Anything for Her - Complete

Chapter 25

"Lissa slept with someone else and got herself pregnant with a Dhampir baby. She had it in secret then shoved it off on Rose. Then she compelled Rose so she couldn't tell anyone, and stood by and watched as Belikov left her, then as Rose's career was ruined."

Christian and Adrian were sitting side by side on the sofa sharing a very expensive bottle of cognac and watching the sun come up over the London skyline. Originally Adrian had suggested they go to Paris, but the idea was quickly nixed when Christian pointed out the last time he'd been there was on his honeymoon with Lissa. Since they needed to land and refuel in London anyway, they decided to make it their first destination.

They were now installed in the Royal apartment in Mayfair, drinking and watching the sunrise. They'd arrived a week ago, but Christian was finally ready to spill his guts. Vitsin and Frankie were situated nearby – close enough to keep their charges in clear sight, far enough away they could pretend they weren't overhearing the reason Christian wanted out of Court and America.

"I'd heard the gossip. My mother rang me thinking maybe the child was mine! So Rose's kid isn't actually hers?" Adrian asked thoughtfully. Christian didn't seem to notice anything odd, but studying him carefully Frankie could tell this wasn't exactly a revelation to Adrian.

"No. It's Lissa's. Belikov found out when he overheard Rose and Lissa arguing about it. Lissa cheated on me, then was willing to fuck over her best friend to hide the fact. Even when I told her I knew, Lissa didn't seem to care how I felt about what she'd done. It was all about her reputation and saving face."

"That's rough, man. I'm really sorry," Adrian said, pouring them each another drink.

"You and me both," Christian replied mournfully. "I should have known. Beautiful. From a good family. Why the hell would she want me? I always thought this day would happen. I just didn't think she'd be unfaithful."

"Don't be so hard on yourself, man. You have a lot to offer a woman," Adrian said forcefully. He'd seen almost their whole romance play out, and Christian had always worshipped the ground Lissa walked on. Adrian knew there was always two sides to a story, but in this case, it was clear where most of the blame lay. "What's happened with Rose and Belikov?"

"They've left Court and the Moroi world. I rang them a few days before we left to confirm my suspicions about Lara and Lissa. Dimitri said they're traveling and have found jobs in the human world."

"He's sticking by Rose?" Adrian checked.

"Sure is. Said he loves the kid like his own and they've never been happier. Lissa read a report from the Alchemists that said as a restored Dhampir there is a chance Dimitri and Rose might be able to have a kid together. It's happened with another restored Dhampir."

"That's huge," Adrian gasped, genuinely surprised this time. Once upon a time, when he'd fooled himself he might have a shot with Rose, one of the only things he'd been able to offer her that Belikov couldn't was the opportunity to have a child of her own. And now it looked as though Belikov could give her that, too.

"Yep," Christian agreed, lying his head back on the sofa and closing his eyes. He'd been drinking for hours, so it was no surprise he'd eventually passed out. Adrian waited for a minute or two to check he was actually asleep, but it was clear Ozera was out for the count.

"Vitsin? Frankie?" Adrian called, waiting for the Guardians to come and help him drag Christian to his room. Depositing Christian in the center of a king-sized bed, Adrian closed the curtains and took off Christian's shoes and belt, long experience from his own drunken nights leading him to know these were the most uncomfortable items to wear overnight.