Chapter Text
Aixara felt sick. The carbonite had seeped into her wounds and ran like fire in her veins. Even though hours had passed since her favorite distraction had rescued her, she was reeling from the effects of the “cure” inside the dart she had been shot with. Dizzy and confused she sat by the lake in deep meditation. She wrapped the force around her in a swirling blanket, bathing herself in the healing powers of the light side of the force, trying desperately to regain her strength.
“It’s a freshwater spring. It should be safe for drinking.”
The comment seemed to echo, gently rousing Aixara from her trance. That voice was a beacon.
Lana.
Shards of broken light danced playfully around the sith as she crouched next to the lake. Zakuulan bioluminescent plants sprawled along the cavern walls, casting a soft blue glow. The starfire beetles, aglow with their passions, hovered in the air. Never had Lana looked so beautiful to Aixara. Not even on Yavin 4 while she lay exposed and writhing in the back of a shuttle. She hadn’t changed much, save for appearances. She seemed more polished; more refined somehow.
The questions flowed from Aixara’s mind. Catching up on the happenings of the last five years wasn’t easy. There would be time, of course, but time is a precious commodity when being hunted by a rampaging emperor out for blood.
Lana did her best to paraphrase her answers and alleviate the stress in her voice as she described the various obscenities. She had much to tell Aixara, but most of it wasn’t useful to her. The woman needed intel, not emotions and stories.
“What about my team? My ship?”
“I have allies looking for them as we speak. With all of the chaos of the last few years though, it will take time to find them all. For now, we make do with ourselves, Koth, and HK.”
“As long as you’re here, there’s nothing we can’t handle.”
Already Aixara’s mind was filling with emotion, hoping the last five years had not changed the feelings Aixara knew Lana tried to bury. Lana was excellent at controlling her emotions, opting to twist them into tangles and knots deep within. She stored them all for battle, unleashing them in mighty waves to feed her fury.
“The feeling is mutual. It truly is a relief to see you again.”
Aixara let out a breath she’d held too long. She let her feelings of relief and hope extend around her, brushing Lana’s senses.
“Is that why you went through so much trouble to rescue me?”
“Before you were captured, you accomplished things no one else dared to attempt. You changed the galaxy more than once-and if things ever needed to change, now is the time.”
Lana shot a fierce glance, meeting Aixara’s eyes. The yellow glow piercing her very soul. She knew.
“But… there is something else.” Lana said, shaking her head. “I’ve felt it since the moment I found you in carbonite. There’s a power in you, something new…it’s elusive, but I know it’s there.”
“I think you’re right, Lana. I think the emperor-Valkorion-is in my mind.”
Lana had turned away, but spun around to face Aixara, the pains of Ziost awash on her refined features.
“What?”
“After he died, there was a storm of energy…I barely even remember being thrown into the carbon freezing chamber. And then, while I was frozen, I saw things…dreamed about him, about everything that happened while I was gone.”
Aixara could feel Lana exploring her presence furious and forceful. She did not put up a fight, laying bare her mind at Lana’s feet. She needed Lana’s trust, and she had kept no secrets from her.
“It can’t be. If he were controlling you, I’d know it. I certainly saw enough of it on Ziost.”
“I don’t think he is trying to control me…not directly anyway. He was trying to convince me to work with him.”
“Whatever he’s doing, we can be sure that he is always trying to deceive us somehow. I believe in you; and I appreciate your honesty. I’ll remain watchful for any influence he might have over you. For the time being though, we have no choice but to proceed.”
“What about the others?”
“They wouldn’t understand-and like you said, we really don’t know anything for sure yet. Let’s keep the matter between us for now.”
Aixara nodded as Lana’s head dropped, her frown analyzing some imagined issue with the harvester. “Lana?”
Her eyes rose instantly, “Yes, my lord?” Lana hid her own surprise at the trained reaction that sprang from her, but it did not slip past Aixara, who displayed a puzzled expression.
“There is no need for that anymore, I am not your better.”
“You are my better.” Lana claimed as she lay the part she was holding to rest on a crate. A lighthearted smile surfaced on her cheeks, “But old habits can be silly that way.”
Aixara stared coldly as the smile faded away. Her mind was somewhere else entirely. Her head sank in contemplation, thoughts bounced around in her mind, refusing to submit to her normal disciplined structure.
“What is it?” Lana asked, worry once again plagued her mind. It had become a rather unwelcome companion as of late.
Aixara took a deep breath. “I know it’s been five years.” She closed her eyes for a pause, trying to calmly choose the right words to convey her concern. “For you.”
“But I was suspended. Lana…for me…I left you on Yavin 4 only a month ago.” She lifted her gaze, her ice blue eyes were soft and reverent. Desire pooling in her stomach like magma.
Lana steeled herself. Nearly 20 years of training and working with the Sith empire, command of Sith Intelligence, and saving the galaxy itself had given her a certain poise. The sith had a long tradition of giving in to passions and flings. It gave them strength. Sex was just sex, always had been. Actual love was an entity all its own, and its heavy price meant it was not taken lightly. Lana had always strived for a cool composure. Letting her emotions show was a glaring sign to others that she lacked discipline. Her stoicism also gave her an edge. Even showing the smallest amount of anger or resolve sent everyone running to appease her.
No amount of barricading could save her. As soon as she met Aixara’s piercing gaze, every last brick in Lana’s walls dissolved to mere dust. Even after all this time, the look, THAT look, that feeling was still present. Unchanged. Frozen in time, just like her lover was.
“And then all this...mess happened. The carbonite, Valkorion, Koth…” Aixara trailed off, closing her eyes and letting her head fall for a few deep breaths. “Thank you for coming after me.”
Her eyes opened at last, rising to pierce Lana’s with renewed determination. “You said the galaxy needs me. Is that the only reason you saved me?”
Lana stared at her feet. The slightest movement shook her head. She was still unwilling to admit, even to herself, that her selfish desires competed with the fate of the entire galaxy. Her judgement was severely impaired, and it had become costly on more than one occasion.
“Lana, is it still there? That fire you held for me?” Her hopeful voice shook as she took a step towards the trembling Sith, already sure of the answer waiting for her. “Does it still burn?”
“Yes.” Lana uttered quietly, firmly planting her feet into the ground, sure that she wouldn’t be able to stop herself if they moved.
“Then show me.” Aixara demanded. Her tone was urgent, voice barely audible as she stood nose to nose with Lana.
Lana leaned away, dropping her head to the side. Her breaths were heavy and forced, hands rested on her hips. “It’s just…”
“You’re hesitating, why are you hesitating?” Aixara’s voice called for justice, her eyes darting to snag Lana’s sight.
“It’s not whatever you’re thinking.” She said, finally lifting her eyes. “It’s just been so long, I don’t want it to all spill out at once.”
Aixara flashed a fierce look, half astonishment, half disgust. “Touch me dammit!” She yelled, grabbing Lana’s hand and ripping off her glove. She clenched the fingers together tightly in her own and pressed the back of the closed fist into her cheek. She held it there, rubbing it gently along, dropping slow, soft kisses on the skin. She finally turned Lana’s hand over, splaying it across her other cheek.
Lana stood stone still until Aixara opened her hand. She ran a thumb over her soft lips, catching on a kiss as she crossed the center. Her hand continued down her chin, grasping gently around her throat before drawing up into the deep red curls. A sharp inhale rose from the pulsing throat approaching her.
Aixara’s hands advanced longingly up Lana’s arms as they embraced. She unclasped the pauldrons in her way and rested her arms along her broad shoulders. One hand laced into the blonde hair and tugged her closer.
Lana ghosted her lips across Aixara’s cheek, settling lightly on her lips. “I missed you. Too much.” She sighed as her chest caved inward.
The kiss was electric. Years of pent up emotions swirled around the couple, energizing everything in a ten-meter radius. Aixara wrapped her hands around Lana’s head, relishing in her blonde locks. She made her intentions clear-taking a large handful of hair and pulling hard. She cornered Lana’s tongue with her own and ran her hand alongside her neck.
“I need you, Lana.” Her words trickled down Lana’s throat.
The statement was simple, but urgent. She knew Lana would give in. Despite burying her emotions, Lana always had a certain vulnerability about her, and she never was able to resist the inquisitor’s advances. A simple goodbye kiss on Yavin 4 lasted far too long. Then they shared another, and another. Lana’s trepidation was short lived, and Aixara spent nearly three hours in the back of a shuttle, exploring the landscapes under Lana’s tunic.
This time there was no hesitation, Lana waved a few fingers in the air and unhooked Aixara’s combat belt, dropping it on the ground. Aixara grinned outright as she replied in kind, and soon their lightsabers were buried together in a heap of discarded armor and inhibitions.
Aixara threw Lana to the ground, casting a blanket of energy beneath her. On top of her in an instant, she pinned her down. It had been far too long. She could barely contain the urgency welling inside her.
Lana worshipped Aixara’s body, wriggling and straining to touch everything she could reach. The rush of memory washed over her as she nibbled on Aixara’s right ear. How did she smell the same after being frozen so long? Mere fragrances cannot withstand that kind of trial. Lana buried her face in Aixara’s hair. She drew a deep, slow breath. Aurilian fruit; Aixara’s favorite. The smell was almost as invigorating as consuming the fruit itself. Lana canted her hips up, but Aixara deftly dodged the advance, a knowing smirk flashing across her face.
Aixara took a nipple in her mouth, wrapped her tongue around it and pulled back to create suction. Lana let a quiet sigh slip out and raised her hips again. Aixara reaffirmed her domination, pinning Lana’s arms out to the side.
Leaving a dark mark on Lana’s breast, Aixara drug her tongue up to her neck. Drawing slightly away from the wet spot, she warmed it with her breath. A fast change to pursed lips froze the chosen location, sending chills down Lana’s back.
Aixara dropped her full body onto Lana and let her teeth take hold. The bite was fierce, but she didn’t break the skin. She reveled in the taste of Lana’s flesh, sucking to pull her blood to the surface. The unmistakable flavor of adrenaline filled her mouth.
Lana felt like she just jumped off a cliff. A moan turned into an urgent yell. She summoned the force and broke free, spinning Aixara up against a nearby tree root. Sitting in Aixara’s lap, she wrapped her legs around to secure her position, tucking one underneath a thigh. Lana pressed her body into Aixara and held her head steady to deliver a deep, passionate kiss.
“No Aixara! I can’t wait. Not now.”
“Then take me. You got me back Lana. Now give me what I missed!” Aixara almost begged; willing her heart to stay in her chest. She couldn’t help but smile. The gentle motions of Lana’s ass did not do her fury justice. She grabbed her by the low back and pressed harder. Faster. A new rhythm emerged, and Lana began to flush a bright red.
Aixara needed no encouragement. Seeing Lana’s perfect demeanor melt with pleasure was enticement enough. She craved her flesh, finally surrounded by her embrace again.
Lana dug her nails into Aixara’s hips and lifted her breasts, begging for attention with every bounce. Aixara refused to resist such temptation. Face buried, she grabbed them, leaving constellations of kisses everywhere she could, her moans of approval gracing Lana’s ears.
Lana was wet. The mere thought made Aixara’s anticipation build, let alone the warmth spreading along her thighs. She slapped Lana’s ass repeatedly, and planted a final kiss before the storm.
“Lana.” Aixara sighed, her whisper rang with relief and freedom.
She raked a hand's worth of nails down Lana’s back and grabbed a fistful of hair in the other. Pulling Lana close, she climaxed. A gush of warmth bathed Lana’s clitoris. Woah.
“Aixara?”
“Lana, I need you. Now.” Aixara seemed to stare into Lana’s very soul.
“Aixara!”
The swamp thundered with noise as insects scattered, humming over the sounds of continued gratification as the moons began to emerge from the horizon.