Chapter 36

• Alina
• He gave me a light squeeze before shifting me to lie on the pillows. Then he turned his back to me once again to face the balcony. I watched for a long while as he just kept silent. I couldn’t feel anything from the mental bond. He must’ve been able to control the bond on his side because till now, I hadn’t been able to read a single thought from him. I was about to ask him about how to block the bond on my side when he started speaking. His voice, when he spoke, was filled with gravel.
• “That night… right after the party at the palace, Justin, Keith, Nile, Jacob, and I went out clubbing. We were having fun and decided to hit a strip club before I headed off to start my training to become king. I didn’t know it was a trap. Nile and the others sold themselves to Emiel for mansions and money. Victor was the one who mixed a strong dose of Tangenina extract in my drink, strong enough to leave me vulnerable for a few minutes. I laid paralysed for those few minutes, and Emiel did his job. He compelled me to rape you and to make sure you were destroyed beyond repair. Then he compelled me to forget that I have seen him. After that, Nile spun a story about you and some guy I didn’t even remember. I acted on my anger. I came to question you that night, but when I arrived... Emiel’s compulsion took effect.”