WHEN LOVE BECKONS

Forgiven

Dimitri's POV

Whatever happened, I got something really clear. Rose had trusted me with a job, and I had to do it.

It was really by chance, a matter of great relief that she was giving me one more chance to correct my mistakes. I would surely utilize that chance to make a place in her heart again.

I made up my mind on ways to confront Tasha.

"Umm... Dimitri," I was startled by her call, "Use your contacts and make sure she doesn't escape from Tarasov again."

"I won't let her shadow fall on our life, ever again," I promised, "Hans Auf Hertz."

I made a gallant gesture with my hand on my heart.

"Awwww, since when did you learn German," her eyebrows danced, "I like it."

"Thanks..." I began to say but was cut off by her.

"Glad to know that you still believe in us."

"Roza, I'd never give up on us. The whole world can turn upside down, but you will be forever in my heart. Even if you hate me. Even if you choose to ignore me. If you chose Adrian that day, I would have waited forever in the wings for you. I remember that day much too well. You are my savior."

"Dimitri," she choked, "I... I'm sorry. It's just that I was in for a rude shock when you threw yourself in the line of fire for Tasha. But when I left you and reflected on the happenings, I realised that I truly didn't want her blood on my hands. You saved me Dimitri. You stopped me from becoming a senseless killer yet again. Victor Dashkov still haunts me."

I didn't find words to comfort her, so I just reached up to her and pulled her in a hug.

Surprisingly she didn't resist. She  put her head on my heart and was hearing the sounds of it beating.

I could feel her warm tears drenching my dress. I lifted her face, holding her chin. Her eyes were wet. And it made my heart wrench to know, she still suffered from that one murder she had committed under the effect of spirit madness.

I used the palm of my hand to gently wipe away her tears as fresh ones replaced them.

She hugged me tighter, crying wordlessly.

My eyes were stinging. I felt tears springing up in mine too as all the memories, good and bad, rushed to my mind in one huge gush. The day we met, how I had trained her, my evil undead life, our adventures on the road, every single emotion pouring.

Every kiss, every touch, ever smile, every tear...

I looked at her to see her staring wide eyed at me.

"What? Men have right to cry too?"

"Nothing, just that your eyes look too girlish while they're wet. What with all your big eyelashes!"

Her comments brought a smile to my face, " The Rosemarie Hathaway quips are what I wait for everyday."

"Hey, don't call me Rosemarie," she chided.

"Oh sorry," I winked at her and in a moment all the tears had turned to smiles.

"So, where's my ring? Give it back to me Belikov," she elbowed my ribs.

I froze unable to believe my ears.

My expression made her laugh even more, "I had asked for the ring, not for your duster,which I know you'll never leave."

I grinned like a fool, taking out the jewel.

She snatched it out of  my hand and ran away with it, leaving me staring.

Her laugh echoed throughout the hallway. It felt like a free lark, signifying the arrival of spring in my life again, after a brief spell of winter.

Finally breaking my reverie, I marched to the prison cell. Seems like I had a particularly difficult task at hand.

A/N This is a light chapter. Everything is all right between them as it seems. Please let me know what you think of upcoming plot! What's going to happen? How will Dimitri get answers out of Tasha?

Pipigrin teamhathaway Dodsley TwilightGirl32