Andvari
Normally, this type of workout served as a form of meditation for him. He could wield his blade and quiet his mind. Instead, his mind was inside the house, upstairs in a master bedroom where a young man lay quiet and still on the oversized bed.
Cecil looked up from his task. “That’s not necessary, sir.”
“I know it’s not, but I don’t mind helping. Henry needs to eat.”
“Yes, sir. He merely nibbled on breakfast and hasn’t had so much as a sip of water since then.”
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.