DPOV

I laughed as my Roza was dragged out was pulled, well dragged out of the gym by the princess. No matter, what I was told I couldn't get my tongue to say, Lissa, as many times as I had been asked. After the many revelations of today, I was elated. The people who I had been worried about for months if they found out mine and Roza's love were okay about it. I knew that we had to wait until graduation to reveal it, but at least a few people knew now. I couldn't help but marvel in what the future could hold for me and Roza. Due to a devasting issue, something good was about to become of it. Because of a strigoi attack, I could introduce my family to my soulmate who I intended to spend the rest of my life with no matter what. Roza. My Roza. Nothing would willingly separate me from my lady. We had gone through so much together. A two-faced man called Victor Dashkov, stating I should be charged with rape charges against Roza. Everyone think Roza was crazy when she started to see the actual ghost of her dead best friend. Once she had avenged her murderers at her tender age. Age. Another big barrier between us. We fought each, other and broke each others heart trying to do what we thought was right. Only to find out that was the worst thing we could have done. We have faced almost dying together. Having to defy orders from our superior to save each other. I have saved in many ways. She has saved me in many ways. Without each other, we both become a shell of a person with no life inside. No soul. Just a beating heart and blood pumping through our veins. I never thought it was possible to love someone some much that it hurts. I knew I would do anything for her and her safety. Things that before I met her, I would never imagine doing. I scoffed realising babushka was right, from the beginning.

- FLASHBACK-

I was about to leave my family in Baia for America. When babushka patted me on the shoulder. It was so strange how, although I was looking down on my tiny 5ft 4 grandmother, her eyes could make me shrink and felt so small. For awhile, she just stared into my eyes. I would have felt like she was scrutinising me if I could not have seen the spark of warmth and something else hidden in them. I felt like she was looking at my soul and picking it apart, searching for something. After a while, the lines next to her eyes crinkled like she was smiling yet she wasn't.

"Путь впереди - скалистый с темнотой в его смеси. Однако, в конце, есть много жизни. Есть много вещей, которые вы не поверите. Просто делайте то, что ваше сердце говорит вам, и никогда не забывайте, что находится прямо перед вами. Появятся изменения, которые вы угадаете, но в конце концов, они правы и принесут вам счастье", she said in her strange cyptic yet knowing tone. I thought it was a bit far fetched, seeing as all that was supposed to happen was guard and kill for the dragomir princess, who had recklessly run away, but I thanked her anyway.
" Спасибо, бабушка, я люблю вас всех. "

- END OF FLASHBACK-
I had taken me a while to realise but all along she ha been talking about Roza and how I would find Roza and get to where I am now. Probably even further in the future. Honestly, it did not surprise me she knew of our love before we probably knew way before. A hand waving in front of my face, brought me out of my memories, although I kept the smile on my face. I looked around to see the amused faces of everyone looking me. Emil started to laugh. Emil was one of the guardians, who I could spend a lot of time around and was easy to talk to. As sad as it sounds, he was probably one of my only friends, really. To think about it, I only talked to him when Roza came back

" Your thinking about Hathaway aren't you," Emil said, very amused. I gave him a confused glance as to how he knew, I was pretty sure he wasn't a mind reader! " You're grinning like a fricking idiot" He complied, in a very non-guardian-like explanation. I laughed, realising how much she affected me. " Dude, you whipped, she got you wrapped around here little pinky" He commented on my unusual behaviour. To most, I was usually bottling up every emotion I felt, with a blank guardian face on. Roza was the only exception.

" I'm pretty sure she is wrapped around mine too," I said, chuckling lightly. All Rozas friends looked shocked to see me so casually joking around, honestly, I was too. All the guardian were probably also shocked but had put their guardian masks up ( as Roza called them) or they had had so much information that they could not be any more shocked.

Alberta spoke up " Ever since Rose came into your life, you open up more and more every single day. When you see each other you eyes light and even though you are a guardian, you're in love. You both laugh more, joke around more and are just really both being happier. I knew something was up from the beginning that was why. You too need each other to be happy and once I realised that it is impossible to not see,"Once she had finished her small speech, everyone was silent taking in how much change we had brought in each other. Clearly, I realised it was some but not that much. Roza friends were all silent. At the same time which was quite creepy Castile and Christian said:

" Look after her Belikov, I meant what I said". They looked at each other and then burst out laughing and everyone else smiled. I wasn't worried about their threats. Not because I was arrogant and cocky, but because I vowed to never hurt a woman unless strigoi or in training to my mother. I made this vow the day, I beat up my bastard of a father, Randall Ivaskov for hurting my mother. Also, if I ever hurt, Rose I would never forgive myself and beat myself up for it before ANYONE else could.

"I would also threaten you if you ever hurt the little dhampir but I can't really do anything" Ivaskov drawled lazily, but kind of seriously. I glared at my feet when he said that. No, he could beat me up, but there was one thing he could do that I couldn't. Give Rose a family. That was one thing I could never do and alway regret taking that away from Rose. I know that Roza would be a great mother. The way she is so selfless putting other people first. The one quality ever mother needs.

Adrian spoke up again " It doesn't work like that Belikov unless it was with you, she would never". I looked up and glared at him,
" What are you a mind reader now, Ivashkov". He laughed without any humour
" No, but Rose gets the same look thinking about Tasha". I gave him a confused look. Tasha? " About you and her," he said like it was the most obvious thing. I sighed. Of course, Roza would. Always putting others first. No matter what her reputation is, it is underserved because she is the absolute opposite. She was a virgin before the cabin. Oh, the cabin, the best memories in my life. " She shouldn't, that's never going to happen, never," I said clearly stressing the never. " I know, then you need to think only one work that would mean any type of relationship, like that, between me and rose, never," he said in an almost said tone.
Kirova spoke up " What are you talking about Lord Ivaskov? Guardian Belikov?" she said in a thoroughly confused tone. We both sighed at the same time. I didn't want to talk.

Adrian realising this said " How Belikov and Rose both fell awful and regret taking the opportunity for a family together away from each other. How deep down, although they both hate to think about how Rose think Belikov would be better of with Christians Aunt and how Rose would be better of with me. So they can have a family if they wanted it. How both of them wouldn't have to hide a forbidden love in the shadows, no matter how strong and unbreakable there love is together". Everyone looked shocked at how deep Adrian's speech was and how much we want to put each other first in Roses and I's relationship.

Unbreakable and Deep? Really, Adrian, I thought you thought you loved Rose" Christian said, trying to make a joke. I tensed. Adrian just laughed and said " I thought I loved Rose to and she was just playing hard to get. Even though when I found out how much they loved each other but I have to love Rose as a Best friend or a brother now. Their relationship is unbreakable and deep because-" He was cut off but the door burst open.
Rose fell through and collapsed laughing, breathing heavily. She looked over to us and graced us with a beautiful smile.
" Hey," she said, grinning.
"Roza, what are you doing, I though Lissa was helping you pack?" I said, exasperated. She stood up " Lissa was focused on packing my stuff and she was about to start to interrogating me when I made a break for it". Everyone laughed and she walked over to stand next to me. " Lord Ivaskov, what were you saying," Alberta said, puzzled wanting to know more. Everyone one did.

Adrian looked over at Roza, I laced my hand with hers and she squeezed it in return. She looked at Adrian puzzled. He sighed then began " Recently, Rose and Belikov aura are so bright and white. When they see each other, it shines. That is a sign of love, how I found out them at the ski , after the attack and just before the attack started, they both had a ring of silver around the centre of there. That was after Rose tried to kill Jesse and Belikov calmed her down for a few hours" He said raising and an eyebrow at us both. Roza and I flushed gently. It looked adorable on Roza but I don't blush and I'm pretty sure she doesn't! We both began to not care and grinned cheekily at each other. Turning to look at Ivashkov, he surprised me but looking happy for us and laughing and not jealous. Guess he actually meant it when he said he was trying to love her as a brother.

He continued " It is really rare, I've never seen it before, really. The silver was the same colours. I realised it means your soulmates" Everyone gasped staring at us. I knew we were desperately and deeply in love but I thought soul mates was a figure of speech. The shock wore off both of us at the same time and we both grinned. I wrapped my arms around her was she leant against my chest, sighing happily. My skin tingled as I met here, still in our workout clothes. I pressed my lips to her hair, not caring where we were.

Adrian continued "I don't know much about soulmates. I do know if they are far away from each other for excessive amounts of time it causes mental pain. Their souls also want to be near each other, that is why you guys couldn't fight each other". Everyone had their mouths touching the floor. " Wow," A voice sounded from the other side of the gym. We turned to look at Lissa standing in the door away. She came up to us, pointing her finger at Rose " hat was rude. If anyone walked past they must have thought I was crazy because I was talking to you and you weren't there. So it looked like I was crazy talking to myself". Rose laughed and smiled, apologising. Valissa turned to Adrian "That was deep," Everyone laughed.
She turned back to Roza with a panicked expression

" Rose, Adrian said being away from each other causes mental pain. When I go to Lehigh Christian won't be there so neither will Dimitri. We will be there for a while", she rambled, quickly. Everyone, even Stan, looked worried. We were silent trying to figure it out. Kirova surprised us by saying " Do not worry, I will figure it out". Rose looked at her puzzled. "Rose, not everyone gets a chance at love. I would know," she looked a bit sad but continued "So I want to figure it out for you. You two Belikov. This probably shocks you because of the way I treated you, but I do want to help you two with this" She explained. Roza jaw was dropped from the very beginning when she called her 'Rose' and not 'Miss Hathaway'. I laughed and kissed her forehead, letting her go. She pouted and I laughed again at her adorable face. It was amazing how a phenomenal guardian could look so cute " Graduation, Roza, graduation" I explained sadly. She screwed up her nose but nodded. She gave me a longing look, after this lunch time of being open with people we both wanted to go screaming our love our at the top of our could not come quicker.

I looked to the guardians and her friends, they all looked slightly sympathetic to us, with the revelation of being soul mates they know how much we loved each other. Alberta form changed to a bit more guardian like and said "Okay, Rose, Dimitri you to do have to wait till graduation like you have been planning. No one else can know, even in Russia, except you family Belikov" I felt Roza tense, even though I wasn't touching her I just know. I knitted my eyebrows together in confusion, looking at her. She just shook her head, gently giving me a small smile so I knew it wasn't too bad. However, something was up, with her and I needed to know. We both nodded agreeing to Alberta. She continued "Right, both of you need to pack and then instead of the last 2 lessons, we have a molinja ceremony to attend. Everyone in the entire school will attend because the whole school clearly knew about the attack, it will be announced at the end of lunch, so you have an hour to get ready. Any strigoi kills will be marked with molinjas. After that, you two will leave for Baia tomorrow, just before Breakfast. You need to go to Baia and stay in a Motel or with Belikov family. I have not told them, as I thought you might want it to be a surprise Belikov and I assume you will stay with them" I nodded, grinning " Stay with them for 3 days, to get and an idea of Russia and the things people are saying about the Strigoi attack. When you arrive at the academy after the 3 days, you will stay there. You, Rose, will be addressed as Guardian Hathaway and you will act as a guardian. You two will be training novices, so don't let them get to you, Hathaway about your age" Rose nodded, smiling slightly obviously planning something. Oh, Roza. " You will train them till you two weeks is up. You two will run the classes together and report to the headmaster Kozlovsky, ever three days about the progress", she explained thoroughly and we nodded slowly everyone dispersed going to get ready for the ceremony.

-
RPOV
Wow. I didn't think so much could happen one lunch time. The people who we thought would be furious at our relationship, excepted our relationship openly. Although, as usual, my Russian God was right and we still did have to wait until graduation or at least try and keep our hands our each other in public. *Wink *Wink. Lissa had her tiny hands clasped around my wrists dragging me to her dorm room. I could have pulled away, but there was so much to think about. While, Lissa was rambling on about how even though I ran away from her earlier when we were packing she finished it for me, being the good best friend she was. Her words not mind. She was also blabbering on about how we need to get ready for the ceremony and she was currently thinking about loud about all the dresses could borrow from her and what she way going to wear. All this was just passing through my head. All I could think about was going to Russia. I would meet Dimitri's family for the first time. his witchy grandmother know so everyone else probably did. What if they didn't like me? What if they thought Dimitri was too good for me? What if they thought I was too young? I know, me Rose Hathaway worrying about someone's thoughts about me but hey weren't just someone! They were they people that filled all the subconscious thought in my man's brain. The were the people he grew up with. They were the people he loved dearly.
Looking in my surroundings, I was sitting on Lissa bed and she was flinging clothes at me from every angle of her bedroom. "Rose?!" she asked, worriedly.
"What? Oh yeah, what did you say," I said a bit out of it
" Rose, what wrong," she said, walking over to her bed avoiding the clothes and sitting next to me.
"Nothing, just deciding what dress to wear" I lie, lamely. She gave me a look, which clearly said 'I know your lying, so stop with the bullshit'. I sighed. I couldn't lie to my best friend. "Okay, you know me and Dimitri, on the mission, stay with his family" she nodded" Okay, well... what if they don't like me" I ended in a whisper.

"Oh, Rose," she said wrapping her thin arms around her shoulders and I leant my head on her closest shoulder " They will love you. No one can't. If they see how much Guardian Belikov loves you, then they will love you too" she explained. I shook, my head. That was too simple. She nodded. "They. Will. Love. You." she said again, punctuating each word. I sighed. She releasing me. " Common let's get ready, it will be fun," she squealed. I smiled at her, for taking my mind off things. Also, her happiness was infectious. I laughed and followed her to her closet. Yes, moroi princess has a closet.
We spent the next 50 minutes getting reading. Which honestly was a too short, but Lissa being the socially perfect princess had to be on time. On time for her was actually late, whereas for me it was early. She picked out three dresses for herself, which were all gowns touching the floor. All in pastel colours, blue, pink and purple. I told her to go for the pink one. She agreed. She didn't give me a choice shoving a dress in my direction. I inspected it, it was a burgundy coloured wrap dress, that was tight but not slutty. The back came down to the waist and the front, only gave down to my collar bone. It did look pretty good and I wanted to see Dimitri's reaction. With our different styles, you would never think me and Lissa were best friends since we were four.

I did her hair first. Normally, for an event, we curled her hair, but today I made it straight and it framed her face perfectly. She put mine in a low, artfully messy bun with a french plait at either side connecting to it. It took a few tries to get it right, then let a few pieces fall out to frame my needed to be up to get my molinja's on my neck. I would be getting a Zvezda for the ones with Christian.I would be getting 6 individual marks for in the caves. Bringing it up to 8 marks and one Zveda. I was brought one of my thoughts when Lissa shoved me to sit on the bed and do my makeup. She put on a light layer of neutral and sparkly eyeshadow and a dab of mascara. Also, a layer of lipgloss, not the one Dimitri got but it was ok. I smiled thinking about when Dimitri got me the lipgloss.

"What are you smiling at?" Lissa asked me, amused
"When we went to the mall for the equinox dance, Dimitri got me my lipgloss, because he thought it would me happy," I said, happily
"You too are so perfect together, no matter what society thinks" I smiled sadly " Have you two, you know... done it" she whispered. I blushed, just remembering the cabin. The cabin was one of my best memories. " You have, ROSE" Lissa gasped. I laughed and said " It as the best I could possibly imagine and that's all your getting" she sighed, but gave a look which said she would try later. Before she could say or think anything, I swapped our places and began on her makeup. I put on a light layer of foundation and powder, brown eyeliner and her normal mascara. I thought I would spice up her makeup, putting on a nude matte lipstick and she looks pretty good if I say so myself! I gave her a mirror and laughed at her shocked expression
" Christian will be drooling over you," I said. No matter mine and sparky bickering like he said early we were just like brother and sister.
"I would say Dimitri would be too, but that would not be too good for the cover, but he better know what he is missing out on," she said in a mock serious tone and we both burst out laughing. We linked arm and head for the gym and we were 2 minutes early, a record for me. Lissa gave me a reassuring smile and then went off to find her fire crotch

I walked over to where the dhampirs and the guardians were sitting and my eyes immediately met with Dimitri. He wasn't on duty and was sitting in the front row, then there was a space, then surprisingly Eddie was sitting there. Dimitri's eyes subtly ran over me appreciatively and I swear they darkened slightly. I had to stifle a laugh. I walked over and plopped myself in the space. Eddie turns to me " Hey Rose" he really looked at me "You look good" he said in a friendly, not romantic way. Dimitri also caught this as he just stayed natural and didn't tense. I looked at Dimitri and he nodded at me, although in his eyes I saw love and lust having a race to see who one. I smiled at him, I'm pretty sure my eyes were the same. I turned to Eddie to see his knee bouncing up and down. I realised this was his first few molinja's. I placed my hand on his knee and it stopped.

"You'll be fine Eddie, you deserve this molinjas," I said, honestly. Remembering, how I was feeling the first time. He inhaled deeply, nodding and then gave me a grateful smile. I faced the front were lionel was setting up and Alberta and Kirova were in a deep conversation there eye's flicking over to our side of the gym. hmm. I sat there and began to think. All the memories, such a good day turning back. When Dimitri was almost killed by the blonde strigoi. Him being in a coma for 3 days me being in a coma for 5. I had worried everyone, but it was worth it. " Roza?" Dimitri whispered so no one else heard. " Thank you for that," he said quiet yet sincere, him realising what I was thinking about.

"There nothing to thank me for, it was worth it and I would do it again" I explained and I would honestly do it again. He looked like he wanted to say something, but Kirova choose then to begin.

" I know some of you are wondering why you are all here for the marking of that guardian and some novices who killed the strigoi. It is because many guardians, as well as a few moroi, have been killed and we are here to take a moment of silent for them." She listed the names of those killed by Strigoi. A few tears fell out of the moroi eyes when their friends were mention. Sadly, Jesse was not on the list. " Can we now have a two minutes silence for all those fallen, please?" Kirova said as a question but it was an order. Everyone was so silent all you could hear were a couple sobs and heavy breathing. You could have heard a pin drop.

The two minutes passed slowly. Kirova cleared her throat" Okay, now that guardian and novice will obtain the necessary molinja". We all shuffle slightly in our seat. Those girls who forgot to tie their hair up quickly doing it, well the few novices, Meridith and Chelsea who needed to. The guy's undoing their first shirt button, as they needed to take their shirt off. I knew Dimitri would be up first, and I inhaled trying to compose myself for my Russian God shirtless. I saw Eddie shot me and amused look realising what I was doing.
" Guardian Belikov" Kirova stated. Dimitri inhaled then walked up to the front. Unbuttoning his shirt and placing it neatly in his Russian God. When he turned around, to the front there was a sharp intake of breath despite the solemn situation. OH YEAH. My Russian god was perfect. He had a small smirk on his face, and he looked at me and it grew slightly. He sat down. 'I can see the appeal' Lissa sent through the bond and I laughed silently. Alberta looked amused and said to everyone "Guardian Belikov, here, will be getting 11 molinja, 7 in attack and 4 in the rescue mission" she explained, while Lionel set to work. Everyone muttered quietly, as it brought him up to 19 kills and that was astounding for a guardian of his age. It took about 30 seconds each and Dimitri stayed as still as a statue from the beginning not even flinching. I knew he was reflecting on each and every one of his kills. When he was done it bandaged and he and Lionel exchanged a few guardians and so on came.
Then it was Eddie. ' Novice Castile' Alberta said this time, looking kindly at Eddie. I felt Lissa pride for Eddie in the bond. I smiled as another intake of breath was taken for Eddie, not as good as Dimitri but a few girls looked like they were melting. " Novice Castile will be getting his first two molinja today, which is outstanding for a novice" She explained. Dimitri looked at me proudly there. Lionel took a minute on them making sure to leave room his promise mark. Alberta shook hand with Eddie, as they were his first. Lionel bandaged them and Eddie walked back with a small smile and I smiled at him.

The guardian kept coming Dimitri still had the most killed though. Alberta's words for Meredith, was the same for Eddie although she only had one. Now I was up. But they skipped me, not thinking anything was wrong. I looked at Dimitri confused and he just shook his head. I felt Lissa's confusion for the bond. Was I not getting the marks?

I let my confusion fill me, not paying attention to the rest. When it finished, everyone was about to leave when Alberta said " A few of you may be wondering why we have skipped novice Rose Hathaway. It's because e realised she should have some Acnoligidegement of her achievements because they are far from impressive. She risked the life of Lord Ozera for the school. Resulting in half the kills in the elementary campus being hers." Christian was grinning now, beside Lissa who was full of pride "She found out where the strigoi, were holding the captives, setting up a rescue mission" Eddie smiled at me for this and you could see how grateful he was " She risked her own life to save Guardian Belikov life when she did not know if she would survive" Dimitri and I both grinned at each other and you could also see how thankful he was, though I could also see he regret putting me in that situation "Her kills double some or most of the guardians in this room. Many people would not be here without her so please come a get your marks, Hathaway" I stood up slightly shaky from her speech. I smiled at Alberta when she didn't say 'Novice'.

I'm proud of you, Rosie. Lissa sent through the bond and I didn't care she called me Rosie. I sat down on the seat and bent my head. The needle touched my skin and I bit lip so I didn't flinch. I vaguely heard Alberta talking. " Hathaway will be getting 6 molinja marks, those are from the rescue mission and a Zvezda" I could hear a few gasps " This mean she killed so many Strigoi that we have lost count, however, we do know it was somewhere around 20-25" I smiled a sad smile. Although all these people watching, were probably looking at me with awe or pride. Although they had become a soulless creature, that had no moral and kills for the purpose of fun, they were still a living being a life taken. I had to remind myself they were probably thanking me from beyond the grave right now. It doesn't take to long for the molinja's but the Zveda takes a while for it to be precise. Lionel shows me the star in the mirror and I smile a bit, then he bandages it up. As I walk past Alberta, she shakes my hand saying "Well done" and whisper my thanks.I walk back to my seat vaguely hearing Kirova talk about packing away and Dimitri places a hand on my knee, in a way to say I'm proud of you. I smile at him, my way of saying I'm okay. Everyone gets up to leave, I am about to when Dimitri pulls on my arm, pulling round the back

"Are you ok, Malaya?" he say grasping my hand out of sight
"Yeah, it just thinks about it all... all my kills," I say quietly. He pulls me into a hug knowing I need the contact.
"And your thinking about Mason" he murmured into my hair. I sighed he knew me too well. Alway think about Mase. He has moved on now, but if I had just been quicker. A few tears slide down my cheek. He brushes them away. " Don't think like that milaya, it's going to be okay. He has moved on and he does not blame you. He know's how much you cared for him and how much you loved him. Celebrate his youthfulness and don't dwell on the bad," he pleaded me, still wiping my cheeks, but there were no tears. He always knew how to help me.
"Thank you, for being my own personal fortune cookie" I joke, showing him I'm okay and my honest thanks. He chuckles quietly kissing my forehead briefly, realising he helped. " Go back to you dorm and sleep" he say gently, I squeeze his hand and say" I love you" I turn around on walk to my dorm and hear him say " Ya tebya lyublyu" I don't know what it mean, but it sends warm, fuzzy feeling down my spine, so I know he is returning my words. I know I will fall asleep, with a smile on my face.

A/N Russian translation: Yeva "The path ahead is a rocky one with darkness in the mix of it. However, at the end, there is much life. There are many things to come that you will not believe. Just do what your heart tells you and never forget what is right in front of you. There are changes to come which you will second guess but in the end, they are right and will bring you happiness."
Dimitri: "Thank you, grandmother, I love you all."
His final words" I love you"
WORDS: 5525
POSTED: 01/05/17
R&R, please thank you