stopped you from doing it,' he pointed out, becoming more like his usual self.
"I'm serious! I want to go to college. I want Rose back. I don't want to rule the Moroi nation.'
A sly look lit Christian's blue eyes. "You know, Aunt Tasha makes jokes about how you'd actually be a better queen than the others, except sometimes ... I don't think she's joking.'
Lissa groaned and stretched back on the bed. "I love her, but we've got to keep her in check. If anyone could actually get that law changed, it would be her and her activist friends.'
"Well, don't worry. The thing about her "activist friends' is that they have so much to protest, they don't usually get behind one thing at the same time.' Christian stretched out beside her and pulled her close. "But for what it's worth, I think you'd be a great queen too, Princess Dragomir.'
"You're going to get dirty,' she warned. "Already am. Oh, you mean from your clothes?' He wrapped his arms around her, heedless of her damp and muddy state. "I spent most of my childhood hiding in a dusty attic and own exactly one dress shirt. You really think I care about this T-shirt?'
She laughed and then kissed him, letting her mind free itself of worry for a moment and just savor the feel of his lips. Considering they were on a bed, I wondered if it was time for me to go. After several seconds, she pulled back and sighed contentedly.
"You know, sometimes I think I love you.'
"Sometimes?' he asked in mock outrage.
She ruffled his hair. "All the time. But I've got to keep you on your toes.'
"Consider me kept.'
He brought his lips toward hers again but stopped when a knock sounded at the door. Lissa pulled back from the near-kiss, but neither of them broke from the embrace.
"Don't answer,' said Christian.
Lissa frowned, peering toward the living room. She slipped out of his arms, stood up, and walked toward the door. When she was several feet from it, she nodded knowingly. "It's Adrian.'
"More reason not to answer,' said Christian.
Lissa ignored him and opened the door, and sure enough, my devil-may-care boyfriend stood there. From behind Lissa, I heard Christian say, "Worst. Timing. Ever.'
Adrian studied Lissa and then looked at Christian sprawling on the bed on the far side of the suite. "Huh,' Adrian said, letting himself in. "So that's how you're going to fix the family problem. Little Dragomirs. Good idea.'
Christian sat up and strolled toward them. "Yeah, that's exactly it. You're interrupting official Council business.'
Adrian was dressed casually for him, jeans and a black T-shirt, though he made it look like designer clothing. Actually, it probably was. God, I missed him. I missed them all.
"What's going on?' asked Lissa. While Christian seemed to consider Adrian's arrival a personal offense, Lissa knew that Adrian wouldn't be here without a good reason-- especially this early in the Moroi day. Although he had on his normal lazy smile, there was an excited and eager glitter in his aura. He had news.
"I've got him,' said Adrian. "Got him trapped.'
"Who?' asked Lissa, startled.
"That idiot Blake Lazar.'
"What do you mean trapped?' asked Christian, as perplexed as Lissa. "Did you set out a bear trap on the tennis courts or something?'
"I wish. He's over at the Burning Arrow. I just bought another round, so he should still be there if we hurry. He thinks I went out for a cigarette.'
Judging from the scent wreathing Adrian, Lissa had a feeling he actually had been out for a cigarette. And likely shared in the round. "You've been at a bar this early?'
Adrian shrugged. "It's not early for humans.'
"But you're not--'
"Come on, cousin.' Adrian's aura didn't have the muted colors of someone who was completely drunk, but yes, he'd definitely had a few drinks. "If pretty boy Ambrose was right about Aunt Tatiana, then this guy can tell us the names of other jealous women.' "Why didn't you ask him yourself?' asked Christian.
"Because me asking about my aunt's sex life would be sick and wrong,' said Adrian. "Whereas Blake will be more than happy to talk to our charming princess here.'
Lissa really wanted her bed, but finding out anything to help me sparked a new rush of energy within her. "Okay, let me at least get some different clothes and brush my hair.'
While she was changing in the bathroom, she heard Adrian say to Christian, "You know, your shirt's kind of grungy-looking. Seems like you could put in a little more