**Chapter 3**

Sitting at the breakfast table enjoying Dimitri's company. Turns out he also had a run in with a handful of strigoi he never told me about which made me angry. I wanted to start arguing with him but I bit back my anger not wanting to spoil our pleasant morning. I felt angry because I wanted to protect him and I know he felt the same about me. We were both nearly done with breakfast when there was a knock at our front door. Dimitri answered it. It was another guardian; he and Dimitri talked then closed the door again walking back to me.

'What did they want?'

'Hans wants to see you.'

'Oh, I better get cleaned up then.' I said finishing my coffee.

'I'll be there in a minute.'

'Okay.' I was in the bath all done and shaven and shampooed when Dimitri joined me. He washed and washed his hair. We had a wonderful quick moment then got out and got dressed in clean formal guardian uniforms as we head to HQ.

'Guardian Hathaway, Guardian Belikov.'

'Guardian Slovinsky,' we all said in turn.

'You wanted to see us sir.'

'Yes, we need both your help on forming a plan to take Mandy's estate.'

'Have you located it yet?' I asked as we follow Hans.

'Yes, I have send out scouts that side two weeks ago, once you reported it but now with more guardians at court we can strike the fortress.'

'If she has lots of strigoi all over we will have quite a lot of casualties on our hands.'

'I know moroi come first and a threat on the queen is much more than just a code black attack.'

'Of course.' We went over the photo's the men took and we went over the maps and hidden roads. It almost did look like Omsk all over again. We gone over the maps again and again. Dimitri having inside knowledge of how their fortress works and operates. The guardians took action following Dimitri's plan. Hans ordered Dimitri and me to stay at court in case they attack here as well. The whole court being in extra high alert.

Dimitri and I both set out to where Christian and Lissa are having some sort of luncheon with some council officials. Lissa's other guardians with us closed ranks around their gathering. When she saw me she knew something was up. I smiled at her and she only relaxed a little. As their lunch came to an end we took Christian and Lissa to a secure panic room in the basement of the church. Since strigoi can't enter church grounds at all this is a safe place for them.

'Rose what is going on?' Lissa asked me as we all move swiftly to the church basement.

'We're on high alert and we need to keep you safe, your majesty.' She nod in understanding and we locked them in the vast panic room with two guardians. The rest of us guarded the outside monitoring through our ear pieces what is happening up top. Hans and our guys are all in position now. Heard them give the signal. I so desperately wanted to be part of the action but my darn arm made me a big liability then an asset to the team.

Accepting I can't always be in the middle of every fight. I have a duty right here as well. There was some action at the north gate so part of the guards with us broke off to go fight at the gate. Leaving only Dimitri and me guarding the outside of the panic room. Passing up and down feeling my fight adrenaline kick in. More back up was ordered and Dimitri and I set out.

'Please be safe.' I told him. He left his duster he had on draped on one of the pews. We kissed then head out together as a team. Ready with stakes in hands, we ran to the nearest clusters of fighting groups, and we jumped in as one man, Dimitri and I. he staked a few, I staked a couple with one arm I might add. This one we're facing have some years behind him and went through me like a rag doll while Dimitri faced his own opponent.

I got up with a limp but still with my stake in hand. I charging back to my opponent with my stake. Eddie stepped in and staked him. I just fell back to the floor spitting blood from my mouth. Fight's all over seam to end with guardians winning the day. Our group survived. After everything was done and there were no more strigoi pouring into court, Dimitri ran to me as darkness invade me and my eyes close.

'Roza! No-no-no! ROZA!' He yelled as I could feel him picking me up. Dimitri ran with me slumping in his arms all the way to the hospital wing of court. After that I remember nothing. All I could see the whole time against my closed eye lids was the panicked look on Dimitri's face and his voice ringing in my ears. I came to but only in hearing. I could not make my body obey my no matter what I tried. I heard Dimitri's voice talking to what sounds like a doctor.

'So doctor what are you saying?' He asked.

'She have been battered quite severely. She has broken ribs, fractured skull and a slightly punctured lunge, but we managed to repair her lunge. It is going to take quite some time for her to fully heal from all her injuries.' The woman doctor told Dimitri.

'When will she wake up?' He asked her.

'It is hard to say really, only time will tell. Hope and faith.' She said then left the room. Mom and Abe came in as Dimitri took my hand.

'How is she?'Abe asked kissing my bandaged head.

'According to the doctor, she has a puncture lunge, broken ribs and a fractured skull on top of her already broken arm of strigoi attack protecting Lissa at college.' Dimitri informed them. He muttered something in Russian which Abe and mom chimed in on. I fade back into the darkness after that. I finally got my body to respond.

'Ouch!' I moaned as all my senses rush back to me.

'Roza!' Dimitri said first before mom and Abe could. Everything hurts so badly.

'Hey.' I said through a scratchy throat. Mom let me drink some nice ice water through a straw.

'How are you feeling darling?' Abe asked.

'I hurt like a mother all over. Have I been hit by a bus? I'm sure this is how it feels.' They all laughed at my wit but turned back to very serious quickly.

'I'll go get a nurse.' Dimitri said wanting to get up but I did not let go of his hand. Starring at me with those big eyes I love so much.

'Don't worry I'll go get a nurse.' Dad said then head out.

'What happened back there? Did we won?'I asked looking between mom and Dimitri.

'Hans and the guardian's took down their fortress with lots of casualties. We lost a few really great guardians back there. The remainder of the hidden strigoi attacked court and we all fought them. Your group was the largest and had the strongest strigoi's to fight but the two of you. You took down at least a dozen or so of them between the two of you. Eddie saw you took on the strongest one in the group and threw you quite hard a couple of times while your attackers was fixated on you, he paid little attention to Eddie as he took him out before you could get more injured.' Mom explained.

Dimitri kissed my hand then my lips as Abe returned with a nurse with a morphine injection as she squirt the morphine liquid into my IV tube and I managed to mumble I love you before I fell back asleep. Came to later as mom, dad and Dimitri and now even Eddie now sat sleeping in an uncomfortable chair. It made me smile. A couple of baskets of get well flowers stood around my room. I saw movement at the door and it was Lissa and Christian with the rest of the royal guards. What I can see they all took in quite a beating. Black eyes and arms in slings. Lissa strolled to my side without walking the others.

'How are you doing?' She asked in only mouthed moving not making a sound.

'I've been better.' I replied.

'I've been so worried about you. I wanted to get here earlier but my duties didn't allow me till now.'

'It's okay. I understand. It's so great to see you and of course you to Christian.' He nod at me then told Lissa they have to get going. We said our goodbyes then they were gone. I felt back asleep after her visit. Later in the day I woke-up and everyone was up talking in hushed tones around me.

'Good morning.' I said first.

'Morning.' Mom said before the others could. Abe and Dimitri strolled to my side taking my hand. My arm still in a cast.

'Happy Birthday, angel.' Abe said first followed my mom and Dimitri and Eddie.

'Thank you.' I manage to say, and that's when I knew my birthday do suck with me in hospital but having all the people I love with me somehow made it all a bit better. Having Dimitri with me was the best present of all no other gift compares to him being here with me. They all produced gifts for me but in my condition I can't move I told them thank you and that I will open their gifts as soon as I can sit up. Later in the day mom and Abe and Eddie left. Leaving only Dimitri and me be. I looked over to him and the nervousness on his face made me worry so much.

'What is wrong?' I finally asked him.

'I've almost lost you for the amputee time. Seeing you lying crumbled up the ground like that…' He broke off shaking his head mid sentence.

'Everything is going to be okay. I'll heal.' He met my eyes again he reached for something I could not see.

'Rosemarie Hathaway, I love you so much and will you do me the honor to accept my hand in marriage?' He asked producing a beautiful ring in his hand. I stared at him for a few minutes as tears jump to my eyes.

'Oh, my Dimika of course I will marry you.' I said as he leaned in and gave me a kiss through all my tears. He slip the ring on my finger and that smile of his that went from ear to ear. Very rear to see on his face. He gave me another kiss then sat back down in his chair holding and kissing my hand. I'm engaged to Dimitri Belikov. Rose Belikov. Oh I like the sound of that. I repeated it over and over to myself in my head to get use to this delicious idea.

Sunset the start of the nocturnal day. I send Dimitri home so he can get some proper rest last night, and was at my side first thing this morning. He kissed me, good morning and just as he sat down. A whole group burst into my room. Mom, dad, and all my friends even Lissa and Christian. Christian carried in a birthday cake, I bet he even baked it himself. His cooking is fantastic. Dimitri looked at me and smile. They all sang for me happy birthday. It brought tears to my eyes seeing everyone I love and care about.

'Thank you, everyone.' My body felt worst today than it did yesterday. Dimitri looked at me asking me if he may tell everyone. I just nod my head and he gave me a quick kiss and a smile, smoothing back my hair. He turns to our talking group of friends. He cleared his throat and all eyes turn to him.

'I asked Roza to marry me last night and she said "yes".' Cheers fell around the room. I looked at Abe's face he was shocked to the core. He walked over to me and whispered in my ear.

'Are you totally sure what you are doing Rose? Marriage is a huge step.'

'I know daddy and he was the reason I went to Russia in the first place, to keep a promise we made to one another. Remember, it was where we met.'

'Yes. He was the reason?' Dad asked even more puzzled.

'Yes, dad. He did asked your permission, didn't he?'

'Of course he did, but I just wanted to make sure it is what you wanted Rose.'

'It is. I love him so much.'

'We can see that.' Abe said kissing my forehead.

'I love you, daddy.'

'I love you too, honey.' Everyone after that come to congratulate us both. After that we all ate some of my birthday cake. Lissa and Christian left first, with their guards. Eddie went with them. Mom and dad stayed with us. Telling me all the news around court, making sure I'm updated on all court matters. The conversation quickly turned to wedding dates and wedding colors.

'We haven't picked a date yet.' I said quickly feeling cornered.

'Maybe next year sometime. Rose wants to be a little older first.' Dimitri came to my rescue.

'But of course.' Abe said looking a little relieved. Mom was just excited. Dimitri phone rang and he answered it in Russian. He is smiling. I knew it was his mother. I sigh heavily causing me pain. Mom saw my ring, she almost cried. Yes the tears of Janine Hathaway almost crying. Mom and dad congratulated me and then they left. Dimitri was still busy on his phone. I for one was starving and so tired of all the excitement. My lunch arrived and awkwardly I ate with one hand, watching my fiancé talk on the phone with his family. After lunch I fell asleep still watching Dimitri.

Was jolted awake when the doctor came to check in on me. I told her, I felt worst then yesterday. She gave me something strong for the pain and it knock me right out. I saw Dimitri finishes his call as my eyes fell closed and my doctor talked to him. I was in la-la land pretty quickly. When I woke-up again later the afternoon, Dimitri was still at my side reading a new western novel. I wanted to buy him a stack of western novels for his birthday next month. That's is two weeks. I might not be able to walk out to buy it, but might have to ask someone to buy them for me. He looked up from his book and looked straight at me.

'Hey beautiful, how are you feeling?'

'I'm still a drowsy but other than that I'm without pain for now.' He gave me a kiss then kissed my hand.

'You talked to your mother?'

'Yes, she is ecstatic for us. She said grandmother had another vision. She saw us with kids.'

'What? How can that be we dhampir can's have any kids. You know that better than I do. Although I won't mind if it could happen in a weird way to have a little Dimitri running around.' I manage to say.

'Really? What about a little Roza?' He said rubbing my cheek as I smile up at him.

'If you want in a few years.' I manage saying.

'So you agree to it, Roza. You agree to grandmother's vision.'

'After all the times she has been right, why go against it any longer. Although I really never envision kids in my future at all bit if I do have kids I would rather have them with the man I love so much.' The smile on Dimitri's face was brighter then the sun. He kissed me passionately for so long my heart and breathing started racing making my lunges hurt badly. I started to gasp for air to fill my lunges when he called for the doctor. They came running in as I pass out. A small sharp pain in my side woke me as I could start breathing again. With my entire medical history, I bet it's a nice night time story for doctors to read, by now. That or they ran out of paper. The doctor patched me up as I stared at Dimitri who cupped my face.

'I love you, Dimitri Belikov.'

'I love you, my Roza.' The doctor and nurse left. Sonya Karp appeared in my room.

'Miss Karp. Hello. Mikhail.' I said in such a surprise. Dimitri jumped up in defense mode to protect me. When he was who it was he greeted them all respectfully. Sonya walked up to me.

'You're auras are so bright like two suns melted together.' She squinted between Dimitri and me. She focus back on me and I felt her weld her spirit magic over me. Healing me. I began to protest but she silenced me before I even could open my mouth. Ten minutes later I was completely healed from head to toe. Mikhail called the doctor in just as Miss Karp finish up with my healing. I sat up and the good doctor looked me over and over and finally deemed me fit to leave. I got out of bed and my legs were wobbly. Dimitri with tears in his eyes help steady me.

'Thank you so very much Sonya.' Dimitri said giving her a hug.

'Thank you Miss Karp.' I said holding on to my fiancé.

'You're welcome.' Sonya said smiling at us.

'We heard you two got engaged.' Sonya said walking over to Miakhale and into his waiting loving arms.

'Mikhail look after this special lady of yours. Make sure she don't wield her magic too much. It has a very dark side effect.' I told him.

'I will.' He said smiling at Sonya. They left a while later and after that I got to go home as well. Walking into my apartment, I sat down on the couch with Dimitri's arms around me.

'You have no idea how nice your arm feels around me. I missed it so much.' I told him.

'It feels even nicer having you in my arms, whole, Roza.'

'Oh, Dimika.' I said as our lips met again and soon we helped the other out of our clothes. He let me sit on his lap facing him on the couch. He kissed me, my neck and now my bare chest. I moaned in pleasure. He held his stiffness for me to slide onto. A rush of air push out of my moaning mouth as his full procession felt so good. We both moaned as, he slide into me. I started to move then rotate my hips. He helped moving faster and deeper sending me over the edge as I came around him and he burst his hot liquid into me. He empties out in me, more than three times.

We took a shower together and continued in there. We finally washed and I felt much better after our shower. We had a hard time getting dressed. Eventually we got dressed and report back on duty as of tomorrow. Hand still look bad. Now with my arm out of its cast and every part of me healed I feel like a new person. I'm now a newly engaged person. We took off of a nice romantic dinner, to finally celebrate our engagement. It was so nice. We discussed our wedding date, next year October. A month after my birthday and a week after Dimitri's birthday. The 18th of October. We both agreed and decided to let out mother's know we will get married here in the US at court. As we finish our dessert we just stared at each other, with Dimitri holding my hand.

'I have a question. I wanted to ask.'

'Of course it makes you- you Roza.' He smiled at me.

'Did Hans and the guardians get Mandy and her gang?'

'Not Mandy herself but more than half of her gang, the guardians staked that includes you and me. We both took out six each in that attack.' Dimitri informed me. I nod me head.

My previous tattoo's just healed. I don't mind my marks anymore. We head back to my apartment and went to bed. I caught up on Lissa's life's and schedule. Since we don't have the bond anymore I can't check on her as my whole life had been about our bond. Dimitri read his novel. I put my paperwork on my bedside table and lay back on my sexy Russian mans chest, listening to his breathing and him combing his finger through my hair that lulled me right to sleep. When our alarm clock went off at 4PM, I was completely wrapped in a Dimitri sheet and I for one did not want unwrap him from me at all. He was laying with his head on my chest. I ran my fingers through his silky soft hair. He woke up and looked right into my eyes.

'Morning sexy.' I managed to say first.

'Good morning, beautiful.' He said kissing my chest, cheek and then my mouth.

'Oh, Mr Belikov.'

'Mrs Belikov are you up for some…' Dimitri started tickling me and as usually he knows all my weak spots and with him pinning me down I can't move anywhere. I just giggling and giggling trying to shield his next attack.

'Dimitri please stop.' I manage through my giggling fits.

'Oh, really Mrs Belikov.'

'Yes please.' I pleaded. Dimitri stopped then bends down taking his weight on his arms and kissed me. We had a wonder orgasmic, and quickly. Then rushed to get showered and dressed for duty. We're both out the door heading for Lissa's living quarters. We were both greeted at HQ we received our tattoo's of our previous kills. Then head towards the monitoring room of Lissa's house. I can half see that it's not just Dimitri and me that enjoys the morning love making. Christian and Lissa are really going at it in the small corner of the screen. I told the other they are relieved for the moment I saw the guys gawking at the screen. They snap to attention then blushing left the room. I saw that half smile on my man's face whenever he is on duty.

'What?' I asked.

'Free royal porn for young guardians.' He said looking from the screen to me.

'Well yeah, try being her head while they go at it like that.'

'Really? It happened when you were still bonded.'

'Yes, more than once. I couldn't control it when her emotions are so strong. Believe me I did not wanted to be there at all.'

'I believe you. How did it feel?'

'I would experience everything their doing, me from Lissa's perspective. Not something I ever want to remember at all.'

'My lips are sealed.' He said sitting down on the couch in the monitoring room.

'Thank you.' I said with a shiver. He tucked me under his arm as we monitoring the cameras. Just checking the bushy monitoring just now and then.

'Something is bothering me.'

'What is it?'Dimika asked me.

'What is Mandy's next plan?' She wants Lissa right and she already lost a great deal of men already.'

'My guess is to quickly get the numbers back up, so she herself can make her move.'

'Smart move. We have to stop her before she can make her numbers grow.'

'That sounds like a better plan. What are you thinking Rose?'

'Hunting trip. Taking out the treat before it get out of hand.'

'That is very forceful, it just might work.'

'You think Hans would agree to it?'

'I don't see why not. We can just ask him.'

'Okay.' Dimitri was on his phone with Hans telling him our plans and theory. I patrolled the quite part of Lissa's living quarters. The noises that are coming from her room made me blush. Gosh I hope I'm not that loud when we're going at it like that. Embarrassed I walked back into the room where Dimitri was still talking to Hans. He saw my face and a question mark form in his face. Sat back down and listen to the conversation behind me. Hans is thinking a two man operation might just work to eliminate the threat on the queen.

Hans wants to see us both and is sending over two extra guardians to step in for the second in command stations. Eddie took my and Dimitri's place as we left to meet up with Hans at HQ. We reached HQ an half an hour later. Dimitri and I got direct given orders with a stack of cash to set out on a strigoi hunting trip. After that we got a car and set out to the Pennsylvania greater city. I can't believe it, here I am again. It's like in Siberia, hunting Dimitri but this time having him with me on the right side makes it so much better.