Rey looked out across the seemingly endless gardens and sighed heavily. Decorating the lawns were a variety of beautiful hedges, trees and flower arrangements—plant life from every First Order system was represented. The evening air was refreshing and pleasantly quiet, but Rey knew it wouldn't be like this for long.
She needed to move—to make her escape. It was only a matter of time before someone spotted her.
Closing her eyes, the beautiful woman in the elegant blue gown concentrated on her training. The muffled music coming from the grand ballroom faded away. A slight breeze ruffled through Rey's immaculate hair and curvy tendrils, but she quickly blocked that distraction out as well.
Picturing the gardens from above, the layout of the base began to take shape. Breathing in and out, Rey smiled. Learning to trust her feelings had paid off. A stone pathway leading out of the garden mazes called to her; pulling the girl in the right direction.
She just needed to make her exit before-
"There you are," came a commanding voice from behind.
Kriff. Rey opened her eyes but didn't move a muscle. She immediately recognized the man's voice. Of course, he would be the one to track her down.
"You had me worried, Rey," confessed the Prince of Alderaan. "I've been searching everywhere for you." He spoke softly and had managed to move down the terrace staircase in absolute silence.
Rey swallowed hard, keeping her back to the Prince. Deep down, she was hoping to catch one last glimpse of the man. He was tall and well built, with striking features. He had dark hair that never had a strand out of place. But it was his piercing gaze that had caught her attention earlier in the evening. This man was dangerous, for so many reasons.
"I've been right here," she replied.
"Must be cold," the Prince continued, moving close enough to smell the illusive girl. A hint of lavender, he mused in approval. That was his favorite fragrance, reminding him of the flower patches on Naboo.
Rey heard a slight ruffling behind her. The Prince removed his jacket and without saying a word, wrapped it around the girl's shoulders. Instantly, she felt warm… and safe. But the latter was an illusion.
"Thank you. Were you afraid I would leave without saying goodbye?" Rey asked, finally looking up at the handsome man in black and red. The Prince was striking in his ceremonial dress uniform; a design which perfectly married royalty and military service. He stood out from the other guests in attendance and certainly caught her eye earlier in the evening.
Rey didn't have time for this conversation, but running away right now would look too suspicious. Deep down, part of her wanted the evening to go on—just a little bit longer.
"I don't fear much in this life," the Prince answered, drinking in the details of Rey's face. He could lose himself in those freckles. "But I would turn this galaxy inside out if it meant finding you again. If only to give you a good night kiss."
Lowering her gaze, Rey blushed. The young woman's nerves were getting the better of her. Rey couldn't help it, but everything about this man left butterflies in her stomach. She nibbled on her bottom lip, hoping that he wouldn't notice.
This wasn't suppose to happen, she reminded herself.
"Doubt me?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Oh, I believe you," Rey agreed. There was an undeniable attraction between the pair, which left Rey feeling tense all over. She needed to say something to gain distance from this subject.
"You move surprisingly well on the dance floor."
The Prince laughed, "Do I? You're too kind. Dance lessons were part of my education as a child. A long time ago, I was groomed for a life in politics. But plans were altered and I was sent far away... to receive a very different education."
Rey wasn't sure how to respond. She swallowed hard, setting her gaze to the gardens again.
"Stars, you're beautiful," he continued, leaning against the balustrade so that he could have a better look at the girl. "That necklace matches your sparkling eyes."
Rey wanted to thank him for the compliment but she lost her voice for a second.
The Prince fell silent, trying once again to peer into Rey's thoughts. The girl was proving difficult to read, which merely added to her mystique. On his first impression, Rey had a humble and almost naive disposition. But he knew better by now; there must be something special about this girl.
"Did I do or say something to scare you off?" he asked, watching her facial cues very carefully. "Perhaps you overheard a talkative guest at the party… and they said something startling? Something to make you leave the ballroom?"
Once again, the handsome Prince was fishing for information. He was looking for a very specific answer and she knew it.
"Startling? Like what, my Prince?" Rey asked coyly.
"My true identity," he replied flatly, dropping what had been a gentle tone until that point. The powerfully built man studied her expression. There must be a way to read the girl, to glean an answer either way.
"You're the Prince of Alderaan, are you not?"
"I am," he replied, taking a step closer and leaning over the young woman. "But I am... so much more. And I haven't used that title in many years."
Rey held his intense stare. She placed a hand on his sculpted chest, but wasn't trying to stop the Prince or push him away. The young woman couldn't explain how or why, but the pair had an immediate connection. A Bond had seemed to form out on that dancefloor.
"What is this feeling between us?" Rey asked, suddenly finding herself out of breath. "When we were dancing it felt like we were the only two people in the entire galaxy."
"I'll get to that," the Prince growled. "I will answer any question you have. I will always tell you the truth—but first I need to know."
The Prince lifted Rey's hand into his and began massaging her palm and fingers with his thumb.
"Know?" Rey gasped, trying her best to control her breathing. What the hell was happening to her?
"Did you discover who I am?" the raven haired man asked, curling his lips. "You're an intelligent girl, Rey. I'm enchanted by you. If it helps... you have nothing to fear."
"Please stop that," Rey said, looking down at her hand in his. The way he was kneading her palm and fingers wasn't innocent at all. It left her feeling weak in the knees. The Prince was pushing all the right buttons.
This couldn't be happening—no way would Rey allow herself to be seduced.
"Stop what?" Kylo hissed, leaning even closer. His full lips were tantalizing in the starlight.
"If I were to run away… right now..." Rey started, her voice shaking, "would you let me leave?"
"You're afraid of me," the Prince stated, cupping her hand and placing it against his heartbeat. He looked deeply concerned. "You will never need to fear me, Rey."
"I'm not scared," she declared, lifting her chin in defiance.
"Your pulse is racing. I know that you don't want to run away," he said, shaking his head a little. The girl was hardly in a position to argue. She couldn't bear to remove her hand from his chest.
"Do you know who I am?" the Prince asked once more, pressing into their blossoming connection.
Rey opened her mouth to answer but began breathing heavily instead. Her body was responding to his low voice and piercing gaze. The dark prince was right; she didn't want to run. If Rey left now, she wouldn't know what this attraction was.
"Don't be afraid, I feel it too," he soothed.
"You're… you're Kylo Ren," Rey said, finally admitting what she had known for some time now.
The First Knight grinned in approval; this girl was special indeed. "That doesn't frighten you?"
"N-no," Rey answered, praying to the Maker that she sounded convincing. "Why do you keep asking me?"
"Most people are. But then again, I usually wear a mask. And because… I know you're not an ambassador or representative from Dantooine. Don't worry, Rey. That can be our little secret. Now, when did you discover my identity?"
"I figured it out at the end of our dance. Guests… were concerned for my safety. There were whispers. But I didn't care. I didn't want or plan to leave. It wasn't until your generals asked to have a word."
Kylo Ren looked Rey up and down, a small smile creeping across his lips. She wasn't refuting his claim about her own identity. The Knight had suspected she was putting on airs. Rey was likely a reporter trying to make a name for herself; or she was a spy for the Resistance. And yet… she wasn't afraid of him. She was just playing hard to get.
"You won't have me arrested, then?" Rey asked, leaning closer to the tall man. She looked down and let her forehead rest against his chest. The physical contact felt right and natural.
"I've traveled across the galaxy and been to hundreds of worlds; from Byss to Kinooine. Never… never before has someone captivated me like you have. You're a beautiful mystery Rey, and I've been under you're spell all evening," Kylo Ren professed, placing his thumb on the girl's chin. He wanted her to look him in the eyes; he needed her to see the sincerity in his face.
Rey's heart was pounding so hard, that she could feel it in her eardrums.
"I bet you say that to all the pretty girls," Rey scoffed, trying one last time to restore her defenses. How the hell could this handsome prince be Kylo Ren? The stories that she had been told… and all of the preparation for this evening… it was all woefully insufficient.
She didn't have an answer for the charming man in the red and black officer's uniform.
"I don't have time for pretty girls. The galaxy is in disarray and needs a steady hand to guide it; someone who can restore peace once and for all. But I would make plenty of time for you, Rey. I'd move the heavens to make you a priority," the First Knight swore, licking his bottom lip.
Before Rey could respond, his lips were pressing into hers. The kiss was surprising and softer than she ever could have imagined. Rey closed her eyes and any protests she had were swallowed into the Darksider's mouth. Her arms and hands seemed to have a mind of their own, as she pulled on his neck, bringing Kylo closer. Her fingers traveled upward next and lost themselves in his thick mane.
The kiss deepened and Rey moaned with a fierce need. She was starving for more; hungry to explore his mouth. This was a different kind of appetite and the only thing that could sate her was more of the same. As if reading her thoughts, Kylo lifted the girl up with ease, trapping the beauty against his chest. Rey's elegant dress ruffled as the layers of her skirts wrapped around his hard body.
What started as a spark had quickly ignited into a wildfire. A powerful connection was beginning to form between the pair. Their lives would never be the same and in the back of Rey's mind, she understood as much.
Gasping for air, the young woman pulled back, keeping her arms wrapped around the Prince's neck. Kylo Ren leaned his forehead against hers, out of breath as well. Touching like this was euphoric and nothing needed to be said. After a beat, Rey chuckled and nodded. Kylo pounced, looking to capture her lips once more.
From the direction of the ballroom came some loud, indistinct shouting. The Dark Prince didn't seem to notice the commotion, but Rey did. She managed to pull away after a short peck on the lips.
"Someone is coming," Rey panted.
Growling in disappointment, Kylo looked like he could strangle the stormtroopers yelling in the distance. Why the hell were they causing a scene around the ballroom anyway?
"Take me through the gardens," Rey breathed, pressing her index finger against the Dark Warrior's lips. "Please. Far from prying eyes. I don't want anyone to see what happens next."
Kylo grunted, sounding deeply frustrated. He breathed in and out, doing his best to regain his composure. Moving into the gardens was a better idea; they could have all evening out there.
"As you wish," he stated.
With that, Kylo Ren hooked Rey's arm in his. He led them through the hedge maze, leaving the festivities far behind.