Kanej

Chapter 5

Inej

A week later, Inej had moved the last of her things in Kaz's bedroom.

Our bedroom. She thought wryly and wondered if she'd ever get used to the idea.

Now she stood in the middle of the room, trying to calmly absorb that she would be spending the rest of her days and nights here. Forever was too much of a stretch and Inej didn't want to venture into the future.

The present is what matters, and Kaz and I are both living in the now. At least she hoped he was.

She glanced at the bathroom, her eyes lighting up at the prospect of taking long, hot baths, but then immediately remembered it was Kaz's bathroom too and her eyes widened slightly.

She wasn't naive; she'd considered the possibility and inevitability of Kaz seeing her naked and vice versa but the thought still made her blush. Her time in the menagerie had stripped her of her modesty but she was surprised to find herself blushing  at the prospect of Kaz seeing her bare.

Maybe it was because she actually cared about Kaz and what he thought. Unlike her clients at the menagerie.

Inej shuddered at the awful memories and forced them out of her mind. She couldn't forget her past completely but she wasn't going to let it interfere in this perfect moment.

Nina looked both incredulous and excited as Inej explained in as little detail as possible how Kaz had asked her to move in with him. Nina had grabbed Inej and squeezed her so tightly Inej had trouble breathing.

She mockingly glared at Nina but they both burst out laughing as Nina kept exclaiming 'I'm so happy for you, Inej. Really. You deserve it. You and I both know you are too good for him, but you two just fit. You know, you belong together.'

She said earnestly, as she reached over and took Inej's hands in hers. Inej ducked, her face burning but she smiled secretly as Nina's words. She was about to tell her about the night she spent in Kaz's bed but Nina was looking at her slyly and whispered thearatically 'I saw you two, you know.'

Inej glanced at her as Nina smirked and leaned against the headboard. She raised her eyebrow in question as Nina said 'The morning after Jes and Wylan moved in. I went to your room but you weren't there and Brekker's room door was slightly ajar.'

Inej groaned and shook her head.

'Tell me you didn't peek in.' She demanded but Nina's sheepish look told her otherwise.

'I didn't see anything,' she retorted defensively but the sly glint was back.

'Although you two looked so peaceful, lying side by side, holding hands. Very romantic,' she added and ducked as Inej threw a pillow at her.

Nina was still laughing as Inej buried her head in her arms and continued, 'I obviously didn't intend to intrude, although I have to admit, Brekker looked almost humane and likeable in his sleep.'

Inej tried to keep a straight face but she laughed when Nina began wiggling her eyebrows like a maniac.

'I was going to tell you, you know. But I've been so busy this week, moving my stuff in Kaz's room. Honestly, I'm surprised that you have been so quiet about this for so long.' Inej commented.

'Who said I kept quiet about it?' Nina muttered guilty and at Inej's look of alarm she raised her hands and said hurriedly 'Relax! I only told Matthias. You know he won't say a word.'

Inej relaxed but Nina could see the worried crease between her brows.

'Inej, what is it? What's wrong?'

'Nothing,' she said.

But at Nina's determined stare, she looked away and said quietly 'Nothing happened that night. We just slept.'

Inej was surprised that Nina didn't look surprised at the news. Nina was the closest thing Inej had to a sister and the closest person to her after Jesper. But even they didn't discuss the intimate, finer details of their relationships or in Inej's case, lack of relationship.

Until now, it seemed.

Inej hesitated, then said in a rush 'Kaz asked me to spend the night with him. I undressed and went to his room, laid on the bed, and fell asleep by the time he finished in the bathroom. I woke up when he came to bed and...'

Inej struggled, avoiding Nina's gaze but she was quiet, patiently waiting for Inej to continue. Inej took a breath and said 'I sat up in shock, because Kaz was shirtless, even though I've seen him without a shirt countless of times.'

Here Nina raised her eyebrows outrageously and Inej rolled her eyes and said quickly 'That's a story for another time'.

Nina looked comically offended that Inej had withheld such spicy information from her but she waved her hand and Inej carried on.

'My shirt slipped from my shoulders. You know I sleep in one of Jes's old shirts right?' Nina nodded, wide-eyed as Inej said breathlessly, 'well, Kaz reached to straighten it and then he was touching me. It wasn't rough or intrusive. Just a gentle, curious touch. He just touched my shoulder and collarbones but I swear I've never felt anything like that before. And I would know.'

She finished bleakly, referring to the many nights in the menagerie. Nina was still staring at Inej.

"And then?' she asked in puzzlement. 'And then we fell asleep. Holding hands, I might add.' Inej declared and then giggled at Nina's mixed look of disbelief and pride.

Inej knew Nina always worried about her so she said softly, 'Kaz would never hurt me, Nina. Not physically at least'.

No one but Inej knew the real reason for Kaz's uneasiness at physical touch and skin to skin contact and she also knew it wasn't her business. It was Kaz's story to tell, when and if he wanted and Inej wouldn't interfere in that. But Nina looked so concerned and sceptical that for a moment, Inej was tempted.

But then Nina nodded and then reached over to hug Inej. 'I trust you, and I trust you to confide in me, or any of us if Kaz EVER tries to touch you without your consent or touches you inappropriately!' Inej choked a laugh.

'I think it's cute that you think I won't be able to defend myself against anyone who tries to lay a hand on me,' she said teasingly. 'Besides, 'I'm more likely to touch Kaz inappropriately'.

And both girls laughed and laughed until Jesper lazily peeked in and demanded to know the joke. In response to which Nina immediately threw a pillow at him.

...
Thoughts?