𝐗𝐗𝐈.

                                    

                                          

                            

                                
                            
                              
                                  
                              
                              
                                
                                  
                                  
                                
                              
                             
                            
                            
                          
                          
                          
CHAPTER 21
                          
Checkmate
                          
     The lanterns on the Ferolind were burning low when Kaz woke. It was foolish of him to think that he might be able to sleep for long on the ship, but at least he tried.
                          
     So much for trying, he thought bitterly as he got out of the small bed he'd claimed. Kaz stood up, wrapping a coat around his nightwear and grabbing his cane before walking down the hall to the deck above. He wasn't surprised to find a single lantern brightly lit a few feet from him, warding back the darkness of the night. The moon was a small crest in the sky, offering little light.
                          
     Brynn sat on a chair, her legs crossed, with a chess board sitting on a barrel in front of her. A few pieces had been moved from both sides and Brynn sighed. She reached over and took one of the black pawns on the other side of the board, placing it on an unoccupied square.
                          
     "Would you like to join me?" she asked without moving her gaze from the board, wrapping the blanket she had on her shoulders tighter. Without a word, Kaz limped over to the chair waiting opposite of Brynn. She quickly moved the pieces back, black for him, white for her.
                          
     "It was getting boring, playing against myself," said Brynn. "I couldn't sleep, so I decided to get some fresh air." She took one of her white pawns and moved it. "I'm assuming the same for you?"
                          
     Kaz put his cane against his legs and moved one of his own pawns. "Yes. You don't look like you've been sleeping well."
                          
     She really didn't look well, despite the pleasant expression on her face. The lantern cast light on her face, the shadows creeping along the other side. But her red hair was down and framed her face beautifully, her grey eyes alit with peace. He noticed that she wasn't wearing a nightgown or even her usual baggy clothes. She wore a white blouse and a pair of black trousers, her bare feet healed from the rocks back at the gorge.
                          
     "You don't either," she replied. He had no response to that, and they played in silence for a few minutes, the calming sounds of waves crashing against their schooner in the background. 
                          
     Finally, Kaz asked, "What happened to Sasha? Everyone thought she was dead."
                          
     "Myself included," Brynn added, moving her rook. "She told me that she just barely survived the fire. She could barely move, but managed to follow me to the docks in Leflin. All the way to Fjerda Sasha followed me, never giving up on trying to find me. But, of course, Fjerda is a big country."
                          
     "So how'd she get arrested?" Kaz's knight took one of Brynn's pawns.
                          
     Brynn cringed. "After I burned down the buildings in Elling, she followed the tales of the Ilddrüsje. Sasha wanted to get inside to get a closer look, but the drüskelle forced her back. Then they realized how much she looked like me.
                          
     "She was almost given the death sentence before they realized she wasn't actually a Grisha. But for causing so much trouble, they decided to punish her nonetheless. So she was given three and a half years in prison."
                          
     Kaz wondered what he might do if he found out what he might do if he found out Jordie was alive. Would he do anything to keep his brother close? Or would he push Jordie away, to save him the pain of being related to someone named Dirtyhands?
                          
     "What are you going to do after we get our money?" Kaz knew he'd already asked her that question, but he wanted to know, and she hadn't answered yet. Had Brynn even thought about staying in Ketterdam with him?
                          
     Brynn shrugged, taking his bishop with her rook. "I'm not sure, Kaz. Maybe something to help others."
                          
     He loved it when she said his name. It felt right when it rolled right off her tongue, the world seemed right again.
                          
     "Kaz?"
                          
     He looked up at Brynn. She was staring at him expectantly. "It's your turn," Brynn told him, a twinkle in her eyes. Kaz wondered if she knew what he was thinking.
                          
     Kaz turned to the board once more. He moved his king out of harm's way, the only move he could do without losing the game. When he glanced at Brynn again, she was studying him. After a moment, her eyes flickered down to her pieces and she moved a pawn. Kaz noticed her hands were ungloved, contrasting his clothed hands, enveloped in his own black armor. 
                          
     She saw him looking at her hands. Brynn tilted her head briefly. Then, she leaned forward, hand reaching out. Her pale hand slid onto his cheek, cool against his skin. Kaz didn't move. He could feel the flashbacks coming back, the dead flesh of Jordie's skin under his own. But he stayed. He promised he would try, and here he was, trying. But was he trying hard enough?
                          
     "I don't know what happened to you to make you like this, Kaz," whispered Brynn. "And I don't want to until you're ready. But if I can learn to realize that every piece of skin I touch won't wither away and burn to ash, you can, too."
                          
     She took her hand away. Kaz closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. Already he craved her touch and detested it at the same time. He felt guilty that he shared her secret with Wylan and Inej in the holding sector and that she wasn't going to force him to tell her about his past. But when would he really be ready?
                          
     Brynn sighed. "You so often speak with your head, Kaz. Would it truly kill you to speak with your heart for once?"
                          
     Then she stood up. She grabbed her queen and moved it. "Checkmate," said Brynn quietly. With one last glance in Kaz's direction, she went back below deck.
                          
     Kaz looked at the chessboard. He'd moved his king right into her trap, no other way out. Her queen would take his king any way he moved. He had trapped himself, and he didn't even realize it.
                          


                          

                            

                                
                            
                              
                                  
                              
                              
                                
                                  
                                  
                                
                              
                             
                            
                            
                          
                          
                          
a/n— Don't worry, there's more where that came from in the sequel that is coming in two more chapters! Let me know what you think!