Chapter 19 #2
As though he could sense her discomfort, Kronos’ lips curled as he towered over Shelley.
If it were possible, his air of authority seemed to have grown while he stood there, like a peacock displaying his feathers in a mating ritual.
Forced to witness the performance, Kris watched their interaction from her knees.
She didn’t sense the visceral energy between the Goliath and the brunette that she’d felt tugging between her and Kronos, but there was something there; a gentle fondness that suggested the two of them had been through a lot and that, in some ways at least, he would miss her.
She pulled in a breath, contemplating how she felt about that.
He’d spent the last hours telling her that she was his ‘little one’, that she would stay there and serve him, and he would become the center of her world, and all the while, he’d been harboring affection for someone else.
Her brows knitted as she struggled with her conflicting emotions.
She shouldn’t have cared how he felt. She should have been concentrating on how to get out of the predicament, but instead, she was brooding over some misplaced envy.
She shouldn’t have been jealous of Shelley.
Shelley was his victim, just as much as she was.
She could only imagine the awful things Kronos had put poor Shelley through. She’d had a taste of his sadism already, recalling how much his palm had stung and the glee he’d taken in denying her pleasure. How long had Shelley had to cope with that relentless barrage of sensation and denial?
At the same time, though, she’d also experienced his candor, his consolation, and his caresses.
Even though she shouldn’t have craved those aspects of his personality, a part of her did.
Glancing at Shelley, she wondered if the brunette had experienced that, too.
Was she sad to be going back to her life?
Kris couldn’t imagine going back to being a student, going to lectures, and chasing Professor Pine for his approval.
Those things weren’t half as important to her as they had been only a day or two before.
Kronos’ dominion had changed her and although she’d never sought it, he’d freed her from the monotonic routines of her everyday life.
Kneeling there, she could finally see the difference.
It was difficult to focus on the steadfast reassurance of logic when Kronos had revealed there was so much possible pleasure for her in his world.
“Do you have anything you’d like to say before I send you back?” His tone was inquiring, as though he was genuinely interested in Shelley’s opinion.
Kris watched his hazel eyes shining in the light, which was spilling in from one of the many huge windows behind him.
Briefly, she turned her head to assess that illumination.
The view reminded her again of the dining hall, but the windows to his rear looked even bigger, as though the entire structure was made of glass and designed to present the optimum vantage from outside.
Stretching higher on her knees, she tried to see what that scene was, but Shelley’s body was blocking most of the view, and at any rate, the windows were too far away to really get a decent look.
“I don’t know, Master.” Shelley’s voice was tiny compared to his. “We’ve been through so much, and I’ve wanted to get away for so long that…” She hesitated, pulling in a strained breath. “I guess I can’t believe this is really happening.”
“But it is,” he assured her, patting her hand gently. “I have Kristina, and it is time you advanced to the rest of your human life, equipped with the skills you have learned.”
Kris’ focus flew back to their interaction.
It wasn’t the first time he’d referred to someone as a ‘human’ or a ‘mortal’—he’d referenced both her and Shaun that way since she’d been there—but something about the language still jarred.
It was, as she had previously contemplated, as though he considered himself to be more than human.
She would once have called the idea preposterous, but after the things she’d seen in his presence, she increasingly no longer knew what was real and what was imaginary.
“But before you do, Shelley, I wonder,” Kronos turned his attention in Kris’ direction, “do you have any words of wisdom for the woman chosen to take your place?”
Shelley glanced her way, her brow creasing. Kris sensed there was much she wanted to say, but their present company precluded her any real choice in the matter. “I’m sure Kristina will make you happy, Master.”
Kronos’ lips twitched as he released Shelley’s hand. “She will,” he agreed. “But what guidance do you offer her?”
Shelley took a small step in Kris’ direction. “Do your best to look after our master. I am sure he will also take great care of you.”
Kris stared at her brown eyes, desperately trying to decipher Shelley’s real message. “Thank you.”
She wished she could have a moment with Shelley on their own, a chance to discuss things woman-to-woman.
She wanted to know the brunette’s story, to hear how she’d come to be in Kronos’ custody, and how she’d manage to endure the no doubt considerable weight of his attention, but there was no chance.
Kronos would not allow that opportunity.
“That is good advice. Make sure you take heed, Kristina.” Kronos drew closer, taking Shelley’s waist and guiding her focus back to him. “And remember what I have told you, Shelley-Ann.”
Shelley nodded, his meaning unspoken, yet apparently received. “I won’t forget, Master.”
“Then we are ready.” Looking down at her, his smile grew. “Go to the door of the cloud garden and wait for me, Shelley.”
The cloud garden?
Kris’ eyes widened at the bizarre name. She’d never heard him mention something as picturesque as a cloud garden before. It seemed there were still mysteries of the white fortress that she was yet to discover.
“I shall tend to Kristina and be with you,” he went on, directing Shelley toward the vast glass panes.
He waited until she was out of earshot before he took a step in Kris’ direction. “You and I must have words, little one.”