Reality Bites - Wattys 2018 Shortlist

Chapter 20 - Not a Princess Yet a Palace

"Hmm, I don't think you've ever looked more beautiful than right now," Dimitri teased, taking the cup of coffee from me, and swiping a pastry from the plate I'd brought down for him, munching happily.

"Busy morning?" I asked, looking around the packed gym, filled with Guardians in their workout gear exercising and sparring.

"You could say that," he joked. "I think every Guardian not rostered on duty was down here this morning to try their luck."

"How many did you spar with?"

"I drew the line at the tenth."

"You must be exhausted!" Lowering my voice and looking up at him through my lashes I added, "We were up rather late last night..."

"Well, I need to keep fit to keep my lady happy, don't I?" Dimitri teased.

"Hmm, you wait until these ribs are healed, I'll give you a run for your money!"

"You do every day, Roza," he said with feeling, wrapping an arm around me and leaning over to kiss my hair lightly.

I was still getting used to Dimitri being so publicly affectionate. I absolutely loved it, but I know it was a big shift for him. Every day together I could see him opening up more. He was more playful. Funny even. But it was more than that. At the academy, he'd been all duty and responsibility. In Santa Monica, there was more. It was like he had hope.

I couldn't see how we'd be able to return to the academy after finally knowing how it felt to be together. There's just no way we could keep our love a secret. Every look we gave one another revealed our feelings. My birthday was only days away, so that would solve one problem, but as for my schooling and graduating – well that was a different problem.

Speaking of problems, Mom was due here today. Dimitri had been apprehensive about telling my father about our relationship. I, personally, was much more worried about telling my mother! Not known for being calm or rational when it came to me, I had a feeling Mom was going to go thermonuclear. Just as well I'm in a house surrounded by forty Guardians sworn to protect me, come lunchtime they might be needed!

Holding Dimitri's hand, he took me around the gym, introducing me to some of the Guardians. At first, they were all pretty formal, but after a while, they relaxed a bit. It turns out there were a few others Dimitri knew from St. Basil's. I was also pleased to note Nikita wasn't there. At 7 am the gym cleared out, Guardians heading either to bed or breakfast. Following Dimitri, I sat beside him on one of the long bench seats in the meals area. I was worried that we might end up sitting alone, but soon enough we were joined by others.

"Aren't you having breakfast with your father?" Dimitri asked me.

"Yeah but I don't want to eat like a Dhampir in front of him. You know Moroi always notice stuff like that! Besides I'm really hungry this morning," I said suggestively, my voice lowered.

"Me too," Dimitri whispered back, before giving me a quick kiss and standing up to get us breakfast. Returning with two loaded plates, we sat eating and chatting with the other Guardians. It felt just like at school, except there were no Moroi.

"What are your plans for the morning?" I asked Dimitri, hopeful that returning to bed for an hour or so might be on the agenda.

"I've got Guardians scheduled in pairs for combat training until 10.30. Then I thought you might need some moral support before your mother arrives?" he suggested. "How do you think she's going to take it?"

"I have no idea," I lied. "You never know with Mom!"

"I think I might ask Pavel to station some Guardians nearby," Dimitri said thoughtfully. "You know, just in case!"