Chimera Awakened

Chapter Six

I had breakfast in the dining room that Lina led me to and was disappointed to see Broderick wasn't there. She informed me this was where I would take all my meals and to simply let her know when I was ready and someone would bring in food.

Graham had been sitting at the table and rose to pull out a chair for me. As he took his seat once more, he told me that Broderick was dealing with a matter of province safety and I should visit the stables. Something flickered in his eyes when he made the suggestion but I couldn't quite place it.

After breakfast, I took Graham's advice and made my way out to the stables. The smell of hay, horses and grain was the same in any barn and it instantly relaxed me. The sound of hoofbeats was music to my ears and their winnies were a balm to my soul. Their emotions of calm contentment pleased me and it was obvious the Ryans had a good stable here.

I halted when I heard a familiar winnie that stood out among the rest. A black shining head poked out of a stall ahead of me and Alastor's joy hit me like a blast when he spotted me. I ran to him and stared in amazement. He was here. He was really here.

"Hi handsome boy," I murmured and rubbed him between his eyes.

Broderick most likely had him brought here and Graham's urging me to the stables suddenly made sense. My throat tightened with emotion at his unexpected gesture and I let out a shaky breath.

"Evelyn, it's you!" A deep gravelly voice came from behind me.

I turned to see Richard, a tall broad shouldered man with gray hair falling past his collar.

"Rich!" I exclaimed and vaulted into his arms.
He hugged me tightly, and the smell of chewing tobacco and hay filled my nose.

"My stars girl, you're thin as a willow stick." He pulled back to survey me and his brows furrowed.

"I know..." I replied. "This past year has been hard."

"You girls short on money?" He crossed wool clad arms that were thick as tree trunks over his chest and watched me.

"No, the stable is doing well. I just..." I trailed off and looked down at my boots.

There was no way I could get into the stress and grief that had plagued me since my father's passing.

As if reading my thoughts, Rich said quietly, "Your dad was a good man. I went to his funeral but didn't want to bother you girls."

Looking up, I met his gaze and found his eyes clouded in sadness.

He pressed his lips in a tight line. "I should've checked up on ya'll."

"No, Rich, it's nothing you could've helped with. You're not to blame." I reached out and laid a hand on his arm.

He laid a scarred, weather roughed hand over mine and attempted a smile. "Still, leaving you girls to run that place. I knew you could do it but I should've come by more often." Shaking his head, something like anger flashed in his eyes. "The late General was a... demanding man though. He damn near ran me into the ground."

My brows drew together and my worry must have shown on my face because he shrugged and gave a small smile before saying, "That's the past now I suppose. Now, tell me who this striking fella is." He walked to Alastor's stall and laid a hand on the stallion's neck.

I wanted to press Rich about the late General Cian but ultimately decided against it. If he wanted to get into more, he would.

"Well," I began, "he's somewhat of a pet project of mine."