Cecil was clearly put out by Henry’s lack of nourishment, which brought a smirking grin to Andvari’s face. He remembered being fussed over by his staff and knew Henry wouldn’t be able to refuse Cecil the way he’d argued with Eduard and Andvari over what he ate.
“How is the hunt for other staff coming along?” Andvari asked.
“Slow, sir. I brought a few with me to finish setting up the house. Master Eduard told me nothing had really been set up or unpacked. I think I’ll be bringing some other staff from Master Eduard’s estate. There aren’t any services locally that I can pull from and the amount of training hiring someone new would take…it’s not practical under the circumstances.”
Andvari nodded. “No strangers inside the wards. I have staff as well, much smaller, but at your service if you require them. It’s safer to only bring in those familiar with our world who have been vetted by one of us. And we’ll need to make sure they keep their traps shut over anything that happens here.” He glanced upstairs, wondering what the rest of his clan would think of a human being watched over by them. Actually, he already knew. They would have left Sawyer to die there in the grass instead of allowing Henry to leave the wards to assist.
“Understood, sir. I will make sure to let any new staffers know that they will face your displeasure should they speak of any goings on here.”
Andvari nodded his approval. “And let them know that once I’m done with them, they’ll be facing the dragon.”
Cecil shivered before placing a set of glasses on the tray. “That threat will hold many lips shut.”
As it should, Andvari thought. The dragons had a certain reputation for a reason. Not that anyone wanted to cross any of their kind without good reason. All of the clans were fierce in their own ways.
Andvari lifted the now-full tray and carried it up to the master bedroom with Cecil following behind him. He took the tray into the round seating area beneath the turret and sat it down on a side table. Henry had laughed when he saw the tower room in his vision, but Eduard had outdone himself making it a comfortable space. He’d known the real reason for its existence, of course, as had Eduard. Those of them with the ability to fly could land on the upper ledge of the turret should the need arise. They would also be able to take off from there in an emergency. What Henry saw as a fantasy castle addition to the house actually had a very practical purpose. And as to practical…
Andvari turned to the other two guardians. Draco and Henry hadn’t budged at his entrance to the room. They were standing at the foot of the bed, with Henry pressed back to front to Draco. Both of them were staring at Sawyer’s still form.
“You need to eat,” Andvari said. “Both of you.”
Draco turned to face him but Henry didn’t move.
“He hasn’t eaten today,” Andvari added. “And you won’t do Sawyer any good by not keeping up your strength. I’ll sit with him. Cecil brought up some food.”
Draco nodded and tugged Henry with him. Henry protested until Cecil placed a filled plate into his hands, then he stopped griping and started eating.
Andvari lifted one of the dark leather chairs sitting on the other side of the room and carried it over to the bed. Those martyrs were standing there as if they didn’t deserve a chair until Sawyer was on his feet again. The idiots. Andvari didn’t know Sawyer well at all, but he could say for certain that he’d be very angry if they weren’t taking care of themselves.
Sawyer was pale against the dark bedding, paler than he normally looked. He had a few freckles that stood out further against his skin and his honey brown lashes were dark marks against the blue slashes under his eyes. He looked worn out, much different from the vibrant, smiling man who’d left for university hours before.
Andvari slowed his breathing and listened to the sound of Sawyer’s blood pumping through his veins. If he didn’t know better, he’d think Sawyer was sleeping. His heart was slow but steady, his breathing deep and even. And he smelled… well, there was still an underlying hint of smoke and pain, but mostly he smelled amazing.
Pearl shifted her position and sent a pitiful look Andvari’s way. He reached out to stroke her head, then left his arm stretched out across Sawyer’s body so he could pet her. Most animals shied away from him, but Pearl didn’t seem to mind his touch. It was as if once Sawyer said it was okay to like him, she did. It was as simple as that.
He wondered what she did to people Sawyer didn’t like.
Draco
Draco lifted his head from the back of the chair where he’d rested it after hours of holding vigil at Sawyer’s bedside. The others had taken turns as well, but Draco hadn’t been able to leave for long. He was even breathing with the same tempo as Sawyer. In…out…in…out. It was soothing in its own way. Henry had been falling asleep on his feet hours before so Draco had convinced him to lie down beside Sawyer. They didn’t know if Henry’s magic was still doing something to help, but if it was, he should be close. Besides the fact that Draco found himself not wanting to let Henry out of his sight either.
It hadn’t taken long for Henry’s sleeping body to curl up against Sawyer. He had his head on Sawyer’s chest and a leg thrown possessively over Sawyer’s. It was a pretty sight, and under other circumstances, Draco could imagine having both of them curled up beside him, their wicked and talented mouths teasing his skin as much as they did with words.
Sawyer’s breathing changed and Draco turned his attention to his face. He had Sawyer’s hand in his and Sawyer squeezed it instinctively as his eyes fluttered open. His gaze was unfocused for a moment, then he glanced to Draco.
“It’s about time,” Draco whispered. “You had me worried.”
Sawyer squeezed his hand, then looked down at his chest. “Henry?”
“Yep. Using you as a body pillow.”
He released his hold on Draco’s hand and then lifted his own to his face, tugging the oxygen tube from his nose and giving it a disgusted look. “What happened?”
“We don’t know. Someone attacked you and you called me. We got you back here and called Henry’s dad. He seemed to think you would wake up on your own, but thought you needed a little extra oxygen.”
“Yeah,” Sawyer said quietly. He dropped his hand back into Draco’s and held it tight. “It felt like he set me on fire.”
“Tell me what he looked like.” Draco would be sure he knewexactly what fire felt like once he found the attacker. And he knew how to make it last.
