The Sith & His Angel

saltyjedi12

Summary: Padmé Naberrie is a girl trapped in an arranged marriage forced by her parents. But her life quickly changes when a terrifying yet charming Sith lord sweeps her into a lavish world filled with secrets, passion, and power.

Rating: M (violence, sexual themes, strong language, mentions of child abuse/slavery)

Chapter Notes: N/A

Chap.2-Split POV

When I wake up in a hospital bed, my body feels drowsy, almost heavy-like.

Memories from the hours before fill my mind, and once again, my heart drops. A shiver races down my spine as I remember Darth Vader's tall, terrifying figure and his evilly deep voice. My eyes fly around the room, and I breathe a sigh of relief when I discover that I am definitely alone. I glance down at my leg that is wrapped in thick gauze just below my knee, where I was hit. I don't feel much pain, probably because the doctors here pumped me full of pain killers.

I don't remember arriving here, but I vividly recall the dark lord's arms placing me on a medical cot, and I shiver once again. The fact that his hands that have killed millions have touched me is a thought I know I'll have nightmares over.

I look down at my arms, and the cuts Palo's nails dug into my skin have turned into scabs. Delicately, I touch my face, and wince when I realize my bruise is still painful. How long it will take for my wounds to heal, I am not sure.

Palo.

I can still feel the sting of his slap and his nails digging into my flesh. Never, not in a million years, would I think he would rise to the occasion and hurt me. He didn't seem violent. My heart is filled with fear when I remember that knowing my parents, this event won't change the wedding. But, I can still try and plead with them.

The door opens, and I turn to see my mother enter the room. Instantly, my emotions plunge further down the toilet when I see anger slashed upon her face. No sympathy for her daughter who had just gotten injured. I can't feel too sorry for myself, after all, this event is mostly my fault. I shouldn't have run to the city, especially when the Empire was about to invade.

"Padmé Naberrie," Mother begins with a headshake, her cheeks heating up. "Of all the possible stupid things-"

"Mother-"

She lifts her hand to silence me and I comply. "You go running after starting a fight with your fiancé, to the Queen's palace, of all places?" Fury is evident in her tone. "Then, you get shot and placed into the hospital, racking up thousands of credits in medical care?" I open my mouth but she continues. "Thank Force Palo has been gracious enough to pay, even after you horribly mistreated him. We would have never been able to afford it." She scoffs. "I'm ashamed of you, Padmé."

The last part of her comment hits me the hardest, and I struggle to swallow the lump in my throat. "I know what I did was beyond stupid," I admit quietly. "But Palo-"

"Palo told us everything that happened," Mother cuts in. "How you yelled profanities at him outside, telling how much you despise him and wish the wedding would never happen." I open my mouth in horror at the lies being said. "He was deeply hurt, Padmé. You should consider yourself lucky that he's going through with marrying you still!"

My stomach drops for what seems like the eighteenth time today. "That's not what happened. I didn't yell at Palo outside, Mother! He slapped me!" I move my body to show the bruise on my cheek, and then lift up my wrist. "Look at this!"

She rolls her brown eyes, shaking her head. "You disgusting liar. Those injuries obviously happened when you fell in the palace," She spits. "But blaming them on your fiancé? Really? You're stooping that low? Palo would never lay a hand on you!" Mother rubbed her forehead in silence. "I'm disappointed, child. So, so disappointed."

"I'm not lying," I squeak, my voice coming out more pathetic than intended. "I swear, Mother, he slapped me outside and told me to keep my mouth shut about it."

She ignores me. "The wedding has been postponed for two weeks so you can recover. I bet you're thrilled about that," She's so angry I'm frightened. "Palo is at home, waiting. As is your father. He's disgusted by you, Padmé. How could you put such shame on our family? Such embarrassment?" Mother exhales slowly. "You and Palo are getting married. No argument. Trying to injure yourself won't change your fate."

I'm shocked. She can't really believe I would purposefully get shot, can she?

Soon we're in the speeder, my mother continuing to rant about how ungrateful, cruel, and impossible I am. She even brings up Sola, and how my perfect sister would never behave in such a way and she would be ashamed of me, too. As time ticks on, I block out her words, focusing only on the beauty of the countryside of Naboo.

Once we arrive home, I'm greeted by Palo, who quickly places a kiss on my cheek before I can protest. "Padmé, thank the Force you're alright!" He runs a hand through his hair, and I feel gross about how he can act so innocent, like nothing happened. "Let me help you." He quickly takes my arm and helps me walk up the stairs and to my bedroom. He shuts the door behind him, and quietly gets me situated on my bed. I'm surprised by his silence.

He helps lift my leg and rests it on a pillow, and his gentleness keeps me on edge. Perhaps that's the point. "Is this okay?" Palo asks, his voice sickeningly sweet. All I can do is nod. "I'm glad to see that you're safe."

I don't say anything.

He raises an eyebrow, hazel eyes flat. "Normally, a wife should reply to her husband." His tone hasn't changed in the slightest. His gaze remains still upon me. I bite my lip.

"I'm not your wife." I say quietly, and for a second I think he didn't hear me based on his still posture. But then, he slowly presses his and down on my wound, and a painful hiss escapes my lips as he continues to push. His face is still neutral, almost like he's not performing the action at all. I let out a strangled cry. "That hurts, stop," I beg, having no energy to reach up and grab his arm.

A couple seconds later he lets go. "I thought I told you to respect me last night, but I guess you forgot. I will have no problem teaching you again," Palo says simply, eyeing me. "You, Padmé, should be grateful I want to be with you in the first place."

Another round of tears slip down my cheeks. "If you hate me so badly, then why do you want to marry me?"

He cocks his head, brown hair sweeping to the side, almost as if I'm an idiot. "Would I really be dumb enough to miss the chance to fuck the most beautiful gem on the entire planet?" His hand reaches out to sweep across my tear-soaked cheek, and my mouth drops. He chuckles lightly. "I didn't think so. You'll be a pretty prize to show off." Standing to his feet, he walks to the door. "Watch yourself, Padmé. I mean it. I can make things very... difficult for you, and you wouldn't want to anger your parents, right?" Giving me a final glare, he shuts the door, leaving me in painful silence.

Anakin

I watch as the sun slowly sets upon the planet, an orange-red ring of final light gathering across the sky. It's peaceful. Calming. Naboo would be a good place to meditate and collect my thoughts if it wasn't for the people and constant celebration. Besides, my work here is done. I did what the Emperor asked-intimidated the Queen, killed some of her loyal followers as a warning. Their screams of terror gave me rushes of adrenaline.

"Milord?"

The voice behind me interrupts my thoughts. Turning, the crisp Naboo air flies through my cloak. "What, trooper?" I snap, my patience already wearing thin even though we haven't yet engaged in conversation.

"The Emperor requests your presence back on Coruscant," The trooper says, words rushed and come off monotoned, mostly due to the helmet. "The ship is prepped and waiting for you, Lord Vader."

I nod, but he probably can't tell. "I'll be there in a minute." Turning back around, my eyes focus on the sky and the city of Theed below. I should spend more time here, but I rarely get a spare moment to myself. But, even I must admit how flattering the planet is. Beautiful landscapes, old and shining buildings, stunning women. Once again, the picture of a small, curly-haired woman with massive brown eyes pops into my mind. I haven't been able to shake her away since I saw her there, collapsed on the floor, bleeding. She looked terrified when she saw me.

I'm wondering why I didn't kill her. Normally, when people caught in the crossfire of my battles somehow manage to live, I quickly get rid of them as a way to confirm that they didn't see anything that shouldn't have. But when I saw her there, a crumple of flawless, innocent disaster on the floor, I couldn't do it. The woman I encountered was simply too beautiful to die.

Sucking in my breath, I take one final glance at the city before turning and walking back to the landing platform, ready to forget all about what happened here, and my pathetic moment of weakness against the woman who took me by surprise. I pray she forgets it, too.

"I am most pleased with your work, Lord Vader."

I have arrived back on Coruscant, and here I am, kneeling in front of my Master, his horrible scarred face looking down upon me. "Thank you, Master." I say slowly, and I feel his yellow eyes burn into my figure. I remember when I was a little boy he used to scare me, but not anymore. Now he's just an old man, but I still have much to learn from him and his power.

"I, however, don't trust the Queen," he grits, voice sharp. "She could still try and deceive us."

I nod, my hair falling over my eyes. "I agree. She seemed afraid after I cut down her people."

Sidious is quiet, thinking. "I have commanded a squadron to stay there and watch her," he says. "In two weeks time, you will return to Naboo and they will report their findings to you." I nod in understanding. As I stand to my feet and begin to exit the throne room, Sidious' voice cuts into me. "-and, Lord Vader, next time it would be easiest to exterminate the weak. Pride over pleasure."

An eerie silence fills the room. "I understand, Master."

"Good."

Once I've reached my private quarters, Sidious' words begin to echo through my head. Pride over pleasure. I've heard him say those words before when I've gotten sexually involved with women, but he and I both know I have never actually loved a human being. My mother, maybe, but I was only a year old when I was taken from the planet of Tatooine by Inquisitorius and brought here. Twenty-two years later and here I am, a fully grown man and one of the most powerful people in the galaxy.

I play with the small japor snippet around my neck, which is the only belonging I've had my entire life. It gives me comfort when I'm too lost in my thoughts, too distracted by my past. I can't manage regret anything I did and didn't do. I've made a name for myself. A terrifying, blood-curdling name, but I am still known and feared and that's all that matters to me.

Pride over pleasure.

My mind can't stop drifting back to the woman I saved. The first person I've saved. Granted, she was frozen in fear, but I still helped her. I can remember the feeling of her little, warm body in my arms from when I placed her on the medical cot. I remember sensing her fear when I entered the palace. She wasn't afraid of me, but of something else.

That's what is intriguing me.

Letting my necklace fall, I reach for my comm link. "Admiral Moretti?" I say, almost unable to stop myself. "I need a background check on someone."

Padmé

By the time two weeks pass, my injury has been fully healed. The bruise on my face has disappeared and the cuts on my wrists have faded as well. Tomorrow is my wedding day, and my mother couldn't be more relieved that it has arrived. I watch from the kitchen table as she rushes to talking on her comm link to talking to Palo to talking to me. It's truly a stressful sight. She's been worse than normal, if that's even possible. I understand her mood change is mostly due to stress, but it's still awful to be around her.

"Padmé, did you try on your wedding dress again like I asked?" She snips, and I nod briskly. "Okay. It still fits?"

"Yes, Mother."

She glares at me. "Straighten your posture. You look ridiculous." Adamantly, I do, not in the mood to fight with her. "Palo is coming to get you to take you to have tea with his mother." Her expression hasn't budged. "Don't embarrass us well we aren't there."

Palo's mother Agna is about as worse as mine. She's sharp, critical, and very old-fashioned. Palo himself doesn't seem to mind, and I've done my best to be completely kind and respectful towards her, but its clear she doesn't like me. "I won't. I promise." I say. I've been trying to get along with my mother as best as I can, but it's been difficult. "I'll go get ready."

I take a shower and change into a green dress and a pair of black flats. I tie my hair into a braid that falls down my back. I glance at myself in the mirror. I look presentable. Sighing, I walk back downstairs, and I'm instantly greeted by Mother's frown.

"You look alright. I wish you would wear heels more," She shakes her head. "They would add a couple inches of height. You're far too short." I almost roll my eyes at this comment, after all, how can I control my height, but I don't.

When Palo arrives, he greets me with a kiss on the cheek and a fake smile. I've grown used to his tacky displays of affection, but it's hard not to flinch when he touches me. In the past two weeks he hasn't hit me, but pulled my hair and twisted both my wrists in his hands which shot such a horrible pain through my body I wanted to collapse. He's stronger than he looks, and I sure as hell can't fight back. Perhaps mother is right, I am too short. I have managed to dodge most of his kisses and attempts to grope me when we're alone. If he's only marrying me to have sex with me, I'm not letting him do anything to me until we're actually married. I dread the thought of him claiming me, taking my virginity, me giving him children.

But I won't think about that right now.

"You look exquisite," Palo tells me as he leads me out the door. "My mother's favorite color is green. Maybe you'll make a good second impression."

I'm not sure what I did wrong the first time I met her, and I won't ask either. Palo has a habit of going on long tangents about how rude or disrespectful I am, much like my parents. Those critics have always confused me. I try my best to be polite and kind to everyone I meet, but it always seems to fly overhead. I wish I could understand where I go wrong.

When we arrive at the small café, I spot Agna instantly. She sits in the corner, a large feathered hat on top of her head. She stands to give her son a quick embrace, and then turns to me to gently pat my shoulder. "Padmé, you look nice."

"Thank you so much," I reply, faking a smile as we take our seats. "As do you."

I feel Palo sending me an approving gaze for a minute I wonder if his mother knows what a horrible being she's raised. But then again, I bet Agna feels the same way towards my parents and myself. The wedding preparations begin again, and I struggle not to doze off. Our wedding will be large, which is not something I'm looking forward to. I've always been a little shy and the idea of two-hundred eyes on me gives me anxiety. I'd prefer something smaller, but I know I don't get say. Not in my own wedding.

"-Palo's home will be so nice for you to live in," Agna says, snapping me out of my daze. "You'll love it. Much bigger than that box your parents own." I say nothing in response. "And it has plenty of room for your children one day."

I struggle not to cough in displeasure. Agna raises an eyebrow. "Well, you are having children, aren't you?" She eyes her son. "Well?"

"Of course, Mother." Palo says, nudging me. I force a smile and nod, and watch as Agna sits back in her chair with a satisfied look on her face.

Standing to my feet, I clear my throat. "It's a little too crowded in here for my taste. I'm going to get a quick breath of fresh air." I know I'm being rude but I can't be here any longer and have my future be decided for me. Palo shoots me a warning glare and to fully play the part, I push my disgust down my stomach and press a kiss against his cheek. "I'll be right outside." Agna nods, a small smile on her face, clearly glad to get confirmation about her future grandchildren.

When I step outside, the warm, Naboo breeze runs through my body and I breathe a sigh of relief. I move to the alleyway by the café and lean against the cold brick wall, closing my eyes for a moment. The wedding planning, talk of children, talk of homes that have occurred nonstop for the past five months has pushed me to the brink of stress. I can feel my life slowly slipping away from me, and I'm about to loose it forever once I become Palo's prisoner. His lover, his punching bag, his little plaything that he can show off as he pleases.

Well, I never really had a life anyways. Growing up, I have barely any memories of playing with friends or doing activities outside the house. I was always inside, learning how to cook, clean, be a proper housewife. I've always loved to read and write despite my father's disapproval. Sola was always the favorite, and got to do things as she pleased. My sister had a life. Right before she died she would tell me of a plan to run away and be with her boyfriend, Darred. I remember being excited for her, but deep down I selfishly didn't want to be without her. Then she died, and I ended up alone anyways.

But I need to stop feeling sorry for myself. At least I'm alive and breathing. That counts for something.

As I wipe a tear, I get a strange feeling. A shiver runs down my spine and suddenly I feel very cold. I've gotten this feeling before, I just don't remember when. Cautiously, I look around. It's almost like a pair of eyes are blazing into me.

The night at the palace. That's the feeling I'm having.

I whirl around, but I'm alone in the alleyway. I let out a sigh of relief when the cold feeling goes away. Darth Vader isn't here, I'm simply going crazy from all the stress. What a stupid thing to think. Gathering control of myself, I walk back inside, completely oblivious to the fact that I was, in fact, being watched.

Author's Note: End of chapter two. Thank you for reading! The next chapter will be out soon. Review if you liked and message me with any questions.