Page 110 of Kneel Before Me

Kronos did not reply. His fists were clenched at his sides in an exact mirror of Maximus’s. They were standing mere inches apart. All it would take was a single movement from either of them to break the tension. Instead they surveyed each other, and Maximus forced himself to stare straight into the basilisk’s terrifying golden eyes. If Kronos chose to use his true form right now, Maximus would be helpless against him. It would certainly be a first: a petrified prince, slain before he could choose his wife. Perhaps that’s what Kronos wanted. With Maximus out of the picture, he would have Daphne all to himself. He could take her under the mountain and keep her there forever without recourse. Augustus certainly wouldn’t go after her. She would never be seen again. This train of thought only strengthened Maximus’s resolve. He was in danger. But it was worth it to protect Daphne.

“I would never hurt her,” Kronos whispered. “She is irreplaceable.”

His words made Maximus want to vomit. He could not understand what was happening. How had this meeting spun so far out of control, so quickly? One moment he had the power, and the next it belonged to Kronos. It was not a scenario Maximus had ever found himself in before. As the prince, other men feared him. Every woman wanted to be with him. But now, in this room, he did not have the advantage. It would not do at all.

“Compliment her again and I shall have your head.”

The basilisk squared his shoulders.

Maximus did the same.

“She deserves to be complimented.”

“Then she shall be complimented by me.”

Beside them, Daphne’s head was whipping back and forth as if she were watching a sport match. She might as well have been; there would be a winner and a loser here, of that much Maximus would make sure.

“She is mine,” Maximus snapped. “And only mine.”

Kronos did not reply, nor did he speak again. He simply turned and stormed out of the room.

Daphne stared after him, her face twisted in concern.

“What,” Maximus said slowly. “The fuck was that?”

Daphne opened her mouth. But Maximus no longer cared to hear it.

“Get out,” he said.

“Are you serious?”

“Deadly.”

Without another word, Daphne left.

Maximus stood there, suddenly alone, trying to comprehend what just happened. He was not a stupid man. He considered himself intelligent by most measurable means. As such, he was quite sure of what he had just seen.

Kronos had feelings for Daphne. And Daphne had feelings for Kronos.

Maximus wasn’t even sure whether they knew it themselves yet. But he knew it. And he would not accept it.

“Your Highness?” The butler reappeared, snapping Maximus from his stupor.

“What is it?”

“You have one more meeting tonight. Are you ready?”

Maximus sighed. The show must go on. “Yes. Bring them in.”

He already knew who the final meeting would be with. There was only one contestant left, and Maximus had no doubt that his father had designated the order specifically to ensure she was last. He took a long, lingering sip of his wine as the door opened.

Constance’s basilisk was taller than the other basilisks—even taller than Kronos had been. His golden eyes pierced Maximus’s as he entered the room, trailed by Constance, who looked far too proud for Maximus’s liking. All he could see when he looked at her was a woman who wasn’t Daphne.

When the snake extended his hand in the same way Kronos had, Maximus shook it. “And your name is…?”

“Caspenon.”

“Great.” Maximus could not have cared less at this point. The repetitive niceties of the evening had worn him down to the bone.