Anastasia:

When we finally got down to our cabin, everyone else was settled in. It took about twenty minutes to find it because the ship was so massive! I had grabbed as much cash as I had as well as my credit card and purse, a few essentials from the palace and shoved it all into a bag. Dimitri had his own already packed of course.

I opened the door into our luxury suite and plonked Pooka down. It was the only one available on such short notice I also grabbed a pillow from the bed so he could lie on it on the floor. He curled up and fell asleep almost instantly. Poor pup must be utterly exhausted! I smiled happily and nodded, "This should do just fine." I knew Dimitri was still adjusting to all of the royal benefits but his face made me giggle! He was completely gob-smacked. He spun around the room and stared at the gigantic chandelier hanging from the ceiling, "Wow!" he whispered.
The room was indeed flashy. It was covered in white wallpaper, and had a soft cream carpet. The bed had pure white linen too and was decorated with golden stars. I also noticed there was a spare bedroom to the left, in case Dimitri didn't want to sleep in the same room tonight. I couldn't say the same for me though. I really just wanted to be close to him. I had nearly lost him again a few hours ago!

I watched him open the great big wooden cupboard and he began placing all of his belongings in there. He looked like an excited boy who was having his first Christmas or something. Then something struck me that I hadn't really thought about before- we both came from the same sort of background. Although I had now found my family, I still felt more like Dimitri. Maybe it was because I had no parents and I could confirm that now. I wasn't sure.

He turned and smiled at me then his face fell, "Anastasia…what's wrong?" I rolled my eyes and retorted, "Since when do you call me Anastasia?" He floundered around for words before swallowing and smirking, "Never…" I nodded and folded my arms swiftly, "That's right. I don't want you calling me that anytime soon. I prefer Anya." Dimitri nodded and turned to face me, putting the last of the things in his bag and he smirked, "I prefer Anya too."

I suddenly realized I should phone grandmamma and let her know how we were. I told Dimitri, took some cash with me and slotted some in to the nearest phone I found a few hallways up. I realized that the party was probably still in full swing. Sophie answered though luckily, "Hello…" she said in her French accent. I smiled, "Hi Sophie! It's Anya." Sophie said in a shrill voice, "Oh Anya dear! Would you like to speak to grandmamma?" I nodded eagerly, "Yes please, Sophie, if you can get her away from her guests for a minute?"
Sophie laughed lightly, "Not to worry, not to worry! She iz with me now!" I heard the phone being passed over and grandmamma sighed happily, "Oh my love, I'm so proud of you for following your heart." I did I double take and replied, "Oh really? I didn't know if you would be." Grandmamma laughed, "Oh my dear, your heart belongs with Dimitri. I was trying to hint that to you earlier! The boy clearly is besotted with you, and I don't think it's just because you're a princess." I nodded and smiled, "I think he is too. He just hasn't said it yet."
My grandmother paused for a minute before replying, "Oh really? Well that surprises me. Don't fret my darling. It may take some time. But can I give you some advice?" I nodded eagerly and whispered, "Please do. This situation is so new to me." My grandmother sighed, "I was worried about that my dear. Alright, my advice is: don't rush into things. It's ok to take your time. Just make sure you're ready when you're ready to be intimate, alright?" I bit my lip and nodded, "Yes grandmamma. I understand you. Thank you for your advice. I'll let you know when we land." She sounded so happy for me as she said, "Enjoy the trip my darling!" I smiled, "Love you grandma." She said stingingly, "Love you my dear! I've got to return to my guests! Goodbye!"

Then we hung up and I found went and searched for Dimitri. He was still in our room thankfully and he was lying on the bed. He looked like an angel like that; his hands casually behind his neck as he lay with his eyes closed and his chestnut hair flopped casually to the side. I could almost watch him look so relaxed and carefree forever.

I had opened the door and closed it but he hadn't woken up. He must be exhausted from the battle we'd had with Rasputin earlier in the day. In that moment I couldn't blame him and I decided to lie on the bed beside him. His arm automatically found its way to my waist and I rested my head his shoulder. I sighed happily and smiled, "I can't believe two hours ago you were going to leave me."
Dimitri chuckled and whispered, "What a stupid mistake that would have been, huh?" I nodded and he whispered, "And I told Vlad it would have been one of the best decisions I could make." I frowned and asked in fury, "Are you trying to insult me with all of your might?!" He chuckled again and I had to say it did funny things to my insides and I felt my stomach erupt into butterflies. I smiled, not being able to stay very mad at him with these new feelings and he said with a grin, "No Anya. I honestly thought you hated me, ever since the ballet when you slapped me." I winced a little, realizing I hadn't apologized for that, " I'm sorry," I whispered in a small voice. He frowned, "Are you just saying that? I don't think you've ever apologized to me before." I whispered throatily, "No I'm sorry for not wanting to listen to you. I just…I lost it." He shrugged his shoulders, "All couples fight, Anya." I sighed and shook my head, "Not as much as we do. Wait…are we a…a couple?" He seemed to be almost blushing and now it was my turn to smirk as I sat up placing my hands on either side of his chest and I swear I saw his heart stop for a moment!

I giggled as I watched his surprised face…like he was shocked at himself for saying it out loud and his cheeks seemed to be getting redder by the second and he whispered, "I never said that." I rolled my eyes, "No, but you implied it. And is it just me or are you blushing Dimitri?" He definitely was beneath that tanned skin of his! I kept smirking and he rolled his eyes, "Because I find you attractive on top Anya…"

I leant down and began kissing the side of his neck. He sighed and I stopped at his collar bone, "What was that you were saying about being a couple, Dimitri?" I asked with more force. I was determined to get it out of him, some way or another. He finally relented after I had kissed my way back up his neck, "Maybe I implied that you're my girlfriend, Anya?" I rolled my eyes, " Only Implied? Well I'm sorry Dimitri, but that's not good enough for the Grandduchess Anastasia!"

I giggled at the look of amusement on his face and he finally pushed his hands in my hair before asking, "Will you be my girlfriend, Miss Grandduchess Anastasia?" It was my turn to smirk now as I beamed, "I thought you would never ask!" He rolled his eyes and retorted, "Hey! It's only been three hours!" I giggled and smirked, "I'm glad you're counting," before I smashed my lips to his. I didn't hear him complaining and I was satisfied when he uttered a groan and his hands travelled to my waist again.

Within a minute or two, there was a knock on the door. We broke apart and he stared into my eyes longingly. I felt nervous then with the intensity of his gaze, as if he was seeing the true me for the first time.

Dimitri:

When the door was knocked I cursed internally! Damnit! Who on earth would interrupt us? I sighed and Anya reluctantly removed herself from my lap. I sighed and she stood up, fixing her hair a little before saying, "Come in!" The porter looked flummoxed as he stared at Anya's formal attire. His jaw somewhat floundered around and I scowled as he said, "Sorry to disturb Miss…dinner is being served in the next fifteen minutes. It's…uh…the same time every night. Eight until ten pm."
Anya nodded, completely oblivious to the fact that this guy clearly found her as attractive as I did! I grimaced and stood up, taking her hand in mine and making a point of it before saying abruptly, "Thank you. We'll be there shortly." The boy nodded and said distractedly, "Uh, yes Sir! Have a good evening." He slowly closed the door behind him.

I scowled and tried to fix my tie. Anya noticed the sudden change in my mood, "What's up? You didn't enjoy that?" I frowned and said, "No, kissing you is the best thing ever. I…I didn't like the way he was looking at you." This caused her to frown too, "How was he looking at me, Dimitri?" I grimaced and didn't really feel like explaining. She was so innocent. I muttered, "Never mind. Let's go and get dinner. It's on me."

I was about to leave when Anya held out a hand to stop me, "No Dimitri. I want to know! How was he looking at me?" I huffed and a piece of stray hair blew out of my face, "Like how I look at you?" She blushed and it was so weird to see Anya nervous or embarrassed around me. It was cutely vulnerable and I wouldn't lie and pretend I didn't like it. She whispered, "And how do you look at me, Dimitri?"

She had now walked slowly towards me and I could see the blue flecks in her eyes which sent a current of electricity running down my spine. I didn't want to tell her I loved her too soon for fear of scaring her off, so instead I whispered, "I find you attractive…" she nodded, contemplating that, "I find you attractive too. But is that all?" I swallowed. Wow, this girl knew how to get under my skin! I smiled tentatively, "I really, really like you, Anya." She nodded, seeming to accept this as her answer. I sighed in relief when she didn't press for more. Vlad had been right all along! An unspoken attraction to this girl was a bit of an understatement of the century!