Page 152 of Kneel Before Me

“How much time do I have?”

“You would need to decide by the Passing of the Crown.”

Daphne’s stomach twisted. So soon.

“You should also know,” Kronos continued, “that the Ranking will take place over three days.”

Her heart dropped. “Three days?”

“Yes.”

“I can’t be here for three whole days.”

Kronos pursed his lips. “If you cannot be here, then I must choose another guest. And if I choose another guest…” He took a deep breath, delivering his last words softly. “I will not be able to be faithful to you.”

If Daphne wasn’t his guest, Kronos would choose someone else. He would touch someone else.

He brushed his fingers over her cheek.

Daphne closed her eyes. It felt as if she had no other choice. She wanted him to be faithful to her. But she also understood that his culture dissuaded that—Penelope was merely the latest example in a long line of traditions that Daphne was quickly realizing Kronos was beholden to.

“Daphne,” he said quietly. “I will not force you. You know this.”

She knew that—but she also knew she would have to decide soon. The Passing of the Crown would happen in a matter of days. Yet a decision like this could not be rushed.

Daphne didn’t know a single detail of the Ranking—she had no idea what she would actually have to do. In a way it didn’t matter. It wasn’t about the Ranking at all. It was about whether or not she believed Kronos would keep her safe. Daphne couldn’t think of a more fitting problem for her to be faced with. It wasn’t enough just to tell him she cared about him or to voice the way she felt about their relationship. It was time to decide whether she trusted him. Just minutes ago, Kronos had implored her to tell him how she felt. This was a chance to show him.

Daphne looked him in the eye.

“I’ll decide soon.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Caspen

Caspen spent the days after biting Kronos having sex.

It did not matter who he fucked; he did not care who was placed before him. He only cared to gain as much power as possible before the Ranking. The king chasers were already vying to be his guest, eyeing him up and down every time they passed him. Caspen let them work for it; there was hardly a moment when he did not have one of them on his cock. Always, Harmony watched, circling just out of his eyeline, smirking. It was infuriating. Usually he could not get her out of his bed, and now it was impossible to get her in it. She still had not given him an answer on whether or not she would be his guest.

He had just finished fucking someone in the courtyard when another woman approached him, took his cock in her hand, and began to stroke. He was not adept at resisting, but he did so now, holding back the imminent urge to finish, refusing to give his approval to anyone unless they deserved it. Eventually, another woman replaced the first. Then another. Somewhere in the daze of pleasure, he saw Harmony sauntering up to him slowly. Even the familiar tilt of her hips was enough to nearly take him there. It took all his self-control not to shove the current woman before him aside, grab Harmony, and pull her down onto his cock. Yet somehow Caspen knew if he waited long enough, she would do it herself.

Finally, Harmony was before him, her eyes wide and bright, her lips parted.

Why must you always make me wait for you?

Harmony smiled. She placed her palm gently on his torso, pushing him back until he hit a stone ledge, forcing him to sit. Because you always get everything you want.

I do not want anything but you.

She straddled him but did not ride his cock. His hands found her hips.

Anything? Or anyone? I am not an object, Caspenon.

It was true she was not an object. But she was not only a person either. She was an enigma, a mystery, a puzzle he could never seem to solve. And above all, she was not his. Caspen was beginning to think she never would be.

You are the one who told me to be king. The only way to do that is for you to be my guest.

Who knew I held so much power?