by Tara Gill
All Rights Reserved.
This book is a work of fiction.
The names, characters, places and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination and are fictional.
Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or events or locations is entirely coincidental.
Caught By The Dragon
Book and Cover
Copyright © 2017 Tara Gill
Dedication
To all the warrior women before me
who make it possible for me to vote, buy land,
get an education, earn a living…
So many things not possible even a century ago.
Blurb
Lena the Thief
I live an interesting existence - wielding my unique skills via a lucrative if questionable profession.
If life is a bit lonely now and then, I handle it.
After all, there are worse problems to have than this yawning hunger to belong that I've had all my life - right?
Going to the ground after my latest successful job, I never expected to encounter a dragon.
He makes the hunger go away, he makes me want to belong - to Him!
Drekk the Dragon, the primordial beast.
Throughout this endless life, in so many places, always did I seek her.
Now beyond hope, I have found her.
She is my heart.
Never will I let her go. In all ways she is mine and I will do anything to own her. Anything.
She is MY Treasure. Mine.
Warning: This book contains mature content and is for readers who are over 18.
This is a sweet and sexy paranormal romance which ends in an MF HEA.
No violence, No cheating. Insta love alert.
Other Books By this Author
Beyond The Planes Series
Sought By The Lion
Beauty and the Beast meets Regency romance in this second standalone instalment of Tara Gill’s ‘Beyond the Planes’ series.
Eighteen year-old Regency Society debutante, Mia Gray hasn’t been very lucky when it comes to family. Neglect has shaped far too many crucial moments of her life. Mia doesn’t recall a moment that she hasn’t longed for love, for a place to belong. When her parents push her kicking and screaming into a marriage of convenience to Lord Barghurr—a disquieting , menacing male who is a scary meld of man and beast, her every instinct screams in protest!
Will this dominant, sexy man-beast win Mia over and tame her to his hand?
Come join Mia in her sensual journey from Regency London to Lionhaeme as she navigates her way through magic, mayhem and perhaps even love!
Note: This is a low-angst, erotic paranormal romance novel with no cheating.
Clearwater Werebear Series
Bear With Me
In Clearwater, a shifter town, its residents turn furry at will and mate for life. Werebear blacksmith Reuben gets off on shaping metal into art. Business is doing well too. But when his family calls, Reuben drops everything and rushes to help. He is overjoyed when he meets his mate, just before he gets caught in a shifter spat which leaves him off-balance. Reuben returns home to lick his wounds.
Months later Jasmine turns up at Clearwater with a surprise for Reuben. Her heart is bruised because Reuben didn’t pursue her beyond an unforgettable night. Shifters never abandon their mates, so she wonders what is so wrong with her that her mate deserted her.
Will Jasmine’s love heal Reuben? Will the sexy werebear and his mate get a happy ever after? Read this erotic, sweet story to find out!
Note: This is a sexy, sweet, low-angst romance which ends in an MF HEA. No cheating. No abuse.
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Table of Contents
Dedication
Blurb
Other Books By this Author
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Epilogue
Author’s Note
About Author
Chapter One
“A hundred lantern stones and no less.” I said firmly. Father looked askance at me. Then he sighed and turned to our customer.
“You heard her. No less than a hundred or you don’t get what you want.”
The djinn wrung his hand nervously. “Very well. A hundred. On the condition that they never be used above ground.”
He was worried others would come to know he had given such precious treasure to one who was not his master. But the djinn needed something from me he couldn’t get anywhere else and so he had no choice but to give us what I wanted.
“Do you have what I need now?” he asked, glancing again at the entrance of the cave that he had kept in his sights at all times. Goblinhaeme was filled with such caves and this was a pretty indeterminate one. I wondered what he was worried about.
Anyway, we had what the Djinn had demanded and soon, he would be off on his way to satisfy his new mistress whom he was enamoured with. Djinn were of the fire and sometimes could not intricately manipulate other elements such as earth or stone. The Djinn’s mistress had asked him for a castle hewed out of a single large diamond –there were all kinds – and since he wanted to please her he had reached out through his contacts to us.
“Yes, be ready to receive your gift.”
I cracked my neck and reached out arms covered in loose sleeves to him. It was best clients did not lay eyes on any identifying marks, so my clothing was designed to disguised me sufficiently.
The Djinn mirrored me, placing his palms upon mine. Power of the earth and stone—stolen from a gargoyle—flowed quickly into him in a rush. It was strong, and I could feel it energizing him.
It was over soon. The Djinn was flushed and looked triumphant.
“Are you alright, Lena? You look a bit pale?” asked Father in concern.
“The experience is just a bit draining. Recovery should be fast enough.”
Turning to the djinn, I said, “It should work now. Try it out,” motioning towards the stone walls surrounding us.
The Djinn made his way to the sides of the cave and placed his hands against it. He frowned in concentration and in a blink, the walls turned into deep emerald. Dazzling green light shone prismatically in from all directions.
I turned around in wonder, lips parted in awe.
The cave was now a paradise. Climbers with white flowers grew up one translucent outer wall. The floor was of pale grey but smooth stone that moved up at a gradual incline to meet the emerald wall.
Nearby a waterfall made its way to a small but deep pool that swirled before it entered another, inner chamber. The pool was transparent but reflected up the green light. There were red flowers with jewelled green centres gently bobbing on its surface, their fragrance scenting the air.
“Beautiful,” I breathed.
The Djinn was happy. “My mistress will be most pleased. It was a pleasure doing business with you, Mistress Lena.”
He bowed to us and placed a bag in Father’s hands. “Thank you for your timely help. If I can assist you in any way in the future—for payment of course—please let me know.”
Bowing again, he vanished in a puff of smoke.
Not bad. A favour from a djinn was rarely offered and was valuable.
“Well done, child,” said Father. “Are you sure that the gargoyle didn’t realise that you left him with less of his essence?”
“I made sure he was inebriat
ed. Besides the loss of his abilities won’t be permanent. It will only be for a year. “
We walked out into the day. It was sunny with an enjoyable breeze that played with my full skirts. I gazed around with satisfaction. This place might be abandoned but was lush and gorgeous.
“Still, better to lay low for some time. As usual, I will keep an ear to the ground to ensure no one suspects us. When it is safe to do business again, I will pass on word of the next client.”
Wise advice.
While I had never been identified or caught yet, it was smart to be careful. Being cautious and taking on only discreet jobs—though well-paid—was why we had succeeded so well for so long. Ten years had gone by since I’d been in the business of stealing powers and selling them for the right price. Thus far, touch wood, it had all gone more or less smoothly, with no major hiccups.
“Very well, if you give me the bag of lantern stones, I will hand it over to Kayla before l go underground.” I had promised my best friend to get her some of the elvish- spelled illumination stones. Kayla liked the cool starlight they provided.
Father’s face fell. “These are for your friend? Underworld has enough magic that they do not need these stones. If we sell them, we could make a fortune!”
Father could be so mercenary at times. While I appreciated his protection, guidance and assistance, there was no denying he was a distant parent and a man with few attachments. I didn’t want to be like that, I treasured my friendship with Kayla, which had stood the test of time.
I made my voice firm. “I imagine the djinn paid you handsomely enough to arrange a meeting with me.”
No one knew that we were related. As far as customers knew, my father was just a facilitator—someone who arranged for their demands to reach the elusive magic thief—and for the exchange of goods to complete the deal.
Father sighed. “Yes, he did.”
Ah. I did not know exactly how much gold had exchanged hands but appreciated that a meeting with me did not come cheap.
“But that is not important. At least sell the stones to your friend at a steep discount; do not tell me you are going to hand it over for free.” He looked a bit nauseous. Father’s family had been thieves for generations and it went sorely against his grain to give anything away for free.
I sighed. Knowing Father, he would badger me for ever about this. He still mourned my habit of giving gifts to people I cared about on their birthing days. According to him, my company was enough gift for anyone. Any material gift must be returned in equal value if not greater.
“Think of it like this. Now the Underworld King owes me a favour, however small, when I keep his consort happy. It may come in handy, say maybe when I want a hideout or protection.”
No one would dare approach the Underworld or its King, who was obsessed with my friend. All the magical creatures I knew feared him. Father knew that as well as I.
He frowned. “I suppose that is true. Still I am sure that your friend would have helped you without the gift. That girl is like you—reckless,” he said with a grimace.
“We are no such thing!” I said automatically, trying not to look guilty.
The wide sleeves of my top and my loose skirt flew in the breeze. Tilting my head to the welcoming daylight, I wished I was somewhere near the water where I could swim and then lie sunning on the sand with wine and pleasant company.
Father was right. Kayla and I had been little terrors, always running wild or up to something, and it was a wonder we had come through to adulthood alive. We had been in so many scrapes and given our parents enough scares that Father attributed all of his white hairs to me.
There was a gentle ting noise and Father lifted up a worn timepiece from his pocket.
Glancing at it, he said, “Well child, I have somewhere to be, but before I leave – ”
He handed over to me the bag the djinn gave him, but with it, another box of faded velvet.
I placed the large bag down next to my feet and opened the velvet box. In a satin bed lay a delicate necklace of blue stones and silver.
“It was my mother’s and it is made from aquamarine.” Aquamarine was my birthstone; he must have remembered what today was. The necklace shimmered in the bright sun. My throat went tight, and I looked up at him. My emotional expression must have revealed my surprise.
“Child, did you think I had forgotten it is your birthing day tomorrow? We may not have time to celebrate properly—divinity knows where the rest of the family are. But I wouldn’t let your three and twenty years pass without the traditional father’s gift.”
Most of my distributed family were in hiding fearing the long arm of the law or reprisals—on account of the family profession—and could be pinned down only after a lot of effort. They were also paranoid about gathering in one place for fear of a crackdown. This led to events like marriages and birthdays not having a large crowd. But we made up for it by being there when we really needed each other.
“A score and three is a significant number.” Father looked a bit anxious for a second. “Old enough to be mated. You’re officially an adult now, Lena.”
Ah yes. I would formally be an adult tomorrow. But doing this job for the past decade, watching and dealing with all kinds of creatures, I had seen much of the nature of people. There were times I felt older than my actual age.
Other times though, I felt young and inexperienced. For all I had seen other people love, mate, fail or fight—I had never experienced it for myself. Romantic love had passed me utterly by.
The djinn we met today was a perfect example—he wanted something to impress his lover. Or the werewolf we had helped last month. He had wanted a witch’s potion that would aid his lover in obtaining immortality so that they could be together for all time.
When the spell succeeded, their joy had been something to see. I’d never cared about anyone or anything so much. Often, I wondered what that would be like.
But I wasn’t sad. So far, my life was one of adventure, moments of friendship, the adrenaline of danger, the satisfaction of a difficult job achieved—and that was enough. I guess I just wondered about the path not travelled, like any girl.
During my teen years, I had met many young boys my age and a few had been interested. Even though I had been an auburn-haired stick for most of my life—boys had flirted.
I had lightly flirted back, more because I liked witty interplay and because I was often starved for interaction with people—when father left me alone for weeks at a time - than because of any interest in them.
When I developed curves, older men started noticing me. If anyone showed serious interest I avoided them. Breaking hearts wasn’t on my agenda. Nor was being noticed. I grew bangs that would cover my large blue eyes which I had been told were striking. I dressed in loose skirts and ill-fitting shirts.
But as hard as I tried, I could never find within the tiniest spark of true attraction for a male—or female for that matter.
Recently my best friend had become the consort of the Underworld King. Well it was more like he laid eyes on her and set out to kidnap and lock her up in his cave of lust. She seemed perfectly happy with the status-quo though. And since I was entirely familiar with Kayla’s tricky, devious side it reassured me that she wouldn’t stay imprisoned unless she wanted to. I wasn’t too worried about her. Xander didn’t know that he was biting off more than he could chew.
But I did worry if something was the matter with me, maybe I was one of those people with no romantic or sexual urges. Someone who would be alone all their life.
Huh.
More than ever, I wished my mother were alive, so I could get some guidance from her.
Really, I needed a drink. I needed to let loose tonight.
“Thanks for the necklace, Father. It’s beautiful.” I hugged him. He smelled the same—musty old clothes, tobacco and the earth, the smell I associated with safety from the time I was a little girl.
“You’re welcome child. Your grandmother would have
wanted you to have it. Well, I must go now. Take care.” He sounded a bit wavery. We didn’t often hug or display our emotions. He had never been that kind of parent. He patted me on the head like I was a puppy. Raising a hand to the travelling stone threaded on a string at his neck, he muttered his destination and was gone in a second.
I sighed and reached for the matching travelling stone at my neck.
“The Underworld,” I whispered and the next second was in front of the Underworld King’s chambers in his vast palace. Fire burned on sconces around me, reflected on the shiny white marble floor.
Moaning could be heard through the doors followed by screams and begging. The moans were in Kayla’s voice.
I wasn’t stupid enough to think there was any torture going on in there or anything. If I’d learnt anything watching my friend and her man, the only kind of torture he was making her endure was the sensual kind. Xander was too protective to do anything else.
I bet they didn’t expect to be interrupted. No one here would dare. An evil smile twisted my lips.
“Surprise,” I yelled and banged on the door.
***
The travelling stone returned me to Goblinhaeme. I swayed on my feet and turned around. This would be a great place to lay low at. After all it was abandoned and hardly anyone dared visit it. However, the place seemed to be spinning right now—or maybe that was because I was intoxicated?
“Hmmm.” There were no sounds. Eerie pitch-black night blinded me. I scrabbled in my bag and lit a White Candle.
Kayla and I had celebrated my birthday with some of her new friends in the palace. Her husband—yes, they were now married, and I wasn’t surprised at all. In fact, I was surprised Xander had waited so long—had left us to it. He had appeared at midnight though and carried her off without a word to any of us. With a naughty gleam in her eye, Kayla had waved and winked while yelling happy birthday to me. We’d all cheered, drunkenly happy for her.
