Rey was transfixed by the sight before her, unwilling to blink and unable to stop herself from slowly dragging her tongue across her lips. Kylo stood in front of her, his upper half exposed, his toned body and six pack plain in sight and for Rey's hungry eyes only. They were in Maz's lagoon, blessedly naked, the beams of light cast by the moon making their wet bodies glisten and shimmer.
He was dazzling, nearly unreal. As if the gods themselves had painted Kylo's countenance, choosing all the most striking features to make up the most beautiful face Rey had laid her eyes upon. His piercing coffee eyes, his long aquiline nose, and full lips competing to be the loveliest. His body on the other hand was sculpted, chiseled and defined.
Kylo reached both hands up and ran his hands through his wet hair, combing the locks back into a sleek look that reminded Rey of a greaser. She couldn't help but notice the way his arms flexed when he did that, his chest expanding, muscles rippling.
Rey herself was exposed to him as well but it was no issue, nothing could take her mind away from Kylo, the tension between them so thick she could cut it.
She stepped forward the few steps it took to close the gap between them. His eyes narrowed, darkening as his pupils dilated and he took in a shaky breath. Rey felt the same uncontrollable excitement run through her, all sorts of anticipation consuming her every nerve.
Kylo pulled his hand out of the water, and tentatively reached out with his long fingers to run a finger over Rey's jaw then brought it down slowly passed her neck, lingering at the collar bone, lower and lower. His finger left a blaze in its wake. Rey's breath hitched when his finger caressed the side of her breast, her nipples hardening at the contact.
His eyes travelled along the course he drew across her skin, admiring every inch. He ran his thumb over her right breast and made sure to watch her reaction. It did not disappoint- her eyes seemed to go unfocused for a moment as her pupils expanded to almost entirely consume her gold irises.
Everything in her craved more, more of his body, his touch. Rey wanted to show Kylo she loved him just as much as he did. All thoughts of waiting, of not being ready, had vanished.
She reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck. The pressed their foreheads together, still not breaking eye contact. Kylo made soothing circular motions up and down Rey's back, sending shivers down her body. Every touch went straight to stoking the growing fire between her thighs.
Things started to grow hazy for Rey but it wasn't the usual sense of being intoxicated off of Kylo's presence. No, this was something else. She felt like she was fading away and she tightened her hold on Kylo.
It dawned on her that she was waking up and she looked at Kylo, panicked, worry and confusion painting his face in response. That's when she fully pressed her body against his, relishing in the touch even if it felt like half of the contact wasn't there. Maybe she could hold on if only for just a little longer…
However, it was no use- she was painfully aware of the otherwise empty bed she found herself in. Disappointment crashed over Rey and she groaned and rolled over, frustrated it was all just a dream. A wonderful, exquisite dream and her surface to reality had felt like a punch to the gut, leaving her winded.
A pool had formed between her legs as warm as the shallow lagoon where they had stood memorizing every inch of each other's bodies. Rey discovered she had a more than advanced imagination, the details of his muscled body seemed so real, so defined.
She couldn't help her body which called out for more of Kylo's touch. He had apologized profusely about having to get up early on her birthday, wishing he could stay with her, but he insisted it would be worth it and he would visit with breakfast. He instructed her to just stay in bed once she got up and wait for her first gifts of the day.
In truth Kylo seemed more excited to give Rey gifts than Rey was to receive so she was letting him have his way. It hadn't escaped Rey's attention that Kylo seemed to be working at his desk in the middle of the night each night for the past week. What he was working on she wasn't sure but she suspected it had something to do with her birthday so she would roll over and go back to sleep.
It was hard to focus on that when her body was wound up so tight that she was experiencing mild pain. Rey hadn't realized that women could get so… hard.
She couldn't resist the temptation to satisfy that itch and hoped that Kylo wouldn't be back soon because she had to take care of the ache she felt. Rey shimmied her soaked underwear off from under her tunic that she slept in and adjusted her position on her back. She pulled her feet back so her knees were in the air and spread them, feeling the cooler morning breeze hit her.
She had only done this once before just to try it and hadn't had the urge to try again since. Now everything in her being was screaming at her to proceed. Unsure of herself but determined to find release, she gave the door one final glance before reaching down. The risk of Kylo walking in actually added to the thrill, a fact that Rey was surprised to realize.
She let out a small gasp upon contact- she was soaked. With two fingers, she explored the opening that was so tightly wound right now, the source of her ache. Rey massaged her fingers there for a moment, getting them lathered before reaching her index finger in.
Yes, the stretch. That was the exact relief she sought, and she immediately got to work, slipping her finger in and out while twirling it ever so slightly. She found that the crook of a finger would send little jolts through her body that culminated into a coil being wound tighter and tighter deep in her belly. It quickly was not enough and she added another finger, unable to help the little moans escaping her lips.
Her thumb brushed over her clit and she bucked involuntarily, finding the sensation to be absolutely divine. Rey quickly pulled her two fingers out and moved them up to her clit, focusing all the attention there. Her breathing sped up, breaths becoming shallower as the circling of her fingers brought her higher and higher to the peak.
Her left hand crept up to her left breast of its own accord. Rey did to herself what Kylo had done in the dream and she pretended it was him squeezing her, pleasuring her. She could hear him murmuring her name, she loved the way he said her name, how his deep timbre caressed and softened just to say the simple syllable that was Rey.
It did not take long for Rey to unravel, finding her climax while picturing those haunting black eyes of the man she loved. The haze that had settled over Rey clouded her mind. All she felt was satisfied to have gotten rid of the ache, completely blissed out by the orgasm.
"Rey?" Kylo's gentle voice pulled at Rey's consciousness, and she followed its call. She wouldn't be the least bit shocked if that was always the case with him.
Rey stirred out of the slumber she had slipped into, surprised that she had fallen back asleep in the first place.
"Hey," she rasped, her voice a whisper and thick with sleep.
He had set a tray of food down on the bed next to where he sat, feet on the ground. He smiled down at her and pushed a few strands of hair away from her forehead affectionately. His smile was upturned on a side and there was a certain smugness in his eyes, Rey could tell. "Happy birthday, Rey. Good morning?"
Rey decided he was definitely smirking but over what she could not tell and decided to ignore it. Maybe he was just extremely pleased with himself over the gifts he had gotten her. "Was that a question? I just woke up."
"You sure? Then what are those?" He pointed over at the panties, still laying in all of their pheromone soaked glory. A blush tore across her face like a wildfire in the savanna, but she refused to be embarrassed. She was sixteen now, it was damn time she took control of her sexuality.
She rolled her eyes and moved to get past him, placing her feet on the cool stone ground but before she could stand up, he took quick hold of her right hand and brought her fingers up to his nose. "Smells wonderful, Rey." He voice came out deep and thick, immediately undoing the work Rey had done, the coil tightening once again.
She gulped and slowly pulled back her hand. "How about those gifts?" Her voice was barely above a whisper, Kylo's hypnotic eyes entrancing her again. He took pity on her and broke into another smirk.
"I've got them right over here." Rey padded over to her wall. Kylo had outdone himself, getting more creative than Rey could've anticipated with the design of his first gift. The wall they had installed was two layers, the under layer being a thick wall of abalone.
Covering it was a thin layer of black resin that was easily scratched off with any knife and that's exactly what Rey did each morning. She loved the way the tallies look as the exposed abalone always brought a new mesmerizing pattern of dancing lights and color. Rey loved to
Rey would've been satisfied with just that gift but Kylo insisted that she allow him his fun. Besides, she was bound to receive half a hundred gifts from the guests attending her party that evening, she might as well get used it.
Once Rey finished making her tally and had brushed off the scratched off resin, she turned around to see Kylo holding a relatively large sized box, it was flat like the ones necklaces come in. He held it out in front of her.
"Go ahead, open it." She gingerly reached out and opened the box. Inside was a headband and a bridle, each exquisite, displaying superb craftsmanship, even Rey's untrained eye could tell. The belts for each was made of a leather woven and embroidered with gold strands. Large black gems encrusted every other inch.
"It's the same gold as Niima's sun and the jewels are actually obsidian, to remind the world that you control the fate of war. It matches the one I wear into battle, like other commanders. I thought BB8 would like one too." He looked at her curiously, trying to gauge her reaction.
"Kylo, they're wonderful." And she meant it, gold and black were becoming her new colors and she couldn't be more honored that he had this made for her to wear in battle by his side. "Thank you for thinking of BB8. Can we go try it on her?" she asked with a nervous smile. At this point, everyone was aware of the deep bond between Rey and her palomino; she spent at least an hour a day just talking to the horse. For whatever reason, BB8's neighs seemed to be half of a conversation with Rey, with just looks even she would communicate, and as if she was fluent in horse-speak, Rey would understand.
For that reason, there was no way Kylo wasn't going to make BB8 one to match Rey, knowing Rey would be happiest that her and the palomino could match. He chuckled, also completely aware that Rey would want to share her gift with BB8 immediately.
"Of course, in fact I thought we could all go for a ride, if you'd like that."
"We could all?"
"Yeah, you, me, BB8, and Silencer of course. But eat a little first." His grin was disarmingly charming and Rey felt relief course through her, happy that it would just be the two of them.
Her smile confirmed everything and they got ready to go. Several days had passed since their trip to Maz's oasis. Since then, Kylo and Rey had both become considerably stronger riders, especially due to the assistance of a saddle. Kylo enjoyed it as much as Rey had and they often raced each other though BB8 and Rey would typically win those, an unstoppable duo.
They took food and a blanket for a picnic and rode out to a gorgeous garden Oola had apparently created alongside the nearby river, one of the easier places for her to do such a thing and maintain it.
They spent a good portion of the day lounging there with the horses roaming freely nearby. Eventually they returned to Kylo's palace to get ready for Rey's party. She bathed, this time letting Paige and Rose help her. All the way the two girls gossiped about a few of the nobles that were attending the party. The more they spoke, the more Rey felt a worry build up inside her, gnawing at her insides and killing any appetite she may have had.
All these strangers were coming to see her and they were expecting some goddess, an expectation she greatly worried would not be met by her. She tried to center herself, breathing deeply and trying to let the rest fade away.
After her bath, the sisters helped her get ready. Despite their great protest, Rey insisted that they dress her in her usual white tunic and style her hair in its three buns, if they wanted to add some braids here and there for their benefit, then fine. It's her birthday she told them, she should be allowed to do what she wants.
Kylo met Rey in the reception area of the party. Rey was fashionably late to her own party, mainly because the girls had spent so much time lathering her up in different scents and adding extra braids and jewelry, something Rey had regretfully put them in charge of so she allowed it.
Kylo's smile was breathtaking as he took her in, his eyes ran over the headband she wore, the one he had given her earlier that day. Even though it was intended for battle, Rey made it look so much more sexy as if it was the height of fashion, It was the only tame thing about her and Kylo drank her in.
He wore his in hopes that she would as well, and he was not disappointed. The leather of his headband was black and adorned with rubies so deeply colored and dense that they would appear black if not for the already black background setting them off. It was very Kylo, Rey thought to herself, once again proud that she and he wore something that marked them as partners.
"Ah Rey, this is my brother, Del." He indicated at the man of equal height at his side, with hazel eyes and light brown hair and laugh lines that had found a home upon his friendly face. He was handsome, and Rey pinned him at around thirty.
"So, this is the lovely Niima, I'm so pleased to meet you." He flashed a bright smile and extended his hand out to Rose who blushed a deep crimson.
"Excuse me, brother, this is Niima." He placed a gentle hand on the small of Rey's back. As much as Rey had been proud of herself for sticking to who she was and wearing her usual attire, she could not help the sheer embarrassment at being overlooked by Kylo's supposed closest brother.
It stung deep in her gut and at the back of her throat, but she swallowed it down, trying to appear unfazed by Del's mistake. "It's nice to meet you too. This is Rose Tico and right over there is her sister Paige." Paige was off chatting with one of the ladies from the kitchen staff.
"No way! Rose, I had hardly recognized you. Good to see you. Pardon me if I offended you, Princess Rey. It's just…" His carefree tone and lazy smile charmed Rey and she shook her head with a smile to let him know not to worry.
"Yeah, if Rey would just for once wear a dress then maybe she wouldn't be mistaken for staff anymore."
"Hey that happened just once!"
Twice Rose mouthed with her lips at Del and they all burst out laughing, Rey nodding to admit that it was true.
That laughter was cruelly interrupted by the icy scoff of an evil queen Rey had been trying hard not to think about on her special day. Admittedly, she had succeeded and was unpleasantly reminded of Ventress existence. Even worse, Rey could tell that scoff was directed at her as the queen was making quick work of making her way to their group.
"What is this? A disgrace!" Her crystal clear voice rang high and loud for the entire reception to hear, and they did, quieting down almost immediately to watch the scene unfold between the queen and the goddess. "How dare you come to this event like this? The King throws you a personal party and you disgrace us with this outfit. Have you no shame? No etiquette?" she snarled, the sneer splatted plain across her face, enjoyment clear in her eyes.
"Now, now, mother. It's Rey's birthday and she can dress as she likes."
"Ha! As if! What is it, Kylo? Too cheap to provide gowns to your princess? Haven't taught her respect yet? I'm sorry but I cannot allow her to enter this banquet dressed like that." She feigned disgust, raking her eyes over Rey's figure.
Kylo started to protest once again but Rey put her hand up to stop him. "She's right."
As much as she hated to admit it, Ventress had a point. Rey was Kylo's only chosen concubine; anything Rey did, good or bad, reflected on the prince. If she wanted to ensure that he remained a worthy candidate for Crown Prince in the eyes of the council then she would have to work on her appearance and social standing, even if she didn't believe in any of it.
At the very least, at the King's Palace she should have made herself more presentable to avoid any criticism towards Kylo. She swallowed her pride and accepted her mistake.
Paige was there in an instant, by Rey's side, giving the queen a deathly stare as she muttered, "I planned ahead for this. Come with me, Princess."
Paige pulled Rey away and Rose followed. Del muttered to Kylo about how things around here haven't changed and both of them watched Ventress with cold eyes. As soon as Rey was gone, she announced that the party was to begin and that all should make their way into the banquet room.
Kylo had half a mind to tell her that this was Rey's celebration, not hers but he decided it would be pointless and downright foolish. No need to start a conflict, especially on Rey's big day. He was still worried about Rey and her feelings. Besides, it was plain painful to see her agree with Ventress.
Instead he and Del took their seats at the head of the room where the Royal family had situated themselves. A variety of people were standing around, nobles who had come to see a goddess, tables of food as well as waiters carrying trays were being picked at by the guests and the chatter swelled in the room.
Kylo and Del discussed the growing conflict with the Western Reaches along the political line between the two empires. Since their father's reign, Rim had expanded to almost twice its size from successful campaigns carried out by Han and Luke with Leia's advice to guide them through.
Inner conflict in Rim like the one in Hays Minor had left some of Rim's territory more vulnerable for the taking and that did not go unnoticed by the Western Reaches. Battle along the borderline was at this point inevitable, it was a matter of when, not if.
Rim operated under a feudal system meaning it was the King's responsibility to hold the loyalties of each city or risk losing them to another superpower. It was now Kylo's responsibility to carry out the campaigns enforcing the King's order and he felt the weight of his lineage upon his shoulders.
Suddenly the room went quiet and Kylo turned to see that Paige had entered the banquet hall, the curtain entrance falling back into its place behind. "I give you Princess Rey Niima, sole concubine to Prince Kylo and champion of light, Goddess of War and Beauty." She bowed her head ceremoniously and raised her head to survey the room who waited in anticipation.
The silence dragged on and Paige looked momentarily panicked before turning around and going out the way she came, the curtain ruffling once again. The whole room could hear Paige and Rose trying to convince Rey to step out. "Rey, get out there," Paige gritted through her teeth. The chattering resumed, each conversation centered around Rey.
From their side of the room, Del turned to Kylo with that easy going smile of his. "It seems your princess is a little shy. Seems like she could use a little encouragement."
Kylo chuckled from his seat and watched his beloved brother get up and walk to the entrance, equally amused that the girl Rey who so fearlessly rode into battle was too shy to be seen in an elegant dress.
Del poked his upper body through the curtain and gently tugged Rey into the room by the hand.
Her slender hand and arm, heavily adorned with bangles of gold and silver, were revealed first, then her long, toned leg poked out next, exposed from the slit in her dress. She was once again barefoot but her ankles were covered in bangles as well, matching her wrists. When Rey stepped out in full, the room went completely silent, only the clinging of her bangles rang.
She was glowing, the sisters had put her in Grecian style dress of sheer, dull gold. It cinched at the waist, with a band of fabric running around her neck and over each breast, leaving little to the imagination, the neckline dipping to her belly button and her entire back exposed. At the waist, the dress flowered into a few light layers of shimmering gold, the middle layer being silver, with a large slit running down from the right hip down, a sun medallion where the fabric parted.
It was one of the many exquisite displays of Rimmian fashion that Kylo had stocked in Rey's wardrobe early on, believing that the girl would be infatuated with the finery and garb. He could not be any more wrong about that. He had rather liked that she had no interest in such things, opting to dress simply everyday.
Still, Rey had converted into a goddess before his eyes. The sisters had added a faint purple to her usually pink lips. The centerpiece of their masterful transformation was Rey's eyes, which Paige had surrounded with a glittery gold liquid shadow, painted on like a mask around her eyes.
Rose, the genius that she was, had simply let Rey's hair down and undid the braids before mussing it up some, the braids having added waves in some sections of her hair. Rose noticed Finn and Poe who were both nodding in approval, their expressions conveying that they had had their doubts. Rose stuck out her tongue at the two men and received a few kisses blown her way in return. They held her gaze longer than they should, and oh. Oh my, Rose thought and tucked that exchange away for later.
Kylo's breathing stopped altogether and his mouth went immediately dry. He knew Rey was lovely, even if the rest of the world struggled to see that, he had since the beginning. But now… all the inner-beauty, all the magic that Kylo had gotten to know as simply Rey was on the outside, screaming at the world to pay attention. Suddenly, he wanted to take Rey and lock her up where he and only he could reach, see her, touch her, smell her, and breathe her in. Experience her magic. Her light.
And her hair… Kylo couldn't help but think she looked thoroughly fucked, her hair wild around the headband he had gifted her. His cock half hardened and he found himself readjusting in his seat slightly.
Rey could hear people whispering about her, she caught a few words like 'stunning,' 'gorgeous,' even 'goddess's beauty.' She couldn't help the blush painting her freckles crimson, but found relief in the fact that half the room seemed to be affected by her entrance in equally embarrassing ways.
Del was certainly one of them. He stuttered for a moment before breathing out the word, 'Niima.' All playfulness was gone as he drank in the young princess's beauty just like the rest. He quickly refocused before proceeding to lead her down the steps into the room.
Rey stepped on the hem of her long dress and she slipped, losing balance on the steps. Del was quick to react, grabbing her middle to steady her. A faint pink shade had started to color his cheek but he recovered quickly and let her go.
The action did not go unnoticed by the dark prince. Not at all. His eyes had narrowed in on the contact between his girl and his brother like a hawk zeroes in on its prey.
From her place in the room, Ventress watched Kylo's dark expression with a knowing smirk.
Rey did not disappoint as usual. While some of the spectators may have briefly snickered, she grabbed her skirt, freeing her hand from Del's, and turned her chin upward, zeroing in on Kylo with her cat like gaze. He gulped and his cock twitched. Her gaze was chaos impending and he could not be more drawn in.
She marched right over, past the queen and all the gossip, straight up to Kylo's seat. No one had commanded the room before as Rey had in that moment, her strut sophisticated and stirring. He looked up at her in reverence, in supplication, as she halted right in front of him, staring down at him with narrowed golden eyes.
"Kylo," she spat. "You are getting me my own dress designer because I'll be damned if I wear one of these again. ASAP!"
Rey had never seen him so fearful, his eyes wide and attentive, afraid to miss any moment or detail of what he saw or heard. "ASAP?" He sounded like a desperate boy learning the ropes to pleasing his passion.
"As soon as possible!" Rey huffed and internally resigned. There was no changing the fact that she was so exposed, so physically revealed in front of her Prince that her imagination could only run wild as it had that morning. Her heart thrummed uncontrollably, the adrenaline of having so many eyes following her coursing through her body.
Kylo could tell that there was no serious threat coming from Rey. Standing, he invaded her space, stepping to look down right at her, so her raised chin was no longer a sign of strength but a necessity she had to accentuate. "Of course, my princess," he breathed, the heat going straight to Rey's head, blurring the lines once again.
Eyes locked, he leaned forward slowly, and Rey's breathed hitched, believing that he was going to take her lips right there and then- perhaps even more based on the hunger in his eyes. And she would let him. She resisted the shiver that threatened to run through her body. "Rey, join me," he whispered, his hot breath shooting down to her core. "The balcony."
Kylo grabbed her hand and led her through the crowd- it parted ways for them. They had all resumed their chatter, many of them directing it towards Rey and Kylo once again, but he did not appear fazed by their constant attention. So, Rey tried to calm her face, bringing an air of nonchalant-ness to her actions and ignoring any attempts to talk by guests, keeping her gaze fixed ahead.
A warm Jakku breeze hit Rey's exposed skin, almost a caress and she wondered if Kylo had something to do with that. He was unabashedly dragging his gaze down Rey's figure, a coy smile formed on his lips.
"You've got me all curious, Kylo. What is it? Everything okay?"
"More than okay. It's wonderful. May I say, you look ravishing. Why don't you like the dress?"
"It's nice, I just think I could come up with something more practical but still beautiful. I want to bring some of my homeworld's fashion to Rim's so I need a designer to help. That way I don't alienate myself from the people. Figure it'll piss off Ventress if I become a fashion icon. Besides, Rose and Paige will love it."
"You continue to surprise me, Rey."
"Oh, Kylo, come on, you're killing me here. What did you bring me out here for?" She wasn't actually worried, just extremely curious.
"A present. This one is really special because I made it myself." He pulled out a small black book from within his sleeve. It fit in the palm of Rey's hand, was elegantly bound, and by the look of it contained at least fifty pages, maybe even a hundred.
Rey turned the cover to the first page and saw a tiny black dot, she turned the next page and there was barely a line in the same place the dot had been. She looked up at Kylo, perplexed.
"It's a movie, Rey." Okay, now she was really confused. "Here, watch."
Kylo moved to stand behind Rey and wrapped his long arms around her, taking the book into his hand. Holding the binding with his left hand, he flipped the pages with his right thumb.
They flew by quickly, and Rey's heart skipped a beat. It took mere seconds for the book to be over but her world seemed to stand still, seconds stretching into a blissful eternity.
The small dot from the first page bloomed into the most elegantly drawn heart Rey had ever seen, as if they had invented a heart in Edwardian Script and Kylo had printed it out. Impeccably precise, the curve of the lines he drew so meticulously weaved artfully in swirls and arches, thickening and thinning along the way.
This is what he had been awake doing, she realized, all those nights he was painting his confession of love, thinking of her, drawing inspiration from just the sight of her, her chest rising and falling evenly as she slept peacefully. Rey couldn't remember a time she had ever felt so moved, so overwhelmed that her heart nearly ached. Tears welled in her eyes and Kylo watched on, deeply satisfied.
"I love you too," she whispered, her voice choked up. She raised up to the balls of her feet and their lips met, brushing lightly and sweetly. "My new favorite movie. Can I see it again?" He chuckled and did as he was bid, resting his head on her shoulder.
Eventually they reluctantly rejoined the party out of respect to all the guests, though Rey would much rather be alone with Kylo. Dresses swirled around the room as partners danced, the song playing uplifting and fast paced. Rey realized with horror that Kylo was leading her to the dance floor when the King himself stepped in their path.
"Hold it. Sorry, son, but I insist I get the first dance with the lady of the night." He took Rey's hand and kissed it slowly and Kylo huffed, pushing Rey into a fit of giggles.
"Why, of course, good sir." Much to the prince's chagrin, Rey allowed herself to be led the rest of the way by his father. He couldn't help his eyes from travelling down her back to admire her shapely behind, but was quickly caught when Rey turned around quickly to flash him a quick wink. He resumed his appreciation of Rey's ass.
Han got a dance before could Kylo cut in but once again was quickly interrupted, this time by Del. Resentfulness itched at the back of his brain, especially since Rey spent most of that dance cracking up at Del's jokes.
He pushed those thoughts away, shoving them down and locking it in the cage where he kept the beast inside at bay. It wasn't wise to keep feeding that beast, one day it would break out and be too strong to contain.
Prince Chewie and Rey did a quick jive-like dance with one another, howling in laughter the entire time. Kylo could not keep his eyes off Rey all night, he clapped and cheered their antics on and most of the room paused to watch their dance. Chewie lifted Rey in the air for their big finale and spun her around, her laughter contagious, infectious. Even Luke got a dance in with Rey, though they mainly spent the time talking rather awkwardly, asking getting to know you questions.
Dancing was not something Rey knew she was good at or even enjoyed that much until then, but it was thrilling, she felt oddly like a goddess for the first time in her life. She felt the beams of light and life that seemed to emanate from her, and for once she believed she might actually be special.
She was ready for a break though, and saw Kylo and Del talking on the sidelines, both with a cup of wine each. Rey grabbed an empty glass from a table and made her way over, figuring she could catch the attention of one of the many waitresses serving wine from marble pitchers.
"Nice moves, Rey. Gotta ask though, what was this?"
Rey burst out laughing, "That's the sprinkler."
"The what?"
She huffed, she really needs to watch what she says or risk people think she is suffering a stroke and muttering gibberish. "It's a dance I made up," she offered.
"Smooth," he jested, sarcasm clearly animating his voice. "Oh, perfect timing." A woman with a wine pitcher had approached, it struck Rey as odd that she was not smiling like the rest of the attendants but waved it off. Still, the dead look in her eyes was unsettling.
Summer wine spilled into his chalice and he gave her a warm smile.
"May I as well?" Rey offered her cup to the woman but she just stared back.
"Sorry Princess, but that was the last of it. I must go refill it now," she said then turned on her heel and left. Another lady was quickly there to fill Rey's cup and they made a toast among the three of them to Rey.
Kylo relaxed some after watching the innocent interaction between Del and Rey, happy that she and he were getting along so well. It was no worry though, Rey won every heart she encountered.
Ventress watched from the corner of the room, the sole person who recognized how Prince Del's eyes had glazed over, not from drinking but the cursed water taking effect, her plan in motion.
After the party, Rey decided to take another bath since she had to wash her face anyway. A little relaxation would help unwind from the party. She started to remove the many bangles around her wrists when she heard the curtain of the bathroom's entrance rustle.
Del was there, staring at her with hungry, cold eyes, pupils dilated to the point of almost being invisible. Rey immediately knew something was off and started to back away, trying to get to the window.
She only made it two steps before Del seized her and she started to struggle demanding he stop, but he would not, his grip around her iron tight. His hand traveled into her top, cupping her breast and squeezing. Rey yelped and threw her weight around in an effort to escape but it was useless.
"KYLO! KY- mmnnmm!" Del planted a hand over her mouth, muffling her scream.
Kylo, Rose, and Finn burst into the room.
"Del, what is the meaning of this?" Rey tried to tell him he was possessed but she couldn't get the words out with Del silencing her.
While Kylo's mind was clouded with the fury of catching his brother's hand in Rey's dress, Finn figured it out quickly. "He's being controlled, Kylo."
"Brother, this girl. I must have her. Please, you have not married her, let me have her." He backed away, dragging Rey with him to the windows. "If I can't, no one can." His hand left her breasts and went to her neck and Kylo understood that that was a threat.
The beast inside reared its head and Kylo did everything in his power from lunging at Del, but he couldn't risk Rey's safety. "Fuck! He's serious."
Utterly powerless, Kylo was forced to watch Del hoist Rey up until his shoulder and hop out the window. Just like that, he felt his heart had been torn away, the dread of losing her again washed over him once again. It was crippling.
"Put the palace on lockdown. We must not let Del get far." The beast inside roared, scratching and ravaging him from the inside, his thoughts racing as they made their way to the gates. It took everything in his power not to black out in rage or as Poe put it 'red out.'
It also took everything in his power not to strangle the gate attendants who let Del escape but he spoke to them calmly albeit through gritted teeth. "Did you see where they went?"
"South, your highness. And..." Sweat beaded and ran down the guards face and he gulped audibly.
"Spit it out," Kylo barked. Time was precious and any wasted meant more distance put between Rey and him.
"I'm afraid he cut the horses loose."
