“Have you seen Rhian and Cala?” He asked as he poked his head into one of the rooms.
“Not since dinner.” One of the trainees called out to him.
Kelton nodded and headed back out. It was a wonder they could even hear him at all over the racket of the game they were playing. He’d never understood the appeal of computer games, especially the shoot-em-up’s that the kids were so fascinated with these days. That was his life, for Christ sake. As a warrior, he went out on the streets looking for fights and facing off the enemy. Why the hell would he want to come home and play pretend? Perhaps they would all think differently when they were out there on the streets for real? Who knew?
He was surprised that the trainees hadn’t made more out of the fact that he was the father of the twins. It was a juicy bit of gossip and Kelton knew better than anyone that boys are often worse gossips than girls. Maybe it was because all this other hassle had been kicking off and maybe he’d have to deal with the back-lash later, but he had a feeling that wasn’t going to be the case. This was just another crazy thing that had happened in their crazy world.
Not many people liked Rhian. She wasn’t the most likeable person. Cala was different, but so shy. Perhaps the rest of the trainees were that puzzled by the differences between them all that it wasn’t going to be an issue? Just another thing to take in their stride?
Moving up the grand staircase, he thought the most logical place to check for them would be in their room. If they weren’t there, he was out of ideas.
Knocking heavily on the door, his eyebrows raised as Rhian snatched the door open.
“Yes?” she snapped.
Kelton wanted to take a deep breath. It was most unfortunate that his biological daughter as a complete bitch. She didn’t adopt that tone just because she was speaking to him. She was like that with everyone. The girl didn’t understand the word ‘respect’.
“Is your sister here with you?”
Rhian didn’t bother to reply but swung the door open a little further to reveal Cala sitting in a chair in the corner of the room with her nose in a book.
“I need you both to come with me.”
Cala immediately put the book down and began to rise out of the chair, but Rhian cocked a hand on her hip. “Why?”
“Do you have to question everything?” Kelton asked wearily.
Rhian rolled her eyes and made no move to leave. “We’re not in training hours. You can’t ask us to go anywhere.”
Kelton sighed. “As I’m sure you’ve heard, Kayleigh gave birth to my son. Your brother. We thought that it was about time you met.”
“A family reunion?” Rhian snorted.
“Come on, Rhian.” Cala said quietly.
“No.”
“What do you mean, no?” Kelton demanded.
“Why should we? It’s not like we need to go anywhere. We’re not going to be one big happy family and live in a fairy tale happily ever after.” She scoffed.
Kelton didn’t know what to say.
“Rhian, I’m sure that mother would want us to do this.” Cala said softly as she stood up and started to cross the small room.
“You have no idea what mother wants.” Rhian sat down on the bed and crossed her legs. “The last thing she would want for us to do is to meet the woman he’s shacked up with.”
“Watch your mouth.” Kelton growled. “That’s my wife you’re talking about.”
Rhian laughed. “You’re not married, so that would make her your common-law wife. Common!”
“Rhian!” Cala looked shocked, but she shouldn’t have been surprised by Rhian’s words.
Kelton wasn’t about to stand there and listen to some snotty nosed little princess talk crap about his woman, even if she was of his blood. There was no way he wanted this girl anywhere near Kayleigh or Elias now. That was it. She’d had her chance and had blown it. As he turned to leave, he saw the heart-broken expression on Cala’s face and wasn’t sure what to make of it.
“Would you like to come and meet them, Cala?”
“No, she would not.” Rhian snapped.
“Actually, I would, if that’s okay.” Cala replied nervously, studiously keeping her gaze away from Rhian.
“That’s perfectly fine by me.” Kelton nodded stiffly. He actually liked the girl, or at least he thought he would once she got away from her sister.
“Cala! Don’t you dare.” Rhian warned.
“I just want to meet them. What’s the harm in that?” Cala loved the thought of meeting them. Kayleigh seemed wonderful from all she’d heard from overhearing the other trainees talking. It would be nice to see that all women weren’t like her mother.
“Just remember who has been your family for all your life. These people haven’t been there for you.”
“Oh, I’ll remember all right.” Cala mumbled to herself.
Kelton narrowed his eyes, catching Cala’s words. It was the harshest tone he had ever heard her use, especially when she was around Rhian.
Gesturing with his hand for her to follow after him, he lead Cala down the corridor. He was surprised that she had defied her sister like that. They walked on in an awkward silence that Kelton knew he would have to break, seeing as he was the adult here.
“How have you been finding things here?”
“It’s different.”
Kelton nodded and they fell back into silence.
“How do you feel about what happened?”
“With the Master Warrior?”
“Yes. He trained you often, didn’t he?” Kelton asked.
“He did. I thought he was a nice man and a brilliant warrior. It was a shame what happened to him.”
“It was.” Kelton wished he hadn’t brought it up. It wasn’t the easiest conversation starter and he had so much on his mind at the moment that he didn’t want to think about the sadness of the situation.
They carried on until they reached the main doors of his suite of rooms. As much as he didn’t want Kayleigh and Elias back in the academy, he knew that they needed to have this meeting. So, with their safety in mind, he’d posted one of the warriors outside the door of the suite.
Pausing with his hand on the door handle, he nodded at Luke who was standing on guard, and turned back to Cala. “Despite what your sister said, Kayleigh is my wife. Do not doubt that. You will treat her with the respect that she deserves.”
Cala cowered a little at her tone. “I’m not like Rhian.”
“No. You’re not.” Kelton narrowed his eyes thoughtfully before smiling a little. “Come on in.” And he opened up the door, calling out to Kayleigh as they entered.
Kayleigh stepped into the room and smiled stiffly when she saw Cala. “Only one of you?”
“Rhian wouldn’t come.” Kelton said gruffly.
“So, you must be Cala?”
“And you’re Kayleigh.” She replied timidly.
“Come and sit down. Kelton? Would you go and make us something to drink? Perhaps tea.” She wanted the girl to see that there was more to him than just being a warrior. She wanted Cala to see the softer, domesticated side to him.
As much as this pained her, to think of what had happened all those years ago, Kayleigh was willing to do all she could to make this easier on all of them. Cala seemed such a shy girl and Kelton was so stuck in his ways, they needed someone to be the middle man and that job had fallen to her.
“Okay.” Cala smiled shakily. “Thank you.”
“Elias is still asleep, but I thought we could take the time to get to know one another.” As much as it grated on her to know that this girl was the product of Kelton’s infidelity, she knew it wasn’t the girls fault. Kayleigh was big enough to be willing to make an effort. From all she’d heard, Cala was a rather sweet and shy girl and nothing like her sister, who was by all accounts like her mother. She had to admit that she was actually quite pleased that the evil twin hadn’t taken Kelton up on his offer. This would make today a lot easier for all of them.
“That
sounds nice.”
Kayleigh waited for Kelton to move out of the room before speaking again and he was grateful for that. He was pleased that she’d given him some time to get his head together. Plus, he was rubbish at this kind of thing. If he tried to talk to Cala about anything emotional or ‘real’, he’d mess it up. This was Kayleigh’s show because she knew he was awful at the girly bonding crap.
That was why he had appointed her as Aisline’s mentor when the girl first showed up at the academy. Whether it was the maternal side coming out in her, or just that feminine connection, he didn’t know what he’d do without her. If anyone could bring Cala out of her shell, it would be Kayleigh. Unfortunately, he thought that it may be a little too late for her to work her magic on Rhian. Her mother had influenced her for far too long and there seemed to be no changing her. It was a wonder quite how different Cala was and it made him wonder just what her life had been like growing up.
Making their tea, Kelton puttered around the small kitchen, finding everything and anything he could do to drag out the time. When there was finally nothing else he could do to delay, Kelton placed the tea on a tray and walked back into the lounge area.
“Thank you, sweetheart.” Kayleigh smiled up at him adoringly and he relaxed again the instant he saw her. There was something in the way she was sitting that showed him things were going well between her and Cala. Even the young girl was starting to look a little more comfortable and Kelton would be eternally grateful that Rhian had elected not to come. There was no way that Cala would have opened up at all with her sister around.
As Kelton went to sit down, Kayleigh said, “Would you go and check on Elias? He should be waking up soon.”
He knew that meant that she wanted a little more time to talk with Cala and he happily agreed.
Winking at her as he left, Kelton had no idea what the two of them were talking about, but as long as Kayleigh was happy, then it was fine by him. As much as he had wished that the DNA results had come back negative, because it would have made life a whole lot easier, he was a man and was going to step up to his responsibilities. With Kayleigh by his side, it may be possible to look to the future.
Standing over the crib of his sleeping baby, Kelton felt a rush of love for the little guy. He was goddamn perfect. As much as Kayleigh loved to say that he was Kelton’s double, all he could see was Kayleigh. Physically, the boy may look like a mini-warrior, but Elias was Kayleigh through and through, with his happy, easy going nature. It made Kelton so proud.
“Kelton?” Kayleigh called from the other room.
He hadn’t realised how long he’d been standing there and poked his head back into the living room, relieved to see that the pair of them were still smiling. It was probably the most relaxed he’d seen Cala since she’d come to the academy.
“Is he awake? Can you bring Elias in?”
“Will do.” He walked back in to find his son stirring and smiled to himself as he watched the little boy squirm in his sleep, getting ready for his next feed. “He’s just waking up.” He called out to her.
“I know.” Kayleigh smiled, already knowing that her boy would be getting restless. She knew his routine by now.
Kelton bent down to gather up the baby in his snug blanket, careful to hold his head. As much as he was happy to dish out pain and death to his enemies, the thought of even accidentally injuring this innocent child terrified him. This little guy depended on him for everything and it was the most responsible job he’d ever had.
As he walked back into the room, he glanced over at Kayleigh before walking over to where Cala was sitting. He had to do this right, the one to bring them together.
Placing the baby gently in her arms, Kelton softly said, “Say hello to your baby brother.”
Cala had tears in her eyes as she stared down at the baby, who was now wide awake and looking up at her. “Hello, Elias. I’m your big sister, Cala.” She whispered so quietly that Kelton barely caught it.
“I’ll go and make us all something to eat before the little man starts demanding to be fed.” Kayleigh chuckled. “Would you like a snack, Cala? Maybe a sandwich?”
She glanced up briefly and smiled before her eyes glued back on the baby. “I don’t want you to go to any trouble.”
“No trouble at all. I’ll just be a minute. Kelton? Would you give me a hand?”
“Sure.”
He followed her out of the room, making sure Cala couldn’t hear before whispering. “Should we be leaving them alone?”
“She’ll be fine with him.” When Kelton still looked dubious, Kayleigh hissed at him. “We’re right here. I can still see them. They’re fine. She just needs a moment.” It was clear to anyone with eyesight that the poor girl was struggling with all the changes in her life and needed a moment to compose herself. Elias was a soothing presence and one that Cala needed.
Kelton glanced back into the room and saw Cala quietly talking to Elias. It would have been a heart-warming scene if he hadn’t felt quite so tense. He knew that they were doing the right thing here, but the whole situation was giving him a major headache.
As Kayleigh bustled around the kitchen, she spoke quietly under her breath so Cala couldn’t hear her. “She’s a sweet girl. Nothing like I expected.”
“It’s Rhian who we’ve had constant trouble with. We’ve hardly heard a peep out of Cala since she stepped foot in here.”
“We should have done this before.” Kayleigh shook her head sadly.
“We’ve had a few things going on.” Kelton reminded her.
“This should have been a priority. The poor girl is falling apart inside. She hasn’t had an easy life. Her mother sounds like a complete bitch.”
“I’ve already told you that.” Kelton muttered.
Kayleigh glared over her shoulder at him as she arranged the sandwiches on a plate. “This isn’t about you.”
“I know, I know. I’m sorry.”
She shook her head at him. “Come and talk to her.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Kayleigh swiped at him as she walked by, making him chuckle.
It wasn’t easy to make small talk and Kelton was more than happy to sit back and let the girls chat amongst themselves. Likewise, Cala seemed a lot more comfortable conversing with Kayleigh.
At least it was a step forward for them all. This was the most time he had spent with the girl since he’d found out for sure that he was their father. Obviously, he’d had more contact and interaction with Rhian as she was in his training group, but he didn’t know her in any personal way. This was something completely different and he was pleased Kayleigh had pushed him to do it.
Cala seemed to open up when she was away from her domineering sister and he could see why Kayleigh liked her. She was amazingly sweet with Elias and he was more than content to stay in her arms until he got too hungry.
“I’d better go soon.” Cala said sadly.
“You can come back here anytime, you know. Elias seems to have taken quite a shine to you.” Kayleigh smiled warmly.
“Do you think?”
“I know he has. Just look at him watching you.”
“And we’d like to see more of you, too.” Kelton said tentatively.
Cala blushed furiously and busied herself kissing the baby goodbye. “I’ll come back and see you soon.” She glanced up shyly at Kelton. “I’d like to see you all again like this.”
“You’re welcome up here anytime.”
“Thank you.”
Kayleigh got up to give the girl a hug before she left. “Thank you for coming. I wasn’t sure if you would.”
“Thanks for having me here. It’s meant a lot to me.” Cala stared at the floor, embarrassed. She waved awkwardly before slipping out the door.
“Well, that went much better than I expected.” Kayleigh sighed. “It’s going to take some time. She hasn’t exactly had an easy home life from what I could gather.” She ran a hand through her hair. “It looks like our family is growing quite r
apidly.”
Kelton bent down to kiss her on the head. “You are simply amazing, you know that?”
“I know.” She laughed before pushing him away.
“This isn’t an ideal situation, I know that, so thank you for pushing me to do the right thing.”
“You’d have got there in the end. You just needed a kick up the ass to get moving.”
Kelton laughed and glanced at his watch. “It’s getting late. Do you want me to take you back to Mira’s now?”
“We’re going to stay here tonight.”
“Kayleigh…”
“No, Kelton. This is our home and we’re staying.” Kayleigh pouted at him.
“How can I argue with you?” He smirked as he glanced at the watch on his wrist again.
Kayleigh chuckled and rolled her eyes before pushing him towards the door. “Go and check on your warriors. You know you’re itching to.”
Kelton laughed as he walked out the door. She knew him too well. But now he walked a little easier, no longer feeling like the weight of the world was on his shoulders.
Chapter Twelve
Jab, cross, jab, cross. Her arms felt like they were going to fall off. The warriors were really putting them through their paces.
“Aisline!”
She stopped what she was doing and turned to see Master Warrior Verynai beckoning her over. Throwing a worried glance at Jackson, she made her way over to him.
“Is something wrong?” She asked, worried.
“Not at all. You have some visitors.”
“But what about training?”
Verynai smirked. “I’m sure taking a couple of hours off won’t affect your schedule. Go on down to the reception area after you’ve had a shower.” And he walked out of the training room.
“What’s going on? Is everything okay?” Jackson asked as she walked back over to the group.
Ash crouched down to take off her gloves and hand wraps, shoving them in her bag and grabbing a quick gulp of water. “Apparently I’ve got some visitors.”
End of an Era: A Sons of Satrina Novel (The Sons of Satrina Book 4) Page 13