Page 109 of Kneel Before Me

Kronos did not speak for a long time. When he finally did, it was two simple words:

“She has.”

The moment he said them, something passed between Daphne and the snake—an unspoken bond that Maximus was not privy to. His jealousy sharpened into a knife. Maximus tried to ignore it, but it was impossible. This snake before him had had the privilege of touching Daphne—of having sex with her—something Maximus could only dream of doing. And dream he did. In the cold hours of the night when the castle was asleep and dawn was still far off, he dreamed of her. He pictured her in his bed, on her back, on top of him, on all fours. He pictured having her every which way he could because he knew it was the only way to have her. He pictured her because he couldn’t bear to picture anyone else.

Maximus crossed his arms, looking the snake right in the eye. “What is she exceptional at?”

Kronos blinked. “I beg your pardon?”

“You said she’s exceptional.” Maximus drew the word out. “So what is she exceptional at specifically?”

Kronos stared at him. He didn’t answer.

“Don’t be shy. Tell me.”

Beside them, Daphne had gone still. She was no longer fidgeting, no longer antsy. Now she was watching Maximus with fear in her eyes. He knew she could sense the change in his tone—they were close enough for that, at least.

“Is it the way she fucks? Gives head? Takes orders? What is it that makes her such an exceptional student?”

“Max,” Daphne whispered. “Don’t—”

“Silence,” Maximus snapped. She was weaponizing his feelings for her—using his nickname to soften him. It would not work this time. Maximus raised his hand slowly, pointing a single finger at Kronos. “Tell me.”

Kronos stared at him. He could not tell what the snake was thinking, but he knew from his expression that it was murderous. And he no longer cared. Maximus needed to control the situation—to let this monster know who was in charge.

It was a long moment before Kronos spoke. Finally, he said, “She is exceptional at everything.”

Maximus shook his head. “Too general. Be specific.”

Kronos clenched his jaw. “She…” He looked once more at Daphne, who looked back at him.

Before he could stop himself, Maximus snapped his fingers between them. “Do not look at her,” he cried. “Look at me.”

They both looked at him.

“She is exceptional at giving head,” Kronos said in a monotone.

Daphne blushed at his words. Maximus tried to wrangle the fierce jealousy that threatened to overtake him, but it was no use. He could not believe this snake had had its cock down her throat—when he himself had not—that a fucking monster reaped the reward of her affection. It was unacceptable. It was a fucking sin.

“In that case,” Maximus said slowly, speaking only once when he was sure he could do so without yelling, “it sounds like I’ve got something to look forward to, haven’t I?”

Beside him, Daphne’s hands balled into fists. Maximus could not understand why she was angry. He was the one being made a fool of. She shared some sort of bond with her teacher—something sick and twisted and wrong. There had to be punishment for it.

Kronos’s next words were sharp: “Only if that is what Daphne chooses.”

A horrible silence fell. Then Maximus whispered, “I beg your pardon?”

“It is the truth, is it not?”

If Maximus were drunker, he would have punched him. As it was, he retained just enough impulse control to say, “You are alone with the woman I care about more often than I am. You are preparing her for me. It is well within my rights to expect more from her.”

“There is no reason to expect more if you are satisfied with her performance thus far.”

Everything in Maximus told him to step away—to retreat. But he could not retreat; this was too important. This was Daphne. “It’s not her performance that I’m interested in. It’s her.”

At his words, a tremor seemed to pass through Kronos.

Maximus had never seen a basilisk lose control before. But he was quite sure he was about to witness it now. Fear flowed down his spine as his fight-or-flight instinct urged him to get to safety. Despite this, Maximus leaned in, every cell in his body screaming in protest as he said, “You had better kiss the ground she walks on. Otherwise I will bury you in it.”