She looked down at Ame. “Well, you were under contract for all of about a day. Does that bother you?”
He shook his head. “No. I’d rather have you as myhahaue. Yuki and I do not need the prestige of serving. We have only ever wanted a family.”
She picked him up. “You have us now. Even a grumpy Uncle Kendrick,” she said, pointing to where Kendrick still scowled at the crystals.
Kendrick coughed and cleared his expression. “What’s two more children to add to the mix?” he said.
“Kendrick, you’re not being honest with yourself. You would have looked after Ame and Yuki if only because it meant something to Ryuu,” Kincaid pointed out.
Kendrick shook a finger at him. “Quit being cheeky.” He took in the three of them staring up at him. “Well, let’s get started.”
Zoe winked at Ame, who surprised her by winking back. Laughing, they walked through the palace hand in hand to learn from the grouchy witch.
Chapter Fourteen
Gage’s attention was split. He was trying to run his own drills, but his eyes kept drifting to where Sascha worked with Yuki. The second time he was clipped by Ari's baton, his unit leader shook his head. “Go on, before I accidentally brain you to death, and your mate sets me on fire,” he ordered, pointing to where his new son practiced.
“Thanks, Ari,” he said, then jogged over to the small practice field Sacha was using. Yuki’s movements flowed easily. His footing was sure, and he was limber. Smiling, he watched his son with pride.
The white tiger-shifter saw him approach and called a halt to their sparring. “Ramsey owes me twenty. I said you wouldn’t last an hour.”
Gage ignored him. “How’s it going, son?”
Yuki stood straighter. “I am familiar with most of the movements, but I lack strength and stamina.”
Sascha nodded. “I couldn’t have put it better myself. Technique can wait. He’s a natural at hand-to-hand. For now, we’ll focus on strength training and building up that stamina.” He looked around and winced. “We don’t really have kid stuff here.”
Leon jogged over. “Whatcha need?” he asked, having obviously been eavesdropping.
Sascha thought it over for a moment. “Smaller weights, maybe five to eight pounds. I wish we had an obstacle course designed for tiny legs.”
Leon held up a hand. “It should be done by the end of next week.” He thought for a moment. “Would one-gallon water jugs work for now? I can run get some.”
Gage laughed. “They are both very beloved if you couldn’t tell.”
Sascha nodded to Leon, then ruffled Yuki’s hair. “We have a girl about his age who helps us train back home. I swear, some days, I feel like she runs circles around us. She’s just as beloved.”
Gage was about to ask about Penny when an alarm began to sound. Ari must have hit it from his phone. As the alarm blared, Yuki looked up at him, fear clear to see on his little face. Gage picked him up and followed the men when they congregated at the center of the training field.
“Ari?”
Ari held up a finger, listening to whoever was talking on the phone. “Yes, sir.” He listened. “All units are available, sir. The old guard has taken to doing patrols after that shadow popped up a few days ago.” He nodded. “Yes, sir.” He ended the call and looked to the men, then to Gage. “Aiden said that right after your mate enchanted some crystal that was needed for the sprites, Meryn got a hit on that laptop of hers. We need to gear up for another warehouse run.”
Gage’s heart leaped in his chest. If the units were doing a warehouse run, who’d watch his son? Ari turned to see why he hesitated and blinked when he realized Gage was holding Yuki.
“Call your mom,” Ari ordered.
Gage felt a wave of relief. He had forgotten his mother was visiting. Reaching for his phone, he made the call.
“Gage?”
“Mother, I need you.”
“Where?”
“The warrior villa. I have a mission, but there’s no one to watch Yuki. I don’t know what else to do,” he explained, not even realizing he had kept his informal way of speaking.
“I will be there momentarily. Calm down, Gage. Yuki will be well taken care of,” she assured him, then hung up.