Serpent's Touch (Serpent's Touch 1)

Gliding the board over the murky waters of the river, he quickly caught up with the flotilla and lined up his board with the boat of the High Lord.

“You both are welcome to join me in here,” Udren offered, casting a curious glance at Amira.

The guard Kyllen had misplaced by taking the board rose to his feet, ready to trade places, but Kyllen didn’t move. In the boat, he’d have to sit at his brother’s feet, looking up at him if they wanted to talk. While standing on the board, his head was higher than that of the High Lord. He preferred this position.

Besides, it felt good to be on the board once again. There had been times while he had sat in that cursed crate when he didn’t think he’d ever get to do this again.

Amira tilted her head back, breathing deeply. Deprived of her eyesight, she appeared to let her other senses guide her in the exploration of this new-to-her world, including the sense of smell.

“This is my brother, Amira,” he said. “Udren, the High Lord of Ellohi.”

She straightened her back and turned to face the boat.

“Nice to meet you,” she said sweetly, her voice polite but guarded.

With a gesture at her, he introduced loudly for the entire flotilla to hear, “This is my Amira.”

That was a public claim. The word “my” was a warning to everyone to keep their hands away from her. And judging by the intrigued stares tossed at her from every direction, the warning was badly needed.

“Welcome to Ellohi, Amira.” Udren tilted his head. “I hope you’ll like it here.”

She smiled and bowed her head—the gesture full of grace. She sat closer to the front of his board with her legs crossed, visibly calm. But by how perfectly straight she held her back and how white the skin over her knuckles turned as she gripped the edge of the board on each side of her, he could tell she was nervous, out of her element, and probably outright stressed.

He wished he could pull the board over to the river bank, gather her into his lap again, and calm her down with hugs and kisses. But the High Lord’s palace was already visible up ahead. And the kisses had to wait.