"No," he said.
The room held.
Dean sat up straighter at once, delighted by the arrival of opposition.
Sebastian closed his eyes briefly in visible gratitude.
Nero looked offended on principle. "You don't even know the plan."
"I know enough."
Zion, to his credit, did not wilt under Rowan's tone. "It is not an unreasonable suggestion."
Rowan turned his head slowly. "That is not true in any political system I respect."
Dean made a small sound that was definitely laughter and immediately disguised it as a cough.
Nero folded his arms. "Why?"
Rowan looked at him with the grave patience of a man addressing an heir who was too clever to be dismissed and too dramatic to be indulged. "Because first, it is impossible."
"That sounds lazy," Nero said.
"No," Rowan replied. "That sounds informed."
He stepped farther into the room as the staff withdrew, leaving the trays behind and the atmosphere significantly more interesting.
