Calculated Risks

Cora’s POV

Magnus’s touch burned me, and I couldn’t think straight with him this close.

I jerked back, breaking contact, my heart racing. “What? No. I can’t just… you can’t seriously expect me to cut them off like they’re… my family, Magnus.”

“Family?” he muttered, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

“You don’t understand!” My voice rose, desperate, as I tried to put distance between us, even though p