Gregory let out a shaky breath. “Aether… that was amazing.”
“Glad you approve, dear one,” Yukiko giggled.
“We don’t do it often, Yuki. Maybe that’s why it always gets that reaction,” Jenn snickered.
“It could be. What do you think, our heart?”
“Even if you did that every day, it would be just as amazing as it is now…” Gregory murmured.
“We’ve been wanting to do that since the party,” Jenn said, kissing his thigh. “To reward our champion.”
Yukiko kissed his other thigh. “And then for offering to both Claudia and Jessica to train with us yesterday.”
“Everyone was excited, even if Hayworth was a little upset that he wasn’t invited to the party,” Gregory said. “It’s time, isn’t it?”
“Should be soon,” Yukiko sighed. “Not nearly long enough for you to return the favor. But tonight, after the first group fight…”
“After the gathering, that is,” Jenn picked up when Yukiko trailed off. “We invited them all over after each group match.”
“We didn’t expect the archmage to agree to the idea. Not sure why he didn’t want to do it after the last fight, too.”
“Laozi agreed on both counts,” Gregory sighed. “Do they think we’d get upset if we lost, or that they will?”
“Not like we’ll find out,” Jenn said as she got out of bed.
“Very true,” Yukiko agreed, following Jenn.
“Your families were very proud of us,” Gregory said when he finally got up.
“I’m glad Father has taken to you,” Jenn smiled. “I worried a little that he would stand off from you a bit more.”
“We seemed to be okay before the wedding to Yuki,” Gregory said, stretching before joining them to dress. “I was a little worried he’d be more reserved after we got married, though.”
“I’m happy they accept us, including your sister,” Yukiko smiled. “She’s so different from you.”
“I’m glad she’s mellowed,” Jenn said softly. “She used to get very angry.”
“Why?” Gregory asked.
“She wasn’t allowed to do everything I was allowed to, because I’m older. She’s been bigger than me for a bit and felt that that should matter more.” Jenn slowed as she dressed. “When I ended up as a magi, she cried. She didn’t say anything to me… she just hugged Mom and cried. That made me think that maybe she wasn’t as angry as she seemed… that she just wanted more time with me, but it was too late then.”
“That would make sense,” Yukiko nodded. “She was reserved when we saw her that first night because she didn’t want to show weakness. Like your father.”
“Agreed,” Gregory said. “She’s warmed up considerably since then.”
“We came to understand each other better when we had the night away,” Jenn smiled.
“Speaking of nights out,” Yukiko said, “Greg, we’d like you to marry Mindie after the last fight. We can have Rafiq file the paperwork in the archive. As for a ceremony, I was going to ask Father to arrange for something small. Just our family and friends. The night after the last fight, but before the Empire’s Gambit tournament starts.”
Gregory settled his obi, looking into the distance. “If you’re both sure that now is the right time.” His gaze shifted to them. “You’re both sure?”
“Yes,” Jenn said softly, taking his hand in hers.
“We are, dear one,” Yukiko murmured, taking his other hand. “Are you sure?”
“Both of my wives agree… Sorry, Darkness. All three of my wives agree. I do like Mindie. She’s always been there, and she’s doing her best to overcome her weaknesses. I will always worry about my hearts, but yes, I’m sure.”
Jenn pulled his head down so she could kiss him before Yukiko did the same.
“Does she know?” Gregory asked.
“We’ll tell all of them during breakfast. Clover, Ling, and Roshana can tell Nessa, Daciana, and Victoria for us.”
“Moving a little faster than I thought, and not with who I expected to be first,” Gregory admitted. “But that’s life, isn’t it?”
“It is indeed, dear one,” Yukiko murmured.
“It’s what happens when you’re busy making plans,” Jenn chuckled. “We should get things ready. The others will be here soon.”
“Hello?” Roshana called from the main room. “Should we come back?”
“No,” Yukiko said as she led the other two into the room. “Just a touch behind this morning.”
Everyone took their seats and started to fill out Magi Squares. They were just getting the blanks ready to pass around when Elsa came in with breakfast.
“Thank you, Elsa. That was lovely timing,” Yukiko smiled.
“It’s my pleasure, mistress.”
“Before we get to work or dig in to breakfast, there’s something I wanted to bring up. I was waiting for Elsa.” Seeing she had everyone’s attention, Yukiko went on, “Mindie, I’ll be speaking to my father tomorrow about finding a place where our friends and families can gather to see you wed Greg.”
Mindie’s breath caught. “Already? I thought I’d have to prove myself able to defend him.”
“No. The tests are just to ensure that you will do everything you can for him. You’ve already started to take steps to fix what you see as your problems. That’s dedication.”
Mindie covered her mouth, her eyes glimmering. “I’ll do everything, Yuki… for you, Jenn, and, of course, Greg.”
The other three looked elated, but also a touch sad. Elsa just stood beside the table, staring at Mindie.
“Ladies,” Yukiko said, shifting her attention to the other three, “let the others know. We will accept. It’s been proven here, but the tests are serious. We cannot have anyone not completely dedicated to Greg, and our family. I have faith in you and them.”
“We’ll do it,” Clover said, her eyes wide with hope. “We’ll prove it, Yuki. We will.”
Ling covered Clover’s hand. “Our devotion to the clan is without question, but even that is a pale, weak thing compared to what we feel for the family waiting for us.”
“My soul led me to you, and it tells me that if I do as I must, I can have a part of our heart, too,” Roshana said. “When the time comes, Yuki, you will not find me lacking.”
“We believe in you,” Jenn said.
“Mindie?” Elsa’s voice was soft, but filled the silence that had fallen in that moment.
All eyes went to the little girl now standing beside the fox eurtik healer.
“You heal them, save them, and I have seen your love for them,” Elsa said. “Will you be okay with me as the maid?”
Mindie blinked slowly for a moment before she pulled Elsa to her tightly. “Yes. You’re loved, Elsa. Their love extends to you, sweet child. I would never hurt one they care for.”
There was a sniffle and a muffled “thank you” from Elsa as she held Mindie back.
Gregory wiped at his eyes before clearing his throat. “Ladies… this scares me. I won’t hide that. You and our dear friends still at the academy, along with who knows who else might come after… I fear that pain, heartache, and jealousy might tear us apart. I don’t want you to go, though, either. So, please… if you ever feel like something causes a wound, don’t let it fester. I tell you my fears so that you’ll understand. Losing any of you as a friend, much less as something more, would wound me deeply. While I’m not sure that it’s love, I deeply care for all of you. When you join us, I’m sure that love— true love— will swiftly follow.”
“As you wish, Greg,” Clover said quickly.
“We’ll never keep anything from you,” Ling added.
“Our heart will never have to doubt,” Roshana said.
“If a small hurt happens, together, we can heal it,” Mindie smiled, still holding Elsa. “And we’ll have the best maid ever to help us.”
“Yes, we will,” Jenn grinned at Elsa.
Elsa smiled back. She felt happy to be included, but a small part of her worried that she would leave them long before she wanted to if she wasn’t a magi.
“Are we going to invite the others?” Clover asked. “Jessica’s and Claudia’s groups, or the Iron Hand and Swift Wind?”
“Good questions,” Yukiko said. “Shall we discuss it over breakfast? Elsa, please serve us.”
“Yes. Right away, mistress,” Elsa said as Mindie let her go.
~*~*~
When it was time to go, Hemet stood nearby, waiting for them. “Are you ready for a tougher fight today?” he asked as they lined up.
“We are, sir,” Gregory said. “We had a request for the night after our last fight. Would it be allowable for us to—?”
“It is,” Hemet chuckled. “Sorry, Lightshield already told me. It’s the reason why the dinner after the last fight is not being shared between both sides. That night will be a feast for all of our clans. We arranged it that way so you could have your wedding the day after.”
Yukiko laughed lightly. “Thank him for us, please?”
“I will, but you’ll see him that night and, of course, for your wedding and feast the next day.”
“Do the others already know, too?” Jenn asked.
“No. You’ll have to ask them,” Hemet smiled. “Magus, might we have your time?”
Klim was just forming up with her clan, but she excused herself to come over to their group. “Grandmaster, how can I assist?”
Hemet motioned to Yukiko, who bowed her head, then addressed Klim, “Magus, the day after our last fight, we would like to invite your clan to a wedding and feast. We will be accepting Mindie into our family.”
Klim’s lips spread into a smile. “Hmm? Did someone find her worth, after all?”
Mindie flushed. “I have found my heart, Magus. Your words helped nudge me to see myself as potentially worthy of them.”
Klim’s smile was wistful for a moment. “I’m glad you have, Adept. Maybe I’ll be brave enough to ask the one I’m interested in when I see him again.” She turned her gaze back to Yukiko. “The Iron Hand will attend. We thank you for thinking of us.”
“We enjoy having our friends with us,” Gregory said. “You and Farin have been dear friends, and the others are good friends, as well.”
“Some might try to find insult in those words. I thank you, though, Pettit. We will be there.”
“We’ll let you know where and when once everything is arranged,” Yukiko said.
“That was all,” Hemet chuckled. “Be prepared to see others there, as well.”
“Those we saw the other night?”
“If they agree,” Jenn said. “We’ll be asking tonight.”
“Very well,” Klim smiled. “Should we head off and see if you can win another group tournament?”
“We’ll do our best,” Gregory said, drawing himself to his full height. “For the empire! For Aether’s Guard!”
His wives and friends had seen him move, and spoke in unison with him.
Klim blinked before her smile grew wider. “For the empire!”
A moment later, the entire Iron Hand group repeated it. A second later, it was echoed again a little farther away.
Hemet smiled as he turned on his heel. “We are ready, Magus.”
“Yes, sir,” Klim said, marching over to her clan. “Advance!”
