Damian's brows lifted, like this was an unexpected diplomatic refusal. "Why not?"
"Because you don't get to collect my child," Gregoris replied, voice flat. "You collect people like trophies."
Damian's mouth twitched. "I'm not treating people like trophies. Assets."
Gregoris' stare turned murderous. "That's worse."
Damian spread his hands slightly. "I would be a good godfather."
"You would be a terrifying godfather," Gregoris corrected. "You'd teach her cipher before she can speak. You'd give her a ward-stone as a rattle. You'd stare at her and decide which political crisis she's going to solve at twenty."
Damian's gaze gleamed as if he found that charming. "I didn't do any of that with Arik," he said smoothly. "That is slander."
Gregoris stared at him like the man had just insulted a law of physics.
"You didn't teach Arik cipher before he could speak," Gregoris repeated, slowly.
Damian's mouth twitched. "Correct."
