Carrick gave him a shrewd look. "25 is a reasonable number. I can see you with a crown." He raised his eyebrows. "But I hope you don't ever expect me to kneel before you. Except in very specific biological circumstances." He leaned forwards and softened his words with a soft kiss under Russell's jaw.
"I'm sorry. How did they die?" He lifted his glass to his lips.
He gave a genuine smile at Russell's final words. "You were in the army?"