Eric straightened himself, his dark green eyes filled with an unimaginable sadness. He took two slow steps back, putting distance between us. For a moment, I could still feel the overwhelming pain in his heart echoing through our bond. But then, in the next instant, he severed our connection. Just like that, I was left alone, unable to sense his emotions or communicate with him in private.

Then he broke the silence as he fixed his gaze on Robert. “I will reject her only if I have ...