The Groznyj Grad Living Novel

"Whatever you say, Captain Irinarhov," Andrei said, with a lilt of his brows. "I'm at your disposal, seeing as you technically outrank me."

He was being playful, but mindful of restraint, the solemnity of circumstance.

Something about the sniper's unstudied diktat pleased him, showed the authority granted not by rank but by life.

We're not doing anything else in here.

Pronouncements that Andrei would accede to, despite their "magnum frater" overtones.

He liked that part of Kassian. The part that betrayed the sagacity of his years, and the authority it conferred.

As he stepped out of the pool, he turned his head to breathe against Irianrhov's ear.

"But we're doing everything later."