“Weakened? Reason is strength. It's all that matters.”
“Is that how you felt when you heard her sing?”
Zucar's expression fell into one that never graced a Nethren face—longing. Vor recognized it only because he'd seen it in the mirror. He laid a hand on the smaller man's shoulder. “Reason serves us well, but clinging to it has clipped the wings of our hearts. There is more to life than reason, Zucar. We have forgotten that. The surface will remind us, but Lena can bring the surface underground. And once our people remember who they are, once she has freed our hearts, nothing will keep us from rising.”
“Commander, you speak blasphemy, but it resounds in me. I feel . . .”
“Youfeel, Zucar. That's it. Simple. And yet so profound. You understand now. Lena will give us back the surface. Now, where do I get some food?”
Chapter Eleven
Lena
Lena dreamed of a blond man who raged at her to love him. He flew her away from everything she loved. She screamed, her voice so powerful that it hurt his ears, and he gagged her. He held her down on his bed and tore her clothes away. The image of him between her naked thighs sent Lena shooting into wakefulness.
Panting, she sat up. Her body ached. Or was that her heart? Something was wrong, but her mind couldn't process it at first. Was she dressed? Why? Then she remembered. Lena was in the fortress. With the Nethren. One, in particular, came to mind instantly.
With Vor's face filling her head, Lena went still and slid her stare around the bedroom. It was empty but for her. Sounds came through the closed door—soft movements. Vor. He was out there. The dream returned to her, and she wondered if it was another vision. Would Vor gag her? Rape her? She sat up. Waited. Slid out of bed.
Had she closed the door the night before? No, Lena had left it open. She wanted to know if Vor would keep his word when faced with temptation. Her test should have kept her awake, listening for any sound of approach. Instead, she'dfallen asleep within seconds of her head hitting the pillow. A week of tossing and turning had finally caught up to her. Thank convergence, Vor hadn't betrayed his promise. But maybe he would. Maybe the dream had been a warning. Or maybe it was just a dream.
On the balls of her feet, Lena ran to the bathroom. Her heart was racing when she shut and locked the bathroom door. To her left was the damaged wall, and a flush came to her face. This was real. Not a dream. She was the captive of a Nethren commander—a very attractive Nethren commander who believed she was the key to . . .
“To what?” Lena whispered. “I don't understand how he thinks I can help them.”
She went to see to her morning needs, washed up, and forced herself to leave the bathroom. The bedroom was still empty, the door still closed, but there was a fresh change of clothes folded on the foot of the rumpled bed. Lena went to them and looked them over. It was another dress, but it was short and covered in glittering designs. Lena frowned at it and then at the underthings. With a grimace, she grabbed the clothing and stormed into the other room.
Vor was standing at the window, staring down into the courtyard. He turned immediately when she entered the room, and then frowned. “What's wrong?”
“I'm not wearing this!” She tossed the clothes at him.
Scowling, he caught the dress that hit him in the chest, but the rest of the items fell to the floor. Vor held the dress out, and his eyebrows went up. “Oh. I see.” He crumpled the dress. “I apologize. One of my female soldiers has been collecting clothingfor you, but she's on wall duty this morning, so I asked Corporal Shensar to fetch something for you.”
“From where?” Lena put her hands on her hips. “I didn't realize there was a slutty clothing store in the fortress.”
Vor winced. “Uh, the same place most of the other clothes came from—a Medean's closet.”
“Most?”
“That dress is from Ranuvul.” He waved at the black silk dress she still wore. “I, uh.” He cleared his throat. “I brought it with me for you.”
Lena blinked, oddly touched, but then she remembered he didn't know her back when he packed for his big mission. “You mean, you brought it for Liria.”
“Lena, how many times do I have to explain that it was you I was being guided to, not your sister?” Vor frowned at her. “Are you jealous?”
“Areyouinsane?” she shot back. But to herself, Lena admitted the truth—shewasjealous. It had nothing to do with Vor. Well, only because the situation involved him. Mainly, it was just that Liria got everything she wanted. Even when things went badly for her, they worked out in the end. It felt like more of the same, that even Vor capturing her had been about Liria, not Lena.
“All right.” Vor held up his hands, one still holding the dress. “Look, I fetched breakfast for us myself. Will you join me?”
He tossed the dress onto a chair and sat down before a plate full of fried eggs, grilled meat, and biscuits. There was abowl of sliced fruit in the center of the table, a jug of water, and a clear carafe of juice.
Lena sighed and sat down across from him before her own plate. Her stomach wouldn't allow her to walk away from all that delicious food. Refusing it would have been foolish.
“Would you like juice or water?” Vor asked.
In answer, Lena grabbed the water jug and poured herself a glass. After a deep swallow that left her sighing, she set into her food.
“I'm sorry about the clothing.” Vor poured some juice for himself. “I don't know why she picked that out.”
