Elise took her hand. “We are sure to be fed as soon as we leave dock. Look, here is the Fairlight. She is enormous!”
Nessa followed Elise’s gaze and saw an imposing creature of green and white metal. The Fairlight did indeed look colossal, but then, to Nessa, all ships looked huge and impressive.
“You know, I’ve only ever been on canal boats.”
Elise looked at her. “Really?”
“Yes, I used to be go with Father to Little Hollow to barter grains and fruit for meat and fish. We’d get our ox to pull the boat along the canal. But that’s my only experience with travel on water.”
“Well, I am convinced you will love it. There is something magical about looking out and seeing nothing but water. I have only done it a handful of times. When the Queen visited Obeha, usually. She wanted me with her. I thought it was because she enjoyed my company, but it seems she simply wanted to be amused by what trouble I would cause.”
Nessa pulled a face. “Oh, she’s got shrooms for brains. Besides, I bet she did like your company. You’re very charming, you know.”
Elise gave her hand a grateful squeeze. Then she approached a woman with a clipboard and a white and green uniform.
“Boarding the Fairlight headed for Charlottenberg, Storsund?” the woman asked.
“Yes, here are our tickets,” Elise said, handing them over.
The woman looked at the tickets and smiled up at her. “Thank you, Mrs Glass. You’ll find your double bed cabin on the right side of the ship. Number eight. The porter here’ll take your luggage to your cabin so you can relax and enjoy the view before we leave dock. There is an on-board library, and there’ll be games played on the deck. Until it gets too cold, of course. May Thrale be with us on this journey.”
“Thank you,” Nessa said, both to the woman and to the runt of a porter who hurried their bags aboard.
As they walked after him, Elise whispered, “Did you hear that? She had a Ground Hollow accent.”
“No. Appledore, two villages over.”
Elise chuckled. “I still have much to learn,” she said as she linked her arm with Nessa’s.
They stepped onto the deck and found a place to watch Whistler’s Sea, which lay ahead of them in huge swathes of darkest greyish-blue.
Nessa shivered in the sea breeze. The morning was cold and she was very well aware that things were only going to get colder as their journey progressed. She watched Elise pull her coat tighter around herself and asked her, “Why couldn’t we have gotten passage to the Western Isles or Obeha again?”
Elise scowled at her. It almost didn’t break into a smile. Almost. “Because beggars cannot be choosers, my cherished. Besides, the Queen is less likely to guess that we would go to Storsund in autumn. If she is going to look for us, she will probably scour all the ships to warmer climes.”
Nessa put her arm around Elise’s waist and pulled her close. “Well. At least the cold is a good reason to cuddle close. Any excuse to hold you.”
“The day you need an excuse for that will never come, Nessa Clay.”
“Ah, no. It’s Nessa Glass, remember?” she said, tracing Elise’s jawline with her index finger.
Elise smiled before dipping her head to kiss the fingertip. “Yes, of course, Mrs Glass. My apologies.”
“Thank you, Mrs Glass.”
They turned their back on the harbour, looking back out at sea.
Nessa breathed in the salty, cold air. “You know what? I actually can’t wait until we leave. I’m barely even frightened by the enormity of it all. I came to love Nightport, but I also came to love seeing new things. The vast ocean and then Storsund, there’s so much to see. Still, I’m glad you have some experience with being at sea. As always, travelling with you makes the risks seem so much smaller.”
Elise hummed. She looked pensive, staring at the dark, cold water. She blew out a long breath. “Sea travel with you will be a lot nicer than sailing with the Queen. She complains about everything and likes to make the crew’s life a misery.”
“I’m not surprised,” Nessa said with a chuckle. Then her mirth died. Now was the time to ask. “Um, while we are on the topic of you being with the Queen. I never dared to ask. Did I understand her correctly? Did she say that the two of you had… gone to bed with each other in the past?”
Elise frowned, gazing out at sea with even greater deliberation. “Occasionally, yes.”
Nessa hated herself for asking but couldn’t help it. “I see. Do you p-prefer doing… that with me compared to doing that with her?”
For the first time since the conversation started, Elise looked at Nessa. “Of course. Not just because you are a better lover, much more considerate and passionate, but because I love you.”
Nessa felt her cheeks burn. She fake-coughed. “I’m sorry I didn’t hear that last part. What were those last three words?”
Elise’s forehead furrowed deeply. “I love you?”
Nessa felt joy buzzing in her belly. “Hmm. No. Didn’t make it out this time either. It must be all the noise from the port. Or perhaps the ocean winds snatched the words away. Say again, please?”
Elise smirked at her, wise to her game now. “I love you so much. I love you with everything that I am and everything that I have. I love the very breath of you, Nessa Cl… Nessa Glass.”
Nessa felt her entire face grow warm now. She hoped her blush wasn’t too unattractive. “You do, don’t you? I still can’t believe it. And yet, thinking back, there were so many times where your actions proved it. I can’t believe I missed it for so long.”
“Neither can I. You are a silly, little thing.”
Nessa laughed. “Takes one to know one! Anyway, I won’t make that mistake again. And I will never make the mistake of not letting you know that I love you, too. Everything about you. Even the way you make every place a tinderbox. Do you know why?”
Elise crossed her arms over her chest. “No. Why?”
“Because it lights up even the darkest places. And I get the great fortune of basking in the light and the warmth of the fire that you bring. The passion. The fascination with life. The excitement that radiates through you. The Queen saw only the trouble you caused. I see the joy you bring. I hope that you’ll let me continue to see it. Continue to adore it.”
Elise smirked. “Well. You are coming with me to the great, vast North. You are not going to get rid of me now. We will both be following the fires I make. For better or for worse.”
“Great. I can’t wait for our next adventure.”
Elise tilted her head and her gaze looked suddenly unfocused. “Adventure? Hmm. That reminds me. See if there is something in your right-side coat pocket.”
Nessa did as she asked and found a piece of paper. It took her a moment to remember what it was. “The prediction from the fortune teller on Core Street,” she said quietly.
They looked at each other for a while, remembering what the fortune had said. The confrontation with a black-hearted person, avoiding the colour purple, the faraway adventure.
Elise spoke first. “Well, that must have been a strange coincidence, right?”
“Yes. Because there is no such thing as real fortunes, are there?” Nessa asked.
“No, that would be… Well, that would be magic, would it not? Magic is not real.”
There was a moment of silence.
A seagull cried above them, making them both jump. Nessa cleared her throat. “The only magic I believe in is the power of your beautiful eyes. And possibly the effects of a good, hearty breakfast.”
Elise laughed. “Well, I cannot take my eyes off of you, so you will have any perceived magic of my eyes every day. Oh, and the next thing on our schedule should be to find where and when this ship serves breakfast.”
Nessa sighed happily. “You really are the perfect woman for me, Mrs Glass.”
Glossary
LOCATIONS
The Orb
The planet on which our story takes place in. (Like our “eart
h” but smaller.)
Arclid
Where our story starts. The smallest continent on the Orb. Arclid is divided into the highlands, midlands, and lowlands.
Obeha
A big continent, to the south-east of Arclid
Western isles
A mass of islands making up a continent southwest of Arclid.
Storsund
A continent north of Arclid
Ground Hollow
A small farming village, based inland in the lowlands. Its only fame is that it borders Silver Hollow Castle. Home of Nessa Clay.
Silver Hollow Castle
The only royal castle in the lowlands. 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
The biggest city in Arclid’s lowlands. A harbour city with a bad reputation. At the time of our story, Nightport is experiencing a renaissance due to the invention of steam power and industrialism.
Silverton
Affluent town mainly inhabited by Nobles. It borders the midlands and highlands. Surrounded by a lake. This is where Elisandrine Falk was born.
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.
FLORA AND FAUNA
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.
Sugar pumpkins
A sort of small pumpkin that is incredibly sweet. Indigenous to Arclid. Multiple uses, for example – in cold sauce for desserts, to make dessert wine and to create scents for oils and candles. Often used instead of honey or sugar in food, as it is cheaper and more readily available (especially compared to the very rare sugar which is imported to Arclid.)
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.
Yellowfish
The most common fish in Arclid. Looks and tastes a bit like cod, but has a creamy yellow colour.
Milk cabbage
A sort of flavourless but very nutritious white cabbage that is common in the midlands and exported to the rest of Arclid.
Shrooms
Small, flavourful mushrooms. Very common in Arclid, especially in the lowlands.
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.
OTHER
Noble
The richest and most influential people (after the royal family) in Arclid. Based in a few cities, mainly in the north. Forced to marry and publicly live heterosexually.
Nether coverings
Underwear for lower part of body. Gender neutral. Can be anything from knee-length to very small.
Centurian marble
Marble, expensive building material known for its pink striation in white stone
New Dawning
Architecture style invented by royal architects in Highmere, created to make the villages around Arclid have a coherent, impressive style. Not very practical.
Leaf tea
Tea made with whatever herbs and edible leaves are around. Common on the countryside where other drinks are not readily available.
Sunberry essence
The strongest and most expensive alcohol in Arclid. Made with sunberries and aged for many years.
Cheese and shroom sandwiches
Rye sandwiches topped with a mix of chopped shrooms and soft cheese. Nightport speciality which the city is known for.
Coming Soon
Tinderbox Under Winter Stars, the second part of The Tinderbox Tales will be available Spring 2018.
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.)
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.
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.
Connect with Emma
www.writingradleys.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 push them together or apart?
Available Now from Heartsome
HUNTRESS by A.E. Radley
Amy is stuck in a rut. After graduating, she never left her temporary job at the motorway service station. Daily visits from a mysterious woman are the highlight of her days.
Until one day, when the mystery woman vanishes.
Amy investigates the disappearance and makes a shocking discovery. S
uddenly, she’s being framed and no-nonsense Claudia McAllister is being sent to arrest her. Will Amy’s unique approach to evading capture prove successful?
HEARTSOMEBOOKS.COM
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MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS by A.E. Radley
Kate Kennedy prides herself on running the very best advertising agency in Europe.
One day her top client asks her to work on a lucrative project with the notoriously fastidious Georgina Masters, of the American agency Mastery.
The temporary merger causes a fiery clash of cultures and personalities. Especially when Georgina sets her romantic sights on Kate’s young intern, Sophie.
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THE LOUDEST SILENCE by OLIVIA JANAE
Kate, an up and coming cellist, is new to Chicago and the ‘Windy City Chamber Ensemble’. During her first rehearsal, she is surprised and intrigued to meet Vivian Kensington, the formidable by reputation board president who also happens to be…deaf.
Slowly Kate develops a tentative friendship with the cold-hearted woman and as she does, she finds a kindness and a warmth that she never expected.
As their friendship begins to grow into something more, Kate wonders, is it possible for two women, one from a world of sound and one a world of silence, to truly understand one another?
HEARTSOMEBOOKS.COM
Making a Tinderbox (The Tinderbox Tales Book 1) Page 33