Ocean's Breath Plateau sisterblood

afternoon brought a mist of icy rain which unfurled across the face of the water, driving chakliux indoors.
he shook white-wet slush from his nape before he came into the warm rooms. he brought a plucked gull with him and glanced as his eyes adjusted for @Marina.
they had lived together as husband and wife for many days now. he had not offered more than brief touches to her, an encouraging kiss here and there. she would tell him when she wished to share a sleeping place or pleasures again.
chakliux had apportioned a small part of the lodge for butchering meat inside, out of the elements;  a bare patch of ground circled by rough stones. here he placed the gull, and to marina he said "wife," indicating his polite request that she carve the kill for the lodge-meal.