"And how do you know that?" He arched a brow. "Is that were you were today? With Nikolai?" His lips curled. "Alina, I could allow such things when you were children--but you're at an age now where it would be a scandal and get the tongues wagging if you are with him unchaperoned. I know he was your friend once, but things are different now, your roles are different now." And he wouldn't be surprised if he told her that lie about the front to get her to spread her legs. "And if we WAS at the front, that was a closely guarded secret that he shouldn't be telling anyone, not even you, Solnishka."