TO LOVE A SITH
Chapter Two
Padme refused to believe what Vader had just uttered. This could not be happening. She would rather die than be forced to marry, even if it was Anakin. She quickly chastised herself. The man who stood before her was not Anakin. He was not the man that she had fallen in love with. Yet, she knew he was there, buried deep within himself. She noticed that whenever he looked at her, something changed in his eyes, even if it was for a split second. What was it? Love? Devotion? Whatever it was, it was Anakin. Just for a moment. She immediately pushed away those thoughts. Anakin no longer existed and only Vader remained. And he was forcing her to marry him.
"I will not give in to this." She said bitingly.
Vader grinned at the memory.
"Glad to see you remembered the last time we were together. However, that's not going to change your current situation. We will marry this evening."
Padme's jaw dropped open.
"What? This evening? I can't…I won't…this can't happen…no…no."
She began to tremble uncontrollably, her strong demeanor crumbling. He instinctively reached out to stroke her smooth cheek but she recoiled at his outstretched hand. He drew his hand back sharply and felt his anger flare again.
"Padme, no matter how much you fight, no matter how much you struggle, you will be mine. By the end of the day, you will be my wife and in my bed."
She shook her head furiously. She couldn't allow this to happen to her. Especially not this way.
"I suggest, my dear wife-to-be, that you prepare yourself for the upcoming event. In the meantime, I'm going to deal with some business. Your handmaiden will attend to you."
With that, he turned on his heel and walked out of the room, his dark cloak swirling out behind him.
"I am pleased to hear your news, Lord Vader."
"Thank you, Master."
"I trust you will produce an heir shortly?"
"Of course, Master. Everything is going according to plan."
"Excellent. You may go. Deal with the rebels and then prepare yourself for your wedding."
"Thank you, Master."
Vader walked slowly, for a change, towards the makeshift prison. He smiled to himself as his thoughts drifted to the upcoming event. He had waited two years for this and he was going to enjoy every second of it. Yes, he wanted an heir, as his Master did for the Empire, but he also wanted Padme. He had only wanted her, ever since he was a nine-year-old child on Tatooine. She haunted his dreams and his thoughts. There was nothing left to do except make her his wife. A faint chill ran down his spine at the thought. He hated himself for forcing her, but it truly was the only way to justify keeping her alive. He wanted so badly for her to want to marry him, yet the dark part of him also wanted her submission. The battle within himself unnerved him. He was a Sith lord. And Sith lords do not wish for love. Yet, somewhere, something was whispering to him that wishing for love was human. But then again, he was far from human.
He sighed as he entered the room. Four trembling Senators looked up at him, frightened for their lives. His previous thoughts forgotten, he focused on the matter at hand.
Turning to the storm trooper nearest to him, he said expectantly, "Well?"
Blaster shots rang out as the door slammed shut.
Padme nervously played with her chocolate curls that Sabe had so carefully arranged to flow down her back. She glanced at the white dress that had been placed on the bed for her. The beading on the soft satin was beautifully elaborate and she lightly traced it with her finger as she continued her study of her wedding dress. It was a simple style, its skirt flowed out slightly at the bottom and it had long sleeves of beaded lace to match. Yet, she nodded with satisfaction and wondered who had picked the dress out for her.
She glanced at the clock that sat nearby on the dresser. Twenty minutes and one of his minions would be coming for her. Twenty minutes until life as she knew it ceased to exist and she would be introduced to a new life. A new life with Vader as her husband. Sighing dejectedly, she knew that fighting it was useless. Her fate had been decided for her.
All too quickly, the time passed and before she knew it, she was dressed and was given a few white roses to hold. The expected knock caused her flushed cheeks to quickly pale. It was time.
The walk seemed to last forever as her thoughts swirled concerning what was about to happen. Without realizing, she was nervous, but not because she was afraid. Her feeling was similar to what she had expected herself to feel like and unbeknownst to her, a slight flush rose into her cheeks.
The doors opened for her and what she saw startled her. Vader stood several yards away from her. He was not dressed in his typical Sith uniform, but in a simple black linen shirt with black pants. He turned upon hearing her enter and she drew in a sharp breath. He was so utterly handsome she had to remind herself to breathe again. This time, she felt herself flush.
Vader took in the sight of his bride and felt the all-too-familiar clenching of his heart. She was breathtaking. Intoxicating. A pure vision. Soon, nothing would separate them and they would be joined forever.
She took a deep breath and walked the short distance towards her future husband. She took his outstretched palm and swallowed nervously as he tightened his hold on her hand.
"You're beautiful."
"Thank you."
The ceremony began almost immediately with the priest and Emperor Palpatine as the only witnesses to the union. After they were pronounced husband and wife, Vader leaned forward and placed a surprisingly tender kiss on Padme's soft lips.
He led her back to her room and silently opened the door for her. When she looked at him questioningly, he replied simply.
"I thought you would be more comfortable if we stayed in your room. After all, it's much easier to move my things than yours."
She smiled uneasily, unnerved at how he referred to his new sleeping arrangement.
He softly kissed her hand as he led her deeper into the room. She was slightly taken aback by his tenderness with her, yet allowed herself to feel something. Maybe even a little happiness. After all, not a day had gone by that she hadn't wished she could take back that fateful night. However, she wished it didn't have to happen this way. He was not Anakin. It seemed Anakin had died two years ago.
Yet, the man who moved closer to her looked and sounded exactly like Anakin. And that would have to be enough.
She allowed Vader to pick her up and place her on the bed. She allowed him to remove her wedding dress. She allowed herself to remove his shirt in between fervent kisses. She allowed his hands to roam the entire length of her body. She allowed a moan of pleasure to escape from her throat. She allowed him to make love to her because…she wanted him to. And even though that frightened her, she pushed away the thought and lost herself in the passion that was consuming them both.
