“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 hadexpected 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 mehow to love, and you will learn how to love me in return. I don't care how long it takes. I will wait.”
“It's not going to happen!” Lena slammed her palm onto the table. “I won't ever love you! You captured me! You're my enemy! What the fuck is wrong with you? Source? Really? You're relying on Source? If Tech told you I was going to be yours, it's either lying or messing with you. Or—here's a fun option—you're insane and hearing voices.”
Again, Vor's face twitched. He stretched his neck. Took a sip of his drink. Inhaled deeply. “It will take time for you to understand. I know that.”
“You'll be waiting for me until the day one of us dies, Commander.”
“If that's what it takes.”
Lena fell back in her seat. “Utterly mad. You are utterly mad.”
“Am I?” Vor cocked his head at her. “Then I imagined the way you gazed upon my body with lust?”
Heat shot through Lena's cheeks. “That's a natural response. I admit you have an incredible body. But I'm not an animal. Lust isn't enough for me.”
“No, but it's a good start. There will be more between us, built upon that foundation.”
“Absolutely.”
Vor lifted an eyebrow.
Lena smirked. “The longer this goes on, the more I'll hate you.”
He sighed, glanced at the window, and then said, “My people only marry to have children.”
Lena blinked at the odd subject change. “What?”
“You think that allowing lust to rule you makes you an animal. I agree. We don't let it rule us. We handle it.” Vor leaned back and sipped his whiskey. “As you said, Nethren don't love. We have places we go to when our sexual urges hinder us, and we handle those needs with whoever we're attracted to at the moment. Simple.”
