How could he refuse her? He wants to run screaming into the night. He wants to...to push her away, snapping at her that he doesn't have time for these sorts of games. Break her heart before it even gets started. Why did he ever speak with her in the first place? There's no place for fondness and friendship in wartime. He should have stayed clear of her from the start.

God, he wants to see her smile, though. This one last night, he wants to make her smile. He wants to make her happy. A small sacrifice at the altar.

"Maple sugar," he breathes, voice shivering with sheer covetous desire. "My word. Then lead on, dear Sonia, to this heaven you describe."