Shadow of the Raven: Sons of Kings: Book One Read Online Free Page A

Morwenna replied, knowing how much Eadwulf enjoyed Aethelnoth’s company. ‘But don’t dare be late back, or I’ll have Ocea giving me earache!’
    * * *
    ‘Well, I’m afraid I can’t stand around chatting all day.’ Burgred flashed Morwenna a dazzling smile, perfect white teeth accentuating his good looks. ‘I’ve an errand to run, so is there anything you need before I leave?’
    ‘I don’t think so, my lord,’ she replied, choosing not to query the nature of this errand. ‘We’ll see you at the evening meal then?’
    ‘Probably, although I could be a little late.’
    ‘When do you think Beorhtwulf will return?’ she asked, wondering whether her husband was aware of Burgred’s odd mood changes. ‘Do you think his journey to Winchester will prove successful?’
    Burgred’s lips pulled taut. ‘You ask questions to which I have no answers, Morwenna. I am not my brother’s keeper! When Beorhtwulf has finished his discussions with Aethelwulf, he’ll return, and inform us of their plans. Unless they become bored with such trivial issues as saving people’s lives and decide to formulate laws stopping hunting in the forests instead.’
    Shocked by such unbrotherly sentiments, Morwenna gasped. But she could not – would not – let such remarks go unchecked. ‘The people are Beortwulf’s prime concern, as you well know!’
    Burgred turned away, his eyes downcast. Did he regret his outburst, or was he simply scornful of her trust in Beorhtwulf and the Wessex king?
    ‘My brother is blessed to have you for a wife,’ he murmured, facing her again. His eyes, moments ago so full of contempt, now seemed to hold profound sadness. ‘I often wonder which of his qualities cause you to hold him in such high esteem.’
    ‘I love Beorhtwulf the man,’ Morwenna said quietly. ‘As our king, he has kept Mercia strong in the face of adversity from the Welsh, and prevented further strife with Wessex by allying himself with Aethelwulf . . .’ At Burgred’s sneer, she faltered, but did not remark. ‘But as a mere man, Beorhtwulf has qualities of kindness and thoughtfulness I could have searched a lifetime to find.’
    ‘Again, I apologise, Morwenna. My temper is easily fired today.’
    ‘But you treat me with such disrespect – and I have always treated you with sisterly affection.’
    Burgred turned again to stare at the woods, a mile to the west. Sunlight played on his hair, picking out the reds and golds. ‘That’s just the point, Morwenna,’ he replied, without turning. ‘I don’t want to be merely your brother. I want so much more from you than that.’
    In stunned silence, Morwenna watched her husband’s brother striding away in pursuit of his errand, tasting the salty tears that rolled down her cheeks.
    * * *
    The two boys ran fast and free, exulting in the warmth on their backs and the vast blue sky above. They ran until their legs could carry them no further, collapsing, breathless, on a grassy slope a short distance from the forest’s edge.
    Eadwulf rolled to face his friend. ‘What was it you wanted to show me so urgently?’
    ‘Oh, that was just something to say to convince your mother I really wanted you to come with me,’ the tousle-haired boy replied, grinning. ‘And it seemed to work, didn’t it?’
    ‘Well, don’t try it a second time. Mother has a very good memory.’
    Aethelnoth hooted at Eadwulf’s grimace. ‘As a matter of fact, I did see something in the forest when everyone was snoring last night.’
    ‘Why, exactly, were you outside at that time of night?’
    ‘Going for a piss, of course. It was so dark I couldn’t see where I was treading; stubbed my big toe on a stone or something. Want to see a black toenail? It‘s hanging off . . .’
    Eadwulf wrinkled his nose in disgust.
    ‘No? Well, because it was so dark, the lights stood out.’
    ‘What lights?’
    ‘How should I know? They were over by the woods, about six of them moving about, so they could have been