Deryn

I look at myself in the mirror. My hair cut like a boy's, a metal arm, a face marked by scars, any curves I may or may not have hidden. Could Alek think me pretty? It doesn't matter now, of course. He's leaving, like I told him too. It's for the best, of course, but why must doing the right thing be so barking hard?

Newkirk knocks on my door. "We're landing soon," he says. "Captain wants you."

"In a bit," I shout back. Austria-Hungary. Alek is leaving here. I'll never see him again. How on earth am I supposed to report for duty?

I walk out into the hallway, making my way towards the spot where the stairs will unfold and let off our passengers. I don't see Bauer or Klopp, but Volger and Alek are already there. Alek is staring out the porthole - Volger seems to be whispering in his ear. He shrugs him off, looks up, and sees me. I wave.

Volger scowls as Alek walks over. "Don't worry," he shouts back, "I won't do anything you'd deem inappropriate."

I sigh. "Is he still going on about that?"

Alek walks into an alcove and leans against the wall wearily. "Worse than ever. I think he can't believe it's finally over. He keeps thinking something terrible will happen."

"I know the feeling." The papers all think the war will be ending soon, with Austria-Hungary becoming a friendly power. Only Germany will be left, and they can't hold out alone against the world. It's hard to believe that the Great War didn't even last a year.

Surprisingly, he hugs me. "Will I ever see you again?"

"No," I answer. "It's better if you just forget me."

"I don't think I'll be able to. You're rather memorable."

I consider myself, and suppose he's right. Then, before less mad thoughts can change my mind, I lean forward and kiss him. His eyebrows go up, but he kisses me back, and it's me who pulls away. "Now you can forget me," I say, a bit breathlessly.

He just laughs.

As the war draws to a halt, we're allowed leave in London. So much has changed since I last set foot in the city. I know I'm not the same person who sailed away in a Huxley almost a year ago. Now I'm lost, alone even in the sky. Alek is gone. Maybe it would have been easier to follow Volger's advice and remember my place, not get attached. But I can't regret loving someone, even if it will make the future so much harder.

I climb down the steps with the others, hearing the swell of noise from those waiting below. The joy of those seeing their loved ones for the first time in months, and the wails of those whose family and friends did not return. Every war has its price, after all. Over the noise of the crowd, I hear my mother's voice, shrill with anger and surprise.

"Der - Dylan Sharp! What did you do to your arm?"

And I can't help it. I feel a grin spread across my face. Because I'm Deryn Sharp. Because I passed myself off as a boy in the Royal Air Force, masterminded a revolution, kissed a prince, saved more lives than I can count, and maybe helped end a war. Because no matter what happens, I can always be sure of one thing:

My life is pretty barking brilliant.