Hoping her voice didn't tremble too much, she asked, "And there are others in this room who fit this description?"
"Indeed. The barmaid, Lizzie, is one. And there's a farmer's daughter still sitting on a barrel of ale in the back who will serve. So tell me, sweetheart. Who will it be? I'll let you choose."
The thought of his lips, his mouth, his teeth on the skin and inside the flesh of another woman lit a raging fire in her belly. Night after night, she'd experienced erotic pleasures from that mouth, even while the real lieutenant had been across the woods and the wide Cimmaron Sea in Cutters Cove. Even so, she'd somehow laid claim to him, and she wasn't about to let Colette get her hands on him.
Tilting her chin defiantly, she said, "None of them."
He smiled again, though there was no mirth in it. "You would have me starve, my lady? I can hardly protect you on our journey north if I do not feed."
She'd kept her hands at her sides for the duration of this abominable conversation in an attempt to quell the darker emotions swelling up to take hold. She wasn't aggressive by nature, but something about the thought of Nikolai drinking from another woman made her want to hit something, or someone, very hard.
Her hand shot up, gripping the collar of his shirt into a tight fist. "You will drink from me, lieutenant. I will not allow you to put yourself in danger with strangers." She lied with such ease she almost laughed. If her grandmother could see her now. "It would be too easy for a spy to entrap you … us."
His voice was steady but his eyes had dilated, the only change in his features. "I cannot allow you to make that sacrifice for me."
The memory of her grandmother cocking a dubious brow at her rose to mind. She willed her away. Sienna was in no danger of falling in love with the lieutenant from a bite or two. It was physical attraction. Nothing more.
"Lieutenant," she said clearly and sternly. "Nikolai." She had his attention then, for it was the first time she'd spoken his first name. "You will feed from me and me alone for the duration of our journey. It is not my sacrifice. It is my wish. Do you understand?"
He remained quite still as if carved in stone. The only movement was the clenching of his jaw.
"Lieutenant, I'd like you to meet someone," called Ivan, drawing closer behind them.
Nikolai shoved off the wall and stood straight. Ivan stepped forward with the barrel-chested man who had questioned Sienna during the speech. He seemed much more affable now than before.
"This is Harrison. He is in charge of the wheat fields of Hiddleston for Lord Percy. We worked the fields many years together in our time."
Sienna tried to focus on the conversation, but her thoughts were solely on the man, the vampire, standing at her right, and whether he would take her up on her offer. She couldn't explain to him that thinking of another woman giving him succor and pleasure drove her nearly mad with jealousy. She hadn't known he could evoke such feelings from her. And until she could tame-or quench-this undeniable desire, it would hold the reins. All she knew was that no other woman would get hold of her lieutenant.
Harrison shook hands with Nikolai, then nodded at Sienna. "I've decided to take you up on your offer. I'll be making arrangements for my uncle to watch the farm while we're gone. Ivan says the ship sails from Hiddleston's harbor in three days' time. Though he still won't tell us where to."
Nikolai spoke, his voice remarkably steady and sure after their heady conversation. "For the safety of all, it is imperative that no one who remains behind knows the location of the Black Lily. We are glad you've decided to join the fight."
"Aye. Not sure my wife will be," he added with a grunt.
Ivan clapped a hand to the man's back. "Harrison offers a place of rest to you two for the night. A safe place out of town."
"It isn't much. The loft of our barn is warm and away from prying eyes. My extra field-hands use it on occasion. But it's empty now, and you're welcome to it."
Nikolai's gaze slid to her before answering, "We are happy to accept the offer."
Though something in the tightness of his shoulders and the clenching of his jaw told her he was not happy at all.
Chapter Six
Nikolai heard her light footsteps up above in the loft. He'd allowed her some privacy before he joined her. He wanted her to have a few moments to reconsider what she'd offered at the Bull's Head. Those words that kept ringing in his ears.
You will feed from me and me alone. It is my wish.