Wheeling Gull Isle when silence gets too hard to handle

Fear had strangled her, so much so that when her mate pulled alongside her, she couldn't speak. She pushed her nose into his scruff, breathing him in, trying to bury the smell of smoke that had taken up near-permanent residence in her psyche. Squeezed her eyes shut. It was dark, now. Calmer. Warmer.

If she could only live within the embrace of her husband, and not have to face the world beyond, she would be a much happier woman.

Fire, Maegi finally managed after a few long, silent moments. There's fire over there. And I'm. . .I'm afraid. I know that—it's—it can't. . .

She cleared her throat, opened her eyes, saw a whorl of fur upon his shoulder blade that was out of place. She smoothed it gently down with her tongue, choosing to stare at the myriad shades of gray within his pelt rather than out at the waves again. It can't get to us. I know that. But I'm still. . .scared.

Did he know? He must suspect, at least, that things had changed for them again.