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

to match any blow. Now stop being so distracted and pay attention. Your life could depend on it some day.”
    Sir Braden met his blows with renewed vigor, but still Wolf e was besting him. He dared to glance once more in Rae’s direction, hoping he’d impressed her, but instead of looking at him, she was petting one of the stray hounds. Next thing he knew, the mutt was headed straight for him. It snapped at his heels, barking, distracting him from his concentrated practice.
    “Get away from me, you dirty mutt.” He kicked backward with his foot, but the dog grabbed his boot in its mouth and wouldn’t let it go. One glance over his shoulder to the dog and his concentration was broken. Sir Braden easily unarmed him. His sword went flying through the air and landed on the dusty field not far from his feet.
    “And how was that, my lord?” asked Sir Braden with a smile. “Good enough for your captain of the guard? After all, I unarmed you , and had you been my enemy your head would be severed and laying at my feet right now.”
    “’Twas not fair. I was distracted by the hound.”
    “I see.” Sir Braden retrieved Wolfe’s sword and handed it to him hilt first. “What was it you told me about not being distracted? That my life could depend on it someday?”
    Wolf e angrily grabbed his proffered weapon and looked around for the dog. He really wanted to stab his sword right through it about now. Instead of the hound at his heels, it was back by Rae again. She petted it on the head and it took off toward the courtyard.
    “ She had something to do with this, I am sure.”
    “She?” Sir Braden followed his gaze, and realized he was looking at Rae. “Do you mean the elfin girl?”
    “God’s eyes, she is not an elf! How many times do I have to tell you?”
    “Oh, that’s right. The sprite – the elemental, was it?”
    “Something like that.” He sheathed his sword and headed toward the tiltyard. Mayhap he could impress her with his jousting, as he was undefeated in this event. Sir Braden followed right behind.
    “If I may speak freely, my lord?”
    “Nay,” he snapped, but the man continued to talk anyway.
    “It seems to me you are smitten with the girl and mayhap – trying to impress her?”
    “Nonsense. I don’t need to impress anyone. My title of duke and also my reputation of being Duke the Destroyer speaks for itself.”
    His squire ran up to meet him , bringing him his jousting armor which would give him protection against the lance.
    “Nay,” he said, waving it away. “I don’t have time for that nor do I feel like baking in the hot sun. Just give me a padded hauberk and chain mail to cover it.”
    He knew this was dangerous, not wearing the proper protection, even while in practice, but he didn’t care for it. He sometimes even refused to wear it into battle.
    “Would you be requiring your helm today, my lord?”
    “Aye.” Wolfe grabbed the helm from the squire and quickly lifted himself into the saddle.
    “So , I suppose the sprite is enamored by a man of war and destruction?” asked Sir Braden. “After all, isn’t that what nature elementals are intrigued by?”
    “Sir Braden, enough! I don’t need you telling me what does or doesn’t impress a woman.”
    “ Ah. So you are trying to impress her?”
    Wolf e looked at the man, realizing he was right. Still, he had naught else to offer, and women always seemed to flock to the hardened, skilled warriors. ’Twas all he knew. He was sure he’d see respect and admiration in her eyes once he won the joust. Then she’d be just as smitten with him as he was with her.
    “Lord Wolfe, you r shield,” said his squire.
    He quickly donned the helm, and reached down to collect his wooden shield trimmed with metal. Here was painted his family crest. His charge was a passant white wolf, armed with teeth of gold. It was displayed proudly upon a field of blood red. An arched half-wreath of laurel canopied over the wolf’s head holding his family