Moving Objects

Chapter 18

"I've noticed that people at Court seem to have a slight dose of fear when it comes to you, and Dimitri also has a bit of apprehension about you. Why is that?"

Pavel chuckled and looked at me and Dad before shaking his head, walking away to give us some privacy. I looked back at him and raised my eyebrows at him, "I've also heard Dimitri refer to you as zmey and I know that means snake."

Dad sighed heavily. "This will not be a short conversation."

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I rolled and stretched my arm across the bed, searching for Dimitri but meeting warm sheets instead. I cracked my eyes open and frowned to find him gone. But he wasn't gone for more than a second because the door opened and he slipped in, two mugs in his hands. I smiled and laid back as he looked up, a content look on his face. I let my eyes rack over his bare chest and abs and the dark blue pants before he set the cups down, climbing back into bed.

"Morning. I didn't wake you, did I?" He asked, leaning down and brushing his lips over mine. I hummed and returned his kiss. "No, you didn't."

Dimitri pulled away and kissed my cheek before rolling back, taking one of the mugs off the bedside table. I took the mug and pushed myself to sit up against the headboard, blowing the steam away from the top. Dimitri mimicked the position beside me with his coffee, his arm winding around my shoulders. I threw a leg over his and wedged it between them, rubbing my toes against the fabric of his sweat pants. This was comfortable, this is something I wish I could walk up to every morning.

"I wish you didn't have to go so far," I whispered sullenly. Dimitri's fingers traced over my shoulder as he made a noise while he sipped his coffee. "I know, Roza. But you know just how excited Lissa is to go to Lehigh. Maybe next year it will be you going with her," he placated. I tilted my head down and rested it against his neck.

"Are you all packed? It's only a few more hours until you go."

Dimitri took another sip, "Yes. I packed before I came here last night." He pointed to the large duffle bag beside the door and I nodded. I don't know why he even has his own room to be honest, he spends almost every night here with me since we got back.

Lissa really was excited, I could hear her through the bond for the last three days as she made sure everything she needed was packed and ready to go. I think the only two people who weren't ecstatic about the start of the term were Christian and I. Sure, Dimitri didn't want to leave me behind, but he had a job to do. Christian missed the deadline for the culinary program, so he wasn't going with her this term.

So it was just us here.

Dimitri finished his cup quickly and set it down, then took my almost empty cup from me. I laid back down and curled into him, holding him close to me as our minutes together ticked down. I had my eyes closed as his fingers weaved into my hair when his phone rang and I groaned. Who could possibly call this early?

Dimitri pulled his phone off the bedside table before chuckling and answering the phone in Russian. Ah, his mother. She was the only one who would call this early. I listened to his speak feverishly while I could hear her muffled voice on the other side. Dimitri's fingers never left my hair while he spoke, while I kept my cheek to his chest. Although a sharp tickle in my nose interrupted him when I sneezed.

I could hear Olena question something and Dimitri chuckled and I heard my name slip into the conversation, a fond smile on his face as he looked down at me. I could see the happiness and love in his eyes as he looked at me, and it made my heart swell.

The conversation didn't last much longer between them, and he hung up maybe five minutes later, dropping his phone onto the bed and wrapping his arm around me.

"My mother told me that I need to bring you home soon," Dimitri chuckles, kissing my jaw. I giggle and mould myself to him and kiss him, cupping his face with my hand.

"Oh yeah?"

"Mmhmm," Dimitri hummed against my lips, "She hopes that we may be able to visit near Christmas if you're up for that."

I pulled away and looked up at him and I was glad to see the found look on his face. "You want me to meet your family?" I asked. Dimitri snorted a laugh and rolled so he was laying over me, caging me under him, not that I mind. I let my hands come to rest on his side and smile up at him.

"Of course. If I could have brought you home sooner I would have. Mama is very excited to meet you, my sisters too. Mama gave me an earful last week about not introducing the two of you when she last called."

I smirked and slid my hands higher, enjoying the feeling of the tight muscles ripple underneath my fingers. "I mean, it's only fair that I meet them. You've met all of my family," I mused.

"I do have time saved up, and Lissa will be back at Christmas until mid-January. Maybe we could work something out and visit them?" he said, but it sounded like a question, a nervous question. I smirked up at him before stretching my head up to kiss the corner of his mouth.

"Let's do it," I said and watched a full-fledged smile grace his lips. It was beautiful, and I would do anything to see it there all the time. It made him look younger and more carefree. We laid in bed for a little while longer, holding onto the small bubble we had until I could hear Lissa calling for me through the bond.

Dimitri and I dressed slowly and collected his things while I slipped to the small box on my dresser and took out a parting gift for him. It was simple, a small but sturdy leather cuff with my nazar tied into it. We got to the carport quickly and met Lissa and Eddie, along with Christian. Lissa bounced over and wrapped her arms around me tightly, squeezing me like she was never going to see me again. I returned her hug and pulled away.

"I can't wait until you can come up to campus and I can show you around. It's so beautiful and the place I'm staying at is gorgeous! The rooms are large and the one Dimitri is in is large enough for you to stay in when you visit," Lissa enthused, raising a brow at me before smirking. I chuckled and stepped away to put the last of her bags into the trunk of the SUV. Lissa thanked me and moved to say goodbye to Christian when Dimitri slid beside me, his hand resting on my waist. I turned a faced him, looking up at him as I pulled the band out of my pocket.

"Here," I said handing him the small leather band, "Take this with you. To protect you."

Dimitri looked at the nazar and smiled gently, slipping the band onto his wrist. "And who will protect you while I'm gone?" he asked, brushing the tip of his nose against mine. I hummed and pressed the tip of my nose against his.

"I'll be here at Court. I'll be fine, I'm more worried about you."

"And what about Lissa? I figured if you parted with this it would go to her."

I chuckled, "But she has you and Eddie to protect her."

Dimitri chuckled and pulled me into his embrace, tucking me tightly against his chest, his face buried in my hair. I wrapped my arms around his waist and snuggled as close to him as I possibly could. I didn't want to let him go, but he needed to go. They come first.

I pulled away and wrapped my arms around his neck before pulling him into a hot kiss. Dimitri returned in kind and his hands became tight on my waist. I moaned against his lips as his finger traced the bare skin that peeked out from my shirt. It was hard to let him go. He finally pulled away and sighed heavily, stroking my cheek.

"I'll call you when we get settled."

I nodded and leaned into his touch before forcing myself to step away. Dimitri shrugged his duster on and stroked my cheek tenderly before saying goodbye, turning to join Eddie and Lissa.

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Hello hello!!!

I hope you all are well! I love reading the feedback from you all, and I am trying to tie in your requests with the storyline, but I have up to Chapter 30 composed already, so it'll take some tweaking.

Let me know what you think of the chapter!:)