"My guest will have some wine as well, Miranda."
The poor girl flinched and poured Sienna's glass to the brim, then set the wine down.
"That will be all, Miranda."
She dipped a quick curtsy and fled the room. By now, Sienna's temper burned bright, seeing that she wasn't the only one held prisoner here. And the effects of this repugnant man's imprisonment had shaken that poor girl to the core.
"Eat, Lady Sienna. You will need your strength." He tapped his fingers rhythmically where his hand rested on the table.
She took a sip of wine, knowing she could not stomach a bite. Even the wine seemed to stick to the lump in her throat.
"Why is Lord Barker retrieving me at dawn?"
"Ah. Finally. A real question. It's my understanding that the two of you have some history together, do you not?"
"We do." She set the crystal wineglass back on the table, tucking her hands in her lap.
"It just so happens that Lord Barker is now in service to the queen. And he has agreed to conduct a favor."
"And that favor is?"
He smiled. "I don't want to spoil the surprise. But until then, I have the great pleasure of your company." He shifted himself in his pants in a more than conspicuous manner. "Tell me, why did you run so far away from the likes of Lord Barker? He's a wealthy man, a leading member of Dale's Peak. You could've been the highest lady in all the province."
Sienna recalled the simmering hatred brewing in the eyes of her former betrothed only hours before. His loathing for her had not diminished over the many years since she'd left him for the wilds of Silvane Forest. It wasn't surprising that he'd nurture his contempt for her, but it had never mattered since she'd never thought to see him again.
"Wealth matters little to me, sergeant," Sienna finally replied.
The demon chuckled. "So I've heard. You live almost like a pauper in your little cottage in the woods, from what I understand. With your wolves to keep you company." He made a show of licking his tongue over a sharpened fang. "And it's lieutenant now. I've been promoted."
He said the last with meaning as if to taunt her, but she wasn't quite catching why. Despite her utter helplessness to escape this creature, her anger rose like a flame licking up her body. She couldn't even disguise her disgust anymore, letting him see the rage she tried to keep in check.
He leaned forward, both elbows on the table, gazing intently at her, an expression of awe mixed with desire lining his face. His blue pupils were slowly darkening to black.
"There is a fiery light in your eyes, my lady. I want to swallow it whole and feel it burn down deep inside."
A deep growl rumbled in his chest, but Sienna couldn't hold her tongue. There was little she could do to stop him from doing whatever he wanted. She would keep her dignity the best she could, for she could feel the shifting energy in the air.
"I'll bet Nikolai enjoyed all of your wares, didn't he? And I'll bet you gave it all to him willingly. Eagerly. Didn't you?" He sat back and laughed. "Now, that got your pulse pounding. I can feel it in the air, vibrating on my tongue, tempting me to taste my prize."
"You will have nothing of me," she said, voice strong but trembling. "You can do as you like, but nothing you say or do will change who I am. Or the love I bear him."
"Love? Now that is fascinating. That anyone could love the former lieutenant, a monster in his own day from what I understand, is quite a shock."
Yes. She did love him, no matter how she tried not to. And she could deny it no longer. If only she'd told him before this.
"You are the monster," she spat, ignoring his slander against Nikolai.
"Perhaps." He grinned like a fiend, long canines a fierce contrast against his red lips. "I would love to hear your thoughts on the matter by morning."
"What are you waiting for, you repulsive beast?" She curled her hands into fists, her nails digging into the fleshy part of her palms. "Are you just going to gloat over me or-"
The door opened suddenly. The bald vampire named Boris entered with a quick bow of the head to Volkov. He took his stance at attention just inside the door facing them.
"Finally!" Volkov lurched to his feet and prowled around the table, black gaze raking Sienna from top to bottom. "I couldn't wait much longer."
"Sorry, lieutenant," came Boris's gruff reply.
"No matter. There's still plenty of the night left. Isn't there, my lady?" He gripped her wrist and yanked her to her feet.