Coming Undone

[Razielle Alastor]

Things were settling into a rythym once more for Princess Razielle. They had returned sucesfully from their mission to the Hapan Consortium. Chume Ishara, after many tediously long and debasing sessions with Razielle had, most graciously, agreed to set a tentative correspondence between the Consortium and Onderon. The live game that had been brought as a gift to the Queen Mother, several native species of predators of the Onderon Wilds, had at least whetted the appetite of interest. From there Razielle had appealed to the Queen Mother's generosity, to find out that the bitch had none. For days they toyed back and forth. Razielle was a source of amusment to the Hapan Queen who found it delightful to compare Razielle's shortcomings to the glorious perfection of her own Golden Princess, Elaine. If Razielle was alabaster and amethyst, Elaine was molten gold and topaz, and did not seem to be a creature of bitter control, as was her mother..

Perhaps her mind had been made all along to set her eye on Onderon. Perhaps she had just liked having Razielle under her power. Pliant, obidient and meek. Razielle had seethed beneath the surface, wanting to commit serious carnage. She remained composed, taking the abuse, her only thought to succeed in this mission.

And she had.. An escort of the Hapan Navy had made the return journey with their small party. For the time, Onderon had the support of the Hapan Queen, but it was a fragile agreement and temporary at the very best..

Razielle arrived the office of the Prime Minister. It was late, but not overly so.. She had been given a message that her presence was requested and she hadn't given it another thought. It was nothing unusual, but she had not spoken to Salem a great deal since their return. He had seemed withdrawn, even moreso than usual and that worried her greatly. He was hard enough to read as it was..

She was admitted, annouced and the doors were shut behind her. Salem was at his desk, working, as always. He didn't glance up as she entered. She moved into the room with ease, sitting down in a chair and leaning her cheek on her hand while she waited for him to acknowledge her. When he didn't, she felt like squirming.

"You know.." , she started, looking slightly amused.

"It has come to my attention that you haven't spoken more than two words to me since we left Hapan space..." She was exaggerating, of course. It was just, antisocial, even for him..

[Salem Ave]

“Haven't I?”

The stylus pinched between Salem's pale, clawed fingertips slowed and then stopped moving. His brows became knit, ever so slightly. He carefully laid the pen down and looked meaningfully at the datapad he had been working on, before slowly sitting backwards into his chair. It was only then that his eyes lifted, meeting Razielle's awkward gaze with a hint of skepticism.

“I have been quite... consumed by this whole affair,” he said. “Sorry.”

The distrust smoothed away from his features, replaced by the smile that the people of Iziz knew so well. Although he looked a little tired around the eyes, there was nothing else to suggest that he had even left his office, that they had spent the last however many loathsome weeks as marionettes to the Queen of Hapes. It was a relief to be back, at last.

“Was there something you wanted to talk about?”

[Razielle Alastor]

He looked tired. Despite her determination to keep a polite distance between herself and her master, Razielle still had to do battle with her own inclinations. At this moment she just wanted to pop up, out from the seat and continue the conversation from his side of the desk, while trying to erase the lines of tension around his eyes by massaging his neck and shoulders and..

Damn...

She dropped her gaze down to her lap and folded her fingers to keep them still. "Nothing in particular comes to mind, at the moment.."

The restraints of her 'Princess Razielle' mask, once more in place, she looked back up with a cool smile. "Besides.. you summoned me. Was there something you wanted to talk about?", she countered..

[Salem Ave]

It was only in these rare times, away from the public eye, that Salem allowed himself the luxury of appearing tired. Even when in the presence of the Queen or her ward, he was reluctant to drop his guard. His entire existence within Iziz had been founded upon an unshakable determination, the notion that somehow he was beyond the usual fatigues and flaws of humanity. In truth, he was as susceptible as everyone else. He was simply better at covering it up.

“I summoned you,” he repeated, nodding. “Yes, I did.” His face brightened now. He fixed her eyes with his own, an unusual air of goodwill about him. “I wanted... to thank you. You have been indispensable these last few months. What we accomplished for Onderon, couldn't have been done without you. You have truly outdone yourself... outdone my expectations.”

[Razielle Alastor]

Somehow, she managed to remain calmly seated. Razielle didn't quite keep the grin from her face though. It was only her number one priority in life, to please Salem. Since he had personally asked her to take on the mission to Hapes and seek out the Queen Mother, there was no way that she would have taken no for an answer and let him down. She'd have taken the whole of the Consortium hostage first. Everything that she had been through was suddenly all worth it.

Razielle nodded, lowering her eyes to her lap, almost bashfully. "Of course.."

She peeked back up through the dark fringe of her hair and eyelashes. "You are most welcome, Salem."

Razielle smirked a bit. "It was fun.."

[Salem Ave]

The word 'fun' seemed to strike a note with Salem. His brow creased a little, only for a moment, then smoothed in an instant. The change was near imperceptible. He took a moment to think, casting his white eyes towards the high window behind Razielle that spilled light across the luxurious office.

“Hapes was as much a test for you as it was for Onderon. More so, perhaps. The dedication you exhibited, the control and finesse... you have shown yourself to be so much more capable than I previously thought. Such accomplishments must be... rewarded.”

[Razielle Alastor]

There was simply no helping it, the man could make her purr from across the room. She had the audacity to give him a flirty wink.

"I am most greatful to hear I passed the test. You of all people should know that I am definitely not what I appear to be. I'm capable of all kinds of things, when properly inspired."

She sat back in the chair, crossing her legs and linking her fingers around one bent knee. She tapped her toe in a cheerful manner, but it was all another ruse to cover up the fact that she was going nuts. She could smite herself for promising to behave.

"A reward.. you say? That does sound promising."

[Salem Ave]

“Indeed.”

Salem could not help himself smiling – almost. He could see the tension uncoiling in her, the slow but certain unraveling of the mask she was striving to uphold. The both of them walked a thin line between reality and deception, and both elaborate guises were beginning to fall away.

“Your reward is this... I shall be honest with you, henceforth.”

[Razielle Alastor]

One dark eyebrow arched slightly. Razielle was never really certain what was real and what was pretense where Salem was concerned. Their carefully crafted guise for the face of Onderon had them shown as lovers, but it was not truth. Much as she would have exceedingly enjoyed otherwise. In fact, she'd had countless dreams, rehashing every private stolen moment she'd been in Salem's presence since her arrival to Iziz.

Flickering light from a dying fire.. The smell of spilled wine. An image in a Death's head mask that should have been terrifying in a dream, but somehow just made her toes curl. She couldn't move, even if she had the inclination to do so. She was helpless. Held firmly in place, flat on her back against the softess of her tousled bed.

"Is this what you want to give me? Do you want to surrender your body as well as your mind? Do you want me to corrupt every part of your being?"

Then the story changed, following a path that had not actually happened.

YES! Her mind screamed..

A sharp intake of breath brought her back to the present. She really had to cease entertaining such thoughts, particularly when they made her cheeks turn bright pink. Honesty or not. She had given her word to be nothing more than an obidient apprentice. A fact that she was presently cursing over in her mind.

"I think I would like that." She smiled, candidly.

[Salem Ave]

“In turn, any deception on your part is no longer necessary.”

There were many implied meanings to his words. Razielle could, and no doubt would, interpret them as she wished. Salem formed a steeple with his fingertips, looking over to her with an intensity that belied his calm nature.

“Our charade is at an end.”

[Razielle Alastor]

Razielle seemed quite frozen, as she mulled over what exactly all of it meant. It was often a challenge to read between the lines with Salem. She'd wager she was better than most at the skill though. In the end she elected to ignore the words, useless jumbles of letters thrown togther in the language of society. Instead she relied only on her senses and powers of observation. Her eyes settled on his for a moment.

Then quite violently she was out of the seat. She sincerely hoped whatever had been on his desk wasn't important because she swept the lot out of her way to the floor, not bothering to take the time to walk around the piece of furniture. Next, her very person was traversing the desks polished surface in a scramble and she gained his lap with enough force to send the chair he was occupying rolling backward. She wasn't even going to think. She could think tomorrow.

[Salem Ave]

The chair fell backwards with Salem still in it, not yet spilling the Prime Minister out to the ground. His clawed hands took hold of Razielle and in an instant she was beneath him, having been pushed aside with ease. Knelt over her, his tie out of place and a stray strand of hair apart from the immaculate brown wave above his brow, Salem froze.

The commotion had drawn the attention of nearby staff. With a brush of the Force, Salem quelled all curiosity of the sound in their mind, their anxiety evaporating in an instant. His eyes had remained on hers the entire time. His fingertips dug hard against her palms, held apart at shoulder level, pinned firmly down. His lips were parted, only slightly, and his empty eyes seemed to show some flicker of emotion that had not been there before.

[Razielle Alastor]

It was most fortunate for all concerned that no one had come through that door, she was certain she'd have killed them.

The Queen's ward lay in a disheveled heap on the floor, pinned down by the Prime Minister. The office was most assuredly a mess now, with the scattered contents of the desk having rolled this way and that. She didn't give a damn.

What she wanted was to get free and continue with her assault. Yet, at the same time there was an amusing sense of déjà vu about the whole situation. Once more she was pinned down at his mercy, given the choice this time, her standards would fly out the nearest window. She was done with waiting and wanting.

Her neck and shoulders arched up off the floor in frustration. She tossed her hair out of her face and struggled a bit, but not to get away. To get closer.

[Salem Ave]

Salem resisted, but only for a moment... it was all the restraint he had the patience for. His grip on her hands weakened; he didn't need to see her held down any longer, not in any sense. There was no resignation in him, no sense that he was submitting for the sake of indulging her. The desire was mutual, long-awaited. This time, it was he who strained towards her, to meet her lips with his own, to yield.

[Razielle Alastor]

A small sigh, rather like contenment escaped Razielle's parted lips not a second after his touched hers. Her rigid body went blissfully limp. She was certain she was going to float right up and knock her head on the ceiling she felt so weightless, like vapor.

Realizing her hands were now free, she took full advantage and moved. First her fingers linked through Salem's own clawed hands. It wasn't enough, her hands travelled up his arms, crushing the formerly immaculate and wrinkle free shirt. Still she wanted more and her hands continued their leisurely exploration, roaming over his back, up his shoulders, into his hair.. Actually she was finding it quite difficult to be still and all the while her mouth was equally intent on deepening the kiss.

[Salem Ave]

There was so much to be said, to be explained, but now was not the time. Unbridled, the dark side coiled and thrashed around him. All of the energy that was so carefully controlled, so effortlessly composed into the visage of Salem Ave, shattered outwards and lashed itself into a pulsing cocoon around them. It was a physical embodiment of the most primal emotions, the dangerous desires that were encased beneath the Prime Minister's armor and rarely surfaced even in his time as the ghostly Darth Callidus.

They were the passions that had driven Salem, as a young student of the dark arts, to pierce the heart of his then lover and master. Years before then, they had turned him away from the path of the light for her love. They had been his undoing and his salvation, his damnation and his exultation, weaved inextricably into one. His wrath and his lust, intertwined as a single unstoppable hunger.

[Razielle Alastor]

Somewhere.. lost in the logical part of her mind, the part that wasn't responding at the moment, Razielle got the impression that she was being consumed, on every level possible. She could feel the pulse of power beating all around them, it should have scared her. Instead it just further enthralled her.

For years now she'd compared every other man to this one. All others had been weighed in the balance and found wanting. If it was her destiny to be destoyed by him she doubted she offer much resistance at this point. All she could do was submit, desperately trying to take what she wanted along the way.

[Salem Ave]

The light in the chandelier above spat and flickered, as if the very electricity was some how being sucked away, drawn into the dark void that had awoken inside Salem. He was sitting now, and had pulled Razielle into his lap, and their lips were hard together in a raw kiss that felt as if it would never end. His fingertips raked across her skin, one hand down her back, the other clutching at her thigh.

He remembered the first time he had laid eyes on her, so many years ago, and how even then he had desired her. It was an inclination that had only shown through once before, on the night of the masquerade ball, but he had managed to gain some self-control then, to subdue himself. He knew that there was far too much talent in her for it to be ruined then, far too much at stake to give in before the time was right. Finally, the time had come.

The impenetrable mental guards that were so masterfully laid in place fell away, as he allowed himself to become lost, overwhelmed, by the moment.

[Razielle Alastor]

Heat and passion that had been too long denied, slammed through Razielle. She was not content to sit across Salem's lap, but climbed astride him so that she could face forward, his hips between her knees. The heat they generated was surely fogging his office windows by now.

She tore her mouth away from the kiss to run her tongue along his salty skin, licking a bead of perspiration from his neck. She nibbled on his earlobe, pressed chest to chest with him, his hands on her back, holding her there. She whispered hotly for him to take her to a bed, immediately.

The suggestion seemed to be mutually more appealing than the cold hard floor. She was lifted, as she was, with her arms and legs wrapped around him and carried in the general direction of the door. They would have made it sooner, but stopped to sprawl out across his desk, on the way.

[Salem Ave]

It was too much. Salem let Razielle's body fall against the hard surface of the desk, as he tried to carry her away. His hips drove hard between hers, as base instincts took control, He wanted her then and there. He felt their bodies grind together, a surge of pleasure rising in him. Their skin pressed together, straining desperately to be closer, intertwining like one being. He relished the intimacy, leaning his body down as close as could be mustered against her, her heartbeat fluttering in time with his own. Hot passion suffused through his body, a restless and uncontrollable thing, kisses biting hungrily at every inch of exposed flesh.

[Razielle Alastor]

It was only a matter of time before clothing was torn at, removed and ultimately discarded in a heap on the floor, amid the fallen items from the desk. Razielle was in a fever to press skin to bare skin. Any intentions that may have been briefly harbored about a proper location were long gone, consumed in the blaze. She had no care for any of it.

Her eyes hungrily drank in the sight of her master, her obsession and her own private demi-god as he pressed her back, her sweaty bare skin sticking to his desk. She had wanted him, wanted this, for so long she was beyond ready.

The reality was so much better than any late night fantasy she could have dreamed up. The feel of his weight crushing her down, the feel of her hands sliding over his skin, her legs wrapping around his waist to hold him to her, everything was pure sensation that blinded her.

[Salem Ave]

The careful composure of the room was gone. The papers so meticulously stacked on the desk had been scattered to the floor and any thought of consequences had been cast aside just as carelessly. In an instant, their bodies merged as one. An electric thrill ran up Salem's spine, and he drew Razielle's body up against him, arms locked tightly around the small of her back. His head buried against her shoulder, and he murmured words into the nape of her neck, indistinct and aggressive, yet adoring and loving in the same breath. He was part of her and she him, and nothing felt quite so sublime.

[Razielle Alastor]

Harsh guttural words mixed with breathless pants and whimpers. The possesion was not just of her body, it was beyond that. Her soul had long been his for the taking, but he had always refused. Not any longer. She could feel him in her mind, which was wide open to him now, no barriers of any kind were in place. She had ceased to be Razielle, the Princess the moment she had bolted across the desk into his arms. She was simply a woman, his woman and she could feel him imprinting the claim onto her very being. It thrilled her to her toes as she clung to him..

[Salem Ave]

Then and there, they were entirely apart from the rest of Onderon. Time seemed to stand still. When it was all over, Salem had no conception of how long he – they – had been caught up in the maddening heat of one another. Everything swam in his mind, a blur of color and sensation. Each breath became long and steady. He stood over her still, somehow different from himself. His hair was unkempt, his skin damp with sweat. Not Salem or Callidus, but something – someone – else... the person that lay beneath the many layers of his public and private persona's. Honest emotion blazed in his eyes.

[Razielle Alastor]

Her face was still turned to the side, eyes closed, as she caught her breath. Slowly she opened them, raising up onto her elbows for a moment before sitting up all the way. Without a word she raised her fingers to Salem's brow, to brush his forelock out of his eyes. Her fingers slid down his cheek and across his lips as she scooted forward, her bared legs and feet dangling over the side of the desk. They had infinitely more time to enjoy one another without the need to rush, now that, for the moment at least.. it was out of their systems.

Almost shyly, Razielle slid off the desk and bent to grab her hastily discarded clothing, tucking it in an armful. She didn't make any move to clothe herself, knowing that it would be no matter for Salem to make sure they weren't seen when they left the office. The only question that remained in her mind was where would he lead her, to her own room, or his? The thought caused a smirk to show on her features as she padded barefoot to the door..

[Salem Ave]

They left the office without a word. The room looked as if had been hit by a hurricane, the aftermath of the Force unleashed. In the vacant corridor, it bubbled around them as a shimmering mirror. Any eyes that so much as glanced towards it would be thrown away in an instant and any thought of entering the Prime Minister's office would be cast aside just as quickly. Salem held Razielle's hand as he lead her, naked as they were, the short distance to his own bed-chambers. Once inside the security and privacy of the room, the mirage surrounding them evaporated. The bundle of clothes in Salems hands fell carelessly to the floor, as he curled one arm around Razielle's waist, drawing her close to him once more. He brought his free hand to her brow, brushing tousled strands of hair from her eyes.

[Razielle Alastor]

As his clawed fingertips brushed against the side of her face, Razielle tilted her cheek upward, bumping against his hand the way a kitten starved for attention would. Before, she had always worn a besotted expression when Salem Ave was present, but even that emotion had now changed. It was enhanced now, clarified into utter adoration.

Her own hands trailed upward, sliding over his chest and neck, loving the feel of him. Her arms looped around his neck, one corner of her mouth lifting in a slight grin. It wasn't the calculated grin of someone who had won a prize. It was the simple and honest enoyment of her most favorite person.. now her lover. The thought made her heart race all over again..

[Salem Ave]

Salem touched a claw to Razielle's cheek, turning it gently upwards. He pressed light kisses to her jaw, each closer to her neck. One hand trailed the soft, supple curve of her body, coming to rest at the small of her back. His head lifted a little and he could not help but smile faintly at the expression Razielle wore, the look of complete and utter devotion so clear in her eyes. It was beyond, far stronger, than anything he had ever imagined her to possess. He could feel the quivering flutter of her heart as they stood so closely together. It was almost as if she was more anxious within his chambers than she had been in his office.

“What are you thinking?” he wondered aloud.

[Razielle Alastor]

Salem's hand carressing the sensitive flesh at the small of her back made her shiver deliciously. His kisses along her jaw and neck teased goosebumps from her soft skin. Razielle knew no one else would ever evoke such passionate responses from her body. He was her master in all ways and she was utterly his creature.

"I was just thinking how you make me feel so alive.."

It was the truth. Until he had found her she hadn't even known who she really was, or what she was capable of. She had been a useless pampered oddity, doomed to one reality. Everything she was and everything she wanted to be started with him. He had set her free and given her a new life. It was fitting that it should belong to him.

[Salem Ave]

A sense of deja vu threatened to overcome Salem. He felt as if he had experienced this conversation before, played out these movements in times gone by. He had – but it had been he who had been brought to life by another. To be on the receiving end of such compliments felt no less rewarding. From the very beginning he had thought to sculpt her into something new but for all power could suppress many things, it could not deny free will. It had never been his intention to seduce her, to make a lover of his first apprentice, but fate could not be denied. It was a rushing tide that crashed over anything and anyone in its path.

Salem frowned, smoothing away the kinks in her dark hair.

“I'm sorry that I had to... lie to you for so long. I hope you understand.”

[Razielle Alastor]

A sad little smile crossed her features, but still she nodded, accepting his words. "It was enough that I was here.. with you."

Razielle could admit it to herself now. She would have gone on indefinitely with the charade, as an excuse to be near him. Above all else he was her master and she would not have sacrificed the power he could teach her, not even if it broke her spirit a little each day to never be able to have honesty between them. Her half life had been exhausting. Wanting, craving and adoring, but only able to show it when they were presenting themselves to an audience, bound by her rash promises.

She wrapped her arms around him, stepping forward and laying her head on his chest, closing her eyes. She could hear and feel the beat of his heart and it calmed her.

"Even still..", she muttered... "I'm glad it's done with."

[Salem Ave]

With a gentle hand, Salem stroked Razielle's hair as she clung to him. His eyes drifted upwards, to the full-length window over looking the palace gardens and focused on some indistinct point in the mid-distance. He wondered how Adraudia – more important, Creas – would react to this revelation. Though she was obedient enough, she did not take well to deception, her mind free of the infatuation that the Princess felt. Whilst it would be possible to continue lying to her, Salem did not think it prudent. Their relationship with one another was built upon a foundation of strong trust. Shaking – or, Force forbid, breaking – that now was unthinkable.

“You ought to inform the court, and the Queen, of this... us.”

[Razielle Alastor]

Razielle peeked up, violet eyes meeting white. "That won't be any hardship. The court has already long suspected such anyways. Our recent appearances together bolstered the idea in their minds."

She stepped away, only long enough to pad across the room and stop at the foot of the bed. She paused with her back to Salem. "As for the Queen.."

"I never chose to willfully mislead her. I was already honest with her about.. my feelings."

Turning around and leaning against the bed, she crossed her ankles and smiled. "I find that half truths often serve better than outright lies."

[Salem Ave]

The Arkanian smiled, almost proudly. Yes... he was proud. So often, Razielle acted without instruction and in the best interests of their position. Her social graces as a member of royalty, matched with the training he had provided, had made her most adept at bending the truth to her own devices. Perhaps even more so than Ave himself. The thought stirred him a sudden and unexpected whimsy – a feeling brought on by knowing with certainty how well everything was unfolding, how expertly his plans had come to fruition. He strode forwards with an almost swaggering gait.

“Perhaps we ought to... give them some more... truths to discuss,” he muttered, darkly.