"Deryn had been there every step of the way. "We are connected, aren't we?" "Aye," she said, still chewing. "And for us to meet at all, I had to pretend to be a boy. Fancy that." "Barking destiny," Bovril said, then burped. Alek put his hands up in surrender. There were worse things than being connected to Deryn Sharp. In fact, the simple fact that she was smiling sent a wave of relief through him--she was his ally again, his friend. Providence seemed to be saying that she always would be. All at once a fist around his heart loosened its grip. "It was awful, being at war with you." Deryn laughed. "I missed you, too, daft prince."