Chapter Six: The Price
Eventually the cold won. Padmé crawled back into the bed and curled herself up into the sheets. Yet there was no rest to be found. Her mind went back to Vader. How he had stared down at her visibly displeased. She had reacted naturally. She couldn't sleep with that man, that monster.
Now she wondered what would happen next. Would he storm back into the room angry? Would he take her by force? Her heart felt tight in her chest. She wasn't sure how long she stayed like that. On edge, waiting for the door to swish open. Waiting for the man to march in. His yellow eyes tearing into her. Yet he never came.
Eventually Padmé gathered her courage and pushed herself to sit up. For the first time she took stock of the room. Everything was in gray tones. It was a large room with a large bed against the middle of the wall. To her right stood a large viewport. Space moved lazily beyond. On each side of the bed sat a plain bedside table. Across from the bed against the opposite wall sat a long dresser. There was no other furniture in the room.
The wall to her left had two doors, while the wall next to the dresser only had one. That was the door Vader had walked out. She got out of bed and made her way to the two other doors. One was a fresher. She took her time to clean herself up. She examined herself in the mirror. Her skin was pale and there were dark circles on her eyes. She looked thin and haggard.
She wrapped herself up in a towel and decided to check the other door. It was a large closet and it was filled with gowns. Elaborate gowns like she had worn during her time as a senator. The likes she hadn't worn since that fateful day five years ago. She let her hand lightly trail along the garments as she walked into the closet.
She turned and checked out the opposite side of the closet. It was filled with headpieces, hair ornaments, jewelry, accessories, and shoes. She let out a deep sigh. Padmé felt like the woman Vader had prepared these clothes for didn't exist anymore. She had died five years ago. While she found the gowns lovely and beautiful, she had no desire to wear them. Especially for him.
She examined the contents of the long dresser that sat across from the bed. She found a variety of undergarments and night clothes. A few of which were on the risqué side. The first one of that type she found, she grabbed and tore it apart. The flimsy threads easily snapped and broke. She slammed the tattered garment back into the drawer. The next piece she just crumpled up and shoved into the back.
She eventually got dressed in the blandest pair of underwear she could find along with a simple white formless nightgown. She wasn't too pleased with the outfit, but at least it was better than the towel. She made a note to herself to return to the closet later. Surely they had to be something in there that was on the practical or casual side.
She now stood in front of the last door. The door that Vader had left through. The door out of the room. She steeled herself. She filled herself up with courage and anger. She was ready to face him. Ready for whatever he may throw at her. A surge of adrenaline ran through her. She reached out and touched the door control. It swished open. She clenched her hands, took a deep breath, and stepped into the next room.
He wasn't there.
The tension inside Padmé released slowly. She glanced around a few more times. But there was no sight of him. The room was large. To her right sat a sitting and living area. Two couches faced each other with a long low table between them. Beyond that stood an impressive viewport of space. A shelf towered in the corner next to the window. To her left was a small dining area with a round table and four chairs. Beyond that was a small kitchen.
She stepped into the room and walked over to the large viewport. She wasn't interested in the slow moving stars. Instead she focused on the white slanting sides and sharp angles that spanned out below her view. As she had figured, she was on a star destroyer. Most likely the Devastator. It was clear she was in the upper decks, probably close to the command bridge tower. Easy and quick access to me, she mused.
She turned and again took stock of the room. Directly across from the door to the bedroom was another door. She walked over to it and tried the door panel. However the door didn't budge. She wasn't surprised to find it locked. She sighed before moving to the third door. It stood against the far wall in a corner next to the kitchen. Like the previous door, it was also locked.
As she made her way into the kitchen portion of the room, she wondered if this suite of rooms were Vader's personal rooms. Surely not. These rooms had been made for her. A lovely Imperial cage for Vader's prize. There was nothing of him here. No clothes. No belongings. Everything in the bedroom was for her. His actual quarters must nearby. He would want her close. She glanced over her shoulder at the other two doors and thought about were they lead.
She foraged around the kitchen. She found it was basically stocked. She brought out some simple bread, cheese, and fruit. She sat down at the table and ate in silence. She had positioned herself to sit across from the door. She felt like any minute he'd walk in.
After eating, she placed the dishes in the sink. Again she walked the course of the room. She came up to the large shelf near the viewport. It was sparsely filled. There were actual flimsy books lining one shelf. Another shelf was filled with holonovels and another filled with holodramas. She knew nothing would give her access to the holonet and news.
Her eyes quickly glanced at the titles. None of them appealing. She give a loud frustrated sigh before she marched back into the bedroom. She was finding herself tired. She hadn't quite made a complete recovery since her fever that had ravaged her. Plus the tension and fear of Vader returning was honestly leaving her exhausted, mentally and physically. She crawled back into bed and found that sleep quickly met her.
When she awoke everything was the same. The gray room. The viewport. And her. She rolled over and swiped her hands along the sheets next to her. They were cold. She found her body relax from tension she wasn't aware she had been holding. He hadn't been here while she slept. Or at least, not in the bed with her.
Hunger gnawed at her. Her appetite must be returning after her sickness. As she got out of bed, she realized how weak she was feeling. She wondered if there was any food in the kitchen for a decent hearty meal. She came up to the door leading into the large living area. She pressed the door control and the door swished open.
Padmé's eyes immediately found him. Vader sat on the couch that faced the bedroom door. He lounged on it. His legs up and crossed on the low table in front of the couch. His eyes were downcast as he read a datapad in one hand. After a few seconds he looked up at her. His gold eyes pierced into her like daggers. She felt her breath staggered a bit, before she got control of herself.
She stepped through the doorway. Whatever was going to happen she wanted to get it out of the way. She wasn't going to go cower in the bed. Plus she had a feeling he would enjoy that anyways.
"I see you're finally awake," he said. His voice was normal. No menace or anger. Vader uncrossed his legs and placed the datapad on the couch next to him. His horrible smile was starting to creep along his face, and Padmé felt a shiver run through her. She was finding herself a bit cold and cursed at the thin nightgown she wore.
"Are you hungry?" he asked as he stood and started to walk over to her. He gestured towards the table. She slowly and numbly walked over to it. A metal domed cloche sat covering a plate. Vader was now beside her. He placed a hand softly on her shoulder. The hairs on her arm rose up on end from his touch. She looked up at him, but his face still held that stupid smile.
He was up to something, but since she didn't know what she allowed herself to be lead. He acted a gentleman by pulling out the chair in front of the dish. She sat down. She suddenly found a lump in her throat as became very apprehensive about what was under the covering. What game was Vader playing at now?
"I prepared this myself after our last interaction and your . . ." he paused. Padmé looked over at him. She shivered seeing how his face had hardened. The anger clear across his face. He continued, "Refusal."
Fear shot through her. Vader slowly reached for the round knob on top of the domed cloche. He was purposely taking his time. Enjoying her squirm in fear and anticipation. She clenched her teeth. Whatever was under the covering, she couldn't react. She couldn't give him that satisfaction. But she did.
With a smooth movement, Vader pulled up the cloche. She could feel his eyes on her. On the metal plate sat a dismembered foot. It had been cleanly burned off at the ankle. By a lightsaber she realized. Then she gasped as it hit her. It was Rion's foot. Her hands came up to her mouth. Her eyes started to water, but she fought back the tears. She pulled forth her anger and snapped her head at him.
She spat at him. "How dare you-" She didn't finish. His gloved-metal hand grabbed her face, pinching each side of her jaw.
"Our bargain, dear wife," he sneered lowly, "was that you are mine. Completely and willingly." He stared at her for a second. Letting his words sink in. Then he jerked his hand so she stared back at the foot. "I will return to you later. I expect a fully compliant wife. You best remember the price if you are not."
He let her go. Her hands went up to face to massage the sore muscles were he had grabbed her. She heard a door open and swish shut. She glanced up and found he was gone. She looked at the foot. It wasn't sorrow or helplessness that rushed inside of her. It was anger and defiance.
She pushed herself up and stomped into the kitchen. That man, that monster, wanted to take her? She wasn't going down without a fight. She pulled open the drawers in the kitchen, but found no knives. She wanted something to defend herself with. Yet the only thing she found was a butter knife. She cursed and as she stormed back into the living area.
There was nothing there. There were no decorations. No glass or ceramic vases she could shatter. She even went back to the kitchen and checked the plates and cups. They were all made of unbreakable material. She cursed and went into the bedroom. Again there was nothing there. She could use a bedside table or a dining chair and throw it at him. But that wouldn't do.
She then found herself in the closet digging through the jewelry. Looking for a sharp pin or needle. She threw the jewelry on to the floor as she searched, yet found nothing to suit her needs. She let out a frustrated scream. She grabbed the nearest gown and tore it from its hangar. She pulled and clawed at it in attempts to rip it to shreds. But it was made of very good quality and didn't budge. She balled it up and threw it the floor.
She leaned against the back wall of the closet and allowed herself to slide down to the ground. There was nothing. Nothing in here to defend herself against him. Most likely he had personally arranged for that to be the case. The thought did cross her mind of finding a gown with long sleeves that she could tie around his neck. But no strangelation required time and strength, which she wouldn't have against him.
She needed to be free of him. Of this place. The idea of his hands on her make her blood boil and her body shiver. His bloodied hands that had killed countless Jedi. Killed younglings. Killed scores of innocent people that dared to defy him. She couldn't let it. She couldn't bring herself to let him touch her.
But then you let Rion die.
She let out a long breath. The emotions she had buried upon seeing the foot, bubbled up. She could feel her grief. Was one person's life worth her defiance? One innocent life? No she couldn't become like Vader. She couldn't simply throw away Rion's life, could she? The alternative was to let Vader have her. Plus what kind of life was Rion living now anyways? Perhaps it would be better to let Vader kill him. A sad twisted bit of mercy for the man.
Vader's words suddenly came to her. "Something I've learned since becoming Emperor is that everyone has a price. Everyone has a breaking point."
She couldn't stop the shiver that ran through her. He wasn't going to give up. She knew him. Even if Rion died than he would find something else, if he didn't already have something lined up. He would keep going until he broke her.
She brought up her knees and curled herself up as a wave of depression settled over her. There was no way out of this. Unless she could actually break free of the man, there was no way out. Sure she might be able to push him away again. But how long would she last? What would he use against her next? And when would he tire of these games anyways? He could just take her by force.
She wasn't sure how long she stayed like that. Curled up in the closet. Eventually she heard the closet open and she looked up. Vader stood in the doorway, leaning against one side of the door frame. His arms were crossed as he looked down at her.
"Are you done with your temper tantrum?" he asked.
She said nothing. She didn't move. She just glared at him. After a moment of silence, he shook his head and sighed. He walked into the closet and crouched in front of her. She drew herself away from him as much as she could. He moved so he was beside her and sat down. He pulled her over to him and wrapped his arms around her stiff and rigid body.
"You don't have to do anything you don't want to do, Padmé," he said softly. "As I said, I want a willing wife."
She stayed quiet and continued to keep her whole body tense.
"It is all your choice," he purred softly into her hair. "I can spend my night here with you. While you scream my name, begging for more." She couldn't help the small huff of air that escaped her lips. Even if she did willing go to bed with him, the only begging she'd be doing was for him to stop and leave.
Suddenly the temperature in the closet dropped. Coldness dug into her and she shivered. He pulled her closer to him, tightening his hold on her. His body was warm compared to the cold. When he spoke again his voice was low and dripped with malice.
"Or," he hissed, "I could spend my night with him. I could listen to his screams, begging me to end his pathetic life. It doesn't matter to me which option you chose. I'll be satisfied with either one."
She was shivering non stop now, despite the warmth of her husband's body. But she knew she was shivering from more than just the sudden cold. She felt his lips on top of head.
"And for future reference," he said in a soft whisper. "After tonight you will not be spared my future sessions with that scum. You will be there to watch as I personally make sure his life is dragged into an endless onslaught of suffering."
He said nothing more. They were quiet for what felt like a long time to Padmé, but could have been mere minutes. Her mind raced over his threats and promises as she debated on what to do. Finally she let her body slowly loosen up. She let her weight lean into his. She could feel him vibrate with satisfaction. One of his arm unwrapped itself from her and she felt his hand on her cheek. He pulled her face up and she looked at him.
"I knew you'd make the right choice," he said in a sensual voice as he pulled her face close to his. She opened her mouth to let him kiss him. She let his warmth wash over her body and ease away the cold. But deep inside of herself, her core was stone cold.
AN: A lot of people have asked in the reviews about Luke and Leia. Yes, they do exist in this story's universe. (Yes, they will appear in the story.) Also thanks for all the comments! I love hearing from everyone.