TO LOVE A SITH

Chapter Twelve

The enormous throne room seemed to have a yellow glow. It was frighteningly dark and the air was thick from the combination of evil and tension. There were no windows, and the dim light of black candles sent shadows creeping against every wall. A large black throne sat at the end of the room, with a narrow carpet leading from the throne to the other side of the room. In that throne, sat Chancellor Palpatine, his Sith eyes closed in meditation. Today was the day he would meet the heir to his Empire.

"Master?"

The Emperor's eyes shot open and immediately focused on the dark form of his apprentice. Next to him, was the much smaller, petite form of his wife.

"Lord Vader."

"I have brought my wife like you requested."

The Emperor swiftly rose from his throne and slithered towards the couple until he was face to face with Lady Vader. His hands shot out and he made massage-like gestures on her stomach, sending his senses into the folds of her stomach, searching for his heir.

Padme felt vomit rise in her throat as the Emperor's assault on her continued and she leaned slightly towards her husband for support. Suddenly, his hands removed themselves from her stomach and she felt herself breathe again.

"Two heirs, Lord Vader. You were correct. Have your wife taken back to her chamber. I wish to speak to you alone."

"Yes, my Master."

After Padme had left, Vader kneeled before his Master.

"Lord Vader, we have a serious matter we must discuss."

"Of course, Master."

"Two heirs were not in the plan. I understand, of course, that these matters cannot be helped or controlled, yet, two heirs are very dangerous. There must only be one. The male is stronger in the Force of the two, so you must destroy the female and preserve the male."

Vader froze and desperately tried to keep his jaw from dropping.

"That is an order, Lord Vader."

"But, Master…you can't ask me to destroy my own flesh."

"It is only a female, and if you won't, then I will. Either way is irrelevant to me, as long as there is only one heir in the end. And if you sway on this matter at all, Lord Vader, it will only be further proof to me that your wife is weakening you and I will have to act on that decisively."

Vader nodded quickly, bowed, then retreated to his chambers in a furious pace.

He threw himself onto his bed and angrily pounded his fists into his pillow. This could not be happening. Why hadn't he seen this coming? He would have been able to prepare, to think of some other solution. But now it was too late. Or was it? There had to be another way, even if it meant his Master's rage. He could take any punishment his Master inflicted on him, just as long as his family was safe. There had to be something that would save his daughter and that his Master would find satisfactory. There had to be something…

Suddenly, Vader sprung to his feet and sprinted towards the throne room, his black cloak flying wildly out behind him. He halted his sprint right before the doors opened to the throne room.

"Lord Vader? Completed your orders so soon?"

"No, Master. I believe that destroying the female is the wrong course of action."

"Oh really? Please explain."

"Since she is not as force-sensitive as the male, she will not be trained as a Sith. However, if something should happen to the male, she could then be trained as a Sith, no matter her age. She could then take the male's place as heir."

The Emperor narrowed his eyes at Vader's suggestion, contemplating all he had said.

"You firmly believe this is the best course?"

"Yes, my Master. I believe it would be wise to have a replacement, in case a tragedy should befall the true heir to your Empire."

"Perhaps you're right about this. And what will be done with the female, then?"

"She will be raised as a handmaiden."

"With your wife, the fervent politician?"

"My wife is no longer in politics, Master. Our marriage signified her allegiance to the Empire. And if there is any reason to suspect the female, I will have her killed."

The Emperor simply nodded in approval.

"Very well. But if this backfires, Lord Vader, it will be entirely your responsibility to deal with the repercussions."

"Of course, Master."

Vader bowed once again and headed for Padme's chambers. Too close for comfort…

He opened the door and found his wife sleeping on what was now their bed. He smiled to himself and crept as silently as he could towards the bed. He slowly eased himself on the bed next to her and winced when she stirred next to him. She tiredly turned over, rubbing her eyes, and when her eyes focused on her husband, her beautiful face broke into a smile.

"Hey."

He smiled and pushed her long, chocolate hair out of her eyes.

"Did you have a good nap?"

"Yes. What did Palpatine want to speak with you about?"

"Nothing you need to be worried about."

"Good."

She snuggled closer to him as his hands tangled in her hair. After a few moments, her breath slowed and he could tell she was asleep. He sighed deeply, contemplating the day's events. He had almost lost his daughter, and she wasn't even born yet. Hopefully, everything would work out the way he had planned it out and his daughter would be safe and his Master would be satisfied.

He looked down at Padme's sleeping form and smiled softly. She would never have to know just how close they had came. Yet, somehow…it had seemed too easy. His Master had simply relented and that was highly unusual. For now, he would just have to trust his Master. He would have to rely on his ability to protect his family, even if it meant defying his Master, because now, he had more important responsibilities.