Hideaway Strath Emotional tourism

Ruenna's voice distracted him, and Phox whirled around to meet her gaze. Yeah, what's up? he asked, furrowing a brow. Was she going to leave them? Was she going to challenge his or Towhee's authority? He expected the worst, based on past experiences, and he couldn't push down those thoughts (at least not right now). His brain immediately assumed the defensive position, readying him for whatever might come next.

What if Ruenna wanted to bed him? Was he even ready for that? Did he even want that? The last time he'd allowed such a thing, she'd ended up dead, and he definitely didn't want that. Camilla, although strange and otherworldly, had been a comfort to him. He had loved her, in her own way. Could he ever do that again? Would he? Phox blinked, only milliseconds having passed since he had spoken. Surely it was nothing like that.