Nikolai guided her by the shoulders to lie down. "Let me do that."
She submitted without protest, allowing him to remove her boots and stockings. He lifted the folded white blanket on the end of the bed and draped it up to her shoulders. She'd turned on her side, looking like a child with both hands tucked under one cheek. Nikolai sat on the edge and combed her loose locks away from her face, wishing he could take away the terrors of Kellswater.
"I am sorry, my sweet," he said, brushing the backs of his fingers along her soft cheek. "I wish you hadn't seen that."
"I don't. I need to see what we're fighting for, don't I?" Her chin quivered. "But those children. Those families." She squeezed her eyes shut, a tear slipping over the bridge of her nose to the pillow.
"I know, my love," he whispered. His pulse leapt at the slip of tongue. He did indeed mean the words with his whole heart. My love.
Her eyes popped open. He continued in his soft timbre. "The queen is immersed in darkness, living only for power and blood. But she will pay for her evil." He wrapped his fingers loosely around her neck, brushing a thumb along her jaw.
Sienna wrapped her hand over his. Having removed her gloves when they walked in the room, he gloried in the feel of her bare skin on his. When she caressed him, it was the closest to divinity he'd ever known. Immortality shrank before the touch of heaven that was Sienna.
"Get some rest," he urged.
Tilting her chin up with his forefinger, he leaned forward and grazed a soft kiss to her lips, lingering without demanding more, simply letting his lips lay atop hers in a promise of strength and protection.
"I won't be long."
"Promise?"
"I promise." He smiled, his heart aching to take away all of her pain. "And when I do return, I will replace this pain on your heart with pleasure."
She shivered and laced her fingers with his, then pressed a kiss to his knuckles. "I'll be waiting for you."
The look in her eyes could've slain many a man from sheer desire. But she didn't look at any man that way. Only him.
He checked to be sure the window was bolted. "Lock the door when I leave."
"I will," she said, offering him the first smile he'd seen since before Kellswater.
With that, he was out the door. He waited in the corridor until he heard the metallic click of the bolt locking into place, then he set out to find Reginald. After tonight, he'd take her swiftly back to Hiddleston then on to Cutters Cove where she'd be safely away from the queen and her men.
A tingle of dread shot down his spine, remembering Queen Morgrid atop her war horse in full armament, watching and gloating over the slaughter and enslavement of Kellswater like the queen of the damned. Nikolai felt the pricking need twisting in his gut to get Sienna far, far away.
Chapter Eighteen
A soft rapping at the door roused Sienna. She'd drifted off in the rocking chair, which she'd moved near the fireplace. Placing the blanket across the bed, she tiptoed to the door and listened.
"My lady, are you awake?"
Sienna released a sigh of relief. Only Ms. Winchester. She opened the door to find her carrying a wooden tray with a pretty pot of tea, a porcelain tea cup with roses painted around the rim, a tall glass of water, and a plate with cubed beef, carrots, and potatoes in a gravy aside a pile of greens. Sienna's mouth watered, even though she hadn't thought about food all day. If anything could tempt her appetite, it was Ms. Winchester's delicious dinner on her tray.
Sienna opened the door wide for her to come in.
"Good thing you're wary," she said, carrying the tray to the foot of the bed. "Ah, you've already made a fire. I wasn't sure there was enough kindling in the box."
"Thank you," said Sienna. "I managed well enough."
"Very good. Have a seat then. Back in your chair. I like that you were enjoying the warm fire. Looks like more snow soon, so enjoy it while you can."
Sienna sat, and the widow whipped open a napkin and lay it across her lap, then brought her the tray, which balanced easily enough. Ms. Winchester poured a hot cup of tea, then set the teapot on the side table with the lamp.
"There now." She stepped back and stood straight with one hand gripping the wrist of the other before her. "Go on. Taste it and let me know if it's any good."
Sienna forked a bite of the beef, the flavors salty and savory, the meat perfectly tender. "Mmmm. That is truly delicious."
Ms. Winchester beamed a bright smile. "Good."
She busied herself refolding the blanket that had been draped loosely over the bed and squared it neatly back in place. Then she lifted Sienna's cloak that had fallen in a heap on the floor.