Daphne had expected this confrontation since Zia exposed her secret with Zaeryn.
But she already had her excuse ready.
Her sigh carried exasperation, not regret. "Yes, High Commander. But thanks to that, we've uncovered how his Vitae absorption functions, a breakthrough tied to emotional and physical bonds."
Lysara's grip tightened. The tone in which Daphne was speaking made it clear that she had no regret, and that made the high commander's temper coil tighter beneath the cold exterior.
The commander was known for her intolerance of defiance. Whether it came from a warlady, scholar, or stateswoman, Lysara crushed it with the same merciless precision.
"A breakthrough? You think manipulating your subject is justified?"
"I didn't manipulate him. Everything was consensual." Daphne defended herself. Honestly, she would say he was the one who had manipulated her. But no, he was the one who had actually seduced her.
