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It was a normal day.
Inej was studying another map of Ravka and the True Sea. People were always making new ones, figuring out new passages.
She’d been docked for two weeks now and was planning to stay for two more. seven years after setting sail for the first time, Inej now liked to stay in Ketterdam longer.
Kaz had bought a house on Geldstraat. It was two floors and wasn’t too big. He still spent nights at the Slat when Inej was away and he was too caught up in work to go home, but he’d moved most of his things to his new home.
There were two bedrooms and two bathrooms on the top floor, along with a small balcony in the master bedroom. Downstairs there was a cramped little kitchen and a dining room. There was an office that Inej had turned into her personal playroom.
She’d hung silks from the ceiling and a wire across the whole room (which wasn’t challenging in the slightest but it was still fun to practice on). She’d laid pads to catch her when she fell (which was never ) and she and her mother had painted the walls in a traditional Suli mural.
There was, of course, a living room and a library.
She spent more time in the library than in any other room, as did Kaz.
Kaz had documents spread out over the mahogany desk they had in the room. He was signing them and making little notes to the sides. Everything was perfect.
The fireplace in the living room kept everything warm and cast a slice of golden light over Inej where she sat on the floor, humming to herself.
“Inej?” She’d felt his eyes on her for a while and she was wondering when he was finally going to spit it out.
She didn’t lookup. “Mm?”
“Will you marry me?”
Her whole world tilted.
What?
What!?
“Inej?” Kaz prompted again. “Are you alright?”
She scoffed lightly. “Do you expect me to be?” She saw him shrug out of the corner of her eye. She met his gaze. “Did you actually ask me that or was I hallucinating?”
He smiled a bit. “Yes. I did just ask you that .”
“Oh.”
“So… What’s your answer?”
How the hell was he calm?
It wasn’t like Inej had never imagined this. Hell, she’d wondered about it for a while. When she was taking off her jewelry after a night at Jesper and Wylan’s, she’d leave the ruby ring that her mother gave her on her fourth finger for just a moment longer. She had always brushed the thought away, though. Who would be thick enough to think that Kaz Brekker would want to get married and settle down?
Kaz Brekker, apparently.
She wanted to say yes. Oh, she wanted to say yes. But that little voice in the back of her head made her hesitant. It reminded her that if he slipped a gold band on her finger that she’d belong to him. He, by law, could control her. She wouldn’t be free Inej Ghafa anymore. She would be tied to Kaz by his last name and some legal papers.
Inej Brekker.
She wanted to deny that the name didn’t leave a bit of a sour taste in her mouth, but it did.
She wouldn’t be herself anymore.
She-
“I understand why you’re hesitant, but if it’s for the reason I fear I want to assure you that I wouldn’t own you. We’re criminals Inej, who cares if we break the Kerch marriage laws. Saints knows Jesper and Wylan did.”
“Yeah. But a ring might make it difficult on the sails. I only wear jewelry for special occasions. And I don’t- can’t wear bracelets. It’s too much like the bells.” He nodded.
“What about a necklace?” She considered it.
She could always tuck it into the shirt she’d be wearing when in battle. Necklaces weren’t a trigger and she wore them anyways. It would be a nice addition to the others that Kaz had gifted her.
“What would it look like?” Kaz laughed.
“Uh, you could put a ring on a silver chain. Or you could have any pendant or jewel that you wish.”
“Mhm, that statement might land you with a very empty wallet, Brekker.”
“Worth it.” She smiled. “About my name-”
“Kaz, I don’t think I can-”
“It’s not real.”
“What?”
“ Brekker isn’t my legal name.”
“Well… I would say I’m surprised, but I’m really not. What is it, if you don’t mind me asking?” She always treaded lightly when it came to his past.
“... Rietveld. That’s my family name.” His voice broke just a little at the end but it was hardly noticeable.
Inej took his hand in hers. “Thank you for telling me.” She paused. “Why now?” He tilted his head in confusion. “Why ask me to marry you now?”
“Taxes, I love you, your mother is very intimidating.” She laughed hard, her head thrown back.
“Ah, yes, she’s like that,” Inej said once she’d pulled herself back together.
“I know you probably don’t want to take my name, and I’m obviously not going to make you, but…”
“But?”
“But I wouldn’t be totally opposed to changing my own name.” Her heart swelled. “Unless of course, you don’t want that either in which case I completely understand and-”
“I think we can work something out.” She interrupted.
“Is that a-”
“Yes.” Kaz smiled and pulled Inej’s hand until she was hugging him.
“I love you, Inej Ghafa.” He breathed into her hair.
“I love you too, Kaz Ghafa.” He chuckled. When they broke apart, Inej murmured, ”You are going to be the one telling my mother that you didn’t have a grand proposal with a thousand roses and the releasing of doves.”
“Do you really think she’ll mind?”
“Yes. Very much,” Inej smirked.
“Great,” Kaz groaned.