Secret

Secrets and lies

Chapter 10

The Clone Wars showed no signs of slowing down. As the conflict dragged on, battles were fought on more fronts, and the galaxy seemed to be unraveling under the weight of endless warfare. For Anakin Skywalker and Iliana Mallory, the war was a constant presence, an ever-looming shadow that threatened to consume everything they held dear—including each other.

Since their confession on the balcony overlooking Coruscant, Anakin and Iliana had grown closer than ever. Their bond, forged in the fires of battle and deepened by their shared love, had become a source of strength for them both. But it had also become a source of constant tension. The secrecy they had vowed to maintain weighed heavily on them, and each day brought new challenges as they struggled to keep their relationship hidden from the watchful eyes of their fellow Jedi.

The Jedi Temple, once a place of peace and tranquility, now felt like a maze of dangers. Every glance from a fellow Jedi, every inquiry from their masters, felt like a potential threat to their secret. And as their missions grew more dangerous and their emotions more intense, the strain of living a double life began to take its toll.

It was during one such mission—a brief respite back on Coruscant after weeks of fighting—that their secret was almost exposed.

A Close Call

The corridors of the Jedi Temple were quiet, the usual bustle of Padawans and Jedi Masters replaced by a subdued stillness that came in the late hours of the evening. Anakin and Iliana walked side by side, their shoulders brushing occasionally as they made their way toward a secluded part of the Temple where they could speak privately.

The strain of maintaining their secret relationship was beginning to show. Both were exhausted from the constant vigilance required to keep up appearances, from the endless missions that left little time for anything else. And yet, every moment they spent together was a balm for their souls, a reminder of why they were willing to take such risks.

As they approached a quiet alcove near one of the Temple's many meditation gardens, Anakin reached out to take Iliana's hand, a small gesture of comfort in the face of the tension that had been building between them.

"I've missed you," Anakin said softly, his thumb brushing over her knuckles as he looked at her with a mixture of longing and concern.

Iliana smiled, though it didn't reach her eyes. "I've missed you too," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "It feels like we're always running, always hiding. I don't know how much longer we can keep this up."

Anakin's expression hardened, his protective instincts flaring. "We'll find a way," he insisted, his voice resolute. "We've made it this far. We just have to be careful."

But even as he said the words, Anakin knew that the walls were closing in. The war was taking its toll on both of them, and the demands of their duties left little room for anything else. The moments they could steal together were fleeting, and the fear of being discovered was ever-present.

"I know, but..." Iliana hesitated, her gaze dropping to the ground. "Sometimes I wonder if we're fooling ourselves. The Jedi Code, the Council... they'll find out eventually. And when they do..."

She didn't finish the sentence, but the unspoken fear hung between them, a heavy reminder of the consequences they faced.

Anakin opened his mouth to respond, to reassure her that they would be alright, when the sound of approaching footsteps froze them both in place.

"Someone's coming," Iliana whispered, her eyes widening in alarm.

Anakin immediately released her hand, his body tensing as he instinctively prepared for the worst. "Quick, over here," he said, guiding her into the shadow of a large pillar that offered some concealment from the main corridor.