Free Vampire Legacy (Book 4 of the Dragon Heat series) by Ella J. Phoenix Page B

took out a small sachet of coins and handed it to the woman. “Here, this will be enough to guarantee you safe passage to Croatia. Go straight to the port in Dubrovnik and ask for a woman named Zoricah. She is a good friend of mine and will help you catch a passenger boat to Malta. And most importantly, do not fly out, do not shift, and pretend you’re human at all costs.”
    “I can take them half the way,” the water witch offered. “I also need to go to Croatia.”
    “That would be splendid, Nepú,” Natalia replied, with sincere gratitude. “Once again, thank you for your help.”
    “What of my husband?” Milek’s sister enquired with a trembling voice. “He was captured by Balaur’s troops.”
    Silence descended over the room. Petran knew too well the answer to the poor woman’s question. He didn’t believe Natalia would have the courage to tell her the truth, but once again, he was mistaken.
    Natalia took the woman’s hand in hers and looked straight into her tear-filled eyes. “My dear, I’m afraid there’s little we could do to save your husband. I’m so sorry, but right now it’s imperative we get you and your boys out of Moldavia and far away from Kalaur’s claws.”
    Milek’s sister’s chin trembled again, but Natalia was right there supporting her while reminding them time was of essence. Petran couldn’t stop his heart from warming toward those poor inmãs. Well, if he were frank with himself he’d admit the affection wasn’t just for the dracos, but for the redhead risking her life to help them.
    A small smile lifted his alabaster cheeks as a new plan formed in his head. Since their moment of raw sincerity by her father’s bed the night before, Petran had been secretly trying to find a way of stopping the wedding without having to destroy her. This newfound information had now given him just that.
    As the draco party left the confines of the room, Petran prepared to deploy his new plan. The irony of it all had not escaped him—Kalaur had developed a weapon against his own people to incapacitate the rebel forces that were being led by the very person he was so desperately chasing to marry. How ironic was that?
    Once the red door opened and the rebel party stepped out, Petran kept his position and watched Natalia bid farewell to Milek’s sister and the witch. Her angelic features carried a weight of determination as she tried to bring comfort to the other dracos.
    Petran’s mouth salivated and his loins grew heavier with desire. She looked quite fetching in that peasant outfit.
    His new plan would be safer, and more reliable for success—he would not have to worry about exposure—but unfortunately, it would also strip him of the pleasure of experiencing Lady Natalia squirm in pleasure under him. What a pity.

Chapter Nine
     
    Talia hugged Milek’s sister one last time. She was a brave woman and it broke Talia’s heart seeing her so desperate. It was people like her that had convinced Talia to join the rebel army. Ivan Milek was a very inspiring leader but seeing the thousands of good dracos suffering under Kalaur’s reign of terror was far more convincing. She just wished she could do more for them.
    “Here,” Talia said to Milek’s sister, handing her a small piece of paper. “This is the name of my contact in Croatia. Zoricah will definitely be able to find you safe passage to Malta.” The woman nodded slightly. She was nervous, but at least her tears had dried out.
    “Don’t worry, Talia,” Nepú assured her. “I’ll make sure they board a good ship.”
    Talia smiled in gratitude, silently thanking the Soartas for sending her the water witch in a very timely fashion. She had found Mother Nepú through a common acquaintance when the awful disease had first stricken her father. Nepú’s potions hadn’t managed to cure him, but they had certainly slowed it down. In exchange for her services, she hadn’t requested financial payment but an old book of draconian tales.