Classes were on standby for the week, mercifully leaving me to sleep in for the first few days since my miraculous resurrection. However, on the third day I was no longer allowed any peace. Rose came banging on my door just after sunset on a Wednesday, I could tell it was her because of the sick glee that was oozing through this toxic bond. Frustrated, I yanked the door open, squinting at her through my hair.

"What?" She forced her way in, dropping lazily onto my bed. Lissa followed after her. Both girls were dressed to impress, draped in thousands of dollars of formal wear. Rose was situating her sapphire dress, trying to untwist the silky, elegant material flowing around her legs.

"The Queen wants to see the three of us." Lissa informed me. I had no reason to be surprised. After all a dhampir had just brought me back to life. It was almost guaranteed that she would take an interest in me. She took a seat beside Rose, jade and sapphire silk mixing in a strangely captivating bundle.

"So hurry it up Sparky, the plane leaves in an hour. We're heading straight to a formal party and then she'll take us to the torture room to drag the answers out of us." Rose joked. She was busy pretending to summon her stake through the keyhole in the halter top of her dress.

I took to the shower, taking my time washing away the lull of sleep. Honestly, I was in no mood to grovel today, but I understood. After all if I was King surely I'd summon the three people who seemed to radiate chaos and bad decisions to find out what they were up to. Actually, I'd probably have confined them to court by now so -if I was going to be fair- this wasn't so bad. I dressed in the bathroom since both girls had commandeered my room.

Once I returned Guardian Belikov was standing in my room, dressed from head to toe in guardian wear, a stake on his hip. From what Tasha had told me he'd accepted her guardian offer. If the paperwork went over well he'd be transferring after this school year ended.

Naturally, Adrian was already on the plane sipping mimosas. To Rose's great pleasure, he'd brought doughnuts on this fine trip. Lissa sat beside me, talking up a storm. She was happy I was alive, but that didn't stop her from laying into me. She was enraged that I played the hero. In her mind Rose was there to protect us. I should have let her do what she was trained to do. A part of me wished that she could understand why I did it. I wanted desperately to explain my actions, but she wouldn't have it. She ranted and raved until we touched down in court two hours later.

Even then she looked about ready to start up again, my one savior was Belikov. He put a calming hand on the blonde's shoulder.

"Princess, I think Mr. Ozera understands. What he did was foolish, but honorable all the same. His sacrifice gave Rose just enough time to save those in the elementary campus. Without it there is no guarantee those lives would have been saved."

She nodded, throwing on her princess charm, "I was devastated when they found his body." She told him softly, "and Rose...she was beside herself with guilt. It was Mason all over again. She'd once again been rendered helpless. Seeing my best friend fall apart was...too much. I'm so glad he's safe and I am trying to stress the importance of controlling his impulsive actions. He should never have been on the battle field without proper training." Satisfied with her answer the bodyguard moved away. This -of course- meant that Lissa started back in on me.

Unfortunately I couldn't exactly focus. With all of the sleep I'd been getting lately there wasn't much time for heading to the feeders. My hunger seemed to consume me at the worst time. It wasn't as if Lissa ever smelt bad, but she'd definitely never smelt 'yummy'. Now, as she gestured and ranted I became uncomfortably aware of her warm scent.

Adrian's arm around my shoulder distracted me momentarily. He was squinting at me, the tell tale sign that he was trying to read my aura. Then his eyes went wide and he backed away from me, taking his arm with him.

"You look like you've seen a ghost," Rose chuckled, moving gracefully in her gown. She was choosing this moment to finally pull her hair up. Something told me that was simply to irritate the queen. Adrian however just shrugged -a red flag in and of itself.

"I'll meet you at the meeting. I've got something to take care of." He gave me one last wary look before turning on his heels and darting off. Rose and Lissa shrugged it off, claiming it was another 'Adrian thing'. I couldn't do the same, simply because Id never seen a heavy smoker run as fast as he did now. Tucking that away for later, I excused myself, deciding to hit the feeders before anyone had a chance to argue.

*****well that's that. You'll have to excuse my ending. I'm in a bit of a state right now, but I wanted to update…so here it is. Review. It's always so wonderful.******