Rose POV
It seems that coming back from the dead has become my specialty.
But this time, I didn't die—though it was close—and the whole world thought I had. I was captured by a group of brutal assailants while away from the Court, on a small mission. Jimmy, my fellow guardian, and I were sent on a routine call together. We were supposed to visit a non-royal Moroi's home, assess the issue, and be back before dinner. We didn't expect a brutal attack the moment we crossed the threshold.
We didn't give up without a fight. Jimmy only stopped fighting when a blow to the head with a baseball bat rendered him unconscious. I fought longer, despite the blood running into my eyes and the injuries covering my body, until two attackers knocked me down and pinned me to the wooden floor. Splinters dug into my skin as I struggled to break free, but they were much heavier than I was.
"We got them, boss," one of them reported. I stopped struggling to look at the person who entered the room. The woman had straight, shoulder-length black hair, an elegant outfit, and a cool, calculating expression. She looked at me with triumph in her eyes. I had never seen her before.
"Great. I want them dead," she ordered. I froze, surprised. What did this woman have to do with me? "And don't let me down, Horace. Tomorrow the guardians will come here and I want them to find irrefutable proof that Rose Hathaway is dead."
"Who the fuck are you?!" I shouted, only to be pressed harder against the floor. "What do you want?!"
"Sorry, Rose," she replied, walking past me in heels toward the door, barely sparing me an indifferent glance. "It's nothing personal, just business. And don't worry, I'll take care of your friends." She turned over her shoulder, and I saw her cruel smile. "Especially Dimitri."
Fear coursed through my veins like poison.
"Leave them the fuck alone!" I hissed furiously, but she was already walking away, her heels tapping on the wooden floor.
"Goodbye, Rose. And Horace, don't let me down."
"Yes, ma'am," the giant holding me replied, and his boss left. I started struggling again, trying to break free, but to no avail. Strong hands pinned me down, preventing any movement.
"She's gone, boss," said one of the attackers.
"Good. Now, stick to the plan. Pour the gasoline and bring the girl over here."
"Are you sure? June said…" Horace yanked me to my feet, gripping me tightly as I struggled to break free. He pressed a knife to my throat, nicking the skin
"June doesn't know that this one's old man is a Mazur. I'm sure Daddy will pay a good sum to get his little girl back in one piece," he snarled, shaking me violently. "Or mostly in one piece."
They laughed, and my blood froze when I saw them drag in the body of a girl, around my age and build. I glanced over my shoulder at Horace holding me tightly, as rage boiled inside me.
"You won't get away with this. You'll pay for it."
Horace grinned wickedly. He roughly slid the only gold ring, the one Dimitri had bought me for our anniversary, off my finger and tossed it to the floor.
"I hope your old man will pay more."
Then he pressed a cloth reeking of chloroform over my mouth and nose. I tried to pull away, but it was no use. Drowsiness soon overwhelmed me, and I lost consciousness.
Dimitri POV
I hurried out of the car, not bothering to close the door. My legs felt weak, and all I could focus on were the smoldering ruins of the mansion before me. At that moment, the whole world stood still—along with my heart.
This was impossible. Impossible.
I got the call an hour ago, but I couldn't believe it. I had to come here. I had to see her. This was supposed to be a quick, easy errand. It wasn't a dangerous mission. They must have made a mistake.
I pushed past the guards, who avoided my gaze, and stepped aside. I found it increasingly difficult to breathe. Panic tightened its grip on my mind with each passing second. I was losing control. Hans stood in front of me, his face etched with sadness.
"Dimitri…"
"Where is she?" My voice came out as a bark. I started to shake. This couldn't be true.
Hans lowered his gaze and stepped back, revealing two black bags on the floor. The last shred of warmth in my heart froze at the sight.
I don't know how I managed those few steps on unsteady legs, feeling my world crumble piece by piece. Finally, my legs gave out, and I collapsed to my knees in front of one of the bags.
There was nothing to recognize. The fire had completely consumed the woman I loved most in the world. My mind refused to accept that this was my beautiful, good, brave, full of life Rose. The one who had kissed me before she left, her taste lingering on my lips for hours.
Then I saw a piece of gold lying next to the charred remains—a small gold circle I knew all too well. The one I had chosen to surprise her with for our anniversary. The one I kissed on her hand every night before bed.
The truth hit me, and I couldn't comprehend why the world didn't fall apart at that moment. I thought I knew pain, but nothing prepared me for this: my Roza, murdered in such a cruel way. My Roza burned alive. Dying alone, suffering. Gone forever.
I clenched my hands on the sack as I collapsed to the ground. The scream that tore from my throat didn't even sound human.
Rose POV
I woke up in a basement, handcuffs digging into my wrists.
"Are you fucking kidding me!"
The room was empty. I was sitting against the wall, chained by metal handcuffs to the pipes behind me. The metal cut into my skin as I struggled against the bindings.
I felt dried blood on my face and ached in several places where I'd been hit during the fight, but at least I was alive. My heart clenched at the thought of Jimmy and what the guardians must have found at the scene—at what Dimitri must have seen. I felt strangely exposed without his ring on my finger, but that was a small loss compared to what could have happened.
I looked around the small, dimly lit room where I was kept. There were no windows, so I had no idea what time of day it was or how long it had been since my abduction. I growled, furious at the situation I was in.
I had to get out of here.
Dimitri POV
I felt torn from my body when I arrived at the Court, to tell the others what I had seen. It was as if my heart and soul had left with Rose, leaving only a shadow of myself behind. I barely managed to confirm that what we'd heard was true.
Jill ran to her chambers, tears streaming down her cheeks. Eddie followed, partly because he had to, partly to hide his distraught expression. Abe stormed out of the palace, slamming the door behind him, while Adrian escaped to the bathroom. Lissa collapsed back onto the couch, her sobs uncontrollable, and Christian struggled to comfort her, his face etched with distress. He had distress written all over his face.
I sank into a chair, feeling like I would collapse if I didn't. I buried my face in my hands, unable to bear any sight. I didn't understand how time could just go on like this when Rose was no longer in this world. After all, it had to stand still, the world had to end. I didn't understand why I had to endure each second after the next in this endless pain in my heart.
"We have to call Jenine," Christian finally whispered. Lissa sniffled in response.
"Abe already called her. She said she'd come for the funeral."
I didn't think I could endure any more pain, but the word "funeral" felt like a knife to my heart.
"Funeral?" I choked out as if the word was foreign to me.
"I thought maybe…"
"Can we talk about it later?" I asked, heat spreading through my body. I didn't expect to feel any better tomorrow, but right now, I couldn't handle it.
Lissa nodded and melted back into Christian's embrace. Just seeing them together made my heart burn and a lump rise in my throat. My eyes filled with tears again, and I hid my face in my hands, wishing I could disappear—or better yet, be swallowed by the earth.
Just then, the door to Lissa's quarters opened, and to my surprise, a woman entered, flanked by three guards.
"Your Highness…"
"I'm sorry, but this is not a good time for an audience," Lissa said, trying to mask her anger. I furrowed my brow as the woman closed the door, her expression impassive. Her guards were clearly ready for a fight.
"I'm deeply sorry, Your Highness—for your loss and for coming at such a time. But I have no choice. I'm here to stage a coup."
Christian and I sprang to our feet, but the woman stopped us by pulling something from her pocket that looked like a detonator.
"Don't make any sudden moves, or I'll blow up half the Court. Actually, half is an understatement—more like a solid eighty percent. Don't call for help, and don't try anything. I'm not kidding."
I didn't have the strength for it. Not today. Christian and I carefully sat down on either side of Lissa as the woman took a seat opposite us. Through the crack in the door, I caught Adrian's gaze, but I quickly looked ahead and shook my head, hoping he understood to stay out of sight.
"Who are you?" Lissa asked, her voice weary.
"My name is June. You don't know me; I'm not from the royal family. And despite how it looks, I'm not your enemy."
Lissa snorted, tears glistening on her cheeks.
"You're right; it looks a bit different."
"I didn't come here to hurt you—unless you leave me no choice. But I wanted to take this chance to gain influence in the Moroi government. We non-royal Moroi have no representative, no one to stand up for us or hear our petitions. So... I decided to seize some power in this brutal way."
"Did you have anything to do with Rose's d..." The last word caught in my throat. June looked at me with a sympathetic expression.
"No, I didn't. I'm truly sorry. It was today's events that pushed me to act."
"What do you want?" Lissa asked, her voice choked with emotion.
"I want a seat on the council, real power to advocate for the Moroi who weren't born into royal families. And I want the queen's support in my demands."
Lissa closed her eyes.
"And if I don't agree?"
Then I'll blow up the Court. I know I won't get out of here alive if I'm caught, and I'm prepared for that. But are you ready for what I've set up?"
Lissa and I were both stunned. It was too much, especially today when the world was already falling apart in pieces. Part of me didn't care what June did to us, but another part... I couldn't let Lissa get hurt. I couldn't let that happen—it was the only thing I could do for my Rose.
"So we don't have much choice?" Lissa scoffed. June shook her head.
"I'm afraid not. But I'd like to resolve this as peacefully as possible. I'll join the council, and no one will get hurt. But to do that, I need to be well-established at the Court—in a more permanent way. Then, hopefully, I wouldn't have to hold you at gunpoint, and we could move on to more... civilized negotiations. I really don't want to hurt you or anyone else. I just want a strong, guaranteed position at the Court. And that's why... I would like to marry Guardian Belikov."
We all froze. We must have heard wrong. Or maybe I'd truly lost my mind from losing Rose.
"You have to be fucking kidding!" Christian finally exclaimed.
"I want to be part of your inner circle, and this is the easiest way to achieve that. I didn't plan this because of... Guardian Hathaway, but after today's events, it's the only way to avoid bloodshed."
"You have the audacity," Lissa howled, "to threaten us on the day we lost Rose and demand that Dimitri marry you! This is unacceptable…"
"I'll do it," I said quietly, my voice drained. Lissa looked at me, tears welling in her eyes.
"No way," she replied. "I won't allow it. Not now..."
"I don't care what happens to me. I can't bring her back, but I know what I can... what I have to do for her. She'd want you to be safe, and that's all I can do now—to protect you." I looked at June, who seemed visibly relieved. "I didn't expect it to be this way, but that's okay. I'll do what I have to."
"I think Rose would like that," June said, and fury surged inside me.
"Don't you dare say her name," I growled, rising to my feet. Everyone flinched at my sudden move. I leaned over her. "And if I find out you had anything to do with this tragedy... I will kill you."
"I had nothing to do with it," she replied calmly, meeting my gaze. I took a deep breath and stepped back. Lissa stood and placed a hand on my shoulder.
"It seems we have a lot to do."
"Yes, Your Highness," June said, rising as well. She explained that the three guards she brought would be watching us to ensure we didn't betray her plan. I glanced at my guard, knowing I could probably take him down. I just didn't know if I would be able to defuse June's bombs before the others figured it out.
June took out a paper with Rose's forged signature, in which she supposedly "left instructions" for June and her guards to help protect Lissa and Christian if something happened to her. We were to go to the guardians' HQ and ask them to include June's guards in the service. She warned us again that she'd blow up the entire building if we breathed a word to anyone.
As we left, I glanced at the bathroom door, hoping Adrian would relay everything he heard to the right people.
Rose POV
I quickly realized there was no point in struggling against the handcuffs, but that didn't stop me from tugging at them, tearing my wrists until they bled.
I sat on the floor, waiting for whoever was imprisoning me to come and, after a few lame threats, tell me what their plan was. But no one came. After hours of futile struggling and trying to free myself, exhaustion began to take over, and I started to drift off.
Relief washed over me as I slipped into a spirit-infused dream. I found myself on a wooden balcony at the hotel where we'd gone for our winter vacation during my last year of school—the very place where I'd met Adrian.
"Little dhampir!" Adrian's voice was choked with emotion, and suddenly, I was wrapped in his arms. He held me tightly, and I clung to him, grateful for the familiar comfort. "We thought you were dead!"
"This is their plan," I replied, pulling back just enough to look into his tear-filled eyes. His hands remained on my shoulders, as if afraid to let go. "They set fire to the house with Jimmy and some poor girl inside."
"Dimitri went to recognize the corpse and said it must have been you," My heart ached at the thought of what Dimitri must be going through.
"You have to tell him I'm alive. I'm trapped, but I don't know where..." My voice faltered when I saw Adrian's expression shift. Fear gripped my chest. "What is it? What's wrong?"
Adrian hesitated before telling me what he had overheard from June. Fury coursed through my veins as I listened. It took everything I had not to scream every curse and insult I knew at that conniving bitch.
She thought she'd outsmarted me. But I could be an even crazier bitch.
We had three days until June and Dimitri's wedding. I was locked up in some basement, and there were bombs planted inside the Court. We had to act fast, and we couldn't afford any mistakes.
I ordered Adrian to contact Abe immediately. If we were to act in secret, there was no one better equipped to disarm June's weapons than my father. Dimitri was likely being watched too closely to involve him in our plan. He just had to survive these three days. Telling him would be too risky.
Adrian repeated the whole plan with me and hugged me at the end. I breathed deeply, savoring the small comfort.
"I'm glad that nothing happened to you, Little Dhampir. Focus on surviving, and I'll handle the rest."
"Thanks, Adrian. For everything."
"At your service," he said, squeezing me tighter as the dream began to fade.
I woke up still chained to the wall but with a renewed determination burning in my chest. I wasn't going to stay here for long.
Dimitri POV
Three days later.
Christian and Lissa sat in my room, their eyes filled with deep sadness. Our personal guards stood against the walls, never leaving our sides, watching us closely.
I stared into the mirror, trying to pull myself together, though it was hard to muster the will to care. I tied back my freshly washed hair, keeping it from falling onto my new suit. My wedding suit.
But nothing could hide the truth. My reddened eyes and dark circles revealed the sleepless nights spent tormenting myself until dawn. Nothing could ease the pain.
I squeezed Rose's ring, clutching it tightly in my palm. I kissed it, thinking of her. I knew I had to defend those she loved. I had to lull June's vigilance for now and find a way to eliminate her later. I hoped Adrian would get the message to the right people. I just had to play my part.
In the mirror, I caught a glimpse of my guard. He had been watching me closely ever since that day in Lissa's office when my world shattered. I didn't know when I'd be able to lose him, but I hoped it wouldn't be much longer.
Christian stood up, signaling that it was time for the damned ceremony. My heart felt like a lead weight in my chest. I never imagined standing at a wedding altar beside anyone but Rose. But there was nothing I could do about it now. I turned around, ready to do whatever it took to keep Lissa and Christian safe.
Rose POV
I limped along the road for a while before a Mercedes with tinted windows pulled up beside me. My father's face appeared in the driver's seat, and I couldn't help but smile. I quickly slid into the front seat, and Abe wasted no time flooring the gas pedal.
"Finally. You'd think you'd be in a hurry to come get your missing daughter."
"Are you all right?" he asked, his tone deadly serious. I knew he wasn't in the mood for teasing.
"I'm fine, just a little sore," I replied, glancing at the cut on my arm. This wasn't my first escape from someone else's basement, and the opponent wasn't much of a threat once I got out of the handcuffs. Once I faced them one-on-one, my skills and speed outmatched their strength. I took them down with a speed that would've made my academy teachers proud, then found a phone and called Abe.
"Don't ever do this to us again," he said gravely. I met his serious gaze and squeezed his shoulder.
"Everything's fine, really. I'm not that easy to get rid of. How did the plan go?"
"We're ready now. The bombs have been detected and defused, and my men are stationed under the church to stop her helpers. All that's left is for you to hand this evidence to Hans and stop the wedding," Abe said, handing me a folder. I skimmed through it: Adrian's testimony, a list of explosive locations and the approvals to neutralize them, Abe's spy report, and wiretap records.
"Not bad, old man," I complimented, and I could've sworn the corner of his mouth lifted in a slight smile.
Abe sped ahead, ignoring traffic regulations. I was eager to interrupt the wedding. Originally it was not supposed to happen and only after the Court was secured were they to come for me. But since I managed to escape on my own, everything was moving faster now.
"How much time do we have?" I asked nervously, gripping the edge of the seat. I couldn't wait another moment to see my loved ones.
"We've got enough time for you to change out of those rags and get yourself together."
"We're on our way to catch the criminals who planned to blow up the Court. I think my appearance is low on the list of priorities."
"Trust me, Rose. It's not every day you crash your boyfriend's wedding."
Nerves clenched my stomach. I had to get to his place in time.
Nerves twisted in my stomach. I had to get there in time. We stopped at a motel where Adrian was waiting. He hugged me quickly, then rushed me to the bathroom. I washed up and changed into a simple, long gown Adrian had brought. I did a quick makeup job in the car with some products they'd provided. For someone who'd just spent days in captivity, I looked pretty good.
"Oh fuck," Adrian cursed, glancing at his phone. I turned to him immediately, and he looked at me with wide eyes. "They moved the wedding up an hour. It's just starting now."
Abe grimaced as a string of curses flew out of my mouth and pressed the gas harder. Adrian tried to call Lissa and Christian, but neither picked up. I started hissing at Abe and Adrian for making me change into that stupid dress.
My heart pounded like a hammer as we sped through the Court gates. The guardian at the gate stared in shock when he saw me. I shouted for him to call additional units to the church, and Abe drove us there as fast as he could.
I didn't wait for the car to stop completely before I bolted out, clutching the folder tightly. Muffled gasps of surprise rippled through the crowd gathered outside the cathedral as they caught sight of me. Through the loudspeakers, I heard, "If anyone here has just cause why these two should not be lawfully wed, speak now or forever hold your peace."
I burst through the cathedral's grand doors and strode down the main aisle. "I know a few good ones!" I called out.
The church erupted in surprised gasps. People stood up, clutching their hearts, and all eyes were on me. But I only had eyes for the man at the altar.
Dimitri froze, his eyes widening as if he couldn't believe what he was seeing. It was as if his mind had stopped working. I gave him a radiant smile and winked. I started to walk forward, the sharp click of my heels echoing on the marble floor.
"First of all, June here forced Dimitri into this marriage to gain more control over the Moroi government and access to Queen Lissa. How? Her team planted explosives under the Court grounds and threatened to detonate them unless Dimitri and Lissa agreed to her terms."
Hans sprang to his feet and rushed to Lissa, who was still too shocked to react. Her eyes followed me, and I could tell she was torn between thinking she was dreaming or losing her mind.
"Don't worry, Guardian Croft. The bombs have all been disarmed. Here's the evidence," I said, tossing him the folder from Abe, which he caught effortlessly. Our eyes met, and I saw him slowly recovering from the shock. "But I'd suggest you detain these newly hired guards."
Hans gave the orders, and Dimitri turned to me, still completely stunned. I smiled at him again.
"And secondly, there's no way I'm letting this man get married without me—even if he has to wait a few more years," I added with a smirk.
That snapped him out of it. He rushed to me, pulling me into a desperate embrace, holding me as tightly as he could. I wrapped my arms around his neck, my hands gently stroking his skin.
"Roza, Roza," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion.
"It's okay, I'm here," I whispered softly. My fingers traced his tattoos as his hands roamed over my body as if he couldn't decide how to hold me closer.
"I thought you were dead," he croaked. I leaned back slightly, a soft smile playing on my lips.
"Well, it looks like you recovered pretty quickly," I teased, nodding toward the altar. Dimitri shook his head, unable to speak. I laughed and hugged him tighter, feeling his heart race against mine.
"You'll pay for this, Hathaway," June growled as she was led past us in handcuffs. Hans personally took charge of escorting her out. Dimitri reacted instantly, spinning to face her while shielding me behind his back. I placed a calming hand on his shoulder, my eyes flicking over her ridiculous, poofy dress.
"Ay, such curses on the most beautiful day of your life?" I said, shaking my head in mock embarrassment. "Just fucking try me."
"We'll need to talk, Hathaway," Hans said as June growled at me, a slight smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "And I'm glad to have you back. Things were starting to get boring without you."
"Don't worry, you won't get rid of me that easily," I replied, feeling Dimitri's grip tighten on my shoulders. Before I knew it, Lissa had thrown herself around my neck, sobbing, while Christian enveloped us both in a hug.
We went to Lissa's private quarters, along with Jill, Eddie, Adrian, and my parents. Dimitri didn't leave my side even for a moment, holding my hand, wrapping his arm around my waist, or gently stroking my hair. I eagerly clung to him, feeling the tension of the past few days slowly melt away in his presence. Hans joined us to piece together everyone's perspective. Our boss meticulously documented everything and reviewed the reports Abe had prepared.
Adrian got a stern scolding for not going straight to Hans when he first heard about the threat, but I found it hard to focus. The adrenaline was fading, and I could feel my eyelids getting heavier. I leaned against Dimitri's chest, his arm wrapped around me as he stroked my shoulder, his cheek resting against my head. Lissa snuggled close to me on the other side. Christian stayed as close as he could, while my mother hovered nearby, ready to defend me from any threat.
Surrounded by my loved ones, I let myself drift away, finally feeling safe.
