Artemis's POV

It's a good thing we can see well in darkness my dragon told me.

I agreed with my other half before resuming my attention to my surroundings. I was in the training arena where my lessons with Vader were usually kept. Two months passed since my arrival on the Death Star and thankfully those who served Vader knew who I was.

True to his word Vader and I began light saber combat. Depending on his mood my mentor would either spar with me or have me train with a droid. I hoped I would be able to learn to wield two light sabers soon. The arena was completely dark for today's session. I heard the Sith Lord but he was concealing himself well in the darkened room.

He's to your right my dragon alerted me.

Immediately I activated my light saber and it's bronze light shined against Vader's armor. The Sith Lord turned his light saber on in return and I watched as his weapon neared mine. I was the first to strike and my light saber met with his casually. I made another attempt to attack but Vader blocked my blow by simply using one hand. He then pushed me backwards.

I landed on the floor for a moment before getting back to my feet. I approached Vader a few steps and my mentor backed away. Again I attacked first and our sabers sung as they met with one another once more. I made sure to watch the way my mentor attacked and blocked my blows. I swore when I had to get out of the way from being hit from his light saber and instead a nearby device got destroyed.

"You are doing well my apprentice" Vader stated.

Then he managed to send my light saber out of my grasp. I got out of the way from Vader's saber and I used the Force to summon mine back to my hand. Soon I had it back on and I waited for Vader to make an attack. When he did I used a blocking technique the Sith Lord taught me. The two of us exchanged more blows until I leapt over him and was quick to block another attack.

Seeing an opening I kicked my mentor in the side and he grunted before falling to the floor. I heard something behind me break and I realized Vader was using the Force to send an object to come at me from the air. I ducked and missed the object. I then swore when another hit my leg and after that I managed to destroy one with my weapon.

"That will do for today" Vader announced and the lights in the room turned on.

I nodded and turned my light saber off.

"I will be gone from the Death Star for a few days" Vader said getting my attention.

The Force alerted me this trip of his was personal. If I were to guess that stupid emperor was calling my mentor to do something.

"You are not fond of my master I see"

Of course we're not my dragon hissed. He maybe the so called emperor but he's still a weak human

I snorted at my dragon's remark.

"What did your dragon have to say?" my mentor wondered.

"She thinks the emperor is a weak human" I replied.

A faint chuckle came from the Sith Lord. That was the first time I ever heard him laugh. For some reason I liked it as did my dragon.

Suddenly my inner dragon took over and she purposefully made me trip. Vader managed to catch me but we both ended up falling to the floor with a thud. My face went red before I hurriedly removed myself from my mentor.

I then extended my hand out to Vader and helped him up to his feet.

"You never cease to intrigue me my apprentice" Vader stated.

A Few Days Later.

Vader's POV

I had to deal with some loyal followers of Padme's before I eventually entered at her tomb. Instead of being cremated as per Naboo's tradition my late wife was instead given a mausoleum. I stopped beside her sarcophagus and placed a hand on top of it. Despite it being nine months I missed Padme everyday.

Suddenly the tomb began to glow with fire and I looked up. Throughout Padme's resting place there were roses and they were in flames. I recognized these flowers were from Tanin. They were called Ember Roses and during the day they stayed in bloom and at night they caught fire. At dawn the flames died away and a new rose would take its place.

Artemis did this I thought.

My apprentice had been friends with Padme before she died. I remained in Padme's tomb the entire night and didn't leave until the new Ember Roses came into bloom at dawn.

Artemis's POV

"What is it you wished to see me about?" I asked the physician.

I had a checkup at the medical wing while Vader was absent.

"My lady did you know your blood has healing properties?"

My eyes went wide at this revelation. Dragon shifters were known to have healing properties in their blood but not all of my kind had it. So the mere fact I did surprised me. To be certain I had the doctor show me my medical chart and I read the contents. Sure enough I did have healing properties in my blood.

"Make sure to keep this news confidential" I ordered giving the chart back to the physician. "Unless if requested by Lord Vader or the Emperor"

"Yes madam" the doctor answered.

I was about to take my leave when the doors to the medical wing opened. Vader entered it and at seeing him I did my best not to blush. In my mind my dragon snickered and I cursed at her through my thoughts.

"Leave us" the Sith Lord commanded the doctor.

The physician bowed before taking his leave.

"Welcome back my lord" I greeted.

I was suddenly pulled forward and the next thing I knew Vader held me in his arms. He was hugging me!

"My lord is something wrong?" I asked wondering why the Sith Lord was showing this side of himself to me.

"No" was his reply.

I decided to use the Force to see what was going on. And through it did I finally learn the truth. The woman he loved had been Padme Amidala. He had gone to Naboo to pay his respects and Vader had seen the Ember Roses I specially requested to have placed in her tomb.

Knowing I was safe I returned Vader's embrace. Both of us remained like this for a good while before pulling apart.

"You have my gratitude Artemis" the Sith Lord finally spoke.

"She was a good friend" I stated in response. "Her final resting place has the roses so her legacy is never forgotten"

I then looked to Vader once again.

"We have both endured loss and can only move forward, but you have my word I won't leave your side"

Through the Force I sensed the Sith Lord was surprised by my sudden vow. He was also in need of the doctor so I bowed before going to find the physician so the Sith Lord could get the medical care he needed.