A Rose For A Rose

Chapter 12

I sighed and rubbed my fingers over my brow. The room I was in was pleasant and comfortable, but I couldn't sleep. My brain was running over a hundred different things and I couldn't stop it. I pulled the sheets back and picked up my robe. I slipped my arms into the sleeves as I left the room, closing the door quietly behind me.

Maybe finding a book to bore me to sleep would help?

I ran my fingers over the wall as I walked, looking at the delicate carvings in the walls and ceiling. The manor was simply stunning and I could appreciate it. Each manor I had been to was different, but the manor felt warm despite what had gone on here.

I found the door I was looking for and opened it, not paying attention as I did.

"Late night wandering?"

My head snapped up and I gaped, chewing on my lip. "Dimitri?"

Dimitri leaned back in the chair behind the desk, a small smile crossing his face. "You found my hiding place."

"You're hiding place?" I asked as I looked around. It wasn't until then I noticed I had not walked into the library, but instead a study.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bother. I thought this was the library."

Dimitri shook his head and beckoned me forwards. I shut the door and padded over the floor, a smile making its way to my face too. Dimitri came around the desk and met me halfway, his hands coming to my cheeks right away. I leaned into his touch, my hands coming up to his wrists.

"Trouble sleeping? Is your room not comforting?"

"Too much on my mind," I said with my eyes closed, "The room is lovely."

Dimitri kissed my forehead tenderly and took my hand, leading me around the desk. He sat in his chair and then pulled me down too, perching me across his lap.

"What is troubling you?" he asked softly.

I shrugged and rested my head on his shoulder. "Natasha said something to me this evening that I can't get out of my head."

Dimitri rested his hand on my hip and wrapped his other arm around my shoulder. "What was that?"

I tipped my head up to look at him. "She seems to think that you're going to ask for her hand."

Dimitri chuckled deep in his throat. "Why is that?"

"She said that your mother had spoken about you asking for your family ring," I said quietly, "And with how things have been between us, and Andre's threat..."

"Oh Roza," Dimitri soothed, "That's just gossip. I think Natasha was trying to rile you up. You know that you are the only one for me."

I looked up at him with pleading eyes. "You promise it's just gossip?"

Dimitri brushed his lips over my forehead. "I promise. You are the only one I love, Roza."

I smiled to myself and tucked my face into the crook of his neck. "I love you."

I lifted my head and smiled up at him. "You looked very dashing at dinner tonight," I said softly.

Dimitri smirked at me and tipped his head down and brushed his lips against mine. "Thank you. You looked stunning, as you always do."

I hummed and pressed my lips firmer against him, cupping his cheek just so I could touch him. I rubbed the tip of my nose against his and stood up, looking around the study. The wood panel walls and polished wood gleamed against the light of the fire. I tapped my finger against the glass bottles as I wandered the room, looking at all the things that made the study what it was.