Mezos had been looking forward to returning to Agaron.
He had not been looking forward to returning home.
Those were two entirely different things, and Severin had apparently decided to make the distinction as unpleasant as possible.
The moment their aircraft landed, the commander handed him a tablet containing his revised schedule.
Mezos opened it.
Then stared.
"Paid leave?"
"Seven days," Severin confirmed.
"I did not request leave."
"I approved it anyway."
Mezos looked up from the tablet, his blue eyes narrowing at the man standing beside the aircraft's open doors.
Severin wore his usual dark military coat, looking entirely too pleased with himself for someone who had just removed the chief of imperial security from active duty.
"Arik is visiting his family," Severin continued. "Liam is visiting his in-laws. Kamal is remaining in Nuria, and I am perfectly capable of keeping the emperor alive for a week."
"That is debatable."
