Mikhail stepped forward. "I do hope you will forgive me for asking another favor, but would you permit me to evaluate your health?"
Olga blinked in surprise before looking away. "You are too kind. I would not wish to trouble you in such a way."
"No trouble at all," Mikhail snorted, moving closer and subtly angling his body to give the mare a better view of his impressive outline. He practically loomed over her, and he could see her nose twitching as she took in his scent. "Since your mother was originally a Copperstone, you are a Copperstone, as well. I feel ultimately responsible for your welfare as if you were a mare of my own herd."
Inwardly, he winced. Each word and movement was carefully chosen to invoke Olga's herd instincts, urging her to rely on this handsome stallion before her. It felt like a dirty move, but it was effective.
Olga shivered with delight. She had clearly longed for a loving herd for quite some time. "Then, I would be honored, Lord Copperstone."
"Thank you. Please, bear with me," Mikhail answered. Coming close, he prodded the mare's neck and sides with his nose, evaluating her scent and feeling the contours of her muscles and bones. This kind of contact was standard fare for horses, but the mare trembled slightly at his touch. The stallion also used his magic to scan her thoroughly. Everything he was detecting broke his heart.
Just as he suspected, she had been hard-used in the past, probably coming close to death at one point. Thankfully, she showed signs of massive improvement and was even experiencing a much delayed growth spurt. Still, she had a long way to go before he could call her healthy, and all her present traveling was only delaying her recovery. "Did the king make love to you in this state?"
Olga replied with her eyes closed, somewhat lost in her own world. "Yes, but he was not simply using me for pleasure. The act allowed him to infuse me with his own magic to boost my recovery. And he was very gentle."
There was truth to that, Mikhail knew. With her body so close to death, she probably had very little magic of her own left at the time. These magic infusions would have been life-saving. On the other hand, he also suspected that much of the borrowed magic was immediately consumed when using her enhanced speed. If her king had truly cared for her, he would have kept her in a safe location and nursed her back to health without dragging her all over the countryside.
He could even have brought her to Wind's Grove where they would have been more than willing to care for her properly, no questions asked. This was no secret in the kingdom. So, why had she been used this way?
Setting the question aside, Mikhail backed away again. "The king did well by you," he forced himself to say and was rather saddened to see her brighten up. "Still, I would recommend that you be allowed to remain here for a time. Not long, two months at most, but it would work wonders for your recovery. Consider it a favor to the king. I am sure he would be pleased to receive his favored mare at full health."
Olga's eyes flew open. "Me? Stay at Wind's Grove? But I could not possibly impose."
"It is no imposition," Mikhail declared, meeting eyes with Iris. Like himself, she looked concerned for the Horse Witch, and he knew she was fully onboard with this idea. This was no longer merely a ploy to get close to the usurper's confidant. He truly wanted to help Olga. "You are a Copperstone. A mare of my herd, my family. It is my duty and pleasure to care for you."
"And mine, too," Iris added, stroking the mare's mane. "Please, let us treat you. Together, we will make you fit for any king."
A neigh of joy escaped Olga, but she quickly collected herself before answering.