“I didn’t realize it was so deep,” she remarked. Maul touched the wound, the facepaint marred and exposing the pale flesh beneathe it.
“I admire your tact, Dirae. However, I will have my revenge on this,” he pointed to the wound as he spoke the last words, “And you will not enjoy any of it, I swear.” The maliciousness in his voice caused shivers to fly up and down her spine. She sucked in a single breath through her teeth.
“You never know, my lord Maul, I may enjoy whatever torture you have devised. Now take me to my quarters,” she said quietly. Maul continued walking, Dirae following.
* * *
Once Dirae was settled in her quarters, she sat down on the bed and laid back, her arms above her head. She licked her lips, tasting his sweet blood. Whatever possessed her to defeat him by kissing him and biting him had left her when he had removed himself from her quarters. Only one emotion remained: lust. She felt lust for him. Waves of heat flashed over her body as she thought of him bare beneathe her. She wondered if he painted his entire body or not. The idea of him panting beneathe her excited her beyond her own comprehension. She heard his gasps and moans in her ears, the feel of his large hands roaming over her equally naked form sent thrilling sensations through her.
With a groan she rolled over onto her side. Truly the Dark Side was a seductive force that compelled anyone who drew close enough to it to be drawn in, embraced by it. She could feel the silky tendrils of the Dark Side gliding over her form and embracing her in its darkness. She closed her eyes and envisioned it being Maul instead of the Force. With that thought, she fell into a deep sleep.
* * *
Meanwhile, in Maul’s own quarters, he was seated on his bed dressed only in his black trousers and boots. He touched the wound on his lips delicately, recalling the fierce bite that had caused it. When he removed his hand from his mouth he saw the blood on his fingers. Visions of the heated struggle flashed through his memory. The feel of her lips upon his own, the heat that followed and the driving need to possess her body and soul enveloped him. It had been a long time since he’d seen a female member of his race. He knew by their standards Dirae wasn’t a prime example of perfect beauty but her ferocity more than made up for her lack of looks. He found her to be lovely in the deadly animalistic way of a lioness hunting her prey. Her height almost matched his own yet her body moved with more fluid grace than his own. Fighting with her would seem a dance of death, their hands barely touching the other’s body while attacking.
He knew his thoughts should be remaining on finding the Jedi and the boy for his master. Passion had a way of defeating duty, he knew that as well. Yet nothing like this had gripped him so tightly in so long, he almost didn’t know what to do with it. That familiar tingle in his body that led to the natural excitement of dancing the ancient rites of lust with a female raced along his spine. He had to release this lust.
Standing, he picked up his saber and lit the twin blades. He swished it around, watching the red blades dance in the air. After honing his skills with his precious dualsaber, he retracted the blades and hooked it back to his belt. Forgetting he wasn’t wearing his tunic he stalked out of his quarters and down the halls to Sidious’s chambers.
Back in her room, Dirae heard the whisper-light sounds of Maul’s footsteps and sat up in bed. She opened her door and peered outside. The flash of black rounding the corner alerted her that he was in fact up and about. A slow smile spread over her lips. Apparently something serious was bothering him and she hoped she was the cause of it. Satisifed, she went back into her room and returned to her slumber.
Sidious turned before Maul entered the chambers and knelt down before him.
“What is it, my apprentice?” Sidious asked patiently. Maul replied in a low gutteral tone.
“She’s driving me mad, my master. Must she stay?” Sidious smiled in a sinister way.
“Oh the young lady bothers you that much eh? And only after one defeat,” Sidious said in a slow teasing way. He clicked his tongue twice and shook his head at Maul. “She is just what you need. Go, end those desires. It will help you when you face the Jedi and claim the boy.”
Maul looked up at Sidious. “What are you saying, my master?”
“Take the girl. Satisfy yourself. Lust is also a part of the Dark Side. Once you harness it it becomes your ally. Use this chance to control it, my apprentice. You have fear, now you have lust.” With that Sidious turned away from Maul. Maul almost couldn’t believe his ears. Without another word, he rose, bowed, and left the chambers.
* * *
Almost an hour later, Dirae heard her door swish open and a dark shadow passed over her body. She held her hand up to her eyes and squinted at the figure.
“It is time for my revenge, Dirae. I shall have it without resistance,” Maul’s voice dripped with unsatisifed passion. Dirae instinctively backed away from his slowly advancing form. The door slid closed behind him, sending the room into almost total darkness. In the faint light, Dirae realized he was only half-clothed. Her observations turned to fear, absolute fear. She was afraid of him. Indeed, he was the master of fear. She felt his hand grip her upper arm forcefully, making her gasp. He knelt beside her on the bed, his eyes gazing down into her wide frightened ones. He drew her closer to his bare chest and spoke very close to her ear.
“You are controlled and you are mine.” She felt his tongue trace the twin horns on the side of her head. Her heart began to beat double time as his other hand moved to her back and held her body against his. In the haze of confusion she realized he had washed his face free of any facepaint. Smooth skin met hers in a sensuous way. She felt him move towards her neck and there he bit into her flesh gently. She gasped with the slight pain and found herself pressing herself against him. Maul pushed her gently back onto the bed, hovering over her body. His hand slipped from her back and moved to the collar of her nightdress. Savagely he ripped it down the middle with both hands, making her cry out. His other hand ran along her thigh, moving the torn fabric aside.
“Maul..” she whispered meekly, her hands pushing against his broad shoulders. He looked at her, his yellow eyes alive with desire. Her lips moved silently as she gazed into those eyes. Control slipped from her mental grasp as she drew his lips down to hers, whispering, “Control me.”
Maul kissed her roughly, biting into her lips as she had to him. She moaned in pain and bit back. Their blood mingled together as the kiss lasted for moments afterward. In what seemed a flash of movements, he was naked above her as she was beneathe him. Her hands circled the sharp horns on his head, caressing the smooth flesh with her palms. He did the same to the horns on her forehead, tracing the tiny red gem between them. It was an ancient mating ritual of their people, done without concious thought.
Before Dirae knew what was happening, she felt him push against her. Her arms around his neck, she eagerly invited him in. Their breathing became labored, the air seeming to spark with the Force-driven lust between them. Her nails dug into the smooth expanse of his muscled back as he thrust forward against her. His face was pressed into her shoulder as she held him tightly. His horns grazed her cheek, drawing blood. Dirae felt no pain, not even pleasure. All she knew was the feel of Maul in her arms and the power of his strong form pressed to her own. Minutes drifted by in a haze and suddenly she knew no more.