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

then call for the healer, as I would not have my new possession die before I’ve had a chance to enjoy her.”
    “Of course, Lord Wolf e. Right away.” Sir Braden took off in a hurry.
    Wolf e continued his trek into the great hall. He stopped near the hearth, shooing away the stragglers sleeping near the fire who obviously hadn’t heard the wagging tongues or they would have been in the courtyard as well. He laid the girl on the ground next to the fire to warm her cold skin. Then he grabbed a tankard of ale offered to him by a servant. Sitting upon the bench of the trestle table, he crossed his booted feet in front of him as he surveyed the girl they’d called Rae-Nyst.
    Comely, she was, for an odd creature of the forest. He surveyed her button nose and lush pink lips, thinking she looked so different than any of the women he’d ever known. Her hair was long, trailing down aroun d her shoulders, and he was almost getting used to the odd pink hue of the front locks. Very odd indeed. Her skin looked smooth, but she was even paler now than when she’d collapsed in his arms at the henge.
    That p ainting on her face was embarrassing, and he licked his thumb and bent over to try to rub it off, but it held fast. He didn’t want anything or anyone odd in his castle. Or at least not where anyone could see it. He’d planned on keeping her hidden, but that was no longer an option since the inhabitants of his castle and demesne had already seen her.
    Still, h e’d strived to be ‘normal’ after the ridicule he’d received for enjoying oddities as a child. He didn’t need any tongues wagging behind his back. He rubbed it again, but the paint would not even lessen. ’Twas as if it were branded into her body. And that damned wreath of mistletoe and flowers around her head looked totally ridiculous as well.
    He reached up and ripped off her headpiece, tossing it into the fire. Flames shot up as the greenery curled and turned to black smoke, leaving an acrid stench in the air. He could see her ears much better now, and couldn’t help himself from reaching out and tracing the semi-pointed tip with the end of his finger.
    She stirred , then and moaned in her sleep, now sounding just as alluring as she looked. He’d broken his own rule by bringing an oddity into his castle. He would pay for this dearly, he was sure of it. And he already regretted his action.
    “Lord Wolf e,” said a chambermaid with a slight curtsey, “the tower room is prepared for your . . . guest.”
    He n oticed her staring at the forest girl’s ears with a look of horror upon her face.
    “You’re dismissed,” he told her with a slight nod, and watched as she picked up her skirts and darted away. He saw her stop by a group of the castle’s help and whisper something and point toward the girl sleeping on the rushes near the fire.
    He didn’t like this at all. Tongues were already wagging and he’d give them no more opportunity to do so this night. He placed his tankard on the table and scooped up the girl in his arms. Then with wide steps he headed out of the great hall past the onlookers whispering amongst themselves, and climbed the circular stone staircase that led to the tower.
    One kick of his leg sent the door swinging open. Several servants were inside lighting candles a nd bustling about. They stopped when he entered, and he ignored them as he made his way towards the bed.
    “Out! All of you,” he shouted, tired of gawkers. They obliged quickly and he climbed the two-steps up the dais that housed the large pallet stuffed with straw, sitting atop a wooden structure. He threw her down upon it, shaking his head. “You’d better not die,” he said, angered at her frail nature.
    “My Lord, the healer is here,” said Sir Braden from the door. He led the man into the room. The healer was old, with a tall frame and grey hair. His face was hollowed and his eyes dark. He held a bag in his hand, clutching it with both fists. He approached the bed