Reading VA: Reading Vampire Academy (A VA fanfic)

Twelve

RPOV
As soon as everyone grabbed themselves a soft drink or chocolate milk(Paul and Zoya) I asked, "who's next?"
"Me," stated Eddie, as he picked the book up from the low and heavy, ornate, oak wood coffee table. "Sleep came reluctantly that night, and I tossed and turned for a long time before finally going under.
"An hour or so later, I sat up in bed, trying to relax and and sort out the emotions coming to me."

Liss registered this as a Dashkov stunt moment. So, she braced herself and snuggled into Christian's side. His arms wrapping around her brought her the sense of comfort, contentment, safety, and-more importantly- love I felt with Dimitri's arms around me. She flashed me a knowing look and smile before snuggling and relaxing further into her boyfriend's embrace. At this moment, she really did not care that she was the last Dragomir Princess and that certain standards of behaviour were expected of her. Especially since this group weren't holding those expectations of her. They were relaxed and down to earth. She felt as though she was being respected as a person and equal first, then as a royal. Just the way she liked it.

"... Dimitri appeared, fully dressed and alert, though I felt pretty sure we'd pulled him out of bed." continued Eddie.
"You did. Right out of a dream of you, my love," Dimitri murmured in my ear.
"There's that connection again!" Alberta chuckled at whatever had come next. The other's smiles, grins and laughs seemed to say they agreed.

Eddie promptly returned to reading. Covering my description of the time of day. Of course I copped snarky comments from some. Received awed comments from others. And being showered in kisses from Dimitri.

Meanwhile, Eddie returned the group's focus to the story. The others were shocked to silence upon listening to Lissa's plight. Sincere compassionate looks were sent her way. They reassured her. Sent my way, were looks of humility over the humble, caring, yet gently controlling way in which I handled the situation. Humble pride radiated from the present guardians regarding my control over my initial reaction to the sight. I'd seen much, much, much worse since then... Often being the cause of an horrific sight surrounding the killing of a Strigoi. For example, exhibit S for Spokane Strigoi decapitating with a blunt sword. The pale faces in the room paled further at the description of the rabbit. Well... Ex rabbit.

Each time Lissa's concern over Natalie's ability to handle such a sight came up Liss and I muttered. Over that worry being such a waste of time and energy, that it was pointless thanks to the irony. Not that we let on that Natalie had been the culprit slash her dad's accomplice.

When the book of my secrets revealed more secrets within, Liss didn't get mad or upset. Simply because I'd spilled to her already after Russia.

"And, oh, the lies and the secrets. They ran through the halls and hid in the corners." Eddie continued. Adding, "like you can speak, Rose! You are just as guilty of hiding in those corners, telling lies and keeping secrets." It was a friendly, snarky, teasing response.
So I retorted, "and if you want the dirt keep digging! Well, reading."

After a good laugh from all, and winces from Mom and Abe, Eddie continued. Then came my recap of how the following morning played out. And of that afternoon. A range of reactions played on faces at that and as Eddie read on to describe what ended up as Mia's payback. That said, not a word was spoken. They were intrigued and interested as to how the controversy played out, although they were disgusted by it. Even Mia who'd caused it in the first place.

Eddie was uninterrupted as he kept on reading. Right into Christian's detailing the rumour that Jesse had spread about the lounge. I'd done practically exactly that with Strigoi Dimitri.

My restored man became very defensive of me. He also apologised in my ear for his reaction, or lack thereof, in that night's training. He also promised to also make tonight's exploits even more meaningful.

Had we really become so sex crazed? We were still all about emotion and the other. But were we becoming so sex crazed simply because we could finally put those emotions into bedroom action without any consequences? We now truly had the freedom we'd deluded ourselves into thinking we had in Russia. Yet the emotions needed to get me to have sex with Strigoi Dimitri, Strigoi Dimitri hadn't possessed.

"Alone in my room later on, I cried for the first in years.
"Once I got that out of my system, I was about to put on my pajamas when I heard a knock at my door. Dimitri. He studied my face and then glanced away, obviously aware I'd been crying."

"My heart was breaking at the sight, my dearest Roza." Dimitri whispered in my ear. "I didn't look away because I thought you shouldn't have been crying over it. Rather because I felt, well, there's no way to describe it. I couldn't stand the sight of you in pain. I wanted you in my arms, I needed to comfort you, my love."
"But duty got in the way."
"Quit doing that milaya!" he playfully chastised in my ear.
"Not happening, Comr-" Dimitri shut me up with a passionate kiss.
"That nickname! You have no clue what that does to me, Roza!" he breathed against my lips.
"You don't know what 'Roza' does to me." I restarted the kiss.

Meanwhile, luckily, the rest were listening to Eddie. Dimitri and I tuned back in to hear, "I shot a panicked look at Lissa, but she was already retreating. "I'll take care of everything this time, Rose. Everything." That's another chapter down."

Eddie finished. Then musing started. And questions. Lots of questions sent Dimitri's and my way. This time we could answer more than we couldn't because it'd be a spoiler.

"Quick break, then straight on to chapter thirteen? Then dinner?" asked Sonya- who held Nadia waking up from her afternoon nap in her arms. We all readily agreed to that plan.

After a five minute break, we were all comfortable again. Ready to listen to yet another chapter.
"Okay, who's willing to step up for unlucky thirteen?" joked Eddie.
"My turn," Paul accepted the challenge. He was currently on my lap, taking a break from his mom and spending time with his aunt, and his uncle he never saw.
"Okay," agreed Karo and looked pointedly at me.
"I'll help with the tricky words, Paul," I noted in his ear. Paul nodded.

Eddie tossed the book my nephew's way. Thanks to his training, said nephew deftly caught the object. Quickly, Paul opened up to the necessary page and started reading.