The urgent beeping of the comm speared though K'isha's head and yanked her from her dreams. Not a terrible thing since they were once again filled with ghosts and blood. The nightmares had lessened over time, especially since she'd married her beloved Andronikos and he shared her bed. Something about having him there as she slept soothed her. But it'd never fully dispelled the nightmares, and she'd given up fighting them, just accepting them as part of her existence.
Raking a hand through her silver hair, she threw on a thick black satin robe before walking through Vengeance to the holo-communicator. She wasn't really worried about how she looked though, she was Darth Nox now and couldn't remember the last time she'd answered to someone.
"What do you want?" she grumbled as she answered the comm and the image of her apprentice Xalek emerged. He dropped to his knees instantly.
"My apologies Master, I would not have contacted you if it wasn't urgent."
K'isha reined in her temper at seeing the Kaleesh. His devotion bordered on worship, treating her more like a goddess than a Sith Lord. She wondered if he was half in love with her, and part of her felt bad that she couldn't return such adoration. That place in her heart was occupied by the dusky pirate currently snoring in their bed.
"You are forgiven Apprentice," she stated, knowing he preferred the formal Sith ways. "What news has you waking me?"
"A new Sith Lord has appeared on Korriban," he explained. "He arrived from Dromund Kaas and seeks an audience with the Dark Council."
The Dark Council, she sighed. She'd been able to avoid the other Darths for the most part, preferring to live her life free of their meddling. But they couldn't always be fobbed off by a holo-image, and occasionally she had to make an appearance to keep them quiet. Still, it wasn't her place to decide who was allowed to address the council. If Xalek was conferring with her about this it must be significant.
"Rise Apprentice. Tell me of this Lord."
"He comes to make a bid for a seat on the council." Xalek said as he stood, "He'd heard that Darth Ravage had perished, and believes he should be considered for the empty seat."
"Usually the one who disposes of a Darth claims that privilege," her dry tones were punctuated by a roll of her eyes. "Is he insinuating that he's responsible for Ravage being gone?"
"Not quite, my Lord. The Darth's 'disappearance' is still being speculated on."
Even behind his foreboding bone mask K'isha could see amusement in her pupil's eyes as she smiled knowingly at him. Oh Ravage, she thought, you should've watched your back. One never knows when an 'upstart' might find out about the insults and threats you've made behind her back, and decides to remind you that though she may be a Darth, she never stopped being an assassin.
"But this Sith, his face reminds me of your own blessed visage."
The eloquent words sent an icy fire down K'isha's spine where it settled in the pit of her stomach. "He looks like me?"
"Yes Master, very much,"he nodded fiercely, "And though he appears to be quite older than you, his hair is the same silver-white." The cold fire in her midsection bloomed, sending chilling tendrils to her fingers.
"How many know of his request?" she asked thoughtfully as she crossed her arms, her agile mind racing with possibilites and implications.
"Not many," he informed her, "It seems most of the Darths are content to ignore him. His bloodline contains one or two noteworthy Sith, but none illustrious enough to bear mentioning."
"You've researched him?" She raised an eyebrow at her apprentice and could see pride gleaming in his eyes.
"Yes Master, I anticipated you wanting to know."
"Very good," she praised him, then tilted her head in consideration. "Make sure he's informed that his request has earned him an audience with Darth Nox. That will have to suffice."
"As you wish." Xalek nodded briskly and gave her a slight bow before blinking out.
Rubbing her fingers together to dispel the chill, she pulled her robe tighter around her. All this time, she thought as she headed back to her quarters, maybe she'd finally found him. She'd had several visions of finding the man, but the images were as vague and elusive as the dreams that haunted her. It was part of the reason she'd assigned Xalek to Korriban, something told her that's where he would show. She wasn't sure what to expect, a reunion or fight, love or revulsion. But maybe some questions could be answered, like if this man was her father and if he was deserving of the title.
Sliding out of her robe and back into bed, she spooned up against Revel's firm back, absorbing his warmth as she felt his heart thud slowly. He murmured, then began to roll over to face her, and as was habit she rolled too so that he could wrap around her. "'Ey Beau'ful," he slurred sleepily as he nuzzled the back of her neck, "Wha zat 'bout?"
Despite the recent conversation she smiled and snuggled deeper into his arms. "Still figuring it out," she said with a yawn, "But when we get up we need to set course for Korriban."
"Aw blas'," he grumbled, but pulled her tighter, "Was zat Marr? Tell'im to fuck off. The man a'most licks his lips when he sees you." She giggled slightly at her husband's sleepy mumbling and jealousy.
"How can you tell, Beloved?" she asked as she wiggled against him. "The man wears a mask."
"I c'n tell." He still sounded drowsy but started rubbing against her leisurely, his body letting hers know that part of him was waking up. "Can't fault za guy's taste. But 'e needs t'sniff elsewhere."
As if to punctuate his statement he buried his face into her throat and inhaled deeply. He knew the move tickled her and she started giggling more loudly. But the giggles quickly became sighs as he slipped one hand into the front of her nightshirt to caress her breast while the other tugged her leg back to drape over his.
Memories of her bad dreams and reason they'd be heading to Korriban melted away in the heat of her desire, and she started rocking her hips against his rapidly hardening front. She sighed again as his mouth spread melting kisses along the nape of her neck, and she slid a hand back to stroke down his side, hearing him hiss as the chilled digits touched his skin.
"Awww, cold?" His husky voice purred in her ear just before he rolled her back. She could make out his sleepy smirk above her face and the smolder in his dark eyes. "Lemmie warm you up."
She giggled again as his warm hands ran firmly down her body, lifting her nightshirt to pull it up over her head. His mouth dropped to hers and she let all thoughts fade as she absorbed the familiar sensations of her husband's body. The taste of his lips on hers, the firm muscles that flexed over her, she knew them as well as she knew her own heartbeat.
He began moving more urgently, and she encircled him with her arms and legs as his hot length slid into her. "K'isha," her name was a groan at her mouth and it was the only noise she heard aside from her blood racing. The first peak hit her fast and hard, sending a shower of sparks over their bodies. He moved faster, and soon she was hit by another, then another. Her body found bliss so easily with him, and she suspected it was as much from their emotional connection as their physical.
Lightning sped over both of them, becoming brighter and brighter until it felt like she dissolved in his arms and was shaking with pleasure. It was only then that he let himself go, and groaned heavily as his body emptied into hers. He slumped to her side in exhaustion, but she stayed wrapped around him to stay joined as long as possible. He pulled her in tight, and they shared the low murmurs of happiness that only two people who were lovers in every way understood.
"Warm now?" She giggled at his deep voice already sounding sleepy again.
"Yes."
"Good," his body slid from hers but he shifted so that she was pillowed on his chest. "Love you Beau'ful."
"Love you too," she murmured as she let her eyes close, knowing her nightmares would be held back for at least the rest of the night.
K'isha strode purposefully through the halls of the Sith Academy, though the only sound that marked her passage was the soft rustle of the cloak she wore. Despite the tall boots that raised her several inches she knew how to walk silently, and smirked at the startled faces of those that didn't realize she was there until the last minute. They would stiffen then jump back suddenly, looking bewildered that they could have missed the presence of such a powerful person. She didn't glance back but she knew they'd be shaking their heads behind her, swearing to themselves to never be caught off guard again.
Not that they even realize who I am, she snickered to herself, they were simply reacting to the power she resonated, like a rodent sensing the appearance of a predator and freezing in the hopes that they wouldn't be noticed. Few knew the seldom seen Sith known as Darth Nox, and that suited her well. Even her armor was designed to help her remain a figure shrouded in mystery.
Plates the colored of dried blood covered her form, gleaming dully over the armor's black base. A long black cape trailed from her shoulders, the only concession she made to the flowing armored robes many of her ilk wore and she hated. She preferred mobility over opulence. Her helm was cunningly worked to resemble a deep scarlet krayt dragon's skull covering her head, primitive but elegant, with fangs framing the shield that hid her face. Since she'd gained her title she'd begun concealing her looks, and she knew only a handful outside of her inner circle had any idea what the current Lord Kallig looked like. She chuckled when she remembered the one thing all of the tales agreed on, that the sinister mask concealed a face to be admired .
She quickly reached the entrance of her chambers, the ones she'd 'inherited' from Darth Zash, and saw a formidable figure in a skull mask standing there. The Kaleesh was taller than she and looked more threatening, but he knelt the moment he saw her.
"Master," the deep voice stated respectfully, and when she nodded in acknowledgment of his obedience he stood back up. "Captain." He gave a quick civil nod to Revel, who was close behind her.
"Xalek."
She almost chuckled again at Revel's mutter, knowing the pirate was still leery of her apprentice, but composed herself quickly. "Is he here?" she asked as the three of them walked into her inner sanctum.
"Yes, my lord. He arrived a full hour early. He probably hopes it will help his cause."
"We shall see," she said with a dismissive wave of her hand as she settled into the large seat behind the expansive desk. "Is anyone else aware that he's meeting with me?"
"None that I know of," he assured her. "I made it clear to him that this meeting was to be approached with the utmost discretion. It appears that he understood."
"Excellent," she allowed, genuinely pleased with her apprentice's handling of the matter. "How long until he's supposed to meet with me?"
Xalek quickly consulted a small chrono, then nodded at her. "In two minutes, my lord."
"Good," she leaned forward on the desk and steepled her fingers. "Wait five, then retrieve him. It'll remind him who's in charge."
There was a quick flash of teeth at the bottom of Xalek's mask that she recognized as a smile. "As you wish, Master." The tall robed figure vanished through a side door, and she heard a snicker beside her.
"Anyone who didn't know you would think you're really like this," Revel chuckled. "You step into that 'Sith' skin like you were born with it."
"And I shed it just as quickly," she laughed as she looked up at the pirate standing next to her chair. His face was also hidden under a streamlined helmet, but she could hear the smile he was giving her. "Speaking of shedding things, it's been some time since we tested the sturdiness of this desk. Should I tell Xalek to make that ten minutes? We can see how fast we can peel out of our armor."
"Now you're just stalling," he said, and she heard him sigh. "You ready for this Beautiful?"
"No," she replied honestly. "But I never was good at letting sleeping dogs lie. Might be nice to get some answers."
"And if he doesn't have any?" He moved close enough to take her hand, and squeezed it hard enough to be felt through her gauntlet.
"Then no harm done," she said, and took a deep breath. Revel released her hand and took his place standing near to her chair just as the sound of heavy footsteps could be heard approaching her chambers.
"Four," she heard him whisper, and she looked up at him.
"Four?"
"Four minutes," he whispered again. "That's long it'd take to get out of this armor."
"Bet we could make it three," she retorted softly.
"You're on," he chuckled back just before the door to her chamber opened.