"No," she said quietly. "And our countries are at war, in a way. But he didn't deserve to be in prison - the charges were false. Maybe we were never meant to be together, but I could at least try to get him his freedom."

Part of her wondered if she could have ever felt the sale about another Druskelle. Nina sighed and lolled her head to look at Thomas.

"You're absorbing an awful lot over there. Why don't you tell me more about yourself, Birmingham boy? One of those tattoos looked military - did you serve?"