Dreamed This Up (Dreams, Book 1)

Chapter 3: Biscuits in the Oven

Rofin stalked down the streets.

He'd brought the girl home, (after she'd practically ambushed him) set her up there, and even made their own hand-fasting agreement. Would anyone else believe him, or understand? He clenched his fists under the long cloak, and felt the hackles rise on his arms DOWN he thought fiercely, and forced himself to relax. Biting some innocent passerby's head off just because he was in a snit was no excuse.

Fellow Rifans waved or called out, and he did his best to be civil, grateful for the hood that protected him from the sun and curious looks alike. Why had he chosen to walk! It was just as easy to order a carriage. But after this time with Sophia ... it was impossible to take advantage of the harac pulled conveyances. There were other options of course, but at the time, when he had left their apartment, walking seemed the best, giving him time to think. Now ... the Rifans were annoying him, and the harac made him feel guiltier than ever. So what if this was what his race had done for eons? Send a contingent to a new world, conquer it, mingle if possible with the native species, and after a period of time rejoin the great Rifan alliance, with a new subspecies ready to join up. But it's not easy for the first generation he thought to himself grimly. Where would the child fit in? The one Sofia insisted was a boy, although he told her it was far too soon to tell. He smiled, recalling the conversation

Earlier that day

"But, sweet, how can you be so sure it is a boy? It just may be a girl. I would have no problem with that, especially if she is like her mother" They were now in the kitchen, and Sophie was preparing more of her bread for herself. Biscuits she called this one, said it was the only thing she felt like eating. Rofin was eating his own meal while he watched her. He'd offered to prepare meat for her as well, but she merely grimaced and said the smell bothered her. 

She paused, and looked at him with a sly smile. "It's a secret" 

Swiftly he crossed the space between them, and engulfed her, "Tell me" in low tone, with a hint of its own smile in it. She tilted her head up and looked at him seriously, "If you keep it in confidence. My people are exploited enough." 

He held her and nodded, "I promise". 

With a contented sigh she settled more fully against him and continue to mix the ingredients. "Some of us can control it. It doesn't always work, but, well, my mother had the skill and we think my father's mother did as well." 

He looked at her quizzically, but she had stopped to place the dough on its tray and slid it in the hot oven. Biting her lip, she washed her hands and continued. "Females are more valuable as breeders, you know? Well, my mother had a son before me, she had focused on wanting one, and it worked. She was hoping she could keep him. But," she blinked back tears and Rofin held her again, "Shhh, shh, do you want to stop?" 

"No, I'm- I'm alright," a deep breath, "Her master wasn't pleased, and beat her and ... killed my brother" 

Rofin sucked in a breath. Of course, the overseers had free range in the villages, and can and did cull any offspring they felt was unfit, but he had never before considered it from the harac point of view. 

After a moment Sophie continued, "So, he beat her. Had her son culled when there was a drought the next season. Paired her with my father next, who was the youngest boy in a family of girls. My mother told him of her gift, that night when they were brought together, and he confessed that he could not be sure, but thought he might too, as his mother had." 

She paused to check the food, and he broke in, "So, they chose a girl? You?" She smiled. He nearly melted again, it was like a rainbow through mist, and he was even coming to like her strange eyes and how they shone with tears. "Yes. Me. Fortunately for the three of us, the overseer was called away to another post, and the one after him left us three together. There were no more children, but we were happy together." 

He took her hand. "How?" she answered, "We don't know how exactly, but there is a type of preparation, and if the woman holds to her choice, she is sometimes able to influence the result"

 "So..... you knew you might get pregnant?" She giggled and kissed him on the nose. "Mmhmm, obviously. I wanted a boy at first for the same reason my mother did, in hopes that who ever trapped me, even if it was that cur Rodney at least I'd have my child, and if the overseers thought I was prone to bearing males, they would not push him to visit me as often. But when I was able to get to you ... well, then I wanted a boy even more, for your sake. All fathers want sons." 

A shrill beep interrupted them, "Your breakfast!" Hurriedly he pulled it out. At least they were only a little burnt. 

Putting the tray down, he held her tightly and said, "No matter what the child is, you are mine, and I will never let anyone hurt you or ... him. But," and he smiled teasingly, "I hope there will be a little girl one day as well, perhaps more." 

She reached and laced her hands behind him, "Mm, indeed, but first I want my breakfast!"

***

Shaking off the reverie, Rofin finally came to the door he wanted, "Ah. Loklin Apothecary. He'll know what to do."

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Image from google. If anyone knows the show it is an outtake from, please tell me.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a76/TaliaG/WattPad/Cooking_zpsdg3zev5s.png  

Also, the euphemism is actually "bun(s) in the oven" but I don't know how to make buns, only biscuits, so I couldn't tell Sophie how to make them, either.

And I SO wanted to use the pun ;) But also, I wanted to show them doing somewhere other than the bedroom, or sick.