"Good, because I don't think you'd like someone who's different," he said. "I've seen the way you reacted to Belvina. I know the way in the past that woman fought her family. Your sister sees it as a weakness, but I can't imagine a woman who fought her own family at a time when things were difficult to just go along with injustices. So I trusted you based on the fire that woman showed, and on what you've shown me since we got to know each other."
Stephen sighed. "Don't do that. If there's anything you want to know, then ask. If you want to say something, then do it."
He nodded. "He is, and I'm not really lying. It's not that I don't want to tell you, but it's... complicated. My parents expected me to get married and have children, and I never thought it would go any other way. Azriel... he's my first lover, then we split up because of our families. We got closer again last year, but despite everything we might mean to each other, he's my friend, because that's all he can be."