“She is not your destra until you've claimed her. Have you done that?”
Rallorival looked away.
“No,” Thax went on. “You haven't. Because she's not interested in you. I'm done arguing about this. Your infatuation with my new sister has endangered her and this mission. Onemore foot out of line, and I'll send you back to Icara myself, Rallorival.”
“Yes, sir.” Rallorival turned and stomped away.
“I knew it was a bad idea to accept a traitor at Middle Ground,” Liria said to her destru as they watched Rallorival leave. She didn't like the idea of Rallorival and Lena together, but Lena with that Nethren would be even worse.
“All are welcome at Middle Ground, Destra.” Thax put his arm around her and kissed the top of her head. “I'm hoping to change the Aethari. I can hardly turn away a man who says he's ready to change, no matter what he's done. Our mission is about second chances.”
“Yeah, our missionin Thennis.” Liria looked up at the fortress wall. “But this is another mission entirely.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Lena
Eight days after Vor's miracle, Lena had breakfast with Vor. This wasn't unusual. They ate every meal together, their talks growing more and more casual despite her wariness of him. What was different about this morning was Vor's offer. Not that he made it. He had made her the same offer every morning since his miracle. But this morning, Lena actually considered it.
The coffee helped. With caffeine boosting her brain, Lena listened to Vor once more explain how she'd be free to leave their rooms as long as she stayed in his company or that of an escort he would assign her. That sounded great, but Vor also wanted her to socialize with his soldiers, something Lena did not want to do. Still, that wasn't the reason she'd refused him the last six mornings. It was Vor. Lena knew it was a bad idea to spend even more time with him. She already felt too much for the man, and she barely knew him.
“You don't have to speak to anyone, and I'll be with you the entire time,” Vor added a new enticement to his offer. “I just want you to be out there, among them.”
Lena took another sip of coffee. She knew she should refuse, but she'd go mad if she didn't get out of that room soon. “All right.”
“Yes?” Vor sat up straighter, his expression shocked and hopeful.
“Yes.” She set her coffee mug down and stood up. “Let's go.”
“Oh. Now?” Vor shot to his feet and hurried around the table. He held the door open for her, and after he closed it, he didn't bother to lock it. “Uh, I need to stop by the command room.”
Lena shrugged. She didn't care where they went as long as it was out the room she hadn’t left in over two weeks. With no entertainment but that which she found from looking out the window.
Vor's hand kept twitching and lifting as if he wanted to touch her, but Lena ignored him as they walked to the command room. It wasn't that far from their quarters. A few minutes later, he opened the door for her and followed her inside. The soldiers in the command room went still when Vor came in with her beside him.
Lena smoothed the pink silk of her sleeveless blouse over her black slacks. After the debacle with Corporal Shensar—who glared at Lena from her desk—Vor took it upon himself to find clothing for Lena himself. It had taken him two hours, but he'd brought her a trunk full of clothing to pick from. As much as she liked the outfit, Lena didn't think it was reason they stared at her.
“Report,” Vor said into the stunned silence.
“Oh! Yes, Commander!” Lieutenant Greis jumped to his feet. “It's been quiet. The night crew had no issues.”
“And the ward is holding steady?”
“Yes, sir. No issues there either.”
“Any signs of converging?”
“No, sir. Nothing unusual.”
“Good. I'm taking Lena on a tour of the fortress. I have my radio on me if there's trouble.”
“Yes, Commander. Uh, before you go, sir. Perhaps you could introduce us to your guest?”
Vor lifted a pale eyebrow. “Of course. Command crew, present yourselves.”
The soldiers got up from their stations and came to stand in a line before Lena and Vor. Lena looked over at Vor in question, but he was watching his soldiers. When they were standing at attention, he waved the lieutenant forward.
The man stepped up to Lena and held out his hand. “I'm Lieutenant Pav Greis, Miss.”
