Serpent's Claim (Serpent's Touch 2)

“You weren’t supposed to come back!” the High Lord spat out. “You were as good as dead. Gone forever.”

“That’s what you wanted, didn’t you? For me to perish in the human world.”

Udren shook with hatred. “Why shouldn’t I want that? You always were Father’s favorite. He let you get away with everything—the eldest son, the future High Lord. And what about me? I was destined to be second in everything. Why shouldn’t I have taken the chance to get rid of you when I saw one?”

The words hit Kyllen like a lightning bolt. “What are you talking about? What did you do?”

“I didn’t need to do much. I fell behind when we were paddling to the Teal Stream, remember? You didn’t wait for me, going ahead—always faster, stronger…better,” Udren spat the word out like it was a curse. “Across the bend, I saw the bracks setting up the net.”

“You did?” He staggered back, letting go of his brother’s senties.

Udren smirked, clearly enjoying Kyllen’s shock. “I wasn’t strong enough to push you off the board, but I knew you would jump off yourself if you thought I was in trouble. So, I pretended to get trapped in the net underwater, then threw it over you when you so honorably tried to ‘free’ me.”

Kyllen had thought he knew all about his brother’s treacherous nature by now. Apparently, he did not. There was no limit to the depth of betrayal Udren was capable of.

Rage burned higher, bitter and hot. “They took me because of you… I spent months trapped in a crate. I almost died… All because of you!” He grabbed Udren’s senties again, yanking his head closer. “I should kill you.”

“But you won’t,” his brother taunted. “Because you’re too fucking perfect for murder. Even more so, for fratricide.”

“Am I?” Kyllen smirked. “Oh, how things have changed, my dear brother. Trust me, I won’t bat an eye slitting your throat. But I’ll do something worse than that.” He sheathed his sword and drew a dagger instead. “I’ll let you live long enough to lose our father’s throne and watch me take it.” Pressing the blade to Udren’s neck, he ordered, “You will raise the court right now and declare me the High Lord. I want you to abdicate. In my favor.”

At the contact with the dagger, the skin under the dark-green pattern over Udren’s face paled. The mocking expression slid off his face, replaced with that of utter terror.

“Why would I do that?” he mumbled.

“Because you know I have every right to kill you. You’re a coward, brother. Always have been. There’s nothing you wouldn’t do for just another day to live. Let’s go.” He yanked Udren toward the door. “If you do as I say, I'll let you live long enough to die in your own nest from the mortal drought. But either way, you won’t be the High Lord of Ellohi for much longer.”