Kanej

Chapter 6

Kaz

Kaz watched Inej at dinner, aware that he was staring at her brazenly enough to cause Jesper to nudge Nina, whisper something in her ear which promptly caused her to choke on her drink.

Inej quickly thumped Nina on the back and shook her head at Jesper in exasperation but Kaz could see her cheeks were tinted pink and she deliberately avoided his eyes. Kaz made a mental note to ask Inej later what Jesper had whispered. After all, he was intrigued in learning every little detail about Inej, right down to what made her blush.

He remembered how pink her cheeks had been that night she spent in his room, when he had initiated physical contact with her. He thought she might have been feeling hot because it was a warm night but now he wondered if it was because she was feeling shy.

He swallowed suddenly, remembering that despite the sick feeling of nausea at touching a body, Inej's skin was smooth and soft.

Like the fine Zemeni silk only the elite could afford.

He thought and surprised himself further by anticipating the next time he could tentatively graze her skin with his naked fingers. His pupils dilated in the bright light at the thought of Inej sharing his bed again tonight and he had to clench his fists tightly to control his thudding heart. He wondered if anything would happen tonight.

Kaz noticed how Jesper loudly announced that he and Inej would take care of the supper dishes. Inej turned to look incredulously at him, who hated indoor chores but before she could say a word, Jesper flung a causal arm around her shoulder and practically herded her towards the kitchen.

Kaz watched them go, a thoughtful expression on his handsome face as Wylan looked to the ceiling and said tiredly,
'He's going to tease and pester her isn't he?' he said to no one in particular.

But Nina answered, 'Yup, until Inej gets tired and will probably, you know, stab him in the eye or something,' she said, so solemnly that Wylan looked alarmed and ready to leap to his feet. Matthias guffawed and clamped a large hand on Wylan"s shoulder.

'Sit down. You know Inej wouldn't do that.'

'I wouldn't put it past her. Jesper could annoy the hell out of a Saint.' Kaz coolly interrupted but his lips quirked when everyone laughed.

In the kitchen, Jasper wasted no time. He concentrated on scrubbing the dinner plate and asked nonchalantly 'So tonights the honeymoon?' and passed her the plate to rinse.

Inej almost dropped it in shock. She rinsed the plate and elbowed him, hard in the ribs until he groaned. 'I don't know what you're talking about,' she said primly and when Jes didn't answer she glanced at him.

He stared at her with a naughty smirk, and then waggled his fine eyebrows suggestively. 'You're going to share Kaz's bed tonight. Do you really think you're just going to sleep side by side?'

Inej sighed and said softly 'it's not like that, Jes'. Jesper turned the faucet off. He washed his hands and turned so he was facing her, all traces of slyness and teasing gone from his face as he looked at her. His voice was equally soft as he said, 'then tell me what it's like.'

Inej felt the raw vulnerability in that moment and faltered, her voice catching in her throat. There was an ease and lightness between her and Jesper's friendship, a type of comfort she'd come to lean on and rely on heavily throughout the years. Jes was clearly as affected because he suddenly drew her in his arms, his arms warm and steady around her waist.

Inej buried her face in Jesper's shirt, the steady thump of his heartbeat reassuring as she clung to him, relishing in the intimacy a simple hug could invoke. She had flinched and recoiled the first time Jesper had affectionately draped his arm around in a hug. And now, she held onto him as if she'd be deprived of air if she released him.

Jesper cupped Inej's face and gently tucked a stray lock of her hair behind her ear. It was such a tender gesture it almost brought tears to her eyes. Instead she looked at him and said 'things are already complicated between Kaz and I. And...I haven't been with anyone ever since Kaz rescued me from the menagerie.'

Jesper's eyes widened in amazement and Inej promptly punched him in the chest. 'Don't you dare joke about that.' She threatened as Jes released her and wheezed in laughter.

'Now I can see why.' he choked between laughter and Inej rolled her eyes. 'Come on, the dishes aren't going to wash themselves.' The next twenty minutes consisted of them washing dishes, with Jesper making the dirtiest jokes known to mankind and Inej laughing until her sides ached.

To Kaz's relief, everyone retired for an early night. He himself wasn't tired but the thought of Inej sharing his bed brought a fresh wave of anxiety and longing in his gut. Inej had already disappeared to his bedroom, but not before Jesper waggled fine eyebrows at her.

Kaz was torn between rushing to her and taking his sweet time. In the end, he walked as fast he possibly could with his limp, realising there was no sense in prolonging the inevitable. He thought about knocking when he saw the closed door of his room but figured it would be pointless. And it's not as if Inej would be naked behind the door, although his mouth dried at that mere image. He shook his head and pushed the door, closing it shut behind him.

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