“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.
