"We should go before anyone recognizes one of us."

"Wait, I need my things, from the ship," Arria tried to stop Arcann, seeing him already keying the code in the quick travel console.

"We will send a droid for them, but I believe that anything you might need should be waiting for you already," he interrupted, holding her closer to him.

They stepped out of the quick travel in a small, simple room and Arcann threw his coat on the floor, quickly pulling Arria in his arms. Her long, black coat joined his on the white stone tiles and their kiss raised the temperature around them by a few degrees. Every single attempt of a plan that Arria made in the past few days failed. Nothing could stand in front of Arcann. Nothing could oppose any resistance to his fierce kisses, to the way he was gazing at her, to the sensations he was sending through her body.

Her mind was empty of any words, of any thoughts. Arria felt everything moving around, but she continued to keep her eyes closed. She was in his arms, too busy to feel everything. She wanted to remember those moments for the rest of her life. It seemed like seconds had passed when she felt the soft, silky covers of the bed hugging her body. Their clothes were somewhere on the floor, in a trail of passion leading to the oversized bed. Nothing mattered for either of them, but the other. The last couple of weeks had been just as impossible for both of them.

"I missed you so much," she heard Arcann's whisper, still holding her tight to him. Their bodies shuddered together, consumed by passion and an impossible desire.

"I missed you too," admitted Arria, her body wrapped around his, oversensitive after the sweet release.

Slowly, Arcann lifted his head and looked at her. Arria's eyes opened and gazed up to his. She still couldn't see anything past him. In the dimmed light, an unusual glow made his turquoise eyes glimmer. Love, passion, desire, it was all in there and Arria filled her heart with all of them. He saw in the deep emerald eyes he loved everything he wanted to see that second, but remembered what he'd seen earlier too. It pained him. He worried that she still wasn't willing to accept him, to be his wife. A sad smile tugged at the corner of his lips curling them up.

"Yet, you were three days late."

At the sound of his words, Arria looked down. Her eyes stopped on the planes of his chest, glanced over the multiple scars and then found their way back up, into his.

"I am still not convinced that this is a good idea," she whispered and Arcann pressed her head against his chest, rolling with her on top of the white, silky sheets.

"Perhaps... The right thing to do would be to come home with me, be my wife. We should not have to sneak out of our lives to be together." His tone this time was melancholic, and Arria looked at him, surprised. She didn't want to open the subject, at least not yet. She knew it wasn't going to go well and she wanted her time with him. She wanted it so badly.

"Can we not talk about this right now?" Her question made Arcann smile and turn his head away from her, looking somewhere on the ceiling.

"Even if we do not talk about it, it will not go away."

She knew that, but for a while she just wanted to emerge herself in that happiness. She wanted to see how it felt to be with the one you love. She followed his eyes to the ceiling and for the first time she noticed the room around them.

"Whoa. Where are we exactly?"

She sat up in the bed, covering herself with the white sheet, her hands tight in tiny fists holding the delicate silk. With wide open eyes, she examined the surroundings for the first time. Arria heard the hissed, metallic noise of his cybernetic arm, his fingers letting her free, after he'd been holding her close to him. She was still surprised at how gentle the touch of that cybernetic hand was, how he had mastered the art of it. He could have crushed her bones with one squeeze.

All the ceiling and the outside walls were made of what appeared to be glass. They were in a sphere, in the depths of the Manaan's oceans. Exotic fish and creatures swam around, in a multitude of bright colors attracting her attention.

"Can we be seen from the outside?"

Arcann shook his head and looked at her with a smile.

"No. There is an energy field all around this construction, nothing except small fish can come near. Even if something would find a way to come close, the walls are one way view. From the outside it's just a big shiny globe, like all the others constructions on Manaan," he explained. "We are the safest we can be. Do you think I would endanger any of us, in any way?"

It was Arria's turn to smile and look at him, over her shoulder. Her long, wavy hair danced around her face and Arcann watched it brush against her skin.

"No, I was just curious, I think."

She already knew how protective he could be. Even if he was the enemy, he always made her feel safe and protected. She loved that. She loved how he looked at her, the way he touched her. She loved everything about him, except that he was the enemy, and that there was a chance they might have to fight against each other.

The inside of the room was next for her to examine. It was the strangest place she'd ever seen, beautiful and relaxing. The floor was covered in low glowing rather large glass-topped tiles, with water under them. That was the source of the calming, tranquil glow all around. A large column on the side of the room looked like was also filled with water, running inside the glass walls. The furniture was stylish, luxurious, and not surprising at all. Arria had already seen Arcann's home, in the Spire. He liked to surround himself in sophisticated luxury. She was still absorbed in her surroundings, when Arcann got up from the bed and took a few steps. She noticed how the glowing tiles were becoming brighter at the touch of his feet on the smooth surface. She was expecting to see his feet wet.

"Come, let's take a shower and after that we can have something to eat. I am starving."

His explanation made Arria look at him. She was hungry too. But that didn't stop her from hearing the under tone, the hidden message. With the sheet still wrapped around her body she joined him. Arria looked at her own feet at every step, waiting to feel the water she could see under the tiles. The glow illumined her face, reflected in her eyes and Arcann smiled, lifting her in his arms.

"It is just a visual effect. You won't get wet." She just smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck.

The shower surprised her too, with the double glass walls and water running between. It looked like a rain that never stopped. It took them well over an hour to make it out of the shower. They could not keep their hands off the other, they needed to be in permanent contact.

"Stairs or elevator?" Arria heard his question right when they got back into the bedroom. Her hand was nested into his, and she gazed up at him.

"Elevator?" she answered with a question.

Instead of an answer, he pointed to the column that she saw earlier. The water was still running inside it and Arria's confusion grew. Her eyebrows arched and a couple of horizontal lines appeared on her smooth forehead.

"That's an elevator? We're going in and swim up or down?" she asked, laughing at her own idea. She could imagine swimming through the column to the next level.

Arcann's laugh filled the room and he pulled her towards the elevator. Arria stared at him, filled her mind with his image and her memory with that moment. It was the first time she saw him laugh. It looked good on him. They stepped in the elevator hand in hand and she realized that the water effect was on the outside. Inside was a regular elevator, and took them to a lower floor. It was not too far down, it only took a few seconds in the smooth, slow ride. The room they arrived in was a large open area furnished with the same refinement she noticed to be all around him. Comfortable looking couches and chairs, low tables with glass or marble tops, and lamps were arranged in separate areas. Life sized statues decorated corners. The interior walls served as background for various paintings and mirrors. Rare artifacts and expensive decorations were spread throughout. The exterior walls were just like in the bedroom, glass. More fish swarmed in front of them and brought a tiny smile on Arria's face.

"This is beautiful. I feel under-dressed," she said and tightened the white bathrobe she was wearing closer to her body.

Another laugh escaped from Arcann's throat and he stopped, looking in her eyes, lowering his head to her height.

"If you ask me, I think we are both overdressed," he replied and opened his arms to the sides.

He was also wearing a bathrobe wrapped around him. Arria's eyes traveled quickly over his body, over his wide chest peeking through and a wave of desire washed over her. She tried to hide it, and failed miserably. Arcann felt it the same instant and pulled her into a kiss that made her dizzy for a few seconds.

The service droid that brought them dinner was what made them break from that kiss and try to regain their composure. The table was already set, waiting for them at the far end of the room, in front of a fireplace. The flames danced inside the white marble opening, spreading warmth. Just like in his home on Zakuul, here too, the chairs were taller than what Arria was used to. He held her chair and kissed her again after she was seated. The service droid placed her diner in front of her and Arria noticed the plates. They were identical to the ones she'd seen on Zakuul. The clear or frosted glass plates, sometimes a combination of the two, were resting on aurodium stands, about three to four inches above the table. The workmanship in the aurodium supports was amazing. Detailed figurines served as bases, united by intricate circles, supporting the plates at the top. The food looked good, and smelled even better.

"Is there anything else I can do for Your Majesties?" asked the droid after he placed Arcann's dinner in front of him as well.

"Yes, there is. My wife needs her things from her ship brought here. Send a droid."

Arria felt weird having someone, even if it was a droid, addressing her with 'majesty'. Arcann calling her his wife in front of someone else made her uncomfortable. It was still hard for her to accept it.

"I have to let my droid know that someone will go pick up by bags. He will grant access and give them my things."

Arcann nodded in acknowledgement and the droid left.

"After we eat you may use the holo in the next room." It was Arria's turn to nod and Arcann smiled at her. He noticed her discomfort earlier and found it amusing. "You should get used to it," he added and started to eat.

"What are you talking about?" she asked, quickly taking a bite from her food. It was delicious.

"You don't like your title," Arcann explained.

"It's not that I don't like it. I am just not used to it."

This time Arcann kept quiet, and they both continued to eat. However, he didn't stop studying her every move. He was fascinated, intoxicated with her. After dinner, she called her droid and gave him the instructions she needed to. Only took her a couple of minutes, and when she returned to the spacious living room, Arcann was waiting for her. He was standing in front of the windows with his hands clasped at the small of his back, looking outside absently. Arria shrugged in her robe. The sounds of her footsteps were completely absorbed by the soft rugs.

She glanced at him for a second, but it was all it took for a new wave of desire to wash over her. Arcann felt it and smiled, but he didn't move. His mind was as always busy at work. He needed to find a way to convince her to stay with him.

Two delicate, stemmed glasses were waiting for them on the table in front of one of the low couches. Beside them, a bottle with what Arria assumed it would be champagne competed for attention against the aurodium tray filled with tempting deserts. She hoped he didn't notice her reaction to him. Seeing him just standing there made her blood boil, every single living fiber in her body screaming with desire. Her body craved his touch, her lips missed his. Arria's palms got itchy instantly, she wanted to touch him. Instead she went and sat on the couch, taking one of the pastries that looked like a flower.

"Mmm…Those are so good," she said and closed her eyes with delight.

Arcann turned around and saw the pleasure on her face. It made him smile.

"One of my favorites too," he said and took one for himself. He poured the champagne in the two glasses and handed one of them to Arria. He sat beside her, turning to face her. "To us."

Arria nodded and took a sip without a word. She hoped he wouldn't notice how hard it was for her to stay calm. She wanted to scream that second. Arcann was acting like it was normal for them to be there, to be together. It was not, they were enemies.

"What is going on?" he asked her after both their glasses were back on the table.

Instead of answering, Arria jumped up on her feet, trying to put some distance between them. She didn't even have a chance to take a step away from him. His quick reflexes kicked in and pulled her on his lap the same instant.

"Ria," he whispered her name holding her face up to him.

She saw the question in his eyes, mixed with love and a desire to match hers. She didn't want to get into a fight with him, at least not yet. Their time together was so precious and short.

"Nothing, I am trying to adjust to all this…" she tried to explain.

"You are lying to me."

Yes, I am. Darn it, I have to practice my lying skills. He is not easy to fool. Her hesitation was short, but Arcann wasn't going to let go.

"Ria, you said you do not wish to talk about this today. Yet you act like you are on the edge, ready to start a fight. Which is it? You are confusing me," he admitted and brushed the back of his hand on her jaw, upwards along her cheek and stopping on her left temple.

"I am confused myself," she answered and avoided his piercing gaze. She wasn't sure she could control her instincts. A soft, light kiss made her look at him again. His right hand reached on top of her head and pulled on the end of the silk ribbon that was holding her hair up. She didn't want to get it wet earlier, in the shower. The hair danced around her face the same instant and he dropped the tiny ribbon on the floor. Arcann filled his hand with her jasmine scented strands of hair and kissed her again. A light vibration in his cybernetic arm interrupted them. Desire was escalating in both, and he broke the kiss, checking on the message waiting for him.

"Your things are in the dressing room. We are not going to have any more interruptions," he assured her typing a response message. His arm motioned next somewhere behind and the lights dimmed.

"Now, let me help with that confusion." The kiss that followed his words wiped any thought from Arria's mind and she abandoned herself to him. She completely forgot that he was the enemy, that they might have to confront each other. He was the man she loved. Arcann was determined to make the most out of their time together. He was going to conquer her inch by inch, kiss by kiss. Defeat any defense she might have. Invade her mind and her heart without leaving her a way out. He was going to make her want to stay.

They were still on the couch, in each other's arms, indulging in the euphoria that had taken over them, when Arcann was the first to move. They both wrapped back in the bathrobes and he took a few steps away, to a side table. A decorative, ornate box was on it, and Arria admired it earlier. A weird looking fish, with glowing fins came near the window and she went to see it closer. The fish stood there, looked like he starred right back at her, and then swam away. Arria turned around, with the intention to go back to the couch, when she saw Arcann taking a transparent box from inside the larger one and walking slowly back to her. The dimmed light was stopping her to see what it was inside that box, and she looked at him with a question in her eyes. His smile sent currents throughout her body, and she felt a whole bunch of butterflies dancing in her stomach. It didn't help that next second he knelt in front of her, opening the cover of the box.

"I think it is time to give you these back," he said and tears instantly filled her eyes when Arria looked inside the box. Her lightsabers were resting on top of the piece of delicate lace from her wedding dress. Tears blurred her vision, and a sudden lump in her throat stopped her from saying anything. Her eyes went back to him. The most powerful man in the galaxy knelt in front of her. She swallowed hard, her mouth was dry and her breath shallow.

"Arcann…" she managed to whisper his name. She even attempted a smile. Unsuccessfully.

"I know now that I cannot force you to be mine. It is up to you," he continued to smile at her and remained on his knee.

Arria took her lightsabers. They felt just as good as she remembered, like extensions of her hands, light and perfectly balanced. The next second she ignited them. The green glow illuminated both of them.

She looked again at the man in front of her. He didn't even blinked, he trusted her, even if her sabers were on either side of his head. She could've killed him right there, that second. One short move was all it would take. Arcann looked in her eyes, saw her tears. He trusted her with his life. If she was going to kill him, so be it.

His risk was not without a well thought plan. Since Hoth he knew that she didn't want him dead anymore. Showing her how much he trusted her, it was part of his plan. He needed her to know how much she meant to him, everything. Arria let the sabers fall on floor and threw herself in his arms. She kissed him with everything she felt that second. Love, trust, gratitude, they all mixed together. Arcann lifted her in his arms and walked towards the elevator between kisses and whispers. Her defenses were greatly weakened.

A couple of hours later, she was asleep in his arms, her head resting on his shoulder. Arcann let out a deep sigh and looked at her. He couldn't sleep. Between fighting his father for control over his mind, and planning the next few days, sleep was out of question. He listened to her even breathing and a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. Arria's head slipped off his shoulder and on his cybernetic arm. Right away he moved her closer to him, making sure she was resting comfortably, that her head was away from his hard metal arm. Perhaps I should start considering reconstructive surgery. It must be uncomfortable for her sleep on a piece of durasteel. I want to feel her with my both arms, I want to be able to fill both my hands with her hair, touch her skin… One day we might have children. I do not want them to see me like this. She was right, my memories do not reside in a cybernetic arm or a mask.

They spent the next few days together. Every minute, every second, their connection got stronger, their feelings deeper. Arcann rediscovered Manaan through her eyes. Arria got excited so easily. She was fascinated with the native species of Manaan, Selkath. The amphibious species were peaceful and family oriented people, living in their underwater cities. The bottom of the ocean was decorated with glowing domes. Sometimes a whole group of domes connected by glass tunnels covered miles and miles of the uneven terrain.

Inside the small submarine, Arcann and Arria took long drives. First time they went out she looked to see the construction where they stayed. It was just like he told her, a big shiny globe. There were countless of similar constructions for the ones that chose not to live in a city. It wasn't unusual to see children and adults swimming around the cities, it was some of their favorite activities. With special openings in the domes, at the bottom, access was granted inside and Arria had the chance to explore the completely new world.

The buildings were no higher than three, four stories, but spacious. She recognized same architecture like in Ahto, the capital, where the spaceport was. Even if it was underwater, the white marble was luminous, the arches and columns giving all buildings an understated elegance. There were ponds filled with algae and colorful aquatic plants everywhere. Children laughing and running on the streets was another frequent occurrence. Every few streets, Arria noticed huge glass spheres, filled with water. Inside, kids were playing their favorite sport, Flash. There were teams that had to score against the others, by throwing a shiny round globe in the nets guarded by players.

Arcann caught himself not being able to wipe the permanent smile on his face. Everything Arria said or did made him smile. His cheeks were hurting, not used to smiling or laughing that much. It had been years since he last smiled before she showed up in his life. Even back then, smiling was done only out of his father's sight.

With less days left to spend together than they already had, some sadness settled in the back of their minds. Both realized that soon, their time together would come to an end. Arcann hoped to convince her to stay, but with every day he grew more and more worried that she wouldn't. Her avoidance made him suspicious. Their passionate nights were the only times when his hopes were high.

That night, with only four days left of their time together, Arcann held her close, on top of him. Both their bodies were oversensitive after they consumed their passion again. He kissed the top of her head and whispered, "Stay with me."

Arria let out a deep sigh and tried to move away from him. His arms tightened around her, continuing to hold her, his eyes burning her with the turquoise gaze.

"You know I can't, why…"

"You can," he interrupted her quickly, his tone harsh. The air in the room felt denser, harder to breathe. He didn't want to leave her any escape route. "The question is, do you want to?" Arcann was increasing pressure on her, and Arria looked up at him the same instant.

"How can you ask that? You know I want to."

"Then stay. Do not leave me again. You have already done that too many times." His insistence was killing her, and Arria decided to open the subject. Time was running short.

"I wish I could, I really do," spoke Arria and this time she managed to put a few inches distance between them. At least their bodies were not touching, and she could gather her thoughts better. Arcann's eyes were digging deep into her soul and she looked away. "No matter how much I love you, I have a responsibility to my family, to my people. I can never betray them. I just can't fight against…"

"Say that again." The same instant he was on top of her, his hands on either side of her face, and Arria looked at him confused.

"Say what again?" she asked with her brows furrowed.

"Everything you just said," he insisted.

"That I can't betray my family and…"

"Before that." Arcann insisted again.

"Oh, that no matter how much I…" Arria stopped abruptly. She just realized what she said. It was a slip, she never meant to say it.

"Yes, that part. Say it again."

Controlling herself not to say it when they made love in the last few days was one of the hardest things she had to do. How did I let it slip out? Ugh…Now what? He didn't supposed to know it…

"Ria, please, I want to hear you say it to me. I need to," his eyes begged her, his voice was soft, caressing all her senses.

Arria swallowed the sudden lump in her throat. Her hesitation didn't stop Arcann from looking in her eyes without even a blink. She felt his gaze way down into her soul.

"I…" she started, but found it hard to continue. His one eyebrow arched in anticipation. She noticed the light tremor in his body, he was tense and focused on her. "I love you…" she finally whispered and the same second he claimed her lips. It was the first time anyone told him those words. He never heard them before, not addressed to him. Those were the three tiny words that could change destinies, and for the first time he felt their power.

"I love you so much, Ria," he whispered her and Arria let one of her hands rise to the back of his head. The impossibly short hair, was soft at the touch, like dirty blond dust, and she smiled, pulling him in another kiss. "Nobody has ever told me that," he admitted out loud with a sad smile. A shadow passed over his face next and Arria saw it. Her heart cringed for a second.

"I am sure your mother did. She loves you."

"If she did I was too young to remember. This is the first time for me." They hugged each other close, in a deafening silence. Arria hid her face in his chest. There was a painful sting in his eyes and he closed them tight, letting his chin rest on top of her head. "Please, do not leave me again. I need you with me, by my side. I need you in my life, every day." His whisper broke the silence.

"There is only one way I can do that…" she whispered and Arcann pulled back, looking into her eyes.

"You know I would do anything for you. Name it." Hope was back in his heart, in his eyes, in the tone of his voice. Arria already knew she was going to crush it.

"End the war. Sign a peace treaty and…"

"You know I cannot do that. You are asking the impossible." His objection came quickly, interrupting her.

"You are the only one that can. Please, at least consider it," was Arria's turn to insist, searching for his eyes.

Arcann shook his head and he distanced himself from her. On his own side of the bed, he lay on his back and looked at the ceiling absently.

"When I am on that throne, I am not myself. HE takes over. I have no control over what I do. I thought you already understood that. The only time I can fight against HIM is when it comes to you…" he started to explain, but it was Arria's turn to interrupt him.

"Fight him, darn it. There is nothing I want more than to be with you, every day, every night, for the rest of our lives. But I won't betray my family…"

"So you are betraying me," he interrupted her again, turning his head and looking in her eyes. Frustration was visible in his eyes, she could sense it inside him.

"I don't want to. I don't want to fight against you."

"Take your family and distance yourselves from the Alliance. I promise you that everyone in your family will be safe. I will destroy the Alliance."

"You don't get it, do you? We are the Alliance. The whole galaxy is the Alliance. Everyone wants their lives back, not just my family."

Arcann's eyes glared bright orange and he looked away from her again. "I will destroy anyone standing against me. You know I can do it."

"Then you will destroy me too." whispered Arria and followed his example. Her eyes looked at the ceiling, at the swimming fish.

"Ria, please understand…" Arcann spoke next, rolling over and trapping her body under his.

"You understand. We can't be together for as long as there is war. Consider peace and I am yours for the rest of our lives." Arria confronted him quickly, before she would lose her courage.

"That is blackmail, you…"

"I had a good teacher."

Instead of any other words Arcann kissed her fiercely, with passion, with uncontrolled desire.

A/N

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a Happy New Yer to all of you.

Thank you so much for your support, comments and reviews throughout the year. You are the best and deserve the best.

May all your wishes come true.