In contrast to the bedroom, the main living area was as bright as day, with both overheads and a few lamps on. Vor sat atthe 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.”
