Free The Lion and the Crow by Eli Easton Page A

did you learn?” Christian asked William when they met up again.
    “That Lord Somerfield is a vicious, pox-marked bastard, and that everyone in his household fears him. ’Tis said Lady Elaine sits at his side meekly, so well-beaten she never speaks a word, even when he propositions wenches in front of her.”
    “Someone told you that?”
    “Aye. I would give my eyeteeth to castrate Somerfield. And then cast his innards on a spinning wheel.” William glowered. “But at least we know Elaine is still alive.”
    ****
    It took them two and a half days to cross the Cumbrian Mountains on horseback. Christian remembered where to find the best path, and where to avoid straying off it onto misleading shepherd’s trails. The mountains were beautiful and chill, but neither man was in much of a mind to enjoy them.
    They descended to the foothills on the third day and made an early camp, still far enough away from the castle to feel safe.
    “If I leave at sunrise,” said Christian, “I’ll arrive at the castle before midday.”
    “Christian,” William said firmly, “I am still not easy about your going into the castle bailey alone to spy.”
    “But we agreed,” Christian said calmly. “My face is not known. I’ll get the lay of things and be back in one week. At best, I will learn something that gives you a better option. At worst, you’ve lost some time.”
    William wiped his face with a large hand. “But if you’re caught as a spy…”
    “I will not be caught.”
    “You won’t be able to take your quiver. You’ll be vulnerable.”
    Christian raised his gambeson to show off a wicked dagger. He removed it and looked around the clearing. “That sapling there.” He pointed. A moment later, his dagger was sunk deep in the very center of the narrow trunk, nearly toppling the thing.
    William could not help a chuckle. “Impressive, Crow.”
    Christian grinned with delighted pride, like a young boy being praised by his father. He retrieved his knife, and when he returned he stepped far closer to William than was proper, causing the heat that was always banked between them to stir and rouse.
    “I survived my brothers for fourteen years. I’m no fool, William. I beg you to have some faith in me. You are not alone in this.”
    William felt his will slipping. He knew he would approve the plan in a heartbeat as a military commander. And he did trust in Christian’s strength and agility, his cleverness. He did. But his heart did not want to let Christian anywhere near Lord Somerfield or his forces. It was bad enough that Somerfield had Elaine.
    “You must make no move without me,” William ordered. “You will return in one week— sooner if you can. And you will not take risks— no sneaking into Elaine’s quarters, no going into private areas, no risky questions that would give you away. Swear to me, Christian.”
    Christian hesitated. “I swear to you that my dearest wish is for us to be together safe again, and that I will act in no way to endanger that.”
    Christian moved even closer to William as he spoke, his eyes full of a fierce affection. A wave of desire dried up William’s demands along with his ability to form any words at all. It seemed the more he had of Christian the more helplessly he wanted him.
    “Have no fear,” Christian said softly. He ran long fingers along William’s jaw. “I will slip in and out like a shadow.”
    “You put much faith in your… charms,” William said mildly, even though he was already stiffening.
    Christian smiled slyly. “I do. I bought something for us in Kendal.”
    He went to his horse and pulled something from the saddle bags. William had wondered why Christian had been so long in the shops. When he returned he held out a small stoppered jar.
    “Poison?” William asked warily.
    Christian laughed. “By the blood, I pray not, considering where this is going.”
    Christian uncorked the jar and dabbed some on his fingers. It was clear. He ran it over William’s