CHAPTER FOURTY-SIX
vol ii — home turf

THEY HAD STARTED to run, Dinara the fastest of them all, but making sure that she would be able to get to Kaz within a second. She could see Nina up ahead and her heart started to flutter with each pace, her platonic soulmate was alive, everything was going to be alright — well, she hoped. Working their way through the streets, hoping into one of the canoes, knowing that they wouldn't be able to stop to catch their breath. Dinara cast glances back at Kaz every so often, making sure that he was still there and not getting punched. When they had finally reached the canals, they were able to take things slow, almost too slow. Seeing as they had to stop everytime to watch as the stadwatch passed, making sure that they were concealed in the darkness, hidden from everything that could see them.

Nina had started to go on about the Grisha, wanting to ensure that her people had gotten to safety, but Kaz shut her down, and Nina didn't argue. That's when they knew how much danger they were in. Once they had gotten further down the canals, they had to ditch the boat, the stadwatch setting up blockades in an attempt to catch them. The Crowd had to be extra careful, Pekka owned half of the Barrel, which meant that no where was safe for them. Dinara hated to admit it, but she was missing Jesper dearly. The fact that she had no one to make sarcastic comments about their situation, was making her upset, she just wanted the boy back. She let out a sigh as she stared up at the stars, just wishing that one of them would shoot by so she could make a wish.

Her feet only hurt slightly when they managed to reach the financial district, aka the wealthy part of the island. She followed Kaz through the alley, through a propped foot and into the lift. Honestly, it was a good thing she wasn't afraid of heights, riding a lift up fifteen flights was daunting, especially since it seemed to take forever. Dinara figured out where they were the second they reached the door, nothing else smelled like Jesper. Colm answered the door, nothing but a nightshirt with a jacket thrown over it, ushering them inside. Dinara's heart warmed at the sight of Nina and Matthias embracing, making her long for that, but knowing that she would never have that. She caught sight of Jesper, not wasting a second to leap at the spot covered boy, wrapping her arms around him.

"Easy there, Di. You're going to end up breaking me," he chimed, pulling back so he could scan her face, making sure that he was really there. "I look good like this."

She threw her head bsck and laughed, not noticing the twinkle that had found it's way into Kaz's eye at the sound, grateful that she was still able to laugh after everything. "You always look good, Jes. Oh, how I missed you and your stupid comments. It's boring without you."

"Kaz, you may not be happy, but we are."
"Leave him be."
"He's scheming."
"Saints, your bleeding."
"Should I call a doctor?"
"No!"
"Should I ring for coffee?"
"Yes, please."

Colm was a splendid houseguest, especially since he ordered them waffles and brandy as well, Dinara immediately splitting the alcohol between her, Jesper, and Kaz. Silently she slid a glass over to the boy, hearing a small murmur, one that she decided was a thank you, and climbed up onto the table that was beside him. Nina was finishing up bandaging Inej, who claimed she wanted privacy, which they all allowed her to have. Nina and Inej had wandered out of the bathroom, Nina immediately plopping down next to her Fjerdan and stuffing her face with the waffles that were lining the plates. God, she was in heaven. Inej went on to tell everyone about the fact she had made a new "friend" who so graciously gave her a new scar.

"What exactly happened?"
"Inej fell twenty stories."
"We put a serious hole in my fathers dining room."
"I'm waiting on their cooks ham recipe."
"Nina can raise the dead."

Matthias had all but dropped his cup all over him, not that he didn't already look ridiculous, but now he looked stupid. Nina was quick to place a hand on his arm, and simply and calmly stating that it wasn't a big deal. Dinara watched with a raised eyebrow, trying not to laugh at the large man's confused face and large eyes as he stared at his girl. Matthias was simply becoming her favorite person in the world. She did end up laughing when Nina said he was better than waffles and he simply said that it wasn't true, but still looked at her with all of the love in the world. God, they had exactly what she wanted.

hi! i'm lowkey back. don't expect a lot tho seeing as i just keep getting distracted