Ocean's Breath Plateau star shell

Tullik lifted her head as if to greet Chakliux, ready to hide away beneath the work again. It would be the most practical of her, it would be the easiest route for her to take. To shoulder the work, the blame, the worry, and bare it with clenched teeth.

But he tucked her close, his nose finding the sandy strands of her pelt cloaked in salt, and Tullik found no words coming from her throat. It was as if everything she could have said dried up, and all that would come out was a rasping croak. Her throat hurt, dry from the salt.

She tucked her head down, and some final straw eased and snapped almost gently. The tears caught her before she could get away, and she found herself sobbing, aching into her husband’s chest with everything she had been carrying.