Unquiet Slumber Read Online Free Page A

conception between a Draak and a human. Even if a human woman by some miracle did conceive, she could never carry to term. Both she and the unborn child would most likely die because their bodies are too frail to carry the strength of a dragon. I’ve seen enough children die in battle. I don’t need to see that in the bedchamber.” He shivered at the thought.
     
    Everyone went somber and remained silent for a few minutes.
     
    Marcus gestured at Nathaniel, saying, “No matter what ‘lover boy’ over there says, don’t try to bed a human. Unless you’re a seasoned Draak that has gained exceptional control over his body, you could take a human to your bed at night and find her dead in the morning. You’re very young and would most likely be overwhelmed by the experience and shift into a full dragon at a very inopportune moment. Imagine the results.”
     
    Both Seth and Nathaniel winced and nodded. Given the look on their faces, Marcus knew they had the proper picture in their minds.
     
    Marcus shifted in his seat and said, “Enough talk of finding women. Our quest is to find a Draak warrior. We’ve been chosen for this journey and I won’t fail, so let’s get moving. The sun has crossed the midpoint, and I’d like a decent meal followed by a good night’s sleep. Come, my young tracker. What does the map say about this area?”
     
    Seth pulled out the map he had acquired in the last village. “Based on the map, twenty miles due East we should reach a thick woods called Hartwood Forest. It has a clearing with some rock cliffs that could provide us a protected place to stop for the night. The forest hugs the edge of a human village called Trille.”
     
    Gabriel tapped the bow hooked to his saddle. “Good. I could do some hunting and get us some meat to eat.”
     
    “And maybe we’ll just ‘happen’ to come across a stranded woman that could use my ‘rescuing’.” Nathaniel waggled his eyebrows.
     
    Everyone rolled their eyes. Gabriel laughed and moved his horse closer to Nathaniel’s, saying “Only in your dreams!” He swatted Nathaniel’s horse so it jumped into a trot. Marcus and Seth followed, leaving Gabriel in his normal guard position behind them.
     
    Marcus kept them moving at a brisk pace so that they would reach the clearing before nightfall. Other than Nathaniel, the rest of the group stayed quiet, remembering Gabriel’s daily advice that their enemies were always watching. The prospect of a night spent out of the saddle kept Nathaniel, however, singing loud songs about the joys of female companionship. Despite the added risk Nathanial’s bawdy singing brought to their journey, the Draak couldn’t help relaxing as they listened to their friend’s beautiful voice. His healing gifts worked through song as well, apparently, because they all felt more energetic and hopeful than they had in days.
     
    Nathaniel’s voice only added to his appeal since his looks alone could lure any woman, regardless of race. He was striking, standing over twelve hands tall with long, wavy brown hair that showed a hint of red in the sun. His hair hung halfway down his back, and he always kept it pulled back in a ponytail. His eyes were deep blue and women swore that they twinkled when he smiled at them. No matter the situation, his naturally bronze skin exuded charisma, and women seemed to throw themselves at his feet the moment they met him.
     
    Nathaniel wasn’t brought on this quest to seduce women. He was an exceptional healer from his Sett. Although Nathaniel looked in his mid-thirties, he was 175 years old, giving him well over a hundred years to practice his womanizing skills. Shortly after the quest began, he decided that he would give the youngest member of the group, Seth, lessons in the ‘joys of women’.
     
    Young Seth wasn’t handy with the ladies but he was handy with a map. His exceptional tracking and mapping skills distinguished him from everyone in his Tracker Sett, guaranteeing