Somehow Feyd had managed to clear up more time in his schedule which meant there was more time for the two of us to spend together during the day. When I wasn't with Yuma I was with him, either going for walks around the perimeter of the palace or spending time together in different parts of the castle

I was enjoying his company more and more. The palace was filled with very powerful and scary people, but Feyd was the one person I wasn't afraid of. 

Yuma was preparing me for dinner this evening. I didn't usually get dressed up to see Feyd, but tonight was different. Tonight the Baron had requested we dine with him.

The thought made me nervous. I had met Baron in passing before, but never properly. To sit down and have to converse with him over a meal seemed mildly terrifying. 

"He'll be here any minute now." Yuma told me, referring to Feyd.

I nodded and stared at myself in the mirror. Tonight she dressed me in a black long-sleeved bodycon dress, a more conservative choice considering my company tonight.

I wondered what Paul would say to me if he saw me right now. He'd probably make a bunch of corny jokes, or tell me I'm trying too hard. I could see him telling me he'd rather I wore shorts and t-shirt because then he'd know I was comfortable at the least. I agreed with my make believe Paul, this dress was definitely not comfortable.

I had been thinking about him more than usually lately. Instinctively I reached down to my bracelet to let him know. It seemed as though the more time I spent with Feyd, the more I thought of Paul. The worst of it came at night as I tried to fall asleep, or even worse, in my dreams. I'd watch us go on strange adventures and spend time together like we used to, but I'd wake up and realize that none of it was real.

Lately I had been considering asking Feyd if it would be alright for me to visit my friend back on Arrakis. It wouldn't just be for my Paul, either. I wanted to see my father, the Duke, Lady Jessica, even Duncan.

A knock at the door interrupted my thoughts. I turned around just as Feyd entered the room. His eyes widened at the sight of me and his eyes raked up and down my figure.

"You look stunning." He smiled at me charmingly, leaning over to kiss me on the cheek.

I blushed at his touch, not expecting his affection. "You don't look too bad either."

Feyd wore a simple outfit of dress shirt and dress pants, but there was something about the way all of his outfits defined his muscles that I just couldn't get over. Or perhaps it was just the muscles.

I thanked Yuma and allowed Feyd to lead me away, offering me his arm to hold. I accepted and followed him down the hall toward the dining room. 

I must have been unknowingly squeezing his arm too hard because he said, "If you squeeze me any hard you'll break my arm." He teased.

I released my grip. "Oh, sorry, I didn't realize I was doing that. I think I just feel a little..."

"Nervous?" He finished for me. "My uncle doesn't care about anything other than himself. Trust me, I'm just as surprised as you are that he wanted to dine with us tonight."

We reached the dining room and I tensed at the sight of Baron at the head of the table. He was already in the middle of eating, grunting at our entrance.

"Couldn't wait for us, uncle?" Feyd commented as we approached his end of the table.

"Baron," I nodded in his direction respectfully.

"The lovely Ophelia," He responded with a mouth full of food. "You're just as beautiful as Feyd described you to be."

"Enough," his nephew sent him a look. Feyd pulled out a chair and placed his hand on the small of my back, guiding me to the seat.

He sat on the other side of me, closest to the Baron. The two of us watched as he ate his dinner rather carelessly.

Baron raised his arm and motioned it towards one of the servants. "Bring these two their meals."

The servant rushed off and Baron took another look at the two of us. "I see why my nephew was so insistent on your hand." His eyes moved slowly over my chest. I tensed. 

"Don't be rude, uncle." Feyd told him in a warning tone.

Baron laughed. "Rude? I'm not being rude, I'm merely complimenting the girl."

A plate of hot food was placed in front of me, I thanked the servant. I could sense the Feyd was tense at my side.

"Why have you requested our presence tonight?" Feyd asked him.

"Defensive. So defensive." Baron muttered as he wiped his chin with his serviette. "Where is your patience, son? I've never seen you like this before. It's because of the girl, isn't it?"

Feyd stared, no, glared at his uncle. I was shocked by his boldness and confidence to blatantly disrespect Baron.

"What do you mean?" I asked quietly, looking between the two of them.

He looked at me. His gaze made me want to fall back into my chair. "Well, dear, it seems to me your fiancé is considerably defensive of you. I think he's afraid I'll do something he won't like."

"I'm not afraid." Feyd said with a scowl.

"I wonder why?" Baron smirked at Feyd, igonring his comment. "Afraid I'll take her away? Revoke my blessing?" He shook his head and laughed as he licked the sauce from his fingers. "Don't worry, boy. I like her. She's here to stay."

I supposed the Baron was correct about Feyd's fears, because he relaxed in his seat at his words.

"The reason I asked you two here today was because I met with the Reverend Mother earlier and she shared some very useful information about you, my dear. Specifically, she expressed her interest in your skill in the Way."

I tensed. How did he know this? What was he going to do with this information? How could he say this so openly in a room full of servants?

Feyd must have noticed my fear as well because he snapped at his uncle. "Why does it matter? Keep your voice down."

Baron raised his hands in defence. "It merely captured my attention, is all." He met my eyes. "I  wanted to personally express my interest and gratitude in continuing our bloodline with someone whose blood shows itself to be connected to the Bene Gesserit."

That was it? I felt a wave of relief knowing I wasn't subjected to some intense witch extermination.

"I wanted to check in with the lovely Ophelia to see if there was anything she needed?" He asked me.

Before I could answer, Feyd stepped in. "She's fine. He has everything she needs."

"Actually," I interjected as I remembered earlier thoughts. "I was wondering if I'd be able to visit my family?"

"No." Feyd answered immediately and shot me a look. "It's not safe."

"Not safe?" Baron repeated. We both turned to his head of the table. "Why wouldn't she be safe?"

"She'll be unprotected." Feyd argued. "I won't be available to accompany her."

"Don't be daft, Feyd." His uncle rolled his eyes. "Send her with some troops if you must, there is no danger in allowing her to visit her family. Your priority should be to make your woman comfortable."

Feyd raised his voice. "But uncle-"

"But what, Feyd?" Baron challenged with more power. Feyd recoiled into his seat and his gaze fell to the floor. "There is no honour in containing your partner. If she desires to visit her family, you will allow her to do so."

Feyd clenched his jaw and turned to me. His expression softened, but I could still see the hardness behind his eyes. Maybe even a little bit of hurt. Fear.

"Fine." Feyd sighed and met my eyes. His expression softened as he noticed my sadness.. "But just for the day. Nothing more."

"It's done then," The Baron smiled at me. "You'll leave for Arrakis first thing tomorrow."

***

The next morning couldn't have come faster. I was by the thopter and ready to go as soon as my pilot prepared for our departure.

"You're sure about this?" Feyd asked me again, looking down at me with worried eyes. He had his hand on my waist, almost as if he were trying to hold me to him to stop me from leaving.

I nodded excitedly. "Yes. Absolutely." I went up on my tip-toes to give him a kiss on the cheek.

I could see his smile as I pulled away. His eyes were soft, and his dark features didn't look so dark whenever he was looking at me. 

"I'll miss you." He admitted to me, almost embarrassed. "It will feel odd knowing you're not here."

I threw my head back and laughed. "It's just for the afternoon. You'll be fine Feyd."

I laughed again, but Feyd didn't. He was staring at me intently, his eyes moving across my face as if he were hesitating. I realized his eyes kept darting down to my lips.

I had never considered kissing Feyd, and I had certainly never thought what it would be like to kiss him. But suddenly I did know, as he leaned closer to my face and kissed me gently. I paused at first, surprised by his actions, but responded as his lips began to move against mine. 

We pulled apart at the sound of the pilot calling for me to go. I felt the heat rush to my face.

"Go on." He told me, unable to wipe the smile from his face. "I'll be here when you get back."

I smiled back at him. "Oh trust me, I know."

I joined my pilot on the thopter and we took off for Arrakis. I sat back in my seat and touched my lips. Feyd kissed me, I told myself. And I kissed him back, I thought again. What I didn't understand though, was why my mind kept falling back to Paul.

We arrived in Arrakeen in no time. I was basically jumping out as we were landing and ran straight at Paul who was waiting for my arrival.

I squealed and jumped into his embrace. He caught me in a hug, spinning me in circles as he squeezed me tight.

"God, Lia," He pulled away to face me. "You look insane. You're fucking stunning."

His language caught me off guard but I felt the butterflies in the pit of my stomach. I blushed in embarrassment. "I didn't change anything about my appearance, but thank you." I laughed at him.

He shook his head, not believing me. "You look like you're... glowing. Your cheeks are fuller." His eyes continued to look me up and down. "Or maybe it's just been too long since I've seen you."

"Well, look at you." I shoved his shoulder and gestured to him. "You look like you've gotten bigger."

It was true. He wore the uniform I always knew him to wear, but for some reason it looked more filled out. His shoulders looked broader, his arms bigger.

"I was hoping you'd notice a difference." He grinned and looked down at himself. "I've been doing more heavy training with your dad, I think it really paying off."

"My dad!" I realized and looked around. "Where is he right now?"

"He's in a meeting with my dad right now," Paul answered. "But they'll be out soon. Don't worry."

I nodded. I would make sure to visit my dad during my time home, but for now I turned back to Paul. "So, how do we want to spend this lovely afternoon?"

He grabbed my hand and ushered us towards the inside. "We've got lots of catching up to do, so that's what we'll do."

"You're right." I agreed with him and smiled. It felt like I was finally able to identify the weird and absent feeling I had felt lately in my chest, and I realized it was because I had been missing Paul. It was as if he had the one and only key to a piece of my heart, and without him I felt like that part of me was missing. But not now, not anymore. I squeezed his hand tighter. "Tell me everything."

***

hey loves! thanks for your patience with this update! what are we thinking? i know you guys are dying for more paul, hopefully this satisfies you for now but don't worry he'll come back into the picture permanently just give it a few chapters!

i changed the cover and it is AMAZING!! thank you so much again @AlphaWolfJana for this beautiful cover!

do we like feyd? do we like him too much? are we still team paul right now?

with love,
via <3