Page 68 of Bonded To The Arena Master

"I carried the southern repair account to Lord Obsidius. The guard said he was inside the temporary workroom with the apothecary. The door was open."

I remember the morning. Beatrix grinding salve in a black bowl. My scrape gathering red dust. Her command that I sit.

"What did you see?" Korgath asks.

"She held his arm and cleaned beneath the damaged carapace. She placed medicine into the scrape and bound it."

"A healer treating her lord. Nothing forbidden in that."

Korgath gives him the path. Telen follows it.

"Lord Obsidius saw the bruise on her shoulder. He touched it with care. She held his wrist while he did."

The galleries react more loudly.

Volvath understand the difference Telen describes. Medical handling serves function. A powerful demon moderating his claws against fragile human skin reveals choice.

Korgath paces along the edge of Telen's circle.

"Did Lord Obsidius order the treatment?"

"She ordered him to sit."

Laughter breaks from one upper tier. It dies when I turn my silver gaze toward it.

"And he obeyed?" Korgath asks.

"Yes."

"Did he punish the breach of rank?"

"No."

"Did the human show fear while commanding him?"

Telen glances toward Beatrix. "No."

Korgath lets the answer reach every gallery before continuing.

"You later carried records to Lord Obsidius's study. Describe what you heard."

"They were speaking inside."

"About what?"

"Lord Korgath's accusations at Council."

My memory returns to Beatrix standing beside the study desk two nights ago, reading the political purpose beneath insults that had occupied my anger for weeks. She told me solitude was the only form of honor Korgath understood. She saw the trap before I did.

"How did Lord Obsidius address her?" Korgath asks.

Telen's voice gains a fraction of strength. "He asked for her judgment. He listened when she disagreed."

"As a lord consults useful property?"

"No."

"Then how?"