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

Author:Rose, Elizabeth [Rose, Elizabeth]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Elizabeth Rose
Published: 2013-05-19T22:00:00+00:00

* * *

Rae couldn’t stand still, she was so worried for Wolfe’s safety. She promised him she wouldn’t go to the castle, but she needed something – anything to occupy her mind while she was waiting for him to return.

She walked outside her forest hut into the glorious summer air, raising her arms above her head and twirling a full circle. She breathed in the essence of the trees, the leaves, every rock and twig. She became one with the wildlife and also every animal there. The birds chirped happily from the treetops above her, and small animals scurried across the forest floor at her feet. The smell of sweet wild roses and foxglove drifted to her on the breeze.

Then she leaned against the giant oak, and heard its whisper that the druids had returned. She knew she’d find them in the stone circle. And she also knew she needed to be among others who understood her at a time like this.

She made her way to the standing stones, seeing the druids sitting in a circle within. They wore their hooded white robes as always. They were all men at this time, though it wasn’t a rule not to include women. They’d accepted her into their circle, but she knew that the druids preferred their own kind instead.

“Chief Humphrey,” she said, kneeling at the entrance to the stones and bowing her head.

“Rae-Nyst,” he answered, rising to meet her, speaking in a whisper. “We are so happy you are back. So the evil duke has set you free?”

She stood and joined the man and gave him an embrace. The other druids chanted softly, holding hands. In the middle of the circle atop the sacrificial stone was a large crystal of the earth. So large ’twould take three people to move it.

“The duke is not evil,” she assured him. “And he has not set me free, rather he is away at battle.”

“Aye, we know,” he answered with a nod.

“How do you know this?” she said. “Did you overhear us talking?”

“Nay, we saw it in our crystal. Come. Join us, goddess of the land, and you can see the battle taking place as well.”

Curious to know of Wolfe’s safety, Rae accepted his offer, sitting in the circle and holding hands with the rest of the druids. She felt the disturbing presence of battle immediately. She closed her eyes and joined in the chanting.

“We are praying to the god, Lugh,” Humphrey whispered. “Pray with us so you’ll attain ‘raven knowledge’ from the god of destruction. With this gift, you’ll be able to see into the future, the past, and beyond the veil of death. Look for a raven, for that is Lugh’s messenger.”

Rae focused within herself, thinking the god of destruction reminded her of Duke the Destroyer. She tried to still her mind, and immediately she felt the strong power flowing through the group. Then she heard the cry of a bird and opened her eyes to see a raven sitting atop the huge crystal in the middle of the circle.

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