Page 28 of I Dated a Retired Hero

“What?”

“How many children do you have?”

“None that I am aware of. I am sure the government would know. Any claims are investigated.”

“Oh, right.”

She nibbled at some of the sliced sausage and then reached for some bread and stacked it. “You recovered quickly, Midnight.”

“Sergei. My name is Sergei.”

“Okay.”

“Say it.”

“Asshole.” She stated.

He paused. “What?”

“You gave me an order, and I am far too old for orders.”

Sergei stared at her. “You think you are old?”

“I know I am older than most bed bunnies you have been entertaining and most who fawn at you. I am old enough to know that I am past the age of listening to what anyone tells me to do unless I already want to do it.”

“When did you activate?”

“Fourteen.”

He nodded. “You are angry about it?”

“I hate it. Sure, it has given, but it has also taken far more.”

“That much I understand. In males, power is encouraged and dealt with with ease. For women, it is like it isn’t the same energy, the same methods of control, and the same means of motivation.”

“Yeah, they tried to give me all the occupations I wanted, but nothing was enough. It took me years before I figured out why. Active drive. After that, my life was hell.” She sipped at the strong, sweet mint tea she had been served. “But hey. It could have been worse.”

He chuckled. “I am glad that I can be a cautionary tale.”

Music started up, and he grinned. “And now the dancing. I hope you are not in a hurry.”

She smiled. “I can just keep eating.”

Her little ballerina friend from the morning was there wearing traditional dress of boots, a long skirt, and an embroidered blouse. The headdress was flowers with ribbons hanging low, and she looked adorable.

She was standing tall, and as the music started, she began a cute hopping step that had her swaying from side to side. Other young women joined, and they danced in patterns that were familiar to everyone watching except Litha. When the men joined, it made her smile, and she watched the very decorous moves happen with minimal contact between the sexes.

Warm breath across her cheek heralded the question. “Enjoying the dancing?”

“I always do.”

He chuckled and turned her head to face him. He met her gaze, and she stared at him, blinking slowly.

The music changed, and she whipped her chin off his light grip to turn back to the dancers.

He mused, “I don’t hypnotize you.”

“Nope.”

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