CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE #4
Daphne looked up just in time to see Kronos lunging for Rowe.
His body was changing, elongating and hardening, morphing into a mass of scales and smoke.
Rowe was transitioning too, his feral screech filling the room as Daphne dropped to her knees and covered her head with her hands, squeezing her eyes tightly shut.
She wished dearly that she could see what was happening—that she could know Kronos was safe.
Warmth enveloped her suddenly—a tingle in her chest that spread throughout her body.
It felt like a shadow of what she’d felt when Kronos crested her in her bedroom, almost like the afterglow of an orgasm.
Immediately, the sounds of the fight changed: One side was clearly winning.
Blow after blow was administered, eliciting the same anguished cry every time.
Daphne could do nothing but stay in place, covering her face, praying to Kora that Kronos would be the victor. At long last, the sounds quieted.
“Daphne. It is over.”
She opened her eyes to see that Rowe was gone.
A trail of blood led out of the vial room, wet and glistening on the rough stone floor.
Kronos leaned over her, clearly concerned.
There were wounds on his chest. Daphne felt a sharp stab of despair at the sight.
This was the cost of them being together—of her presence under the mountain.
This was what Kronos claimed was worth it.
“Are you hurt?” he asked. “I had to get you out of the way. I—”
She shook her head. “I’m fine.” She touched her fingers tentatively to the blood on his chest. “Are you hurt?”
Kronos shook his head. “No. But I…”
Daphne stared up at him. “But you what?”
“It was difficult,” he said.
“What was?”
“To transition.”
She frowned. “What do you mean?”
“Normally it is like second nature. This time I could not access it. I had to draw from you in order to overpower Rowe.”
Daphne thought of the warmth she’d experienced—the shadow of the crest. “Why?”
He shook his head. “I do not know. Earlier, on the mats, something stopped me too. I could not fully reach my true form.”
Daphne had thought he’d resisted because of her. She’d been thankful for it at the time. Now she wondered whether it was a problem. Before she could ask him anything, Kronos extended his hand. Daphne took it, standing unsteadily.
“You are tired,” he said. “I should get you home.”
She looked up at him. “Don’t you…want me to stay?”
His expression softened. “Of course I want that. But I also want you to be safe. Rowe is unpredictable, and I have made him angry. He may try to attack again. I would prefer if you were not here when he does.”
“I’d prefer you weren’t here either.”
He gave her a soft smile. “Daphne.” He took her face in his hands. “You have done more than enough for me tonight. Now let me do something for you.”
His thumbs brushed gently over her cheeks. She stared up at him, grateful for his presence, enamored with him in every way. Kronos was a light in her life.
“It is nearly morning anyway,” he whispered. “May I take you home?”
Daphne nodded.
They stopped at his chambers for her dress before he escorted her all the way back, past the wall and through the woods, stopping only once they reached her garden gate.
Daphne thought about their first kiss—the one where he’d picked her up and pressed her against the fence—the one she had thought of every day since.
She wanted him to do that again now. Instead he brushed his lips gently against her forehead, holding her as if she were made of glass.
Considering what had happened tonight, Daphne could hardly blame him.
She’d promised him she wouldn’t break, yet she’d broken anyway.
“I am in your debt,” he whispered against her skin. “Twice over.”
Daphne shook her head. “I would do it all again.”
He looked down at her with a sad smile. “I know you would. And you know I would never ask it of you.”
She knew that very well. “When will I see you again?”
“When it is safe,” he said.
Daphne bit her lip. She did not like open-ended timelines. “I want to be here for the closing ceremony,” she insisted.
Kronos shook his head. “I do not think that is—”
“Please, Kronos.”
Daphne had made it this far. She’d survived the Ranking and she’d survived Rowe. She wanted to see this thing through.
“It may not be for a few days. Only once the prince makes his decision can Kora make hers.”
Daphne squared her shoulders. She knew what he was really saying.
Significant consideration is given to the basilisk who trained the girl who wins.
This was her last chance to help Kronos improve his rank, and they both knew it.
Kronos had forfeited the second challenge; he had made a sacrifice for her.
It was time for her to return the favor.
At her expression, Kronos pulled her into a proper embrace, tucking her against his body and holding her as if it was his last moment alive. Daphne held him back, breathing in his smoky scent, burying her face in his hair. His heart beat in tandem with hers.
“I love you,” Kronos breathed into her ear. “Try to believe it.”
Then he turned and left her.