Page 255 of Kneel Before Me

Kronos pursed his lips. “Perhaps.”

But Daphne saw the pride in his eyes. She saw the struggle they had both been through to get here. They had made it through the Ranking together.

Daphne placed her hand on Kronos’s back. “You will be king,” she said again.

He turned to her. “If I am king, it is only because of you.”

Daphne smiled. She did not know what the future held for him. Kronos did not yet know he was a father; he did not know the extent of her rift with Maximus. But there was hope for them. With Kronos as Serpent King, peace was a possibility.

“Our hosts have competed admirably,” Bastian continued. “They deserve our respect. As you can see”—he pointed at the vials—“the prince has chosen a wife.”

His eyes fell on Kronos.

“Our victor,” Bastian said quietly.

The crowd cheered, and Daphne cheered with them. She didn’t care that she was the only human here; she only cared that, for once, she felt hopeful. The crowd moved as they cheered, forming a circle.

“It is tradition for the current king to honor his reign,” Kronos explained as Bastian and Deltene stepped into the middle of the circle. “As a symbol of her devotion, the queen will mount him in front of everyone.”

Daphne nodded. At one point, public sex might have been a shock, but basilisk traditions no longer surprised her. She watched as someone pushed a stone chair into the middle of the circle. It was identical to the chairs used for the second challenge. Bastian took a seat, facing Deltene. The crowd cheered even louder. Only one person was not partaking in the revelry: Caspenon stood with his arms crossed, his brow furrowed. He looked worried.

In contrast, Deltene looked perfectly serene, her chin raised regally. Daphne was struck by both her beauty and her presence. Her gaze was trained calmly on Bastian. She took a step forward and the crowd went wild. Caspenon uncrossed his arms, as if he were bracing himself for something. The queen took another step. But this time it was not in Bastian’s direction. Daphne watched as Deltene turned, moving as if she were compelled by a force greater than herself.

“What is she doing?” Daphne whispered.

Kronos didn’t answer. The crowd was no longer cheering; noises of confusion surrounded them. The entire room went eerily silent as Deltene stepped toward a tall basilisk who looked like an older version of Rowe. Without a word, she placed her palms on his shoulders. His hands went to her waist, lifting her onto his already hard cock.

For some reason, Bastian smiled.

CHAPTER FIFTY

Caspen

Caspen could do nothing but watch as his mother mounted Solomon.

For a single moment, no one in the vial room moved. No one spoke. Caspen watched in real time as the blood bond between his parents broke. It was like watching the spark leave their eyes at the exact same time. Then the curse took hold, and Bastian launched himself forward.

“Father!” Caspen cried, diving at the same time he did.

There was no time to transition—no time to defend his mother with anything other than his fists. Caspen had no idea what his father’s plan was—how the curse would ultimately take place. Would he simply rip Deltene to shreds with his bare hands? They reached her at the same time. Caspen’s hands were on Bastian before he could throw the first hit.

“Mother, run,” he cried. “Now!”

Deltene did not run. Solomon was still holding her aloft; they were still joined. She simply looked at Caspen sadly, shaking her head with the knowledge of inevitability. To her, this was the way it ended. Caspen was not willing to give up so easily.

“Apollo,” he cried. “Assist me. NOW.”

A moment later his brother’s hands were on his father’s shoulders, pulling him back. “Caspenon,” Apollo said as Bastian thrashed in his grip. “I do not understand. What—?”

His question was cut off as Bastian smacked him with the heel of his hand, rendering him momentarily silent.

Caspen took the opportunity to restrain Bastian once more. “Father,” he grunted. “Do not do this.”

“I must,” his father grunted back. Bastian was beginning to transition: Skin became scales, teeth became fangs. Caspen sent a desperate plea into his mind: Stop, Father.

I cannot.

Kill yourself instead.