Zoey steadied her breath and nodded, though her eyes were bloodshot.
"After you chose to become the protector Eldoralth needed… things were going well. Until the Academy. Until… Atticus."
Zoey's hands clenched at her sides. Her breath stopped at the mention of his name.
Lumindra sighed deeply.
"When you met Atticus, even I was surprised. Despite all your hatred for men over the years, you became smitten with him. But unfortunately, it was too much for the Spirit King's liking. He saw the changes it brought in you. In that one year you spent with him, you were… happy. Truly happy."
Her voice dropped.
"You started straying from your goal. So, he acted. He decided to end that… by using me."
She looked away, shame blanketing her face.
"The bonding technique, the one the Spirit King created, it gave him control. He could manipulate the bond however he wanted. Especially since he had full control over me."
