Chapter 3: Inej

Inej looked at the shocked face of Jasper when understanding dawned on him. He gave her a questioning look and she beamed back nodding her head slightly.

"Jasper, Wyden, these are my parents. Mama, Papa, this is Jasper and Wyden." Indicating them both.

Wyden sat their with a shocked look on his face, then in a high pitched voice, "It's a pleasure to meet you," he cleared his throat and continued, "would you like some breakfast?"

Kaz rolled his eyes while Jasper stood and approached her parents and shook both their hand with so much enthusiasm her Mama took a step back. "It's a pleasure to meet you both, Inej speaks so highly of you."

Her parents smiled at her as they held her again. She kept thinking 'okay, this is when I wake up' but it didn't happen. This was real, this was really happening, and Kaz made it happen.

She looked over to him again, he was standing in the corner of the room just observing the room, taking it all in. This day was the best day of her life, first Kaz had touched her skin without his glove, then he had bought Inej her very own ship, then to top it all off he had bought her parents to her.

"Nice to meet you all," her Papa said, "I'm glad to know my little girl was in such good hands." A silence swept through the room as everyone thought about the life they have all lived. Inej thought about her time at the Menagerie, then with Kaz and the other crows, about all the lives she took and all her near death experiences. Life wasn't easy in the barrel, and she couldn't think of where to begin when the question's started.

She knew she would tell them everything, what she told Jasper about honesty with his father was true. She'll admit her sins to her parents and they'll take it how ever they wanted to. At least they'll all know where they stand.

The silence was broken when the kitchen staff started bringing up plates of food, and Wylan suggested they all sit and enjoy the meal prepared for them.

Kaz took his place at the head of the table, Inej thought that place should be for Wylan given this was now his property, but when she thought about it the more sense it made. Kaz was their leader, their savour. Her savour. She wouldn't have him anywhere else. Jasper took the place next to Kaz, then Wylan next to Jasper. Inej took the place opposite Jasper, the other side of Kaz, her Mama next to her and her Papa took the opposite head of the table. Both her parents gave Kaz a look a look as she took her place next to him but they didn't voice any concerns. The food looked amazing, plates of cooked meats, little pastries, fruit and hot and cold drinks covered the large table.

"Help your selves." Wylan announced after of pause of everyone looking at each other, not knowing who should start. So Inej stuck in. As soon as she did it was like a spell was broken and everyone started pilling food onto their plates. All except Kaz, he waited until everyone had stopped fussing then selected his meal while everyone else started to eat.

"So," Jasper started, "where did you sail in from Mr Ghafa?"

Mr Ghafa looked up from his plate, "we were in Ravca near the little palace, we had a gig booked nearby. Then we were approached by a privateer going by the name Sturmhond. He told us he had been in contact with a girl who had been taken from a suely camp. We knew right away we had to check and his team bought us here." He looked over at Inej and smiled. "But we had no idea you'll be waiting for us in the docks."

Her Mama clasped her hand and held on tightly, "And we are so glad you were." Her Mama said looking at her lovingly. "But, how did you know we would be there?"

Inej didn't reply, only looked up at Kaz, hoping that would be answer enough. Both her parents looked at Kaz, a question in their eyes. One she was not willing to answer. Not yet. It had taken them long enough to figure out what they could be to each other and still had a long way to go. Her Papa's story about flowers came to mind. No, no one did bring her flowers, but Kaz had given her so much more than that. He had given her safety, a home, a purpose to carry on. And then he had given Inej her parents. A gift better than any wild flower. Hope for the future, a chance of happiness. He had shown her kindness, affection, love all in his own way.

Kaz was looking back at her, their eyes not willing to part from one another. A smile tugging at his lips, no matter how hard he tried to keep a straight face. She loved him. It didn't matter that they couldn't physically be together, she knew from the beginning that would never be an option for either of them, but it was these small kindnesses that confirmed her feelings where not one sided.

"Inej," her Mama spoke, forcing her to break eye contact and look at her Mama instead, "what happened to you?" The table went silent once more, no one would speak on Inej's behalf and she didn't want them to. But did she really want to do this in front of everyone. Only Kaz knew the most about her past but even he didn't know everything. How would she even begin to explain to her parents.

Kaz cleared his throat and stood, "Jasper, Wyden." He said and indicated the door, they both stood and headed out of the room. Jasper gave her a wink on his way out, she gave a tentative smile back.

Kaz turned to leave when Inej stopped him. "Kaz?" He turned to her, and she took in a deep breath and slowly released it. "Stay?" He nodded and closed the door to the parlour, then returned to his seat. Her parents didn't know what to make of this but they didn't say anything against him staying.

She took one more steadying breath and began.

I really hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. I'm still looking for help with the names. It would be great if you guys could suggest some, just leave them in the comments.

I know it's a long lead up to the talk, but I really wanted to do it in Kaz's perspective, you'll see why.

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