Weeks turned into months and Kylo continued to shadow the priestess, much to her consternation and his own confusion. There could be no happy ending for him with this woman. She was promised to her chaste goddess and he... he'd made his own vows.

And yet Kylo found himself again at the temple of Vesta. Fully healed and fresh from his mother's home, he'd found himself at the temple steps almost unintentionally.

Once he'd thought to rule all the empire, but with Snoke's presence eliminated from his life, for the first time in a long time he'd been able to think and consider. What did he want for his life? He'd played the part of Commander in Hux's army, but what came next?

Rome.

Caesar.

Power.

But was it even his dream anymore? He'd sacrificed so much of his life, ruined so much of his life, for this one goal, but had it ever been his?

"What are you doing here, Kylo?"

Rey's clear, strong voice distracted him from his melancholy.

Kylo smirked down at her. This was good—what he needed. A distraction.

"Rey," he said with a nod.

"Priestess," she corrected, though a beautiful flush crept over her cheeks, so he thought her ire was worth the price.

She looked sublime with her long hair bound behind her and expertly woven within her head covering. Her white robes flowed around her body and only hinted at the curves and planes hidden within. His mouth grew dry at the sight of her and all reason and common sense flew out of his mind. There could be no future with this woman, not for a very long time, and Kylo Ren did not wait. But maybe, this one time, things could be different.

"Kylo, are you okay?" she interrupted his thoughts again. How long had he been staring?

"I... Yes, Priestess."

He couldn't find the right words to say. She'd been dancing through his mind for so long he could hardly believe she was real before him. Lovelier than he'd remembered, lovelier and as annoyed to see him as ever.

Everything about her is a gods damned temptation.

"What are you doing here?" she asked again and he could swear she was resisting the urge to tap her foot.

Finally, his thoughts were his own, and he quipped, "I've come to pay tribute to Vesta. For saving me."

She raised an eyebrow at him but gestured towards the sacred flame and altar.

"Please, and may the goddess bless you."

Rey looked like she was going to go back to her own worship, but Kylo tried to pull her back into his orbit.

"I've heard that you are to accompany the Emperor to his home in Capri and bless it. Very unconventional for a priestess of Vesta."

There was an edge to his voice, even as he tried to keep the conversation light.

I'm not jealous. Just concerned. If that scum thinks he can get away with doing whatever he wants with my priestess…

Kylo started. At what point had she become his?

Never. She'll never be yours, but you can keep her from being his as well.

"I serve Rome and I prayed to Vesta for her blessing, which she bestowed upon me," Rey explained, though she did look nervous. She was afraid!

"I'm to accompany the Emperor as well," he admitted as if it would soothe her. And, strangely enough, she did seem to relax.

"I thought you hated each other?" she murmured.

Kylo shrugged. Of course, he hated Hux, but he didn't want to admit that in public, especially considering it would make him seem petty to Rey—the last thing he wanted was to be devalued in any way in her eyes.

But why? She's just a priestess and you're a former commander and part of the ruling class. She's inconsequential, and yet…

There was that thread, that strange feeling between them as if more than just a chance moment connected them. As if, together, they'd accomplish more than he'd ever dreamed. But how?

"Is your man coming with you?" Kylo asked, even though it bothered him to admit that it would make him feel better if her lictor was with her.

At least, Hux will have to keep his hands to himself, but alone... Kylo didn't want to consider how much danger she'd be in if she were to be alone with Hux.

"My lictor hasn't been invited. The Emperor assures me that his Royal Guard will be enough."

The way she said it, halting on Emperor, Kylo knew that she wasn't comfortable going alone, but he'd endeavor to keep her safe, even if she didn't want or really need his protection. And he was about to say as much, but before he could say a word, they were interrupted.

"My lady," called a deep voice that Kylo immediately resented as both he and Rey turned towards the man the voice belonged to. Charming and handsome, Finn was a celebrated Centurion who'd retired from warfare and become a lictor for the Temple of Vesta. Though Finn hadn't been from a wealthy family initially, he quickly proved his strength and prowess in Emperor Brendol's army and had won himself great fame and fortune. Finn was proof that goodness in life was rewarded, and Kylo was proof…

That there are no limits to the depths of worldly depravity.

Kylo was about to step away, but Rey reached out to hold him close as if she wanted him to be with her as she spoke to her lictor. A shiver of awareness ran through his body as her hand touched his bare skin and Kylo thought that, with her hand around his forearm, he might be able to walk through the river Styx itself.

He was going to run. Rey knew that look well—she'd seen it on worshippers who were suddenly aware that all their sins, all their trespasses against the Gods, were on full display in the temples. Kylo had that very same look like he couldn't quite face what was within him when he looked at Finn, but Rey didn't have time to consider before Finn was before them, eyes narrowed as he took them both in. Normally, Rey was happy to see his face, but she knew he'd be unhappy with her now, even if Poe was with him today.

Thick, black hair cropped close to his beautiful dark brown skin, Finn looked every bit the soldier today, even if the cut of his robes and the metal of his blade were better quality than most noblemen. He wasn't working today, but Finn regularly worshiped at the temple, even when not required to be there as an escort.

Poe, who was widely known to be the close companion and lover of Finn, trailed alongside him—lover and protector. The pommel of his sword was just visible against the bright fabric of his robes and pallium. His black hair curled along his brow and his olive skin spoke of many hours spent training in the strong Roman sunshine.

"Protector," Rey said with a smile which Poe returned.

"My lady, the Goddess's blessings upon you."

Poe shifted as Finn turned to address Kylo. Kylo was not well liked among the elites, but he was feared. Regarded as somewhat of a liability, only his ties to Advisor Snoke kept enemies from rising up against him, but now that the Advisor was gone, there was nothing keeping Kylo safe—nothing but his mother's influence and Kylo's own unpredictability.

The gods will judge you by the company you keep... her conscience warned her, but her heart also wondered whether she was simply being judgemental. Was it not in her nature to forgive as well?

"Ren. Surprised you managed to find your way out of the cells. And here, trying to tarnish the reputation of a Vestal Virgin?" Finn asked with a smile, but it was not the same friendly one he'd given her.

Kylo growled. "My life and the company I keep is none of your concern," he replied warningly.

"I suppose that is true," Finn said with a little laugh and Rey watched as Poe's hand shifted towards his sword, but Finn continued. "Your mother wishes to see you, Commander Ren," Finn said knowingly.

"You have a great deal of information about my mother's wishes for a lictor," Kylo replied, trying and failing to keep his temper in check.

He was more than a protector and Kylo knew it, but the handsome man only smiled and turned towards Rey.

"I hear you're going to Capri," Finn said to Rey, and it sounded like an accusation.

"You make it seem like a vacation rather than a duty," Rey shot back.

They were friends, they really were, but she wasn't about to be coddled. She could handle herself- Emperor or not, Rey was a Vestal Virgin and had the blessings and protection of her goddess. No mortal man could interfere with her in that regard.

"Still. Emperor Hux. Capri. You do know that there's a certain... aura that surrounds that place, don't you?" Finn pressed.

"As a Vestal Virgin, I assure you, I neither wish to entertain such thoughts nor will I worry about them. I do this because it is my duty to the Emperor, and for no other reason."

Poe's hand brushed along Finn's shoulder as he sighed. A small smile pulled at the corner of his full lips.

"Sorry, my lady—Rey. Sometimes, I forget that I'm your lictor first and not friend. You will be careful?"

He's worried about you. They all are. Rey felt a heaviness in her heart give away a little under the realization that these men cared about her and wanted her to be safe. Of course, she and Finn—and even Poe—cared for each other, but they didn't speak of it. Familial or friendship bonds weren't exactly encouraged with those outside of her order, but the realization filled her with an overwhelming warmth.

And Kylo…

"I'll be safe. Kylo will be there," she said, trying to reassure him. Finn barely resisted rolling his eyes, but his expression said it all.

"Keep her safe, Ren," he directed without waiting for a response. Rey reached out and tightened her hand around Kylo's forearm, a little squeeze to calm him... and keep Ren from a sarcastic retort.

"Lady Rey, always a pleasure to see you. Ren," Finn said, with a grin. "I will see you for the harvest festival when you return, Lady Rey."

"Thank you for your service, Finn. So lovely to see you as well, Poe," Rey said with a smile as the men made their way towards the sacred fire to make their offering.

"Priestess, I suppose we shall meet in Capri," Kylo said as her attention returned to him.

"I suppose we shall," she replied. It all felt wrong, and yet somehow she couldn't keep herself from wanting it all to happen. Her destiny was leading her towards that small island playground and Rey believed that her goddess had plans for her.

Capri was going to change her life, she just knew it.

She was dreaming again. A nightmare. This time, she saw Kylo's horrified face. An outstretched hand. And an island in the middle of the ocean. And death at Hux's hands.

I see it... I see the island…

Rey woke and choked back a scream. Bleary eyed, she looked around and found that she had no idea where she was.

Capri. I'm on Capri.

Under more pleasant terms, Rey would have loved Capri. The island was nestled in the bay of Neapolis and the forbidding outline of Mount Vesuvius was still visible across the glittering water. Gorgeous beaches and dark, deceptively beautiful grottos lined the island and made for a spectacular playground for the Roman elite. Two days she'd been on the scenic and isolated island, but the journey there hadn't been easy. The well-worn Roman roads had been dry and merciless on the wheels of her carriage, bouncing her back and forth, making her sick as a dog. The journey by ship had been worse. Bad weather had made the bay almost impassable, but the Emperor had insisted.

By the time they'd made it to the villa on Capri, nearly everyone in the Emperor's party had been fed up with the entire ordeal, aside from Hux himself who felt that there was value in every challenge.

Rey yawned and slid out of bed, intent on getting a glass of water, when a figure in the corner of her room caught her off guard.

"Who's there!?" she cried while stepping back, eyes scanning the open room for a weapon—anything to protect herself with.

"Fear not, priestess. It's only your devoted Emperor," Hux's voice called from the darkness.

It was exactly as she'd feared. Alone, on Capri, she'd have no defense against his advances and whether she gave in, or resisted, the outcome would mean the same punishment for her—death.

Hux stepped out of the darkness and into the faint light of the moon, stumbling towards her.

He's drunk.

She was glad he was drunk. A sober, cunning Hux was a force to be reckoned with, but a drunk... she could divert his attention. She could manage this. Horrid though it was to be at the whims and mercy of such a man. If she were Kylo, she knew exactly what she'd do.

"Come to check to see if I'm sleeping, Caesar?"

"That. Maybe more," he drawled, shambling closer.

"How thoughtful. My goddess would be so pleased to know that the Emperor of Rome cares so much for her Virgins. Truly, we are both blessed by her grace and goodness."

The underlying threat being, of course, that at any time the gods could take away their favor. Hux was a fool, but he wasn't about to cross the very gods he attributed his success to—even if he sometimes thought he belonged among their ranks.

"Your goddess," he parroted.

"Vesta," Rey replied before putting more distance between herself and the drunken Emperor.

At worst, she could make a dash for the veranda and hide in the gardens, but he seemed to be seeing reason. Hux slithered back towards the entrance to her room, mumbling about virgins and goddesses.

"Think of the power you could wield if only... If only... with me..."

Rey let out a breath as he finally leaned against the wall before turning and stumbling away. The days passed, and the tension remained as if everyone was anticipating some momentous event. She hadn't been at the villa for more than a week, but already she was beginning to worry. Everything inside of Rey told her that nothing good was going to come from this visit. The Emperor was too unstable and there was never any telling what he'd do.

And Kylo was not helping. Everyone knew that Hux didn't only invite those he loved to his villa, but also those he wished to deal with, and more than one enemy of the Empire had taken a short walk off of the frightening cliffs of Capri. Kylo knew that Hux wanted him dead, knew that he was jealous of the attention that Kylo gave Rey, but still, he'd take every opportunity to goad the Emperor. Sarcasm was frequently his tool, that and flirtation which Rey did her best to rebuff, but often she'd find herself caught up in one of Kylo's schemes and, before she realized, she'd be flustered and blushing at something he'd said as the Emperor stared on, furious.

Meanwhile, the nightmares haunted her and robbed her of sleep. On one such night, she went for a walk under the bright moonlight, the air still warm from the blistering sun of the day. Walking out to the edges of the villa, the moon shone down on the water, glinting supernaturally on the dark surface. It was as overwhelming to look at during the night as it was during the day. Such a strange and overwhelmingly beautiful place—that she wasn't enjoying at all.

Lost in her thoughts, she didn't notice she had a guest until he was beside her.

"Dreams keeping you awake, Priestess?" rumbled Kylo's deep voice as he stood above where she sat.

"That and general unease. You cannot be so blind as to think that Hux wishes any good for you."

When he didn't reply, she assumed he was going to leave, which she was both upset and glad for, but Kylo surprised Rey by taking a seat beside her on the dusty ground.

"I am a fool, but not for those reasons," he conceded.

Rey thought he was right, but that she was also a fool for not getting up and leaving, for lingering and letting the conversation inevitably lead itself back to what they felt for each other. That strange connection that seemed to flow between them both.

"I feel it too," he said as if reading her mind.

"It's futile. You know what I am. Where I stand," Rey replied after long moments.

"Just because it's futile, doesn't mean it's not worth acknowledging. We all have a role to play in this game of the Gods, a force for their divine actions. Would they thrust us together, only to have us deny the very connection that holds us in place?"

Rey sighed before making another mistake—she leaned into him and rested her head on his arm.

Warm. Comfort. True.

It all flowed between them. Even with his mistakes, even with his darkness, even with what the Emperor intended, it still flowed.

"It would have all been so different had I known that you'd be here, waiting for me," Kylo whispered, tilting his head to brush a lingering kiss on her brow.

"True cruelty from the Gods is the way that they are indifferent to the short and painful lives of humans," she answered.

They sat for hours. Till the golden sun rose over the waters and mountains of the bay. Talked about everything and nothing. And ask Kylo walked Rey back to her quarters and bid her adieu, they both knew that their time together on Capri was coming to a close, but that it would have to be enough.

It would have to be enough for a lifetime.

The heat was unbearable and the Emperor grew restless, insisting that he needed to go to his private grotto for a swim despite the high waters and lateness of the day. And so, Kylo Ren and Rey found themselves alone in a mostly deserted villa.

Of course, it was a recipe for disaster, amongst other things. Laying on a bench in the exedra, Rey listened to the water dripping from the fountain while fanning herself. She'd long since dismissed the slave girl who was to attend her, preferring the quiet sounds of flowing water to the girl's impatient fanning. It must have been horrible to have to attend another in such heat, and Rey hoped that the girl was able to find some comfort.

Time passed and Rey dozed, her mind alternating between nearly lucid dreams and a strange sort of awareness. In this state, she could feel the force of her Goddess flowing through her, directing her path. Odd how that path always led to the notorious Kylo Ren.

Kylo Ren... her body sighed and Rey stretched.

In a different world, in another time, she'd have encouraged his wicked teasing and fought back with some of her own. But the reality was that he couldn't be anything more than an antagonist in her life—right?

As if her thoughts willed him into existence, Kylo sauntered into the exedra, his dark clothing clinging to his body in the heat in an almost obscene manner. Rey had to force herself not to stare at his thick muscles, at the sheen of sweat across his pale jaw pearling so enticingly to drip down his long neck.

She didn't rise from the bench, just stared as he edged closer.

"Have you come to torment me?" she accused without heat.

Kylo snorted. "No. I didn't know you were here. It's the coolest part of the villa."

She almost believed him, but she had a sinking suspicion that he'd been looking for her. She expected him to invade her space and steal a spot beside her, but he dropped to a crouch and dipped his fingers in the low fountain.

His eyes locked with hers. Dangerous. He was dangerous. This was dangerous. But neither one broke the gaze.

Kylo reached towards her, fingertips dripping, as he let an obscene drop of water fall right between the curve of her breasts.

Rey hissed as the cool water hit her skin. Hissed and wanted more—licked her lips in anticipation. It was all the invitation he needed. Faster than she could track, Kylo was in her space, his lips and dark hair and flushed skin so close she could feel the heat radiating off of his body.

"Still the coolest part of the villa?" she breathed.

"Mmm," he said, though his eyes were focused on her lips. "What could a priestess be thinking about, lounging in the heat? Dreaming of wicked, lustful men come to steal you away in the night?"

How does he know...? Wait. Is he jealous?

Rey pulled back and put some distance between them, sliding over the edge of the bench and standing so that she towered over Kylo.

But the look that he gave her... stole her breath. For a moment, Kylo looked at her like she was the sun in his sky, but that look was quickly shuttered as he smothered it with sass.

"Got you all hot and bothered?" he said, deflecting as a grin slid into place. Keeping that frustrating wall between them so that he didn't get hurt.

Fool.

She would love this man. If they'd met under different circumstances, where she wasn't a priestess and he wasn't so full of darkness, she'd have given her body and soul to his keeping. And the way he was looking at her made her believe the same of him.

Sometimes, even soulmates don't meet or meet at the wrong times, her mind told her.

Just because it felt right, didn't mean that it was right, but it didn't stop her from wondering, from wanting.

Which made her angry.

"You can't win everything with a smile and luck, nor by force," she growled, which only made his smile widen.

Kylo stretched, flexing the muscles of his arms as he pulled them taut. Slowly, he lifted himself off of the floor and came around to stand in front of her.

This. This is what we are. This is what we need, Rey thought. As long as they kept fighting, it was easier to ignore what was really going on between them, what had been going on for months.

"Ruffled your feathers, priestess? Tell me, does it bother you more that I've told you exactly what you'd get if you were with me, or that it's exactly what you want?"

She could also hate this man. His smug looks and the superior attitude born from a life of luxury with noble parents and the irresponsibility that came along with wealth. He'd been the architect of his life's own destruction, and yet the goddess had wanted her to save this stupid, handsome, alluring, frustrating man. Rey squared her shoulders and stomped in front of him, itching for a fight to wipe the lingering desire from her veins.

"You think you've got this all worked out? That you can slide into my life and tell me what I want and how I want it? Tell me, Kylo, is the fact that I'm unattainable what makes you want me? Goddess knows, it's what sends Hux to my side."

He glared down at her. "Do not compare me to that opportunistic prick."

"Or what? Does it hurt to see the truth? That you only want me because you think you can't have me?"

But Rey was being more honest than even she realized. Did it hurt for her to think that the only reason he wanted her was because she was untouchable? Some sacred being for him to desecrate? Kylo stared down at her, his warm, brown eyes staring into her own. His gaze flickered over her face, lingering on her lips, the way she'd parted her mouth to give voice to more of her frustrations, but paused, momentarily mystified by his serious face.

"What?" she breathed, suddenly at a loss for what was going on.

"It's true. I wanted you at first because you were beautiful and because you were unavailable to me. And then I thought that I wanted you because Hux wanted you, and I would bring down the heavens themselves to thwart that bastard. But I was wrong. You're wrong," he said, pausing as his hands tentatively reached out to grab her own.

He was looking deep into her eyes as he uttered the most heartbreaking words she'd ever heard in her life.

"I want you because I'm falling in love with you. And the fact that I can't have you destroys me, piece by piece, day by day. I would give my life but to be able to share a moment of your time and, if this is all I have, if this is all I am to get—your ire—then I will treasure these moments for the rest of my days."

Rey felt her body curl in on itself. It wasn't at all what she'd expected him to admit. She'd never thought to believe that he would think of her as anything other than a prize to be won. But that he thought he loved her…

It was too much. Rey tried to pull her hands from his, to turn away from that heartbreaking honesty in his eyes, but he held her fast.

"Even monsters can love, Rey," he said softly.

And maybe he was a monster- the Gods knew he'd done terrible things in their name, in the name of the very city and Empire that she and other priestesses were sworn to protect, but was she any different?

She presided over so much death herself but was celebrated for it. And a commander, fallen from favor because of a capricious and jealous Emperor. Was he not worthy of the same misguided respect? Rey hazarded a look back into those deep, brown eyes as she told him, "You're not a monster. But you must know that any love between us would be futile. I cannot..."

"I am well aware of what you can and cannot do, priestess," he said, cutting her off. "Without your pious reminder."

"It's my dedication to my goddess that keeps me from making the biggest mistake of my life. A mistake that would sign my death warrant!" she roughly explained. As if his pain meant more than hers, she knew what it was to want and to be unsatisfied!

"I would protect you," he assured her, but it sounded hollow on his lips and they both knew it.

"You can barely take care of yourself, Kylo," she said, a bitter smile gracing her face as she remembered exactly how and why they'd met. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes.

"You were always going to be too good for me, but it doesn't keep me from wanting you. For reaching out and wanting to experience that little piece of heaven."

"You cannot find forgiveness in my arms," she warned him, even as her feet led her body close to his, even as her own hand came up to trail along the strong curve of his cheek.

"Never wanted forgiveness. Only ever wanted a love to be shared," he admitted with heartbreaking honesty.

What would this man have been without the oppressive burden of expectation and the corruption of the Empire? Fighting wars for men who were only concerned with their reputations and being remembered. Corrupted by advisors that wished him more harm than good in the dangerous, deadly games they played?

He could have been yours. And you could have been his. And, in a different world, you could have been together.

Almost of their own accord, Rey fingers reached up and traced over his lips. His mouth was full, sinful even, as if it had been sculpted by one of the great Greek masters. His tongue darted out as her touch passed and she felt her own slip across her lips in answer. She wanted to kiss him. Wanted, for the first time in her life, to have all the things she'd thoughtlessly vowed to abstain from.

She merely wanted one moment, was it too much to ask for?

His touch.

His mouth.

His body.

Rey closed her eyes and tried to gain some composure, but his delicious scent invaded her senses and muddled her mind.

"Priestess...," he murmured, the word drawn out into something like an apology, and yet, she felt him press closer.

"Kylo," she answered, not a rebuff—too breathy and needy sounding for that.

Rey opened her eyes, looked up into his sharp gaze, and found that she was helpless to resist him. Had she ever known that someone like him would come into her life, she'd have never taken the vow to Vesta, not even entertained it.

Kylo oozed sensuality, even his own dark nature was appealing to her.

Dark and light.

Sun and moon.

He calls to you…

Kylo dipped his head as Rey tilted hers back. Their lips met, brushing softly at first, but as Kylo's hands tightened around her waist their passion grew, the kiss turning forceful—needy.

When they pulled apart, they were both breathing hard. Rey stared into his eyes, so dark, and glazed with lust.

More. More. More, her body and mind cried. And so, for just one moment, she let Kylo lead. His hands moved lower, one encircling her waist while the other cupped her bottom. Rey bit out a little gasp as he turned her in his arms and pulled her body tight against him. It was wrong to let him touch her like this, but she wanted it so.

"Worry not, little priestess. Your precious vow will be kept intact... mostly," he purred against her neck.

Would her goddess grant her this one, small concession? Giving into temptation personified, just giving him that inch to work with?

Rey's head lolled back on his hard chest as his hand dipped between the layers of her robes and trailed along the inside of her thigh. She'd be lying if she said she'd never touched herself and wondered what it would feel like to have another do so, but her lover had always been faceless, gentle—never someone like Kylo Ren. His darkness drew her like nothing else. Full lips pressed lingering kisses along her neck as his fingers delved, seeking out that special spot that would get her higher.

Should stop him. Should stop.

But she didn't and instead spread her legs a little wider to accommodate his big hand.

Kylo chuckled against her skin. Oh, he liked that.

"Think of what I could show you, if only..." he promised wickedly.

Rey mewled softly as his fingers slipped between her legs. He knew exactly how to touch her, which peripherally made her wonder just how much experience he'd had in this sort of endeavor, but she found she didn't really care. He had lived his life, and she had lived hers, and now she was benefitting from his experience.

"Trust me, priestess," his deep voice murmured.

He'd give her everything she never knew she wanted, if she'd only let him.

And as she felt more and more of her weight being carried by the strength of his big body, she let him, if only for this one moment. His long fingers dipped inside, curling as his thumb stroked and Rey's hand rose back and threaded into his luscious dark hair, holding tight while he drove Rey out of her mind.

"Please, please, please...," she babbled.

"Anything, priestess. Anything," he promised.

The rumble of his voice and the thrilling combination of his touch was too much for her. Rey's nails dug into Kylo's neck as her pleasure peaked, passion sending her tumbling over an overwhelming edge. She could feel how pleased her pleasure made him feel, some strange connection between them thrumming in answer with how right it all felt.

"Imagine all the ways I'd love you," he suggested darkly.

And Rey did. With a body that big and strong, he'd hold her tight while pressing her back into the wall before surging forward, grinding into her body as they slowly joined together. He'd run his teeth along her neck, a sharp nip in contrast with the slow, gentle play of his body within hers. He'd drive her mad. And she... she'd return the favor.

Breathless, reality slowly began to sink in as Rey realized with whom and where she was and what would happen if they were both found out.

Hux would kill us both, but not before torturing us. Not before that.

Kylo's hand still possessively cupped Rey between her legs and she fought against the urge to keep him there, instead gently disentangling her body from his.

"What's wrong?" he asked, and she could have shaken him for how foolish they'd both been.

"This was dangerous. Beyond foolish. Oh, Kylo," Rey said, coming way down after the most intense pleasure of her life.

"I didn't realize you were so fearful, priestess. And here I thought Vesta's force and will flowed through you."

Rey glared. "If you're trying to make yourself seem like an ass, it's working."

"And if you're trying to make it look like you didn't enjoy what I just did to you, it isn't working," he growled.

"A distraction, nothing more. I will honor my vow," she spat back.

"Oh? Really," Kylo seethed.

Holding her gaze, Kylo lifted his still slick hand to his lips before taking one, long digit between his lips for an obscene suck.

Rey's lips parted as her knees went weak. He'd keep her momentarily distracted for the rest of her damned life if she let him.

Fast as a whip, he was wrapped around her as Kylo pulled her body tight against his own. Rey could feel the way he wanted her—hard and hot between them. Her mouth went dry as she fought her desire for him.

"Hear me, Rey," he started, his deep voice passionate but firm. "I will honor your vow, as you are required to honor it, but there will come a day when you will be mine. The Gods might have chosen your path, might have seen fit to let you see some of it, but I know—I know—in my heart, you will be mine."

It felt prophetic, the way he spoke, like the words were coming from somewhere deeper than just his mind and even his soul. And even though she couldn't see how, she knew that one day he'd come for her.

And he'd be every bit hers as she was his.

"Kylo," she paused as tears filled her eyes.

"Don't," Kylo growled before he silenced them both with his kiss.

Rey's arms slid up along the muscle of his abdomen and clutched at his robes, holding him like she never wanted to let him go.

And she didn't.

Kylo's big hands roamed over her body, one holding her tight around her back while the other slid beneath her veil and into her tangled hair, held her like he was stealing a piece of her soul. Like he was freezing this moment into his mind forever.

His lips pulled, sucked. Tongues tangled as she tasted herself on his lips. Breaths mingled as they both fought to curb the rising tide of passion between them. Rey wasn't sure who pulled away from the kiss first and, for a while, they just held each other, neither seeming to want to let go until, finally, she stepped back and rearranged her veil.

"Good night, Kylo."

It was all she could think of to say. There was too much to say and none of it would be useful. Not now.

"Rey." Such a little word full of so much emotion, and yet she turned to walk out of the exedra.

She didn't look back as she wandered into the halls of the villa. Rey was dazed and paused, eyes closed, back pressed to the wall, as she tried to calm herself. What a fool she was—they both were.

"Well, well," a cultured voice drawled as her eyes snapped open.

Rey gasped as her mind tried to think up excuses, but there was nothing she could do. Not now. Rey stared straight into the eyes of Emperor Hux and prepared to meet her destiny.