She hid in the cave that no one went near. It was too soon to try and be around people, it hurt too much. Kneeling on the cold hard ground, she tried to find a reason to live. There was none.
Questioning if she should really die she heard a sound. A kind of banging far within the cave, she got up. Grabbing a metal pole she headed towards the noise to find out what it was. Suddenly a black and red man with metallic spider legs ran out at her and slammed her against the wall trying to strangle her. Using her pole she hit him in the chest and head.
Leaning against the wall she heard the scuttling fleeing. Following him she heard the man muttering about pain, darkness, destruction, and wondering why he couldn't remember. Her heart went out to him, if there was a way to help him she would find it. But she would not close her eyes long or turn her back on him.
Tina woke the next morning with a sleepy smile on her face. The pile of dirty clothes was in the corner as well as the rags she had used to help Maul get the mud off. His warmth slipped through her light nightdress and into her back, with his metal legs not quite touching hers. Slipping out from his arms she stood up, slipped on a robe, and patted quietly out of her (no their) bedroom and down to the kitchen.
Starting some water boiling she set out the things for a morning cup of hot chocolate to warm up the rest of the way. While making breakfast and waiting for the water to boil she remembered the traditional words she and Maul told each other the night before that made them mates for life. The promise to love, protect, and respect each other while helping in all of their respective desires by being a supporting force. It was something she never had the right to dream of, but was now her reality.
Mixing her hot chocolate together she sensed Maul coming up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist in a hug, "The first day of married life and I don't wake up to my mate. What is this?"
Leaning back into him, "I do wake up before you most days." Looking over her shoulder at him, "And one of us needs to make breakfast."
He nodded, "It is going to be a long day with all of my brothers congratulating me on my mate." Releasing her he took the offered cup, "How did you sleep?"
"Better than I have in years. How about you?"
A smile, "Also better than in years." Kissing her on the head, "You made sure of that." With that he left the room to answer the knock on their door, Savage and Feral coming to ask what happened in the Nightsisters village the day before.
Maul led them into the kitchen where Tina was making breakfast she looked up at them, "Have you two eaten yet?"
Savage looked at her in surprise but Feral spoke, "No, I was too nervous." It was as if making a terrible confession.
Tina smiled her great smile, "That's nothing to be ashamed of Feral." Then handing him a plate full of food, "Eat up." She handed Maul and then Savage before filling her own and sitting at the table with them. Addressing Savage and Feral, "You two are wondering about how yesterday went?" It was a mixture of a question and a statement. They both nodded, so she told them about the hunt.