The Sheik and the Siren (Elemental Series) by Elizabeth Rose

amazing,” he cried, but realized suddenly that while they were under the water, the weather had changed drastically. He looked over to where he’d left his boat, but it was gone. He couldn’t help but notice his hose and shoes were missing also. The trees of the island were bending over far in the wind, and the waves just the other side of the cove were nearly twice his height.
    “What’s happening?” he asked, seeing the rain in the distance coming down in torrents now, though it wasn’t raining around them.
    “I guess I caused this,” she said, “when I became upset by what I saw in the crystal dolphin.”
    They made their way to the shore, and when they emerged, he saw her take her clothes from behind a rock and don them. Just a short shift again, but at least it hid her nakedness from him, and for now – he was glad.
    “My ship,” he shouted, running to the far north shore to see around the cliffs of the island, w here he’d left Boots and Bear with the Paradigm. And to his horror, the ship was gone. He strained his eyes to see it far in distance, barely a speck on the water. “Damn,” he ground out. “They must have left because of the storm. Tho I can’t blame them. Those waves could have smashed them to pieces with one hit against the sharp rocks.”
    “So, you’re stranded,” she said. “And basically naked.” She eyed him up and down. Since he had ripped up his tunic to wrap his head, he wore naught but a wet pair of braies.
    “Make this weather stop!” he commanded. “Stop it anon and do something to make my ship and crew return.”
    “Nay, a fae does not take commands from anyone. And if they left you, mayhap they tired of your company or just didn’t care.”
    “That is not true. They would have stayed if they weren’t so frightened by Death’s Door, I know that was the reason. And I’m sure they’ll return just as soon as you stop this damned storm.”
    “I can control the water and the rain from the sky, but not always the wind, as that is another elemental’s domain. Her name is Portia-Maer, and she is the elemental of the air.”
    “Then call to her and tell her to stop this immediately.”
    “It doesn’t work that way,” she told him. “Now stop your complaining and follow me.”
    “Where are we going?”
    “To my father’s castle on the other side of the island.”
    Ace knew which castle she spoke of. He’d seen it in passing several times, but he thought it deserted, as it was overgrown with weeds and vines and the walls were starting to crumble as well. He couldn’t imagine anyone really lived there. Nor was it in any shape for defense of any kind.
    “Would you r father be happy to see me, or want to take off my head like the rest of your merry men?”
    She stopped so quickly, he banged into her, putting out his arms to catch her shoulders and keep her from falling. She looked angry by his question, and somehow he’d managed to stir her emotions once again.
    “Neither,” she said. “But I can guarantee his men would want to take off your head without a doubt.”
    “Well, I would make a good impression on your father then, and get him to like me.”
    “Nay, you won’t, you pompous fool. Because my father is dead!”

Chapter 5
     
     
    Ace followed Ebba up the hill to the other side of the small island. She’d refused to stop the harsh weather on the sea, but the sun shone brightly directly above the island. She stopped in her tracks when she got to the drawbridge that was down. He looked at the despair upon her face and could see why.
    At one time this looked to have been a prosperous castle and demesne. But now – now it was in shambles and the remnants of a past war still showe d in the surroundings. Dark ash-laden walls of the outer bailey proved that there was a bad fire there at one time. The chains from the drawbridge were broken and jangled in the breeze, and the wood of the structure itself was rotting away.
    Charred, leafless trees surrounded