Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep - Being revamped!

Chapter 16: As Much as I am Able

That night she shared a meal with her family for the first time in almost a year. She laughed at Yantir’s open awe of the luxurious table setting and furnishings; she winked at her father’s calm acceptance of the seemingly endless stream of servants bearing food to the already over-burdened table.

Lord Vader presided graciously over the meal, talking to her father and brother as equals, soliciting their advice on some mundane matters of this estate, nodding at their advice and asking intelligent questions.

Ree watched her father’s respect for her lover grow; though she knew he remained uncomfortable with her situation. The look in her father’s eyes promised that the discussion had merely been postponed, not avoided. Perhaps Anakin sensed it as well, for his eyes lit up with laughter when their gazes met.

After they had eaten a delicate desert, which originated from the planet of Ithor, Lord Vader turned to her and smiled. “Ree, perhaps you and your brother would like to take a walk down to the lake or through the gardens,” he said casually. “I’m sure your father and I have much to discuss.”

Ree shot him a startled glance and then looked at her father, who nodded once, his eyes still on Lord Vader. She looked at Anakin once more, who also nodded encouragingly. Ree reluctantly came to her feet and motioned for Yantir to do the same.

Yantir scowled at his father, upset that he would not be included in the conversation about his baby sister, but unable to do anything about it. He nodded once at Lord Vader, his mouth set in grim lines. Anakin’s lips quirked but he said nothing.

Lord Vader watched Ree and her brother leave the room, noting the similarities in their slim builds, their dark curls, and the proud set of their shoulders. Ree came from a line of strong, honest people. He smiled with satisfaction.

Then he turned to see her father frowning at him. He opened his mouth to speak, but Merphree Vilnis was already speaking. “I’m quite sure you realize that such a life is not what I wanted for my daughter.”

Lord Vader let his gaze travel around the beautifully appointed chamber and quirked one brow. “Yes,” he said dryly. “I can see why you would object to your daughter living in such a place.”

“Don’t play games with me, milord,” Merphree snapped. “I know who you are and what they say you’re capable of, but this is my daughter we’re talking about here.”

Vader nodded and bit his lip. “Of course, sir. You are correct.” He met Merphree’s brown eyes, so like Ree’s. “You are worried I’ll mistreat her?”

Immediately, Merphree shook his head. “No, milord, not that.” He jerked his chin up and in the direction of where his children had disappeared. “But I’m worried about her future. It’s all well and good while she’s young and willing to fill your bed. She’s happy and content for the time being.” His eyes narrowed. “But what happens when she’s not so young and pretty any more. Or if you get tired of her? What happens to my girl then?’

“Ree is special to me,” Vader said evasively.

“No doubt!” Merphree snorted. “But even the hottest blood can run cold after a number of years. And then where will my daughter be? Your cast-off, begging in the streets because she’s too proud to come home to those who love her?” He shook his head. “That’s not the life for a girl like Ree. She’s too good, too strong for that.”

“I agree,” Vader replied, tapping his fingers on the table. He sighed and stood up. “I cannot reveal all to you sir, even if you are Ree’s father.” He went to the window and looked out, saw Ree and Yantir wandering through the gardens. Then he turned to him. “I can only give you my word that Ree will be provided for, even if she chooses not to stay with me.” He paused. “That choice will be hers and hers alone. I will not abandon her.”

Merphree stared at him, his eyes sharp and searching. “Do you love her?”

Vader hesitated and then gave him a sad smile. “I care for her as much as I am capable of caring for anyone. More than that I cannot say.”

Merphree considered these words for a moment and then nodded. He came forward and held out his hand. The two men shook hands. “I’m not sure what your plans are, Lord Vader,” he said quietly. “But watch out for my girl.”

Silently cursing the uncanny intuition that seemed to run in her family, he nodded. “I give you my word, sir.”

“That’s good enough,” Merphree said, then frowned. “For now.”

They looked at each other in understanding.

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Her father and brother were gone, they had returned to their village and Ree was once again alone with Anakin. He came to her one night, his face tight with need and other emotions she could not identify. Without a word, he pulled her into his arms and carried her to the bed.

Anakin placed her gently on the covers, his hand shaking as he reached out to caress her. Silently, he slipped her robe off her shoulders and rained gentle kisses on the soft flesh that was bared to his touch. He slid onto the bed, covering her with his long, lean body.

Ree turned her head, seeking his lips with her own. He kissed her, groaning as he did so. She felt his hands tighten on her shoulders, felt his erection pressing insistently into her belly. Her hands pushed aside his tunics impatiently, then removed his belt and slid into the tight leather of his pants.

When her fingers closed around his cock, his hips jerked and she felt his moan rumble deep inside of him. Slowly stroking him, she drank in the sounds he made, savored the feel of his hips thrusting into her touch. She nibbled at his neck before swirling her tongue into his ear, felt his cock jump at the invasion.

She rolled over until he was beneath her, stared at his golden skin lightly glistening with the sweat of his response to her, his need to bury himself inside her. Ree removed his tunics and then tugged his pants off until he was completely nude, waiting for her.

His eyes were wild and hungry, his hands constantly moving over her flesh. She leaned down to claim his lips, swept her tongue inside of his mouth. Their tongues mated, caressed and played with each other. She felt his cock swelling and twitching beneath her, felt his hands clutch at her hips, her thighs, grasp her breasts, toy with her nipples.

Finally, she lowered herself onto him slowly, impaling herself on the hard length of flesh. She shuddered at the sensation. He closed his eyes, threw his head back and thrust up hard, his hands steadying her at her waist.

His back arched off the bed, lifting her high with each thrust. His hands never stopped moving; he was touching every bit of silken skin that he could reach. She felt his touch in a dozen places at once, and vaguely realized that he was using his magic to heighten her pleasure.

She rode him smoothly, her thighs gripping his sides, her fingers rolling his nipples, her inner walls grasping at him. At last, she sensed his orgasm near and she quickened her strokes. He opened his eyes and their gazes met.

Ree let all the feelings she had for him shine in her gaze, let him see her vulnerability. He cried out, grabbed her hands as she lowered herself onto him one last time, and then he spilled himself inside of her.

He lowered her gently into his embrace, brushing back the sweaty curls that stuck to her forehead. Anakin tenderly kissed her, still silent.

She looked up at him and smiled. “We go to the capital tomorrow, yes?”

Anakin shut his eyes briefly and then nodded. “Yes,” was all he said.

He pulled her into his arms and she drifted off to a troubled sleep, wondering how many more nights they would have together.