Yay! I kept my promise of giving you the next chapter on the first week of December! Wooo.. ok, now to business.

I want to dedicate this chapter to my 100th reviewer: Bru Ivashkov

And for those wanting to know if Sydrian is bonded, well, this is your chapter. ENJOY :)

Richelle is making me cry with TFH, I'm on Chapter 6 barely. Also, I'm glad I've more or less nailed Adrian in his POVs, though I can't possibly match Richelle's level. Anyway, I wrote Lissa's POV for the first time too, and I think I did ok with hers.

DISCLAIMER: VA AND BL BELONG TO RICHELLE MEAD.

SYDNEY'S POV

I don't remember how I got here, but I could definitely imagine the rest of my days in this place. Of course, this must be some kind of dream or illusion. There is no physical way that I could have been in Pennsylvania 5 minutes ago, and now I'm beside the Colosseum in Rome. It just defied all laws of physics and even the most crazy logic in the world.

It was a bright and beautiful day, with no one around, but it didn't take away any of the splendid beauty it had. I looked around to see if I was truly alone, and apparently I was. There was no chance that such a populated and touristical area would be empty. However there were tables scattered around and in most of them there was a lit cigarette. I shook my head as I remembered how Adrian smoked. I glanced around a bit more.

"This must be a dream," I whispered as the idea of sight-seeing in a dream crept into me, "And I can actually look around."

This was what I had always wished for- to come to Rome, and though I'd never been here in my life, everything was the way I imagined it would be. I studied the greatness of the architecture and engineering of the Colosseum. It was a wonder how something so majestic and beautiful came from the master-minds of the Flavian dynasty; they were an early example of today's society, though they didn't have the technology we have. I would love to see such dedication and study, now—that was what had resulted in works of art such as this one.

"I wonder if it's this tall in real-life," I muttered quietly to myself as I craned my head backwards to see the top of the right wall.

"It actually is, if not taller." Adrian Ivashkov crept from behind a nearby tree with a devilish grin plastered to his face. I obviously tensed. "Sorry Sage, you just looked too happy admiring it, so I didn't want to interrupt."

"Ok, this is definitely a dream, isn't it," I pensively inquired, "Goodness, what are you doing in my dream?"

"It's our dream. We're both dreaming," he said straightforwardly as he lit a cigarette.

"That's not even remotely possible, it doesn't make sense. Plus, I wouldn't dream with you if I could help it, my mind is just playing games—why am I even arguing with my own mind?"

"Are you sure it's your own mind, Sage? Well, actually it could be. I just leave that impression on women, and they dream about me." He smiled, inhaled and winked, but then wore his usual smirk and shortly added, "But no, it's not your mind making this up or playing games. Well, maybe the scenario was chosen by your mind though. And I can totally tell you what happens in here when we wake up. Now try to really focus, is this what a normal dream usually feels like?"

I stood frozen trying to figure out what he meant. He kept staring at me as if it was funny.

"I... don't know." I was almost never rendered speechless, but right now, I had no answer to this. "I guess it does feel a little different."

"It's a spirit dream, Sage," he answered calmly.

The reality of what he meant punched me in the face. If this was a spirit dream, that meant he was using his magic on me. I was having contact with vampire magic. I suddenly felt dirty and impure, and I found myself doing the cross on my left shoulder.

"There's that thing again. What is it?"

I ignored him and frowned instead. "Get me out of this... dream, please."

"Sage, you're safe—"

"Please, Adrian!" I didn't realize I had raised my voice, but I couldn't help it after finding out I had been in direct contact with magic.

"Ok, I will, but listen to me first, I'll be fast," he replied hastily as he stepped on the cigarette butt. "It's been three days since you've woken up."

That wasn't possible. I was just awake and well and—could it be? I couldn't remember anything. We were just eating and then... nothing; I remembered nothing.

"We've all been worried because the doctor said you might be in a coma, but you'd probably will get out of it." He ran a hand through his perfectly messed hair. "But that's the thing, the key word is 'probably'. I didn't think this spirit dream thing would work in your state, but it was the last resort, and it works, because I'm here, talking to you."

"I... I don't get it Adrian, how can I be in a coma?" I started shaking and backing away from him, I didn't know if it was because of the news or because I was feeling overwhelmed by the amount of magic Adrian was using on me, or maybe both.

"Don't you.. don't you remember?" He paused, getting closer and rested his hands on my shoulders, but I was too shocked to react. "There was attack, and you got shot. Sage, you got shot and I—we all thought you died, but you didn't. I mean, I had to use spirit to heal your wound so it wasn't fatal. I'm sorry, I know how much you hate magic, but I'd rather you hate me for it than you not being alive. At least you're breathing."

He paused to regain his breath. "I just came here to tell you that you need to fight your way out of this coma, or... well, I just thought of this. The thing is I don't even think you'll consider this second option because you're simply appalled by the spirit dream. But maybe I could use magic to heal you and wake you up. Hell, I don't even know if that will work, but I'm asking for your permission."

I simply stared at him, unable to say anything.

"Just say yes, Sage. Say something."

"I... can't." I choked up. I usually never cried in front of anyone, but I wanted to.

Knowing that my life was at stake, and there was possibly nothing I—alone—could do, was beyond me. I suddenly feared for my life, for what I would leave behind. My family, my friends, the Alchemists. It hurt that I couldn't say 'yes' to him, even if it was my life. But I was so confused, and for the first time in my life, I didn't know what to do.

He exhaled and then stared at me with the saddest look I'd ever seen on him. "Then I'll make the decision on my own. I just hope you don't hate me too much, Sydney."

"Adrian—" I started, but fog enveloped him completely until only his emerald eyes stared back at me, and then... darkness.

ADRIAN'S POV

"I talked to her, the spirit dream worked, and she's going to hate me for it, but I've gotta try healing her and waking her from this coma."

I sat next to Sage on her hospital room. The whole gang was here around her bed, even Abe. We were finally allowed to visit her. I had practically ran through court once I was notified.

"Are you sure?" Lissa asked as she regarded Sydney sadly, "I could do it."

"No, I will." I rested my head on my hands. "You must be clear-headed for the coronation in a couple of days."

"He's right, Liss. But what about Sonya? We can call her up here. And she can heal too." Rose suggested.

"Little dhampir, she just got restored from being Strigoi a few weeks ago, so we can't really make her use an enormous amount of power after such little time. It's okay, I'll do it myself. But I'll give her time to wake up on her own before I do anything, if she doesn't... then I'm afraid I'll have to do it."

There was silence after that. Apparently the fact that it was my magic gave me authority as to what to do and when. No one dared to cross me, and I suspected the tone I used wasn't inviting either.

Soon after they left, but I stayed. I didn't want to sleep, though I did want to talk to Sydney in a spirit I was afraid she would tell me she didn't want to be woken up. So instead I tried to study her aura for the first time since the accident. I was too caught up in speaking to her that I forgot to check her aura before.

I gaped at what I saw. There was a ring of shadows around her usual aura. It still was yellow and had purple streaks all over, but there were shadows. It wasn't as bright as it usually was.

"No... this can't be possible." I whispered to myself as I simply stared at her. "She can't be shadow-kissed."

LISSA'S POV

My heart ached for Adrian as I saw him sitting next to Sydney. I didn't really know her personally and I hadn't really spoken to her other than proper introductions and Moroi-Alchemist business. Yet, I could tell that Adrian has grown fond of her in this short amount of time and would do anything to see her up and alive.

I studied his aura, noticing that it still wasn't as gold as it usually was, probably because he was still recovering from that huge spirit usage. Maybe my aura was the same afterwards when I revived Rose, but there were no other spirit users to tell me about it. So, I didn't really know how this affected spirit or if it was directly proportional to the amount of spirit we could wield for the moment. I inferred he couldn't completely use it yet. Maybe he hadn't even noticed Sydney's aura.

Her aura was like Rose's when she had been shadow-bonded. As every aura, they had different colors, but the same shadow ring Rose had before, now lingered around Sydney's aura. It could only mean that Sydney did die, and Adrian revived her, becoming spirit-bonded. Maybe he was so ignorant, in that moment, to the fact that she had died, and he just thought he healed her.

I didn't have the nerve to tell him about it, in case he hadn't seen it, especially not when the room was full of people. I thought this was something that I needed to talk about with him privately. It was rarely a secret that Rose used to be bonded to me, but it would be huge news to learn about another bond, especially when Rose's and mine no longer existed.

We exited the room, but I told Rose I needed to speak to Adrian privately as soon as possible, she understood right away. We stayed with a couple other guardians outside of Sydney's room. Christian left with Dimitri to visit his aunt, Tasha, who was imprisoned for the murder of the late queen—and Adrian's great-aunt—Tatiana Ivashkov.

We lingered a few minutes, until I felt his aura growing troubled. I guess he had to find out sooner or later. I looked at Rose and she nodded. Even if we weren't bonded anymore, she could still understand everything I meant with unspoken words and stares.

I entered the room and quietly closed it behind me.

"Adrian," I didn't know how to start, but I was convinced I had to listen mostly, instead of the talking. "Talk to me."

"You saw it right? That's why you looked so sad when you stared at her," He muffled a laugh and closed his eyes, "She's shadow-kissed. She died! I thought I saved her. But I didn't, she died right in front of me."

"You couldn't have done anything more, Adrian," I paused, hoping my words got through him. "You saved her life. She's breathing because of you."

"But I could have... I don't know, anything! Instead of her dying."

I recognized the slight rambling that often came with spirit craziness. This was overwhelming him to dangerous extents.

"Lend me your silver ring." I told him as I stared as his hand. "I'll charm it, and you'll use it. No 'buts'."

He quickly slid off his ring and gave it to me without complaining. I had practiced this so many times, that it was almost as easy as breathing and didn't require much spirit. I infused the silver ring with healing magic, and offered it to Adrian. He slid it on and visibly seemed to relax a little.

"Now she's bonded to me," He said through gritted teeth, "Flipping out is short nothing to how she will react."

"I know, but at least she's alive," I soothingly repeated, "Maybe she might have a change of heart. Some people have them when their lives are on the line."

"If she is going to hate me when I wake her up—if I can—she will hate me even more when she undoubtedly finds out about the bond. Can I blame her? No. Now she will be destined to navigate into the thoughts of someone she half-heartedly hates until the end of time." He was rambling a bit now, but he then paused and looked at her with such tenderness, but pain was clear in his look, "The coronation is in three days. I'll give her two days to wake up by herself, and if she doesn't, I'm waking her up."

So, am I an evil writer yet or...? Hehehehe

I still have a couple of aces under my sleeve(s). You probably won't expect them, but you're welcome to guess as much as you want.

Tell me what you think of this fanfic so far, I love reading your reviews and it just makes me so happy to see you're looking forward for another chapter, makes my writer heart jump fiercely with glee and makes me want to continue writing and updating. I'm so glad you all like it, specially since this is my first fanfic.

Once again, thank you all for taking the time to read this fanfic, also thank you for not hating me that much for making our OTP of OTPs suffer like this... I'm so, so, so sorry Sydrian, I love you, ok.

:)