Page 189 of Kneel Before Me

They continued their walk, basilisks ebbing and flowing around them as if they were a part of a sea made of bodies—part of something far larger and more meaningful than themselves. When they reached the other end of the courtyard, they turned around. They’d barely taken a step before Agnes appeared.

“Daphne,” she chirped. “I am so glad you are here.”

To Daphne’s surprise, Agnes leaned in for a hug, which she returned enthusiastically. Kronos gave a grunt of disapproval. When they pulled away, Agnes looked up at Kronos.

“Might I steal her for a bit? Please?”

Kronos frowned. “I do not think—”

“It’s fine, Kronos.” Daphne placed her hand on his arm. “I want to.”

He pursed his lips. She could tell he did not approve. But she wanted to make Agnes happy. Besides, she knew Kronos was not going to forbid her, especially after what Daphne had just done for him.

“Very well,” he said finally. He turned to Agnes. “Do not leave the courtyard. And do not leave her side.”

She nodded, giving him a mock salute.

Kronos gave her a disapproving look before turning to Daphne and pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. “I will be in the alcove,” he said.

“See you later.”

He squeezed both of her hands before letting them drop, turning, and disappearing into the crowd.

Agnes turned to her eagerly. “That is a man undone.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“You have bewitched him.”

Daphne scoffed. “I’ve done nothing of the sort.”

“I do not mean it as an insult,” Agnes said quickly. “Quite the opposite. I only mean that he is enamored with you. It is a rare thing to tame a basilisk, and you have done so.”

“I don’t want to tame him.”

“And yet, you have.”

Daphne did not know what to say to that. She didn’t particularly relish the idea of taming Kronos. Such a concept implied that he was an animal who could be caged. Nothing could be further from the truth. Kronos had torn down all her walls and now held a space in her heart that she never thought would be occupied. He had made her believe in something more.

“I think… He might have tamed me.”

Agnes laughed—a lyrical, joyful sound. “Perhaps you tamed each other. Is that not a perfect circumstance?”

Daphne considered this. Both of them had come to each other damaged and alone. It was only through spending time together that they had begun to heal. Perhaps it was a perfect circumstance. Perhaps they were perfect.

“Our father wants you, Agnes.”

The words were said by a male basilisk who appeared beside them. He was wiry and slim, with a distinct mischievousness to his smile.

Agnes wrinkled her nose. “Why?”

The basilisk shrugged. “Who knows why that man does what he does?”

Agnes sighed. She turned to Daphne. “My brother”—she nodded at the male basilisk—“Damon.”

“A pleasure, Daphne.”

Daphne raised her eyebrows. “You know my name?”