Hope is a Four Letter Word - Complete

Chapter Sixteen

"I know it's weird, for both of us. I don't need guarding here on campus, so I don't care how you organize that. I'll probably want to go off-campus for a few weekends, so for the sake of appearances, you should come with me then. We both know this is so you can support Rose, so arrange things however you need to do that. Do you have any ideas?"

Dimitri nodded. He understood Adrian was trying to make it easy for him, but it went against his nature to take advantage or shirk his responsibilities.

"I do. I thought if I moved training a little earlier, Rose and I would be done in time for me to spin past here for breakfast. We could breakfast together, here or in the cafeteria, and then I could accompany you to the feeders and on to be the guardian for your morning session with the Princess? Then I could take you and her to see the feeders and lunch at the cafeteria. If you didn't need me after that, I thought I could do general duties guarding classes but finish in time to be free for Rose's counseling in the afternoon and then her afternoon training session. I could then return, and I'd be back on board for dinner to guard you after that, or if you don't need me, I'll work an evening shift."

"Have you thought where you'd like to stay?" Adrian asked.

"It's up to you. I don't mind, but it might be more convenient if I stay here?"

"I'd appreciate the company," Adrian said. It was clear he meant it. "And of course it means you can have Rose visit."

Dimitri stopped, trying to put his thoughts into words.

"That's not why I'm suggesting it. I'd love to be with Rose all the time, but when I'm working, my charge is my responsibility. We both appreciate last night - after what happened, we needed that time together. But I'm not suggesting it become a regular thing."

Adrian shrugged, taking a deep swig of his bourbon on the rocks, not meeting Dimitri's eye. It was 1 am, just after lunch their time, and he was starting the afternoon with a few shots of liquor. Spirits for spirit, he'd joked – referring to the magic he'd expended practicing this morning. Now Lissa was severely limiting her use of spirit, more was falling to him in their sessions.

"She's your girl. I get it if you want her to stay over."

"Of course I do, but for now, we need to get through her last months at school. She's going through a lot; I just need to be around to support her."

"Understood. But if supporting her sometimes means being with her, it's ok for her to visit. Stay over if that's what she needs. I'll get you a key, and one for Rose, too."

Dimitri nodded in appreciation.

"So you mentioned going away for a weekend. Any plans I should know about?"

"I thought I might go to Court. You know – spend a weekend with the ladies!"

It was sad the way he said it; clearly mocking himself.

"Where do you stay at Court?" Dimitri asked curiously.

"With dear Mama and Papa," Adrian joked. "I'd hate to deprive them of my sparkling company."

"You're not close?"

"My mother is a self-absorbed social climber who has the unfortunate habit of loving me despite the embarrassment I continually bring to the family. My father is a wealthy boorish ass who thinks being royal, and nephew to our Queen makes him better than everyone else. "

"What about your extended family?" Dimitri fished, watching Adrian carefully to see if there was any flicker of recognition.

"Well my mother was a Tarus, so there are a few cousins there, but she 'married up' so she doesn't associate with them that much. We see a bit of Prince Rufus and Aunt Tatiana, of course. My father has a brother, Randall, but I've not seen him since I was a teenager."