Queen Diamond took only a few moments to expertly compose herself.

"Very well," she said. "The challenge for the throne occurs tomorrow, as is the custom." She nodded her head slightly toward Snowfox, who did the same.

Arctic stared at them, stunned to see such a calm and subtle ritual signal a death match. He imagined the flurry of yelling and the flailing, agitated wings that Foeslayer might have responded with had she been in Queen Diamond's place. And his heart ached. It was those very un-IceWinglike tendencies that had helped him fall in love with her in the first place.

Foeslayer. If Queen Diamond were defeated, how would he ever find her again?

And Diamond would be defeated, as long as Snowfox wore Whiteout's enchanted necklace.

And if Snowfox became queen, Whiteout and Arctic were both as good as dead.

"In the meantime," Diamond continued. "I am still your queen, and you appear to have something that belongs to me. Where is she?"

"I am keeping her away from the traitor," Snowfox said, tilting her head toward Arctic. "Protecting her for you, Your Majesty."

Queen Diamond growled.

"Nice try," she snarled. "She is mine, and mine to keep wherever I see fit, whatever you think."

"Perhaps I release her to you directly, Your Majesty," Snowfox replied. "And he could — perhaps — earn her back? Do something to prove his loyalty to the IceWings instead of to our enemy?"

Queen Diamond smiled thoughtfully, conspiratorially.

Here it comes, Arctic worried.

"What do you have in mind?" Diamond asked.

"We have some NightWing prisoners," Snowfox said silkily. "He killed innocent IceWings on his way out of the Ice Kingdom. Now let him repay the deed. Let him shed the same amount of blood from NightWings to earn his freedom from the Night Kingdom."

Well. That's a sick and useless plan. And I notice she doesn't promise me any place in the Ice Kingdom with this proposal, either.

Queen Diamond gazed thoughtfully at Snowfox. Slowly, she nodded her approval and an evil smile spread across her face.

"No," Arctic protested. "No. We don't kill prisoners of war."

"It's really only fair, Cousin," Snowfox said in her sweetest voice.

"I've already shed enough blood. And never intentionally. I won't do it."

"Your dragonets' mother has no problem fighting in the front lines against our tribe," Diamond retorted. "Magically protected by you, I might add. It does raise questions about where your loyalties lie."

"I have never fought against the IceWings!"

Snowfox snorted.

Arctic quietly continued speaking. "That night I left here… that was an accident. I understand if I can't be forgiven for it; I can't forgive myself for it, either. But adding to my crimes by murdering prisoners–!"

"Think of it as carrying out an execution," Diamond retorted smoothly. "You're just following your queen's orders. Because I am your queen, aren't I, son? Not Queen Vigilance?"

Arctic evaded her question with another. "An execution for what crime?"

"For being NightWings, of course," Snowfox supplied, failing to stifle a wicked laugh.

"For… conspiracy," Diamond answered. "For conspiring in the kidnapping of the IceWing animus prince and stealing his magic for the NightWings. We won't provide you with any NightWings to execute who don't deserve it."

"I wasn't kidnapped!" Arctic snarled. Then he remembered that he was IceWing royalty. He stood up straighter and took a deep breath to compose himself. With all the calmness he could muster, he asked, "Where is my family?"

"I am your family," Queen Diamond replied.

"Where is Whiteout? I need to see that she is alive and unharmed." Arctic bared his teeth at Snowfox. "Take me to her."

Snowfox hesitated.

"Take us both to her," Queen Diamond commanded.

Snowfox took a long breath, as if steadying herself. "Very well," she said.

Snowfox turned and walked across the room. She pushed against the wall and a secret door opened.

"Follow me," she said.

Queen Diamond nodded, apparently understanding, and followed Snowfox. Arctic paused; he was finally learning to be suspicious after all these years. Whiteout had warned him not to trust either of these dragons – and hadn't she already been proven right about them? Still, what choice did he have? He grabbed a floating light orb and followed, keeping as much distance as he could while still being able to see the other two IceWings.

Down, down, down the narrow hallways and staircases they went. Arctic's eyes darted around occasionally, looking for escape routes should he need them. Fear closed in around him as he felt trapped by these small spaces and malicious dragons.

Finally, finally, they reached the end, and Snowfox opened a door. She peered in slowly, then released an audible sigh.

"Here she is," Snowfox announced.

Diamond and Arctic entered the dungeon. There was Whiteout – caged, trembling violently in a corner, her eyes frantic as they locked with Arctic's.

"It's too late," she said. "The sand is already falling."

Queen Diamond barked, "What? What's this? Is something happening in the Kingdom of Sand?"

"No," Whiteout answered. "The sand is falling. We're too late. The sand is falling."

"What have you done to her?" Diamond demanded of Snowfox. "She's gone insane. You've ruined her! What use is she to me now?"

"Too late for what?" Arctic asked Whiteout, trying to buy some time before the queen continued her dangerous train of thought.

"Darkstalker," Whiteout said simply.

"What about him?" Queen Diamond asked.

Arctic held his breath nervously. Maybe something had happened to Darkstalker. Now that Whiteout's necklace was off, she might betray her affection for her brother in front of Queen Diamond. That would make it so much more difficult to keep her safe.

"The crown is twisted," Whiteout answered.

Diamond cursed. "INSANE!" she screamed. "SHE'S INSANE! SHE HAD THE SEEING POWERS AND NOW YOU'VE RUINED HER!" Eyes wide, Diamond hissed to Snowfox, "You. If it weren't for our challenge tomorrow, I would just kill you right now."

"No, Your Majesty," Arctic physically jumped a little as he jumped into the conversation. "Sometimes… this is how it works."

"Oh really." Diamond said. Arctic had the sense that she didn't believe him. "Whiteout, come out of that cell," the queen commanded. "You stay with me now."

"No. I need to stay with my father." Whiteout did not trust the queen with even an ounce of her being.

Queen Diamond frowned, her eyes flashing.

"Prince Arctic can earn you back into his custody. We have already discussed what he needs to do." She turned to Arctic. "I. want. to. see. red. NightWing. blood."

"No, Father, please–"

"Come," Diamond commanded. As if pulled by invisible strings, Whiteout followed Queen Diamond as she turned and left the dungeon.

"Father." Whiteout's eyes locked with Arctic's, pleasingly, as Diamond led her away.

Arctic realized then with a jolt of clarity: he was out of time, and he would do anything to protect Whiteout. Anything.