Chapter Nineteen
Lena
Lena had heard most of the exchange at the wall.
Sitting at the window, with the pane lifted, she had the perfect view of Vor and even a little of those who had spoken to him.
She knew her sister was there, but to hear Liria threaten Vor had made her chest hurt.
She wanted to rush out there and assure Liria that she was all right.
But Vor had done that. Lena had been shocked to hear him make the same promises to her sister that he had made to her.
He even told Liria about his wild notion that Tech had led him to Lena.
She had heard Rallorival as well, even though he had used no amplifier.
Of course, Rallorival was there. The Aethari warrior wouldn't miss an opportunity to play the hero, especially if Lena was involved.
But when he said that she belonged to him, she nearly shouted out of the window for him to go fuck himself, because she wouldn't be doing it.
Which was completely out of character for her.
Lena didn't say such things. She didn't like confrontation or cursing.
But she was tired of men claiming to own her.
Lena hadn't shown any interest in Rallorival. What made him think she was his?
Source. That's right. Just like Vor, Rallorival had cited Source as his guide, and therefore, he got some kind of pass on gaining Lena's affection.
If Source was behind it, she couldn't refuse.
Or so they seemed to think. But this was her life and her body, damn them!
Neither source had the right to give her away.
The door to the corridor swung open. Lena spun, realizing too late that she had forgotten to lock the door from her side. Vor stormed in, slammed the door shut, and locked it. Then he remained there, staring at the door, his metal hand over the lock.
Lena edged away from the window, backing toward the safety of the bedroom. There was a lock on that door too.
Vor turned around.
Lena froze.
“Who is he?” Vor asked in a calm, even tone.
“Who is who?” Lena eyed his clenched fists.
“The blond Aethari with gray wings. I know you heard him claim you. Who is he, Lena?”
She just stared at him.
“Who is he?!” Vor roared.
Lena spun and ran into the bedroom. Vor was there a second before she shut the door. He grabbed her upper arms. She fought.
“Lena, cease!” Vor shook her gently. “I'm not going to hurt you. I'm sorry I yelled. I'm . . . I don't know what's wrong with me. My skin is hot. I'm so angry, but it's more than that. I want to kill that Aethari!”
“You're jealous,” Lena whispered.
“Jealousy,” he murmured and let her go. “That's when you want what someone else has.”
“Yes. But he doesn't have me. I don't even like Rallorival.”
Vor let out a shaky breath. “His name is Rallorival?”
“Yes.”
“And you aren't his woman?”
“No. I'm no one's woman. I belong to me. Not you! Not him! Not anyone! No one has the right to simply say that I belong to them! I'm not a pet!” Lena stormed past him and went to sit on the couch, her arms crossed over her chest.
Vor came to join her slowly, watching her warily as he sat in a chair across from her. “You are not involved with him?”
“No, Vor. But I could have been. You never considered that, did you? That I could already love someone else.”
“Do you? Is there someone else?”
Lena thought of Evellor and wondered if he was out there too. She looked toward the window.
“Who is he?!” Vor shot to his feet.
“It doesn't matter. I don't think he's interested in me.”
“Who is he, Lena?” He took two steps to stand over her. “Tell me who has caught your interest.”
“An Aethari warrior.” She lifted her chin. “A good man. Honest, loyal, and brave. He would never abduct a woman.”
“If he's Aethari, he's capable of great evil.”
“We all are.”
“What?” Vor stepped back.
“Everyone is capable of great evil and great good. That's called life. It's your choices that determine the type of person you are, not your race.”
Vor considered this. “Yes, I agree. You think I have chosen evil, but I see it as a path toward good.”
“And that justifies the evil you do?” Lena stood up to face him. “How dare you come in here and yell at me about men who might be in my life legitimately when you've taken me by force! My life is none of your business, and you certainly don't have the right to be angry over my possible lovers.”
Vor winced. “No, I don't have that right, but I want it. I want you, Lena. That desire has made me jealous and irrational. I want to experience all the emotions, but I don't know how to control them. I'm exploring the unknown. Please forgive my outburst.”
Lena sighed. “You told my sister that I sang for you. That's a lie. I didn't even know you were listening.”
“I wanted her to believe that you were safe.” He went still and then whispered, “Would you make my lie into truth and sing for me now?”
“No,” she said immediately.
Vor's face twitched, but he nodded. “I understand.” He turned to the door. “I have to handle the prisoner exchange now. I'll return to have dinner with you.” He left the room, closing the door behind him.
The click of the outer lock sounded ominous.
Lena stared at the door while she listened to Vor's footsteps fade, and then hurried to the window.
Down in the courtyard, a unit of Nethren soldiers surrounded a group of Paradefense soldiers—four Medeans and four Aethari.
The prisoners looked ragged and dirty in their tattered uniforms. Even the Aethari weren't looking well.
Their condition sliced through her, clearly defining the difference in their situations.
Lena wasn't sure how that made her feel.
On one hand, imprisonment was evil, no matter how the captive was treated.
On the other hand, there was something to be said for Vor's kindness and protection.
Unfortunately, there were more sides to it than that.
“They're his prisoners too,” Lena whispered as she stared at the ragged soldiers who nonetheless held their heads high.
They probably thought they were about to be executed, and yet they showed no fear. Lena wanted to be more like them. She vowed to herself that she would be. When fear tormented her, she would remember those people. No, Lena wasn't a soldier, but she could still be brave.
Lena hated that Vor had hundreds of prisoners, but what would have been the alternative? Wasn't it better that he kept them alive rather than executed them? That would have been easier. Frankly, a few days ago, she would have expected it from Nethren. Now, Lena wasn't sure about anything.
And there he was. Commander Vor strode into the courtyard, calling out orders to his soldiers. He waved at the gates and then spoke into a handheld device. The gates opened, and the Nethren soldiers ushered their prisoners toward the passage.
Vor paused and looked up at her, meeting her gaze instantly. He bowed to Lena before he headed for the gates.
Lena grimaced as she watched the shimmering ward fall. She couldn't see the exchange from where she was, but she watched the open gateway and waited anyway.