Chapter 4

Mia sat at the edge of a table, painting furiously. Her horse neighed and she shot a withering glance at it. The inn was rowdy and she dwarfed most men with her striking height. Brushing wharfs of red curls impatiently off her face she worked on another drawing. A brazen wench pried her bosom from a man's grasp and retrieved a canvas and the crowd roared. Stripping it's cover, a comical painting of Vlad Dracula

was revealed, the crowd raved now, throwing rotten items at the painting, cursing furiously

"Down wit yer, Vlad! Yer blotted sniveling swine! "their rants continued

"It's nice giving these frustrated lots something to dally with "

Tears rushed to her eyes and she blinked them away "He betrayed us, Maeve"

Maeve nodded "Aye, he

deserves worse than death "

She sipped the liquid she held, as she cautiously studied the inn, the place was deserted now, blood smeared everywhere, the washings she would have to do.She had nowhere to go, so squatting in the bar was a necessity She thought of the money she had back in Muntenia, her life before that incident, before Vlad's weakness got a better part of him. A man who could not hold

his liquor do not deserve a drink! Tears fell in streams,silently she cursed the vampire that had bitten her.She bore her secret well, hiding it from her family until Vlad exposed their existence.

Her paintings had been a masterpiece, displayed in every gallery. Now who would want any transaction with a bloodsucker? Immersed in her thoughts she failed to notice the presence of another.. her kind. Until cold hands

like steel gripped her neck. She perceived his unique scent and felt his astonishing strength. Her attacker must be a born vampire..she thought.

The grip tightened "Give me a reason why I shouldn't behead you, painter?"he spat out

She turned and their eyes held, his eyes like fire, smothering her.

"And to whom do I owe this great honour.. Alessandro "she retorted sarcastically.

He loosed his grip on her

"You know who I am? "

Her eyes widened, curving her mouth lopsided,she queried

"Why wouldn't I? Where have you been hiding, Voivode? "The Voivode(Lord) was added with a mocking drawl.. In rage he studied her plain features, sharp witted and brave according to rumors. She had a lovely red hair.. Like the brightest wine, violet eyes that threatened to burn him and

she stood head to head with him.

"I want you to stop mocking my father "he seethed.

Her laughter made the empty inn tingle and his eyes blazed in fury.

"Why?"she retorted.

He felt like murder now and his breathe rasped in obvious effort to control his rage.

"Look around you, and see what your father did to us! We're being casted here like dogs to die"

"I promise to make the mortals pay... I'll build Oltenia and give my people the comfort they lost "then his eyes turned bloodshot "But I will not let you insult his memory.. "

"His memory is already insulted! "she snapped.

He lunged at her, pulling himself up just a hairbreadth in front of her. Snarling an oath, he reached out for her neck,to snap her bones, send her to the

underworld and put an end to the misery.. the pain in her eyes. Instead his hands grazed her curls. Her beautiful eyes enthralling him

"Mia "he whispered

She watched his hands tremble, and her nerves tightened.

He tried to read her mind, to know what had put that misery in those beautiful eyes. Her mind was blank to him, scandalized he tried again and failed countlessly. Perspiration beaded on his

forehead and his heart pounded erratically. She must be a witch!what power did she possess to block her mind from him?. His heart ached, they were barely a breath away, her body moulded against his, he could hear her speeding heartbeat he could smell her overpowering scent. He inhaled deeply and his groin ached. What uncommon power did she possess to make him breathless? Struggling to gain his

usual stance and control, he growled

"What can I do to erase the pain my father caused you? "

The tears that filled those eyes were his undoing.He preferred her challenging, unafraid and suddenly he hated his blasted father for hurting this woman.

Mia blinked hard

"It's too late "she faced him squarely now,her jaw tightened erasing every trace of unshed tears

Alessandro heart throbbed, this woman was stubborn... and amazing, that was all he could think of.

"And "She breathed, impatient

he had to leave,so her fluttering heart could be still "What can I do to make you stay away from me? "

Conscious of the effect he had on her, he grinned,then his gaze strayed to linger on her stubborn lips. "Kiss me, Mia "

She barely had time to gasp at his request, because he crushed his lips to hers and she forgot how to breathe...he kissed like the way he moved, like lightning, demandingly, fiercely.

Elizabeth moaned, her whole body was aflame

"Alessandro "she whispered,then he licked her face, her hand. Her sleep muddled brain was filled with confusion when he

licked her feet. She ran her hands over his hairy body.. Hairy? Then he barked..Barked? Opening her eyes, the present dawned on her. Champion barked happily, pushing him away as she sat up.A careless smile lit her face.. Alessandro? Mia? Last night's dream had been the best! She had felt like Mia, and she ran a finger over her lips. Flinging the covers away, she paced, it had all been a dream..she was not Mia, was not an artist! and

she was sleeping in her father's house and not in some ancient inn.And painfully there was no Alessandro, just her father's mangy drooling dog.

Sadly, she cuddle the dog as she made for her bathroom.