Free The Dragon and the Dreamwalker (Elemental Series) by Elizabeth Rose

“You’re dismissed, Garrick. Tell Asad everything still runs on schedule. The wedding is in an hour.”
    “Aye, my lord.” Garrick left, closing the door.
    Brynn turned toward the window, grabbing the coverlet and wrapping it around herself.
    “How did you know where to find Asad?” came his low voice from behind her.
    She smiled. “A lucky guess? He seems like the kind of man to whom women would be attracted.”
    “Hmmmfff,” he grumbled as if he were insulted. He sat on the edge of the bed and pulled on his boots. “I’ll send the chamber maid up at once to help prepare you for the wedding. You do have something besides that to wear.”
    It was more of a command than a question.
    “I notice you’re wearing old and dirty clothing,” she commented.
    He stood and strapped his sword around his waist. His tunic was crumpled, his hose dirty. His hair was long and tangled and he needed a shave.
    “’Tis a wedding. I am not dressing for battle. What I’m wearing will suffice.”
    Now it was her turn to “hmmmfff,” in insult.
    “You almost sound as if you care,” he said with a smile.
    “If you’re demanding I marry you, without regards to my opinion, then it is a battle.” She smiled back. “I suggest you wear your finest armor to the ceremony. And be sure to polish your blade.”
    His hand clenched the hilt of his sword and he narrowed his gaze.
    “Since you’re so interested in my blade, I’ll be sure to let you do the polishing. . . after the wedding!”
    He left the room, and Brynn felt her face flush at that comment. She was glad he didn’t remember anything that happened in the Dreamwalker state. She could never face him in the physical if he had.
     
    Drake paused just outside the door, running a hand through his hair. He felt like he had drunk a barrel of wine last night, though he hadn’t had a drop. His head pounded and his eyes felt sunken on his face. And there was this nagging feeling inside him that he was forgetting something. Something to do with the girl, but he just couldn’t remember.
    “My lord!” Asad ran up to him, straightening his tunic and running his hand through his hair. “I guess I must have overslept.”
    Drake looked at him curiously. “Were you in the kitchens with a certain voluptuous wench by any chance?”
    Asad’s eyes shot up to his and Drake knew it was true.
    “I was . . . meeting a certain need, my lord. I won’t let it happen again.”
    “I don’t object to your healthy appetite for women, squire. But just make sure it doesn’t interfere with your duties.”
    “It won’t,” he answered. “I’ll be off at once to make certain the wedding preparations go as planned.”
    “No. Stay here at the door until I send up the guard. I don’t want the girl leaving the room again without my permission.”
    “She left the room?” asked Asad. “When, my lord?”
    Drake shook his head. “I’m not sure. Did you happen to see her last night in the kitchens?”
    “Nay, my lord. But I was a little preoccupied.”
    “Aye. Well, keep your eyes open.” Drake headed for the great hall to try to get something to eat. Mayhap a little food would help clear this confusion in his head.
    When he entered the great hall, he noticed the men in blue robes sitting at one of the trestle tables speaking with one of the serving wenches. She looked up toward Drake and pointed. The men nodded to her, stood, and came to meet him.
    “Lord Dunsbard,” one asked, while the other two stayed silent, hoods still raised. “I am Hermod, the chief Elder of the village of Lornoon.”
    “Aye,” answered Drake, taking a tankard of ale from a servant boy who joined them. Drake nodded, and the boy bowed his head and left them. “I know who you are, and also what you want. I sent word with your servant last night that you cannot have Brynn.”
    “But we must! She means much to the people of Lornoon.” Hermod stood with his hands folded in front of him, almost like a holy man. His