Theo ties it and says, “There now, bride. Will you help me start the bread for tomorrow?”
I blink, surprised. “The bread?” I repeat, like a moron.
Theo flashes his wide smile. “Yes. Four grown beings, I imagine we’ll go through a loaf a day, easily. I also need to go check on Sally and Molly, if you’d like to help.”
“Who?” I ask bewildered.
Ben answers, “Our goats. That’s where we get our milk and cheese. We buy our butter, as we don’t have a cow.”
Theo jumps in, “I think we might want to speak with our neighbor with a ram about getting Sally and Molly pregnant with kids again, if we’re adding to our home with our bride, and perhaps a wingling sometime in the future.”
I completely ignore the comment about me joining the home and the idea of a babe. “I thought... I thought gargoyles purchased all, or most, of their produce.”
Theo frowns. “Where did you get that idea, sweetling?”
I open my mouth to answer, but I pause. I’m not sure, exactly.Some of the goyles I’ve killed had small farm animals, but not all.
Ben’s face is suspicious but he’s silent.
“I...I think my parents. Or other adults when I was younger.” I frown, remembering our children' s lessons within the Rebels.
Rena and my mother taught us bushcraft. It was often games, how long can you hide, how well can you cover your path, that sort of thing. History was with Barnabas, his long beard dragging on the table. Weaponry was rotating, any adult on hand would teach us what they knew.
“We buy some things, of course,” Ben responds, “And younger alphas, unbonded ones, or betas that chose to live solitary lives, often do more of the farming and hunting thanones with busy jobs or younglings to raise. But that makes sense, does it not?”
Theo places a bowl in front of me and a wooden spoon and turns to measure out flour. I stand and walk to the sink for hot water from the tap.Such a luxury.
Ben offers me a stoneware jar with a spoon.
I peer into the heavy jar and realize it’s dark maple syrup. I smile.
“Do you sugarbush here?” I ask.
They exchange a glance and shake their heads.
Theo offers, “No, none of us know how. We’ve been meaning to have someone in to teach us, the last few springs, but... things are busy.” A pause. “Do you know how?”
I nod, smiling.
Ben’s face is excited, “Would you teach us? We can get whatever equipment you’ll need.”
I open my mouth, but pause.
Both their faces fall and they exchange another heavy look.
“You’ll be here for spring, flower,” Ben says softly.
“Of course. Yeah, I’ll teach you.” I try to smile but quickly turn to focus on stirring the bread dough.
Soon enough, it’s set to rise, a towel over the bowl as it rests on the stove.
Theo comes around the island and turns me gently in the chair, his hands falling to touch my thighs, where the robe has hitched up. His touch is delicate, his heavy stone hands and long nails careful on my flesh. I catch a whiff of citrus.
“Now.” He clears his throat, “Are you in need?”
I blink, trying to figure out what he means.
In need of a sharp object to shove in his femoral artery? Why yes, thank you, I am in need.
