Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep - Being revamped!

Chapter 14: Always in Motion

Anakin was involved in more and more meetings, which often took place in the dead of night. One of the guards would tap on the door to let his Lord know that one or another of his numerous contacts had arrived. For the first time, Ree noticed that many of the guards shared an accent common to the Outer Rim. There were very few Core Worlders in Vader’s personal guards. She wondered if the Emperor had noticed, and then remembered that they had been accompanied by the stormtroopers when they traveled to the capital.

Lord Vader, it seemed, was careful to keep separate his own loyal troops and those who would give first fealty to the Emperor.

Everyone in the castle seemed to be in a heightened state of expectancy, but very few realized why. Vader had been extremely cautious in revealing his intentions. Only Lord Vader knew every part of the plan, everyone else just knew what they needed to know, nothing more.

The Noghri were a constant presence at Ree’s side, and it was not long before a full dozen of the small, fierce aliens arrived. Ree found that she liked their company. Often, she invited them to share the evening meal with her and Anakin. At first, they had been horrified at the idea of eating with Lord Vader, feeling that it somehow conveyed a lack of respect for the man they considered their savior.

But Anakin had eventually convinced them that they would honor their Lord with their presence. Ree’s guards, Greelwah and Meeshram, were the first to accept the invitation, though Anakin told her that they would insist that they were merely guarding her as closely as possible. She had to choke back laughter when Greelwah said almost those exact words to her.

Instead, she had nodded solemnly and thanked him for their very good care of her safety. It was only later that night, as she lay in Anakin’s arms that she gave into the laughter. And he had laughed with her, the sound bringing joy to her heart.

She brushed back his hair and smiled up at him. “I don’t hear you laugh much, milord,” she murmured.

One eyebrow rose. “Milord? I thought we were done with that nonsense!” He teased her, his fingers traveling up her ribs, getting closer and closer to her breast.

“Old habits die hard… milord,” she taunted. Then she gasped and arched up into his touch as his warm, callused palm closed over her breast.

He leaned down and whispered in her ear. “Call me milord one more time and I swear to you that I’ll keep you dangling on the edge of an orgasm all night long,” he said in a husky, passion rough voice.

Ree looked up at him, her eyes warm and inviting. Then she smiled impishly and murmured against his lips. “Whatever you wish, milord…” Her tongue flicked out, tasting his lips.

He growled and rolled over, with Ree coming to rest on top of him. “You don’t think I’ll do it?”

She shook her head. “I know you’ll do it,” she replied. “In fact, I’m counting on it.”

His eyes widened briefly before he began rocking his hips up against hers. She felt the tantalizing heat and girth of his erection press against her belly for a moment and then retreat. Already, she could feel a moist welcome gathering between her thighs. She could practically feel him stroking inside of her, the warmth of him invading her, the rush of his seed within her.

Ree groaned and pushed down against him, seeking more contact. But his hands went to her hips and held her firmly where he wished her to be.

He laughed up at her, shaking his head. “No, no, my little Ree,” he admonished. “I promised to torture all night long, and that is what I mean to do.”

She shivered when she felt his tongue trace a hot path up her throat. “Oh gods…”

“They can’t help you,” he answered, his fingers finding their way between her thighs. “But you may call out for mercy if you wish…”

It was not long before she did just that.

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She looked up to see Anakin standing in the doorway. He smiled at her, holding out his hand in invitation. Blushing prettily, she stood up and put her hand in his. “Where are we going?” she asked, looking around.

Ree expected him to lead her to their bedchamber, but instead he took her to a room she had never been in before. It seemed filled with communication equipment and when they entered, he gave a nod of dismissal to the technician on duty.

“Sit,” he ordered.

With a curious glance at her lover, Ree did. The screen of the comm unit flickered briefly and then a familiar face appeared on the screen.

“Da!” She cried, leaning forward.

Her father smiled at her, a tear tracing a path down his weathered cheek. But she could not see him clearly for the tears filling her own eyes.

“Ree,” her father murmured. “Lord Vader told me you were safe, more than once, but I don’t think I really believed it until now.” His hand came up as if he wished to touch her through the screen.

Ree rested her hand on the screen, almost feeling as if their hands were touching. She had missed his gentle wisdom, his stern lectures, she had missed everything about him.

“Da…” she repeated. “I’m fine, I promise.”

Her father nodded and then cleared his throat in an obvious effort to calm himself. “I believe you, daughter.”

Ree felt Lord Vader’s hands come to rest gently on her shoulders in a silent attempt to comfort her. “I’d like to see you, Ree.”

She swallowed and nodded. “Soon, Da, soon. I promise.”

Her father looked at her sharply and even through the comm she sensed his appraisal. “You really all right, Ree?”

Nodding, wiping away a tear, she wrapped one of her hands around Anakin’s. “Yes, Da. I’m fine. I’m happy,” she said quietly, giving Anakin’s hand a squeeze. “When I come home I’ll tell you all about my life now.”

“You’re welcome home anytime, Ree,” her father said. “To stay forever if you want…” His voice sounded stern, as if he was warning Lord Vader that he would not allow him to keep his daughter against her will.

“I’m happy here, Da,” Ree said earnestly. “I will be here as long as I’m needed.”

She felt Anakin return the gentle pressure of her hand, thanking her for her loyalty.

“How is Ylez?” she asked.

Her father’s face grew solemn. “She… Well, she killed herself shortly after she got back, Ree.” He shook his head. “She was never right, after…” He sniffed. “She found out she was pregnant and couldn’t bear the thought of it…”

Ree hung her head, sorrow for the gentle Ylez washing over her. “I’m so sorry, Da.”

“We were lucky, Ree, compared to others,” he said softly. “We’ll not be forgetting that!”

“I just wish…” she whispered.

“What’s done is done,” her father said. “We must move on, make new lives with what we have.”

Ree leaned back against Anakin, finding comfort in the familiar warmth of his body. “Yes, you’re right.”

“I’ll be in touch soon, Ree,” her father said. “Lord Vader has supplied us all with the seed we need for the new season and a few luxuries we’ve never had as well.” Then he frowned. “But he’d better not think he’s bought himself a woman. You’re more important than seed and the trappings of a soft life.”

She laughed, unable to help herself. Her father had remained unchanged by all he had suffered, and he seemed fearless in the face of Lord Vader’s power. Above her, Anakin was staring at the man. He smiled as he realized that his instincts about Ree had not been mistaken. She came from a strong family; strength and honesty were in her blood. He had chosen well.

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