"What do you mean?" Nikolai asked, his irritation all but forgotten at the mention of the upcoming challenge.

    If Danitza had managed to uncover new information about it that might be of use, he wasn't going to deny her the chance to share it. So far, the Knights had heard nothing about Seena's challenge, and the fact was weighing heavily on all of them.

    "I overheard part of a conversation between your brother and Vadik," Danitza said, lowering her voice as they passed by another group of Knights.

    "Supposedly this challenge will take place in the Dunes of Azzam. If that's the case, there is only one reason I could think of why they'd send you there." Nikolai pursed his lips, waiting expectantly. "The Dunes are said to test the hearts of men and those who do not pass vanish into the sands, never to be seen again."

    "Test their hearts for what?" Mischa pressed, a worried glint in his brown eyes.

    "Proof of a wicked and evil spirit. There are few who have managed to pass this test, and it won't be like anything you've faced before. Until now, all of your trials have been physical. This one will not be."

    Nikolai met Danitza's gaze, feeding a look of determination into Sir Arlov's eyes. "Then I'd better not enter it with any hidden frustration," he said.

    Danitza raised a brow, but said nothing until they entered the ballroom. She dipped her chin to Mischa and Yuri, then took Nikolai by the arm. "We won't be long," she said. His friends exchanged worried glances as she escorted Nikolai farther from the growing crowd.

    They slipped behind a wide column and Danitza released him. "Well?"

    "Where have you been?" He demanded. "Have you been purposefully avoiding me?"

    "Yes," came the brusque response. "I know that look in your eye. You have questions that you want me to answer, but I won't."

    "Why not?" Nikolai crossed his arms and held her gaze firmly.

    "Because you do not need me to. I know what you think you've pieced together."

    "What I think?" He repeated.

    "And if you were as certain about your assumption as you appear to be, you would've confronted her already. So why haven't you?" Danitza cocked her head and a knowing sneer played at her lips. Nikolai turned away, a frustrated hiss escaping between his teeth.

    "Because if you are right, and you confront the Silent Knight, you know she'll have every right to confront you too," Danitza said when he remained silent. "And you don't want to do that, do you? You don't want to admit to Nastasia that you lied to her and face the repercussions."

    "I don't want to reveal myself to someone who could report me if it turns out I'm wrong," Nikolai huffed. "That's why I want to be certain, and I know there's information about the Silent Knight that you're hiding from me. You know who she really is. You've known all along."

    "If you want to be certain, then wait until you are. Don't come to me for answers you know I won't give you."

    Nikolai grabbed her arm as Danitza turned to leave. "Why?"

    She jerked free of his grasp with a scowl. "The Silent Knight's secret is not mine to tell, nor is your own. If you want to confront her, be my guest, but I will not be brought further into this mess than I already am." She twisted out of reach and disappeared into the throng before Nikolai had a chance to stop her.

    His jaw clenched and he forced himself to draw a few steadying breaths before stepping out from behind the column. Mischa and Yuri joined him at once but Nikolai just waved a dismissive hand. "Not now," he muttered. "Let's just get through tonight so we can find out more about the challenge." His friends nodded and trailed him through the ballroom.

    It didn't take long for Nikolai to find the man he was searching for. Sir Gareth brightened at the sight of them and his aide slipped over to Yuri's side. Sir Gareth paid Daryn no mind as Nikolai came up beside him. "Well, Sir Arlov, what do you think of the Seenanite Queen's hospitality?" The Knight asked.

    "I think it exceeds all expectations," Nikolai replied. "And you? I can't imagine this is your first time traveling to Seena. You must have stories to share of previous journeys." Mischa, Yuri, and Daryn all let out smothered groans as Sir Gareth beamed and launched into one of his many long winded tales.

    This time, Nikolai listened with full attention. Until he could turn his mind to the challenge, Sir Gareth would prove distracting enough. His endless rambling would provide a welcome reprieve from the thoughts now spinning in Nikolai's head, and would help push the remnants of Danitza's voice aside.

    Because as much as he wished he could deny what the Mage had claimed, he couldn't. Danitza was right. He didn't know how he was going to face Nastasia after what he'd done himself, and if he confronted the Silent Knight and was wrong...

    No, he would have to wait until he was absolutely certain, and until he had pieced together what to say to Nastasia when he finally did see her again.

•༻᯽༺•

    Nastasia lingered near the outskirts of the gathering, absently toying with the hem of the scarf over her face. She could see Josephine and Elise on opposite ends of the ballroom where they'd secured dancing partners for themselves. Josephine had tracked down Mischa soon after arriving, to no one's surprise, while Elise had been claimed by one of Seena's Knights.

    A few young ladies had come up to Nastasia and asked her to dance as well, but she'd just shaken her head and offered a kind bow. Now she'd been hearing whispers of the Silent Knight's apparent gallantry and noble dedication to Princess Nastasia, or his supposed lack of skill in the art of dancing.

    Nastasia scanned the room again and her gaze landed on Sir Arlov. He appeared to be locked in conversation with Sir Gareth, but his eyes flickered to her a moment later. Nastasia raised her chin, meeting his gaze with a look that she hoped portrayed friendliness and confidence, but also a hint of warning.

The Knight had sworn to keep her secret, but she'd be a fool to trust him completely. Sir Arlov soon turned away, but not before a pensive frown crossed his lips. Rising whispers caught her attention and Nastasia turned, then stiffened. Queen Nesrine breezed towards her, two of her Asem Vipers trailing behind.

    Eyes turned towards the Queen as she passed by, and there was no question as to why. She was as beautiful as if the Goddesses had created her themselves. The Queen was dressed in a two-piece gown which was made of rich crimson material that flawlessly complemented her caramel skin and left her midriff bare.

    Almost every inch of the gown was encrusted with glittering gems that formed beautiful swirling patterns across the material. Golden bracelets adorned the Queen's wrists and a circlet of gold once again graced her brow. Her silken ebony hair hung down to her hips in a long braid that was studded by jewels and golden chains.

    And, she wasn't wearing any shoes, Nastasia noticed lastly. There were a few more bracelets around the Queen's ankles, but aside from them, her feet were bare. Nastasia folded into a bow as Queen Nesrine and her Vipers halted before her.

    "I would have you dance with me, Silent Knight," the Queen said in the Common Tongue, her accent thick but beautiful. Nastasia's mouth ran dry and she racked her brain for any courteous way of denying the Queen. No ideas came to mind. Finally, she inclined her head and offered the Queen her hand.

    Nastasia bit her lip as the ballroom floor cleared, making way for her and the Queen. A few faint snickers circled the room and Nastasia forced herself to stand straighter, although Queen Nesrine remained several inches taller than her.

    I'll have to remember to lead, Nastasia thought. Or will she lead since she's the Queen?

    But her own mother was never expected to lead dances if she was invited to join someone. Did the same rules apply here? Suddenly, Nastasia found herself wishing she'd paid more attention to her mother's etiquette lessons, but it was too late now.

    Queen Nesrine tugged Nastasia's hands into their proper positions, one at her waist and the other still clasping hers, then laid her own hand on Nastasia's shoulder. Music began to play from somewhere in the ballroom and they launched into a swift dance.

    To her relief, Nastasia managed to keep up with the Queen and maintain the appearance of leading, although truthfully, she knew it was the Queen guiding her. Nastasia sensed each of her subtle nudges and caught the slight tilt of her head that showed her which way to go.

    With their next steps, a calculating gleam appeared in Queen Nesrine's dark eyes. Nastasia averted her own as the music blared louder. "My Vipers claimed you were a woman, but I did not fully believe them until now." Nastasia snapped to attention with a startled gasp at the Seenanite words spoken in her ear. "Good. You can understand me."

    Truthfully, she only recognized a few words, but those few words were enough to help her piece together everything else the Queen said when she continued. "I will not ask who you are or why you have entered the tournament, but I will offer you a warning."

    Queen Nesrine's voice fell softer still. "Others are beginning to suspect your secret too, and it won't be long before they learn the truth. The Emperor is becoming especially interested in you. Be wary of him, Silent Knight, and be wary of the challenge you are about to face."

    Before Nastasia had a chance to react, the Queen slipped from her grasp and whirled to address the crowd. The music faded at once and like moths to a flame, the gathering turned their attention to her. Queen Nesrine lifted her chin and spoke once more in the Common Tongue, this time loud enough so that all could hear her.

    "You have come tonight to learn of your next challenge, and it is now time to reveal it. Tomorrow morning, you will ride west to the Dunes of Azzam. With a good pace, you will arrive by mid-afternoon. Your challenge begins the moment you set foot in the sands."

    Queen Nesrine's gaze swept over the crowd and lingered briefly on a few Knights. Nastasia noticed that Volya and Vadik were among them. "There, you will be tested by three of mankind's greatest foes: greed, wrath, and lust, to determine the strength of your spirit and the content of your heart."

    "If you fail to pass the test, be warned. The sands will try to claim you. Perhaps you can escape, or perhaps you will perish. Either way, do not seek to hide the truth." Nastasia tensed as Queen Nesrine's attention fixed on her. "Or to hide from it. That will only ensure your downfall. I bid you luck, and I pray that those deserving receive all that they are owed."

    All sank into bows and curtsies as Queen Nesrine glided back across the ballroom, her Asem Vipers falling in step behind her. The music resumed only after the Queen was seated on her throne. Nastasia quickly shifted from the Queen's line of sight and curled her fists, struggling to contain the nervous shadows that wound around her fingers.

    She let out a relieved sigh when Josephine and Elise spotted her and hurried over. "What did she say to you?" Josephine urged.

    "Are you all right?" Elise added before Nastasia could answer.

    Nastasia just clasped her fists even tighter and willed her shadows out of view. From the corner of her eye, she saw them become slightly more translucent, though they didn't disappear entirely. One squeezed her finger briefly and a smile flickered across her lips.

    She faced her friends and simply nodded to confirm that she was fine. Elise and Josephine asked nothing more, but looped their arms through hers and escorted her to a less crowded part of the ballroom.