Author's Note:

Sorry that it's been a while since I updated. Unfortunately, life got in the way, and I battled with a little bit of writer's block. I knew exactly how I want this chapter to proceed, and where I'm planning on going from here, I just had a hard time articulating these ideas. I'm back, though! I'll be updating slowly for around a month or so, though. I have some testing to complete. I'll let yall know. But never fear, I will always come back!

I have started writing on my second story. This means my writing time is split between this story and Depravity. I'm not mentioning it here in attempts for you guys to read it. It's an increasingly dark story which I believe is not meant for everyone. I only mention it so you guys can start to understand part of the hold up on this chapter.

TO MY FELLOW WRITERS: Have you guys discovered/ downloaded the free version of Grammarly? I downloaded it halfway through this chapter, and I love it! It caught a lot of the problems I was having with using the wrong word. An example would be ten and tent. Microsoft word never catches it because they are both correct words, but two different meanings. Grammarly catches things like that 3

We are at 99 reviews, let's make 100! Oh yeah. I rewarded ya'll with a Lemon for being so patient.

Chapter 15

After being excused from Raymond's house, Dimitri and I started walking to our own tent. We moved as one, our strides unintentionally in sync. Silence hung between us, but it was comfortable, knowing even. We had accomplished much today. Yeah, we hadn't been able to express Lissa's wishes to Raymond, but I counted it as a success that we weren't thrown out of camp. I imagine these people wouldn't take to deception nicely. I hadn't outright lied to them since I hadn't claimed to actually kill Tatiana, but Sydney hadn't let me deny it earlier. These people believed I was capable of murder.

I frowned inwardly, my thoughts growing darker. Technically I was capable of murder. Although we didn't consider killing Strigoi murder, I had killed Victor- a Moroi. It may have been an accident caused by an outburst of spirit darkness, but he was still dead by my hand.

As if being able to sense the darkness cloaking my mind, I felt Dimitri ever so gently grab my arm. It caused me to resurface back to reality. Our feet stopped virtually at the same time as we turned towards one another slightly. I looked up into his eyes. Those warm chocolate orbs were overrun with concern for me. He may not have known what I was thinking, but he was exceptionally perceptive to my emotions. Right as Dimitri opened his mouth to speak, someone spoke for him.

"I knew when you were here last time that you couldn't have killed the queen." Said a redhead who was already on my nerves today, her southern drawl not hiding in the slightest. Angeline. Both of my eyebrows rose since I was physically unable to raise just one.

"What, because I'm too prim?" A challenged dripped off my voice. I hated how Angeline considered me prim last time I was here. I had spent my entire life growing up around royals. I had never in my life been prim in comparison to them.

"You're too soft." She said simply. It was Dimitri who rose his eyebrow this time.

"If I remember correctly, and I do have an impeccable memory, Rose won last time you fought." Stated Dimitri, his body somewhere in between being relaxed and tense for action. He wasn't exactly considering Angeline a threat, but his body language suggested that he hadn't completely ruled it out either.

"Everyone gets lucky." She stated bumptiously, acting as if I had just pinned her as a fluke. I couldn't help but smile. This girl had attitude and grit, much like myself.

"Well, we could have a planned fight this time. You know, test our skills by the fire a little later; give everyone a little show." I said haughtily, my smile confident as ever. Although Angeline got on my nerves, there were attributes she possessed that I couldn't help but admire. She stood up taller, her hands on her hips.

"As long as you understand that this time, I won't lose. I've been practicing." She stated, confident in her abilities.

"Good, I'll be interested to see the improvements," I stated. I think she had been hoping to rattle me a little, but it took much more than that to get under my skin.

"So how long is a little later?" Angeline asked with her typical attitude. For me, it showed just how young she really was.

"Don't worry, I'll be there. If I didn't show up, it's not like you don't know where I'm sleeping tonight anyways." I said, lazily gesturing in the direction of my tent. "I've still got some things to do before I can hang out at the communal bonfire." I finished. She raised an eyebrow curiously, almost as if she was going to ask me for a copy of my schedule for the day. Suddenly, it appeared that she got a brilliant idea, her face lit up. Then, in another moment it was gone, she had pushed it away. As much as I was curious what thought would have illuminated her features like that, I was also afraid to ask. I never knew what she might be thinking.

"Alright." She said, her voice hard. "I'll see you at the bonfire." She strode away and I hated to think of what type of trouble she might be stirring up. Beside me, I heard Dimitri chuckle. It was a deep melodious sound that felt like it carried my heart away. It at least made my heart flutter.

"What's so funny?" I asked, attempting to portray a sassy tone. I was pretty sure my eyes gave me away though. Dimitri was smiling. It brightened his features, turning his rugged handsomeness into a drooling drop dead gorgeous glamour. There was no doubt about it, my boyfriend was alluringly provocative, his physical features calling out to women like a storybook siren. How I had managed to nail him down into a relationship was a miracle. Hell, it had taken a miracle in order to be in a relationship with him, otherwise I would be dating a Strigoi. No, I had already figured out that Strigoi Dimitri was someone I couldn't actually be with. Luckily, I didn't have to worry about that anymore.

"In some ways, she reminds me of you." He said softly, leaning down to slowly caress my cheek with the back of his fingers. I looked up at him horrified. Angeline and I are similar? Who could think that?

"Wh-What?" I managed to splutter out. Yes, Angeline was a scrapper, but she was wholly different than me.

"You're both confident, willful, and natural fighters." He started. I tried to interrupt on his last point, but he kept going. "No, she is a natural fighter. She has had no professional training and yet she managed to give you a run for your money last time. Although, I still believe you were holding back because you didn't want to hurt her. Regardless, she has natural talent. Imagine how she could fight if she was trained properly. She also says whatever is on her mind, much like someone else I know. Someone who isn't afraid to say things others won't say." He finished, a sly look crossing his features. I definitely caught the hint. That was one of my trademark characteristics after all. I narrowed my eyes at him, although my thoughts were flashing back to the conversation he had with Kirova in her office when he first brought be back to St. Vladimir's. Those words that had been used to describe me, could also describe Angeline. Most of them anyways. After all, I didn't know her personally. I had only really known her for a few days. Silence lingered in the air as I kept up my narrowed stare.

"I have become more refined." I finally retorted, tilting my nose into the air and looking away from his curiously handsome features. His chuckle wrapped around me again, sliding across my skin in a sensual way.

"You have grown into a graceful, beautiful young woman." He conceded, once again stroking my cheek with the back of his fingers. Electricity sparked between us at the smallest touch, and I was surprised it wasn't visible to the naked eye.

"Well, that was to be expected," I replied haughtily. Once again my usual Rose Hathaway bravado was surfacing. Although I had frequently questioned myself throughout my life, I had always been confident in my looks. I felt Dimitri's presence slowly leaning closer to my own. I couldn't help but smile as I realized that my Russian god was leaning down to press those supple lips against my own. It was amazing how his smallest of actions or merely his presence could affect me so powerfully. Suddenly, a mischievous smile graced my features as I slipped beyond his reach. Dimitri's eyes fluttered open, surprise filling them. There hadn't been very often during our relationship, or lack thereof, where I would have turned down Dimitri's kisses. My smile only widened at the shock filling his features. I skipped away from him merrily. I've got to keep him on his toes. Can't get too complacent.

I had skipped all the way back to the tent, receiving some weird stares from surrounding Keepers. Was I too joyous? Possibly, especially when compared to the Keepers. I looked around the outside of our tent and found one item I had been looking for. It was a rather large barrel that was used more of a hollow giant wheel. It had a bar that connected on either side of the barrel, coming up in a rather large U shape. The bars made for a rather efficient handle. This contraption was currently frequently used in third world countries where finding drinking water was a troublesome ordeal. Families no longer had to carry small amounts of water back and forth, now they can fill these drums and just wheel it back and forth to home. I was going to use it in the same capacity. I quickly grabbed the handle and started pushing it down to the stream bed I had found earlier that morning. I managed to leave the tent before Dimitri caught up with me. For some reason, this pleased me. I did enjoy doing things on my own from time to time. I am an independent woman after all.

I made it down to the stream bed, filled up the barrel, and pushed it back to our tent. When I came into view of our lodgings, the look on Dimitri's face suggested that he had indeed been looking for me. He stood in front of the tent with his feet planted shoulder length apart, his arms crossed in front of his chest. He looked formidable. I knew by glancing at him that his was a particularly stable stance. I guess it was a good thing that I wasn't currently attempting to fight him. Instead, I plastered an innocent expression on my face as I stopped my full barrel right at his feet.

"What's the matter, Comrade?" I asked, my tone just as innocent as the expression on my face. Although his physical mannerisms appeared intimidating in nature, his face portrayed a rather amused expression.

"You couldn't have at least informed me of your plans before disappearing?" He asked, ignoring my question. Even now, after all this time, his Russian accent thrilled me. I couldn't get enough. It was a sound that I hope to hear throughout my entire lifetime. I couldn't help but smile at the sexy Russian standing before me.

"Nope." I answered simply, dropping the handle of the barrel and moving around him. I went to open up the tent so I could drive the barrel right inside, that was if my roadblock courteously moved out of the way for me.

"Rose." He responded. It was one word, but I heard the tone in his voice. He often used it while we had been back at St. Vladimir's. Back then he had been my mentor. Now we were equals. I turned back around to face him, keeping my slight irritation off of my face.

"I've got to keep you on your toes, Comrade." I sighed, finally deciding to elaborate. "Life might get too boring if I chose to fill you in on my plans all the time instead of keeping you guessing, at least on the little stuff. Rest assured, you will be filled in upon major scheming." I finished, a smile spreading across my face. He couldn't help but mirror my smile. He definitely looked extremely more attractive when he was smiling; I was happy that it was something that I could bring out in him.

"Oh Roza." He moaned. It wasn't a moan of pleasure, but of affection. "What am I going to do with you?" He asked in the same tone. It was definitely affectionate.

"I have several ideas," I said suggestively, leaning in towards his toned body. His eyebrows rose as he pulled me in closer to him. I didn't mind public displays of affection, but no one was around to notice at the moment anyways. He leaned down as if to kiss me, yet I had other plans in mind. I playfully kissed and nipped at his neck before reaching on my tip toes in order to seductively suck his earlobe into my mouth. I heard a sharp intake of air from beside me, it was my darling Dimitri.

"What might those be?" He pleaded. I could feel his body burning, yearning for me. He held me closer, plastering his body on mine. I continued sucking on the lobe of his ear, which was having quite the effect on him.

"For now-" I started in a completely sensuous voice. It would have been my phone sex hotline voice if I had ever been in such a business. "You could step out of my way." I continued, my voice back to normal as I slipped out of his arms, pretending none of this had every happened. It took him a moment to realize what was happening, and by that time I had made it back to my barrel. He looked at me, exasperated. He managed to compose himself, turned 180 degrees on his heel and disappeared into our tent. I couldn't help but smile at the man who had single-handedly stolen my heart. I had certainly grown fond of teasing the poor man.

I picked up the handle to my barrel and wheeled it inside of the tent. I immediately stopped and closed the tent opening, not wanting any flying insects to enter our dwelling. Sure, I had killed countless Strigoi. They were fierce, bloodthirsty, murderous fiends. I wasn't exactly scared of them, yet insects in my personal sanctuary really weirded me out. I was dead set on avoiding such a fate if I could.

~~Beginning of Lemony Goodness~~

That's when I felt Dimitri embrace me from behind. I realized, too late, that it wasn't actually an embrace. He had grabbed me and thrown me into the air. Landing on the air mattress, I was glad that Dimitri was good at hitting his target. I didn't really want to get thrown against the ground, or even the metal bedframe. Seconds later, Dimitri was physically on top of me, pushing me deeper into the silken sheets covering the air mattress. His hands were on my wrists, his legs pinning mine beneath him. I bucked my hips up, attempting to move him to no avail. The most I had managed to accomplish was grinding my crotch against him. Laying on this virtual cloud didn't give me much thrusting power either. I finally looked up at him. His eyes were dark twin pools of lust. His hair hung in a curtain around his face. His aftershave washed over me like a wave, my body instinctively reacting to it.

"Think you can just tease me all the time with no repercussions?" He growled. It was a sexy, animalistic sound that caused my body to burn for him.

"You know you love it." I managed to pant. His physical location in relation to mine was driving me crazy. I had also learned that being tossed in the air unexpectedly by your lover could be strangely erotic. Of course, being pinned down to our shared bed only added as an additional aphrodisiac.

"I'm not the only one." He growled again. He pushed his erection, which was concealed unsuccessfully beneath his pants, hard against the apex of my womanhood. I couldn't help but moan in response. His turgid hard-on had brushed against my clit, teasing me and causing me to remember how amazing it would feel should he continue. Suddenly, it had felt like forever since I had been with my Russian Adonis that way. Although in reality, it had only been days, my body burned for him as if it had been months since the last time I had felt him complete me.

His lips crashed against mine, his passionate kiss washing over me in waves. I felt like I was being pulled under by a riptide, the heat from his passion warming my whole body. I wrapped my fingers in his hair as his mouth moved from my lips, trailing down my neck. His hair felt like silk betwixt my fingers. He had long since moved his hands to my body, freeing my own to grope him. His hands fervently caressed my figure. His body was tense, portraying an eager atmosphere. His fingers fumbled with the button and zipper on my jeans. His mind and needs were working faster than his fingers could follow. He was full of a tangible rampaging passion that plowed right through me. It seized me and overtook my own emotions. I was but a moth to a flame, drawn into him as if he were my only hope for survival.

Our passions were mixing, and I felt as if we could light our tent aflame if we hadn't already. There was a sudden urgency gripping the air. It was provocative by nature, causing my nipples to harden in almost a painful way. It was painfully sweet. I had no idea why our lust suddenly felt so vital, but it felt amazingly sweet to be so carnally desired and needed.

His lips were luscious and supple. His hands had snaked their way under my shirt as he pulled down my bra to access the treasure they hid. He growled as he felt my erect buds atop my bountiful breasts. His mouth was nipping at my neck lightly, feeling good without leaving visible marks. I could feel his desire hardening through his pants, just feeling it was making me heady.

With an unspoken cue, it seemed to be a competition who could shed their clothes the fastest. Although I was at a disadvantage, being pushed hard against the bed, I managed to keep up with Russian sex idol on top of me. Seriously, his body deserved to be worshiped.

Now that clothes were no longer an obstruction, I could feel his turgid erection against my thigh. The direct contact made a shiver of excitement radiate throughout my body. Our lips found each other once again as if magnetized. His tongue, soft against my lips, begged for entrance into my mouth. I didn't even hesitate to acquiesce. The kiss was deep, feeling as if we were exploring each others soul. I couldn't deny it, Dimitri could touch me in ways that no other man could.

His right hand slowly caressed its' way down my body, leaving me trembling in its' wake. His touch was feathery light and delicate, almost tickling. My nerve endings were alight with desire, making my body that much more sensitive. His fingers finally reached my core, gently caressing the outer lips. He was teasing me, but I couldn't protest too much with his tongue inhabiting my mouth.

Slowly, he slipped a finger inside of me. I couldn't help but break the kiss and moan softly. He murmured something in Russian as he looked down at me, his eyes dark orbs of desire. He used his finger to explore my most intimate parts, gazing at me lustily as he watched my responses. He growled primally when he saw my reaction to him sliding a second finger into my slippery folds. When his thumb brushed against my clit, I couldn't help but latch on to my Russian. My body was squirming under his ministrations. I couldn't help but gently kiss and nip at the sensitive spot between his neck and shoulder. I heard him moan, causing me to continue. There was no way I could sit back and do nothing as my Russian Adonis pleasured me.

I placed my hand on his taut pectorals, slowly tracing my fingers towards. My fingers danced across those firm abs. They slipped across his well-defined V and slowly wrapped around his engorged manhood. He groaned as he forced himself to remain still. I swear, the noises he makes are the sexiest sounds in the world. I slowly moved my hand up and down his erection, teasing him as he was teasing me. Of course, I may not have been playing fair when I bit back down on that sensitive spot on his neck. His hips bucked forward as he moaned rather loudly. Score 1 for Rose Hathaway.

"Roza." He murmured, his accent thick and full of the passion coursing through his body. I continued kissing the same spot on his neck, sucking it gently, teasingly.

"Roza." He moaned again. I could feel his resolve crashing down around him. He wouldn't be able to keep himself away from me much longer. My body flushed with excitement and I sucked at his neck hungrily. He was definitely going to have a mark there later.

"Do you want me, Milaya?" He huskily whispered. I knew every single one of my non-verbal communications cues were screaming the answer, but I realized that he needed to hear me say it.

"I need you, Comrade." I panted, verbalizing my desire inarticulately. He closed his eyes, and I could feel his muscles clenching as he heard my words. There was a certain tension in the room we had both been enveloped it. That power increased ten-fold upon the recognition in those words.

I could tell he couldn't hold himself back any longer, not that I wanted him to. He had always mastered his control better than I could. He adeptly lowered himself between my open legs, lining his manhood up with my core. Unable to control himself a moment longer, he fully entered me in one swift motion.

I cried out in pleasure as I was suddenly full of him, my apex stretched by his large member. He had buried himself in me fully. It felt blissful and like the most natural thing in the entire world. There was literally nothing between us anymore, not even air. We were one like we were always meant to be.

He suddenly pulled all the way back out of me. I almost gasped at the emptiness suddenly consuming me. No. I needed him in me again. I needed to be full of him. I needed to be one with my Russian God again. Without me having to voice my woes, he thrust himself back in me again in one swift motion. The blissful feeling returned as I moaned out my appreciation. He voiced a similar appreciative moan. Hearing him, my eyes fluttered back up to him. Our eyes connected making what felt like an unbreakable connection. I couldn't look away. It's almost as if I fell into those blackened twin pools of lust. His eyes captured mine. As always, those eyes were able to communicate so much to me. Our mouths were unable to do anything but moan and scream out the pleasure our bodies were feeling as he continued to thrust his manhood into my awaiting soaked core. Our eyes were able to say everything else to each other. It was a bond so intimate and intense, it was virtually unimaginable.

My arms and legs were wrapped tightly around him long before I realized it actually happened. I was running on pure instinct. His turgid member was thrusting into me with abandon, hitting a button over and over again that shut down almost all conscious thoughts. I could only feel. Well, see and feel him. I clung to him, one hand wrapped in his hair as my body was lost to the physical pleasures he was causing me to experience, my mind lost somewhere deep inside his dark brown eyes. Some part of me knew my mouth was moaning and possibly saying things that I didn't even register me saying. It came out naturally, instinctually.

Our lips were mere inches apart as his eyes bore into mine. His manhood was hammering into my body over and over with increasing speed and force. I felt my entire body tensing. Part of me recognized that I was getting closer to the grand finale. I was also moaning louder than before. My mind barely recognized the words that came out of Dimitri's mouth.

"That's it, Roza, give it to me." He panted, his accent so thick his English was barely recognizable. I couldn't help but clench around him at how turned on that made me. Fuck, he was going to push me over the edge. He groaned in pleasure, thrusting harder. A string of words left his mouth that I could only hope was Russian since I was unable to recognize them. I really hoped my mind wasn't that far gone to not be able to recognize my own language, not that it was really something I could concern myself with at the moment. Somewhere amidst him thrusting inside of me, I could feel his member throbbing, begging for release. Somehow during this overload of pleasure, I was able to recognize that he was holding himself back. He wouldn't climax without me. Honestly, I was surprised my body hadn't exploded yet. My whole body was a bundle of nerves, all of which were set on fire.

My nails dug into his back and Dimitri hissed in pleasure. I could hear him murmuring to me with that deep melodious voice of his, even deeper due to the desire running rampant throughout him. My own pleasure haze clouded my mind further. All I could focus on was his thick, rigid erection jackhammering inside of me and those eyes that held me captivated. He stopped for only a moment to throw my legs over his shoulders before continuing his carnal assault on my throbbing core. He hit what felt like a whole new area. Within a few thrusts, I was screaming, my body tensing. I felt like a rubber band being stretched beyond what its elasticity could handle. I knew any moment I would pop.

I tried to warn Dimitri of my impending orgasm, but my mind couldn't seem to control what my mouth was saying. I had no idea what actually came out of my mouth, except that I sounded desperate. Dimitri's eyes bore into me like he was feeding off my soul. Never had it felt this intimate. My whole being was on display for him. There was nothing I could hide from the soul that matched my own.

All of a sudden, my body exploded in pleasure. My eyes rolled back into my head as stars danced in my vision. My body tensed and then shook violently as I rolled out my high. Somewhere amidst my own pleasurable epiphany, I realized that my volcanic orgasm triggered a rather intense reaction from Dimitri as well. I could feel his rigid body pulsating as he flooded my most sacred of areas with his own celebratory fluids. I could hear him vocalizing his euphoria in his mother tongue, heaven to my ears. We rode out our intense passions together before our lips found each other again. We were each panting heavily, kissing each other in a way that expressed our awed emotions. He gently let my legs slide down his shoulders until my legs were once again wrapped around his waist.

~~Conclusion of Lemony Goodness~~

We remained intertwined for a while as we expressed our emotions through our eyes and tender kisses. Sometimes words can't do justice to a situation. This was one of those times. I couldn't even begin to comprehend how to turn these volatile emotions into word form. A wealth of sensations was bubbling from me, most of which were idyllic. We kissed for a bit longer before the silence was finally broken.

"I swear, you're a goddess, Rose. Maybe you're a descendant of Venus. No, you're a reincarnation of Aphrodite herself. You're the guardian angel of my soul." He babbled in a husky voice, unable to fully express himself. I couldn't help but chuckle in response. This was the Dimitri that only I got to see. His walls were fully down; he was vulnerable only to me.

"Yeah, well, this goddess, angel or whatever has a date with the mere mortal of Angeline." I reminded, playing off his comments in true Rose Hathaway form. He chuckled as well, a tone that rumbled in his chest. It was one of my favorite sounds.

"You could always blow her off." He teased, running his fingertips down my arm. It caused me to shudder in delight. The control this man had over my body was uncanny. If Dhampirs had the ability to control magic, I would have sworn that he was using some sort of voodoo on me.

"Yeah, but I basically gave her permission to come hunt me down in our tent if I didn't show." I countered. "Plus, there's no way Rose Hathaway could even chance appearing cowardice. That's not the reputation I want among these people." I finished. Dimitri rolled his eyes at me, obviously picking up one of my bad habits.

"Well, we wouldn't want to damage your reputation, beloved." He said, a smile gracing those gorgeous lips. He slowly disembarked himself from my own body, leaving me feeling like I had lost some intricate part of myself. I watched him for a moment as he started the hunt for his clothes. I had no idea where any of our articles of clothing ended up being flung. I finally climbed out of bed myself, only to realize there were fluids leaking down my thigh. Suddenly I was glad that I had brought water up from the stream. At least it would clean me up a little.

"Hey Comrade, find me a rag or something. Your DNA is running down my leg." I said jokingly. Dimitri flushed. I was elated to bring about this response from him. Embarrassing Dimitri was one of my favorite pastimes; it never got old. I properly stowed the barrel of water before opening it up, while Dimitri found me a rag to clean myself up with. After wetting the small towel, I hiked one of my legs up on the bed as I started to clean up the mess that was leaking out of me.

"Damn, Dimitri. How much did you cum? More importantly, where were you storing this gallon of jizz?" I asked, purposefully using words I knew would embarrass him further. He flushed further, much to might delight. He found his own towel to wash himself up with, coming close to me in order to wet it. He strayed towards me first, though.

"I don't know how such a dirty mouth can do such wonderful things." He murmured before kissing me softly. As tender as it was, he still stole my breath away. Damn this man and his unnatural charm. He then soaked his own small towel before cleaning our combined fluids off of his manhood.

As I continued to wipe away the semen that continued leaking out of my apex and down my legs, I couldn't help but be grateful for our Dhampir genes. Even though not using condoms made a mess, we didn't have to worry about birth control. It meant no pills for me to attempt to remember to take on a daily basis and we didn't have a film of plastic separating us between our most intimate moments.

After cleaning myself up, I knew I had to find my clothes. I had to be properly dressed for my fight with Angeline later. That meant work out clothes, which I always rocked, and putting my hair up. Not only would this allow for everyone to see my molnija marks, but it also gives Angeline less of a chance to grab it during our fight. Yes. I definitely needed to wear it in a bun. I wasn't going to give her any advantage. I fully planned on not holding back with her this time. I needed to prove myself a warrior in front of the keepers. A goal I was more than ready to accomplish.

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