A/N: I went on vacation for a bit and didn't have time to write but now I'm back! Character development and plot in this one with just a 'sprinkle' of some smut because why not, XD! Just a reminder: the warnings for this story are placed at the beginning of the first chapter so pleeease if you're still iffy about the content of this story, look at them before reading.
On another note, I have most of the next chapter written so I'm hoping to get the rest finished tonight and post within the next few days. Also, this is -once again- not edited and I really don't have to time to edit so I'm looking into getting a beta reader to maybe help me out… But I'm not sure how to go about doing that… so PM me if you'd like to potentially be a beta reader while I research the guidelines! Thank you for all the love, everyone! Enjoy!
Chapter 32: Conscience
"Give me ten minutes," Padmé mumbled, eyes trained upon a document. The last committee meeting before the budget vote would be held the following day. What lied before now was inching towards her final task. Hearing Vader's boots scuff to a halt just beyond her desk didn't interrupt her concentration as it once did – she kept reviewing without faulter. Well at least she tried until he spoke.
"It's past eight," the man argued, "Do you not have ten minutes to spare in the morning?"
"I would prefer not having to come in at six. Please just give me ten," she breathed finally staring up into the void of his cowl.
"Fine but not a moment more," he muttered planting himself on one of her sofas.
Swiftly finding her mind back on task, ten minutes flew by as she made the finishing touches, ready to send off the opinion to the committee. Grabbing her cup of caf, she hurriedly took a sip – eyes flashing over the text. Knowing that it was complete, she switched off the screen resting back in her chair. Everything for her that quarter was complete, not a single document remaining before the vote. A frown pulled at her lips seeing Vader rise from his place. After the following week, she would no longer be a Senator.
"You will be much happier off this planet, Padmé," the dark figure murmured, overhearing her concern. "After the vote you are free to return to Naboo until after your birthday if your decision is to join me."
"Okay," she nodded slightly, eyes flashing to the chrono. "But after the vote, I need to formally prepare Jar-Jar… I worry about him being here alone-"
"He will manage," Vader shrugged as he slowly wrapped around her desk, "It is time for us to leave Senator." The low whisper sent shivers down her spine as cool leather fingers stroked her collarbone.
Padmé's jaw clenched, brows furrowing, "If we leave … what about 3PO?"
"If you wish, he can accompany you. There is no issue. Whatever you need to feel comfortable you will have," he assured her as he guided her from place. "You will no longer need to live in fear here." Shifting in his hold, Padmé turned in his arms – gaze lingering upwards where she knew his eyes would be. His neck craned, kissing her softly as if afraid he could hurt her if he was too rough. "You were sick again this morning," he whispered pulling away. "I arranged a medical appointment for you the day after the vote. I would like you to go before you depart for Naboo."
Padmé's shoulders dropped, "Vader-"
"Please," he whispered brushing a stray hair behind her ear. Replaying his request, the Senator stared up at him perplexed.
"Where will you be?" The woman wondered quietly, attention residing on the residual darkness around his features.
"I will not be on world for a few days."
"W-What? You just came back," Padmé began to argue as her hands clenched against the desk.
"I know," he nodded, "But something requires my attention-"
"You won't be here for the vote?"
"No…" he admitted, "If you choose to stay on Imperial Center until my return, I should be no more than a week. If you decide to spend the weeks preceding your birthday on Naboo, I will join you a few days prior to the event."
"Where are you going?" She asked brows furrowing as she shifted away from him.
"That is none of your concern," he sighed before possessively cupping her jaw. The shadow clouding his facial features thinned, the sight of a smirk catching her eye before his skin was once again murky with darkness. "We should go home, I'm sure Threepio has your dinner ready."
A few hours later, Padmé found herself dazed panting in damp sheets with Vader inflicting heavy and harsh kisses against her pulse. Her nails were clawed into his back, indulgence dominating every one of her cells as he voraciously pounded into her. The gush of crashing pleasure was impending, the crescendo leaving her lips was only made of sultry sounds and his name. Moments like those were the only time her mind would cease thinking, questions and concerns tossed completely as pleasure became everything. Heavy hands calloused, metal held her hips tightly, keeping her from soaring towards the headboard. She couldn't feel the pressure, her body too addicted to the way he enthralled her – the pain null. Low virile moans and her carnal whines resonated the room. Then there were quiet breaths and the soft whisper of shifting sheets.
"Vader," Padmé panted in a murmur, nestling against his chest. "I wish you could stay..."
His hand delicately collected hers atop his chest, swollen lips pressing a gentle kiss against the back of her fingers. "I must do this Angel. I don't have any other choice." With a small frown, Padmé slipped away from him – turning to snuggle against one of the cooler pillows further away. A metal hand captured her waist, hot breath ghosting above her ear. "Please forgive me…"
"I plan to vote against him," Padmé revealed tugging herself upright to face his golden gaze. "I can't agree to it."
Eyes narrowing Vader followed suit, sitting upright to match. "This is not the right time to show defiance. Many of my trusted men won't be here-"
"This is something I must do. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if my last decision was to comply and obey for something so blatantly wrong."
Vader growled shaking his head, "Then I will have someone go in your place-"
"You can't do that. I want you to support me on this. That's the only reason why I decided to tell you-"
"Sidious will not stand for your disobedience. You must find another way to mend your conscience-"
"There is no other way," she breathed the refute, "After all this, I will be aiding him more than imaginable. Using my name, my reputation to grow this repugnant régime. I need to do something moral, something just. Please… I won't give reason for my nay; I will only state the word. I can't be on record for supporting something so shameful."
"If he asks you to elaborate?" Vader probed. Padmé watched as he shuffled from the bed grabbing his robe before heading to the bottle of scotch atop the coffee table. He didn't even pour a glass this time, all he did was pop off the crystal stopper and chug the amber liquid. "Eryx will stay here with you," he finally said turning back to her, "I cannot leave you unguarded. If something should happen… He will take you off world."
"You trust him that much?" She couldn't help but ask. Padmé knew Eryx seemed loyal, but she hardly knew what Vader believed.
"Yes," he replied quietly, "I trust he would protect you with his life if it came to that point." As the young lord took another swig from the bottle, Padmé's eyes fell away from him. Gathering her own robe she sauntered over to the couch, finding herself wanting to be near him. Without a word he grabbed an old-fashioned glass, pouring her a decent cup before slipping it in her hand. Quietly, she took a sip trying to keep her expression from souring as fire rushed down her throat. Air tore through her nose as she kept her head and shoulders still, she wanted to cringe but found herself taking another gulp instead.
"You're stressed," she commented, noticing the lines across his facial features. "But it's not only this… there is something else troubling you."
Vader tensed, his gaze drawing back to her slowly, "I am running low on time," he admitted taking a seat beside her, downing another shot or two worth of liquor. Part of her wondered if it even affected him anymore... "Though the end of the Rebellion will be my success."
The woman's brows furrowed, "What do you mean?"
A smirk pulled across his features as he rested back, his human hand aimlessly coasting up her leg. "If the military is loyal to me and I am in favor with pivotal star systems, little opposition remains for me. For us," he explained.
A swallow pressed down her throat as she eyed the amber liquid in the glass. "You're planning on this so soon?"
"In the next two years. We still have some things to do," he muttered, finally relinquishing the bottle. From how casually he was speaking, the woman knew the alcohol was affecting him. Padmé glanced at the level of the bottle, her anxiety jumped noticing over a fifth of it was gone. He rummaged through his pockets unsurprisingly pulling out a clip of deathsticks. He lit one on a nearby candle before taking a drag. Smoke expelled from his nose as he rested back, his eyes fluttering closed as he took a deep breath.
With a gnaw of her teeth, she decided what was in her best interest – setting down her glass before crawling towards him. The Sith peeked when she straddled his waist, a trickle of excitement hoping down her spine when his member brushed against her core. He brought the deathstick to his lips once again, his metal hand lazily grasping her hip. "You think too much," Padmé whispered right below his ear, lips ghosting across his skin. "But I suppose you're required to do so," she hummed.
"I'm not as intoxicated as you believe, Senator," he informed, grabbing her small hand that had almost made its way to his cock. "Whatever you hope to derive from me in this state – just remember I can hear your thoughts as clear as I can hear you scream my name when you cum," he vulgarly revealed. A gasp escaped her lips as he suddenly crushed their chests flush, his member taunting – only one thrust keeping him from being buried. "If information is what you want… I will let you in on a little secret," he mused, however the mischief in his tone sent trepidation pulsating through her body. "By the time you see me again, all your traitorous friends will be dead and gone," he sneered in a whisper. Shock hit her harshly as she tried to pull away from him, however a sharp fist tangled in her hair locking her in place. "Only my most trusted men know of the plan. Does it not rouse you that you know as well?"
"V-Vader, p-please let me go," Padmé pleaded, jaw quivering as she remained in the extremely vulnerable state. A sigh left his lips as he reluctantly released, however against her better judgement she kept her place.
"It's your move Angel," the Sith languidly muttered, taking a drag. Biting her lip, she contemplated her next action. When the thought brushed her mind, Vader's head tilted seemingly amused as she fumbled with where to go from that point. Padmé rolled her eyes, plucking the deathstick from his grasp to take a hit. The room spun for a moment as she trained her eyes to remain fixed upon him.
"'Dead and gone?' How can you be so sure," she hummed flicking the ash to the floor. "They've evaded your grasp for this long." Padmé heard a click in Vader's mouth, knew his jaw had about crushed his teeth. "I think," her words were shamelessly overemphasized as she reached forward. Her breasts centimeters from his lips as she clutched the liquor bottle atop the side table. She took a swig before continuing, "You're so stressed because you're concerned about failure," she taunted, notching her head to the side. "Not one Jedi can remain," she mused, mocking Palpatine's words from his first address to the new Empire.
"You are testing my patience," Vader snarled ripping the deathstick from her hand, crushing it in his grasp.
"You need someone to tell you the truth," she drawled, however there was clear bite in her tone. Finding the courage, she flinched only slightly as she lowered herself onto his cock. His own jaw flexing as he struggled to remain indifferent. "You wanted me," she taunted, riding him devilishly slow. "I wager in that dark twisted mind of yours… you wanted someone to argue with – you wanted a challenge but, you also find opposing perspectives imperative," her voice had lowered into a haughty whisper, her teeth skimming against the skin below his jaw. "Why else would you have Jedi texts in your bedchambers," she whispered in his ear, increasing her pace.
"You've been taught all your life to thinka certain way," she sighed as a low moan fell from Vader's lips head falling back – chest heaving as she continued, "Many of us have… myself included. However, those who appreciate intellect start to stray from those teachings, search for more information when they see flaws. You are looking for something else… And you believe I can help you find it." His face buried against her shoulder as he came, a loud groan escaping him while his fingers pressed bruises into her skin. With a yelp, the sensation of his teeth digging against her skin stunned her as she suddenly found herself beneath him
Vader rutted into her with such force that it knocked the air from her lungs. He was senseless as he fucked her into oblivion. Mind spinning from the alcohol and spice, she cried his name - nails clinging to his robe. "The mouth on you," he growled slamming their hips together savagely. His hand snaked between them; her heart jumping at the stimulation against her sensitive nub. "The nerve for you to tell me my own desires," he snarled. A sob escaped her as he brought her to the brink of all consuming pleasure, however the moment he was there – he was gone, yanking himself away sharply.
"What the heck?" She snapped at him, sitting up and almost knocking him in the face with her forehead. Vader captured her chin, using the Force to keep the rest of her pinned.
"What makes you think you deserve it?" He questioned viciously, shoving her away as he pulled back. With her chest heaving, she rolled her eyes – her own hand racing between her legs to finish the job. However, Vader's power froze her movements once again. "No," he grumbled, "You will take what I give you."
"Kriff you," she cursed back, wriggling against his invisible hold. "Release me!"
Vader stormed back towards her, hand collapsing around her throat before dragging her off the sofa and shoving her against the bookcase. Padmé winced as texts tumbled to the floor around them. "You want release so fiercely," he derided as metal fingers split into her roughly. Invisible hands coaxed the rest of her body as she squirmed in pleasure. "Cum for me," he demanded sharply. Abruptly each of her muscles seized, body quaking in bliss as she cried – tears spilling as she came. The pleasure hadn't even dissipated as Vader dropped her to the floor. Her legs trembling against frigid stone as she slowly came down from the high.
Surrounded by numerous books, Padmé dragged herself from the floor. Leaning against the shelving, she noticed her scuffed knees. How they were already beginning to bruise as she tugged on her robe tightly. Vader had returned to his place on the sofa, lighting another deathstick as he sipped his scotch. With a small eye roll, Padmé found herself tiptoeing towards the door – her hand was inches from the interface before Vader's voice stopped her.
"Where are you going?" He asked, not even turning as she prepared to leave.
"It's obvious you don't want me here," she commented perplexed. "I thought it would be best for me to stay in my own chambers tonight…"
"Please stay," he whispered, "I shouldn't have… I'm sorry."
Pushing down a swallow, Padmé slowly inched further into the room. Shimmying out of her robe, she took a seat on the bed. Vader stood from his place; his eyes soft as he approached. Hearing him sigh as he kneeled, his attention was fixed on her knees. Head falling against the bed his warm hand gently massaged her calf. "Vader-"
"Please refrain from calling me that right now," he pleaded, his forlorn azure eyes capturing her attention. Brows furrowing, she hesitated to say anything more as he frowned at the tarnished skin of her knees. Padmé couldn't help but noticed how young he looked all the sudden – the lines across his face seemingly vanished, making him almost look like a miserable teen. It pained her to see him such a way even though he should feel remorseful from what he'd done.
"What else would I call you?" She wondered, whispering softly.
Vader shook his head, "You should sleep… Your meeting is early in the morning."
"Please I-"
"Sleep Angel," he sighed regretfully. In a matter of moments, darkness sweltered her vision.
By the time Padmé had arisen from slumber, Vader was gone. Not to return until he had put an 'end' to the Rebel Alliance… Nausea twisted her stomach at that thought. Yet, it was different from before. It was because she hadn't even thought of a way in which she could warn them. The thought hadn't even crossed her mind the night before about trying to get in communication with her confidants. Regret poured down her body until she realized the emotion was one she'd adapted to suppress. Knowing there was no sense in self-pity. Padmé lugged herself upright, eyes spanning the room until her gaze rested upon the ash still specking the floor from last night and the books. Gritting her teeth, she shoved herself from the bed, heading to the fresher.
By the time the toothbrush was centimeters from her teeth, her hands suddenly felt clammy – queasiness churning and sending sharp spikes of discomfort zapping. The woman hurled the brush away racing to the toilet. Lone acid stung her nostrils as she emptied the contents of her stomach. Shivers were continuously wavering down her spine as she clutched the porcelain bowl.
Tears welled as she draped her head against her arm, she couldn't understand her sickness… Padmé had been stressed in her life on numerous occasions – yet she never had been so ill. Hearing the bedchamber door slide open she tried to collect herself but not before Dormé found her with a gasp.
"My lady are you alright?!" Dormé cried quickly kneeling beside her.
"I – I'm fine," Padmé nodded, however her expression was opposite as she turned pale – heaving into the toilet as sweat beaded down her forehead.
"You need a medical droid my Lady-"
"No… I just drank too much last night. I can't miss today. All of this is almost over," Padmé argued, "I have an appointment after the vote. If you call them in now, I won't be able to appear before the Senate tomorrow." Dormé frowned planting herself quietly by Padmé's side. "Is he gone?" The Senator hoarsely wondered.
"Lord Vader left for the Executor earlier this morning," Dormé explained, "Or so that is what Threepio told me." Lips quivering, Padmé tried to fight back the tears that welled in her eyes as she slipped her arms from the toilet. Tears sprung from her eyes as she started sobbing. "My Lady please tell me how I can help you. I can't stand seeing you like this."
"There is nothing you can do Dormé," she mumbled dragging herself off the floor towards the sink.
"Are you sure you should attend meetings today? What if you become ill?" She wondered, patiently standing in the middle of the fresher.
"I'll handle it," Padmé assured her, wiping away her tears. "I presume Captain Lasky is taking us today?"
Dormé pursed her lips, shifting in her flats as she shook her head, "Eryx is here. I was informed that he would lead your protective detail in Lord Vader's absence."
With a groan, Padmé hung her head over the sink. Skull pounding. "Bloody hell… I forgot about that."
"Yes, he will be staying here until Lord Vader's return. I'm certain if he signed off on it – everything is 'okay' between you three?"
Padmé's shoulders tightened as she twisted toward her handmaiden, "What have you heard?"
Dormé shrugged, "Sola told me what happen before the wedding…"
Another groan escaped the young woman hunched back over the sink, "Force, I wonder who else she told."
"Probably no one, my Lady. I believe it is quite exciting! Both men are exceedingly handsome," she hummed with a small reassuring smile. Padmé rolled her eyes, her migraine becoming even more unbearable. The last thing she needed in her mind was that night. It took her weeks to see Eryx again without blushing fiercely.
"Gods," Padmé whined annoyed, snagging her toothbrush. "Can we just forget that even happened? It makes things uncomfortable. Ugh, I'm not even sure why the hell Vader allowed it."
Dormé pursed her lips as she hoisted herself atop the counter beside the Senator. "People do things like that all the time. It's not unusual."
"When you look at Vader, does he seem like a man who'd usually share?" Padmé muttered, gawking in her handmaiden's direction.
The woman pondered over her question a moment, "I remember how upset you were earlier that day… Perhaps he was trying to make it up to you? Come on, even I've seen the way you look at Eryx. It's not unnatural to find attractive men – attractive," she giggled swaying her legs.
Padmé bit the insides of her cheeks recalling how disgusted she was that day. How appalled she was by Vader's transgressions. The more she contemplated the chain of events the more she found herself question how she ended up in that room with the two of them in the first place. "I want to believe that's why but, I can barely recall how I even ended up in a room with the two of them."
The handmaiden's face paled a fraction, "What?"
"I mean… Yes. I enjoyed myself. I can also recall everything that happened once inside that room but getting there... its fuzzy," Padmé admitted tapping her finger against black marble.
"Did they force-" She began to stutter horrified.
"No! No… I- I wanted what happened," Padmé quickly assured her, "It's just… I can't remember getting to that room. The walk back to my chambers took me almost a half an hour – I couldn't find my way out of that labyrinth." Thinking back on it perhaps it was her fault she'd become so lost… she'd drank and smoked with them after she'd woken up. Padmé practically felt as though she was floating back to her chambers that night. Shaking her head of the degenerate actions, she glanced back to Dormé.
"Perhaps Lord Vader believed it was what you desired… I mean do you think he urged his own inclinations aside for you to have…"
"Freedom?" Padmé finished for her, "I'm not sure. Whatever it was, Force knows it's not happening again."
"Would you want it to happen again?" Dormé asked, Padmé's cheeks flared.
"That type of behavior is not me," the Senator said unwaveringly, "It was an interesting one-off thing. Not to mention, we weren't married at the time. I'm sure Vader reassured himself with the fact that in the next couple days I'd be legally bound to him."
"Okay," Dormé chimed dragging out the vowels as she shrugged her shoulders. "So… is Eryx blessed?"
Padmé froze in place before glancing back up at her handmaiden, "If you're so interested, perhaps you should find out for yourself," the Senator smirked, "You can read me, and I can read you Dormé," she said frankly. "You should speak with him. I'm sure if you approached him you could maneuver through his tunnel vision."
"Moons no," Dormé laughed, "I see the way he looks at you, my Lady-"
Padmé frowned, "It's his job to look after me Dormé."
"I have experience with observing Padmé. There is a clear difference between the way Lasky and Grett look at you and the way Eryx looks at you. Very different emotions."
"Emotions…" Padmé mumbled to herself until she announced, "You forget that inquisitors don't demonstrate feelings."
"Even you should know that's a load of bantha crap. You're telling me you don't see it?"
"Whether I see it or not… it's not like I would even consider approaching him about it. I'm not interested- Dormé I'm married," Padmé reiterated, "Believe me I am quite sated with what I have in regard to intimate pleasure."
Her handmaiden beamed, shaking her head, "You two are pretty loud ya know. My question is when are you planning on moving your things in here? I keep having to dust your chambers because you're never in there."
Biting her lip Padmé glanced around the fresher, her eyes peering into the bedroom focusing on the spare closet that mirrored Vader's. "I already explained that we probably won't be here as often after my birthday."
"I know… But it's the principle. I would also like to drape the furniture in your quarters if you are no longer using it," she laughed.
"When Vader gets back… I'll speak with him about it," Padmé assured her with a small smile.
"Awesome," Dormé beamed, "So is there anything in particular you'd like for breakfast?"
"Something with carbs," Padmé smiled, "And if you don't mind setting out the pain and nausea meds while you're at it."
"Of course, my Lady," with that Dormé hopped down off the counter before waltzing from the fresher. The Senator shook her head with a small giggle beginning to brush her teeth. As her mind kept swirling around the conversation, her smile faded as she rinsed out her mouth. The way he looks at me… Padmé pouted her mind drawn to the inquisitor no doubt down in the kitchen. Drying her hands, a muted curse left her lips as she trudged on a set of Vader's undergarments. Her head notched as she contemplated, she's right… I could really use some clothes in here. Grabbing one of his thin undershirts, she swiftly tossed it over her head.
As she stood idly, her eyes revolved around the room – it was cleaner than when she'd seen it earlier… Dormé must have dealt with the mess from the night before. When she finally made her way to the kitchen, the first figure that caught her eye was Eryx standing idly by the doors to the terrace, his eyes star systems away.
"Good morning, Lady Padmé!" 3PO chimed, the inquisitor flinched only a millimeter before his attention rested upon her.
"Good morning Threepio," Padmé smiled back as she rested her elbows against the counter.
"I hope you are feeling better, Dormé told me you were not feeling yourself this morning."
"Guess I'm not as young as I once was… Alcohol's been hitting different in the morning," Padmé shrugged slipping onto a barstool.
Dormé giggled as she snagged juice from the fridge, "I can imagine that headache isn't only from that."
Tipping her head to the side, the Senator wondered, "What do you mean?"
"Before I left your chambers earlier, I picked up the books that had fallen from the shelf. Perhaps you both should be a bit more careful moving forward," she tried to explain with a straight face. Padmé felt herself shrink in her seat as she recalled the night before.
"Okay," she piped up, tapping her nails against marble as 3PO placed a cup of warm tea in front of her kindly.
"This should help with your headache my Lady. Would you like a drink sir?" 3PO wondered his attention focused on Eryx, a man who hadn't moved an inch.
"No," he said tersely, his eyes refocusing out the window.
"Alright then," 3PO nodded wondering into back into the prep kitchen.
"Are there streaks on the window?" Padmé wondered, catching Eryx off guard as his head snapped in her direction.
"What? No." He muttered, brows furrowing.
Padmé laughed shaking her head, "Well you must be quite displeased with something. It looks as though you want to strangle the gardener." Eryx tipped his head, his confusion forcing the woman to bite her lip to contain the laughter that dared to creep out. "I'm joking," she clarified with a pinch of her brows.
"I don't see how that would be considered comical," he replied drawing closer.
"For someone who takes pleasure in those actions, I'm surprised you think that way," Padmé chimed back.
A smirk tugged at his cheeks as he rested against the counter, he was close enough for her to feel the warmth radiating from him. From the corner of her eye, Padmé saw Dormé grin with a chuckle before leaving the kitchen. She may have found it amusing but, for Padmé, she was walking a dangerous line. Eryx's tongue clicked as he backed away, "My she knows a lot about you," he commented, his eyes following her handmaiden out of the room.
Padmé knew an instant he'd been reading the thoughts at the forefront of her mind. A sigh escaped the woman's lips as she rested her elbow on the counter. "Find anything interesting?" She wondered. As soon as the words left her lips, she wanted to shove them back in as Eryx's stare became calculating. Padmé couldn't help but gulp down whatever tea she could to hide her blush.
"She's pretty certain you want to be double teamed again," Eryx said candidly.
Hot tea caught in the Senator's throat as a horrible lump formed shooting it back up. The tea glass fell from her grasp, hot liquid splashing atop the counter. Padmé coughed vigorously, shaking her head as she tried to mend the burning feeling through her throat and nose. Out of all the things he could say – he had to be that forthright… the act now dreadfully savage in her mind.
"She must have really not heard a word I said," Padmé wheezed grabbing a few sets of napkins.
"No, she heard you… she just doesn't believe you," He explained, reaching for her teacup to drink the remanence. Cursing herself internally, Padmé found her eyes rolling.
"You couldn't have phrased your response more civilly?" She chided, her eyes narrowing, "I could have seriously burned myself."
"But you didn't," he simpered, the woman's jaw dropped a fraction – Eryx had kept the hot liquid from pouring off the counter and into her lap, he wanted that reaction.
"You're unbelievable," the Senator sniped, "I am seriously beginning to rethink Vader's intellect always leaving me with you."
"I would never do anything too serious without his permission, Lady Vader," he assured, inching away to a more conservative distance. "Also, I am quite certain this is the first time I have spoken to you in length since that night. Whatever you're bound to do tomorrow must have him apprehensive. He would have instructed any of the others to stay if it were normal circumstances."
It was dark by the time Padmé settled on the couch in the living area with a glass of wine. It had been months since she'd taken the earlier part of the night to flip through the Holonet. Settling on a familiar drama, she rested back against the cool leather trying not to mind the inquisitor in the kitchen speaking with 3PO. Taking a sip, she nestled into the cushions suddenly becoming consumed with the story. Head falling to the side, her thoughts steered clear of the Senate vote and what the next day would bring. She found it peaceful in the common area, felt like she wasn't alone as the quiet patter of boots filled the atrium when the guards switched posts.
On her forth glass of wine, she found herself giggling at the comedy. Though, her attention veered as Eryx stepped into the room from the atrium. "I'm not sure I've ever heard you laugh so much," he commented taking a seat on the other end of the sofa.
Her eyes flicked to him, "Might be because of this," she giggled putting the crystal chalice nestled in her hand to the level of her eyes.
A small taught smile tugged at the inquisitor's features, "Who knew you could actually have a bit of fun."
Padmé rolled her eyes, "I'm fun, sometimes… Though, it's not like I have much opportunity to cause trouble anymore," she muttered. Padmé's cheeks heated watching him lean back, his legs spaying as he rested his arm out on the back of the sofa. She all but dragged her gaze back to the holoscreen as she caught herself staring. Dormé had been correct about one thing. He was handsome… however, she couldn't help but wish he were someone else as she longed for Vader's touch. Setting her half drank glass atop the table, she snuggled under her blanket further.
"What are you doing over there?" Eryx wondered noticing her wriggles as she tried to get comfy again. Force… if there was any night she wished Vader were there it would have been that night.
"Do you want a drink?" Padmé asked, ignoring his question as she sprung from the couch.
"I'm working technically," he said watching her wobble for a moment. "Perhaps you should slow down." Padmé hadn't even realized he'd left his place. But when she turned, and her toe caught the leg of the table she was relieved when he caught her swiftly. "Yeah… let's put this away," he chuckled slipping the bottle of scotch from her fingers. A pout formed across her features.
"That was supposed to be for you technically," she muttered mocking him.
"I told you… I'm working," he said quietly before clearing his throat. Padmé could see the strain on his features as he shifted to gently place her back on the couch. Once the warmth of his arms was gone, she frowned as he resituated himself far away from her. This was the first night in months where she hadn't been at the Senate till past six. She had come home at a reasonable hour and all her mind could think about was Vader. He'd only been back for a little over a week before leaving again. Tossing and turning on the couch, Padmé shifted her legs together – longing for friction as she contemplated his return. Soon she found herself basking in the laughter of the holodrama, lulling herself to sleep.
Eryx strained to remain objective as he sensed the Senator drift off into sleep. Snagging the bottle of scotch atop the table, he downed a swig now that she was out. Every man had needs, ones that could readily be contained – yet he found himself struggle in her presence. The sheer sound of her giggles made his trousers feel suffocating. Shifting his pants, Eryx rested back against the leather finding solace in the tempered voices of the drama. He almost found himself drifting off as well until he heard a sigh from beside him. His eyes peeled open to see Lord Vader's angel writhing under the blankets with her expression strained. The woman's mouth was popped open ever so slightly, curly chestnut hair a halo around her head. Her nose crinkled faintly, a muted moan tumbling from her throat.
Whatever modicum of relief he'd found vanished as he straightened himself on the sofa – helplessly listening to the sweet sounds escaping her as she slept. Tearing his gaze away, the tension beneath his belt was unnerving. "Shit," he cursed in a whisper. He should have left, however there were many things he should have done but never did. Deciding to stay, his eyes flashed to Lasky's office – the man had turned in for the evening leaving Eryx with the nightshift. The inquisitor usually didn't mind the graveyard hours and at this juncture he was relieved no one else was awake but himself. Sith's hell, he found his uniform smothering as he thought about what he'd give to peer inside her mind that moment.
With a groan he unclasped his belt and unbuttoned his trousers relenting the pressure. He had hoped that would have been enough but then he heard a whisper of Lord Vader's name leave her lips. Her legs stretched out – toes inches from his thigh. Vile thoughts tore through his mind at all the things he could do to her as she slept. His hand coiled into a fist; Vader would kill him if he even used the Force to ghost across her body. There was no denying Eryx was envious, the pure jealously that pinched him from hearing his commander's name was almost insufferable. He couldn't help himself as he began stroking his cock with an invisible fist – his mind imagining how tight and soft her pussy would be if he ever had been blessed with the opportunity. A low moan fell from his lips as he slumped, his ears trained on the tiny sounds sprouting from the woman beside him.
Even when her sweet noises ceased, Eryx replayed them in his mind until every muscle in his body tensed – his teeth burying into his bottom lip to contain a loud groan that would have flowed if he hadn't. When the pleasure faded, the images and sounds did as well when his eyes pealed open. He glanced down, a grimace appearing at the mess he'd made within his boxers. "Fuck," he sighed fastening his trousers. Suddenly, a small kick jolted him, his eyes darting towards the sleeping woman who was trying to drive him off the couch. He cursed glancing at the chrono, he could either let her sleep on the couch and most likely wake up with a twisted back and hangover or he could rouse her to get water before sending her off to bed.
Knowing the Senate vote was the next day, Eryx rose from his place fastening his belt before his hand gently shook her shoulder. "My Lady," he whispered nudging her, all she did was groan shoving him away. "Fuck," he moaned, "Lady Vader," he announced with a sharp jolt to her shoulder.
"Ugh what?" She snapped, shooting upright, rubbing her puffy eyes. "What the hell is it?"
"You should go to your chambers; you have a long day tomorrow."
She snorted, "Who are you, my father? Kriff, Eryx what the heck?"
The inquisitor rolled his eyes, "You should have some water before you go to bed. You drank the entire bottle, My Lady," he advised, hoisting her from the pile of blankets.
"Alright, Alright," she chanted shoving him away, "You know how hard it is for me to get to sleep? You should have just left me on the couch."
Eryx's brows furrowed, "What do you mean it's hard for you to sleep?"
"It's nothing, just next time please don't wake me up… I- I can't believe I slept the past few hours," she whispered glancing at the time. The inquisitor couldn't help but stare as she wrapped a blanket around her silky night dress – frizzy hair matted as she staggered into the kitchen for water. The man's boots shifted, following her blindly as a domestic feeling swarmed him. Is this what it's like for Lord Vader? Eryx couldn't help but feel drawn towards the sensation. He only observed as she innocently reached into one of the cabinets, her shift slipping. The way she moved was unscripted, as if every time prior she'd been following a strict set of rules for herself around him. Fuck, he should have turned away as he noticed the black lacy thong nestled between her cheeks.
Leaning against the archway, his emerald eyes darkened watching her throat mold to make space for the water as she drank. With Vader gone, the inquisitor's thoughts were left unchecked. He could imagine one thing her throat could make room for-
"It makes me uncomfortable when you look at me like that," the woman uttered just above a whisper. Eryx took a cautious step towards her, closing in until she had to take a step back. Her ass bouncing against the brim of the counter. "Eryx," she breathed, eyes lingering on anything but his face as he towered over her small frame, caging her in a corner. "I need to go to bed," she murmured. "Please, don't," she pleaded almost inaudibly. The inquisitor backed away seeing her hands shaking, chest heaving.
"Are you worried that he'll find out or are averse because you don't want it," he asked, truly searching for an answer.
"Both," she admitted, "What happened before… It was a one-time thing. I was childish for the way I acted around you before and for the way I treated you today. I conducted myself inappropriately with you and I apologize. It wasn't my intention to complicate things further between us."
"It's your choice-"
"And I've made it," she retorted sharply. "Please Eryx… Don't do this," she implored with tearful eyes. "I don't want you going anywhere," she whispered clutching his sleeve. "I trust you… Vader trusts you… I can tell you that whatever you feel won't last." Eryx knew what she meant and yet his feelings for her hadn't faded. They become even more prominent since they were introduced. He'd been surveilling her for the Dark Lord since the formation of the Empire. Lord Vader was a busy man and Eryx helped fill in the gaps.
"What I would give to have one night with you," Eryx frowned, "Just to get you out of my damn mind." The woman braced as he collected her chin between his thumb and index finger.
"You had it," she whispered, trying to pull away from him.
"I was barely allowed to touch you!" He argued snagging her elbow. "I spent better parts of years watching you for him. I found you for him. I deserve more than what was given to me."
"Please… you're hurting my arm," the woman pleaded, wriggling in his grasp.
"One night, please My Lady… That's all I ask," he found himself begging as he shoved her against the fridge.
"Eryx, stop," the woman breathed, hardly hiding her distress anymore, "I don't want this – please let me go…"
He snagged her chin before shoving his body against hers, "Tell me again you don't want this, and I'll stop," he drawled in an undertone, hand inching under her shift as she hesitated. His fingers snaked their way to her panties, millimeters away from plunging into her pussy until a sharp push wrenched him away.
"I don't want you!" She shouted, adamant. "I don't! - Whatever wrong you believe Vader inflicted upon you – I will not be a part of it! Even if there was a world where he could never find out, I couldn't ever contemplate betraying him like that."
"It may come as surprise to you that we extracted an organization manifest from Rafi Andino," Eryx intoned just above her ear as he kept her pinned. The inquisitor could hear her breath catch. "Rather a substantial directory to entrust to a jeweler," he mused, the malice in his voice threatening. "It took Sobek weeks to break him… Though things became quite simple once he found Andino's son." The man sighed bolstering his forearm above her head as she became still as stone. "You weren't lying when you divulged your association with the Rebellion. Providing funds for the cause is one thing… but that document lists you as their primary financial officer. Every credit went through you."
"Where are you going with this?" She asked breathless, her apprehensive doe eyes finally finding the courage to meet his.
"You've betrayed him at every turn," he explained simply, "One more instance shouldn't hurt your conscience. Your loyalty is cheap."
The woman's eyes narrowed, "How dare you," she growled through her teeth. "My aversion towards the Empire and association with the Rebellion are completely separate from my relationship with Vader."
"Are they really 'completely separate' though?" He mused, suddenly the Senator shoved him away. "You are loyal to him now because you must be. It hurts doesn't it… thinking about something he'd find intolerable-"
"You have no right making conclusions on matters you know nothing about," she sniped.
"I've known him longer than you have sweetheart," Eryx chuckled, shaking his head, "I should have known that by now he'd have every hatch in your mind shut that opposes him." The inquisitor swiftly found himself regretting revealing that piece of information, the woman's eyes depicting that of harsh scrutiny.
"What does that mean?" Her voice was just above a whisper, "I remember on Vandor you sharing something quite similar. That I now live for him. If you believe I am blind to the fact my behaviors have changed you are mistaken. Until this point, I've tried to rationalize my actions due to the bond he crafted. I can't feel anger nor hatred towards him for it and when I find that it troubles me… my thoughts jump to another place to save me pain. I know he's kept things in my own mind away from me. Yet I can't feel the resentment. So, I ask you this… What do you mean by 'every hatch'?"
Eryx found himself standing stoic a few feet from the woman only trying to make sense of her own mind. Inching away, he shook his head, "It was out-of-line for me to say such things. I cannot elucidate any further."
When her hand cupped the front of her skull, the inquisitor backed away even further. I shouldn't be here, his mind warned. Uneasiness swept into him as she spoke, "P-Please tell me," she begged. Visually he could see her pale, the veins on her forehead becoming more pronounced – no doubt the result of fighting with every piece of strength to keep her mind focused.
"I'm sorry…I can't share anymore," He sighed, head bowing when an iridescent tear streamed down her cheek.
"I should hate him, shouldn't I?" She whispered under her breath.
Never in his life had he felt so out of place as he longed to reply just to ease her pain. "Even though I cannot share the depth of what I know... I can tell you this, he cares for you the only way he knows how. You were brought up with loving parents, a lavish home. I am not saying that you have not faced your own hardships, however, you had people who loved you. Still love you. From the little I know of Lord Vader's past; he did not have long to experience those emotions and has been taught for years to disregard them. Yet, he still protects you from prosecution and handles you in ways I've never witnessed before. He tempers himself for you. He has killed men, women, children for far less than what you have done. What you continue to do. Whatever you're planning tomorrow, you no doubt told him of it. Seeing as I'm here, he acquiesced to what you wanted. I have never witnessed him compromise."
"From someone who has been taught similarly, I am honestly surprised you articulated that," Padmé whispered staring down at her toes.
"There is such a thing as reading," he chuckled, "also I have not been under the same constraints for as long as Lord Vader has… I learned a thing or two before he found me."
Watching her turn and slip onto the bar stool, the Senator held her head within her hands before looking back up at him. "If you don't mind me asking… Where did you grow up?"
"Csilla," Eryx replied leaning against the counter.
The woman shivered, "Goodness, I've only been their once and I must say the cold was harsher than any other planet I've visited."
The animus for that place seeped onto the inquisitor's expression as his eyes hardened. "Yes, it is," he muttered roughly, "Not many pleasant memories to reminisce." The air was silent as Eryx struggled not to delve into that corner in his mind. He would never return to that place.
"So… Vader found you?" She wondered after a few moments had passed.
"Yes. I knew of my abilities, would use them heedlessly and word travels fast on such a small system. As you know the people there tend to be a bit superstitious, the connection to the Force believed to be demonic. By the time Vader had found me, I was meant to be executed. I still do not know his purpose for being on that planet at that time. But I am grateful nonetheless."
"How old were you?" She prodded curiously.
Eryx gave her a half smile before replying, "Seventeen. I was nothing more than a thief at the time." While she was a queen. Watching her expression waver, Eryx knew she didn't know what to say in return. "Anyway… My story isn't much more than that."
She shook her head, "I'm sure there's more to who you were than that. I can see why Vader favors you… you're different than the others." The man pushed down a swallow, he'd known for a time that the Lord relied on him differently than his comrades. Though, he'd never heard anyone state the fact aloud. "I find it fascinating how skilled you are in the Force considering you were not taught until an older age."
"I didn't have much choice but to become more skilled after I left. I must say, when I first discovered Lord Vader's age… Nothing had ever shocked me more to see the individual who'd been beating my ass senseless was younger than me. Things were different back then… He would rarely show his face. Now it's plastered on every Holonet frequency in the galaxy."
The woman across from him remained quiet, from her eyes he could tell weighty thoughts were passing through her mind.
"I can't help but wonder what changed," Padmé murmured with a small frown.
"What do you mean?" Eryx asked, brows furrowing.
"After all this time, why would Palpatine want Vader to reveal is age? He'd been a shadow for so long, I just wonder why?"
"It would have been exceedingly difficult to keep such information away from the people considering your marriage was so public. Images or rumors were bound to come out eventually. Why not make a demonstration of it," Eryx shrugged.
"Still… the public almost seems to favor Vader more so than the Emperor now."
"Well one could say there has been an opposite effect in the military hierarchy," Eryx said quietly, his own thoughts suddenly twisting.
"Why would it matter to them?"
"If you haven't noticed the higher-ranking officers are primarily older. None of them are fond of being ordered around by someone at least thirty years younger."
"You're telling me many of them didn't know already?" Padmé gaped, "How is that even possible?"
"Any soldier that had seen Vader's face before the public announcement were ordered to never speak a word of it– not even to superiors. At one point, it was an extremely guarded secret… Even I never knew his age until I had been in training for several years."
"Interesting," the woman frowned, her chocolate eyes staring down at her wrist. Eryx's eyes widened a fraction as he followed her gaze. The liner scar and ornate binder caught his eye. Suddenly, he found himself inching inward – he'd seen that form of metal before. Lord Vader's harem women had similar bindings; their collars infused with trackable metal signals. The one Padmé wore may have been a different color, more elegant and minimal – but Eryx knew it's true purpose. The practically indestructible metal could not even be cut by a lightsaber, the only mechanism of removing it was through the Force. Then his eyes fell to the scar she bared. It was another brand, another mark of property. A swallow pressed down his throat as his gaze fell back to her contemplating gaze. He never had reservations about the restraints on any of the women in the palace, however when he looked at the woman before him now – it almost made him sad. The tightness in the inquisitor's jaw almost snapped his teeth at that thought.
She was a strong minded and powerful woman, there was no question in his mind about her personality. He hadn't felt the emotion in so long that he'd almost forgot what the feeling meant… He felt sorry for her… Eryx almost felt regretful for not keeping true to his word and helping her escape from Vandor. That's when his mind came to a screeching halt as her voice tore him from his dangerous thoughts.
"Eryx? You okay?" She wondered with perplexed eyes.
"I'm fine," he smiled, "You just got me thinking is all." Thinking about his past, thinking about all he'd learned those years before his training drew his mind to places he never thought were still accessible. It was an extremely hazardous place, a place that shouldn't have been reopened.
"Well, I'm going to head to bed, thank you for sharing a bit about yourself," with that she gave him a small smile, grabbing her water cup before slowly slipping off the barstool.
"Padmé," he said before his training could stop him, she turned to him - puzzled by his urgency. Quickly he caught himself, previous words dying in his throat. "Goodnight," he finally said, his emotions squandered.
The woman bit her lip, "Goodnight," she whispered and with that she disappeared into the atrium leaving to her chambers. Once she was gone, the inquisitors hardened stature fractured, breaths leaving his chest too quickly. Eryx knew he couldn't interfere. Knew that it was not his place.