Six years before; Tatooine’s Dune Sea:

The sandy dunes of the desert planet Tatooine burned with its own heat. Very few people ever ventured out into the Dune Sea; one would have to either be crazy or strong enough to survive its brutal terrain. The one who walked its seas was neither insane or strong; he was adept to climates such as this.

Ulhume Hoth of the extinct Hoth Warrior Clan gazed about himself. The suns were low in the sky and cast dull shadows on the sands. Ulhume glanced up at the suns, recalled his own home planet with its own twin suns, and sighed wearily. For four years of his life, he’d toiled under the hand of Jabba the Hutt, the reigning crimelord in Mos Eisley. Now, at the age of twenty-eight, he’d dared to escape Jabba’s court. Armed with only a staff stolen from a guard and a two thermal detonators, he left by night three days before. No one had come looking for him as of yet and he doubted none would. He was free at last.

His thoughts wandered aimlessly until they fell on a single name: Dirae. Dirae had challenged Jabba’s majordomo, Bib Fortuna, the day of his capture, and like the headstrong fool that she was, swore to set him free from slavery. It had been a long time and Dirae never appeared as his rescuer. He assumed something had happened to her; death, slavery, a dozen notions ran through his head like stampeding bantha. One of his main reasons for escaping was to discover what had become of his family. Traveling to Iridonia wouldn’t prove easy, he knew, but he was willing to take any risks possible to be reunited with his family.

* * * *

Chapter One: A Question of Conscience

Present time; Maul I, Outer Rim:

“You’ve been distant lately, mi laa. Is something troubling you?”

The Sith Lord Darth Maul looked up at his life-mate and loyal apprentice, Dirae. She hovered over him like a spectre sent to ease his troubles. He shook his horned head, eyes closed halfway, his hands slack in his lap. “No, I’m just..tired,” he lied. Dirae gave him a quirky half-smile and sat down in his lap. Maul started slightly.

“You’re lying to me, Khameir,” she said quietly. “What’s really bothering you?”

“I have felt this strange foreboding lately. Like you’re going to leave me soon.” At that, Maul bowed his head against her bosom and sighed heavily, his broad shoulders heaving with the effort. Dirae paused, unsure of how to respond. This is unlike him, she thought. I know he’s possessive of me but now he actually sounds as if he seriously cares beyond possession!

“It is beyond possession, Dirae,” Maul interrupted her thoughts, his voice muffled against her robes. He raised his head to gaze into her eyes. “Despite the rigorious training Sidious put me through, I still retained that small aspect of myself that could still love.”

Dirae found herself at a loss for words. The apprehension he was experiencing because of the sensations he’d been feeling were truly taking their toll on his emotions. Dirae quickly wrapped her arms around Maul and held him to her tightly. How could she leave him? There was nothing for her anywhere. He was her life, her reason for still remaining alive. Her family was gone; killed, thrown into slavery, placed into poverty. The life she led now was the only life she cared to consciously recall. Her past was one of pain and despair. One tragedy after the other, that’s all her past life had been.

“Didn’t I swear to you that I’d never leave? Never become loyal to anyone but you? I am bound to you by our souls, minds, and bodies. Never think I’d desert you,” Dirae said passionately. Maul wound his arms about her waist and nodded against her chest. Desertion seemed a desperate fear for Maul, she realized sadly. She kissed his head softly. “I’m here; I’ll always be here.”

* * * *

Days passed and the conversation about Maul’s feelings was never spoken of again. While he still believed in his premonitions he trusted Dirae’s vow completely. As her master, she was sworn by title to obey him in all things regardless. Only now he felt the extreme need to constantly observe her swell into the same possessiveness of when he’d first claimed her. She was his, only his, and would forever remain his until both met death.

Dirae spent most of her time in their chambers, meditating or honing her lightsaber skills on holographic projections. Maul often lingered in the doorway, watching her, pleased with how well he’d trained her. Though he knew life’s experiences had taught her more than he ever could, especially since they’d encountered some of the most vile people in the galaxy. He’d watched her rise in power for over four years and never ceased to be amazed by her abilities.

On this particular evening, Maul entered the chambers while Dirae was training and shut off the holographic figure before her. Dirae lowered her lightsaber and looked at Maul thoughtfully.

“Is there something wrong?” she asked, flicking her saber off and slipping it back onto her belt. Maul leaned against the wall casually, arms crossed over his broad chest.

“It’s been a long time since we sparred together, Dirae. How can these holograms put you to the test like I can?”

Dirae smiled and sat down on the chair behind her. “Well, I can answer that easily, my lord. The holograms don’t drop everything and take me to bed in the middle of training.”

“Excuse me if the power you put forth to win drives me insane,” Maul remarked in return. Dirae chuckled and stood.

“Then I must have more control over my body than you, my lord,” she stepped up to him and twined her fingers into the lapels of his robes. “Except when you take over, that is.” She leaned forward and kissed him. Maul’s arms uncrossed and pressed her to him. The urge to further express his claim to her swelled inside of him as he lifted Dirae from the floor and carried her to the bed. At times, he would become the tender lover, however, now was a different story. Due to his doubts, he needed to feel he was still in control of their lives together and the best way for him to know this was to take her like he would his opponents.

“Khameir...?” Dirae asked breathlessly as he bit at her neck and clawed her robes apart. “Khameir..wait.” Dirae lifted Maul away from her slightly and looked into his eyes. It was there again. The intense glazed over look of domination; it had been the same look he’d given her the first time. It had excited her then, yet it frightened her now.

Maul blinked his eyes at her slowly, wondering what could be wrong with her. Dirae pressed her palm to his cheek, to which he turned his face into and kissed the surface of her skin. He sighed inwardly. His condition was bothering her; he felt it.

“Khameir...are you still having doubts about my loyalty?” Dirae asked softly. Maul groaned as if in pain and moved away from her to sit on the edge of the bed, his face buried in his hands. Dirae sat up and waited for him to speak. It was a long time before he did.

“Yes. Yes, I suppose I am,” he answered hoarsely. “I shouldn’t doubt your word, but..” His words trailed away as he bowed his head into his hands again. Dirae blew out a deep breath. It wasn’t like him to be so troubled over premonitions. She moved to sit behind him and wrapped her arms about his waist, head resting on his shoulder.

“I told you, Khameir. I’m not going anywhere. There’s nothing for me out there. You’re my life now. You and our mission are all I have left in this galaxy,” she whispered into his shoulder, pausing to kiss the smooth ebony flesh that was exposed. Maul shuddered at the softness of the touch and turned halfway on the bed to face her. His golden predator eyes searched her emerald ones. Dirae took his hands in hers and kissed them.

“I’m always here. I’m not going anywhere,” she told him quietly, pressing his hands to her cheek. Maul found himself without the words to reply and simply placed his forehead to rest against hers.

* * * *

Coruscant, Jedi Temple:

For over five years, Anakin Skywalker had trained under his master and friend, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and in those years he’d learned more than he’d imagined. He knew the two Sith Lords they encountered during their return visit to Tatooine were still alive and somewhere in the galaxy. Yet he tried to not let it bother him, especially when he was able to speak to Padme`, or more correctly know as Queen Amidala of the Naboo. It was a rare privlege Obi-Wan allowed him from time to time and Anakin made the most of every minute.

And on this particular evening, Anakin was walking the corridors alone on his way to the comm chamber. At sixteen, he was developing into a handsome youth with strong shoulders and muscled arms from all of the rigorous training his master put him through. As he walked, his padawan braid bounced against his shoulder, sometimes flying up to whip him in the cheek. He batted it away impatiently and walked into the comm chamber.

He stopped short when he noticed he wasn’t alone. A tall, dark-haired man stood before the comm panel with his hands resting against the smooth surface. He was dressed in the black robes that signified his position as a Jedi Knight. His hair hung down his back in a single ponytail, stopping shy of his thighs. Anakin cleared his throat politely.

The man turned and Anakin could see the crown of horns that adorned his forehead. He’s like Master Eeth! thought in surprise. A...Zabrakian. The man smiled at him patiently and bowed his head.

“Hello, young padawan. Did you want to use the comm?” he swept an elegant hand towards the panel. Anakin nodded. “It is yours.” He stepped aside and left the room. Anakin watched him leave, tilted his head, shrugged, and punched in the correct numbers for Naboo.

* * * *

“Master,” Anakin started later that evening as he and Obi-Wan took their supper in their quarters. Obi-Wan looked up from his food and smiled at the youth. “I saw a man, no a Zabrakian, in the comm room today.”

“Was it Master Eeth?” Obi-Wan asked casually, picking up his fork and stabbing at his meat.

“No, Master Eeth wears brown robes, this one wore black,” Anakin explained. “I’ve never seen him before. Do you have any idea who he is?”

“No, not offhand but I could find out.”

Anakin smiled at his master. “Thanks, Master.”

Obi-Wan returned the smile. He didn’t question why Anakin wanted to know who this mysterious Jedi Knight was, writing it off as a simple curiousity.

* * * *

“Well, I’ve found out who your mystery Jedi was,” Mace Windu said when Obi-Wan had come to the Council Chambers at his friend’s request. “His name’s Ulhume, he was found on Tatooine after escaping from Hutt slavery. He hasn’t taken on a padawan as of yet, which is odd since he’s very strong in the Force. Which isn’t unusual with his being Zabrakian like Master Eeth.”

“Thank you, Master Windu,” Obi-Wan said graciously, bowing as he did so. Mace returned the gesture and allowed Obi-Wan to leave.

Obi-Wan found Anakin in the training facilities exercising with his lightsaber. The padawan immediately ceased all action when he noticed his master walk in. “Hello, Master. What did the Council want?”

“Master Windu just told me who that Jedi was is all,” Obi-Wan replied.

“And?” Anakin pressed.

“And his name is Ulhume. He’s master to none but a very powerful Jedi nonetheless. I find it odd how I’ve never seen him all that often either.”

“Maybe because he’s so good he was sent on a lot of missions,” Anakin suggested, hooking his saber back onto his belt. Obi-Wan shrugged one shoulder. “I’d like to speak to him again. He’s seems very interesting.”

“Just don’t let it interfere with your training, Anakin,” Obi-Wan told the boy. Anakin gave him a lopsided smile and nodded.

“Yes, Master Kenobi.”

* * * *

Maul I

Dirae rose from her place beside Maul’s sleeping form and stole away to the ‘fresher for a quick shower. As she cleaned off the last reminants of her intimacy with Maul, her thoughts traveled back to his words. Indeed, he truly was terrified of losing her, something that struck her as more than odd. It was frightening her. She had always known Maul to be a pillar of strength, one who could be depended upon in times of distress. Now, it was her turn to the pillar and she wasn’t sure if she was ready for that. As much as she loved Maul, she hated to see him in such a weakened state.

Inside the bed chambers, Maul woke, stretched and called for Dirae. Dirae poked her head out of the doorway to the ‘fresher, a towel wrapped about her neck and shoulders.

“Yes, my lord?” she asked, rubbing her long hair free of water droplets. Maul swept his muscular legs over the side of the bed and sat there with the black satin sheets bunched around his middle. He motioned for Dirae to come to him, which she did, and he pulled her into his lap.

“I was just wondering where you were,” he replied, moving her damp hair aside so he could kiss her collarbone. Dirae repressed the erotic shiver that threatened to encompass her rational thoughts and tilted his head from her neck.

“I don’t go very far, Khameir. The ship may be big but my need to be near you is even bigger,” Dirae told him with a soft smile. Maul pressed his face to her ivory skin, inhaling the fresh scent of her skin that was still damp from her shower. The contrast of his dark skin on her pale flesh made them look created for the other, like twin keys to the same door.

Without thinking, Maul traced his tongue over her skin until it found her nipple, to which he sucked between his lips. Dirae sighed heavily and arched her back against his restraining arm. His free hand explored her other breast, then trailed further down her body till he reached the inside of her thighs. He swept his fingers over her skin, feeling her body tremble at the very nearness to her sex. With a savage twist of his waist, Maul threw Dirae onto the bed and hovered above her body, his mouth and hands still ravaging her most secretive areas.

Dirae lifted Maul’s head from her torso and brought him up for a deep, long kiss. As they kissed, he opened his trousers and readied himself to mount Dirae. Dirae sensed his intentions and threw her legs around his waist, eager to ride the sensations only Maul could invoke in her. Whispered words of devotion passed between them as they shared the other’s passions. To Dirae, there was only Maul, her lord and master. To Maul, there was only Dirae, his dark love and apprentice of lust. For them, there was only now.

* * * *

“Master Ulhume?” Anakin peered into the temple’s training center, glancing about for the seclusive Zabrakian Jedi Knight. When he recieved no reply, Anakin backed out of the doorway and promptly bumped into the one he was looking for. Ulhume, who was considerably taller than the youth, looked down at Anakin with a patient smile.

“Yes, young one?” Ulhume asked in his calm voice, folding his hands beneathe his cloak. Anakin stepped back slightly, impressed by the Zabrakian’s size and encompassing calm. In many ways, Anakin was reminded of Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan’s former master.

“I wanted to talk to you, Master Ulhume. Is..is that all right?” Anakin stammered, almost embarassed. Ulhume inclined his head, causing his long ponytail to sway over his shoulder.

“Is there something your master cannot answer for you?” he asked politely. Anakin shook his head quickly.

“Oh no, it’s nothing like that, sir. I was just curious about how you came here. Even my master has never seen you before.”

“Odd. I have seen Obi-Wan many times with his master, Qui-Gon. A shame Qui-Gon’s life had ended the way it did; the Sith are a formidable adversary. One must be cautious when dealing with them,” Ulhume told the youth. Suddenly, Anakin found himself wanting Ulhume as his master instead of Obi-Wan. He bit back the thought, feeling ashamed of himself. Qui-Gon had chosen Obi-Wan to teach him and to deny him that would be a crime to Qui-Gon’s memory.

“I have never wished to take on an apprentice, Anakin,” Ulhume said sadly, reading his thoughts easily.

“Why not, sir?”

“I do not feel I’m the one who should do it, is all. I’ve had a hard life and am beginning to appreciate what I have here in the Temple. Also, I would hate to possibly lose my apprentice, who would undoubtedly become like a son to me. Or a daughter, depending. Now then, what is it you wished to know?” Ulhume placed a tanned hand on Anakin’s shoulder and deftly led the boy away from the training center.

“Simply this, sir: Where do you come from? Why was your life so hard?” Anakin asked almost in a rush. Ulhume’s features turned hard at the questions, as if the memory of his past disturbed him. Fortunately, Anakin didn’t notice the change in Ulhume’s face.

“There is little to tell. I’m possibly one of the last surviving clans from Iridonia, the Zabrakian homeworld. Or, more correctly, one of the last survivors of the long-dead clans of Iridonia. My family was a race of warriors, before the Jedi came to my home and before the Republic. My father was a fine man in his time and he would often tell my sisters and I about the old days, as he put it.”

“Your sisters?” Anakin asked as they walked, glancing up at Ulhume.

“Yes, my younger sister, Dirae, was a headstrong female, always wanting to do the right thing. Pity her temper often got in the way of her judgement. She had a fierce jealousy of the ruling class or as she would say, the rich snobs, and would often get into fights, verbally only mind you, with the daughter of the richest family in Di Espa. Tessla by nature was a callous girl with a better-than-you attitude. I never much liked her either, though once she pursued me. Dirae vanished from the planet after I was taken into slavery on Tatooine,” Ulhume finished with a tight grimace.

“I..I’m from Tatooine!” Anakin gasped. “I was a slave as well, with my mother, until Qui-Gon freed me. Who took you?”

“Jabba the Hutt did. I’d imagine this was when you were very young; it’s been at least ten years since I was last on Tatooine,” Ulhume replied, turning the corridor to enter the galley. They took a seat at an empty table in the corner and resumed their conversation.

“What about your other sister?” Anakin asked as he signaled down a droid and ordered a drink. Ulhume did the same before answering.

“Valdyr was the youngest in my family. My mother died giving birth to her. Almost from day one, she took to Dirae as her surrogate mother, sometimes calling her by the title until she was about three. She was seven when I left. I don’t know what happened to her, Dirae, or my father. Though by now I’d imagine my home has been razed to the ground by the wealth of Iridonia.”

“I hope I don’t lose my mother before I’m ready,” Anakin remarked quietly, staring down at his hands.

“I don’t believe there is a time when one is ready to lose their mother, Anakin. While I believe it was before my mother’s time, she died giving life to a new being whom I loved very much. Valdyr had the most of our mother in her. Dirae was more like...now that I think about it, I don’t know where she got her headstrong attitude. Father was always very peaceful despite being a former warrior.”

Anakin remained silent for a few moments, pondering on his mother’s wellbeing. Ulhume felt his emotions and reached out with a comforting Force wave.

“If my memory serves me correctly, Anakin, you and your master have returned to Tatooine already. Was your mother not well then?”

“Oh no, she was fine. Only..” Anakin paused. Ulhume waited patiently. “The Sith attacked us, intent on killing my master. They threatened my mother. I was hurt in the battle but it was worth it just knowing I’d put a serious hurting on the Sith female!” His voice rose in pitch, as did his anger.

Ulhume chose not to comment on the boy’s uncontrolled fury. “There was more than one that attacked you?”

“Yes, the one that killed Qui-Gon and his female apprentice. She seemed to want to kill us both very badly. I know Master Kenobi killed her master the first time; maybe she was out for revenge?”

“It seems a very Sith-like thing for them to do,” Ulhume muttered. “Do you know their titles?”

“The female was called Darth Trator and the male was Darth Maul. I remember hearing her scream for him after I injured her. He never said her name, though,” Anakin explained. Ulhume steepled his fingers and rested his forehead against them.

“Have you seen them since?” he asked quietly. Anakin shook his head. “Do you know where they are?” Again, Anakin didn’t know. Ulhume sat in silence and at length he rose. “I have some things to tend to, Anakin. It was nice speaking with you.”

“It was an honor, sir,” Anakin said, quickly standing as well. Ulhume bowed his head and left the galley. Anakin tipped the serving droids and returned to his training.

* * * *

Ulhume retreated to his quarters and fell onto his bed breathlessly. His heart was racing rapidly, his body hot. He threw off his black robes and lay there in his tunic and trousers. In the back of his mind he recalled the lithe Sith Lord on Tatooine. It had been an accidental meeting.

Tatooine, twelve years earlier:

Ulhume trudged after the rest of the slaves in Jabba’s employment, his back weighted down with trundles of merchandise from the marketplace. Because he was the tallest of the slaves, Ulhume was given the job of lugging the heavier objects; namely which consisted of Jabba’s “delicacies”. Small as the toad-like creatures were, packed together tightly, dead, proved to be quite a haul for the young Zabrakian.

Ulhume found himself lagging behind the rest of the slaves. He didn’t hurry to catch up to them, either. He waited until Bib Fortuna, Jabba’s majordomo, was out of sight before dropping the load of dead creatures onto the sands and sitting on top of it. He swiped at his brow with the back of his sleeve. Even being raised on Iridonia did little to help Ulhume to sustain the scorching heat of the Dune Sea. His eyes traveled the landscape lazily for a few moments. The glimmer of steel caught his eye. He squinted, wondering if it was an illusion or a real object. Waves of heat swelled from below the glinting steel transport that steadily came towards him. A black-cloaked figure sat in the crescent-shaped seat, his hands on the steering bars, his booted feet on the twin foot-rests at the hull of the transport. Ulhume stood with his hand above his eyes to sheild them from the blinding dual sunlight.

The transport drew ever closer until it was near enough for Ulhume to fully make out the driver. His face was hidden behind a black hood yet Ulhume was able to catch glimpses of red mixed with black on the skin’s surface. Suddenly, the vessel stopped and the rider dismounted gracefully despite the billowing black robes that concealed his body. Ulhume repressed a shiver of delight and dared stare into the face of his visitor. Golden feral eyes met his dark ones, one wider than the other as if he was scrutinizing a foreign object.

Silence dragged between them, neither knowing exactly why they stared. Ulhume took a step forward to the silent figure, his hand outstretched. He found himself mesmorized by the other’s presence, seduced by the power that exuded from his every pore. The figure glanced down at Ulhume’s hand, then back up at him, and abruptly turned away to return to his transport. Ulhume felt this tearing sensation in his mind, as if he’d just been seperated from his flesh. The pain! Never before had he felt such pain at having someone turn away from him, especially one such as this one.

“Don’t leave!” Ulhume cried out hoarsely, stumbling towards the cloaked man. The figure paused, drew away his hood, and faced Ulhume. Ulhume supressed a gasp of surprise. This...creature was breath-takingly exotic in appearence. He reached out with his trembling hand again and dared to touch the ebony surface of the man’s throat. Thick muscles flexed as the man swallowed, the very motion sending an erotic thrill up Ulhume’s spine and into his loins. Never before had he found a man so beautiful, so animalistic in nature, so powerful in presence.

“I’d advise you to leave while you are able,” the man said, his voice a rich symphony of sound. “I am not what you percieve me to be.” With that, he replaced his hood, mounted his transport, and flew away into the distance. Ulhume watched him leave, and, while still gazing at the horizon, sank to his knees and wept.

* * * *

Since that time, Ulhume had been unable to love a woman or even another man. His desire sang only for the touch of the man with no name. However, he recalled the Jedi Council’s description of the Sith warrior and it matched that of his encounter perfectly. Darth Maul...Maul. Ulhume rolled onto his stomach, clutching the sheets between his fingers. He could still feel Maul’s skin on his fingertips; the smooth, unblemished darkness that had made his own skin seem white in comparison.

The same hand that had touched Maul’s flesh strayed beneathe Ulhume’s belly until it made contact with the fire in his loins. Visions of the deadly and forbidden Sith Lord flashed through his mind as he eased the ache in his body. He shifted over onto his back, one hand still between his now slightly-parted thighs and the other softly caressing his well-shaped torso. His fingers slipped under his tunic to trace the chiseled lines of his chest muscles as his other hand delved under the waistband of his trousers. He drew in a sharp breath as his fingers trailed over the velvet-smoothness of his manhood. In his mind, it was Maul who stroked him in one dusky hand while the other slid over his chest. Ulhume arched his back, his mouth positioned as if to kiss someone not there. A low strangled sound escaped his throat as his climax was achieved.

Maul......

End Chapter One

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter Two: Cruelties of the Heart

Maul sat staring out into the stars, hands folded in his lap, his posture relaxed for the first time in a few days. He had convinced himself that his premonitions had been false. Dirae was his apprentice, his...property...no. Maul leaned forward and placed his hands on the control panel. Property wasn’t the correct term, he knew that. Love was a word he used sparingly, except in her presence, yet even then it was a rariety. His bare fingers trailed over the controls as if seeking an escape from their daily routine. For the past five years, his life had been trying, a constant battle between what he’d been taught as a child under Sidious’ tutelage and what he’d learned from his time with Dirae. His loyalty to the ways of the Sith order remained one of the only clear things in his mind.

The doors swished open behind him and Dirae walked in. She paused when she saw Maul with his head bowed in his hands at the controls. From their mindlink she felt his indecision, to what she didn’t know. She placed a hand on his shoulder, to which he raised his head but didn’t look at her.

“Dirae,” he said hoarsely, barely loud enough for her to hear. Perturbed, she knelt down beside him, placed her hands on his knees, and gazed up into his face. He kept his eyes forward as he found her face with his hand. He caressed her skin with his fingertips silently. Although Dirae savored the feel of his skin on hers, she felt the need to speak.

“Khameir.....?” she whispered questioningly. Now he turned his golden gaze to her and she could see how they glistened with moisture. He’s..he’s crying? Dirae thought, her own eyes widening.

Maul suddenly moved down onto the floor with her and embraced her tightly, his face buried in her unbound hair. Dirae wound her arms around him, kissing his head gently. Her hands stroked his strong back as he shuddered with the restrained flood of tears that now flowed freely from his body. Steadily, her skin grew damp from his tears, yet to her it felt like a warm bath of pure emotion. For many moments they remained like that, with Dirae sometimes whispering reassuring words into Maul’s ear.

When he drew away from Dirae he stared into her eyes. “You have given me something I thought I had lost,” he started huskily. “After my family deserted me on Iridonia, I was left alone, completely alone. Sidious had become something of a father to me, albeit not the best. He taught me to survive, to use what I felt I had been born with. The truth is..I’m not Zabrakian.” Dirae blinked, quite startled. Maul nodded, swallowed thickly, then continued. “I don’t know where I come from. I don’t know what I am. I can barely remember my parents’ faces. Sidious served to give me purpose and a life’s mission. You have given me the reason to live it to the end. The Jedi would only seek to take you from me and I will not let that happen.”

“They’ve tried, Khameir, and they’ve failed. I’m here for as long as you need me,” Dirae said softly, kissing him face in various places then lastly his lips. The same possessiveness Maul had displayed in the past was absent as he responded to the kiss. For the first time, Dirae felt the love instead of the possession.

* * * *

Ulhume rose from his erotic dreams when he heard a knock at his door. After ordering the lights to be lit, he answered the slight insistant knocking. The doors swished open to reveal Obi-Wan, a stern businesslike look on his handsome features.

“Master Ulhume, we’ve been summoned to the Jedi Council for an immediate conference.,” Obi-Wan explained before Ulhume could speak.

“Yes, of course. I’ll join you in a moment, Master Kenobi,” he replied somewhat breathlessly. Obi-Wan pretended not to notice the tone the other man was using and left the doorway. Ulhume shut the doors, blew out a breath, and prepared himself for the meeting with the Council.

* * * *

When the three Jedi arrived in the Council chambers, the twelve members looked at them as one. Ulhume bowed his head in the deepest respect to his own master, Eeth, as Obi-Wan and Anakin bowed to Master Yoda and Master Windu.

“Ulhume, I wish to speak with you privately,” Eeth said to his apprentice. Ulhume nodded and allowed his master to lead him from the chambers. Anakin glanced behind him with a puzzled expression on his face. Mace cleared his throat, bringing the boy’s attention back to the front.

“While Master Eeth speaks to his student, we’ll tell you why the three of you have been brought here,” Mace said. “There have been some reports of the Sith orbiting the Outer Rim; we want you to go there and eliminate any threats they may pose.”

“Of course, Master Windu, we’ll see to it at once,” Obi-Wan said graciously. Yoda cast his green gaze to Anakin, who had his head lowered, the obvious hatred for the Sith screaming from his body.

“Your hatred is apparent, young Skywalker,” Yoda said musingly. Anakin lifted his head to stare at the small alien.

“They almost killed my mother; how else am I to feel towards them?” he bit back. Obi-Wan cast a displeased look at his unruly apprentice. Yoda sighed heavily, one three-fingered hand resting on his brow. He decided not to press the matter at the moment, instead allowing Obi-Wan to discipline the boy later. Mace spoke again.

“Report the skydocks in four hours. A transport will be waiting for you there. I trust you can pilot it efficiently, Anakin?”

“Yes, sir,” Anakin relplied tightly, glaring at the walls behind the masters’ heads. Obi-Wan bowed to the masters, gave Anakin a sharp glance, then left the chambers. Anakin cast a quick look at Yoda and Mace before following his master.

* * * *

Meanwhile, on the terrace overlooking the city, Ulhume and Eeth were talking quietly.

“I’m curious as to why I have been chosen to accompany Obi-Wan and his apprentice, Master,” Ulhume said. Eeth folded his hands beneathe his sleeves.

“Because you haven’t been out on the battlefield, so to speak,” he replied. “Experience will help you to become a better Jedi.”

Inside, Ulhume felt a perverse joy at being able to cast his adoring eyes on Maul’s perfection. He kept his thoughts safely blocked from his master’s mind probes; revealing something like that would surely have him sent from the Temple for dishonor and disloyalty.

“Why can’t you come with me, Master?” Ulhume asked softly. He looked up to Eeth very much, knowing his family was one of the greatest back on Iridonia.

“I am needed on the Council, Ulhume. I trust your abilities and your judgement to do the right thing for the safety of the galaxy.” Eeth’s sincere words cut into Ulhume’s heart; he knew if he didn’t control his lust for the Sith Lord he would severely displease his master and betray his trust.

“Yes, Master,” Ulhume said quietly. Eeth saw the young man’s unease and embraced him gently. With them, it was more than a master/apprentice relationship; Ulhume looked to Eeth like a son would a father and vice-versa. Ulhume bowed his head to meet his master’s shoulder, knowing if he dared to act upon his desires he would never again recieve this kind of comfort.

* * * *

Four hours later found the three Jedi boarding the specialized Republic cruiser. Obi-Wan hated going to the Outer Rim; the astroid fields were enough to cripple a ship within two minutes and the strange gravitational pull of the numerous moons surrounding Endor would often cause a ship to crashland and become stranded. Yet he also understood why the Sith had chosen it. Undoubtedly, their ship was a first-class cruiser with all of the advanced technology available to man. Obviously, the Sith do not experience budget cuts, Obi-Wan thought bitterly.

Anakin strode past him with a few travel bags loaded onto his back. He paused to look at his sour-faced master and surpressed a smile. “Is there a problem, Master?” he asked, trying very hard to hide his amusement. Obi-Wan muttered a response and stalked into the ship. Anakin chuckled and followed. Behind them, Ulhume hung back, contemplating whether or not he should go with them. My lust will be the end of this mission, I know it, he thought sadly. I have become a Jedi for all the wrong reasons.

Inside the ship, Anakin was familiarizing himself with the ship’s controls. He mumbled the functions of each button and switch to himself, making mental notes in case of emergency. Beside him, Obi-Wan tended to the observation scopes.

“I hate the Outer Rim,” he murmured to himself. Anakin stopped what he was doing to smile at his master.

“It’s not that bad, Master. I was born there, you know,” he said. “I can fly us into whatever space or atmosphere the Sith have chosen.”

“I don’t doubt that you can, Anakin. I just don’t enjoy being there,” Obi-Wan remarked curtly. Anakin shrugged indifferently and resumed his work. Obi-Wan excused himself and left the cockpit. Over the comm, the skydock gave Anakin permission to leave airspace. He responded in kind and flipped the necessary switches that would release the vessel from the skypad. The low hiss of tubes leaving dockholes filled the air around the ship. Next to being a Jedi, Anakin loved to fly. It reminded him so much of his old podracing days back on Tatooine. Although, piloting a star cruiser was by far much more enjoyable.

* * * *

Maul I

“Did you want to stop anywhere, Khameir? We can’t orbit forever,” Dirae remarked. Maul thought for a moment then nodded.

“What are we the closest to?” he asked, leaning on his hands on the control panel to peer at the digital destination routes readout. Dirae punched in a few codes and an image of a blue planet came into view.

“Endor is the closest. Or more correctly, the moon is closest. It’s inhabitable. Care to go there for awhile?” Dirae looked to her master for confirmation. Nodding again, Maul sat down in the co-pilot’s chair.

“I could use some outside training. The centers onboard aren’t half as satisfying.” He leaned back in the chair, hands folded over his chest. Dirae busied herself with the controls as he closed his eyes and snoozed for a few minutes. Dirae glanced at him and smiled. Since his confession he’d become somewhat laidback in her presence. She hoped it wouldn’t carry into battle with him; she still relied very heavily on his skills above her own.

“You ever wonder what happened to your family, Dirae?” Maul asked suddenly. Dirae turned her eyes from the viewscreen. His eyes remained closed as he spoke. “Didn’t you leave Iridonia because of your family?”

Dirae considered his question. “Yes and no. I murdered the woman who killed my younger sister, Valdyr. Tessla, the one who broke Valdyr’s neck, deserved the death I gave her.”

Maul opened his eyes to stare at Dirae, who was seated with her hands balled into tight fists in her lap. Her shoulders shook with the memory of Valdyr’s murder. “How did you kill her?” he asked quietly.

“I had no control. The power was raw, unfocused. I only knew hate, hate for her and what she’d done to my sister. She would often mock my family, who was at one time greater than her own. She was a little rich girl who had everything handed to her on a silver platter; I was the poor wretch from a long-disbanded race of warriors. To her, my only purpose was to stand there and allow her to use me as a mat in which to wipe her boots on,” Dirae replied tightly.

“So it was your raw Force abilities that killed her?”

“Yes. I remember the rush I felt when it happened; it was so intoxicating, so overwhelming. I felt it again when I met you,” she confessed. Maul leaned over to place one of his hands over hers.

“You make a very worthy apprentice and Sith Lord, Dirae,” he told her sincerely. Dirae bowed her head in respect.

“Thank you, my lord,” she replied then looked up. “We’re coming upon Endor. Let’s leave this thing on autopilot and head back to bed.” She cast him a sly glance and ran out of the cockpit. Maul hastily flipped the auto switch and chased after her.

* * * *

Maul I landed in a secluded open-field in the midst of a thick forest, barely a few feet from a large impressive waterfall and lagoon. Dirae stretched her arms to the sky as they descended the boarding ramp. Maul stared up into the sunlit trees, feeling a strange sense of peace on this lush planet. He frowned slightly, not used to such a feeling.

“Even Sith need a vacation, my lord,” Dirae quipped, reading his thoughts easily. Maul raised a quizzical eyebrow her way and she smiled. “Come on, that waterfall sounds delicious. I’m going to have a look at the layout of the land. Have the droids set up the shelter while I’m gone.”

“I hope this one will be better than the one we used on Iridonia,” Maul remarked dryly while tapping out the correct commands for the droids on his wristlink. Dirae laughed and walked away, waving a hand behind her.

“I leave that up to you, Khameir.”

Maul grumbled under his breath as the first wave of droids marched out of the ship, each mechanical being loaded down with building supplies. He instructed them to work on a portion of the clearing, west of the ship. They obeyed quickly. Maul sighed inwardly, removed his cloak, and breathed in a deep breath of air. While Dirae was thrilled about the water nearby, he was looking forward to navigating through the dense forests. He tossed the robe behind him carelessly, then loosened his belt. In this kind of heat, he knew he’d dehydrate quickly if he trained in full uniform. After placing his tunic, outer-tunic, and boots beside his discarded robe, Maul stretched a little. He relished the feel of his well-trained muscles as they pulled at each other, the power of his body simply intoxicating. Combined with his Force abilities, his physical prowess was unmatched.

Satisfied with his brief warm-up, he raced away from the ship, enjoying the feel of the soft grass beneathe his bare feet. Leaves grazed his arms, legs, and chest as he fled through the low-hanging brush. The coolness of their touch led a dampening effect to his quickly heated body. Refreshing sweat trickled down his forehead, between his pectorals, then down his thickly muscled legs. His eyes spied a clump of tree roots in his path and he forward-flipped over them, using his Force powers to levitate briefly in the air. For the remainder of his run, he flipped, kicked, cartwheeled in the air, and slashed at the foliage with his lightsaber fully ignited.

The end of the forest was in sight, as was the lagoon by the waterfall. With a loud battle cry he lept into the water, startling nearby waterfowl in his wake. Across the lagoon, behind the waterfall, Dirae peered through the water from the deep caves that led into the mountain. She noticed the disturbance in the once-still water. She watched the water settle then waited to see what had disturbed it in the first place. Suddenly, Maul erupted from the water, his arms spread-eagled from his body, his head thrown back in a primal howl. Shivers ran up and down Dirae’s spine and she held herself against the sudden chill of the water. But it wasn’t the water that gave her these sensations, it was the sound Maul had made. Whatever species he was, she suspected they were a very warrior-like race of beings. This hadn’t been the first time she’d heard him give off a primitive scream during his outdoor training. It seemed to invigorate him, lending age-old sensations to his drive to be the best.

When Dirae looked to the water again, Maul had vanished. Curious and more than a little cautious, she stepped out of the caves. Her eyes gazed over the water’s surface, hoping to see a sign of his departure. A small ripple on the water was the only evidence she found. Reaching out with her mind, she located him sitting on the banks of the lagoon. Carefully, she climbed up the rockface to peer at him from on high. Her breath drew in fast when she took him in.

He was naked.

Dirae perched on a flat hanging rock and observed Maul as he sat cross-legged on the stony shore. His head was bowed almost low enough to reach his chest, his eyes closed. She could feel his power from where she crouched, feeling herself become immersed in its energy. Small pebbles bounced away from her rock to land in the water in front of Maul’s resting place. His eyes opened to stare at the ripples the pebble created, then looked up to where Dirae was hiding. He lifted one hand to beckon her down from her spot, which she obeyed hastily. She paused in the densely forested area beside her rock perch to disrobe. Naked, she dove into the deepest part of the water and swam to where her master was sliding into the shallow part of the lagoon. He waited for her to rise from the water, her body sliding up against his as she wrapped her arms around his neck and drew him down for a kiss.

Maul twined his fingers in her damp hair, pressing against the back of her neck as he hungrily ravaged her mouth with his lips, teeth, and tongue. He relished the feel of her skin against his own hot flesh, the taste of her lips upon his own, and the quickness in his blood everytime she pressed herself against him.

Maul paused in the kiss long enough to whisper in her ear huskily, “I want to love you in the waterfall...I want to hear you scream my name so it echoes in the air.” Dirae nodded drowsily, completely lost in his power. Maul lifted her into his arms and carried her into the water towards the falls. He set her down under the falls and immediately began kissing her again. Her nails clawed desperately at his back as he devoured her lips with his savage kisses. As the water ran over their bodies, concealing all from any prying eyes that might be present, they expressed their dark love to each other.

Hours later, Dirae was stretched out on the shore sunbathing. Maul’s robe covered her nudity as she enjoyed the warm Endor sun. Maul was still lounging in the waterfalls, obviously enjoying the feel of the water on his skin. Dirae watched him from half-closed eyes, a slow lazy smile curving her silver lips. He’s so beautiful.. she thought to herself with a contented sigh. And nothing could take him away from me.

* * * *

For four days, the Jedi’s ship circled the Outer Rim’s boundaries. Obi-Wan was growing impatient with the mission, believing the Sith had moved since they arrived. His fingers tapped lazily on the wall of the cockpit. Anakin had left the ship on auto-orbit around the Rim’s boundaries. The boy himself was asleep in his quarters, exhausted from the constant survellience he kept over the planets below. Ulhume had remained in his own quarters since they’d left Coruscant. This presented a sense of unease in Obi-Wan. He knew masters were known to meditate for long periods of time, but over four days’ worth? The growing sensation of doubt clouded his mind, his thoughts constantly pondering reasons for Ulhume’s behavior.

The cockpit doors opened and Anakin walked in, stretching and yawning. He rubbed at his eyes, tossed his braid over his shoulder, and squinted at the navi-grid. “We’re about...a day shy of Endor, Master. Annnnd..” he tapped a few random keys, still staring at the grid. “sensors detect a large vessel on the surface east of the largest settlement on the planet. Could it be them?” He cast his blue eyes on Obi-Wan.

“It’s possible. Prepare the ship for descend; I have to speak to Master Ulhume before we land,” Obi-Wan instructed and left the cockpit. Anakin nodded his assent and returned to viewing the grids.

Obi-Wan stalked through the short corridors towards Ulhume’s chambers. As he neared the doors, he felt a strong disturbance in the Force. It felt like indecision, unease, and....lust? Obi-Wan frowned thoughtfully, and, doing a very un-Jedi thing, pressed his ear to the door. He heard Ulhume’s faint sighs drift through the durasteel doors. Embarassed by his behavior, Obi-Wan stepped away from the doors and recollected himself. Perhaps Ulhume was melancholy over something that caused him to sigh sadly. Whatever it was, Obi-Wan felt it would reveal itself sooner than he cared to know.

* * * *

The Jedi landed on Endor’s forest moon late the next day. Anakin deftly guided the sleek vessel into a clearing five miles from the Sith ship. Ulhume emerged from his quarters as soon as the ship landed, walking ahead of his fellow Jedi. His black robes unfurled from his broad shoulders, revealing the slim handle of his lightsaber hooked to his belt. His tan hands remained hidden in his sleeves; Obi-Wan was sure they were trembling. He pushed his thoughts to the back of his mind and started out after the hurried Zabrakian.

“Is there something wrong, Master?” Anakin asked in a low whisper, leaning close to Obi-Wan as they walked.

“I hope not, Anakin. The last thing we need is another problem. These Sith have caused us enough trouble; the Council wishes us to take at least one of them in, or both if possible. We both know this will be a difficult thing to do, however, do your best and remember your training,” Obi-Wan ordered firmly, trying to sound as stern as possible. He couldn’t let Anakin know of his fears about Ulhume; the boy seemed to admire the tall Zabrakian Jedi, it would be a crime to tell him.

“I understand, Master,” Anakin replied, hardening his features and keeping his hand on the hilt of his lightsaber. Obi-Wan kept his own hand at his side, ready to retrieve his saber when necessary. Ulhume didn’t appear to be very alarmed or on his guard. Obi-Wan decided to take it upon himself to watch the man’s back, just in case.

* * * *

Maul wandered out of the lagoon and climbed onto the rocky shores to swipe himself dry with his hands. Dirae had retreated to the shelter to rest. For the past seven days, they had expressed their love for the other many times. Now, she was exhausted from the physical exertion and perferred to rest for a few hours before partaking of Maul’s passions once more. Maul himself felt as though he could hold out for hours. Indeed, his physical prowess was something to be witnessed.

Suddenly, his Force-tuned abilities picked up on a strange sensation nearing the lagoon. He reached out, eyes closed against the power of the Dark Side, and searched out his invaders quickly. His feral eyes snapped open and a slow growl emitted from his throat.

“Jedi....” he hissed, snatching up his dualsaber and running into the forest. Inside the shelter, Dirae awoke to the sensation of Maul’s anger and quickly dressed, hurrying outside with her saber drawn. She stopped in her tracks when she felt a familiar consciousness along with the twin foreign ones. It can’t be...! With Force-assisted steps, Dirae practically flew through the forest after her master.

“Stop.”

Ulhume’s hand outstretched alongside him to prevent Obi-Wan and Anakin from pressing further into the forest. “I can feel them. Seperate and attack on all sides; there are only two while we are three.” The two Jedi nodded agreement and went east and west. Ulhume withdrew his saber, ignited the pale golden blade, and took his battle stance. Darth Maul...to defeat my passion for you, I will bring you down.

Obi-Wan leaped into a tree’s lower limbs and crouched low behind the dense leaves. He held his unlit saber in his right hand while the left kept his balance on the limb. A darting motion farther into the foliage made him start. It wasn’t an animal he knew that much; it was humanoid and very, very fast. Only one creature moved that fast. It was the female Sith. Obi-Wan prepared himself for her arrival, his nerves and muscles tense enough to snap.

Trator burst through the clearing. Obi-Wan sprang from the tree, lightsaber flashing in the dusky air. Trator whipped her head around in time to see the Jedi bearing down on her. Her own saber swished to life, its purple blade singing in the air as it flew towards Obi-Wan’s saber beam. Force-lightning sizzled from her body as she snarled at the Jedi before her. Her hatred for him flowed so freely it threatened to encompass them both.

Obi-Wan parried her blows as quickly as he could, knowing her lightsaber skills weren’t as great as his. Suddenly, her saber beam vanished and he felt himself being slammed into a tree. Dazed, he reached out to the living Force, trying to retaliate the attack. No good. Trator’s dark Force pressed him against the trunk of the ancient tree mercilessly. Trator approached him slowly, her eyes gleaming in the near-darkness.

“I have had enough of you meddling Jedi,” she hissed, snatching up his chin to glare into his defiant blue eyes. Her nails scored gashes on his skin. “You seek to take my lord and master from me again, Kenobi. It won’t happen. You’ll be dead before you lay another hand on him!”

“I am not alone, Trator,” Obi-Wan said through clenched teeth, his eyes lifting to the air above her. Trator caught his look, released his face, and whirled around in time to kick Anakin in the midsection, sending him far from where she stood.

“No, but you will be in a moment, Jedi,” Trator said coldly and stalked to where the youth lay in the dirt. Anakin sprang forward to tackle Trator around the middle, hauling both of them to the ground. Trator howled in fury and brought the heel of her hand forward to slam into Anakin’s chin. He fell from her, yelping in pain. Trator stood and flung the boy far from her. In the distance she heard the sthud of his body against the rocks. Satisfied, she returned to where she had left Obi-Wan.

He was gone.

Trator screamed in a blind rage. “Jedi! I will kill you, I swear it! Only when I feel your blood on my hands, taste it on my tongue, will my revenge be complete!” Her cries echoed in the still twilight.

“That is something you will never experience.” Obi-Wan dropped onto Trator from above, causing her to slam her forehead against a jutting rock. She grunted in pain before passing out. Obi-Wan checked to see if she still lived and hurried away to find Anakin.

Anakin was stumbling through the foliage when his master came upon him. “Master! You’re all right!” he exclaimed, rushing forward. Obi-Wan nodded curtly, threw a look over his shoulder, then turned his gaze back to his Padawan.

“Darth Maul is here somewhere. And where is Master Ulhume? We need him!”

“He remained behind when we seperated,” Anakin said. Both Jedi shared a quick glance, nodded once, then raced as one to where the Zabrakian Jedi Knight stood.

* * * *

Ulhume felt the sweat trickle down his forehead as the power of Maul approached him. His throat ran dry no matter how many times he swallowed. I must control my need for him! My master’s trust relies upon it! he thought feverently.

The low sound of a gutteral growl close to his head made the Jedi Knight turn. His dark eyes met that with those of Maul’s golden ones. The eyes narrowed dangerously. Ulhume stepped away from the Sith Lord, his lightsaber held weakly before him. He’s..he’s so beautiful! Ulhume’s thoughts betrayed his disciplinary training. I must have him!

“You do not belong here, Jedi,” Maul growled, so low it sent shivers up Ulhume’s body. Fire ignited in his loins, making him groan with the emotional and sexual pain of the sensations. Maul ignored Ulhume’s moans and grabbed the taller man by the throat. His gaunlet-clad hand closed over Ulhume’s windpipe loosely.

“Where is my apprentice?” he demanded, loudly this time. “You have dared to intrude on this sacred rite of a Sith master and his apprentice; for that you and your Jedi friends will die a slow, agonizing death.”

Ulhume’s knees buckled beneathe him and he fell to the ground, his hands closing around Maul’s wrist. His tongue darted out to wet his dry lips as he spoke hoarsely. “Forgive me...I only wished to..” His words were cut off by Obi-Wan and Anakin’s cries.

“Master Ulhume!” Anakin screamed, rage igniting in his veins. Obi-Wan felt the same icy hatred he’d felt the first time he’d seen the Sith Lord. No use supressing it now, he thought bitterly. Qui-Gon...forgive me..

Before any of the men could make a move, Trator jumped down from a nearby tree, her saber lit once again and ready for battle. “My lord!” she screamed, racing towards him. Maul whipped his head around to see Dirae approaching him, the malice in his eyes melting away only slightly at the sight of her. She’s safe..! he thought. His moment of pause gave Ulhume the advantage. He regained his wits and hauled the smaller man into the air. Maul growled and flipped free of the Jedi’s grasp. He delivered a harsh kick to Ulhume’s face, sending the Jedi into a spin. He crashed to the ground in front of Dirae.

“They’re like insects, my lord,” she said coldly, reaching down to grab a handful of Ulhume’s long dark hair. She brought his head up so she could see his face. Whatever color that could be seen behind her facepaint washed away when she realized who she was holding.

“Gods...Ulhume!”

End Chapter Two

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter Three: Save Me from Myself

Dirae released Ulhume’s head, catching him around the torso before he fell. “Ulhume! Ulhume, speak to me, brother!” Ulhume opened his eyes slowly and choked out a hoarse “Dirae..”

Dirae sobbed abruptly and bowed her head into the folds of Ulhume’s Jedi robes. Ulhume embraced his sister, forgetting the fact she was a Sith Lord and their mortal enemy. Behind them, Maul, Obi-Wan, and Anakin shared mutual shock at the scene before them.

“Dirae...Master Ulhume mentioned his sister’s name to be Dirae,” Anakin mumured to Obi-Wan. “I think this is the same sister.”

Obi-Wan didn’t reply, feeling no words would explain his utter shock. Silence followed Anakin’s words for many minutes. The slow almost mournful growl that formed deep in Maul’s throat was what broke the deafening silence.

Dirae heard him and raised her head from Ulhume’s shoulder. Her facepaint was streaked with her tears, creating silvery rivers that traveled down her cheeks. Her heart felt torn. She slowly released her brother, finally taking in his black Jedi robes, beige tunic and pants that ended in the customary brown travel boots. Her hands pressed against her mouth, her lips opened in a silent scream. He’s a Jedi Master! Not just a lowly Knight or apprentice, a master! The realization struck her roughly and she fled from her brother’s side to cling to Maul’s bare body tightly. She hid her face against his muscled chest, sobbing silently. Maul held her to him, glaring at the three Jedi with more fury than before.

“Leave.” The single command, followed with a flow of dark Force energy made the Jedi turn and head back to their ship. Ulhume fought the power long enough to cast a saddened look Dirae’s way. Maul’s silent glare shattered Ulhume’s heart into pieces; he never wished for the majestic Sith Lord to look upon him in such a manner. One last longing look and he was gone.

* * * *

Maul carried Dirae back to the shelter and laid her down on the bed. He gently unbound her hair and let it drape over her sobbing frame lightly. He sifted his fingers through her hair, caressing her back as he did so. The pain emitting from her heart was enough to make Maul tremble. He wished he knew how to comfort her, but no words could come to his aide, no soft reassuring touches that promised everything would turn out well. For the first time in his time as a Sith, he felt powerless.

He remained by her side for hours, never taking his eyes away from her even as she cried herself to sleep. He gently lifted her from the bed, laid back the sheets with his mind, then placed her down again softly, this time on her back. He climbed into the bed beside her, his arms holding her gently, his head bowed against her shoulder. The weakness inside of him threatened to make his willpower snap and then tears would flow from his eyes once more. With a strangled moan, he cluthced at Dirae’s sleeping body. He needed her awake now, to be the one to hold and caress him, telling him he hadn’t lost her and never would. He silent please went unheard and soon, he too fell into an uneasy slumber.

Anakin had kept the ship immobile at Obi-Wan’s orders. Anakin remained in the cockpit, his head in his hands. The emotional overload of the night’s earlier discovery remained with him still. Memories of leaving his mother flooded his mind. He understood the Sith’s pain, he realized. Despite the fact she tried to kill me and my mother, I feel her pain. he thought sadly. He swiped at the tears that dripped down his cheeks, impatient with these feelings. She was his enemy! He had to bear that in mind despite the relationship she shared with Master Ulhume.

Master Ulhume...imagine how he must be feeling right now? His way of life prevents him from being reunited with his sister, the same sister he spoke of with love and tenderness on Coruscant. Anakin leaned back in the pilot’s chair with a long, dragged-out sigh. Whatever happened now would surely determine Ulhume’s future as a Jedi Master.

Elsewhere in the ship, Obi-Wan was speaking to Ulhume. He ignored the fact that Ulhume outranked him considerably and set to scolding him as he would his own child.

“You didn’t act when you had the chance; he was right in front of you! Practically defenseless!” Obi-Wan normally calm voice carried in Ulhume’s chambers, their echoes bouncing off the walls to repeat themselves in Ulhume’s ears. Ulhume sat across from Obi-Wan, his head down and body slack, listless. He didn’t seem to hear the outraged words of the Jedi Knight. His thoughts remained on Dirae. And Maul, regretfully.

Obi-Wan regarded Ulhume, his gaze stony and resolute. Ulhume still didn’t speak or look up. His shame lingered in the atmosphere. Obi-Wan sighed, pressing three fingers to his forehead. “Fine. We’ll return to the Temple and--”

“We’re not going anywhere,” Ulhume said firmly, interrupting Obi-Wan’s tirade. He lifted his dark eyes to meet Obi-Wan’s crystaline ones. Obi-Wan felt himself shrink back from the man’s hard, steady gaze. The Zabrakian Jedi rose to his full height of six-feet-seven inches and stood before the smaller man who challenged him. “My sister is here on this planet and I’m not leaving without her.”

“But she is a Sith!” Obi-Wan protested.

“That is irrelevent!” Ulhume shouted harshly, stepping forward a bit to glare Obi-Wan in the eyes. “I am not leaving this planet unless she is with me. You may leave if you wish, but I am staying.” His voice lowered to a growl, which surprised and partially frightened Obi-Wan. Never before had he heard Ulhume speak in such a way. He nodded consent and lowered his gaze.

“Yes, Master Ulhume,” he said in defeat. Ulhume turned on his heel to face the wall, arms crossed over his broad chest.

“Leave me. Attend to your apprentice,” he ordered coldly. Obi-Wan nodded again and left the chambers. Ulhume waited until the other Jedi was gone before leaning his forehead against the cool durasteel wall. His emotional restraint left him as his shoulders shook with silent sobs. His sister was the mate of the very man he lusted and loved. The Force was a cruel power to pit two longlost siblings against each other in a centuries old battle between good and evil. And to make them choose between the one thing that would save them from themselves. Darth Maul was the key, the focal point both warriors had to strive for. Only she had him, she could hold him, love him. Touch him.

His hands slammed against the wall, the nails pressed to the hard surface before being drawn down slowly. The pain of knowledge was a great thing.

* * * *

Dirae’s eyes opened abruptly. The feeling of Ulhume’s anger drifted into her mind, causing her to roll up into a tight ball, her hands pressed to her ears. “No...Ulhume, stop...!” she gasped hoarsely. Beside her, Maul woke to the sounds of her whimpering and embraced her from the back. He kissed the nape of her neck gently, hoping it would calm her. Dirae turned to him with wide eyes full of anguish.

“My brother is a Jedi. A Jedi...” her voice was childlike, so small in the wide expanse of her alabaster face. “I have to obey...sworn to kill Jedi...oh Khameir!” She broke off with a heartwrenching sob and clung to Maul’s body like a drowning man. He caressed her hair, kissed her head and face, and rocked her body gently. He was not one to come to when someone needed reassurance, but he was all Dirae had at that moment.

“Say I must kill him, Khameir, say it and I will do it. You are my master, my reason for existing, my love, my life, my soul, my--” Maul placed a finger on her lips, silencing her gently.

“I am not going to have you kill your brother, Dirae,” he said softly, looking deep into her eyes as he did so. He removed his finger from her lips, replacing it instead with the pad of his thumb as it smoothed over her trembling mouth. Tears flooded her cheeks and dampened his hands, the pillows, and her tunic.

“He is Jedi...must kill the Jedi. You told me that! You told me that!” Dirae violently lept from the bed and fled into a darkened corner of the room. She wrapped her arms over her head, knees pressed tightly against her chest. “I want to run from this! It can’t be true, it can’t! My brother is not my enemy!” Her head raised quickly, her wild-eyed stare meeting Maul’s golden gaze. “Unless you tell me he is my enemy.”

The coldness of her tone pierced through his body like a knife. His ebony hands gathered the sheets between his fingers as they clenched into fists. “I said I would not order you to kill him.” His tone was even, controlled, but barely.

“No, no, he’s a Jedi. I’ve sworn to you to kill them. It’s my life!” Dirae screamed, rising to her feet and approaching the bed. Before Maul could react her hand came up and slammed into his face, sending him backwards. “It’s my life!” she repeated, completely unaware of what had just happened. “You’ve made it my life! I’m yours forever! I will always obey you! Except for now; I loved my family, they were all I had! My brother who was a slave has become a Jedi, my enemy! YOU made him my enemy!”

Maul rose from the other side of the bed, his eyes narrowed into slits. He stood to his full height, a majestic statue of finely chiseled muscle made from the most beauteous of black marble. In an instant he was astride Diare, his hands holding her arms above her head. “I did not make him your enemy, Dirae! I know he is your family! I know you can’t kill him! I love you too much to condemn you to that!” His words rang in Dirae’s ears, bringing her back from her madness.

“Khameir...save me from myself...please!” she pleaded mournfully, her eyes filling with fresh tears. Her palm stung faintly from where it had met Maul’s flesh. She felt it now and cried out in shame. “Forgive me, my master!” she said, turning her face from his gaze.

Maul relaxed his hold on her wrists, loosening his grip enough for her to cover her face with her hands. She continued to murmur her apologies in a terrified tone, moving her head back and forth on the pillows. Below him lay the strongest woman he’d ever known, the one who helped him see that his life was not in vain.

And now she was crying.

“Dirae...please, stop crying. It’s all right, I forgive you. Stop, please stop. I can’t bear to see you like this,” Maul’s voice caught in his throat. Dirae sobbed violently, shaking the bed beneathe her. Maul collapsed onto her chest, clinging to her body as he buried his face in her breasts. “Stop...gods, stop torturing me...”

Both lay silent, unable to speak. At length, Dirae wrapped her arms around Maul. “Oh Khameir...why did this have to happen? Why couldn’t we have just avoided the Jedi?” she whispered huskily.

“Just...just hold me, please, Dirae...and don’t let go,” Maul replied, his voice a mumur. “Don’t let go.”

“I’ll never let you go, Khameir....”

* * * *

“I don’t like leaving Master Ulhume regardless of what happened two days ago,” Anakin protested firmly. Obi-Wan repressed a sigh of exasperation.

“We can’t seperate, Anakin. You must come with me,” Obi-Wan said, ignoring the memory of Qui-Gon leaving him to tend to other matters while thay were on Gala many years ago. He didn’t doubt Anakin’s ablities in the slightest, he just didn’t want him to be left behind like Obi-Wan had been.

“Fine. But at least let me keep in contact with Master Ulhume while we’re gone,” Anakin pressed. Obi-Wan agreed, thinking it harmless, which it was. Behind them, Ulhume stepped down from the open hatchway.

“Preparations for your return have been set,” he told them, his voice once again patient and calm. “You may leave immediately.” It wasn’t an option for the two Jedi to take, it was an order. Ulhume didn’t wait for them to reply and strode past them.

“Master Ulhume...?” Anakin called out to Ulhume’s retreating form. The Zabrakian stopped walking, but didn’t look back. “You will...keep in touch with the Council, right?”

Ulhume didn’t speak for a few moments. When he did, his voice sounded hollow and somewhat saddened. “If I have to contact my master, I will. Safe journey.” And with those final words, he stepped into the forests and disappeared.

* * * *

Dirae perched on the edge of the lagoon wrapped in a crimson blanket, her white hands clutching tightly at the fabric’s corners. Her toes touched the lapping surface of the warm water, offering a soothing touch to her nerves. The realization of Ulhume being a Jedi Master had yet to fully hit her; her mind still raced with possible other identities of the Jedi. Yet in her heart she knew it was her brother, the very one she’d seen taken away in a slave ship so many years ago.

Had it been so long? That her brother had found the time to train and become one of the highest ranks aside from being on the council? She imagined his mental abilities were as great as her own, possibly greater. Their heritage proved that even if none others in their clan had displayed Force-related talents in the past. At least, none that she had been made aware of.

Behind her, in the dense underbrush of the forest’s edge, Ulhume crouched low in the grass watching his sister. He felt her despair, her anger, her helplessness. Tears prickled his lids, making him blink them away quickly. If he revealed himself now, she would surely react in anger. It was best to keep as low a profile as he possibly could. It wouldn’t be easy, he knew, what with both Dirae and Maul being so attuned to the Force. And each other.

Ulhume shuddered at the thought of his sister’s closeness with the one he craved. As if summoned by Ulhume’s desire, Maul approached Dirae from behind and wrapped his arms about her shoulders, drawing her crimson-cloaked body closer to his. Ulhume saw Maul lean forward to say something in Dirae’s ear; whatever it had been caused Dirae to lower her head. Puzzled, Ulhume crept closer to get within earshot of the Sith couple.

“I know you’re distraught, Dirae, but you can’t ignore what’s happened,” Maul was telling her, rocking her body slightly. Dirae turned her face from his voice but didn’t protest.

“I want to ignore it so badly, Khameir. The pain of knowing what my own brother is is tearing me apart inside; I don’t know how to handle it,” Dirae choked out hoarsely. Maul sighed and kissed her shoulder, his lips lingering on her dove-white flesh.

“I know, Dirae, I know it’s hard. I want to help ease the pain, but he is a Jedi and we, as Sith, must obey the codes set before us by our masters,” he said softly. At this, Dirae turned halfway in his embrace and stared into his face.

“Listen to what you’re telling me, Khameir,” she began in a calm voice, “set before us by our masters Sidious was only my master for a brief time; he never once instilled that code in me. I wouldn’t have listened to him. It was when you said the Jedi had to be destroyed did I listen. I listen and hang onto every word you say. I have sworn to obey you, and I will not go back on that. Not even for my own kin.”

Maul found himself without the words to respond. He simply held her to him, kissing her lips gently. From the forest, Ulhume’s muscles tensed. As much as he loved his sister, he envied her more than he imagined possible. He continued to watch Maul and Dirae on the shores; neither speaking, only holding the other in their arms, each seeking the same kind of comfort.

At length, Maul and Dirae left the lagoon shores and returned to their shelter for the night. Ulhume let out a deep sigh and relaxed against the ground. The stars had begun to twinkle in the darkening sky above him. He found no comfort in their collective light. His thoughts drifted absently, wishing he was still on Iridonia, on Tatooine, or on Coruscant. Anywhere that he could escape the reality of knowing his sister was his enemy in more definations than one.

The sound of rustling leaves alerted Ulhume to a visitor. He stood quickly, his hand hovering by his lightsaber.

“I know you were watching us, Ulhume,” Dirae’s voice drifted out from the shadows. Her white face caught the starlight, illuminating the silver tear under her right eye. Her green eyes were sad, yet understanding.

“Dirae...” Ulhume’s voice failed him as his much smaller sister approached him. She stared up into his face.

“I could understand Kenobi’s and Skywalker’s reasons for tracking us down, brother, but I don’t see the reason for your presence here,” Dirae said, a hard edge to her voice. Ulhume sighed and knelt down in the grass. Dirae remained standing, only directing her head so she could stare at him still.

“I was ordered to accompany them; it wasn’t my choice,” Ulhume replied tightly. Dirae raised an eyebrow.

“Your thoughts betray you, brother,” she said simply. Ulhume gazed up at her, terror in his dark eyes. “You haven’t come here to serve your noble masters and their code.”

“Dirae, please, I can explain--” Ulhume started helplessly.

“What is there to explain, Ulhume?” she shouted angrily. “You came here for my master! And not just because he’s a Sith; you want him. You want him! How dare you? How dare you show up here under false pretenses? The fact you’re a Jedi is irrelvent to me now. You dare to interfere with the bond between my lord and I, a bond that has given my worthless life purpose!”

“Dirae, stop, please!” Ulhume begged. Dirae backhanded her brother sharply.

“Be silent!” she snapped. “I left Iridonia in hopes of saving you from slavery. I get to Tatooine and I discover you’d already left the planet. It was Maul who found me and gave me a chance to do something with my life. He never agreed to anything I asked, yet he never questioned. We had to battle before his master. I made myself ignore the intoxicating power he possessed and forced myself to feign battle. We had only known each other for a brief time but in that brief time we touched each other.

“When he was sent back to Naboo to find the queen and kill the Jedi, I was left behind with Sidious. He treated me with cruelty, saying that when Maul returned he would destroy me. He knew my reasons for following Maul and he found perverse joy in exploiting them. The night Maul died was the night my soul screamed. I remember the searing pain that raced across my middle, the ripping of flesh from bone, the impossible heat that threatened to engulf my body. I felt his death and it fed me. I returned to Sidious, begging him to teach me as he had taught Maul. I was given a chance and I took it. For weeks and weeks I pushed myself to the limit, using the raw power I had inside me to climb to my title quickly. I painted my face with red and black; then my eyes cried blood tears and my scar dripped fresh serum still. I was the result of madness and intense grief.

“I left Sidious to find Maul’s body. I gave him my essence and brought him back to life. We left Naboo for Iridonia. Sidious found us and I was forced once again to do battle. I killed Sidious and for a time, Maul and I hunted Jedi, killing all who stood in our way. Kenobi and his apprentice remained a thorn in my side and when you showed up with them I recieved another stab to the gut. Don’t even bother to explain, brother. I don’t care to hear your excuses.”

Ulhume covered his face with his hands and wept. Dirae hardened herself against his tears, ignoring the sadness that flooded her senses. He had no reason to weep; he was the enemy and the one driven by his emotions. No. His lust.

“Dirae, had I known what you had gone through, what you’d become, I would never have agreed to allow Master Koth to teach me,” Ulhume said, lowering his hands and staring up into her face.

“Eeth Koth taught you?” she asked incredulously. Ulhume nodded slowly. “Then you have been given the best of training. Yet so have I. I’m not afraid to use my knowledge against you, either.”

“Dirae, I don’t want to fight you,” Ulhume said quickly.

“There is no Dirae, not to you. For you, there is only Trator.” Dirae turned on her heel and left her brother kneeling in the dirt and grass. Ulhume sobbed briefly. Now he had to fight his own sister for what he wanted. One of them would die for sure in this battle of possession. Ulhume felt his features harden; it was a risk he was more than willing to take.

End Chapter Three

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Chapter Four: To Love, Honor, and Obey

Dirae entered the shelter and found Maul sitting on the floor in a meditation position. She paused, not wanting to disturb him and wishing to slip by undetected so she could think. Ulhume was out there, possibly always listening in on their conversations or poking his head into a window to spy on them. It wasn’t in his nature to do so, but now Dirae wasn’t sure about him or his nature anymore.

“I know you saw him, Dirae,” Maul said suddenly, opening his eyes and relaxing his pose. Dirae sighed slightly and sat down in front of Maul, her knees up to her chest and her arms hugging them in place.

“Yes, Khameir, I did,” she replied quietly, not willing to reveal any of the conversation to him. Maul regarded her thoughtfully.

“And?” Maul prompted.

“And I told him it was over between us as far as siblings go,” Dirae said, staring him in the eyes. She kept her true thoughts from him, hating it but knowing it was necessary. Maul looked doubtful for a moment, sensed her mindblock, and sighed.

“Fine. I’ll let you handle this,” he said reluctantly. Dirae nodded once, lowering her eyes to stare at the floor. “But,” Dirae looked up as Maul continued. “If he presents a problem that you can’t handle, it becomes my business and quickly.”

“Of course, my master,” Dirae agreed quietly. “Anything you wish.”

Once, Maul would’ve thrilled to know that she was so obedient yet now he wished she wasn’t. He disliked not being part of what she did; Sidious would have been able to take a backseat to Maul’s actions with ease, yet with Maul as the master, he wished to be with his apprentice at all times. How else would she learn?

Maul stood suddenly and started for the door. Dirae looked up in surprise, confusion furrowing her brow. “Where’re you going?” she asked.

“To find your brother,” Maul replied simply and left the shelter. Dirae froze in place; if Maul even sensed a hint of what Ulhume’s intentions were there’d be hell to pay. Ignoring responsibilty, Dirae followed her master at a safe distance, using the trees as her road. A few feet away from the shelter, Maul was standing in the center of the green foliage. Dirae touched his mind with her own, though carefully!, and realized he was Force-searching for Ulhume. Dirae bit her lower lip. Ulhume was no slouch when it came to mind power and she felt that he would be able to block any attempts at finding his location.

Brother, I know you’re out there. Make yourself known! Dirae thought insistantly, sending her mind out to touch her brother’s. His response was quick.

I will make myself known when I wish to, sister. Until then, remember what you are. The cold feeling that came with his words chilled Diare’s heart. She had been the one to declare personal war against her brother and now she realized he was ready to do anything necessary to ensure she kept her vow. Her eyes narrowed with determination. If war was what Ulhume wanted, then by gods he would get one!

Below her perch, Maul came to attention and suddenly ran into the forest. Dirae propelled her legs using her Force-powers and quickly caught up to Maul. She hadn’t realized how deep into the forests they’d gone until she noticed a large structure in the distance. Yes, they were quite far from their encampment.

The sound of Maul’s booming voice challenging Ulhume brought her back to her current objective.

“Come out, Jedi! Face me!” Maul screamed into the stillness. Dirae held her breath, wondering if Ulhume would indeed come out and meet Maul’s challenge. Minutes slowed to seem like hours before Ulhume’s shadowy form appeared in the distance. Dirae felt Maul’s muscles tense, his mind clear and ready to use his deadly lightsaber effectively.

Ulhume stopped about five feet from where Maul stood, his hand already gripping the hilt of his lightsaber. Ulhume regarded the Sith Lord before him calmly.

“I have no wish to fight you, Sith Lord,” he said quietly. Dirae felt his inner struggle to not rush forward and embrace Maul. She found herself snarling darkly at the thought. Some of Maul’s possessive nature had rubbed off on her and she felt its dark grip on her heart tighten painfully.

“You have no choice in the matter, Jedi,” Maul said stonily. “It is in your code to defeat Sith.” Having that been said, Maul reared back into a defensive stance, one hand raised to Ulhume in a beckoning gesture. The same, slow sadistic smile curved Maul’s painted lips as he urged the Zabrakian Jedi Master to attack. Ulhume narrowed his dark eyes and withdrew his own lightsaber, igniting it as it left his belt. The deep blue blade split the night, illuminating all that was near it. The twin blades of Maul’s saber flashed to crimson life. From above, Dirae fingered her saber hilt and resisted the urge to leap down and fight alongside her master.

Suddenly, Ulhume sped forward in a brown blur, his blade clashing into Maul’s. Maul staggered slightly from the force of the blow, thrust forward at Ulhume’s advances and spun away. His outer tunic flared, becoming one with the night, as he did a series of aerial cartwheels towards a clearing in the forest. That was to the battlefield. Dirae leaped from her branch to land in the tree a few feet from the clearing. Ulhume followed quickly into the clearing.

Maul came to a rest atop a large rockface on the edges of the grassy plains, his saber poised for attack. Ulhume Force-leapt into the air and brought his blade down to meet one of the twin energy beams of Maul’s saber. Purplish lightning flared between them, lighting their faces in frightening ways. Dirae remained on her perch, her muscles tense, her sense high. If it comes down to it, I must help Khameir! she thought quickly. Brother or no brother, my loyalty lies with my Lord Maul.

The night flashed with each blow met by the parrying men, each with their own fierce might and determination. Maul doubled back, seeming to fly from the rock he was standing on, and landed several feet away. Ulhume Force-charged his body and hurled himself towards Maul, spinning in one graceful arc, his blue saber cutting the night like a sword. Maul erupted into a series of spins as well, clashing his twin blades with Ulhume’s. Dirae could barely keep up with either of them, her eyes constantly shifting position to follow their moves. She felt Maul’s anger, felt his perfectly honed body fluxuate with each motion. Most importantly, she felt that same primal nature in his mind. Her mind’s eye flashed images of Maul bursting forth from the water’s surface, his head thrown back in a warrior cry of rage.

Without realizing it, Dirae’s voice traveled up her throat and erupted in a similar scream as she plummeted towards the dueling males. Her purple blade ignited to singe the air between them and slammed forcefully into Ulhume’s saber. The electric charge of the energy blades meeting fired into the night. Dirae, though much smaller than he giant of a brother, held him at bay. Her eyes danced with renewed fury and the power of the Dark Side was with her, navigating her every move. Behind them, Maul stood back to allow Dirae to continue.

Another fierce battle ensued, this time it was brother versus sister, love turned to hate and jealousy. Ulhume’s Jedi patience snapped inside his brain and rage flooded his senses. With a loud battlecry he spun around, swinging his blade to slam into Dirae’s, sending her backwards from the force. Her feet skidded in the soft earth but she never lost her balance. Her emerald eyes flared, the gold seeming to ignite around her pupils.

“He belongs to me!” she screamed, using the Dark Side to propell her body full into Ulhume. Her shoulder met with his midsection, knocking the wind out of him. She followed up with a swift kick to the back of his head, bringing him forward enough to have his face smashed against her raised knee. All of the ancient training of her childhood and bloodline flowed into her mind, as well as the harsh training she’d recieved from Maul. Blood flew from Ulhume’s nose and face as Dirae continued to plummel his body with strong blows.

Dirae did a quarter-turn in the air and kicked Ulhume right in the chest, sending him flying into the trees behind them. He collided with the trunk roughly and fell to the ground with a groan. Dirae raced forward to finish him off when Maul called her to in a sharp, commanding tone.

“Dirae! Enough!” he snapped, using his Force to still her body. Dirae struggled against his grasp.

“He threatens us! He threatens us!” she cried over and over again, swinging her lightsaber in Ulhume’s direction. Tears burned against her eyelids; tears of pain, of fury, of regret at having to destroy her own blood. Maul strode towards her, grabbed her by the shoulders and backhanded her across the face. The blow send her to the ground, unconscious. Maul glared at the slumped form of Ulhume, bent over to scoop Dirae’s body in his arms, and hurried from the clearing.

* * * *

Hours later, or what seemed like hours, Ulhume raised his head with a painful groan. The rising sun stung his eyes, causing him to squint. He moved himself up into a sitting position and leaned against the tree trunk limply. Flashes of the previous night danced behind his eyelids. He groaned again, pressing his hands against his face. Without thinking, he’d battled his own sister for Maul.

He belongs to me!....Dirae’s screams remained in his mind. Ulhume rose to his feet stiffly, the bruises and body aches of the battle making themselves known. Wincing, he hobbled into the forest, away from the clearing and away from the memory of seeing his precious sister in such a state of fury.

* * * *

Maul remained standing before the window of the small bedroom of their shelter, constantly on the lookout for Ulhume. On the bed, Dirae lay under the covers, clothed in Maul’s cloak. A large bruise was already forming on her face where he’d struck her. He’d hated to do it but it was the only way to bring her back to her senses. He knew how anger could get the better of someone and how it clouded judgement and even compassion. In his earliest training missions, Maul had forgotten what compassion was and killed without remorse. It had been the way he had been taught; expect no mercy so give none in return.

His hand strayed to his middle where the scar from Kenobi’s lightsaber had severed his body in two and grimaced. Sidious had been correct in many things; Maul had only heeded a handful of them. Now that he had an apprentice of his own, who was also his lover, he had to remember the lessons he’d ignored in the past. A new sense of protection came with loving Dirae; in the beginning he believed it would’ve hampered the harshness of the training. He’d been wrong. Dirae took to his advances and blows like a warrior born. Her power level was astounding, as was her tolerance for pain. Emotional pain was another matter, he’d realized when Damek had taken her back to Iridonia for trial. He never wanted to believe she was weak even though he knew she wasn’t infallible. He recalled her eyes when he’d burst through the lodge wall and attacked Damek. The man was almost defenseless, but it didn’t matter to Maul. His one concern was to kill the bounty hunter for violating his lover and apprentice.

Love. For half of his life, the very word had been an alien notion to him. Raised on hate, trained with fear, taunted with awesome powers beyond his dreams had almost eliminated the primal need for a mate. Visions of first taking Dirae on Sidious’ shuttle came back to him; he recalled her soft tan skin and wild green eyes staring in his with an excited fear. Her very fear of him aroused him, making him possess her roughly yet gently. He felt her weaknesses, played upon them, made her his by using them against her.

To him, Dirae was a fire. Beautiful, warm, yet dangerous when mishandled. Under skilled hands, her flames rose higher and higher than anyone could have ever imagined possible. Beneathe Maul’s skilled hands, her soul fire became a roaring blaze of passion and power. She was seduced by power, especially his.

Maul’s brow furrowed slightly as if recalling something. A faint glimmer of a memory deep inside his mind moved forward and presented itself. The slave on Tatooine. Behind the dirty marks on his face, he remembered the slender jawline and crown of soft horns on his forehead. The long, brown hair that flowed from his head like a shawl to frame his face. The dark eyes that seemed to see right through him. The touch of his hand on his throat. Maul lifted a hand to his throat to feel the place the slave had laid his own hand on.

Don’t leave! the slave had begged. His voice! Realization hit Maul like a blow. Ulhume had been that same slave on Tatooine! The same slave that had been thrown into a catatonic state from the amount of power Maul radiated and the same Jedi Master that had fallen to his knees before him days ago in the forest. Both were Ulhume.

Yet why did he do those things now? He obviously knew who Maul was being a Jedi Master and having been told of the presence of the Sith while on Coruscant. Maul ran the pad of his thumb over his bottom lip thoughtfully. The only other time he’d seen someone display that kind of surrender had been when he took possession of Dirae. And she had been..in love...with him.

“Holy nine hells of Sith!” Maul screamed unconsciously, holding his head in shock. On the bed, Dirae moaned and opened her eyes. She opened her mouth to say something when she noticed Maul standing at the window grapsing at his head like a madman.

“Khameir...? Is something wrong?” she asked weakly, raising her head off the pillows with effort. Maul turned to Dirae, felt a rush of relief temporarily override his panic, and rushed to her side.

“Dirae! You’re awake,” he gathered her bruised body into his arms and held her gently. She grunted slightly from the motion but managed a weak smile.

“Yes, that’s pretty obvious isn’t it?,” she chuckled softly then winced, one hand coming up to hold her swollen cheek. Maul experienced a pang of guilt and moved her hand from her face so he could take a look at it. Shades of blacks and blues mottled her pale face and made her face swell slightly.

“I’m sorry I had to hit you, Dirae, but you weren’t thinking at the time,” Maul apologized softly, reaching behind him to remove a damp cloth from the basin of water on the side table. He placed it on the bruise gently, careful not to upset it.

“It’s all right, Khameir,” Dirae replied in a soft whisper, her eyes closing. “I understand why you did it. I would’ve done the same if it had been you. Although,” she added, opening one eye to look at him. “I don’t think you would’ve gone down quite as easily.”

Maul gave a short laugh and redampened the cloth. “You never know. I don’t have the Zabrakian tolerance to pain as you do.”

“No. I don’t suppose you do,” Dirae said reflectively. “Haven’t you ever wondered where you come from? What you are especially? You resemble a Zabrakian but you’re not, I know that. I have noticed the absence of bodily hair on you before; we Zabrak have hair folicles. Obviously whatever you are doesn’t. It reminds me of humans called albinos; they are born hairless and very very pale. Although some do have hair on their bodies but it’s colorless.”

“How do you know so much about humans?” Maul asked, amused by her explaination.

“My father taught me a lot of things, especially about humans. They appear to be the ruling species everywhere so he figured I needed to know all I could, especially how to speak Basic,” Dirae explained. Her eyes were becoming clearer as the aftershock of the previous battle wore off.

“Sidious taught me Basic after he took me from Iridonia. I can speak your language quite well, as you know. It was a slightly difficult one for me to master but I learned,” Maul told her, gently stroking her bruised cheek as he spoke.

“Who taught you?” Dirae asked, tilting her head as much as she could to peer at him curiously. Maul shrugged.

“I listened and felt their emotions as they spoke. It was my strong connection to the Dark Side that made Sidious take me off-planet.”

Dirae paused to think for a moment then shrugged slightly. “Makes sense to me. I displayed my own connection when that bitch Tessla would taunt me whenever she saw me.” Her eyes narrowed at the memory of the name.

“Tessla?” Maul pressed.

“She was the eldest daughter of the wealthiest family in Di Espa. Thanks to the Jedi Knights coming to Iridonia, my family was no longer needed to defend the people. Our clan members left the planet, but Father had us stay behind just in case. There was no ‘just in case’. We fell into poverty, only gaining money by doing odd jobs and raising wild steek for meat to sell in the market. It was a pretty lousy way to grow up with my siblings. Father was always ill from something or another, Valdyr’s growth was stunted from lack of proper nourishment, and Ulhume’s dreams of becoming a warrior off-planet were dashed. My mother died giving birth to Valdyr so I was the only female in the house. I cooked, cleaned, tended the animals, everything. It wasn’t the kind of life I wanted for myself. “

“What kind of life did you want?” Maul asked gently.

“The kind my ancestors lived. I wanted to defend my people in the proper way. Despite the lack of warriors required in the society, Father trained Ulhume and I in all of the ancient Zabrakian fighting techniques. We used the weapons of our clan as well; things called swords. They were great, curved blades made of a substance called steel. Not like durasteel, though. It was heavier and seemed so sharp sometimes.

“Ulhume would often test my skills using an old blaster he’d found in the junkyards near our home. My sword became very black after all of that, but it blocked everything quite well.”

Maul’s brow furrowed in slight confusion. “Then why were your lightsaber skills not as good?”

Dirae shrugged with one shoulder again. “Maybe because lightsaber blades aren’t as heavy as sword blades. It was difficult to balance it, at least it was until you taught me how to use the Force to keep them even.”

“And have I trained you well, my apprentice?” Maul asked, his golden eyes dancing with hidden mirth.

“Hey, I’m not going to inflate your ego any more than it already is, Master,” Dirae teased in return. Maul laughed and leaned forward to press kiss on her forehead.

“It’s my forehead that needs attention, Khameir,” Dirae whispered, tilting her face up to his. Maul took the hint and kissed her deeply. Despite her less-than-appealing wounds on her face, Maul still found her to be that fire he loved to ignite.

End Chapter Four

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Chapter Five: Thee I Accept....

The touch of a hand awaken Dirae from her rest. She opened her eyes drowsily and looked behind her. Maul stood in the moonlight draped in an silken tunic tied with a decorative red-trimmed sash. A strange shine gleamed off of his facial tattoos, making them sparkle like the stars. His hands were bare save for twin bands of leather around each of his wrists. A gold loop hung from his left ear where the silver stud had once been, shimmering in the dusky light.

“Khameir...? What--” Maul made a soft silencing sound and drew her from the bed. He led her to the travel trunk they’d carried from the ship; he knelt down and opened it gently, then withdrew a fabric colored crimson. It looked impossibly soft as Maul stood and held it out to Dirae, who took it gingerly, still unsure of his behavior. When he gestured for her to change she did so without question.

The fabric turned out to be a dress of the most expensive silk available in the galaxy; it shimmered crimson that faded into shades of black and purple at the hem. The sleeves billowed out like wings across her arms, long enough to touch the floor, yet light enough to float when she moved. As Dirae marveled at its beauty, Maul came behind her and brought a chain with a garnet over her head to fasten around her neck. It matched the shade of the gown perfectly and was simply stunning. Before she could thank him, he took her wrists and placed gold bands on them instead of the leather ones he wore. Gently, with extreme care, he touched the gem between her horns and removed it from her skin. A small oval-shaped space of tan skin was exposed to the light. Maul then withdrew a fine chained tiara that fastened behind the horns on the sides of her head. In the center of the chain another garnet touched the space where her gem had been.

Maul instructed her to be silent again and took her hand to lead her outside into the night. The air was warm and pleasant, the wind gentle as they walked to the lagoon’s shores. The waterfall created an ethereal backdrop for whatever it was Maul had in mind. The silent cries of the night birds filed the darkness with a soothing sound. Dirae glanced down at her feet, which were bare, as were Maul’s. The soft grass tickled her toes pleasantly and made her smile to herself.

Maul paused before a large rock that touched the edge of the water and directed her to the right of the rock. “Let your feet touch the water,” he instructed in a soft whisper. “Feel it as you feel my hand in yours.” Dirae did as she was told and gave a small gasp of delight as the chilly liquid lapped at her toes. Maul did the same and smiled over at her.

“Now place your wrists over mine,” he said in that same, gentle tone. Dirae carefully touched her gold bands to his leather ones. Maul brought his hands around to wrap around hers and there he held them. He looked up into her eyes, holding her gaze. Dirae gazed at him back, savoring this moment of pure peace, something that wasn’t an often occurance as Sith.

“Khameir, what are we doing?” Dirae asked in a whisper. Maul gave her a warm, slow smile.

“I’m accepting you, Dirae.”

Dirae froze, stunned at his words. On Iridonia, to be accepted was the same as being married and here he was, declaring his own acceptance to her. Tears slid down her cheeks as she gripped his hands tigher. “I accept you as well, Khameir.”

“I trust you know the rest of the rite,” Maul stated as he slid his hands away from her wrists to slim his fingers into her palm. Dirae nodded and did the same, turning her body from his, their joined hands pressing their arms together. They circled each other slowly, staring into the other’s eyes intently. The slow motion ceased briefly as they changed positions to step away from each other. Maul stood silently across from Dirae as she began the ritualistic dance of her people, the dance that would entice her mate into coupling with her and thus completing the acceptance.

Her arms rose above her head, her wrists turned out, the backs of her hands held together loosely. She bowed her head to touch her cheek to her shoulder, her eyes closed. Her body swayed gently, hips moving beneathe the sultry fabric of her gown. The moonlight danced upon the surface of the chameleon dress, making it shift shades like a kaleidoscope of colors. She spun slowly on the grass, sometimes rising onto her toes, other times raising one leg to kick out into the night. Her arms lowered as the dance quickened.

With her head thrown back, she arched her back and lifted one leg in a high kick towards the moon. This motion was a way of drawing down the moon to make her body fertile and ready to accept her lover’s essence. Her body whipped around in a series of high leaps and kicks, her arms fanning out around her. Her head moved to and fro as the dance continued. Slowly, Dirae approached Maul, holding her arms out to him then drawing them back. This was a gesture of uncertainty, of a maiden’s approach to womanhood. It made the male believe she was frightened and needed to be consoled by him. It fed the male’s primitive need to protect his female.

When she reached him, Maul brought her to his body and moved in the dance with her, pushing her back with mock forcefulness. He bent her backward, bringing his lips close to her flesh but not close enough to touch. This was how a male made the female used to the nearness of his body and his need to take her. He trailed an invisible path up her chest to her throat then brought her body back up again so he could do the same to her face. As the dance required, Dirae turned her face away from Maul’s advances, pretending to be afraid still.

With one last graceful arch of her back, Dirae trailed her fingers over Maul’s face, looking into his eyes deeply. This was the maiden’s final invitation to the male; it was time to seal the acceptance. Their lips drew closer until they touched delicately then more urgently. Both held onto the other as the kiss resumed with more passion than either knew was possible. They fell to the grass, still in embracing and savoring the other’s lips. The passionplay that ended the dance began.

* * * *

Hours later, before the dawn, Dirae lay in the protective circle of Maul’s arms, her head resting against his shoulder. Five times had they consummated their acceptance, each time more blissful than the last. Finally, both had fallen asleep in each other’s tender embrace, remaining on the soft grass near the lagoon’s shores.

Maul stirred and opened his eyes to stare down at Dirae’s curled up form. They lay on Maul’s silk tunic, their heads cushioned with her gown. In the dim sunlight of the dawn, he could still see the sparkle on her cheeks where his face had brushed hers. The ceremonial dust had all but come off of his face completely. He had kept the materials necessary for the acceptance ritual hidden aboard the ship. He had originally planned to take her back to Iridonia so she could perform the ceremony on her home ground. Strangely, the quiet paradise of the forest moon proved to be a wiser choice.

Maul looked back to Dirae, plucked a nearby blossom from the grass and gently let the petals fall onto her face. Her nose wrinkled in her sleep and her lips pursed before sneezing. Maul chuckled and placed his hand on her thigh. Dirae’s eyes fluttered open, the glaze of their passion still moistening her emerald gaze. She gave Maul a slow, lazy smile and mouthed a “Hi.”. He returned the silent greeting and kissed her forehead.

“Mmm..I like that,” Dirae said sleepily, closing her eyes briefly then opening them. “I liked last night. I liked everything.”

“What did you love?” Maul asked softly, caressing her cheek with the back of his hand.

“You,” Dirae said with a small chuckle. “Compared to you, everything else was likable.”

“Compared to you, everything else is meaningless,” Maul said sincerely, a look of seriousness in his eyes. Dirae kissed his neck gently and nestled down further in his arms. He held her to him, his face bowed into her hair. He wished for all of their problems to vanish at that moment so they could enjoy this for all eternity. His mind told him it wasn’t to be at this time, that he still had to deal with Ulhume. Maul’s eyes hardened slightly. Ulhume. He was a great danger to his and Dirae’s union. Next time, Maul wouldn’t be so easy on him. Next time, the Jedi would perish.

End Chapter Five

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Chapter Six: Truth and Lies

Four days after the acceptance ceremony, Dirae rose to bathe in the lagoon. As the waterfall washed over her, wetting her long brown hair and glistening on her silver skin, her hands absently strayed to her midsection. At first, it was to quell the butterflies she still experienced from the memory of Maul’s seductive touch. She frowned slightly when her hand encountered a small rise in her abdomen. Curious, Dirae glanced down at herself and gasped to see her belly beginning to protrude outward.

Oh no! I’m pregnant! she thought wildly, covering her belly with both hands as if the motion would hide it from view. She glanced around quickly, saw no one, and breathed a sigh of relief. The relief did not last as new thoughts swam through her mind. Maul. What would he say? What would he have her do? She knew she couldn’t get rid of it now; it seemed too far along and to kill an unborn child was beyond her conscience. She bit her lower lip nervously, pondering over how she was to hide it from Maul. She knew it wouldn’t be easy since they were so well-connected but she had to try.

Dirae waded out of the water, climbed ashore, and toweled herself dry with a piece of fluffy fabric. She draped it around her neck, gathered her things, and went inside the shelter. From the open doorway to the bedroom, Dirae could see Maul still deeply asleep. His hand was stretched to the side as if he was trying to find her even in his slumber. It touched Dirae’s heart, yet it also saddened her. I can’t lie to him... she thought miserably. Just from one look and he’ll know something’s happening...in there.

Dirae sat on the floor for many moments, still unclothed and slightly damp from her brief bath, her legs curled beneathe her body. The fabric covered her bosom, which was also beginning to swell. Consciously, Dirae wrapped her arms around her chest and bent forward slightly. He’ll definately notice these! she thought to herself, rolling her eyes slightly at the fact.

Inside the bedroom, Maul stirred and lifted his head to stare out of the doorway. He could see half of Dirae’s naked form rocking on the floor with cloth swathed about her neck. He squinted sleepily at her position. What’s wrong with her? he wondered as he got up, stretched his neck, back, and arm muscles, and strode out of the room without a stich on. Dirae saw his approaching feet and curled up even tighter, bringing her legs up to her chest and holding them there.

“Khameir!” she cried in false enthusiasm. “I thought you were still asleep!” Her smile betrayed her true troubles and Maul saw this. He crouched down on his feet to look into her eyes. Dirae kept her own eyes averted from his rather apparent...manliness...and concentrated on his intent gaze. His golden eyes narrowed thoughtfully at her.

“Something’s wrong,” he stated simply. Dirae was quick to deny his words.

“Oh no, nothing’s wrong, I assure you, Khameir! I’m just..meditating after my bath,” she lied, swinging her gaze from his to search the floor nervously for something to distract him with. Maul lifted her chin with one hand and forced her to look into his eyes.

“I’d rather you didn’t lie to me, Dirae. Tell me what’s wrong,” he ordered quietly yet sternly. Dirae’s expression turned to one of uncertainty as he held her gaze. His eyes softened when he read the message in hers. “Dirae...you know you can tell me.”

“Khameir....” Dirae’s voice choked into a sob, “I can’t...say anything...you won’t want to know what it is after I tell you.”

Maul released her face and sat back with his arms laid over his upraised knees. A long, breathy sigh escaped his lips as he turned his face from Dirae’s. His eyes squinted up as if he was trying to handle her dishonesty. His lips pressed together tightly and his hands flexed and unflexed into fists. Dirae wanted to cry from what she was doing to him. She had given herself, her everything, to him and now she was afraid to confide in him with the truth about the child.

“Khameir...” Maul’s hand raised to silence her and his head swiveled back to look at her. His eyes glistened with tears of frustration and despair. His mouth opened to speak, closed, opened again, then he laughed bitterly., his face turned away once more.

“I know what it is. It’s your brother, isn’t it?” he asked in mock-merriment. Dirae furrowed her brow. Does he know about Ulhume’s lust? she asked herself.

“No, Khameir, it has nothing to do with Ulhume,” Dirae insisted, confused. Maul turned his head towards her sharply.

“Then tell me what it is! As your master, I command you!” he shouted, rising to his feet to stand over her with clenched fists. Dirae dropped her face into her hands and sobbed. This wasn’t how it was supposed to be!

“Please, Khameir, don’t do this!” Dirae begged, the sentence ringing familiar in her ears. Maul blinked rapidly and stepped away from her slightly, his anger apparently gone.

”Please, Maul, don’t do this!” Dirae’s pleas echoed in his mind like the ocean from a shell. It had been the same plea she’d given him when Sidious had ordered Maul to kill her to prove his loyalty. Now he was killing her in ways he never wished. He was killing her heart.

Maul collapsed to the floor beside Dirae and enveloped her shaking form in his arms. “Forgive me, Dirae...I just..I just want you to be honest with me. I’ve been lied to enough!” Maul spoke into her hair, his own voice full of emotion. Dirae turned her body towards him and pressed her cheek against his ebony chest. His heartbeat raced inside his ribcage, an obvious testimony to his words.

“I will tell you, Khameir. I swear, but please, let me handle it alone for now,” Dirae begged. Impulsively she kissed his skin, his neck, his face. Maul found her mouth with his own and kissed her fiercely. They fell to the floor in a heap of tangled limbs and breathless gasps. The cloth around Diare’s neck fluttered to the floor as Maul ravaged her swollen breasts with his tongue and lips.

Dirae gasped from the heightened sensations in her body. In her current condition, every nerve of her body was aflame with sensitive reactions. Her skin tingled where Maul’s lips had been, making it seem to her that he was covering every inch of her body simultaneously even as he traveled further down her body.

Maul paused at her middle, kissing it gently as his hands kneaded her thighs with minimal pressure. His head swam with desire for his mate and to his honed senses, her scent clouded his every rational thought. A certain primitive nature overcame him as he opened her thighs with his hands and hovered above her. Dirae’s eyes were glazed over with passionate lust, her mind swimming as well from his own scent. She brought him down upon her, forgetting about her condition and only wanting him to claim her once again.

But as Maul pressed forward to enter her, she cried out, remembering the baby inside her. Maul paused uncertainly and looked down at her.

“What is it?” he asked breathlessly, passion still possessing his body. Dirae placed her hands against his broad chest and held him away from her body slightly. She turned her head from him, biting her lip.

“I can’t do this. Not right now,” she said softly, emotion siezing her throat. Maul sighed heavily and rolled over onto his back beside her. He winced at the unsatisfied ache in his loins, wishing it would calm down so he could think. Dirae raised herself on one elbow and stared down into Maul’s smirking face. “I’m sorry, Khameir but--”

“Save it,” he bit back sharply, pushing himself to his feet and stalking into the ‘fresher, slamming the door behind him. Dirae winced at the sound and sighed as well. I can’t keep this facade up forever...he’ll know eventually.

* * * *

Inside the small room that they used as a ‘fresher, Maul laid his head against the wall, his hands flat against the cold surface. It wasn’t like Dirae to refuse him like this, to just stop in the middle of everything and claim it wasn’t possible to do. Maul slammed his hands against the wall sharply, grunting angrily.

When he’d decided to go through with her peoples’ acceptance rite, he thought she wouldn’t be able to deny him anything, especially the truth. She had Accepted him as her lifemate; surely something like that couldn’t be taken lightly!

Maul turned around to lean against the wall, his hands still in tight fists, eyes clenched shut. Fury washed over him like hot water. A low yowling sound came from his throat, turned into a brief whine, then erupted into a full scream of anger. He threw his head back and howled his fury, arching his back and raising his hands to the ceiling. His fists shook as his scream rose higher in pitch then turned into a growling groan.

“You deny me everything!” he screamed to the air, speaking to the lost gods he was raised to believe in as a child. Everything had been taken from him all his life: His parents, his family, his home, his master, and now his mate. “No more!” With one last cry of rage, he vaulted out of the window and raced into the forest to calm himself.

Anger. Fury. Hate. All things he’d been taught to use as a Sith Lord he used now. His anger flew down his arms into his fists as he slammed them through tree trunks. Fury fueled his body as it soared through the dense woods. Hate gave voice to his primal cries of anguish. He only saw red.

Maul’s furious flight led him to a large cliff above a large ocean and it was here he stopped, opened his arms wide to the sky, hands fisted, and eyes wild. Dirae’s pale face blinked behind his conscious mind, her large green eyes staring into the distance like an animal caught in a hunter’s deathtrap.

Then Ulhume’s visage flooded his memory. He saw the battle between Ulhume and Dirae, between himself and Ulhume. He remembered Dirae’s panicked reaction to his role as a Jedi Master. He felt her hand sting his cheek again, her heard her screams in his ears.

Maul reared his head back and screamed with all his power to the sky. “Ulhume Hoth! Tonight you die!”

End Chapter Six

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Chapter Seven: Passion Play

Maul returned to the shelter only to don his Sith robes and retrieve his dual lightsaber. He paused in the doorway of the bedroom where Dirae slept on the bed. He stared at her with intense eyes gone hazy with unsatisifed bloodlust. If his species was one to hunt down prey, this was his hunt. He approached the bed and waved a hand over Dirae’s face, bringing her out of sleep with his control over the Dark Side. She gazed at him through glazed eyes as he spoke to her softly but sternly.

“Sleep until I return, Dirae. There’s nothing more you need to know now.” He waved his hand again with a fluid flourish and she fell to the bed, asleep once more. Confident in his work, Maul kissed her still lips lightly and left to seek out his prey.

* * * *

Ulhume sensed Maul before he came striding through the trees. His flowing cloak billowed out behind him like Death’s wings and his facial tattoos glittered with a faint dusting of silver. Almost like warpaint. Ulhume observed, stepping up to meet the steady Sith Lord.

Maul stared up at Ulhume’s tall, lithe form and removed his hood from his horned head. A single gem hung suspended beneathe his center horn, the delicate chain that held it in place hooked over his right and left horns. The crimson-colored jewel lent an even more seductive and noble quality to the Sith Lord. Ulhume contained his desire long enough to grasp Maul’s face in his hands. Maul narrowed his eyes at the Jedi, a slow growl forming in his throat.

“Release me, Jedi,” he rumbled, his voice dangerously calm and quiet. Ulhume seemed not to hear him as he gazed at Maul’s wildly decorated visage. Suddenly, Ulhume released one hand and passed it over Maul’s face. Maul’s eyes became blank and his body slumped into Ulhume’s arms. Ulhume cradled the paralyzed Sith Lord in his embrace, savoring the feel of his muscles beneathe his black robes.

“I will have you, my sweet one,” Ulhume whispered huskily, bringing Maul’s body up into his arms and carrying him through the forest. “And you will feel things you have never dreamed existed from a man’s touch.”

* * * *

Ulhume entered the crumbling castle on the edge of the forests and placed Maul on the great stone altar in the chapel. He stepped back to admire the beauty of his body, his eyes as they closed, his lips when they parted in a soft breath. Ulhume’s own body quaked with desire and he began to shed his hindering brown robes. He kept his trousers on but even the tight fabric couldn’t disguise his arousal at the sight of Maul’s form. He stepped up to the altar and ran his hands over the broad expanse of chest through the thin material of his tunic. His fingers spread as far as they could go, savoring every swoop and curve of the finely-honed flesh beneathe the black shrouds.

With great slowness, Ulhume unfastened Maul’s belt and gently whisked it from his trim waist. He brought the sweet-smelling leather to his face, inhaling the scent deeply, even grazing his lips with it. Another shudder passed through his body and he let the belt drop to the floor. The belt gone, the tunic opened slightly to reveal the inner-tunic under it. Ulhume spread the tunic open more fully and again trailed his palms over the hills and crests of muscled flesh.

He parted the inner-tunic as well and sucked in his breath sharply as the sight of Maul’s smooth, ebony skin. He pushed the fabric from Maul’s braod shoulders and again gasped at the thickly muscled neck that was exposed. Almost unable to resist, Ulhume climbed over the altar to straddle Maul’s body. He bent forward to lick circles around Maul’s dusky nipples, sometimes pausing to take a peak into his mouth. Maul stirred beneathe him, a slow moan emitting from from his throat.

Ulhume was relentess with his caresses and licked up the explanse of Maul’s chest and ended at his neck. He sucked on the flesh tenderly, biting it gently, then sliding his tongue over the area he’d bitten. Maul moaned again, his head turning to the side to allow Ulhume access to the underside of his jawline. Ulhume took the invite and kissed a path up Maul’s jaw to slip his tongue into his ear. Maul shuddered, still unable to move or react.

Ulhume paused in his actions long enough to turn Maul’s face towards him with two, elegant fingers. “Savor this, Sith, for you will never feel it again from a woman,” he whispered close to Maul’s lips. Still able to move his head, Maul raised his mouth upwards, desperately seeking the lips that grazed his. Ulhume denied him this and lowered his head to nip at Maul’s collar. By his knee, Ulhume could feel the evidence of his sucess press against his leg. Grinning like a felinx, Ulhume crooned in Maul’s ear.

“I feel you, Sith,” he whispered, lashing his tongue out to slide over Maul’s earlobe. Maul shivered at the touch and again turned his face to his unseen seducer. His mouth worked but no sounds came out, save for a whimpering moan of desire. Ulhume laughed huskily and pressed his lips to the corner of Maul’s teasingly. Maul tried to respond but Ulhume moved away again. His hot hands slid down Maul’s body till they touched the inside of one, well-toned thigh. The hardness of the Sith Lord throbbed angrily through the now-tight fabric.

“Speak and let me know your needs,” Ulhume said softly, his fingers kneading into Maul’s skin. Maul moaned loudly before he found his voice.

“Satisfy....my aching,” Maul forced out hoarsely. Ulhume smiled and slipped his hand under the waistband of the black trousers. His fingers traced lines around Maul’s erection then grasped it firmly in his palm. Maul’s hips bucked slightly from the contact and a strangled moaning grunt sounded from his throat.

“I will give you all this and more,” Ulhume promised quietly and moved down Maul’s prone body till he reached his waist. He remove his hand long enough to slide the fabric from Maul’s thighs, exposing the ebony shaft beneathe it. Ulhume marveled at the length and width of the fleshy tool. Like a child with a new toy, Ulhume explored every inch of his ‘toy’, using his hands, fingers, teeth, lips, and tongue. Maul’s gloved hands flexed painfully at his sides, his hips moving in time with Ulhume’s motions.

For long, agonizing moments, Ulhume worked his tongue slowly up and down Maul’s dusky velvet flesh. Finally, after what seemed like forever to Maul in his state of passion-filled bliss, he felt Ulhume’s lips slide over him, enveloping the hot flesh fully. Low grunts and groans came from Maul as he lifted one hand up to grasp Ulhume’s long, silken brown hair. In his mind, he thought that it was Dirae doing everything to him. Ulhume had made sure Maul’s vision would see only Dirae when he looked at him.

Ulhume drew away from Maul’s shaft and lifted the Sith Lord’s body into his arms. He knelt with Maul cradled in his embrace, again savoring the feel of his weight in his arms. Maul raised his head and licked his lips with a wet tongue. The saliva that glistened off of the red and black markings on his lips made Ulhume cry out and kiss the Sith Lord passionately. Maul responded with characteristic ferocity, matching Ulhume’s passions perfectly.

Maul’s hands moved over Ulhume’s bare chest, slowly moving southward till he reached the Jedi’s firm shaft. Lost in lustful thoughts, Maul ignored the fact that he was making love to a man and began stroking Ulhume’s length steadily. Ulhume’s body sagged against Maul’s strong form, his teeth biting into the black skin at Maul’s neck and shoulders. His control over Maul’s body snapped as Maul switched positions so Ulhume was on his back and the Sith Lord was hovering above him.

“Tell me what you crave, Jedi,” he hissed through his teeth, still working his hand up Ulhume’s member. Ulhume cried into the night, savoring the firm feel of Maul’s hand around his column of aching desire.

“Control me, my lord!” Ulhume screamed, his hands clutching at the stone altar’s corners above his head. “Make me yours!”

“And I shall!” Furiously, without compassion, Maul hooked his fingers in the seam of Ulhume’s pants and ripped them apart, exposing Ulhume’s flesh to the night air. Ulhume writhed under Maul’s skilled hands as they raked their nails over his chest and thighs. Blood trailed the marks over his torso and midsection. Maul trailed two fingers in the serum and brought them to Ulhume’s mouth. Ulhume grasped the blood-soaked digits between his lips and sucked on them hungrily. After what Maul considered to be long enough, he tore his hand from Ulhume’s mouth, leaving the Jedi panting for breath.

“Please, my master...” Ulhume begged breathlessly, opening his legs even wider so they draped over the altar. He writhed again, a great desperate motion of endless longing. Maul growled in his throat and attacked Ulhume with force. The Zabrakian male cried out in pleasure-filled pain as Maul ran his teeth over the sensitive skin of his shaft. The Sith’s tongue lashed the head furiously, so fast Ulhume’s head swam.

Ulhume’s cries filled the night as Maul continued his assault on the Jedi Master. Maul’s own unsatisified lust mingled with his desire to kill the Jedi, forming a powerful force that set the air aflame. Each male felt their Forces dance in the air, sparks of blues, reds, and purples lighting the dark chapel briefly. With one final scream of pleasure, Ulhume climaxed powerfully into Maul’s mouth.

Maul’s own end erupted from him and he howled to the sky. Spent, both males fell into complete stillness, the only sounds their pants, moans, and satisified sighs. They remained motionless for many, many moments. Dawmn spread over the castle like a blanket of light and shined through the narrow windows of the chapel chamber. Maul fell asleep against Ulhume’s body, the crimson gem resting against the Jedi’s belly, sparkling in the sunlight.

Ulhume raised himself up onto his elbows and gazed down at the smaller yet muscular man sprawled over him. He reached out to lift the garnet tiara from Maul’s horns and stared at it. He slipped it over his own horns and gently moved Maul from his body. Maul groaned in his sleep as Ulhume repositioned the Sith on the altar. He kissed the half-parted lips gently, dressed, and left the chapel.

End Chapter Seven

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Chapter Eight: Sacrifices Made in Vain

Dirae woke when a strange feeling of completion washed over her mind. Frantic, she jumped out of the bed and dressed in her battle robes. Something was wrong with Maul, she could feel it. After strapping her saber onto her belt, she rushed out of the shelter and through the sunlit woods.

Her senses carried her in the direction of the old castle she had seen during Maul’s fight with Ulhume. Strangely, the sense of danger weakened as she approached the ancient structure. Quickly, she scanned the area with her mind, picked up two familiar thought patterns, and hurried towards the gates of the castle.

Odd place to have a castle. Dirae thought as she raced through the castle’s front gates and over the stone floor. She reached out again and located Maul’s mind coming from the chapel doors. Distraught and more than a little angry, Dirae withdrew her lightsaber, ignited it, and slashed through the old wooden double doors. There, on the stone altar in the center of the chamber lay Maul, seemingly unconscious.

Dirae replaced her saber on her belt and rushed towards her fallen mate. She carefully lifted his torso into her arms and shook him gently. “Khameir! Khameir, wake up!” she urged. She stroked his face with one hand, tears forming in her eyes. What’s happened to you? she cried in her mind. Suddenly, Dirae felt Ulhume’s presence behind her. She whipped her head around to snarl at her brother, who was standing atop the broken doors of the chapel, his hand resting on the hilt of his lightsaber.

“You have done this!” she hissed, lowering Maul onto the altar again and withdrawing her weapon. The purple blade flared to angry life. Ulhume held out his own to her then surprisingly let it drop to the floor. Dirae stared at it for a moment, then realized his intentions. She retracted the blade and placed the saber beside Maul’s body.

“As we were taught, warrior sister,” Ulhume said, shrugging off his black Jedi robes and tunic. He assumed a sepent-like stance, waiting for Dirae to follow his lead. Dirae narrowed her green gaze, tore off her outter tunic to stand in her black tanktop. Her hands curved into claws and she crouched low to the ground. Her aura flared blood-red around her as a slow growl sounded from her throat. While Ulhume had been taught the defensive techniques, Dirae had been taught all of the offensive styles of her people. When side by side in battle, nothing could get through to either of them. Now, they were on seperate sides of the balance.

“He belongs to me!” both cried in unison, charging at the other in a furious rage. Dirae flew into the air, assisted by her control over the Dark Side, and delivered a harsh roundhouse kick to the back of Ulhume’s neck. He flinched from the blow but did not faulter. He whipped around, grabbed her ankle and lashed her body in the air before throwing her to the stone floor. Dirae managed to turn herself in the air so she landed in a crouched position on the floor. Like a wild cat, she sprang forward towards Ulhume’s leg, knocking them out from under him.

Despite his size, Ulhume proved to be very flexible and twice as graceful. He easily back-flipped away from her attack, thrust his hand forward and used the Force to slam Dirae against the altar. Dirae grunted in pain, briefly clutched her middle, and charged him again, this time in a spinning arc of furious kicks.

After more misses on both sides, Dirae and Ulhume stopped. “We’re evenly matched, Dirae,” Ulhume said. Dirae snarled.

“Stop making excuses!” she screamed, charging at him again with a flurry of kicks and punches. Ulhume defended them easily then cast her away with a thought.

“I’m not making excuses, Dirae! You know as well as I do we were trained as a team!” he said sternly. “And you shouldn’t be fighting in your condition.”

Dirae froze. “You don’t know anything about my condition, past or present,” she said weakly, her defenses weakening as well. Ulhume shook his head and approached her with one hand extended.

“You can’t lie to me, Dirae,” he whispered softly, coming close enough to her to touch her face gently. Dirae’s eyes turned wide and frightened. “You failed to be honest with him. He came to me with more than anger in his heart.”

“Came to you?” Dirae asked breathlessly, her hands rising to cover her mouth slightly. “He never..?”

“Challenged me? He did,” Ulhume answered for her, stepping past her to gaze down at Maul’s sleeping form. Tenderly, he grazed the back of his hand over Maul’s cheek. Dirae stood beside her brother, staring down at Maul as well. Pain struck her heart at the gentle caress. Her eyes turned from her mate to Ulhume’s face.

“There’s more you’re not telling me, Ulhume,” Dirae said quietly, absently moving her brother’s hand from Maul’s face and pulling his body towards her. She held him to her possessively as she continued. “Something happened between you two and I demand to know what it was.”

“I don’t have to tell you anything you don’t already know, Dirae,” Ulhume pointed out, turning away from her. Dirae watched her brother walk towards a window and stare out of it. Sunlight filtered through the glass to shine over his long brown hair. Dirae felt a wave of regret wash over her. She recalled moments when the two of them would sit in the dunes to talk as the suns set or rose. Ulhume had been her only friend and confidant during those harsh times and now by fate, he was her enemy. To blazes with fate! she thought firmly.

“Ulhume,” she began, not moving from her place with Maul. “I don’t want to have to fight you anymore. I’m in a desperate situation and you’re the only one I can trust.”

Ulhume turned his head to look at her, his eyebrows raised slightly. “Trust? You can’t trust him?” he asked, lifting a hand to gesture towards Maul. Dirae looked down in shame, hugging Maul tightly to her body as she did so.

“It would only complicate things,” she replied softly. “I don’t know how he would react. I’m afraid to know.”

“He has a right to know, Dirae,” Ulhume said, walking back to her and lifting her face to his. “He is the father of the child you carry. No man should go through life without knowing the joy of what they’ve created with the woman they love. Tell him when he wakes.”

“How long will he be asleep? What did you do to him?” Dirae demanded, tears sliding down her cheeks. Ulhume took his hand away and turned his face from her.

“I possessed his mind and body. He’ll sleep for an hour or so.”

“I suppose I don’t have to ask why his clothes are over there and not on him,” Dirae said sharply, laying Maul down briefly to fetch his discarded robes. Ulhume glanced at the prone body of the majestic Sith Lord, the familiar tingle forming in his loins. His chest burned with the vicious claw marks, the blood dried and sticking to his tunic. Dirae returned and began dressing her mate. She cast her brother scornful glances as she did so.

When she’d finished, she removed her own tunic to form a pillow beneathe Maul’s head. “At least you know you’ve satisfied your lusts, brother.” Her voice dripped with venom, belying her former words of trust. Ulhume turned his head to her, a cold look in his eyes.

“I gave him what he wanted,” he said sharply. “He came to me in a blind rage, half anger and half unsatisfied passion. I eased one of his pains. You denied him!”

“I had to! It’s dangerous in my case!” Dirae spat back.

“Tell him and he’ll understand! I know he will!” Ulhume protested. Dirae’s hand shot up to slap his cheek.

“You don’t know anything! How dare you presume to know anything about us!” she snapped. Ulhume ignored the pain in his cheek.

“I know enough, sister. I know he’d want to know about the child. When he wakes up you must tell him!” he insisted passionately. Dirae spun away from her brother and lowered her head onto Maul’s chest. Her shoulders shook with her sobs.

Moments passed in silence. Ulhume laid a hand on his sister’s back and tenderly soothed her pain. “I understand your hesitation, Dirae. It’s not normal for Sith to have offspring; you’re afraid he might reject it.”

“Yes, I’m afraid,” Dirae replied, her voice muffled against Maul’s tunic. She hated having him unconscious and unable to hold her. She rose up and began shaking Maul’s body. “Wake him up, Ulhume! I need him awake!”

“Very well, Dirae. I can’t promise how he’ll behave when he awakens and sees me with you,” Ulhume said with a sigh. He passed a hand over Maul’s face, whispered a few words and stepped back. Dirae watched Maul’s face intently. She was rewarded with a groan from Maul. A smile of relief flashed over her tear-streaked face.

“Khameir!” Dirae cried and embraced him tightly. Maul opened his eyes and held Dirae back. “Thank the maker!”

“Dirae, where are we?” Maul asked huskily. Before Dirae could reply, Maul saw Ulhume standing in the background. Flashes of the previous evening flooded his brain and he grimaced. I’ll just forget it happened. he thought and moved to a sitting position. Dirae kept her arms around his waist, her face buried in his chest. He stroked her back gently as he glared in Ulhume’s direction. The Zabrakian Jedi Master wore a look of regret.

“I’ll leave now,” Ulhume said quietly, turning away and walking over the fallen doors of the chapel. Dirae moved her face to watch her brother walk away, knowing he was leaving so she could tell Maul about the child. It’ll still be difficult regardless of how much Ulhume claims Khameir will listen. she thought sadly, sighing softly.

“Dirae, something’s bothering you, I can feel it,” Maul said after Ulhume vanished from view. “No, don’t bother explaining why I’m here, I don’t care anymore,” he added when Dirae had tried to speak. “I just want to know why you’ve been so jittery lately.”

“I suppose I can’t continue making excuses, Khameir,” Dirae sighed and withdrew from his embrace. She hugged herself tightly, her back turned to him. “The reason I’ve been so tense these past two days is because-- what’s that?” A slow rumbling sounded in the distance, distracting both Sith from their conversation. Maul slid off of the altar and listened for the sound again. The rumbling grew closer to the castle.

“Is it a storm?” Dirae asked, listening as well. Before Maul could answer the ground shook violently, sending Dirae toppling into Maul’s arms.

“It’s an earthquake!” Maul cried, holding Dirae upright. “This castle won’t be able to hold for long if the quake becomes worse; we have to get out of here.” He took Dirae’s hand and ran with her out of the chapel and through the main halls of the ancient building. The shaking continued, more violent each time it rattled the rotting support beams of the castle. Stones began falling from the walls, crashing to the floor in pieces as Maul and Dirae resumed their frantic flight from the castle.

Elsewhere in the castle, Ulhume was attempting to escape the quake as well. He heard Dirae’s screams a few chambers away from where he was and quickly rushed towards the sound. He found Dirae crouched on the floor with Maul’s body in her arms. Bits of stone fragments lay scattered around them, indicating Maul had been struck somewhere with a large chunk of the wall.

“Dirae! We have to get out of here!” Ulhume screamed, rushing forward to pull her to her feet. Dirae fought him frantically.

“No! I’m not leaving without him!” she cried, wrenching her arm free and kneeling back down beside her fallen mate. Ulhume bent over and scooped Maul up into his arms.

“We won’t leave without him, sister. Now, quickly, follow me,” Ulhume commanded and ran out of the chamber. Dirae followed, dodging falling stones and avoiding chunks of granite that had already hit the floor. The ground continued to shake, making running difficult for both Zabrakians. Minutes later, they emerged from the crumbling castle and rushed towards Dirae and Maul’s shelter. Animals of all species were rushing around them as they approached the waterfall’s shores.

Dirae cursed in her native language when she saw that the shelter had fallen from the quake. “The ship! Quickly!” she called, gesturing for Ulhume to follow her. They emerged from the forests to where Maul I was docked. Dirae punched in the correct codes to open the hatch doors on her wristlink. The hatch opened with a silent hiss of air and the two of them rushed inside. Dirae quickly instructed Ulhume to place Maul in a seat, strap him in tightly, then fasten himself to a chair.

Dirae leaped into the pilot’s chair and fired up the engines. The vertical landing engines shifted position and hoisted the large vessel into the air, away from the planet’s surface. Ulhume watched the castle crash in the distance from the viewport and sighed in relief, glad that they’d escaped when they did. But at what cost? he wondered, casting a glance at the unconscious Maul in the seat behind him. Dirae’s attention was directed towards the control panels and didn’t notice her brother’s silent observation.

Once out of the planet’s atmosphere, Dirae shifted the ship’s direction towards the endless expanse of space and punched the hyperdrive switch. The stars vanished in blue blurs of light as Maul I made the jump to lightspeed. Dirae fell back against her chair with a loud sigh of relief. Ulhume marveled at his sister’s piloting skills and control over tough situations. Indeed, her offspring will be just as strong.

Dirae snapped to attention and looked over at Ulhume quickly. “Khameir! We have to see if he’s all right!” She unfastened her seat strap and hurried over to where Maul sat slumped over in his chair. Ulhume knelt down beside his sister and touched Maul’s neck. His pulse was slow, but there, indicating he’d survived the blow to the head.

“You have a medical facility, yes?” Ulhume asked, unstrapping Maul from the seat and picking him up in his arms. Dirae nodded quickly and left the cockpit, Ulhume following after her. She led him to the med unit and ushered him inside. Her own medical droid, TO-1, came to attention at seeing his mistress.

“Teeoh-one, I need you to set up a dormo-shock chamber and place Lord Maul inside. I believe he’s in need of rest,” Dirae instructed the droid, who nodded its slim head and set to obeying her orders. Ulhume placed Maul on the bed and stepped back to allow Dirae access to her mate. She removed his tunic and set it aside in a compartment above the bed. Teeoh-one stepped forward to take Maul and place him inside the dormo-shock chamber. The droid set the correct settings and switched the chamber on. A soft hum filled the room. Dirae stared at her beloved mate through the glass chamber, her hand pressed against the surface.

“Will he live?” she asked in a tight voice. Teeoh-one gave her an estimate and she sighed heavily. Not the best odds, but she knew Maul was strong enough to survive anything. Now all she had to do was survive her own ordeal and figure out a way to take care of the aftermath. She knew they couldn’t keep the child, something that bothered her greatly, and yet she knew they couldn’t just abandon the child somewhere.

Just then her eyes locked on her brother, who stood in the corner of the med unit with his arms crossed over his chest and eyes closed. Dirae’s brow furrowed thoughtfully. If she gave the child to Ulhume she knew it’d be safe. Her hand strayed to her middle, the gentle slope of the child curving under her palm. She only had another month or so before it was born. Zabrakian pregnancies only lasted three to four months at best and she estimated she was two and a half months into the term.

“I think I should go lay down,” Dirae said absently, moving away from the chamber. Ulhume opened his eyes, uncrossed his arms, and stepped up to stand beside his small sister.

“Yes, rest is what you need now, Dirae. I’m sorry you had to experience motherhood in such dire circumstances,” he said softly, touching her face with one hand gently. Dirae offered him a weak smile.

“I never thought I’d ever experience motherhood in any situation, Ulhume. You know I was never one for a family of my own,” she replied lightly. “I’d rather not have someone to remind me of Mom or Valdyr. Do you know what happened to her after you were taken away?”

“No, I don’t. Could you tell me?” Ulhume asked, gesturing for her to follow him out of the medical chamber. Dirae walked towards the sleeping quarters with Ulhume in tow, speaking as she did so.

“We certainly have a lot to talk about, don’t we, Ulhume?” Dirae remarked softly, a small smile on her face. Ulhume put his arm over her shoulders and hugged her to his side.

“Yes, sister. There is time for all of that.”

End Chapter Eight

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Chapter Nine: Beginnings

“I had no idea Tessla was so heartless,” Ulhume said, lowering his head to hide his tears. “Valdyr...to die so ruthlessly. While I don’t condone what you did, Dirae, she did deserve to pay for what she’d done. But not in death, never in death.”

Dirae frowned at her brother. For the past few hours the two had been talking about everything that had happened to them since the time Ulhume was taken to Tatooine. “What was I supposed to do, Ulhume? We were a poor family and a long forgotten clan; Tessla’s family was welathy and respected. If I had tried to get Valdyr back any other way I would have lost. She would’ve lived a harsh life of slavery and not known love. You, if anyone, can relate to that fact.”

Ulhume cast her a sharp glance. “Tessla would’ve been far more gentle towards Valdyr than Jabba had been to me or any of the other slaves.”

“Exactly what did you do on Tatooine and how’d you escape?” Dirae asked, leaning forward in interest. Ulhume sighed and leaned back in his chair.

“We did all of the hard work his other employees didn’t want to do. Being the tallest and the strongest, aside from the single Wookie Jabba had there, I was given a lot of the heavier chores. I remember transporting merchandise from one end of the Dune Sea to the other, in single file always. Many of the weaker ones died from the heat and my workload was doubled. I mourned their loss yet hated how I was left to bear the burden of their leftover chores.”

Dirae mulled over his words before speaking again. “And your escape?” she pressed.

Ulhume looked away from her momentarily. “It was when I first encountered Maul that the idea of escape struck me. It was a freak occurance, really. We, meaning the rest of the slaves and I, were returning from a trip to Mos Eisley’s marketplace for Jabba when I fell behind the line. It was very hot, you see, even moreso than back home. I was lugging this incredibly heavy load of dead ‘delicacies’ for Jabba and it grew to be so incumbersome that I had to stop. It couldn’t have been more than a few minutes before I saw Maul’s...it looked like a warped version of a speeder bike...?”

“It’s his customized speeder, yes,” Dirae filled in for him. Ulhume nodded assent and continued.

“Yes, well, he was coming towards me and I found myself transfixed. When he stopped and dismounted it felt like someone had hit me in the gut. The aura of power around him was so intoxicating I had to stay where I was and simply drink it in.” Passion filled Ulhume’s voice as he recalled the events on Tatooine. Dirae knew all too well that feeling of ectasy; it had been one of the things that first attracted her to Maul as well.

“I touched him. I couldn’t help myself. He looked so unreal, like a specter from another time and place. He warned me to stay away and left, leaving me with this awesome sense of helplessness and indescribible pain,” Ulhume concluded sadly, his hands hovering over his heart.

“I don’t blame you for being entranced by him, Ulhume, but whatever you did to him that night it couldn’t have been of his free will,” Dirae said softly, careful not to open old wounds. Ulhume nodded in shame.

“Yes. I used my training as a Jedi to possess his mind and body. He was paralyzed for the time I spent with him. He recovered surprisingly and well...” Ulhume opened his tunic front and exposed the vicious claw marks left by Maul’s hands on his chest. Dirae gasped behind her hand, shaking her head as she did so.

“He didn’t...! He only wished to kill you, not..!” Dirae protested, even though she knew in her heart that what her brother said was true. Khameir went to him dissatisfied with me and used my brother as an outlet.. she thought sadly.

Ulhume closed his tunic as he spoke. “I didn’t believe it myself when it happened. It was like euphoria when he --” he stopped, lost in the memory. Dirae swallowed back a sob and held up a hand.

“It’s all right. I don’t need to know the details,” she said shakily. Ulhume noticed her unease and stood up to stand beside her. He put his arms around her shoulders and held her to him.

“Forgive me, Dirae. I wasn’t thinking,” he apologized softly. Dirae blew out a shaky breath and patted her brother’s arm with her hand.

“Don’t worry about it, Ulhume. I’m going to go lay down now. I need to rest.” With that, Dirae stood and left the lounge. Ulhume watched her leave with a heavy heart. He knew she wished it had been her who was the one to spend the night with Maul for the last time.

No, don’t say last. He’ll recover and be fine. he told himself firmly. He has to be all right, for Dirae’s sake.

* * * *

Days passed and Maul remained comatose. Dirae would often sit in the medical ward, staring at the glass chamber that held her beloved master and mate, and often stroking the steadily-rising slope of her belly. Her insight told her it was to be a girl and sometimes to distract herself she would mull over possible names. She’d be a Sarin, Dirae knew that. But would she know her father? Or even Dirae?

On this particular day, Dirae was again perched before Maul’s dormo-shock chamber, gazing intently at the prone body before her. The doors opened and Ulhune stepped in. Dirae didn’t look up to greet him, her hand caressing her belly absently. Ulhume approached her and knelt down beside her chair. He glanced at Maul before turning his eyes to his sister.

“Dirae, I’m sure he’ll come about soon,” he assured her gently, touching her hand. “You’re not helping your condition by dwelling on the negative.”

“What would you have me do, then, Ulhume?” Dirae asked dully, keeping her eyes on Maul. “Sit in my room knitting like some common housewife? I’m Sith and I’m afraid even in this state we don’t do commanplace things.” Her voice turned sarcastic. Ulhume exhaled a deep sigh and shook his head.

“Your title as a Sith is irrelevent now. Right now you’re an expectant mother who only has another month to go. What will you do with the child when she is born? Abandon her? Forget she exists because you’re too busy wallowing in your own sadness?”

Dirae glared at her brother through narrow eyes. “I don’t like your tone, Ulhume.”

“I don’t care if you do or you do not, Dirae!” Ulhume raised his voice and stood up to turn Dirae’s chair around to face him as he spoke. “That child will become your legacy; your’s and Maul’s. Are you just going to ignore that? You have to decide what to do and decide quickly. I’m offering my help to you. Whether or not you choose to take it is your choice.”

“I pleaded for your help in the castle chamber, Ulhume; of course I’m going to accept it,” Dirae replied quietly. Ulhume smiled slightly.

“Good. Do you have any idea what to do when the child comes?” he asked. Dirae shrugged.

“I haven’t been thinking about it to be honest. I know my time’s running out, but I can’t help but think about Khameir. I sense his lifeforce growing weaker everyday...I can’t bear to think of life without him.” Her voice broke off as she swallowed back a sob. Ulhume embraced his sister and soothed her with soft words of reassurance.

“I can’t promise you anything, Dirae, but I can promise you this. Your daughter will live on even if Maul doesn’t. I can already tell she’ll have a lot of her father in her. And her mother.” Ulhume ended his words with a warm smile. Dirae wiped at her tears and returned the smile.

“Thank you, Ulhume. I’m just so scared of what’s going to happen,” she confessed, bowing her head to rest on his shoulder. He kissed her forehead and rocked her gently.

“It’ll work out on its own. Everything has a way of falling into place,” he murmured against her skin. Dirae nodded.

“I hope she has your values, Ulhume.”

“No. She’ll have none of mine. Just all of yours. Tell me,” Ulhume parted from her slightly to look down into her face. “Have you thought of a name?”

Dirae gave a short chuckle. “Yes, many times. I can’t decide. I wish Khameir had known his mother; I would’ve liked to name the child after her. I don’t think it’d be right to name her after Mom, though. I guess I’ll have to be original.”

“I’m sure it’ll come to you eventually,” Ulhume remarked. “Now, have you eaten anything today?” His tone turned serious and somewhat big brother-ish. Dirae laughed softly.

“Now you’re starting to sound like the old Ulhume,” she quipped, smiling. Ulhume paused, his brow furrowed in confusion. “Nevermind. No, I haven’t eaten anything today.”

“Then let’s get you something before you waste away sitting here,” Ulhume said, helping her to her feet. Dirae groaned as she stood. Her hands went to her belly and she rubbed her palms over the slope.

“I feel like a space whale,” she moaned. Ulhume laughed richly and placed a hand on the small of her back.

“You look radiant despite your size,” he said, guiding her out of the med chamber. Dirae smirked up at him. “Sorry, I suppose that wasn’t the best choice of words.”

“I’ll say. You just put both feet into your mouth, brother.”

* * * *

Two weeks later, Dirae woke up when a great pain struck her in the middle. She doubled over onto her side and grunted. So soon! she thought frantically. She staggered out of bed and limped towards the doors. Her hand brushed the open switch and she slowly made her way out of her chambers and into Ulhume’s. She banged on the door with one hand while the other held her middle.

“Ulhume! It’s time!” she cried, her voice breaking from the pain. Immediately the doors swished open and Ulhume stepped out. He was dressed in a pair of black trousers, given to him by Dirae when they’d left the planet. He turned Dirae around and directed her back into her room.

“We’re not birthing this child in the corridors, Dirae. Get back into bed!” he commanded, though not roughly. Dirae did as she was told and stumbled into bed. Ulhume propped her pillows behind her head and covered her with the blanket. “Stay here while I get Teeoh-one.” Dirae nodded quickly and moaned when another pain hit her.

Ulhume hurried into the medical ward and alerted the droid of Dirae’s condition. Teeoh-one left the ward before Ulhume, who remained behind to gaze down at Maul. “Your daughter is coming, Khameir. I swear she will be safe.”

Back in Dirae’s chambers, Teeoh-one was busily tending to the moaning Zabrakian female. Through the hazes of pain, she called out to Maul, willing him to wake from his coma and be there for her. The doors opened to reveal Ulhume, who hurried to kneel at Dirae’s bedside. He clutched her hands in his own, urging her on as she strained and pushed to give birth to her daughter.

Dirae forced words past her tightened throat. “Khameir....!” Ulhume bowed his forehead to touch the back of Dirae’s hand, willing her to hold on. He could feel her life slipping from her body; the birthing process was too much even for her. He recalled his mother passing away after Valdyr’s birth and prayed the same wouldn’t happen to Dirae.

Inside the medical ward, Maul’s body stirred in the dormo-shock chamber. His eyes opened halfway then widened when he felt Dirae in extreme pain. With renewed energy, he pounded at the glass of the chamber, screaming for it to break and set him free. The glass splintered and shattered outward; Maul sprang from the chamber, ignoring the shards that slashed at his bare feet as he hurried from the medical chambers.

Dirae gasped in pain, still calling for Maul between breaths. Teeoh-one turned its optics to Ulhume and shook its head stiffly in a futile attempt at pity. Ulhume caught the droid’s gist and swallowed thickly. The sounds of hurried footsteps in the corridor alerted Ulhume’s attention to the doorway.

Dirae’s breath quickened before she screamed. “Khameir!!” she howled as her last effort to push the baby from her body succeeded and the child slid from her body into the droid’s hands.

Dirae’s eyes fled to the doorway, knowing he was near--

--Maul entered the chambers, his eyes meeting with Dirae’s for a brief moment--

--Dirae smiled at him and seemed to whisper “I love you”.

Then her lifeforce left her body, closing her eyes and causing her body to slouch against the pillows. In what seemed like forever, Maul felt the slam of her death hit him in the gut, shattering his heart and forming a pained scream in his throat. Yet, it never escaped his lips as he fell to the ground on his knees.

On the bed, the baby’s cries could be heard from the blankets Teeoh-one had wrapped around her. Ulhume remained where he was beside the bed, his hands still clutching his sister’s, his wide eyes never leaving her face. From the doorway, Ulhume could hear Maul’s soft protests, his voice heavy with sadness.

“Dirae....no, no...you’re not dead..” he whispered, his head bowed. Tears streamed down his painted face to drip onto his fisted hands. With a great effort, he crawled towards the bed and climbed on top of it to kneel beside Dirae’s still form. He cupped her face in his hands and turned it to face him. His thumbs stroked her cheeks, sliding over the dried tears that remained.

“Dirae....?” Maul whispered, his voice suddenly sounding very innocent, like a child’s. He gently shook her head. “Wake up. You’re not dead!” His tone grew desperate as he repeated himself over and over again. Ulhume found himself unable to move or speak. The scene before him had rendered voice useless.

By this time, Maul had collapsed over Dirae’s body and was holding onto her tightly. Silently, Teeoh-one brought the child to Ulhume, who accepted the bundle carefully. He dismissed the droid and moved around the bed to stand behind Maul.

“Khameir...your daughter needs you now,” he whispered gently. Maul refused to move or look up. Ulhume grew impatient with the Sith Lord and gently placed the child onto the bed, then shook Maul’s shoulder. “I don’t like it any more than you do, but you have another life to take care of now.”

Maul reared on Ulhume with a cry of rage and slammed the taller male into the wall. “Leave me, Jedi! I only wish to die with her!” he cried. Ulhume picked himself up from the floor and calmly strode back to the bed.

“You forget, Khameir, that she was also my sister and while I do mourn her passing, I know responsibilites must be taken care of. Yours is to raise your daughter into a fine female and not sit here wallowing in grief!” Ulhume said sharply. Maul turned angry eyes on the Jedi Master and snarled, clutching to Dirae’s body like a child with a favorite toy.

“I’m warning you, Jedi...stand away from me if you value your life!” he hissed. Ulhume whipped his hand up and backhanded Maul across the face. The Sith roared in fury but did not move from Dirae’s body.

“Right now I value your life and the life of this child! Without you, she’ll die. Take her!” Ulhume held the bundle out to Maul, who stared down at it like it was a foreign object. The blankets parted as the baby girl moved her hands about, her eyes still closed. Maul’s face softened at the sight and he carefully unwound his arms from around Dirae’s waist. Tentitively, he took the child from Ulhume’s arms and parted the fabric with one finger to peer down at the small, pale face before him.

The child’s eyes opened to reveal sparkling golden eyes much like his own. Small nubs marked where her horns would grow, their pattern resembling that of both Maul and Dirae’s. A light dusting of silvery golden hair covered her head like down. Despite himself, Maul found himself transfixed by this tiny life he held in his arms. He looked back at Dirae’s silent face then to the child’s. The faintest hint of a smile touched the child’s lips as she gazed back at her father.

“She’s...mine?” Maul asked in quiet disbelief, looking up at Ulhume. Ulhume nodded. Maul turned his gaze back to the child and held her closer to him. He felt Dirae’s presence in the small body and a strong connection to the Dark Side already whispered in her mind.

Maul remained gazing at the newborn for many moments, neither he nor Ulhume making any sound. Finally, Maul’s face fell and he looked up at Ulhume sadly. “I can’t keep her with me. Not now. I know nothing of raising a child. I was abandoned as a child myself. Would you take her?” Ulhume stared deep into the golden eyes of the Sith Lord before him, realizing it was a moment he’d never experience again. He nodded solemnly and accepted the child from Maul’s arms. Maul paused to remove the necklace from Dirae’s throat and handed it to Ulhume as well.

“Give this to her. I don’t care if you tell her where you got it or not, just let her wear it when she’s old enough,” he instructed. Ulhume nodded once and slipped the necklace into his pocket.

“Dirae never thought of a name for the child. Perhaps you would like to do the honors?” Ulhume pressed gently. Maul swallowed uneasily and nodded.

“Ri’behkah was my mother’s name. I know Dirae would’ve wanted to name her after someone from my family. It’s something she would do,” he said, reaching out to touch the tiny hand of his daughter. “She looks like my mother almost, from what I can recall of her anyway.”

“Then Ri’behkah it is, Khameir. What will you do now?” Ulhume asked. Maul turned back to Dirae and touched her face gently.

“As I said before, I only wish to die with her,” he replied quietly. “Come, I’ll take you to our escape pods.” Maul stood and led Ulhume out of the bedchambers. He stopped before a locked door in the corridors, punched in a keycode, and stepped back when the doors swooshed open. He gestured for Ulhume to step inside, which the Jedi did and sat down on one of the padded benches. He cast one more look at Maul, unsure if he should speak.

“Khameir...I wanted to thank you for what you did,” Ulhume said carefully. “It was the only thing I wished for.” Maul shrugged with one shoulder, his eyes averted from Ulhume’s.

“Just take care of yourself and my daughter, Jedi,” he said gruffly. “Safe journey.” With that, Maul sealed the pod doors and jettisoned it from the ship. He moved away from the doors and made his way into the cockpit. He sat down in the pilot’s chair and tapped in a few commands on the console.

Finished, Maul left the cockpit to return to Dirae’s side. Behind him, bright red numbers flashed the minutes until the ship would self-destruct.

* * * *

Ulhume gazed out of the porthole in the pod, his eyes never leaving the hull of the large space vessel that held his deceased sister and her loyal mate and master. In his arms, Ri’behkah slept peacefully, completely unaware of what was happening around her. Minutes passed as the pod drifted farther and farther from the ship.

The shower of bright sparks was all that told Ulhume of Maul’s final wish. His eyes swelled with tears as he watched the explosion rock the stars around him.

Goodbye, Dirae....Khameir. I love you.

End Chapter Nine

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Epilogue

“Baja! Baja!” Ri’behkah’s childish voice called to Ulhume as she ran towards the small house she called home. Ulhume stepped from the doorway, smiled brightly at the child who jumped into his arms, and kissed her cheek.

“Behkah, where have you been?” he asked, smiling still. Behkah giggled behind her hand and pushed her blonde hair over her shoulder.

“I’ve found a pet, Baja. May we keep him?” she asked, turning in his arms to whistle into the distance. Ulhume looked over her shoulder and blinked when he saw a small steek calf hobble over to them. It bayed meekly and wagged it’s tail at Behkah. She slid from Ulhume’s arms and wrapped her small arms around the beast’s furry neck.

“His name is Khammy, Baja. May we keep him, please?” Behkah begged, her wide golden eyes pleading. Ulhume smiled and nodded.

“Of course we can, Behkah. Now, come with me to the rear of the house. The suns are setting!” He held his hand out to her and she slipped her small hand into his large palm.

“Come on, Khammy!” Behkah called to the steek, who bayed again and followed the two humanoids. Ulhume led the girl to the back of the house, leaned against the wall and gazed out at the twin suns as they cast their heavenly orange glow over the dunes. Behkah sat in the sand with Khammy beside her and watched in awe as the suns dipped further into the horizon.

Ulhume’s eyes turned sad as he recalled doing the same thing with Dirae, so many, many years ago. He’d felt it was right to keep the small tradition and have Behkah watch them set with him every day.

I will keep my promise to you, Khameir. I will raise your daughter to be the best she can be. Not a Sith, not a Jedi, not a warrior. She is the first of a new race. She is the Childe of the Sith.

End

Author’s Note: Well, there you have it. That’s the end of one saga and the beginning of another. I just wanted to give thanks to my Sith Sisters for constantly supporting me in everything I’ve done and for encouraging me to continue with my stories. Expect the birth of a new saga where we can follow Ri’behkah and Ulhume on their future adventures. Thanks again and may the Dark Side be with you, always.

MnM ‘99

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