“Ryuu, are they old enough to serve?” she asked.
He nodded. “Though they look young, they are, in fact, several hundred years old.”
Zoe watched them, watching her. They presented as children, so she would treat them that way. “Will they both be coming home with me?”
Ryuu looked down. “Well?”
The boy on her right spoke first. “I can assist around the home. Yuki is better amongst people,” he replied in perfect English.
Zoe had an overwhelming urge to scoop them up and keep them safe. They were so cute and so tiny. “You must be Ame. We will be living with the unit warriors of the city. Will you be comfortable with that?” she asked, keeping her voice soft and gentle.
Ame stood, causing Yuki to pop to his feet. They held hands and walked over to stand in front of her. “We are contracted to serve you. You tell us where to go.”
She didn’t care that Ryuu told her that they were several hundred years old. She saw how desperately they clung to each other and how their small bodies trembled. Looking up, she met Ryuu’s eyes, and he smiled. He had done everything he could to keep them safe, and it was up to her now. Who better to expose them to the world than someone just learning it herself?
She bent down, and though it was somewhat a struggle at first, she propped up each boy on either hip. “We’re going to be family from now on. You take care of me, and I’ll take care of you. So, if you don’t like something, tell me right away, okay?”
Gage placed a hand on her lower back, supporting her. “My name is Gage Fabre, I am Zoe’s mate, so I guess we’re family now too. It will be my job to protect you from anyone and anything. We’ll be working together to keep Zoe happy and healthy. Do you think you can do that?”
Both boys nodded enthusiastically.
“Hai!” they responded in piping voices.
“Gods, I’m half in love with them already.” She mock scowled at them. “You’re going to have me wrapped around those tiny fingers of yours, won’t you?” she asked playfully.
Both boys beamed up at her before Ame buried his face in her hair.
Zoe turned to Ryuu. “Have they eaten?”
He shook his head. “We were just about to when we got the message that you all were on your way.”
Zoe walked over to the table and sat the boys to her right. “Let’s get you two fed. Then we can head home.” She looked over to Gage. “The guys are going to lose their minds.”
Gage blinked, then laughed. “Technically, I think Ari is still the youngest, but I don’t think that will matter,” he said, pointing to the small boys.
“Fuck you,” Ari growled.
Brie smacked his shoulder. “Not in front of the babies.”
Ari pointed. “They’re older than me.”
Brie crossed her arms. “Doesn’t matter.”
Ame tugged on Zoe’s sleeve. “What do we call you?”
“What do you want to call me?”
“Aneue.”
“I’m sorry, I don’t know what that means.”
“It means honorable older sister,” Ryuu interpreted.
Zoe inhaled. “I would love to be your sister!” she pulled both boys close. She understood Meryn and Pip a bit better now. Cuddling a younger sibling was nice.
Ame pointed to her. “Aneue,” he then pointed to Gage. “Aniue.”
Gage looked to Ryuu. “Honorable older brother?” he guessed.