Page 257 of Kneel Before Me

Bastian rounded on Caspen. “Tell your brother to crest him.”

Hundreds of eyes fell upon him.

Caspen shook his head. He would not sentence Apollo to that, even if his father would. “No, Father.”

He saw his father’s fury—saw his faith in both of his sons slipping. “One of you crest him,” Bastian said quietly. “Or I shall kill you both.”

Caspen knew his father, so he was not surprised. And he understood his own culture, so he was not shocked—this was the basilisk way.

Complete clarity washed over Caspen. He turned to Apollo. “You owe me, Brother.”

Then he stepped forward, knelt, and placed his hand around Solomon’s neck. It was a testament to Solomon’s resolve that he did not flinch—did not look away. Instead Caspen stared straight into Rowe’s father’s eyes as he took, delving into the power deep within his chest, drawing on the thing he had never drawn on before. At first, nothing happened. Then extraordinary sensation filled Caspen. It was as if he could do anything—be anything—accomplish any dream his heart could possibly desire. He felt only power.

Solomon slumped to the floor, his body cradling Deltene’s.

Absolute silence surrounded them. There would be consequences for this—of that Caspen was sure. Social, possibly. Political, definitely. Somehow, flush with power, Caspen could not find it in himself to care.

“What did you just do?” Apollo whispered.

Caspen stood. “What needed to be done.”

Apollo stared at him, aghast. Everyone stared at him. “Caspenon…”

Caspen held up his hand. He did not want to hear it.

“Thank you,” Apollo said quietly. “I…only mean to thank you.”

Caspen had done what Apollo could not; he had crossed a moral line. There would be nothing but difficulty for Caspen ahead. One brother would become a pariah; the other would not. Apollo had been spared. Caspen had spared him.

“If you truly wish to thank me,” he said dully, “never force me to act in your stead again.”

“I will not. I am in your debt, Brother.”

“Yes,” Caspen whispered. “You are.”

“I will repay you.”

Caspen did not reply. He did not care to be repaid today. But one day—one day he would.

For a moment, they simply stared at each other. Then Caspen realized the crowd was no longer silent. Something was happening. The vial room was descending into chaos; he saw Drakons and Senecas turning against one another, taking sides after the unholy spectacle they had just witnessed. Scales clashed with skin as some of them began transitioning. Cries of pain filled the air.

“Someone—anyone—help!”

Caspen looked around for the source of the plea—a young female voice: Daphne’s. A group of basilisks surrounded her and Kronos. Caspen’s eyes narrowed. They were all high-ranked Drakons—men who were at his father’s beck and call. What were they doing? He stepped forward, prepared to intervene. Just then another movement caught his eye—more of his father’s inner circle, advancing on someone else.

Caspen’s heart stopped.

It was Harmony.

CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE

Daphne

The crowd descended into madness the moment Caspenon killed the queen’s lover.

Kronos’s arms closed protectively around Daphne, pulling her away from the chaos. They only made it a few feet before a male basilisk stopped them.

“Come with me,” he barked at Kronos.