Page 105 of Kneel Before Me

“Who is that?” she whispered.

“That is Caspenon.”

“Is he…important?”

“He is the son of the Serpent King.” Kronos looked down at her. “Why do you ask?”

“I…met him.”

His face twisted suddenly with concern. “When did you meet him?”

“When I came to find you that one time. Agnes told me he’s her brother.”

Kronos was frowning as if what she’d said was deeply concerning. “Why did you not tell me?”

Daphne shrugged. “I didn’t think it mattered.”

“It matters,” he said. “You must tell me if anything like that happens again. Do you understand?”

She nodded.

“It is not safe for you to be alone with another basilisk,” Kronos continued, his words quick and sharp. “They will seek to harm you. Especially a Drakon. And especially if they know that I—”

Just then, Caspenon was upon them.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Caspen

Tonight was one of the most important nights of the competition. It would be Caspen’s only opportunity to find out if it would be possible to change the tide in his favor. Tonight, the basilisks and their students met with the prince to see if he had feedback, to see if they could course correct and gain his favor.

He had been on edge as he walked with the other basilisks, but it was nothing compared to how he felt now. As soon as they had arrived, Caspen had watched as Kronos trailed through the ballroom, clearly looking for someone. Caspen stood to the side, his eyes narrowed as the Seneca searched the crowd. Eventually, he came to a stop. A girl emerged. She was wearing a velvet dress that was cinched at the waist, her hair cascading over her shoulders in a waterfall of curls. Daphne. Caspen moved closer, ignoring the short, impertinent humans around him as he pushed toward Kronos. He watched as the Seneca approached Daphne, holding out his hand. Ice slid down Caspen’s spine. He was asking her to dance.

Daphne regarded Kronos with surprise, then eventual acceptance. She placed her hand in his and they crossed to the center of the ballroom. Caspen wanted to close his eyes, to ignore the abomination happening before him. The way they danced told Caspen everything he needed to know. Kronos held Daphne tenderly, spinning her around with undeniable care. He was a good dancer; all basilisks were. Despite himself, Caspen had to admit they looked beautiful together. But this was not done. Kronos was putting himself at risk. He was putting his entire quiver at risk. And most of all—considering he clearly loved her—he was putting Daphne at risk.

Kronos’s feelings were not the only problem. The human prince would not take kindly to finding out that one of his potential future wives had a basilisk suitor. Caspen wished wildly that there was some sort of law against this, that he could turn Kronos in to the council and they would punish him accordingly. But it was not illegal to love a human. It was merely rare, and rarity was not a punishable offense. Still, Caspen knew Kronos had gone too far. It was time to act. Caspen watched as Kronos took Daphne’s face in his hands. Caspen’s heart nearly stopped. Was he about to kiss her?

He approached quickly, tracking their movements through the crowd the same way he would track prey. As soon as he was close, Kronos’s eyes met his. He tensed. Daphne glanced questioningly up at Kronos, then at Caspen. By the time he reached them, they had stopped dancing and turned to face him.

Kronos stood between him and Daphne. Caspen stared at Daphne. Something glinted at her shoulder—a delicate strap that caught the light. He squinted, attempting to see it better. Then his heart stopped. It could not be. Kronos would not have dared to give her such a thing. The moment Daphne saw where he was looking, she adjusted herself so the strap was once more hidden. Caspen’s gaze snapped away.

“Kronos,” he said.

“Caspenon.”

Kronos was standing tall—nearly as tall as Caspen. It reminded him of the way he had straightened when Caspen had asked why he wanted to watch the village. He was defensive. Protecting her. Caspen dropped his voice so that no one would overhear him ask, “What is the meaning of this?”

Kronos straightened even more. “What is the meaning of what?”

“This.” Caspenon gestured between Kronos and Daphne.

“I do not know what you mean.”

“I mean.” Caspenon stepped even closer. The Seneca stiffened. “I know you watched the Showing.”

Beside Kronos, Daphne frowned; perhaps she was unaware of his feelings for her. By the way his hand was wrapped around her waist, she had to have some idea. No woman could be so obtuse, even a human.

“You should be careful,” Caspen said. “It is not wise to—”