"Don't hold your father up to contempt. After all, you are his son, and it is just possible that you may take after him..."

Prologue

13 ABY

Attentively, Nikk listened to the all too known whine of the repulsors as Lucinda touched down on the landing pad. Minutes ticked by while he sat back in his soft leather chair and stared out the viewport, seeing absolutely nothing. The scenery was beautiful, of course. Surrounding the landing pad, tall trees swayed with the wind, white and pink petals spiraled through the air and theoretically, Nikk could see the top half of the mansion where he had grown up.

He just didn't care.

"Welcome home, Sir." The voice over the intercom sounded almost happy that the heir of the Count had returned home. Nikk glanced towards the control tower, wondering how old the boy was who sat there day in day out, directing and re-directing flights that came in at any ungodly hour. Besides Lucinda, the landing pad stood packed with other ships, ranging from small one-manned fighters to passenger liners that could hold up to one hundred individuals.

They had all come because of the Count his father.

Nikk reached forward and switched off the comm unit. He didn't feel like talking to anyone – for that matter, he didn't feel like being home. He'd promised his mother, though, and he would never disappoint her. Finding himself back on the very grounds he'd sworn never to set foot on again was disconcerting, if not even completely disturbing. Nikk took a deep breath and raked a hand through his crimson red hair – he dipped into the Force to calm his wrecked nerves.

With his left hand, he dug through his pants pocket and extracted a small black box. After his mother had called him, he'd decided to bring along a small gift, something he knew she would like. Even as a boy, no matter where Nikk had gone to, he'd always returned with a little present for her. Be it a glittering stone he would find near the river or jewels he would buy at the market. Anything to make her smile because she seldom ever did.

This time he'd bought a small, crystal ornament. A trapezoid shape, it reflected light, tossing it out in rainbow colors. Nikk knew she would love it. Once she had told him she had collected trinkets like this but along the way, she had simply never found the time and the will to collect further. Life as the Count's wife had never been easy on her – the last time she had laughed, Nikk had been five years old.

With a sigh, Nikk closed the little box and stuffed it back into his pocket. Throwing his long black cloak over his shoulders, he leaned towards the controls to let down the ramp and with a heavy heart, he made his way to the waiting private speeder that would take him home.

***

Sitting in the back of the black speeder, Nikk sighed and closed his eyes. The view around him was spectacular but he'd seen it all countless times and this never-ending beauty held no meaning to him anymore. This entire life had been built up on deceit and lies – how could he ever find pride in this?

Unlike his father, Nikk could feel a hovering darkness surrounding the mansion, even parts of the capitol city, depending on who resided there. Where the Jedi Academy felt pure and good, his home felt sullied and dark. As a child Nikk had never understood why he had an aching pressure surround his heart the closer he got to his father but now he knew it was corruption he'd felt, a lingering and all-devouring malevolence.

Twenty minutes into the ride home, Nikk could see the black gates looming in front of the speeder. Almost two stories high, the black metal had been carved a generation ago, portraying small angelic creatures flapping through the air with big smiles on their faces. Perhaps it was to give visitors a warming and heartfelt welcome but to Nikk it simply felt wrong. Another one of many lies that made his family seem so perfect on the outside.

The gates parted soundlessly and the driver, a mechanical droid built to look like a human male in his mid thirties, pulled into a long and winding driveway. Native trees lined the paved road, along with small blooming bushes and statues depicting mythical figures from popular legends and fairy tales. Nikk's attention was drawn to the garden complex on the far side of the mansion. Memories assaulted his mind, images he wished he could forget. Sighing, he tore his eyes away and swallowed back vivid curses he'd learned from the very best over the past few years he'd been at the Academy and beyond. His mother would strangle him if she ever heard such talk from him and that small thought actually made him smile.

The speeder pulled up in front of a large set of double doors, the entrance surrounded by four pillars that connected to an oval balcony on the third floor. Before Nikk had even exited the vehicle, the doors flew open and his mother ran out, her black gown billowing behind her. She threw her arms around his neck, holding her son close.

Nikk had to admit, he was more than happy to see his mother again, to hold her. Her scent was the same as he remembered, a vibrant fragrance of roses and sweet spices. Feeling content, Nikk sighed and held her at arms' length. "Mom."

"You've returned." Again, she pulled him into a warm hug, two small tears running down her face. "I didn't think you would."

"I could never disappoint you, mother. Not ever again."

She smiled at him, wiping at her damp cheeks and within seconds, she returned to the regal and proud personality he remembered her to be when dealing with the Count. Nikk was surprised at how old she seemed; there were lines on her face he couldn't remember seeing before, her blue eyes seemed dull and hollow, her skin brittle and pale – she looked ill.

"You've never been a disappointment to me, Nikkolai. Far from." Gently, she reached up and touched his cheek. Her fingers shook and the warmth her touch generated almost overwhelmed him.

"Come inside." She said softly, her face falling. "There is much to be discussed."

***

The grand foyer had always been divinely elegant and beautiful. A large oval fountain stood in the middle, crystal water splashing into the basin below. Plants and more statues lined the glittery walls and an enormous chandelier dangled from the ceiling.

Nikk watched as the staff scurried about the white marbled floor, all of them wearing the black and red colors of mourning. Quietness followed their receding footsteps – their heads bowed to the floor, no one spoke while they carried on with their chores.

Nikk frowned. "Is he dead yet?"

Zhenya Vox slapped his arm and Nikk had to admit it stung. He grimaced at his mother, rubbing the spot where her flat hand had caught him. "Show some respect!" Shaking her head, she heaved a long and tired sigh. "He is still alive. Barely." Zhenya paused while she cleared her throat, watching as Nikk walked towards the marble fountain. "He wishes to see you."

The clicking of his boots stopped abruptly as Nikk turned and stared at his mother. "What for? He's shown and told me countless times what a disgrace he thinks I am."

Zhenya sighed and nodded. She could not even begin to fathom what was going through her son's mind at that very moment. He'd shown more courage than anyone she'd ever known in the course of his young life and to come home even after the Count had banished him…

"It is his dying wish, Nikkolai." She stepped forward and placed a small, delicate hand on his shoulder. "Please. Grant him this wish." Her voice faltered and her hands shook. Zhenya turned away from Nikk, trying her damndest to hide her welling tears.

Nikk felt her inner turmoil through the Force – her pain at losing the only companion she had ever known.

"He doesn't deserve it." Nikk spat through gritted teeth, remembering all the things his father had done to him. The Count had loved to make Nikk feel worthless and below him, he had loved to embarrass Nikk whenever colleagues and friends had been in the vicinity. However, the one thing Nikk would never forgive was the fact that the Count had made sure the woman Nikk loved was out of his reach forever.

Zhenya's face fell and she put her pride aside. She raised her chin and looked him square in the eye, the way she would do when she defied her husband. Nikk had hated it then and he hated it now. "I beg of you, Nikkolai. Please."

"Never beg, Mom." Nikk whispered, appalled. "Never." He evaded her hurting gaze while he watched a few of the staff polish the white stone of the statues, two young woman watered the plants while another cleaned the banister of the long, winding staircase that led to the Count's private domicile.

"There will be more guests arriving soon. Including the military." Zhenya said, noticing Nikk staring. "The mansion needs a good scrub anyway." She hooked her arm through Nikk's and inclined her head towards the staircase. "Come, Nikkolai. Say good-bye to your father."

***

Zhenya sighed as she walked beside her beautiful son. He'd grown into such a handsome young man and it was amazing how much he resembled his father, if only in appearance. His heart was that of a decent and caring man, so much unlike the Count.

"I should wait out here." She said in a low tone as they stood before the entrance to the Counts room, folding her hands in front of her belly and shifting her gaze to the cold, flawless floor.

Nikk lifted her chin with the tips of his fingers and slowly shook his head. "Mom. Don't do this. It's just me."

Zhenya smiled and nodded curtly. She had gotten used to a submissive behavior around the males in the house that she automatically applied it to her son as well. A slight blush surfaced on her pale skin – she felt… embarrassed suddenly.

Nikk turned away from her and took a deep breath to calm himself. It wasn't that he was nervous about seeing his father but he held a grudge against sickness and death in general. That it was the Count beyond the door didn't make a difference to him; a stranger could have been lying in his bed just as well.

He willed the doors open with a nudge from the Force. The controls embedded into the wall flashed green before the doors silently split to the sides. A scent of antiseptics and medications wafted towards him, in its tow the definite ugly stench of sickness and death. Bright light filtered through ceiling high shaded windows, throwing eerie shadows on the thick white carpet.

The bed in the middle of the room was an antique. Nikk remembered it had been in his family for generations. Four posters rose towards the ceiling, each draped with thick white curtains. A medical droid switched into stand-by mode stood in the far corner, its dark blue eyes dimmed but still watching its patient in the bed. A young nurse, barely much older than Nikk, jumped up from a comfortable looking padded chair. She bowed once she recognized Nikk and hurried out of the room.

The ensuing silence was unnerving. Measuring his steps, Nikk walked towards the foot of the bed but still kept his distance. Maksim Vox sat up against a pile of white pillows with his hands folded on his stomach. He looked almost peaceful this way if not for his rasping breaths. Their resemblance still shocked Nikk to the bone – same high cheekbones, same straight nose and prominent jaw line. The Count's skin was pale and ashen and his once dark hair was now snow white.

Nikk could feel the Count's life flickering through the Force. No matter what happened, Maksim wouldn't be around much longer.

The Count opened his eyes and stared at his son's impassive face. Nikk showed no emotions whatsoever, not even in the manner he held himself. Straight back and regal pose, just the way he'd been taught.

"Nikkolai."

"Father." Nikk's tone was more or less dead. He could have just as well been talking to the wall.

Maksim smiled in between small coughs. "I am pleased that you have come."

Nikk smirked and crossed his arms in front of his chest. "Anything to please you. Dad." His voice dripped with sarcasm while he stared at his creator. The fact that they looked so much alike would always haunt him.

Maksim's strong yet pale blue eyes took on a glow of defiance Nikk knew far too well. He almost laughed – who would ever have thought that someday Nikk would be standing at the deathbed of the person he hated most in his life and bidding him farewell?

"I am dying, Nikkolai."

"I can see that."

Maksim managed a strangled laugh before it gave away into a string of ill sounding coughs. The medical droid in the corner came to life, swiveling its head towards the bed and scanning the patient from afar. Maksim held up a hand as if to calm the droid down and shook his head. He turned his attention back to Nikk, who hadn't moved a muscle.

"I have missed your wit, boy."

"Of course you have." Nikk scoffed turning away from bed and finding the window far more interesting all of a sudden. From up here the view into the gardens was spectacular. The large pool glittered in the warm sun light, red blossoms swam upon the water while black birds picked away at the surrounding foliage.

"Mom said you wanted to see me." He said coldly. "Any particular reason why?"

There was a flicker of hope welling up inside him that Maksim had found it in his heart to accept his only son the way he was. Perhaps, now that the end was drawing near for him, the Count had finally realized the errors of his ways and wanted to patch things up with Nikk before he left forever.

"You are to take my place as Count."

The ever-shrinking flame of hope evaporated in a gust of ice-cold wind. Slowly Nikk turned towards his father, blue eyes narrowed to slits. "What?"

"You are to be my replacement."

"No." And there would be no discussion or argument about it either. "I told you once before I would never return and here I am at your deathbed. I am a Jedi Knight. I will not take your place as Count. Find some other mindless drone to finish up your dirty work for you." He turned on his heel to barge out of the Count's bedroom but Maksim's cracking, soft voice held him back.

"Nikkolai. If you do not step up, your cousin will."

Nikk ran a hand through his hair. "That idiot can't even run his own family, for Force's sake!"

Maksim coughed again, holding both his hands to his mouth. His breath wheezed out of broken and tired lungs. "So you see my predicament."

Hurt and anger collided in on Nikk all at once. He gritted his teeth and balled his hands into fists, holding his arms to his sides. "Yes. I see your predicament. This is not my concern."

"You would leave your people in the hands of your cousin? Do the Jedi not value life? Surely, you must understand that if Vadik takes on the position, the people are in danger. A Jedi protects life, does he not?"

Nikk stared at him, open-mouthed. "This is bordering on black-mail, old man."

"Whatever works." Maksim smiled thinly while Nikk could only hold him in contempt. Another cough ran through the Count's body and this time the medical droid walked over and distributed a drug directly from a syringe attached to its right hand. Maksim quieted down after minutes of agonizing pain – Nikk could feel it reverberating through black threads in the Force.

How odd that Nikk did not care.

"You have a choice to make, son." Maksim said in a low voice, settling back down on the large white pillows. "Either take my place or let Vadik ruin everything I've worked hard to build up." He sighed. "It's your decision."

Without another word, Nikk stormed out of his father's chambers.

Two days later, Maksim Vox died in his sleep.