Page 4 of The Runaway
Across the yard, the barn rose tall and dark against the night sky. It would be full of hay this time of year, the paddocks mowed in preparation for the need to feed the hungry flock of sheep throughout the long months of snow. He headed that way, a vague plan in mind, his thoughts too jumbled to really think about what he was doing.
Inside the barn, he climbed the sturdy ladder to the hay loft. As predicted, the room was filled with piles of loose hay. It would be warm, protected from the weather, and an unlikely enough spot that no one would look for him here. He chose a quiet corner, shuffling the hay around until he’d made a makeshift bed. He lay down, aware of the soothing drone of crickets and frogs outside the walls and the low wail of the wind as it blustered about in the eaves. Even the omegas on this estate were provided with better beds than this, and Gabriel felt his guilt ease a fraction at the knowledge that he was sleeping somewhere less comfortable then even the lowest of the estate’s residents. He closed his eyes and slowed his breathing, letting his body relax. Sleep would come fitfully, his rest disturbed by ghoulish dreams, but at least his conscience could rest easy here. He let his mind go blank, and minutes later, the world faded to black.
CHAPTER THREE
It was mid morning as Gabriel followed Antoine in a slow tour of the estate. He’d been up early, having slept passably well after moving to the hay loft, and had been served breakfast in the parlour – eggs, toast, fruit and tea. After eating a steady diet of hard bread and old turnips for the past few months, it was both a welcome indulgence and what seemed to be a wasteful excess. After breakfast, Antoine had offered to show him around the estate – the cottages, the orchard, the stables. Now, they were just completing a circuit of the orchard, with apples, pears, mandarins and grapes all growing in neat rows. There were also a few peach trees, though their fruit had been picked and either eaten or sold several months ago.
“Let’s head over to the stable next,” Antoine said, and Gabriel made a noise of agreement – something he’d been doing a lot of this morning, wanting to appear polite and interested, while at the same time feeling hopelessly lost and out of place. Antoine wasn’t merely showing off with this tour. As both an alpha and a Calvet, Gabriel would be expected to take a keen interest in the goings on around the estate, and depending on how long he stayed here, perhaps even start up a business venture of his own. Having him up to speed with all the various aspects of the property was a simple matter of courtesy. But Gabriel had absolutely no idea what the future might hold for him, and as peaceful as this estate seemed, he was carefully avoiding making any commitments.
“We have three horses, and the mare is an absolute beauty,” Antoine said, keeping up his running commentary as he led them around the corner and into the stable. It was adjacent to the barn, a short walkway connecting the two buildings. “I’ve been considering breeding her. Felix Bardet, the local baron, has a stallion we could put over her. It’s more a question of timing than anything. Lucas needs riding lessons, and one of the geldings hurt his leg a little while back, and I don’t want to leave us short if we need an extra horse in a hurry. I was considering buying a new one, but it’s been hard to justify the expense. But now that you’re here…” He raised an eyebrow at Gabriel.
“I wouldn’t want you to go to any expense on my account,” he said.
Antoine smiled. “We can afford it. This year’s wool brought in a very comfortable income. But have you had any thoughts on how long you’re likely to stay?”
“Not specifically, no,” Gabriel said.
“Are you thinking of re-enlisting in the army?”
“No,” he replied, a little too quickly. “No, I’ve served for eight years, and five of those were in an active war. I figure I’ve done my bit.”
Antoine waited for him to say something more, but when he didn’t, he unlatched the door to the mare’s stall, letting Gabriel step inside. The horse was indeed a beautiful one, a deep chestnut colour with a white star on her forehead. She immediately came over and butted her head against Gabriel’s chest, asking for attention.
“She’s gorgeous,” he said, rubbing her nose.
“She’s incredibly smooth to ride. Wonderful temperament.”
After spending a few minutes with the mare, he stepped out of the stall and latched the door. Parked at the end of the stable was a small carriage, and he was surprised to see Dante cleaning the outside of it. Somehow, he’d expected a bonded omega to have a less arduous job than cleaning the carriage. The stray pieces of straw clinging to Dante’s pants suggested that he also worked with the horses, perhaps cleaning out the stalls?
Sensing himself being watched, Dante looked up, and he tensed a fraction when he spotted Gabriel, then relaxed a moment later as he saw Antoine lingering behind him. It was a reaction Gabriel had seen several times over the course of the morning, the various omegas on the estate regarding him with apprehension when they first caught sight of him, followed by cautious relief as he’d made no move towards them, letting Antoine continue to take the lead.
“Good morning,” he greeted Dante, wondering how he’d react.
“Morning,” Dante said, but he made no attempt to make conversation. Was that due to good manners, conforming to the expectation that omegas should be seen and not heard, or did he object to Gabriel’s presence?
“Do you get many visitors here?” Gabriel asked Antoine, curious about the omegas’ wariness.
“Not often. Mostly from the neighbouring estates. We’re on good terms with most of our neighbours, but a few of the locals think we’re a bit odd, given the less than traditional views we take on how we treat our omegas. The baron comes a few times a year, usually on business. Aside from that, we tend to keep to ourselves.” Antoine looked Gabriel over shrewdly, and his next question confirmed Gabriel’s opinion that Antoine was both a wise and an observant man. “Is there a problem?”
“I’ve noticed that some of the omegas seem uncomfortable with me being here,” Gabriel said, deciding to be blunt about it. “Have I done something to upset them?”
“Ah,” Antoine said, a knowing look on his face. “I apologise. I hope no one has been rude to you.”
“Not at all. I’m just curious. I don’t like the idea that I’m already making waves.”
Antoine nodded. “Unfortunately, we’ve learned from experience that just because someone is family doesn’t mean that they share our outlook on life. My cousin, in particular. He came a few years ago with Alfred, Christophe’s brother. Alfred is an amiable enough man, but Gaspard caused quite a ruckus at the time. My father banned him from the estate, but some of the omegas are still wary about having a new alpha around. They’re not quite sure what to make of you and they’re concerned you might turn out to be like him. For the record, I’ve seen no indication of that so far, but I suppose they have a right to be cautious.” It was interesting that Antoine would allow his omegas to make up their own mind, rather than simply ordering them to accept him.
“Do you mind if I ask what happened?” Gabriel asked.
Antoine’s gaze slid across to Dante, a silent question in his eyes.
Dante set down his tools, standing up straight and taking a few steps towards them. “I got into a fist fight with him,” he said, after a telling pause.
Gabriel’s eyebrows rose. “He thought it would be a good idea to punch his cousin’s bonded omega?” The idea was ludicrous.
“Antoine and I weren’t bonded at the time. I was his personal omega. But Gaspard wasn’t the type to take no for an answer. He tried to mate with me, and at the same time ordered me not to tell Antoine about it. I objected.” For them to have ended up in a fist fight, that flat statement sounded like a significant understatement.
“Sounds like a right dick,” Gabriel muttered. To mate with another alpha’s personal omega was a gross insult.