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He had to suppress a laugh as Kyden and Talinn stepped from the groundcar, attired in their full arena uniforms, including the flowing red cloaks.

And was Kyden actually wearing the Key to the House?

The thing was a gaudy monstrosity. After being in Outlier for so long he could understand how the Key would impress the people here, however.

They were all about ostentatious displays of wealth and power.

Massive as Dmitri was, Kyden was even bigger and carried his authority easily. Anyone who wanted to challenge him, in the arena or anywhere else was a fool.

Duke Nichevsky left the car with less enthusiasm and stood off to the side.

Kyden approached and Benet stiffened into attention.

He wasn’t sure exactly how his boss wanted to play this but if he was supposed to be a slave, then he knew the drill.

Speak when spoken to, ask no questions…oh yeah, it hadn’t been that long he’d been a free man in the Five Systems. Kyden surveyed him, eyes narrowing as he took in the nearly healed wound, which was closing itself efficiently.

Turning to the Duke, Kyden asked, “How has the training been going? Has my man performed as expected?”

Seeming startled to be asked, Nichevsky nodded. “He’s done quite well on the metal maze and the obstacle course. As Her Majesty said, Dmitri has been in charge of getting him ready for the Games. Dmitri’s a five-time gold medal winner.”

“Benet has met or exceeded all expectations,” Dmitri said. “Is he still to compete then?”

“The duke and I have a contract for his performance,” Kyden replied. “With the Empress herself as a witness. After the conclusion of the Games I’ll be going home and taking Benet with me whether he wins a medal or not. We have an arena season to prepare for.”

Deep inside Benet there was a huge release of tension at the news he didn’t have to win a medal to go free. Of course he was going to do his best to win the gold anyway—a man had his pride. He also had questions, tons of them, but they’d all have to wait until he and Kyden had privacy to talk.

“Do you want to see him put through his paces?” the duke asked.

As if I was one of his horses. Benet took a deep breath to keep himself from objecting. If Kyden ordered him into the maze he’d have to go.

“He’s finished the training course for the day,” Dmitri said dismissively. “Weight training is next and then a run.”

Kyden stepped closer to Benet, in his face. “Do you think you can win?”

“Of course, boss, no question.” Especially now I’ve got all those Badari blood cells working their magic.

In the days since the attack and the transfusion he’d been exploring the new limits of his endurance and strength and had been gratified to find himself probably improved by a factor of 100%.

Not to mention he could take bigger risks in the damn maze now he’d heal immediately.

Benet wasn’t sure what his limits actually were but he kept pushing.

And now he had telepathy as well, at least with Kyden.

“I’m satisfied for now,” Kyden said. “We can watch him train tomorrow.” He glanced at the duke. “I think we’re done here, no need for you to stay. I’m sure you have more pressing matters to attend to.”

“Don’t you want to ride to the palace?” Nichevsky gestured at the waiting groundcar.

“I’ll order another one.” Kyden was unconcerned. “I want to see more of the grounds here and I’m sure Dmitri can guide us, if he’s won so many medals.”

“It would be my honor,” the Badari said with a bow.

“It’s settled then. I’ll see you at the Games if not before.”

Talinn stepped between the duke and Kyden. “May I escort you to the car, your grace?”

Once the duke was gone, they did indeed take a tour of the athletic facilities, including the actual metal maze and obstacle course area.

If Kyden had hoped to talk privately he was destined to be disappointed since the area was quite crowded as the opening ceremonies were in a few days and teams had been arriving in increasing numbers.

At the end of the tour, Dmitri issued an invitation.

“I’d like to cook you a traditional Outlier meal in my apartment at the palace,” he said to Kyden and Talinn. “Do you have full and free access to the city and the palace or should I make arrangements?”

Kyden flashed a small badge. “The minister gave us each one of these after the audience with the empress. He said it would allow us to go anywhere, so I assume we’re fully permitted. I’d be honored to share a meal with you. Can we bring anything?”

“Thank you, no, I have everything I require for the meal I have in mind. Shall we say seven?”

“We’ll be there.” Kyden cast a meaningful glance at Benet.

“With your permission, I’d like to invite your man as well,” Dmitri said. “It was my plan. He and I have grown friendly over the course of the training.”

Benet knew he’d have been there anyway but it was a good idea for Dmitri to make his presence explicit. He expected there were many listening ears in the vicinity right now. The empress might have given Kyden full access to her planet but the gesture didn’t mean she trusted him.

“An unusual request but given all the circumstances, he may attend the meal,” Kyden said with condescension but there was a twinkle in his eye and he gave Benet a small wink.

“Our groundcar is here,” Talinn said.

“We’ll see you this evening then.” Without another word Kyden pivoted and walked to the waiting vehicle, Talinn marching behind him.

“And now we must go make up time at the weight room,” Dmitri said, pulling Benet away from his focus on the departing car and his friends.

He wished with all his heart he could have gone with them but he could take comfort in the fact that his situation was completely changed from what it had been that morning when he got up and his repatriation to the Five Systems was now as much of a sure thing as it could be.

Outlier was full of nasty surprises, however, so he wouldn’t celebrate until he was actually in the ship flying home.

With Marushka by his side.