Protection - d. belikov

Chapter 1

"Do I really have to go to this party?" Kat asked her mother.

"It's the queen's last birthday. What do you think?" her mother replied as she helped Kat pin her pink hair into place.

"I know that it's important mama, but I don't really belong."

"Well, Lissa and Rose will be there so you will have someone to talk to. You can leave as soon as we wish the Queen a happy birthday. So please, try to be nice."

"How nice can one be if you're wearing high heels?" Kat joked trying to lighten the situation.

"Nicer than being barefoot," Priscilla still wanted to say something but she was interrupted by her husband calling the two women. Priscilla looked at Kat through the mirror. "You look beautiful. Now let's go before your father throws a fit, or worse, your brothers." The two women laughed and made their way to the car.

"You guys took forever," Ivan complained.

"Don't get you panties in a twist. We're here aren't we?" Kat replied as she got into the car. She had always had a joking relationship with her brothers. She was the youngest of three, and her brothers treated her as such. They would joke around a lot, but still treat her like glass. They had been protective of her since she was born.

"What did you say about panties?" Lev budded in.

"Wouldn't you like to know?"

"Of course, I want to know dumbass, that's why I asked." Lev chastised his brother. Ivan hit him on the shoulder and Lev retaliated. Before a fight could begin, Priscilla spoke in an authoritive tone.

"Behave kids." They couldn't sulk for long because they pulled up to the gate of the palace. They were stopped by the Guardians and they had to give identification. They had been given clearance as they were royal Moroi. They formed part of the 12 royal families of the Dominion. Their family was also on the larger side.

Kat had been looking out the window and she got lost in the architecture. She had been to the palace more times that she could count, but it still took her breath away every time. Her parents had raised her to appreciate the small things in life. Most would stereotype the princess as a snobby royal, but she was anything but. She was down to earth and she loved to get her hands dirty. She had a soft spot for those who were not as fortunate as her. She assisted her mother with her multiple charities as she was always busy with the Moroi council. Kat's thoughts were interrupted by the door opening.

"You can geek out later, but we have party to get to."

"I am fully aware. Thank you, Ivanovich."

"Katerina," her mother warned. As they entered the party, Kat's anxiety climbed through the roof. She had never been a fan of large groups of people, especially royals. She hated how conceited they would get. Before she could dwindle into her own thoughts, she felt a hand on her arm. She looked towards the person and she was met with two smiles.

"We have been waiting for hours for you to arrive," Lissa said to Kat. Rose laughed and she gave Kat a hug.

"The party started a half an hour ago. I'm basically on time on Moroi standards."

"Yeah, but we missed you. We haven't seen you in weeks. When we last saw each other you were still blonde. When did you decide to go pink?"

"The pink happened a week ago. I decided that it was time for a change. Besides, I have to keep you on your toes. So what's going on with you guys? How was your mini vacation?"

"It was wonderful. Rose met a cute boy and they fell in love."

"Tell me everything! I want all the details."

"It was supposed to be a secret Lis. But he actually goes to St Vladimir's. He's a novice Dhampir like me." Rose said hiding a blush.

"Do I get to meet the guy?"

"Of course. Tomorrow during lunch."

"It's a date." The rest of the party flew by. Kat had wanted to leave and hour ago but Lissa forced her to stay.

"Lis, I'm going to go. I'll see you guys tomorrow." Kat said goodbye to Lissa and Rose and her parents. They were still going to enjoy the party for a few more hours. Kat had decided to walk through the gardens before she headed home. She was admiring the flowers when she bumped into someone.

"I am so sorry. I wasn't looking where I was going," Kat began to explain but her breath caught in her throat. She had made eye contact with the most beautiful man that she had ever seen. The first thing that she noticed about him was his height. He towered over her. He looked at her with striking eyes. He didn't have shocking eyes, but rather, eyes that you could get lost in. He had broad shoulders but you could see that he carried a lot of weight on them.

"Are you okay?" he asked her and she wasn't surprised that he had a very masculine voice, but yet soothing at the same time.

"Y...y...eah. I'm okay. Are you?"

"I'm okay. What are you doing out here alone?"

"I'm just taking a walk before I head home. What are you doing out here by yourself?"

"I'm doing perimeter control."

"Making sure that there's no Strigoi here to kill us? I'm sorry that was a stupid question. Obviously, that's your job."

"That is my job. Its okay to ask stupid questions. It breaks the ice in conversation."

"That is true. I never introduced myself, my name is Katerina Voda, but people call me Kat."

"My name is Dimitri Belikov. People call me Dimitri." He shook her hand.

"I've heard about you. Aren't you supposed to be the Dragomirs' new guardian?"

"Yeah, I start next week."

"I look forward to that, but I have to head home now."

"Can I walk you home?" Dimitri asked before he could stop himself. He had not had enough of her. He still wanted to talk to her, even though he had just met her.

"I shouldn't be walking home with strangers, but seeing as though you're a decorated Guardian I think I can trust you. Are you sure that it's not out of your way?"

"I can't just let you walk home by yourself. It's my duty to protect Moroi." He said half-jokingly.

"Lead the way, Cowboy."

"Cowboy?"

"It's the duster. Makes you like you just walked out of an old western novel."

"I've been called a lot of names, but never that one." Dimitri let out a laugh and Kat found that she wanted to hear it again.