AN: I own nothing

CHAPTER 12

Rose POV

The next morning I get ready quickly, making sure my hair is slicked back in a ponytail that will endure training. I find Dimitri already awake cooking eggs and bacon, and my stomach rumbles at the smell.

I pause for a moment and look at the tattoos on the back of his neck for the first time, his long hair in a sexy as hell bun. A promise mark, Zvezda, and seven individual Molnjia are displayed in dark black ink. Reading it on paper and seeing the proof feels very different.

"I could get used to this."

Dimitri turns, also dressed in all black and smirks.

"Please, tell me you can cook at least a little."

I make a face and shake my hand in the universal sign for 'so-so'.

"What's the plan for today? It's Saturday right?" I ask, needing to make sure, the plane ride has completely messed up my internal clock.

He nods, "We'll go to the Guardian's office and the Headmasters office if necessary to get your uniform and class list, then I was thinking we could head to the gym and train."

"If it's alright with you, I don't mind doing the simple stuff; running, weight training and things like that in front of everyone but I don't want them to see much else, definitely none of my techniques."

Dimitri sets a plate of food in front of me, "Actually, I couldn't agree more, theres a clearing a little ways behind the cabin we can use."

"Cool."

We eat in silence for a while and it's not exactly awkward but it's not completely normal either.

At first the idea of us having a whole cabin to ourselves sounded awesome, and it had been so far, but I'm only now starting to realize that this won't just be make-out sessions on the couch and . . . other things on the dining table.

We don't know each other, have been told basically a prophecy of our love while being strangers. Now we'll be cohabiting together; cooking, cleaning, he'll see my neurotic tendencies from the very jump and not, like, months after dating . . .

I try to shake the thought away, I do not want to ruin this for myself. Instead, I focus on business.

"I know we don't have enough time to go super into detail right now but . . . have you heard of anything kinda shady going on behind the scenes of the trials? Or like with the royals?" I ask to distract myself.

He looks to me surprised and strangely guarded, "What have you heard?"

"What have you heard?" I counter, alarm bells ringing in my head.

He lets out a breath but doesn't answer.

"We've got to be able to trust each other, Comrade."

"We don't know each other yet."

"You knew enough about me to eat me out last night."

He looks away, his Guardian mask taking over his face in an instant, almost making me regret my words.

Almost.

"I shouldn't have done that." He says and I'm positive it would have hurt less if he'd stabbed me.

My mouth drops open for a second before I could help myself.

"Yeah, maybe you shouldn't have." I whisper, willing myself to not cry angry tears. I want to say so much more but I know I won't be able to help myself and take it too far.

Well, fuck that's not how that was supposed to go; where is the fun loving, open man I spent last night with?

"Roza, I -"

I don't wait for him to finish. "Don't call me 'Roza', we don't know each other like that, remember?" I get up from the table not bothering to look at him.

I don't wait for him to be ready, just grab my fur lined coat and leave the cabin, pretty confident I can find the administration offices by myself. Not that I would need to, he'd caught up in only a minute with his much longer stride, also not saying a word.

Once we're out of the wooded area and officially back on the main part of campus, I again ignore all the looks we're receiving with my head held high. I'll do my best to get to know people and start politicking on Monday when I start classes, but as of now I don't have it in me.

When we reach Guardian Minkoff's office, her door is open and she calls us in right away.

"Please, have a seat. I was looking over your transcripts, Rosemarie. It seems you obviously excel in your combat training," She looks at me over the papers with my whole academic career in big bold print, "as well as your electives, the more artistic classes, but math, science and Moroi History are all on the cusp."

I don't say anything, there's nothing I can say, it's the truth.

"Although, it does seem you were able to bring up your Moroi History grade, so that's good."

I smile smally, remembering how I got that grade elevated. It was only 48 hours ago but it feels like a lifetime.

"You'll find the curriculum here on par with that of St. Vlads, and make no mistake, you'll have to pass here to graduate. For the core academic classes you and the rest of the transfer students taking part in the Trials will all be held in the same class due to the language barrier but the electives you choose will be in the regular classrooms and Guardian Belikov will translate for you."

Oh, wow. All of us competing against each other will be together for the majority of the day . . .

Again, I just nod and don't tell them I'm fluent in Russian. I truly have no idea who I can trust so I need every little bit of edge I can get. It makes me sad to lump Dimitri in that but after this morning, here we are.

She hands me a sheet, "These are all of the electives you can choose from, pick two."

I actually get excited looking at the list, there's way more than at St. Vlads.

"Wow, St. Vlads doesn't let Dhampirs do any of these." If it doesn't benefit Moroi they don't bother the vast majority of the time.

"Luckily here we feel it's important to have the mental breaks more creative outlets allow."

"Do I have to start with the beginner classes or can I go straight into an advanced class? Like art?"

She ponders my question for a moment before shrugging.

"You can submit pieces and if the teacher approves, you may join, what's the second one you'd like?"

I look over the list again, tempted to do 'intro to German', as I don't speak that one fluently yet, only enough to get by, but figure it would be too hard to pretend to not understand Russian while being taught another language.

One pops out to me because of Dimitri's comment earlier and despite my anger and hurt towards him it would be a good class for me.

"Culinary Science, please."

She smirks at me, "Good choice."

I smile pleasantly and shrug.

She keys everything into the computer and gives me the basic outline for my schedule. I just have to submit my artwork and see if I'm accepted to the advanced Art class. She also hands me a few pairs of the school uniform, black blazers, skirts and white button ups.

I packed all of my stockings, socks and shoes from St. Vlads so I passed on those.

"Thank you, Guardian Minkoff."

"Your welcome, since it's Saturday Professor Baranov isn't in his classroom so you can bring your artwork here I'll make sure it gets to him. Guardian Belikov, a word please."

I leave without looking at him.

I go hard on my run, pushing my body to its max before heading to the weight room. I'd already gone back to the cabin and dropped my stuff off and retrieved my sketchbook, dropping it off to Minkoff, ignoring Dimitri again who was still in her office.

All eyes are on me when I walk in and this time ignoring it will be much harder as it's packed with my fellow competitors and 'regular' St. Basil's students.

"Rose!" I turn to my right and smile when I see Victoria waving at me to come join her and a few girls whispering to each other. She turns and shushes them and waves to me again.

"Vika, we'll get shunned if she joins us!" A tall blonde girl hisses in Russian, making Viktoria give her the stink eye before covering up when I approach.

"Hey, Vika, good to see a friendly face."

She beams at me, her generous spirit shining through beautifully, unlike the barbie twins looking at me like I'll give them a disease.

"Oh my gosh, Rose, we saw the trials! You were incredible! I've never seen anything like that, you have to teach me!"

I laugh, "I'm surprised the videos have been released so fast but now the dirty stares make a lot more sense. Erm . . . who are your friends?"

"Oh, yeah! Rose, this is Ana and Vera; you guys, this is Rose, She's from St. Vlads."

They sneer at me in what I assume is them trying to smile and I give a small wave. I open my mouth to speak but stop dead in my tracks when they're eyes widen at something behind me.

I turn and see a girl, close in size to me but a few inches taller with short, light brown hair striding to us with two guys at her back.

"You aren't welcome here." The girl growls, getting into my face, almost stepping on my toes.

I don't move an inch, we're so close I could lean in and kiss her if I was so inclined.

"Eva-" Vika starts but I interrupt her quickly.

"I didn't ask for an invitation."

"Trust me, bitch, you do not want to stay here unless you want to leave in a stretcher." She growls again through her teeth.

I mentally sigh. I knew there would be tension to our presence here but I honestly didn't expect such a forward show of aggression so soon. And what's worse, I can't throw the first punch. Completely out of the question, Bert made it clear any violence outside of the allowed parameters and we're out. Even self defense is a slippery slope.

So what am I to do? I know what I want to do, but I usually try not to stoop to such childish antics.

. . . but it could be amusing.

"On a stretcher."

She furrows her eyebrows. "What?"

"If you're going to threaten me, do it correctly. Now run along and take your lackeys with you."

She scoffs and the dudes behind her move in closer, crossing their bare muscular arms in total 90's action movie realness.

"Eva, you do not want to mess with her, your boyfriend lost fair and square."

"Oh, glass chin was your man? Okay, that makes more sense," I snort.

She starts yelling at me in Russian, sticking a finger in my face and I do my best to stand as still as stone as everyone around us gawks.

I am not going to lose my spot over a bitter girlfriend.

During her tirade I see Meredith and Mikhail enter the weight room. They catch on quickly to what's happening and quickly come up to my flanks so it's an even three against three.

"They bothering you, Rose?" Mikhail asks, eyeing up one of the dudes.

"Yeah, like gnats that just won't go away,"

"You have no idea who you're messing with, Bloodwhore."

You know a couple of years ago I would have snapped, gotten defensive and beat the shit out of whoever was in front of me, except the Queen, but now? Now I just roll my eyes and groan from the over used insult. And it coming from another Dhamp girl just makes me feel sorry for her self hatred.

"Could you be any more of a cliche? Look, I'm sorry you're letting a dude that can't block a knee stick it in you, but that's not my fucking problem. I don't care who you are, I care about lifting some heavy weights and going about my day." I close the very little gap in between us, "You and I both know that if you were going to do anything, you already would have. Now, get the fuck out of my face and next time you want to puff your feathers out, choke on them instead."

"Everything alright here?" I don't look away from Eva's furious gray eyes but can tell it's Guardian Minkoff speaking from the entrance.

"Yes, Guardian Minkoff, I was just welcoming the exchange students." She lies through gritted teeth.

"Is that true, Novice Hathway-Mazur?"

Her eyes widened slightly at my last name before settling back to blind rage.

"Oh, yeah, I feel very welcome."

None of us back off first, it's just not my style. I can feel Mikhail practically vibrating from beside me.

"Eva." Minkoff says sharply and she flinches.

"This isn't over, bloodwhore." Eva hisses like a tv villain.

"Brush your teeth, psycho."

Guardian Minkoff orders all of them to follow her and I roll my eyes, turning to Meredith and Mikhail.

"Thanks guys, I think the psych ward lost three of their patients."

Meredith snorts,"Not just three, I've been accosted twice."

"Same here," Mikhail nods.

"They're scared of you guys," Viktoria says, eyeing me and then Mikhail with an obvious gleam.

I grin, "Guys this is my friend Viktoria, she let me room with her the first night. Vika this is Meredith and Mikhail."

She holds her hand out to Mikhail, "Really nice to meet you. Your matchup was very impressive!"

She ignores Meredith but not in a bitchy way, in an im-a-very-hormonal-teenage-girl way and I gently touch her arm to move back a little.

"Mikhail, Vika was wondering if you could show her the armbar technique you used yesterday." I say sneakily and Viktoria lights up, "Me and Meredith are going to go do arms." I don't wait for anyone to answer, just drag Meredith away.

"I promised her I would let her have the first pick of the boys," I whisper.

Meredith smirks at me, but something else lives in her gaze and it doesn't take a genius to figure out what.

"I know we haven't always seen eye to eye, Meredith,-"

"I was being a huge bitch, Rose."

I look at her with my mouth open, not expecting her to admit that.

"I was, too. I took it too far, way farther than you did. You earned your spot here, you should be really proud of yourself."

She smiles, "Thanks, I'm glad we can both . . . do this. We're gonna need to stick together, these vultures are looking for any bit of weakness."

I snort, "Oh, that's for damn sure. Come on, I'll spot you."

She hesitates, looking around nervously, and whispers, "I don't know if I want to work out here in front of all of them."

"None of us should show off our skill set completely, but don't let them stop you from what you would normally be doing at St. Vlads. One of your greatest attributes is your strength, especially for your size. You can bench almost twice what I can, show them that."

She nods, her resolve strengthened by my mini pep talk and we find an open bench to work on.

While I spot her I also do my best to scout the competition. Everyone is doing what I'm doing, pretending to focus on their workout but really spying. Meredith is the only female lifting heavy.

"You got more in you?" She nods and reracks.

I add another 50 pounds on each side making it 350 lbs total. If she was deadlifting she could probably do 500 lbs or more.

"Alright, keep in mind, at this weight I'm borderline decoration, so don't push too hard."

She laughs and drops her hands from the bar. "Don't make me laugh, I'll drop it on my neck."

"I'm just warning you!"

We continue on in the weight room, Vika and Mikhail joining us. Mikhail takes over spotting for Mere, his face is unreadable but I can tell Vika is on cloud nine getting personal training from a cute American boy.

"Oh my gosh, Rose, he's so hot!"

I giggle with her and lean in close, dying to know what's being said about us.

"Hey, have you heard what's been going around campus? What are they saying about us?"

She lights up, excited to be the one to tell me. "Oh my gosh, Rose, everyone is talking about you guys! Most are actually super impressed but . . . "

"But what?"

She gives me a skittish look, "It doesn't matter they're just jealous, Roza!" My heart clenches at hearing the name Dimitri called me last night before kissing me, but I ignore it as much as possible.

"Come on, Vika, I want to know, I have thick skin, I can take it. Pinky promise."

She looks at me confused, "Pinky promise?"

"Yeah," I hold up my pinky and grab hers as well, hooking them together, "Stronger than a blood oath in America."

She giggles when I shake our hands, "Okay, okay. Like I said, some people are just jealous of how cool you are, and . . . some are saying that your win was, how do you say, that you got lucky. It's just what I've heard and if anyone says it directly to me I pinky promise I'll kick their asses!"

I laugh and hug her, loving her loyalty. "No way, Vika, this is awesome!"

She looks at me like I'm crazy, "Awesome, really? They're not taking you seriously, Rose."

I hold onto her shoulders and look her in her eyes, "Nope, they're not. And I hope that spreads throughout the whole school and the other competitors. Let them think my win was a fluke and they won't have any idea of what I'm capable of next."

Vika grins at me, "Oh, okay, I see."

I drop my hands from her and move to pick up some dumbbells, purposely lifting way lighter than what I'm capable of. It feels right for them to know Meredith is strong, like really strong. Her match was sloppy and she needs to sow some doubt, but me? Little 'ole me? I'm nothing but a fluke of course, heavy weights are too hard, wink wink.

We work out for about two hours before heading to the cafe for lunch. Usually I would shower directly after but I don't expect this to be all the training for today so I skip it until tonight.

On our way to the cafeteria, Vika walks beside me with a mischievous little smirk.

"So-o-o . . . how are you and Dimitri getting along? What made you choose him?" She asks, trying to sound innocent.

I eye her, not knowing exactly what to say.

Yes, he and I didn't exactly leave off on the right foot this morning but I know deep down, the fear of the unknown will pass and trust will come. But still, what do I say to the man's sister about how we've been getting along? Oh, yeah, great, he ate my pussy out last night until I almost cried.

"I'm assuming you got a call from your sisters . . . and Yeva. Don't squeal!"

I caught her just in time, before she made a scene from my confirmation.

"Oh my gosh, Rose!" She whispers, excitement making her vibrate but mostly subdued thankfully. "I can't believe this is happening. We'll have to talk later about it, but . . . Yeva, is never wrong and," she looks around us, leaning in close and being as quiet as possible, "Once they told me and I thought of how he looked at you when you both came to the dorm last night, I just knew!"

"You're not weirded out? That . . . you know, our ages and I'm a student."

She shrugs, "It's not ideal, but my brother isn't a creep and true love can't be stopped, you found each other when you were supposed to."

I smile, fighting back tears, "Thank you, Vika, did you tell them I'm a student?"

She shakes her head, "No, I hadn't quite figured it out yet, it wasn't until after I had hung up with them. Plus it's better if it comes from Dimika, but they won't care, especially since Yeva dreamed of it, and trust me, her visions are never wasted on mundane things. Oh, Rose, they are all going to love you! Dimitri has always put everyone in front of himself, never doing anything for himself, we've all been so worried he'll just work his entire life away. But now he has found his happiness. "

I blush and look at my shoes, not knowing what to say exactly but overcome with pleasure for so many reasons. I'm luckier than most, I have an incredible friend group, a great relationship with both of my parents, even if they can be a little much sometimes and my future is pretty much set.

But even with a solid core group of people around me, I always envisioned my future as a lonely one.

It's not completely uncommon for Guardians to have partners but very rarely are they able to function like a real couple. Live together, go home to each other at the end of the night. Unless your station is a cushy one, it's mostly always long distance or just casual hookups when not exhausted from 16 hour days.

I have no idea what mine and Dimitri's future holds but I do know there is something greater at work going on. No way do two people on the opposite ends of the world have such a unique experience and opportunity to be . . . fated to one another.

This is all so strange and foreign. If neither of us had known about one another, yes the attraction would still be there, but nothing like last night would have transpired. We probably would have talked strategy and went to bed.

But the next day? And the next after that? When we slowly got to know each other . . . and slowly let ourselves get comfortable with our attraction. Although comfortable is probably the wrong word to use for his side of things. I don't know him per se, but a blind man could see without the interference of Rhonda and Yeva he probably would have fought tooth and nail out of duty and honor.

"But wait!" Vika grabs my arm and stops us, her eyes wild with questions, "Yeva said that you were also forewarned as well, how?"

I tell her all about Mikhail's aunt Rhonda back at court, leaving out the more sexually charged side of her description about her brother's masculine energy.

"Wow, she must be very powerful, I've never known anyones sight to be as accurate as Babushkas."

We reach the cafeteria and I pick out whatever looks good, not recognizing some of it but not caring, I'm starving and that's all that matters. My mind is swirling with so many questions. I've never believed in god or fate or anything like that but if not fate why is this happening? How would it be possible?

We sit and eat but after a while I realize I haven't seen Mason or Eddie.

"Hey, where's Mase and Eddie?" I ask Mikhail.

He shrugs, "I'm not sure where they are but I do know they are not happy about their rankings."

I nod, eating some bread.

Yeah, I wouldn't be either, but still their absence is odd. Although maybe their mentors are training them privately. I left my phone in the cabin so I'll just have to text them later.

We eat and Viktoria gets to know my . . . sorta friends. Mikhail doesn't pay as much attention to her as I'd like and I hope Vika isn't too disappointed he doesn't seem to be interested. Eddie seems more her vibe anyways.

It's not before long I find myself heading back to the cabin again, surveying my surroundings as I do.

When I enter I find Dimitri sitting at the little dinette table looking through my sketchbook, his long sleeves rolled up his forearms making me want to groan from the sight. He looks up, a page resting between his fingertips and I lean against the front door with my hands in my jacket pockets to keep from reaching out to touch him.

A wave of shyness rolls through me at the fact he's looking at my drawings. I know they're good but still it's a very personal thing.

"I thought it odd that you wanted to be in the advanced class since you've never taken an art class before by the sounds of it, but these . . . " He looks back flipping the page he was holding, his face a stone mask, "are incredible. The art teacher took only a few minutes to accept you in the advanced class."

"There's a lot you don't know about me, Comrade." I say, hoping to hide my uncertainty but also jumping for joy on the inside that I got into the class.

He flips to another drawing. "Yes, a lot you don't know about me either."

"I know you don't trust me. You asked me to trust you last night, and then ruined that trust this morning."

He sighs and closes my sketch book. "I know. And I regret it. I regret what I said, not what I did last night."

He stretches his long legs and stares at me, "It's not exactly a lack of trust, in you, Rose. I was taken off guard by your question and it brought to mind things, I don't even know the extent of and theorizing off of feels wrong. Especially since it would involve King Ivan, my best friend. Then the part of me that is having trouble trusting you fully has to do with who your father is. He helped me, helped my family and to my knowledge never asked for anything in return. Zmey is not a man known for that. So the position I'm in feels especially precarious."

I take my time to really listen, try to see from his perspective. I decide that it takes two to tango and if I want him to confide in me I need to do the same and pray to god it's not a mistake.

"I get that. My father is a very complicated guy. I'm not sure what I can tell you to ease your worries but the facts of what I know. He's one of a few to warn me that something is wrong, that there may be a war coming. I don't know how or if it ties into these trials but he fears Dhampirs are going to be used as cannon fodder."

I straighten up from leaning on the door, my ass starting to feel the cold that wants to penetrate the wood, and walk over to him, hoping I can convince him of my next words. I grab his hand delicately, testing the waters.

"And Abe Mazur has many flaws but he grew up very similarly to how you did. He loathes the abuse of women and children. Even just disrespect. He's never asked for anything in return for helping you and your family because it's not his style." The pride in my voice for my mobster dad with a heart of gold is clear as day and I hope Dimitri understands.

Dimitri smiles and nods, his hands going to my hips like magnets. With him sitting like this we're almost the same height and I can look at him without having to crane my neck.

"He was pissed when Igor called you a bitch. Called out his dad in the stands."

"He did? What did he say?"

Dimitri grins broadly, and rubs my sides under my t-shirt, making my body clench in want.

"Something along the lines of 'your son is going to pay now, and you'll pay later.'

I laugh loudly, stepping in between his legs running my hands over his strong shoulders. "Yup, that sounds like Baba."

"Baba?"

"It's Turkish for dad."

"Turkish and Scottish, huh?" He removes my jacket letting it fall to the floor and grips the nape of my neck, his voice and eyes turning hungry, "What an incredible combination."

"Are you saying you think I'm pretty?" I ask coyly.

"You are the most gorgeous woman I've ever laid my eyes on. I can't believe you're mine." He pauses before kissing me, "You are mine, right?"

I grab the sides of his face, his stubble scratching my palms, "Don't ask such a stupid question ever again, Dimitri." I kiss him like I've been dying to, and he responds with even more fervor, one long arm wrapped around my waist, crushing me to him and the other still gripping the back of my neck. I can feel the strength in his hands and I melt into a feminine pool of Rose goo. Not a pretty description, but the most accurate.

It's all so fast but I can't help but not care.

We kiss, our tongues fighting for dominance, our hands exploring. He grips my ass so hard it borderline hurts but feels so good at the same time.

I pull away from our kiss first, leaning my forehead on his, "What's happening, Dimitri. This feeling is . . ." I search for the right word and come up completely blank.

"Indescribable," He says softly, rubbing the inside of my thighs from the backside, his long limbs reaching whatever he wants to.

I open my eyes and lean away slightly to look at him fully.

"I don't want this to just be physical. I won't be a part of something where there is no trust. And I know this is freaking weird because we've only known each other for less than 24 hours, but something bad is happening and if you can't be honest with me, then you asking me if I'm yours wasn't such a stupid question after all."

I've never been in a relationship before, at least not a serious one, I'm not going to count getting felt up under the bleachers in 7th grade or making out at parties, but I always hoped I would be the kind of girl that would be strong enough to never be walked over by a guy that I like or love.

And now I know I am. Despite the fact that all I want is to get lost in him, I'm drawing my line in the sand.

AN: please review!