Read The Duke and the Dryad (Elemental Series) for Free Online Page A

louder as the earth split open and turned itself over as if an invisible plow made the furrows for her.
    “Truly amazing,” said Juturna, watching in awe as the earth tilled itself right before her very eyes.
    “Won’t Lord Wolf e be surprised?” Rae thanked the earth silently and nodded her head.
    “Aye,” said the old woman with a nod of her own. “I think shocked is a better word to describe how Lord Wolfe is going to feel. And I am not sure I want to be around when he finds out.”
     
    * * *
     
    Wolfe paced back and forth in his solar, feeling bad for what he’d ordered the fae girl to do. ’Twas impossible for a female to pull a plow, and he knew he’d have to reprimand her when she didn’t carry out the task as ordered. He didn’t want to hurt her, he truly didn’t. But he could not allow himself to look weak in the eyes of his people, so he’d had no choice but to send her to the fields to carry out his orders. He was a strong warrior whom people feared. He had his reputation to uphold. Duke the Destroyer was not going to go back on his word even if she was a beautiful, intriguing woman.
    A knock at the door took his attention.
    “Enter,” he said, wondering who is was since he hadn’t called for anyone to join him in his chamber.
    Sir Braden hurried into the room, leaving the door open behind him. Excitement was evident upon his face.
    “What is it, Sir Braden? Do tell me before you burst with the news you are holding within.”
    “’Tis the f ae girl, my lord.”
    “Aye,” he said, in thought. He walked over to an earthen basin of water on his nightstand, splashing water on his face preparing himself for the upcoming meal. “I know she hasn’t done as instructed, and I’ll have no choice but to reprimand her.” He pulled his tunic off over his head, standing there bare-chested and in naught but his skin-tight hose.
    “I have not only plowed the field, but washed up and changed for the meal and also helped the kitchen servants prepare the food.” Wolfe heard Rae’s voice from behind Sir Braden.
    His eyes shot toward the corridor. Rae-Nyst stood in the doorway, and before he could even acknowledge her presence, she pushed past his knight and entered. She stopped dead in her tracks when she saw him. Her gaze travelled down his bare chest, landing below his waist. He felt himself growing beneath his hose and turned back quickly, pretending to busy himself at the wash basin.
    “Sir Braden, you are dismissed,” he said, wanting to be alone with the girl.
    “Aye, my lord. I will see that the meal is ready for you now, Your Grace.”
    “Lord Wolf e,” he corrected him. “And close the door on your way out.”
     
    Rae heard the thud of the door closing, trapping her in the room alone with The Wolf . She felt her heart beating quickly, and when he turned back toward her, she couldn’t keep her eyes from settling once again on his near naked body.
    This man was strong, and his muscled arms and chest told no lie of the warrior he was known to be. His hair was ebony black, cut short, just ending at the nape of his neck. The ends bent upward into a slight curl. He had a ruggedness about him that called out to her, and a sereneness that made him look relaxed or tired. His thick stubble of a beard and mustache made her think that he hadn’t slept or shaved in days.
    His face was very handsome, and his intense grey eyes drew her in. ’Twas as if he were undressing her with his gaze, and she felt helpless to stop it. Still, he made her feel alive inside, and she couldn’t help but wonder how it would feel to kiss him. He perused her as much as she did him. Though she felt like running, she raised her chin bravely and daringly matched his stare.
    She was a child of the forest and not experienced with the likes of men. She’d often seen the lord and warriors as they rode past , but she’d always blended into her surroundings effortlessly rather than to make her presence known. Her eyes