Dick/Koriand'r, 52. “I think you might be pregnant.”
This was the hardest one from this prompt list to come up with an idea for, but when it came to me, I wanted to smack myself over how obvious it should have been. Set in my Sir Tim universe, about ten years before the main story!
This is also the last prompt from this particular list. Next up, all those wonderful fantasy prompts!
Koriand’r of Tamaran was many things. Princess. Protector. Warrior. Diplomat. Occasional mage when her talent manifested as such. But right now, she could safely say she was pissed off.
She stabbed the needle through the purple linen. It had been difficult to get in these northern lands so far from her old home, but she was determined to keep her people’s traditions alive. The dye she had made on her own, using various roots and berries to get the color she wanted. This dress has turned out to be a challenge, but she will be damned if she does not complete it with her own two hands.
Just as her own mother did.
And her grandmother before her.
And all the women of Tamaran who came before them.
Kori was making her maternity dress. A dress all women of her country wore when carrying a child beneath their hearts.
But this was not why she was pissed off. No, she was upset that her husband and light of her life had not figured it out yet. Of course, that meant he had to be home to do so.
She did not begrudge him his duties, not at all. Especially as his charge Timothy was so neglected by his own parents that he practically lit up like the sun each time he saw Dick. It was much better that her husband be the main influence in his young life rather than the Duke and Duchess. Janet Drake was the granddaughter of a monster; thank X’Hal that Tim was nothing like her, at least in personality.
Still, Dick had been gone six weeks this time. By Kori’s count, her pregnancy was now almost three moons along. She’d suspected when he left, but was unable to confirm it until a week later when she missed her second cycle.
This was not news to be shared via a pigeon.
Kori jabbed the needle into the fabric again and finished the seam. A seamstress she was not but this pattern had been in her heart all her life. She bit off the thread and stood, holding the dress out to inspect it.
As with most Tamaranean clothing, it would be considered scandalous. It flowed and revealed the rounding curves of her body, embracing the changes rather than hiding them. The people in these northern climes were such prudes.
She smiled, pleased with how the dress turned out. All she had to do was press the seams and the pleats and she can then attach it to her favorite collared necklace, the one with the gold and amethysts.
Yes, Kori was quite pleased with the dress, even if Dick would try and make her wear a cloak to hide it, at least in public.
Kori had been wearing her new dress for five days when Dick finally arrived home. The timing was such that she suspected someone from the household may have sent a message to Bristol to alert the Knight of what his wife was up to, probably someone local rather than the circus troupe folk who were just as loyal to her as they were Dick. There were still many around the area who viewed the foreign princess with suspicion.
She rose from her office chair, having been deep in correspondence with her sister, reviewing their next petition to the White Council. They would be successful this time, she was sure of it. How it would work while she was pregnant, she was not yet certain of.
Dick beat her to the door, swinging it wide open, beaming at her even as she ran across the room to throw herself into his strong arms. Kori breathed in his scent, still strong of dust and horse, but underneath, she found the smells that were uniquely his.
“Heyla, gorgeous,” Dick said, burrowing his face in her flaming curls. “I’ve missed you.”
“And I, you.” The agitation that has been present for weeks was lifting from Kori’s shoulders. All was well in her world now. She and Dick could celebrate the life they created together.
Dick ran his hands over the fabric of her dress, over her lean muscle, and blossoming curves. “A little bird told me you were wearing something scandalous.”
She knew it. “It’s not scandalous where I am from.”
“I know. Can I get a better look?”
Kori smiled and withdrew from Dick’s arms, spreading her arms wide and twirling so her husband could take in the full effect of her dress.
There was a heat in his eyes that she knew well. It was promising. He strode forward and clasped her hips firmly. “Something tells me you’re trying to get my attention. Is it because I was gone so long?”
“No, my love. It is because of something else.” Kori smoothed her hands over the front of the dress, drawing attention to the long line of bare skin revealed by the open panels that barely contained her full breasts.
Dick’s eyes widened as her hands settled over her womb. “I…I…”
Kori smiled, pleased with her husband’s stunned reaction. “Yes, darling? What are you thinking?”
“I think you might be pregnant.”
“My love, there is no might about it.” Kori took hold of Dick’s hand and laid it over her own. “I am pregnant.”
There was a moment of hesitation before Dick knelt, palms pressed against the firm skin around Kori’s navel. Softly, reverently, he placed a kiss against the ever so slight bump that was forming. He glanced up, eyes blazing as he met her own. “This dress is a Tamaranean tradition then?”
“What other traditions do I need to be aware of?”
Kori’s smile turned playful as she dragged her fingers through Dick’s wind blown hair. He wasn’t upset over the dress, that was a relief. Not that she was overly concerned by it, but it was one less thing to deal with when there was a baby to prepare for. “There is one that would be best explored in the bedroom. Unless you want a maid to interrupt us when she brings my afternoon tea?”
Dick’s gaze could light a fire, it burned so hot. “That’s why the door has locks, my dear.”
