Page 182 of The Chosen One Universe: Volume One

“Thank you, sir. A housekeeper would be helpful. I am bringing the chef from the estate. She will arrive later today, and can travel with us as needed. I will also bring one of the head gardeners to help with the new building project. He will bring some of his staff as well, but I have arranged other accommodations for them. Anyone allowed inside the house will be carefully vetted, of course.”

“I’ll make arrangements right away. I would also like to bring some of my clansmen in to serve as security. We’ll need to provide accommodations for them as well.”

“Someone can stay at my house,” Sawyer said. He hadn’t looked up from his position on the floor, staring down at Pearl as he stroked her neck. “Draco’s too, probably. We’ll have to check with him. I… guess I need to think about moving in here, don’t I?”

Andvari crossed the room and knelt down beside Sawyer. “Whatever you need, Sawyer.”

Sawyer reached out for his hand. Andvari laced their fingers together and sat down beside him on the floor. Sawyer leaned against him, letting out a long sigh as he did. “I don’t want to think about all this but I guess I have to. I’m not… I don’t know how to manage staff. I don’t know what to do with a house full of people. I don’t know when I’m going to wake up and find out all this was just some weird, stress-induced dream and I really don’t have a bunch of creatures from myth and legend both fucking me and trying to kill me. I’ll wake up and won’t be falling in love with four guys at once and won’t know what it’s really like to fly on a dragon’s back while my sword-wielding vampire strikes down attacking ravens. You know, just some weird dream because I ate too much hot sauce on my Thai take-out.”

When he said it out loud, Andvari actually realized just how much Sawyer had experienced in such a short period of time. It was a wonder he hadn’t lost his mind or run away screaming. Andvari believed to the depths of his soul that Sawyer was born for this role. He’d make it work, even if they did have to learn to cook their own food or do their own laundry. They would do it if it made Sawyer happier.

“What can we do to help? We don’t have to bring in additional staff, you know. We can do—”

“No, that’s not what I’m saying. I know what Cecil does. He makes things better. Thank you for that, Cecil. Seriously. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate what you’ve already done. And I know that I’m about to take on more than I can imagine. I’ll figure it out.”

Andvari leaned his head over and touched his forehead to Sawyer’s temple. “We’ll figure it out together, love. As the saying goes, how do you eat an elephant?”

“Eww. You don’t. Elephants are glorious creatures who… oh my goddess. Are there elephant shifters? Because please, please, please let me have an elephant shifter as a guardian. How cool would that be?”

“I do not believe such a thing exists,” Andvari said through a laugh. “Although if they did, I have no doubt one would be called to your service.”

“Damn,” Sawyer said. “Although I suppose a vampire, a dragon, and a griffin are, you know, more amazing than an elephant. Probably. Elephants are awesome. Oh, are unicorns a thing?”

“Anything is possible.” Andvari believed that, especially where Sawyer was concerned.

The others drifted in as they woke, surrounding the breakfast table and munching on the brunch feast Cecil placed before them. Andvari stayed by Sawyer’s side, basking in the moments of peace as they found them. Dark times were ahead. Challenges were before them. Other guardians had yet to arrive, and their addition to the household would keep things in turmoil.

But in all that, he’d found moments like these. Moments where Sawyer sent him a beaming smile as he popped a grape into his mouth. Draco sneaking a grope under the table while pretending to concentrate on every word Eduard said. Henry’s eyes catching on his chest, and when he flexed, Henry’s resulting catch of breath. Those were the moments that brought him hope. As long as they were together, things were going to be fine.