Page 210 of Kneel Before Me

“I’d prefer you weren’t here either.”

He gave her a soft smile. “Daphne.” He took her face in his hands. “You have done more than enough for me tonight. Now let me do something for you.”

His thumbs brushed gently over her cheeks. She stared up at him, grateful for his presence, enamored with him in every way. Kronos was a light in her life.

“It is nearly morning anyway,” he whispered. “May I take you home?”

Daphne nodded.

They stopped at his chambers for her dress before he escorted her all the way back, past the wall and through the woods, stopping only once they reached her garden gate. Daphne thought about their first kiss—the one where he’d picked her up and pressed her against the fence—the one she had thought of every day since. She wanted him to do that again now. Instead he brushed his lips gently against her forehead, holding her as if she were made of glass. Considering what had happened tonight, Daphne could hardly blame him.

She’d promised him she wouldn’t break, yet she’d broken anyway.

“I am in your debt,” he whispered against her skin. “Twice over.”

Daphne shook her head. “I would do it all again.”

He looked down at her with a sad smile. “I know you would. And you know I would never ask it of you.”

She knew that very well. “When will I see you again?”

“When it is safe,” he said.

Daphne bit her lip. She did not like open-ended timelines. “I want to be here for the closing ceremony,” she insisted.

Kronos shook his head. “I do not think that is—”

“Please, Kronos.”

Daphne had made it this far. She’d survived the Ranking and she’d survived Rowe. She wanted to see this thing through.

“It may not be for a few days. Only once the prince makes his decision can Kora make hers.”

Daphne squared her shoulders. She knew what he was really saying. Significant consideration is given to the basilisk who trained the girl who wins. This was her last chance to help Kronos improve his rank, and they both knew it. Kronos had forfeited the second challenge; he had made a sacrifice for her. It was time for her to return the favor.

At her expression, Kronos pulled her into a proper embrace, tucking her against his body and holding her as if it was his last moment alive. Daphne held him back, breathing in his smoky scent, burying her face in his hair. His heart beat in tandem with hers.

“I love you,” Kronos breathed into her ear. “Try to believe it.”

Then he turned and left her.

CHAPTER FORTY

Daphne

The cottage was empty.

Daphne’s mother was gone—probably on an errand or visiting with the neighbors. More notable than her mother’s absence was the absence of packages. There were no bouquets of flowers, no bottles of wine. So it was a surprise when Daphne entered her bedroom and saw a small velvet box sitting on her pillow, a letter beside it. She opened the letter slowly, apprehension pricking her spine.

Daphne,

I have spent the last few days thinking about what happened between us. At first I was furious with you, but now I find myself mired in regret. It is clear to me that I reacted out of anger. You must forgive me not only for the way I spoke to you but also for the things I said. I should not have lost my temper with you, nor should I have insinuated that you were anything other than the exemplary woman you are.

Lately I have found myself wondering whether everything I thought was right was actually very wrong indeed. You have made me think differently about not only my own future but the future of the entire kingdom. My father has done things a certain way for decades, and I grapple with whether or not I should do things the same way in his stead. You once asked me if I was ready to be king. The truth is I no longer know. Perhaps, with you by my side, I could be.

As you very well know, the ball is tonight. It is my intention to choose you as one of the final three women to move into the castle. I am telling you this ahead of time because I wish to give you a choice of your own. If you are willing to accept my invitation, please attend the ball. If you would refuse my advance, I must kindly ask that you do not come tonight. I cannot bear to see you if I cannot keep you. I hope this does not come off as cruel; I mean it as the opposite. You are a woman who makes her own decisions. I have never been able to influence you, and I am not about to start attempting to do so now. All I can do is lay my heart bare and hope that you take it. If you will still have me, I am yours.

I hope to see you tonight,