CHAPTER ONE
❛ 01. threats are the new invitations ❜

"You know that stuff can kill you, right?" Jesper crossed his arms and leaned against the table that Zara was currently sitting at. "Yes, because I'm the only person here that has vices" Zara smiled at Jesper and lifted the cigarette to her lips. Jesper rolled his eyes and moved Zara's feet from the chair as he sat down.

"Gambling is an art and I am it's artist" Jesper waved his hand in Zara's direction. Zara giggled and shoved her cigarette into the edge of the table. "Gambling is a race, and you almost always lose, Jesper." He shook his head and pointed at her. "Says the girl who loses to me in every game she plays!" Zara laughed, "I never claimed to be an artist or a winner. But by all means, try to out-drink me Jesper!"

Zara and Jesper had a funny relationship. They both loved each other like siblings, Zara missing her own and Jesper always wanting one. Zara had been in an especially dark place without her dearest brother Nikolai, and Jesper had just found out he'd lost almost sixty kruge when they'd met. Jesper had always checked on her, even when he himself was not doing so well. She made sure to remind him that Kaz had asked him to spend the money on smart things, not gambling.

They were each other's crutch during hard times, and Zara had no idea what she'd do without Jesper. "Are you busy right now? Did Kaz send you on a job, or something?" Jesper pushed himself up off from the chair and grabbed Zara's drink from the table. Damn, she'd actually wanted to drink that. "Nope, I'm off to Crow Club to show some fat old men who's boss. Want to come?" Zara shook her head and pushed herself up from the table.

"Can't, I have a meeting across town with a merchant. The King of Ketterdam commands it." Jesper nodded before wrapping an arm around Zara. "Let me drop you off, Z. I have some business on that side of town anyway." Zara frowned. By business, did he mean losing more money? "Jesper can you have a normal day for once? Just go get something to eat, or better yet, come with me!" Jesper rolled his eyes.

"You think Kaz would want me intruding on your rich girl work? Yeah he barely wants me at the Crow Club unless I'm managing the door." Zara poked Jesper's arm. "Maybe that's because you spend more time playing than working. Please come with me, I'm terrified of the rich people on that side of town."

He knew that was a lie, and so did she. Zara was hardly afraid of anyone, thanks to years living near terrifying and much older Grisha. She just didn't want Jesper to get into trouble again. Everyone could feel how tense it was around the Slat or the Crow Club whenever Kaz became angry at Jesper. They were friends, and Jesper held Kaz' opinion in high regard. "You want me, Jesper Fahey, to go with you on a rich girl mission? One that Kaz asked you to do?" Zara rolled her eyes.

"If I tell you that I'll buy you a new outfit just for this meeting, will you come with me?" Jesper glanced down at Zara and raised his eyebrows. "Silk or satin?" Zara scoffed. "Silk, obviously, What kind of person do you take me for?" Jesper nodded and grabbed his hat.

"So it's settled, we must go buy me a new outfit, you're paying of course." Zara rolled her eyes as Jesper started out of the Slat and pulled her behind him. "And when you run out my account, what then?" She asked. "Maybe I'll finally buy you a new outfit!"

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"Dearest Miss Volkov, we must regret to inform you that we cannot give you those four stores of gunpowder you'd asked for earlier this week. It seems as though you were outbid, and we are terribly sorry for any inconvenience this has caused." Zara and Jesper exchanged glances.

"And who, may I ask, has offered a higher price than I?" Zara's hand slid into her pocket where her small knife sat, waiting for use. It was one gifted to her by Inej. To keep the bad men away, she'd said. Zara kept it on her at all times, it was easy to conceal and easy to use. She thanked Inej and whatever Saint Inej prayed to whenever she used it.

"I'm afraid that is classified. The Merchant council keeps the privacy between buyer and seller very seriously. I would not break my silence even for you, Miss Volkov." The man leaned back in his chair and sighed. He seemed to have thought they'd accepted defeat. This poor man simply did not know Jesper and Zara.

"Let me guess, does the man's name rhyme with Siranova? Or am I overstepping, sir?" Jesper raised an eyebrow and positioned a hand over one of his revolvers. Zara's hand tightened around the small leather handle and it took everything in her to not wince at the feel of it. Stealing from the Irises was dangerous, especially given the relationship between Zara and Mr. Kiranova.

"I beg your pardon sir, but I cannot reveal that information--" "Mr. Thwimsby, is it?" Zara watched as the man nodded. "Do you know who I work for?" "Of course, Miss Volkov. Your boss does have somewhat of a reputation." Zara scoffed.

"Somewhat of a reputation? Well do you think he crafted that information by taking no as the first answer? Do you think he likes being told no? Do you believe that despite his track record with rejections, he'd suddenly make an exception for the likes of you?" The man stuttered. "I'll tell you the answer, it's no. He did not build his reputation by accepting the word no as an answer. He actually hates being told something cannot be done."

Mr. Thwimsby was turning red in his leather chair. Zara watched as he grew more and more nervous, clearly getting ready to agree with her.

"A man once told me that when people say something is impossible, they usually mean improbable. So by saying no, are you telling me that it's impossible? Or that you won't give me the stores because you don't want to?" Mr. Thwimsby shook his head 'no' quickly. "Which one is it, sir?"

"It's not impossible, Miss Volkov. We've already promised the stores to Mr. Kiranova. I'm afraid it just can't be done." Zara scoffed and carefully pulled her knife out of her pocket. "Well then, I'm extremely sorry for what is to come your way. You were warned, Ms. Thwimsby." Zara lifted the knife and threw it at the painting of his daughter.

"Maybe you should call on your daughter. I'd hate for something bad to have happened to her!" Mr. Thwimsby paled in his chair. "Now, if you don't mind, I'd love to see those stores now." The man stood carefully and started towards the door. Jesper lifted his revolver out of it's holster and aimed it at the man. "I wouldn't try to call for help either. Miss Volkov and I are extremely skilled in that department." The man linked his hand behind his back as Zara opened the door.

"Miss Volkov, the stores you requested." Zara and Jesper shared a glance and groaned simultaneously. "How exactly did Kaz ask for these to be brought to him?" Zara watched as Jesper knocked Thwimsby out with the revolver and turned back to her.

"We're gonna need a carriage, or something." Jesper rolled his eyes before hopping down from the ledge and onto the concrete floor. He held his hand out for Zara to take as she jumped down after him. "I know someone that could transport this in minutes." Jesper glanced between Zara and the four pallets of gunpowder kegs. "And pray tell, dearest darling Zara, where is this man?" Zara smiled and walked to the first pallet. "I never said it was a guy. She's a second army soldier." Jesper raised an eyebrow as the two tried to push a pallet in the direction of a wagon.

"What are you doing hanging around with a grisha soldier from Ravka?" They both strained to push the pallets towards the wagon. They were heavier than Jesper and Zara combined. "I am from Ravka, dumbass" Zara huffed. "How could I forget? Born with a silver spoon in her mouth and husbands lined up for her!"

It wasn't a lie. Zara was born a princess -- an illegitimate one but still -- she'd been afforded comforts that most hadn't. She'd had a fiance since the age of nine, Andrei. Zara loved Andrei, without a doubt. Marrying him wouldn't have been the worst future for her. Andrei was kind, and he had been her best friend since Nikolai had left. But when Vasily had Zara sent away after the knife incident with that dignitary from Fjerda, she'd lost contact with Andrei.

"My fiance wouldn't like the way you speak, Jesper. He'd find your manners appalling, and he'd find your vices disgusting." Jesper froze. "Wait, tell me you're not engaged!" Zara smiled. "I was supposed to be. He was a really good friend of mine, until I left. I hope he's married by now, he's too good to be unmarried. He probably got engaged to Karina." Jesper looked at her as if she was speaking in tongues.

She was, because he knew nothing of these people or their lives. He knew Zara, but didn't know what she was. He didn't know Andrei or Karina like Zara did. He wasn't there when Karina proposed to Zara at the fun age of ten. Jesper wouldn't know that Karina saved Zara from being thrown in a jail cell by taking the blame for her crime. They refused to punish either of them, thanks to Zara.

"And who is Karina? Some long lost, very attractive sister of yours?" Zara laughed. Karina would've killed him, but she also would've loved him. "Not my sister, my friend. My best friend, actually." Jesper held up a hand to pause Zara. "Hold on, first of all, I'm your best friend. Second of all, your best friend married your fiance and you're surprisingly chill about it."

The first pallet was on the wagon, and was ready to transport to another warehouse. Zara and Jesper glanced from the pallet on the wagon to the other three on the floor. "I'm gonna kill Kaz for this bullshit. Anyway, answer my question!" Zara glared at Jesper. "You didn't ask a question Jes!" Jesper placed his hands on Zara's arms and looked down at her.

"Why are you so chill about your fiancé shacking up with your best friend? Isn't that in violation of several rich people and girl codes?" Zara laughed and pushed Jesper's hands off her. "It's not. And I didn't love him, not the way he wanted. If he married Karina, that'd be the best outcome of the situation. Also I think he knew I wouldn't have married him. He knew me possibly better than anyone else, except my brother. The younger older one."

"That doesn't make sense, love. Younger or older, pick one." Zara gasped and shoved Jesper lightly. "He's younger than our oldest but older than me! It makes perfect sense, Jes." Jesper rolled his eyes as they loaded the second pallet on the wagon.

"Okay no, what say you and I hang Kaz by his toes for this? These hands were not meant for heavy lifting" Jesper huffed as he wiped his hands on his jacket. "Isn't that something I should say? Besides, we couldn't sneak up on Kaz. Nobody has, except Inej and she hasn't been able to do it since" Zara pointed out.

"It's worth a shot, Z. He's making me so hard labor, and for that he must die!" Zara laughed. "He didn't make you do anything, I asked you to come. And besides, muscles will work wonders for your flirting game, Jes. Girls and guys like muscles" Jesper glared at her.

"Why would I need muscles when I have these pearly beauties?" Jesper flashed his revolvers at her. "I don't think Smith from the Irises is going to find those attractive, Jes." Jesper rolled his eyes at Zara. "Smith has the brains of Vasily Lantsov and the face of Nikolai. Not much there in the thinking department, but a whole lot of hot and sexy on the face" Zara resisted the urge to gag.

Since Jesper had become increasingly familiar with the Ravkan rich, and royalty, his comments about Nikolai's face were growing more and more common. Inej thought it was cute that Jesper had a celebrity crush. Kaz and Zara resisted the urge to throw up every time.

"Yeah well, Vasily has few good qualities, but Nikolai isn't so perfect either" Jesper's head snapped in Zara's direction. "You know them?!" Zara had fucked up. She'd never really revealed who her family was. She'd only said that they were well off and she'd hated half of them.

"I know them, from several occasions. Like parties and rich people events. Nikolai is very nice. Vasily is a weird guy. Not much there mentally, just power hungry" Zara crossed her arms and leaned against the wagon.

"Does Nikolai swing both ways? Please, please tell me he's at least attracted to guys. I could definitely have a shot!" Zara laughed and rolled her eyes. "Nikolai is attracted to whoever finds him charming. I think you'd make the cut, Jesper" Jesper smiled and high-fived Zara.

"I would gladly lift eighteen of these things if it meant I'd get to marry that intelligent and gorgeous masterpiece of a man" Zara shook her head at Jesper's antics. "Hearing the words intelligent and gorgeous in the same sentence when referring to Nikolai is grossing me out. He's like my brother" Jesper gasped.

"You said several occasions! You're friends with him! Oh my god Z, please tell me where to find him. I need to profess my undying love for him while also being simultaneously discreet and hard to get!" Zara playfully glared at Jesper.

One of the reasons Zara loved Jesper was because he reminded her of Nikolai. Not necessarily the gambling part, though Nikolai would never turn down an opportunity to show off, but more so the personality. Cocky, brilliant, confident, all things that reminded her of Nikolai. God did she miss him.

"Maybe if you lift that pallet for me, I'll write to him about you" Jesper hurried over to the last pallet, making Zara laugh. "Oh Jesper, what would I do without you here to entertain me?!"

"You'd probably die of intense boredom!"

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"Are you going to tell the Queen that her daughter has rejected the invitation to the Winter Fête, or shall I be the bearer of bad news?" The advisor looked at his assistant with annoyance. "Sir, we haven't been able to reach her. The last thing we want is a war with Kerch, when our country is as divided as it is! Maybe Miss Lantsov is better off in Ketterdam, anyway!"

The advisor glared at his assistant, making her avert her eyes to the floor. "It's Her Royal Highness to you, and you do not get to decide that for her. Try sending the invitation again, and make sure she gets it this time. Then, after another attempt, we can tell Her Royal Highness that her daughter has decided to avoid her another year in a row."

"But sir, it's pointless to send another invitation. Her Royal Highness is ignoring them! She's been hiding from our ambassadors and dignitaries for years now, I'm sure she's gotten quite good at it. Maybe the Royal family should entertain the idea of an assasination?" The advisor slowly glanced up at his assistant, his gaze harsh.

"Are you suggesting an assassination attempt on the member of the Royal family? Need I remind you that such things are considered treason, Freya. I'd hate for what happened to your mother to happen to you."

"Yes sir, I'm sorry sir."

SCAR'S AUTHOR'S NOTE
okay hi! first chapter out!!
this one is kind of messy but
it's really just to introduce the
assassination plot and Zara
& Jesper's friendship.

i'm very excited for this book,
and i'm so glad you guys are
loving it! i'm planning chapter
two right now, and i'm gonna
rewatch s&b tonight to layout
the rest of the book.

shoutout to my baby grshavrses
for putting up w my bullshit
and erratic texts about this book.
i love u bae <3

don't forget to comment and vote!
i wanna hear what you guys think
about this book, and this chapter!