Kanej

Chapter 9

Inej

Two weeks had passed since Inej had moved into Kaz's room and although she was still getting used to sharing a room with him, his presence was comforting and reassuring. Even if her heart skipped a beat every time he glanced at her.

Inej couldn't believe Nina, Matthias, Jesper - albeit reluctantly- and Wylan were leaving for Ravka in another month.

The days may have been long and hot, but time passed quickly when you stopped to enjoy it. As Inej had been doing, ever since her parents left and the crows moved in the Slat. She knew Kaz would appreciate the empty house but she would miss the never-ending chatter and laughter of her best friends.

Kaz had left for an errand and Inej took the opportunity for a long, hot shower. She normally used the bathroom across the landing, near her old bedroom because she was hesitant to share Kaz's bathroom.

They had yet to see each other naked but the thought of Kaz seeing her at her most vulnerable was too overwhelming so she opted to use her old bathroom. And Kaz, who never missed anything asked Inej what he could do to make her feel more comfortable, and she told him she needed time. That Kaz could do.

The pressure of the water was strong and Inej leaned her forehead against the wall, the water pressure easing the tension and muscles on her back. She sighed in bliss, realising she couldn't go back to her old bathroom. Not when this shower was pure heaven.

She stayed under the steaming jet until the shower stall steamed and her fingers became wrinkly. She was reluctant to leave but when she finally emerged from the shower, freshly scrubbed and dripping wet, she almost slipped on the bath tiles. Kaz was in the bathroom, his back to her as he washed his hands and splashed water on his face.

Inej gasped, frozen in surprise and shock. She didn't think he'd be back so soon!

She turned her head, wildly looking for a towel, a robe, anything to cover herself but Kaz reached for a towel folded on the bathroom cabinet. He glanced at her briefly through his peripheral vision and wordlessly held out the towel for Inej.

Inej stretched her arm and grabbed the towel, breathlessly muttering a quick thanks, and wrapping it around her slim frame in a swift movement. Kaz turned to face her the moment she was covered. His gaze remained strictly on her face and he had to force himself to keep his eye from straying on all her exposed skin.

'I hope you had a good shower,' he said, suddenly curious as to what finally made Inej want to use their bathroom. She nodded, too embarrassed to meet his gaze but she said 'it was really good. I didn't want to leave it,' she admitted, raising her head to give him a quick smile.

He smiled back, the dimple in his chin evident as he grinned. 'I'm happy it's to your satisfaction. Maybe now you'll consider using our bathroom instead of continuously sneaking to your old one', he teased and Inej rolled her eyes, her face suddenly too hot. She was painfully aware of how naked she was, and how close Kaz was standing.

She moved past him, and he stepped aside to let her pass. She clutched her towel tightly against her chest as she pulled open drawers, trying to find a simple outfit to wear. Wylan was treating everyone to dinner and because it was a formal event, the ladies were required to wear ball gowns.

But supper wasn't for several hours and Inej had no intention of being in a dress for longer than necessary. Dresses and formal attire were uncomfortable and Inej had her fair share of dressing up looking pretty in the Menagerie. She hated that something simple like dressing up, which she actually used to enjoy, had been tainted by Heleen. She grabbed her tunic shirt with the short sleeves and her favourite pair of pants and was about to dart in the walk-in closet to dress when Kaz said quietly 'where did you get that scar?'

Inej paused, clutching her towel tightly against her chest as she released a breath she didn't even know she was holding. She slowly turned and faced Kaz.

Various parts of her body were covered with scars, old and new, that had accumulated from her time at the menagerie until she became the Wraith. She wasn't self conscious about her marks, they were her battle scars. She was a survivor, against all the atrocities she had been subjected to.

But she was engulfed with sudden shame. Kaz was the last person who would think any less of her, much less for scars but she was anxious. She couldn't bear it if Kaz looked at her differently or with pity. She shrugged, struggling to keep her voice  light as she said 'which one? You have to be specific.'

Kaz began approaching her and Inej's heart thudded with the familiar beat whenever Kaz was so close to her, and when she didn't step back or shrink away, he took a breath and grasped her shoulders gently. Before Inej could blink, she was facing the wardrobe mirrors, her eyes open wide in surprise and Kaz pressed close enough behind her that his clothes brushed on every inch of her exposed skin.

His hands left her shoulders and she saw him lightly trace a curved scar below her shoulder blades with a fingertip, right at the edge of her towel. His touch was so light and gentle Inej thought she imagined it except for the searing  trail of fire it left behind. Kaz's touch was electric, igniting something in the deepest part of her body. She watched Kaz through the mirror, fingering her scar over and over until she shivered, unable to control her body's reaction to his gentle touch. He was silent, waiting for a response until Inej finally said 'knife fight. Don't really remember who.'

Kaz glanced at her through the mirror, looking thoughtful when Inej turned to face him. 'I'm going to dress now. Wouldn't want to catch a cold.' She moved away but Kaz grabbed her hand and pulled her to him.

He bent his head towards her so they were eye to eye and for a wild second, Inej thought Kaz may kiss her. Their faces were inches apart and Inej was close enough to notice that Kaz's eyes weren't just plain, coffee brown, but they had flecks of bronze and hazel. There was desperation, mixed with steely determination in Kaz's expression as he said quietly, forcefully 'I will have you, Inej. I will ravish you and worship you as you deserve, one way or the other.'

Inej flushed at his words but cupped his neck, bringing his face so close to hers their foreheads were touching. 'I look forward to that day, Kaz Brekker'. As soon as Kaz released her, Inej slipped in the walk-in wardrobe, and leaned against the door until her heart stopped pounding. Although just remembering Kaz's words were enough to make her come undone.

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Sorry for the late update guys, I've just experienced a loss in the family 🥺