“It’ll bring people joy. Few things are more important than that, Elise.” Anja inclined her head and smiled.
Filled with a new sense of purpose, Elise returned the smile before fetching Anja’s favourite mug for her. Those shared smiles felt a lot like belonging.
Chapter 17
Don’t Think
When Fabian handed Nessa the blowpipe, she took it with greater confidence than the first time Secilia Brownlee had handed her one back in Nightport. At least she was growing in confidence when it came to glass. She began huffing air into the blowpipe, expanding the blob of molten glass at the end. Her master cheered her on, making her grateful that the heat and exertion covered her blushing.
“Most excellent, Mrs Glass. Today we will make glass bowls. Pretty little things, to hold berries or candied fruits. You know what sort of bowls I mean, yes?”
“Yes. Dessert bowls. Ornate ones, by the sound of it?”
“Exactly. Must be pretty as a sunrise. We have an order for two dozen, for Joiners Square if you can believe it! An honour. Even if they are corrupt, power-hungry uniform monkeys.”
Nessa handed him back the blowpipe. “Uniform monkeys?”
“Yes. All dressed up in those tight, woollen uniforms. You’ve seen them, yes? Ugly grey with silver buttons. Collar up to their chin and with little fur-blanket for the shoulders.”
Nessa sniggered. “I think you call it a cape. Or cloak. Maybe a stole?”
“Whatever.” He blew into the pipe to keep the glass from receding. “They’re everywhere, yes? Wanting coin and to know what all citizens are doing. Kicking those who do not have a voice with steel-tipped boots. Following orders blindly, not caring about anyone. So yes, uniform monkeys.”
Nessa frowned. “Everyone here talks about Joiners Square taking over everything and that the government isn’t really in charge? I don’t understand it. Arclid is ruled by the Queen with the help of her advisors. It is that simple. Here on the other hand—”
Fabian interrupted by clicking his tongue. “Here, not so simply. You’re right. Joiners Square run the country and make us all pretend they’re don’t. Through bribes and threats, they make us talk about a government which is actually only puppets.”
“I have had the basics explained to me. First, they formed a much-needed union, like other trades did as well. But then their leaders began growing their union into some sort of shadowy organisation, it grew in coin and prestige until they were involved in all parts of the running of Storsund. Right so far?”
“Yes.”
“Next question then.” Nessa scratched the back of her neck. “What is a joiner?”
Fabian huffed into the blowpipe again and picked up a tool with his free hand. “Joiners are similar to carpenters but only do certain things, yes? I can’t explain better. Ask someone else. I use glass, not wood.”
He paused to use the tool known as large tweezers to begin moulding the orange blob. Nessa watched intently, itching to try using the tweezers. Still, deep in her stomach lurked that old fear of failing, of disappointing her master, and as it flared up, she was glad that she was only watching for now.
Fabian switched tools and carried on speaking. “It all came from them having been so badly treated that they became aggressive, yes? They fought their employers, and when that fight was over, they simply kept fighting. Until they had fought their way to power.”
“And then they grew?”
“Yes, by recruiting other trade unions first. Then the military. Our soldiers were eager to fight but had not been in a war since the last time we fought the Western Isles, about a hundred years ago, yes? All those violent, bored fighters fit in perfectly with the angry joiners.” He paused to manoeuvre the glass and glanced over to Nessa.
She nodded to his unasked question. “I’m watching what you’re doing and listening. Please carry on, master.”
“Good. Where was I? Oh yes. Then they gathered the rich folk who wanted more than sitting at home eating cakes, like your Nobles do, yes? They gave them power and ‘gods’ to worship – the war lords which now lead the organisation.” He paused to wipe his brow on his sleeve. “Then Joiners Square took over all trade, calling themselves the Storsund Trading Company and reaching their power as far into the other continents as they could, yes? After that – the schools.”
“Schools? Why? What could they want with children?”
“Not children. Young adults and teachers with the sharpest new minds. Inventors, yes? Paying them to come up with steam power, gas lighting, and then things like factories and trains. That is why we have knowledge and things that the other continents do not have.”
“I see. My landlady, and friend, mentioned that not everyone here supports them?”
The glass was now bowl-shaped. Fabian switched tools again. “No. But most people pretend to, yes? Joiners Square can raise our taxes, push our nation into a war, plant evidence on us, or just start killing us off for being traitors. They also reward any regular citizen who spies on their neighbours. Makes it hard to keep secrets as you never know who will sell you out to the uniform monkeys, yes?”
Nessa swallowed hard, paranoia creating a lump in her throat as well as an ache in her chest. She glanced at her master.
Surely, I can trust him? He wouldn’t be talking like this if he was one of their civilian informants. Still, what have I told him about me and Elise?
She tried to listen to his words, watch his actions, and at the same time replay every conversation she had carried out with him.
He continued speaking, clearly unaware of her panic. “Some people do dare to stand up to them, like the Viss and the Wayfarers.”
“Because Joiners Square believes that the Sund area and the Sundish people are the real Storsund?”
“Yes. Very stupid. Still, the Wayfarers and the Viss need to stay nonthreatening or they get… eh…”
“Persecuted?” Nessa suggested.
“Yes, persek… pers… that. So, their defiance, as well as that of any Sund people who are brave enough, stays underground. It’s seen as shameful if you do not support Joiners Square. Your neighbours will whisper and glare at you, yes? People worship the top uniform monkeys as gods.” He snorted. “Grand Marshall Karlberg and High Captain Nordhall – people actually pray to them. Even your Queen likes them, everyone knows they make deals together.”
Nessa grimaced. “Your nickname makes sense then. I’ll be careful in any dealings with them.”
“Good, good. Now, less talking and more making bowls. Time to decorate this with pretty swirls. I’ll show you and then you’ll do second one, yes? Ready?”
Nessa swallowed. “I suppose I’ll have to be.”
“You will be fine. Don’t think too much, yes? Just do.”
It was nearing midnight. Anja was upstairs, probably sound asleep. Nessa and Elise were laying on the sofa which served as Nessa’s bed, cuddling while discussing Joiners Square.
As they spoke, Elise drew circles on Nessa’s stomach with her fingertips. She had opened the buttons leading down to the waist of Nessa’s new wool nightdress. Elise’s fingers moved rhythmically around her belly, not gentle enough to tickle and not hard enough to be uncomfortable. She had learned exactly how Nessa liked to be touched.
Elise hummed. “So, Joiners Square really are pulling all the strings from the shadows?”
“Yes. Fabian said that all Storsund people know about it. But they’re either too scared to act or they don’t mind, as long as they make good coin, have homes with all the modern conveniences, and handsome Joiners Square soldiers making them feel safe and proud. Some people even report other’s secrets and personal affairs to Joiners Square for favours or coin.” She shivered at the icy tendrils of paranoia sliding down her spine. “Do you think we have to worry about that? About someone reporting us?”
Elise hummed. “I think not. We have kept our secrets, and no one here knows our faces. Furthermore, they would report to Joiners Square, not the Queen. Try not t
o fret so much, heartling. You will wear out your heart by making it pound this fast.”
Nessa took a deep breath. “I’ll try. Anyway, that’s why most people here don’t question Joiners Square.”
“What a contrast to Arclid. If the royals even sneeze too loud we revolt.”
“I know,” Nessa said, absorbed by the subject. “Apparently, the Viss and the Wayfarers have tried to make Sund people see the dangers of having an organisation with its own motives controlling their nation but failed. The Sunds just keep quiet and carry on because they end up with most of the coin and land due to Joiners Square. The few that have rebelled have been imprisoned or shunned from society, forced to live underground.”
It hadn’t escaped Nessa’s attention that Elise’s fingers were tracing those circles lower now, brushing over the line of downy hairs leading from Nessa’s navel down to her groin.
“Interesting, in a frightening way,” Elise said. “Meanwhile, we have now covered my day and my successes with the oils. Then we spoke of your glassblowing. And now you have enlightened me regarding Storsund’s strange rulers. What is next on the agenda? Hm?”
Her fingers made circles even lower, moving past the nightdress’ buttons and below the fabric, into the mass of curls.
Nessa gasped and through clenched teeth whispered, “Elise! We’re trying not to do that here again, remember? It’s not fair on Anja or proper form to fu… have amorous congress here.”
Elise hummed in agreement, but those fingers kept making circles in the pubic hair. Nessa stifled a thrilled giggle. “Heartling, consider how mortified she would be. Gods, think how mortified I would be.”
Elise’s fingers slipped lower, and she smiled as Nessa moaned in response. “Do you want me to stop? If so, I will cease immediately. However, considering how slick and puffed-up your petals are, I think you want me to continue.”
“I do,” Nessa whimpered. “Please don’t stop.”
Elise fingers grew more confident.
Nessa had to bite her lip to keep from moaning. “Just be quick, and if I get too loud, cover… m-my mouth with your free hand.”
“Anything you want, my cherished,” Elise purred and began kissing her neck.
It must have been twenty minutes later. Or maybe twenty-five. Nessa couldn’t tell. She couldn’t sense anything but her own pleasure mingling with frustration. Her struggle to climax had reared its ugly head again. Elise had tried with fingers and tongue, she had even made Nessa touch herself to see if she was missing a trick. All to no avail.
“I’m sorry,” Nessa murmured, defeat weighing her down.
Elise kissed her, whispering, “No need to ever apologise, my dove. It is only because you are trying so hard to be quiet that it is not working.”
Nessa sighed as quietly as she could. “You know it’s not that simple. This happens every third time we make love, and it was constant before I met you. I don’t know how to mend what’s wrong with me.”
“Heartling. Please do not see it like that. There is nothing ‘wrong’ with you, you are just different. We knew that you can physically manage a climax. It merely does not come easy to you, pardon the pun.”
Nessa decided to ask the question she could no longer ignore. “Since it doesn’t seem to be my body causing it, do you think… there’s something wrong with my mind?”
Elise hummed softly. “Not wrong. But it is probably what is causing your issue. Do you not think?”
Nessa readjusted against the hard pillow. “You’re the expert on bedding women. You tell me.”
“Heartling, I have experience with women, but no expertise with this. I doubt there is an expert on this. Physicians do not seem to care about women’s pleasure, only about if we can conceive.” Elise paused to intensify their eye contact. “However, I do know that you should never apologise or feel bad about it. All it means is that I get the great joy of trying a little longer – which means touching you more – which is marvellous.”
Nessa tried to smile. “Thank you. I’m so glad to be able to talk to you about it and that you want to help.”
“No need to even mention it, my cherished. What is important is that it all feels good, is fun, and allows us to be intimate, right?” She paused to nuzzle Nessa’s nose. “There is no obligation to end our lovemaking with an orgasm. I have often engaged in bedplay where I satisfied the other woman and that was it. Climaxes are not the be all and end all.”
“R-really?” Nessa asked, unable to meet her eye.
Elise sought her gaze and finally got it. “Of course not, sweetest heart. I simply want to make you feel good and for you to sense how much I love you.”
Affection seemed to spread from Nessa’s heart out into every limb. “You’re so lovely.”
“No, merely a decent human being who loves you.” Elise’s face lit up. “Oh, I know what we can try! If you still want to try? Turn around and bite the pillow. It will stifle sound, and it is a good position for strong orgasms.”
“All right.”
Nessa got into place but couldn’t help worrying about how long this was taking. She had hoped to have peaked and to be on her way to pleasing Elise by now. She sucked in a deep breath.
One more try. If it doesn’t work now, I’ll take her up on her offer of skipping the orgasm tonight.
Nessa lay on her front. Soon Elise mounted her, laying down and draping herself over her like a warm blanket. A blanket with clever fingers.
Nessa bit down on the pillow, annoyed and distracted by the taste of lye soap and faint hint of the goose feathers below the pillowcase.
Elise’s fingers were making circles again, but urgent, more precise circles on the little pearl which held Nessa’s pleasure. Or rather withheld it at the moment.
Nessa closed her eyes and kept repeating in her mind, Don’t think. Just feel. Relax. Feel.
Elise was licking at her ear, nibbling on her earlobe.
Nessa began moving her hips, meeting Elise’s fingers and adding to the friction. It felt good, almost good enough to make her stop listening for the creak of the upstairs floorboards which would tell her that Anja was awake and on her way down.
Suddenly Elise released the earlobe and whispered so quietly that Nessa could only hear it because it was spoken into the shell of her ear. “That’s it, my naughty vixen. Lay there and let me do whatever I please with you. I want you so badly.”
Nessa noticed her every muscle tensing and heard her own needy, animalistic groan into the pillow.
Elise purred. “You liked that? My, you are gushing now. Ah, I think I know how to distract your overactive mind. I need to… talk to you.”
Nessa nodded, hoping Elise would feel the movement of her head.
“What exactly was it that did the trick, hm? Did you like me taking charge? Did you like me calling you naughty? Did you like hearing me say how much I wanted you?”
“Taking charge,” Nessa moaned, muffled by the pillow.
“Mm. Good. I will continue to take what I want then, and tell you all about it,” Elise whispered. “I desire every voluptuous, magnificent part of you, but especially the one I am toying with right now. It. Is. Mine.”
These last words were punctuated by deft fingers on her slick pearl. Whimpering into the pillow, Nessa nodded again. Her pleasure and need were rising, like waves threatening to crash over her. She wasn’t afraid anymore. Elise would take care of everything, Elise knew what was best.
“You feel so good. I never want to stop taking you from behind like this. Your only task is to lay there and let me have you,” Elise whispered, her usual silver bell voice now lower and dominating.
Another whimper into the pillow, this one even needier. Elise taking her was all that she wanted. There was such a pleasure in all decisions and responsibility disappearing. If Anja found them, if Nessa couldn’t finish… none of that was her concern anymore. Elise would handle it. Nessa smiled and let the pillow stifle another of her moans.
Elise made a wanton purrin
g sound before licking the outer rim of Nessa’s ear. Her fingers were moving faster now, sliding easily through soaked heat as she whispered, “Shame I was not in your life earlier. You would not have had to wait so long for your first climax. I would have spent every evening sneaking into the barn with you, to seduce and take you like this. Over and over again. Mercilessly.”
Hands gripping the sheet underneath, Nessa whimpered and bucked. She was so close. Anxious thoughts still struggled to break through, but Elise’s words were drowning them out.
“I can feel you nearing it. Give in. Now,” Elise growled.
Nessa’s eyes rolled back as the orgasm took over her, making each muscle spasm and filling every nerve and vein with hot, rushing pleasure. The world faded into background noise. All she knew was sensation. After a moment or an eternity, she heard Elise croon in her ear, “Good, let it take you over. You are doing so well, my heartling.”.
As Elise held her tight through the last throes of climax, Nessa’s rock-stiff body morphed into softest clay. Everything was warm, comfortable, and relaxed now. When she regained the power to speak, Nessa broke her mouth free of the pillow and rasped, “Thank you.”
Elise gently kissed her ear. “No need to thank me. You never need to thank me. I love you and pleasuring you is my favourite pastime. However, if you do want to show your gratitude, contract those muscles.”
Nessa knew exactly what was expected of her and grinned. She flexed the strong muscles in her rear and felt Elise begin to slide over them, always finishing the motion over Nessa’s unusually protruding tailbone. A few minutes of increasingly fast riding, and Elise climaxed, barely stifling her usual yelp when the pleasure crested.
Elisandrine slid down next to Nessa, the two of them barely fitting in the narrow space.
“I…” Elise paused to catch her breath before continuing to whisper. “I think we will have to stop there for tonight. It is getting late and I am,” her eyes fluttered closed, “wearied.”
Tinderbox Under Winter Stars Page 17