The Sword and the Sylph (Elemental Series) by Elizabeth Rose Page A

mind she moved and shaped the clouds into anything she wanted. She started out by forming them into a swan and then a castle with two high turrets. And when she’d meant to create a flower next, she knew her mind was obviously playing tricks on her, as instead of a flower the clouds above her molded into the face of Sir Braden.
    She though it odd that the clouds would take on an image of their own, but realized she must have been thinking about him an d done it unknowingly. She felt so relaxed and was happy with her decision to come up to the mountain. This was just what she needed to regain her strength. She had just about fallen asleep in the fresh air and sunshine, when all of a sudden she had the feeling someone was watching her. She jumped to her feet and turned around to see who it was.
     
    Braden made it up the mountain easily, as he was a skilled climber having spent his childhood being in nature as much as he could. He made it to the top of the highest peak, being directed here by Juturna. He had been surprised to find her in town, and was also happy to see her once again. She had told him where to find Portia and he was pleased he’d be able to talk to the fae in private, away from everyone else.
    She was laying down at first and he didn’t see her, but then she stood and faced him and he stopped in his tracks, shocked by the sight. The girl was stark naked and looked like a goddess standing atop the mountain with the breeze lifting her long silken hair as it blew around her in the air. A small wreath of woven mountain flowers sat tilted atop her head, and that was the only thing she wore. Not a stitch of clothing.
    “Sir Braden,” she cried out. “What are you doing here?”
    She did naught to cover herself, just turned slightly as he approached and looked at him through hooded eyes over one shoulder.
    “Juturna told me I’d find you here. I saw her in the village,” he explained.
    “Why didn’t the wind tell me you were coming?” she asked aloud.
    “Mayhap the wind didn’t want you to know.”
    “Aye, I see now that it was trying to tell me by showing me your face in the clouds.”
    He walked forward slowly, his body already growing hard beneath his braies at the site of the beautiful fae woman. Her skin was white as snow, her breasts perky, or at least from what he’d seen. She turned her body from him shyly and he felt the need to see her fully. He also felt the need to take her, but was afraid to reach out and touch her. He knew he’d like it too much and wouldn’t want to stop, nor did he know if he’d be able to once he started.
    “Why were you looking for me?” she asked.
    He couldn’t answer that now. Not when she was so vulnerable – and so naked.
    “Does it really matter?” he asked. “The only thing that is important is that I’ve found you, Portia-Maer. I have done naught but think of you for the past two days, so please do not disappear from me now.”
    “So, it sounds as if you’ve missed me,” she said, turning slightly, enabling him now to see her two beautiful breasts. Rounded mounds tilted upward with two light pink nipples growing larger in the warm sun.
    He unsheathed his sword and laid it on the ground, not wanting his weapon of death and destruction to come anywhere near her perfect body. Then he reached out for her slowly and carefully, half expecting her to pull away. When she didn’t, he took her into his arms and kissed her gently.
    “I have missed you more than you know, my little sylph.”
    He rubbed his fingers over the soft skin of her cheek and waited until she raised her bilberry blue eyes to meet his gaze.
    “I have missed you as well,” she said softly.
    “Portia, I want you. I want you more than I’ve ever wanted any woman before.”
    “I am lonely,” she told him, “but I would not lie with you when you are betrothed to another.”
    “My betrothed loves me not, nor do I love her. I caught her in the shadows with another lover just last