Chapter Nine
A soft knocking on her door got Litha up. Her alarm was trying to wake her, but it wasn t working. She sighed. Yeah. I am up.
Sergei walked in with two cups of coffee. I made some coffee, and the pastry from last night is in the oven. Your alarm sounded desperate.
He held out a cup to her and easily crouched down next to her. She took one of the cups and sipped the sweet and evil coffee. Thanks for that.
Rough night?
Yeah. You could say that. She sipped at the coffee, trying to get the caffeine in and working.
Whoa. Watch it. That s hot. He paused, and his bronze cheeks darkened. Right. Sorry.
Litha finished and tossed her blanket aside. She got up and stretched. I m gonna get dressed, and I will be right back.
She grabbed some clothes from her drawers and went into the ensuite.
When she came out, he was standing and looking around. There was a soft smile on his expression, and she looked at what he was seeing. It was her report cards, academic achievements, and an album and posters from her dance career.
You have a shrine to yourself?
She shook her head. It was a shrine to family pride. My activation made me leave my name behind, but I didn t leave my family, and they only left me when they had to.
How many do you have?
This farmhouse. They are all gone. My great-grandparents immigrated when they activated and met here in Aksalla.
Both sides?
Yes. She shrugged. They were very proud of me and my surviving an unheard of power level. I have embraced it recently because it lets me threaten Torun. That is a sport in and of itself. She smiled. Right. Got to make more coffee and get the dough for the dumplings started. I am really running behind.
He smiled. I have done the dough, made what I hoped were the fillings you wanted, and am uncertain as to what you need for your sauce.
She stared at him hopefully. Really?
Really. I am guessing you hadn t made the dough before, and that is the one thing I am very good at. The fillings can be tweaked now that they are cooked and cooling.
She held her cup wide and hugged him. Thank you so much.
He wrapped his free arm around her. It was my pleasure and a bit of fun. The dough has to sit for six hours, and oh, shoot, the pastry.
He unwound from her and sprinted down the steps.
Litha couldn t fight her grin as she walked in after him while he was pulling the pastries out and exhaling slowly. They re fine. Just some dark edges.
He set them down and looked at her smile. He leaned in and kissed her, and she went up on her toes. She was exhausted but relieved. When she lowered herself, he had that soft expression again.
She clutched her cup and went to make more, only to find a carafe waiting for her. She poured it and took a sip. The sugar was already in it. Yay.
So, where do we start with the sauce?
She laughed. You will like this. It starts with sugar.
He nodded. Just tell me what to do.
She slugged down some more coffee and went to the pantry, pulling ingredients from every shelf. With her arms full, she walked over to the stove and got started, telling him what she was doing as she was doing it. The smell started off slowly, and when she was finished with her witchcraft, she watched the thoughtful expression on Sergei s face.
She giggled. You should try the family chilli recipe.
I would like to. Not a lot of tomato-based foods in Erradian cooking.
She grinned. Well, since you have saved me so much time, I can make a batch, but I am making enough to freeze later.
I will enjoy learning it.
It takes about five hours, but only half an hour is active.
He grinned. She stared, and when it clicked, she blushed. I am going to go to the freezer.
I will follow. He snagged a pastry and started munching.
Litha got out one pound of beef and one of pork, and then, she returned to the kitchen. It was second nature to thaw them on the walk.
Why two meats?
One for flavour, one for texture.
He nodded, watched as she browned the meat, and returned to the pantry. She added beans and tomatoes, spices and stock.
Why the beans?
Family tradition.
He nodded, and when everything was bubbling in harmony, she turned the heat down low and turned to him. Now, a pastry for me, and then, we check on what is next.
You mentioned rubs. You eat; I will assemble.
Fine. I will quickly get the ingredients together, and then, I will give you directions.
Thank you.
She whirred around the pantry again and set everything on the counter. The bowl and whisk were there, along with measuring cups. She sat across the counter and began to steer him.
The pastries were pretty good.
* * * *
S ergei smiled as she slumped to the counter and started to breathe slowly. As the morning had gone on, he had remembered her scent and body against him. She had stayed with him last night.
She had been awake because she was uncomfortable or just not used to sleeping with anyone else in the bed.
He moved around her, lifted her, and walked her to the window seat where another of the endless quilts was waiting. He settled her and pulled the quilt up over her shoulder. She mumbled and pulled the quilt to her jaw.
He got back to the rubs, looked around for a book, and found recipes written in a masculine hand with notes to Litha. He saw the recipe for sauce she had crafted without looking and the chilli that smelled amazing already. With a little bit of flipping, he found the rub recipe he had just finished and found a few more. He looked around and saw a jar to put the rub in, and then, he made a different one with more heat. He marked it carefully. He marked everything carefully. He hadn t had this much fun in years.
He tried to remember the last time he had enjoyed himself this much and smirked. He knew that she was still around, so he called his mom. She answered, and her eyes were wide, Sergei? You are well?
Yes, Mom. I am well. How do you make buns?
Calina blinked. Buns? You are baking now?
Yes. The woman who guards my dreams is asleep, so I thought I would help her with baking. I remember that I enjoyed it until Dad caught on. Oh, there is a party at Litha s place tomorrow. Do you have time to attend?
Is Litha another one of your lovers?
No, she will be my last lover. I am sated when she touches me but hungry only for her.
His mother s glorious blue eyes teared up. Really?
Really. Now, do you want to meet her?
Yes. When? How soon? I don t want to interfere with the party, but I could help bake or something.
We are making dumplings in a few hours. If she agrees, may I come get you for that?
Yes, please ask her. Where is she now?
Sleeping. She guarded me all night against my demons. She s tired.
A sleepy voice murmured, She s also not deaf. That is your mother?
He turned and smiled. Her hair had fallen out of its constant bonds, and she looked so damn sexy with that slow, sleepy smile on her lips. It is. Her name is Calina. She can come? Truly?
Truly.
He grinned. Are you ready now, Mom?
She laughed. Let me get my shoes.
He triangulated her location and grinned. I will be there in five minutes.
Litha sighed. Call your sister. If she can get away from work, she might enjoy a quiet visit before tomorrow.
He made the call, and Lidiya beamed. I am on my way. I will be there in half an hour.
Litha chuckled. I should be actually awake by then.
He grinned. Do you have any family you want to invite to this particular cooking orgy?
Litha thought about it and blushed. There is one, but I don t know if she is available.
Call her.
Litha lifted her hand and waved at the person who answered the com. Hiya, Cipher. I have a partner, I think-
Sergei felt his chest swell with happiness to be claimed.
And we are having a get-together with the ladies from his family, and he asked if I had family, and I thought of you. His mother will be here in ten minutes and his sister in half an hour. Lidiya, from the ice cream shop. Litha laughed. See you soon.
She lowered her arm and there was a happy smile. Cipher is coming.
Who is Cipher?
Litha s expression twisted. I suppose you could say she is my daughter.
Sergei could have been knocked over with a feather.
* * * *
L itha looked at his stunned expression and got to her feet, walking over to kiss his cheek. Go get your mom. I will still be here to explain.
He nodded and left the house to step through the stars.
Litha exhaled and checked on the rubs. He had done a good job and had found the recipe book. She set the kettle to boil and put a pot and teacup with a saucer out. Cipher. Her only blood relative left, and she was going to be here in a few minutes. Genetically, Cipher was her daughter. Well, her daughter and Nelith s. That is how she met Nelith, to begin with. They were both asked to contribute confirmation samples, and while Nelith now had twenty-seven beings crafted from her eggs, she was Litha s first cellular contribution. Samples had been stolen shortly after Litha had stabilized. Hers had been among them.
Cipher was the result.
There was a soft flash in the yard, and Litha wiped her hands on her thighs and walked outside. Cipher. It is so good to see you again.
She looked at Litha with bright and familiar features. Hello, Litha.
Cipher walked up to her. May I hug you?
I am getting into hugs, so please.
They hugged, and Cipher laughed softly. You are looking hopeful. That s new.
Litha leaned back. I think I am. I have met someone. He isn t in a hurry-which is a little bit frustrating-but he says that he dreams of me or doesn t dream because of me or is not hungry because of me. Something.
Cipher stroked her cheek. It sounds like he is focused on you, and it is about time someone is.
She grinned. I agree.
The kettle whistled, and they went inside to wait for Sergei and his mother.
When the transport was felt, Litha smiled. They are here.
You can introduce me as Cipher or Kiska.
That s a pretty name.
Yeah, I thought so. It s a lot less clinical. She followed and hid behind Litha.
They walked outside, and Litha smiled and waved, and then she felt Cipher step out beside her.
Sergei stared. Holy shit.
The older woman next to Sergei beamed. Which one is your love, Sergei?
He flushed, and he held out his hand. Litha stepped forward and went to stand in front of the woman who still had the long black hair and lovely bronze complexion that she had given to her son. Her eyes were still sparkling green, but she didn t look a year over fifty.
Hello, ma am. I am Litha.
The woman stepped toward her and cupped her cheeks. Litha blinked and fought the urge to make fish lips. You are stunning, little star.
Um, thank you. My mom was beautiful, and I seemed to have given my daughter those delightfully active genes. Ma am, this is my daughter, Kiska.
Kiska waved. Hello.
The woman gasped. Daughter?
Kiska laughed. I was lab-grown, and my existence began in Uradda twenty-six years ago.
Oh. I have been hearing about that. Dmitri s new wife was one of those.
She was the originator of the eggs. Kiska smiled. I have two moms.
Litha chuckled. Feral is coming tomorrow for the party.
Kiska grinned.
Litha got her face free.
Sergei smiled. My mother s name is Calina.
The older woman beamed. Call me Calina, please, Litha and Kiska. This is very exciting. A daughter and granddaughter in one day.
Litha stared at Sergei, and he wrapped an arm around her waist, leaning in for a kiss.
The kiss went on and on, and she was leaning up until Sergei flinched and pulled away, Yes, Ma.
We have pierogi to make. Get your ass inside and start dusting the table. Oh, and bring in the samovar.
Litha blinked and covered her mouth. What s a samovar?
Calina said, We drink a lot of tea. It keeps the water hot.
He picked up the ornate object and carried it inside.
Kiska chuckled. Litha never has a problem with hot water.
Calina paused and said, Well, it looks pretty, and it s tradition.
Tradition? I thought that was the ring thing.
No, that is just for the groom. This is from the groom s family. It means even if he buggers off, you still have a mom.
Litha teared up as they walked into the house, and Kiska rubbed her back.
By the time Lidiya arrived, the pierogi-making was in full swing.
She switched out with Sergei to season the ribs for the following day, and when that was done, it was back to the flour fight.
Kiska laughed and wiped flour off her forehead. The first thing Litha told me about flour was that it was highly combustible. I should never light anything near loose flour.
Sergei was cutting the dough circles and rolling out more dough, and the ladies were putting in the filling and sealing the crescents.
When the trays finished, they were swept off to the freezer on flat sheets. Fortunately, there was a vertical freezer for just this sort of thing.
By six, they were all hungry, so Kiska called in a pizza order and went to get it. She was back in six minutes with a huge stack of pizza and a bag of sodas. Lidiya got some canning jars out, filling them with ice cream, and they poured in the soda. Floats were had by all in the dust of their labours. While the pizzas were passed around, Litha looked around at the women and Sergei. He was at ease with men and at ease with women. He smoothed over all lulls in conversation.
He grinned and said, Ma, Litha s a dancer.
Calina smiled. Lovely. I was a dancer in my younger days. It s how I ended up as a wife with two children instead of just a mistress. My activation was minor, but it let me survive both pregnancies.
Much to my father s consternation. Lidiya chuckled. Sergei was a delight, and I was a shock.
Sergei chuckled. See, Litha? I am a delight.
She laughed. You are wearing pepperoni on the side of your face, dumbass.
Kiska started laughing. Litha looked around just in time to see Calina look at Kiska with a finger to her lips in a shushing motion. Kiska grinned and leaned over to hug Litha with one arm. Love you, Mom.
Litha felt suspicious, but there wasn t any malice around the table. They talked about childhoods and fond memories, and everyone but Kiska took part.
Kiska was smiling and laughing with them, but when Calina looked over, she sighed in response to the question. I don t want to bring down the mood, so I am not going to answer. On to the first time Litha melted her ice cream before it could get to her mouth.
Calina frowned, and Sergei said, She was raised in an Uraddan lab, Ma.
Oh. Fuck. I am sorry. I forgot. Calina frowned.
We can talk about it another day. Kiska grinned. I don t think we are going anywhere.
Litha smiled. I hope not. I am liking this feeling.
Lidiya laughed. Me, too. Litha, thank you for rescuing my thug of a brother, and Sergei, thank you for not going mad before she could find you.
He toasted her with his float.
Litha said, Well, I did get paid for it, so...
They laughed, and soon, Sergei had to return his mother home so she could make preparations to join the party the next day. She had things she wanted to bring.
They all went outside and hugged. Lidiya drove Kiska back to town, and Sergei took his mother home. Litha went inside, organized the leftovers, and was taking the boxes outside when Sergei arrived.
Tidying up?
Yeah, the flour is clear. Now I get to do my favourite trick. She held up her hand and fired two streams of plasma at the cardboard, causing it to roar and then turn to ash.
She laughed. I love using that one.
Sergei gasped. You have eye lasers?
She giggled. I do.
He walked over to her, lifted her, and kissed her. That is really hot.
She slid her arms around his neck and held tight as he walked back to the house wearing her.
She separated them by an inch. File this under consent.
He murmured, My room or yours?
Mine, there is more space.
His eyes were bleeding darkness and crackling wildly. She kissed him again, and he brought them to her room. He slid her shirt over her head, holding her under her thighs.
He had to set her down to get her leggings off, and from there, she took care of her own underwear. He matched her speed, and when he picked her up again, it was a very different sensation. She started rocking and rubbing against him, and he groaned into her mouth and settled her on the bed. It was a very educationally stimulating night.
Litha smelled coffee again, but this time, the morning had just started outside the window.
Sergei eased into the room and chuckled. You woke up.
Yes. You would have been in trouble if I didn t. She chuckled. I don t think that fucked to death is something I have ever faced before.
Well, you took to it with gratifying enthusiasm. He held out the coffee with a pastry on top.
Litha sat up and watched the coffees wobble. Taking pity on him, she pulled her quilt over her and sat against the headboard. She reached for the cup. Thank you very much.
He sat next to her, and she leaned her head against his shoulder. Well, I can see what the fuss is about. It makes me resent it a little, but then you weren t here, and I trust you, so I suppose things happened when they should.