Author's Note: OMG! I've now got 106 reviews! :D How exciting! I think this story has the highest reviews I've ever gotten! Ohhhh; you guys are amazing! :D Enjoy this next chapter in celebration of 100+ reviews!
Rose's POV
I leaned my head back, resting it on train seat behind me. Thanks to Adrian we had first class accommodations, and despite the room being small I couldn't really complain. It had a nice feel to it, and Lissa and I got to share it. Adrian and Christian were also sharing a room, while Dimitri had elected to remain alone. My mind kept reminding me of the latest memory I'd regained. The lust charm. After the memory had resurfaced, the events around it had as well. I just couldn't believe a lust charm could have such a strong effect on two people, and I also couldn't believe Dimitri had been able to stop long enough to realise something was wrong. He had so much control.
Lissa flicked through the channels on the TV, letting out a sigh of frustration, "It's all in Russia!" She exclaimed, a look of disappointment and boredom on her face. I let out a laugh. Things were still strained between us, and I didn't like it, but I supposed Lissa had to get over whatever had happened in her own time.
"Probably because we're in Russia," I pointed out helpfully. She stuck her tongue out at me and laughed. Through the bond I could tell she wanted to go and spend time with Christian, but she didn't want to leave me alone, and deep down she was just glad to be spending time with me again. I was grateful for her concern, but I didn't need a babysitter. Then again, I did miss spending time with her too. We were best friends and I felt like we barely talked anymore.
Lissa went back to flicking through channels. I sighed and glanced out the window, watching as Russia sped past us in a blur of colour. I wished I could just slow down for a while and actually enjoy being in such a beautiful place. I understood that Dimitri just wanted to get to his hometown and see his family though, so I couldn't exactly complain.
"So," Lissa started; her voice sounded cautious, "Have you been getting many memories back?"
I shrugged, "A few random ones so far." My mind was still lingering on the last one I'd had. I still couldn't quite manage to get the thought of Dimitri out of my mind since then. All I could think about whenever I looked at him now was how great it had felt being so close to him, kissing him. He was like a Russian sex god.
"Like what?" Her voice contained a bit of excitement. She clicked the TV off, watching me in anticipation. I guessed she'd decided she wasn't going to find anything good to watch today and was therefore using me and my memories as her own personal source of entertainment. I couldn't blame her for that. I'd do exactly the same thing if I were her.
"The most recent one was actually about the lust charm Victor put in that necklace," I replied. A flicker of sadness crossed her face as she remembered Victor; the way he'd tortured her still haunted her nightmares, "Thank god that creep is locked far away." I added, trying to ease her fear.
Oddly, this made it worse, "You don't remember…" She said in a quiet voice. I glanced at her in concern.
"Don't remember what?" I asked. I felt her panic through the bond. Even thinking of him still had the ability to scare her. I had no idea what was going on, or what memory I'd forgotten now, but I knew this would be one memory I wouldn't want to remember.
"Victor isn't in prison anymore Rose," She answered.
I felt anger fill me, "You mean those idiot Royals decided to let him out? Are they insane! He tried to kill you!" I suddenly knew why Lissa was so afraid. That creep was out walking free in the world. He had the potential to hurt her again.
"No," Lissa shook her head, "We helped him escape Rose."
Confusion replaced my anger as soon as the words left her mouth, "What? No." I shook my head, "No, we'd never do that. Why would either of us want to help him after everything he did to you? There's no way." I could feel through the bond that Lissa wasn't lying, yet I refused to believe that I'd been part in any plan which led to Victor Dashkov being a free man. He deserved to rot in prison.
Lissa let out a small sigh, "He's half-brother Robert knew how to restore Strigoi to their original form. We needed Victor so we could find Robert."
Her words suddenly sunk in, "So we could save Dimitri…"
Dimitri had told me he'd been Strigoi and that Lissa had saved him. I never knew I'd been involved with it as well. Though I guessed it did make sense. Lissa was my best friend and I had once loved Dimitri. Of course I would have been a part of it.
"Yes," Lissa nodded. She paused, looking like she was thinking about what she was going to say next, "After…I saved him," She said, "He was…having difficulties, I guess, forgiving himself for everything he did while he was Strigoi."
I nodded, "Of course. Anyone would have trouble with that."
She paused for another few seconds, "The reason you were angry with me was because I stopped you from seeing him. He was a mess, and he didn't want to see you, but I should have let you anyway. After everything you did to save him, you deserved that."
"Why didn't he want to see me?" I asked, genuinely curious, "I understand he was upset about everything, but if he loved me as much as everyone says he did then I don't understand why he wouldn't."
Lissa looked worried. After a few seconds she let out a groan, "Oh, I totally shouldn't be the one to tell you this. You should talk to Dimitri about it."
I shook my head instantly, "No. Please, Liss, just tell me."
She looked torn for a few minutes as she contemplated whether she should tell me or not, "You went to find him, to kill him." She finally said, "But he took you instead; he hurt you. And he was going to awaken you, but she managed to escape. I don't think he will ever be able to forgive himself for that. I can see how much it torments him."
I sat there, shocked. I never expected that. I guess I should have. I was always doing reckless things. But hunting down my Strigoi ex-lover to kill him and free him from a life as an evil undead creature? Even I didn't think I'd do that. Not for anybody.
It suddenly hit me just how much I must have loved him.
I literally travelled across the world for him.
"Wow," I finally muttered. I felt like I was in shock.
Dimitri's POV
I could feel the train's vibrations as I lay in my room, trying to sleep. I couldn't though. For the first time in my life I was too stuck in my head to fall asleep. I couldn't stop thinking about Rose, and how she was remembering! It was a miracle.
I knew that meant she would most likely retain all the lost memories, but I couldn't help but be glad that she would at least remember the good times as well. Hopefully then she would be able to see that we were destined to be together.
It sounded cheesy, I knew that, but it felt like the most honest thing in the world. My Roza was the only woman for me. She was everything I could hope for, and I wanted to share our lives for the rest of time. I wanted to grow old with her. I wanted to be able to call her Rosemarie Belikov one day. I knew children were impossible for us to have, but I dreamed of that too.
I wanted to have everything with her.
No one else.
She would always be the only one for me. Without her I would spend my life alone. To be without her would only be made worse if I attempted to love someone else. No one could ever be her. No one would ever be able to replace her in my heart or my mind. We were connected in a way I'd only ever read about in books.
This wasn't a love to die for…it was a love to live for.
I would have updated sooner, but I haven't been feeling well! So I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, and I shall update again soon! :D REVIEW!