Anja pursed her lips. “Well, I’m out of beds and won’t have my floor littered with youngsters indefinitely. Why do I keep taking in strays now? When did I become this soft in heart and head?”
Nessa opened her mouth to answer but was stopped by Anja holding up a hand. “Nessa, that was… how do you say it in Arclidian… a rhetorical question. Come on. Let’s catch the last cable car of the night. I’m not walking all the way back with you cold-toed foreigners grumbling all the way.”
They all followed without question.
Chapter 20
Dark Eyes and a Cruel Smirk
Elise was exhausted by the time they got back to Anja's house. Worrying about her mistake with the interview had taken its toll, and hearing Hunter’s story hadn’t helped one whit. Still, she was happy that Anja had let him stay. She hadn’t even asked any questions. All she had done was mutter about trusting Elise and Nessa and something about him not making a mess of her washroom. Elise smiled to herself, proud of that trust.
Now Anja stood by the stairs with her arms crossed. “Right. I have one more pillow but no more blankets. You’ll have to bunch up sheets for a mattress and to cover yourself.”
“That will do. I have slept in worse circumstances,” Hunter said with his charm-offensive smile.
Anja scoffed. “Why, thank you. My home and I are blushing at your enthusiastic compliments.”
“Oh, I did not mean—”
She snorted at his appalled expression. “For snow’s sake, I know what you meant. Come up and get your pillow and sheets.”
When Hunter and Anja had gone upstairs, Elise dashed into Nessa’s arms.
Nessa kissed her hair and rubbed her back gently. “It’ll all work out, heartling. By the way, I assume this is about the Queen and not Hunter sleeping between us on the floor?”
Elise slapped her rear, admonishing her for the attempted joke.
Nessa jumped at the smack. “Sorry. In all seriousness, let’s not panic before we’re certain that she is closing in on us. She was questioning Hunter, yes. But six weeks ago. She’s probably moved on by now. She has a nation to run and not endless time to hunt you.”
“Are you only saying that to calm me?”
“I’m saying that because it makes sense. Doesn’t it?”
Elise rubbed her forehead. “I suppose. I simply… cannot shake the feeling that she is breathing down our necks. I have not wanted to worry you, but I have had nightmares about her finding me. Silly, perhaps, but with Hunter’s tale and the realisation that my interview might reach her, it all seems so—”
Their conversation was interrupted by Hunter and Anja returning, seemingly discussing Skarhult accommodations.
“You mean there are even houses around here for those reasonable amounts?” Hunter asked from somewhere under the pillow and sheets in his arms.
Anja got out of his way. “Yes. This part of town is away from the centre and mainly an industrial area, which means factory smoke and delivery carts speeding around all day. Not to mention the cable cars being filled with workers every morning and at the end of the working day.” She paused to pet Svarte, who was glaring at the new house guest. “Also, the available houses and rooms for rent here are all in older, less attractive buildings. Often with old stoves and leaky roofs. This is not a sought-after part of Skarhult.”
“Despite the cable car line?” Hunter asked, dropping his bedding on the floor and terrifying the cat.
Anja picked up Svarte. “As I said, the cars are always full of factory workers here. There are plenty of other places in Skarhult with accommodation and less busy cable cars.”
Hunter gaped at Nessa and Elise. “Can you fathom such luxury? Trains for the long distances and cable cars for the short. How do the people of Skarhult not get out of shape from never walking?”
Nessa and Elise didn’t get a chance to answer. Anja put the cat down and glared at Hunter. “Because we don’t use the convenient travel all the time. If something is only a twenty-minute hike away, we walk. Humans need fresh air and…” She seemed to struggle to find the right words. “You know… moving their muscles about.”
“Exercise?” Elise suggested before helping Hunter lay out layers of sheets as a makeshift mattress.
Anja pointed at her in triumph. “Exactly! Anyway. You’re all annoying me now, I’m going to bed. Does anyone want something before I go? Some wine? Leaf tea? A glass of milk?”
They all said no, and Anja slowly nodded.
As if she were disappointed, Elise realised.
“In that case, I shall leave you young people to chat while I go to sleep.” She looked down at the cat at her feet. “Sleeping in my bed tonight, little monster? Or are you going out to scare Nilsson’s goats?”
He chirped in an unusually friendly way, so Anja scooped him up and headed for the stairs. “Good night, Arclidians. Sleep soundly.”
“We will try. Thank you for everything today,” Elise replied, wondering if there was a suitable way to get Anja to stay.
Hunter bowed to her. “Thank you again for housing me, madam. You have a kind heart and a lovely home.”
She scoffed and continued up the stairs. The three friends smiled at each other.
“I really have missed you two.” Hunter chuckled. “Anyway, are you on-board with the idea of us searching for a place to live together? Either a good lodging house like back in Nightport or by sharing a small house, perhaps? I know I barged in and requested that you uproot—”
“Well, no wonder, considering the trouble and pain you got into because of us,” Elise interjected.
Hunter pursed his lips. “I was not finished. I was going to add that I am aware that this is all moving very fast. Things always seem to when you two are involved.”
Elise glanced at Nessa who shrugged with a smile. She knew they were both more worried about who might be chasing them than who they lived with.
“Yes, I fear Nessa has picked up my habit of living on impulse. Still, before any decision is made I am sure she will have thought it all through.” She looked to Nessa, who nodded reassuringly, and then continued. “Perhaps you and Anja can go look for what is available in the neighbourhood tomorrow? She likes a stroll and shall make an essential guide. After we have finished our work on the book in the morning, that is. I highly doubt she would venture out before the work is done. Storsund work ethic, you see.”
Hunter fluffed up his careworn pillow. “Do you think she wants you two to leave her nest?”
Elise pondered that for a moment. “I think she feels that it is inevitable. And that she misses her alone-time. However, I believe the reason she has taken the initiative here is so that she can assure we are still close by. That we are not abandoning her, perhaps?”
“That rings true,” Nessa said, sliding her arm around Elise’s waist. “And we’re not going to abandon her.”
Elise stole a kiss, making Hunter groan. “You two have not grown tired of all that, then?”
“Kissing each other? Not even remotely close to it, mate,” Nessa gushed.
“Ugh. Very well, kiss all you want, but do spare me from anything more strenuous. Some of us are still recovering from a long trip and need our beauty sleep,” Hunter said while getting under his covers.
Elise laughed. “Naturally.”
She kissed Nessa and went to wash up before bed. When she came out, Nessa was reading a book by the fading fire and Hunter was splayed out on his back. His wheat-coloured hair, complete with fancy black streak, was in a mess on the pillow, and his mouth open as he snored.
Nessa looked up at her with raised eyebrows and a glance that seemed to say, “Are you hearing this?”
Elisandrine, smiling, went over to kiss the top of her head. “Your turn to go wash up. Good night, my cherished. Let us hope for good dreams and that he stops snoring before I am forced to throw a sock at him.”
Nessa grunted her reply and went to the washroom.
Elise spread her sheet across the sofa and
tried her best to keep her thoughts away from a tall, imperial woman in Arclid. Dark eyes and a cruel smirk. The imagined scent of lavender and alcohol seemed to fill her nose. She remembered what her father had said, “If you try too hard not to think about blue skitter-beetles, then all you shall think of is blue skitter-beetles.”
She sighed and prepared herself for a sleepless night.
The next afternoon found Elise in the kitchen, turning her latest batch of oils. The components blended dutifully as she shook the bottles. She sighed with contentment, only the cat to hear her. Nessa had, as usual, headed out to the hot shop early in the morning. Anja and Hunter were both out, too. After the morning’s dictation, they had gone out in the search for nearby rooms to rent. Maybe even a small house, now that there was three of them and they had some coin to invest.
Nessa and I can have a real bed, one we can share.
Blinking away her reverie, Elise shook a scent bottle of violet and lemongrass vigorously. The ebony root wouldn't quite mix in this one. Had she got the measurements wrong? Was there something wrong with the ebony root?
There was a loud rap at the door. Elise put the errant bottle down.
Odd. Cannot be Nessa, she has a key and is still working. Hunter is with Anja, who also has a key. Besides, they only left a short while ago. Perhaps it is Mr Sinclair?
She strode to the door, smoothing down her bell-shaped dress. When she opened the door with a polite smile, she saw two strange men. One of them barged in and the other soon followed.
“Excuse me! What in the name of the gods do you think you are you doing?" Elise snapped.
The blond men in Joiners Square uniforms stood straight-backed and tight-lipped. One was fresh-faced and the other more grizzled, but both watched her with indifferent, icy blue eyes. She put her hands on her hips, about to repeat her question. Maybe even in Sundish if she could remember the words. Then the older man handed her something in a canvas bag.
Elise took it reluctantly and brought out the item she could feel inside. The breath froze in her chest when she saw what it was.
A package wrapped in midnight blue. With a white ribbon. The size of a box and heavy as metal.
“No. No. Please no,” Elise whispered.
She stumbled. It was as if her world was closing in. She looked down at her hands, unsure why they were opening the package. She knew what would be inside. And yet, with shivering hands and beating heart, she tore the paper off and saw a box in white gold. It was ornate, patterned with flames around the edges. It didn’t have the royal seal on it. Of course not. She would not be so imprudent as to leave such clear evidence. After all, rebellion was always in the air in Arclid.
Elise turned to the soldiers. “What does this mean? Is the Queen merely sending this to show me that she knows my whereabouts?”
“She is sending it as a sign of her appreciation. And how much she looks forward to seeing you soon, yes? You will come with us now. A ship awaits.”
She took a step back. "What? No. I... I cannot."
The older soldier grabbed her arm, hard enough to make her wince. "Wrong. You can. Come nice and easily, yes? No violence then."
Elise jutted her chin out, hoping her eyes didn't betray how close to tears she was. “You mindless brute! Will I at least be allowed to leave a note to my loved ones?"
He shook his lined, grim face.
Elise swallowed.
My poor, poor Nessa.
"I see. What about packing?"
"No."
Elise counted to ten in her head. Her fear was morphing into pure, icy rage. She had to control herself. These men had to deliver her alive, no doubt, but they probably didn't need to worry about delivering her unharmed. Bruises and small cuts healed well during six weeks in a ship’s cabin.
As he let go of her arm, she took a deep breath to gather herself and headed for the washroom.
"Where do you think you’re going?" the younger soldier asked.
Elise gritted her teeth. "I am in the middle of my monthly bleed. So, unless you plan to sit at my feet with a bowl between my legs for the next few days, I shall require clean rags for the journey.”
The two men stared at each other, the younger one wide-eyed and the older with an exhausted look.
"Fine," the older one clipped.
"Thank you. You are a marvel of gentlemanly spirit," she replied acerbically.
He grunted, and she strode with dignity to the washroom. She picked up all the rags she had washed and hung in there to dry. All while looking around for some way to alert Nessa of where she was going and to tell her that she loved her. She found nothing. Quickly, she changed her current rags, trying to focus on her basic needs to keep from crying or punching the wall. She had known the Queen was closing in. She had felt it in her bones. Why hadn’t she grabbed Nessa and run? Especially after last night?
When she had finished, she heard Svarte meow at the two men. Then a quick scuffle before the cat hissed loudly. Elisandrine rushed out to make sure the brutes hadn't hurt the poor creature.
She found the two men arguing in Sundish. Then the older one kicked in Svarte's direction. The younger soldier shouted something at his colleague and bent down to check on the still-hissing cat. Svarte shunned the gentle hands of the younger soldier but didn't hiss at him. Instead, he turned and ran for the stairs, tail between his legs.
Elise made a note of that. One of her captors had a heart. She could only hope it beat for humans as well as cats.
The older soldier spotted her and stepped towards her. Elise didn't back down. Didn’t hide or run. What would be the point? There were two of them, they were in better shape than she was, they knew this town better. And there was the fact that they had all of Joiners Square behind them. She had no chance. Consequently, she only lunged for the satchel by the door, put the fresh rags into it, and then grabbed her coat. The older soldier pointed to her boots, and she put them on. He grunted impatiently as she tied them and yanked her up by the arm when she had finished.
Oh, how close she came to spitting in his face then. But his eyes were cruel and his teeth bared. She swallowed another icy dose of rage and held on to her fear. For once, it might just keep her more or less unscathed.
As he pulled her out the door, she chided herself for not saying that the rags were upstairs so that she could have jumped out the window.
No. He would have come up with me.
Moreover, as she had decided before, running was pointless now. They had escaped the Queen back in Arclid because she couldn't be seen hunting them. Elise didn't have that luck here, Joiners Square did whatever they wished. She swallowed something jagged and blinked away tears as they pushed her into a carriage.
At least the tinderbox lay forgotten on Anja’s floor, she realised. Elise's need for clean rags and the incident with the cat had made the soldiers forget all about it. Nessa would know what it was, and therefore who had abducted her lover. That was something at least.
Nonetheless, Elise wouldn’t settle merely for the hope of rescue. As the carriage rolled into motion, she balled her hands into fists and tried to formulate an escape plan.
Chapter 21
The Box and The Embassy
Nessa had a spring in her step as she came home. She had done most of the work on an intricate vase today, and it had ended up looking almost like, well, a vase. She was improving and coming to understand the temperamental and delicate thing that glass work could be. The Brownlees had been teaching her things slowly, in tiny morsels, taking great care of their sparse materials. Fabian didn’t have that issue. If Nessa ruined something, there were plenty more components waiting to be made into glass. She was free to fail and free to grow.
When she closed the front door behind her, her good mood morphed into confusion. She saw Anja staring perplexedly at something in her hands. Next to her was Hunter, who stopped chewing his nails to turn towards her lightning fast.
“Nessa! I… I am not sure what this means. We came home,
and Elise was nowhere to be seen. There’s no note from her either, but there was a wad of wrapping paper on the floor and,” he pointed to the object Anja was holding, “this thing. I might be jumping to conclusions, but… it looks like a tinderbox without the contents.”
There was ringing in her ears. She caught herself against the wall as her knees grew liquid. Anja stepped forward, still looking confused, and handed Nessa the object.
“Yes. It looks like a container for the contents of a tinderbox,” she croaked.
Hunter rubbed at his bitten nails. “It could be something else, right? Perhaps a tin for her to keep her tiny scent bottles in? Or something she bought in town and had delivered?”
Nessa shook her head. “And she would be missing for what reason? Popped out to buy more boxes in town without leaving a note? No. She has her. Look at the flames decorating it… she always called Elise fire-starter or tinderbox-maker.” Nessa ran her hand over her face, laughing mirthlessly. “You know, I keep thinking about that gods-cursed article that we were so worried about. It couldn’t have reached the Queen yet. She must have already known.”
“Perhaps she followed me?” Hunter said quietly.
Nessa shrugged. “Or perhaps she has spies here. Wouldn’t surprise me.”
Anja grabbed the box and smacked it down on the fireplace mantle. “Right. I don’t ask questions about people’s pasts. Partly because individuals don’t interest me as much as history as a whole does, and partly because I’m a firm believer in minding my own business. Now, however, I’m going to have to ask for details.”
Nessa tucked a few hairs that had fallen out of her braid behind her ear as she slumped on the sofa. “Of course. You deserve to know why we were so eager to get to stay with someone and why we had so little luggage. Most of all, you deserve to know why the woman you have worked with, and befriended, is now in grave danger.” Her voice cracked at that last word. How could she have been so stupid to let them stay in one place? They should have run further, kept on the move. Sure, they had stayed put so Hunter could find them. The second he showed up at Joiners Square Fest, though, they could have run. Should have run. Her heart was racing.
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