THESE BROKEN VOWS (Kazbrekker x Fem!reader) [ book version]

CHAPTER 18

Please comment on this guys. It honestly gives me motivation to write. As you know, I had some serious writers block, thus I didn't post for two months. And I still have my writers block but I'm pushing through for you guys and I'd LOVE to see your comments please 🥺🥺

KAZ P.O.V

Kaz Brekker leaned against the rough exterior of the tavern, his gaze fixed on the entrance as he waited for news on Bhagya's condition. His usual facade of cold indifference masked the turmoil swirling within him. He couldn't shake the image of Bhagya, pale and bleeding in the dimly lit alley.

When the healer, Anuja, emerged from the tavern, Kaz's heart skipped a beat. He held his breath, waiting for her verdict

Anuja emerged from the tavern, her expression somber yet relieved.

"Kaz," she said, her voice heavy with exhaustion, "she'll live. It was touch and go for a while, but she'll pull through."

Kaz's shoulders sagged with relief, a weight lifted from his chest.

"Good," he replied, his voice stoic. "She's an asset."

Anuja raised an eyebrow, studying Kaz intently.

"An asset with quite a few scars, I might add," she said pointedly.

Kaz's facade faltered for a moment before he regained his composure.

"Scars?" he echoed, feigning ignorance.

Anuja nodded, her gaze unwavering.

"Yes, scars," she confirmed. "Old ones, too. She's been hurting herself."

Kaz's heart sank at the revelation. How could he have missed something so significant about someone he considered family? Bhagya had always been a whirlwind of sarcasm and mischief, her pain buried beneath layers of bravado.

"I had no idea," he admitted, his voice tight with guilt.

Anuja offered him a sympathetic smile.

"It's not always easy to see the scars people carry, especially when they're masters at hiding them," she said softly.

Kaz clenched his jaw, the weight of his ignorance heavy upon him. He had prided himself on knowing everything about those closest to him, yet he had failed to see the depth of Bhagya's suffering.

"Thank you, Anuja. For everything," he said quietly as she retreated back into the tavern.

Bhagya may have been a master of deception, but he would be damned if he let her suffer in silence ever again.

"When can I see her?" He called out. "When will she be awake?"

"Not until a few hours."

-----

Half an hour passed in tense silence after Anuja's departure. Kaz couldn't shake the weight of guilt that hung over him like a dark cloud. He knew he had hurt Bhagya deeply with his callous words, and the thought of her anger only added to his discomfort.

When Bhagya finally woke, Kaz approached her cautiously, unsure of how she would react. She sat at a small table, picking at a bowl of hutspot, her expression still clouded with resentment.

Bhagya tensed, ready to unleash her pent-up frustration, but her resolve wavered as Kaz pulled out a small bowl of kheer-a sweet Suli pudding- and placed it in front of her.

Her eyes widened in surprise, and without hesitation, she hastily pushed the hutspot aside and grabbed the bowl of kheer, her hunger momentarily forgotten.

Kaz chuckled, a genuine sound that echoed through the room, catching Bhagya off guard.

"I see you haven't lost your appetite." He mused.

Bhagya shot him a glare, but the corners of her mouth twitched upwards despite herself. "Shut up and let me enjoy this moment of weakness."

Kaz smirked, his eyes sparkling with amusement.

"Weakness? I'd call it good taste."

Bhagya rolled her eyes, but she couldn't deny the warmth spreading through her chest at Kaz's unexpected gesture of kindness.

"Don't get too comfortable. I'm still mad at you."

Kaz's smirk softened into a genuine smile, and for a moment, Bhagya felt a flicker of affection towards him.

"I wouldn't expect anything less from the great Bhagya Ghafa."

Kaz observed Bhagya as they sat together, her expression softer now as she savored the sweetness of the kheer. He mentally noted to discuss her self-harm with Inej later, knowing that his own struggles with self-harm made him ill-equipped to broach the subject with Bhagya.

"How are you feeling?" he asked, his voice careful, uncertain of how she would respond.

Bhagya paused, her spoon hovering mid-air as she considered his question.

"I'm fine," she replied, her tone guarded. "Though, you're the reason I ended up like this, you know."

Kaz rolled his eyes, a familiar pang of guilt tugging at his conscience. He had never intended to hurt Bhagya, yet his actions had inadvertently caused her pain.

"I know," he said quietly, his gaze fixed on the table between them. "And I'm sorry."

Bhagya sighed, her shoulders relaxing slightly as she softened towards him.

"Apology accepted," she said with a small smile, her eyes meeting his.

Kaz felt a surge of relief at her forgiveness, grateful for the chance to mend their fractured relationship.

"So," Bhagya said, breaking the momentary silence, "you and Y/N."

Kaz bristled at the mention of Y/N, his defenses instinctively rising.

"What about us?" he asked, his tone sharper than he intended.

Bhagya raised an eyebrow, her expression teasing.

"Oh, come on, Kaz," she said, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "It's obvious to everyone but you two."

Kaz shifted uncomfortably in his seat, a flush creeping up his neck. He had always been adept at reading others, but when it came to matters of his own heart, he was hopelessly clueless.

"I don't know what you're talking about," he muttered, his gaze fixed on his empty bowl.

Bhagya chuckled, shaking her head in amusement.

"Sure, Kaz," she said, her tone playful. "Whatever you say."

Despite his discomfort, Kaz couldn't help but feel a twinge of gratitude towards Bhagya. In her own way, she had a knack for cutting through his defenses, for reminding him that even Y/N had her blind spots.