The Sands of Jakku

A Newer World

"A romantic interest?" Kylo asked, a grin on his face.

Rey dropped her head and blushed down at the ground. Her heart hammered uncomfortably in her chest.

Kylo offered her his arm, and to be polite, she took it. She still couldn't meet his gaze. Instead she stared down at their feet as they make their way through the palace halls.

"There's nothing to be ashamed of, princess," Kylo said, stopping and turning her to face him as they stood just beyond the doorway to the gardens. "Is that not why you're here? To get to know me better before our families unite?"

Rey blushed down at her feet, refusing to meet Kylo's gaze. Kylo had other ideas, however. He placed his fingers under her chin, tilting her head upwards to meet his gaze.

"There's nothing to be ashamed of, Reya." He used her name without her title and it made her chest feel tight.

"Call me Rey," she said before she could talk herself out of it. Kylo grinned down at her.

"Rey," he said delicately, moving his hand to cup her cheek. The whole dynamic changed between them in an instant. Kylo watched her in a strange way.

"Rey," Kylo said again, bending slightly to move himself closer to her. "I would like to kiss you if you will allow it."

Obi-Wan had done nothing to prepare her for this. She supposed, based on Finn's testimony, Obi-Wan thought she would never find herself in a situation like this. Both Obi-Wan and Finn were wrong.

"Yes."

A week was all it had taken to break her. Normally she would have the good sense to feel embarrassed, but she couldn't think of anything beyond him moving towards her. His hand still cupped her cheek, her own settling on his chest. In the distance she could hear the running water of the garden fountain. She couldn't think of anywhere better to experience her first kiss.

His lips found hers, her eyes fluttering closed. She felt a weakness in her spine, warmth spreading from her chest outward. Her hands rose to cradle the back of Kylo's neck. His own hands traveled over her back and settled at her waist to pull her closer to him. She sighed against his mouth, moving to stand on her toes to be closer to him.

Kylo pressed her to the wall closest to them, his body against hers. Rey struggled to deepen the kiss, wanting more of him. He obliged her, gathering the fabric of her gown and pushing it upwards until she could wrap her bare legs around his waist.

She did this without question, wrapping herself around him and raking her nails along his back. They kissed like that for a while, both of them acting like they were starved for affection.

When Kylo moved his hips against hers, Rey gasped and pulled away, the sensation too much. They regarded each other for a moment, lips swollen, hair mussed, and cheeks tinted pink.

The she pushed against his chest lightly, and he stepped back to free her from beneath him. She felt embarrassed immediately, her cheeks burning red at the thought of what she had done.

"Are you alright?" he asked in a whisper, his huge body still invading her space. She nodded, smoothing her dress back down over her legs. She had never behaved this way before, so wanton with desire that she lost sight of her objective. This man was no good for her.

Rey managed to compose herself.

"Yes," she responded with an easy smile, swallowing down the guilt in her chest.

"Shall we continue our walk?" Kylo asked. Rey looked up and around them then, taking in the gardens. Like the rest of the palace, the gardens were grand and filled with riches. The hedges around them formed some sort of maze and were draped with twinkling lights that made them appear to be the homes of fairies.

There was no way Rey could say no to this. Even with her slightly mussed hair and her wrinkled gown, she let her curiosity take over.

"Yes," she responded, taking his arm again and allowing him to lead her through the gardens. Every corner they turned was filled with lush green hedges and colorful flowers. Rey had no idea that the desert could look like this. She didn't know there could be this much green in the entire galaxy. Now here she was, witnessing it for herself.

"The gardens are my favorite place," Kylo said next to her, his voice soft. He seemed almost ashamed to be admitting something so personal.

"They're beautiful," Rey responded immediately, squeezing his arm and smiling up at him. Rey smiled so often it was contagious. Before her, he couldn't imagine smiling this much. His father (the robot) and Snoke both agreed that smiling gave too much away, but with Rey it was easy.

Her smiles weren't forced or fake like the other dignitaries that had come to pursue him. Rey meant it, and that was what made her joy so infectious - it was genuine.

"Come on," he said. "I want to show you something else."

Rey looked up at him again, tearing her eyes away from the deep red flowers they had stopped beside.

"What else could you possibly show me?" she asked, her tone light and playful.

"You'll see," he responded, taking her hand in his and leading her farther into the garden maze. Rey followed without protest.

He lead her to a wooden door at the center of the maze that required a key he carried. The door opened to reveal some sort of secret garden. In the middle there was a pedestal made from fresh cut stone. Rey nearly gasped when she saw the lamp prominently displayed on top of it.

A week of her denying offers to see the gardens, and the lamp was here the whole time. She could almost laugh at the irony.

"What is this place?" she asked, playing the ever-surprised royal. But from the looks of it, she knew exactly what this place was. It was a shrine to his conquests. There were crowns, swords, and various other baubles. Rey felt disgusted that she could be swayed by this man. He was a monster like Finn had said. The same monster who had tried to end her life over a lamp in the Cave of Wonders.

"My personal gardens," Kylo said, motioning to the things around them, "and objects I've collected over the years."

Rey feigned interest in the objects, letting her fingers glide over the blade of an old iron sword. Then she touched a delicate and simple wire and jewel crown, slowly moving closer to the garden's centerpiece: Obi-Wan's lamp.

If she could just grab it, she would be free of this prison. She could pretend that everything that happened tonight was just a dream. How could she have allowed herself to get so comfortable here that she had forgotten that he tried to kill her?

"And this lamp?" she asked when she was close enough to touch it. He was quiet for a moment, choosing his next words carefully. Rey stood next to her prize, her fingers hovering just over it as she awaited his explanation. Part of her was afraid to touch it, especially after what had happened last time.

"Something I acquired recently," he said, moving to stand nearer to her. "You can touch it if you like," he whispered.

Rey hesitated, remembering what it was like when the metal burned against her palms in the cave, what it was like to have Kylo's bare fingers folded over hers for the first time.

Kylo moved to stand behind her, so close she could feel his breath on the back of her neck. Her heart pounded so hard that her ribs ached.

Her gloved fingertips brushed against the lamp, and she almost sighed in relief when nothing happened. Behind her, Kylo moved even closer, his arms circling her waist, burying his face in her neck. Despite her shame and better judgement, Rey allowed this. She told herself it was so she could sneak his key from his pocket, but that was a lie. She did it because it felt good for someone, especially him, to hold her like that. She did it because she wanted him to touch her.

She thought that might make her a monster too.