Deryn hasn't a stitch of clothing on, unless you count the ring. Alek's fiddling with it, turning her hand this way and that, watching the gold spark in the light from the bedside lamp. He hasn't a stitch on either, which she feels is considerably more interesting than a loop of metal, but Clankers will be Clankers.
"I know it's not the custom…" he begins to say.
She cuts him off with a snort. "Aye, we're very traditional."
He grins and gives the ring a little twist on her finger. It had been cold when he first slipped it on, but it's as warm as she is now. Like a lizard, matching the temperature of its surroundings.
Still feels barking odd, though. And she'll have to take it off to do any real work.
Alek hadn't minded when she'd pointed that out, but now, thinking on it, she gets a pang. She'll string it on a chain, then, wear it around her neck.
Keep it close to her heart.
"Perhaps I should wear one, too," he finishes. He takes her left hand and presses it over the back of his, fingers spread. The ridge of metal digs into her skin - not unpleasantly.
"Fancy some new jewelry, Mr. Hohenberg?" she says, teasing him, pulling her hand free.
"Not at all." He comes up on one elbow, so that he's leaning over her where she's lying, flat on her back. His eyes are very dark and his voice gives her a bit of a shiver: "I fancy everyone knowing of your claim on me."
She can't argue that. So she kisses him.
And after a long while, they get back to the ring. Now her hand's resting on his side, ring winking in the light as he breathes in and out, slow and deep.
"Yes," he says, fighting a yawn. "I'll want one."
"It is lovely," she says, warm, half-asleep, half-aglow.
He makes a vague noise of agreement, then says, drowsy, "I was glad to put the last of it to good use."
Suddenly she's wide awake again, staring at him, remembering a gold bar whittled down…
"Alek," she says, sitting up. "You daft... You're winding me up. You didn't actually."
He opens his eyes and gives her a smile; old ghosts dance beneath it.
"There was just enough," he says.
.
.
.
Note: Men's wedding rings weren't common until the 1940s.
