"Niko? Why do you turn away from me?" she whispered softly to him. Had she done something? The apologetic look he gave her before looking down...she got closer. "What did I do?" she whispered.

Her words broke him. He had almost lost himself, which would have resulted in her death, and here she was worried it was her fault.
He shook his head, not meeting her eyes.
''You did nothing.It was me'' He shuddered, thinking about what he had almost done.

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"You? What did you do?" she asked, surprised. Yes, he had nearly bitten her, yet he hadn't. He had to fight what he was, she didn't blame him at all. "I'm not angry, or afraid." she got closer and knelt in front of him. "Love? Please.."

He began to shy away from her.
''I almost... I wanted to.... kill you'' He could barely string a sentence together. His feelings the night before had scared him. In those minutes he had battled with himself. He had wanted her dead, he hadn't even seen his wife, instead merely an object of his twisted lust.

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She reached out to him "Blame me. I turned you into what you are." she said as tears fell. She hated seeing him like this, having to battle himself because of her desire, her want to keep him alive and with her.

He looked warily at her hand, her pulse filling his ears.
''You had no choice. I do not blame you'' he said quietly. He couldn't look her in the eye, the image of her terrified form was haunting him.
He turned from her and lay on the floor, his back to her.
''Le melon'' he whispered.

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"Niko! Stop this!" she whispered hoarsely and touched his shoulder, needing his closeness, his comfort and love. She didn't view him as he obviously thought she viewed him. "Le melon, husband." she tightened her grip on his shoulder.

He felt her grip on his shoulder and felt the warmth of her touch, but did not turn around.
What was he to do now? He knew that at some point he may be tempted to lose control. What then? Perhaps she would be better off without him.

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"Niko? Why do you do this? I love you!" she tried to pull him over, yet found her strength was not great enough. "Please..." she whispered, feeling like she was breaking inside.

His body stiffened as she tried, unsuccessfully, to pull him over. The tone in her voice saddened him.
Slowly, he sat up, his back to her, and turned his neck to look at her over his shoulder.
''As I love you''

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She took hope "Then why turn away?" her fingers brushed through his hair, and both her hands reached to rub his neck and shoulders as she got closer to him.

''Fear.'' he said shortly.
''I could have killed you last night, and not realized it until it was too late.I was helpless to my desires.''
He allowed her to touch him but was wary.

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"But you didn't, Niko, which means you weren't completely helpless." she pressed herself against his back, her arms going around his shoulders from behind. "You resisted, Love."

Niko could find no words to reply. He allowed her to put her arms around him, before he slowly leant back to her slightly. He closed his eyes, filled with emotion.

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She clutched him to her, burying her face in his neck, thankful he was finally responding. Her breath came out in a slow whoosh as she began to cry softly. It had been more than she could bear, the way he had turned away from her. She blamed herself for turning him. In a desperate attempt to keep him with her, she had caused him so much inner turmoil. Had she not he would have joined his ancestors in the golden halls, in complete bliss, with no pain or inner battles. She was truly selfish.

As she cried, Niko opened his eyes slowly, a frown on his face. Gently, he reached out and lay his hand on her shoulder.
''Do not cry. I am glad you saved me, angel''

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