El 🍀🌻

Vellgeluk was so flat it was barely visible once they were rowing through the water. The island was less than a mile wide, a barren patch of sand and rock distinguished only by the wrecked foundation of an old tower used by the Council of Tides. Smugglers called it Vellgeluk, “good luck,” because of the paintings still visible around the base of what would have been the obelisk tower: golden circles meant to represent coins, symbols of favor from Ghezen, the god of industry and commerce. The island was far from Ketterdam’s ports, well outside the patrol of the harbor watch, with no buildings of hidden coves from which to stage an ambush. An ideal meeting place for wary parties.

A brigantine was moored off the island’s opposite shore, its sails hanging limp and useless. Y/N had heard the sailors calling to each other as they worked the oars. Now its crew lowered a longboat packed with men over the side.

When their own longboat reached the shore, Jesper and the others leaped out to pull it onto the sand. Y/N watched Jesper check his revolvers and Inej, her knives as Kaz helped her out of the boat. She quickly snapped her fingers, summoning what meant to be a small flame but turned out much larger than she intended pulling an almost silent gasp from her lips as she instantly snuffed it out before she could panic. Matthias adjusted the rifle strapped to his back and rolled his enormous shoulders. Kuwei watched it all in silence.

“All right,” Kaz said. “Let’s go get rich.”

“No mourners,” Rotty said, settling down to wait with the longboat.

“No funerals,” they replied.

They strode toward the center of the island, Kuwei behind Kaz and Y/N, bracketed by Jesper and Inej. As they drew closer, Y/N saw someone in a black mercher’s suit approaching, accompanied by a tall Shu man, dark hair bound at the nape of his neck, and followed by a contingent of the stadwatch in purple coats, all carrying batons and repeating rifles. Two men lugged a heavy trunk between them, staggering slightly with its weight.

“So that’s what thirty million kruge looks like,” said Kaz.

Y/N could see a ship nearing the deserted island behind Van Eck and his men through the thick fog and cloudy sky. ‘Thank the Saints.’

Jesper gave a low whistle. “Hopefully, the longboat won’t sink.”

Kaz leaned ever-so-slightly closer to Y/N and murmured in a low tone. “Tell me that ship over there is with you.”

She only nodded curtly, to not draw more attention to them or the ship.

“Just you, Van Eck?” Kaz asked the man in merch black. “The rest of the Council couldn’t be bothered?”

“The Council felt I was best suited to this task, as we’ve had dealings before.”

“Nice pin,” Kaz said with a glance at the ruby stuck to Van Eck’s tie. “Not as nice as the other one, though.”

Van Eck’s lips pursed slightly. “The other was an heirloom.”

Y/N coughed to stifle her laugh at the memory of her stashing that very pin.

“Well?” The old man said to the Shu man beside him.

The Shu said, “That’s Kuwei Yul-Bo. It’s a year since I’ve seen him. He’s quite a bit taller now but is a spitting image of his father.” He said something to Kuwei in Shu that was too quick for Y/N’s mind to translate and gave a short bow.

Kuwei glanced at Kaz, then bowed in return. Y/N could see a sheen of sweat on his brow.

Van Eck smiled. “I will confess I am surprised, Mister Brekker. Surprised but delighted.”

“You didn’t think we’d succeed.”

“Let’s say I thought you were a long shot.”

“Is that why you hedged your bets?”

“Ah, so you’ve spoken to Pekka Rollins.”

“He’s quite a talker when you get him in the right frame of mind,” said Kaz, and Y/N remembered the blood on Kaz’s shirt at the prison. “He said you contracted him and the Dime Lions to go after Yul-Bayur for the Merchant Council as well.”

Van Eck shrugged. “It was best to be safe.”

Y/N cleared her throat as she rolled her eyes. “Let’s get a move on with this, shall we?”

The older man threw her a sharp glance, “The Phoenix. Almost didn’t see you there, hiding behind Brekker and all.”

She clenched her fists as she took a confident step forward. “Does it look like I’m hiding, Van Eck? And I don’t think that’s any way to speak to a royal official.”

“You are no royalty, L/N. Just a soldier.”

Kaz leaned forward on his cane in a threatening manner but another voice joined the conversation before he could say anything.

“I wouldn’t think so highly of yourself. She has more rank and authority than you even as ‘just a soldier’.” Nikolai strode past Van Eck with Zoya and Genya in tow. All three Grisha shared a look that clearly said ‘Here we go again’.

“Prince Nikolai,” Van Eck bowed his head stiffly while eyeing Y/N and Kaz.

“King.” Kaz corrected sharply causing Y/N to smirk proudly.

“My apologies.”

“Thirty million Kruge will soothe our hurt feelings,” said Kaz.

Van Eck gestured to the guards behind him. They hefted the trunk and set it down in front of Kaz. He crouched beside it and opened the lid. Row after row, stacks of bills in palest Kerch purple emblazoned with the three flying fish could be seen.

Y/N had looked over to Nikolai who only nodded silently. Ravka’s business will be dealt with next.

Kaz pulled out one of the stacks and let his gloved thumb skim over it, then dug down another layer to make sure Van Eck hadn’t tried to bunk them.

“It’s all here,” he said.

He looked over his shoulder and waved Kuwei forward. The boy crossed the short distance, and Van Eck gestured him over to his side.

Nikolai stepped forward extending his arm to block Kuwei’s path. “This is where we step in.”

“What’s the meaning of this?” Van Eck asked markedly as he looked between the group of six directly in front of him.

“I took the liberty to talk to the Kerch government and the council, so there is no need to worry about that. But now the boy will be coming back with us.”

“That wasn’t the agreement.” The older man faced Kaz sharply. “Brekker-”

“No no, this has nothing to do with your deal with Brekker. He completed his tasks, so his business is done. This is now Ravka’s deal with Kerch, not you. But since you made this deal on behalf of your government I thought I’d cut the middle man out, the middle man being you,” Nikolai spoke with his hands, “and go straight to the source. Much more efficient, wouldn’t you agree?”

Van Eck shifted uncomfortably. “Uh, yes. Much more efficient.”

“With that being said, I was shocked to hear that they had little to no recollection of your offer to work on their behalf.” Nikolai turned to Zoya and Genya, “Wasn’t it odd.”

“Terribly unprofessional on their part.” The redhead tutted.

“They had no paperwork or anything. Really does seem that an oral agreement is only as good as the paper it was written on. But thanks to one of my most trusted royal officials, I was quickly alerted about this meeting. I’m glad I was able to make it.”

~*~

There was a certain reputation that followed Mattheo Thomas Riddle wherever he went, an aura of danger and unpredictability that made students give him a wide berth in the corridors of Hogwarts. Hushed whispers went after him like a shadow, tales of his dark family history and the fierce temper that boiled just below the surface of his skin. The mocking smirk that often played on his lips only added to the mystery, and the way he carried himself — confident, unyielding — left little doubt that he was someone to be reckoned with.

But then there was you, someone who seemed to have done the impossible.

You, with your quiet strength and unshakable resolve, had become the only one who could temper the storm within him. It wasn't just that you weren't afraid of him, it was that you saw him, truly saw him, beyond the name people tagged the boy with. Where others saw only the 'son of You-Know-Who' or 'Voldemort's one and only heir', the devil's progeny, you saw the boy behind the names. You saw the struggles he came from, the vulnerability he buried beneath layers of bravado.

People ouldn't help but stare as you walked down the hallways together, your fingers comfortably intertwined with Mattheo's. You were his opposite in so many ways — where he was brooding, you were bright; where he was sharp, you were soft. It was a juxtaposition that made everyone wonder just how you managed to tame the so-called "devil" of Hogwarts.

You'd hear the murmurs as you passed by, the way some students would quickly avert their eyes as if afraid to be caught staring. Others, more curious or perhaps bolder, would watch with a mix of awe and disbelief, as if trying to solve a puzzle that didn't quite make sense. How could someone so seemingly gentle be with someone as dangerous as Mattheo Riddle?

But they didn't see what you did. They didn't see the way his gaze softened whenever he looked at you, the way his tough exterior melted when it was just the two of you. They didn't see the way he'd listen intently to your every word, his attention unwavering, as if nothing else in the world mattered because it was the truth; nothing else mattered to him than you.

And perhaps most surprising to them would be the way he smiled — truly smiled — when he was with you. It wasn't the sharp, almost menacing grin he'd flash when someone annoyed him, but a real, genuine smile that reached his eyes. It was a smile that told you, and anyone else who bothered to look close enough, that Mattheo Riddle was more than just the dark reputation that surrounded him.

You'd catch the way his hand would tighten around yours in a crowd, his thumb brushing against your skin in a gesture of reassurance. Or the way he'd lean down to press a kiss to your temple when he thought no one was looking, his lips lingering for just a moment longer than necessary. These were the moments that made you smile to yourself, knowing that despite what others thought, there was so much more to him than they could ever understand.

There was an incident once, in the Great Hall, where some younger Slytherins were laughing too loudly about something — until Mattheo glanced their way. The laughter died almost immediately, replaced by nervous glances and shuffling feet. But then, with you beside him, you nudged your boyfriend gently and whispered something in his ear. Whatever you said made him chuckle, the sound low and rich, and just like that, the tension in the air dissipated. The younger students exchanged bewildered looks, clearly wondering what spell you'd cast to make him laugh like that.

It was in these moments that the real magic of your relationship showed itself — not in taming the so-called devil, but in understanding him. In knowing that beneath the hard exterior, Mattheo was someone who needed love just as much as anyone else. And you gave it to him without reservation, without fear, seeing the good in him that others were too blind to notice.

Of course, there were times when that darkness would surface, when his temper would flare or his patience would run thin. But even then, you knew how to bring him back, how to calm the storm that raged within him. A soft word, a gentle touch, and he'd remember himself. He'd remember that he didn't have to fight the world alone — that he had you by his side.

And so, the students of Hogwarts continued to wonder, to speculate. They'd see you together in the courtyard, Mattheo's arm draped casually over your shoulders as you talked about everything and nothing. They'd see the way you'd laugh at something he said, your smile lighting up the space between you, and how he'd look at you like you were the only person in the world who mattered.

The two of you were sitting beneath one of the old oak trees in the courtyard, the late afternoon sun casting dappled shadows across the grass. You were leaned against the trunk, a loved book in your lap, while Mattheo sat beside you, one arm draped lazily over your shoulders. The gentle breeze played with your hair, and every now and then, your boyfriend would reach over to tuck a loose strand behind your ear. It was a small gesture, but it made your heart flutter every time.

You couldn't help but notice the way students passing by would glance your way, their eyes lingering on the Riddle heir with a mix of fear and curiosity. You'd grown used to it by now, the way people would whisper behind your backs, wondering how someone like you had ended up with someone like him.

"They're staring again," you murmured to him, your eyes flicking up from your book to catch the gaze of a group of Ravenclaws who quickly looked away when they realized they'd been caught.

Mattheo unwillingly tore his attentive gaze away from you and followed the line of your vision, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips at the sight he came to see. "Let them," he said casually, leaning closer to press a sweet kiss to your temple. "They'll get over it eventually."

You smiled slightly and leaned closer to his lips, the warmth of his affection soothing any unease that brewed in you. "It's just . . . I know how they see you," you said, your tone more thoughtful than concerned. "And I know they don't really get us."

He tilted his head, studying you with a calm expression on his face. "Do you care what they think?"

"Not really," you admitted, glancing back at him through your eyelashes. "But it's hard not to notice, you know? Sometimes I just wonder what they're thinking."

The Slytherin shrugged, a small chuckle escaping his lips. "Probably trying to figure out if you've got me under some love spell. Because obviously, there's no other reason I'd be with someone like you, right?"

You rolled your eyes, nudging him lightly. "You sound ridiculous."

"But I'm right," he teased, his smile softening. "They only see what they want to see. They don't know you like I do."

"And what do you see?" you asked, curious despite yourself.

He paused, taking a moment to gather his thoughts. "I see someone who's smart, kind, and who doesn't put up with anyone's nonsense — including mine. And I'm good with that."

You couldn't help but smile at his words, appreciating the simplicity of them. "And you? What about what they think of you?"

"They can think what they like," he said easily, his fingers tracing patterns on your shoulder now. "I'm not here to make anyone else comfortable. I'm here because I want to be."

You nodded, feeling a sense of calm settle over you. "Yeah. Me too."

The two of you sat in comfortable silence for a moment, the sounds of the courtyard filling the air around you. You leaned into his side, your book forgotten as you let yourself relax, content just to be there with him.

"So, who's got the next match against us again?" your boyfriend asked suddenly, his tone casual as if he hadn't just been talking about something far more serious.

You laughed softly, glad for the shift in conversation. "Gryffindor, next Saturday. And I'm not missing it."

"Good," he said, smiling as he looked out at the courtyard. "Because I want you there."

They didn't understand how you did it, how you tamed the devil, how you made him fall so deeply in love with you that the darkness in him seemed to shrink in your presence.

As the schooner sped south, it was as if the whole crew was sitting vigil. Everyone spoke in hushed tones, treading quietly over the decks, hyper-aware of Y/N lying in bed in Kaz’s room.

The Ferolind felt like a ghost ship. Kaz was sequestered with Y/N, and he’d asked for Wylan’s help caring for her. Even if Wylan didn’t love chemistry, he knew more about tinctures and compounds than anyone. So the chemist and Nina spent every waking minute trying to nurse their resident Inferni back to health.

Anyone who entered the room Y/N was staying in could instantly feel how stressed Kaz was. They would have to be blind not to have noticed the toll her illness took on him. The deep dark circles that rested under his eyes seemed worse than they’d ever been before. His sleeping habits were nonexistent before, yet he never let it show. But now he looked weak. Physically ill. Within the few days he’s been waiting for Y/N to wake up he appeared to have aged a few years. It was nothing a proper night’s sleep, shower, and meal couldn’t fix, but it disturbed the other Crows to see him in such a state.

Nina and Inej finally got him to bathe himself, the Heartrender claiming that Y/N would never wake up if he stayed by her side smelling like a Barrel rat. So when Kaz stepped out of the pathetic excuse for a washroom, he nearly collapsed to his knees at the sight of Y/N sitting up in bed.

He was frozen in shock, he was barely able to choke out a few words. “You’re awake.”

Y/N jumped slightly and groaned at the jolt it gave her body.

“Sorry,” Kaz walked to her bedside while rubbing the thin fraying towel in his hand through his hair.

“It’s fine,” she coughed in reply. Her hand blindly feeling for a cup on the table next to her. Kaz reached for the pitcher and poured the cold water into the glass before handing it to her. Y/N smiled at him gratefully and chugged the water down before placing the cup back. “Thank you.”

“How…” Kaz cleared his throat before murmuring quickly. “How’re you feeling?”

Y/N pushed herself higher up on her pillows, “More alive than I could’ve claimed earlier.”

She’s alive.

That’s all that mattered to Kaz in that very moment. The reward that waited for him completely left his mind for just a spilt second as he mentally relaxed over the comforting fact that she was still with him.

She’s alive.

~

Y/N had always known there was a good chance they wouldn’t make this journey home at all, that they’d end up in cells in the Ice Court or skewered on pikes. But she’d figured that if they managed the impossible task of rescuing Yul-Bayur and getting back to the Ferolind, the trip back to Ketterdam would be a party. They’d drink whatever Spect might have squirreled away on the ship, eat the last of Nina’s toffees, recount their close calls and every small victory. But she never could have foreseen the way they’d been cornered in the harbor, and she certainly couldn’t have imagined the type of sacrifice she’d made in order to get them out of it. But as she looked around the deck she knew that she would do it all over again in a heartbeat.

These people had grown to be her family much against her will. If some heaven-sent Saint came to her only two years ago and told her that she would become the closest friends with a convict, a sharpshooter, a runaway, a spy, one of her ex-soldiers, and a thief… She would have laughed in their face. But here she sat, wrapped in a warm blanket brought to her by the Suli spy, drinking a cup of tea made by the runway mercher’s kid. Her skin had grown pale and carried a constant cold sweat despite the cool ocean breeze flowing through her hair and over her skin. But she was well enough to finally leave the room and walk about the main deck for a short while.

When Kerch finally appeared on the horizon, Y/N felt a strange mixture of relief and trepidation. She knew that their lives were about to change, and she could only hope for the better while she prayed to any Saint above that Nikolai received her letter in time.

They dropped anchor, and when nightfall came, Jesper had asked Kaz if he could join him and Rotty in the longboat they were rowing to Fifth Harbor. Y/N knew they didn’t need him, but she could tell he was desperate for a distraction.

A few hours later she could see them down a canal, making their way back to the ship.

“Look at that,” Kaz said, holding the paper out for Y/N to read. Congratulations. Your country thanks you.

The words left a funny feeling to settle in her stomach as Jesper laughed. “As long as my country pays cash. Does the council know the scientist is dead?”

“I put it all in my note to Van Eck,” Kaz said. “I told him that Bol Yul-Bayur was dead but that his son is alive and was working on jurda parem for the Ferjdans.”

“Did he haggle?”

“Not in the note. He expressed his ‘deep concern,’ but didn’t mention anything about price. We did our job. We’ll see if he tries to bargain us down when we get to Vellgeluk.”

Jesper glanced at the Inferni quickly before turning his attention back to Kaz. “Will Wylan come with us to meet with Van Eck?”

“No,” Kaz said, fingers drumming on the crow’s head of his cane. “Matthias will be with us, and someone needs to stay behind with Y/N. Besides if we need to use Wylan to twist his father’s arm, it’s better that we don’t show our hand too early.”

Y/N glared at Kaz’s profile as he spoke. Jesper looked between the two and quickly made a lame excuse to leave.

“What do you mean I stay behind?”

“You’re in no condition to come with us, you’re still weak.”

Y/N scoffed but a coughing fit instantly followed. “I’m not weak, besides you’ll need the Ravkan representative present during the trade.”

Kaz stared at her for a moment, flicker of emotion flared behind his eyes before he turned away. Y/N reached her index finger to lock it with his.

“I know your concern, but my presence is needed and you can’t deny that. I promise I’ll be careful.”

“You can’t make promises you can’t keep,” Kaz said and looked back at her. “Since when are you known to be careful?”

The inferni chuckled and leaned closer to his side, barely leaning her head against his shoulder. “Thank you for trusting me.”

Kaz gave no reply as he stood stiffly beside her with no intention of leaving.

~*~