Page 161 of Dancing for the Minotaur

“Because there’s apparently some law called the Kindred Rage-Killing Act.”

“I am aware of the law.” He nodded as well as he could with one horn out the window.

“You are?” Terra looked at him in surprise.

“Of course.” He shrugged.

“Then why didn’t you tell them we were mates?” she demanded.

“Because you are not my mate.”

The words hurt far more than Taurex expected. He wished with all his heart that she was.

Terra’s head snapped toward him.

“Yes, I am.”

“No.” Taurex forced himself to remain calm. “You are my fated mate. There is a difference between that and an actual mate. The Goddess chose you for me, but you chose not to accept me. Therefore, I had no right to claim protection under a law intended for males defending an acknowledged mate or family.”

“But you were protecting my family!” she protested.

“Yes.” He nodded. “But your family is not mine.”

“I don’t care. The law should still count,” she said stubbornly. “Detective Ramirez seemed to think it counted.”

Taurex studied her profile.

“You know she said that because you told her we had an acknowledged mating.”

“I told her we were fated mates,” she said, frowning.

“That is not the same thing as mates,” he argued.

Terra shrugged.

“She didn’t seem interested in the fine print.”

Taurex’s frown deepened.

“Terra, you swore to something that was not true in order to secure my release.”

“It wasn’t completely untrue,” she protested.

“You rejected the mating,” he pointed out. “You told me you did not want the Bond”

Terra gave him an exasperated look.

“I know that, Taurex, but the detective told me you could go to prison for the rest of your life!” she exclaimed. “She said there was a law that would protect you if you were defending your mate or your mate’s family. What exactly did you expect me to do? Sit there and say, ‘Well, technically I panicked a few weeks ago and told him I didn’t want him, so go ahead and lock him up forever’?”

Taurex felt his heart tighten in his chest.

“I do not expect you to lie for me.”

“Well, it’s too late now!” she snapped.

“What happened to Orlov was my choice. You did not ask me to kill him,” he said. “I don’t like that you lied to save me.”

Her chin went up and she got that stubborn look in her eyes again.