Sumi rolled her eyes. “I wish all of you would stop saying that. Yes, Dancer’s big as a house, but there’s not a bit of fat on his body. And you all know it.”

Holding her hand to his heart, Dancer rubbed noses with her. “My fierce mia. Always defending me, even against myself.”

She gave him a light kiss and stepped back as a medic team brought in a stretcher. “I’ll see you at the hospital.”

He inclined his head before he lay down and allowed Syn to begin treating him again. Even though the two of them slapped at each other like children, and argued the whole time.

Rolling her eyes at them, Sumi stepped to Darice and gave him a hug. “Don’t frown so, sweetie. You are a War Hauk, and you are loved by both your uncles, and by me. And by your cousin.”

He glanced up at her. “Is she here?”

She nodded. “Would you like to meet her?”

A slow smile broke across his face. “Very much.”

Taking his hand, she led him upstairs to Kalea’s room, where Nero sat, playing with her on the floor, under the watch of two guards.

“Mommy!” Kalea came running and launched herself into Sumi’s arms. “You’re back!”

She held her daughter tight. “I told you I would be.”

“Did you win?”

“Of course I did.” With Kalea on her hip, she turned toward Darice. “And this is another of your cousins. Darice Hauk. Dare, meet Kalea.”

“Oh yaa!” she breathed happily, clapping. “Finally a cousin with my name.” She launched herself at Darice with enough force that he staggered back.

“Wow, you’re strong, Kalea.”

She grinned at him as she wrapped her arms around his neck. “Just like my daddy, but not so big yet.” Screwing her face up, she fisted her hands in his braided hair. “You got hair like my daddy, but not all of it.” She touched his chin where he had a little bit of stubble. “Can you grow hair there, too? Or are you a girl-boy?”

Darice wasn’t sure how to answer.

Sumi laughed at his confusion. “Darice is a male, and he’s just at the age where his facial is starting to grow. In time, he’ll be able to have a moustache and goatee like Daddy.”

“Oh.” Her eyes widened as she squealed in delight. Then she squeezed him tight and laid her head on his shoulder. “I love you, Darice, even if you don’t have chin hair yet!”

If Sumi lived a thousand years, she would never forget the shocked, tender look on his face as he held Kalea. And she knew Kalea would have another very fierce protector in her cousin.

She met Nero’s speculative gaze. “You’re being remarkably quiet.”

“Not sure what to say, other than yes, I’ll watch her and make sure nothing happens while you’re gone.”