The next few days were split between training with Vicrul and Ushar, and reading the blush-inducing educational books on anatomy and procreation.
Kylo was endlessly patient, answering questions if I directly asked him, but otherwise leaving me to sort the new information out on my own.
I was in my study, in an oversized cushioned armchair, when the door that connected our rooms opened, and he walked in. He was in his back waistcoat and pants, his hair hanging in his face just so as he bent down to kiss me. I smiled up at him, putting a finger in my book to hold my place. "What are you doing up here?" I asked. Not that I minded, he just usually kept his kingly duties down stairs, so wasn't in his bedroom during the day.
"I came to talk to you." He said, sliding his hands into his pockets.
"Is there a reason you couldn't send a note?" I asked. "I'm sure Baisden is running low on cookies." Baisden was a servant boy who ran notes between us. Id recently learned that cookies was how Kylo paid him. "You big ol softy."
"Big ol scary dark lord." He corrected.
"You keep telling yourself that." I chuckled, and went back to my book.
"What in the name of sanity are you reading?" He asked, eyeing the page in front of me, and the diagram of a pregnant woman in her third month of gestation. He raised an eyebrow. "Something you want to tell me?"
"Nope." I said, smiling.
His chin lowered, though his eyes were still light, swirling depths of cognac and honey. "Is it Vicrul's?"
I looked up. "It's Ap'lek's."
"I fucking knew it!"
I laughed, and settled deeper into the massive cushions. "I just figured, you know, it's one more thing that I don't know about that I probably should."
I could tell that he wanted to ask if pregnancy, if children, if his children, were things that I was now considering, but he didn't. The most amazing thing about him was that he never pressured me about anything. He knew I'd have the conversation with him when I was ready.
"I...uh," He said. "I've been invited to Lothar for a week-long celebration of Prince Ardion's wedding."
I put my book down. "And you're going?"
"It's not just a wedding, it's an alliance between kingdoms, and I need to be there."
I nodded my understanding. "You're leaving today?"
"Yes. Kuruk is coming with me, as my pilot, but the others are staying. So, if you want to, you can stay and continue your training." He let out a breath. "But, I want you to come with me."
I stilled, studying his face. "It didn't go so well, the last time I went with you."
"I know." He said. "And, it's entirely up to you. " His face clouded. "If you decide to come, that is something we may run into, people who don't understand or who make assumptions about me and about our marriage."
"Probably both." I said, flatly.
"Probably both." He agreed. "But, I'm also going to have to be Supreme Leader. Which is not a side of me that I want you to see."
My gaze went to his. "Will being Supreme Leader change the way that you treat me?"
He lowered his chin. "Nothing will ever change the way that I treat you."
I sighed, and pushed myself up. "I'll go change." I told him, putting my book down on a small table as I walked out.
Sara insisted on dressing me in a juniper green gown, its sheer sleeves capped at my wrists, and its high neckline buttoning down to the belted waist. My hair was pulled up, into a tight bun, and a pair of drop emerald earrings dangled from my ears.
Kylo smiled when he saw me, his eyes twinkling like stars in the night sky.
He hadn't changed, but wore a jacket with green and silver embroidery along the sleeves and collar.
The train of my gown swept behind me as I went to his side, and he watched me board the craft, bending down to free my skirt when it got snagged on the steps. We spent the majority of the flight there exchanging laughs and soft kisses, our fingers laced together on the arm rest between us.
We docked, and I placed my hand in the crook of Kylo's elbow, my shoulders back and my head high as we walked inside. We stopped before a set of closed double doors, the sounds of music and chattering coming from the room beyond it and Kylo looked at me. He winked, then I watched his face steel into the mask of the Supreme Leader, the leash on his power loosening, until it was rolling off of him.
"The King and Queen of Mustafar!" The herald announced, and the doors opened, everyone in the room going as still as death, all frozen, petrified of the man who now prowled among them. He'd warned me about this, of who he would have to be, the role he would play. And, he was all elegance and power and night as we approached the Prince perched on a dias in the middle of the room.
"Supreme Leader." He said, dropping to one knee in a smooth bow. He was tall and lean, with pale blond hair that hung to his shoulders, and unnerving silver-gray eyes.
Kylo didn't move, his face gloriously bored and unimpressed. "Ardion, this is Rey, my Queen." A declaration, and a warning, if anyone in attendance was foolish enough to treat me as anything less.
Ardion offered a hand, and when I took it, he brushed his lips along my knuckles. "Your majesty." He stood, and motioned behind him. "My betrothed, Ovadia." A girl of no more than eighteen stepped into view, her heart-shaped face white in terror. Golden hair hung in ringlets down to her waist, and her eyes were the color of a sea after a storm. She stopped a healthy distance away, and I could see her trembling as she dipped into a low curtsey. "Supreme Leader." She said to Kylo, and then looked to me. "Your majesty."
"Congratulations on your upcoming nuptials." Kylo said to them.
"I'm honored that you will be here to celebrate with us." Ardion said. "The actual festivities do not start until Sunday, and I hope to see you both at the ball tomorrow night." He held his hand up, and Ovadia placed hers over his. "Dinner is in an hour."
Kylo dipped his chin, and their attention went to other guests.
We moved through the crowd, greeting the other Kings of the galaxy and ate dinner in the dining hall without incident.
Our room was comfortable, the massive canopied bed taking up most of the left wall. There were a couple of arm chairs, a small table, a closet, and an adjoining bathing room. I immediately went to take a shower, setting the water temperature to nearly scalding and stepping under the stream of four shower heads.
When I stepped out, Kylo was in one of the arm chairs, his attention on a data pad in front of him. He glanced up, then looked again, his eyes sweeping over me.
"Sara packed me nothing but lingerie." I explained. "So, I borrowed your shirt."
He watched me walk toward him. "It looks better on you, anyway." He said, blindly dropping the data pad on the table next to him.
I stopped between his legs, running my hands over the smooth black fabric of the shirt he still wore, gripping his shoulders as I positioned myself, one leg on either side of his.
He shuddered under my touch, tilting his head back, but made no other movement, his hands clutching the rolled arm rests as I lowered myself down onto his lap. I combed my fingers through his hair, held the back of his head as I pulled his mouth to mine.
Our tongues met, and parted and I moaned, feeling him harden beneath me. He tensed and tried to shift, to move away, conscious of how I'd reacted the last time I'd felt him. "It's ok." I breathed against his mouth, and he settled beneath me, his thighs trembling under mine.
He nibbed at my bottom lip, his kisses soft, though his breathing became ragged, his hands fisting on the arm rests, his body taught as he restrained himself.
"Touch me." I begged, the ache building in the heat between my legs.
"Where?" He asked in a strangled whisper.
I straightened, and he watched with wide eyes as I grabbed the tail of the shirt I was wearing, then pulled it up, and over my head.
His gaze drifted to my breasts, now bare in front of him, then back up, the hunger in his eyes making my stomach tighten. "Everywhere." I breathed, and he sat up, his arms coming around me, crushing me to him, and his lips coming down on mine in a kiss that was passionate and frenzied.
His fingertips dug into my back, his hands trailing up to my shoulders, and curling around them, our kiss deepening. I felt his hardness pressing up, into that aching part of me, and I grinded against it, trying to find some sort of relief.
The groan that came out of his throat was guttural, but also a pained plea of need, and I threw my head back, my back arching at the sound.
He buried his face into my neck, his teeth sinking in. I moaned, and when he scraped his tongue over the spot he'd bitten, my eyes rolled back in my head.
He pulled back to look at me, his panting breaths hot on my skin as he brought a hand up to tenderly touch my face.
"Kiss me." I pleaded, and when he leaned in, I moved back.
His brow furrowed for a moment, then he sighed. "Where?"
I arched my back, baring my breasts to him, and a low growl rumbled out of his chest.
He didn't move, his eyes locking with mine and he asked, "Are you sure?"
I nodded. "Yes."
He leaned down, his mouth going to my collar bone, where he planted a trail of suckling kisses, then down my sternum, one of his hands coming to trace his fingertips along my left breast. Gently, slowly, giving me time to stop him if it was too much, too soon. His eyes went to my face, asking for permission.
His hesitation, his care, it quelled my fear, and gave me confidence I hadn't thought possible. I knew I was safe with him to experiment and explore. I also knew that if I uttered one word, he would stop and not push it.
I nodded again and a hushed whisper of "Please," rasped out of me.
He lowered his mouth onto me, onto the swell of my untouched breast, and his eyes came up to my face, watching my reaction as he swept his tongue over my nipple.
My gasp turned into a moan as his lips closed around my breast and sucked, his tongue flicking. I bucked, grinding against him, against that hardness pressing into me, the friction causing a wave of pleasure to course through me, and I straightened, surprise widening my eyes.
He pulled away, his breath sawing out of him. "What is it?"
"You feel…" I panted. "Good."
His eyes darkened, and his voice was a predatory growl when he asked "You like the way I feel?" His hips pushed up into me, the rock hard heat beneath me rubbing against the throbbing spot that ached. I
I whimpered in confirmation, my mind going hazy with desire, with hunger, with need as my body clenched.
"Tell me what you want to do." He said, desperation lacing his throaty whisper.
But I hesitated, and it was like a bucket of ice water being thrown over us.
He blinked, then sighed, leaning back, putting his hands on the arm rests.
"No, I want to." I said, leaning in to kiss him.
He kissed me back, but did not allow the kiss to deepen, to get heated. "It's ok." He assured me, bringing a hand up to delicately move my damp hair out of my face. "I have you for the rest of my life. We don't have to do everything in one night."
I reluctantly released him, and stood, going to retrieve the shirt off of the floor. I pulled it on.
"Are you coming?" I asked, walking toward the bed.
"I will later." He mumbled under his breath.
I stopped, turning to look at him. "What was that?"
"I said, I'm going to shower, and I'll go to bed later." He said, adjusting his pants before he stood.
I didn't sleep well in the unfamiliar bed, and the next morning, I received an invitation to have breakfast with Ovadia. I dressed in a simple cream colored muslin gown, giving Kylo a quick goodbye kiss that quickly heated.
"Go." He said, pulling away abruptly. "You have to go." I smiled, my bottom lip trapped between my teeth, my face burningas I panted, and he cupped my cheek in his massive hand. "Gods, you're fucking gorgeous." He said, awe in his eyes and voice.
I melted, and he playfully swatted me away, toward the door with a promise of "I'll see you tonight."
I practically floated down to the Queens dining hall, and turned the corner, skidding to a stop when I saw it full of ladies, dressed in their finery and dripping with jewels.
I paled, my heart stuttering. I was easily the plainest around them, my hair unbound, my face free of cosmetics, and my unremarkable cotton dress.
Ovadia spotted me and dipped into a low curtsey. "Your majesty."
All the other ladies turned, then there was a wave as they all murmured "Your majesty."
Because Kylo wasn't just King of Mustafar. He was Supreme Leader, and as Queen Consort, I outranked all of them.
I swallowed, and stepped forward, as they all straightened.
"Are you well?" Ovadia asked, her brow furrowed.
"Yes, thank you." I said, sitting in a chair at the massive dining table.
The ladies followed, chattering filling the room around us. Their conversations were about this king or that, engagements, marriages, dowries.
I learned that the marriage between Ardion and Ovadia was not arranged, but rather, one that seemed to be from genuine affection. They'd met eight years ago when they were children, and despite their kingdoms being rivals, their parents were willing to set their differences aside for their children's union. Which is why the celebration was going to be a week long.
I didn't eat, instead picking at the wobbling eggs on my plate, and when I asked for tea, I was brought a concoction of herbs and bark that was not palatable, no matter how much sugar I put into it. From breakfast, the ladies went to the game room, where they gossiped and gambled, and I kept my face a cool mask of patience, smiling sweetly when anyone approached me.
After lunch, another meal I moved around on my plate instead of eating, the ladies went to dress. I also returned to my room, and so started the hours-long process of getting ready.
I'd chosen a turquoise chiffon gown, the v neck framed by ruffles that went up my shoulders, then down either side of my back, leaving it open. It clung to every curve and hollow before pooling behind me in a sweeping train. My hair was curled and swept up on one side, pinned in place by a silver comb. Kylo was waiting and smiled when he saw me, adoration clear in his dark eyes.
"I should have let your servants dress me." He said, his gaze lingering on me a little longer than necessary.
"Yours did a pretty decent job." I told him. His black suit was immaculately tailored, hugging his toned body underneath. His hair was swept back, away from his face.
"A decent job?" He repeated.
I smiled, looking forward. "Yeah, you look alright."
We approached the double doors, my hand in the crook of his elbow. They opened for us, but thankfully, there was no herald to announce us.
The ballroom was bedecked in white candles, their glow shimmering on the silk curtains that hung over the windows. Twin banquet tables were in the middle of the room, massive floral bouquets amongst the roasted meats, the kegs of ale, the wreaths of bread, and the variety of cakes, pies and tarts.
My empty stomach twisted.
A band was playing in a distant corner, and couples danced, the fine gowns hissing and sighing as they swayed.
The crowd parted, and I saw a dark skinned man with crushing blue eyes, and a cartoon white grin.
I halted, my blood stilling.
Gavriel's attention was elsewhere, though I did notice the bright red gown Mayea wore, as she stood by his side.
Kylo looked down at me. "Rey?"
"I want to go." I breathed, heat rising in my face.
He leaned closer to hear me over the noise of the ball. "What?"
"I want to go." I said, again. Louder, clearer.
Confusion flashed in his eyes, but we were immediately moving, making our way through the crowd, to the door.
"What is it?" He asked, as soon as we were in the hallway.
"You told me that if I said I wanted to go, we would go." I reminded him, my tone frosty.
"And, you said you wanted to go," he said, motioning to the room we'd just left. "So, we did. But, I need to know what happened."
I crossed my arms across my chest, fuming. "Gavriel and Mayea are in there."
"Did you not think they would be?" He wanted to know.
"I dont want to be around him." I said, my voice shaking.
Kylo's expression changed, realization dawning on him, then his eyes narrowed. "Gavriel specifically?"
I didn't answer.
"Did he do something?" He demanded. When I still didn't answer, he moved closer, his face white with fury. "The day you were alone with him, did he-"
"He had a ship docked to take me to a haven planet." I said, miserably. "That's why he had Mayea to distract you. He sent her to fuck you, to get me alone, and he had a ship ready." I swallowed the lump in my throat. "That he was going to put me on."
His face was calm. But his eyes were darker than I'd ever seen, not even a glint remained, and rage - black, bottomless rage - lay in them.
He turned without a word, going back into the ballroom, pushing his way through the crowd, until they parted for him. I followed, calling after him, watching as he shrugged off his jacket in one, swift movement.
Gavriel turned, and went sprawling as Kylo's fist connected with his face.