“We can’t be together,” I say. Ari looks as if I’ve slapped him, but the expression is gone in an instant. “And why is that, lover?” “Don’t be purposefully obtuse.” “If this is about your family name—” “It is. Don’t minimize how being publicly mated to an Adder would affect you.” Anger and loss make me snap. “Don’t minimize what my life is like because of my status.”
