Oh she was sore.
But despite the tightness in her lower back and legs Falynn had never felt this sense of relief before like an entire weight of a planet had been lifted off of her shoulders. He finally knew, and she didn't think she had felt this type of freedom since she was a youngling. It was strange in a way for him to finally know that she now possibly had someone to help her stay in control. She wished the two of them were still together, but she knew the two of them tumbling around all day wasn't a real reality. Kylo had taken her possibly for the fifth time before he had to eventually leave their resting chamber, to head to the command deck for reports on the recent fleet. Falynn hadn't heard anything and was beginning to feel a bit anxious. Not wanting to be alone as they waited for the news, Falynn had called for Henne to keep her company. The handmaiden raised an eyebrow as she met with her mistress, and was told she was not allowed in the bedchamber at the moment. Falynn had not had the energy to clean up after her and her husband, from the wreckage of the force amongst other private matters. Amusement touched Henne's eyes as she quickly realized that was where her mistress had been for the last several hours.
"Don't you say a word," Falynn held up a finger in warning.
Henne held up her hands. "I don't need to, my lady. May I suggest though, if there are any public meetings today, you wear a higher collared dress."
Heat touched Falynn's cheeks as a hand quickly reached up to cover the several marks that Kylo had left behind.
"Then again," Henne mused, pursing her lips. "If people are shy from the fact that the Supreme Leader deeply cares for his wife, and shows it in such a passionate way...I don't believe there is any shame in that."
"Will you just walk with me," Falynn rolled her eyes as a smile touched the edge of her lips. "And mind you place with mine and my husband's private affairs."
Henne only returned the demand with a cheeky smirk before her face turned more serious. "Any word on your father and the fleet?"
"No," Falynn shook her head and took a breath to keep her powers in check. "Kylo has not yet sent me any word, nor has anyone else."
Not even through their newly formed bond had Falynn felt anything. She was sure that if nothing else, that she would have felt some emotion through the bond, but nothing, although his presence wasn't entirely absent. She could still feel him on the edge of her mind, and she couldn't help but to grin. She had heard of force bonds before, and briefly on how they worked, but to experience it was something she had never even dreamt of. Especially not with the Supreme Leader. A sensation was sent down to her, as if Kylo had read her thoughts and she smiled again. The happy expression quickly faded when she felt a wave of frustration. There was no news, the fleet had been silent. Falynn was tired of sitting around and waiting, and she wanted to see for herself.
"You stay where you are."
Falynn almost jumped from the sudden voice that entered her mind.
"A warning next time please. I want to see what is happening."
"No," Keylo replied. "You can go to the training deck, or even the lab, but I don't want you on the command deck right now."
Falynn frowned at his sudden demands. She didn't like this. He had never really tried controlling where she was on the ship before, so why now all of sudden? Unless something had gone terribly wrong that he didn't want her to see? Was it Leia? Or her father? Despite his orders Falynn began in the direction of the command deck till he barked at her again through the bond.
"Why are you ignoring me? I can see where you are walking, you know?"
"Why are you trying to tell me what to do all of a sudden?" she barked back. "What is going on? Has something happened? Kylo, I deserve to be on that deck with you. I don't appreciate being told where I can and cannot be."
She felt a sigh through the bond before he responded. "The company on the command deck is not the most pleasant. I don't want you around them at this moment."
"Who is with you?" she asked.
"Hux."
Falynn's eyes narrowed. "What is he doing? I want to be up there with you."
"Nothing at the moment," he answered. "I will let you know when we receive any message. In the meantime I need you to relax and just enjoy your time with Henne. I think you should give your body a good rest...don't you think?"
Falynn's face heated and before she could say anything else she felt a thin wall between them. She had the right mind to march up there, and say something to him, but she knew where he was coming from. Since Hux had come back he seemed more cunning from before. She knew he had brought her father here, to rile her up. Distance between them was probably for the best, although Kylo could have mentioned that right from the start.
"Why have you been so quiet?" Henne asked, arching an eyebrow. "Something on your mind?"
"More like someone inside my mind," Falynn muttered as she changed her direction and headed herself in the direction of the lab.
Henne's face scrunched up for a moment in bewilderment before her eyes widened, quick to understand the situation. Falynn just smiled at her friend as she held a finger to her lip.
Kylo had to keep himself from pacing the command deck as he stood there silently with his hands clasped behind his back, the bastard Hux standing beside him. Kylo normally didn't feel this anxious with missions, but seeing who they sent out on this one, and they were to directly attack his mother...he couldn't push the unease away. Keeping an eye on the tracking system Kylo knew they weren't too much farther from their destination. In order to keep the risk low of them being undetected they had to move slower. If they had zipped right into Geonosis there was no doubt that his mother would be able to track them. This alone had them flying down in numerous smaller ships. Kylo could feel Falynn's unease as well through the bond. She had been through enough stress as it was, he didn't want to add more onto her. He tried to silence his emotion from going through the bond, and hoped his Empress could find some way to relax. He was grateful Falynn had a companion on the Star Destroyer other than himself, to give her company when he could not. It was especially convenient when he needed his stubborn Empress away from possible tragic news. If they were defeated and something had happened with Darred, Kylo would rather this news be told in private in the privacy of their bedchamber. Especially with Falynn's secret now out. Her next outburst of power would probably indeed destroy what was left of their room.
"Supreme Leader," a hologram of the Lieutenant, came onto the communication board with his flight helmet on.
"Lieutenant Darred," Kylo spoke and bent down to get closer to the hologram.
Even through the distorted image of the man, he could see the similarity between him and his daughter. Same sharp sea-colored eyes, though his weren't as warm as Falynn's.
"Give me the news quickly, Lieutenant," Kylo snapped. "Have you cleared Geonosis?"
"We cleared the base sir," Darred responded but his voice was strained. "However, we did not accomplish the mission."
Kylo narrowed his dark eyes. "Did the Resistance track you? I don't see any of our ships destroyed."
"No, my lord," Darred responded. "Matter of fact, there was no sign of attacks or even life within the base. We still continued with our mission for any precautions, but it seems like, my Lord, that the Resistance has relocated."
Kylo remained silent for a moment.
He bit back the relief he suddenly felt.
Repressing a sigh Kylo said, "I want you to take the ships back to the main base, then I want you to begin locating the other locations we are already aware of. You will report back to me on each planet we have found any trace of the Resistance. You will need to check in with me regularly. If I do not hear back within several days I will send some more troops after you. I do not want your return until you find the Resistance do you understand."
"Yes, my lord, I will send the fleet back immediately. I will send word when we set off."
"Good," Kylo curtly responded before turning off Darred's hologram.
"I know what you are doing," Hux noted, his tone sounding sickeningly satisfied. "You cannot protect her forever, you know. She will eventually have to face the man again." Hux arched a knowingly red eyebrow. "You could easily find the Resistance yourself. It would take you no time at all. Instead you are sending your Empress father on your errands to keep him away from her. Do you think any of us missed her reaction yesterday. I suggest you teach your Empress better control of her emotions, instead of protecting her mindlessly so she won't be revealed."
The urge to drain any air out of Hux's body sang within Kylo, but he resisted as they now had an audience and that would only be proving Hux's point. So instead Kylo only gave the General a smile of ease. Several officials that were around blinked in surprise at their Supreme Leader's expression. Kylo Ren was not one to be known to smile.
"I sent Darred on these missions because he is the father of my Empress," Kylo easily explained, straightening himself back up and facing Hux. "And just like my wife I know he is more than capable to complete the task I have given him. And this ship along with my troops and officers are more than well aware of who my Empress is as she is the one who kept them on track before you arrived, on your trip to Tatooine."
Kylo watched in satisfaction as Hux's adam apple twitched beneath his skin, but the General quickly regained the barely visablel twitch as he added. "Then I am sure you are relieved to know that your mother escaped."
So that was the General's plans. A sacrifice, of something dear to Falynn or Kylo. A tactic that could work with Hux in several advantages if the man was not so blind to the bond Kylo and Falynn already shared. If Darred had not been killed, he was hoping Leia would be, which would either break him or Falynn internally. Maybe even cause a possible rift between them. Hux really was a foolish bastard. He truly underestimated the Supreme Ruler and the Empress. Kylo was half tempted to not just cut out the life from this man, but to also laugh in his face. Matter of fact, the plan did the complete opposite of what Hux would like. Instead of the married couple being torn they had been brought closer. Kylo kept a smile on his face as he sent the message to Falynn of the news. He felt her relief almost instantly.
"The mission was completed and my troops are alive and well," Kylo lifted a hand and patted the General on the shoulder. "I am sure that is a reason why anyone should be relieved. Why don't you take your leave for the day, General. We will call for you, if you need anything. I am sure this mission has caused some strains on you as well. Leave the rest up to me and my wife."
Satisfied from the scrunched anger on Hux's face Kylo dropped his hand.
