Redsand Canyon vultus

He didn’t leave but he told her to wait. She showed her teeth in response. There wasn’t an ounce of her that was willing to relent to this ridiculous, useless masochism he was intent to endure.

You’ve insulted me enough in this conversation. You won’t kill my pride the way you’ve finished yours.

She was beyond scorn… livid. She didn’t yell but the steel in her voice was matched by the hard set of her features. When she grabbed her supplies and moved closer, she would accept no refusal. If he pulled from her she would snap to keep him in place.

He had promised to be better than that. The reminders of another who had pulled similarly away echoed, but this ire was for him alone. He would not shame her into letting him die.

Nothing prevented him from speaking while she worked.