Page 61 of Kneel Before Me

He was right, of course. But that fact only made their circumstances even more unbelievable. How was it that she, a human, was standing here with him unharmed?

“Do you consider me prey?”

Daphne expected him to hesitate, but he didn’t. She’d barely finished her sentence before Kronos said, “No. I do not.”

“Why? I’m a human, aren’t I?”

“You are,” he said, nodding his head. “But you are not my prey.”

“Then what am I?”

Now silence fell, and Daphne suddenly regretted asking the question. She wondered whether any of his other students had ever asked him anything like that before. Shame and disappointment curled in her at the thought. Nothing could be more embarrassing than asking a basilisk how he felt about her.

Just as she was about to lose all hope, Kronos replied, “You are Daphne.”

He’d said nothing at all, yet he’d said everything she needed to hear. She was not prey to him—not his next meal nor his next conquest. She was a person—someone worthy of his focus, his time, his attention. She was Daphne.

“Am I a predator to you?”

Kronos asked it so quietly that she barely heard him. At his tone, Daphne realized how dearly he wanted to know the answer. It was a rare display of vulnerability from Kronos—a moment where he was not in power. Daphne realized suddenly that he truly cared what she thought. She decided to grant him the same courtesy he had just granted her, saying with conviction, “No. You are Kronos.”

He smiled. She loved it when he did that.

At some point during their conversation, they migrated to the bed. They did not lie down, nor did Kronos uncover his cock. They simply sat facing each other the same way they did on the mat in the caves. Something about the arrangement brought Daphne comfort. In an evening of unknowns, this was something she was used to. She suspected Kronos knew this—she could tell he was being overly cautious with her, as if he were afraid she might change her mind and run away. There was no chance of that. Daphne felt warm and safe in his chambers, as if she was always meant to be here. She studied his sculpted body in the firelight, marveling at every angle. Even his scar suited him.

“What are you thinking about?” Kronos murmured.

“How beautiful you are.”

Kronos let out a soft laugh. “You are the beautiful one.”

Daphne knew she was beautiful. But it was hard to believe he would consider her so.

At her silence, Kronos said, “Do you not believe me?”

She thought of Agnes—of every single woman she’d seen in the courtyard. They were all stunning, and any of them would look better with Kronos than she did.

Daphne shrugged. “I’ve seen basilisk women.”

Kronos raised his hand, brushing it gently along her cheek. It was the first time he’d touched her since he held her neck by the fire, and somehow it felt even better than it did before. He tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. For some reason, the motion made Daphne weak. He’d barely touched her, yet she felt heat rise in her chest that threatened to consume her. Daphne was wet—there was no denying it. She didn’t care to deny it anyway. What she really wanted was to lean in, take his head in her hands, and kiss him. She noticed his throat, which looked as if it were sculpted from marble. She noticed his hair, which was gorgeously thick and fell over his shoulders in waves. It was the color of acorns.

Kronos leaned in. “Basilisk women are nothing compared to you.”

Kronos couldn’t lie, so what he was saying must be true—to him at least. She’d once thought his complimenting her, teasing her, was all some sort of twisted game to Kronos—a ploy to have sex with her. She didn’t think that anymore. Eventually, they’d been talking for hours. It was getting late; the fire was burning down. Daphne glanced at the door, and Kronos saw her do it.

“Daphne,” he whispered. “You could stay.”

Could. Not should. Leaving the choice up to her.

Daphne swallowed. “Overnight?”

“Preferably.”

Daphne heard the hope in his voice. Truth be told, she was hopeful too. But she also wasn’t ready. Daphne didn’t trust herself with him yet.

Kronos leaned closer. He placed his hand on her knee. “Stay.”

Daphne stared at his hand. Somehow it was easier than looking him in the eye. She knew she couldn’t stay. Part of her knew that if she stayed, she would cross a line with him.