Nastasia stood in the Hall of Saints, glaring up at the stained glass windows depicting her predecessors. Nastasia the Blessed was centered between the other six Moon Blessed. It was towards her namesake that most of her anger was directed.

"If you had chosen to die, I wouldn't be in this mess," Nastasia whispered. "But instead, you had to live and die again later for the glory of the Goddess. Isn't she glorified enough?"

Nastasia held the glassy moonlit gaze that mirrored her own. "And why must the cycle continue? What purpose does the Goddess have for martyred Humans? Each and every one of you died in some terrible way, and yet your deaths are praised as lessons from the Goddess."

"What lesson is to be learned from you, Nastasia the Blessed? Raped by a man because you would not have him. Brutalized and left for dead, just to be restored by the Two-Faced Goddess, and then to die again when a jealous priestess pushed you off a balcony in the Temple of Shadows. What lesson was to be learned from that?"

Nastasia shifted to the window portraying Saint Pavel, who had been the last Saint before her own birth. "What lesson was to be learned from you? A Mage who was still persecuted even after becoming Moon Blessed? The people accused you of tricking the Goddess into giving you her magic."

"They dismembered you and buried your remains instead of burning them, so your soul would be trapped here and could never ascend to the Vale. Yet they still call you a Saint and claim that your death has been the greatest lesson of all."

She faced another window. "Saint Ivanka, who gathered so much knowledge during her lifetime, could not gather the knowledge needed to spare herself from insanity. You ripped yourself apart using the very magic that brought you back to life. The stain of your blood still soils the floor of the Temple of Saints, though a statue has been erected atop it." A statue of Nastasia the Blessed, in fact.

Nastasia swept her gaze across each and every one of the Moon Blessed Saints until she spied a regular glass window to the right of Saint Pavel. That was where her window would go someday. She'd been told that since she was a child. As soon as I die, they'll put me up there with the lot of you and wonder what lesson had to be learned at my expense, Nastasia thought bitterly.

Footsteps echoed behind her. She knew who it was before the person arrived at her side. She hadn't spoken to her mother in the three days that had passed since the meeting. Nor had she spoken to anyone else. Nastasia had barricaded herself in the training room, honing her magic and blades, not allowing Alexei or even Nikolai to enter the chamber.

Serafima gazed up at the Saints, her hands clasped demurely at her waist. "Just because their lives ended in violence does not mean yours is going to," she said gently, not looking at Nastasia. "We will do everything in our power to ensure it." Nastasia didn't reply. "At least you will not marry Emperor Kazimir. Is that not some small comfort?"

"I don't believe for a moment that he'll let one of his Knights have me if I'm within his grasp," Nastasia answered. "Even if I marry an Andrian Knight, I'll find myself widowed and married to him soon enough. And if you think this contest will dissuade a man as ambitious as himself, you are a fool. Even I know that."

"It might not dissuade him, but it will delay him, and it will give us a chance to form stronger alliances with the leaders of the other kingdoms."

"It seems a little hypocritical to participate in a competition meant to reduce tension and divisions with the intent to use that tension and division to your advantage."

Serafima's sharp blue gaze snapped to Nastasia. "It seems naive to participate without that intention. We are trying to prevent and prepare for a war at the same time. No one is going to play fair. We must gain the upper hand while we can."

"Then why not organize peace talks or openly prepare for war?"

"Because then Kazimir will be aware of what we are doing and his attack will come that much sooner." Serafima shook her auburn head with a wry laugh. "Have you forgotten that I learned to play this game right alongside Kazimir's father?"

Nastasia looked away. No, she had not forgotten that her mother had once been an Andrian noblewoman, and had received an education in politics and even warfare before being married off to Gavriil Morozov.

"Kiril taught his son all he knew," Serafima continued. "I am certain that half of Kazimir's plans have been derived from those of his father. I know that if we want to have any hope of defeating or outsmarting him in the days to come, we must be prepared to play dirty. We must do everything within our power to ensure that the rest of the lands of Damir side with us, or that Kazimir never has the chance to strike."

"You, my daughter," Serafima took Nastasia's hands and clasped them tightly, "are our best chance at doing so." She heaved a sigh, as if dreading her next words. "That is why you will remain here when the rest of us leave for the other kingdoms. Alexei will stay behind too."

"What?" Nastasia spat. "I wasn't allowed to attend the meetings and now I won't be allowed to attend the tournaments?"

"It will be safer for you and Alexei to remain here, especially if the Andrians choose to turn on us in the middle of all this."

Nastasia began to reply, but was interrupted by a shout from across the hall. "Nasi!" Alexei hollered, sprinting towards them. Serafima released her with a pointed look and walked away. Alexei skidded to a halt beside Nastasia. "What did she want?"

"To give me a political lecture," Nastasia sighed. "I'm sorry I haven't spoken to you since the meeting. I've been trying to wrap my mind around it all."

Alexei flashed her a crooked grin. "It's all right. It gave me an excuse to irritate your professors when I told them you wouldn't be coming to lessons again." His expression grew serious. "Are you doing all right? I've been worried. Nikolai too. He's slept in the stables since I told him you wouldn't see anybody."

"Did he get on Volya and Andrey's bad sides again?" Nastasia asked, ignoring Alexei's question.

"No." Alexei shuffled his feet. "He got on Father's."

"What do you mean? Did he confront Father about the Council's decision?"

"No, Father went to him and said that if he upsets Andrey again, he'll be fired. He also told Nik that he has to stay away from you now."

"Did they argue?"

Alexei nodded. "Nik said he wasn't going to abandon you right when everything is changing and Father told him that if he's seen with you or around your chambers again, he'll be banned from the palace. If he tries to return after that, Volya has full authority to arrest him."

Nastasia gritted her teeth, then blew out a breath. "I know Father wasn't doing it to be cruel, but it still makes him sound like an ass."

"That's what Nikolai said," Alexei chuckled. "He also said that if you want to meet Yuri and Mischa, you need to meet him by the pond an hour after nightfall. Wear something that hides your hair and at least shrouds your face."

Nastasia's heart skipped a beat. "What?"

"You heard me, Nasi. Nik finally asked you out on a date." Alexei began to skip away, but Nastasia grabbed his arm.

"He's sneaking me into Dimesa?" She asked, her heart beating faster and faster.

Alexei rolled his eyes and tugged his arm away from her. "Well, he won't be sneaking you anywhere if you go on crowing about it and someone overhears. Now go get ready. I'll cover for you."

Nastasia beamed. "Thank you." Alexei grinned in return and sauntered down the hall.

•༻᯽༺•

Nikolai hovered near the edge of a tranquil pond, his eyes fixed on the opening in the maze where Nastasia would be coming from. The moon shone brightly overhead but a few scattered clouds hid the stars. He hoped a storm wouldn't develop while they were at The Dancing Bear. Grass rustled, catching his attention.

Nikolai looked back at the entrance as Nastasia appeared. She was dressed in a simple peasant gown, complete with a brown scarf wrapped around her head and shoulders. Only a few wisps of snowy hair were visible beneath it. Her skin was glowing softly in the darkness and her silvery eyes reflected the light of the moon. Nikolai smiled as Nastasia reached him.

"Let's hope this fades before we get to the tavern or we might have to sit in a dark corner where all the shady business happens," Nikolai teased, brushing his knuckle across her jaw.

Nastasia's blush was made evident by her glow. "I tried to cover my eyes but it didn't really work."

"It's all right. People shouldn't look at you close enough to notice. If someone tries to meet your gaze, just look down."

"Does that apply to Yuri and Mischa?"

"No, they know who you really are. They're very excited to meet you, by the way." Nikolai took her hand and they started through the other half of the maze, which would lead them to a side gate in the walls that surrounded the palace grounds.

"Nikolai, why are we doing this now?" Nastasia asked after a moment.

"I assume Alexei told you what your father said to me?" She nodded. "I promised I'd be here for you, Nasi, and if sneaking away from the palace is the only way we'll be able to meet, then so be it."

"That should be easy once the competition begins," Nastasia huffed. "Mother informed me that Alexei and I won't be allowed to travel with them and the Knights."

"I'm sure they're doing it for your protection."

"I'm sure, but I could've used the time traveling to acquaint myself with the other Knights, and with whomever I'll be forced to marry. At least then I might be used to the idea. Instead, I must sit here and eventually marry a complete stranger whose only interest in me will be how I'll boost his status, power, and wealth."

Nikolai squeezed her hand tightly, though he did not reply. What could he say to make things better? He could tell her how he felt and ask her to elope with him, but they would live their lives on the run. It would be next to impossible to hide a Moon Blessed Saint from her people.

And when they were found, he would likely be killed and she would be forced to marry someone against her will anyway. No, all he could do was provide her comfort and distractions now, and pray that he would figure out a way to help her before a wedding took place.