Redsand Canyon restless

Out of the corner of his vision, he saw the boy recoil, and his gaze frosted over as he looked at Kalina, her coy smile. "You would be wise not to test me, Kalina," he said tersely, spitting her name with some venom. "Flirt and play with me all you like, but do not trouble my friend." He felt a surge of protectiveness toward the golden Mayfair, and drew closer.

"Perhaps they chase you away not because you are a coyote, but because you are fundamentally irritating," Phocion reasoned, his tone cold. "You do yourself a disservice by approaching me so. One does not make ideal friends, nor lovers, with this conduct."

She was young, though, and heavens knew Phocion had done many stupid things in his youth. Said many stupid things. Growing older was all about making mistakes and learning from them, and on that front, Kalina had miles to go. Still, he would not tolerate her turning this juvenile behavior onto Cortland. That would not stand.

"Any man with half a brain would see right through you," he continued, growing less emotional, more clinical, like a lecturer on some bland topic or another. "You woo someone not with empty praises, nor innuendo, but with honesty and respect. Neither of which you seem to have for me, nor for Cortland."