Page 241 of Kneel Before Me

“Caspy,” she whined. “You never let me be a part of anything.”

Caspenon shook his head in exasperation. “Leave us, Agnes,” he said again.

“But I—”

“I’m leaving too, Agnes,” Daphne said gently, eager to keep the peace. “You could walk me out.”

Everyone looked at her. Caspenon was clearly against this plan, yet Daphne knew he also wanted Agnes to leave him alone.

“I would love to walk you out,” Agnes chirped.

Without waiting another moment, Daphne stood.

Caspenon pointed at his sister. “Do not go beyond the wall,” he said sternly.

Agnes gave him a mock salute. Then she turned to Daphne. “Shall we?”

Daphne pulled on her dress before looking back at Kronos. It seemed wrong to leave him like this—after everything they had just shared.

“I will see you soon,” he said quietly.

Daphne nodded, cast one last glance at Caspenon, then followed Agnes into the passageway. They walked together, Agnes chattering the entire way. Daphne had a million things on her mind and barely listened to a single thing she said. It wasn’t until they reached the wall that Agnes drew her into a tight embrace. When she pulled away, her eyes went wide.

“Daphne,” she gasped. “Forgive me, I did not know.”

“Did not know what?”

A tiny line appeared between Agnes’s eyebrows. She tilted her head, clearly surprised at the question. She extended her hand toward Daphne’s body but stopped before she made contact. As a flash of warmth bloomed just below Daphne’s belly button, Agnes told her, “You are pregnant.”

CHAPTER FORTY-SIX

Maximus

You sent for me?”

Maximus turned to see Daphne standing in the doorway of the study. He’d sent for her after spending the day in here working aimlessly, thinking about what they’d done the night before, hoping she would allow him to do it again. A glance at her neck made him frown. Maximus could have sworn that his teeth left a mark. But the emerald necklace was nowhere to be found, and her skin was smooth and unblemished. How had she healed so quickly?

“Yes,” he said. “You should know that I had my butler fire Benjamin.”

Daphne raised her eyebrows.

Before she could reply, Maximus said, “I thought we might spend some time together today.”

Daphne regarded him carefully, as if she was thinking hard about something. Her gaze fell to the basilisk skull that rested on a velvet cushion. Was it his imagination, or did she look uncomfortable?

“It’s a family heirloom,” Maximus explained. “My father passed it to me, and I will pass it to my son.”

The skull loomed at them. Daphne still did not reply.

“Would you care for a drink?” he asked when the silence lingered.

She shook her head. “I can’t.”

He raised an eyebrow. “And why not?”

Daphne immediately bit her lip, as if she regretted saying that. Maximus crossed his arms. She was acting strangely; he could not understand it.

“Daphne,” he said. “Are you feeling well?”