“What! Your heart still beats? I was beginning to think it never had, you cold-blooded, gods-cursed betrayer!” Marianna’s screams sounded even louder than usual in this quiet place.
Good, let them echo in her head for all eternity.
She considered spitting at Adaire’s feet but did not want to dirty up her two measly rooms even further. The dust was bad enough. Someone should clean. Someone else, naturally. She was not going to stoop that low.
Adaire sighed once more. “You are even more ill-tempered today than usual. I shall leave you to it as soon as I have asked you one final question.”
“If it makes you leave faster, I shall answer anything,” Marianna growled.
Adaire stepped over to the cottage’s only table and single chair. She sat down carefully.
“I have scoured all the books and annals of the Hargraves, even the ones you held back from Nordhall–”
Marianna cackled. “Nordhall. The stalwart soldier and strategist. Ha! I heard my guards say that he now languishes in prison, tried and convicted for seven crimes against Storsund. He shall never know whether magic is real or not now. All he shall know is his cell and that his name is besmirched for all of history.”
Adaire closed her eyes. “Anyway. Most of the books mention magic in passing, but they either do not determine if it exists or give conflicting information. One saying that magic exists here because of our location on the orb, another saying that magic cannot exist because of the cease in the quakes of the landmasses. I cannot get a clear answer.”
“Good. You do not deserve answers.”
“Marianna, put your fury aside for a mere moment! As someone who has lived with me, ruled with me, mourned with me, and spent hours coupling with me… just speak plainly.”
Marianna laughed derisively. “Why should I? Out of some form of loyalty? Nostalgia?”
“I suppose there is no point in asking you to tell me so that I may rule Arclid better?”
Marianna raised her eyebrows.
“Fine. Let us bargain,” Adaire said wearily. “I hasten to say that I do not need to know this. Joiners Square is dissolved so not in a state to search for secrets anymore. The authorities of Storsund, Obeha, and the Western Isles do not seem to want to know, out of fear or naivety, I’m not sure. This curiosity is my own. So, do not even consider trying to bargain for your freedom. I am not that curious.”
Marianna pursed her lips. “All right. What will you offer me?”
“You can have all the books from your old bedchambers, your adored clockwork monkeys, more writing materials, and boxes of candied fruits every day.”
“I want those things and one more.”
“Name it.”
“I want your weekly visits changed.”
Adaire rubbed at her forehead. “Fine. Would you prefer monthly?”
“Daily.” The word came out quieter than Marianna would have liked, but she stood tall, keeping the power in her body.
Adaire’s brows knitted. “You wish for me to visit every day? You want to have this fight, or your stubborn silences, every day?”
“Yes. That will be your punishment. Besides, as you say, it breaks up the day.”
That was better. You sounded nonchalant. Now, just keep your face still. She cannot see your need for her in your eyes, she only claims to be able to. Stay still. Stay strong.
“As you wish. I shall bring the objects with me when I visit tomorrow.”
Marianna gave a curt nod. Not trusting her voice not to waiver if she spoke now.
Adaire sat back in the chair. “So, with that settled, tell me the truth. Does magic exist?”
Marianna walked to the table, extending her strides so that the outline of her long legs could be seen through the dress’ material. Adaire had always loved her legs.
Marianna huffed. “Silly woman. If magic existed, do you think I would still be here? Do you not think I would have magicked myself back in that castle and you into this dusty cage?”
“Perhaps. However, you might need ingredients for a potion, or require a wand. Or perhaps you still wish to hide your abilities. Maybe you do not possess magic, but there are those who do. The possibilities are endless.”
She put one finger under Adaire’s chin and raised it so that their eyes met. “Magic does not exist. My family kept pretending it did to have a bargaining chip and to make themselves appear to be superior. To keep us feared,” she drawled. “There. Satisfied, my beautiful?”
She saw Adaire swallow, but her eyes showed no sign of submission. “Yes. Satisfied.”
They looked at each other for a while. There was so much history and conflicting emotion between them that the air seemed to thrum with it.
Slowly, Adaire reached up. Then she slapped away Marianna’s finger from her chin. The gesture, so defiant and yet playful, made Marianna smile. It brought back memories.
Adaire stood up. “I shall take my leave. I will return tomorrow with your things.”
Marianna crossed her arms over her chest. “Can I trust that?”
“I have always kept my promises to you,” Adaire said softly. Then she knocked on the door to inform the guards that she wished to leave.
“True. You have never outright lied to me. Schemed, yes. But never lied when asked a clear question.”
Adaire nodded to her as she left. The door was slammed shut and the chains replaced.
Marianna smiled to herself, feeling the small but important victory warm her through.
No, you have never lied when asked a clear question, my sweetest Adaire. I, however, have no problem doing that. I will lie to anyone I wish and they always believe me.
It is like… magic. Is it not?
White sparks of light, like miniature winter stars, appeared at her fingers. They crackled, danced, and then fizzled out.
Glossary
LOCATIONS
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The Orb
The small planet on which our story takes place in.
Arclid
A continent. (See map for further details)
Obeha
A continent. (See map for further details.)
Western Isles
A mass of islands making up a continent. (See map for further details.)
Storsund
A continent. (See map for further details.)
Sund
The southern part of Storsund. Highly urbanized and affluent.
Vitevall
The northern part of Storsund. Rich in natural reserves. Few cities, mainly forest, fjords and ice.
Orla
River which runs through most of the continent
Skarhult
Sund’s largest city with many industries, amenities, and the orb’s only cable car system.
Charlottenberg
Harbour city. Location of a large Joiners Square branch and the Storsund Trading Company.
Cawstone
Harbour town. The closest port to Highmere.
Highmere
Capital of Arclid. The Queen’s castle is in the centre of Highmere and the city is mainly based around the royal court. Inhabited by Nobles as well as some commoners who are servants or soldiers.
Ground Hollow
A small farming village. Its only fame is that it borders Silver Hollow Castle. Home of Nessa Clay.
Silver Hollow Castle
Royal castle. Old and not well maintained. Residence of Prince Macray (next in line to the throne after his sister, the Queen.)
Little Hollow
Tiny, farming village neighbouring Ground Hollow. The two villages are
connected through a man-made canal.
Nightport
A vast harbour city with a bad reputation but is experiencing a renaissance due to the invention of steam power and following progress
Silverton
Affluent town mainly inhabited by Nobles. Surrounded by a lake. This is where Elisandrine Falk was born.
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PEOPLE/GROUPS
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Joiners Square
Began as a union for joiners but soon grew to a shadowy, morally corrupt organisation striving for power over all of Storsund.
Viss
A people/creed who reside in Vitevall, the northern part of Storsund,
Wayfarers
A people/creed who live all over Storsund and have an ambulatory lifestyle
Sundes
A people/creed who reside in Sund, the southern part of Storsund
Nobles
The richest and most influential people (after the royal family) in Arclid.
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LANGUAGES
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Vissian
Language spoken in Vitevall, the northern part of Storsund
Sundish
Language spoken in Sund, the southern part of Storsund
Arclidian
Language spoken in Arclid.
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MISCELLANEOUS
* * *
Joiners Square Fest
Yearly festivity on the frozen ice of the river Orla, held by Joiners Square.
The War of Thorns
Historic event. A feud between two royal families in Arclid.
Centurian marble
Marble, expensive building material known for its pink striation in white stone
New Dawning
Architecture style invented by royal architects in Highmere, Arclid.
Leaf tea
Tea made with whatever herbs and edible leaves are around.
* * *
FLORA AND FAUNA
* * *
Sugar pumpkins
A small pumpkin that is incredibly sweet. Indigenous to Arclid. Often used instead of honey or sugar in food, as it is cheaper and more readily available.
Winter cherries –Darkly purple cherries which grow only in Storsund. More tart and fragrant than usual cherries
Ebony root
A root known to keep its black colour and thick texture no matter what it is mixed with. Component of black wine. Has an aniseed-like scent.
Black wine
Storsund speciality. A viscous wine made with blackberries, ebony root and then mixed with honey
Gullveig root
A root which when ground up is often used as pain medication in Storsund. Unpalatable taste and a tendency to intoxicate.
Green veined cheese
A strong cheese. Like blue-veined cheeses but with a more fruity flavour.
Ice-eel
Eels which survive in low tempered water. Frequent in the river Orla.
Ice bear
Twice the size of an average bear. Lives only in the coldest parts of Vitevall but are famous around the world as the most ferocious predator on the orb. White fur and grey eyes.
White shrooms
A mushroom that when dried can sooth aches. Main use is that it improves moods and calms. Mild effect.
Tree shrooms
Similar to White shrooms but twice as potent and may cause hallucinations.
Lux beetles
Large insects that glow in the dark. Their appearance is somewhere between our butterfly and our firefly.
Marrow-oxen
Similar to our bovine creatures but slightly larger and more muscular. Often used in rural areas.
Skitter beetle
Fast, black beetles with wide backs and many small legs. Sometimes has white markings on the back, especially on the females.
Sunberry
Big, sweet, yellow berries. The flavour is similar to a mix of our strawberries and cloudberries. Together with water and honey, it makes Sunberry juice. Frequently used in the making of various kinds of alcohol.
Winterberry
Small, tart, red berries. Tastes like a mix of our cranberries and blackcurrants. Often used to make brandy but also mixed with water and honey to make juice.
Dammon nuts
Small, sweet, and oily nuts. Tastes like almonds but are softer, thereby easier to smash for food and to make oils. Common all over Arclid.
YellowfishThe most common fish in Arclid. Looks and tastes a bit like cod, but has a creamy yellow colour.
Milk cabbageA sort of flavourless but very nutritious white cabbage that is common in the midlands and exported to the rest of Arclid.
* * *
ARCLID’S GODS
* * *
Thrale
One of Arclid’s main three deities. God of the sea. Usually depicted as an old, strong, weathered man with white skin and a blue beard. Traits: Indifferent to human suffering but will listen to the prayers of those who live a wholesome and healthy life. Wise and with a sense of humour.
Harmana
One of Arclid’s main three deities. Goddess of the land (the ground/the soil). Usually depicted as a voluptuous, brown-skinned, large woman of great beauty with green eyes. Traits: patient, promiscuous, quiet and caring.
Aeonh
One of Arclid’s main three deities. God of the sky. Depicted as a handsome, gaunt, tall man. Skin tone varies with times of day. Traits: Usually kind, unless he becomes jealous or suffers unrequited love.
Ioene
A minor Arclidian goddess. Goddess of the moon. In love with the goddess
Sarine but forced apart from her by Aeonh. Usually depicted as a small, pale, timid but beautiful woman.
Sarine
A minor Arclidian goddess. Goddess of the sun. In love with the goddess Ioene but forced apart from her by Aeonh. Usually depicted as a yellow-skinned, curvy, radiant woman.
Sauq
A minor Arclidian god/goddess. God/goddess of death. Has no gender. Usually depicted as a pitch-black cat-like creature but much larger than any human or any of the other gods.
Reviews are essential for authors, especially in small genres like lesbian fiction. Regardless of quality, books without reviews quickly fall down the charts and into obscurity.
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Emma Sterner-Radley spent far too much time hopping from subject to subject at university, back in her native country of Sweden. One day, she finally emerged with a degree in Library and Information Science. She thought libraries was her thing, because she wanted to work with books, and being an author was just an impossible dream, right? Wrong. She's now a writer and a publisher. (But still a librarian at heart, too.)
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She lives with her wife and two cats in England. There is no point in saying which city, as they move about once a year. She spends her free time writing, reading, daydreaming, working out, and watching whichever television show has the most lesbian subtext at the time.
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Her tastes in most things usually lean towards the quirky and she loves genres like urban fantasy, magic realism, and steampunk.
* * *
Emma is also a hopeless sap for any small chubby creature with tiny legs, and can often be found making heart-eyes at things like guinea pigs, wombats, marmots, and human toddlers.
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Connect with Emma
www.emmasternerradley.com
Also by Emma Sterner-Radley
Life Pushes You Along
The unchallenging and dull life of an assistant in a small London bookshop is where Zoe Achidi feels safe.
Frequent customer, Rebecca Clare, makes Zoe's days a little brighter. But the beautiful, and impressive businesswoman in her forties seems unobtainable.
Zoe's brother and her best friend are convinced that she is stuck in a rut. When they decide to meddle in Zoe's life, they manage to bring Zoe and Rebecca together.
As they find the bravery and resolve to allow life to push them along, the question soon becomes - will it pus
h them together or apart?
Published by Heartsome Publishing
Staffordshire
United Kingdom
www.heartsomebooks.com
* * *
Also available in paperback.
ISBN: 9781912684083
* * *
First Heartsome edition: April 2018
* * *
This is a work of fiction. Names, places and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead (except for satirical purposes), is entirely coincidental.
* * *
Emma Sterner-Radley asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.
* * *
Copyright © 2018 Emma Sterner-Radley
* * *
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the publisher, nor be otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.
Tinderbox Under Winter Stars Page 36