Shadow Rider (Vampire Academy Fanfic)

Chapter 52 - Rose

I woke up in Dimitri's arms. In his embrace I felt warm and ready to take on whatever challenge the day had to offer. Dimitri was still asleep, so I left him undisturbed while I reveled in the feel of him next to me, in the softness of the bed, and that feeling of tender safety that blooms when cuddling with the one you love.

When it was time for us to wake, I began to stroke his hair slowly, feeling the silky strands slip through my fingers as I slowly roused him from sleep. It only took a second for him to stir. He blinked his eyes open and fixed them on me.

A hundred silent messages passed between us, not needing to be spoken. We'd spent the night together, getting our fill of each other, preparing for what lay ahead. Now the time had come.

The day was spent in preparations and quiet contemplation. The Court was unusually silent; people seemed especially tender and considerate, cherishing their time together.

I was relieved to see Thanatia and Ash join us after breakfast. Natia was strikingly clad today, her tight leather outfit adorned with loads of gleaming silver. She had darkened her eyes and painted sharp lines with coal, making her appear exotic and warrior-like. She took charge of her army like she'd never been gone.

'Right, guardians. You've all undergone several trials under Hathaway's and Belikov's ministration. Most of you are proficient in your new chosen weapons. Others are using their stakes. We'll all need to do our best performance of yet tonight. And tonight it is, I believe. The Strigoi will attack as soon as the sun sets. They'll not want to risk the sun rising mid-battle.'

Lissa and Casimir were addressing the crowd - dhampirs and Moroi together - at large, confirming Natia's prediction. Casimir went over the strategic element of the battle once more before Lissa took over, delivering yet another of her powerful motivational speeches. She spoke with no hesitation and no fear. We had to believe in victory to achieve victory, she said. We will prevail, she said. All of us wanted to believe her.

The preparations continued on. The strongest of us busied themselves with strengthening the Court walls, others were gathering medical supplies and weapons, and any other devices necessary to immobilise the bulk of the Strigoi strength.

Natia was sparring casually with Ash as I approached, warming up her body. She looked fierce and confident, like she was ready to take on anything and everything the world had to offer. People were looking at her, seeking vigour, seeing as her bond-mate remained stiff and mute, lifting logs as if it were his full-time job of fifty years back.

Natia and Ash were so lost in each other that they barely noticed me when I stilled beside them, eyeing their movements with definite admiration. Under Natia's mentorship, Ash's wild, exuberant fighting style had calmed and grown more polished into a more precise, calculated force. There was something new about the way they looked at each other, and I wondered...oh. I was so not going there.

I cleared my throat, greeting them both. 'Natia, could I speak with you privately for a moment?'

Ash sauntered off to join some of his buddies, and Natia and I lightly discussed our roles in the battle ahead. In reality I was testing the waters, trying to drop some hints in regards to Casimir's condition. But it turned out to be unnecessary.

'You'll excuse me,' Natia said, looking over my shoulder. 'I think I'll go check on Casimir.'

I nodded, refraining from mentioning that this had been my purpose in talking to her in the first place. So she walked on, heading toward the dejected figure standing several feet away from all other gathered groups.