~Prologue~

"Even the rich are hungry for love."

-Mother Teresa-

Rose's POV

"I loved you!" he yelled. He jumped up out of his chair so quickly I never saw it coming."I loved you, and you destroyed me. You took my heart and ripped it up. You might as well have staked me!"

His voice filled the room. So much grief, so much anger. So unlike the usual Adrian. He strode toward me, hand clasped over his chest. "I. Loved. You. And you used me the whole time."

I woke from my dream, startled and gasping for air.

It was so startingly vivid. I sat up, the sheets tangled beneath me and I clutched my chest.

"Roza? Are you alright?" Dimitri asked, just waking up, but fully alert as he always was.

"Just a bad dream," I said, feeling tears slipping from my eyes. It was more than a bad dream. It was my reality. It was what had taken place almost a month ago. What added a bitter edge to my new relationship as I realized how much I had hurt Adrian.

"You can tell me what happened," Dimitri encouraged, sitting up as well, wrapping his arms around me.

I melted into that embrace. I loved him so much and was glad he was there to comfort me.

"I had a nightmare about Adrian," I admitted. "About the last words he said to me."

"It's okay, Roza," Dimitri said as he rubbed my arm soothingly. "It's over now."

Was it? Because while I would never forget that conversation as long as I lived, I'd think I could move forward with my new life. But Adrian still seemed to haunt me.

"No," he had said. "I don't want you to suffer. Much. But the next time you're in bed with Belikov, stop a moment and remember that not everyone made out as well as you did."

And he had been right. Many had been affected by my actions after breaking out of prison. Especially Adrian. Who I had come to realize had cherished me greatly and lost me.

But Dimitri was the one I was in love with. The one I had spent so much time fighting for. Who had turned me away time and time again but I didn't give up. You can't give up on the one you love and it had paid off in the end. He was finally mine. But at a very high price.

If I could have done it without hurting anyone, then I would. I wanted Adrian to know that, but I haven't seen him since the night he walked away. And honestly, I wasn't sure if I wanted to.

I beared a lot of guilt about our relationship but I was trying to forget. I needed to. In order to be happy. Dimitri had told me that I couldn't fix everyone's problems. And I had decided he was right. It was time for me to live my life with him and fix my own problems, on my own without any interference and let others do the same.

I was only supposed to protect Lissa. I was nineteen now and if any of my crazy misadventures had taught me anything; it was that life was so precious. How you chose to live it was up to you, and I had to make the best of it because it could be gone before I knew it.

"I love you so much," I whispered to Dimitri.

"And I love you more," he replied, his voice intense.

"Show me then, show me how much you love me," I told him, kissing him urgently.

"I'm the luckiest person in the world right now," I said as Dimitri approached our bed.

"I bring gifts," he smiled.

"Much appreciated," I said as I opened the bag and set the styrofoam cup on the night table.

Chocolate glazed donuts and coffee.

"How'd you know I craved donuts after sex?" I teased.

"You crave donuts after everything. I'm amazed you haven't turned into one," Dimitri teased back.

"Thank you," I said and leaned up so I could kiss him.

Today was Saturday and one of rare day offs, but I was still going to visit Lissa so we could hang out. It was kind of hard to play Guardian all day around her, even when she was just relaxing in her room.

I had to be alert and I couldn't risk slipping for even a few seconds. Plus, Lissa was Queen now. She had even less free time than ever before so even when I wasn't gurading her, she was busy and I was left bored. Dimitri would take over my shift afterwards so I couldn't even rely on having him to myself. It was best if at least one out of the two of us were guarding her.

I hung out with Christian, Mia and Jill sometimes but most times I spent my free time alone, reminiscing on my chaotic life before.

"Didn't know you had it in you," Dimitri commented.

"Had what?"

"Manners," he grinned and I slapped him playfully.

"Like your one to talk! How many times have I woke up to find you practically attacking me?" I asked.

"I can't resist, Rose. You're so beautiful I can't get enough!" he said dramatically and started tickling me.

"Stop!" I protested as my donut flew out of my hand and landed on the floor. "My donut!"

"I'll get you a million donuts if you want," he promised.

"Forget donuts. I want you."

I was getting dressed when my phone started to ring.

"Rose Hathaway," I answered.

"Rose! You have caller ID! Why do you always insist on answering the phone as if you're expecting a business call?" Lissa asked.

"Because I don't know who may get a hold of your phone. I have to sound professional," I argued.

Lissa laughed. "I doubt the first thing someone who'd stole my phone would do, would be to call you and see how professional you sounded."

"Hey, stranger things have happened."

"Isn't that the truth," she said. "I was just calling to let you know there's a slight change of plans today. You need to bring Dimitri along. But don't worry, I'm not taking away your day off. I have a special assignment for you guys."

"Assignment?" I asked, incredulously. Guardians usually just did their namesakes: 'Guard', aside from the occasional paperwork and desk jobs. Assignments were rare. Alchemists or Moroi were usually enlisted to take care of matters because Guardians were always needed to protect.

At the thought of Alchemists, I remembered Sydney Sage. I hadn't seen or heard from her since we got separated but I hoped she was okay. Lissa may be Queen but there were some things even she couldn't overpower. Alchemists didn't allow Moroi to meddle in their own internal affairs and had their own laws and punishments regarding their people.

"Yes, but I'll tell you when you guys get here," she said.

"Alright, I'll see you later," I conceded before hanging up.

"Dimitri! Get dressed, Lissa needs you as well. We have an assignment it seems."

Please review!

You guys will hopefully be pretty surprised at the assignment that Lissa gave them! I missed writing VA fanfics and decided I should do one to occupy my holiday and I have definitely put a lot of thought into this one so I hope you guys like it.