Tinderbox Under Winter Stars

by Emma Sterner-Radley

  Nessa made sure she sat next to Elise, one arm around her slender shoulders, peppering her hair and face with kisses. It began to drizzle, and the skies grew grey, but it did nothing to weigh down Nessa’s light heart.

  After about thirty minutes journeying in the comfortable four-seated carriage, the affectionate reunion was interrupted by speech. Elise was leaning her head on Nessa’s shoulder. Opposite them sat Hunter and Anja. Hunter, a frown line between his meticulously shaped eyebrows, was the first to break the silence. “Elise. Are you all right, heartling? Did she… did anyone hurt you?”

  Elisandrine laughed dryly. “That depends on what you call hurting someone. I would say no, but my body, having been filled with sedatives and shrooms for weeks on end, might disagree.” She put on a brave smile. “Nevertheless, it could have been worse. So much worse. Luckily, the Queen has a combination of needing adoration and a belief that anyone who spends time with her will love her, which kept me relatively safe. She was trying to win me back, if you can believe it.”

  She paused, her hands fidgeting with Nessa’s top uniform button. “From what I overheard, the Queen was either aiming to make me her eager courtesan for life or to break my heart when I finally became infatuated with, or at least dependent on, her again. Either way, her aim was to win over me by winning me over, so to speak. Proving that I had been wrong to abandon and disobey her.”

  Anja huffed. “That woman is a mess.”

  “A self-absorbed, vain, power-crazed mess,” Nessa agreed. “Still, lucky for us that the fiend didn’t want you back to kill or hurt you. Or to make you her lover by force,” she snarled.

  She felt Elise shiver in her arms. “Yes. I was lucky.”

  Hunter was smoothing his perfect hair, his gaze on Elise. “If you permit me, I would not call it lucky to have been kept prisoner by the royal family twice. You are allowed to complain and to be angry. Just because it could have been worse does not mean it was acceptable.”

  Elise gave him a weak smile. “Thank you. I have spent so much time trying to keep my mind clear enough from chemicals and emotions to be able to plan that I have not allowed myself to feel much self-pity.”

  “Go on and pity yourself something rotten! Gods know we all do,” Hunter said.

  “I don’t,” Anja grumbled. “I pity all the servants who no doubt had to deal with your temper. Not to mention your need for posh face paint and fragrances.”

  “Be nice,” Elisandrine said while slapping Anja's knee. While the others laughed, Nessa sighed in relief.

  Finally, she’s getting some of her usual vigour back.

  “I will have you know that I have made some improvement with holding my temper. And cultivating my patience. So, there is a silver lining,” Elise added.

  The word silver reminded Nessa. “Oh, I almost forgot.” She took out an object wrapped in sack cloth and handed it to Elise. “I took this with me to throw at the Que – I mean, Marianna’s – face, but I forgot. I don’t know what you want to do with it.”

  Elise unwrapped the tinderbox. She shivered, then scoffed. Without a word, she threw it out of the window. Nessa saw it land in the middle in a field.

  “Ah! That’ll be covered in mud an’ rain now! It were silver. Ye could ‘ave sold that for good coin,” Hunter said, shock replacing his usual fake Midlands accent with his original Nightport one.

  Elise shook her head. “White gold, actually. Nevertheless, I want nothing to do with that thing or the person who sent it. I am leaving all that behind. We have a complicated present and a long future ahead of us, there is no room for a painful past.”

  “You’re such a silly arse, Hunter. She doesn’t want the coin from something which’ll remind her of getting kidnapped,” Anja said, elbowing him.

  He grinned at her. “Silly arse? That is a step up from ‘annoying man-child’, is it not?”

  Anja peered at him, a smile tugging at her lips. “Aye. A small one, mind you. But yes, a step up.”

  The carriages trundled on towards Cawstone docks. Albert had taken one of the horses and ridden ahead. Together with Eleonora he would look for the next ship and ensure that they got tickets. Nessa had concerns about him finding a ship, if they would make good time, and about how the trials would go. Not to mention the issue of Adaire possibly not being crowned Queen, meaning Elise and Nessa would be back to having Marianna Hargraves on their heels.

  Still, all these worries, which normally would have taken all her energy and paralysed her, were now background noise. They were subdued by a new security. The knowledge that whatever problems awaited them, whatever drama they would face, Nessa was able to step up. Even if she had no plan, even if she had responsibility for others, she could do it.

  “You look miles away,” Elise said to her.

  “Thinking about our future, which looks so different now. This experience has taught me a lot.”

  Elise took her hand. “May I ask what?”

  “Of course, heartling.” She squeezed Elise’s hand. “I was thinking about safety. Remember how you said I was addicted to safety when we fought back in Nightport?”

  “Please do not remind me of that terrible quarrel. But yes, I do.”

  Nessa took a moment to gather her thoughts. “I suppose this experience has taught me about the safety I need. It doesn’t exist in a certain place. Or in being away from my problems because problems follow you. Marianna proved that.”

  Anja chuckled. “For once, you’re making sense.”

  Nessa smiled at her before addressing Elise again. “While you’ll always be my prime source of safety, I need to have confidence even when you’re not around. I cannot rely on my family, Layden, you, or even the gods. I have to be able to stay calm and believe in myself. I somehow managed that during this rescue.”

  “Yes, you did, didn’t you? You strode into that castle like you owned it. I was impressed,” Anja said with a nod.

  Nessa chuckled. “Why, thank you.”

  Elise took her chin, turning her face back to her own. “So am I. Where did you find that confidence? Or safety, whatever you wish to call it.”

  Nessa chewed the inside of her cheek as she considered.

  “In trying, I think. I realised that I don’t have to get things right on the first attempt, I only have to try. If I don’t try, if I sit and worry about things like coin, decisions, and…” She had been about to add climaxing, as she’d realised that she’d only been able to orgasm when leaving all control in Elise’s hands, otherwise worrying so much that it kept her from simply trusting herself to try. But she held back as they were in company. “…and so on, I will freeze up and not dare to do anything. If I’m forced to act, if I force myself to just try, I can avoid a lot of fretting. The safety lies in, well, in no longer searching so hard for safety.”

  “Not sure I understand, but I am overjoyed you feel better,” Hunter said, scratching at his beard. “Personally, I shall feel better when I shave off this shrubbery. It hides my handsome features!”

  Anja grinned and elbowed him again, to his great delight.

  Elise smothered a yawn. “I apologise, this has been a tiring ordeal. You spoke about the future, heartling. What happens now?”

  “We’ll get you to Storsund. You and Albert will testify against Joiners Square. We’ll pass on that Adaire has claimed the throne and is willing to work with the new Storsund government. After that, we can do what we wish.” She planted a kiss on Elise’s head. “If Adaire fails and Marianna takes back the crown, we either move somewhere with better leadership or come back to Arclid to fight her. Either way, we’ll settle where we wish. No more running. I’ll make glass, and you will do whatever you choose.”

  “Make scented oils,” Elise stated before nuzzling into Nessa’s neck.

  “That’s decided then.” Nessa kissed her hair again before looking at the two people opposite. “What about you two? What are you going to do?”

  Hunter looked to Anja, who smiled at him. “Believe it or not, I�
�m taking the chatty pretty boy with me.” She turned to Elise. “I’m relieved to hear that you plan to focus on your oils. Means I don’t have to choose between you and Hunter as my assistant. He told me on the ship that he wished to help with my book, both in regard to selling it to a wide audience and writing it. He seems to believe that if we add more fiction and suspense to the story, it’ll sell like hot coffee on a snowy—”

  “Better than that! It can sell you straight into fortune and a golden reputation amongst your colleagues,” Hunter exclaimed.

  Anja grimaced at him.

  He held up his hands. “Right. No interrupting. I forgot rule number thirteen.”

  Anja smirked at him and then carried on explaining. “Through these weeks we’ve realised that we get along well. He’s a Wayfarer at heart, curious, tenacious, never settling for one thing, and always ready for a challenge. He has reminded me of that part of myself, although he’s more annoying than any Wayfarer could be.” She bumped his shoulder and then carried on. “We argue and still enjoy each other’s company. Like family. So, with you having your own career now, Elise, I think Hunter and I’ll focus on this book and the others that’ll follow. I’ll research and write them while he transcribes and sells them.”

  Hunter sat forward. “If you two move into a lodging house or something, I can take over the spare bed. I can have the new start I always wanted. And I get to do what I do best – charm people while I sell a product I actually believe in.” He put a finger in the air. “A brilliant product that I will help to create by transcribing Anja's words, no less. All while living with someone who accepts me for who I am and will never pressure me to change or hide.”

  Anja scowled. “Course not. And if anyone tries to do that to you, I’ll knock them senseless.”

  Hunter beamed at her, his eyes twinkling in a way which made Anja frown.

  “As long as Svarte puts up with you, man-child. If the cat doesn’t want you around, you’re out on your ear,” she said with a sniff.

  “Oh, I can charm anyone and anything. That cat will soon be eating yellowfish out of my hand,” he countered with his sparkling salesman’s smile.

  Elise reached over and took Anja's hand. She nodded to Hunter while saying, “Thank you both. For coming to help me.”

  Anja writhed in her seat. “Hm. You didn’t need it. You’d have gotten out of there on your own soon enough.”

  “Possibly. But you both – nay, you all – made sure I did not have to, saving me time and suffering. Well, other than this wretched headache. I shall probably suffer withdrawal from the sedatives and shrooms for some while. Anyway, I can never thank you all enough.”

  “Thank her,” Hunter said, pointing to Nessa. “She would have broken through every castle wall on the orb until she had you in her arms.”

  “Yes, and probably gotten herself killed in the process,” Anja muttered. A smile took the sting out of her words.

  Nessa chuckled. “True. Anyway, I can only echo Elise’s words. Thank you. For helping us, for holding me up when I fell apart, and for not letting me wallow. You helped me find what I needed.”

  “You did that yourself, sweetest lass,” Anja said quietly. “We were only there to believe in you until you learned to believe in yourself. Repay us by not doubting yourself again!”

  “I’ll try. If you two ever need a favour in this nice-sounding new life you’re planning, never hesitate to ask.”

  “Agreed. Anything you need,” Elise added.

  Anja waved the topic away. “Oh, for snow’s sake! Enough of this sappy chitchat. We’ve a long journey to Cawstone and the rain patter on the carriage roof is irritating. Distract us with your story, Elise. We know they came to take you, apparently with that cursed tinderbox in tow. What then?”

  Elise sat up and began to tell all. She made them rage at how she’d been treated, then chuckle at her tales of her gargoyle friend. After that, Nessa and Hunter took turns filling Elise in on their hunt for helpers, Albert's heroic part in the story, and what was happening behind the curtain in the political mayhem that was Storsund.

  The drizzle finally stopped, but the conversation carried on, Elise begging for no silence. She had had her fill of that through her captivity.

  Two and a half months later, Nessa watched Elise step out of a Skarhult courtroom. She looked prim and dignified in her grey, high-collared dress.

  Nessa walked up to meet her. “How did it go?”

  Elise ran a hand over her brow. “Well enough, I should think. There was a lot of repetition. Near five times I had to, in different ways, explain that it was without a doubt Joiners Square who abducted me and delivered me to the former Queen.”

  “Albert said the same thing. Apparently, they made him repeat his accusations and present his proof over and over again. I suppose they need to be thorough. This isn’t an individual on trial, it’s an organisation which has spread its roots into every part of Storsund.”

  “Yes, of course. Still, incredibly tiring,” Elise said with a faint smile.

  “Well, now that you’ve done your part, we’re free to leave, I think. The authorities will be busy interviewing everyone who’s suddenly crawled out of the woodwork. So, now what? I know we decided that I’d carry on with glassblowing and you want to continue making your wonderful oils—”

  “And we are obviously staying together,” Elise interrupted with an unsuccessful wink.

  “Obviously,” Nessa agreed, affection rushing through her. “But where? Here in Storsund or back to Arclid? Adaire Aldershire has evidently been crowned queen, and while we promised to keep you out of her sight, we didn’t promise to stay out of her queendom.”

  “True. We have options now. Perhaps we wish to try one of the other two continents? Although, with summer approaching in a few months, both Obeha and the Western Isles might be too hot.”

  Nessa hummed her agreement. “It would be fun to see a new place, but now is not the time. Wait until next autumn, I think.”

  Elise inspected her with an incredulous look. “My, you really have changed. My old Nessa would have fretted something awful about the idea of having to adjust to a new continent.”

  Nessa shrugged. “There are worse things to have to adjust to. After all, trouble finds you everywhere, so staying where you believe yourself safe won’t keep trouble at bay.”

  “Wherever we go, as long as we are together, it will be the perfect place.”

  “Agreed. However, we do have others to consider. Anja and Hunter will be in Skarhult while my family will be in Ground Hollow.”

  “And your best friend,” Elise added pensively. She was staring into space, probably weighing their options.

  “You’re my best friend. But yes, Layden is there, too. So is… your family. Your uncles, cousins, and your mother,” Nessa ventured.

  Elise looked suddenly stricken. “I know. I sent a letter to her after we left Highmere.”

  “Oh! That was what you gave that messenger boy in Cawstone harbour? A letter for your mother?”

  “Yes.”

  Nessa took her hand. “And?”

  “I received a reply yesterday morning.”

  “And you didn’t tell me?”

  “I could not stand to speak of it. Actually, I have yet to dare open it. I fear she is disappointed. She wanted me to be Princess of Arclid. She worked hard to achieve that through alliances and flattering the right people. I threw that all away when I left Prince Macray. And now, to make things worse, I had Macray’s family overthrown.”

  Nessa squeezed the quivering hand in hers. “You don’t know that’s what she’s thinking. Most Noble families were tired of Marianna’s behaviour, right? Perhaps your mother thinks you a hero for getting someone worthier on the throne. Perhaps she’s proud of her daughter for being instrumental in such a major part of Arclid’s history.”

  “Unlikely. Mother never wanted a rebel or a freedom fighter. She wanted a princess, with pretty dresses and even prettier children.”

&nbs
p; “I’m sorry. Do you want me to open the letter?”

  Elise cleared her throat. “No. Leave that for later. What is important now is deciding where we live. For us, not for everyone else. Taking our loved ones out of the picture, where do you want to settle?”

  Nessa looked down. Her thumb was rubbing the back of Elise’s hand as she allowed herself to really consider it. The question had been in the back of her mind, but with the Joiners Square trials, finding a lodging house, and trying to make up for lost time with her lover, she’d not decided where home was.

  “Ground Hollow would still constrict me. I wasn’t made for village life. But Skarhult and Charlottenberg feel too… foreign. Although, I suppose with time that could change. Still…” She trailed off, trying to put words to her unease.

  Elise brought Nessa’s hand up to her mouth and kissed it softly. “What about Nightport?”

  “Nightport?”

  “Yes. You dreamed of that city as a child and we both enjoyed living there. Up until the fight and the arrival of the tinderbox parts, that is. Perhaps we should give it another chance?”

  Nessa let the image of Nightport fill her mind. Dark, busy streets, rowdy taverns. Not very safe.

  Safety be damned.

  “You’re right. We should try Nightport again. It’s close enough to Ground Hollow that I can visit my family.”

  “Precisely. There are also steamers travelling to Storsund if we want to visit Anja and Hunter,” Elise pointed out.

  “And ships to the other continents if we get restless.”

  Elise beamed at her. “Exactly, my cherished.”

  Nessa leaned in for kiss, drawing attention from two court clerks walking past.

  “Nightport it is,” she whispered against Elise’s lips. Her next words were kissed away by the woman with the golden eyes and the softest lips Nessa had tasted.

  Chapter 40

  To Ground Hollow