Chapter Text
Within a few days, they had decided to keep their engagement quiet- at least, to most. Inej’s family in Ravka had insisted on throwing a traditional Suli celebration that lasted an entire week. Inej had thought that Kaz would refuse, but he hadn’t said anything to her or her parents and had even agreed to wear traditional Suli wedding garments the day of.
Several times during their stay, Inej had questioned her husband-to-be, trying to make sure that her parents’ enthusiasm wasn’t too much for him. Each time, Kaz had denied her offer to ask her family to tone it down. When she had asked, yet again, if he was okay with the massive wedding, he’d finally put his foot down.
“Inej, the wedding is tonight, and I’ll be damned if I miss it because I couldn’t handle your extremely enthusiastic family. I wouldn’t have agreed to it if I thought I couldn’t do it, Treasure.”
His words brought tears to her eyes. “Have I ever said that I love you, Kaz?”
Her fiance smirked. “I don’t think you would have agreed to marry me had you not.” She chuckled and he gave her a gentle push towards the tent where the women of her family waited. “Now go on, Inej. I’m sure the women are expecting you and are probably eager to start getting you ready for tonight.” With a final brush of his hand against hers, he left, likely to do whatever it was the men did before a wedding.
She spun, having forgotten that she was expected in the tent. She was a mess, her stomach twisting with nerves akin to those she felt on her first voyage as Captain Ghafa. It was ridiculous, she knew that, but she couldn’t help it. It was simply a wedding- it shouldn’t make her more nervous than fighting battles at sea, but it did.
“Inej, darling? What are you doing?” The lilting sound of her mother’s Suli words made Inej turn. Amaya Ghafa immediately knew that something was wrong by the look on her daughter’s face. “Oh, my child, what’s wrong?”
“I’m so nervous, Mama,” Inej admitted. “I know I shouldn’t be, but-”
“Nonsense,” her mother interrupted. “I would be more concerned if you were not nervous. I haven’t met a single person who wasn’t at least a little anxious before they married; it’s practically required that your stomach start juggling itself.” She took both of Inej’s hands in hers. “You are about to start a new part of your journey. Do you remember when you set out on your ship the very first time? It is the same, just a little more colorful.”
Inej giggled slightly. “I suppose you’re right, Mama.”
Amaya scoffed, waving a hand dismissively. “Of course I am, I’m your mother. I’ve done this all before- I know what I’m talking about. Now, you’re going to walk into that tent filled with aunties and cousins with your head held high, nerves and all.”
“Ok Mama,” Inej nodded.
Her mother’s eyes sparkled. “You’d best hurry, dear. They’re not getting any less impatient.”
Inej smiled at her mother. “I love you, Mama.”
“My brave girl. I love you more than the stars love the sky.”
In the end, the wedding had gone off without a hitch. Inej had seen Kaz’s breath catch when he saw the fruit of the women’s work, and she had grinned at the unmasked awe on his face. All of her nerves and worries were blown away as he looked at her like she was his greatest treasure, one that even he couldn’t have dreamt of in his wildest dreams.
Once upon a time, Inej would have run at the sight of a man staring at her, and sometimes still wanted to, but with Kaz, it was different. He looked at her, seeing not a body for his use or even an asset to be used (he’d apologized several years before for the ‘investment’ comment and hadn’t even implied anything similar since). Kaz looked at her like she was his world. He looked at her like she was a saint and he was a lowly sinner. He looked at her like he was truly, completely, and totally in love with her.
I love him with all of my soul, Inej thought as she walked towards him. Her heart swelled with every step and she knew without a doubt that she was just as deeply and undeniably in love with him.
***
Later that night as they sat around a bonfire, watching the fire dancers, Inej chuckled, studying the ring on her finger.
“What has you laughing, Mrs. Reitveld?” He hadn’t stopped calling her that since they’d ‘sealed the deal’, as Kaz (always the model Kerchman) put it.
Inej looked at her husband. “I was just wondering how long it’ll take the other Crows to notice. Will they figure it out immediately? Will it take them ages to?”
“Excellent question, my dear.” He tilted his head slightly, his brow creasing in the same expression he’d worn a thousand times. Scheming face. “We can make it a bet if you’d like.” She grinned and he smirked. “A hundred Kruge that it takes them half a year.”
Inej tsked playfully. “No faith in our friends?”
“Not in this. Jesper alone is oblivious enough to warrant several of those months.”
“He can be observant when he wants to be.” She hummed thoughtfully, tapping her chin. “I’ll take that bet, but I’ve a bit more confidence in them. Four months, a hundred Kruge.”
Ever the businessman, Kaz held out a hand to shake. “The deal’s the deal?”
She laughed and took the offered hand in a firm handshake. “The deal’s the deal, Mr. Reitveld. Get ready to be out of a hundred Kruge.”
“I’m already counting my money in my head, Mrs. Reitveld.”