They say thatDrakeShiftersnever quite lose all theirDrakequalities, even when they’re in human form.Theysay a male will have hisDrake’sshaft—that it’s huge and covered in scales and spines and it hurts when he thrusts it inside you.
I don’t want that—Ireally don’t!I’ma virgin, after all.Idon’t want to spread my legs for a monster—Idon’t.
Especially sinceI’msure he’d be cruel—he has that look about him—the look of a male who makes love like he makes war—harsh and unforgiving.Idon’t want to be split in two by his huge, spinyDrakecock and plowed untilIcan’t walk.Idon’t want to look at him and see those tarnished silver eyes glaring down at me or watch his muscular chest flex as he thrusts ruthlessly into me over and over and over…
Eventually,Ihave to give up.Thecurse is too strong—my need is too great.Ijust can’t fight it anymore.
So—even thoughIknowI’llregret it the rest of my life—Igo to town to find him and offer myself like a sacrificial lamb.
7
THERON
“Because it’s the only way to break the curse!”she says, and bursts into tears.
I stare at her blankly for a moment—what theHellamIsupposed to do?Shesought me out and begged me to fuck her and now she’s crying like her heart will break.Theother males at the bar are looking at us mistrustfully—it’s not like a purePriestessof theNatureGoddessshows up atTheAnvilevery day begging someone to fuck her and then bursts into tears.
Deep inside,Ifeel myDrakestirring again.Healmost never speaks butIcan feel his emotions…his interest in the little priestess and his concern for her…his sympathy.
I have to admit, her tears move me too.IknowIshouldn’t let myself get caught up in whatever it is she’s going through—didn’t she mention a curse?ButIcan’t help myself.Klinealways said that despite my rough looksI’ma soft touch and it looks like my old mentor was right.
“All right now,”Isay.“Enough.Comeon.”Itake her by the arm and drag her to the far corner of the bar, near the side of the hearth.Thatway we have a bit more privacy, since we’re hidden in the shadows.
I take a seat on the wooden bench there and pull her down beside me.Awkwardly,Iput an arm around her and draw her to my side.
“Tell me what’s wrong.Whateverit is, you don’t have to cry about it,”Isay, trying to keep the exasperation out of my voice.
She doesn’t answer at first but only presses her hot face to my chest.Ifeel stronglyIshould push her away—I’mabout to get into somethingIshould steer clear of—Ifeel it in my bones.
ButIalso feel myDrake’srumble of approval.Helikescomforting her.Ihave to admit, grudgingly, thatIdo too.Whyis this curvy little priestess with her wild red curls and her adorable freckles getting under my skin?
“It’s all right,”Itell her, daring to stroke that riot of curls.They’reas soft as they look—as soft as silk.Andher curvy body pressed against mine reminds me of how long it’s been sinceI’vebeen with a woman.Ihaven’t felt much like fucking sinceKlinepassed to the other side.
Not thatIfeel like it now.Iknow some males who like it when a woman cries—it gets them off when the female they’re fucking is hurting.Butthe little priestess’s tears do the opposite for me.Thoughmy shaft got hard whenIwas kissing her, it’s soft now asItry to give her comfort.
“I’m sorry,” she says at last, looking up at me with red-rimmed eyes.Herlong lashes are a shade darker than her hair and they’re all clumped together from the tears.Shelooks tragic and sad and fucking beautiful.“Ididn’t mean to cry all over you.”
“It’s all right,”Itell her roughly.“Sometimesthe pain inside is too much and then the tears have to come out.”
That’s whatKlinetold me whenIwas young.Hefound me wandering the dusty streets of the town long past midnight whenIwas only five or six.Mymentor was always patient whenIcried for whatIhad lost, even thoughIdidn’t remember what it was.
“Yes, but you don’t even know me and thenIcome in here, asking you to…to fuck me…”Shestill has trouble getting the word out.Hercheeks go adorably pink when she says it.“AndthenIcry all over you whenIdon’t even know your name.”
“I don’t know yours, either,”Ipoint out.“I’mTheron,”Iadd.
“Elowen,” she murmurs.“Thepoint is, you must thinkI’mcrazy.”
“Well, the thoughthadcrossed my mind,”Isay dryly.
She gives me an indignant look, andIshake my head quickly.
“No, no—I’mjust teasing you, little one.Look, why don’t you tell me what the fuck is wrong and maybe we can figure it out together.”
Elowen looks at me in obvious surprise.
“I don’t understand—why are you being so kind to me all of a sudden?”
I sigh in exasperation and run a hand over my horns.WhyamIbeing kind?Thisgirl is trouble—I’msureof it.Idon’t want thePriestess-Sistersof theNatureGoddessafter me—they wield powerful elemental magic that even myDrakewouldn’t want to tangle with.Ishould steer clear.
