Years passed and Rey's life fell back into the same routine that had once brought her so much happiness—only, after Kylo, it felt hollow and predictable. She knew there was more, what it felt to want more, and that was to be a part of her sacrifice now. A part of her penance for wanting more than what the Goddess had granted her.

But she found comfort in her devotion and eventually became a teacher to novice priestesses, as was the way of the Vestal Virgins, until one day, a strange messenger came bearing a scroll—the deed to a villa and control over the wealth of a long-forgotten Uncle.

When she was young and orphaned, she'd been taken into her service so quickly she'd not had much time to think of anything else. But somehow, this lost uncle had tracked her down, after all this time, and given her what had apparently been her father's by right, and with her status as a Vestal Virgin, this wealth had transferred to her—on the condition that this uncle be allowed to live with her as well.

And so, as the remaining years of her vow played themselves out in a blur of routine, she began to dream of a new home. Maybe even family. Near her thirty-seventh birthday, the day finally came and her service was complete, she left her fellow priestesses to start a new life in a new place, far outside the gaze of Rome.

When she first met her long lost uncle, she knew she'd adore him. With a ready smile and a keen sense of humor, he immediately found a place in her heart. Though somewhat strange and a bit eccentric, Uncle Obi had never married, but often spoke of a great love he'd lost. Rey found a kindred spirit in her wise and lonely uncle and a connection born of mutual grief.

She'd catch him staring out at the night sky with a far-away look in his eyes, and she'd known then. Rey often found herself in the same predicament when the quiet nights seemed endless—thinking of a devious laugh and sinful lips. But most of all, she missed his presence, and how he seemed to know what she was thinking before she said anything. She missed Kylo Ren and the connection they'd shared and the love.

After all that had happened, and all the time that had passed, she still loved him. Still wondered about him.

Her new home—the villa—was huge and beautiful with a vast atrium and working fountain that she'd often sit by and meditate. But the real beauty was in the surroundings—beautiful stone pines lining the long entrance to the villa, surrounded by gorgeous rolling hills that became golden as the autumn settled over the countryside. The best part, though, was that it was close to a lake and Rey found herself, more often than not, sitting at the water's edge, imagining the dark, soulful eyes of the man she could never bring herself to forget.

He'd been so broken when he'd left her. So hurt. And, yet... She could not bring herself to regret the decision to uphold her vow and complete her commitment to her goddess. And, at the end of her time in the temple, she found herself a wealthy woman with land of her own, in control of her own finances, and afforded a measure of a power that was normally forbidden for women. Older, but not ravaged by time, she felt proud of herself and her accomplishments.

And she was happy.

Finn retired from his service as soon as her vow was complete, but he would visit Rey at her home as often as he could—and Poe as well. She loved her friends and her Uncle, but there was still an aching hollowness that haunted her. A darkness that never quite receded and ached at the edge of her remembrance.

She'd almost convinced herself that she'd forgotten him. Almost convinced herself that her heart was healed and that she didn't need him anymore. Until one day, caught completely unaware, Rey came to find herself staring into the deep and unforgettable gaze of Commander Kylo Ren, and she knew that she'd been wrong.

She'd never be over this man and she still loved him just as much as the last time she'd seen him, not that she was ever going to make it easy for him.

"You look terrible." It was the first thing that came into her mind.

He did. Not quite as bad as the first time she'd met him, but very close to it. To his credit, he seemed to agree. With a sheepish smile, he patted at his dirty robes and gave her a half smile.

"You look like a goddess," he replied, his deep voice gravelly with disuse.

Had he been able to conquer the vices of his youth? Rey shook her head and let out a little snort as her hands clenched at her sides. She wanted so badly to run and kiss him, but she couldn't be sure why he'd turned up at her doorstep. The last thing she wanted was to impose herself upon him if he no longer wanted her. The last time they'd spoken she'd made it quite clear that she expected him to honor her vow, that she belonged to her Goddess... no matter how much her heart had objected.

"Kylo... Come inside. The servants can help you clean and then we can..." Rey gestured to the space between them both—what exactly did he want?

"Talk," he answered for her. "We can talk."

She didn't want to talk. She wanted to pick up where they'd once left off, a long time ago before her vow had come between them before her own fears had come between them.

With a nod, Rey turned and walked back towards her villa, the rocks crunching underfoot the only sounds between them. There was so much to say—too much to say, and she didn't know where to begin. It would be better if he were able to compose himself a little so that they could be on equal footing. At least that was the lie that she told herself.

Really, she needed time to sit and think about what she wanted to say. The last thing she needed was his eyes boring into her as she tried to find the words to tell him that she'd been in love with him for nearly over a decade and wanted nothing more than to be with him.

Did he still want her? She'd rejected him and his darkness. And he'd been... angry. Hurt. At night, she'd dream of words never said. The ghost of Kylo Ren cursing her for interfering with his life.

I regret the day you saved me.

Still, in other moments, moments that felt like shared dreams between them, he held her, made love to her, whispered that he'd come to her once he'd found his peace and she'd fulfilled her vow, and then not gods nor men would keep them apart.

"Ella," Rey called to one of her servants who was busy sweeping along the veranda of her villa. "Please get your brother. We have a guest and he needs attending."

The young servant gave a quick curtsey before darting off to find her brother.

"The bath is down the hall, third door on the right. It should be warm."

Her family had been fortunate enough to be able to afford heated plumbing.

"Will you not join me?" he asked, seemingly before he could think better of it.

Rey's breath caught in her throat. "I think it would be better to talk first," she replied, but her voice was breathier than she'd intended.

She was interested, but they both needed a moment. He took his time, long enough that Rey was pacing by the time he finally walked into the atrium. Now that he was clean, Rey could see that, though he was older, he was just as uncanny and handsome as ever. Age agreed with him, and she even found the small wrinkles around his eyes and the flecks of gray in his hair appealing. She wondered if he found her as handsome as she found him, but judging from his heated gaze, the way she looked wasn't a problem.

"Why now?" she asked as they both stood there, the soft sound of trickling water from her fountain the only noise in the otherwise abandoned space.

Alone. Very alone. Very, very alone.

"Your vow. My humanity," he replied as if it explained everything.

"Your humanity?" she prodded.

"I traced back the history of my family, with my mother's help. Tried to do right by my father after his death. Helped those who needed helping," he murmured as he stepped closer.

He was just as tall and broad as ever. Even the years hadn't lessened the physical impact he seemed to have on her. Rey's fingers twitched as she tried to resist reaching out for him.

Need to think. To understand.

But so much of what had been between them had always existed without words, why would it be any different now?

"You broke my heart," she accused.

"I'm here to apologize and offer myself into the service of your household," he said, deep voice lowering as he stepped in front of her, close enough that she could touch him if she wanted to.

Close enough that he could draw her against his big body and make her forget everything, the years and the heartache and all the time wasted—everything.

"What would I do with a mercenary?"

Kylo licked his lips as his eyes trailed over Rey's face before finally settling on her mouth. "Whatever your heart so desires, priestess."

"I'm not a priestess anymore," Rey whispered as she bridged the small gap between their bodies.

With surprising gentleness, Kylo gathered her close and dipped his head, lips brushing against the shell of her ear as he murmured, "I know."

"Why did you wait so long?" Rey whimpered as his lips tripped over the column of her throat.

"I looked for you at the temple, but they wouldn't tell me where you'd gone. I searched the city for anyone who knew anything about you, but not even my mother knew where you went and the fever made everything so difficult."

Rey had heard all about it. Both Poe and Finn had joined her at her villa while a devastating fever had ravaged the city. No one was spared as highborn and lowborn alike were struck down.

"Mmm," Rey managed as his tongue joined his mouth as he gave long, suckling kisses along her exposed flesh.

She'd wanted him for so long, and though she'd known it was right for them to be apart, it didn't mean she had to like it. She'd hated every moment as eternity had seemed to stretch between them, but now... now.

"Sometimes, love requires patience," she said knowingly while her fingers tangled in the thick fabric of his borrowed robes.

"I'm all out of that," he admitted, arms wrapping tightly around her as her hands slipped between their bodies, seeking out that insistent hardness that she so wanted to touch.

"Careful, Rey," he gasped as her nimble fingers brushed over his arousal.

"No, I'm through with that. I've paid my dues, and it's time to get my reward," she growled. She could feel him smile against her neck.

"Your reward?" he asked.

"For my years of devoted service and eternal patience."

How she'd lived so long without him she didn't know, but now that she had him back, she wasn't going to let him go.

"I never thought I would see you again," he admitted, voice low and thick with emotion. "When the fever hit Rome, there were so many bodies and not even the Vestal Virgins were spared... I expected the worst, but then..."

He paused as his lips brushed along the curve of her shoulder, placing lingering kisses as he tried to find the words to tell her how much she meant to him.

"You found Finn?" she guessed. He was the only person who would have known where she'd gone, aside from Poe.

"He found me, actually. He and Poe were back from a visit and stopped at the Temple of Vesta, where I'd been looking for you— to no end. Said I should seek you out; that you'd appreciate the visit. Said it was for your benefit and not mine."

"Meddling matchmakers," Rey grumbled as Kylo brushed a gentle kiss against her skin.

Rey's hand slipped from Kylo's abdomen much to his displeasure, but she laughed and reached for his hand as she pulled away from his tempting kisses.

"Come. My private rooms."

Oh, he seemed to enjoy that idea very much and, after a pointed look, Rey found herself being effortlessly gathered into Kylo's arms.

"You don't know where my private quarters are," she reminded him as her lips latched onto an earlobe.

Kylo growled as she sucked. "Tell me."

"Down the hall. Third entrance on the right."

They were barely through the door before she was slipping down his body, her hands trailing low over his muscled abdomen.

"You know I haven't done this before..." she reminded him.

Kylo's head dipped as he pressed a gentle kiss to her lips. "I'll teach you."

"Oh, is that so?" she teased.

"That's so."

"But what if you can't compare to my own touch?" she asked while her gaze trailed along his full lips.

Kylo's mind seemed to trip at her insinuation.

"Priestess," he hissed as if he was imagining her touching her own body. "You'll just have to let me know if I live up to your imagination."

Inch by inch, Kylo bared her body until, finally, she stood before him, completely nude. She was about to complain about the unfairness of it, what with him being covered and all, but the look in his eyes stole her breath. She'd been waiting so long for this moment.

His dark gaze trailed over her exposed body, catching on the swell of her breasts, the curve of her thighs, the thatch of curls between her legs, before finally settling on her face. It was nothing and everything like she'd expected. A connection, profound and deeply satisfying, seemed to flow between them, like the power of her Goddess illuminating them both from the inside out.

"You feel like light and goodness itself," he marveled as his hands trailed wantonly over her body.

"You're a little rougher around the edges," she whispered while tugging at the layers of his robes. "But there's beauty in your darkness."

Kissing at every newly exposed inch of his skin, Rey let her hands skim along his thick body, fingers padding over his freckles—a path she imagined tracing with her lips—but Kylo seemed to have other plans. Both nude, he pulled her up into his arms again and walked them both over to her bed.

"I've dreamed of this for over a decade..." Kylo groaned as he laid her back and dipped his head between her legs.

With a gasp, Rey's hands threaded into his thick hair, pulling as Kylo slid his tongue along her. Just when she thought she was getting used to the incredible sensation of his tongue, Kylo slipped a finger within, curling while his lips and tongue pushed her higher.

"So tight, priestess..." Kylo groaned.

Rey's hips wriggled as she nearly succumbed to the rising tide of pleasure within her.

"Please, please, please!" she babbled as he trailed his tongue over that pearl of pleasure between her legs, his long, thick fingers curling in time with his mouth.

Her fingers tightened in his thick hair, pulling hard enough that she knew it must hurt, but it only seemed to spur him on. She had most certainly never felt anything like this before and he more than lived up to her imagination. With one final wicked swipe of his tongue, Rey felt her release crash over her, but he didn't stop. Not until he'd pushed her over the edge another two times, not until her body was weak and aching for something more, something she couldn't put into words.

"Please," she begged him, needing to feel his closeness and something infinitely more intimate than even what they'd already shared.

Kylo looked up at her, his gaze dark and needy.

"I live to serve, priestess," he growled as he pulled his muscular body over hers.

Gently and achingly slow, Kylo pressed within her, watching and feeling every cue she gave him.

Rey wiggled her hips to urge him on, but he growled in warning, "I don't want this to hurt."

"It won't. I promise," she assured him, needy for his body to be completely within hers.

Kylo let out a low chuckle as he guided himself further in. "You promise?"

And all at once the strange connection that had once seemed to flow between them flashed into vivid existence once more, blinding them both with the intensity of the feelings between them. Together, they existed somewhere outside of time, somewhere outside of even the physical world. Only the two of them and the strange rightness of their feelings for each other, and as Kylo slid completely within her, they were both overwhelmed with the reality that they both had the rest of their lives to experience it all.

Later, much later, they lay in each other's arms, tired but well loved as they talked about Kylo's travels, Rey's life, and everything important and nonsensical in-between.

"Some things can be worth the wait," Kylo mused as Rey pinched his side.

"Funny, it took this long for you to learn some patience and understanding," she returned.

"Ouch. Priestess, you wound me," he replied with a laugh. "Is it all that you'd expected?"

Rey mused, pulling her lip between her teeth as she snuggled closer into his broad, warm chest.

"Well, this isn't the only thing I imagined, but some things are what I expected. And some things are bigger than expected," she mused.

Kylo choked while pulling his arms tight around her body.

"And what would you know about that sort of thing, priestess?" he wondered.

Rey tapped his nose. "I have seen sculptures, you know. But you'd definitely put the masters to shame... In more than one way."

A deep laugh rumbled from within his chest. "Allow me to continue with my demonstrations then."

"Please do," she said with a laugh, as he trailed kisses down, down, down her abdomen.

And as he slipped his tongue between her legs and put himself in that most vulnerable of positions, again, Rey thought that her goddess had definitely delivered, and she was going to be able to spend the rest of her life seeing exactly what it was like to be loved by Kylo Ren.

Her light could not overtake the darkness within him, but it was to be a compliment—she could see that now. They fit. Like two pieces of a broken whole. Her light and his dark blending into something treasured, something strange and beautiful.

They had much time to make up for.

UPDATE! The wonderful aionimica did some gorgeous fanart for this piece and I could cry it's so perfect. Head over and send her some love! Thanks so much for reading and indulging this little AU :)