The Art of Chaos and Darkness

Chapter Twenty-Five

There was screaming outside. 

And pain.  Agony.  Fear and terror.  Din woke with a start, the sheets tangled and soaked with sweat around him.  He swallowed his throat dry and raw as if he had been the one screaming.  He blindly reached out through the dark, feeling for that other piece inside him.  She was hurt.  

Din stumbled from the bed, not thinking twice before opening the door that separated their rooms.  The darkness was so thick he couldn't see his hands in front of his face.  He reached out again.  She was in pain, physical pain not just emotional pain. 

"Get out."

Din jumped.  He hadn't realized she was sitting in the dark on one of the couches.

"I can feel you... you're in pain."

There was a few seconds of silence.  "You aren't wearing your armor," she said finally.

It was like ice water was thrown over him.  He wore no beskar, no helmet.  The darkness was so absolute-

"I can't see your face."  Valda said as if she sensed his panic.

Din let out a breath.  "Why aren't you asleep?"

Fabric rustled.  "I don't sleep much these days."  

Din hesitated.  "I keep seeing your dreams... your memories."  

She didn't say anything.

He tried again.  "Are you okay?"

"Go back to sleep, Din."  

"I can't, not when I can feel everything."

She sighed and Din felt the bond between them lessen, her presence fading.  "Better?"

Din swallowed his frustration and slowly turned around.  "I wish you would just talk to me.  If we're going to be connected in this way, the least you could do is explain." 

She shifted behind him, rising from the couch.  "You want me to explain?"  Her voice came out hard.  She choked out a laugh.  "I'll do you one better.  Let me show you."

He felt her side of the bond fling open and then he was swept into a dark chamber.  The Sith King had his lightsaber against her face, one hand gripping Valda by her hair.  Their conversation played in Din's head.  Then Valda screamed as her master sliced the blade across her face.  Then he let her go and left the room.  Valda stayed crouched on the floor.  

Din was shoved from the scene and back into the presence.  He stumbled and took a step back.  

If you care for him, know that it will only be used against you.

Din sucked in a breath, feeling sweat slide down his back. 

"Are you satisfied now?"  Valda snapped from the dark.  "Do you have all your answers?"

What you did tonight, exposing yourself to protect another- never do that

Din tried to find her in the darkness.  "What did he mean, exposing yourself to protect another?  Did he mean me?"

He sensed the emotional turmoil within her.  "He tried to kill you tonight," she said finally.  "And I stopped him.  And because I did that... he knows.  He knows something isn't right."

"Why did you stop him?"  Din asked softly.

"I don't know.  It was instinct.  I did it without thinking." 

Din moved forward on near silent feet, pinpointing her location in the dark.  He sensed her standing before him.  "You are risking everything for me."  His words hung in the air.

She was right in front of him, a foot away.  "You don't deserve to die.  Not when you sacrificed so much for that child and your friends."  

He reached for her in the dark, fingers brushing against her bare wrist.  The touch of her skin on his sent a rush through him.  He'd never touched anyone without his gloves, not in a long time.  

"Don't," Valda breathed, the word barely audible.  But she didn't pull away.  

He drew his fingers slowly across the back of her hand, her palm, feeling the hard callouses there.  "You've surprised me, Valda.  From the second I first met you to when you saved my life on the ship.  You've been willing to sacrifice yourself for not only me but others as well.  Your entire life has been focused on saving those you feel you left behind."  He squeezed her hand gently.  "If anyone doesn't deserve to die, it's you." 

Her fingers were cold in his grip.  "Do not make this any harder than it already is, Din."  She whispered.  "Please.  He will make me kill you." 

"That's only guaranteeing if you would be able to kill me."  He squeezed her hand again.  

"You have no idea what he is capable of."  She whispered.  "What he will make me do.  Once you are gone..."

Din gripped her hand.  "I'm not leaving."

She let out a shaky breath.  "Whatever he wants to happen, will happen.  Nothing can stop it."  

Din reached for her other hand and held them both.  "Valda..." he hesitated, the words on the tip of his tongue.  "I don't..."  He closed his eyes.  "Valda, I care about you.  And I'm don't... I not going to let anything to happen to you."  

He sensed her shake her head.  "Din, you can't protect me.  Not from him.  He could kill me with-"

Din cut her off.  "Valda."

She stopped.  "What?"

Din focused on the feeling of her hands in his, the rough skin, the contrast of her slim fingers within his.  He dipped his head and found her mouth.  Hesitantly, almost as if asking her permission, he pressed his lips to hers. 

For a split second, she didn't react and Din's heart stopped, fearing he had misjudged the entire situation, their conversation, her tone-

 But then she kissed him back and it was like his body had been lit on fire.  A thrill rushed through him, every sense in his body tingling.  She tasted like a wildfire, chaos and sweet all at once.  Nothing had ever felt so right in his entire life.

Valda broke away, inhaling deeply.  Then she said, "Goodnight, Din."  A slight tremor shook her voice. 

The absence of her skin on his was like a shock, the cold air chilling his hands.  The taste, the smell of her lingered in the air.  His hands shook.   

Oh fuck.  He was so utterly fucked.