The training session had been intense. Athena had no words to describe it. She had no idea why she was able to use the Force that way. She had always thought visions were all her grandfather had passed on to her. But this was… new. And she had enjoyed it. All her life she had kept herself together, played her part as noblewoman and politician. Kylo was triggering something she had never known before. Athena was aware she had never been Jedi material in the first place. But the darkness… it was intoxicating. Kylo was intoxicating.

Athena cursed as she changed into one of her dresses. Her hair was still damp from the shower. Her dress let her shoulders bare, the sleeves dropping to her arms. Silver branches were embroidered on black silk. The silhouette was simple and sleek, accentuating her curves. She looked at herself in the mirror. She looked tired.

With deep breaths, she tried to recollect the memories of her training. She had failed so utterly at protecting her mind from him earlier. How could he affect her so much?
Athena manifested confidence and straightened her back. Her mission was to get them to sign a peace treaty. Not to get entangled with Kylo Ren.

A group of stormtroopers arrived to escort her to Kylo Ren's quarters, leading her to though the labyrinth of the Finalizer.

"You look ravishing, my lady," General Hux appeared, giving her a small nod. The General with the slicked back red hair looked at her from head to toe.
"I know," she answered dryly, which provoked Hux to smile.
"We can meet tomorrow to talk about the contract, my lady. You will be happy to hear that I am doing everything in my power to secure our alliance," he beamed.

"Thank you, General," Athena purred. If she wasn't mistaken, General Hux seemed genuinely happy. But why?

"You have really gone out of your way. This will bring so many systems to the First Order. A success without compare, is it?" she complimented. With a mischievous smile, she realized he was loving the flattery.

"It really is. All thanks to your cooperation, may I add."

"Kylo Ren will be happy that his subject has managed such a task," she added, testing his limits. The look he gave her proved she didn't miss.

"I am not his subject," he corrected her, frowning.

"My humble apologies. I have no idea about the power structures within the First Order, General. What a grievous error on my part. I just assumed…" she apologized, playing distressed and making her cheeks blush.

"Well, it is not your mistake. You are still adjusting," Hux said generously.

"Thanks to your guidance, General."

Athena gave him the curtesy of a quick little bow before standing right in front of the dining hall. Maybe it would turn out to be useful to have Hux on her side.

"I wish you a good night," Hux said, answering with a bow himself. Even though he was undoubtedly brutal and ruthless, he did possess manners. Athena wondered if she could say the same about Kylo Ren tonight.

The young countess walked gracefully to the empty chair. The black marble table was not as large as she hoped for, as she sat awfully close to Kylo. Much to her surprise, Kylo draw back the chair for her as she sat down in it. Athena's still slightly damp hair fell over her naked shoulder. Much to her shame, she was attentive of Kylo's reaction of her. His eyes lingered on her collarbone a second more than necessary.

"Thank you, master," the words felt still unfamiliar to her.

In front of her was a display of various foods. Nothing to spectacular, but fine quality.
"I hope this suits a Countess," Kylo mocked. Unfazed, Athena blinked at him.

"It will do," she answered equally sarcastically.

After a few bites of the food, she felt herself relax a bit more. After the small portions of food that had been brought to her cell, this was much better. Kylo watched her eat with enthusiasm.

Though they didn't talk at all, the atmosphere wasn't tense for once. Watching Kylo Ren eat was enough to humanize him a little, she thought. Even the grandchild of Darth Vader was just a man, after all. A handsome man. His full, dark hair reached his shoulders, framing his pale face. His features were rather large, his lips full and slightly pink, lending him a simultaneously raw and vulnerable impression. Athena scolded herself for her inappropriate thoughts.

"I have asked you to join me for a reason. You should be honest with me about your past. Only then can you let it go and turn completely," Kylo announced, watching her every move like a prey its victim. "Tell me, apprentice."

Athena shivered. Stay calm, she reminded herself. Was she afraid of the dark side inside her? She wasn't. Her mother had thought her that the world wasn't as black and white like the New Republic painted it to be. What was she afraid of now?

"I betrayed someone's trust. I was in a relationship with Senator Jasmina Durbar. She… loved me. And I her, Athena left out. Kylo remained inscrutable.

"She is from the Outer Rims too, from one of the systems aligned to the Republic. She had a large following of Republican systems behind her. I got closer to her. Even though Serenno remained neutral, the two of us worked closely together within the ORA. She always wanted me to join the Resistance, as she was one of their biggest supporters within the Senate. A couple of months ago…," Athena swallowed, feeling Kylo's dark glaze on her.

"…I stole information about the Senate from her. One night, after she fell asleep, I searched her bedroom and found information about four Resistance bases. I took it, gave it to the First Order and then blamed her for leaking the information. The Senate believed me, as they could not believe I would sell out my lover if it wasn't for the truth. I had been helpful in their diplomatic attempts to appease the Outer Rim before. Senator Jasmina Durbar got released of her duties and lost the support of the pro-republic planets in the Outer Rim after the rebel bases all got annihilated. I used the information to get myself the access to the audience with General Hux and to buy his trust," her words lost every emotion as she simply recited her latest feat. One that still haunted her. Athena bit her lip, unsure on how he would react.

"I see. Why did you do it?" he asked, his voice without kindness, but without judgment as well.

"To unite the Outer Rim. To protect them," she answered without thinking.

"Wrong."

Athena remained as still as a statue.

"Because I still believe we need to bargain with the First Order instead of backing the Resistance," she started again, but Kylo shook his head.

"Not a lie, but not the reason you did it."

The young woman let her shoulders sink. He was right. As much as it was painful, she had to be honest.

"I enjoyed taking power. I wanted to become president and I think I am a better president than Jas."

With that, the truth was out. Not all of her motives were selfish, but deep down, she had strived for power and accepted the price.

"What happened to the woman?" Kylo asked with curiosity. "She joined the Resistance. Jasmina probably died in the attack on Bakura. I broke her heart and destroyed her career."
If Kylo Ren was not mistaken, Athena was right with her assumption. Everyone had died on the attack on the rebel base in Bakura.

Kylo listened closely to Athena's story. It was a true display of darkness, even though it was far from the things he experienced. No heated anger, no pain had fueled her deeds. Athena had a cold, manipulative and ruthless side to her, one he needed to encourage. She had condemned hundreds of rebels to die and backstabbed her lover without feeling guilty for it – and ironically, that was exactly what she was feeling guilty for. Even though Athena was so aware of the darkness in her, she was afraid of leaning into it.

With her hair falling over her bare shoulder, her violet eyes turning dark with sadness and her simple, yet intricate dress she looked like a true princess of darkness. Something about her intrigued him, challenged him. Maybe it was her legacy, the promise of her potential right in his hands. Or the mystery of her visions, showing her the past instead of the future. And her struggle with the light and the dark inside her, so unlike his own and yet so similar. He couldn't deny his attraction was physical too. The Countess' violet eyes betrayed her cleverness while her sharp nose and high cheekbones gave her an air of dominance. The way she carried herself with poise, without any fear of him, sure of herself - he could not help but to feel some kind of fascination for her.

He walked around the table and reached out his hand to her. Athena hesitantly placed her small hand in his, the black leather enveloping her fingers. Then he pulled her up, softly and gallantly, until the Countess faced him. She had to look up to meet his eyes.

"Do not feel guilty. Give into your desires. You took what you deserve, and you deserve all the Dark Side has to offer. Do not be ashamed of that," he whispered close to her.
"I hurt someone who loved me," Athena's voice broke.

"Let her go. Your place is here now," he commanded. Kylo knew she felt the same tension. He didn't need to read her thoughts to know.

They were so close, Athena couldn't breathe. Her mind tried to imagine all possible scenarios that could follow, tried to weigh the consequences and to make up a strategy. The feeling in her stomach was pulling her towards him. But what would happen if she gave in? How was it her calculating, political mind was not helpful at all? What if it would completely overturn her to the dark side? "Let got," Kylo Ren repeated, raising his hand to slowly caress her cheek. Kylo's touch was soft and tempting. Athena had done worse things before, she thought.

Kylo Ren was unusually patient, letting her all the time she needed to make up her mind. His hand wandered to a strand of hair. He rubbed the ending between his fingers, thinking about what her hair would feel to the touch of his hand without his gloves. Her inner conflict was palpable. Athena was drawn to him, without any doubt. But he could tell she wasn't ready to completely give herself to the dark side.

As his apprentice, she belonged to him. The Countess would obey and serve him in whatever way he pleased. Yet for some of the things he imagined doing with her, she would have to make that choice willingly.

He bended over, whispering to her ear as he could feel her shiver.

"You have honored your master today, Countess of Serenno. You should rest."

Thank you so much for the leaving the first review!

This chapter, we get a glimpse of Athena's backstory. Will Kylo Ren turn her to the Dark Side completely? Will Count Dooku's granddaughter follow his path?

Enjoy this chapter and please leave a review :)