“I have no desire to be deceiving you,” Nikolai assured sincerely.  “Everything I have told you, everything I have shown you with my body -- it is all true.  I adore you.  I want to take care of you and make you happy.”  Gently, Nikolai stroked Lilith’s brow, as if he could caress away all the bad memories lingering in her mind.  “And I want to say that I would even let you go, if that was what you wished.  But I cannot.”<br/><br/>As they kissed, Nikolai tasted the mingled flavor of their blood, and it only strengthened his desire to keep Lilith at his side forever.  They were so perfect together.  He’d die without her, like an animal deprived of food or a plant deprived of sunlight.  After the kiss ended, Nikolai closed his eyes and buried his face in Lilith’s hair, seeking some refuge there.  “Forgive me, Lili.  I will give you any gift you ask for -- except your freedom.  I am too weak for that final sacrifice.”<br/><br/>Lifting his head, Nikolai shook it as he gazed deep into Lilith’s eyes.  “I am not knowing, Lili.  Does that make me your master?  Or does it make me your slave?”<br/><br/>Lilith’s offer to answer the door coaxed a smile onto Nikolai’s lips.  He could perfectly imagine the delivery boy’s expression when he saw a beautiful naked woman with bloody lips standing in front of him.  “I will be getting it,” Nikolai assured.  “You still need  your rest.  Really, I have been a very bad doctor, keeping you this active.”<br/><br/>Reluctantly, Nikolai released Lilith’s body.  It proved very hard to leave her behind in bed -- Nikolai kept making partial progress, then returning for just one more kiss.  But finally, he put his pants on and went downstairs to pay for the Chinese food.  Then, like a triumphant conqueror, Nikolai brought the large sack back to the bedroom and began unloading its contents onto the nightstand.  “What would you like to be trying first?  We have sweet and sour pork, kung pao chicken, egg rolls, fried rice…”