Chosen Legacy (Book Five of the Chosen Universe)

Chapter Thirty-Nine

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
IVAN
He hadn't slept right in days. He was still grieving his fallen teammates, he was worried about Andie and everyone else he cared about, and new memories of being Lygus haunted him whenever flashbacks of losing his friends in battle didn't.

He woke up from yet another nightmare to find Andie curled up beside him. She hadn't been there when he had gone to bed. She was fast asleep now, and he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer to him. It was soothing to feel her in his arms, and he kissed the top of her head affectionately.

Andie's eyes fluttered open. "Is everything alright, M'Lady?" Ivan asked softly.

She snuggled against him a bit more before saying, "You needed me."

He smiled. "I always need you, M'Lady."

"This was different. You were trembling. You didn't stop until you felt me beside you."

He was a bit embarrassed. "I regret you saw me in such a state," he said.

"Ivan, how many times have you seen me having a nervous breakdown? It's my turn to help you."

"I am meant to be your strong Knight, M'Lady, not some trembling mess."

"You are my strong Knight, but you've been through a lot lately. A few nightmares won't make me think any less of you." She kissed him, and Ivan immediately relaxed, temporarily forgetting why he'd been so worked up.

He wished he could remain in her arms forever, but it was a new day, and there was work to be done.

"Everybody up!" Scott called loudly.

Ivan and Andie exchanged a glance before he reluctantly released her from his embrace. She stood up and opened the door with Ivan right behind her. "What's going on, Scott?" She asked.

"Van cooked breakfast," Scott explained.

"Van slept over?" Darcy asked as she stuck her head out of her room.

"I never said that," Scott said innocently. "He lives next-door, Darce. He could have-"

"Relax, Scott. It's not like I'm going to report this to your dad," Darcy teased him. Van had moved in with Scott after his father's death, but they wouldn't be allowed to share a bedroom until Scott turned eighteen.

"Just like I won't tell your parents Pierce lives in the same house as you right now?" Scott joked.

"Yeah, they definitely don't need to know that," Darcy said. "Or that Ivan lives here, too."

"Hey, at least I can honestly say they don't need to worry about anything inappropriate happening between me and Ivan," Andie said a bit awkwardly.

"Yeah, I can't claim the same about my relationship," Darcy admitted with a laugh.

Ivan blushed at Darcy's confession. He knew she and Pierce were in quite a passionate relationship, but he never questioned how intimate the teenagers had been.

To prove Darcy's point, Pierce stuck his head out of the room, too. He wrapped his arms around her, still looking like he was half-asleep. "Do I smell bacon?" He mumbled.

"Van cooked," Scott explained. "Come eat. You look like you need food."

"Amos and I did something big last night," Pierce said, but he didn't elaborate. "Okay, I'll eat. Then I need to check on Logan."

"Is he still with Zell?" Andie asked.

"No, I think he finished what they were trying to do," Pierce replied.