“Liria!” Lena ran to the door, unlocked it, and flung it open.
Seconds later, she was in her sister's arms, Liria weeping as she clutched Lena tightly.
“I'm all right,” Lena said as she pulled away. “What are you doing here?”
“What am I doing here?” Liria gaped at her. “I've come to save you.”
“I told you I don't want to leave. I want to help them, Liria.” Lena put her hands on her hips. “I'm staying.”
Liria bit her lower lip.
“What?” Lena growled. “They didn't shoot at those prisoners.”
“I know. It was Rallorival.”
“What?! If you know that, then why did you invade the fortress?”
“It was the general's decision. He wants a place of strength to negotiate from.”
“That's insane! You're attacking them so that you can talk peace?”
“I know!” Liria held up her hands. “I tried to talk him out of it, but he wouldn't listen to me. I'm sorry, Lena, but we have to go.”
“I'm not leaving Vor.”
“Lena, honey, he's gone. It's over. Vor ordered his army to retreat. He left you here.”
A horrified shiver raced through Lena as if someone had poured cold water over her head. Her hands fell to her sides, limp. “What?”
“I'm so sorry, Lena. He's gone. Now, come on. We've got to get you out of here. There may be stragglers.”
“You saw Vor leave? You're certain?”
“Not personally, but I have my communicator on.” She tapped a tiny convergence on her shoulder. “I heard the report. He was the last to leave.” She cleared her throat. “If it helps any, I heard he paused and looked toward this room before he left.”
In her mind, Lena saw Vor kneeling before her, telling her to remember that he loved her, no matter what happened. Their love was real. “He had no choice.” Lena squared her shoulders. “He would have come back for me if he could have.”
“Maybe.” Liria took her hand. “I believe he wanted peace, but Rallorival fucked us.”
“That fucking bastard! Why would he do that?”
Liria chuckled. “He says he did it for you. He believes you're his destra, and peace wouldn't have gotten you back.”
“What?!” Lena narrowed her eyes. “I'm not his destra. I don't even like him.”
“Yeah.” Liria smirked. “I told him as much. So did that Nethren of yours.”
“Vor told him I don't like him?”
“Yes, I think he really cared about you. I'm so sorry, Lena. You know you'll never be able to be with him.”
“A year ago, I would have said the same to you about Thaxvarien.”
Liria blinked. “Fair enough. But this is different. Thax wasn't my enemy. And he wasn't underground, behind barriers either.”
“It's not fair, Liria! We trapped them down there because of a lie!”
“I know, Sis. I've heard it from the Speaker himself.”
