Page 19 of Benet

“I forgot you actually knew him,” Marushka said. “Which is a good thing since you’ll have to be there with me tonight.”

Benet marveled again at how long-lived Dmitri was. “How did you keep your sanity all these centuries, watching people be born, grow up and then die?” he asked, trying to imagine himself in a similar situation.

“The goddess placed me here so it was my duty to observe and to survive,” the Badari said, rubbing his chest again in his habitual odd, absent-minded manner. “Badari were designed to live a long time, with our self-healing.”

“All that time and you never fell in love?” Marushka asked from her place in Benet’s arms. He could see the glimmer of tears in her eyes, no doubt thinking of the centuries of loneliness her friend had endured.

“There was a lady once,” Dmitri said after an uncomfortable silence. “She and I became good friends and perhaps could have been more but the empress then was jealous. She didn’t desire me for myself, thank the goddess, but no one else was to have me either. The woman was exiled and later died in a suspicious manner. I still feel guilty about it all these centuries later. But after her I kept my distance from everyone and they began using me to bodyguard children, which I greatly enjoyed for the most part.” He pointed at Marushka. “You gave me a hard time more than once, devochka.”

“Sorry, not sorry,” she said, displaying her dimples.

“You don’t heal as fast as you used to, do you?” Benet asked.

Dmitri glared at him. “How would you know?”

Realizing he’d hit squarely on a subject Dmitri didn’t care for, Benet said, “Kyden had the same problem in his last few years as an active gladiator. We went to great lengths to hide the fact.”

“And what was his solution?” Dmitri asked.

“He said as soon as he met his mate Elara he recovered his full ability.”

“Well then, as we just discussed his solution won’t work for me.”

There was another awkward silence.

“Can I get either of you anything to eat or drink?” Benet asked. “There’s a lot of healthy stuff in the stasis keeper. I had to go into the city to buy my own bacon and eggs.”

Making a face, which didn’t affect her beauty at all in his opinion, Marushka said, “I’ve already eaten and the menu wasn’t healthy but it was delicious. They do eat well here in the empress’s palace. I should be going—it’ll seem suspicious if I stay too long.”

“She’s actually here to see a horse,” Dmitri said with a grin. “So don’t flatter yourself she came to check up on you.”

“A horse?”

Poking him playfully in the ribs, which didn’t hurt at all, Marushka pretended to be insulted. “I am a veterinarian, remember.”

“How in the seven hells can you juggle those duties with all the events going on at court?” Benet asked.

“I’m not the primary vet of course, but I’m listed on the official roster. It’s a handy excuse to get inside the venue and see you..” She kissed him quickly. “My father has several troika teams racing this year.”

“Teams of three horses,” Dmitri interjected.

“And one of them, Solzhy, likes to bite his harness mates, which of course isn’t good for the team pulling together and winning any races. We have him on a strict regimen of drugs to help his anxiety so I’m here to check his blood levels. He likes me,” Marushka added with a smile. “I always bring sugar cubes.”

“Why keep him in the race at all?” Benet asked.

“He’s the biggest and fastest my father’s farms have ever produced. His stud fees will be immense,” Marushka answered with pride. “Especially if he’s part of a Games-winning team.”

“Stud fees, eh?” Benet raised one eyebrow and made his comment in a speculative tone. “So if I win my event?—”

“Don’t go any further with that thought.” Marushka slapped him on the chest. “Solzhy has four feet and eats hay.”

“I don’t want any woman but you,” Benet said seriously. “Your father agreed if I win the gold for him I can go back to the Five Systems.”

Her happy expression faded and she grew sober. “There’s little chance he’ll honor the agreement. I hate to say it but my father has no honor to speak of.”

“I know. He doesn’t fool me but strategically it was a good move to get him on the record I can go home.” Benet took her hand. “I’m going to get there and I want to take you with me.”

“Now you’ve done it,” Dmitri said. “We’re out of here, my lady.” He moved to steer Marushka towards the door.

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