AVEN looked as stubborn as he had the day before when she saw him. He'd reached the field early, presumably, and was sitting on his own. The other trainees had already paired up, and as much as Asmeen didn't want to, she went to sit next to him.

"I was right," she said without preamble, not looking at him. "Yesterday."

Aven shook his head. "No, you weren't."

Asmeen couldn't believe him. "Yes, I was! I checked my notes. And my sisters'!"

"Then your notes were wrong. And theirs," he said calmly. But she could see the frustration hiding beneath his façade.

She let out an angry breath, ignoring him altogether. Clearly, he wasn't going to admit that he was wrong, even though he could have jeopardized their chances at making it. Sometimes, Dara and Osoric would choose neither from a pair, if they felt like both the partners weren't worthy. Asmeen wouldn't let that happen. Not to herself.

When Dara and Osoric arrived, the field quieted automatically. It was obvious they weren't making a potion—there was no cauldron—so what would they be doing?

The answer came in a few moments. "Today, we'll be having a simple quiz," Osoric said. "We'll ask everyone a question, individually, so there's no need for competition."

Today, Asmeen thought.

"Let's start from there," Dara said, gesturing at the first pair, two boys who'd clearly just had their fifteenth. They looked afraid to be singled out.

Being among the oldest, all the way at the back, Asmeen knew they'd be nearly last. She'd rather get it over it than wait for so long. At least it wouldn't take too long. Once the quiz was over, they'd probably be able to go home, and she'd be able to get away from Aven, who was now fiddling with the laces on his shoe in a most annoying manner.

"You," Dara said, pointing at the first boy. "What do we do for the Winter Moon?"

It was a shared holiday, where both the Children of the Night and the Flower Children celebrated together. The question wasn't that hard.

"We worship both gods together," the boy said timidly. Asmeen could barely hear his voice. "At midnight, we go outside and look at the moon through glass and light candles."

Asmeen nodded.

"He forgot something," Aven murmured, his voice so soft it could be mistaken for the wind.

Unfortunately, Asmeen was sitting beside him and could hear. She gave him a narrowed glare. "What?"

"The next morning, we collect the unburnt candles and burn them again," he replied, his voice quiet and smug.

Asmeen bit her lip. "That's a minor detail. He said all the important parts."

Then they both sat quietly, because Osoric was asking the next question, and it wouldn't do to talk while the leaders were talking.

It continued like that, Dara and Osoric alternating in asking questions, and the trainees answering, Asmeen and Aven occasionally bickering over the answers. There were many harsh looks given.

Wylla and Elyn, as well as their partners (from what Asmeen could tell, she only knew the basics about the Children of the Night) all answered correctly.

Finally, it was their turn.

Asmeen was first.

Dara looked straight at her and asked, "On a night of a blood moon, what flower crowns do we wear?" It was a rather specific question, blood moons coming hardly once every year or two.

Asmeen let out a breath, calming herself. She knew this. She'd studied just last night. "White baby's breath, white camellias. And one small red chrysanthemum at the front," she added hurriedly.

She let her shoulders relax a bit as both leaders nodded and turned their attention to Aven, and Osoric asked him, "On a night of a blood moon, what candles do we light?"

"Rosemary and lavender," Aven answered promptly.

Asmeen wasn't sure whether it was correct or not, but Osoric didn't say it was wrong, and they moved on. There was only one pair left, and after finishing them, the leaders went back to the front of the field.

Asmeen fidgeted in her place. No one had many any obvious mistakes, as far as she could tell, so they were probably all equal in the leaders' eyes. There wasn't much she could do to stand out, not yet. And yet she'd have to, because despite the partners, Dara and Osoric were the ones who made the decision in the end.

"Now that we've finished," Osoric said, his arms clasped behind his back, "You may all go home."

"Remember that this is only the second day," Dara added. "You won't be able to leave this early as time passes. And the tasks will be much harder."

Asmeen swallowed. Of course she knew that it would only get harder. It had, honestly, been too easy so far. The initial rounds had been far harder than these, which only led her to wonder what exactly would Dara and Osoric make them do in the coming days.

"You may leave," Osoric said, and the pair walked off together.

Asmeen gave Aven a dirty look, which he returned, and walked off to find her sisters.

Wylla's partner had just rushed off the field, so Wylla was standing alone. "So?" Wylla asked when she saw Asmeen approaching. "How was it? You answered correct."

Asmeen nodded. "So did you and Elyn. But my partner!" She groaned, not particularly caring whether or not Aven could still hear her.

"I could hear you arguing," Elyn said, popping up suddenly. Asmeen hadn't even noticed her coming. "You're lucky Dara and Osoric couldn't." This she coupled with a disapproving look.

Asmeen flushed. "I know. But—ugh, he's so awful."

"He thinks he was right?" Wylla asked, her eyebrows rising. She glanced behind Asmeen. "Well, he's gone, anyways."

Asmeen nodded solemnly. "He's refusing to admit he was wrong. He said our notes must have had a mistake!"

Wylla frowned. "I don't think so."

"Of course we didn't!" Asmeen said impatiently.

"This isn't the place," Elyn said lowly, looking around. "Come on." She led them out of the field.

Asmeen was still fuming silently when she saw Nara waiting for them. Wylla peeled off to meet her own friends, who were waiting for her. Elyn went with her, agreeing to meet up in front of the house in five minutes.

"What's wrong?" Nara asked as soon as she saw Asmeen.

"Your sister's friend," Asmeen said darkly, "Is utterly awful. In fact, I don't know why she's even friends with him!"

If she wasn't mistaken, Nara was having a hard time holding back a smile. "Nyma said that once he thinks he's right, he's stubborn about it. Rather like you."

Asmeen's jaw dropped open. "I am not like him. That is, in fact, an insult."

Nara let out a snort. "Sure. Anyways, just let the matter blow over and it should be fine." Then she looked at Asmeen closely. "What, did you two fight today as well?"

Asmeen's lips tightened. "Yes."

Nara rolled her eyes. "Just leave him alone. Apparently if you don't provoke him, he won't respond."

Asmeen sighed heavily. As much as Aven rubbed her up the wrong way, she couldn't deny that it would be better to at least be civil with her partner. That was what they had agreed on, after all, before Aven had messed everything up.

Nara nudged her shoulder. "Cheer up. It'll be fine." She looked at the road. "Well, I should leave here."

Asmeen gave her a sad look.

Nara laughed. "It's not my fault. You got into trouble. We'll spend more time when your fathers let you. Until then, steer clear of spilling any wine." With this impeccable pearl of wisdom, she walked away, waving a hand in farewell.

Asmeen groaned and walked faster. Her house was just ahead, and she could see Elyn standing in front of it.

"Where's Wylla?" Asmeen asked, approaching.

Elyn sighed and pointed.

Asmeen turned and saw Wylla, still surrounded by her group of friends, waving her hands animatedly. What was she telling them?

Wylla left just that moment, her eyes widening when she saw the two of them standing there with their arms crossed, and hurried to them. "Sorry," she said, waving her hands.

"Come on," Elyn said without acknowledging the apology. They walked up and knocked on the door.

Azol opened it, dressed as he always was in a beautiful silk robe. He arched an elegant eyebrow. "How was it?"

"The same as yesterday, Papa," Wylla said. "It was easy. It'll get harder later."

"Can we enter?" Elyn asked, pointedly looking at the inside of the house.

Azol opened the door wider, letting them in. They hurried up the stairs, Asmeen already knowing she was going to get bored, and that Elyn was going to tell them to study.

She was proven right when Elyn, while changing, said, "Let's get to work."

"No!" Wylla groaned.

Elyn gave her a dirty look. "We should. If we hadn't studied last night, we might not have answered our questions today."

"I would have," Wylla grumbled. She was ignored. Elyn sat at their desk with her notes. Wylla sighed and turned to Asmeen. "It makes sense for her to study! She has work. But the two of us shouldn't have to!"

Asmeen bit her lip uncertainly. "I don't know. She's right. We should be studying. And besides." Her stare darkened. "I need to make sure my partner doesn't do anything wrong tomorrow."

Wylla sighed heavily. "Fine. But just so you know, if we overwork ourselves, I'm blaming you, El."

"Feel free to," Elyn murmured, most of her attention on her notes.

They settled down to study, and even though it was quiet, Asmeen found that she just couldn't concentrate. After all, she knew all of this. She'd been studying the same, extensive notes for months. She was sure she'd remember these rituals till the day she'd die.

Her thoughts kept wandering to Dara, and what she would be thinking of her. If she even thought of Asmeen at all. And Aven, his damned arrogance and stubbornness. Hopefully, they'd be able to let it go the next day. And, above all, what Dara and Osoric had in store for them.

She sighed, trying her hardest to focus on the notes that had probably been burned into her mind. She'd only have to do this for a few more weeks. Then, one way or another, she wouldn't have to study these notes again.

With that thought, she refocused, promising herself that it was just for a bit longer. And the harder she worked, the better she would do. Even their punishment seemed like it was good for them.

This way of thinking seemed too much like Elyn's, so she shook it off and just concentrated on memorizing everything.

See you next chapter!