Richelle Mead
Bonds Of Time
Chapter Eleven
Dark Paradise
"Adrian!" I growled as I turned around to see Adrian checking me out. "What have I said about you dressing me?"
"Come on, darling," Adrian took me by the hand and spun me around, "you know that you look incredible in this."
"Well, yeah, but that's not the point." I narrow my eyes at him. "When you dress me like this it makes me feel like a figment of your weird fantasies."
"I promise not to dress you anymore, little dhampir." Adrian looked down at me and I couldn't help but stare into his brilliant green eyes.
"So how was your flight?" I shook my head to clear it and sat down on the white leather couch.
"The airport was packed. The flight was long. None of that matters." Adrian sat down beside me. "How are you?"
"Let's see," I tapped my chin with my finger. "Since we last talked, I've been stuck in the clinic getting tortured by a very grumpy nurse. Stolen a vehicle and almost ran over a guardian while escaping the campus to go rescue my best friend, her boyfriend, and my mentor. I've been chewed on by a psi-hound, killed a Strigoi and got felt up by a very angry gaggle of ghosts. So I'm okay."
"You don't do anything half way, do you?" Adrian chuckled.
"You should see the way I party." I said before I could catch myself.
"I'll have to keep that in mind." Adrian laughed as he moved closer to me.
My mind caught up with me and I jumped to my feet. I couldn't do this. Adrian had been a great friend and it wasn't right to lead him on if my heart wasn't in it. But I longed to just let loose. The suffocating feeling of always being on guard had been getting to me and I was beginning to lose control. I choked the feeling down and turned back to my surroundings.
The city looked beautiful from here, buzzing with life and lights. I had always wanted to visit Manhattan.
"Can you send me back?" I asked Adrian. "I've got something that I need to do."
"Sure," Adrian was disappointed and it made me feel really bad. "Goodnight, darling."
And just like that I woke up back in my bed with a heavy heart.
I took a hot shower and was relieved to see that my leg looked pretty good. The scars were faint enough that I had to really search for them. The stitches had dissolved while I slept and there was barely any evidence that my leg had ever been in the mouth of a psi-hound.
It was just going on two in the afternoon and I ran out of the room at top speed. I felt marvelous. There was no limping or pain and I let out a relieved laugh. I pulled the door to the gym open and groped around for the light switch. I had a punching bag with my name on it and a radio ready to play my tunes.
I had already kicked the punching bag's ass twice when Dimitri walked into the gym, a book under his arm and a cup of coffee in his other hand. He took one look at me and shook his head as he sat down on the bench. I grabbed a bottle of water and flopped down on the bench next to him.
"I didn't expect to see you here this morning." Dimitri said in his deep voice. "I thought you would sleep for a year."
"Well, you know, things to do, people to see and all that bullshit." I shrugged and took a big gulp of water.
"Your mother spent half the night yelling at the headmistress and Guardian Petrov." Dimitri said in a serious tone. "She believes that something is wrong with you. That you are not acting like yourself."
"Say what now?" I quirked an eyebrow. "And just how am I supposed to be acting?"
"She believes that something has happened to traumatize you." Dimitri responded, and I searched his face for the signs that he was telling a joke, but there wasn't one.
"I'm not traumatized!" I said hotly.
"Your mother was very persuasive in her argument." Dimitri turned to look at me. "There is something about you though. Something that doesn't quite fit with your reputation."
"Well shit," I rolled my eyes, "they've caught me trying to stay on my best behavior. Do I need to steal the private jet next to make all of you feel better?"
"No," Dimitri turned to me with narrowed eyes as though he believed I would do just that, "I think that you have a good head on your shoulders. You can think quickly and you will stop at nothing to keep your charge safe. Once you are assigned to a Moroi, it will always be about them, as it should be. But you need to think of yourself right now. You will only be young once. Enjoy it."
I stood up and grabbed my water bottle from the bench. "I don't need a promise mark to protect Lissa. And I don't need to have anyone's approval over how I act."
The air outside was even colder as I walked back to my dorm. Dimitri hadn't been judging or rude when he talked to me but still I was overcome with anger. I checked the bond, but Lissa was in a dreamless undisturbed sleep. The feeling kept washing over me as my mind replayed conversations and confrontations from my dream. It made me so angry that I couldn't keep Lissa's gift a secret. I knew that she needed help and that I couldn't get it for her without telling someone, but it still all felt completely out of my control. Somehow I had altered the sequence of events and I was the only one paying the price. And then the feeling left me and I was okay again. Well, I wasn't okay, I felt like I was losing my freaking mind. But at least I wasn't on the verge of a total psychotic break.
After another quick shower and I got dressed and headed out of my room with my head held high. I promised myself that I would get through the day unscathed and I meant to keep that promise. I walked out of the door with my backpack slung over my shoulder and a smile on my face. All I had to do was go to the clinic and get cleared to go to classes and training, then it was time to eat.
"Well, everything looks good." Dr. Olendzki said happily. "I don't want to see you back in here, Miss Hathaway."
"What if I drop by with cookies?" I ask with a sad face.
"Only then." The doctor laughed. "Now get dressed, you're going to be late for breakfast."
And that was exactly where I was going. Other than the craptastic food they served in the clinic, I hadn't eaten a real meal in over a week. Breakfast was going to be epic in the edible sense. Or at least I thought it would be. Kirova, Alberta, and Dimitri walked into the exam room as I was pulling on my jeans. My pants were around my knees, showing off my lacey black undies. The florescent lights made the faint white scars more visible and I could feel their eyes on me. Dimitri had definitely gotten an eyeful of my ass.
Alberta coughed, turned around and closed the curtain. "I apologize Miss Hathaway. I thought that you were ready.
"I'm not shy," I tried to contain my amusement.
"Miss Hathaway," Kirova said through the curtain, "we need you to follow us. There are a few things that need to be taken care of before you go breakfast."
I opened the curtain and followed them out of the clinic to the main guardian building. My brain went into overdrive trying to come up with a reason why I was being escorted by these three higher ups. Was I being expelled over the jeep incident? Did they need to question me about Lissa's kidnapping? Had something bad happened?
Alberta opened the door to her office and we all filed in with me going in last. All three of them took a seat and Dimitri pointed out a chair for me to sit, right beside himself. I sat down and tried my best to school my features into calm and composed, but inwardly my heart was racing and I wanted nothing more than to dart out of the room and run as far as I could.
"We've brought you here to discuss a few different matters, Rose." Guardian Petrov said with a great amount of pride. "First of all, we would like to commend you on how well you handled yourself during recent events. You not only led the rescue group to where Mr. Dashkov had taken the Princess, but you kept the Ozera boy safe. Not to mention killing your first Strigoi. As you know, we usually have a ceremony when we give molnija marks. But considering the situation, we feel it's best to keep this small. We've been informed that bringing a lot of attention to this could put Miss Dragomir in more danger. Do you understand?"
"Yes, ma'am." I nodded to her.
"Lionel will be waiting for you in his office after we finish here. Guardian Belikov will escort you there to receive your mark." Guardian Petrov leaned forward on her desk as her eyes bored into mind, "Please don't think that we are making light of your accomplishment. You have surpassed our expectations and we are very proud."
"Thank you." I was at a loss for words.
Kirova turned to me with a far less friendly look on her face. "Guardian Belikov has informed me that there are problems with bullying in the Moroi dorms. We feel it would be best to have an added security with the Princess at all times. I've already informed the hall monitors in B wing dorm that you will be staying in Vasilisa's suite until something else can be arranged."
My heart soared at the news. Lissa would be thrilled.
Kirova kept talking at a brisk pace as though the words tasted sour. "Keep in mind that you are not there to fraternize with the Moroi. You are there to help protect the Princess and you must act this way. Think of it as training for your future career. I will not have you acting like a wild child, starting fights and throwing parties."
"I understand, Headmistress." I said as sincerely as I could and try to keep an innocent look on my face.
"The third and final reason we are here is to request that you keep us informed on Vasilisa's state of mind. She has told us that she has a problem with controlling her gift and that you can somehow help her with that. We need to be notified at once if she is in a place to do harm to herself or others. We cannot have her running around compelling students and staff again. You are to report anything of importance to Guardian Belikov. You will be working closely with him to keep the Princess safe. If we find that we can not trust you to come to us with this, you will face the consequences not only for your failure, but for her actions as well. Do you understand, Miss Hathaway?"
Her tone left a lot to be desired and I could already feel my temper getting out of control. I didn't like it that they wanted me to snitch on Lissa. There was no way that I could do that to her.
"I understand completely." I said through gritted teeth.
"We are done here for now." Kirova said standing up and brushing the wrinkles from her skirt. "Have a good day."
The minute she walked out the door and closed it, Alberta rolled her eyes. "You are free to go, Rose. And thank you again. If you need any help moving your things, please let one of us know."
"Thank you, Guardian Petrov." I told her as she shook my hand and opened the door for us to leave.
"Good day, Alberta." Dimitri said, as he walked out and lead us to where Lionel's office was.
The whole tattoo process was less painful this time around thanks to the pain killers I was still on. Lionel made quick work of tattooing the lighting bolt molnija mark and gave me a quick rundown of aftercare then gave me a quick hug in honor of me getting a mark. It was a solemn feeling that I left with.
"There will be no training today." Dimitri stopped as soon as we got to the doors. "The Queen will be visiting later this evening and I am helping with the preparations."
"Tatiana," I groaned loudly, "ich, I just can't catch a break."
Dimitri quirked an eyebrow at me in response. "If you are cleared to resume training, I will see you in the morning."
"Wouldn't miss it." I winked at him and patted his arm. "Now I've got to go hunt me down some grub, partner."
Dimitri gave me one of his rare bright smiles as walked back to the offices shaking his head.
There was a lot of commotion surrounding the cafeteria when I walked in.
Lissa jumped up and ran toward me, with my mother following her. "Oh, Rose! You look great! How do you feel?"
"Better." I replied as I looked at Lissa. "You look better too. What the heck is going on in here?"
"The dance is tonight, silly," Lissa said as though I knew. "And Queen Tatiana will be here for dinner."
"Yay!" I said in mock excitement. "I can't wait."
"Can I speak to Rose for a moment, sweetheart?" My mother said to Lissa.
Lissa nodded and went back to sit by Christian.
"I have to go or I'll miss my flight." She said with regret. "I thought you were going to meet me for breakfast earlier."
"I was in Kirova's office all morning." I responded as I took in her rather tired looking state. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine." My mother looked irritated. "The Headmistress should have informed me that she'd be talking to you today. Did you get the mark?"
"Yeah," I picked at the itchy bandage.
"Don't scratch it." My mother pulled my hand away and looked at me with sadness in her eyes. "Are you okay?"
"I'm handling things." I looked away quickly.
"I have to go." She said finally.
We both stood there awkwardly for a second before I pulled her into a hug. "Keep in touch and stay safe."
She pushed me back by the shoulders and stared at me. "Shouldn't I be the one to say that?"
"Does it really matter?" I responded automatically.
She smiled at me and gave my shoulders a squeeze. "I love you, Rose."
"Love you too, mom." I said as she turned around and walked out.
The dorms were totally abandoned when I returned to my dorm as everyone else had classes, this was a good thing considering I didn't want to have to spend an hour explaining my new housing situation to the guys. Their little imaginations were already running wild with theories about what Lissa and I got up to while we were on the run.
There was another freaking cardboard box on my bed. The note read: 'Last time. I promise, little dhampir.' When I opened it up to find a beautiful strapless black dress wrapped in white paper sitting on top of a shoe box. I was really going to have a talk with Adrian about him constantly spending money on me. But as I held up the dress and looked in the mirror, I forgot all about it.
Later that evening I stood in Lissa's suite helping her fix hair in the full length mirror. Guest housing was where the rich Moroi parents stayed when they came to visit their children. Sometimes a lone royal would stay to 'observe' how the school was being run. Which was generally code for them wanting to get away from court without having to do any real work. The room was even nicer than I expected it to be. We each had our own room and their was even a small kitchen for us to use.
"I can't believe a dress you bought online can fit that perfectly." Lissa stared at my dress for the hundredth time. "You're so lucky."
"Yeah, I guess." I said evasively as I pulled the pins out of her hair. "All done."
"Thanks, Rose, I love it." Lissa turned her head from side to side examining my handiwork.
"Do you want to borrow a necklace?" Lissa asked as she pulled out her jewelry box.
"I'm okay without one. They always make me feel like I'm choking." I made a funny face and Lissa laughed as she walked over to open the door.
I went to my room to put on my shoes when the little jewelry box on my desk caught my eye. The diamond earrings looked very simple yet elegant with the black dress and I smiled to myself. I looked good.
"Who was it Lis?" I yelled as I stumbled trying to get my feet into the stilettos.
"Dimitri," Lissa replied and walked into my room with an annoyed look. "I've been summoned to have a private dinner with her Majesty before the dance."
"Like, now?" I asked her.
"Yeah," Lissa sighed. "Wish me luck."
"You don't need it, babe." I hugged her. "The Queen loves you. And if she doesn't you can make her."
"I'll see you at the dance." Lissa laughed at my crossed eyed look as she put her coat on and walked out.
Dimitri was still standing in the living room when I walked out to give Lissa her clutch. His eyes met mine and traveled all the way down. He looked dashing in a all black suit and I couldn't help but ogle him.
"Is Lissa still here?" I asked him quietly as I took a few steps toward him.
"No," He answered and took a step forward.
"Aren't you supposed to stay with her?" I took another step.
"The Queen was adamant that she be alone." He replied not taking his eyes off of me. "And she and her guardians are just across the hall."
"So why are you here?" I closed the gap between us and stared up at him.
"Because I needed to check out the security in the room." Dimitri leaned down to kiss me and I melted into his arms as they wrapped around me.
Dimitri took a step back and fell over the arm of the couch pulling me down with him. I landed on top of him and leaned down to resume our heated kiss, his hands traveling across the exposed skin on my shoulders.
"You look beautiful, Roza," Dimitri whispered into my ear as his lips moved to my shoulder. "So beautiful."
"You don't look half bad yourself, comrade." I said as I reached around to unzip my dress.
End Chapter Eleven
Thoughts? Comments? Let me know.
A whole lot of dialogue in this. But things start picking up the after this one.
A big thank you to everyone who has supported this story. It means the world to me.