Shadow Rider (Vampire Academy Fanfic)

Chapter 70 - Rose

Nobody was surprised when Casimir and Natia got together - literally no one. It was like the whole Court had been holding its breath, waiting for the inevitable. Hell, the suspense had begun to grow unbearable.

So when I caught them kissing by the fountain - for the third time - I decided to speak up.

'Listen, lovebirds, this garden doesn't belong to you.' I forced my voice to sound accusing, but I was smiling. I couldn't help it. I was so happy for them.

Natia pulled back, grinning unashamedly, but Casimir didn't seem to hear me at all. He was still kissing his way down her cheek and neck. I found myself wanting to look away, like I'd done the first two times. I'd left them to it then, but now I wanted a confirmation. Heck, I wanted a wedding. Court life was way too boring without constant Strigoi threats, political strife, and relationship drama. I mean, even the new graduation age had been abolished. No one before the age of eighteen was required to work as a guardian. The only one that was really unhappy about it was Trey. But he would just have to deal.

'Rose,' Natia breathed, futilely trying to push Casimir away. 'Join us.'

I snorted. 'Not likely.' I shook my head at the adamant Moroi. 'Do you think you can leash your boyfriend? This is bordering on an R-rating.'

Natia laughed, pinching Casimir lightly on his shoulder.

'Ow,' he mumbled, pulling back. His lips were reddish, his cheeks were flushed, and his eyes were literally glowing. His golden hair was a tousled mess on his head. Yikes, he was beautiful enough to make a nun drool.

'Behave,' Natia warned, settling his wandering hands in her lap.

Casimir looked up at me sheepishly. 'Sorry.'

I waved away his apology. 'I'm just glad it's finally going down, though you could confine the activity to your bedroom.'

'But it's such a beautiful day,' he murmured, touching a rose. Normally it would have spurted growth at his touch, but now, it remained unchanged. I expected the event to cause some distress in Casimir, but he only smiled in a rueful way, looking back at Natia, who was regarding him fondly.

'So, is it safe to assume that the two of you are an item now?' I demanded, giving them a challenging look.

'Why, you want to stamp our foreheads?' Natia joked.

I shrugged. 'It would just make me frickin' happy, that's all.'

Natia's expression turned serious. 'I know, Rose. And yes, we are. An item, that is.' She turned more fully towards me. 'I have you to thank for that.'

I shook my head. 'Not true. You only have yourself to thank.' But our gazes locked and lingered. She didn't need to say anything more, and she knew it. I knew she was thankful...I understood. I'd been there. She inclined her head toward me, to show she got the message. But her eyes shone with gratitude, all the same. It made my chest feel tight. I knew, as sure as anything, that we'd be good friends for a long, long time. Not best friends, because that spot was Lissa's, and always would be. But Lissa was a busy Queen, and I was a socialite. Having friends, close friends...it made life a truly happy place.

And things continued in that fashion. Happily. As I waved goodbye to Natia and Cas, making my way back into Court, I knew the worst was behind us. Christian finally got a license as a magic teacher, not that he needed it, and became full-time employed at Court. Which meant that he and Dimitri would always be living here, with me and Lissa.

With most of the danger finally over, Lissa was able to appeal to the other Moroi representatives and pass a law that allowed guardians more free time. We dhampirs celebrated like it was New Year's - with fireworks and bonfires and dancing. Dimitri and I finally got our own place, a little apartment not too far from Court. Lissa helped me out with interior design, and in typical Lissa-fashion, gifted me a gorgeous, expensive vase, a Dragomir heirloom, filled with freshly gathered roses from the Court's flourishing garden. I was willing to bet Casimir lay behind its rapid growth.

Casimir and Natia had gifted us a framed, high resolution photo of all the dhampirs and Moroi celebrating the new laws on the Court lawns. They must have snuck up on a balcony to take it; everyone was gathered together, drinks in hand, gazing wondrously up at the illuminated sky.

I had just finished hanging up the picture on the wall. I stood admiring it when a warm arm wrapped around my waist. I looked up into Dimitri's handsome face. He was smiling, eyes gleaming with emotion. Of course, that set me over the edge. He pulled me tight against his chest as I cried happy tears. We stayed woven together for a long time, relishing in our new home, our future, our good fortune.

After everything we'd been through, we'd finally earned our happy ever after. It was about damn time!

THE END