Chapter 21
Kylo hid the slight smirk behind his hand. These reports were necessary but tedious. It was too easy to allow his mind to drift to more pleasant thoughts. Like the shocked expression on the scavenger's face when he brushed her lips with the barest of touches.
The touch might have been light, but it's impact was not. Fire had raced up his arm and fueled his desires for her. If he hadn't left the room, he was not sure what he would have done. He wasn't the only one to feel that way either. The closer they were to each other, the stronger the force bond became. It was so much easier to read her now.
Her feelings towards him were jumbled and unsettled. She wanted to feel nothing but anger and contempt for him, but doubt and her natural attraction made her question everything. Rey's doubt was the key to everything. She was too stubborn to be forced into siding with him. No, she needed to be convinced. Once she gave her loyalty freely, it was nearly impossible to break it. It would take a firm hand to guide her, but he would love every minute of her instruction.
Kylo issued his commands and then dismissed the assembled officers. He could not neglect his duties to the First Order, but he could no longer resist her pull. Kylo forced himself to go to his chambers first. Walking into his shower, he let the purposefully cold-water cascade over his body.
It helped ease the fever in his blood. Slowly, methodically, he built up his mental barriers. The force bond worked both ways. He needed to tread carefully. The link allowed him access to her but without his barriers up, she would be able to read him just as easily.
For once, he was grateful that his Uncle was such a horrible teacher. The failure of a Jedi had only taught her the most rudimentary of lessons. Otherwise, it looked like Rey was stumbling through everything on her own. It left her at a deep disadvantage. Now she was the one who was unbalanced. It sapped her of her natural abilities. Meanwhile, he had never been stronger. There was no more doubt in his mind. He knew what he was and what he wanted.
Exiting the shower, he made short work of getting dressed. He selected his normal training gear, loose pants that allowed for freedom of movement and he kept his chest bare. He wanted to keep Rey distracted, and as much as she might wish it were otherwise, she was attracted to him.
He gathered up a much smaller pair of pants and one of his tunics and belts. Striding purposefully out of his room, he went directly to her cell.
She was trying to meditate when he walked in. He stopped about three feet from where she was sitting and tossed the new clothing to her.
"Put this on."
It was clear that she planned to ignore him. However, the clothing smacking her in the face caused her to give up the pretense and glare daggers at him. At least until she took in his appearance. A pleasant blush spread across her checks and whatever smart remark she planned on making died on her lips.
"Put it on," he reiterated.
"What? Why?" It was clear his appearance was having quiet the effect on her mental capacities. She looked down at the fallen clothing and plucked at it like she had never seen clothing before.
Not giving her an inch, Kylo took a menacing step forward.
"Get changed or I will do it for you."
He didn't raise his tone but there was no disguising the threat in his voice. He meant what he said. One way or another she was going to change.
"Alright, fine."
Scrambling up, she studied the clothing.
Confident that she would do as he commanded, Kylo turned away from her. Giving her a semblance of privacy. He waited a reasonable amount of time before turning back to her. She was looking down at her midsection, tightening the cloth belt he had provided.
Seeing her in his shirt satisfied him in a way he could not describe. It was clearly too big for her but that was not the point. He preferred her like this more than any other time he had seen her. It was even better than when she had been wearing the green gown. She was beautiful then, but Kylo much preferred her like this, wrapped in his clothing.
"Follow me."
He turned and left the room, knowing she would follow. She scrambled to keep up with his long strides.
"Where are we going?"
Kylo ignored her question and continued ahead. He had just turned the corner when he felt she was lagging behind. She was clearly distracted by her surroundings. He supposed he could hardly blame her with being kept in that monotonous cell for so long. Still, that wasn't reason to delay him.
Gripping her elbow in a firm grip, he proceeded to march along with her in tow. She was still so distracted that she barely seemed to notice.
Mustafar was imposing. The fortress was located in the middle of river of lava. The molten rock glowing vibrant shades of red and orange as it drifted slowly along. The hallway that they were in afforded spectacular views of the surrounding area.
Even pulled away from the view, she was distracted by the high stone archways made of large black stone. It leant everything a formidable and unnerving air.
Reaching their destination, Kylo opened the door with a wave of his hand and stepped inside. Clearly indicating that Rey was to go first. She eyed him coolly but saw no weakness in his returning gaze. Finally, she walked in.
"Well, what is all this about?"
"You need a teacher. For all this time, it seems you haven't improved at all. In fact, you seem to be weaker."
She blushed again, clearly embarrassed at the truth in his words. It didn't stop her from lifting her chin and looking down the edge of her nose at him.
"What makes you think I would ever let you teach me anything?"
Picking up two staffs, Kylo tossed her one. She picked it out of the air with a practiced grace. A real smiled appeared on her lips as she twirled the staff, testing its weight and balance.
She clearly thought she had the upper hand. Foolish girl. Before he could handle a saber, he had to master many other weapons. A staff was just one of them.
Kylo didn't answer her with words, just launched into a furious attack. Rey was clearly unprepared for his sudden onslaught, but she adapted well. Launching into the fight with her own fury.
This was why he had chosen the staff. The familiarity eliminated her resistance. She felt confident with her abilities and gave in to the fight.
They didn't need words when they were fighting. Their bodies fell into a natural rhythm with each other. She was clearly disappointed that she hadn't won the battle quickly but those feeling disappeared as she put everything that she had into keeping him at bay.
She did have skill, he mused. Her familiarity with this weapon was demonstrated by every stinging strike and practiced block. He didn't press his advantage just yet. He allowed her to think they were on equal ground. Allowed her to exhaust vast amounts of her energy.
Then he drove home the point. Time after time, he dropped her to the ground. Sometimes he would do it quickly, other times he toyed with her a bit. But soon she realized, even with her most trusted weapon, she could not beat him.
The duel started to take its toll on her. It took her longer to get up despite her growing agitation. Her movement became sloppier, less deliberate as her anger grew. But she didn't know how to harness it.
Sweeping her legs out from under her, Rey stayed splayed on the ground.
"You need a teacher."
Rey merely groaned low and pushed the staff away from her.
Kylo picked up a towel and wiped the back of his neck. Picking up a container of water, he eyed her prone form for a moment before moving to her.
Sitting down beside her head, he drank deeply before offering it to her. She eyed him warily before sitting up and reaching for it.
Kylo gave it to her freely and got up. Stretching out his arms and torso, he seemed to ignore her.
Rey, however, couldn't look away from him. Suspicion marked her every feature. Her eyes followed him, but she didn't speak. When Kylo tossed her a towel she caught it and began to wipe the sweat from her face.
"Let's go."
Kylo moved towards the door and eyed Rey with the clear expectation that she was to follow. Reluctantly, she pushed herself off the ground and made her way to him.
"What now?"
Kylo took the water back from her and drank again.
"Follow me."
It was the only response he gave her. Rey followed him down the hall. This time she was no longer distracted by her surroundings. Kylo could feel the weight of her gaze on his back. They walked in silence until they passed the door to her cell.
Her steps slowed for a moment before catching up with him again.
He could practically feel the curiosity radiating off her. She stayed silent however. At least she did until they reached their destination. Opening the door to his chamber, he stepped back and waited for her to walk inside.