NINA

Nina's emotions warred from concern and affection as she read Inej's letter. It was penned neatly, the writing elegant and crisp, just as Nina would expect from the acrobat.

Dear Nina,

How are things faring for you? If only you weren't so far away.

We've been having some trouble here in Ketterdam. There's been a new gang, and they've been causing some problems. Jesper was kidnapped, but don't worry, he's safe and sound now. He's missing two of his fingers, though, as well as suffering from a bullet wound in the arm, but he can walk and talk and he's still the man you know. Wylan and Ms. Hendriks are doing well, and Wylan is doing his best to boost Jesper's spirits. Kaz has been fine, though the effort we've taken to get Jesper back has really taken a toll on all of us.

The gang is called the Goldfishers, and it has many brawlers from all around. We're still trying to figure out their secrets, but they call me the Wraith for a reason. They were at Black Veil, and we still haven't figured out why, as they already have a nice meeting area. Jesper and Wylan went to check it out, and only Wylan returned. Kaz sent me to fetch someone else, someone called Vera. She's Grisha, which surprised me, because I thought all the Grisha left Ketterdam with you. Something else about her is she used to be part of the Council of Tides, so I suspect that was why her identity was hidden from the other Grisha. Her loyalty is to Kerch, not Ravka. She came with us when we went to Black Veil, and after a few attempts, we managed to rescue Jesper.

Now, Kaz and I are trying to puzzle out what we know and what we need to know. But enough of us.

How have you been? How are the other Grisha? How is Fjerda? I dearly hope we will see each other soon, and stay safe. Take care of yourself. Respond soon, and visit soon too.

I miss him too.

My best wishes,

Inej

Nina let out a breath as she finished the letter, her heart catching as she read I miss him too. Nina pressed the thick paper to her chest as she thought of Matthias. He was in her every thought, every action, his voice echoing in her head every waking moment.

She could hear him now: Nina, love, don't think so highly of me. It's not just me, it's your country too.

No, Matthias, she wanted to say. No, it's all about you. She had given him her heart, and he had given her his, but now, he was gone. What is my heart without your hand to hold it? she thought bleakly, wishing she could stop the constant pain in her chest.

Being with the other Grisha helped but it wasn't enough. Nothing was enough; nothing would ever be.

Nina was still on the ship. They had taken a stop for a few days at a fishing town so small it could have fit in her palm, and Inej's letter had come then. Nina had boarded the ship reluctantly, hesitant to leave solid, steady ground, but of course, duty called.

"Nina, here." Nina looked up from the letter to see Adrik handing her a clumsily made plate of fish, the smell wafting from it giving Nina the urge to cover her nose and toss the fish over the ship.

Nina took the food, if it could be called that, thanking Adrik (for nothing really), who responded with a mild huff and nod.

As soon as he walked away, his steps creaking the rotting wood of the ship, Nina called, "Leoni!"

The Zemeni, who was standing by the rail of the ship, walked over to Nina and took a seat beside her, her dark hair framing her face prettily. "Yes?" she asked, her sweet voice like a song to hear.

"Here," Nina said, dumping her plate in Leoni's hands.

"What?" Leoni exclaimed, drawing her hands back, bewildered. "I don't want it!"

Nina, Matthias's voice chided, leading Nina to sigh deeply and take the plate back. She poked at it for a while, ignoring Leoni's sympathetic smile, and wished she was back in Ketterdam, with Inej, Wylan, Jesper, and yes, even Kaz. But especially she wished she was with Matthias, wished he was back with her, forever.

You may be my forever, Matthias's voice said. But I am but a stage in your life. There is more for you, Nina, than there has ever been for me.