Chapter 49: Entwined Hearts: Bonds of the Crow's Nest.

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This side of Ketterdam fitted Zaria, the student cafés and booksellers, shop windows crammed with textbooks, ink, and paper, the same scent of her room in Novyi Zem.

They were less than two miles from the noise and clatter of the Barrel, but it felt like they'd crossed a bridge into another country for fuck's sake.

This was the side of Ketterdam even Kerch forgot that it did exist, instead of packs of sailors fresh off the boats looking for trouble, or tourists jostling into you from every angle, people stepped aside to let you pass, kept their conversations low, nodded their heads as hello and were kinder.

Zaria closed her eyes and took a deep breath, no barkers shouted from storefronts hoping to garner business, the corners were free of the girls and boys who lacked an association with one of the West Stave houses and who had been forced to ply their trade on the street.

A handsome gentleman, with lustrous brown hair and green glistening emerald eyes rushed back just to give her one of her rings that dropped.

"Miss!" she continued walking not expecting him to be calling out to her, until a hand wrapped around her wrist made her turn around, same as the Prince who she had fallen in love with in the book Appa bought her from the Little Palace.

He was so handsome, wearing the most expensive midnight blue suit with glistening crystals at the edges, buttons, and his collar, she smiled at the man, her painted lip and eyes twinkling.

This was Anthony from her book, right in front of her.

Though surprisingly, her heart didn't beat as fast as it did in the books or like it did with Kaz Brekker, just for 3 seconds it thudded, but went back to normal.

Charming smile, dimples, probably a kind heart, never once had blood in his hands,

"Forgive me, Madam," his slightly rough hold on her wrist left, and her bracelet slipped back to hide her crow tattoo, her green scarf slipped slightly revealing her earrings and raven hair, and she tilted her head.

Eyes searching for Kaz Brekker's, he was nowhere to be found and it made her heart drop, she turned back to him, her smile turning into one full of something she couldn't quite put a finger on.

"Madam, am I really that old?" she asked watching him straighten his posture and show his dimples, she fixed her scarf and waited for his response, "no, it is because of the power you hold," he replied with pure awe.

"what power?" she asked again, her bracelet jiggling like a bell, "the power of such beauty, your beauty captivated me more than anything did," Zaria stood there, momentarily taken aback by the gentleman's compliment.

His words hung in the air, and she couldn't help but feel a mix of flattery and curiosity.

but nothing was better than the words Kaz told her, her heart belonged to the bastard of the barrel, even if the man she dreamed years ago to have was in front of her, she hated how her heart ached for Dirtyhands only.

"aren't you a charmer?" was all she managed to say, faking a bashful smile, Jesper whistled for her and gestured for her to go, she turned back to the man, "I wanted to give you your ring," he gave her the silver ring and watched as she put it on hurriedly.

"I hope we will see each other again, Miss...?" he started making her smile and reply, "Elizabeth," it wasn't her name, "but you can call me Liz," she added with a playful wink.

Zaria couldn't bring herself to reveal her true identity to this stranger, no matter the amount of money he must have just by the look of his suit, no matter how much money she knew she would earn just by easily showing him a little skin, how easily she can manipulate him.

"Elizabeth, I'm Alexei," he bowed his head and she nodded back at him, shaking his hand before walking back to Jesper, her smile vanishing as soon as she turned to her best friend.

"Hope to see you back one day, Alexei~" she called, though her face was nothing like her tone, he could hear the sweetness in her voice but oh the look she held was nothing like that.

Jesper glanced at Alexei with a suspicious look before back at his best friend who eyed him and gestured him to worry, "what's up with the tension between you two?" he asked teasingly nudging her.

"not a word." she warned glaring up at him but she couldn't help but roll her eyes at his facial expression, a small smile on her lips, "I have tension with everyone, what do you mean?" she innocently spoke.

Jesper raised an eyebrow at Zaria's response, a knowing smirk playing on his lips. He had known her long enough to recognize when she was trying to deflect a deeper issue. He leaned in closer, lowering his voice.

"Come on, Zaria. You can't fool me that easily," Jesper said, his tone filled with playful suspicion. "There's something more going on here." she turned to him, warningly.

"I am not fooling you, Jesper, there is nothing between me and this man who I barely even know, I was only doing this because he looked and sounded rich, nothing else, my heart belongs to someone else."

"and that is, Kaz Brekker," whispered Wylan, but they heard him, Zaria froze completely watching Wylan who finally looked up, blinking in confusion then his cheeks reddened in embarrassment.

Jesper stared with a cocked eyebrow, eyes going between the two of them as if he missed something, "did I miss something?" Wylan turned to Jesper, nodding his head.

"Wylan, I'm going to kill you." Zaria hissed, her voice filled with a combination of annoyance and embarrassment, not towards Wylan, never towards him, she slapped her hand against her forehead, "I can't believe you just said that out loud!"

Jesper's confusion deepened, his brows furrowing even further, realization starting to appear in his gray eyes, a finger that had a big ring pointed at Zaria, "Wait a minute. Kaz?! KAZ-" she slammed her hand against his mouth just as he spoke loudly.

eyes wide, "shut up!" she spoke cheeks flushed crimson as she avoided Jesper's gaze, "It's complicated, Kaz and I have a history, and let's just say it's not exactly a conventional kind of romance."

Wylan, realizing the gravity of his slip-up, attempted to defuse the tension, "Look, Jes, it's a long story. But trust me, Zaria has her reasons, and we've got more pressing matters at hand. We need to focus on the heist!"

She and Jesper turned to Wylan in unison, her turn to grin like an idiot as she felt Jesper's cheeks warm up under her fingertips, "you just called him Jes." Zaria squealed like a squirrel, teasing the shit out of both of them.

"Now my ship is finally happening ladies and gentlemen, I will tell the whole world-"

"you better not say a word otherwise I am going to tell Kaz, everything, and the tension between you two, and you being head over heels in love with him." Jesper threatened racing after his best friend who walked while humming a song happily.

Smile vanishing at his words, she turned to him, "You wouldn't dare," Jesper's mischievous grin widened and he placed his hand in his pocket, chin raised high, "oh I would,"

he would.

she stared at him with lips pressed into a line, clearly done with him, "Fine, I will keep my mouth shut, but you better keep yours." she pointed a finger at him and Jesper chuckled, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

"Deal, my dear Zaria. My lips are sealed tighter than a vault."

with that the trio continued to walk, Jesper paused below an awning and took a deep breath through his nose, "what?" asked Wylan looking at Jesper with a sparkle in his own eyes, it snapped Zaria out of her thoughts, filled with Kaz Brekker and the "tension" between them.

"It smells so much better here." Even the tang of coal smoke seemed fainter, "Are you stalling?" Wylan asked, "No." Jesper exhaled and sagged a bit, "Maybe a little."

Rotty had taken a message to the hotel where the man claiming to be Jesper's father was staying, so they could set a time and place to meet.

esper had wanted to go himself, but if his father really was in Ketterdam, it was possible he was being used as bait. Better to meet in broad daylight, on neutral ground, with his second daughter by his side, to help him if he was in trouble.

"do you remember when we went to Ravka once, with Appa and Uncle Colm?" she asked grinning at the memory, that was the first thing that came to his mind as soon the scent went up his nostrils.

"yeah... I do," silence again, the university had seemed safest, far away from the dangers of the Barrel or any of Jes's usual stomping grounds.

Jesper had no fucking idea if he wanted his father to be waiting for him at the university or not. It was so much more pleasant to think of facing a fight than the shame of how horribly he'd botched everything, but talking about that felt like trying to climb a scaffold made of rotting boards.

So he said, "I always liked this part of town." he tried to make a conversation, his hatred for silence growing, "My father likes it too. He places a high value on learning." replied Wylan avoiding his eyes.

"Higher than money?" Wylan shrugged, eyeing a window full of hand-painted globes, "Knowledge isn't a sign of divine favor. Prosperity is." Jesper cast him a swift glance.

He still wasn't used to Wylan's voice coming out of Kuwei's mouth. It always left him feeling a little off-kilter, like he'd thought he was reaching for a cup of wine and gotten a mouthful of water instead, it was disappointing that he couldn't see those curls of his anymore, those adorable curls-

he shook his head and looked away hurriedly, Zaria was behind them watching the scene unfold in front of her, a smile on her lips that Jesper finally found someone he truly loved, she was very happy for him, very.

"Is your papa really that religious, or is that just an excuse for being a mean son of a bitch when it comes to business?" he asked once again, finally gathering the courage to look at Wylan, noticing a small smile on the corner of the boy's lips making him beam as well.

"When it comes to anything, really." he replied hating just the simple utter of his rat of a father, even rats are better than him, "Particularly thugs and canal rats from the Barrel?" Wylan shifted the strap of his satchel.

"He thinks the Barrel distracts men from work and industry and leads to degeneracy." Zaria scrunched her nose at his words, "He may have a point," said Jesper.

Zaria thought about what might've happened if she hadn't left her home, she would've been married to that man, to that gangster in Novyi Zem, and lived the rest of her life hell, just because she wanted to keep her family safe.

if she had stayed, she would've had a ring on her finger, washed the dishes and cooked every day and night, never left her home and he probably would've beat her if she hadn't done something.

she's glad that she left, and that her family did as well, it was for the best.

"The Barrel eats people." he said glancing at Zaria who was deep in thought, "Maybe," Wylan considered and then Zaria spoke, "But business is business. The gambling parlors and brothels meet a demand. They offer employment. They pay taxes."

Wylan tugged on the satchel strap again, it had gotten twisted at the top, "I don't think it's much different from wagering your fortune on a shipment of silk or jurda. Your odds are just a lot better when you're playing the market."

"You have my attention, merchling." Better odds were always of interest, Zaria smiled at the two, she will have a chat with Mister Fahey about his love for Wylan, she had to, "What's the most your father's ever lost on a trade?" asked Jesper looking at Wylan who shrugged, replying with a simple, "I don't really know. He stopped talking about those things with me a long time ago,"

none of the crows deserved such a life, Wylan with his father, Zaria never able to forgive herself and will blame herself for every single mistake all because of her mother until her last day, the number of years she suffered just to give her family a happy ending while she's begging the saints for one.

Kaz with his brother, haunting his thoughts, every thought wasn't in his own voice, instead in his brother's, for fuck's sake, it pissed him off, as much as he love his brother and will ruin Pella Epllins for what he's done.

He couldn't help but despise those haunting voices, he couldn't kiss her, hold her, when she almost died he only held her pinky for saint's sake, his brother yelling at him to back off or else he would summon more demons.

Kaz wanted her- his Storm, his Zaria, Zaria Brekker, his gorgeous girl who helped them in a way no one did, he wanted her, and he will have her.

He will do everything, every single thing, to have her. And he knew she wanted him too, they were desperate for one another, even if it would take a while, much longer than imagined, but there would be progress, there already was, and that's a promise.

She was his. She is mine, no one else, his, his, HIS.

Inej with Tanta Heleen, the girl that wanted nothing but to get her revenge, earn her freedom, and go back home, go back and beg her family for forgiveness, go back to her house, hunt down every sex trafficker.

as much as it pained her, the thought of leaving the crows, she had to make her goal happen, besides they are her family as well, and she will come back to them!

Nina and her magic, Nina and her love for waffles, Nina and the hope of becoming a good grisha, she already is, but thinks she isn't, beautiful Zenik who's in love with the enemy, a drüskelle, Nina who loved the crows with her entire heart.

and Matthias, Matty, the big brooding tulips that got hit at least by one of the crows in the beginning, the who hated how his heart softened for the teenagers as soon as they left the Ice Court, he hated how he adored the crows (he will never say it) even if he did plan their death when they first met.

but the crows, even if they fought, were one, they will do this together, all the 7 of them, they will achieve their goals and live happily ever after, with money raining down on them.

they had to, and even if the heist doesn't go as planned, they will stay as a family, as one, no matter the consequences. No mourners, no funerals for a reason right?

Jesper hesitated, Jan Van Eck was three kinds of fool for the way he'd treated his son, but Jesper could admit he was curious about Wylan's supposed "affliction."

He wanted to know what Wylan saw when he tried to read, and why he seemed fine with equations or prices on a menu, but not sentences or signs.

He opened his mouth, but closed it again, like a fish.

Jesper could admit he didn't think the university district needed a dose of the dirty. He liked it just fine as it was-clean and quiet and smelling of books and flowers.

"You don't have to come, you know," Jesper finally spoke after taking a deep breath, "You have your supplies. You could wait this out safe and snug in a coffeehouse." Wylan listened to his words, fixing his sleeve.

"Is that what you want?" he asked in a whisper, and for the first time ever, Jesper Fahey had no response instead just shrugged his large shoulders.

No. I can't do this alone.

He wasn't sure how he felt about what Wylan might witness at the university, Jesper had rarely seen his father angry, but how could he fail to be angry now? What explanations could Jesper offer him? He'd lied, put the livelihood his father had worked so hard for into jeopardy.

Lying to his father was a sin, a big sin he swore not to commit, he promised Zaria during her father's funeral that he would never, yet he did.

And for what? A steaming pile of nothing. But Jesper couldn't bear the thought of facing his father on his own, he had his best friend by his side yet the thought terrified him to death, Inej would have understood.

Not that he deserved her sympathy, but there was something steady in her that he knew would recognize and ease his own fears.

He'd hoped that Kaz, his brother from another mother apparently, would offer to accompany him. But when they'd split up to approach the university, Kaz had spared him only one dark glance.

The message had been clear as daylight: You dug this grave. Go lie in it.

Yet once his eyes met Zaria's, they softened just the slightest bit, and Jesper thought about telling her, begging her to talk to Kaz, fix things between the sharpshooter and Dirtyhands, like she always did.

Kaz was still punishing him for the ambush that had nearly ended the Ice Court job before it began, and it was going to take more than Jesper sacrificing his revolvers for him to earn his way back into Kaz's good graces, much more.

Did Kaz even have good graces? he should ask Zaria, he should tell Zaria about the incident, Jesper's heart beat a little harder as they walked beneath the vast stone archway into the courtyard of the Boeksplein.

he turned to Zaria, "Z... I have to tell you something." he voiced, about to tell her the truth of it all, but once she smiled at him, eyes wide in awe as she looked around at the four libraries built around a central courtyard and the Scholar's Fountain, his courage faded, "yes Jes?"

Jesper hesitated, momentarily taken aback by Zaria's radiant smile and the wonder in her eyes as she took in the surroundings.

The weight of his confession hung heavy on his shoulders, but he couldn't bring himself to spoil the moment for her.

He forced a smile, masking his internal turmoil, "Never mind, It can wait, Z. Let's focus on the task at hand, alright?" Jesper's voice held a hint of evasion, a desire to shield her from the truth a little while longer.

she turned away from the place, eyes landing on his, confusion taking over the sparkle of awe, "you sure?" he nodded without a word.

Jesper had never been a great reader, he loved stories, Zaria was the one to read a lot to him and tell him stories that he had never heard of, but he hated sitting still, and the books assigned to him for school seemed designed to make his mind wander.

As soon as they entered the courtyard, Jesper didn't look around to savor the stonework or listen to the splashing of the fountain, no, instead all his attention focused on the man standing near the eastern wall, gazing up at the stained glass windows, a crumpled hat clasped in his hands.

With a pang, Jesper realized his father had worn his best suit, he'd combed his Kaelish red hair tidily back from his brow. There was gray in it now that hadn't been there when Jesper left home.

Colm Fahey looked like a farmer on his way to church. Totally out of place. anyone in the Barrel would take one look at him and just see a walking, talking target.

Jesper reached for Zaria with a dry throat and the girl noticing his nervous and twinkle of fear in his eyes, smiled reassuringly at him and wrapped her arm around his, speaking in Zemeni, "You'll be fine, we're in this together," She looked into his eyes and cupped his jaw.

Jesper took a deep breath, drawing strength from Zaria's comforting presence, her words reassured him, like always, reminding him that he wasn't alone in this daunting moment.

He glanced once more at his father, who seemed to be lost in his thoughts, unaware of Jesper's presence. The sight tugged at Jesper's heartstrings, a mix of guilt and longing flooding his chest.

He had lied to his father, and betrayed his trust, and now he had to face the consequences.

They both started to walk, Zaria a little ahead but still with him, thumb smoothing over his arms, "Da," he croaked out earning a small squeeze from his best friend.

Colm's head snapped up and Jesper steeled himself for what might come next, whatever insults or outrage his father hurled at him, he deserved.

Out of all the insults he thought his father would throw, he wasn't prepared to see a relieved grin that split his father's craggy features, someone might as well have put a bullet right in Jesper's heart.

"Jes!" his father cried, and Zaria slipped her arm away from his, pushing him a little forward and then he was crossing the courtyard and his father's arms were tight around him, hugging him so hard that Jesper thought he actually felt his ribs bend.

"All Saints, I thought you were dead! They said you weren't a student here anymore, that you'd just vanished and I was sure you'd been stuck through by bandits or the like in this Saintsforsaken place," he exclaimed making Jesper grimace at his words, well- ouch.

"I'm alive, Da," Jesper gasped, "But if you keep squeezing me like that, I won't be for long." His father laughed and released him, holding him at arm's length, big hands on Jesper's shoulders.

"I swear you're a foot taller.," Jesper ducked his head, "Half a foot. Um," he trailed off turning to look at Zaria and then Wylan gesturing them to come over.

Colm's eyes followed his son's and at the sight of his second daughter, alive and well, they widened, she looked so much like him, his brother, his best friend who died.

Zaria stood in front of him, a smile on her lips, the same one as her father's, the same one he used to flash him back when they were young, betting on almost anything.

"hello uncle," she greeted warmly kneeling to bow and touch the edge of his shoes out of respect, but before she could even kneel he grabbed her shoulders and hugged her.

the weight of his emotions hung heavy in the air, a mixture of joy, relief, and sorrow for the lost years. He held her tightly, as if afraid that letting go would make her disappear once again.

"Zaria, angel," Colm whispered, his voice choked with emotion, "I can't believe you're here. I thought I had lost you like I lost your Appa-" she returned the embrace, her voice filled with warmth and affection. "I'm here, Uncle. I'm safe. And I'm so glad to see you again."

he pulled away and held her shoulders and then cheeks, "My, you look just like him," she knew what he meant, that she looked just like her father, she always thought that she didn't, but now, maybe she did, who knows?

She despised looking into her face for so long because the angry scar across her face given by that woman was still there, "I went to your house and knocked but Miss Edwina told us you had left, to Ravka, yet here you are-" she nodded in response.

"Amma and May went to Ravka and I came here, uncle let me introduce you to Wylan," she spoke switching from Zemeni to Kerch, Colm, and held her tightly against his arms after years of thinking that he lost both the Isla family he had left.

"Nice to meet you. Do you speak Kerch?" Jesper's father practically shouted, and both realized it was because Wylan still looking Shu.

"Uncle!"

"Da," they both said cringing in embarrassment, Zaria laughed softly, "He speaks Kerch just fine," she spoke chuckling and waving for Wylan to come over.

"Nice to meet you, Mister Fahey," said Wylan. Bless his merch manners, Zaria cocked an eyebrow at him, it was always difficult to meet the parent of your lover-

"And you too, lad. Are you a student as well?" oh shit, she looked at the trio, left and right then at Jesper bouncing on his feet, "I ... have studied," replied Wylan awkwardly.

Jesper had no idea how to fill the silence that followed. He wasn't sure what he'd expected from this meeting with his father, but a friendly exchange of pleasantries wasn't it.

Noticing the uncomfortable silence Zaria spoke after clearing her throat, "Are you hungry, uncle?" she asked turning to the man who smiled at her until his eyes disappeared, squeezing her shoulders fatherly.

"Starving," Jes's father replied gratefully, Wylan gave Jesper a poke with his elbow, "Maybe we could take your father to lunch?" he suggested watching as Jesper looked at him and then back up.

"lunch," Jesper said as if he never heard the word before, repeating the word as if he'd just learned it, "Yes, lunch. Who doesn't like lunch?" Zaria shot him a look as if to tell him that his panicking wasn't helping.

Lunch felt like a miracle. They'd eat. They'd talk. Maybe they'd drink. Please let them drink, she smiled and turned to her father's best friend, smiling, "Lunch sounds lovely, I'm starving as well,"

fuck. well, that was indeed an interesting meeting. Colm Fahey was in Ketterdam.

--♤--

I am back!

My apologies for not posting this book for a while! I had many exams since the beginning of the year and I didn't have time to post a new chapter of Fairytale, it is stressful as well, anxiety season is back, but now I'm back and I promise you I will post as soon as possible since there's a holiday in about a week!! Thank you for understanding.

Enjoy.

(Planning on posting a Michael Gray fanfic, stay tuned😉)