Dark of the Tide [Shadow and Bones]

Chapter 14

"Did you find out why Inej was so upset?" Kaz asked, looking at me.

    I looked at him. "I did. But . . . I just want to focus on us right now. Is that okay?"

    He smiled and took my hand, sliding his fingers through mine. "Perfect,"

I smiled and moved closer to him, resting my head on his shoulder as we looked up at the dark sky filled with twinkling silver stars.

"I never thought Ketterdam would be this beautiful. I always heard stories that it was always dark and dreary here." I said.

"Yeah, well . . . everything in Ketterdam has gotten better since you arrived." He replied.

I looked at him. "And you say you're not a romantic."

"Ah ah, I never said that, Bella."

"Kaz?"

"Yeah, love?"

"You never did tell me why you like me." I said.

He looked at me. "That's easy. I like you because you're caring and compassionate towards everyone around you. You don't waste time in bettering your past, but rather, securing your future. Not for just you, but for everybody. You have a heart of gold, Bella."

I smiled and kissed him, resting my forehead against his. "Okay, I think I get it."

"Do you?" He asked.

"I do,"

He looked at me and smiled. "Now now, let's save the "I do's" for the wedding day."

I laughed lightly and nodded. "I can live with that."

———

I shot up in my bed and looked around my dark room, extra-alerted whenever a creak or groan on the building sounded.

    Loud footsteps ran towards me room and the door was thrown open, Kaz and Jesper looking around wildly. Kaz with his cane gripped like a bat, and Jesper with a wooden spatula in his hand and a chief's hat on his head.

    "Who do we need to kill? Just tell us, and we'll do it, Arabella." Jesper asked, his dark eyes scanning the room as my lights flickered on.

    I smiled at their enthusiasm. "Sorry, guys. I . . . Jes, why do you have a spatula and a chief's hat?"

    "Oh. Uh, Milo wanted food. So did Nina and Matthias." He replied, taking the hat off his head.

    "My heroes." I said with a light laugh.

    Kaz looked at me, coming over to my bed and sitting on the edge, leaning his cane against the mattress frame.

    "Are you okay?" He asked.

   "Yeah. It was just a nightmare. I'm fine now." I said, "Seriously, Kaz. I'm fine."

    He looked at me for a little while longer, assessing my body language and emotions in my eyes, then nodded.

    "Okay. If you're sure. But if you can't sleep, you know where to find me or Jes." He said, leaning over and planting a light kiss against my forehead. "Get some sleep, okay, love?"

    I nodded. "Okay. Thanks for checking on me, guys."

    "Anything for you, sestrenka." Jesper nodded, coming over and patting my shoulder before heading back out with Kaz soon following.

I laid back in my bed and looked up at the ceiling in thought, not noticing when someone came into my room until the bed dipped down slightly.

I looked to my left and saw Nina. "Oh. Hey, Nina."

"Hey. Kaz told me that you weren't sleeping so well." She said, rubbing my arm. "You okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. It was just a nightmare." I replied.

She nodded. "Do you want me to help you sleep? I can slow your heartbeat to a steady pace while you drift into sleep."

"Have you done that before?" I asked.

"Many times. Matthias has similar problems. Do you want my help?" She asked, holding out her hand, palm up.

"Is it safe?" I asked, hesitating before putting my hand in her warm and gentle grip.

She smiled. "I assure you, it's quite safe. Ive done this countless times."

I smiled. "Thanks, Nina."

She nodded. "Of course. Lay your head back."

I leaned my head back on the pillow and felt my heartbeat slowing to its usual pace, warmth flowing through me as Nina put both hands over mine soothingly; her kind smile following me as I drifted off into sleep.