Chapter One: Kaz

Kaz watched as Inej ran towards her parents. "Mama! Papa!" She exclaimed, running towards the them. The her father had to hold her mother upright, both wearing shocked faces. Then she was in their arms, and everything was right in the world.

Kaz didn't want to interrupt the moment so he stood back as mr and mrs Ghafa hugged the most deadly woman in kattatdan. Finally mr Ghafa looked up and saw Kaz looking apon their reunion, out of respect he looked down and readjusted his tie. The joke he told Inej was a true concern, he would have left it unsaid but he wanted to listen to that bell like laugh she gave him. When he looked back up, both her parents were looking at him and Inej stood back from them and encouraged him towards them.

He suddenly felt very exposed without his gloves, Inej was one thing, complete strangers was entirely different. He gave Inej a look with a question, she understood immediately and looked at his hands, then she smiled at him and gave him a slight nod.

He retrieved his gloves from his pockets and pulled them on, then walked forwards. He noticed the looks he was getting but easily ignored them, he stuck out his gloved hand to Mr Ghafa. "Kaz Brekker, pleasure to meet you Mr Ghafa."

"Nice to meet you Mr Brekker" he responded in heavily accented Kerch as he gripped Kaz's hand. They both released and Kaz turned to Mrs Ghafa.

"it's a Pleasure Mrs Ghafa" he said as he drew her hand up and lightly brushed her knuckles with his lips. He held steady and released her hand trying his best not to be taken by the rushing water. He looked over to Inej and saw her steady smile, then he was on solid ground once more. "Please, let me escort you to your lodgings." He turn and let Inej and her family follow a distance away. Giving them as much privacy as he could offer.

"We didn't know what happened to you my girl," Mr Ghafa started to say, "but we Heard terrible things happened to girls captured by the slavers. Everyone in the camp kept telling us to give up, that you'll be dead by now. But we never gave up. Then we where approached by that privateer and we knew we where right not to loose hope."

Kaz could see in the corner of his eye Inej hold her mother and father a little tighter as he spoke. Kaz could feel the love they were radiating from several paces ahead. It was all consuming, and he felt a horrible twinge of jealousy but squashed it quickly and carried on walking.

It wasn't long before they reached the Van Eck mansion and Kaz rang the bell. It felt so wrong, he felt uneasy approaching a property so obviously full of wealth and not use a window, or pick the lock.

A server opened the door and gave Kaz a quizzical look, then she looked over his shoulder, saw Inej and smiled politely. "Miss Ghafa, welcome back." And opened the door wider to let them all in.

"Thank you, Mary." Inej said with a smile as they walked in.

"You live here?" Mrs Ghafa whispered to her daughter as they moved further into the house.

"No Mama, I'm staying with friends." She answered with a smile, then looked over to Kaz and her smile grew into a grin. Kaz's heart felt like it grew with her smile and he gave her a warm smile back.

He couldn't take his eyes off her, Inej, his spider, the wreath looked like she belonged in a manor, navigating the halls like she does the barrel rooftops. Stunning.

They reached the parlour where Jasper and Wylan were taking their morning meal.

I hope you guys have enjoyed, pls let me know how to improve or if I have made any mistakes.

I also want your advice, I can't think of names for Inej's parents, so if u guys can suggest some names that'll be fantastic.

Dont worry, there is more to come

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