Back at Kylo's palace, Rey and Kylo went their separate ways to bathe and get changed for dinner. Rey dressed in another generic white boys tunic and styled her hair into its usual three buns. She felt clean and fresh for the first time since leaving Jakku and was relieved for it.
It turned out that Kylo meant it when he said they had a small celebration of their own to attend. Rey entered the common room to find that a small feast had been laid out on a long table which was placed in the room specifically for the occasion. Rey realized she was famished, and it was difficult not to walk right over to the food and start picking it apart right then.
Instead she surveyed the room. Lit candles were arranged throughout the space creating a dance of shadows and casting a golden glow across the walls.
There were two female musicians wearing white robes, embroidered with silver and gold playing what looked like an erhu and a flute. Kylo rested on some cushions not too far off from where they played, holding a cup of wine as he listened to the song they played. His hair was still wet from his bath, sleeker and falling flatter against his face. Rey thought it made him look older, more striking.
She was immediately taken with the music, it was gentle and precise, like a butterfly landing on dew-ladened grass. She felt something deep inside her chest ache, bruised by the melody woven together by the two women. It was haunting. Soul binding.
"This is one of my favorites," Kylo murmured, his eyes closed and a small smile playing on his lips. "My mother used to play the strings part for me growing up but I've always thought the flute complimented the sound so well." Rey couldn't help but think that his deep, velvety voice would also compliment the song. She could easily hear him humming along and only amplifying the song's beauty.
"I agree…" Rey's voice trailed off as she stepped closer to the women playing, watching their serene faces and deft fingers, becoming entranced. "Kylo, it's heartbreaking. What's it called?"
His lips and eyebrows puckered for a moment, yet he still didn't open his eyes, his head swaying ever so slightly with the song, dark heavy curls shifting around his large ears. "Solaris. It means the lonely sun." His melancholic tone belonged to the music.
She stepped forward quietly, light on her bare feet, and kneeled in front of Kylo. She gently grabbed his hand in hers, startling him, his eyes fluttered open to see Rey smiling warmly at him, lips upturned and teeth hidden. His lips parted of their own accord, his breath being stolen by her warmth.
"You are not alone." She ran her thumb gently over the back of his hand.
He leaned down and looked deep into her eyes, his black gaze piercing, all consuming and Rey felt her body react in ways that even their kisses hadn't incited. A roaring heat was building deep inside her and she stared back, unwilling to break eye contact with him. She could feel his breath on her face and she drank in his smell, musky with a hint of mint and sandalwood. It was intoxicating and before she knew it her eyes were closed, her senses focusing in on his smell, all she could feel was warm earthy breath.
"Neither are you."
Her eyes snapped back open and it felt like sensory overload again, what was he doing to her? A small breeze tickled her collar bone, running down her back, and she shivered. The sight of him was too much to bear, his hair waving in the light breeze and his black eyes unwavering.
Rey let out the breath she didn't know she had been holding and it came out shaky, the heat between them still growing, the breeze turning hotter and hotter. As if he could read her thoughts, he breathed, "What are you doing to me? This heat…"
"I could say the same," she whispered, her words being picked up by the swirling wind around them. "Is that you creating this breeze?"
"I can't help it. Something about you, Rey, makes me feel this buzz of energy, it gets harder to control my powers." He touched her cheek lightly, and the contact was electric, sending a volt of power through him that seared, drawing him in like a moth to the flame. He held his hand there as long as he dared, enjoying the burn. "But you are the one radiating all this heat, Sun Goddess."
"I'm not…" She paused and sat back on her heels. All along, she figured the Niima alias she had adopted was solely to give her the protection of a Goddess, a genius idea that Oola came up with to protect her. However, now that she was really considering it, she had been feeling intense heat in odd spurts since arriving in Jakku. She'd felt a few times an indescribable energy, especially around Kylo, kissing him, breathing him in. "The buzz of energy you just described, I think I've been feeling that too since Ventress pulled me into this world."
"I've seen it in you, Rey. Like a sunrise." He closed the gap between them again and Rey was forced to look straight up to maintain eye contact, the electricity between them surging even more furiously. "Maybe Oola knew more than she let on."
"Maybe... Can we talk to her about it?
"Yes, but it'll have to wait. She is visiting the different major cities of Rim and some smaller towns on the way as High Priestess. She isn't due back for a few months." Rey couldn't hide her disappointment. She wanted answers and it seemed that her best lead was talking to Oola. She wanted to find out what her place was in all of this. She hadn't noticed she was staring at her feet until Kylo tilted her head up to face him once again. "Rey, the power I have, you have that power too."
The heat roared again, the breeze caressed their skin, mixing and whirling around them, becoming one. He took her hand and intertwined their fingers, letting the power surge between them and birth new energy, two forces merging and all that was in between electrified by their touch. "I've felt it, Kylo. I feel it."
"Rey, your being here is more than a coincidence. It's fate and I don't want that to scare you. We can figure this all out, together. I can help you." Their lips drew nearer and nearer, the only thing that stopped them from crashing their mouths together was the furious storm brewing between them, tornado meeting wildfire. The closer they came to their lips touching, the more dangerous the storm and it was everything and electric. Kylo craved Rey's kiss unlike any other woman's. He had never felt this way and now he knew the magnetism between Rey and he was no mere coincidence. She had run into his life for a reason and perhaps it wasn't his doom, but his awakening.
A throat cleared loudly from the entrance of the room and Kylo and Rey snapped their focus away from each other, breaking the spell. It was Poe, wearing a shit eating, smug grin and holding an elegant bottle of clear liquid and several small cups. Finn entered right behind him, babbling something about glasses, when he bumped into Poe's back.
"Hey, what're you just standing here for?"
Poe gave a wolf whistle that brought a blush to Rey's cheeks. "I just walked in on something I feel like I shouldn't have."
Finn's eyebrows shot up and his eyes flickered back and forth between Rey and Kylo, shooting a quick glance at the two ladies who were now playing a more upbeat, wondrous tune. It sounded of exploration and discovery, triumph and new beginnings. Endless opportunities. "Oh. Is that so?" He too broke into a similar grin to Poe's, though his was more lopsided.
"Have you two no shame? And in front of these two lovely ladies." Poe winked at the musicians who didn't so much as blink in response, their playing absolutely unaffected.
Kylo grumbled with an eye roll. "We weren't even doing anything. Just talking. And give it up, Poe. Your charms will have no effect on these women. They have dignity." Finn hollered at that and Rey felt her heart regaining composure, slowing to its normal rate. The moment between Kylo and her had passed, but she needed to calm herself before she was going to feel normal again.
"Now wait a minute, Kylo. You know as well as I that my charms are very effective with the ladies."
"And men, apparently."
Poe flashed a pearly white grin at that but it was Finn who said, "You got that right," with a quick smack on Poe's behind and Kylo snorted.
If Rey needed help forgetting the intense moment that had just passed between she and Kylo, there could be no better distraction than this. She placed her hand to her mouth and burst out in a roar of laughter.
"You like that, Rey?" Finn asked and went to smack Poe again but Poe was expecting it this time, deflecting it with a thrust of his hip. All the built up tension in Rey's body poured away as the laughter took over.
What pushed Rey over the edge was Kylo giving the most adorable, goofiest smile she had ever seen on someone's face and she wished she could frame it. His eyes were cast downward and squinted, and his smile was huge exposing the awkward yet even shape of his teeth. The gorgeous array of beauty marks across his face shifted in the most lovely way and it felt like she had just watched a galaxy rearrange itself, but instead of over the course of millennia, it took one breathtaking smile.
Rey became a fit of infectious laughter, drowning out the song playing from the corner of the room, and sucking in Kylo, Finn, and Poe. She kept wiping away the hot tears gathering in her eyes but they kept coming. It took her a few more moments longer than the rest to compose herself, which gave her that last spurt of hysterical laughter at being the only one still laughing.
"Sorry, it's just, Kylo's face…" At that moment, Kylo's face turned quickly from amusement to complete shock. His eyebrows shot up and his eyes widened, and that earned another giggle from Rey.
Finn nodded chuckling. "Rey, what you just witnessed is the signature 'Kylo Ren Goofy Grin.' You kind of have to mess up the grin part and say 'gren,' but then it rhymes." Kylo glowered at his advisors and best friends.
"It's one of a kind, trademarked. Kylo is usually the smoldering type but every blue moon he laughs from the inside out and that is what it looks like," Poe added. Based on Kylo's reaction, it seemed this was something they laughed at often. Rey found their antics amusing but also started to suspect that they had dipped into some of that clear liquid before coming to dinner, which would explain this new side of them she was just seeing.
Kylo still looked unimpressed, he huffed and slightly pouted and Rey knew then that that was the smoldering look and it made her giggle again. "I think it's nice," she told them, giving Kylo a warm smile, one he returned.
Rose entered wearing a lovely pink dress which hugged all her curves in just the right places. The neckline dipped low, with a strip of leather lacing up into a small bow, exposing a fair amount of cleavage. She wore a little rouge on her cheeks and some modest bands on her wrists.
Paige followed closely behind, wearing a white banded top that exposed her belly button and a matching white skirt that flowed down to her knees. The black beads around her long slender neck matched her hair that was pulled up into a braided crown.
They both looked stunning and Rey felt a tinge of doubt, wondering if she should have dressed up as well. Poe and Finn were dressed the same as usual and Rey decided that was enough for her. Besides, Kylo didn't seem to mind.
Poe poured them each a small amount of the clear drink he carried and passed it around. "Time for a toast. Rey, why don't you take the lead on this?"
She had never done this before but she knew to raise her glass and the rest of them followed suit. It took her a moment to work out what to say. "To Paige and Rose. Welcome to our team. And to our victory in Hays Minor."
They each drained their cups. It burned Rey's throat as it went down and tasted of black licorice. Despite the burn, she enjoyed the taste, finding it both sweet and strong all at once. She knew then she shouldn't drink more than one of those in a night.
"Let's take a seat," Kylo said.
Everyone served themselves, loading up their plates and pouring wine. Rey's plate was nearly overflowing with food and Kylo eyed it before quirking his eyebrow at her. She just shrugged and dove her fork into her meal, scooping up as much as she could before shovelling it into her mouth. Her second, third and fourth bite were much the same before she slowed down a little. She realized everyone at the table was staring at her.
Paige put her hand to her forehead and shook her head. "Gods help us. We have our work cut out for us," she said to Rose who nodded, still staring at Rey with her mouth open.
"She did warn you. Is that how everyone eats where you come from?" Poe teased Rey, who simply stuck out her tongue before taking a large gulp of wine.
"Hush now, she could use some more meat on her if she's going to fight in our army," Kylo said. Rey noticed he cut each bite into equal parts and chewed every mouthful several times, the very opposite of her. "But you were right about what you said when you hired Rose and Paige; you do need to practice acting like a princess if we are going to keep up appearances."
"Keep up appearances?" Rose asked.
"Yes. Now that you two are sworn to protect and serve Rey, you must know something but it must be kept to yourselves." Kylo gave them stern looks.
"We promise." Rose said and Paige nodded gravely.
"Rey is not from this world. The Queen used sorcery to bring her into this world to perform katashiro on the princes. She is under our protection until we can return her to her own world, a year from now when Niima's sun rises again."
The sisters had several questions and Kylo and Rey tried their best to fill them in with Finn and Poe jumping in every once in a while. It took a while to absorb but both sisters understood the Queen's capabilities and it explained how Rey appeared in a spring one day.
As the meal went on, it started to feel more and more like a family dinner and Rey felt more at home. They were all getting to know each other more, sharing stories and jokes. Rey heard about the times that Rose and Paige encountered Kylo, Poe, and Finn as children.
Rey was eating her second dessert when Kylo cleared his throat, getting the room's attention easily. He sat up straight and placed his folded hands on the table in front of him.
"So, the King has granted us a few days off and I intend to use them as bonding days for our core unit. I intend for us all to go on a trip to Maz's oasis. It's not too far from here and would serve as a perfect training ground for all of us. We'll practice combat and horseback riding, as well as doing some general strategy and team building exercises."
"Awesome! It's been a while since we've seen Maz. I miss her fish grub." Finn said and rubbed his stomach which was jutting out from the large meal he had just consumed.
"Same. I'm also dying to try horseback riding. Chariots have always been my thing but I'm itching to do what Rey did at Hays Minor," Poe said, his eyes shining.
"Rey is also assembling a squad of female soldiers. We will bring the two new recruits the King sends with us to Maz's. We all leave tomorrow. Finn, Poe, I leave the arrangements to you two."
They worked out a few more details before Kylo called it a night. Back in their room, Rey and Kylo settled in bed with each other. Rey stretched for a moment and yawned, exhausted after a long day. She rested on her side, facing Kylo and tucking her knees into her chest, forming a ball. Kylo turned on his side to face her as well.
"How did you know to ride the horse like that?" His voice came out as a whisper, soft and soothing.
"Well, I haven't done it before myself. But I did see it in the movies that you can ride bareback. Honestly, I was just so scared of Savage, I had to do something, so I just hopped on BB8's back and she did the rest."
"What's the movies?"
"Oh, um. It's… Hmm. It's a thing that plays picture after picture so fast that it seems like it's moving. Yeah, it's a moving picture." She raised her hand in front of her and very slowly moved it to the left. "Imagine if you could get a picture of each movement I make and play one right after the other very quickly. That's a movie."
"Interesting. I'd like to see that."
"I wish I could show you one... I've been wondering. Is your name really Kylo?"
"You caught that, huh?" Rey just smiled and nodded, watching his eyes to see if they would reveal the truth. "No, it's not. My birth name is Ben. I was named after a family friend who was very special to my mother and uncle. Not too long after my mother died, I went off and trained with some monks that knew him and I took on the title Kylo Ren. In truth, I think it just became too hard to be called Ben. It reminded me of her too much."
"I had a grandfather named Ben who I was really closed to. He passed away." She scooted closer to Kylo. "I'm sorry about your mother, Kylo."
They were quiet for a long time but it wasn't sad. It was the kind of silence that felt comfortable. They watched each other, eyes travelling over the other's face, memorizing each contour and mark, each perfection and imperfection.
He reached his hand forward and tucked a stray hair behind Rey's ear before placing it on her cheek. The energy surge returned immediately, creating a perfect balance between them. Kylo leaned forward and brushed his lips against Rey's temple, his hot breath tickled her skin, sending shivers down her body.
"If you want me to stop, tell me." His lips travelled down her face, past her lips. Her breath hitched but his lips continued down where he planted kiss after kiss along her jaw. His lips were sinfully soft and Rey felt herself slipping, her brain becoming fuzzy. His lips travelled down her throat, then he let his tongue run across her collar bone. "Rey? Tell me if you-"
She yanked him back up to meet her mouth, cutting off his words. Rey raked her hand through Kylo's hair and he let out a growl from deep within his throat. The gentleness was gone, replaced by a hunger. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her to him and rolling them both over, putting Rey on top. She squirmed on top of him, kissing him furiously. He began to reach his hand under her tunic when Rey pulled back with a wet pop. They were both gasping for air.
"Whoa. We need to take this slow."
"Here in Jakku this is how you show someone you love them," he said it softly.
"Kylo, I feel the same way. But…"
"I see. How do they do it where you are from?"
She didn't want to say it was the same where she came from, even though it was the truth. The kissing itself was fairly harmless but it was hard to stop it from quickly becoming something more. Instead she opted to give him a more PG version of love, not that Kylo would understand what that rating meant, she thought.
She rolled off him. "Do you have a pen and paper?"
He looked surprised but said, "Definitely." He made his way to a chest by the desk in his room and opened it. Rey followed closely behind and saw that it contained several notebooks, vials of ink, quills, and scrolls. There were a few different folders as well, overflowing with different papers covered in texts.
"What is all this?"
"My calligraphy set." He said it tentatively, bracing himself for the teasing. This was a hobby he kept secret, something he did to calm himself. It allowed him to practice control, something his mother suggested he do.
Rey was on the floor, looking through one of his notebooks and flipping the pages slowly. "They're wonderful," she whispered. His heart soared. The momentary tension in his body evaporated quickly, the relief coursed through him, and he knew he shouldn't have doubted her in the first place. She wouldn't judge him. Instead she understood him, and what's more is she cared about who he was aside from his life as a prince. She made him feel light and feel loved, and he loved her in return.
He crouched down next to her and pulled out a blank sheet and one quill and ink. "Rey, show me."
She dipped the quill in the ink and painted one of the sloppiest hearts she had ever seen. "Oh, whoops. Let me try again." She made another attempt but this one was not much better. She made a few more until finally she drew one that she was satisfied with. "There! That's love."
Kylo looked at her absolutely dumbfounded before saying, "I like my way better." He collected the paper and placed it on his desk to dry before returning the rest of his set to the chest.
"There's also cuddling." Rey got up and climbed back into bed.
"I can go for some of that." Kylo crawled into bed after her and scooped her up into his arms. She rested her head on his chest and tangled her legs with his.
"Will you tell me a story?" Her voice was heavy with sleep and she yawned loudly before snuggling more into Kylo's embrace.
"Sure. What do you want to hear about?"
"Tell me a story from back when you were my age."
"You make it sound like it was such a long time ago. It wasn't," he grumbled. Rey could feel each vibration of his chest as he spoke. She found the hum of his voice soothing and peaceful.
"Fine, grandpa. It wasn't that long ago." Kylo chuckled and the action sent waves through Rey's body and she sighed deeply.
"One time when I was fourteen, I decided I wanted to walk around Jakku as a commoner to get an idea of what it was like to see the people from their perspective. So Poe, Finn, and I dressed in some clothes we borrowed from a few of the cooks from the palace. We decided to travel light and after wandering around the city, we stopped at a restaurant to get some food. It was cheap but incredibly delicious. Fried rice with eggs and vegetables. We thought it was so good we ordered several portions each, scarfing them all down. In retrospect, it was far from inconspicuous to be ordering all that food but at that point we didn't really care. But when it came time to pay, we realized that we had forgotten to bring any money. The lady in charge kept us there and made us scrub dishes, clean rooms, and haul boxes for two whole days." He was chuckling to himself once again. "Any time we tried to leave or explain who we were, she would just whack us with her broom and yell at us. To tell you the truth, I think Poe liked it. It's fair to say I learned a lot that over those two days."
He peered down at Rey who was fast asleep, breathing lightly. Kylo sent a wave of energy across the room, blowing all the candles out. The moonlight streamed into the room, casting a silvery light over Rey's peaceful face. He watched her for a long while, until he couldn't keep his eyes open any longer and he himself fell asleep.
