The Queen's Protégée

Ch 11

ROSE

I had texted Dimitri last night before we left court to let him know we would begin training again in the morning. My dad had given him the phone so he could call home and had given me his number. I don't know how but he knew I had a thing for Dimitri.

I was early to the gym because I couldn't sleep with everything going on in my head about the Queen. I can't believe she threatened my life, ok I can. I knew the Queen didn't like me very much, but to actually kill me? That was unexpected because we all knew without me Lissa would go insane and she was using that against us. She knew we would both toe the line to keep Lissa safe and sane.

Lissa was currently with Christian I tried to stay out of her mind, but when things started to heat up I got pulled in.

"Roza earth to Roza." I came to with Dimitri crouched down and waving his hand in front of my face.

"Sorry about that. I was uh with Lissa." He raised an eyebrow at me.

"One of the side effects of our bond, I can see through her eyes sometimes, she can unintentionally pull me in when her emotions are high. She was talking to Christian."

"How's that going?"

"Well they "made up." I said using air quotes.

"Don't want to know the details."

"Trust me I didn't want to be there and see Christian's pasty ass."

"Yeah no one needs to see that."

"Well Lissa seems to think it's sexy so….."

"Well I'm glad they're 'getting along'. He was in a really bad place after the visit with the Queen. Then getting Lissa's text message sent him on a downward spiral. I told him that the text didn't sound like something Lissa would send."

"You're right, the Queen is a super bitch and made her write that and send it and then took the phone from her. Adrian got her another one in secret before we left."

"Speaking of phones, how did you get my number? I only recently got it."

"Uh." I paused for a second.

"You know the man that brought you back here? Well he's my dad."

"Zmey is your dad?"

"Yep, I'm Zmey junior. The day they brought you back was the first time I have ever met him. I didn't even know he existed, I knew I had a dad, but never who he was."

"I better watch myself then."

"Why would you need to do that, comrade?" I winked at him.

"I know what the man can do and I don't want him to kill me if I break his daughters heart."

"Are you planning on breaking my heart?"

"Absolutely not."

"Then we have nothing to worry about." I did something so out of my character. I leaned over and kissed him. Contrary to popular belief I was a virgin. I've only kissed a couple of guys, one of those being Mason. I was just a big flirt.

He was surprised at first, but started to kiss back. It was the best kiss I've ever had. Granted I've only had a couple, but this was mind blowing. There was that spark again like when we first touched. He pulled away first.

"I've been wanting to do that since the first day we met."

"Would it be cheesy if I said I've wanted to as well?"

"Nope, not cheesy." He smiled and went back in for another kiss. This time we went fast and furious, both of us fighting for dominance. Hands were starting to travel where they shouldn't in an open room. I was getting lost in his lips when we heard someone clear their throat. We quickly scooted apart both our faces red with embarrassment. Alberta stood there, her arms at her hips.

"Should I be worried about you two being alone?"

"No Alberta"

"No Guardian Petrov" We said at the same time.

"One of you just barely got yourself out of some serious trouble with the Queen. Let's try to keep our hands and lips to ourselves while we are training."

"Sorry, Alberta we will."

"Good, I get it, I was young once. You want to enjoy what freedom you have before you have the life of someone else in your hands. But there is a time and a place for it." She winked.

" Now let me get to why I'm here. Part of your probation from the Queen is also doing some community service."

"This is news to me no one ever told anything about this."

"Sorry I was just told by Kirova myself. Anyway it is going to start today."

"Seriously? So what do I have to do?" Alberta didn't answer right away, this was going to be bad.

"You are going to help out on the lower campus."

"Like a babysitter?'

"No, you're going to help train the first year Novices."

"So like a babysitter?"

"It will do you some good."

"Really Bertie?" She just raised her eyebrows at me.

"Anyway since you will be busy in the afternoons I'm going to take over some of Dimitri's training." No, no, no, I didn't want to lose any of my time with him. He looked at me like he was thinking the same thing.

"Guardian Petrov?"

"Alberta." She corrected him.

"Alberta, would it be ok if I go with Rose to volunteer, then we can train after?"

"Are you asking so you can spend more time alone with her?" Damn her.

"I'm not going to lie and say I don't enjoy my time with Rose and it would be an added bonus. But I feel comfortable with her, not everyone has been so welcoming." She looked at him suspiciously then sighed.

"Fine, but if I ever catch you two in another lip lock when you should be training the deal is off."

"Thank you, and you won't."

Novices started their training at the age of thirteen, I remember what I was like at that age. I was a menace to say the least. I had a feeling Guardian Tanner was going to enjoy this way too much. He was the Guardian in charge of the younger novices. Mickhail was one of my favorite Guardians beside Alberta. He had always been like a big brother to me, he filled that role even more when Andre died.

Me and Dimitri were walking to the lower campus. Our hands had brushed up against each other and I was hoping he would grab it and hold it, but he didn't. We really hadn't talked much during the school day. I was hoping we would have a conversation soon about what we were. We kissed and I was wanting to know if we were friends, a couple, dating, or just having fun. What did I want? I wasn't sure, but I knew one thing: I wanted him in my life.

"Look who finally has graced me with her presence. The famous Rose Hathaway." Mickhail greeted us as we made it to the gym.

"I've been busy. I didn't know you would be so heartbroken without me." I joked back.

"I'm always heartbroken when you don't come to see me. " He came and grabbed me in a hug.

"So who's the man candy you have with you?" He whispered in my ear.

"Mickhail, this is Dimitri Belikov. He just started at the academy a couple of weeks ago."

"Ah you're the runaway novice, nice to meet you." He stuck out his hand for Dimitri to shake.

"Don't worry, I don't care much for rumors, glad to have you here."

"Thanks."

"So what torture do you have for us today?" I asked.

"I'm just going to have you both help me out with drills today."

"That sounds easy enough." Said Dimitri

"You don't know how some of these novices can be, I was one and I was a handful."

"You don't say." Mickhail laughed.

"Hey." I playfully smacked him.

"What? You know you and Mason used to drive me nuts."

"And now you love me."

"Whatever Hathaway."

"Follow me and I'll introduce you to the group." He opened up the gym doors to reveal a group of boys sparring with each other, well trying. They had no form whatsoever and looked like birds fighting for a scrap of food. The girls were in a group talking, I'm assuming gossiping about whatever thirteen year olds do. This was going to be fun.

Mickhail blew his whistle to get their attention. Everyone stopped and got into formation. Six in a row alternating male and female. I remember those days very well. I was so ready to start my training and wanted to learn how to kill a strigoi day one. I was so obnoxious about it and didn't want to learn the basics first. I wanted my stake. Mickhail had the patience of a saint to put up with me. He always started out drills with a mantra.

I am

Strong

I am

Confident

I am

Capable

I am

Not afraid

Fear does not live with me

I

Think I can, I know I can, and yes I will

I am

Resilient

I am

Strong

I am

Good enough

He's never changed it since day one so I joined in at the end.

"Novices I have a couple of guests that will be working with you for the next few weeks. Novice Hathaway and Novice Belikov. Please treat them with as much respect as you do me." When he said my name a few of the students started whispering to one another. Then more and more of them were talking to each other. I had a feeling what happened with Shane had made its way down to the lower campus. I decided to speak up.

"Is there something that's so important that you are being disrespectful and interrupting Guardian Tanner?" They all shut up real quickly and no one spoke up

"Anyone like to fill us in?" I asked. Still nothing.

"I'm not going to start until someone tells me what's going on." Mickhail said standing with his arms crossed. They were still silent and he just stood there giving everyone the look. Finally someone spoke up.

"We, we were just wondering if the rumors were true novice Hathaway that you kicked some guys ass and almost killed him?" They all looked excited to hear the answer. Mickhail looked at me silently asking if I wanted to take this one. I nodded, saying that I could answer this one on my own.

"Yes I did beat up another novice. I'm not going to go into the details of why, it doesn't matter. It shouldn't have happened and I'm not proud of it. Dhampirs have a dangerous job protecting the moiri from strigoi. We have enough threats against us that we don't need to be a threat to each other. We need to work together, we all have the same goal. They come first."

"They come first." They all repeated.

"Look at you being all wise. Proud of you kid." Mickhail whispered in my ear.

Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all.