Deryn wondered if anyone could be so sad and so happy at the same time as she was just then. Finally, Alek was in her arms. He had let her unbutton his shirt, although reluctantly, so she could feel the soft skin beneath it. She let her fingers trace the outlines of his abdominal muscles one more time, enjoying how he quivered beneath her touch.
Alek wasn't someone you would call affectionate. Currently he was lying motionless beside her, unable to even breathe let alone touch her back. He had been eager enough a few seconds ago, but now that it was over he just lay there like a barking vegetable. Deryn blamed it on his princely upbringing. No doubt about it, the wide eyed glare he was giving her now was filled with shame and fear. The poor boy looked absolutely terrified, like he may have just mortally wounded her. She was a bit nervous herself, of course, but not nearly as bad as him.
"Alek, what's wrong?" She asked.
"Nothing. I just….I'm sorry." He whispered.
"You're sorry? What in the blazes are you sorry about?"
From the look he gave her she could tell he didn't want to talk about it. However, he somehow managed to spit out a few more words.
"I'm sorry for fracturing your…..uh….your…chastity."
Deryn broke into a fit of laughter. She couldn't help it. The way he said it was so aristocratic and stuck up. Alek obviously didn't think the situation was at all funny because he continued to stare at her in horror.
"Oh calm down, Alek! It was my idea, remember. And I'm sure that my chastity doesn't matter so much when they're going to hang me in the morning." She said sarcastically.
That didn't cheer him up at all. Her usual tact on trying to make light of a nasty situation was obviously not working. With a sigh she pulled her hands away from his tender skin and turned around so they were no longer facing one another.
Surprisingly, instead of remaining like a vegetable, Alek pushed himself against her back and wrapped his arms around her waist. She felt his lips brush the back of her neck in a few gentle kisses.
She wished she could lie like that forever, but fate would have it that the door would open at that moment.
"All right lovebirds get yourselves decent before I puke!" Said a loud voice from the door. Alek immediately pulled away from her and began fumbling around for his belt. Deryn squinted in the sudden light from the hallway and then squealed when she made out her brother's scrawny form in the doorway.
"OYE, JASPERT!" She bounded up from the floor and pounced at her brother. Without too much effort she lifted him off his feet and swung him around in the dungeon hallway.
"Aye, it's good to see you too lassie!" He said and planted a large kiss on the top of her head. "But try to keep your voice down a wee bit. Not all the guards are as nice as your mate Newkirk here." Jaspert gestured to his side where a bewildered Newkirk was standing. Alek, who had finally found his belt amongst the straw, was now crouching in the little cell looking very confused and hurt.
"I'm sorry, but I don't believe I know you." He said to Jaspert, not too kindly.
"Sure you do princey boy." Jaspert gave Alek a wide grin and tipped his hat. "The name's Jaspert. I'm the one who carted you in to this mess, remember?" Alek looked Jaspert over again before realization dawned on him.
"Ah yes, the soldier with the rifle. You're the one who brought me to the courtroom." Alek pulled himself out of the cell and stood to his full height in front of Jaspert, which made him look ridiculous since Jaspert was nearly a head taller. "And how do you know Miss Sharp?"
Jaspert let out gasping laugh. "If I didn't know better I'd think your princey friend was getting a squick jealous of me, ay Deryn? Or, excuse me, Miss Sharp?"
Deryn would have laughed herself if Alek didn't look so miserable. Instead she gave Jaspert a good slap to the back of the head and removed herself to go stand next to Alek.
"Jaspert's my brother, Alek." She huffed.
Alek's mouth dropped open and he face planted his head in his hands with embarrassment.
"Well, now that that's settled," Jaspert continued, "I'm going to have to rush you out of here. Lucky for you, most of the jailors here are mates of mine and all think that Churchill's a clart sack full of hogwash. But that doesn't mean we shouldn't be careful. We're going to take the back way out of here and best be as quiet as possible." He began to turn and run but stopped to face Alek again.
"I would highly suggest you button up your shirt sir. I may not have clocked you yet for snogging my sister, but don't think I won't!"
Deryn grinned as she saw Alek turn bright red and stumble to button his shirt and run at the same time. Luckily Jaspert didn't know that they had done much more than just snogging.
Thanks to Jaspert no one bothered them on their way out of the Tower of London. They passed a few guards who would either look away or flash a knowing grin. Jaspert and Newkirk led them down a winding staircase and a narrow tunnel before opening a trap door which led them directly onto the street. A few minutes later Jaspert ushered them into a parked car and clicked at the hippogriff which was strapped to it. Soon the beastie was yanking them through the streets of London.
"Where are we going?" Alek asked, his eyes glued to the winged horse creature.
Jaspert gave a mischievous grin. "King's Cross Station." He declared, then pulled out three train tickets from his front jacket pocket. "And then a straight shot ride to Glasgow."
Deryn gasped. "Where on Earth did you get the money for those?"
Jaspert's grin widened even more.
"You wouldn't believe it but I happened to have charmed these tickets for free."
He was right, she didn't believe it.
"While I was waiting for his princeliness to disembark from the Leviathan, a beautiful young woman approached me and asked me for a favor."
Deryn rolled her eyes. According to Jaspert, beautiful young women were always fawning over him and needing special favors.
"Aye Jaspert, and what did she want?"
"For me to deliver a parcel for her." With his head still pointed to the road and watching the hippogriff, Jaspert ducked under his seat and pulled out small wooden crate with holes in it. It was bouncing around by itself madly but Jaspert took no time to drop it into Alek's lap. The prince looked like he might birth a hippogriff when he saw the box tilt violently. "Believe it or not she said that the beastie inside needs to get to Glasgow."
"Excuse me….but did you say….Beastie?" Alek grumbled.
"Aye. She called it a Loris."
"Perspicacious." Said the box. Alek didn't hesitate and opened the crate. Bovril jumped out and wrapped its arms tightly around Alek's face, obviously delighted to see him. "Aleksander Ferdinand." Bovril declared in a happy tone.
"Barking Spiders!" Jaspert shouted, "Did that thing just talk?"
"Aye, tis a common skill among Loris's." Deryn grinned. She scooped Bovril off of Alek's face and plopped the creature into her lap. "Who was this woman again?" She urged Jaspert to continue.
Jaspert pulled his gaze away from Bovril and went back to his story.
"A beautiful lady with dark eyes and raven black hair. She's a boffin to boot, and insanely smart. Once I told her my name she knew I was from Glasgow. Said she'd pay my way plus two more tickets if I took her fabrication with me." He held up the tickets dreamily. "I think I'm in love."
Deryn heard Alek snort back a fit of laughter.
"Remember the last girl you fell in love with?" She interrupted. "Wasn't she the Captain's wife?"
Jaspert looked grave. "Aye, she might have been."
"And not just six months ago you were madly in love with that waitress who brought you some extra tea.
"I…I don't know what you mean."
"Or how about Mrs. Clarkson's daughter, whom you followed home and terrorized after she delivered a batch of eggs."
"Quiet Deryn!"
"Oh, and don't forget little Abby McDonald who you swore you were going to marry after Pa rescued her out of the lake."
"That was nearly three years ago!" Jaspert shouted. Alek was doubled over in giggles and Deryn patted him on the back to help him regain his breath.
"What are you laughing about, princey boy! You just wait; I still have to give you a good beating!"
Deryn shook her head and rolled her eyes.
"Mr. Sharp!" Said Bovril.
"SEE!" Said Jaspert in awe, "She even got the beastie to learn my name! It must really be true love!"
Deryn and Alek both choked back more giggles and watched Jaspert looking at Bovril in amazement. Somehow the Loris always knew when to say just the right thing.