They were only a few yards from the palace when Nastasia paused and looked back. She'd only seen the palace from the outside a handful of times, and never from beyond the walls that surrounded it. She lifted her gaze to the looming marble walls and the onion shaped towers that rose above them.

    Candlelight twinkled through hundreds of stained glass windows, reflecting on the many carvings etched into the palace walls. The carvings depicted different times in Nyctoli's history, from Dimitri and Inesa emerging from the Chasm, to the first Humans settling in the country. The carvings had been left there by their Dwarf forefathers, and Nyctolians carried on the Dwarven tradition of chiseling history into the walls of their homes.

    In addition to the windows and carvings, multiple banners and flags waved in the faint breeze. They bore Nyctoli's official colors, purple, black, and white, as well as the Royal Seal. Nastasia had always admired the symbolism and intricacy of the Seal.

    It was a two-headed bird, that of a barn owl and an eagle. The barn owl wore Inesa's silver crown, peaked by a crescent moon, and the eagle wore Dimitri's golden one, which bore a flaming sun. In the center of the two-headed creature was the Royal Coat of Arms. It featured a mountain valley and a scroll bound by an olive branch.

    "Nasi?" Nikolai called, tugging on her hand.

    Nastasia let him lead her further away before she spoke. "I'm sorry. I've just never seen the palace like this. It looks smaller on the outside."

    "That's what I've always said," Nikolai chuckled. Then, his expression grew more serious. "Stay close to me while we're at the tavern. It's not particularly dangerous, but sometimes people tend to get rowdy."

    "What about the men who attacked Yuri?"

    "They've all been arrested. Volya won't release them for another week."

    "Good. I'm glad we won't have to worry about them."

    "Me too, but all the same."

    "Don't worry. I won't wander off." She elbowed him and smiled. Nikolai shook his curly head with a grin, and the scent of rain and freshly tilled soil wafted towards her. There was just a hint of musty straw accompanying it.

    Nastasia returned her focus to the city that now sprawled before her. Everywhere she looked, she saw marble or white-washed walls chipped with carvings and lined by stained glass windows. Even the columns that supported balconies and verandas were carved. Some were laced by winding ivy vines or sconces full of flowers. There were breaks in the cobblestone street for trees, and patches of grass grew in the narrow alleys between buildings.

    Despite the late hours, people were still bustling about. Most of the women wore dresses resembling courtly attire, although they were far less embellished than Nastasia's own gowns. She had to admit that she much preferred their lace-up bodices and quarter-length sleeves as opposed to the long slit sleeves and the tight bodies she had to be stitched into. Their skirts were also shorter, ending just above the ankles, whereas her own trailed behind her.

    "I don't think I'd hate gowns quite so much if I could wear these ones more often," Nastasia said, gesturing to her own peasant garb. "It's not as restricting."

    "And less heavy, I imagine. Sometimes I'm not sure how you can even walk in your gowns."

    Nastasia giggled at that and resumed her studies. Her mouth quirked sideways as she looked down at herself. Admittedly, I do look better when my chest, or lack thereof, is hidden beneath jewels and embroidery. These lace-up bodices don't really help me in that regard. She certainly didn't resemble the women whose laces were strung taut and ready to snap.

    "This way," Nikolai said, resting a hand on the small of her back.

    Nastasia's heart leaped into her throat, but before she had the chance to blush, she was being ushered into a warm, crowded building. She spied a sign dangling above the door before it closed behind them. "This is The Dancing Bear?" She almost had to yell to be heard above the din of voices.

    "It is. Look back there." Nikolai pointed to the far side of the tavern. Nastasia's eyes widened. Where there should've been a wall, there was instead a large opening. Wooden doors perched on rollers were mounted on either side of it. Wooden rails formed a rectangular enclosure outside of the building and an awning stretched above it. "That's what we call the Rings. It's where all of the betting and brawling takes place."

    "And Mischa is the reigning Champion?"

    "For now." Nikolai led her towards another end of the tavern where two men were seated at a rickety table.

    Nastasia let herself look them over before they arrived. One of the men was built like a giant, with a broad chest and shoulders, and biceps the size of her head. His honey brown hair was shaved short and plastered flat to his head. His features were far more rounded than most men she'd seen, but she still found him fairly handsome.

    Her gaze shifted to the second man, who was almost small in comparison to the first. He was lean and lanky, but had to be shorter than Nikolai. His short blond hair was ruffled and his brown eyes sparked with mischief. One of them was still ringed in yellow bruises. "How old are they?" Nastasia whispered, tipping her head towards Nikolai.

    "Mischa is twenty-four like me and Yuri is only a year younger."

    The blond haired man grinned as they reached the table. He stood at once, bowing at the waist in an exaggerated manner. "Your Highness." He pulled out a seat for her.

    "This is Yuri Novikov," Nikolai said as Nastasia sat down. "And that is Mischa Balakin."

    "It's a pleasure to finally meet you." Yuri plopped back into his seat. "Nik has told us a lot about you."

    "Oh really? What has he said?" Nastasia asked.

    Nikolai shot Yuri a withering glance. "That look means he'll renew my black eye if I answer," Yuri snickered. "Why don't you tell her, Mischa?"

    Mischa's cheeks flushed as Nastasia looked at him. He lowered his head. "Only good things, your Highness."

    "You can call me Nasi," she said. "We don't want people realizing I'm here, after all."

    "Of course not," Yuri agreed. "Ah, here we are." He winked at the barmaid who had approached their table, carrying a tray laden with drinks. He took four of the frothing mugs and set them on the table as the maid bustled off. "We took the liberty of ordering for the pair of you."

    Nastasia lifted her mug and eyed it warily, then sniffed it. "What is it?"

    "Bearkin stout."

    "Why is it called that?"

    "It's a house recipe, named after the tavern's founder," Nikolai explained. "This tavern has been in the same family for five generations and they say the man who started it resembled a bear. He was big and hairy and loved to brawl."

    "Apparently, he was brewing a batch of particularly strong ale one day and got himself drunk, just before a bear happened upon the site of his distillery. He fought the bear in a drunken stupor but still won. Alina, the woman who owns The Dancing Bear now, loves to share the story."

    "How fascinating," Nastasia laughed. She watched as Mischa drained half of his mug in one gulp. Yuri drank a little slower. She glanced at Nikolai.

    "It's strong," he warned. "But you can try it if you like. Just don't guzzle it like Mischa. He only does that so he won't pull his punches when the brawling starts."

    "You're just jealous cause you're a city boy who never learned to drink properly," Mischa retorted.

    "A city boy? So where do you come from?" Nastasia asked. She sniffed her drink again, then took a hesitant sip. At once, her eyes began to burn, but she managed to swallow. All three men were watching her in silent amusement. "Don't stare," she admonished, turning away in hopes of hiding her blush. Nikolai laughed and took a long draught from his own mug.

    "We're both from Herodion," Yuri said, gesturing to himself and Mischa. "We grew up working the fields together."

    "How did you find yourselves in Dimesa?"

    "When Lord Ruslan was elected into office five years ago, he noticed that the previous Lord had left our city with too many laborers and too few farms. He offered to finance anyone who wanted to travel to Dimesa to learn a new trade for six months so there would be more jobs available to those left behind. Mischa and I chose to come since we were the youngest in our families and had older brothers with more experience in the fields anyway."

    "And you haven't wanted to go back?" Nastasia drank deeper this time and a warm hum filled her stomach.

    "We go back to visit and usually spend a few weeks at home during the summer, but during the cold months, the pay is better here," Mischa explained.

    Nastasia tilted her head. "Why haven't you applied for the Royal Guard? You look like you'd be good for the job."

    Mischa blushed again. "Well, I...um..." He glanced pleadingly at Nikolai.

    "He can't read or write," Nikolai said. "Those are requirements for members of the Guard."

    "And I can't join because they're afraid I'd be too busy ogling everyone's cocks to perform my duties," Yuri butted in.

    "Yuri," Nikolai hissed.

    Nastasia blamed the warmth in her face on the drink she busied herself with. Yuri laughed as he watched her. "Welcome to your city, Princess, where unlearned country boys tussle with pompous city boys and always come out on top."

    Mischa nearly choked on his drink and Nikolai smacked a palm to his forehead. Yuri winked with a sly smirk and Nastasia suddenly knew exactly what he meant. Her face burned hotter still. Mischa and Yuri's eyes widened. "Damn, Nik, you weren't kidding when you said she glows," Yuri breathed.

    Nastasia looked down at what little of her skin was showing. Sure enough, she was once more glowing with a pale light. "Come on, Nasi." Nikolai offered her a hand. "Let's make sure no one else notices that."

    "How?" She asked, placing her hand in his.

    Nikolai drew her into a tableless portion of the tavern where multiple couples were dancing. He tucked her close to himself, using his tall frame to hide her from sight. Nastasia didn't protest as they began to dance. Gradually, the heat in her face lessened, but she knew a slight blush remained.

    "Your friends are...everything you said they'd be," she laughed nervously.

    "I'm sorry if they made you uncomfortable. Yuri is just very expressive."

    "They didn't, don't worry. In fact, I don't mind at all. It was unexpected and a little...embarrassing, but a nice change from the way everyone talks at the palace." Nastasia glanced back at Mischa and Yuri. "I like them."

    "I'm glad."

    Nastasia looked back at Nikolai, a thought occurring to her. "Have you read them your secret poems?"

    "By the Goddess, no. I'd never hear the end of it if I did."

    "Why?"

    Nikolai rolled his brown, amber flecked eyes. "Nice try, Nasi." She giggled, then gasped as she stumbled over her own feet. Nikolai tightened his arms around her and she braced her hands on his chest. "Tell me you're not going to be hungover tomorrow just from half of a drink."

    "Of course not," she replied. "But if I am, I'll claim I stole a bottle of wine again."

    "Again? How many times would that make?"

    "Four, and you know that because you were there the first three times." She smacked his arm playfully.

    "Alexei is still furious about that last time by the way."

    "Alexei will be fine. I didn't try anything until I was eighteen and he can do the same."

    "Remember how I had to wrestle you into trying something?" Nikolai teased. "Look at you now. Such a rebel."

    "I suppose I should enjoy rebelling while I can. Women in Andrian aren't allowed to drink."

    Nikolai's smile faded. "I brought you here to help you take your mind off everything. Let's keep it that way."

    "I know. I'm sorry," she sighed.

    Gently, Nikolai hooked a finger beneath her chin and lifted her gaze to his. He almost seemed to be searching for something, but what, she did not know. "I almost wish that I'd agreed to start training to be a guard when Father demanded it. I might be a Knight now, like Volya." His heart was pounding beneath her palm. She inched her hand up to his neck until her fingers brushed his stubbled jaw.

    "You would enter the tournament for me?" Nastasia dared to ask.

    "I would do anything for you, Moonlight."

    After a moment, Nastasia forced herself to break his gaze. "Let's sit down. I have more questions for Mischa and Yuri." Nikolai let her lead him back to the table, but she sensed his disappointment. It coated the back of her throat like a spoonful of molasses, thick and bitter.