Shadow Promised (ON HOLD)

Chapter 4: Remember to Knock

Chapter Four

The wraths of the snake were not nearly as excruciating as my moms rant. Maybe that was considering the fact that Abe ended up wandering of with Dimitri and my mother and I were left to battle each other with words. Typical guys not being able to live through the Hathaway genes.

My mother and I spent most of the day arguing about the rights and wrongs of my relationship with Dimitri. In the end I ended up winning using Rose-logic and explaining to my mother that I no longer was a child. She seemed to want to debate that topic but we never got around to it since Zmey slithered back to the car at the moment clearly distraught with a personal conflict. Dimitri later explained that Abe had overlooked that it wasn't the right season for hunting. He wouldn't offer any insight though on the discussion I was sure occurred between the two of them. Instead he smiled the whole drive home which irked me off. How could he be so cheery when he had just explained (in detail) our encounters with sex to my parents! Oh it just made me angry and for once it wasn't the evil anger that came with spirit but my own Rose-educed anger! Dimitri picked up on my anger as he escorted me back to my living quarters.

"You care to let me on why your so angry?" He finally said when I approached my bedroom door. To my complete irritableness a post-it was on the door that told me I was to move to the guardian quarters within the queen quarters later that week. Screw that. I was too annoyed at my current situation to worry about my eviction notice.

As soon as the door to my room shut I immediately blew up, " Just why in the hell did you make our whole relationship into a soap opera and recite it to my mother play by play!"

With that Dimitri seemed a bit frightened at my abrupt anger.

"Rose it's better this way."

Better! How could it be better? There was nothing better about the situation. I had too many issues on my hands at this very second. The fact that I had a kind royal Moroi refusing to see we could be nothing more then friends, the fact that in a short time span Lissa would go to college and would go with her away from Dimitri, the fact that I had no bond with Lissa, and the complete humiliation of my parents knowing my sex life! It was by far too much to handle. The fact that my gunshot wounds were aching didn't help matters either. For once I knew the devastation Lissa dealt with when I watched her and Christian do the dirty deed. It was down right wrong to share those feelings with someone else!

"I wish everyone would stop treating me like I'm a child and haven't seen the world. I've been through more life changing experiences then any other normal 18 year old has!"

At this a twinkle entered Dimitri's eyes, " I hate to break the news to you Rose but your not a normal teenager either."

That made me ever angrier. Was that the only thing he got out of that? I threw myself onto the bed and immediately regretted it when my chest began hurting. I was going to have to ask Lissa for a tiny healing favor.

I heard a shuffle of shoes and next thing I knew Dimitri was rubbing the small of my back with the hands that had once taught me how to wield a stake. His hands were the soother in this situation. He continued to message my back for a little while longer until I caved. I sat up and into his arms an I felt his warm breath on my neck as he held me close.

"I'm sorry for being a bitch." I said into his chest. I was still upset but blowing up like that wasn't worth it. It didn't change the fact that he had told my mother.

He patted my back with those smooth hands of his, " Trust me Rose. I know I've done a lot of things to make you not trust me but please do. Your mother knowing the truth is better then living with it buried deep inside."

I groaned, "Don't go all Zen Master on me, Comrade."

He chuckled and it was like music to my ears, " Wax on, wax off."

I laughed to myself. Only he would find it necessary to remark my sarcasm with comedy.

He finally released me much to my disappointment and stood up.

"We should probably check on the Vasilisa and Christian."

I snorted, " Vasilisa? Who died and made you Tatiana?"

He seemed to grimace and I had to admit I did too. Only Tatiana and few select others called Lissa by her full name.

"She is our queen, Roza. It's right to show some respect."

I rolled my eyes, " I think you and Lissa are past the first name basis when she healed you."

Again he sighed in defeat, " Okay Rose. We should check on Lissa and Christian. We've been gone most of the day and since we no longer have a bond to rely on it's time me toughen up your senses as a guardian. Not all of us rely on bonds."

"Okay since when did I lose my boyfriend and get my mentor back?" I asked snidely.

He seemed to ignore my attitude, which was pure talent on his behalf, " I'm not trying to be your mentor Rose. I'm trying to protect the woman I love."

And with that we said no more. The walk to the queen court wasn't a long one but it gave me enough time to think. I had to deal with Adrian. I couldn't have him stringing himself along like that. It would save everyone a whole lot of pain to just rip the bandage off then gradually pull at it. I also had to control this anger of mine. It had been a long time since I had naturally cause anger. Most of my anger had come from spirit but I truly felt bad for lashing out at Dimitri like I had, although he seemed perfectly content. By the time we reached Lissa's room I was completely lost in thoughts so I didn't even begin to worry when Dimitri knocked twice and there was no answer. On the third knock Dimitri released my hand and braced himself like a guardian should. I was a bit stiff and slow considering all my wounds and the idea of fighting strigoi at the moment was completely terrifying in my mind. We still received no answer. I watched as Dimitri, in the god form he was, kicked down the door. I was braced to face a whole army of bloodthirsty strigoi. What I wasn't ready for was to see Lissa and her boyfriend getting it on right there on the bed. Momentarily dazed me al stood and exchanged glances. I investigated the room. Clothes were laying on the floor near the door and there was a few candles lit in the corner. The most shocking part of it all was that Lissa and Christian were in their birthday suits getting it on. Dimitri recovered quicker then all of us and quickly straightened his posture mumbling something that sounded like an apology. I could just make out the faint hints of blush covering Lissa's cheeks in embarrassment and Dimitri hauled me out of the room. That's when I added another thing to do to my list. Teaching Lissa to leave a sock on the door. Dimitri and I glanced at each other and for the first time that day we both started laughing. It was by far the strangest moment of my life. Court life…let alone college life…was going to be interesting.