Chapter Nine

Amber Hill

Calian

After being hosed down like an animal, I made sure to clean up quickly. Jayson let me borrow some of his clothes which fit ok except the sleeves and pants were short. But better a high-water look than appearing like a child who tried on a giant’s wardrobe.

Jenna took my satchel, insisting she would ‘make it like new.’ However, I only gave it to her after I took everything out of the bag. My sketchpad and Mom’s journal were relatively unharmed. It was a miracle, honestly. Still out of a sense of caution, I placed the objects under the pillows and blankets of my already made bed. The only things I kept with me were the four lunas.

As I ambled down the hall, Nova was just making her way back to her private quarters. She was in front of a vase of flowers. There was single rose out of place, and she was trying to shove it back with the others without touching it. After a moment, she doubled up her sleeve within her hand and very slowly pushed it against the rest of its kind. Her movements were almost shaky as if she thought it would shatter.

The thought of passing her by wordlessly did cross my mind. After all, no man should ever have to be so mortifyingly drowned in front of his… his… well… his main character. But it seemed that no part of me would ever turn down the chance to interact with her. Even for just a moment.

“Nova!” I called. She turned slowly, as if the effort to give me even an ounce of her attention was too much. Still, I could see the light in her nebula eyes as they met mine. “We’re heading to town. Would you like to join us?”

The amusement her gaze held was instantly disregarded. Nova straightened even further as she looked towards the door. “No. I don’t like venturing into town.”

“Why not?” I inquired, daring to close the distance between us.

She eyed me warily but refused to move from her spot. Instead, her eyes narrowed dangerously when there were only three short steps between us. Considering how she knicked my neck, I dared not take another step.

“I don’t much care for town.” She shrugged; arms folded across her chest.

I stared intently at her. I saw through that haughty façade. I knew why she didn’t dare go to town. That damn curse. I recalled her beautiful mapmaking skills and thought it tragic that someone who clearly knew of the world would never get to be a part of it.

My heart ached for her. Just as it did when Mom first told me about Nova.

“Would you like me to bring something back for you?”

Her grip loosened on her body. “What?” Nova seemed shocked for a moment before she twiddled with a lock of silver hair, feigning indifference. “I mean, no. I don’t require a thing.”

I bit back a chuckle as I smirked at her. “Alright then. I’ll see you when we return, Nova.”

She gave me a dismissive wave, but I felt her stare linger as I headed towards the door. However, by the time I opened it, she was already out of the hall.

***** 

“Sorry!” I exclaimed as I approached the Dupont siblings. “It took a little longer to get ready than I thought.” Jenna handed me my cleaned satchel, and it was truly as she said: like new. I adjusted the bag, placing the money securely inside before I grinned awkwardly at the pair. “Thank you.”

Jayson merely eyed me in his wardrobe. I could tell he wanted to laugh but had the decency to quietly dismiss the whole thing. Jenna, however, could not manage an ounce of subtly.

“It’s no problem, but…” her expert eye perused my body once again. “…thank goodness, Lady Nova gave us some extra funds. You are in desperate need of clothing, Mr. Calian!”

I almost laughed at her straightforwardness, but instead just nodded in agreement. The pair led me ahead to where there was a single brown horse hitched to a small open wagon. The three of us climbed aboard as we chatted. Jayson swiftly took the reins and began prompting the horse to move forward.

“Yeah, Nova does seem kind.” I smiled as I spoke of her. “I asked her if she wanted to come with us, but she declined.”

Jayson and Jenna stared at me with tucked brows and half-frowned lips. It was truly an odd expression, but somehow, I got the sense that they thought I was the weird one.

“Lady Nova is not one to leave the premises.” Jayson stated, matter-of-factly.

“Yeah, I adore, Lady Nova!” Jenna proclaimed. “But… she does not leave Gravitas Manor due to her…” she started to whisper, as if there were others around that could hear us.” “…condition.”

“Doesn’t she go for walks on the grounds?” I wondered.

“Yes, occasionally, if the weather is good, but she is often in her study.” The maid replied.

“I see.” I countered, but I already knew this to be the case. Still, was there a way to make her suffering stop? I don’t know what point in my story we seem to be in, but clearly, Nova hasn’t decided to break her curse yet, but… why not? Is she just not fed up enough?

I pondered this as we continued to chat amicably. Jayson was relatively quiet for most of the conversation, but it was clear that he was listening as he gave the periodic “mhm” in reply. Meanwhile, Jenna had lots of questions about what type of style I liked. Which, if I’m being completely honest, was very difficult to navigate since jeans aren’t really a thing here. But despite it all, we soon made it to Amber Hill.

The town was small, but the streets were busy with villagers running errands and attending to their shops. At first, I stuck close to the Dupont siblings. I helped load the cart with flour, loaves of bread, and other necessities for the house. But after an hour, Jayson and Jenna were going their separate ways. One to finish off the list at the butcher’s and the other the tailor’s shop. Not wanting to be either’s shadow, and feeling that I got a good lay of the land, we all decided to meet by the cart when we were finished.

I meandered around until I came across a flower shop. It was a tiny store, but there were tons of colorful blooms that could be spotted from the windows. Suddenly, I had a thought and hurried inside. The florist was a rotund but jolly matron. She was clipping stems when she spotted me.

“Good afternoon, sir.” Her voice was grating yet kind. “May I help you find something?”

“Yes. Afternoon. Um…” I took a breath as I asked, “How much for a bouquet of flowers?”

The florist said, “That will be two lunas.”

“Very well.” I agreed, thankful that I had enough.

“Which kind, sir?”

I glanced around until I saw the strawflowers. “These.”

“A unique choice, sir. Do you want them the same color or different?”

“Different, please.” I smiled, excited by her choice of red, orange, yellow, pink and white.

As the florist wrapped the bouquet, she gave me a playful look. “Are you courting someone, sir?”

I nearly turned sheepish at her words. “Courting… well, I don’t think you can call it courting. I just think this person could use something nice in her life, is all.”

“Mhmm…” the florist chuckled as we exchanged money for goods. “Well, strawflowers are known to mean everlasting love. You never know what could be.”

I chuckled, thinking about my own circumstances. “I suppose that’s true. Have a good day!”

I left the flower shop satisfied with my purchase, but as I headed towards the cart, I caught a whiff of something delicious. It smelled sweet, and I couldn’t resist heading towards the bakery. There were tables outside of the bakery stand where other men and women enjoyed Amber Hill’s local confectionaries. I quickly reached the stand, admiring the sweets behind the display case before finally settling on one. Without hesitation, I ordered a handful of cream puffs. It cost one luna, and just like that, I was nearly out of money.

As I waited for my dessert, I listened to the locals talk. One conversation in particular drew my attention.

“You know, if you search for the Witch of Candor, I bet she’d help solve your little marital problem.” One posh woman told another. “They say she has many trinkets and spells for just about anything.”

“Yes, but finding Candor is the problem!” the other lady agonized. “Everyone knows that it’s nearly impossible to locate. Besides, even if you find it once, it’s never in the same spot twice.” She groaned. “We’re better off seeing the physician.”

Candor? I thought, recalling the mysterious dot on my map. Well, if it moves, that explains why I saw it in two different spots. But… why would Mom have a map to Candor? Maybe more importantly, could I use this witch to get back home?

I grabbed my order of cream puffs, placing one of the six in my mouth to make sure they actually tasted good. I was delighted by the sweet cream and flaky pastry. I was going to eat another, but managed to restrain myself.