Page 5 of Honeythorn
“Uh…my apologies. I only wanted to say that I will be out for the afternoon. I didn’t want you to worry,” Milan explained.
“Of course, Mister Pryor. Would you like to take some food with you?” one of the older Omegas asked.
“Oh, I hadn’t thought of that. I’ll come by if I think I will be gone that long,” Milan replied. There was much bowing all around before Milan escaped outside.
The air was crisp and sharp as he exited the manor. Despite Milan’s aversion to the cold, he took a deep breath, feeling rejuvenated. The lands around the manor were beautiful. Sprawling fields, a distant forest behind them hiding the town a few kilometres ahead. Milan had done some research during his travels and had discovered that in the North, the title of Lord or Lady was very prestigious and not given lightly. Each person awarded the honour of such status was gifted a vast amount of land—fields, crops, and even where the nearby town resided—which they were then responsible for. The lords and ladies, in turn, taxed the citizens and answered to the reigning monarchy.
The whole thing seemed quite bizarre to Milan, but it was no wonder Raphael must have been pressured to marry. It was a clear sign of faith to invite foreign customs and blood into such a prestigious and powerful lineage, seeing as once given, the title was passed on to the eldest heir.
Milan began his exploration with the stables. He was impressed to see that, despite the ownership of a crawler, the manor also kept two steeds, two mares, and two ponies.
“Oh, look at you,” Milan cooed at one of the foals. She was covered in thick, long hair as he had never seen before, and seemed calm even with his strange presence. “You are just asking for a treat, aren’t you? Look at those eyes!”
She seemed happy to be petted, bumping her muzzle against his hand for more. Milan was about to melt into a puddle when a noise of surprise from behind startled him. He turned to see a young Alpha blinking at him in bewilderment. She was holding straps of leather in one hand, a bucket hanging from the other.
“Sorry! Sorry,” Milan said. “Am I intruding?”
“No!” she blustered, causing Milan to laugh a little.
“I just wanted to see the horses. I haven’t even said hello to the others—this one has already taken my heart.”
At that, she seemed to relax a little, smiling back. “She is quite the enchantress.”
Milan laughed. “I’m so sorry, I’m afraid I’ve forgotten your name.”
“Mary, Sir.”
“Mary! It’s lovely to meet you. Please, call me Milan.”
Mary blinked a few times at the request but nodded slowly.
“Will you introduce me to the rest? If you have the time, of course, I don’t want to bother you.”
“It’s no bother, Mister…Milan.”
Milan chuckled at her attempt but eagerly followed her around the ample stables as she introduced him to each creature. Even with just meeting them, they all seemed to have their own personalities—some taciturn, some indifferent, others friendly and eager. Milan had thought he’d fallen in love with Thallo, the foal, but it was when they reached the last horse that Milan knew he had found the love of his life.
“And this is Saturnus, our other mare,” Mary introduced.
The horse was quite a sight. Tall and graceful, she stood proudly in her pen. Her coat was like creamed coffee, her mane almost white. Her dark eyes were striking, and there was something deeply intelligent in them.
“Saturnus doesn’t take to many, but she’s very loyal when she does,” Mary explained.
“Does Lord Raphael ride her often?” Milan asked.
“He dotes on her, as with the other horses, but she is not his favourite.”
Milan could not imagine Raphael doting on anything, but he was glad he’d be able to favour Saturnus as his horse if allowed.
“Would I be able to brush her?” Milan asked. Mary looked a little surprised but went to fetch a brush.
“She doesn’t bite, but don’t be offended if she doesn’t make friends with you right away.”
“Thank you. I won’t.”
As Milan settled inside the pen, surrounded by the earthy smell of horses, something in him settled for the first time since he had arrived. This, at least, was familiar to him. He let the slow rhythm of the brush lull him. It was simply nice to be close to another living creature, to be comforted by its warmth, to hope for its friendship.
Milan took his time. When he reached Saturnus’s face, he held his hand out tentatively. Saturnus watched him for a moment before nuzzling his hand softly.
