For All Eternity - Part 2

Maaike

Ratings: NC-17
Warnings: Maul/original female character. Romance in the old tradition.
Disclaimer: Lord Maul, Lord Sidious, Qui-Gon Jinn, Obi-Wan Kenobi and the Star Wars Universe belong to George Lucas. No profit made, no copyright infringements intended. However, Aicha is mine.
Summary: Lord Maul is betrothed to Princess Aicha by order of his Master. Both must come to terms with the reality of the situation.
Feedback: Sithlordess@planet.nl
Acknowledgement: May I thank MaulMaus for her beta-reading of my sometimes funny English. You are my friend and encouragement. And to Dark Lady, who is my inspiration and has such a lovely way with words.

For All Eternity - Part 2

It was still dark when Darth Maul opened his eyes. He knew immediately that his body had regenerated enough to get up and see to the condition of the Infiltrator.

He stretched his body carefully and frowned when he did not feel Aicha next to him.

In the dim light he saw her dozing in a chair. He got out of the bed silently and went to her side, he knelt, and taking her hand, kissed the palm.

Aicha woke up with a start and saw Lord Maul looking up at her.

“My Lord, you should not be out of bed!”

“There is no need for me to stay in bed any longer,” he replied, then frowned. “But you are troubled. What is it?”

Aicha’s eyes filled with tears and for a moment she looked away from him, touched to learn how perceptive he was. She told him what she had been thinking about last night and all her fears.

Maul listened to her intently. “Yes my Lady, you may be right. Greed is a powerful motivation and your planet is very rich. I have been thinking of that myself. Lord Sidious and I have both warned the King about what would happen if he went against us. I do not believe he would resist us.” He sighed and rose to his feet. “As soon as it is light I will go and see the condition the Infiltrator. Once we can take off, I intend to pay the King of Thebae a visit. And for his sake I hope I will discover he is indeed innocent.” The last words brought a cruel scowl on his face.

“My father…” Aicha began, but the look on Lord Maul’s face silenced her.

He stood towering over her. “If he is innocent of this treason against us, I will spare him because Lord Sidious wishes him to stay on the Throne. If he is guilty, I will kill him as I would kill any other member of the Council who has betrayed the Sith.”

“No, my Lord. I will not let you kill my father. I am your consort and by marriage I belong to you. If my kin have caused you to fail your mission, then I as Princess of Thebae, am responsible and must pay the consequences. It is the only honourable thing to do.” Aicha’s voice was determined and strong as she sank to her knees, held out her arms, with palms up and bowed her head, ready to die for her people. Closing her eyes she waited for Lord Maul’s next action, wondering if he would destroy her.

“Execute your right my Lord. Kill me!”

Lord Maul looked down at her and then placed a strong, yet comforting hand on her shoulder.

“You honour me my Lady. You have saved my life and now you show courage worthy of the mate of a Sith, but why are you so eager to die? If he proves to be innocent I will not kill your father. If Lord Sidious wants him punished however, there is nothing I can do. I must obey my Master at all times.”

Aicha lifted her head and looked into the golden eyes of her consort. She took his hand and let him help her to her feet again. She had been prepared to die at his hands but although he spared her life, she felt her knees trembling.

“I understand and accept that, but Maul, please be absolutely certain as to what has happened before you act.” 

“I promise you that, my Lady. You have earned that right.” Lord Maul answered. “Now let us have some coffee and food first, and then I must go to the Infiltrator.”

“Is that not too soon, you were severely wounded?” Aicha asked.

“There is no pain where strength lies. So my Master taught me.” Lord Maul said and Aicha nodded and went to prepare them coffee and something to eat from the rations. 

After they had eaten the sky had lightened. Lord Maul put on his heavy, black cloak.

“Can I help?” Aicha said and when Lord Maul nodded she quickly packed their belongings on the antigrav sled, put on her own warm coat, following him as they trampled slowly through the snow back towards the Infiltrator.

Lord Maul inspected the outside of his ship and nodded with satisfaction.

“The ship is not heavily damaged on the outside. The shot that hit us did only minor damage. I suspect most of the damage was confined to the flight controls.”

Inside the Infiltrator Lord Maul began his assessment and Aicha started to clear the debris on the floor.

She enjoyed watching the efficient, swift way in which he worked and noticed for the first time that he was left-handed. She then made herself useful by handing Maul the tools he needed and after hours of work fusing wires and re-aligning the computers he had life-support on line again. 

Another diagnostic showed him where the fault with the flight controls lay and fixing it would get the engines on line and enable them to take off.

“It will need further repairs, but the ship will now take us back to the Palace. The rest can be done there.” Lord Maul said. “We will leave after dark. I do not want anyone to see our approach.” 

His mouth was set in a grim line when he sat down in the pilot’s seat as soon as darkness had come, and began testing the controls. The Infiltrator responded, if a little sluggish, and took off to fly at a low-level back to the Palace.

*****

After the short flight Lord Maul landed his ship on the landing platform, shut down the engines and with Aicha following him, walked down the ramp of the Infiltrator.

Palace-guards came running towards them, their blaster guns drawn and ready, but as soon as they recognised Princess Aicha they stopped and stood at attention.

The captain of the guard saluted her as she passed: “Your Highness, we were not expecting you back. We had not been informed of your arrival.”

Aicha lifted her chin and answered coldly: “Since when do I have to inform my guard of my comings and goings?” And without granting him another look, she walked toward the Palace, making her way to the Council Chamber, where she knew the Council would be gathered around King Daemon at this time for their usual meeting.

Lord Maul did not bother to ask the guards at the door to let him pass. He simply raised his left hand and with the Force of the dark side threw them aside, then opened the door. He strode in with Aicha right behind him, his yellow eyes blazing, emanating dark ripples of rage as he glared at the King and the Council.

All heads were turned into their direction and a deadly, shocked silence fell. King Daemon paled and got to his feet, his hand clutching his chest. 

“Aicha! I was informed you had been killed!”

Before the King had finished speaking though, two Councilmen panicked, fearing they had been discovered. With a cry they both jumped to their feet and started running for the door trying to escape.

However, Darth Maul was faster. He pushed Aicha out of the way and with a few fast steps blocked the path of the Councilmen. Before they could even make another move, he raised his hand and the Force of the dark side threw one Councilman against the wall, breaking his skull on impact, while the other man was caught in his Force-grip.

“You will tell me who else was with you in this plot!” Lord Maul growled, slowly forcing the air out of the lungs of his captive.

The man struggled to breathe but looked defiantly at the Sith Lord; “…Never….”

Lord Maul closed his hand and the man’s neck snapped with a sickening sound.

Without granting his victims another look and ignoring the shocked silence in the Council Chamber he turned his attention on the King. “Your Majesty, I would speak with you in private.” Lord Maul’s breathy voice growled

Then he, with a shocked Princess Aicha and King Daemon went to the private office of the King where Maul informed him what had transpired when they had left the planet.

“Father! What have you done? What did you hope to accomplish?” Aicha cried, holding out her hands pleadingly.

“My daughter, I had no idea. Perhaps someone overheard a conversation between Lord Sidious and myself, either a servant or a Councilman.” King Daemon shook his head in astonishment. “I was informed only this morning that debris from the Infiltrator had been found. They said you had been attacked by Togorian pirates and had been killed. I was making arrangements for a memorial service for you and Lord Maul.” Tears started flowing from King Daemon’s eyes.

“There was no debris from the Infiltrator. No one saw us come down. They must have used parts of an old spacecraft to fool you.” Aicha said softly, putting her hand on her father’s arm.

“Your Majesty, your daughter has saved my life. As a reward to her I will spare yours. You now owe your life to her courage. As for me I would have killed you right here and now to set an example. But let it be clear that there will be no next time. This planet, its people and its culture will be totally annihilated and you know I have the power to do so. Lord Sidious will not tolerate resistance or treason. This is my only warning.” 

“I assure you, Lord Maul, I had no idea they were planning this. I can only say they wanted to have me killed as well and take over the planet. But all this would have been destroyed, as they surely did not realize the Sith are now the power behind the Throne. If anyone had known, they would never have started this.” The King rubbed his hands over his eyes and shook his head.

“Now, my ship needs repairs. I want to be ready to leave in two days and until then I will stay here at the Palace.” Lord Maul said.

“Yes, my Lord. You have my word. It will be done as you ordered and I have two engineers who always see to my own private transports. They can be trusted and I will see to it that they supply you with the spare parts you need,” the King said, looking into the unblinking yellow eyes of the Sith Lord.



“I will ensure of their loyalty by having them destroyed when they are finished.” Lord Maul snarled and then bowed to Aicha. “I will go to your apartments, my Lady. Join me there as soon as possible. I expect you wish to speak with your father right now.” He turned and left Aicha with King Daemon.

When the door had closed behind the Sith Lord, Aicha fell into the arms of her father.

“My daughter, I thought I had lost you… never to see you again….” 

“Father, I am so happy you had nothing to do with this betrayal. I could not face Lord Maul if you had. He would surely have killed you and then I …” Aicha’s voice faltered and she let her head rest against the King’s shoulder, crying softly. “Father, if you had betrayed him I would never have forgiven you. I was ready to die at his hands.”

“You are in love with him aren’t you? I sensed he is fond of you and he is so proud of you, maybe more than he will ever admit, even to himself.” the King kissed his daughter and pushed her from him.

“Now, go to your husband, he awaits you.”

*****

When Princess Aicha opened the door, she saw him standing by the fireplace, leaning one elbow on the mantel. He had taken off his cloak and he turned around when she entered. For a moment both were still and their eyes locked, then Lord Maul reached out his hand to her. Aicha ran to his side, took his hand, kissed it and brought it to her forehead.

“My Lord, I thank you for sparing my father. I am convinced now he knew nothing of all this.” 

“Yes. I know that. I did not sense betrayal from him. Had I not been certain, I would have killed him….. and lost your love.” The Sith answered.

Tears started to roll over Aicha’s cheek. He had sensed every emotion in her and she realized once more how much she loved him. She looked into his golden eyes and suddenly neither of them was able to look away.

Gently Lord Maul put his arms around her and pulled her near, and then for the first time since they had been together, he kissed her.

His lips touched hers, first soft as a feather, then fiercer and more demanding, until he almost crushed her against him, his lips parted hers and his tongue entered her mouth.

Aicha groaned when she tasted him and she closed her mouth around his tongue.

As Lord Maul took his mouth from hers she moaned softly. She felt he took her heart and her soul with him, to remain forever in his keeping.

Darth Maul made a soft growl deep down in his throat when he caressed her neck, shoulders and slowly began undressing her.

As her dress fell to the floor he cupped her breasts and felt her nipples harden under his eager fingers.

Aicha started removing the black tunic to bare his chest. Somehow she was no longer able to take her eyes away from his and she drowned in their golden depths. She knew she longed to be with him for the rest of her life, looking forward to being in his presence whenever possible.

With a soft murmur she lowered her head and her lips gently kissed his own hard nipple.

Lord Maul effortlessly lifted her up in his arms and as if she weighed nothing, carried her to the bed, where he laid her on the soft blankets, his strong body covering hers.

He eagerly kissed her breasts, sucking her nipples, circling them with his tongue.

Aicha’s head fell back on the pillow. She sensed him inside her mind, embracing her and allowing her to feel his deep love for her. Lord Maul was making love to her in earnest, not like before when he had merely taken her body to show his mastery over her.

She felt how he caressed and kissed her shoulders. He teased her by running a horn gently over her neck, again and again returning to her mouth for another passionate kiss. 

His hands took hers and entwined their fingers. Aicha saw his eyes clouded with passion and let go of his hands to caress the horns on his temples.

Lord Maul responded to her arousing caresses and with a smile got up to take off his boots and trousers, looking down at the woman he loved, seeing her eyes filled with love and passion. He lay down beside her again, kissing and caressing exactly where he had left off.

By now, Aicha was quite breathless, her body was trembling and she pulled Lord Maul closer to her, kissing his beautiful mouth, parting his lips to reach his tongue. Fiercer and fiercer came his kisses and she felt him become more and more aroused. Lord Maul was breathing heavily and when Aicha reached down to his manhood, she felt he was hard and throbbing. 

With soft, gentle fingers she pushed the skin back and caressed the sensitive nerves, making him groan with pleasure.

Meanwhile Aicha’s mouth closed over Darth Maul’s hard nipple where she licked and sucked until he gave a soft cry and his eager fingers trailed down over her stomach to part her legs and explore the soft femininity. He caressed her and let his fingers enter her wet body.

Aicha moaned when she felt his fingers inside her. He again ran one of his horns down over her neck and shoulder. His mouth sought hers again for a longing kiss while he kept touching her in the most arousing way. She found it impossible to stop writhing and her sighs became soft groans when she felt him go deeper and deeper, until he removed his fingers and moved his body so that his mouth could kiss what his hands had touched.

A long, wet tongue began touching Aicha’s intimate parts and when he started sucking her tenderness she called out his name. But Lord Maul did not stop his actions, until Aicha groaned with every lick and kiss of his mouth. Then he moved back up to her, parted legs even more and his throbbing manhood entered her.

Aicha moaned and she arched her back when she felt him inside and he started to make deep, fierce thrusts.

She encircled his hips with her legs and moved in unison with him.

Maul looked into the lovely face flushed with passion and kissed the sweet mouth again. 

Aicha threw her arms around his shoulders, thereby holding him to her with both arms and legs and felt his tongue go in and out of her as his manhood did.

A couple more deep, passionate thrusts made Lord Maul reach his own climax and with a loud groan he let his juices flow inside of her. He did not leave her body until she had completely relaxed and was ready to let him go. Then he slowly pulled away from her and took her in his arms, resting her against his chest, enjoying the simple pleasure of holding her near and caressing her smooth skin.

A little later Lord Maul’s breathy voice came close to her ear: “Did I excite you beloved?”

Aicha giggled softly and nuzzled his chest; “Did you doubt it my Lord?” and again she kissed his chest with the soft, black skin and the fiery red tattoos.

She felt very safe and warm, even though outside the Palace it was cold and the wind was still howling, but she was happy and in bed with the man she loved.

Aicha put her arm over Lord Maul’s chest and tenderly kissed his nipple. Although he was totally relaxed she sensed every nerve inside of him was alert and ready to act immediately.

One move of his hand would make the lightsaber fly into it and he would be ready to face any enemy.

With a soft sigh Aicha pulled the covers closer around them and then asked softly: “Will you tell me about yourself? I still hardly know you.”

“But you know me as no one ever has, or ever will. You are the only one who has the right to know me like this. Not even my Master knows the depth of the feelings I have for you.” Lord Maul answered her and his lips came down on her dark head.

“I know, beloved and you honour me with your love, but I want to know everything about you.” Aicha persisted, gently caressing the sweet wrinkles under his eyes.

Lord Maul gave a soft laugh. “Very well, my Lady, I was born on Iridonia as Khameir Sarin and I am Zabrak. When Lord Sidious was looking for an apprentice he found me, recognizing my strength in the Force. I have been with him ever since. He has trained me, taught me and disciplined me. Eventually I passed the trials and became a Sith Lord and was given my title, Darth Maul, Dark Lord of the Sith.”

“What a lovely name you have Khameir Sarin. May I use it?” Aicha pronounced it as he had with a guttural sound.

Lord Maul frowned slightly; “That name does not have any significance to me now. But you may use it if you so wish.”

“Khameir, Khameir, so beautiful.” Aicha tasted the name on her lips. “Tell me about yourself Khameir.” she pleaded softly.

“More? I have already told you about me.” Lord Maul replied in his soft voice.

“No. I want to know everything.” she persisted.

“Very well. Maul wondered about all her questions, but decided to answer her. “I was born as the son of the Crown Prince Sirdar and Princess Khadidya of Iridonia. My family has ruled over Iridonia for centuries. In time my father would have become Ruler of Iridonia and I the Crown Prince. But Lord Sidious sensed my powers even then and took me.”

“Khameir! You are a Prince! You do have a regal presence about you. You would have made a fine Prince.” Aicha said tenderly, caressing his arm.

“Aicha, it has no meaning. I am a Sith Lord now. That is more important than even my princely title.” Lord Maul’s voice was a little impatient.

“I know, beloved. I just wondered, your parents must have been frantic when you were taken from them.” Aicha frowned, imagining the sense of loss she would feel herself if Lord Maul were taken from her.

“Probably. I do not remember them. I have visited Iridonia sometimes, but never went to see them.”

“Why not?”

“It serves no purpose. Only Lord Sidious matters in my life,” the breathy voice said softly.

“Khameir, how if I were to have your child and someone would take it? Would you not do anything to get your child back? Can you not feel it in your heart how they must have grieved? What would you do?” Aicha asked.

“The person responsible for that would die at my hands… and his death would not be pleasant.” Lord Maul replied with a cruel note to his voice. “It would be taking what belongs to the Sith. No one does that and lives. On Iridonia I would have been a Prince, maybe in time a King. Now I am a Sith Lord, a superior being and that is more important for me and I am thankful to the Force that Lord Sidious found me and thought me worthy enough to take me to become his apprentice.”

Aicha caressed Lord Maul’s skin and frowned. She understood his feelings and sensed his pride in being a Sith Lord, but as a woman in love she also understood the grief his mother must have felt when she lost her son. “Khameir, I know you are proud to be a Sith, to show no emotion, to be a stronger, fiercer warrior than any other, but I also know I can lose you at any time because your Master sends you on a dangerous mission and you get killed and the mere thought causes me pain.” Her eyes filled with tears as all sorts of images filled her head of him lying somewhere, wounded or dying, and she shivered.

“No one knows the future, beloved. Do not let your fears cast a shadow over the time we have together. You cannot change the future by worrying about it, so why concern yourself with it? Right now I am holding you close to my heart and that is all that matters.” His soft voice was deep and his lips kissed her forehead tenderly.

And then Lord Maul started talking softly to her in Zabrak, using long words and guttural sounds. Between some double vowels his voice seemed to make short stops and Aicha listened to him enchanted.

“It sounds so lovely. What did you say to me?” Aicha wanted to know and after a short silence he replied: “I told you how much you mean to me and I thanked the Force for giving you to me again in this life.”

Tears of love welled up in Aicha’s eyes; “Khameir Sarin?”

“Yes beloved.”

“Kiss me again.”

And Lord Maul kissed Aicha’s lovely mouth and she pressed herself closely to his heart, listening to the strong, familiar heartbeat until her eyes closed and she slept.

The eyes of the fearsome Sith Lord softened when he looked at the sleeping woman he was cradling in his arms. He had never believed he could have feelings as strong as this. He remembered the lessons of his Master, telling him that love can make one weak and protective of the loved one. He had been taught to be prepared to lose everything he cared for, and therefore never to get attached to another.

And Lord Maul realized his Master had been right. The thought of losing his Aicha made his heart ache and he knew he would do most anything, even kill for her. He lovingly kissed her mouth and smiled when she made a small gesture and hid her head against his heart again. Lord Maul felt no need for sleep. He only slept a few hours every night and he pushed the covers back wanting to look at his sleeping consort. He appreciated every soft curve, the large, soft breasts, the round hips until she shivered and he quickly wrapped her in the blankets again. Then for the rest of the night he spoke softly to her in Zabrak, an ancient poem every Zabrak recited to his bride on his wedding-night. Every now and then he smiled mysteriously when the Force showed him things he would speak about to anyone.

*****

When she woke up, the first thing Aicha remembered from the night was that she had heard Lord Maul’s voice in her dreams. She stirred and moved her body sensuously against him. Immediately she felt Lord Maul’s body respond to her and his arms tightened around her. 

Aicha shifted her head to be kissed by him and relished the feel of his warm mouth on hers. “You were talking to me last night, all night, I heard you in my dreams. What were you saying?” 

“I will not tell you, my sweet. That remains my secret.” Lord Maul grinned at her and got up from the bed to take a shower.

She stretched her limbs sensuously and hugged her body. “I will make you tell me one day, my love.” Aicha thought and smiled softly. 

After a quick breakfast, Lord Maul left the apartment to see to the repairs of the Infiltrator, he had no wish to allow the engineers near his ship, knowing he would have to kill them if they saw any of the Sith technology. For many hours he worked on the damaged parts of the hyperdrive and the flight controls, until late in the afternoon when he finally knew the ship was ready to leave Thebae.

As soon as Aicha saw the Sith Lord enter her apartment, returning after the long hours of work on his ship, she jumped to her feet and ran into his arms, then gave him the ritual greeting and looked up into the beautiful yellow eyes.

“The Infiltrator is ready. I will leave tomorrow and take you with me to Coruscant. I want to have you in my own bed.” Lord Maul’s voice was soft and low and she smiled when she sensed his need for her.

In the evening, after they finished their dinner, Lord Maul meditated on the floor while Aicha sat on the sofa watching him with interest.

When he finally finished every single one of his mantras he opened his eyes, got smoothly to his feet and went to sit on the floor, cross-legged between Aicha’s knees, resting his head against her.

One of the horn on the back of his head pressed against her stomach and she immediately started caressing the horns with gentle fingers, moving around all of them, finding that the base of the horns was very sensitive and he groaned in obvious pleasure.

“Do you know how much that arouses me?” Lord Maul asked softly.

“No I did not know, but I sensed it to be so.” Aicha smiled. “Khameir, what is it like to be a Sith?” 

Lord Maul looked up at her for a surprised moment, then rested back against her and answered. “You ask me what it is like to be a Sith. I will tell you what is it like. It is total commitment to my Master, to be ready to lose everything I love and value at a moment’s notice. 

I am khavshi’i, a Zabrak warrior, bound by a very strict code of honour and obedience. I must obey Lord Sidious and should he demand it, I must die for him. Being a Sith means I must follow the Sith Code at all times. I must never fail when my Master sends me on a mission and if I should do so, he will kill me, or I must commit ritual suicide, for I cannot live with the shame of failing my Master.”

Aicha put her arms around his neck and kissed his head; “So it means he owns you and has the power of life or death over you?”

“Yes. He values me, but like me he is also prepared to lose everything. He also taught me never to trust someone, for betrayal can come from anyone, even someone you trust.”

Lord Maul shifted into a more comfortable position against Aicha’s body, then continued: “One day when I was a young man, Lord Sidious told me to sit down on a stool in front of a fire. He ordered me to sit there without sleep, food or water until he told be I could leave.” His voice was detached as if he were speaking of another person instead of himself. “I sat on that stool for nine days and nights before he allowed me to get up. If I had fallen asleep at any time I would have fallen into the fire. My Master was watching me the whole time to be sure I showed no weakness.” 

Aicha held Lord Maul closer to her. “You are a Sith, a warrior, but surely you also need nurturing and love. You deserve it,” she whispered.

“I have never loved nor been loved.” Lord Maul replied and then suddenly turned his body around to face her and kissed her lips. “Until now. Aicha bond with me in the Zabrak way.”

Aicha smiled sweetly. “My Lord I will bond with you in any way of the Universe, as long as I can have you.”

“You shall have me, my Lady, now and forever.” Lord Maul kissed her passionately again and then got up and drew Aicha to her feet.

“What do I do?” she asked a little apprehensively.

“I will guide you through it. Just follow my lead.” Lord Maul’s voice reassured her. He lit two candles on the low table and said a mantra in Zabrak. His hands circled the flames three times, then he raised his arms, offering himself and his consort to the Nimith, the beloved Goddess of his people. He asked her to accept Aicha as his wife and to bless their lives together.

Then, taking Aicha’s hand he stood facing her. He took a small, sharp knife from his belt, pushed his tunic aside and made a small cut above his left nipple. Then his strong hand guided her head to the wound and made her close her mouth over it.

Aicha opened her eyes when he gently pushed her back and they both sat down on the floor cross-legged, facing each other.

Unable to take her eyes away from the unblinking yellow stare of Lord Maul, she almost breathlessly followed his lead as he took her right-hand and put it on his heart, covering it with his left-hand.

Placing his right-hand on Aicha’s heart, Lord Maul motioned her to cover it with her left-hand. He started a soft, musical mantra in Zabrak again and then fell silent.

Their breathing and heartbeat now came in unison and the Force surged around them, its presence almost visible like a soft, glowing veil. Soon their touching hands were warm from the energy of the Force binding them irretrievably together on this night.

Suddenly Aicha gasped. She felt Lord Maul pass through her body, becoming part of it, filling every fibre of her. She sensed his honour, his nobility, but also his rage and darkness. Scenes from his life came clearly in her mind, she saw how he was thrown into an icy cold lake by his Master, almost left to drown, she felt the agony when he was being severely beaten, she saw the hardships, the trials, the endless exercises, she was with him on his missions, witnessed how he destroyed his enemies and she nearly screamed when she felt the pain from the numerous injuries he had sustained.

At the same time, she became heart of his heart, soul of his soul. Her light and her love filled his body and his mind. He saw her as a little girl in the Throne-room with King Daemon and her mother Queen Selimah. He saw her happiness as a child and experienced the love she had received from her parents. But he also saw her strength of character, her fierceness and sensed her power with the Force. He knew there would be occasions when she would not bend to opposition and stand by her convictions, accepting the consequences they would bring.

And Lord Maul felt a pride he had never thought possible in the woman he had been given by the Force.

Neither of them knew how long the bonding had lasted, but finally Lord Maul sensed the time had come to take their hands away and when he let her go, Aicha almost collapsed into his arms. The bonding had been so emotional that she could do nothing but close her eyes and cling to her consort.

Lord Maul pulled her onto his lap where she rested against his heart. “You knew, did you not, all the time you knew this would happen. You knew it was meant to be,” she said softly.

“Yes beloved, I knew. I sensed it when I probed your mind before I made you my woman and gave you my seed so you would belong to me forever.” Lord Maul replied. “I could have influenced your mind in the Zabrak way and made you love me, but I wished you to come to me of your own free will.”

“You could have forced me to love you?” Aicha asked in astonishment.

In response to her question, Lord Maul put three fingers of his left-hand on her forehead and Aicha gasped when a flame shot through her body, making her breasts feel like fire she suddenly felt very aroused.

She put her hand on his chest and when she found his hard nipple she gave a moan of passion.

As quickly as he had touched her, Lord Maul let her go again. Aicha let her head fall back on his shoulder.

“I see what you mean My Lord,” she said huskily.

“The Zabrak are known throughout the Galaxy for their ability to influence the minds of other beings.” Lord Maul laughed softly.

“Khameir, when we bonded, I sensed so much pain in you, all this terror, suffering….” Aicha’s voice faltered.

“As a Sith I must be able to endure pain beyond endurance, be prepared to face death, in short, I must be ready to become one with the dark side at all times.”

“You are so powerful, I still cannot understand how anyone, even a Sith, can be on his feet within days of being as badly wounded as you were. You must have been in great pain.” Aicha whispered.

“Of course I was in pain, I merely chose to ignore the pain, to use it to strengthen me and feed my anger.” Lord Maul answered simply. 

He held her closely in his arms while the hours of the night passed. There was no need for words, they let the Force strengthen their newly forged bond and it sent thoughts and images flowing between them. 

And all the time Aicha could hear Darth Maul’s voice becoming stronger inside her head. “It is very late, we should go to bed now,” she said. She felt his need for her and she too felt a flame rise within her. She lifted her head to kiss his mouth and hungrily parted his lips to touch his tongue. “I need you now Khameir.” her voice was low and her eyes passionate.

Darth Maul gave a slight smile, then got to his feet effortlessly with Aicha in his arms and carried her to the bed. When he lay down beside her, Aicha very slowly undid his tunic and pushed it aside, revealing his broad chest.

As she longed to do, she tenderly kissed along the patterns of the red tattoos.

Her slightest touch had the power to arouse Lord Maul and he made a low sound deep in his throat when Aicha’s mouth sucked his nipples. As her lips became more insistent he wrapped his hands around the long, dark tresses, holding her mouth to him.

Aicha played her tongue over his nipple and sucked hungrily, smiling when she heard his breathing become faster and faster.

As flames shot through his body, Lord Maul gripped the sheets, and gave a loud groan, which urged Aicha to continue kissing and tasting his body. She made her way down to his stomach, then stopped to open his trousers with eager fingers.

“Why are you so beautiful?” Aicha panted in astonishment, while she tenderly stroked his body.

“You find me beautiful?” Lord Maul asked, slightly surprised.

“Oh, yes, I find you extraordinarily beautiful, so strong and yet so soft, I long to kiss you.” Aicha replied passionately. She had revealed his aroused manhood and resumed her kissing and licking, all the time pushing his trousers further down until he was naked.

Lord Maul gave a moan as her mouth closed over his hardness and her hand caressed the soft roundness behind it.

“Don’t stop!” He started writhing on the sleep-couch under her touch.

Aicha touched and caressed until she felt his arousal was reaching its climax and with a groan he let her taste him.

Immediately Lord Maul pulled her down beside him and pushed his body close to her. “You give me such pleasure,” he said, his voice low and hoarse.

“I want to give you pleasure, more than anything else.” Aicha’s eyes were clouded with passion.

Lord Maul then knelt beside her on the bed; he pushed her dress down, his hands gently covered her breasts and caressed the hard nipples. At the same time his mind connected with hers and she felt waves of sensuality and passion flow through her. She moved under his hands and moaned softly when she felt him caress her mind as well as her body.

The long, strong fingers played with her erect nipples and she felt a fire burning her. She had no sensations other than his hands on her breasts and his mind embracing hers and she asked for release.

When Lord Maul sensed she was ready for him, one hand left her breast to touch her most sensitive spot lightly, gently pulling and then rubbing again.

Aicha gave a scream when her body released and she fell back on the bed panting, with Lord Maul laying down, covering her body with his.

“Khameir…. I did not know such feelings existed.” Aicha panted.

“Your hormones are reacting to mine, you are more and more becoming completely mine, as I desire you to be.” Lord Maul kissed her warm lips and put his arms around her. “I let my mind make love to you as well as my body.”

“It was beautiful, and so intense. Khameir, I love you so very, very much. I know you only a few days and yet….”

“No beloved, we have known each other for all eternity, we have only just found each other again in this life.”

Aicha nuzzled his shoulder, breathing in his sweet, sandalwood-like scent and with a deep sigh of contentment she made herself comfortable in the safe circle of his arms.

The room was warm and clothed in the soft light from the fire and Aicha knew that whatever might happen, she would treasure these days with Darth Maul forever. He would leave her to go on missions for his Master, but no one could take these nights of passion away from them, and with a soft smile on her lips she drifted into sleep. 

END of part 2