“Do not worry about your master,” Nikolai reassured.  “He will not be ‘tasting’ you until I say that you are well enough.”<br/><br/>Despite her fear, and despite the pain it clearly caused her, Lilith submitted to the cream’s application without protest.  Only an occasional whimper betrayed her discomfort.  Nikolai felt terrible for causing her more pain, when she’d clearly endured so much of it already.  But he knew it needed to be done.  In her currently weakened state, even a small infection might be enough to kill her.<br/><br/>“That was most good,” Nikolai congratulated, once he had finished spreading the cream on her wrists and ankles.  “You are a very brave patient.”<br/><br/>Now, Nikolai focused his examination on her throat.  There was far more wrong with it than bruising and chafing -- numerous scars covered the skin, remnants of needlessly vicious bites.  Nikolai shook his head.  “He has overfed from you.  That is part of why you are so weak.  We will need to get lots of food and water into you, so your body can recover.”<br/><br/>Lilith already seemed a little more calm than when she'd arrived.  Hoping to put her further at ease, Nikolai smiled -- and as he did so, he realized how rarely he’d smiled recently.  “Perhaps tonight we will have a little feast, to be rewarding you for your bravery.  What is your favorite food?”