She looped her arm through his and nodded toward the woods. "I had hoped that we might take a walk to the brook. It is a lovely day and"-she lowered her voice seductively-"we can have more privacy out here."
"Of course." He covered her hand with his own, a sign of intimacy. "Nothing would give me more pleasure." He guided her toward the woods.
"Lieutenant!" called the sergeant. "Do you think that wise? We could escort you for safety, sir."
Riker turned with an expression of superiority and bafflement. "I can handle myself, sergeant. We aren't going far anyway. And no. I want privacy with my lady. Do you understand?"
"Yes, lieutenant," he replied, snapping to attention again, eyes forward.
"And do you understand, Garrett?"
"Yes, lieutenant." Garrett appeared as if he were about to faint from fear.
"Now where were we, my dear," said Riker, pulling her close and strolling along again. "You are right. It has been too long. I've missed you."
"Aye, darling," she replied loud enough for them to hear.
They marched into the cover of trees, but they both knew the guards could still hear. Nikolai stood farther down the lane, one foot on the road, the other in the brush. He beckoned with one hand to follow.
Riker glanced over his shoulder, then wrapped an arm around her waist. "I am sorry to be so forward, my lady. But I know where he wants to meet, and it would be much faster if I carried you there."
He was asking permission to lift her in his arms. "All right then."
With a swift movement, she was once more in the arms of a vampire and speeding at a dizzying pace through the woods. A blur of green and brown made her nauseous. She closed her eyes, for he seemed to travel much farther than she expected. Sounds of the forest whirred by-birdsong, creek water, the autumn breeze.
Then they were suddenly still, standing at the mouth of a cave. Nikolai took her from Riker and set her on her feet, his hands gently on her shoulders.
"Are you all right?"
"Yes. Fine." She put a hand to her stomach. "Though I don't much like to travel that way."
"Not the travel. That bastard Volkov. Did he frighten you?" He scowled, but his hand was gentle when he brushed her hair away from her face.
"I'm perfectly fine," she assured him with a tentative smile. "No need to fuss."
He stepped away and turned to Riker. "Greetings, cousin. You are lucky your man Volkov isn't lying at the gate with his throat torn out."
"That might've raised the alarm, Nikolai."
He smiled and pulled him into a hug. They both laughed, patting each other's backs roughly before pulling away, still clasping forearms.
"I was afraid for you," said Nikolai.
"And I for you. They've been sending out scouting parties in search of you, Marius, and his wife, as well as for the other revolutionaries. I've been afraid every time they've returned."
Nikolai stepped away and glanced outside the mouth of the cave. "They won't find our training camp. Come. Let's sit and talk awhile."
Riker walked ahead and disappeared into the dark tunnel.
"Do you have a torch or something?" asked Sienna. "I can't see in there."
Nikolai took Sienna's hand. "I'll lead you. There's a place where there is light farther in."
Sienna hesitated when he tugged her, staring into the dark. She bit her lip, hoping he couldn't feel her trembling but knowing he certainly did.
He stood in front of her, blocking the passage so that she was forced to look up at him, and cupped her cheek. "I didn't know you were afraid of the dark." His voice rolled in a gentle timbre, soothing her in a way she thought impossible.
"It's really that I'm more afraid of tight spaces. I feel like I'm suffocating."
"This place is one from my childhood. I've been here a thousand times. The tunnel is wide, and it will open up to a larger cavern with an opening at the top where light filters in." He continued to caress his thumb softly across her cheek. "Do you trust me?"
More than anything.
"Do you?" he asked again, his sky-blue eyes flashing bright.
"Yes." She licked her lips. His eyes darted to the movement. "I trust you."
With a flash of his gleaming smile, he held her hand tighter and led her into the dark.
…
Nikolai kept Sienna close, hearing her heart thump wildly like a trapped bird. His one instinct was to offer her security. The tunnel was black as pitch, but he could still detect the outline of Riker walking farther ahead. Shifting Sienna to his side, he guided her with a hand at the small of her back, helping her make her way without tripping.