For one brief, treacherous second, Damian actually laughed, low and warm and entirely too entertained for Gregoris's peace of mind.
Gregoris opened his eyes and looked at him with the kind of stare that had once made grown officers reevaluate their careers.
Damian, unfortunately, had long since become immune.
"You find this funny," Gregoris said.
"I find," Damian replied, still far too amused, "the idea of you escaping the next generation by declaring retirement very optimistic."
"It is not optimism. It is planning."
"No," Damian said. "Planning requires follow-through. This is fantasy."
Gregoris's expression did not move. "You are becoming irritating in your old age."
Damian leaned back slightly in his chair, grin still there, entirely unrepentant. "And you are not retiring."
"I just said I would."
"Yes," Damian said. "And I'm telling you now that if Arik comes back from Wrohan with a mate, I will not be dealing with it alone."
Gregoris narrowed his eyes.
