You, Me and the shadow (Vampire Academy fanfiction)

Giving thanks and remembering

You, Me, and the shadow chapter sixty-nine

Russian in italic

A few hours later

RPOV

A few hours later, we arrived on the west side of campus just in time to see our whole family take their seats at the front of the procession. The pyres are already prepared a few hundred meters away with the bodies of our fallen, all carefully wrapped and prepared for the cremation.

The seats behind our family are starting to slowly fill up as more and more people make their way to the funeral.

Making our way to the front, the first thing that both of us want to do is wrap Olena in our arms and never let her go, so that's exactly what I do. Coming up behind her, I can tell I catch her and everyone else off guard when I throw my arms around her and snuggle my face into her neck, taking comfort from the woman I've come to see as my third mother.

"Oh, hello, Dear. What's all this about?" Olena asks through a chuckle as she moves her arms to mirror mine and hold me tight as Dimitri comes up behind me and wraps us both in his protective embrace. We must look fucking ridiculous, but I don't care. After what happened a few hours ago, I think we all need the comfort.

"I'm sorry we left you in there, but I needed to get Dimitri away from the situation. How are you even in America? Did Baba send for you?" I ask, refusing to move my head from her shoulder as I feel Dimitri tighten his hold even further.

"Of course he did. Did you really expect me and Mama to miss my firstborn son and daughter-in-law getting introduced to our world as King and Queen? I would have swum the distance if I needed to. And don't worry yourself about what happened earlier. I'll admit, it was a very unpleasant surprise, but you both handled it with grace and decorum, and all of us couldn't have been prouder."

Hearing her say that, I can immediately feel some of the tension release that Dimitri has been holding since he came back to his senses following our third session in the gym. He felt immensely guilty that he left his mum in the hall after everything happened, and no matter what I said, he wouldn't let it go, but now I can tell that he finally is, at least a little.

"That means a lot to both of us, and we're so happy that you're here." Lifting my head slightly to look over at Yeva, I send her a smile that she quickly returns. "We're so happy that you're both here. Thank you for coming."

"Thank you for dealing with the Bastard for the final time. I never foresaw him being that desperate, but I guess when a rat is backed into a corner, all rationale escapes the mind allowing fear and anger to take over. You have done well, Child. Or should I say, Your Majesty." I see the smirk playing at Yeva's lips, making me roll my eyes playfully as I step away from Olena, giving her one final squeeze as I do, allowing Dimitri to take up my spot, hugging his mother without me in between them.

"It's good to have you back with us, Babushka," I say, going over and taking her in my arms as I did with Olena. She might be as batty as a struck fox, but she's family, and there's no one like Yeva. She does catch me slightly off guard though when she leans in and whispers in my ear.

"Did my visions speak true, Child? Did you save him? Is he here?"

I'm confused for a second about what she's talking about, but when I catch her eye as she subtly indicates to where Dimitri is still holding his mother, I quickly understand, and a smile falls on my face at the apparent hope that's shining in her eyes.

"Yes. He didn't want to be seen at either event in case he was recognised. He's still very fragile, and he's not ready to see his moroi family yet because he doesn't think that they will understand, so he's staying at our cabin right now. We'll take you to see him after we're done here. He's coming back with us when we go home tomorrow."