Soul Bound

Chapter 25

RPOV

The field test. One of the most important tests of a novice's life. For three weeks we were to act as actual guardians and follow our assigned Moroi everywhere. And at random times we would be attacked by the guardians posing as Strigoi. How well you defended your Moroi made up a large part of your grade.

I was petrified. Not because I didn't want to spend 24/7 with Lissa for three weeks. That part was fun. And although having to stay away from Dimitri for three weeks was hard work I could get through that. I was allowed showers, wasn't I?

And although I had sparred with Dimitri and in class a million times, this was different. This wasn't sparring. This was mock fighting and I was afraid I would have to rely on the darkness to win like I always did. But here I couldn't. These weren't Strigoi that I could simply rip apart. These were teachers. But could I do it without the darkness? I knew I wasn't bad, Dimitri had trained me well, but was I ready for this? I relied on the darkness to keep me alive in Strigoi fights. But this was less about survival and more about skill. And there was no way I was letting out any of the darkness, no matter how badly the teachers would beat me. I couldn't. So in one word, I was petrified.

Dimitri and I had one last training session before all novices were to go to the main hall and get their assignments.

"You seem distracted Rose."

I sighed and let myself fall down on a mat. I lay down and had my arm over my face. I could feel the mat beside me dip a little. I looked to the side and saw Dimitri lying next to me.

"I am just worried. The field test is intense. I just don't want to hurt anyone." The last part came out a whisper.

He pulled me closer to him and I let myself breath in his scent. We had been training so he was sweating and he smelled good. That is such a weird thing. I read about it in my animal behavior class. Sweat contains pheromones. And the pheromones tell us if someone is a suitable mate. If he is, then his sweat will smell nice. It had something to do with immune systems. Apparently, you are attracted to a mate who has a different immune system than you, so your offspring has biodiversity in its immune system and can combat diseases better. It is funny how much we are still influenced by the animal part of our brain. Not that it should matter for us. I mean Dhampirs can't have children together. But I, like no other understand the animal part of the brain. When the darkness takes over everything becomes black and white. Fight or flight, Prey or predator.

"You won't hurt anybody Rose, well not more than you are intended to do. I know you, you can control this. And I have trained you, you are one of the best novices out there."

I smiled at him. He always believed in me.

"Don't worry, I'll be close if something does happen, but I don't think it will."

I felt better knowing he was looking out for me. Well, actually for everybody else, but those are minor details.

I was suddenly aware that this would be the last private moment we would have in the next three weeks. We were always very good to not let our personal relationship affect training. Well, Dimitri was very good at that. But today I was going to make him make an exception.

I climbed a little further on top of him and placed a soft kiss on his lips. My hand on his chest. I could feel his breathing increase. He pulled me completely on top of him and kissed me back hungrily. He also knew the implications of the three weeks field test.

He moved his hands under my shirt and I put my hands in his hair. Pulling out the string at the nape of his neck. I stopped. After the debacle with Alberta, we knew better than to expose ourselves where everyone could come in. I looked around frantically to search for a place with some more privacy and my eyes landed on the large door at the back.