Next Generation Dhampirs

Slight Anger Issues

I thought about it for a second, my heart racing in my chest. What would happen if I said yes? On the contrary, what would happen if I said no? He looked up at me expectantly, and finally I conceded.

"Yes," I said with a smile, "Yes, James, I'll marry you!"

He stood up and wrapped his arms around me, spinning me around. Rose clapped in the background, and when he set me down, James planted a firm kiss on my cheek.

"I love you," he whispered, his arms still around my waist.

"I know," I answered smugly.

I couldn't read Dimitri's expression, but he pulled me into a hug and kissed the top of my head. "Congratulations, sweetheart," he muttered.

"Is everything alright?" I asked him, suddenly worried.

"It can wait," he said.

"No," Rose countered, "If there's a problem, you can say it."

"I don't think this is a good idea," he said after a moment's hesitation.

"Why not?" I asked. This had nothing to do with James, that much I could tell. It was deeper than that.

"Because now you're officially unavailable, which means that they will try harder and harder to get to you, and I don't want you getting hurt. Especially knowing how moroi men treat dhampir women. And I won't always be there to protect you."

"But I will," James said, standing up taller, "We all will. I'll do whatever it takes, and I know you two will too, to keep her safe. Guardian Belikov," he said, lowering his voice, "I promise I will never let any harm come to your daughter as long as I live."

"You say that now," Dimitri said, sounding almost angry, "But there will come a day when none of us can protect her. Not by choice, but by circumstance."

He sounded so sure. "I won't let that happen," James replied stubbornly.

Dimitri sighed, but dropped the matter, and I couldn't help but wonder if he was right. I couldn't expect James, Dimitri, or Rose to be by my side 24/7, and as soon as I was alone, some moroi who was desperate enough would try something. I started to reconsider, but talked myself out of it. I was doing the right thing. Right?

I didn't have much time to ponder it. Soon after that conversation, Rose pulled a small box out of her jacket pocket and handed it to me.

"Happy Birthday, sweetie," she said softly.

I opened it to find a silver stake with the word "Belikov" etched in fancy letters down one side of the hilt.

"I love it," I said smiling, not taking my eyes off the box, "Thank you."

Dimitri handed me a box that was slightly bigger. Inside was a velvet jacket, just like the leather duster he always wore. "I thought it might remind you of us, or at least, me," he explained.

"Thanks dad," I said, pulling him and Rose into a hug.

James gave me a swift kiss, then handed me another small box with the promise of getting me a ring as soon as he could. Inside the box was a charm bracelet. There were a bunch of charms that represented different milestones of our relationship. There was a ship for the cruise, a dress for the dance, a textbook for school, and many more.

My eyes filled with tears and I leaned over to hug him. "It's beautiful," I muttered, my voice catching in my throat.

"Here," he said, holding out his hand, "Let me put it on you."