Gaol Dragun

RUN. I pump my legs harder, sheer terror and adrenaline rushing through my system. I will my legs to go faster, farther away from the deep footsteps behind me. I don't chance a look back. I push the need to glance deep down. No way in hell am I ending like the ditzy blondes in all the scary movies too busy looking back to see in front of them. They always seem to trip on themselves down a hill or on straight f*****g nothing! I growl as I dart between the trees avoiding potential traps set. Knowing the man chasing me finds this thrilling, finds my pain arousing. The f*****g prick. I hope he falls into one of his traps and breaks something, preferably his neck, but a leg would do too. I dart by another tree almost to an empty clearing. I feel the wisps of fingers touching my back and I throw myself forward, pushing my body to its limit to go faster. A rough hand clamps around the back of my hair, stopping my escape short as his hot breath tickles the back of my neck, his cold dark voice against my ear. “You're done Mate.” I'm thrown forward and I turn to face him. Cold ice-blue eyes meet my pale green, his smile is cruel and deadly as he reaches to grab my ankle. I lash out, plunging a silver dagger into his thigh as I jolt away. He roars and is already back on me pinning my back to a tree. He breathes my scent deeply, his touch sending shivers of fear down me. This man, this wolf, this monster was special to me once years ago. I still remember his laugh and gentle kisses before the wolfsbane drug inherently changed him. All that's left is a cold, cruel killer, Alec the Icy. I steel myself as he glares down at me before a grunt of pain as the same dagger I used on him is slammed into my hands, pinning me. “You will pay for this mate.” His cold tone makes me bristle. “I will never go back. You can f**k right off!” I spit in his face as he backhands me, making my head spin rapidly. He presses against me, his erection grinding into my leg, showing how much he enjoys the pain, my pain. I mask my disgust and knee him in the balls making him roar in rage. He wraps his hands around my neck, cutting off my air. I wheeze and struggle against him, my breathing going shallow and vision darkening around the edges. As I feel myself slipping away, I bolt upright in bed covered in sweat. The same f*****g nightmare for years. The same adrenaline and fear are still flooding my system. I shake my blankets off and pad into the bathroom softly. On instinct, I check my hands and throat in the mirror half expecting fingerprints or dagger marks where there are none. I sigh and slump onto the counter. Five years since I escaped him. Five years ago and I still fear him completely. I glance back into the mirror, taking in my mostly human looks, I'm still rather short for a female. I'm taller than most of my other fae family but still short by most other species standards. I magically severed my mate's bond when Alec beat me the first time. Severing a wolf bond magically is rough since wolf bonds link the souls. It hurt like hell and blocking him out made the abuse worse but hardened me into a plan to get out, and I did, if only I could escape the nightmares now. My pale blonde, nearly white hair falls forward as I wet my face. My hair is almost like spun sugar, soft and fine, pale green eyes framed by pale lashes a few shades darker than my hair that make my eyes stand out making them more vibrant, almost the color of sea foam, creamy tanned skin, a small button nose and full pouty lips. I lack the ethereal beauty of most fae but then i'm only half fae my mother always avoided talking about my father. I sigh, rubbing my hands over my face, my body slowly relaxing as the effects of the nightmare slowly fade. I groan at the time, it's only 3am, but I know my body is done sleeping. The nightmare has my body wound up too tightly to sleep. I strip and shower, letting the hot water finish relaxing me as I wash once done, I step out, dry off and dress quickly. Black hip-hugging jeans, and a dark green sweater with small lilies along the bottom rim. Lilies. My mother loved them so much she named me after the delicate flower. I pull on my worn comfortable sneakers and slip out of my small apartment over my shop. I enter the shop flicking the kitchen lights on. Early morning means I can create new treats. I clap my hands in excitement. My sweets and bakery shop is the one place I let my fae magic wild. I push my sleeves up and wash my hands. I get the ingredients down, deciding to make a fresh batch of croissants pulling out my special favorite dark chocolate nibs and fresh blackberry compote. I start the dough by weaving my magic into the dough, letting it twist and shape my dough, making it more soft and fluffy, letting my magic guide my hands, the tingle letting me know what it feels is needed. After a few hours, I cut and fill the croissants with the chocolate and raspberry compote before shaping them and leaving them to rise one more time. I clean up the mess and start on the bakery's normal needs as my long-time friend and now employee, Emery, steps in her small fox tail swishes behind her. “Long night or early morning Lil?” She bumps my shoulder and washes her hands, joining me. I smile “Early morning. Sleep has been hard since you know….” I trail off as she nods and smiles sadly. “Why don't you go and check the barriers around the bakery? It will ease you a bit.” I nod, stepping away. Emery was the only reason I escaped so effortlessly that night. She helped me run and has been with me since. She moved out of the apartment just last year as her new relationship with Jace the warlock became serious. I'm thankful to her and Jace for helping me hide for so long. About a year after we ran, we found a small town in Georgia. We had no plans to stop, but sensing the glamour on the town, Emery and I decided to stop. It's a small monster haven, and we fell in love quickly with the town of Morning Mist accepting us immediately. Jace courted Emery almost immediately, he cares for her fiercely. I smile as I step out, slowly fluttering as my wings shimmer into view. They are a deep green along the veins and pale shimmering translucent throughout. I check along my shop barriers. Jace helped set them up after learning why we ran. He is an extraordinarily powerful warlock for his kind. I am grateful for his help and how well he cares for my friend. I land softly, my wings disappearing as I do. Around 6, Emery starts setting up to open as I start the coffees. The morning starts hectic, as always even magical beings need caffeine so early. Around noon, we get a break, both leaning against the counter and sighing. A gust ruffles the door as it opens, a group of men enters. One being a tall imposing man dressed in jeans and a black shirt. His black eyes scan the room as he speaks to the other men. My mouth waters, he is gorgeous, Emery leans in whispering, “Those are the new towns members. Jace said they are dragon shifters.” My eyes travel the man, his black shirt tight over steely bulked muscles pulled tight. His jeans sit snugly against his equally muscled thighs. I mentally smacked myself down, you horny b***h. DOWN! I groan my eyes travel back up to his face, taking in his soft full lips, sharp cheek bones and straight nose, up to his almost black eyes framed by dark full lashes which are staring at me as I realize he just watched me eye f**k him. I blush bright red and flee to the back room as Emery snickers. The man steps to the counter speaking to Emery in a deep graveled, smooth voice that makes my n*****s harden. “3 coffees and one of those croissants.” I peek out as he points to the ones I made this morning. His eyes connect with mine, and he smirks, licking his lips as he pays Emery hands the coffee over and grabs the croissant. I groan inside the urge to lick his lips and run my fingers into his black hair to see how soft it is. It hits hard like lightning. It's been too long since a man has had this effect on me at all. He turns leaving and like the wanton w***e I am I stare at his perfectly shaped ass as he does. Emery pokes my side hard and I squeak. “What?” She snickers again. “Stare any harder and his ass will have holes in it.” I groan and laugh. “Well it has been a while, I guess. And you can't blame a girl for looking, he is a fine-looking man.” I shrug and laugh. Emery pokes me again “Go for it you need to get laid its been what, technically 8 dry years? I know you haven't wanted or done anything with men since Alec but girl you need a good dicking!” I roll my eyes but chance a peek at the dragon shifter as he takes a bite of the croissant, a smear of chocolate and jam mix dripping down his lips making me groan with the need to lick it clean. I shake my head and turn away “I'm going to handle paperwork before I do something stupid Em.” I turn scurrying to the back office behind the kitchen, I slump against the door as it closes. I shake myself off and throw my focus into the paperwork and bills of the shop, the day slowly going by as Emery steps in letting me know she's headed out as the new pixie worker is here to take over. I nod and make a list of items the shop needs. I step out around 4pm letting the new pixie off early and that I'll handle closing the shop tonight. I go over starting the cleaning cycle on three of the four coffee machines, the shop bells tinkle softly and I turn, coming face to face with the sexy dragon shifter. He's alone this time. I take a deep breath and greet him. “Welcome, how can I help you today?” He smirks, almost predatory leaning against the counter and eyeing me the same way I had earlier. I flush red and sputter, embarrassed as he growls in approval. “I would like more of the treat I bought earlier. I'll buy all you have left.” I nod and grab a box from under the counter loading it up with the remaining 15 croissants. “Anything else sir?” I smile sweetly. He licks his lips and my eyes instinctively follow the move. “No sweet fae nothing else. What is your name?” my eyes snapped up to his “how did you know I have fae blood?” He chuckles as I close the box and ring the purchase up. “I taste your magic. In the treat.” He shakes the box softly before paying, leaving a very large tip. He lingers at the counter and I can't help but glance back over him. Jeez the man is fine like a walking s*x appeal ad. He smiles again. “Your name?” I blink a few times clearing my throat I softly reply “Lily” He chuckles “Lily a lovely name for a beautiful fae. My name is Vaeric, Vae for short though you tempting Lily can call me anything you wish.” I round the corner heading to the bakery door and swap the sign saying open to closed, feeling him watch me intently. I hide the effect his voice has on me, soaking my panties. “I hope to see more of you sweet Lily” His words come out close to my ear as I feel his lips brush the shell of my ear. My blood roars and desperate need pools low in my middle. He slips out the door with his treats and I quickly lock my bakery door.