“Shh,” Nikolai murmured, softly stroking Lilith’s cheek as he tried to calm her.  Was this his fault?  Even asleep, had she sensed the moment when he nearly fed from her?  Had it poisoned her dreams, transforming them into nightmares?  “I am so sorry, Lili.  I have dark impulses.  Long ago, before I gained control of myself, I did some very bad things.  But I would never let myself hurt you.  Never.”<br/><br/>When Lilith tossed her head, baring her neck to him, Nikolai sucked in a sharp breath.  Again, hunger’s fiery temptation burned inside his veins.  But this time he resisted.  Instead of moving his mouth closer to her, he simply let the fingers stroking her cheek slide lower, until they were caressing her throat, as if their gentle touch could somehow wipe away the memory of what he’d nearly done.  “Please do not have bad dreams because of me.  Imagine something pleasant.  Imagine that we are far away from here -- someplace where you no longer need to live in fear and pain.  Someplace where you are mine, all mine, and I am taking such good care of you.”<br/><br/>Almost against his will, words tumbled from Nikolai’s mouth as he struggled to express desires which had lain dormant for decades.  Maybe it was the surging emotions inside his heart that pushed them out, or maybe it was simply the fact that Lilith was unlikely to remember any of this when she woke.  Whatever the reason, Nikolai -- who had lived in silence for so long -- now found it nearly impossible to shut up.  “Imagine you are taking a nice bath.  The hot water has completely relaxed your body.  The bubble bath smells like lilacs, soothing your senses with its sweetness.  And I am there, washing you.”<br/><br/>Now, Nikolai’s fingers moved under the blankets.  Finding one of Lilith’s breasts, he began caressing her scarred skin with a feathery touch, as he’d longed to do when examining her.  “Can you feel my touch?” he asked wistfully.  “Is it pleasing you?”