Reading VA: Reading Vampire Academy (A VA fanfic)

Twenty-four

RPOV
Dimitri gently awoke me after an hour. I was extremely thankful for the nap.

Refreshed and ready to tackle the final chapter of Vampire Academy, I returned to the common type room. Entangled with Dimitri, naturally.

Five minutes later, Liss and Christian joined us. We'd just decided on what we were having for lunch when an unwelcome addition walked through the door.
"Tasha," I bitterly muttered. Dimitri caught it. Of course.
"This last chapter will torture her," Dimitri chuckled in my ear, reassuring and comforting me. He knew to take my side in this. "As will learning we're engaged!"

"Dimka? Rose?" Tasha cordially greeted. Interrupting our moment.
"Hi Tasha," I greeted as friendly as possible. She was my brother-in-law's only family, after all. I had to now be nice to her, regardless of how she felt about my fiancé.
"Hello Tasha," greeted Dimitri. I could feel him tensing, unsure how Tasha and I were going to behave.
"So, she's the other woman?" hissed Tasha. Her volume so low only Dimitri and I would hear it. Meanwhile, all the other cooks escaped to the kitchen to start cooking lunch.
"My only woman, Natasha. My only woman, my fiancé." Oh, that was one way to spill the beans!
A shocked and bemused look crossed the older Moroi's face. Soon followed by anger and a glare was sent my way.
"Don't start, Tasha. Don't start something I'll have to finish. I'll protect her no matter the cost, so let it go," warned my Dimitri. "You're here to hear Rose's past year, show some curtesy and leave it alone."
"No spoilers!" I added.

She huffed and left to find a spot. The only available spot was next to Eddie and Jill. Wow! He'd chosen well. Their posture clearly indicated they were together, an item. And they looked amazing. Eddie was on the seat while Jill was sitting on the floor in front of him, in between his legs. He was playing with her hair if not massaging her shoulders.

"Eddie? Jill? Is their something we should know about?" I failed at raising a single brow as I teased. Jill blushed. As did Eddie.
"Maybe," escaped their mouths in unison.
"Go you two!" I cheered. Similar comments went around the room.

The next two to get together had to be Adrian and Sydney. They'd spent a lot of time together over the past few days. She was gradually yet dramatically becoming more relaxed around all of us. But Adrian in particular. She was sitting closer and closer to him, but not yet touching. He was still starstruck and overawed by her. Still being extremely cautious and respectful but friendly, welcoming and inclusive.

Lunch lasted an hour, and we were all only too happy to finish this book off. No matter how painful the content within, Lissa and I wanted it done with. So, snuggling into my Comrade's side, I asked, "who's up next?"
"I am!" called Adrian.

Mia picked up the book from the coffee table and chucked it at him. Adrian laughed as he caught the object. Quickly opening to necessary page and began reading.
"In spite of all the training I'd received, all the lessons on Strigoi habits and how to defend against them, I'd never actually seen one. It was scarier than I'd expected."

Silence had engulfed the room. I did catch Tasha send a dirty look and eye roll in my direction. Dimitri glared in response and the Moroi shrugged. Dimitri's look hardened and held until she shrunk. I'd seen worse and and colder looks on his face, in his eyes. I'd seen the heartless and furious Strigoi Dimitri, and that made this look like a fluffy kitten.
"Settle, Comrade. I can deal with it. That face will cause problems if you're not careful," I whispered. Dimitri's face whipped to mine, his expression softening upon meeting my eyes. Understanding lit his face and shone in his eyes. Then shock and fear, he was terrified of my memories of Russia he could have stirred, terrified of causing me pain.
"I'm sorry, Roza. So so sorry," he rushed out.
"Shhh. Settle, Dimitri. Settle. I'm fine. I'm fine. I love you." To prove my point, I moved onto his lap and kissed him. Really kissed him.