Page 40 of Kneel Before Me

Kronos was in love with his student.

And his student was the prince’s first choice.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Daphne

The moment she’d won the Showing, Maximus had ushered her into a carriage. The ride to the castle was spent in silence, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. Daphne alternated between looking out the window and looking at Maximus. She wondered what was going through his mind. Was he still steadfast in their arrangement? Or was he regretting it already? Her thoughts were occupied as well, but not with the prince. Something had happened during the Showing—something Daphne could not explain. She’d felt a sensation during the night—a tug toward the mountain, almost as if someone had been watching her. It had occurred immediately after Benjamin spit on her mat, and the timing seemed significant. At the thought of Benjamin, Daphne resisted the urge to cry. It was bad enough that he humiliated her in private, but now he was doing it in public too. She knew it was a way to wield his power, to assert himself after she rejected him. She just wished it hadn’t been in front of the entire village.

“Your Highness?” The footman interrupted her thoughts. “We’ve arrived.”

Maximus opened the carriage door, stepping out before offering Daphne his hand. She took it, holding on only long enough to get both feet on the ground before dropping it. She lingered as the carriage drew away, her eyes on the horses.

“Do you like horses?” Maximus asked.

“Yes.”

“Why?”

Daphne shrugged. “I like beautiful things.”

His eyes slid down her body. “So do I.”

She resisted the urge to roll her eyes.

Maximus was not deterred. “Have you ever ridden one before?”

Daphne shook her head.

“Would you like to?”

She might as well answer honestly: “Yes.”

“Very well. I’ll teach you on our next date.”

They entered the castle together. The moment the door shut behind them, a man appeared. With a jolt, Daphne saw it was the king.

“Maximus,” Augustus said. “What is she doing here?”

It took Daphne a moment to realize he was referring to her.

“She won the Showing,” Maximus snapped. “Can’t you see her wearing my coat?”

Augustus threw a cursory glance in Daphne’s direction. His frown deepened. “I thought we agreed that—”

“I agreed to nothing, Father.”

Augustus pursed his lips. It was fascinating for Daphne to see the consequences of their arrangement play out in real time. She’d been doubtful of the impact at first. But now she saw that the king was furious they were together. Part of her was hurt by his reaction. Another part savored it—Daphne didn’t agree with the way Augustus was trying to control his son.

“We will speak about this later,” the king said.

“I look forward to it.”

Augustus swept away.

Maximus turned to Daphne. “I’m sorry you had to see that.”

“It’s fine.”