The Duke and the Dryad (Elemental Series) by Elizabeth Rose Page B

but I have heard naught from the king about this. Mayhap I should send a missive to him anon.”
    “Nay! There is no time for that. I am giving the commands, now do you want me to go back and tell him you are not living up to your reputation of being Duke the Destroyer ? After all, we both know you don’t deserve the title of duke. That should have been mine all along.”
    Wolf e knew the man was right. He didn’t deserve the title, nor had he ever wanted it. Would that he could just hand it over to his uncle and be rid of the man already.
    “I’ll ready my men, ” Wolfe reluctantly agreed. We’ll head out at first light. And I expect you’ll be joining us in the attack, Uncle?”
    “Of course. Though I brought with me less than a dozen knights and foot soldiers, and only one archer. But we would be fighting with you as well.”
    Wolf e knew he needed to see Rae at once. He couldn’t leave before she arrived back at the castle the next morning without telling her he was going to battle. He was trying to patch up their fractured relationship and get to know her. This was only going to put a damper on the situation. There was only one thing he could do. And he hoped he could sneak out of the castle tonight without Lord Clive noticing.
     
    * * *
     
    Rae sat inside her oaken home built into the side of the hill. The room was small, but comfortable. She had one window on each side and a bed in the center of the room. A small table with two chairs sat under the window, and that was all. She had no hearth, as the fire would only drain her. She had no candles for light, as she didn’t need them, and would not have fire anywhere near her.
    She’d enjoyed dancing with Wolfe earlier, but she was disturbed by the presence of the warlord who’d interrupted them. Something about the man was evil and she hadn’t been able to wait to leave once he’d walked into the room.
    She only wished she could have spent more time with Wolf e. They were just starting to warm up to each other, and it felt so right. She’d hoped to possibly get to spend time with him alone – mayhap even couple. But that was all stopped abruptly by the presence of the evil man.
    Suddenly, she felt a presence in her forest even before she heard the howl of Zev. She rushed to the door and pulled it open, scanning the grounds with her eyes.
    “What is it?” she asked to the trees and plants around her. “Who approaches?”
    She felt she was not in danger, and even before the trees whispered the answer, she knew that the trespasser was Wolfe.
    Then Zev ran up, leading the way, with Wolf e riding his horse through the forest right behind him.
    “Lord Wolf e?” she called through the darkness, to let him know the way. She knew he never would have found her hut again hadn’t Zev showed him. She had a way of blending into nature, and her hut blended in as well.
    “Rae? Where are you? ’Tis so dark, I can’t see you.”
    “Follow my voice,” she called out. “You are almost here.”
    He rode up and dismounted, the moon breaking through the clouds and illuminating his face. He had a look of urgency about him and she could tell something was wrong.
    “Where is your torch?” she asked, walking to his side.
    “I didn’t want to bring fire an ywhere near you,” he said.
    “I appreciate that,” she answered with a smile. “Why are you here? Is something the matter?”
    “Rae, I need to talk to you. ’Tis important.”
    “All right.” She nodded and then looked over to her hut. He’d asked to be invited in last time but she’d turned him away. “Would you care to come into my home?” she asked, motioning in that direction with her hand.
    “Aye,” he said, his eyes fastened upon her. She knew he was pleased by her gracious gesture. “I would like that,” he said in a low voice.
    “Then come inside, please.”
    She led him into her house, and while she was short, he was very tall and had to bend over to enter. Once inside, his head scraped