She wouldn’t go far without him, so he’d at least have to get out to the grass with her. She didn’t stop there though, although she did squat and water the grass. Then she turned back to him and barked playfully, dancing back and forth.
“Come on, girl. Let’s get back inside.”
She darted away though, further out, and Sawyer’s anxiety tripped.
“Pearl, please. Don’t.”
She whined, then darted back another few steps, then another. He followed her slowly, ready to reach out and snag her collar when he got close enough but suddenly she stopped. He glanced down and saw a large stick laying in the backyard.
No, not a stick. A cane.
Sawyer bent down and picked it up. Pearl danced happily around him like she was proud he was so smart. He held the wood in his fist, clenched it tightly, then breathed more easily for the first time in hours.
“Thanks, girl.”
The goddess had warned him that it wouldn’t be easy, that he would make mistakes. He’d just witnessed his very human foibles first hand and it had nearly gotten all of his guardians killed.
He turned and walked back to the house with Pearl by his side. No, it wouldn’t be easy, but whatever had attacked them today was about to learn a very harsh lesson. His guardians may be tasked with protecting him, but he would revenge their wounds. He wasn’t letting anyone get away with hurting them.
He marched back upstairs, the cane still clasped in his hand. He sank back into the chair, making sure everyone was still sleeping peacefully, then lifted one of Henry’s magical books off the stack he’d left on the bedside table. It drove Eduard crazy that he left books everywhere, but Sawyer knew Henry really did it just to get a rise out of Eduard.
He opened the book and turned to the first chapter. He needed to get a better idea of what he was up against so what happened today never happened again.
Eduard
Afamiliar hand gripped Eduard’s wrist, giving it a gentle squeeze. He opened his eyes to see Cecil leaning over him with a concerned expression on his face. “What time is it?
“Early, sir.” Cecil glanced worriedly to the side, so Eduard followed his gaze.
Sawyer was sitting at a small desk beside the bed. He was sleeping on a stack of books, paler than Eduard had ever seen him, even after he’d been attacked on campus.
“How long have we been out?”
“Almost a day,” Cecil answered. “I tried to convince the young master that it was normal for magical creatures such as yourself to go into a healing sleep, but it brought him little comfort.”
Eduard sat up, his head spinning slightly.
“I’ve brought you something to help restore your strength.” Cecil handed him a small glass filled with one of his smellier concoctions. Eduard had learned over the years to never question the contents. They always worked, and that was what mattered.
He tossed back the fluid, gulping it down while pretending it didn’t taste like death itself.
“The young master has refused to eat. He did have one of my restorative shakes, but hasn’t accepted anything since.” Cecil rubbed his hands together worriedly.
“The others?” Eduard asked. He could see Draco and Andvari curled around Henry in the bed beside him. They were pale, but breathing easily.
“Healing, sir. Andvari’s wounds were the most serious, as you know, but Master Henry was extremely weak after his display of magic followed by his gift of blood.”
Henry’s wrist was wrapped in a white bandage which stood out starkly against Draco’s chest. Andvari’s chest was healed, his skin re-knitted and as good as new. It would have taken a lot out of him though, even with the aid of his and Draco’s blood. If they hadn’t been there…
Eduard slid his legs over the side of the bed and managed to stand without toppling over. Cecil’s potion worked its magic as he walked slowly over to Sawyer, with Cecil hovering beside him.
“It’s okay, Cecil. Thank you for looking after him.”
“Of course, Master Eduard.”
“I presume you’ve prepared quite the feast?”
Cecil’s mouth twitched in an almost smile. “Yes, Master Eduard.”
