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The Sith Lord and the Scientist Section B - Part 9

MONTH 9, DAY 1

I feel a bit cold so I shift a bit in bed and reach over to where Ani should be, intending to snuggle up to him. He’s gone from my side, though. On our wedding night, no less. Irked, I carefully push myself upright and retrieve my nightgown from the floor. The air is cool so I quickly put it on. My matching mothsilk robe rapidly joins it. With a sigh, I wander through Ani’s suite. Where is he?

The outer door slides open at my touch and I finally see the Sith Lord, standing on the balcony, hands resting on the stone railing, looking towards the mountains where the faintest hint of the upcoming sunrise is starting to become visible. He turns when he senses me and beckons me over and into his arms.

‘Is something wrong, my love?’ I ask him.

‘At this moment in time, no,’ he admits.

‘Then why are you up and about so early?’ I pry.

‘I am doing my best to avoid another few hours of trying to satisfy my insatiable wife,’ he teases.

Oh. I blush bright red. Even though the only place in his suite where he could remove all of his armor was in a meditation pod, he had still insisted on letting me have my way with him in the bedroom. And I think we tried every possible arrangement his armor allowed. As many times as I wanted to, too.

‘Then I will let you have a rest until tonight,’ I reply with a smirk.

‘Temptress,’ he calls me.

‘Sith Lord,’ I respond.

I shift a touch in his arms and set my cheek and hand against his chest. It’s getting hard to snuggle in close with my expanding middle. While I let his body heat warm me up, I look at the ring on my left hand again and smile happily to myself. Ani had sneakily consulted my brother about Earth customs. No one but us will know what my gold ring means, and no one will see its mate on the Sith Lord’s finger.

My mind wanders back to the previous evening. Ani had insisted on doing things properly. I was dressed in white with Michael there to give me away. The only other person involved was the old Naboo priest who had conducted the ceremony. He had thought the exchange of rings odd but let us do as we wanted.

And afterwards... I pull myself as close to the Sith Lord as I can. Last night was special and Michael had volunteered to stand guard to keep anyone from disturbing us.

‘Thank you, my husband, for everything,’ I tell him.

His low rumbling purr sounds in answer.

‘You’re completely content,’ I observe.

‘I have every reason to be. I have a beautiful wife, an heir on the way, and no reason to personally go chasing after rebels for a while. Palpatine has other errands for me to do,’ the Sith Lord reveals, then quickly adds when I stiffen, ‘We won’t be separated, my love. I will be taking the Executor.’

Good, I think to myself. I have had enough of being apart from him.

It’s growing lighter, so I turn my head and look towards the sunrise. The sky and clouds are painted various shades of pink and red. Naboo’s sun is yellow and the dawn should produce similar colors to those on Earth. A few birds in the Retreat’s gardens react to the sunlight by singing.

Ani was right. The dawn is beautiful here.

‘Sunrise is for beginnings,’ he suggests.

And sunsets are for endings, I silently add. I quietly remember the sunset he held me through back on Earth. For once, no homesickness threatens. Home is where Ani is, I remind myself as I suppress a yawn and relax in his arms. It’s too early to be up and about.

‘My sleepy little wife. I think I will take you back to bed,’ he teases.

‘Go right ahead,’ I decide.

His arms lift me up and we are soon back in bed, wrapped around one another once again. Soon it will be time to end our brief holiday and leave, but for now there is only the two of us to worry about and all is well.

Corulag, Corulus System, Year 0, Month 9

DAY 15

***

I dismiss the last of the engineers, finally satisfied with the modifications to the latest TIE Advanced prototype. Soon it will be at the stage where I will be able to test it in battle. As I leave the propulsion testing facility, the director of Sienar’s Research Division falls into step beside me.

‘All of your suggestions will be seen to immediately, my Lord,’ he says.

‘Any further business will have to wait until next week,’ I dismiss him. ‘As of now, I am officially on leave.’

When he opens his mouth to make another comment, I shut him up with a wave of my hand. Listening to his endless chatter the last two days has taxed my patience to its limits.

‘I would prefer to not start the first holiday I’ve had in two decades by having to permanently silence you,’ I threaten.

He stops dead and lets me leave Sienar’s installation unescorted. It’s time to collect my wife and relax for a few days.

***

‘Ready to go?’ Ani asks from the doorway.

Startled by his early return, I try to hide the cards in my hand. Thirsk and Rik have already tucked theirs away, I ironically note. Obviously they have had more practice at that than I have. Unfortunately several piles of credit chips, mine being the biggest, are still on the desk in front of us.

‘Gambling, Commanders?’ the Sith Lord notes with amusement. ‘You’ve been teaching my Favorite sabacc, I assume.’

Rik can’t help looking a bit guilty at that.

‘Just make sure you are careful how much you wager against those two, my Favorite,’ he warns me. ‘They are notorious cheats.’

‘Not that it does much good with her,’ Rik grumbles. ‘Once she knew the rules, that was it. I haven’t won a hand since.’

Thirsk grins at him.

‘You should have figured it out by now, wingman,’ he tells his fellow officer. ‘My lady counts cards and calculates probabilities. Any reputable casino would ban her in less than an hour.’

I give Rik my most sweet and innocent smile. It’s been fun using my mathematical gift to swipe credits from him. I know Thirsk realized what I was up to long ago and made his bets accordingly, but Rik’s reactions to every hand I had won have been quite entertaining.

‘Here’s your credits back,’ I offer, pushing half of my winnings over to him and half of what remains at Thirsk. ‘I only wanted to learn how to play, not bankrupt you.’

I look at Ani and reach my hands over to him. He pulls me to my feet as the two Commanders scramble to theirs. My love waves them from his office and closes its door.

‘Perhaps I should let you go gambling,’ Ani suggests. ‘You could easily double my fortune with a few well placed games.’

‘I don’t think so,’ I decide. ‘I would rather not become known as a card shark. And it wouldn’t take very long for word to spread that playing against me is a losing proposition.’

‘True,’ the Sith Lord admits, ‘but the thought of you winning a few credits to pay for your upkeep is more than a bit tempting.’

‘I am that expensive to maintain, am I?’ I tease him.

Ani chuckles at that and rests a fingertip against my nose.

‘Impossibly expensive,’ he teases right back.

‘Want to try a game with me?’ I entice him by waving the deck in front of his mask. ‘We could play the equivalent of strip poker.’

‘Which is?’ he asks, curious.

‘If I win, you take your armor off and we have some fun in the bedroom, and if you win,…’ I explain, but don’t bother completing the second circumstance.

‘…I have some fun with you in here,’ Ani finishes.

Oops. Maybe I should have given him my own suggestion for what we could do, but it’s too late for that now.

I retake my chair by his desk and hand him the cards.

‘You are stuck with what you are dealt,’ I warn him, ‘and no cheating with the Force or changing their values.’

Ani quickly shuffles and cuts the deck. After he returns it to me, I deal each of us four cards. I quickly discard one, but he keeps all of his. He puts his first card on the desk, face up. Three, I count. Okay, I’ll match that. I set the three in my hand beside it. Ani’s next card is a ten, mine a two.

‘Worried yet?’ I tease.

‘No,’ he says, putting down a six and four. Ani has a Perfect Sabacc, all cards of the same suit, with a total of twenty-three.

‘You could always give up,’ I hint, trying to bluff him.

‘You can’t win, Maia,’ Ani reminds me. ‘Only one hand beats that and I doubt very much that you are holding it.’

‘Last chance,’ I warn, slowing turning my card over to add it to the rest.

There is silence from the Sith Lord when I show him the null card. My Idiot’s Array trumps his natural twenty-three.

‘I win!’ I happily chirp.

He stares at the cards on the desk.

‘I win!’ I gleefully repeat before ordering. ‘Into the bedroom and out of your armor!’

Ani doesn’t move. He is still staring at the cards.

‘So you did,’ he finally admits. ‘You won and I lost. The next time I will be more careful what I wager.’

I get out of my chair and start tugging on his hand. Time for some fun with Ani. He lets me pull him along after me into the bedroom.

‘You don’t need to rush,’ he scolds as I unhook his cloak and let it fall in a heap on the floor. ‘I am taking a week of leave. We can do nothing but fool around for the next five days if you really want to.’

By the time he finishes saying that, I have his tunic off as well. I impatiently count the seconds until the control panel signals that the atmosphere has been adjusted to meet his needs. Then I rapidly strip the rest of his armor from him.

‘Into bed with you,’ I order, pushing him towards it.

‘Eager, aren’t you?’ he observes as he complies.

I simply nod as I drop my own clothing on the floor. Ever since my pregnancy sickness has faded, my hormones have taken over. Sex is the foremost thing on my mind almost all the time and Ani has been too busy the last week to satisfy my demands.

‘Make love to me, Ani, please,’ I ask of him. ‘and don’t stop until I have had enough to last a month or two …’

He silences me by setting his mouth on mine and sliding a hand between my legs. I let out a series of soft moans as his caresses quickly ready me for him.

‘Anakin,’ I call to him, ‘hurry. I need you.’

His hands shift me a little, positioning me so I am comfortably propped up with a few pillows. Then he is in me, slowly thrusting in and out at a pace designed to drive me mad.

‘Faster and harder,’ I demand.

I want him to push me over the edge quickly and won’t put up with his usual delaying tactics.

‘Slow and steady,’ he firmly replies, refusing my request. ‘You are too far along and too big for any rough handling.’

My body aches with its need for release, so in frustration, I dig my nails into his back, trying to urge him on. Ani ignores the pain and speeds up only a little.

‘Behave,’ he growls, his voice tight with the effort of restraining himself.

I submerge myself in the sensations he is sharing with me. Does that ever feel good. No wonder he likes keeping it slow and steady if he can manage it. Most of the times we have made love I have not let him do that for very long. My body starts to shudder as it reacts to what I am experiencing over our bond.

‘Ani!’ I gasp as my muscles start to pulse.

At that, his control finally escapes him and the Sith Lord buries himself completely in me.

‘Maia,’ he groans as he shivers against me.

I hold him close and wait for the tension to leave our bodies.

‘Sithspit,’ Ani curses as he pushes himself up and away from me. ‘I wanted to hold off a while longer since we were both enjoying that so much.’

‘It doesn’t matter, love,’ I reassure him. ‘It still felt good.’

‘Shall I get ready for round two?’ he hints. ‘Or do you want to go down to Corulag with me instead? There is still time to do some sightseeing today if you want.’

My ears perk up instantly. He is willing to take me planetside? This will be only the fourth time he has taken me off-ship.

I reach down beside the bed, grab his robe, and hand it to him.

‘Sex can wait,’ I decide with a laugh, ‘I can get that any day, but a trip to go sightseeing with you is something I will never turn down.’

Ani smiles in answer. I suspect he knew which option I would choose.

‘Share a shower?’ he asks, so I set my hand in his and follow him into the ‘fresher.

***

I guide her back into the bedroom after our shower and take a moment to look at her. Maia’s stomach curves outward in a way which will be difficult to disguise, but I won’t deny her this little holiday with me. My wife needs some time off-ship and Corulag is secure enough that I can safely give her a day or two.

She smiles at me again, so I pull her close, let my hands slide across her middle, measuring how much it has grown in the last month. I will have to confine her to the ship soon.

‘He’s busy,’ I note as I feel my son stir inside her, his strong kick landing against my hand.

Did Luke kick this hard the first time I felt him within Padmé? Folk tales say girls kick harder and are more active than boys. That’s why I told my angel I thought our child would be a girl. For a moment, I let myself be buried in memories, then banish them once again.

‘Ani?’ I hear Maia ask.

She finds my reminiscing amusing, but I have never told her about my first wife or eldest son.

It is too dangerous for her to know anything about them or the life I renounced so very long ago.

‘Wear one of your new gowns,’ I suggest. ‘You looked good in the one with the nice embroidery on it. And be sure to pack three or four days worth of clothes. We will be staying in the Governor’s summer palace.’

***

He was lost in one of his memories again, I note as I comply with his suggestions, pack my trunk, and put on the dress in question. The quiet, reflective look he gets at times tells me that whatever he is reliving, it must be rather sad. One day, I hope he will tell me about his past. Sharing his sorrows would bring us closer together and allow him to let his old hurts go.

I glance over at Ani and go help him with his tunic and cloak. He bestows a kiss as my reward before giving me the once over.

‘It disguises most of your middle,’ Ani decides, ‘but there is a chance anyone looking at you closely will know, even so.’

I look down at the fabric belted just under my breasts. The swirling black-on-black embroidery produces an illusion of deep folds from a distance, but Ani is right that it won’t fool someone standing right next to me.

‘I could put on something else,’ I offer.

‘No point,’ he decides. ‘If this one doesn’t work, none of the others will either.’

***

I pin her veil in place and gently take her hand in mine before sliding my arm around her waist. The crew are used to seeing me guide her around the ship this way. After she stumbled a few times and I caught her, no one even comments on it anymore. They know how protective of her I am.

And the public’s opinion? I smile behind my mask. Palpatine wanted us to be affectionate, to be his ideal couple. In staged public appearances, I have been careful to obey his wishes. But even so, the reaction is one he could not have expected.

Maia has become the woman every young girl dreams of growing up to be - smart, reasonably pleasant looking, with a position giving her wealth and power few will ever attain. Devoted solely to her mate, yet admired by many, but loved and possessed by only one.

Myself? Perhaps my reputation has softened a little, for who can deny seeing how I care for her? I give my head a shake. Having a Favorite hasn’t discouraged those trying to ensnare me with marriage. If anything, it has made that worse, now that I can treat Maia appropriately in public.

The media? Several journalists have become relentless in their pursuit, despite repeated warnings to back off, determined to catch us in a compromising position. Whatever my master’s plans are, I dislike being seen as the love-struck fool some of the press would have me be. I am a Sith Lord, still, despite my feelings for her.

And everyone would be wise to never forget that.

***

I eagerly take my place beside Ani in the shuttle and look out the cockpit window. While he busies himself with last minute checks, I listen in on the conversation the members of my staff are having behind us.

‘What are we going to see first?’ Daini asks.

‘Imperial Academy campus outside the capital of Curamelle,’ Thirsk reveals.

‘How boring,’ Cyran comments. ‘Seen one, seen them all.’

‘Well, I haven’t seen it,’ Daini volunteers, ‘and there ought to be plenty worth looking at.’

I roll my eyes at that. She intends to pursue any suitable male in uniform she can find. It’s the primary reason she enlisted in the first place.

Ani, is there a rule that will let me marry her off to someone? She really likes Rik and Captain Piett, I hint, hoping he will say yes.

Unfortunately, no, he admits, and I am not punishing either one of my officers by inflicting Daini on him. You can only hope she finds a reasonable candidate who is interested in her and can settle her down a bit.

Rats.

‘Ladies,’ Thirsk growls, and I suspect he has indicated the open cockpit door to them because the topic changes instantly.

‘What about security for the next two days?’ Cyran questions. ‘I know what is on the schedule, but it seems that the three of us won’t be sufficient.’

‘The Aviary will be cleared,’ the Commander tells her. ‘And his Lordship has made additional arrangements that you don’t need to concern yourself with.’

‘Aviary?’ I wonder, turning to look at Ani. ‘What aviary?’

‘Corulag is famous for the collection of exotic birds in the Abersaith Aviary,’ he replies.

‘Oh. Well, I won’t spoil it by asking for more details,’ I decide.

The Sith Lord closes the cockpit door, ending any further eavesdropping on my three bodyguards.

‘We will be touring the Imperial Academy tonight, visiting the Aviary tomorrow morning, attending a small banquet with Governor Zafiel Snopps tomorrow night, and going to one of the more remote nature preserves on the coast the following morning,’ Ani details our itinerary. ‘The tour of the campus and dinner at the Governor’s could not be avoided for political reasons, but I thought you would like to see the birds and the coastline.’

‘Thank you, my Lord,’ I tell him, reverting to formal mode in anticipation of being in public with him.

‘You’re welcome, my lady,’ he teases a little.

***

I guide her to our suite, her hand resting on my arm. It’s been a long day and she looks tired. The tour of the Academy must have bored her, but Maia never once voiced her personal opinions or let her fatigue show. On the contrary, she was careful to ask intelligent questions of the students and instructors. In the last month, my little goddess has learned how to act like my wife in public. I will never have to worry about her conduct again.

The door closes behind us. I search our assigned rooms with the Force, destroying any recording devices I find. My privacy, our privacy is one thing I won’t compromise.

‘It’s safe now,’ I reassure her.

She pulls off her veil, tosses it aside, and sags in my arms, resting her head against my shoulder while I hold her close.

‘The Aviary can wait until tomorrow afternoon,’ I decide. ‘You should sleep and rest as much as you want.’

‘Thank you,’ Maia gratefully replies.

***

DAY 16

I take a bite out of the sweet pastry and watch Ani run through another ‘saber form. It must be a new one, I think, since I don’t recall seeing him do that sequence of moves before. He finishes with a flourish of cuts, ending with his blade extended and impaling his invisible foe. Impressed, I start clapping, then take his hand when he walks back to my side.

‘That was impressive,’ I tell him.

‘Fifth form velocity sequence,’ he admits. ‘I don’t use that style very often, but I still practice it once in a while.’

I toss a few crumbs from my lunch at the small birds which have landed on the stone railing along the veranda. They quickly flit about, each trying to get more than the others. I stare past them, at the gardens beyond. The Governor’s gardens are too structured, too regimented for my tastes. Every plant seems to be a clone of its neighbors, and all of them are in strict formations. My imagination transforms the various plants into little soldiers waiting for orders in neat ranks. Orders. Order. Even nature bears the brunt of Imperial rule on this planet.

‘I like the conservatory at your castle better than what is here,’ I confess. ‘There’s no feeling of freedom in this place.’

Ani follows my gaze, looks out at the trees and flowers I am talking about.

‘It’s the style now popular on Imperial Center,’ he reveals, ‘and Corulag always copies that.’

I make a face. Curamelle was full of tall buildings inspired by those on Coruscant.

‘Is originality a sin to be avoided here?’ I muse aloud.

‘No,’ the Sith Lord answers, amused, ‘but many of the first colonists were Coruscanti, and their descendants like to think of this world as a second Imperial Center. They are fiercely loyal as well, so be careful what you say tonight.’

‘I am always careful what I say in public, my Lord,’ I remind him.

He looks down at me, so I smile at him and give my stomach a surreptitious rub.

He’s busy again, I note as another kick hits my side.

Come inside with me and I will quiet him for you, Ani offers.

I squeeze his hand, let him help me up and return to our bedroom with my husband.

***

Maia doesn’t know about my Noghri yet, so I slip out of our bedroom while she dresses and meet the four bodyguards I selected for her in the garden.

‘The Aviary has supposedly been cleared,’ I advise them, ‘but I suspect that several reporters have hidden themselves among the exhibits and been missed.’

Kohvrekhar and his clan-brother Ghazhak nod and give their people’s equivalent of a smile. On Naboo they proved most efficient at finding and removing unwanted company. Only Jix was able to get past them, a testament to just how good an agent he is.

‘You will see to it that they are not a problem,’ I order. ‘Do whatever you must, but make sure that you are not observed.’ After a moment’s thought, I add, ‘That includes being noticed by my Favorite. I do not want her to see anything which might upset her. Tonight, at the Governor’s banquet, you will do the same.’

‘We will obey, Lord Vader,’ Kohvrekhar replies. ‘No harm will come to the Lady Vader and your heir.’

I don’t bother correcting him as he and his companions fade into the shadows. To the Noghri, any mate of mine is ‘Lady Vader’, and any child, my heir.

Now for the other secret guard I need to arrange for tonight.

‘Hello, Uncle Dee,’ I hear his typical, cheerful call.

‘Jixton,’ I growl as I turn, only to see him sauntering across the garden in plain sight.

***

I happily walk at Ani’s side, my head turning back and forth to stare at the colorful birds all around us. This place is really cool. And huge. Abersaith canyon is two kilometers long and wider than that in spots. Each display is roofed over with transparisteel and separated from the others with repulsor fields to keep its occupants from escaping or mingling. There are aerial walkways, but we are on the ground, slowly wandering through the exhibits with only Cyran, Daini, and Thirsk accompanying us at a respectful distance.

Right now, we are in the Naboo ecosystem. I instantly recognize the peko peko bird, but the dumpy, dark brown one is new to me. I pull Ani over to where the creature in question is standing, looking at us with a rather quizzical expression from the tip of its head.

‘It’s a turkey from my homeworld!’ I burst out, laughing at the silly, stunned bird.

‘No,’ Ani corrects, ‘it’s a flightless brown nuna from Naboo.’

‘Nope,’ I disagree as the nuna starts making typical turkey noises, ‘it’s a turkey.’

‘Nuna,’ he fires back.

‘Turkey,’ I repeat, adding when I remember my dinner at the Emperor’s retreat, ‘it even tastes like a turkey.’

‘Nuna,’ Ani firmly states, squeezing my hand in an attempt to shut me up about it.

‘I don’t care what you call it,’ I stubbornly say, determined to have the last word, ‘to me it will always be a turkey.’

I can see Daini rolling her eyes at our argument. She has said very little today. Maybe Thirsk’s warning to her about flirting with that Captain we were introduced to last night has subdued her a bit.

‘Shall we go to the next exhibit, my lady?’ Ani offers.

‘Yes, my Lord,’ I reply with a grin. I know he’s trying to get me away from that bird.

Turkey, I tease him in thought, but he has given up and doesn’t answer.

***

I guide her to the next stop on our tour, smiling behind my mask as I do. What a stubborn little creature she can be, and over the most insignificant of things, too.

A sharp cry pierces the air as the great avril bird circles, stoops, then falls through the air towards its target. For a moment I catch a brief sense of it through the Force. Such raw power. What a pity one can’t really tap into that.

Maia stands beside me, transfixed, as the giant purella spider is torn from the tree branch, swept into the air and dropped onto the rocks below. She shivers as predator retrieves prey and perches near the unfortunate spider’s now empty lair. Loud tearing sounds as eight legs are removed and the avril begins devouring its dinner.

‘That was rather nasty,’ I hear Cyran comment.

Maia’s aide obviously did not appreciate the avril’s display.

Nor does my wife. She has gone pale beneath her veil and shut her eyes. As the bird begins crunching through the spider’s hard abdomen, she puts a hand to her mouth and runs into the next exhibit. Thirsk steps to my side, before following after her.

‘Considering how she went after that poor garden spider with her shoe this morning,’ I tell the Commander, ‘I would have thought seeing a larger specimen so efficiently disposed of wouldn’t bother her too much.’

I get one of his rare smiles.

‘Women, my Lord,’ he notes over his shoulder, ‘there’s no accounting for taste with them.’

I stare after him, then start laughing, surprising Daini and Cyran who haven’t moved from their spots yet.

He must have taken the time to read this exhibit’s description.

Only Yavin 8’s female avril, not the male, is large enough to successfully hunt a giant purella.

***

Thirsk comes up behind me, but I ignore him. I am too busy trying not to throw up. That was awful. And Ani wasn’t at all bothered by it.

‘My lady?’ Thirsk asks.

I guess the swallowing and gasping noises I am making have him concerned.

‘I’ll be fine, Thirsk,’ I tell him, ‘just give me a few minutes to recover.’

I do my best to ignore the sound of the avril bird finishing off the spider, and wander into the next section. Curious about what is in it, I go over to the written description for the exhibit I am in.

‘Ibbots from Drall,’ is the heading.

When Ani and the two Lieutenants join Thirsk and I, I read it aloud, ‘This ecosystem is representative of the shoreline of the Boiling Sea of Drall which is the second planet in the Corellian system.’

I look out over the observation area’s railing. There is a body of water with a rocky shoreline. Slimy looking algal mats fill the bubbling water and multi-colored algae is growing on some of the rocks.

‘There are sixty-eight varieties of ibbots, but only fifty-six of the herbivorous ones are housed here,’ I continue. ‘Good. I don’t want to see another carnivorous bird having lunch.’

Ani is amused at that, but doesn’t comment.

‘Ibbot wingspans range from 7cm for the small blue-breasted hover ibbot to 10m for the great ibbot which is used as a flying steed by Drall’s Wingriders. That’s one very big bird,’ I add my own observation. ‘Domestic common brown ibbots are raised for the table and are mildly salty in flavor.’

‘Must be from their diet,’ Cyran quietly adds.

‘Ibbots eat algae off the rocks along the shoreline of the Boiling Sea, and both the flame ibbot and great ibbot are able to squirt a jet of scalding water at predators,’ I read to her, then tease. ‘I think that gives new meaning to bad breath.’

‘Other varieties of ibbot use their teeth and claws for defense,’ I finish the brief description.

‘If you want more information, my lady,’ Cyran offers, ‘you can download it onto your datapad using the dataport in the display.’

I give my head a shake.

‘No, thanks,’ I decide. ‘I think that gave us all the important stuff.’

Turning away from the text, I walk over to the best vantage point and start counting all the different ibbots I can find. Ani and Thirsk join me. Within minutes it has become a game to see who can spot the most ibbots.

‘Thirty-two,’ I count as I see one with a bright yellow crest and point at it.

Ani chuckles and waves his hand towards the rocks.

‘There are a number of ibbots hiding among the rocks,’ he tells us. ‘I could use the Force to flush them from their cover if you like.’

‘No,’ I decide, ‘they are shy and afraid of us, so let them be.’

Movement from behind one large boulder catches my eye. I stare the rock, hoping another ibbot or two might emerge, but none does.

‘Well, rats,’ I comment. ‘I guess thirty-two is all I will see today.’

‘Time for the next display,’ Ani warns. ‘We won’t get to all the ones you wanted to see if you stay here much longer.’

I take his arm and let him lead me onward.

***

Maia found that silly nuna, those ibbots, and a number of the birds we have seen since quite entertaining. Maybe I will add a few harmless, tame birds to my castle’s conservatory.

I hang back a moment while Thirsk accompanies Maia along the path leading to the next exhibit. Someone has been following us, slipping from section to section using the landscape in the different environments for cover, and I am sure it isn’t one of my Noghri.

While I watch, I see the repulsor field drop for a moment, then reestablish itself. I was right. Someone is trailing us.

Ghazhak enters the paved area I am standing in. There is quite a distance between Maia and the two of us, so I know she won’t hear what we say to one another or see that I now have company.

‘Someone’s hiding in the exhibits, my Lord,’ Ghazhak confirms. ‘I was going to dispose of him, like I did the two I found earlier, but he managed to get into the next section before I could.’

‘Leave him to me,’ I decide. ‘The Garqi exhibit should provide a suitable way to make an example of him and ensure that anyone thinks twice, in the future, before trying to spy on us again.’

***

I wonder for a minute what delayed Ani, but here he comes, quickly striding up the path to join me.

‘I wanted to take another look at the Ralltiirian Casting Hawk,’ he admits when he reaches me.

I make a face at him. Ani has spent more time looking at the predatory birds than any of the others.

‘You’ve been to Garqi, but didn’t have a chance to see their famous Vlassy Nature Preserve,’ he tells me as we continue along the path, climbing upwards as we go. ‘They are having problems maintaining a viable population of Rdava birds. Soon the ones here may be all that are left.’

I freeze once we reach the top. The next observation deck is made of colorless transparisteel and extends over the canyon.

‘My Lord,’ I quietly say, ‘I can’t go out there.’

No way am I willingly going out on that glasslike floor. Not when it will feel like I am standing on nothing, looking down into empty space. My stomach is doing somersaults just thinking about it.

‘I know how you feel about heights, my lady,’ Ani firmly states, ‘but you must do it.’

Please, Ani, I plead with him.

You must, he refuses to budge an inch on the matter.

I swallow hard and hold my hand out to him. He obviously won’t let me avoid this, so I will make him help me instead. Gloved fingers entwine in my own as Ani leads me to the edge of that intimidating floor. With my eyes tightly shut, I let him steer me out into the center of the deck. Forget about looking at birds, I decide, I am not opening my eyes until I am back on solid ground again.

For a few minutes I stand there, doing my best not to panic, listening to the others talk about the Rdava birds.

‘Rdava birds from Garqi,’ I hear Thirsk reading the description. ‘A rare species of bird known for its iridescent plumage. Colors range from solid blues, greens and purples, to mixed and variegated. Red specimens are rarest of all. Rdavas nest on ledges in high ravines and mate for life. They are insectivores who spend much of their time using air currents to fly and glide.’

‘They’re beautiful!’ Daini cries.

I open my eyes the narrowest crack and look up, not down, at the brilliantly colored birds flying overhead.

Oh. Wow. They really are beautiful.

Ani notices that I am watching the Rdavas and slides an arm around me. I let myself lean against him and lower my gaze a little. Looking down is out of the question, but if I keep my eyes up a bit, I can stare straight ahead.

***

I hold her steady and wait. It was cruel to force Maia to face her fear of heights, but to make an effective example of our uninvited guest, I need to draw him out into the open. Getting a good holo of the two of us together should prove to be irresistible.

When there is no immediate reaction, I up the stakes. Moving nearer, I slide both arms around her waist and pull her against me. She hesitates, surprised at my actions, then relaxes, sets her head on my chest and nestles in close. Let her think I am trying to help her deal with her fear. It will do no harm.

There is a flicker of movement, a flash of sunlight reflected from a polished surface.

I have you now, I think triumphantly.

Reaching out to the canyon wall with the Force, I yank the journalist from his hiding spot and hold him suspended in mid-air above the valley floor. As I expected, he is from TriNebulon news, and the reporter who has been most persistent in his pursuit of a story.

Loud protests and curses spurt out from him while I debate how to dispatch him.

‘What’s wrong?’ Maia questions, trying to turn around to see what is going on.

‘Don’t look,’ I warn her as I prevent her from moving and shift my left hand to block her vision. ‘I want you to stay quiet and still, and keep your eyes shut.’

‘You are on a live-feed,’ the reporter gloats, ‘whatever you do to me, everyone will see it.’

I ignore his threat. He’s a fool if he thinks that will deter me. Let the public see how I treat those who intrude on my private life. It will serve as a useful warning.

‘This is a private outing,’ I calmly explain. ‘You, specifically, have been repeatedly ordered to stay away. Since you have decided to so rudely invade my privacy, I see no reason to show you any courtesy in return.’

With that I release him, letting him fall towards the ground. His scream of terror stops abruptly and quickly. Looking down through the transparent floor I am standing on, I can see that one of the Aviary’s repulsor fields has caught him immediately below us.

‘Kreth,’ I quietly curse, ‘I should have known there would be something to catch any jumpers.’ Much louder, I add, mostly to cover my mistake, ‘The next time, I will make sure the repulsor field is disabled.’

He merely spits out a few more choice descriptions of my parentage.

‘Commander Thirsk,’ I order, ‘one more word from our “guest” and you and the Lieutenants may use him for target practice.’

The three in question draw their blasters and take aim. There is instant silence in response to that. Good. I have had my fill of reporters and the public has seen enough as well. With a casual gesture, I crush his hidden holocamera and toss its remains on top of him. A few cries of pain sound as the debris rains down on him, but there are no further rude remarks or threats.

‘Time to go,’ I decide.

As I told her to, Maia has been quiet while I dealt with our “guest”, so I reassure her with a gentle touch on our bond and guide her off the observation deck.

***

I shiver against the Sith Lord as he casually drops the reporter to his death. Expecting the worst, I prepare to block out the scream and sound of impact with the ground. But instead of a splat or crunch, I hear more curses and threats.

What?

‘Kreth,’ Ani growls in frustration, ‘I should have known there would be something to catch any jumpers.’ Much louder, he says, ‘The next time, I will make sure the repulsor field is disabled.’

Next time? Somehow I suspect that this reporter will diligently avoid being found on the same planet as us. From Ani’s tone, he will quite happily kill this particular journalist if he is.

Unfortunately, our unwanted guest has still not learned his lesson, but Ani shuts him up with another threat.

‘Time to go,’ Ani finally decides.

I feel his assurance and let him lead me away from the Rdava birds to the safety of solid ground.

‘Was he telling the truth about a live broadcast?’ I ask, concerned, when we are a short distance from the Aviary’s exit and his shuttle.

Ani looks over at me and hesitates. He knows the reporter was telling the truth, but has no idea where the holo was sent.

‘Comm the Executor, Cyran,’ he orders, ‘and have Major Fervis check all transmissions which were beamed out in the last hour.’

As we continue along the path, I listen to my aide speaking to the intelligence officer. When she is finished, I know what the answer is, and that my love will not be very happy about it, either.

‘He said you should see it for yourself, my Lord,’ Cyran tells him, ‘and that he will send a copy to your shuttle.’

It must be much worse than I thought, I decide.

The Sith Lord activates the comm as soon as he sits in the pilot’s seat.

‘I have a really bad feeling about this,’ I admit.

Ani plays the message and we both view it in silence. I see him lead me onto the observation deck, stand beside me while I look about. My pregnancy is obvious in the close-ups and the commentary from the news anchor during the rebroadcast of the edited footage makes it plain to anyone who is watching that I am expecting. When the image shows the Sith Lord holding me in his arms, the narrator makes a few speculative remarks about our private life. The journalist’s encounter with my angry husband has been cut, but there is an acknowledgment that the holo was obtained ‘at great cost and risk.’

A holo of Major Fervis appears when the recording finishes playing.

‘The raw footage was sent out of the system to Imperial Center, my Lord,’ he reveals. ‘What you just saw is an edited version which has been picked up by all of the less reputable networks. Obviously arrangements were made well ahead of time to ensure it got out.’

‘Obviously,’ Ani sarcastically repeats.

‘Can’t you do something?’ I blurt out.

The officer shakes his head.

‘It has been sent through thousands of channels and exists in millions of copies by now, my lady,’ he admits, ‘Even if I managed to stop any further broadcasts, anything I do would only be damage control.’

I sigh in frustration. If life was difficult before, it is going to be double that now.

‘Do what you can, Fervis,’ Ani wearily orders. ‘I knew this was going to happen, sooner or later, but I would have preferred later.’

He shuts off the comm after saying that and looks over at me.

‘We will go to the banquet at the Governor’s, as scheduled,’ he decides, ‘and return to the Executor tonight. Now that news of your pregnancy is out, it is far too risky for you to be on planet or anywhere I can’t protect you completely. My enemies might make a try for you and I don’t want you exposed to any situation where you could be injured, killed, or kidnaped.’

‘That’s not fair!’ I protest.

‘Fair or not,’ he warns, shaking a finger at me, ‘that is how it must be from now on.’

***

She opens her mouth to argue some more, but stops when I activate the shuttle’s engines.

I know it isn’t fair, I want to tell her. I know you should be free to go where you want to, see what you wish, but I can’t risk losing you, can’t risk anyone ever hurting you because of me. Because of who I am, what I am. Because of what you are to me.

Maia looks away, looks out the cockpit window, and I know she is fighting tears.

Little goddess, I understand your need for freedom. You are like a caged bird, beating your wings against the bars I have set around you.

But this is how it must be.

***

I let Ani lead me from the speeder and up the wide stone staircase to the door of Governor Snopp’s official residence in Curamelle. All around us, held back by ‘troopers, are members of the press corps and public. Somehow I stop myself from shrinking up against the Sith Lord. That broadcast has brought everyone out in force, and turned this small banquet into a major event.

Everybody wants to see us, see me. See Lord Vader’s pregnant concubine.

The close examination I am receiving and comments I can overhear make me want to bolt back to the ‘speeder, to safety, and away from prying eyes.

We finally reach the entrance, but Ani doesn’t take us inside immediately. Instead, he turns around and regally surveys all who are in attendance. Silence descends on the crowd when the Sith Lord stares specifically at the news crew from TriNebulon. At his infuriated hiss, they exchange glances with one another, then quietly put their holocameras down and slink away, letting others take their place at the front.

At least the reporter he taught a lesson to this afternoon isn’t here, I think, relieved. I am sure Ani would do something to him if he were.

The Governor is standing behind us, waiting patiently for Ani to take me through the door. While the Sith Lord spends another minute quietly intimidating others in the media with the sheer force of his presence and personality, I smile at the two little girls who are with the official greeting party. They’re cute and quite bored, judging from how they are fidgeting and tugging on the sleeves and skirts of their party dresses.

I step away from Ani, closer to the children, and whisper to them, ‘This grown-up stuff is boring, isn’t it?’

Ani hears me and shifts his attention from the journalists to me, and I can feel everyone’s eyes watching my every move. I take a careful breath to steady myself. Just pretend you’re Princess Diana, I decide, and do what she would have.

The children stop pulling at their clothes, smile shyly at me, and the older one starts giggling. Governor Snopps looks amused, but the two next to him, who must be their parents, freeze in place. I ignore them and concentrate on the girls. The younger one stares at me, then pulls the wreath of flowers off her head and holds it out, offering it to me. Her mother doesn’t look very happy about that, I decide.

‘For me?’ I ask the little one.

She nods, but doesn’t say anything.

‘I will need your help with it,’ I suggest to her.

I bend down a bit, making sure the little girl can reach the top of my head. She promptly shoves the crown of flowers over my veil, pushing it into place with both hands. Ouch, I think as several stems dig into my scalp.

‘Thank you,’ I tell her.

Her response is to go behind her father and peer at me from her hiding spot.

She’s sweet, I tell Ani as I straighten up and join my husband. Maybe our future daughter will someday be the same.

She will be just like her mother, he teases. Sweet tempered, stubborn, and determined to make my life interesting.

‘Lord Vader, my lady,’ the Governor says, trying to get the formal introductions out of the way and motioning us inside. ‘If you would be so kind?’

We follow him through the ornate doors, down a corridor to a large banquet hall. As we walk, he gives a brief description of his planet’s history, which is more for my benefit, I am sure, than Ani’s.

***

I ignore the Governor’s history lesson and watch those around us.

Snopps is more interested in commerce and Corulag’s economy than anything else. Nothing has changed, in that respect. It was no different when he was a senator, before the Emperor dissolved that useless body.

A glance to my left side and I can see Commandant Gibbs nodding at the appropriate moments during the Governor’s monologue. I know the head of Corulag’s military academy has no time for Snopps, but Gibbs has come to the gathering tonight, nonetheless.

The Sector Moff, Jamson Caglio, is also in attendance, accompanied by his wife, son Vastin, and the young woman his son is courting. I will have to remember to convey my condolences to Rivoche. Her uncle died on the Death Star and I know Wilhuff was her guardian. Jamson notes my attention and gives a knowing tip of his head, indicating he wants to have a word or two with me in private, later.

No one, it seems, is willing to miss the opportunity to curry favor from me.

I curl my lip at that. Political games. How tiring. I have better things to do with my time than play them. The only reason I am here tonight is because my master insisted I attend.

I smile as Maia finally gets up the courage to break in and ask Snopps a few questions. Her performance with the children was perfect. The networks will play that up, no doubt. Palpatine should be most pleased. He wanted her to be his model mother, and my wife is more than living up to that image.

***

The Governor finally finishes telling me about his homeworld’s first settlers. To be polite, I tried to act interested, but after the fourth time he emphasized how loyal Corulag’s citizens were to the Emperor, I was bored. At least we are in the dining area now. He will have to move onto a more practical topic.

Ani slides his arm around me and guides me away from the group who walked in with us. He’s decided to extract us both from the crowd of guests before someone else has a chance to start a conversation.

‘My Favorite needs to rest for a moment in private,’ he tells them, cutting off the Moff’s suggestion that we take our seats at the head table.

I don’t protest when he settles me in a chair in one of the alcoves off the banquet hall. Thirsk, Daini and Cyran quickly join us. The Commander looks good in a dress uniform, I decide.

I wanted to give you a few quiet minutes to familiarize yourself with the layout, Ani says to me in thought. Make sure you know where the exits are, and be sure to keep track of Thirsk. He will be staying close to you any time we are separated.

Aloud, he states, ‘The Lieutenants will accompany my Favorite when and where it would be inappropriate for you to do so, Commander.’

He’s trying to cover up our private, silent conversation just in case someone is listening, so I do as I am told and look about the room. There are six exits, unequally spaced around the room, in addition to the one we came in. Two are near the head table, and one looks out into a garden area. The other three appear to lead deeper into the building.

Cyran and Daini seem a bit surprised that the Sith Lord just gave them an order which makes perfect sense and that they already know they are to do. Thirsk gives both of them a warning look.

‘Yes, my Lord,’ Cyran answers.

She knows what is going on.

If you have to make a break for it and can manage it, Ani adds, head outside into the gardens.

I wonder why he wants me to do that, but don’t ask. Instead I make sure I know where the large double doors are and plan the routes I might use to get to them.

‘There are a number of social climbers and opportunists present,’ Ani notes. ‘I expect that the ones you have been briefed about will be kept well away from my lady. Anyone who makes themselves unwelcome, you will discourage immediately. You know the hand signals my Favorite will use if she wants you to remove someone.’

Don’t try to be polite. If someone is bothering you, tell me or use the hand signals Thirsk taught you to get help from him, or Daini and Cyran, he reminds me. This isn’t your homeworld, Maia, where I could let your colleague’s harassment go. I won’t put up that sort of behavior from anyone here.

After the demonstration in the aviary, I know he won’t hesitate to make another example of someone.

‘Be watchful and mindful of everyone here,’ Ani instructs. ‘Enough time has elapsed since the broadcast that one of my enemies’ agents could have been sent here. If anyone seems suspicious, don’t risk my Favorite. Bring her to me immediately.’

Trust no one, Maia, Ani warns. Only the members of your staff and mine can be relied on - I don’t want to be rescuing you from your own folly. And if you do get into trouble, don’t do anything foolish. Go along with what they want until I can get to you.

I give him an exasperated look. We were over all of this earlier, but if it makes him feel better, then I’ll sit through his security lecture once again.

***

I take my place beside Maia at the table. She was a bit annoyed that I insisted on reminding her of everything we had discussed with Thirsk earlier, but I want her to have my warnings fresh in her mind. Hopefully she will be suitably cautious tonight.

My Favorite is too trusting for her own good.

Rivoche Tarkin is seated next to Snopps, then Maia, and myself. Moff Caglio is across the table from us as are his wife and son. Gibbs is several places away. Obviously the Governor and Commandant are not speaking to one another. And I suspect Jamson had some input into the arrangements, too.

The Moff tries to make conversation and interest me in the various issues he is dealing with, none of which I consider important enough to comment on.

It could be a very long evening.

***

While I wait for something to happen, I spend my time looking at the people around us. The young woman beside me is quite polished in her manners, but quiet and subdued. Like me, she has a distinctive nose and chin that probably run in her family just like mine do. The blue velvet gown she is wearing goes nicely with her pale complexion, light brown eyes and hair. She has good taste, I decide.

‘I like your dress,’ I tell her, trying to make small talk.

‘It’s from Eriadu, my homeworld, my lady,’ she politely answers.

Our conversation ends there when the Sith Lord starts speaking.

‘My Favorite,’ Ani says after everyone is seated, ‘I don’t believe you have been introduced to our tablemates. To your left is Rivoche Tarkin. I worked with her uncle, the late Grand Moff Tarkin, many times over the past twenty years. He was a brilliant leader and will be missed. I know he was your guardian, Rivoche. Please accept my condolences at his loss.’

Rivoche smiles sadly at Ani’s words of sympathy.

‘Thank you, my Lord,’ she replies.

‘Across from you are Moff Caglio, his wife, and their son Vastin,’ Ani continues. ‘To my right is ….’

I tune out the names of the rest of the people he lists. They are too far away from me to talk to anyway. When he is finished, the Governor stands up and says a few words in greeting to the more than two hundred people in the hall. So much for this being a ‘small’ banquet, I think.

I let my eyes roam around the room. Everyone in attendance is human. There is not a single alien here. Well, that shouldn’t surprise me, I guess. Turning my head around a little, I spot Thirsk and Cyran standing guard behind me. Daini must be somewhere else at the moment. My bodyguards had their meals earlier so they would be able to concentrate on my security and not on eating.

The first course is served. Nothing is set in front of the Sith Lord, of course, but as I stare at the selection of breads and other ‘finger-foods’ before me, I wonder what I am going to do.

 I look over at Ani. He’s forgotten something important.

Ani, I prod, how am I supposed to eat with this veil on?

You don’t, he admits.

But I’m hungry, I complain. I haven’t had my dinner yet.

He hesitates, considering what to do about that.

You could eat in private, he suggests. One of the alcoves can be curtained off.

I have an internal debate with myself about that. It would be one way to hide from all the stares, but only until the meal is finished with. And I will have to get used to being the center of attention anyway. May as well start dealing with that now.

No, I think I will stay here with you and not create a fuss, I decide.

You still need to eat, he reminds me.

‘Governor Snopps,’ Ani calls past me, intending to make whatever arrangements are needed.

I kick him in the shin to get his attention and shut him up. That hurt, I think to myself when the soft leather in my shoe provides inadequate padding against his hard armor.

Don’t make a scene, I growl at him. I can wait until we are back on the Executor.

Five minutes later, I am sitting, by myself, at a small table in a curtained alcove. With a disgusted growl, I pull off the floral wreath and toss aside my veil. I am going to miss one of my rare chances to talk to a few new people. Trust Ani to insist on this.

‘Cyran,’ I call through the heavy fabric separating me from everyone else, ‘would you please come in here and keep me company?’

My aide has a hurried conversation with Thirsk before joining me. I shove one of the trays of bread at her and select a piece for myself from the other one.

‘Eat something,’ I order when she hesitates, ‘and tell me all the amusing shipboard gossip.’

Cyran is my window on the microcosm of life on the Executor. She always seems to know everything that is going on.

‘Daini pulled a good one on Rik in the Officers’ mess a few days ago,’ she offers.

This ought to be entertaining. I nod to let her know she should keep talking.

‘He was busy with his lunch and didn’t notice that she was standing behind him until it was too late,’ Cyran continues. ‘Somehow she managed to pinch him and take off before he could stop her. Apparently the surprised look on his face was pretty funny, but Torin didn’t appreciate getting hit with the caff that Rik spewed everywhere. And they are now both demanding hazard pay - Rik for putting up with Daini and Torin for being covered with ‘toxic waste.’’

I start giggling. Poor Rik. Daini has been chasing him for weeks and he is at his wit’s ends keeping her at arm’s length. He even suggested changing shifts to try avoiding her, but as the Sith Lord’s wingman, his daily cycle has to match Ani’s so he couldn’t. And I don’t blame Torin for complaining about the caff. When the autochefs in the main galley produced black sludge for a few days, someone dubbed it ‘toxic waste.’ The name stuck even after the problem was fixed.

While I nibble away at a few other bits of bread, Cyran keeps me entertained.

‘Stop a moment,’ I tell her when the next course arrives.

I give the soup a cautious appraisal. Is it safe to eat? Curious, I hold my hand over it and check the contents with my Force-enhanced senses. There’s nothing harmful, so I give it a stir, then taste it. The nuna soup I had for lunch on Naboo was much better, I decide.

Most of the soup stays in the bowl. Hopefully the next dish will be better.

Cyran resumes the story she was telling once I set my spoon down. I ignore her for a moment and try to listen in on what is happening on the other side of the curtain. Too many people are talking so I can’t make out any specific conversations. Rats.

The third remove appears. I repeat my check on the flank of rycrit and vegetables. Thirsk hates rycrit, and Ani once told me he didn’t care for it either. This will be the first time I try it, so I am curious what it tastes like.

I soon have my answer.

I wrinkle my nose at the smell and taste. Maybe some see this strongly flavored meat as a delicacy, but I don’t. The vegetables look better, so I pick away at them, leaving the rycrit untouched except for the small bit I sampled.

‘I don’t like rycrit either,’ Cyran admits.

‘Neither does his Lordship,’ I whisper to her.

We both smile conspiratorially, as if we are sharing a state secret, and begin giggling like two teenagers discussing their boyfriends.

‘And I hate it, too,’ Thirsk dryly adds from the other side of the curtain. ‘If you had to eat stringy old rycrits for months, like I did, you wouldn’t like it very much either.’

At that Cyran and I start laughing.

Amusing yourself, wife? Ani asks.

Oops. Our laughter was obviously loud enough to draw his notice.

We’re comparing tastes in food. So far rycrit has earned four negative votes - yours, mine, Cyran’s, and Thirsk’s, I tell him. Hopefully the rest of the meal will be better.

***

Maia is enjoying herself, I note as a few giggles sound from behind the curtain separating her from everyone else.

I see Thirsk say something and hear more laughter. Trust my wife to find something to amuse herself with. Maybe I should have kept her with me. Her company would have diverted some of the political chit-chat I have had to endure for the last hour.

Amusing yourself, wife? I question her.

We’re comparing tastes in food, she promptly answers. So far rycrit has earned four negative votes - yours, mine, Cyran’s, and Thirsk’s. Hopefully the rest of the meal will be better.

The polite comments praising the food have been just that then. It seems I will have to feed her a second meal once we are back on the Executor.

Caglio’s wife asks Rivoche another inane question about wedding customs on Eriadu. I almost feel sorry for the girl. The Moff is determined to ally his family with hers, but this relentless pursuit will probably have the exact opposite effect to what they intend.

Since I have had to sit here and listen to their political maneuvering, I decide to throw a hydrospanner into their plans for her as a form of revenge.

It should prove to be amusing, if nothing else.

‘Your uncle often spoke kindly of you, Rivoche,’ I venture.

She looks surprised to hear that sort of praise. I know she was a wild child. After several teenage escapades, Wilhuff had her sent away to a finishing school on Claer to bring her in line.

‘My Favorite is often lonely. My work takes up so much of my time, you see,’ I offer up next. ‘I think she would appreciate having a female companion of comparable rank on board for company.’

Jamson and his son exchange looks. They are wondering what I am up to. I start to smile as I watch the expressions crossing Rivoche’s face. Unlike the men, she has figured out exactly what I am implying and has grown a touch pale.

‘My Lord,’ she quietly says, ‘I am flattered and it would be an honor, but I must decline.’

Vastin stares at me. He’s finally realized what I was hinting at, but knows he dare not say a word in protest.

‘Are you sure?’ I ask. ‘You do know who and what you are turning down.’

‘Yes, my Lord,’ she firmly states.

The Moff has clued in at last. And from the glare he is barely hiding, he’s furious that I am proposing to his son’s potential wife right in front of them both.

‘My offer will be open for a while, if you decide to reconsider,’ I casually tell Rivoche, giving no hint I am offended or amused by her refusal.

I have nothing to worry about. She will never give her consent, but the discomfort all three Caglio’s are feeling at the moment was well worth risking her acceptance.

***

None of the other dishes really stand out. After having a lunch and dinner on Naboo, which were prepared in the Emperor’s kitchen, it is hard to evaluate any of what is served here. This must be more typical of what one can expect, I decide as I finish off the fruit dessert.

Cyran replaces my veil for me and draws back the curtain so I can rejoin Ani and the rest of the guests. Most are on their feet, now, as the tables are cleared and removed. Stations with drinks and trays of more food have been set up against the walls.

Is it time to mingle? I ask the Sith Lord.

No. Not really, he admits, Governor Snopps has arranged something else.

He doesn’t want to tell me what it is, I decide, as I go to his side. His dinner companions, I see, are headed to the opposite side of the room from us. And judging from their wary glances back at us, I guess having a meal with Darth Vader was too much for them.

There are few squeaks and other odd sounds, so I look up, to the balcony above, and see a group of musicians tuning up. Dancing, I shrewdly determine. That’s what is next. And Ani didn’t want to tell me.

I want to dance a waltz with you, I prod at him.

Not in public, Maia, and not here, he refuses.

I grumble a bit to myself. Not fair. He knows how to dance and is actually quite good at it. The Sith Lord is just being stubborn.

Please, Ani, I try again, I’ll be good for the rest of the evening.

No response, and now the Governor is talking to him. Rats. I decide to occupy myself by looking at the other guests until he is finished discussing security at the Aviary with Snopps.

I don’t know very many of the room’s occupants. There is the Caglio family and Rivoche over in the far corner, and the Academy’s Commandant appears to be chatting up a tall blonde woman close by. She reminds me of someone - it’s like I’ve seen her before, but I don’t remember where or what the circumstances were. Several others are also vaguely familiar, like the foppishly dressed noble lurking at the nearest drink’s table. I try not to laugh at his poor taste. Yellow and bright pink definitely do not go together or with his dark beard, and the long lirepipe on his hat is spending more time in his face and in his drink than not. Maybe the people I think I recognize were at the opera Ani and I attended, I decide.

‘...and I would suggest that the next time a request is made for the Aviary to be cleared, your security forces use a bioscanner to ensure no one is hiding in the exhibits,’ I hear Ani tell Snopps. ‘Simply emptying the public sections is not sufficient or acceptable.’

The Sith Lord sounds a bit irked at how lax our security was. It’s fortunate that it was only a journalist who escaped their scrutiny. I am sure an assassin or two could have been hiding in there, too.

The first few bars of a waltz echo through the room. While the music and combination of instruments are new to me, I am sure we could dance to it. I slip my hand into Ani’s and give it a tug. He refuses to budge.

‘Don’t stay here on my account, my Lord,’ the Governor suggests. ‘Someone needs to lead off the evening’s dancing.’

That’s a hint, if I’ve ever heard one. I give another pull. Still no movement. Then I see that ridiculously dressed noble heading in our direction. So does Ani. I hear his hiss of annoyance as he quickly walks me to the center of the floor. Obviously the Sith Lord wants to avoid dealing with whoever that is, and has taken the simplest escape route.

Thank you, I tell him as I am swept into his arms and around the room.

Other couples soon join us, but no one dares to get too close.

***

I use dancing with Maia as a means to avoid another conversation I don’t care to engage in.

As I spin my wife about, I make note of those in attendance who are paying just a bit too much attention to us. It’s as I suspected, then. There are at least two here I need to watch.

Time to draw them out, then, and send a very clear message to their employers.

The music finishes, so I guide my wife back to where Thirsk and Daini are waiting. Cyran has probably gone to secure a private ‘fresher for Maia’s use.

‘See to your needs, my lady,’ I suggest, ‘then go get some fresh air in the garden.’

She looks a bit puzzled by my orders, but lets Daini lead her away.

I dislike using Maia as bait, but she will be completely safe. I will be near and the reception committee I have arranged will ensure that nothing goes wrong.

***

I follow after Daini, thinking about Ani’s orders as I walk along. He’s being considerate, I finally conclude. The Sith Lord knows just how long I can put off a trip to the ‘fresher these days and must have sent Cyran to secure the facilities for me.

Fortunately the ‘fresher is only a short distance away. While Thirsk and Daini guard the door, Cyran accompanies me inside. It’s embarrassing to have company for this, but far too risky for me to be completely alone and vulnerable. My aide politely turns her back to let me have some semblance of privacy.

When that is done with, I settle myself on a chair in front of the mirror and let Cyran fix my hair and veil again. Dancing with Ani sent the fabric swirling everywhere and it needs to be straightened out.

‘Cyran,’ I ask, ‘don’t you think his Lordship is being a bit over protective?’

‘No, my lady,’ she firmly replies. ‘He knows how dangerous it is for you to be away from his side.’

I roll my eyes at that. Ani’s fussing is driving me crazy, but even though it might satisfy my need to whine a bit, there is no point in complaining to my aide. And he’s right, I suppose. I am far too big and awkward to really defend myself with my lightsaber, and I am not yet adept enough at any of the Force skills he has taught me to ward someone off with those.

‘Let’s go for a walk in the gardens, like he suggested,’ I tell her. ‘It will be good to get away from all those stares for a few minutes.’

We quickly return to the hallway and a bit of a scene.

Thirsk and Daini are arguing with the tall blonde, who, it seems, was demanding immediate access to the ‘fresher.

‘It’s available now,’ I tell her. ‘I am finished with it.’

I get an icy stare as she swings the door open and lets it slam shut behind her.

‘How rude,’ Daini observes before telling me. ‘We were polite, my lady, and told her you would be only a minute or two.’

‘There’s no accounting for manners,’ I dryly comment, ‘or lack of them.’

As we go back into the banquet hall, I silently note that the badly dressed noble had overheard our conversation and is following us. When the blonde passes him, he stops her to ask a question I can’t hear but which she quickly brushes off. She’s rude to everyone, I decide.

Thirsk opens the glass doors for me to go through, but I am curious what has happened to Ani. Surveying the room reveals that he is in one of the alcoves, apparently trapped by Commandant Gibbs. My poor husband, I think. You will have to listen to an evening of military shop-talk, no doubt, if you don’t escape. He senses my eyes on him, looks in my direction, and sends a burst of reassurance to me. The Sith Lord knows where I will be at and can come find me if he wants to.

The gardens are similar to those at Snopp’s summer residence. I wander around in them, looking at the patterns and plants. My three faithful bodyguards are never far away. Eventually I tire a little and sit down on one of the benches. I can watch a large area around me from here.

I spot the blonde talking to that noble. She seems to be apologizing and leads him away from the doors, in my direction. Someone is up to a bit of romance and has found a candidate more to her liking than Commandant Gibbs, I shrewdly guess when she lets him hold her for a kiss. They don’t stay there for very long, but head deeper into the gardens, out of my sight. They are intending to do more than just kiss, I decide with a giggle.

The arguing voices of Thirsk and another man distract me from the romantic pair. There is a brief scuffle, the sound of a blaster discharging, and a number of interesting curses. With that Cyran is instantly at my side, pulling me off the bench and hustling me away from the ruckus and towards the distant doors. I turn my head to look at what is going on, but can’t see much in the shadows. Daini is doing her best to play rear guard. Thirsk is nowhere in sight. He must be dealing with whoever was yelling at him.

Sounds of another fight reach us. The blonde is accusing the noble of taking advantage of her. There is a resounding slap, then her running footsteps as she heads right for us.

Tonight is providing quite a bit of entertainment, I decide.

The blonde runs straight into Daini and knocks her off her feet. She doesn’t pause or miss a stride as she keeps coming towards Cyran and I.

‘Help me, my lady,’ she calls to me.

I hesitate a moment, stopping to look at her and resisting Cyran’s pull on my arm. Daini is holding her left arm as she struggles to her feet, and I can see Thirsk, blaster drawn, charging up the path behind her.

‘Go,’ Cyran orders, breaking my indecision by shoving me onwards and putting herself between me and the blonde.

I am only a few meters away when my aide is struck and sent flying.

Sithspit.

ANI! I call for help.

There is the sound of several bodies impacting on one another behind me. For once I don’t stop to look. I’ve learned my lesson about that. As I try to keep running, the noble appears, grabs me around the waist, and swings me off the path into darkness.

Completely panicked, I do my best to break his hold. When that fails, I claw at him for a moment, leaving a few scratches on his face. If only I could get at my lightsaber.

‘Stop that, Aunt Em,’ he hisses at me as his hat falls off with my flailing about.

I freeze instantly.

‘Jix?’ I ask in a whisper. ‘What are you doing here? And why are you wearing that ridiculous outfit?’

‘Following Uncle Dee’s orders and keeping an eye on you,’ he wryly admits. ‘The costume is his idea of revenge for my teasing, I suppose.’

‘Well his Lordship has either really bad taste or really good taste, depending on how you look at it,’ I tease him.

We can both hear the sounds of what must be quite a battle in the garden behind us.

‘I need to get you to safety,’ Jix tells me. ‘I should have known that woman was trouble when she slapped me. My kisses aren’t that bad.’

He pulls me farther away from the path, putting a considerable distance between us and where the blonde is still fighting with my bodyguards.

Ani meets us partway back to the banquet room.

Propriety be damned, I decide as I throw myself at him. He catches and holds me while I try to calm down.

‘Two agents,’ Jixton summarizes events. ‘The male picked a fight with Thirsk to get him out of the way and give his female partner an opening. Daini went down immediately. Cyran bought enough time for me to get to Aunt Em. I would guess that Thirsk and Cyran caught up with her right after that from the fight we heard.’

Cyran. Thirsk.

‘They must be hurt!’ I blurt out.

I try to extract myself from Ani’s embrace. He refuses to let go.

‘Let me go!’ I insist.

‘No,’ the Sith Lord replies.

‘But,’ I start.

‘No ‘buts’, Maia,’ he growls. ‘They knew the risks and did their job.’

‘But,’ I repeat.

‘Jix, escort her to my shuttle. I’ve commed my pilot, so it is waiting at the main entrance to take her back to the Executor immediately. And make sure there are no further incidents,’ he orders. ‘I’ll see to whatever clean-up needs to be done here.’

There is no point in arguing, so I let Jix guide me back into the banquet hall, past the Governor’s now silent and curious guests. Word must have spread already.

***

I watch Maia go, Jix beside her. My shuttle is waiting outside. She will be safe with him.

Now to find out exactly what happened.

Kohvrekhar meets me as I approach the spot where the battle must have taken place.

‘Give me the details quickly,’ I direct.

It won’t be long before the security forces Snopps has sent for arrive.

‘My two clan brothers fought well, Lord Vader,’ he quietly notes.

He used the past tense. I must be down by two Noghri then. Damn. It will not be easy to replace them.

‘Continue,’ I order.

‘The humans were injured trying to stop her, but should recover,’ he adds.

As I step into the courtyard, I spot the two Lieutenants, one still unconscious on the ground, the other propped up against a tree nursing a broken arm. Thirsk, barely able to stand, is talking to Ghazhak. He falls silent when he sees me.

‘Commander,’ I greet him.

‘My Lord, is my lady safe?’ he asks, ignoring the pain he is in.

‘Yes,’ I assure him. ‘You did well, Thirsk. Now sit down before you fall down and tell me what happened.’

He looks a bit uncomfortable, but takes a spot on a nearby bench.

‘I let myself be drawn into a petty squabble,’ he admits, ‘gave her an opportunity.’

I wave aside his self-criticism. His lapse in judgement I will deal with later.

‘Daini met her head on and was tossed aside. Her arm broke when she fell.’

Thirsk nods at the woman who is firmly holding her hand over where the break is.

‘My lady made the mistake of turning to look and let herself be misled for a moment. I tried to catch up to her, but couldn’t reach Cyran before she too was thrown aside. We both went after her while my lady ran on ahead,’ Thirsk continues. ‘Cyran didn’t have a chance. Whoever she was, that woman was well-trained, extremely fast, and much, much stronger than she looked. She had both of us down within minutes.’

I smile as Thirsk fidgets a bit. He has a reputation to maintain and it is hard for him to admit he was bested.

‘Two of the Noghri showed up at that point. I watched her casually kill both of them. Time must have been running out or maybe she knew there was no point in continuing her pursuit because she vanished after that.’

Sithspit.

‘And the man who was her partner?’ I ask.

‘Gone, too, my Lord,’ he reveals. ‘She must have taken his body with her.’

Kreth.

Another job for Jixton. Hopefully he will be more successful with this one than the others.

Footsteps approach. Corulag’s security force has arrived. Fortunately Kohvrekhar and Ghazhak have already slipped away, taking their dead comrades with them. I don’t want to answer any questions so I will simply take charge of the situation and have Maia’s staff sent up to the Executor.

***

I pace back and forth through Ani’s quarters. What is taking him so long? He sent me back here hours ago and I want to know what happened to my staff. No, I correct myself, to my friends.

The door opens. Ani steps through. I instantly wrap myself around him.

‘They will be fine,’ he reassures me, answering my question before I can ask it. ‘All three of them are in medlab and should be released in a few days. You can go visit them in the morning.’

Relieved, I snuggle in close. His hand brushes through my hair, soothing me.

‘Unless you are with me, little goddess, I will have to restrict you to my quarters,’ he tells me. ‘I can’t be sure that even Thirsk can protect you. Whoever that woman was, she escaped, and I won’t risk giving her or anyone else the opportunity to harm you.’

I don’t say anything in answer. After everything which has happened today, this is something I had expected.

The Executor, Firrerre, Firrerre system. Year 0, Month 10

DAY 9

I open my eyes but don’t bother to reach over for Ani. He’s risen early and stuffed his pillow along my side so I can sleep comfortably without him being there. A light touch on our bond and I know he is busy in his office.

You’re awake, love, he instantly responds. Shall I come and help you with your bath?

I send him an affirmative, push myself up a bit, and quickly check on our son. He’s being quiet at the moment, but right after breakfast those busy feet will get going again. With a sigh I consider how much time there is remaining. I am at six and a half Earth months. Only two standard Imperial months left.

‘I am getting big and awkward,’ I note as I hear my husband’s breathing nearby.

‘You aren’t that big, little goddess,’ Ani teases from the doorway. ‘Just wait until the week before he is born.’

That statement makes me roll my eyes. Too bad the medical profession hasn’t figured out how to have men get pregnant. Dealing with that just once would take care of any stupid male comments about ‘assets’, weight gain or anything else. At least the Sith Lord has a better understanding of what I am going through than most. Our bond has made him quite miserable, from time to time.

‘Just you wait until I go into labor,’ I tease him right back. ‘You will probably feel every single contraction right along with me.’

From the silence and flicker of surprise I just felt, I know he had never thought of that. I let out a snicker. Of course he will feel every bit of it.

‘And it could go on for a day or more,’ I impishly add just to bug him a bit more about it.

‘Then I will have to make sure that I have nothing urgent or pressing to deal with on that particular day, so I can stay with you,’ he decides.

I watch him head into the ‘fresher to run my bath. When he comes back, he helps me up and guides me across the room. He is careful to keep me steady when I step into the water. His hands don’t leave my arms until I am safely seated and settled.

‘Enjoy your soak while I fetch a few reports to look at,’ Ani suggests before he is gone again.

While I laze in the warm water, I hear his footsteps in the bedroom. The sound of flimsies being flipped through soon follows.

‘Ani?’ I ask.

‘Yes, dear?’ he teases in reply.

He’s in a good mood.

‘Why are you here?’ I nosily enquire. ‘Isn’t Firrerre a bit out of the way?’

‘There has been the odd report of unrest and dissension among the population. The Emperor wants it investigated and dealt with. A few pointed examples should take care of the problem before it can spread or grow worse,’ he divulges.

I mull that over and decide I am not going to ask him any more about it. The details will only upset me. This is another assignment from his master I will file under the heading ‘Ani’s work I don’t need to know about.’

I hear the reports being gathered up again. He’s finished whatever he had to read. Time to get out of the now rapidly cooling water so he can go work on something else.

‘The water’s cold, love,’ I hint.

The flimsies are rather noisily replaced on the table. A few seconds later he is by my side, helping me out of my bath.

‘Thank you,’ I tell him as I am wrapped in towels.

‘I have to leave shortly to go to the capital,’ he informs me, ‘and I have put a few files about the planet on your datapad for you.’

Cool. The Sith Lord knows I like reading about the planets he is on or the systems we pass through.

‘If you are very good today,’ he continues, ‘I will bring something back for you...’

That’s even better.

‘... so if you want to have your breakfast with me, you need to get dressed in a hurry.’

I don’t waste any time drying off or putting on a pair of leggings and a tunic with split sides. Ani vanishes into his office so I grab his glass and drink while the autochef works away at my own meal. When the Sith Lord reappears, I am waiting for him with both our breakfasts sitting in front of me.

As I nibble away at mine, Ani tells me a little bit about the mountainous world below. I would like to see some of the sights, but I won’t ask to go for a visit. Not when he is here on ‘official business’. Naboo and Corulag were different. He had finished whatever he had to do and decided to spend a day or two relaxing and playing tourist with me. I start smiling. Corulag was a neat place and I liked visiting the vast aviary there. Too bad our holiday was spoiled when that journalist got too close and Ani finally lost his temper with him. I bet any reporter will think twice before trying that sort of stunt again. Unfortunately everyone in the galaxy knows I am pregnant by now. Ani couldn’t stop that bit of information from getting out. Or some of the wild speculations about our private life which quickly followed.

I set my glass down and stare at it. Thanks to the attempt to get at me later that evening, I am now strictly confined to quarters. The only times I am allowed out are to visit Medical or when Ani goes to practice in the large salle so I can run through my exercise routine in the mirrored one next to it. It’s not fair, really not fair.

Ani’s hand touches my face. He knows I hate being cooped up like some prized bird.

‘Come over here, my little wife,’ he offers.

I quickly take him up on that and settle myself on his lap. He has to leave soon.

‘We will be returning to Coruscant at the end of the month for the Winter Fete,’ he tells me. ‘You can have the run of my castle there, and I will arrange a few visits to museums or whatever you want to see that can be completely cleared and secured.’

My ears perk up.

‘You would let me out? To go sight-seeing with you?’

‘Within reason,’ Ani warns.

So I can’t go overboard.

‘Alright, then, I’ll pick only the best things to go visit,’ I decide. ‘This should be a project which will require a bit of research and thought.’

‘And it will keep you busy and out of my office,’ he teases.

I let out a sigh and set my head on his shoulder. Since he decided to confine me I have spent a fair amount of time sprawled across the couch reading while he worked.

‘I like being near you,’ I confess.

‘I know that, but there are times you should not be there,’ he scolds.

‘Toss me out, then,’ I suggest.

‘Maybe I will,’ he teases, ‘like I have to throw you off my lap now.’

He has to go. Rats. I hold him tight a moment, wanting a kiss before he leaves. Ani quickly obliges me with a short one to the forehead. What was that? That’s not one of his proper good-bye kisses. I refuse to budge and glare at him. I want a proper kiss.

‘Stubborn,’ he starts.

‘Ani,’ I warn, ‘you have no time for that now.’

Lately our usual exchange has ended with us in bed and him late for whatever he had to be doing.

He lets out a snort.

‘The planet’s governor can wait,’ the Sith Lord decides.

‘No, he can’t,’ I scold, ‘and you are going to give yourself a reputation for being tardy and unreliable when it comes to official functions if you are not careful. This is not a shipboard meeting with your officers who will keep their mouths shut if you are late. Do you really want to feed those stupid stories some of the media have been writing?’

Ani stares at me while I get up off his lap. I have only read him the riot act a few times, but he has to stop flaunting his obligations. Sooner or later the Emperor will hear and make an issue of it.

‘You warned me that you couldn’t let your private life interfere with your work,’ I remind him, ‘so behave yourself and get a move on.’

He starts laughing as he stands and reaches for his gloves.

‘You are such a stubborn little creature,’ he teases. ‘Once you make a decision, that’s it. No negotiating. It’s a good thing you aren’t a rebel. With you on their side, I would probably lose.’

‘Ani,’ I growl, but he grabs me and shuts me up with a kiss.

When I try to pull back, he only holds me tighter and forces my mouth open. The emotions from him across our bond are intense, fiery. Ani wants me right now, and I will have to send him away. Somehow I manage to break off our kiss and push him back a step.

‘You must go,’ I order, shaking a finger at him. ‘No more fooling around.’

‘Yes, dear,’ he teases with a grin.

His mood has slipped into a playful, teasing one. Rats. Our best love-making happens when he is like this, and he never stays in this mood for very long. Double rats. I snap his vocoder in place while he watches me.

‘You are such a brat,’ I grumble as I slide his mask over his face. ‘What am I supposed to do with you? Order you about? Chase you around the ship with my lightsaber to make sure you show up to your meetings on time?’

‘That sounds like fun,’ Ani baits me.

He intends to provoke a response, perhaps tempt me into letting him get what he wants. With a resigned sigh, I step behind him, seal his helmet and try to push him towards the door.

‘Scram, you,’ I insist.

‘Yes, dear,’ he promptly replies but doesn’t budge an inch from where he is standing.

‘Anakin,’ I growl at him.

‘Oh, very well,’ he gives in at last. ‘I will go and meet the governor, and do my best to not fall asleep halfway through all the boring official nonsense.’

‘You could bring me along,’ I suggest. ‘I could keep you awake.’

From his silence, he’s actually considering that. Finally he shakes his head. I didn’t expect he would say yes anyway.

‘It’s too risky,’ he decides.

I slide my arms around his waist and give him a quick hug from behind. He will be back later. We can fool around then. Ani turns about, brushes a hand down my cheek and then is gone.

I return to my chair, relax a little and pick up my datapad. Hours later I am still engrossed in the descriptions of Firrerroan culture. Even though they look human on the outside, there are significant genetic and internal differences. They have a very strict clan and caste system, like India or Jazbina, and their belief in the power of names also sounds familiar. Wasn’t there a native group on Earth who hid their real names and would only give false ones to outsiders? Setting the datapad aside, I worry away at that. I am sure I am right about this.

The chime goes off. It’s Cyran with the supplies I requisitioned and our laundry. Time to do something useful. I go and collect the two containers, then restock the kitchen shelves and hang up Ani’s clean cloaks and tunics. At the bottom of the second box is a small package for me. Good. Cyran did find what I wanted and since my husband isn’t here, I can hide it before he sees what I have ordered. I settle in my chair again and open the parcel. A pair of small scissors, pins, needles, black mothsilk thread and a spool of heavy gold cord are all neatly packed inside. Perfect. With a smile, I hide it in the compartment with my shoes. Now I just have to find the time to finish my project.

A yawn escapes from me. It’s time for my nap, but I will have my lunch and tidy things up first. Soon I am under the blankets and having that neat dream again.

I wake with a start. Something’s wrong. Carefully, tentatively, I reach out with my senses. Ani’s back, but he’s not the one who is upset and leaking their emotions out everywhere.

Who? I wonder.

No answer, but it’s female, young, and very frightened.

Don’t be afraid, I send to her, more in emotions than words.

The fear abruptly stops as some sort of shield drops in place, cutting her off from me. Curious now, I skirt the barrier, looking to see what is going on. Ani’s sharp mental rap in response makes me back off instantly. I am not welcome here. Fine, then, I will go away, and mind my own business. I settle back in bed and shut my eyes again.

Ani’s touch to my shoulder rouses me. And he’s not in a good mood at all. I look up at him. His hands are resting on his hips but he is more annoyed than angry.

‘You reacted instinctively with only the best of intentions,’ he scolds, ‘but I now have a problem. Get dressed, concubine. I need your empathy to fix it.’

Concubine. Not Favorite or wife or any of his other pet names for me. He really is annoyed at me. I quickly comply, put on a dress and wait while he pins my veil in place. We walk to the nearest turbolift and go to a level in the ship I have never been to before. A glance at the wall of the corridor we step into indicates we are near the detention cells. I suppress a shiver. What are we doing here?

Ani ignores my obvious discomfort and steers me past a guardpost. We are passing the interrogation rooms now. I freeze, but the Sith Lord pulls me along. He’s determined to take me to wherever his ‘problem’ is.

Finally he stops by one of the high-security cells.

‘She’s in here. Her name is Rillao. Quiet her down so she isn’t projecting her emotions everywhere,’ Ani orders. ‘If she asks, don’t tell her your name. Use ‘milady’ instead.’

With a touch he opens the door, pushes me inside and shuts it after me.

Too surprised to answer him, I just stand in place for a few seconds and stare at the sobbing young woman who has thrown herself, face down, on the cell’s hard bench. So this is what a Firrerroan looks like. She turns her face towards me and watches me, warily, through her black and silver striped hair.

I take a careful step in her direction, then another. Her crying which had stopped for a few seconds, resumes. That’s awful, I decide, so I hurry to her and sit beside her on the bench. With a gentle touch, I pull her hair out of her eyes, using my empathy to soothe her as best I can.

It’s alright, little one, I tell her repeatedly. You are safe with me.

The tears eventually stop. Good. She’s considering what to do now, so I braid her hair while I wait quietly for her to settle herself some more. Finally she pushes my hands away and sits up.

We stare at one another.

‘Get me out of here,’ Rillao orders.

‘I can’t do that,’ I admit.

‘Then get out,’ she snaps. ‘If you can’t free me, I don’t want any more of your help.’

Hurt, I stand up and go to the door. So much for gratitude.

Ani, I call, you can let me out, now.

The door slides open. When Rillao sees who is there, she glares defiantly at the Sith Lord. He is not alone, though. Another Firrerroan is with him. Ani shoves the young man into the cell and waves me out.

‘Rillao, this is Hethrir. You can keep one another company for a while,’ he calmly states before shutting them both in.

The Sith Lord takes me back to our quarters immediately after that.

‘Ani, what is going on?’ I ask as I pull off my veil.

There’s a smile behind his mask and I can tell he is gloating a little bit.

‘They will make a useful couple, don’t you think?’ he asks in return.

‘What?’ I blurt out.

‘Two Force sensitives,’ he reveals. ‘Both young and untrained. His abilities are similar to mine, and hers, yours. Maybe I will get you to work with her a bit.’

‘Good luck,’ I wryly say, ‘She hates me already.’

‘She’s upset that I found out her name and used that against her. That will pass once she realizes what I can do for her. With training, those two should be nice prizes to give the Emperor,’ he tells me.

I somehow stop a flinch.

‘If they mate and produce a child, it could be quite powerful,’ he muses aloud. ‘That would be even better, so I will encourage a relationship between them. A child has no preconceived notions to deal with, and children are easy to mold and manipulate.’

I stare at him, horrified. Is this what he plans to do with our son? Turn him into some monster at an early age? Ani ignores my shocked reaction and goes to fetch supper from the kitchen.

He is planning to do that with our child.

I take a step away from him.

Ani whips around and I am quickly wrapped in his arms.

‘Don’t ever think that of me,’ he scolds. ‘I would never do that to our son. Never hurt you that way. Never, ever, Maia. Whatever he path he takes when he is older will be his choice. And he won’t be a Sith. I promise you that.’

‘Not a Sith Lord like his father? Then what...’

‘A brilliant military leader and a gifted warrior,’ Ani reveals before reinforcing his previous statement, ‘But not a Sith.’

I relax a little at that, sensing complete honesty and truth in his words.

‘You won’t hurt our son,’ I repeat what he said to reassure myself.

‘I could no more harm him than I could you,’ he reassures me.

At that I tuck my head under his chin and settle in to be held for a while. My maternal instincts have always been quite strong, but I had never once suspected that Ani might have a similar attachment to our child. He will be very protective of our children, I quickly realize. Force forbid that anyone would try to harm a hair on their heads. Ani’s wrath would be quite spectacular, I am sure.

And if we have a daughter? I start snickering. I pity any young man who comes courting and doesn’t meet the Sith Lord’s high standards. Ani would quickly scare any unsuitable suitors off. An image of my husband, lightsaber in hand, chasing after some poor soul desperately hanging onto a bunch of flowers flashes in my mind, so I laugh a bit louder.

His chuckles soon join mine. Ani knows exactly what I was just thinking.

‘I had planned for our second child to be a daughter,’ he tells me, ‘but maybe that isn’t such a good idea after all.’

‘I would like a little girl,’ I wistfully admit.

‘Then you shall have one,’ he firmly decides, ‘even if she makes my life difficult when she starts to show an interest in boys.’

I pull him closer and let him soothe me with light caresses to my hair.

‘A girl will be great fun to raise,’ I tell him. ‘My mother was always so busy with work that we spent little time just doing mother-daughter stuff. Maybe I will have the chance do that with my own child.’

‘That won’t be for quite a while, little goddess,’ Ani teases.

‘What do you mean?’ I ask, curious.

‘You will need to rest and recover your strength between our children’s births,’ he tells me. ‘It will be at least two years before our daughter is born.’

‘Oh. Well, I don’t want to have them too close together anyway,’ I decide.

And I have other reasons for spacing them as widely apart as I can manage, the Sith Lord admits.

I wonder what he means by that? But Ani doesn’t say anymore about it as he releases me from his arms and resumes gathering up our dinners. After we have eaten, he is off to check on the two Firrerroans down in detention and I am busy trying out a few new hairstyles to pass the time.

Not bad, I think, using my small mirror to examine the pile of hair I have twisted and pinned on top of my head. Maybe for some formal do? I yank the pins out and start braiding. When I am finished, I check out the results. Nope, don’t like that one. While I work at unraveling my efforts, I consider some of what Ani had said earlier.

I feel rather sorry for those two youngsters he found today. He will drive both of them mercilessly and won’t settle for any less than their best. And if they don’t meet his goals for them? I shiver at that. Their lives could become rather unpleasant. I finish my braid for the night and with a tug, pull my hair tie into place.

He wants them to produce a child. Poor little thing, I think to myself. Well, hopefully that won’t happen.

I return my brush, mirror, and hair pins to my make-up bag, and let out a sad sigh. The two Firrerroans are Ani’s business. And judging from the sharp reprimand I received earlier, he will tolerate no interference from me at all. I will stay completely out of it, I vow, even if the results upset me.

With that final thought, I crawl into bed, make myself a comfortable nest of pillows and wait for the Sith Lord to come back to me.

Bast Castle, Vjun. Year 0, Month 10

DAY 30

The sound of another storm wakes me up early, so I pull the heavy blanket up a little and lie in bed, listening. I don’t like Vjun or its atrocious weather at all. At least when Ani was here, I had him to curl up to, but he has been on Reytha for over a week and gave me no hints to when he would be back. I start brooding at that thought. Even when he was here, the Sith Lord wasn’t very good company. All of his focus has been on training Rillao and Hethrir. Driven, I decide, for some reason he is driving himself and them exceptionally hard.

I shut my eyes and try to fall asleep again, but give up when the comm chimes a Holonet transmission. Of all the times he could pick to call me. Grumbling to myself, I shift awkwardly in bed, shoving aside the pillows I use to prop myself up. A few minutes later, I am on the Holonet pad, waiting for the connection to clear itself.

The Sith Lord’s image breaks up once again, so I try what I know will work.

Ani, the storm here is making this impossible, I tell him.

I know. I can’t land my shuttle until it clears a bit, but I wanted to see you, my little wife, he admits.

There is the oddest mix of emotions coming from him, the strongest one being an almost desperate need to look at me for reassurance. Something has happened. Something terrible. And Ani must have been right in the middle of it.

It’s alright, my love, I reassure him, I am fine. Our son is doing well. Nothing unusual has occurred while you have been gone. The weather has been rotten, though.

Storm season, he wryly notes, and the worst one since my castle was built eighteen years ago.

I reach my hand towards his image and watch his hologram mirror my action.

Go back to sleep, Maia, Ani suggests. It should be a few hours at most before I will be there.

He cuts the transmission so I follow his advice and go back to bed.

Hours later I feel some of my pillows being moved about before two arms pull me close. Ani’s come back and decided to have a nap with me. His lips touch the back of my neck but he doesn’t settle in to sleep. Instead his hands move lower, slide down to my waist and shift me a little.

Ani? I prompt, puzzled.

No answer as my nightgown is pulled up and out of his way. He turns me over onto my stomach next and I hear his respiration rate change as he adjusts it upwards. I know what he intends to do now, but the Sith Lord has never acted this way before. Why has he not spent some time preparing me for this? When he pushes into me I bite my lip at the pain. I am not ready for him and it hurts. As his thrusts become deeper, harder and his emotions wilder, I do my best to not panic and stay calm. His peak approaches and I receive a savage bite on my neck as his orgasm starts. Shocked, I cry out in surprise which only seems to encourage him more. He pulls me back against his body, holds me tightly to himself, then it is over. With a satisfied sigh he hauls both of us onto our sides and all I can do is lie there next to him, wondering what is wrong with him.

When I know he is soundly asleep, I extract myself from his grip and retreat from our bedroom through his suite to the observation room. I seat myself on the heavy rug in front of the windows and stare out at the remains of the storm. My mind enters a light trance as I empty it, so I carefully brush against the Sith Lord’s sleeping mind, then pull back when I have my answer.

He’s in shock from what happened on Reytha, and used sex with me to release some of his pent up emotions and to help himself cope with that. I let out a resigned sigh. The next few days could be hell while he sorts himself out. Damn.

I hear footsteps approach an hour later, but I stay motionless with my eyes shut. The sound of fabric falling to the floor reaches my ears as he kneels behind me. A hand tentatively brushes against my cheek. He knows what he just did to me was way out of line.

I wait patiently for Ani to say something, but he pulls me around bodily, to face him, instead. He’s exhausted is my first impression, as I stare into his eyes and see the dark smudges underneath them. There is a quality in his expression I have never seen before. Haunted, I decide. Whatever happened while he was away has left its mark on him.

The Sith Lord drags me into his chest next and holds me tight, rocking me in his arms and crooning softly to me. I stay silent, knowing that he has to work through this on his own before he will be able to talk to me about it. Finally, he is quiet again, and the hand he frees from around my waist lightly caresses my middle.

‘I am so sorry, my little wife,’ he apologizes, ‘so very sorry. Forgive me, please.’

He’s not as much referring to what he did to me, I quickly realize, as to something else.

‘Ani,’ I soothe, ‘it’s alright.’

‘No, it isn’t,’ he abruptly states.

‘Talk to me about it,’ I suggest.

He doesn’t speak, but pulls me into his mind.

Fragments of images flash from his memories. A pitched battle. The fall of a rebel stronghold. An attack on a civilian city where rebel sympathizers were supposedly entrenched. I see the aftermath through his eyes. Destroyed buildings and twisted wreckage litter the ground along with broken bodies and blood splattered corpses. I try to free myself from what he is showing me, but he forces me to see all of it.

There is more, he whispers in my mind, that is much worse.

Worse? Worse than that? What did he do on Reytha anyway?

The face of a man appears.

Reytha’s governor, Ani identifies. He was secretly supporting the rebels and allowing them to set up bases. I had to threaten him before he would tell me where they were.

The Sith Lord is hiding something. Simple threats would not be enough to break most rebels. There is not a sound from him except his regulated breathing. I reach up and brush my fingers through his hair, trying to comfort him, but he catches my hand and firmly holds it in his own on my stomach. I will need to be patient with him if I am to find out what has disturbed him to this extent.

For a long time he does nothing more. Then he seems to make a decision. Another set of his memories are unleashed on me. A young woman and her children. Ani menacing them to force an answer from her husband. The Sith Lord finally dragging the Governor’s pregnant wife in front of him and ... the link between our minds is abruptly shut as Ani refuses to show me anymore.

No.

He didn’t.

Ani lets go of me, rises to his feet and retreats a few steps. He can tell that I just made the intuitive leap and know exactly what he did. At the sickened look on my face, his expression hardens, and coldness slams into me across our bond. My Anakin is gone now. All I can sense is the Sith Lord.

‘Sometimes my position requires that I do things I should never tell you about,’ he coldly states.

With that he turns and is gone. After a few minutes, I know he has put his armor on again and left his suite. Then my mind finally starts to process what I have learned.

She was an innocent. She was completely unaware of what her husband had done for the Rebels. And Ani killed her instead of finding another way to get the information he wanted.

I carefully turn myself about again so I can stare out at the storm. The dark clouds are boiling and lightening is arcing from one to another before striking the ground. There is no rain, only hurricane force winds and electricity. The turmoil outside the window matches what is in my heart and soul.

Why? Why did he do that? It wasn’t necessary, only expedient. He could have faked her death. He could have done ... anything else besides that.

He’s a Sith Lord, I remind myself. When has he ever stopped to consider how his actions affect others? Or if they hurt me, even? Do the ends ever justify the means?

And how can I forgive him for his actions? I am not the one he needs to ask that of, just the only one who might understand.

Oh, Ani.

What am I supposed to do? What am I supposed to say to you?

I shut my eyes and ignore the howl of the wind. A tear escapes, then another. I let them fall. It has been weeks since I allowed myself this sort of release and I desperately need it right now.

Another set of robes whispers behind me.

‘Michael,’ I quietly note.

‘I’m right here, Maia,’ he tells me as he settles himself on the floor beside me.

I leave my eyes closed and try to calm myself as best I can. My brother will help me sort out what I should do.

‘Just talk to me,’ Michael suggests. ‘Don’t think about things, just start talking.’

‘Why did he even start to tell me about it?’ I ask, more of the universe at large than of my brother. ‘He knows that sort of thing would just upset me, so why?’

‘A burden shared is a burden halved,’ he quotes the old maxim at me.

‘That’s not very helpful, brother dear,’ I scold.

Or is it? I start thinking about how Ani had been behaving. It’s almost as if...

‘His conscience was bothering him, wasn’t it?’ I muse at Michael. ‘But that’s never stopped him before when he has tortured people or ordered killings. Nor has he shown any remorse for anything he has ever done. So why now?’

I stop dead as realization dawns.

Me.

‘It’s because of his feelings for me,’ I say, slightly stunned by what I have just figured out.

‘Not just you,’ my brother quietly adds.

I brush a hand over my son. Ani’s son. Our child.

Thoughts of his own wife and unborn child must have permeated Ani’s mind after he had done what he did.

‘After he executed Governor Belladar and ordered the strikes on the Montrosa Islands he locked himself in his pod, only leaving it when he went to his shuttle to come back here,’ Michael reveals.

‘You had better hope he doesn’t catch you spying on him,’ I warn.

‘Anakin was too wrapped up in his own private hell to notice anything else at that point in time,’ my brother flatly states.

A self-imposed hell of guilt and remorse, and he’s probably been tormenting himself with that ever since he left Reytha. I gently reach out to touch Ani’s mind. He’s busy with the two Firrerroans again. There are no traces of those emotions in him now, only those I associate with his public ‘Sith Lord’ persona. With a careful nudge, I push deeper, taking advantage of his exhaustion and momentary distraction. Still no signs of his earlier distress.

‘He doesn’t feel that way now, Michael,’ I inform my brother. ‘It’s like that event never happened.’

I sense a shift in the Force, so I open my eyes and discover my brother has left me. He often does that when I have sorted things out for myself, but this puzzle is one I haven’t put together yet. With a sigh, I set to work, examining each piece I have to work with. After a few hours, my legs are cramped from sitting so long in one place, so I get up and wander back to the bedroom.

While I settle myself under the blankets and arrange my pillows, I go over the answer my brain came up with. Killing that woman has brought Ani’s conscience back with a vengeance. And he isn’t ready, able, or willing to deal with that yet. Nor does he want my help with this either, judging from how quickly he pushed me away and barricaded himself in when I offered it. I let out another sigh. My poor love is going to struggle endlessly with himself from now on. There will be many days where the ‘Sith Lord’ rather than ‘Anakin’ dominates his personality as he tries to ignore what he doesn’t want to face.

Three steps forward and two back Michael had once said, though in this case it is more like a dozen back. My brother had warned me how hard it would be for Ani to change, how I would have to stand by while my love struggles and fails and be unable to do anything other than watch. This is the first time I have seen it happen, but it won’t be the last. Not by a long shot.

I will be supportive, I decide. I won’t mention or ask about Reytha again nor will I speak of this afternoon’s sad scenes. Perhaps I am being the stereotypical ostrich, but opening those wounds before he is ready to deal with that will not help Ani one little bit. And there’s absolutely nothing that can be done after the fact about what he did on Reytha ... except see that the Governor’s other children are looked after. They should not suffer for their father’s traitorous actions.

I toss the blankets aside and call Cyran on the comm. My aide has proven to be quite sneaky when I need her to be and this is a task she can do for me. By the time I have eaten dinner and sent Cyran away again, she has the problem well in hand.

With a slightly eased mind, I wander to the nursery. One way to occupy my time has been to outfit my son’s room, but I am here for another reason at the moment. I sweep my senses about. Ani’s in the salle with Hethrir, and Rillao is meditating a few floors below. Good. I can get some work done on my secret project. Still being cautious, I pull the storage box from under the crib, casting furtive touches out to monitor where the castle’s other occupants are, and open it. When I feel Ani’s presence moving closer, I hastily fold up the fabric, shove it back in the box, and quickly hide it again. Rats. He would have to come back now. Only a few more hours of work and it will be done.

Knowing I need to be found elsewhere, I scurry back to the bedroom, jump into bed, and do my best to fall asleep before Ani returns. A few minutes later, I feel the air pressure rise and smell the medications in the air. Double rats. Ani won’t leave again tonight so I will have no chance to work on my project. I listen carefully to the Sith Lord pour out his own dinner, then hear his footsteps approach when he is finished. He stops at the foot of the bed and stares at me. I pretend I am snoozing and wait.

‘What are you up to?’ the Sith Lord asks, curious.

He doesn’t sound or feel upset, so I guess he has decided to ignore all of what happened this afternoon and on Reytha. Fine. I will go along with this if it will help him cope and deal with the situation.

‘Nothing,’ I say, trying to sound innocent.

I get one of his looks. He knows I am busy with something.

‘Michael was by for a visit,’ I own up. Maybe that will throw Ani off a bit.

‘Your brother is a pest,’ the Sith Lord growls.

That’s what he usually says when Michael spends time with me. Not that Ani really means it. Those two seem to like hanging out together when the Sith Lord is in the mood for company.

‘We watched the storm for a while,’ I admit. ‘I hope it ends soon. I am tired of being locked in and want to go for a walk by the lake.’

‘That is not a very good idea, Maia,’ the Sith Lord warns as he starts taking his armor off.

‘Why not?’ I prod him. ‘It’s not like there is anyone out there.’

‘You sound very sure of that,’ he replies.

‘Alright, Ani, I’ll stay inside, just in case a band of wandering Wookiees is waiting outside the doors to kidnap me,’ I tease.

That prompts a smile from him. Good. He has finally returned to a more normal frame of mind.

‘Do you really want to take that risk and find out?’ he slyly suggests.

I stare at him. He’s playing at something.

‘Are there monsters out there?’ I ask.

‘Maybe,’ Ani teases.

‘I bet,’ I answer with a smirk. ‘Just like there were in the lake on Naboo.’

I am not falling for another monster trick from him, no way.

‘Dragons, actually,’ he admits. ‘I keep a few in the lake as pets.’

‘Right, sure, Ani, I believe you,’ I tell him with a snort of disbelief. ‘Just like the ones on Earth, too - fire-breathing, flying creatures ten or twenty meters long with scales and brightly colored feathers on their wings.’

He starts laughing at me.

‘Nothing that spectacular, Maia,’ he insists. ‘They are green, covered in scales and only three or four meters long at the most. No wings, feathers, or fire-breathing capabilities, but they do have a vicious and poisonous bite and would probably think you were a tasty snack if I didn’t go with you to ward them off.’

The Sith Lord is quite serious about his ‘pets’ being dangerous.

‘Maybe I’ll just stay inside and behave myself,’ I quickly decide. ‘Being dragon dinner is not high on my list of things to do.’

Ani comes over and sits beside me on the bed. I look up at him and smile a bit, trying to keep him in the calm and slightly playful mood he has let himself slip into. He’s coping with his conscience by ignoring it completely, but I know that sooner or later he will have to deal with the guilt it is inflicting on him. Let him work through that at his own pace, I remind myself. Trying to hurry the process won’t help.

‘Come to bed, love,’ I suggest, grabbing his hand in mine. ‘I’m cold and I want to curl up with you.’

‘Missed me, didn’t you?’ Ani quietly notes as he drops his robes on the floor and moves to lie next to me under the covers.

‘Every single second,’ I admit, pulling him closer once his arms have wrapped around me.

The hand at my waist brushes across my stomach, then reaches up to caress my face. I feel no burning desire for me from him, only a need to be next to me. His hand resumes its place on my middle.

‘Soon, my little wife,’ he observes. ‘It won’t be much longer now.’

What? I think. Oh. That’s what he’s referring to.

‘Just over a month, if Reena’s estimate is correct,’ I advise. An Imperial month, about one and a half Earth months with the week long holiday which is coming up.

I feel a kiss to the back of my neck and the Sith Lord’s arms pulling me nearer to his chest. The warmth from his body causes me to start drifting off. Time to go to sleep. Tomorrow is a new day and things will look better then.

The Executor, Imperial Center, Coruscant system, Year 0, month 10

DAY 35 (NEW YEAR’S EVE)

Ani is sound asleep when I wake, so I carefully slip out of bed and go to one of my compartments. Still keeping a wary eye on him, I open it and quietly extract the brightly wrapped parcel I had hidden away two days earlier. Creeping over to the table, I set his present down and swiftly return to bed. Perfect. He never noticed I had moved. With a satisfied smile, I snuggle in close and let myself dream again.

A while later, I hear his breathing change and feel his pillow being pushed into place along my back. I stay quiet as a mouse and wait, listening intently to every sound. The sheets are tossed aside then thrown back into place. Ani’s robe is lifted from the floor and wrapped around him before he wanders over to the table. His footsteps stop and I just know he is looking back and forth between the box and me. There is crackling as he finally pulls off the paper. I do my best not to react when I hear him drop the lid on the floor.

Silence.

Then the sound of fabric being lifted, shaken out, and moved about. He’s tossed it around his shoulders, I guess. Footsteps again, but this time they are coming closer to me. I feel him sit down next to me and a pair of lips makes contact with my temple, so I wait to see what he will do next.

‘So this is what you have been doing when I have been busy or not around,’ Ani quietly states.

I smile smugly to myself. He had no clue what I was up to and it must have been driving him nuts trying to figure it out.

‘Sneaky little wife,’ he teases, then admits rather sadly, ‘I have no present to give you today.’

So what, I think. He’s given me his heart and child already. I don’t need or want anything else.

His hand touches my cheek, so I open my eyes.

‘Awake, are you?’ the Sith Lord notes.

I snuggle into my pillow and nod. There’s no point in denying the obvious.

‘Come here,’ he offers, beckoning me into his arms.

I struggle for a second or two trying to get myself upright, so Ani helps me up and does his best to hold me close. I have put on enough weight that life is getting difficult. With a sigh, I rest my head on his shoulder, feeling the softness of his new cloak’s heavy mothsilk on my cheek. Now, does he like his present or not?

Not a word from him, but I can tell he is figuring out what to say to me. I decide to fill the silence while he does so.

‘Back home there was a religious holiday in the last month of the year. People would exchange gifts. So when I found out about New Year’s here, I wanted to give you something,’ I admit. ‘Consider it a lifeday present if you prefer, since I don’t know when your birthday is.’

‘Twentieth day of the fourth month,’ he quietly answers.

Oh. Well, I will have to be sure to remember that.

He tips my face to where he can look into it and kisses me, lightly brushing his lips against mine. The next one is firmer, and with the third he catches my lower lip in his teeth. Frisky, are we? When he starts the fourth one, I encourage him to do more, parting my lips to his and teasing him with my tongue. He greedily responds to that, so I push his cloak and robe from his shoulders and pull him back with me as I fall into the pillows.

It’s horribly awkward for both of us, but I do my best to satisfy him and he, I. We won’t be able to do this for much longer.

‘The gymnastics required for us to do this are getting rather ridiculous,’ I quietly admit.

‘And Reena will forbid it fairly soon,’ Ani whispers into my ear, ‘so we should make the best of it while we can.’

He’s ready for me again. I shift myself a bit and start to turn over, intending to let him enter me from behind. This position is the least uncomfortable for both of us, but Ani has refused to use it at all the last week. Bad memories, I remind myself, he still hasn’t dealt with what happened that day. I sense him hesitate, then acquiesce to my wishes as his hands help me move about.

The Sith Lord is extraordinarily gentle with me as we make love a second time. Every move, each thrust is designed to please me, not him. He is patient since my body is slow to respond to him, continues what works best for me, and when I finally cry out to him with pleasure and delight at the intense sensations he has produced, he lets himself go at last.

That felt incredible, I think as I lie content and sated in his arms. Better than anything. A few nibbles run up and down my neck at that thought, tickling me as he goes. I squirm a little which only seems to egg Ani on.

‘Stop that,’ I scold.

‘I think I have found another ticklish spot,’ he teases as I try half-heartedly to get away.

‘Watch out, Sith Lord,’ I warn, ‘two can play at that, you know.’

The nibbles persist, so I launch an all out attack, running my fingers down his chest first, before abruptly shifting them to his sides. There is no effect on him at all. Rats. One thing else to try then. I slide myself down a bit and let my fingertips brush the soft skin where thigh meets crotch. The response is instantaneous - hysterical laughter. Ani somehow manages to jump sideways in bed, retreating from my touch. I pursue him, intending to give him a good dose of what he has been busy inflicting on me.

‘Don’t,’ he gasps as I corner him again.

I pull my hands back. I hate it when I am tickled too much and I won’t torture him that way.

‘Thank you,’ he tells me as his breathing comes under control again.

With a contented sigh I lounge beside my love and stare into his face.

‘What are you doing?’ he finally asks.

‘Looking at you,’ I admit. ‘You have beautiful blue eyes, Ani.’

An eyebrow goes up. I bet he hasn’t heard that compliment very often.

‘And the rest of you is in pretty good shape, too,’ I add for good measure. I like his muscles and hard, trim body, especially when he is busy using it to make love to me.

‘Flatterer,’ he teases.

‘Yes, dear,’ I reply.

‘My stubborn little wife,’ he continues.

‘Yes, dear,’ I repeat.

‘Shall I make love to you again?’ he suggests.

‘Yes, dear,’ I confirm with a laugh as he pins me to the bed.

Ten minutes later, we are both satisfied once more and lazing in one another’s arms.

‘I could stay here with you and do this all day long,’ Ani admits, ‘but we have to be elsewhere this afternoon and evening so we can’t.’

Rats. Well, maybe I can persuade him otherwise.

‘We should stay in bed,’ I hint, ‘then we won’t have to worry about any dizzy spells.’

I have started to have fainting spells and each time it happens, Ani worries and fusses.

He lets out a sigh. Double rats. There will be no changing his mind.

‘Orders from the Emperor,’ he finally owns up.

I cringe a bit. Not another visit to the opera. The last one ended in disaster.

‘Can’t I be really, really sick?’ I suggest. I can play act if I need to and Reena will probably go along with it, too.

‘We have no choice, Maia. He wants you to be formally presented to him at his last public audience of the year,’ Ani warns me, ‘and defying him at this point would be extremely dangerous.’

Dangerous for him, for me, for our son. I shut my eyes and reluctantly give in.

‘What do you want me to do, Ani?’ I quietly ask.

‘Stay in bed with me for a few hours until we have to get ready to go,’ he teases with a laugh, drawing me close in again.

I gradually come to a while later when I feel a gentle kiss on my lips. Ani’s breath is hot against my face as he stares into my eyes.

‘Sleeping beauty,’ he teases, ‘Shall I kiss you again to wake you up some more?’

I promptly shut my eyes so he repeats what he just did, but this one he lingers over before pulling away.

‘Time to get up,’ he orders. ‘We have two hours to get ready and go to the palace.’

He bounds out of bed at that and vanishes into the ‘fresher. I snuggle my pillow for a few minutes longer. Ani will run my bath when he has finished his shower and then come back to help me out of bed and into the water. When he does step into the bedroom, I spend a few seconds admiring him. Tall, handsome, well-muscled and completely fit. My husband would turn female heads anywhere he went if he wasn’t imprisoned in that cursed armor of his.

‘Maybe it’s a good thing your face and body are hidden away,’ I wryly decide. ‘You’re mine and I don’t want any unwelcome competition from other women chasing after you.’

‘Possessive today, aren’t we?’ he observes with a smirk.

I simply ogle him some more while he reaches down to retrieve his robe and cloak from where they had slid off the bed and onto the floor.

Mine, all mine, I think at him, teasing him across our bond with my need for him and trying to get a reaction.

One rapidly appears, so I start snickering.

‘I would have thought you had enough of that today,’ the Sith Lord scolds as he wraps his robe around himself.

‘Nope, you can never have enough fun, my love,’ I decide, ‘and since you are ready...’

‘Later, wife,’ he growls a little.

‘But...’

‘Later. Bath. Now,’ he orders.

From his curt tone, he won’t bend an inch on this. Rats. I want some more fun and it seems I won’t get any. Grumbling to myself, I let him pull me up off the bed and settle me in for my bath. Sounds of him putting on his bodysuit and armor reach me through the door. Darn. That means no chance for any fun at all.

I see him step from the drawer he keeps his armor in and cross my field of view to the other side of the door. Two other compartments are opened and shut and I hear fabric moving about before he walks back and sits in his chair to have his morning meal. He is only wearing the leather body armor and hasn’t put his robes on yet, so something else must have been taken out of those bins. Someone is up to something.

My curiosity prompts me to leave my bath earlier than usual.

‘Ani...’ I call once he has finished his last glass.

The chair slides back and he quickly comes to my side and helps me up. He doesn’t let me leave the ‘fresher until I am completely dried off. When I return to the bedroom, I stop and stare at the gown lying on the bed.

I give Ani a questioning look, pick it up and hold it against my body. The shimmering blue-black mothsilk falls in graceful folds to the floor and the gold edging will pull the heavy skirt out of my way as I walk. It’s absolutely gorgeous. And the blue undertone goes better with my pale complexion than the stark black clothing I normally wear.

The Sith Lord watches my reactions and I can sense his amusement.

‘You said you didn’t have a present for me,’ I remind him.

‘This?’ he questions, amused, ‘Not a present, but a necessity. And your gift was much better since you made it for me yourself.’

I mull that over for a minute, then spin about, holding the dress in place.

‘It’s perfect,’ I tell him.

‘I knew my master would insist on a formal introduction sooner or later, so I picked the fabric and commissioned Melanani to design it for you a while ago. It was hand delivered to me late last night while you were asleep. I put the order in to make it up a few days ago, when I knew you would need it today. That way the size would be correct. You can always have it altered later, if necessary,’ he tells me.

I stare at him. Melanani? I have a few simple dresses by that famous designer, but nothing which is a custom made piece like this one is. It’s like having Coco Chanel or Versace design something for you personally. And the color is unique. Mothsilk is horrendously difficult to dye. To get the depth and richness of the blue shade underlying the black, each thread would have been repeatedly custom dyed by hand before it was woven.

‘This gown must have cost a fortune for the fabric alone,’ I note.

‘One hundred thousand credits to be exact,’ Ani reveals.

I make a few choking sounds.

‘... and Melanani’s fee was double that,’ he adds for good measure.

He has got to be kidding.

‘Three hundred thousand credits?’ I blurt out in disbelief. ‘For a dress?’

‘And this as well,’ he admits, pointing towards the fine mothsilk veil draped over the back of my chair.

I should have known that one of those cursed things would be included.

At the look on my face, he warns, ‘I would rather you don’t shred it this time. Matching the fabric will be impossible. If you must, take your temper out on one of my cloaks instead.’

The thought of fighting with the tightly woven, almost armor-like cloth in his cloaks starts me giggling. There is no way I could shred one of those with just my fingers. Ani gives me a strange look, so I send an image to him of myself holding part of his cloak in my teeth while my hands try pulling the fabric apart. A smile appears. When he tries to hide it, I add a few more details - me standing on the edge of his cloak and tugging on it, dragging it about, trying everything to get the material to rip, and my ultimate reaction as the cloak refuses to co-operate and I resort to chopping it up with my ‘saber. At that the Sith Lord begins to laugh.

‘Come here,’ he orders, taking the gown from my hands, returning it to the bed, and pulling me close.

‘At times you can be such a silly, stubborn little creature,’ Ani notes, ‘and I don’t know what to do with you when you are like that, but I need you in my life and your antics do entertain me.’

I set my cheek and hand against his chest and smile. His left hand wraps across my back and reaches up to hold my own. Our wedding rings make a bell-like chime when they touch.

>My cranky Sith Lord husband,< I tell him.

>My stubborn Jedi wife,< he replies.

He holds me for a few minutes more before letting go and giving me a gentle nudge with his hands towards the gown.

‘Hurry and get dressed so Cyran can fix your hair,’ he suggests.

I let the towel drop to the floor, put on some underwear from my top compartment, and examine the closures on the back of the bodice. They open with a firm push, so I pull the gown over my head, tug it into place and move my breasts into position. Ani’s hands snap the gold buckles shut across my back and turn me around to give him a look. The tight, sleeveless bodice will keep everything in place, I happily note. There will be no bouncing or slippage here.

His eyes drift downwards from my chest. There is no possible way to hide my large middle, but the full skirt which falls from right under my breasts is doing a good job of disguising some of it. Ani takes my hand and walks backwards, pulling me after him. Is he watching how the fabric moves? The weight of the narrow gold trim drags the skirt back a little. I look down and check out the length. It’s shorter in front so I won’t accidentally step on the hem, and the back is long enough to sweep the floor behind me. At least it doesn’t have a train on it - those are a nuisance to get around with.

‘More than acceptable,’ Ani decides once his observations are finished. ‘Better than I expected, in fact. It suits you perfectly.’

I let go of his hand and glance at the empty box on the table. He needs to get dressed himself. The cloak I gave him today and the tunic I still have stashed away should do just fine for this formal thing we are going to.

‘Close your eyes,’ I order.

He gives me a measuring look, but obeys.

I go to my dresses’ compartment and pull out the tunic. It still needs a few things done to it, but it is wearable nonetheless. With a few tugs, I have it draped over Ani’s shoulders, so I fetch his chest and shoulder armor and fix them in place. It takes a moment to make the careful folds I need to in the fabric and to secure his new robe with his belt. Lightsaber next, and then his new cloak. I toss his present around his shoulders, hook the chain across his chest and slip it under the anchor point. Then I step back and take a good look at my work.

Not bad at all for my first attempt. The heavy mothsilk drapes even better than the usual fabric he wears. I reach a hand over to trace his sigil, the one I hand couched in heavy gold cord onto the left side of his cloak. The placement was perfect. It lies high on his chest near the top. A glance downward confirms that the swirling pattern worked in the same manner around the hem will have the effect that I wanted, weighing the material down enough that it will move gracefully without flapping about. Good.

I start smiling and see a matching expression on Ani’s face. He’s been very patient with me.

‘Put your helmet and gloves on, find an empty ‘fresher with a full-length mirror to sneak into when no one is around, and go have a look,’ I suggest.

His eyes snap open.

‘Yes, dear,’ he teases before kissing me, putting his helmet and gloves on as ordered to and heading off to follow the rest of my instructions.

I watch him go with a sigh. The cloak follows his every graceful move. Too bad I won’t get to see his reaction. Oh, well, time for my breakfast.

Cyran shows up the minute I have finished eating. We spend a few minutes discussing what to do with my hair, then settle on a simple, loose, flowing style which would go best with the dress. It takes little time for her to complete the arrangements and set my jewelry in place, so I am soon settled in my chair, waiting for the Sith Lord to return.

His footsteps are light when he comes back, matching the mood I sense in him. Ani must like his presents then.

‘Thank you, my wife,’ the Sith Lord tells me once he is at my side. ‘I think I will keep them for formal occasions, when you are with me.’

I try not to smile too much.

‘Time to go,’ he warns me next and my smile fades a little. I know and dread what he must do now.

He holds out his hands so I set mine in his and let him pull me to my feet. A gentle touch on our bond from him reassures me a little as I am held close. Then I feel him fade his emotions for me, toning them down to a mere whisper rather than abruptly cutting them off as he has done in the past.

I won’t hurt you like that again, he assures me. At this low level, my love for you will be easily hidden by the dark side. A casual surface scan will never find it; only an extensive or deep probe can. And I have no intentions of allowing anyone to do that.

His hand brushes my cheek and coldness gradually flows outwards from him as he lets the dark side take hold. This is the first time he has done this since the binding ceremony and it feels quite different than in the past. Darkness resonates across our two bonds - the soul-bond and the Force-bond, but the barriers he put in my mind reflect it back at him. So that’s how those things work.

I sense him reach out, check on how his blocks have performed, and feel his satisfaction at their effectiveness.

Good, he decides. They are keeping everything out and protecting you.

After letting me go again, Ani drapes the veil over my hair and runs two long gold hairpins through the embroidered holes designed for that purpose. The sheer fabric falls over my face and down my back to the floor. Cool. It’s like wearing a wedding veil, and the edging matches what’s on my gown.

I reach out to my husband with my senses. The Sith Lord is there in full force now. He’s radiating both the dark side and barely restrained power and mastery, but it’s an authority tempered by control. I step back a pace and look intently at him. Ani walks towards the door, glances back at me, and from his purposeful movements I know that it’s the Emperor’s military commander who is waiting for me to join him.

Ready? he asks.

With a nod, I swiftly move to his side and accept the offered arm. Time for a ride in his shuttle.

As his shuttle lands near the Imperial Palace, I look nervously over at the Sith Lord. The next few hours are going to be a trial for me. All those people will be watching me, noting any slips or stupid mistakes. I shut my eyes and wish I was anywhere but here. He gives my hand a reassuring squeeze and leads me down the ramp, across the landing area and through a pair of large ornate doors set in the grey-green rock of the outer palace walls.

A few twists and turns and eventually we reach a wide, high-vaulted corridor. I stop dead for a moment and look back and forth along its length. We are about halfway along it, I would guess. This place is huge.

The Grand Corridor, Ani tells me. You could park a Star Destroyer in it if you wanted to.

Once I am ready, we walk down the center of it, between the two rows of purplish trees. Anyone who sees the Sith Lord quickly clears out of his way.

I do my best to be the meek mate as I am escorted down towards what must be the audience hall. At the moment having a retiring demeanor is not much of a stretch. Everything here is intimidating, from the sheer size of the place and wealth on display to the red-robed Imperial guards stationed everywhere. Groups of people line the corridor, growing more numerous as we approach its end. I surreptitiously look at a few of them through my veil as we pass them.

Advisors, politicians, court hangers-on, Ani identifies. Most are beneath my notice. Any who have foolishly tried to cross me paid the price for it. None of them would dare to challenge or oppose me now.

A small knot of women enter the chamber ahead of us. I stare at them. Their brightly colored gowns look just as expensive as mine and they are dripping with gemstone filled jewelry. I am a plain little blackbird compared to those peacocks.

Roganda Ismaren and a few of the Emperor’s other concubines, the Sith Lord instructs. You will have nothing to do with those manipulative creatures. They are dangerous, violent women.

He stops by the open doors and waits. I peer into the room and quickly survey what I can see. Palpatine is seated in a throne on a raised dais at the other side. The group of concubines have made their way over to him and have arranged themselves decoratively around the stairs leading up to the small area in front of him. Inquisitor Tremayne is there, to my discomfort, standing near the Emperor’s throne, and so is Mara Jade. More courtiers occupy the rest of the chamber and I can see the odd media representative trying to look inconspicuous in the background. Another familiar face turns to glance over at us. Prince Xizor, I think Ani called him, and he has that pretty blond with him again. Xizor is in the minority though. Few aliens are in attendance here.

I hear the Sith Lord’s irritated hiss. He has just seen the Falleen, I guess. The conversations near us stop as Ani’s displeasure is noted. That seems to trigger a ripple effect, and there is soon dead silence in the room. Heads turn to look towards us and we are now the center of attention.

Ani, I really don’t want to do this, I quietly admit.

This is worse than my own convocation when I tripped going up the stairs to the university’s Chancellor.

The Sith Lord looks down at me.

Just ignore everyone except the Emperor and me, he suggests. None of the others are important anyway.

Watch that ego of yours, dear, I tease.

What ego? he replies. It’s the truth.

Ani’s trying to keep me calm by making light of this while we wait to be announced. I give his arm a grateful squeeze. Hopefully we won’t have to wait long and the formalities will be over with quickly.

We are the last on the official agenda. Once the Emperor lets us go I will take you to a quiet and secure location so you can rest until the festivities tonight, Ani promises.

Good. There are too many people here.

Normally the year end audience is sparsely attended, but the prospect of getting a look at you has drawn out anyone who qualified for an invitation, he admits.

Just like at the opera. By keeping me hidden away, the Sith Lord has only pushed the public’s curiosity and the media’s motivation to satisfy it into high gear. I make a face.

Ani, if this is what life as a celebrity is like - being ogled by the masses and pursued by reporters - then I want no part of it, I confess.

You have no choice, my love, the Sith Lord warns. I am always in the public eye, and as my mate, the Emperor wants you to be, too. Don’t forget that this is what my master wanted. For now, play along with it to keep him happy. His attention will be drawn away from you and our son when I give him Rillao and Hethrir. It will be easy for me to hide you from his sight again after that.

So that’s why he is so intent on getting those two trained quickly. Ani is determined to protect his son and I in any way he can, even if it costs Rillao a child in the process. I stop myself from shivering and touching my middle for reassurance. Don’t draw attention to that, I remind myself.

Ready? Ani asks.

What? I wonder.

‘Darth Vader, Lord of the Sith, High Commander of the fleet, ... ‘ I hear a loud male voice start to list Ani’s titles.

The Sith Lord makes his way towards the Emperor’s throne, keeping me at his side as the herald runs through whatever titles Ani had assigned to me, ‘... and his Favorite, the Princess Maìá, heiress of the houses of Stuart and Plantagenet.’

Somehow I stop myself from breaking into peals of laughter.

Ani, I scold, do you have any idea how stupid that sounds?

That’s how your titles will always be announced, he tells me. Position, name, house affiliation. Is there a problem with that?

Aside from the fact that I am not really a princess, then, no, I guess, I admit, not sure what else to say. It just sounds weird.

Good thing Michael isn’t here, I think to myself. He would be laughing himself silly by now.

Yes, you are, Ani stubbornly affirms.

No, I am not, I argue back.

We spend the time it takes to reach the bottom of the steps leading up to Palpatine’s throne arguing about what my status really is.

Down you go, the Sith Lord orders, helping me to kneel before assuming the same position himself.

I keep my eyes downcast, despite the temptation to stare at the bevy of concubines standing next to me.

A rustle of cloth from above us draws my attention to the Emperor. He has leaned forward in his seat to get a better look at me. Not that he can see much other than the blue-black mothsilk which covers me from head to toe.

‘Rise, Lord Vader,’ Palpatine orders.

The Sith Lord promptly complies. I stay where I am, kneeling beside him.

‘Bring your Favorite here. I would like to have a closer look at her,’ is his next command.

No, I think, I am quite happy where I am, well away from him. Ani pulls me to my feet though, wraps a supporting arm around my back, and guides me up the steps of the raised dais. Once at the top, directly in front of the Emperor, the Sith Lord lowers me to my knees again and stands at my side. I keep my eyes fixed a few inches from the bottom of his master’s robes.

>I see you have tamed her rebellious nature,< the Emperor notes, slipping into Sith.

Is he referring to my stubbornness or my little adventure?

>It was a simple enough thing to do,< Ani tells him. >A few days of isolation was all it took.<

I refrain from making a face at that statement. They must be talking about my obstinate streak.

>She is compliant and obedient to you now?< Palpatine asks.

>Completely,< the Sith Lord confirms.

Right, sure, Ani. Well-behaved and docile and meek and mild and ... I start to tease him.

Maia, he scolds, so I shut up.

‘Let me see her,’ the Emperor commands.

I sense Ani freeze inside. This is obviously something he hadn’t anticipated.

‘As you wish,’ the Sith Lord concedes, no hint of his discomfort at this turn of events in his voice.

I feel his hands pull the hairpins out and the veil sliding down my back under its own weight. Stay calm, I remind myself, play the well-behaved little concubine for Palpatine and all should be fine.

I hear a ripple of surprise go through the crowd. They didn’t expect to get this close a look at me either.

A cold, leathery hand under my chin tips my face up and I find myself looking right into the Emperor’s odd yellow eyes. Control, control, Maia, I scold myself. Don’t have a hysterical fit in public. He stares at me for a few long minutes, then lowers his gaze to my middle before releasing my face and sitting back in his throne. I drop my eyes to the floor again.

‘Exquisite,’ the Emperor compliments, making sure everyone can hear him. ‘Sweet-tempered, and obviously fertile. You have chosen well, my friend.’

I refrain from letting any of my feelings of panic show on my face. All I want to do is escape.

‘Your Favorite will give you a strong heir,’ he notes next, then instructs. ‘You will bring your son to me once he is born so I can confirm his inheritance.’

There is a sense of relief tempered with disappointment from my husband. Ani only heard one of the two things he so desperately wanted his master to say. The Emperor will be reluctant to take our son from us now. Not after making such a public announcement, but he has still not named me the Sith Lord’s consort.

‘When he is old enough, I will do as you request, my Emperor,’ Ani replies.

Now there is an ambiguous and open-ended statement.

I sense Palpatine’s eyes on me again, measuring, probing. What is he thinking?

‘I have given you nothing for the Mid-Winter celebrations, child, ...’ he tells me.

Oh, oh. The Emperor is up to something here. Whenever he puts on the benevolent act, I decide, watch out.

Ani... I start to ask for help.

‘... so what would you desire?’ Palpatine asks. ‘I can grant you anything you wish, anything at all.’

Ack! Not that question.

Ani, please, help me here, I plead. Tell me what to do.

The Sith Lord gives me no answer.

‘Well, child?’ the Emperor prods.

My mind goes blank a moment. What should I tell him? I already have the Sith Lord and the child I have always wanted. The only other thing that is important to me is forbidden by military rules and regulations, and I can’t have it. Or can I?

Before I lose my nerve, I look up at the Emperor and quietly request, ‘I would like to stay at my Lord’s side, never leaving him, wherever you send him, wherever he must go.’

Palpatine’s eyes widen in surprise as he sits further back in his throne.

‘That’s all?’ he asks, the disbelief and astonishment obvious in his tone. ‘Nothing more?’

I confirm with a small nod.

He gives the Sith Lord a questioning look.

‘You have no objections to this?’ his master asks.

‘None,’ Ani replies.

‘You may go now,’ Palpatine decides. ‘I will consider your request carefully, and give you my answer later.’

Rats. That’s not fair. I guess the old geezer just wanted to see what I would say to him. I let Ani feel a bit of my disappointment.

The Sith Lord offers a hand to help me up. The change in position makes me dizzy and I start seeing spots. Not now, I plead, please not now, not here. After staying calm through all that, I don’t want to make a scene. My vision blurs and I start to fall forward.

Ani ...

Two arms catch me, lift me up, cradle me close.

‘She has been quite ill with this pregnancy,’ I hear the Sith Lord calmly state. ‘You can see why I have kept her quiet and safe, and out of the public’s view. The stress ...’

‘No need for further explanations, my friend,’ Palpatine cuts him off. ‘Take her to one of the private rooms and let her rest.’

Ani carries me from the formal audience hall and I am glad to be away from the prying eyes of the Emperor, the court, the public. A moment of weakness on my part has proven to be a blessing in disguise. Five minutes, ten? I am not sure how long it is before I am set gently on a divan in a sheltered room off one of the large corridors. He removes the cloak I gave him this morning, tosses it over me, spends a few seconds fussing about as he tucks it around my body. His hand rests a moment on the swell of my pregnancy, checking on our child. My love then pulls a chair over to sit beside me, positioning himself protectively between me and the entrance to the room we are in.

Ani, you are smiling a little, aren’t you? I ask, wondering what has prompted this mood in him.

My love, you did something I never expected to see. You actually surprised my master. He never anticipated your request.

I don’t understand.

Wealth, power, passions, desires; these things he knows, can manipulate. Anyone can be seduced, tempted by them, the Sith Lord explains. Most are, quite easily. But you, you my little goddess. He offers you anything you desire, anything at all, and what do you ask for? Something based solely on unselfish love - to simply stay at my side wherever I am.

I love you. Shouldn’t it have been obvious to him that I would want that? It was the only thing I could think of. What did you expect me to ask for, Ani?

To be recognized as my consort, my wife. You told me months ago that was your goal.

Beloved, I am yours already, I admit. I don’t need another gold armband to tell me that.

I am drifting and try to stay awake a while longer to hear his answer. These spells of light-headedness and exhaustion are proving to be a nuisance at times.

My little love, my heart is yours. Now, you should rest a bit, the Sith Lord tells me, and I know he is concerned with how quickly I tired today. I will watch over you. We will stay only as long as necessary tonight and then return to the Executor. It is safer there than at my castle even. There is mischief afoot in the court, power plays on the go. Coruscant, the Imperial Court, is a dangerous place right now and I do not want you where you and our son might be harmed.

I can tell there is more to this than he is willing to divulge, but I am too tired to care or press him for details. Ani will keep me and our child safe despite what others might try or want to do. Laying my left hand on my stomach, I check on our son and reinforce the shields I have placed around him. Satisfied that all is well, I close my eyes and let myself slip into sleep. My love’s hand caressing my face is the last thing I remember before dreams claim me.

It is a strange and peculiar dream I find myself in. The door opens to the room I am resting in and the Sith Lord turns to see who the intruder is. Two red robed guards enter, followed by their master who waves them out of the chamber. Ani’s mental shields have instantly become stronger and are held tighter than I have ever known them to be; I can sense almost nothing at all from him. He quickly moves from the chair he is seated in to kneel on the floor beside me, before the Emperor.

When my love reaches over to wake me, he is stopped as Palpatine commands, ‘Let your woman sleep. She needs the rest and this is of no concern to her.’

The Emperor claims the chair Ani had vacated and simply stares at me, at the Sith Lord kneeling at his feet for a few long minutes. No sounds can be heard save that of mechanical breathing.

Finally his master speaks, ‘I am concerned, Lord Vader, that your feelings in this matter are unclear, confused by that wretched permanent bond you have with her.’

‘My feelings are clear, my master,’ Ani automatically responds.

‘Are they, my friend? You have continued to train her as a Jedi, I see. There is no trace of the dark side in her. It is necessary to keep her untainted to get the most powerful children possible from her, but you will teach her nothing more. Do you understand?’

‘Yes, my master. I will do as you command.’

‘See that you do. This child is yours to keep, as I told you before, and so is the daughter who will follow. Two is enough to ensure your woman’s mental and emotional stability. I will not risk damaging my future source of dark Jedi by being too selfish. Any other progeny are mine.’

The Sith Lord is silent at this and I can feel the anger building in him.

‘You think I am being ungenerous, my apprentice?’ the Emperor snaps, veiled threat in his voice.

‘No, my master.’

‘Good. You may take your little Jedi as your consort, and keep her and your children with you on the Executor or wherever else I send you since that will keep her content and easy to manage. Make sure your other offspring arrive on a regular basis.’ The Emperor rises from the chair at this, heading for the door. Part way there, he stops, turns, and warns, ‘I will tolerate no disobedience from you in this, Lord Vader. These were the terms you agreed to when I first allowed you to have her as your concubine: I am to have whichever of your children I desire. If you defy me, I will take her and all of your children from you. Do not forget that.’ With this he leaves and my love and I are alone once again.

The Sith Lord remains where he is, kneeling on the floor, and I can feel when his reined in fury is released. With a thought, the chair the Emperor had been sitting in is tossed through the air to smash and shatter against the wall, surprising me out of my half-dreaming stupor.

Startled, I let out a cry of alarm. ‘Ani! What’s wrong?’

‘Nothing to concern yourself with, merely an unexpected complication or two,’ he tells me. ‘Problems I will deal with when the time comes.’

I know he is concealing the truth from me, know that my dream was in fact reality, but I will not confront him with my knowledge. And the other conversation with his master, the one months ago, when I was told his permission to keep our son was given, how much of my Lord’s account was fact, how much fiction? I suspect he will never tell me the truth about that either. My musings are cut short as our son chooses this moment to give me a few well-placed kicks, and I breathe in sharply as he does. That hurt. Setting my hands over him, I use my senses to soothe him, lulling him back into a less active state.

‘Sorry, Maia. That was my fault,’ the Sith Lord admits. ‘He felt it when I lost my temper.’

Ani rises from the floor and sits beside me on the couch. I shift over as much as I can to make room for him. From some pocket or another, he pulls out the fourth gold arm band.

‘I brought this with me,’ he confesses, ‘anticipating what you might ask for.’

He knew the old coot was going to ask me that question?

Ani continues, ‘The Emperor was just here, and has named you my consort and granted the request you made of him earlier.’

Oh. Wow. We both got what we wanted today. My love sets the bracelet above the elbow of my left arm, below the Sith inscription burned onto it, and I feel the heat as the seals fuse closed.

‘Now my wife, you still need to rest and I am tired of this room. Shall I take you to one of the private gardens?’ he suggests. ‘I think you will find it relaxing there.’

My answer is to wrap my arms around his neck in anticipation of being carried elsewhere. I am gently lifted, still wrapped in his cloak, and carried down the corridor towards the inner courtyards and garden areas. The few courtiers we meet scatter once they see the Sith Lord with me in his arms, and gather after we pass to mutter amongst themselves, wondering what they just saw means. As always, my love just ignores the reactions of those around him.

We cross one of the large courtyards and I am carried along a manicured path into a more secluded area. There is a small fountain in the center surrounded by grass and several benches. While there are no bright flowers, the variation in the shades of green in the mosses, ferns and trees more than makes up for it. The sound of the fountain and cool green of the plants create a peaceful, soothing environment. Ani lays me down on one if the benches and sits beside me so that I can use his thigh as a pillow. He tugs the cloak into place over top of me and I happily settle in for a nap.

Ani, it’s nice and peaceful here, I decide.

I know, my little wife, he agrees. I found this place years ago and escape from the court to it on occasion. No one will bother us here. Sleep now, love, and I will wake you just before we need to go.

Hours later, his voice wakes me up. I open my eyes a crack. Ani is standing near the entrance to the garden talking to Inquisitor Tremayne. So much for this being a secluded place. While I am curious what the creep wants, I decide it’s best to go back to sleep. No doubt whatever they are discussing is Ani’s private business.

A few minutes later, I hear the crunch of gravel under his booted feet as the Sith Lord comes back to sit beside me again. His hands carefully lift my head from the folded veil he had used to protect my face from the stone bench, before he slides himself over a bit, and sets my cheek back on his thigh.

Hush, little love, he soothes when I stir at his touch. All is well.

Ani, what ... I start to ask.

He hushes me up by brushing his fingers across my cheek. I shift a bit in response and feel a distinct cramping and pain radiating downwards through my middle. Oh, my god. His hand stops abruptly as he feels the contraction along with me.

It’s too early, I tell him. A month too early.

Ani sets his hand on my middle, concentrating, measuring something.

I have to get you back to the Executor right now, he insists. It will be hours yet, but it is not safe for him to be born here.

It’s too early, Ani, I repeat in disbelief.

Early or not, our son is on his way, the Sith Lord firmly states.

He bundles me up in the cloak and carries me back to his shuttle, using a shorter, different route than he did earlier. I hold tight to his neck and try to stay quiet and calm. Reena will sort this out, I hope, maybe stop what is happening before it goes too far.

Ani’s pilot looks surprised to see us when we arrive, and while the Sith Lord rearranges the seats to let me lie down, the engines are powered up. Once I am settled, no time is wasted in getting the ship airborne. Please let it be a quick trip, I pray. No such luck, though. New Year’s eve traffic is heavy and even with Ani pulling rank, the return trip will be a much slower one.

I feel my husband’s touch on my face.

‘Breathe slowly, Maia,’ he orders.

‘Why?’ I ask.

Then the second contraction starts. I do as he told me to and let my instincts take over. After it ends, I open my eyes and look up at him. Ani must be able to predict when they will hit me.

‘You are having them about half an hour apart,’ he reveals. ‘The earlier ones, when you were sleeping, were painless.’

‘You knew? And didn’t wake me?’ I ask in disbelief. I can’t believe he did that.

‘I thought it was the false labor you have had from time to time in the last month and saw no reason to disturb you over it,’ he tells me.

If this has been going on that long, Reena might not be able to do anything about it.

Ani, I call to him, then wait until he is looking over at me again before adding, I’m scared, my love. What if something happens to our little boy?

The Sith Lord tips his head, concentrating, looking forward into the future to find out what I want to know. I wait patiently for him to answer me.

He will be small and a bit weak, but will survive, he reluctantly informs me.

I feel the shuttle land, hear the ramp lower, as I am gathered up once again and carried through the ship.

‘Our quarters will be more private for you,’ Ani decides. ‘Reena can move you to Medical later if she needs to.’

He seats me on the bed as he says that, unbuckles my gown in the back, lifts me to my feet for a few seconds and pulls it from me. The expensive mothsilk creation is carelessly tossed aside over the back of a chair. A nightgown replaces it on my body. While I strip off my jewelry, Ani comms the doctor.

‘Reena,’ I hear him say, ‘you are needed in my quarters immediately. My son has decided to arrive tonight.’

Her silence speaks volumes. She knows it is far too early for this.

‘Keep your Favorite in bed and quiet. I will be there in a few minutes,’ she replies.

‘My Lady,’ Ani corrects her before the comm channel goes dead. ‘Maia is my wife.’

He turns his attention to me, tucking me in and propping me up with pillows.

‘Stay put and behave until Reena arrives,’ he orders. ‘I have to get the Executor into hyperspace.’

The Sith Lord vanishes from the bedroom, but I can hear him setting up a conference call over the Holonet. I recognize the Admiral’s voice and Needa’s and Wermis’s, too. Their conversation is muted though so I cannot hear what is being discussed. What is Ani up to?

The Admiral starts to argue and Ani abruptly cuts him off.

‘One hour,’ the Sith Lord loudly snaps. ‘If you can’t get your staff back by then, Admiral, they will stay behind and answer for their tardiness when we return.’

He promptly returns to my side after that.

‘What are you up to?’ I nosily ask, though I don’t expect him to tell me.

‘My previous ‘examples’ were insufficient on Firrerre, so I am taking part of the fleet to give them a more substantial demonstration,’ he tells me. ‘Unfortunately, even at top speed, the trip will take the Executor six days.’

I give him a dubious look. That sounds like a rather lame story to me. Ani merely chuckles at my attitude and tosses his new cloak on top of my gown. He sits beside me next and holds my hand, rubbing the back of it with his thumb to soothe me.

‘I would prefer to have you well away from here when our son is born,’ he confesses, ‘and that was the best, quickest excuse I could come up with. When we arrive, I will have the crew practice precision bombing on one of the uninhabited, outlying worlds, make a few threats, and, in general, make more noise than anything else.’

Reena’s hurried steps preempt his next comment.

‘Out, my Lord,’ she bluntly orders, dropping the two carrying cases in her hands on the bed. ‘This requires privacy.’

Ani promptly obeys.

The doctor is all business. She hauls the sheets off of me, and starts attaching remote sensor patches to me. Her usual scan quickly follows. From the scowl on her face, what she sees is not good. The scanner is set aside next and a blanket tucked around me. What? No invasive exams? No prodding?

Reena takes the spot where Ani had been sitting. From one of her bags she pulls out a strange looking arm cuff, a needle and a short length of tubing. Before I can say ouch, the needle is in a vein, the tube attached to it and the cuff, and the cuff securely shut around my arm. Is she ever quick at that. Faster than my mother even.

‘Mobile i.v. pump,’ Reena finally says something to me as she slides a vial into the cuff. The sensation of cool liquid flowing into my arm immediately follows. ‘Now, I want an honest answer from you.’

I nod in agreement. I have nothing to hide.

‘You were fooling around with his Lordship this morning, weren’t you?’ she asks.

I bite my lip, go bright red, and nod again.

‘And for quite a long time, too,’ the doctor astutely concludes.

My cheeks go even redder. No wonder she threw Ani out. He hates having her pry into our private life.

‘The stories about the danger of doing that in the last month are not just folk tales. In some women, it can trigger premature labor,’ she warns me. With a shake of her finger, she adds, ‘I think that this is what happened to you, so there will be no more of that until a month after your son is born.’

The cuff on my arm beeps, so Reena pulls the empty vial out and replaces it with another.

‘I am going to try to stop your labor,’ she tells me, ‘but there are no guarantees the drugs will work.’

I let out a hiss as the next contraction starts. One of Reena’s monitors reacts as well, tracking uterine activity, no doubt.

‘Breathe through it,’ she orders, as Ani had earlier.

Footsteps approach, then stop. I look up. Ani has returned. My poor love, you are feeling every single one of my contractions.

‘Your Lady is doing well, my Lord,’ I hear her tell him. ‘She just started another contraction.’

‘They are approximately thirty minutes apart,’ the Sith Lord volunteers.

I stay silent, concentrating on my breathing. Relax, I scold, breathe, it will end soon.

‘I have given her the first two doses of a tocolytic to try to stop them. She hasn’t dilated yet, so there is a good chance it will be effective,’ she reassures him.

My arm cuff beeps again. A third vial goes into it. The comm chimes so Ani goes to his office to answer it. Twenty minutes later he is back just before the fourth contraction hits. Reena surrenders her spot to him and I feel his arms around me as I try to deal with the pain.

It hurts, Ani, I complain to him, and I can’t really ignore or block it out.

He looks up at Reena and they converse in Huttese for a quite a long time. Another contraction starts and I know that whatever the doctor had tried, failed. Their discussion stops while Ani coaches me through it, but when it is finished, he resumes talking to Reena again. I am too miserable to try finding out what he is hiding from me. The doctor finally answers him with an extremely reluctant nod.

‘Call your brother,’ Ani orders as he eases me back onto the pillows.

Michael? Why does the Sith Lord want him here? I watch Ani go to a compartment and pull out a wooden box. He sets it on the table, opens it and starts removing bottles from it. When he pauses and glances over at me, I know I should do as he asked me to.

I let my eyes close, reach out and call for my brother.

Maia? he finally answers.

Ani needs your help, Michael, I tell him, and so do I.

Soft steps sound as my brother walks from the kitchen into the bedroom. He’s not glowing and his robes are black. I guess Michael is being a Sith Lord for a change. Reena stares at him. Well, I guess it isn’t every day that the doctor meets someone who is as tall and imposing as Ani is.

‘My brother-in-law, Lord Michael,’ the Sith Lord dubs him, obviously picking up on my thought.

I try not to laugh. That was almost as bad as ‘Princess Maia.’

... the heiress of houses... my brother starts to tease.

Cut that out, I scold, or I will start laughing.

We both earn irritated looks from my husband.

Will you two stop that, he orders.

‘I am not an expert in Sith alchemy,’ Ani admits, ‘so you will have to tell me which of these to blend and in what ratios to produce the powerful muscle relaxant that we need.’

He steps back from the table to watch my brother work. Reena hovers about, curious, I suppose, to see exactly what is going on.

Michael examines each of the chemicals separately. Most of them he sets aside immediately.

Toxins, he tells me. Powerful and nasty. There is enough in some of those bottles to kill thousands.

He concentrates on five of the selected bottles. Keeping his hands where Reena can’t see them, Michael pulls the same trick he did before when he was curious about Ani’s concoction. Two more bottles are set aside.

Too dangerous, he decides, they could affect your son.

‘These three,’ Michael tells the Sith Lord, ‘in equal amounts. Give my sister this much of the mixture.’

He uses one of the glass measuring cups to show Ani the proper dosage.

‘If that doesn’t work, the same amount again, but no more than that,’ my brother warns.

Michael retreats from the table so Ani can work and sits next to me on the bed. I just know Reena is bursting with questions, and from her expressions is having a hard time refraining from asking them. Finally she can no longer bear it.

‘My Lord,’ she addresses Michael, ‘what did you decide to use and where did you get your training?’

‘I don’t think I should answer either of those questions,’ my brother evasively replies.

I feel another contraction start.

‘You need to breathe through that,’ Michael orders, then coaches, ‘Use a cleansing breath, then in through your nose, out through your mouth.’

Reena stares at him, then shrewdly notes, ‘You have had some medical training.’

My brother chuckles at that observation. Ignoring her, he sets his hands on my middle, feeling where my son is, and soothing him as the contraction ends. He continues his light touches, checking to see how things are progressing.

‘He hasn’t dropped or turned yet,’ he notes. ‘A breech birth. Not good.’

Cluing in at last, Reena adds, ‘You are a doctor yourself!’

‘And an expert Sith alchemist,’ Ani contributes for good measure.

Ani, I growl in warning.

‘Biochemist,’ my brother gently corrects, ‘with a talent for working with toxins.’

I hear Ani stir Michael’s mixture in one of the larger glass measures. He carefully fills the smaller glass to the line my brother had indicated earlier.

‘Ready to give this a try?’ the Sith Lord asks me.

‘Does it taste nasty?’ I question in return.

‘I have no idea,’ Ani admits as he hands me the glass.

‘Of course it tastes nasty,’ Michael teases. ‘Just like that horrid stuff you made me drink when you were pretending to be a doctor when we were children. My tongue was bright green for days after that.’

That brings a smile to my face. Trust my brother to remember something funny at a time like this. Well, I should check this stuff out before I drink it. I warily take a sniff of the navy blue fluid. It smells sweet, like millaflowers.

‘It smells nice,’ I tell my audience of three. ‘It would make a nice perfume.’

‘You are supposed to drink it, not wear it,’ Ani scolds.

I stare into the glass.

Do I have to? I plaintively ask.

Ani’s fingers brush across my face.

You don’t have to, my little wife, but that will mean ...

... our son will be born too early, I finish for him.

I quickly polish off the blue drink. It tastes sweet, not bitter or nasty. Ani takes the glass from me and three sets of eyes watch me closely.

‘It should take effect pretty soon,’ I hear Michael say.

My eyes start to shut so I snap them open. They gradually close again of their own accord. Sleepy, I decide, it must be late by now and I am getting tired. I feel someone rearrange the pillows and settle me in.

‘Let me set up another i.v. feed,’ Reena decides, ‘she will need that to keep from becoming dehydrated.’

A second needle goes into my arm but I don’t react. There is nothing that could possibly rouse me from the stupor I am in.

A few minutes after that, Ani notes, ‘She should have had another contraction by now.’

Some time later, I wake a little bit and hear him order, ‘Reena, go get some sleep. I will comm you if there is any change.’

‘I doubt that there will be, my Lord,’ she quietly replies. ‘Lord Michael’s mixture seems to have fixed the problem.’

No answer from my brother. I guess he has left, then.

I’m on the floor in Anakin’s office having a nap, he promptly answers. Do you need me?

No, not right now, I decide.

Go to sleep then, he orders. Anakin and I will take turns watching over you.

With that, I do as I am told and go to sleep.

Continued in Section C

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