Page 192 of Kneel Before Me

They walked together back to the courtyard, and the moment Daphne saw Kronos, she ran toward him. He lifted her in his arms before his eyes slid to Caspenon’s.

“Caspenon,” he said. “What did you do?”

“I did nothing,” Caspenon said. “Rowe cornered her.”

Shock passed over Kronos’s face.

Caspenon continued. “You should not have left her alone.”

Kronos shook his head. “I left her with Agnes. She—”

“She is your responsibility, Kronos.”

“I am well aware of that, Caspenon. How is this any of your concern? Last week you bite me, and this week you look out for my guest?”

Daphne could have sworn she saw hurt flash over Caspenon’s face.

“Of course I looked out for her. I am not a monster.”

Kronos snorted. At his reaction, Caspenon swept away without another word.

Kronos turned to Daphne. “Are you hurt?”

She shook her head. “No.”

“What did Rowe say to you?”

“Nothing important.”

“Daphne.” Kronos took her face in his hands. “If he did something to you, I will—”

“He did nothing to me.” She placed her hand over his. “He just wants to win the Ranking. Caspenon intervened; we should both be thanking him. Now can we please go to bed? I’m tired.”

Kronos pursed his lips. Clearly he knew she was trying to change the subject. But she was tired. The next day was a challenge she knew nothing about, and no doubt it would test her in ways she couldn’t begin to imagine. The only thing she needed now was rest.

At last, Kronos relented. He picked her up once more, carrying her through the passageway and all the way to his chambers. They lay on the bed, their bodies intertwined, her head on his chest.

“Can you keep it until the morning?” Daphne murmured.

Kronos brushed a curl from her face. “Keep what?” he murmured back.

“What you took from me. My…anxiety.”

Kronos placed a tender kiss on the top of her head. “For you I will keep it forever.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

Caspen

Caspen should have known Rowe would attempt something tonight.

It was too great an opportunity for him to pass up—Daphne alone, vulnerable, afraid. What was Kronos thinking leaving his guest unprotected? Daphne was precious to the Seneca; after the way they performed in the first challenge, anyone could see that. Something was shifting within Caspen—something strange and new. Daphne had seemed so surprised to see him defending her. Truth be told, he had surprised himself.

Caspen made the rounds of the courtyard, seeing nothing and everything at once. His father was standing with Agnes, clearly reprimanding her. Caspen had made a point not to tell Bastian about her little foray into the village, but rumor had somehow spread anyway. His father would use it as evidence that the humans were violent. He might even use it as an impetus for another war. Caspen rolled his shoulders, looking out over the crowd. Harmony kept her distance, and he found he was glad for it. Kronos’s victory in the first challenge meant that the bond he shared with Daphne rivaled that of the bond Caspen shared with Harmony. In fact, it probably surpassed it.

The thought made him irate. For all the trouble Harmony gave him, Caspen had thought she would be his key to victory. Perhaps he thought wrong.

Eventually Caspen retreated to the fountain to drink elixir. He was just pouring himself a goblet when he heard “You let him win.”