Rey looked bored as she considered the kneeling peddler's request. She drilled her fingers on the arm of the throne and crossed her legs under her floor length shimmering grey dress. The outer rims were in a constant state of flux and she did have the resources to be able to give them aid, but why should she? What did they ever do for her? Or for her husband their rightful ruler? She leaned forward in her throne, careful not to unbalance her ruby encrusted tiara carefully woven into her hair,
'I understand what you need and why you need it. I do not understand why you think the emperor and I should provide it. The outer rims have always been at war and you will remain at war until you can all accept that there is only one true leader.'
The peddler stood,
'But your highness please, I accept Kylo Ren...'
'Do not speak his name! You are not worthy to speak his name! You will address him as Emperor Ren.'
'I am sorry your highness. Please forgive my impertinence.'
'Kneel' Rey commanded.
The peddler complied.
Rey sighed. The war really was getting out of hand. She didn't understand why they were so outraged, it was just a little additional tax on their premises. Where did they think the new order got the money to keep churning out storm troopers? Now they were calling for a new government to be appointed and there were rumours that Kylo's right to rule was under threat...Rey's hand twitched for her lightsaber, it had been some time since she has engaged in battle. Not a fitting role for lady Ren.
Her temper cooled when she focused on her precious saber and recalled how she had come to acquire her new weapon. It had been a honeymoon gift from Kylo. They had chosen the crystal together and worked on the encasing for many nights in perfect harmony. Some of the most enjoyable days of her life, just the two of them working side by side and at night making love beneath the stars. Her blade, a brilliant orange blaze had a flicker of blue which marred its beauty and caused her some concern... but she was getting rather off track. She returned to the matter at hand.
The thought of Kylo had softened her mood somewhat and she took pity on the cowering peasant,
'Fine I will grant you the provisions you ask for and there will be an extension on the payments for you and the other business owners you mentioned. Make sure you speak of this and I want it made clear when you do that the house of Ren can be lenient when the occasion warrants it.'
'Yes I will thank you merciful empress.'
The peddler scuttled to his feet and disappeared through the large palace doors.
'Really my dear? You know that will make little difference to sway their opinions of me and peddlers are like stray dogs, more will come and beg for scraps from our table now.'
Rey smiled as her husband came towards her,
'I'm afriad my light side cannot always be ignored darling. Anyway, you should be dealing with this, where have you been?'
'I'm sorry but inspecting the troops took a lot longer than I had anticipated. Attention to detail is necessary so that Hux remembers that I will oversee everything. If I allow him to think he has an inch of power, we both know the damage he will do.'
The weight of their new positions fell heavily on Rey's shoulders all of a sudden,
'Kylo, is this the life we truly want? Having to prove ourselves time and time again? Prove our relationship is real? Prove we are strong? Prove we can lead the galaxy into a new era?'
'We knew it was never going to be easy my love, but it is necessary. We must show them the better path. By force if necessary. And no one will ever question our relationship unless they want to relinquish their limbs to me.'
Kylo held out his arms and Rey came to him. She held him close to her, breathing in his scent.
'I want to be with you more than anything, and the dark grows stronger in my everyday, but a part of me pulls to the light like a wilted flower longer for sustenance.'
Kylo kissed her forehead,
'Then I shall help you. I shall help you find the peace you seek.'
'When you are near me, it is easier. Everything seems more solid and real.'
Rey looked up at him and felt a flush of heat run through her. Kylo held her cheek in his hand and just as he moved his lips closer to hers...
'Hmmm hmmm!' Hux cleared his throat, 'sorry to interrupt...'
Kylo clenched his jaw, and turned to address their intruder,
'Give me a really good reason not to take my hand to your throat Hux.'
'We have had word from the outer rim. They are planning a rebellion. Our spies tell us, the peddler who was just here was on a reconnaissance mission.'
Rey balled her hands into fists,
'That lying little...'
'Shhhh, my dear. You were not to know.' Kylo soothed.
'Hux, he can't have travelled far. Send a ship after him and bring him back. Alive would be better so I can interrogate him but I will take his dead carcass if that is what he prefers.'
Hux nodded and left.
Rey turned to Kylo,
'What information could he possibly have collected? He spoke to me for ten minutes, the provisions he asked for where just food staples, no weapons or plans...'
Kylo took her hand and kissed it,
'Don't worry my dear, it will be routine information, layout of the palace, how many guards we have on duty, things we can very easily change. Let us wait and see if Hux can deliver him to us in one piece then you may have your revenge if you wish.'
Kylo turned, his black cloak swished as he stepped towards the throne and sat down. He put a finger to his head and looked skyward,
'Now I believe we were in the middle of something when we were so rudely interrupted... but I can't seem to recall what...'
Rey smirked and moved towards him, she yelped when he swiftly caught her around the waist and pulled her down into his lap.
'Ah Yes. Now I remember' ,he said as he dipped her slightly and captured her lips with a searing kiss. Rey sighed against his lips and whispered the words she knew he longed to hear,
'Kylo, I am yours body and soul.'
Kylo groaned,
'Rey, you will recall I have a first officers meeting in two minutes... I don't want to go in there...standing to attention...if you understand my meaning.'
Rey laughed loudly and Kylo basked in the sound.
'Okay emperor, off you go, but I want you all to myself tonight.'
'That is an easy promise to make. How could I possibly refuse my beautiful empress?' Kylo said as he kissed her once more.
Say it,' Rey demanded. She straddled Kylo on the four poster bed they shared together.
'Say it now.'
She dropped black wax from the candle she held onto Kylo's chest and he sucked in air sharply but held his jaw tight. Rey narrowed her eyes, she leaned forward and tightened the black silk scarves that she had used to fasten his hands to the bed frame. As she leaned Kylo was treated to a tempting view of her cleavage thrust upwards in the black tulle basque she wore.
'You will say it.'
'I won't.'
Rey growled and Kylo's eyes flashed at her. She poured more wax, creating a trail down to his manhood. Then she placed the candle down and without taking her eyes from his she put her hands around his shaft and moved slowly up and down. Kylo panted heavily as he watched her.
'Say it.' She repeated.
'Do my bidding and I will empress.'
He always had to be in control...
'As you wish.'
Rey smiled and licked her lips. She ran her tongue around the tip of his erection and then took him in her mouth. Kylo threw back his head and let out a shaky breath. It wasn't long before his release overwhelmed him and he called out what she had wanted to hear,
'Rey, I am yours... always.'
Rey looked at him smugly,
'Was that so difficult?'
'Difficult? Never. But if I said it right away I wouldn't have the pleasure of you torturing me. Would I?'
'Stubborn, insufferable man.'
'Stubborn, insufferable woman.'
Rey untied Kylo's hands, and he caught her off balance and threw her down onto the bed.
'Now you will do as I say sweet one.' He whispered in her ear, one hand holding her throat. Rey shot him a look loaded with promise,
'Let's see shall we?'
She goaded him and he kissed her hard and squeezed her neck a little tighter as she moaned and wrapped her legs around his waist.
Later while Rey slept, Kylo sat on the edge of the bed with his head in his hands. His fathers voice tortured him.
'Get out of my head.' He growled.
'I'm not going anywhere boy, I'm with you to the end.'
Kylo tried to ignore his heart hammering in his chest. There was still a little boy behind the mask that was glad his father was still with him. Kylo scratched at his veins. The pain distracted from the emotions he felt. It kept the boy in check, like a father punishing his son. Ironic.
'What are you doing Kylo? Rey is following you blindly because of her love for you. Is this what you want for her?'
'You don't get an opinion, father. Rey is mine as I am hers. The love we share is strong and binding. We will never betray each other now. We will rule and we will wipe out all those who appose us.'
'Careful now, you sound like the sith's of yore. Aren't you supposed to be of a new order?'
Kylo roared and cracked a mirror across the room.
Rey sat up startled by the noise,
'Kylo? What is it?' Realisation hit her as she searched his thoughts.
'Your father again. Nearly every night now. What can I do?'
Kylo didn't look at her, his eyes traced the line the crack in the mirror had created.
'Now that I have finally found myself someone who loves me, truly loves me, and won't reject me, he wants me to turn away from you. Send you back to those worthless rebels who aren't even worthy to breathe the same air as you. He wants me eternally alone. My suffering is his greatest pleasure.'
'You could send me away,'
Kylo shot her a rage filled stare.
'Let me finish! You could send me away, but we both know even when we are apart our hearts call out for one another. Distance doesn't dim our love, it just makes us long for each other more.'
'That is true, just as my heart called out to you so many times before.'
Kylo said as he put his forehead against hers.
'Until I couldn't ignore you anymore.'
They closed their eyes and felt the bond between them crackle.
'I wish I could rid myself of him.' kylo whispered.
Rey peppered his face with gentle kisses,
'We will find a way, my darling. Together we will find a way.'