The Apple of My Eye -Kaz Brekker (Complete)

Chapter Twelve

SAIL AWAY

Kaz was completely anxious, wanting more than anything to resolve the next few parts of his plan.

With Heleen dead and the ex-Menagerie workers helping Inej's crew, there were people growing impatient for Inej to leave once more, so she had to send her second-in-command, Deepika, back there every day for the next two days after Heleen's death to calm everybody down and warn that there was more work for the Wraith to deal with. There had been some trouble, of course, because there was no way impatient people could calmly live their lives for a few more days – Inej had to do a great sacrifice then; Deepika was sent to the ship as the Second-In-Command in complete control for the next voyage. The girls were being sent back to their home while Inej was kept, once more, away from hers; the sea.

"It might be a good thing," Deepika had said, calming the worried Inej down as she made sure to tell Deepika everything she could do to make the crew listen to her. "I'll end up learning everything that you tried to teach me and I just couldn't get it until I had my hands on the work itself. Besides, people might think you left with us if you're careful enough, nobody will see you coming."

"They never do," Kaz said, nodding in appreciation for Deepika's words on Inej's feelings.

Inej smiled at Kaz before kissing Deepika with a chaste kiss, a sweet goodbye kiss. They kept their eyes closed for one more moment after they pulled away, but Inej couldn't help but notice that Kaz had his back turned on them and was rowing silently, wishing to give them some privacy as he made his way into the more unused canals.

"Saintspeed, my light," said Inej. "Guide them home."

Kaz almost smiled once more. Deepika meant light, he knew that much with the very poor Suli he had gathered after living with Inej for a while.

"The Saints will lead me back to you, don't worry," Deepika insisted.

Years before that one, perhaps he would look at Inej and want her for himself; she was sweet and careful and eager, her ambitious was one of the most attractive traits in her, but he couldn't help but think that she wouldn't be able to grow as much as she had done without her boat and Deepika. Because of his respect for her, he didn't say anything as she sniffled all the way back to the mansion.

Four days after the Heleen's death, Deepika sailed away.

Kaz opened the door with the key and walked in with Inej was right behind him.

Jesper was laughing and holding Jordan on his arms as Wylan was standing beside him, all of them near the stairs.

"Hi," said Inej, hoarsely.

Wylan turned to look at her straight away, eyes widening with her watery voice and her red eyes. Jesper had to change Jordan from sitting on his right arm to his left so he could see Inej, but his eyes were also worried.

"How are you feeling, sweet?" Wylan asked.

"Fine and I don't want to talk about it," Inej dismissed, trying to forget what she had to go through. "What are we doing in the stairs, anyways?"

"We're waiting for Mama, Auntie," explained Jordan. "Are you alright? Do you want a hug? I like hugging when I cry."

Inej almost started crying once more, but ended up holding it back and smiling, nodding at Jordan and going to Jesper, getting Jordan from him and holding her tight. Kaz stood on the mudroom, not really moving further into the house.