Oh my god! The reviews and alerts and favourites keep on coming! Thank you all so much. I hope you enjoy this chapter, just a little more of their correspondence :)

13th September, 2011

Dear Dimitri,

I've spent a while waiting for your letter. I've gone through so many different emotions each day when I check my letter box and find no letter addressed from you. I've felt angry, because you promised to write. I've felt sad, because I thought you'd broken that promise. And I've been scared. Scared that something's happened to you and that's why you're not replying, or that maybe, you've moved on and were cutting your ties from me.

I didn't know what to think until I received the postcards forwarded on from the academy. I realised I never gave you my new address, now that I'm at court, nor a phone number. I see from your postcards that you've been travelling through China and Russia. It seems to be going well for you.

I've put off replying until I knew for sure when you'd be home. Alberta sent me the last letter yesterday. Part of it was a thank you for her or whoever kept forwarding your letters. Even though time passes, you're still the same sweet gentleman.

I've studied the photos you sent too. I've spent so long studying them. Your smile is still the same as the one forever etched in my memory. And you're still just as gorgeous as ever. Tasha seems to get more beautiful in every shot. I wouldn't be surprised if you've moved on with her.

If you intend to reply, the address is on the back of the envelope. I hope to hear from you soon.

Rose.

27th September, 2011

Dear Roza,

You have no idea how sorry I am. While we were with you for your graduation, I didn't think to find out your new address. It wouldn't have been permanent then anyway, until you'd been assigned to a moroi. Who is your charge? Lissa, I'm hoping? How are she and Christian? And Eddie and Mia? And Adrian and Jill? The trip was quite sudden, though. I didn't find out till we were on our way to the airport. Tasha thought she'd surprise me.

I can imagine Alberta's face every time she found a letter from me to you. Even though I haven't seen her – or you, for that matter – in months, she still puts a smile on my face.

China was definitely an experience. We stayed at a few of the academies over there and I even taught as a guest instructor. Much like Russia, their training regime is a lot tougher than over in the US. It was an interesting experience.

Russia was as beautiful as always. We stayed with my family for a while in Baia. I couldn't help but feel a little sad the entire trip that you weren't the one meeting them with me. I know Mama and my sisters would have loved you.

I haven't moved on. Tasha still wants a relationship, but I can't give that to her. She guessed about you, when she realised you were the one that kept me up at all hours of the night as I tried to figure out what to write back to you. I told her my feelings for you won't ever fade, but she still has hope. And you? Are you with someone?

Love always, Comrade.

9th October, 2011

Comrade,

I never thought I would hear – well, see, I guess – you finally accepting my nickname for you. On the other hand, I never thought it would still stick.

Lissa and Christian are doing quite well. Liss is now almost three months pregnant with their child. (If Tasha doesn't know, don't tell her. I'll have to make sure Christian calls her. I feel kind of bad now). Eddie has been made part of the royal guard for Queen Tatiana and he and Mia having been dating for the past month now. I'm so happy for the two of them. Adrian is, well, Adrian. I swear, every weekend he has a new girl on his arm. I don't understand where he finds them. Jailbait is still the same. She's started high school at the academy now and she writes to us, much like I write to you. It's good to keep in touch with her.

Oh! And I've been assigned as one of Lissa's guardians! She has four – me, another young guardian called Serena, one called Grant, and Mikhail Tanner. Mikhail used to be a guardian at the academy, remember? But he was given a desk job at court when he returned from chasing after the Crazy Karp, the strigoi. He's helped us out a few times, so Lissa pulled some strings and managed to get him as her fourth guardian.

I'm sure no matter what country you're in, Comrade; they'll appreciate your moves. (Innuendo intended).

I always wished I could meet your family. How are they?

I'm glad to hear that. No, I haven't moved on. Lissa keeps hassling me about dating someone – and Adrian keeps hanging around and thinking it's going to be him – but I'm still single. I guess people do change, huh.

Love Roza.

17th October, 2011

My Roza,

A nickname from you, I will gladly wear.

At the time your letter was written, Tasha didn't know of Lissa's pregnancy. You must have been true to your word and got onto Christian, because they gave us a call the next day. Tasha's talking about heading to Court for a while. It's good to see, no matter what the distance, that your little circle is the same as I remember them.

Congratulations! I always knew you'd be assigned to her, no matter what your record says. You're one of the best guardians out there. Even better than some who've been guardians for years. Better than me, even. I guess you showed your teacher a few tricks. I do remember Mikhail though. It was such a shame about Sonya Karp. Rose, you shouldn't really be calling her that…

Mama was so happy the entire time I was there, and of course, teary when we arrived and even tearier when we left. Karolina had her baby – Zoya, a girl – and her son Paul looks a lot like me when I was young. Sonya had her own baby a few months ago and it was a girl too. Anastasiya. Viktoria is into her final year at St Basil's. I think she'll become a guardian too. Mama worries about her. She doesn't want her out in the real world – or me, for that matter. Babushka is still the same. She can get very cryptic though. She's even mentioned you a few times.

I'm so glad you grew out of your 'old ways' pretty soon after we brought you and Vasilisa back.

Love, Comrade.

28th October, 2011

Cowboy,

You're going to regret you said that. I'm going to have so much fun with this.

I didn't, actually. Christian must have just done it himself. Huh. And I always thought he was super lazy…

It means a lot to hear you say that Dimitri, really. I've always wanted to be the best guardian out and I'm working towards that. With a lot of thanks to you. Best. Mentor. Ever. (In more ways than one…)

She was a teacher. It's what we all called her. I guess I'm just used to it still. Speaking of, I'm still getting used to being outside of the academy. I grew up there, you know? It feels so strange not to be there after so long. I think I'm attached to that place and the memories that came with it.

Your family sounds so sweet, Dimka. I can see where you get it from. What did Yeva say about me, exactly?

Me too. Who knows how many diseases those moroi boys were carrying? (I'm kidding… I hope).

Love, Rose.

PS Do I get any nicknames?

2nd November, 2011

Dear Rosemarie, (Did you like that?)

I'm sure I can handle whatever you dish up. I'm glad you think I'm the 'best mentor ever.' I'm touched.

I guess everyone was a little immature back in high school. She was a nice lady though. It's a pity spirit affected her the way it did. I hope to God that neither Vasilisa nor Adrian feel they need to do that.

I understand what you mean. I was like that for the first few months when I left home. The memories will always be there. And you can always visit and create new ones.

I don't know what the English translation of the word is, but, witch is close, though not right. She's a vrăjitoare. It's Romanian. She used to read cards and all that. She knows about us – somehow. She told Tasha straight up to her face that she'd never have my heart. I think it all the time, but I'd probably never say it to her. It was definitely a shocker though. Yeva said my heart belonged to 'my Roza.' It was in Russian, though, so Tasha still has no idea.

Somehow, Roza, I would not be surprised if it turned out they were carrying hundreds.

Your Cowboy.

19th November, 2011

DIMITRI ANTON BELIKOV! (Yeah, that's right. I know your middle name).

DO NOT. EVER. CALL ME ROSEMARIE, AGAIN. Or, I'm afraid I'll have to do something drastic. Like retracting the title of 'Best Mentor Ever.' I can always give it to Alberta.

I don't even want to think about either of them even contemplating turning strigoi. I love them both so much; I hope it never, ever happens.

Only if you're there. Then the memories will definitely be better than before.

Ooh, scary grandmother. Did she ever threaten to curse you? Or concoct crazy potions and slip them into your hot chocolate?

I like Tasha, I do, but I really would have loved to see that. You need to film the funny goings on in your life, Dimitri Belikov, for my amusement.

Don't I know it? Luckily you're the only one.

Retired Ho.

1st December, 2011

Rose,

What are you doing for Christmas? We can continue discussing this then...

Hope you enjoyed this chapter :) I had fun writing it and got a little carried away for a bit haha. I don't know if Dimitri actually has a middle name but, so I just threw one in there :)

Let me know how it was in a review!