ROSE


All around me, I watched as people rushed from one place to another without sparing a second glance towards the dark-haired girl leaning against one of the thick support pillars. I made no attempt to hide, but I might as well have been invisible to them. They all had places to be, people to see, and things to do. And me, well, I was trying really hard to be patient.

I glanced towards the video monitor just across the way. I had to squint a little, but I could still read it.

Flight 4408: On Time

Well, the clock on my phone said differently, but whatever. I tried not to let it bother me…much. Taking a deep breath, I did what I could to settle my emotions. It couldn't be much longer now.

I slipped my hands in my pockets, marveling at how different things were from the last time I was here. It wasn't the airport that changed, of course. Everything from the dingy vinyl flooring to the blue and yellow signs written in dual languages...all of it was the exact same as it was nine months ago. No, I was the one who had changed. I was the one who had adapted. No longer was I the girl just doing her best to be brave while the whole world seemed completely overwhelming and alien.

Now, I could read the signs. I could understand the overhead announcements. And while the occasional conversation spoken in English still caught my attention, it was because it was an anomaly now rather than the lifeline it once felt like. I had only lived here nine months or so, but life here felt…normal. Russia felt like home now, and while I knew that was a good thing, it was still a bit strange.

Three chimes sounded before an overly pleasant and somewhat robotic voice started speaking overhead:

Внимание всем пассажирам. В целях безопасности не оставляйте свой багаж без присмотра. Оставленный без присмотра багаж подлежит обыску и изъятию полицией. Спасибо.

Even before the English translation started, I was glancing around the open space looking for any suspicious "unattended luggage." There must have been at least a dozen and a half, but not one single security agent or airline employee seemed to care, so I shrugged it off, too. I was in baggage claim, after all. There were bound to be some lost or forgotten suitcases here and there.

I wonder what they do with the stuff that nobody ever picks up?

Before I could think too much about that question, a loud, jarring alarm buzzed from the baggage carousel directly across from me. Several people flinched in surprise, but I barely registered the shock of the noise because I was much more interested in what that noise meant. This carousel had been specified for flight 4408 from Philadelphia.

The machinery sputtered to life, the metal conveyor track slowly starting to move as it snaked around in a large oval. One by one, luggage began to appear from a partially obscured hole in the back wall. Almost as magically, people started to surround the area a moment later in search of their belongings.

Dimitri wasn't among them, though.

Even with his near-epic height, I couldn't spot him in the crowd. Strange. I knew he hadn't missed his flight, so I wondered what was keeping him. When he hadn't arrived five minutes later, I decided to make myself useful and keep an eye out for his suitcase. It was something easier said than done. Like half of this flight, he had basic, boring black luggage. I knew that because I had borrowed part of his set when I had initially moved here. It's also how I knew that the only real identifying marker that it was his rather than some other rando's was a circular burgundy luggage tag that bore his name and phone number.

Keeping a vague awareness of the crowd around me, I scanned through the parade of baggage until I spotted the one I was looking for. It was a little heavier than I expected, but I guess it was holding more than just two weeks' worth of clothing. I knew it also had a handful of gifts packed away in there.

I pushed back the quick sense of disappointment that tried to break through. I wasn't going to sulk. We all knew that this was a possibility. However, I had made the mistake of getting my hopes up, only for them to be dashed almost as quickly. Plus, it could be worse…

Just as I pulled Dimitri's bag off the luggage carousel, I caught sight of my 6'7 boyfriend. He gave a quick glance around, probably seeking me out but totally overlooking me among the crowds of people clamoring for their suitcases. As his brow furrowed a little and he pulled his phone out, I got an idea. A second later, I felt my phone buzz in my pocket.

(Comrade) Just arrived. I'm at baggage claim.

And half a second later;

(Comrade) Are you here?

I was careful not to open his message and just glanced at the preview so that he wouldn't get the "read" tag, and when he didn't get an immediate reply, his little brow furrow returned. With one more cursory glance around—one that left me quickly ducking behind one of the handful of towers filled with brochures of local attractions to remain hidden—Dimitri shrugged and went to join the small mob of people still tiredly waiting for their belongings.

'Round and 'round the bags went. I watched with a suppressed grin as Dimitri stiffened a little more with each circle, especially once bags stopped pouring out of the magic window to the great baggage Narnia beyond. After another five minutes, I decided to give the guy a break. He did just spend nearly a full day stuck on a plane.

(Rose) Should I be concerned that one of the most respected guardians the dominion has to offer and the one entrusted to watch over the Dragomir princess hasn't realized I'm right behind him?

The moment he got my text, he spun around and finally noticed me against the back wall about fifty feet away. I waved at him from my perch on top of his bag, legs crossed with a playful smirk on my face. I didn't miss the quick look of relief that flashed before he brightened and made his way to me. Just as he reached me, I hopped off the bag and into his arms for a hug. Though the area was still filled with people coming and going, he gave me a quick kiss, only pulling back when I started giggling against his lips. It felt good to see him, and it felt even better to be in his arms again. Even though he held me tight, I finally felt like I could breathe again.

"You'll have to forgive me," Dimitri said, weaving his fingers through my hair for a moment before giving it a quick and good-natured tug. "I wasn't exactly expecting a threat."

I pulled away, scoffing and holding my hand against my chest as if clutching imaginary pearls. "Well, now I'm just offended. You don't see me as a threat?"

Snatched my wrist, tugging me back into his embrace, this time kissing me soundly as an apology. I shivered as one of his hands traced down my spine, pausing just before the action crossed over from shameless to indecent PDA. "Only to my sanity," he whispered in my ear. It took everything in me not to moan while surrounded by dozens of strangers.

As if he could read my dirty thoughts, he said, "We should probably go."

I nodded, unable to process words for a moment. Once I caught my bearings again, I passed him his bag, wrapped my arm around Dimitri's waist, and started leading us toward the exit marked 'parking.' "How was your flight? Did you manage to get some sleep?"

I couldn't imagine it was comfortable for Dimitri to fly, especially since I knew his budget-minded personality wouldn't allow him to splurge for anything other than economy class. Not just for him, at least.

"Actually, yes," he said, slinging an arm around my shoulders as we walked. "I think one of the flight attendants took pity on me and bumped me up to business class when they needed to rearrange a few things. I guess there was a mistake with the booking, and the airlines sat a little kid a couple of aisles away from their parents."

I cringed, imagining being stuck next to an unattended child. Maybe I would have been willing to provide a bit of free babysitting if it was just an hour-long flight and they had a tablet or something to distract them, but a solid fifteen hours non-stop? Hell, no. I'd rather take another flight entirely. Dimitri probably wouldn't have flinched at the idea, but I'm glad that it all worked out and he was able to get an upgrade for his kindness. If anyone deserved it, it was Dimitri.

"Watch out," I warned, forcing a bit of gravity to my words, even though I was only teasing him. "You'll get spoiled."

We finally made it to Olena's little silver Pirora, and the lights flashed as I unlocked the trunk. He quickly tucked his suitcase away and offered me a raised brow. "Want me to drive?"

I laughed. "Scared, Dimitri?"

He didn't answer. However, he offered me a sly smile and silently squinted at me through not quite pinched fingers.

"Oh, come on!" As childish as it was, I had to stop myself from stomping and pouting like a toddler. "I swear, my license is legitimate! I took the test and everything!" The Alchemists had made up an ID and residency papers for me, but they drew the line at giving me free rein on the roads. And considering I had only received my license a month ago, I wasn't willing to give up my newly earned power to anyone, even Dimitri. No, I was going to hold firm.

He considered my protest for a moment but eventually relented and made his way to the passenger side door. I enjoyed my little victory, taking my rightful place behind the wheel and starting our journey across town toward the hotel we had gotten for the night. If we left right now, we could make it all the way to Baia just after nightfall, but when our initial plans had fallen through, Dimitri and I had decided to make the most of our new opportunity.

Speaking of… "How are the others?"

Dimitri didn't have to ask for clarification; he knew who I was talking about. He canted his neck left and right, little 'pops' echoing as he moved and tried to find relief for his aching muscles. Business class or not, those flights between Philidelphia and Novisbirk were long, and anyone would feel sore after sitting for so long.

"Disappointed, of course," I didn't miss his own sigh of discontent. He had tried hard to get my exile order lifted, and for one brief moment, we thought it might actually happen. Things fell through at the last minute when Tatiana decided she didn't want to intervene. Even the direct request from her favorite nephew hadn't swayed her. According to Adrian, the moment Dimitri got the news, he dropped by the Guardian Headquarters and told Hans that he was leaving for the holidays. He didn't ask or put in a vacation request. He just said he was leaving and then hopped on a plane the next day.

I wasn't sure if I wanted to say anything, but a part of me wondered if there was something more to Tatiana's unexpected backpedal. Just the day before Tatiana announced that I wouldn't be allowed to return, Lissa had put her foot down about cutting down the guest list to 350 invitees rather than the 500 Tatiana had initially insisted on. While I sincerely hoped that wasn't enough to earn Tatiana's retaliation, the timing was a little suspect. Dimitri didn't seem to notice anything amiss, so perhaps it was all in my head.

I tried not to be too upset, but it was hard not to be a little discouraged. I had been looking forward to seeing everyone for so long, and now it felt like everything was just ripped away. The cynical part of me said that I should probably get used to it. The Moroi world had cast me out. That was that. The only reason I still had any foothold in that culture was because I was living in this town—this commune, as others (including myself once) considered it—and even then, it was clear to see that the mainstream Moroi world ignored us unless the men were looking for a particular thrill.

"Maybe Tatiana will have a change of heart in the future." Even though his voice held a hint of hope, I think we both knew that wasn't happening. I told myself it was okay, but sometimes it was hard to convince myself that I'd eventually get over the sting. Especially whenever Lissa started talking about wedding plans and the unacknowledged fact that I wouldn't be present.

"Maybe," I replied, trying not to break what little optimism he was clinging to. The word hung in the air for the moment.

Needing to change the topic, I brought things back to the Christmas plans that Lissa and the others had set up. "Is Tasha still planning on spending Christmas with them? She'd be flying in today, right?"

"Arrived just before I left." He shrugged like it was no big deal, but I knew the old friendship between him and Tasha suffered a big hit when she found out that Dimitri and I were dating. I guess she didn't approve, but neither of us gave a shit what she thought. Still, it had apparently made things a bit awkward at Thanksgiving, and I didn't envy the fact that he had to deal with her continued judgment. Turning to me with a forced grin, he asked, "Hey, do you mind if we grab something to eat? I'm starving."

"Sure," I answered, allowing the matter to drop. "I think there's a Теремок not too far from here. That okay?"

He gave a noncommittal grunt, and that was the end of that.


DIMITRI


I took a subtle breath as the ignition turned off. It wasn't that Rose was a bad driver. She drove just fine, only letting her temper flare for a moment when some guy cut her off in the busy car park to steal a spot from us. While Rose cursed like a sailor and glared at the jerk, that was the extent of her road rage. And even that faded quickly when she noticed the two kids and pregnant mother who had also been in the car.

No, it had nothing to do with Rose. I just preferred the control of being behind the wheel.

Eventually, we managed to find a place to park among what had to be at least a hundred other vehicles. It was near the back of the lot, but Rose didn't seem to mind, and stretching my legs actually felt good after a long flight. Even from far away, I could hear the festive echo of holiday music drifting from the city's winter festival.

"Dear God. Even halfway around the world, I can't escape this song." Rose laughed as I recognized the peppy Christmas song from Mariah Cary. It appeared some things transcended distance and language barriers. Despite her protest, I could hear her humming along as she locked the car and slipped the keys into her purse before pulling out a pair of thin-knitted gloves. She had thought ahead and packed an extra pair of larger ones before coming to pick me up, so I mimicked her.

Even in our heavier winter coats and gloves, there was still a considerable chill in the air, and I pulled Rose close as I noticed her shiver. A little cloud-like puff of breath accompanied her quiet, "Thanks."

The square was busy, but the festive atmosphere was electric, even to my tired self. The park itself was free to enjoy, but there were plenty of activities to entice kids and adults alike. Since night fell quickly in winter, the sky was already fading despite it only being around four in the afternoon. In an hour or so, the sun would set completely, and a plethora of tiny twinkling lights were already shining bright in preparation. Each lamppost was decorated with a tinsel snowflake, and strings of fairy lights spanned the walkways between the dozens of vendors selling their wears and treats. In the center of it all was an enormous tree that looked like it could touch the clouds. Colored bobbles and gave it an ethereal glow as it watched over the crowd.

It had been a long time since I'd been to a winter festival. Baia had a much smaller version around New Year's Day, but it paled in comparison. This was a massive event spanning weeks in the city. A live orchestra was setting up on a stage, and I knew the evening would be capped off with fireworks, but I had a strong suspicion that those weren't the main draw for Rose. No, that was reserved for the massive sheet of ice that was now ahead of us.

"There it is!" As if I needed another confirmation of my impending doom, Rose grabbed my hand and started pulling me towards the rental hut passing out skates. There was a decent line, but Rose's excitement settled my nerves as we waited. After a couple of moments, when she started to look impatient, I finally suggested that maybe we should abandon the ice rink and enjoy one of the other activities that the festival had to offer.

"You promised! Remember?"

A memory of our first date danced through my mind, as well as how ecstatic she had been to learn that she might be able to best me when it came to skating. She was right; I had promised to take her ice skating, and even though I knew that my pride (and body) would soon be bruised, how could I possibly deny her when she looked so happy.

"Fine," I relented, my love-sick beaming probably betraying my fake annoyance. Rose's long hair peeked from under her hat, and I used the excuse of adjusting it behind her shoulds as a reason to touch her before she wrapped her arms around me. I pulled back for a moment to open up my duster and tuck her tighter inside so I could wrap it around us both. She nuzzled against my chest, humming her thanks as I enjoyed the feeling of her closeness.

Before long, we reached the front of the line. Before I could ask for the skates, Rose beat me to it in near-perfect Russian. I looked down at her in shock. Obviously, Rose had been practicing and getting better with the language. Still, we typically used English when talking, so except for a few specific instances, I hadn't really heard her speak in my native tongue since I had last visited.

She gave me a curious and somewhat concerned look as I stared at her. "What? Is everything okay? Did I give the wrong size?"

"No, it's not that," I said, finally shaking myself out of my stupor. "I'm just impressed. You spoke like it was nothing; like you'd been speaking Russian for years. You're practically fluent."

"Hardly." Rose rolled her eyes, but the blush that colored her cheeks hinted at her delight. "I can still hear every little mistake. And 'ы' is the bane of my existence, I swear. I can never get it right." She reached for the smaller pair of skates that the attendant handed us. I grabbed the significantly larger ones beside it.

"I wouldn't stress it too much," I replied honestly while we searched for a place to sit to put the skates on. "It just gives you a bit of an accent."

"Hey! I do not have an accent." She turned on me as if the idea of her having an accent was almost insulting.

"Sure, Roza. Whatever you say." I laughed, playfully teasing her about what we both knew was true. She had an accent, and it was adorable. When I replied, I did so in Russian, curious to see if she could understand as easily as she could speak. "Я тобой горжусь."

Her blush deepened under my honest praise. "Спасибо."

Skating went about as well as I had expected. I hadn't improved much since the last time I attempted to stay upright on what were essentially knives strapped to shoes. The only thing worse than the constant slipping and sliding was the fact that Rose seemed totally at ease. As frustrated as I wanted to be (because neither of our competitive natures enjoyed 'losing' even though this was a competition), I couldn't manage to stay upset. Each time I stumbled, I'd be rewarded with her giggle, and every time I fell on my ass, she was there a moment later to offer me a hand. Eventually, I simply left my hand in hers, which surprisingly helped.

After managing two full circles around the rink without tripping, I felt my skate start to slip from underneath me. Almost like a reflex, Rose pulled back and managed to rebalance my weight so that I didn't fall.

"You okay?" She asked when she was sure I wasn't going to tumble and take her down with me.

I hesitantly let go of her hand for a moment, only to reach for it again an instant later when I felt my equilibrium shift once more. "Yeah. I'm good."

My brief moment of halted bravery didn't go unnoticed by her. "You really are bad at this." It was only her addictive laugh that soothed her taunting.

Still, I huffed and tried to justify myself. "You have a lower center of gravity. Of course, you're better than me."

"Uh huh, sure Big Guy." She pointed towards the small opening in the surrounding wall nearby that served as the exit. "How about we put an end to your torment? I think I've tortured you enough. Besides, I'm hungry, and I'm pretty sure they're frying something delicious over in that stall."

It was an immediate relief to be back on solid ground, and after I got Rose a bag of Khvorost topped with what should have been an illegal amount of powdered sugar, I led her towards a vast garden of snow sculptures. The front half was reserved for kids and families to play around making snowmen and rudimentary snow forts. A few attendants walked around the space, but I suspected they were only there to keep impromptu snowball fights from breaking out.

The further we walked, the more complex the sculptures became. Most of the sculptures were already completed and on display, but there were still a few that were receiving last-minute touches. It was fascinating to see the contestants carve into the giant blocks, switching between various hand tools and water-filled spray bottles to cement their efforts. There was a theme every year, and this year it seemed to be 'Mythology.' Unicorns, dragons, and sea serpents roamed as far as the eye could see. It wasn't just limited to imaginary animals, though. A large group surrounded one particular statue of a frail but terrifying woman that haunted the nightmares of Russia's children.

"Who is that, and why is she riding in a cauldron?" Rose craned her head over several people to get a better look, but it was too crowded for her to get any closer.

"It's not a cauldron. It's a mortar, like the ones that you might grind spices in." I corrected, though I could see how she might make the mistake. It was hard to tell the difference if you didn't know the myth surrounding the character. "That's Baba Yaga. She's a witch who likes to steal and eat children."

Rose's eyes widened as she glanced at the children nearby. Some shied away from the sculpture, but most seemed fascinated. "Like Hansel and Gretel? Does she have a house made of candy, too?"

"No," I said, chuckling at the comparison. It seemed like almost every country around the world had some sort of story about a wicked witch stealing naughty children in the night. "Baba Yaga's house isn't made of candy. It walks around on chicken feet."

"Um…what?"

I gestured towards another sculpture just down the way, this time of a rickety wooden shack impressively stilted about six feet off the ground by chicken legs. Rose rushed to where I pointed, suddenly caught up in the novelty of such a strange sight.

"How in the world did someone come up with…that?" she asked as she took in every little detail. She had a point. A gingerbread house covered in sweets and hidden in the middle of the woods was strange enough, but a walking hut that chased people through the forest? I had no clue how those stories came about, only that they terrified me when I was little. The quickest way to get me to come inside when I was a child was for my grandmother to shout that Baba Yaga was coming to eat me.

The later it got, the less crowded the park became. Quickly checking the time on my phone, I saw that it was nearing 9pm, and the evening's fireworks would be starting soon. I began directing Rose towards the main square again so we could find a place when I noticed her completely lost in one of the sculptures. The small sign next to it had a blue ribbon hanging from it. It must have won one of the awards earlier this evening, and from what I could see, it was well deserved.

The statue was that of a phoenix rising from the ashes. It was so realistic that I could almost see the flames licking at the individual feathers. While the statue was pure white snow, someone had placed lights around the base, giving the artwork a gold and orange glow. It was beyond impressive. It was…magnificent.

It was also a very apt image. A creature born of flame. Rebirth through struggle. Rose studied the statue, but I studied her. That sense of pride I had felt earlier when she had so easily spoken to the rental attendant flushed through me once more.

"Ты готов идти?" I asked, once again noting the time. "Скоро начнется фейерверк."

"Да, дай мне еще минуту," Rose said as naturally as if I had spoken English. It truly was almost second nature to her now, and I shook my head in amazement. Rose would never cease to surprise me, it seemed. She took a quick picture of the sculpture, gave it one last look, then rushed to join me just as the first explosion of purple lit up the sky.


Author's Note


Thank you all for being so patient as I enjoyed some time off with family and friends. It was certainly a busy (but fun!) couple of weeks. Still, I'm glad to be sleeping in my own bed again.

Instead of a "Question of the Week," I'd like to ask for your good vibes, prayers, or whatever else you use to send positivity out into the world. On Wednesday, I'm contacting a literary agent for representation. This is the first step toward traditional publication, and while I'm excited, I'm also incredibly nervous. I'm not ready to talk openly about what I'm submitting for publication yet, but any support is appreciated. Thank you, and I'll keep you guys updated on things as they progress.

Translations:

Внимание всем пассажирам. В целях безопасности не оставляйте свой багаж без присмотра. Оставленный без присмотра багаж подлежит обыску и изъятию полицией. Спасибо. - Attention to all passengers. For your safety, do not leave your luggage unattended. Luggage left unattended is subject to a search and seizure by the police. Thank you.

Теремок - A Russian fast food chain

Я тобой горжусь. - I am proud of you

Спасибо - thank you

Khvorost - fried pastries

Ты готов идти? Скоро начнется фейерверк - Ready to go? The fireworks will start soon

Да, дай мне еще минуту - yes, just give me a minute