"I sent the men to kill you. But considering the way you look at her… maybe I was wrong."

The commander's knuckles turned white as he turned his hands into fists. He should kill her on the spot, but he felt unable to move. The Twi'lek seemed to have death wish, but he would indulge her for a few more minutes.

"It's hard to find good help nowadays. They were sloppy. Getting Thena hurt was not my intention."

"Did you think killing me would be so easy?" Kylo squinted his eyes at her.

Karelai shook her head. "It was worth a shot. The treaty is quite good, but in the end, it relies on us trusting you not to use planet destroying technology on us. Nothing would end this war faster than killing you, though. But I don't think Athena can see that. She likes you too much, even though you're no good for her. Every girl must be saved from time to time. I was surprised to see how you acted though, commander. Like a knight coming to her rescue. But don't worry, I'll keep it a secret."

He could feel his heart race against his chest. Athena's friend – or was she even a friend? – possessed the nerve to confess her poor attempt of killing him, and something was stopping him from killing her on the spot.

"Oh, I know you won't kill me. You wouldn't kill her friend after what you put her through already."

For a second, his gaze fell on Athena, chatting and laughing with red cheeks and glowing eyes. Mokebla was right. He collected himself, taking a deep breath.

Then he focused himself on Mokebla's mind, invading it, searching for the true scheme behind her attempt. The Twi'lek crouched next to him, raising her palms to her forehead. He was being gentle, not wanting her to attract any attention.

Karelai Mokebla wasn't born into money or legacy, she had fought her way to the top herself. Just like Athena, she was fiercely protective of her people. Searching through her mind, he found that the assassination attempt was rather meant to test him and his trustworthiness. If he had annulled the treaty in the process, Athena would have been able to leave him unscathed, since she wouldn't be a suspect from an attempt that endangered herself.

The woman was shrewd and capable. Mokebla had freed a great number of Twi'lek slaves, enforced laws to punish crimes against Twi'lek women so harshly, a whole industry of slave traders had been shut down in the consequence. Admirable, Kylo admitted. He wondered why the First Order didn't hire people who worked so efficiently. Athena voiced her support and swayed important votes whenever Mokebla asked for it. The bond the women shared was strong enough for Mokebla to have her back.

"You're mistaken. Killing me would not stop the First Order. The Supreme Leader has a potential replacement for me right in front of him. Kill me and you will lose her to him forever," Kylo gestured towards Athena, freeing her mind from his reach.

Then he brought his face down to her, towering above her, his eyes staring right into the woman's eyes. "The only reason you're still drawing breath is because of your loyalty to her. No one will know about this. But I promise if you just lift a finger against the First Order, you will wish you were never born, girl."

"Just remember to name your kid after Auntie Kai one day," Karelai chimed, but with satisfaction, Kylo noticed the increase of her heartrate and the fear in her eyes. Karelai knew that he had just caused that headache, but she wasn't able to tell what exactly just happened to her. It was a terrifying, horrible feeling.

"Is there a problem?" Athena asked, suddenly standing right in front of them and then thanking the droid who took her empty glass from her hands.

"No," Karelai answered smoothly. "I was just leaving you two to a dance," she smiled and walked away, confusion and unease still in her eyes.

"Whatever she said –," Athena started worriedly, having read the tension building between them.

"She is very protective of you," Kylo interrupted her, the corners of his mouth turning into a little smile, pushing his rage away. The sight of Athena distracted him anyways, as he took in her familiar appearance. Finally, he could have her all to himself again.

"Offer me a dance," Kylo changed the topic.

Athena smiled again, then curtsied gracefully. "Commander," her smile grew wider, lighting up her face.

The music stopped and started again. Kylo offered her his hand, just as his mother had thought him. Together, they walked to the floor. The couples stayed at the sides as the whole room watched the countess and the commander of the First Order starting to dance.

They moved in synch, as if they had danced a thousand times together. His hand was placed firmly on her back, while the other one was placed in hers, as he softly guided her, swirly her around. No one else joined in, leaving them the floor. His dark eyes were focused on hers; she could feel his body radiate warmth as she moved with him, almost touching his muscled torso. Her dress moved around her feet, reflecting the light.

"Where did you learn that?" she asked, smirking at him.

"My mother," he answered without bitterness or sadness. For the time of the song, he felt nothing else but her body, her soft smile on her winged lips. It wasn't the Force bonding them, but it was something as equally powerful. All eyes were on them, but he didn't care. Everyone should know she belonged to him, not to some rich princesses or heiresses.

Keeping her steady, he leaned forward and kissed her, placing his lips on her possessively. Athena's hands reached up, entwining her fingers in his dark locks while he tilted his head to deepen the kiss.

OoOoO

"Are we really doing this?" Athena grinned. After their very public display of their relationship, they had gone out for a stroll on one of the many balconies, finding an empty one. The kiss had ignited the fire in her belly, making her want more. Kylo pushed her against the concrete of the palace wall, his hips pushing against hers.
"Are you scared someone will see us?" he teased, his hands reaching under her dress.
Athena didn't hesitate. "Are you scared someone will see you have a soft spot for the countess?"

He pressed his body closer, pushing a strand of her hair behind her ear to place light kisses on her neck, sending shivers all over her body.

"I guess you'll need to be extra quiet," he whispered. Already, it was hard for her to suppress a moan. His fingers lingered on her thigh and travelled higher, reaching for the black lingerie. He inhaled the smell of her hair, a smell already familiar to him. Jasmine, vanilla, and orange blossom.

"I see you dressed accordingly to please your master," he mused, tugging at her panties.

Athena panted as he softly caressed her intimate parts, pushing his index finger into her.
"Hmm, so eager," his raspy voice send shivers over her body all over again.

He grabbed her with his free hand and turned her around so that she was facing the wall while he still had his right hand under her dress, pumping in and out of her. It took Athena everything not to let out any sound of pleasure.

"I saw you speak with those women. I don't mind it – as long as you remember who you truly belong to," he hissed into her ear, releasing her, leaving her wanting. She could hear his trousers opening. She hoped no one would come outside and see them, but the thought of it excited her. They belonged together; the rest of the world didn't matter. As he pressed himself inside her, her whole body welcomed him. She couldn't even feel the cold wall she was pressed against, she could only feal his muscled, perfect tall body, the heat between her legs, the rhythm of the waves of pleasure hitting her with every push of his hips against hers. He started slowly but increased his tempo, adding his right hand to the right spot at the same time, arousing her with circling motions. Those motions were the delicious mix of tender and firm, making her legs almost give up under her.

"Holy Sith, you're perfect," he muttered, his breath right in hear ear as he panted as their reached their height together, breathless and ecstatic.

Kylo felt lightheaded as they continued kissing outside in the darkness, only bright stars shining above them, the sounds of the ball near and at the same time so far away. He couldn't get enough of her. He couldn't stop wanting her. And for the second time since he had joined the Supreme Leader, he spared a life he was supposed to take. But he couldn't do it. He couldn't kill her friend Mokebla; he couldn't hurt her. Not wanting to face the consequences of what this meant for him, he decided to enjoy the moment.

"Should we take the next round to your quarters?" he muttered.

Kylo is showing his softer side, but for how long? Also: smut.

Hope you enjoyed it! Thanks for leaving a review, you guys are awesome! 3