AN : thanks to my 3 reviewers from last chapter, it means the world to me guys. Chapter 3 is here, and even though there's still a lot of descriptions in this one, I promise you some action soon. : )
Anticipation boiled up in his body as his starship landed on Starkiller base. The familiar sound of the hatch opening made him rise from his seat. He hadn't seen her in two weeks.
He felt cold, he felt hot. His body was itching like a snake was crawling underneath his skin. All because today would be a very special day. A day, if he was being honest, he would likely remember for the rest of his life.
Today he would kill her. No matter what.
That certainty was making his breathing uneven and his palms sweaty. After today, there would be no more her. No one to defy him.
He'd been almost relieved when an urgent matter had erupted at the other end of the galaxy, the very morning after he'd invaded her dreams. He'd jumped at the opportunity for some distance; a chance to regain his focus.
Last night he'd conferred with his master after completing his mission successfully. He could sense Snoke was becoming weary of her and would soon order him to kill her anyway. By doing it now, he would be one step ahead of his master's wants.
Staying away from her had been the best medicine. He felt like himself again, no longer poisoned by her light. He'd been cold, precise and ruthless on his mission, letting his connection to the Dark side consume him. His success had been complete, re-enforcing his resolve to be rid of her. No mercy for you now, girl.
He marched directly from his ship to the prison area. He wouldn't wait, wouldn't allow himself to be swayed. Hux probably wanted to hear about his mission, but that vapid uninteresting man could wait.
He could practically see it when he closed his eyes. It would be just like in her dreams, he wouldn't hesitate to strike, to end her in one swift move. He would turn his back on her empty shell without a second glance. He would let the soldiers dispose of her body and wash the stain of her blood from the floor. And I won't regret it afterwards.
He entered her quarters with his hand placed on his saber. Elation at the thought of being freed from her presence rose in him. Finally, this would be over with. He turned on her manacles switch, wanting to intimidate her before the end, to see fear and hatred in her eyes. This would fully replenish his strength, and he would stop feeling so fucking weak.
She cried out in surprise at being jolted up unto the wall as he looked at her for the first time in fifteen days. He was totally unprepared for the look she sent his way. Like she was… relieved to see him? The fleeting expression melted into a scowl soon enough, but it unnerved him.
Her now familiar voice invaded his mind.
You're here, she said telepathically, and he thought she almost sounded... glad.
Rey was anxious to know if he could hear her. She wasn't sure before now her practice had mounted to something but from the way his back stiffened at her greeting, she had her answer.
He was taken aback by her new ability. She really was a natural at this. As much as he would have loved to be the reason her skills were improving, she'd learned this new trick entirely by herself. His resolved waivered for a second and his hand dropped from the weapon. Was it a mistake to end this now, without Snoke's direct approval? Especially if the girl was showing more aptitude with the Force.
She caught his movement, understanding what it meant and a stinging coldness crept up her spine. He meant to kill her today, probably pissed she'd seen his face when he didn't intend her to. Her heart sank in her chest at the realization and her lips trembled, goosebumps appearing on her skin, making her shiver. No, she chastised herself, biting her lips hard. She would not give him the satisfaction to steal even one tear from her. She stared defiantly at him as he closed in on her, entering her side of the cell. Her heart was ringing in her ears. Her chest was now heaving, her breathing ragged as adrenaline rushed through her despite her desire to stay calm, to emote nothing but cold hatred.
He hadn't been that close to her in weeks. He noticed her skin was whiter than when they'd first met, her tan disappearing as the weeks went by. His attention diverted to her hair, loose around her face. He'd never seen her hair this way, it made her look even more like a girl. Innocent.
Hell, he was leaning in so close now he could even see her pores and smell her scent.She still smelled like sun and sand, like the desert that had sculpted her into the strong, proud and resourceful woman she was. Like a rare flower stubbornly blooming against all odds, despite the scorching sun and blazing heat of a wasteland that had destroyed all the others. One in a million.
Hey stormy eyes were searching his underneath the mask, like she was daring him to end this macabre game. He let his gaze roam over her some more, her resolve to stay brave until the end so poignant, he could practically taste it on his tongue.
Why don't you get rid of the mask? Truth is: I would love to spit on your face before you kill me.
Her inner voice reverberate through his skull, a sharp hostility thickening it.
His stomach churned as he contemplated igniting the saber, the impending victory feeling hollow. He'd tried to ignore her magnetic pull, to rationalize it as a need to consume her light, desperate to see it as something evil. Now, he wasn't sure if ending her life would bring him joy. Killing her meant he failed his task to corrupt her. Was giving up a sign of strength, after all?
I can always kill her tomorrow, he sighed to himself, making up his mind to wait and taking a step back, the tension in his body evaporating. I wasn't going to kill you, he lied, whispering into her mind.
She sensed his change of mood. Gosh, you're such a bad liar. You want to kill me because I saw your real face, she chided, trying to conceal her relief.
It annoyed him immensely that she was right.
Why would it matter to me that you saw my face? He mused.
I know, it makes no fucking sense, but you're still hiding behind the mask, right? She mocked, a satisfied smirk appearing on her lips.
Anger rushed through him at her snide words, mostly driving him crazy because they were true. Fuck this! Fuck her! Fuck everything! Oh damn it! Fine.
"Here, happy?" He asked as he discarded his mask, letting it fall to the ground with a thud.
Her eyes widened, surprise registering on her face. She was shocked, but not by his appearance. She could remember his traits as clearly as her own after that dream. His unruly raven hair, his pale skin; his tight jaw. No, it was his voice that shook her. It was different now that it was free from the artificial metallic tones. Undeniably softer. She understood better why he wore the mask; his boyish appearance added to his low silky voice did not amount to a very threatening presence.
She relaxed a little against her restraints as he coincidentally flipped the switch off. Surprised by the sudden freedom, she fell forward and before he could stop himself, he reached out to steady her. She grabbed his arm instinctively. The contact only lasted a few seconds, both of them recoiling at the unexpected touch. She shuddered in revulsion as he caught himself wondering how her skin would feel beneath his bare fingers.
She went around him to put some distance between them, wishing he would leave so she could massage her wrists. They were stinging like hell.
He didn't move to leave though, the atmosphere in the room heavier by the second as she desperately tried not to look directly at him, the energy coming off of him weird and unfamiliar.
Where were you? She finally asked to try and break the tension.
Around. You practiced while I was gone.
I did.
Does that mean you're ready to be taught? His inner tone was detached, she could tell he already knew her answer.
Not by you. She started as she finally relented, their eyes connecting, staring deep into each other for the first time in real life. Never by you, she added, her distaste palpable, her throat constricting in disgust at the thought that these beautiful eyes belonged to the man that would kill her.
My Master's patience has its limits you know.
I know.
I will kill you when he orders me to.
I know. Her lips pressed together, forming a grim line. She knew he would kill her when instructed to. He may have looked like man, but his soul was all black. She knew she must have imagined the hint of regret glazing over his last thought.
To General Hux, spying on their exchange from his newly installed camera screen, it seemed like they were just staring at each other like always. The chatter in their heads was theirs and theirs alone. A secret. A dangerous game.
Elmo13