Shadows stretched across the terrace, reaching for Padraig as he stepped through the door. The sun was setting behind the mountains, reflecting gold and red in the waters of the lake, and silhouetting Anneke's cloaked form where she stood leaning on the balustrade. Padraig stopped, caught by the sight of her. Her beauty in the fading light took his breath away. He closed his eyes and thanked all the gods that she was here, that she was alive.
She had avoided him during the trip back to Naboo, and the journey had been torture. He had heard what had happened on Geonosis, how Yoda had found her and Obi Wan unconscious and rescued them just in time. He had heard that she had lost a hand. And yet, she had insisted on seeing him safely home.
Knowing she needed time to process everything, he had not sought her out until now. As he stepped forward, she turned toward him, her face in shadow, her hair afire with the last rays of the setting sun.
He quickly crossed the terrace to her side, and reached for her hands. She turned away, hiding her right arm in the black folds of her cloak. "Anneke," he said softly. "It's okay. I know."
She turned her face back to him, and her eyes were wet with tears. "But you haven't seen it—haven't touched it." She shook her head helplessly. "It's cold, Padraig. Cold and ugly and dead."
"No. It's part of you now. It's a reminder that you lived." He reached out again, and this time, she reluctantly gave him her hands. He lifted them both, brushing his lips across the smooth cool metal of her right hand, then across the warm knuckles of her left. "You are beautiful, Anni."
She shivered, and a smile played around the corners of her mouth.
He released her hands, and slid his arms around her waist. "I almost lost you, Anni. I almost lost you so many times." He swallowed hard. "I've never been so afraid."
She rested her hands on his shoulders. "I'm sorry."
He laughed, touching his forehead to hers. "I don't want you to apologise, Anni. I just want to know that I'll never lose you." He took a deep breath, then raised his head and looked into her eyes. "Marry me, Anneke."
Her eyes widened. "Padraig—"
"I know. Jedi aren't allowed to marry." He took another deep breath. "I've spoken to Chancellor Palpatine. He'll register the marriage without the Council's knowledge. They never have to know." He tightened his arms around her. "We don't know what tomorrow may bring, Anni. But I know I want to face it with you."
Her face was completely shadowed now; the sun had disappeared behind the mountains, leaving only a faint glow that was fast fading. "And I want that too," she said softly. "Yes, I'll marry you." She slid her hands behind his neck, her metal fingers now almost as warm as her skin, and pulled his head down for a kiss.
He closed his eyes, pulling her close. It was like embracing living flame.