Reading VA: Reading Vampire Academy (A VA fanfic)

Three

DPOV
Lissa and Christian hadn't just brought out snacks and drinks. One had clearly remembered it was lunch time for the rest of us. So, they'd thrown together a simple meal that was filling and easy to reheat. Pasta bake.

Hearing and reading Rose's thoughts of the first few hours we'd known each other had been an interesting experience. It gave me a fresh perspective on our relationship.

Said relationship, to my shock, had been discovered even with all our efforts. Of all people to know and not tell us or tell on us, it had to be Petrov. It did and didn't make sense. Janine and Abe had reacted as I'd expected. Completely exploded. And that was just over their assumptions that couldn't be anything close to the reality.

My mother pulled me into the hall after we'd all finished eating.
"Mama?" I asked curiously and cautiously.
"You truly love her, don't you?" she enquired.
"She's my world. Has been from the moment I met her. I can't not love her, Mama." I had no clue where she was heading with this.
"She's been through a lot, Dimka." Don't I know it, I thought sadly with a heart full of guilt and shame.
"And she'll go through no more. At least not without me by her side."
"Good. You will know when the time comes, but make her that promise. Officially. Swear it in front of god." Marry her, in other words.
"And turn an extraordinary guardian into a housewife?" I questioned. That was what it usually meant in Belikov/ Belikova tradition.
"No. Even your babushka accepts that Roza is to break tradition and marry you while being the extraordinary guardian you trained her to be. Just take care of and around her, Dimka. Your babushka approves of her, finally. But only just. She and I both are wondering if you are worthy of her." Ouch! That hurt.
"I'm not. I know I'm not. But she leaves me no option other than loving her, Mama." A look of compassion and love crossed her face.
"She has travelled the globe for you, Dimka. She is zmey's daughter. Do not underestimate what she had done for you. I have never seen such love as hers for you, I just hope to see you return and appreciate it and her."

We quickly returned to the group. Only for Abe to pull me back outside. Much to Roza's dismay and annoyance. The interaction with zmey was rather uncomfortable but, I swear to god, my Roza was worth it. I warned him he was not going to like what was likely contained inside the books. Then assuring him all my focus was now on Rose, her happiness and that I would forever try to make it up to her for wronging her despite her forgiveness. Abe gave me a warning and a threat, unsurprisingly. What did surprise me, however, was his forgiveness for whatever it was the Strigoi had made me do to Roza. He was a smart, sly, uncouth, roundabout and unrelenting man. Forgiveness certainly isn't a trait one would associate with him. More traits Rose shared with her Moroi father. I understood that forgiveness would later come back as a bargaining chip but was humbled by it nonetheless. I could tell he loved my Roza despite not being in her life until now. I also understood why it had had to be that way.

I took a seat next to Rose and checked with Abe to see if he was okay with it. He'd seen worse already and said as much while he okayed Rose returning to my lap and loving embrace.

"Who's reading next?" Rose asked when we were ready to restart.
"I will," the Alchemist surprised us all with her confident answer. Sydney I believed her name was. She was now sitting on a love-seat beside Adrian. The one who'd mesmerised Adrian Ivashkov retrieved the book from the coffee table and opened up to chapter three. "Sending us straight to class after our meeting seemed beyond cruel, but that's exactly what Kirova did. Lissa was led away, and I watched her go, glad the bond would allow me to keep reading her emotional temperature." A few snarky comments met that. "I think it's a good description, I can understand that. So, go Rose!" Sydney defiantly spoke up. The rest of room quieted and allowed her to continue reading, likely shocked by the human's boldness. "They actually sent me to one of the guidance counsellors first. He was an ancient Moroi guy, one I remembered from before I'd left. I honestly couldn't believe he was still around. The guy was so freaking old, he should have retired. Or died." Sydney continued reading and no one dare interrupt her. She was bold and brave for a human surrounded my creatures she'd been raised to fear and bred disdain. I was entranced by Rose's thought process, detailed descriptions and intriguing opinions. "Dimitri and Alberta escorted me to the guardian's gym for first period, neither one acknowledging my existence."
"I couldn't forget your presence and the power your being holds, my love," I whispered in my Roza's ear. Causing her to shiver.
"A lot of female guardians did this." I tuned back into Sydney's reading. "It didn't matter so much for me now, since my neck had no tattoos yet, but I didn't want to ever cut my hair." Sydney paused and looked pointedly at my Rose. "Did you get marked for Russia?" she asked cautiously.
"With the damage I did? I'd have nearly no neck left to mark." Sydney then turned towards Abe.
"I'll see what I can get the guardians to do, Miss Sage," Abe stated. Rose groaned but didn't argue. Kind of.
"I like hiding those awful reminders."
"Now you learn," Janine sighed.
"Mom!" Rose warned.
"Janie, don't set her off. She's got more kills on her hands than you do." Abe lent backwards and kissed Janine's neck, her marks.