Chapter Seven #2
Once outside the stall, she felt vulnerable and rapidly dried off.
Lena didn't bother with the mirror. She didn't care how she looked.
The worse, the better. With a glance at the cracked wall shaped like Vor's fist, she opened the door, grabbed the pile of clothes Vor had left for her, and bolted back inside.
The pile contained a long-sleeved black silk dress, underwear, and supple leather shoes.
They were all made in a simple style. The dress had a scoop neckline and skimmed her upper body to fall into a full skirt down to her feet.
The shoes were black without adornment, and the underwear was soft cotton.
This wasn't the usual clothing he gave her.
All of it looked new and expensive. A shiver ran through her. Why the fancy clothes all of a sudden?
Lena pushed aside her worry, absurdly happy to have a fresh pair of panties.
She pulled on the soft cotton briefs with a sigh.
She'd never appreciated clean underwear before.
Now, having an extra pair seemed like paradise.
Lena grimaced as she dressed, finding that the clothing fit her perfectly, as all the secondhand clothing had.
How did Vor know her sizes? Was he so familiar with women's bodies that he could tell what size she was simply by looking at her?
Even the shoes fit. This angered Lena for reasons she didn't want to examine too closely.
So, with damp hair, she unlocked the door.
The shower had steadied her, and her anger helped further.
Lena left the sanctuary of the bathroom with her shoulders squared.
The bedroom was empty. Dark. The shadow of the bed loomed like a monster.
Lena ignored it and left the room. Vor hadn't forced himself on her yet, and she was hoping he'd continue to be honorable.
The thought gave her pause. An honorable Nethren?
The man had abducted her, and yet she was beginning to see him as very honorable. How odd.
In contrast to the bedroom, the main living area was as bright as day, with both overheads and a few lamps on. Vor sat at the dining table, drinking from a short glass full of amber liquid, several covered dishes before him. His gaze was already on her.
“Feeling better?” Vor asked.
“Yes, thank you.” Lena sat down across from him, waiting for him to mention the locked door.
He didn't. Instead, Vor stared at her in shock.
Right, she had spoken to him and even been polite.
Lena almost grimaced, but then realized that her continued silence would be foolish.
It didn't help her. In fact, it made her feel lonely.
She needed some conversation. It was bad enough to be limited to three rooms, but to remain mute while someone else prattled on was unbearable.
So she met his stare, daring him to make an issue of it or the lock.
Vor inclined his head. Lena wasn't sure if the gesture was in gratitude or a simple acknowledgment, but it felt like an offer of peace. Whatever it was, he ignored it and proceeded to uncover the dishes, revealing platters of vegetables, a bowl of noodles in a red sauce, and bread.
He began filling her plate. “I hope you like noodles with red sauce.
I brought some chefs up from Ranuvul, and they made this especially for me.
It's my favorite. The tomato sauce is seasoned with garlic and many spices that we favor, and the bread is grilled with butter, garlic, and herbs.” He set a thick piece of fragrant bread on her plate beside the mound of noodles.
“The vegetables are from the fortress garden.”
Lena sat back and waited as he filled her plate. He did this every night, but she usually stared at the wall, ignoring him. This time, she nodded. Vor smiled as he filled her glass with water.
“Would you like to try some whiskey?” Vor motioned at a decanter full of amber liquid. “It's a grain alcohol we distill.”
“You have grain underground?”
Vor paused with his hand on the water jug. “We have vast caverns full of farmland.”
“How do you grow things without sunlight?”
“Technology.” He shrugged. “We make artificial sunlight.”
“Artificial?” Lena frowned at the lamp in the corner.
“Not like that. That light doesn't mimic the sun.
The lights we have underground mimic the spectrum of sunlight.
They nourish plants and our bodies. Without them, we probably would have gone blind and become pale-skinned creatures.
I've seen animals like that in little tunnels I explored as a child. They are pure white and have no eyes.”
“What?” Lena leaned forward. “There are blind creatures underground?”
“Yes, many species.” He lifted the decanter, grinning fully, obviously pleased with their interaction. “Will you try some?”
Lena nodded, pleased to be past her silent phase.
It had been hurting her more than him. So foolish.
She should have been spending the time telling Vor about herself instead of listening to his stories.
Maybe he would have realized what a good person she was and let her go.
Instead, the opposite had happened. Lena was beginning to see Vor as a good person.
But did that matter? She was still his captive.
With a grin, Vor poured an inch of liquid into a short glass and set it before her. “It's strong, so just sip it.”
She picked up the glass and sniffed it. Strong indeed, the fumes were enough to make her eyes water. “What type of grain was used to make this?”
“Barley.”
Lena nodded. “We have a similar liquor called javrine.” She sipped it and sighed as the warmth ran down her throat to her belly. Her empty belly. “It's delicious, but I think I'd better eat something before I have more.”
“I'm glad you like it.” Vor filled his plate and started eating.
Lena ate cautiously, still waiting for him to mention her sudden conversation or the lock. He chose the lock.
“So, shall we talk about the inner lock?” Vor asked.
“All right.” Lena straightened her back and waited for him to forbid her from using the lock.
Vor took a swig of liquor. “When I leave, I lock the door from the outside, but you may lock the door from inside as well. I want you to feel safe.” He lifted his gaze. “But you must promise me to open the door when I return.”
Lena gaped at Vor. He was going to let her lock him out?
Then she thought it through. He was trying to establish trust while giving up nothing.
If she didn't unlock the door, he could always break it down, but by allowing her the appearance of control, Vor thought he could make her trust him.
Her mouth shut, and her lips pressed together.
Vor frowned at her. “Why are you angry?”
“Do you really think that a lock is going to make me like you? I don't care if you remove the lock, add new ones, or take the door down entirely. It changes nothing. I'm still here against my will.”
“Yes, I know that, Lena. As I said, I'm trying to make you comfortable. Won't the lock make you feel a little more secure?”
“You can still break the door down.”
“Ah, you've misunderstood. The lock isn't supposed to keep me out. That's why I'm asking for your promise.”
“Then who . . . oh, I see. You're afraid that your soldiers will come in here and accost me.”
“No, you're the one afraid of them. My soldiers obey me. I've informed the entire fortress of your importance to me. No one will touch you. But I know my words won't comfort you. A lock will.”
“I don't care,” Lena grumbled. “Do whatever you want.”
“Do whatever I want?” Vor chuckled again, but this time it was bitter. “Lena, if I did that, you would be beneath me right now, in that bed. But I know you'd fight me. Shall I do it anyway? I mean, since you don't care. Should I pick you up and take you to bed? Hold you down and take what I want?”
Lena's breath caught. She stared at Vor, but the images in her head were what she focused on.
Images of her beneath him on the bed. Both of them naked.
His shaft prodding between her legs. One of his large hands holding both of her wrists over her head.
Her body bucking as she fought. This was what she had expected from the start.
It would almost be a relief to have it over with.
“If that's what you want, I'm sure you'll do it eventually. I can't stop you. You might as well do it now.” Lena couldn't believe what she had just said to Vor. If he raped her now, she'd feel partially to blame. What an idiot she was.
Vor's face twitched, and he closed his eyes for a few heartbeats.
When he opened them, he let out a breath.
“That's not what I want. That's what I'm trying to say.
I'm not that kind of man, Lena. I'm sorry I even hinted that I was. I got angry and tried to scare you.” He ran a hand over his face.
“I want to bed you. Of course, I do. But not with you unwilling.
Never like that. I told you that I wouldn't hurt you, and I meant it.
You are safe with me. Lena, I swear it. If you fear that from me, please don't.”
Lena picked up her glass of javrine and shot it back. With a gasp, she set the glass down. Then she resumed her meal.
“Lena?” Vor leaned forward. “Do you understand? You shouldn't be afraid of me.”
Emboldened by the drink, Lena snorted. “You're a madman.”
Vor sighed and sat back. “I probably seem that way.”
“What are you going to do after months go by, and I remain unswayed by your seduction? How long do you think you can last against my refusal? And what will you do when you reach the end of your patience?”
“This isn't an issue. I trust in Source. It would not have led me to you if it wasn't sure of our future. You will teach me how to love, and you will learn how to love me in return. I don't care how long it takes. I will wait.”