Page 107 of Kneel Before Me

Before Caspen could reply, Kronos turned and was gone.

Caspen stared after him in shock, unwilling to process what had just happened. Was the Seneca insane? He had a death wish, surely. The moment the human prince found out that Kronos had feelings for his top pick, he would be dead—taken for bloodletting or worse.

Caspen shuddered at the thought. He could only pity Kronos. The man was deranged, and it would be his downfall. He watched as the basilisk reunited with Daphne before a butler ushered them through a door at the end of the ballroom.

“I have never seen a teacher dance with their student before,” a voice mused from behind Caspen.

Caspen did not bother turning around. He could sense Rowe from here.

“Rather peculiar, would you not agree?” Rowe continued.

Unfortunately Caspen did agree. Peculiar was the least offensive word that could be used to describe what Kronos and Daphne were doing. It was not good that Rowe had noticed them together.

“Their business is their own.”

It was the opposite stance he had just taken with Kronos. But he did not want Rowe involved with this. Caspen would handle it in his own way.

“Such business is dangerous,” Rowe said quietly. “It must be eradicated.”

Caspen finally turned to him. “What are you saying?”

“If he is a problem,” Rowe said quietly, “perhaps we should do something about it.”

Caspen did not like his tone. Or his use of the word we. It implied that they were allies, and nothing could be further from the truth. “We will do nothing.”

Rowe held his gaze. “Perhaps you will do nothing. I may take matters into my own hands.”

Dread pressed against Caspen’s chest. He knew exactly how Rowe would take matters into his own hands. It did not matter that they were both Senecas; anyone in Rowe’s way was in danger. As much as Caspen did not approve of Kronos’s relationship with Daphne, he could not allow him to be killed for it. He needed him alive for what he was planning to do.

“You would kill your own kind?”

Rowe’s mouth twitched. “Not exactly.”

Realization slid over Caspen slowly. Rowe was not referring to Kronos. He was referring to Daphne.

“That is unwise,” Caspen said. “It would violate the truce.”

“Only if I take her life.”

“What else is there to do?”

Rowe smiled. The sight sent a chill down Caspen’s spine. “Inflict pain.”

Caspen suppressed a shiver. He hated humans as much as the next basilisk. But this was too far. Daphne was the prince’s top pick; if Rowe harmed her, they could face another war.

“You cannot do that.”

Rowe shrugged. “I have done nothing yet.”

Yet. A word Caspen was not pleased to hear.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Maximus

Maximus raked his eyes over Daphne’s basilisk.

The snake was intimidatingly tall—with long, wavy hair worn loose over his shoulders. His proud posture only accentuated his height. Maximus straightened, studying the basilisk’s face, which was a tight mask of concern. What could he possibly have to be worried about? Daphne was in first place. He should be happy his student was winning the competition. Maximus had met with several basilisks already tonight, and none of them looked as troubled as this one did. For a moment, no one spoke. Then the prince extended his hand, and the basilisk took it.