“I'll set out the plates.” Vor went to the table as Lena walked away.
Happy, though he didn't know why, Vor transferred the plates from the tray to the table, setting them before their usual seats before pouring coffee for Lena and fruit juice for himself. Then there was water, because they both liked to clear their palates with cold water between sips of more flavorful beverages. Vor set out the utensils and napkins and then took his seat to sip his juice.
A few minutes later, Lena appeared, and Vor perked up. He motioned at the slice of egg pie on her plate. “Private Lovall created a new dish. It's a pie made with an egg filling.”
Lena frowned down at her plate as she took her seat. She picked up a fork and took a bite of the pie. Then she chuckled. “He created it, did he?”
“Why do you laugh?”
“This is quiche. It's a Medean dish.”
“A Medean dish? But he said he came up with it.”
She shrugged. “Maybe he did. People often create similar things without knowing.”
“Perhaps.” Vor stared at the door.
“What is it?” Lena poured cream and then sugar into her coffee.
“Nothing, I'm sure. It's just odd that the man who made this Medean dish was one of the prisoners I traded for.”
“Well, maybe they fed him quiche.” She frowned. “Although it's a rather fancy dish to serve to prisoners.”
“And they didn’t have him long.” Vor looked back at Lena and pushed away his odd worry. “I'm sure it's fine.” He tried a bite of the pie and made a joyous sound. “This is delicious.”
“Yes, he did well.” Lena sipped her coffee and stared at him with those beautiful, expressive eyes.
Lena could speak to him with just a look. Or maybe it was simply that Vor was becoming better acquainted with her expressions. Whatever it was, it made him feel closer to her.
At the moment, she seemed nervous. Why?
“Vor, I'd like you to release the prisoners.”
Ah, here it was. His chest clenched. “I can't do that, Lena. They're too important. But I assure you they're being treated well.”
“If you want peace, releasing them would help your cause.”
“Yes, but General Caden hasn't requested another meeting yet. I'm still waiting to see if Paradefense will consider peace. If they don't, I will need those prisoners.”
“How about releasing just a few of them? For me.”
“Lena, I want to make you happy, but—”
“I will sing for you. Just you. Tonight.”
Vor went still as a shiver of longing filled him. How many times had he sat in the dining hall, listening to Lena sing for his soldiers and wishing she were singing for him alone? Not thatmany, to be honest, but it felt as if he'd been wanting this for years.
“How many?” Vor asked.
Lena gaped at him. Then she seemed to shake herself. “Ten.”
“Two.”
“Five.”
“Four.”
“Agreed!”
