Be Mine
By KittyShan
C&Cs to [email protected]
Disclaimers: Voltron and all associated characters are owned and copyrighted by WEP. Original/new characters belong to the author.
Rating: PG-13 - Innuendo, Sensuality, and Language
Author’s Notes:
Thank you - First and foremost, as usual, I have some thank yous going out to some dear friends!
Lynne - As my beta reader, you keep me on my toes and I appreciate that so much! I must also thank you for the title of this fic, so, hats off to you!
Zejan - I can't even begin to tell you how much I appreciate your beautiful artwork and one of your lovely pieces of art is what inspired this fic!
Caro - Mi amiga, no need to hide it anymore, our shared crush on the Prince of Doom has been found out! LOL As much as we love our Voltron Force boys, that Lotor is one sexy beast of a man!
The three of you are such wonderful friends - I treasure our friendships and I don't know what I'd do without your encouragement (or the time we spend conspiring LOL)! Thank you for everything. *giant hugs*
Now, please, all of you Keith and Allura fans, don't get freaked out just yet!! I'm a K/A fan all the way - don't panic! ;) If I don't throw some chaos and conflict into the story, how will Keith and Allura ever know that their love is true? *grins*
So, I've wanted to write a Lotor X Allura fanfic for a really long time now. But I had to find just the right story to tell. I had to find a way to maintain both Allura and Lotor's characters. Lotor is the villain, Allura is the heroine - that core had to be kept in place for me to feel that I was doing justice to these two characters that I love so much.
I also wanted to show that just because Lotor is a bad guy doesn't mean he isn't capable of true and deep feelings - just as I wanted to show that just because Allura is the epitome of goodness doesn't mean that she's always done the righteous thing.
Okay, so a little background on this fic because otherwise, you may get lost! ;)
This fic is part of my "Just Allura" series and takes place between "Another Beginning" and "The Distinguished Commander" - it takes place roughly half way through my series.
Keith and Allura have gone back and forth - falling in love, getting together, breaking up, making up, etc. After some time, and eye-opening events, Keith and Allura finally get back together and Keith asks permission to formally court the Princess. I mention several original characters in the fic - the two that are important to the story are Natori (Allura's mom) and Toevi (Lotor's mom). Natori died when Allura was a little girl. Lotor's mom is still alive, kept imprisoned for years by Hagar, but Lotor still thinks that she is dead. Allura and the VF know that Toevi is still alive and are hiding it from Lotor because everyone (including Toevi) is worried that Lotor will go crazy and do only God knows what.
Originally Published 02/23/2015
Rating: PG-13 - Innuendo, Sensuality, and Language
Author’s Notes:
Thank you - First and foremost, as usual, I have some thank yous going out to some dear friends!
Lynne - As my beta reader, you keep me on my toes and I appreciate that so much! I must also thank you for the title of this fic, so, hats off to you!
Zejan - I can't even begin to tell you how much I appreciate your beautiful artwork and one of your lovely pieces of art is what inspired this fic!
Caro - Mi amiga, no need to hide it anymore, our shared crush on the Prince of Doom has been found out! LOL As much as we love our Voltron Force boys, that Lotor is one sexy beast of a man!
The three of you are such wonderful friends - I treasure our friendships and I don't know what I'd do without your encouragement (or the time we spend conspiring LOL)! Thank you for everything. *giant hugs*
Now, please, all of you Keith and Allura fans, don't get freaked out just yet!! I'm a K/A fan all the way - don't panic! ;) If I don't throw some chaos and conflict into the story, how will Keith and Allura ever know that their love is true? *grins*
So, I've wanted to write a Lotor X Allura fanfic for a really long time now. But I had to find just the right story to tell. I had to find a way to maintain both Allura and Lotor's characters. Lotor is the villain, Allura is the heroine - that core had to be kept in place for me to feel that I was doing justice to these two characters that I love so much.
I also wanted to show that just because Lotor is a bad guy doesn't mean he isn't capable of true and deep feelings - just as I wanted to show that just because Allura is the epitome of goodness doesn't mean that she's always done the righteous thing.
Okay, so a little background on this fic because otherwise, you may get lost! ;)
This fic is part of my "Just Allura" series and takes place between "Another Beginning" and "The Distinguished Commander" - it takes place roughly half way through my series.
Keith and Allura have gone back and forth - falling in love, getting together, breaking up, making up, etc. After some time, and eye-opening events, Keith and Allura finally get back together and Keith asks permission to formally court the Princess. I mention several original characters in the fic - the two that are important to the story are Natori (Allura's mom) and Toevi (Lotor's mom). Natori died when Allura was a little girl. Lotor's mom is still alive, kept imprisoned for years by Hagar, but Lotor still thinks that she is dead. Allura and the VF know that Toevi is still alive and are hiding it from Lotor because everyone (including Toevi) is worried that Lotor will go crazy and do only God knows what.
Originally Published 02/23/2015
Click on the following links to move along to that chapter.
Today, the many children who lived in the orphanage nearest the Castle of Lions were learning how to make Valentine's Day cards! The dining hall, which on days like this doubled as a craft room, was littered with red and pink construction paper, lacy paper doilies, glitter, heart-shaped candies, and many other like items. It was a sight to see, to be sure!
Princess Allura, pilot of the Blue Lion and future Queen of Arus, sat at one of the tables next to an adorable little boy named Thomas - Tommy for short. She assisted him while he cut paper and sprinkled glitter - both giggling throughout the entire process.
Now, the Arussian monarch found all children absolutely delightful, and hoped to one day have several of her own, but there was something about Tommy, something that made her heart feel especially full. Perhaps it was the six-year-old's mop of golden blonde curls, or the impish grin he kept offering her so freely... She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but those big brown eyes of his just melted her heart.
"It needs another sticker here!" The child proclaimed as he pointed at the center of a (slightly) lopsided, red, construction-paper heart.
"I agree!" Allura reached over, peeled loose a shiny silver heart-shaped sticker, and handed it to the lad.
Tommy quickly went to work adjusting it this way and that before deciding upon just the right spot. "There! Now it's perfect!"
"It's absolutely lovely!" The Princess agreed. "Is there someone special you are going to give it to?"
Tommy hopped out of his seat and offered her that impish grin. "It's for Nanny!"
"For Nanny? Do you mean my nanny?"
He nodded and explained, "Nanny brings us cookies and cakes every Saturday! So tomorrow, when we come to the party at the castle, I‘m gonna give it to her and tell her I love her!"
Allura laughed heartily and clapped her hands in delight. "That is very sweet of you, and I'll tell you a little secret..." Leaning in close, she whispered, "I love Nanny, too!"
"Aw, that's not a secret, Princess!" Tommy proclaimed, as he flung his arms around her neck and gave her a tight hug. "Everyone knows you love your nanny!"
As the Princess hugged Tommy close, she looked up and into the warm brown eyes of Captain Keith. The moment their eyes locked, she felt a flush climb up her cheeks, but she didn't look away. Instead, she smiled warmly and enjoyed the way the corners of his lips turned up into a tender smile of his own.
Now that Keith had asked permission to court her, they no longer had to hide their blossoming love...and they found it to be the most joyous and liberating of feelings!
Princess Allura, pilot of the Blue Lion and future Queen of Arus, sat at one of the tables next to an adorable little boy named Thomas - Tommy for short. She assisted him while he cut paper and sprinkled glitter - both giggling throughout the entire process.
Now, the Arussian monarch found all children absolutely delightful, and hoped to one day have several of her own, but there was something about Tommy, something that made her heart feel especially full. Perhaps it was the six-year-old's mop of golden blonde curls, or the impish grin he kept offering her so freely... She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but those big brown eyes of his just melted her heart.
"It needs another sticker here!" The child proclaimed as he pointed at the center of a (slightly) lopsided, red, construction-paper heart.
"I agree!" Allura reached over, peeled loose a shiny silver heart-shaped sticker, and handed it to the lad.
Tommy quickly went to work adjusting it this way and that before deciding upon just the right spot. "There! Now it's perfect!"
"It's absolutely lovely!" The Princess agreed. "Is there someone special you are going to give it to?"
Tommy hopped out of his seat and offered her that impish grin. "It's for Nanny!"
"For Nanny? Do you mean my nanny?"
He nodded and explained, "Nanny brings us cookies and cakes every Saturday! So tomorrow, when we come to the party at the castle, I‘m gonna give it to her and tell her I love her!"
Allura laughed heartily and clapped her hands in delight. "That is very sweet of you, and I'll tell you a little secret..." Leaning in close, she whispered, "I love Nanny, too!"
"Aw, that's not a secret, Princess!" Tommy proclaimed, as he flung his arms around her neck and gave her a tight hug. "Everyone knows you love your nanny!"
As the Princess hugged Tommy close, she looked up and into the warm brown eyes of Captain Keith. The moment their eyes locked, she felt a flush climb up her cheeks, but she didn't look away. Instead, she smiled warmly and enjoyed the way the corners of his lips turned up into a tender smile of his own.
Now that Keith had asked permission to court her, they no longer had to hide their blossoming love...and they found it to be the most joyous and liberating of feelings!
Far, far away, a twisted old woman sat hunched over a crystal ball. Hagar the witch often spied on the Princess of Arus and her group of little friends. At first, it had been mostly because Prince Lotor demanded to know what his "bride-to-be" was doing (at all times and odd hours, it often seemed). But as time passed, she had become more and more curious about the entire lot of them, even as she wondered how this rag-tag bunch of rebels continually managed to out maneuver King Zarkon's evil forces of Doom, let alone to defeat her magnificent RoBeasts.
As she watched the sweet scene on Planet Arus unfold, she shook her head. 'Such odd creatures,' she thought. 'Instead of teaching their young about important things like weaponry, they encourage such frivolous behavior...the cutting out of paper hearts is busy work for idiots.'
"What are you doing, Witch?"
The booming voice at her back startled Hagar. As she stood and turned to face the interloper, she sighed. The Prince of Doom was a real pain in the-
"I asked what you were doing?" Lotor pulled himself up to his full height of nearly seven feet and stared down his nose at the ugly old hag. "I expect you to respond when I speak to you."
Hagar considered turning the brat into a toad, but that would be too good for him. She remembered seeing a giant slug once and it was just about the same shade of blue as Lotor's skin, the memory made her chuckle as she thought, 'Hmmm, come to think of it, a slug would be more fitting...'
The Prince shifted his weight from one foot to the other in an impatient manner and let out an intentionally loud sigh.
"Hagar...!"
"Can it, Lotor." She held up one hand and shot him a warning glare. "I've been spying on Miss Pinky-Pants and her pals, and if you irritate me, I won't tell you even one little detail!"
The Prince of Doom was taken aback, but knew the old woman meant what she said. Of late, she had been becoming crankier and more volatile than ever! It was best he tried another tactic.
"I'm sorry, Hagar." The words were conciliatory, but his voice held a disdainful note that he made no effort to hide. He loathed having to make nice with the hag, but if he didn't they would continue to argue, and he wanted to know exactly what his favorite Princess was up to. "My mood is foul, for Father has been furious with me over our last disastrous run in with that damned bunch of fools."
The Witch studied the young Prince and, for just a moment, felt something akin to guilt over her part in their latest encounter with the Voltron Force. Then she gave a mental shrug. 'What's done is done.'
"Fine. Apology accepted."
"So, what did you find out, Hagar?" Lotor asked, doing his best not to sound over-eager for the information.
"Well, it seems the Voltron Force spent the afternoon at an orphanage making Valentines."
"Valentines?" Lotor repeated. "What does this mean?"
Hagar shook her head, still somewhat baffled herself. "It seems to be in honor of some Terran holiday."
When she didn't continue, Lotor pressed her. "Well?"
"Well, what?"
"Is that everything you know about this holiday, Witch?"
Once more, Hagar sighed. There were times when the boy really did drive her batty- 'There's something I could turn him into, just for a few days! A blue bat! With that ridiculous looking helmet of his-'
Lotor scowled. Once again, Hagar seemed to be lost in her thoughts and muttering to herself. Was the old witch going senile? "Are you all right, old woman? Are your faculties in order?"
Throwing him a nasty look, Hagar relinquished her daydream and filled him in on what she had learned.
"The best I can ascertain is that it is a tradition that began with ancient Terrans and it had something to do with fertility. In more recent times, it morphed into a holiday to celebrate love."
She spared Lotor a quick glance and saw she now had his full attention. Maybe she'd have a little fun with the spoiled man-child.
"The Terrans exchange gifts that they refer to as 'Valentines' with the people they care for, but especially with their lovers."
She could see the wheels turning in the Prince's head at this piece of information, and couldn't resist adding fuel to the fire. "I'm not sure, but it certainly looked as though that handsome Captain Keith was making eyes at your Princess. Perhaps he will give her a lover's gift for this Valentine's Day. Maybe he even has a special package just for her!" She cackled before continuing, "I certainly wouldn't mind having a look at his package!"
Lotor's face was beginning to turn a rather unhealthy (even for a Drule!) looking shade of purple. There was no way that little twerp was going to romance his Princess!
He turned on his heel and stormed out the door.
As she watched him go, Hagar settled into a battered, but comfortably soft, chair and grinned to herself.
"That ought to keep him busy for at least a little while," she said to her empty laboratory.
Peace and quiet at last.
As she watched the sweet scene on Planet Arus unfold, she shook her head. 'Such odd creatures,' she thought. 'Instead of teaching their young about important things like weaponry, they encourage such frivolous behavior...the cutting out of paper hearts is busy work for idiots.'
"What are you doing, Witch?"
The booming voice at her back startled Hagar. As she stood and turned to face the interloper, she sighed. The Prince of Doom was a real pain in the-
"I asked what you were doing?" Lotor pulled himself up to his full height of nearly seven feet and stared down his nose at the ugly old hag. "I expect you to respond when I speak to you."
Hagar considered turning the brat into a toad, but that would be too good for him. She remembered seeing a giant slug once and it was just about the same shade of blue as Lotor's skin, the memory made her chuckle as she thought, 'Hmmm, come to think of it, a slug would be more fitting...'
The Prince shifted his weight from one foot to the other in an impatient manner and let out an intentionally loud sigh.
"Hagar...!"
"Can it, Lotor." She held up one hand and shot him a warning glare. "I've been spying on Miss Pinky-Pants and her pals, and if you irritate me, I won't tell you even one little detail!"
The Prince of Doom was taken aback, but knew the old woman meant what she said. Of late, she had been becoming crankier and more volatile than ever! It was best he tried another tactic.
"I'm sorry, Hagar." The words were conciliatory, but his voice held a disdainful note that he made no effort to hide. He loathed having to make nice with the hag, but if he didn't they would continue to argue, and he wanted to know exactly what his favorite Princess was up to. "My mood is foul, for Father has been furious with me over our last disastrous run in with that damned bunch of fools."
The Witch studied the young Prince and, for just a moment, felt something akin to guilt over her part in their latest encounter with the Voltron Force. Then she gave a mental shrug. 'What's done is done.'
"Fine. Apology accepted."
"So, what did you find out, Hagar?" Lotor asked, doing his best not to sound over-eager for the information.
"Well, it seems the Voltron Force spent the afternoon at an orphanage making Valentines."
"Valentines?" Lotor repeated. "What does this mean?"
Hagar shook her head, still somewhat baffled herself. "It seems to be in honor of some Terran holiday."
When she didn't continue, Lotor pressed her. "Well?"
"Well, what?"
"Is that everything you know about this holiday, Witch?"
Once more, Hagar sighed. There were times when the boy really did drive her batty- 'There's something I could turn him into, just for a few days! A blue bat! With that ridiculous looking helmet of his-'
Lotor scowled. Once again, Hagar seemed to be lost in her thoughts and muttering to herself. Was the old witch going senile? "Are you all right, old woman? Are your faculties in order?"
Throwing him a nasty look, Hagar relinquished her daydream and filled him in on what she had learned.
"The best I can ascertain is that it is a tradition that began with ancient Terrans and it had something to do with fertility. In more recent times, it morphed into a holiday to celebrate love."
She spared Lotor a quick glance and saw she now had his full attention. Maybe she'd have a little fun with the spoiled man-child.
"The Terrans exchange gifts that they refer to as 'Valentines' with the people they care for, but especially with their lovers."
She could see the wheels turning in the Prince's head at this piece of information, and couldn't resist adding fuel to the fire. "I'm not sure, but it certainly looked as though that handsome Captain Keith was making eyes at your Princess. Perhaps he will give her a lover's gift for this Valentine's Day. Maybe he even has a special package just for her!" She cackled before continuing, "I certainly wouldn't mind having a look at his package!"
Lotor's face was beginning to turn a rather unhealthy (even for a Drule!) looking shade of purple. There was no way that little twerp was going to romance his Princess!
He turned on his heel and stormed out the door.
As she watched him go, Hagar settled into a battered, but comfortably soft, chair and grinned to herself.
"That ought to keep him busy for at least a little while," she said to her empty laboratory.
Peace and quiet at last.
"Tell the Captain of my guard I wish to speak with him now," Lotor growled as he pushed past the soldiers who stood watch at the door leading into his bed chamber.
"Yes, sire," one of the men answered before taking off at a run.
Lotor glared at the other guard. "Have a ship made ready, I will depart in thirty minutes."
The young Drule wanted to ask which ship to have prepared, but as the door slammed closed in his face, he thought better of it.
When the Prince of Doom was in a foul mood such as this, everyone knew it was best to simply obey his command and stay out of his way. Hopefully the Prince's ire would run its course quickly, and he wouldn't be the unlucky one who caught the brunt of it in the mean time.
"Yes, sire," one of the men answered before taking off at a run.
Lotor glared at the other guard. "Have a ship made ready, I will depart in thirty minutes."
The young Drule wanted to ask which ship to have prepared, but as the door slammed closed in his face, he thought better of it.
When the Prince of Doom was in a foul mood such as this, everyone knew it was best to simply obey his command and stay out of his way. Hopefully the Prince's ire would run its course quickly, and he wouldn't be the unlucky one who caught the brunt of it in the mean time.
The moment the door had closed, Lotor began to pace. He had an overwhelming feeling of dread; he had no doubt he was running out of time. If things didn't go his way this time...He wasn't sure he'd get another chance.
The Prince of Doom had tried every way he could think of to win the fair Princess Allura‘s favor, to no avail. Today, he considered the situation at hand and decided if he was ever to stand a chance, he was going to have to change tactics. Especially after the news he'd received just a few short weeks ago...
He had begun laying the ground work to plant a spy within the Castle of Lions some months back, and those plans had been most successful. What the Prince had not been counting on was just how much he would detest the information he would receive! For all the stars in the galaxy, he had barely been able to believe it when the very first time his spy reported in, the intel he reported propelling Lotor into a murderous fury that resulted in the deaths of three slaves and one concubine.
Just days after worming his way into an invitation to dinner with the Princess, there was a private announcement made for friends and family. It had not yet been made official, but the Arussian Royal Advisor and Royal Governess had given their blessing for that wretched Captain Keith to court Princess Allura.
But that hadn't been the worst of it...What had driven him over the edge was hearing how the Arussian Princess was positively radiant with joy, and absolutely enamored with Captain Keith. He had been told that the two made quite the loving couple, holding hands, sharing lover's glances and stolen kisses.
Moving to the back of his rooms, he ripped a painting off the wall and exposed a hidden safe. He entered the combination and pulled open its door, revealing various pieces of jewelry and gemstones scattered amid piles of gold, coins and other valuables. He dug around, pulling free a small box; nestled inside were a pair of stunning earrings that had once belonged to his mother. He pulled one out and held it up to the light. The stones were shaped like drops, their color a milky, opalesque shade - Moonstones, he remembered his mother telling him. The rare and precious stones were encased in silver threads that created an intricate, yet delicate pattern.
As he replaced the earring in its box, he slipped the lid closed and sighed. His heart was filled with a familiar sorrow; when he thought of his mother, his heart ached. But, he also remembered her whispered words when she had shown him the beautiful jewelry he now held in his hand... 'Someday my sweet boy, you will give these to your bride!'
Long ago, the Prince of Doom had decided the only woman who could possibly be worthy of this precious gift was the Princess of Arus.
However, in light of this Terran lover's holiday and the heart-rending news that the woman he had loved for so long had chosen another...Well, maybe today was the perfect day to give her his gift; the one thing he could offer her that might convince her that his love was true.
The Prince of Doom had tried every way he could think of to win the fair Princess Allura‘s favor, to no avail. Today, he considered the situation at hand and decided if he was ever to stand a chance, he was going to have to change tactics. Especially after the news he'd received just a few short weeks ago...
He had begun laying the ground work to plant a spy within the Castle of Lions some months back, and those plans had been most successful. What the Prince had not been counting on was just how much he would detest the information he would receive! For all the stars in the galaxy, he had barely been able to believe it when the very first time his spy reported in, the intel he reported propelling Lotor into a murderous fury that resulted in the deaths of three slaves and one concubine.
Just days after worming his way into an invitation to dinner with the Princess, there was a private announcement made for friends and family. It had not yet been made official, but the Arussian Royal Advisor and Royal Governess had given their blessing for that wretched Captain Keith to court Princess Allura.
But that hadn't been the worst of it...What had driven him over the edge was hearing how the Arussian Princess was positively radiant with joy, and absolutely enamored with Captain Keith. He had been told that the two made quite the loving couple, holding hands, sharing lover's glances and stolen kisses.
Moving to the back of his rooms, he ripped a painting off the wall and exposed a hidden safe. He entered the combination and pulled open its door, revealing various pieces of jewelry and gemstones scattered amid piles of gold, coins and other valuables. He dug around, pulling free a small box; nestled inside were a pair of stunning earrings that had once belonged to his mother. He pulled one out and held it up to the light. The stones were shaped like drops, their color a milky, opalesque shade - Moonstones, he remembered his mother telling him. The rare and precious stones were encased in silver threads that created an intricate, yet delicate pattern.
As he replaced the earring in its box, he slipped the lid closed and sighed. His heart was filled with a familiar sorrow; when he thought of his mother, his heart ached. But, he also remembered her whispered words when she had shown him the beautiful jewelry he now held in his hand... 'Someday my sweet boy, you will give these to your bride!'
Long ago, the Prince of Doom had decided the only woman who could possibly be worthy of this precious gift was the Princess of Arus.
However, in light of this Terran lover's holiday and the heart-rending news that the woman he had loved for so long had chosen another...Well, maybe today was the perfect day to give her his gift; the one thing he could offer her that might convince her that his love was true.
Back at the Castle of Lions, the Voltron Force had no more than returned from the orphanage, sat down and settled in, when the doors to the rec room flew open with a "swoosh."
"Och, you lazy bunch!" Nanny chastised. Her proclamation elicited a chorus of loud sighs and mumbled excuses from the assembled group of volunteers. "There is still much to do before the children come for tomorrow's festivities!"
When no one moved, she placed her hands on her somewhat wide hips, and continued her tirade. "Now you see here! All those little girls and boys will arrive tomorrow expecting fun and games...and lots of cookies! In order for my staff to get all those treats baked, you lot of rascals must get back to work!"
Ignoring any complaints, and without missing a beat, Nanny began directing the little group. "I'm going to need the Princess in the kitchen. Keith and Pidge go meet Coran in Castle Control, he needs help organizing the workers who are preparing the grounds for a treasure hunt. Hunk and Lance will be helping the maids with decorations, and you," she pointed at Lance, "there will be absolutely no funny business, Mr. Casanova."
With a few more good-natured sighs, and a muttered complaint from Lance, everyone moved off to complete their list of chores. Nanny and Allura watched as the young men disappeared, the door finally closing behind the last of the group. After a moment to be sure no one was coming back, the Princess turned to her governess with a brilliant smile.
"Thank you so much, Nanny!"
"Of course, child," the older woman returned the smile, her eyes twinkling, and reached out to take Allura's hands in her own. "But I must insist that you take someone with you! You simply cannot be wandering about without an escort, Princess!"
Allura had asked Nanny several days before if she would help her create something special for Keith to celebrate this Terran lover's holiday. Together, the two women had weighed and considered several options, but not just anything would do.
It had to be something special, the Princess had explained. She wanted it be a treasured memory - like when her parents had met on her mother's home world. Her father had gone to planet Verdant to reinforce the alliance shared with Arus and had come home with a bride.
To hear the late Queen Natori tell it, the moment she and Alfor had met, the moment they had laid eyes upon one another, they both had known there would never be another. Before the week was out, the two were wed in a small yet romantic ceremony. And part of that ceremony had been to share a special elixir from a loving cup; an elixir that was created from the sweetest berries. It was said that one sip of Havleous nectar would ensure that the bride and groom would always remember the exquisitely tender feelings of their new love.
Nanny had wiped tears from her eyes as she listened to Allura re-tell a tale she had heard many, many times when the Queen was still alive. She had never forgotten the way Natori would watch her sleeping babe and pray that one day her daughter would know the kind of love she and Alfor shared.
And that's when Nanny had jumped from her seat and exclaimed that she knew just the special thing Allura was looking for! The governess hurriedly explained that the Queen had brought seedlings with her from her home world - Havleous seedlings! She then went on to remind the Princess of the berries they had picked when she was a little girl, the ones that grew just inside the entrance to the cave just east of the Castle of Lions...
So, it had been decided, the Princess would gather the Havleous berries and Nanny would help her extract their nectar...Keith and Allura would share their own loving cup, just as the late Arussian monarchs had so many years before.
"Okay," she finally relented, knowing her governess was right. "But I cannot wait all afternoon! I must leave soon or I will never have time to reach the caves and return before nightfall!"
"Of course, Posy," Nanny nodded. "I will send one of the kitchen staff immediately."
True to her word, within fifteen minutes of Allura and Nanny parting ways, Jake met the Princess in the rec room, basket in hand and ready to go. The two headed out into the kitchen gardens where they slipped through the hedges and began the short hike to the mouth of the eastern cave nearest the castle.
"Och, you lazy bunch!" Nanny chastised. Her proclamation elicited a chorus of loud sighs and mumbled excuses from the assembled group of volunteers. "There is still much to do before the children come for tomorrow's festivities!"
When no one moved, she placed her hands on her somewhat wide hips, and continued her tirade. "Now you see here! All those little girls and boys will arrive tomorrow expecting fun and games...and lots of cookies! In order for my staff to get all those treats baked, you lot of rascals must get back to work!"
Ignoring any complaints, and without missing a beat, Nanny began directing the little group. "I'm going to need the Princess in the kitchen. Keith and Pidge go meet Coran in Castle Control, he needs help organizing the workers who are preparing the grounds for a treasure hunt. Hunk and Lance will be helping the maids with decorations, and you," she pointed at Lance, "there will be absolutely no funny business, Mr. Casanova."
With a few more good-natured sighs, and a muttered complaint from Lance, everyone moved off to complete their list of chores. Nanny and Allura watched as the young men disappeared, the door finally closing behind the last of the group. After a moment to be sure no one was coming back, the Princess turned to her governess with a brilliant smile.
"Thank you so much, Nanny!"
"Of course, child," the older woman returned the smile, her eyes twinkling, and reached out to take Allura's hands in her own. "But I must insist that you take someone with you! You simply cannot be wandering about without an escort, Princess!"
Allura had asked Nanny several days before if she would help her create something special for Keith to celebrate this Terran lover's holiday. Together, the two women had weighed and considered several options, but not just anything would do.
It had to be something special, the Princess had explained. She wanted it be a treasured memory - like when her parents had met on her mother's home world. Her father had gone to planet Verdant to reinforce the alliance shared with Arus and had come home with a bride.
To hear the late Queen Natori tell it, the moment she and Alfor had met, the moment they had laid eyes upon one another, they both had known there would never be another. Before the week was out, the two were wed in a small yet romantic ceremony. And part of that ceremony had been to share a special elixir from a loving cup; an elixir that was created from the sweetest berries. It was said that one sip of Havleous nectar would ensure that the bride and groom would always remember the exquisitely tender feelings of their new love.
Nanny had wiped tears from her eyes as she listened to Allura re-tell a tale she had heard many, many times when the Queen was still alive. She had never forgotten the way Natori would watch her sleeping babe and pray that one day her daughter would know the kind of love she and Alfor shared.
And that's when Nanny had jumped from her seat and exclaimed that she knew just the special thing Allura was looking for! The governess hurriedly explained that the Queen had brought seedlings with her from her home world - Havleous seedlings! She then went on to remind the Princess of the berries they had picked when she was a little girl, the ones that grew just inside the entrance to the cave just east of the Castle of Lions...
So, it had been decided, the Princess would gather the Havleous berries and Nanny would help her extract their nectar...Keith and Allura would share their own loving cup, just as the late Arussian monarchs had so many years before.
"Okay," she finally relented, knowing her governess was right. "But I cannot wait all afternoon! I must leave soon or I will never have time to reach the caves and return before nightfall!"
"Of course, Posy," Nanny nodded. "I will send one of the kitchen staff immediately."
True to her word, within fifteen minutes of Allura and Nanny parting ways, Jake met the Princess in the rec room, basket in hand and ready to go. The two headed out into the kitchen gardens where they slipped through the hedges and began the short hike to the mouth of the eastern cave nearest the castle.
The Prince of Doom sat stoically upon the Captain's seat in his small Doom cruiser. He preferred a much larger ship, one where he was afforded at least a bit of privacy, but the smaller vessel could slip in and out of Arus's atmosphere without detection, and once on the surface was much easier to hide from prying eyes. As he watched the Drule soldiers that made up his personal guard move about the cabin, he found himself being watched by their Captain.
"Farin," Lotor waved the other man over. They had been friends since boyhood and, when the time had come to choose his Royal Guard, he was the only man the Prince of Doom trusted with his life.
Stepping in front of the make-shift throne, Farin gave a sweeping bow. "Sire?"
"I wish to speak with you in private," Lotor stood and indicated the far corner of the ship's cabin. It wasn't the privacy he wished for, but it would have to do. When they were sure no one could hear them, the Prince spoke in a hushed tone.
"When we land, I want word sent immediately to my spy. I want him to meet me in the usual place within the hour." When Farin nodded his understanding, Lotor continued. "I also want two of the men to scout the surrounding area and find a place to keep watch."
"I understand, Sire," Farin said. "Shall I accompany you to the meeting?"
Lotor studied the other Drule; they had been friends for many years and Farin had always been loyal to him. On the one hand it was smart to have back up, on the other, he wanted no one to know what he was really up to this day. After a moment, he answered.
"No, I want you to stay behind and monitor things from here."
"Are you sure, my Prince? I do not trust that sniveling old man."
Lotor grinned. "He is just a fat, old Arussian. If he would attempt treachery and I can't handle him, I don't deserve to be the Prince of Doom."
Farin lowered his head in acquiescence. He did not agree with this decision, but he knew Lotor to be a vicious swordsman and a ruthless fighter - the Prince could certainly handle his own. It was just that the Arussian was sneaky and thought himself sly - anyone who betrayed his people, was someone not be trusted.
"Everything will be fine, Farin." Lotor clapped his old friend on the back. "Now, let us land this ship so I may be sure I make it to the meeting spot ahead of that idiot."
"Farin," Lotor waved the other man over. They had been friends since boyhood and, when the time had come to choose his Royal Guard, he was the only man the Prince of Doom trusted with his life.
Stepping in front of the make-shift throne, Farin gave a sweeping bow. "Sire?"
"I wish to speak with you in private," Lotor stood and indicated the far corner of the ship's cabin. It wasn't the privacy he wished for, but it would have to do. When they were sure no one could hear them, the Prince spoke in a hushed tone.
"When we land, I want word sent immediately to my spy. I want him to meet me in the usual place within the hour." When Farin nodded his understanding, Lotor continued. "I also want two of the men to scout the surrounding area and find a place to keep watch."
"I understand, Sire," Farin said. "Shall I accompany you to the meeting?"
Lotor studied the other Drule; they had been friends for many years and Farin had always been loyal to him. On the one hand it was smart to have back up, on the other, he wanted no one to know what he was really up to this day. After a moment, he answered.
"No, I want you to stay behind and monitor things from here."
"Are you sure, my Prince? I do not trust that sniveling old man."
Lotor grinned. "He is just a fat, old Arussian. If he would attempt treachery and I can't handle him, I don't deserve to be the Prince of Doom."
Farin lowered his head in acquiescence. He did not agree with this decision, but he knew Lotor to be a vicious swordsman and a ruthless fighter - the Prince could certainly handle his own. It was just that the Arussian was sneaky and thought himself sly - anyone who betrayed his people, was someone not be trusted.
"Everything will be fine, Farin." Lotor clapped his old friend on the back. "Now, let us land this ship so I may be sure I make it to the meeting spot ahead of that idiot."
"Great," Allura said when the rain began to fall. She closed her eyes and rubbed at her temples. They couldn't have missed the cave entrance - she knew it was around here somewhere! It had just been so many years since she had last been here. Opening her eyes, she looked around once more before letting free a deep sigh of exasperation.
"Should we head back, your Highness?" Jake asked as he gestured above. "The sky is growing darker and darker, I fear we are about to have a rather unpleasant storm! And Nanny will have my head if I allow you to wander about out here in the rain!"
"We will split up and look for just five more minutes. If we don't find anything, we'll head back to the castle." Allura agreed. She knew Jake was right, but she wasn't ready to give up just yet. Although Jake was quite reluctant to split up, he finally gave in as the Princess explained that no one could travel too far within the allotted time.
As the she made her way up the cliff face, Allura noted the rain saturated the ground and loosened the gravel - she would have to tread carefully lest she slip and fall down the twenty foot drop. After her short but steep climb, the Princess of Arus spotted something, but not the something she was looking for, or even hoping to find. As a matter of fact, she was dismayed to see it was two Drule soldiers!
Allura clasped a hand over her mouth and slowly backed away. Taking in the surrounding area, she realized it would be impossible for her to make her way down to the cover of the forest without the enemy seeing her. She would have to do her best to remain hidden until they left. And she had to hope that Jake wouldn't be foolish enough to try and follow her up here - she would never forgive herself if anything were to happen to him.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the young man emerge from the edge of the forest. Looking up, Jake spotted her and began to wave, so Allura quickly pointed in the direction of the Drules. Thankfully, he saw the two soldiers in time, and stepped back into the darkness afforded by the woods. Meeting the Princess's anxious gaze once more, Jake gestured that he would run back to the castle and bring help. Allura signaled her understanding and watched him go.
Deciding she had to do something to better conceal herself, the Princess began to slowly edge her way backward, doing her best to remain hidden in the shadows of boulders and shrubs. She stayed close to the rock face and after no more than a few yards, found herself standing in the mouth of the very cave she'd been looking for all along.
Entering the cave, she quickly made her way toward the back, where it was both much drier, and out of her enemies' line of sight! Rubbing her hands up and down her arms, she attempted to warm herself; the combination of the cave's cold and damp interior along with her soaking wet clothes caused her to feel as if her bones were turning to ice!
"Come warm yourself before you catch your death of cold."
That voice. She knew that voice!
Allura spun around, barely able to make out the shape of a hooded figure standing in the darkened cave. A light suddenly came to life, temporarily blinding her. As she blinked away the brilliance, she saw the figure place the orb on the floor and make his way toward her.
"Please Princess, the last thing I want is for you to fall ill."
Allura's heart felt as if it were caught in her throat, but she managed to utter one word.
"Lo-lotor?"
Throwing back the cloak's hood, the Prince of Doom swept into a deep bow. "At your service, my darling."
The Princess of Arus looked around the cave's interior with wild eyes. This just couldn't be happening! She looked back to where the Prince of Doom stood, no more than a few feet away, and she began to slowly back up.
"Stay away from me!"
"Now, now, Allura," Lotor's voice was quiet, almost gentle. "Is that anyway to speak to the man who is trying to help you?"
"The only person you are ever trying to help is yourself!"
With a heavy sigh, he shook his head. Turning back to the glowing orb, he reached out his hands and rubbed them over its warmth. "It is a source of heat and light; as if a contained fire. At the very least, you should come close enough to warm yourself."
"Are you insane?" Allura's blue eyes widened. "I'm not taking one step closer to you!"
Lotor took a good look at the lovely girl before him. Water dripped from her shivering form, creating a small puddle at her feet. He felt genuine concern for her well being. He quickly untied his cloak and dropped it on the floor. "I will stand over there, Princess, that way you can come closer and dry yourself. I will even leave my cloak here, so you may wrap up in it for additional warmth."
"I don't want anything from you," she spat, but as he moved toward the back of the cave, she found herself edging slightly closer to the heat source.
It was then that a deep and loud rumbling began, the sound so great it made the ground shake. It was a sound Lotor had heard once before when he was just a boy. He and his friends had been on a survival trip, left in the Pit of Skulls to test their skill against all manner of beasts. In an attempt to find a warm place to sleep, they had made camp inside a cavern. A RoBeast had scented them and as it was trying to reach into the cave's entrance and pull the Drule children out, it caused a mudslide!
"Allura!" He shouted breaking into a run and whisking the Princess's petite form up with just one arm as he rushed for the cave's entrance.
But, alas, it was too late.
"Should we head back, your Highness?" Jake asked as he gestured above. "The sky is growing darker and darker, I fear we are about to have a rather unpleasant storm! And Nanny will have my head if I allow you to wander about out here in the rain!"
"We will split up and look for just five more minutes. If we don't find anything, we'll head back to the castle." Allura agreed. She knew Jake was right, but she wasn't ready to give up just yet. Although Jake was quite reluctant to split up, he finally gave in as the Princess explained that no one could travel too far within the allotted time.
As the she made her way up the cliff face, Allura noted the rain saturated the ground and loosened the gravel - she would have to tread carefully lest she slip and fall down the twenty foot drop. After her short but steep climb, the Princess of Arus spotted something, but not the something she was looking for, or even hoping to find. As a matter of fact, she was dismayed to see it was two Drule soldiers!
Allura clasped a hand over her mouth and slowly backed away. Taking in the surrounding area, she realized it would be impossible for her to make her way down to the cover of the forest without the enemy seeing her. She would have to do her best to remain hidden until they left. And she had to hope that Jake wouldn't be foolish enough to try and follow her up here - she would never forgive herself if anything were to happen to him.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the young man emerge from the edge of the forest. Looking up, Jake spotted her and began to wave, so Allura quickly pointed in the direction of the Drules. Thankfully, he saw the two soldiers in time, and stepped back into the darkness afforded by the woods. Meeting the Princess's anxious gaze once more, Jake gestured that he would run back to the castle and bring help. Allura signaled her understanding and watched him go.
Deciding she had to do something to better conceal herself, the Princess began to slowly edge her way backward, doing her best to remain hidden in the shadows of boulders and shrubs. She stayed close to the rock face and after no more than a few yards, found herself standing in the mouth of the very cave she'd been looking for all along.
Entering the cave, she quickly made her way toward the back, where it was both much drier, and out of her enemies' line of sight! Rubbing her hands up and down her arms, she attempted to warm herself; the combination of the cave's cold and damp interior along with her soaking wet clothes caused her to feel as if her bones were turning to ice!
"Come warm yourself before you catch your death of cold."
That voice. She knew that voice!
Allura spun around, barely able to make out the shape of a hooded figure standing in the darkened cave. A light suddenly came to life, temporarily blinding her. As she blinked away the brilliance, she saw the figure place the orb on the floor and make his way toward her.
"Please Princess, the last thing I want is for you to fall ill."
Allura's heart felt as if it were caught in her throat, but she managed to utter one word.
"Lo-lotor?"
Throwing back the cloak's hood, the Prince of Doom swept into a deep bow. "At your service, my darling."
The Princess of Arus looked around the cave's interior with wild eyes. This just couldn't be happening! She looked back to where the Prince of Doom stood, no more than a few feet away, and she began to slowly back up.
"Stay away from me!"
"Now, now, Allura," Lotor's voice was quiet, almost gentle. "Is that anyway to speak to the man who is trying to help you?"
"The only person you are ever trying to help is yourself!"
With a heavy sigh, he shook his head. Turning back to the glowing orb, he reached out his hands and rubbed them over its warmth. "It is a source of heat and light; as if a contained fire. At the very least, you should come close enough to warm yourself."
"Are you insane?" Allura's blue eyes widened. "I'm not taking one step closer to you!"
Lotor took a good look at the lovely girl before him. Water dripped from her shivering form, creating a small puddle at her feet. He felt genuine concern for her well being. He quickly untied his cloak and dropped it on the floor. "I will stand over there, Princess, that way you can come closer and dry yourself. I will even leave my cloak here, so you may wrap up in it for additional warmth."
"I don't want anything from you," she spat, but as he moved toward the back of the cave, she found herself edging slightly closer to the heat source.
It was then that a deep and loud rumbling began, the sound so great it made the ground shake. It was a sound Lotor had heard once before when he was just a boy. He and his friends had been on a survival trip, left in the Pit of Skulls to test their skill against all manner of beasts. In an attempt to find a warm place to sleep, they had made camp inside a cavern. A RoBeast had scented them and as it was trying to reach into the cave's entrance and pull the Drule children out, it caused a mudslide!
"Allura!" He shouted breaking into a run and whisking the Princess's petite form up with just one arm as he rushed for the cave's entrance.
But, alas, it was too late.
As she eyed the mud and rocks now filling the cave's only exit, Allura clutched at her throat. Jake would bring help, she thought, trying to calm herself. Someone would find them! In the meantime, maybe they could dig their way out...
"Quickly," she dropped to her knees and without so much as a glance in Lotor‘s direction, commanded, "start moving the larger rocks while I dig!"
"Princess-"
"There is no time for you and your nonsense, Lotor! Help me or we may die in this terrible place!"
He watched as she made a desperate attempt to dig through the mud and debris. Each time she scooped out a handful of dirt, it was quickly replaced by more sand and soil slipping down into its place.
"There is no point, Allura." Reaching down, he gently pulled her up and off the cave's muddy floor. "Can't you see? As long as the rain continues, the soil will remain too wet for us to do anything."
Her soft blue eyes darted from his face to the blockage, back and forth, several times, her panic becoming more than obvious. Only he was unsure as to exactly what she was more frightened of - being trapped in this cave, or of him.
She yanked her arm from his grasp and stepped back. "What have you done?"
"What do you mean, what have I done?"
"This must be another of your sneaky plans! You've trapped me here!" Her accusations were met with a most confused look from the Prince and so she continued to rant. "You better stay away from me and be ready to run away the first moment you possibly can!"
"And why would I run away?"
She drew herself up, stiffening her spine and giving him her most regal look. "Because help is on its way! Any moment, the Voltron Force will be here to save me!"
Chuckling, Lotor turned his back to her and moved over to where he had left his magical orb. Stepping in close, he seated himself on the floor and began to warm his hands above its glowing surface. The Princess had no way to know that the Prince had a communications device tucked into his ear. His soldiers were just outside, waiting for his command to started digging them out of this hell hole. But, at least for a bit, he thought he'd humor himself. Besides, he found her confidence both endearing and amusing at the same time. And there was no way for her to know that her servant was now warm and dry inside his Doom cruiser and not running back to the castle to seek help.
"What are you doing?" She demanded.
"Waiting."
"For?"
"For help to come."
Allura crossed her arms over her chest and looked at the Prince of Doom as if he had lost his mind. She was beyond irritated, as a matter of fact, she found herself to be absolutely furious. "Did you bump your head?" She glared at him as he stretched out and made himself as comfortable as possible, given the circumstances. When he ignored her, she found her hands began to shake. "Lotor!"
He looked up at her with glowing, amber-colored eyes and smiled at her in a lazy manner. When he spoke, his tone was one of disinterest. "Yes, yes, my darling Princess, I am a terrible, villainous monster and you are not going to tolerate any of my bad behavior. Any moment, your heroic friends will be here to hasten you away before I am able to defile your most pure and virtuous self. Does that sound about right?"
Allura was completely taken aback - this detached, satirical demeanor was not something she associated with the driven, obsessed Lotor. She found herself staring down at him, not knowing what to say, nor what to do. Her frustration became obvious with her lips compressed into a tight line and her cheeks coloring to a dark red hue.
When he began to laugh, she lost what was left of her composure and charged toward him, ready to slap the mirth right off of his face. She never considered how quick Lotor was, nor what a seasoned warrior. Before she could even bring her hand to his cheek, he had reached out and pulled her down into his lap. Wrapping one arm around her, he held her against the heavily muscled wall of his chest. With his free hand, he reached up and gently cupped her cheek, allowing his thumb to caress her bottom lip.
"Has anyone ever told you that you are absolutely lovely when you're angry?"
For a moment, Allura was at a loss. This was not what she had been expecting, not at all. As much as she didn't want to, she had to admit she had always found him to be a handsome man. Her heart jumped from her chest and into her throat, making it nearly impossible for her to speak. But when his eyes became heavy and his gaze lingered on her lips, she quickly found her voice.
"Unhand me, you fiend!"
Rather unexpectedly, Lotor threw his head back and began to laugh heartily. Still holding her near, she was a bit stunned at the way it felt when the sound reverberated through his chest, and she began to struggle against him. Regardless of his physical good looks, she certainly wasn't going to allow him to continue manhandling her.
"Careful, Allura," he said in a rather wicked tone, "you don't want to wiggle around too much right now, if you truly want this fiend to unhand you!"
It took her a moment to understand his meaning, and when she gasped her outrage, he laughed some more. Only this time, he quickly pulled his cloak about her shoulders and stood, allowing her perfectly rounded bottom to thump against the hard rock floor.
When he turned back to look at her, the mirth was wiped from his handsome face, but his eyes were filled with a good humor. "Although I can think of a much more enjoyable way for us both to heat our bodies, I promise to keep my hands to myself if you will sit close and allow yourself to warm up."
She eyed him warily, but offered the merest hint of a nod. There was no way she would ever trust him, but her body was beginning to ache from the cold.
"Good enough." His voice continued to carry a note of amusement. "At least when your rescuers arrive, they will know you were well cared for."
"Quickly," she dropped to her knees and without so much as a glance in Lotor‘s direction, commanded, "start moving the larger rocks while I dig!"
"Princess-"
"There is no time for you and your nonsense, Lotor! Help me or we may die in this terrible place!"
He watched as she made a desperate attempt to dig through the mud and debris. Each time she scooped out a handful of dirt, it was quickly replaced by more sand and soil slipping down into its place.
"There is no point, Allura." Reaching down, he gently pulled her up and off the cave's muddy floor. "Can't you see? As long as the rain continues, the soil will remain too wet for us to do anything."
Her soft blue eyes darted from his face to the blockage, back and forth, several times, her panic becoming more than obvious. Only he was unsure as to exactly what she was more frightened of - being trapped in this cave, or of him.
She yanked her arm from his grasp and stepped back. "What have you done?"
"What do you mean, what have I done?"
"This must be another of your sneaky plans! You've trapped me here!" Her accusations were met with a most confused look from the Prince and so she continued to rant. "You better stay away from me and be ready to run away the first moment you possibly can!"
"And why would I run away?"
She drew herself up, stiffening her spine and giving him her most regal look. "Because help is on its way! Any moment, the Voltron Force will be here to save me!"
Chuckling, Lotor turned his back to her and moved over to where he had left his magical orb. Stepping in close, he seated himself on the floor and began to warm his hands above its glowing surface. The Princess had no way to know that the Prince had a communications device tucked into his ear. His soldiers were just outside, waiting for his command to started digging them out of this hell hole. But, at least for a bit, he thought he'd humor himself. Besides, he found her confidence both endearing and amusing at the same time. And there was no way for her to know that her servant was now warm and dry inside his Doom cruiser and not running back to the castle to seek help.
"What are you doing?" She demanded.
"Waiting."
"For?"
"For help to come."
Allura crossed her arms over her chest and looked at the Prince of Doom as if he had lost his mind. She was beyond irritated, as a matter of fact, she found herself to be absolutely furious. "Did you bump your head?" She glared at him as he stretched out and made himself as comfortable as possible, given the circumstances. When he ignored her, she found her hands began to shake. "Lotor!"
He looked up at her with glowing, amber-colored eyes and smiled at her in a lazy manner. When he spoke, his tone was one of disinterest. "Yes, yes, my darling Princess, I am a terrible, villainous monster and you are not going to tolerate any of my bad behavior. Any moment, your heroic friends will be here to hasten you away before I am able to defile your most pure and virtuous self. Does that sound about right?"
Allura was completely taken aback - this detached, satirical demeanor was not something she associated with the driven, obsessed Lotor. She found herself staring down at him, not knowing what to say, nor what to do. Her frustration became obvious with her lips compressed into a tight line and her cheeks coloring to a dark red hue.
When he began to laugh, she lost what was left of her composure and charged toward him, ready to slap the mirth right off of his face. She never considered how quick Lotor was, nor what a seasoned warrior. Before she could even bring her hand to his cheek, he had reached out and pulled her down into his lap. Wrapping one arm around her, he held her against the heavily muscled wall of his chest. With his free hand, he reached up and gently cupped her cheek, allowing his thumb to caress her bottom lip.
"Has anyone ever told you that you are absolutely lovely when you're angry?"
For a moment, Allura was at a loss. This was not what she had been expecting, not at all. As much as she didn't want to, she had to admit she had always found him to be a handsome man. Her heart jumped from her chest and into her throat, making it nearly impossible for her to speak. But when his eyes became heavy and his gaze lingered on her lips, she quickly found her voice.
"Unhand me, you fiend!"
Rather unexpectedly, Lotor threw his head back and began to laugh heartily. Still holding her near, she was a bit stunned at the way it felt when the sound reverberated through his chest, and she began to struggle against him. Regardless of his physical good looks, she certainly wasn't going to allow him to continue manhandling her.
"Careful, Allura," he said in a rather wicked tone, "you don't want to wiggle around too much right now, if you truly want this fiend to unhand you!"
It took her a moment to understand his meaning, and when she gasped her outrage, he laughed some more. Only this time, he quickly pulled his cloak about her shoulders and stood, allowing her perfectly rounded bottom to thump against the hard rock floor.
When he turned back to look at her, the mirth was wiped from his handsome face, but his eyes were filled with a good humor. "Although I can think of a much more enjoyable way for us both to heat our bodies, I promise to keep my hands to myself if you will sit close and allow yourself to warm up."
She eyed him warily, but offered the merest hint of a nod. There was no way she would ever trust him, but her body was beginning to ache from the cold.
"Good enough." His voice continued to carry a note of amusement. "At least when your rescuers arrive, they will know you were well cared for."
Allura jerked awake, unaware of when she'd fallen asleep, or how long she'd slept. As she became more aware, she realized what she had hoped was merely a bad dream was, indeed, reality. She sat up and looked across the cavern at Lotor, who now lounged with his back against a rather large rock, looking as if he didn't have a care in all the universe.
"Do you feel any better, Princess?"
Still uncertain, she nodded.
"Are you hungry?" He asked solicitously. "It's not much, but I have dried meat, cheese and flat bread."
When she continued to look at him with suspicion, he sighed.
"Come now, you don't really think I would poison you, do you?"
Her answer was curt. "You have before."
"That's true," he admitted as he stood and crossed to where she sat. "But only because I had the cure at hand. Do you truly believe I would ever allow harm to befall you, Allura?"
Looking up at him with complete disdain, she said, "You have caused more heartache and hurt for me than anyone else!"
"Well," he said, purposefully looking away from the accusation in her vibrant blue eyes. "I would allow that I may have made some mistakes in my attempts to woo you, but in my defense, I was younger then, more impulsive and foolish."
"Then?" She was incredulous. "Just a few months ago, you held me against my will, trying to force me to submit to you!"
For a moment, Lotor looked a bit uncertain. "If you are referring to the time I tried to force you into marriage, that was several years ago, Princess."
Allura clamped her mouth closed and held out her hand for some food. She had to remember that nearly a year of Lotor's memories had been wiped away by Witch Hagar and the Priestess Toevi. It was absolutely crucial that his mind remain blank when it came to anything, or anyone, that had to do with planet Quamar - far too many lives would be destroyed if he ever learned the truth.
He handed her a bit of bread and cheese, but she shook her head ‘no' when he offered the dried meat. Lotor shrugged and returned to his side of the cave. Looking through a small pack, he pulled free a canteen.
"It's not a lot, but I do have some water," he tossed it across the room and it landed at her feet. "It is important that you have a little."
She couldn't help but admit to herself that she was rather surprised at his generosity. After a moment to consider, she remembered something Coran had often said to her - 'there is never a good reason to be rude, or unkind.'
"Lotor." She spoke softly, and when he looked up at her, he could see that her words were genuine. "Thank you for sharing your food."
The Prince of Doom looked startled, but only briefly. "You are quite welcome, Allura. I do believe that may be the nicest thing you have ever said to me."
"Do you feel any better, Princess?"
Still uncertain, she nodded.
"Are you hungry?" He asked solicitously. "It's not much, but I have dried meat, cheese and flat bread."
When she continued to look at him with suspicion, he sighed.
"Come now, you don't really think I would poison you, do you?"
Her answer was curt. "You have before."
"That's true," he admitted as he stood and crossed to where she sat. "But only because I had the cure at hand. Do you truly believe I would ever allow harm to befall you, Allura?"
Looking up at him with complete disdain, she said, "You have caused more heartache and hurt for me than anyone else!"
"Well," he said, purposefully looking away from the accusation in her vibrant blue eyes. "I would allow that I may have made some mistakes in my attempts to woo you, but in my defense, I was younger then, more impulsive and foolish."
"Then?" She was incredulous. "Just a few months ago, you held me against my will, trying to force me to submit to you!"
For a moment, Lotor looked a bit uncertain. "If you are referring to the time I tried to force you into marriage, that was several years ago, Princess."
Allura clamped her mouth closed and held out her hand for some food. She had to remember that nearly a year of Lotor's memories had been wiped away by Witch Hagar and the Priestess Toevi. It was absolutely crucial that his mind remain blank when it came to anything, or anyone, that had to do with planet Quamar - far too many lives would be destroyed if he ever learned the truth.
He handed her a bit of bread and cheese, but she shook her head ‘no' when he offered the dried meat. Lotor shrugged and returned to his side of the cave. Looking through a small pack, he pulled free a canteen.
"It's not a lot, but I do have some water," he tossed it across the room and it landed at her feet. "It is important that you have a little."
She couldn't help but admit to herself that she was rather surprised at his generosity. After a moment to consider, she remembered something Coran had often said to her - 'there is never a good reason to be rude, or unkind.'
"Lotor." She spoke softly, and when he looked up at her, he could see that her words were genuine. "Thank you for sharing your food."
The Prince of Doom looked startled, but only briefly. "You are quite welcome, Allura. I do believe that may be the nicest thing you have ever said to me."
It seemed that time stretched on, hour after hour, and yet, no one came and the Princess of Arus was becoming more and more concerned that no one would. Across the cavern, the Prince of Doom sat quietly, still leaning back against a boulder, his long legs stretched out in front of him. She readjusted her position on the cold stone floor and wondered, not for the first time, how he could seem so comfortable and at ease. Hugging her knees to her chest, she let out a rather loud sigh.
"If I could make you more comfortable, Princess, I would do so. Alas, the only seat I can offer you is here, on my lap." He patted his leg for emphasis and gave her a small smirk.
"Humph!" She turned her head away, nose in the air. "I'm fine right where I am, thank you!"
"That's probably for the best." As he spoke, there was an obvious mirth to his voice. "I'm sure you would quickly find my lap much harder than any rock."
'That's it!' Allura thought as she made the decision to put an end to his inappropriate teasing. She looked over at him and when their eyes met, she said, "I do understand the underlying meaning in your words, Lotor!"
He lifted one silvery-white eyebrow at her. "Do you, my love?"
His calm and arrogant way; his clever words and double entendres; the way it seemed he was secretly laughing at her naivety - it was all driving her mad! Well, she wasn't quite as inexperienced as he seemed to believe - she was a grown woman and no one was going to treat her this way!
"I do understand all your wicked words!" She nearly shouted. "I am not an innocent little girl any more!"
His smile faded until only one corner of his lips continued to curl upward and his eyes darkened into a golden hue. When he spoke, his voice had a huskiness to it that she had never heard before.
"Oh, Allura, my sweet, one thing you cannot find me guilty of is seeing you as anything but a magnificently beautiful woman."
Lotor watched as a deep red flush climbed up her throat and covered her cheeks. It was difficult for him to tell if her blush was caused by his words or her ire. Regardless, he knew had to change the direction of their conversation if he were going to maintain his composure.
When Allura had wandered into the cave, he had been absolutely stunned! Here he was, waiting for his spy, and suddenly his Princess had appeared. He still was uncertain as to whether this cave-in was good or bad luck. He was sure by now there were people searching for the missing Princess, but he had bought himself at least a few hours when his men had seen her servant and taken him into custody. He knew she thought the boy was bringing help, but the only help she was going to get right now would be from himself.
He returned his gaze to where she sat, his breath catching in his throat - even upset and bedraggled, she was exquisite. He had to admit, even if only to himself, more than once he'd considered pulling her into his arms and having his way with her here and now, but he found he simply could not defile her in such a manner. Not that he didn't want her, mind you, it was just that over time, he had found his desire for her had changed.
When he had first laid eyes on Princess Allura, he had been taken aback by her beauty and he had wanted her - for her body as well as the status it would give him to make her his queen. As time passed, however, he had found himself drawn to her in a way he'd never been enticed by another female. She was so much more than a beautiful woman; her kindness and generosity perplexed him; her brave and courageous spirit earned his respect and admiration. There was only one other woman he could even begin to compare her to, and that had been his mother.
There was no way for him to describe the ache he felt when she looked at him with fear and disgust. He understood it her emotions, and he knew they were well warranted. But that didn't change the tightness around his heart each time she did so, and he found more than anything he didn't want her to look at him like a demon.
The Prince of Doom realized he wanted more than anything for the Princess of Arus to know he was not a monster.
"If I could make you more comfortable, Princess, I would do so. Alas, the only seat I can offer you is here, on my lap." He patted his leg for emphasis and gave her a small smirk.
"Humph!" She turned her head away, nose in the air. "I'm fine right where I am, thank you!"
"That's probably for the best." As he spoke, there was an obvious mirth to his voice. "I'm sure you would quickly find my lap much harder than any rock."
'That's it!' Allura thought as she made the decision to put an end to his inappropriate teasing. She looked over at him and when their eyes met, she said, "I do understand the underlying meaning in your words, Lotor!"
He lifted one silvery-white eyebrow at her. "Do you, my love?"
His calm and arrogant way; his clever words and double entendres; the way it seemed he was secretly laughing at her naivety - it was all driving her mad! Well, she wasn't quite as inexperienced as he seemed to believe - she was a grown woman and no one was going to treat her this way!
"I do understand all your wicked words!" She nearly shouted. "I am not an innocent little girl any more!"
His smile faded until only one corner of his lips continued to curl upward and his eyes darkened into a golden hue. When he spoke, his voice had a huskiness to it that she had never heard before.
"Oh, Allura, my sweet, one thing you cannot find me guilty of is seeing you as anything but a magnificently beautiful woman."
Lotor watched as a deep red flush climbed up her throat and covered her cheeks. It was difficult for him to tell if her blush was caused by his words or her ire. Regardless, he knew had to change the direction of their conversation if he were going to maintain his composure.
When Allura had wandered into the cave, he had been absolutely stunned! Here he was, waiting for his spy, and suddenly his Princess had appeared. He still was uncertain as to whether this cave-in was good or bad luck. He was sure by now there were people searching for the missing Princess, but he had bought himself at least a few hours when his men had seen her servant and taken him into custody. He knew she thought the boy was bringing help, but the only help she was going to get right now would be from himself.
He returned his gaze to where she sat, his breath catching in his throat - even upset and bedraggled, she was exquisite. He had to admit, even if only to himself, more than once he'd considered pulling her into his arms and having his way with her here and now, but he found he simply could not defile her in such a manner. Not that he didn't want her, mind you, it was just that over time, he had found his desire for her had changed.
When he had first laid eyes on Princess Allura, he had been taken aback by her beauty and he had wanted her - for her body as well as the status it would give him to make her his queen. As time passed, however, he had found himself drawn to her in a way he'd never been enticed by another female. She was so much more than a beautiful woman; her kindness and generosity perplexed him; her brave and courageous spirit earned his respect and admiration. There was only one other woman he could even begin to compare her to, and that had been his mother.
There was no way for him to describe the ache he felt when she looked at him with fear and disgust. He understood it her emotions, and he knew they were well warranted. But that didn't change the tightness around his heart each time she did so, and he found more than anything he didn't want her to look at him like a demon.
The Prince of Doom realized he wanted more than anything for the Princess of Arus to know he was not a monster.
After another extended period of silence, Lotor decided to use the rest of his time with the Princess to better his cause.
"Might I inquire, your Highness, as to why you were wandering about without a proper escort?"
Allura was somewhat taken aback by Lotor's concern. It seemed he was genuinely curious. She decided it wouldn't hurt to tell him.
"I was picking berries." Her tone turned somewhat sarcastic, "And I didn't think I needed a guard as it is myplanet, after all."
"Fair enough," he conceded. "Were you looking for the berries that were growing inside the mouth of this cave?"
"I was," she said, her voice laced with mistrust.
"I see," he said. "I do believe a few of the Havleous plants survived. If you wish we could gather some of the berries now."
"Havleous?" Her voice was a bit higher than usual. She wondered how on Arus he knew what the plants were as they were native to Verdant, her mother's home planet, and the only other place they grew, as far as she knew, was right here.
"Yes," he replied, mistaking the reason she asked. "That's what we call them on Doom, at least."
"They grow on Doom?" Allura looked confused. "I had no idea plants grew on your planet's surface at all!"
Lotor met her eyes with his steady gaze. "I would imagine there are many things you do not know about my planet, or my people, Princess. As I am just as sure, there are many things you don't know about me."
When she remained silent, he explained. "Beneath Castle Doom, we have vast indoor gardens created by my mother when she became my father‘s bride. The Havleous plants are one of many species that she brought from her home world."
Her curiosity piqued, Allura found herself drawn into the conversation. "Forgive me, but I thought your mother was Terran and I know quite a bit about Terra. Havleous plants are not native there."
Lotor looked away and shrugged. "I have heard many different things about my mother and where she was from, but I do not know for sure."
Looking over and studying the Prince of Doom, Allura realized this was the first time she'd ever seen him uncomfortable. She had so many questions running through her mind but knew she had to be cautious with her words to keep from raising his guard.
"Do you remember her?" When he looked up at her, she added, "your mother?"
Lotor lowered his head, his long, silvery-white hair falling forward and hiding most of his face, but she did see his Adam's apple move up and down as he seemed to struggle with his words.
"I do," his voice was quiet, small almost. When he met her eyes, she saw something there, an ache she knew intimately. Somewhere deep in his heart still lived the lonely and frightened child whose mother had died in this horrific war.
Only, his mother wasn't dead - she had given her freedom in exchange for her son's life. And Allura knew exactly where she was hiding. But she could not share that information with him, ever. Her heart heavy with guilt, she offered him what kindness she could.
"Tell me," Allura said, her voice gentle. "What was she like?"
When Lotor looked up at Allura, there was a tenderness to his face she had never seen and she realized underneath all of his bluster and arrogance, he was a man who had also experienced tragic loss.
"My mother," his words were soft and slow. "She was kind, compassionate. I remember her being beautiful, and tiny. And willful." His eyes met hers and he smiled. "Much like you."
The Princess returned his smile, and encouraged him to go on. "How old were you when she...?"
"Just a boy," his voice was sad.
Without thought, Allura got up and crossed the room, sitting back down directly in front of Lotor. She reached out and covered his hand with hers. "I'm sorry. I miss my mother, too."
He nodded, reaching out to cover her hand with the one he still had free. When he spoke his voice was filled with deep and genuine sorrow. "I know you must miss both your parents and I am sorry for that pain, Allura."
For the first time, they both acknowledged they had each been victimized by war.
"Might I inquire, your Highness, as to why you were wandering about without a proper escort?"
Allura was somewhat taken aback by Lotor's concern. It seemed he was genuinely curious. She decided it wouldn't hurt to tell him.
"I was picking berries." Her tone turned somewhat sarcastic, "And I didn't think I needed a guard as it is myplanet, after all."
"Fair enough," he conceded. "Were you looking for the berries that were growing inside the mouth of this cave?"
"I was," she said, her voice laced with mistrust.
"I see," he said. "I do believe a few of the Havleous plants survived. If you wish we could gather some of the berries now."
"Havleous?" Her voice was a bit higher than usual. She wondered how on Arus he knew what the plants were as they were native to Verdant, her mother's home planet, and the only other place they grew, as far as she knew, was right here.
"Yes," he replied, mistaking the reason she asked. "That's what we call them on Doom, at least."
"They grow on Doom?" Allura looked confused. "I had no idea plants grew on your planet's surface at all!"
Lotor met her eyes with his steady gaze. "I would imagine there are many things you do not know about my planet, or my people, Princess. As I am just as sure, there are many things you don't know about me."
When she remained silent, he explained. "Beneath Castle Doom, we have vast indoor gardens created by my mother when she became my father‘s bride. The Havleous plants are one of many species that she brought from her home world."
Her curiosity piqued, Allura found herself drawn into the conversation. "Forgive me, but I thought your mother was Terran and I know quite a bit about Terra. Havleous plants are not native there."
Lotor looked away and shrugged. "I have heard many different things about my mother and where she was from, but I do not know for sure."
Looking over and studying the Prince of Doom, Allura realized this was the first time she'd ever seen him uncomfortable. She had so many questions running through her mind but knew she had to be cautious with her words to keep from raising his guard.
"Do you remember her?" When he looked up at her, she added, "your mother?"
Lotor lowered his head, his long, silvery-white hair falling forward and hiding most of his face, but she did see his Adam's apple move up and down as he seemed to struggle with his words.
"I do," his voice was quiet, small almost. When he met her eyes, she saw something there, an ache she knew intimately. Somewhere deep in his heart still lived the lonely and frightened child whose mother had died in this horrific war.
Only, his mother wasn't dead - she had given her freedom in exchange for her son's life. And Allura knew exactly where she was hiding. But she could not share that information with him, ever. Her heart heavy with guilt, she offered him what kindness she could.
"Tell me," Allura said, her voice gentle. "What was she like?"
When Lotor looked up at Allura, there was a tenderness to his face she had never seen and she realized underneath all of his bluster and arrogance, he was a man who had also experienced tragic loss.
"My mother," his words were soft and slow. "She was kind, compassionate. I remember her being beautiful, and tiny. And willful." His eyes met hers and he smiled. "Much like you."
The Princess returned his smile, and encouraged him to go on. "How old were you when she...?"
"Just a boy," his voice was sad.
Without thought, Allura got up and crossed the room, sitting back down directly in front of Lotor. She reached out and covered his hand with hers. "I'm sorry. I miss my mother, too."
He nodded, reaching out to cover her hand with the one he still had free. When he spoke his voice was filled with deep and genuine sorrow. "I know you must miss both your parents and I am sorry for that pain, Allura."
For the first time, they both acknowledged they had each been victimized by war.
In a move that shocked the Princess, Lotor withdrew his hands from hers and reached into his pack. He pulled out a small box and handed it to her.
"I have something for you, a gift."
Allura looked at the box with acute distrust.
"Go on," he placed it in her hand. "It is the reason I came here. I heard about this Valentine's Day tradition of giving gifts and I wanted to offer you a token of my affections."
"Lotor-"
"Please," he cut off her protest. "At least look inside."
With a sigh, he plucked the box out of her hands and opened it himself. When he handed it back, she looked into the case and found the most exquisite pair of earrings she had ever seen. They looked something like drops of dew encased by a spider's silvery web.
"They're truly beautiful!" She proclaimed and looked up to see the most pleased expression on his face. She closed the lid and handed them back to him. "I cannot accept them."
"I want you to have them," he replaced the box in her hand and closed her fingers around it. "They are a gift, I promise you there is nothing sinister about them - no hidden meaning."
"I can't-"
"Allura, please. They were my mother's. When she died, my father ordered all her belongings to be gathered and burned. I snuck into her room and stole them so I would have a reminder of her."
"Then they are far too special for you to give to me!"
"No," he gave her a genuine smile. "I want you to have them, to take them. I want you to wear them on the day you wed."
Dropping the box in his lap, she quickly scooted away from him, her expression becoming fearful once more.
"Allura," he began, "I do not mean you harm, nor do I intend on forcing your hand."
"That's good!" She was angry again. "Because I have a suitor - someone I love desperately!"
"I know," he said, much to her surprise. Her mouth opened and closed, but nothing came out and he continued. "I am aware that you are being courted by Captain Keith."
Allura's heart pounded in her chest. How did he know?!? Unsure of what to do or say, she was terrified that any little thing might set Lotor off. She looked up into his face and could still see tenderness in his eyes. Her only option seemed to be honesty.
"I know that you and Keith do not approve of one another."
He chuckled. "It's all right Princess, you can say it. We hate one another."
She nodded, then continued. "I love him. I've loved him for so very long. And he makes me happy. He fills my life with a joy I've never known."
The Prince of Doom studied her face, but remained silent.
"I am truly sorry if that hurts you to hear, Lotor. But Keith is the man I have chosen. Nothing, and no one, can change how I feel."
Looking off into the darkness of the cave, he seemed to consider her words. It was obvious, even to him, that the love his Princess shared with Captain Keith was real. After a moment, he picked up the small box and tossed it to her. "I still want you to have these. And regardless of the man you marry, I wish you to wear them on your wedding day - as my mother did."
"But-"
"Allura, do not try me." He reached out his hand and helped her up. "Now, let us gather your berries because any moment now, help may arrive."
"I have something for you, a gift."
Allura looked at the box with acute distrust.
"Go on," he placed it in her hand. "It is the reason I came here. I heard about this Valentine's Day tradition of giving gifts and I wanted to offer you a token of my affections."
"Lotor-"
"Please," he cut off her protest. "At least look inside."
With a sigh, he plucked the box out of her hands and opened it himself. When he handed it back, she looked into the case and found the most exquisite pair of earrings she had ever seen. They looked something like drops of dew encased by a spider's silvery web.
"They're truly beautiful!" She proclaimed and looked up to see the most pleased expression on his face. She closed the lid and handed them back to him. "I cannot accept them."
"I want you to have them," he replaced the box in her hand and closed her fingers around it. "They are a gift, I promise you there is nothing sinister about them - no hidden meaning."
"I can't-"
"Allura, please. They were my mother's. When she died, my father ordered all her belongings to be gathered and burned. I snuck into her room and stole them so I would have a reminder of her."
"Then they are far too special for you to give to me!"
"No," he gave her a genuine smile. "I want you to have them, to take them. I want you to wear them on the day you wed."
Dropping the box in his lap, she quickly scooted away from him, her expression becoming fearful once more.
"Allura," he began, "I do not mean you harm, nor do I intend on forcing your hand."
"That's good!" She was angry again. "Because I have a suitor - someone I love desperately!"
"I know," he said, much to her surprise. Her mouth opened and closed, but nothing came out and he continued. "I am aware that you are being courted by Captain Keith."
Allura's heart pounded in her chest. How did he know?!? Unsure of what to do or say, she was terrified that any little thing might set Lotor off. She looked up into his face and could still see tenderness in his eyes. Her only option seemed to be honesty.
"I know that you and Keith do not approve of one another."
He chuckled. "It's all right Princess, you can say it. We hate one another."
She nodded, then continued. "I love him. I've loved him for so very long. And he makes me happy. He fills my life with a joy I've never known."
The Prince of Doom studied her face, but remained silent.
"I am truly sorry if that hurts you to hear, Lotor. But Keith is the man I have chosen. Nothing, and no one, can change how I feel."
Looking off into the darkness of the cave, he seemed to consider her words. It was obvious, even to him, that the love his Princess shared with Captain Keith was real. After a moment, he picked up the small box and tossed it to her. "I still want you to have these. And regardless of the man you marry, I wish you to wear them on your wedding day - as my mother did."
"But-"
"Allura, do not try me." He reached out his hand and helped her up. "Now, let us gather your berries because any moment now, help may arrive."
The Princess of Arus found herself in the most bizarre situation as she and the Prince of Doom plucked berries and dropped them into her basket. It was most unnerving the way Lotor acted as if it were the most normal thing in all the universe.
He glanced down into her basket and asked, "will that be enough?"
When she nodded, he stood.
"Now, when my soldiers dig through the debris and free us," He said, handing her a small flashlight, "I want you to go."
She was shocked, and for a moment his confidence that it was his soldiers that would find them gave her pause. But her freedom was a far more important issue right now, and she would have time to consider his words at a later time.
"You're setting me free?" The Princess' voice wavered.
"I am," he assured her. "Perhaps you will see that I am not quite a monster, after all?"
"Well," after a brief hesitation, she offered, "it certainly would be a good start."
"I do have one more request though, Allura."
"Oh?"
He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. "One kiss, Princess?" He lowered his head and whispered. "If our circumstances were different, perhaps you may have loved me..."
When Lotor's lips met hers, Allura found herself shocked once again - perhaps it was the blue hue to his skin, but she had always imagined that his skin would be cold. What she found instead was a sensual warmth.
His kiss was gentle and sweet, and when he lifted his lips from hers, he smiled at her. And something deep inside her responded. Perhaps it was curiosity, or his bad-boy charm; maybe it was their shared heartache from moments before; most likely it was simply a good-bye...
Regardless.
Reaching up, Allura wrapped her arms around Lotor's neck and pulled him close. She allowed her body to fall against his, letting his hard, masculine form support her curved, feminine softness. And the Princess of Arus kissed the Prince of Doom thoroughly and completely.
When she broke the kiss, it was his turn to look shocked. When she spoke, her words were filled with a bittersweet melancholy.
"I don't know what may have been if things were different. But I do hope you find love."
He glanced down into her basket and asked, "will that be enough?"
When she nodded, he stood.
"Now, when my soldiers dig through the debris and free us," He said, handing her a small flashlight, "I want you to go."
She was shocked, and for a moment his confidence that it was his soldiers that would find them gave her pause. But her freedom was a far more important issue right now, and she would have time to consider his words at a later time.
"You're setting me free?" The Princess' voice wavered.
"I am," he assured her. "Perhaps you will see that I am not quite a monster, after all?"
"Well," after a brief hesitation, she offered, "it certainly would be a good start."
"I do have one more request though, Allura."
"Oh?"
He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. "One kiss, Princess?" He lowered his head and whispered. "If our circumstances were different, perhaps you may have loved me..."
When Lotor's lips met hers, Allura found herself shocked once again - perhaps it was the blue hue to his skin, but she had always imagined that his skin would be cold. What she found instead was a sensual warmth.
His kiss was gentle and sweet, and when he lifted his lips from hers, he smiled at her. And something deep inside her responded. Perhaps it was curiosity, or his bad-boy charm; maybe it was their shared heartache from moments before; most likely it was simply a good-bye...
Regardless.
Reaching up, Allura wrapped her arms around Lotor's neck and pulled him close. She allowed her body to fall against his, letting his hard, masculine form support her curved, feminine softness. And the Princess of Arus kissed the Prince of Doom thoroughly and completely.
When she broke the kiss, it was his turn to look shocked. When she spoke, her words were filled with a bittersweet melancholy.
"I don't know what may have been if things were different. But I do hope you find love."
As the Drule soldiers removed the final bits of rock and debris from the mouth of the cave, Lotor pushed Allura forward.
"Go. Your servant is waiting at the bottom of the cliff."
She turned and offered him a final smile. "Thank you."
But the sweet man she had glimpsed just hours before was gone.
"Leave, now, Princess. Before I change my mind."
And so, she went, hurriedly making her way toward Jake. Once she reached him, the duo took off at a run, heading for the Castle of Lions.
But, just before they did, Allura turned back to spare one last glance at Lotor. She wondered if he would ever escape from the Forces of Doom.
"Go. Your servant is waiting at the bottom of the cliff."
She turned and offered him a final smile. "Thank you."
But the sweet man she had glimpsed just hours before was gone.
"Leave, now, Princess. Before I change my mind."
And so, she went, hurriedly making her way toward Jake. Once she reached him, the duo took off at a run, heading for the Castle of Lions.
But, just before they did, Allura turned back to spare one last glance at Lotor. She wondered if he would ever escape from the Forces of Doom.
Still dirty and cold, the Princess stood before Coran at Castle Control, watching as the other Voltron pilots hurried into the room. They were all still in their flight suits, Keith hadn't even removed his helmet, as they rushed from their Lions, thankful that Allura had been found alive and well.
Without a thought to propriety, or even the tiniest bit of concern over who saw, Keith pulled Allura into his arms.
"Thank goodness you're all right!"
"Oh, Keith," Allura's voice wavered as she pulled off his helmet and pressed her lips to his.
"Ahem," Coran cleared his throat and the two love birds pulled away from one another, but the advisor noticed the way Keith reached out and held tightly to Allura's hand.
"Princess, you must relate what happened, and do not leave out any detail."
"Well..." The Princess retold her tale, the only detail she omitted being the kiss she shared with the Prince of Doom.
"Lotor just let you go?" Keith was clearly shocked.
"Yes! He...he seemed..." she couldn't find the right words. "He seemed different. As if he wanted to change my opinion of him."
"Please, Princess, we all know that old-blue-ears was just up to one of his tricks." Lance said with a derisive snort. "And did he ever tell you why he was hanging out in that cave, here, on Arus?"
"Only that he was meeting with someone," Allura shook her head and looked around at the group. "But I did find out some interesting information."
"Yeah," Hunk added, "that the creep has some sort of spy around here!"
"Right," Pidge agreed. "How else would he know about you and Keith?"
Coran was about to say something when the door opened to admit Nanny, who was carrying a lavender colored jewelry case. The governess handed it to the Princess, and Allura quickly opened it and pulled out a beautiful pair of earrings.
A pair of earrings that were a near perfect match to the ones Lotor had given her just a few hours before. As she showed her group of friends, everyone looked extremely confused.
"What the hell?" Lance exclaimed.
Ignoring him, Allura looked imploringly from Coran to Nanny and indicated the earrings she had just pulled from the lavender box. "Do either of you know where my mother got these?"
The Royal Advisor shook his head, but Nanny spoke up.
"They were to be yours on your wedding day, Princess." She explained. "Your mother wore them on her wedding day, she said it was a tradition meant to bring good fortune to the bride. But, these were especially special because they were a gift from the Queen of Verdant to all her ladies-in-waiting."
Princess Allura looked at Keith, who had remained silent for sometime now. "Lotor said these were his mother's! What do you think it all means?"
The Captain of the Voltron Force shook his head. "I don't know, but I think we need to talk to Toevi and find out."
Without a thought to propriety, or even the tiniest bit of concern over who saw, Keith pulled Allura into his arms.
"Thank goodness you're all right!"
"Oh, Keith," Allura's voice wavered as she pulled off his helmet and pressed her lips to his.
"Ahem," Coran cleared his throat and the two love birds pulled away from one another, but the advisor noticed the way Keith reached out and held tightly to Allura's hand.
"Princess, you must relate what happened, and do not leave out any detail."
"Well..." The Princess retold her tale, the only detail she omitted being the kiss she shared with the Prince of Doom.
"Lotor just let you go?" Keith was clearly shocked.
"Yes! He...he seemed..." she couldn't find the right words. "He seemed different. As if he wanted to change my opinion of him."
"Please, Princess, we all know that old-blue-ears was just up to one of his tricks." Lance said with a derisive snort. "And did he ever tell you why he was hanging out in that cave, here, on Arus?"
"Only that he was meeting with someone," Allura shook her head and looked around at the group. "But I did find out some interesting information."
"Yeah," Hunk added, "that the creep has some sort of spy around here!"
"Right," Pidge agreed. "How else would he know about you and Keith?"
Coran was about to say something when the door opened to admit Nanny, who was carrying a lavender colored jewelry case. The governess handed it to the Princess, and Allura quickly opened it and pulled out a beautiful pair of earrings.
A pair of earrings that were a near perfect match to the ones Lotor had given her just a few hours before. As she showed her group of friends, everyone looked extremely confused.
"What the hell?" Lance exclaimed.
Ignoring him, Allura looked imploringly from Coran to Nanny and indicated the earrings she had just pulled from the lavender box. "Do either of you know where my mother got these?"
The Royal Advisor shook his head, but Nanny spoke up.
"They were to be yours on your wedding day, Princess." She explained. "Your mother wore them on her wedding day, she said it was a tradition meant to bring good fortune to the bride. But, these were especially special because they were a gift from the Queen of Verdant to all her ladies-in-waiting."
Princess Allura looked at Keith, who had remained silent for sometime now. "Lotor said these were his mother's! What do you think it all means?"
The Captain of the Voltron Force shook his head. "I don't know, but I think we need to talk to Toevi and find out."
They were minutes from landing on Doom when Captain Farin approached Prince Lotor. "Sire?"
"What is it?" There was no doubt that Lotor's mood was black.
"We've known one another our entire lives; we have been friends since childhood," Farin began.
"And?" Lotor's tone was snarky and impatient.
"I'm sorry I disturbed you, my Prince." Farin lowered his head and turned to go, deciding now was not the time to question Lotor's motives in releasing the Princess of Arus.
"Farin," the Prince began and when their eyes met, he continued. "No one is to know what happened this day.No one. Is that understood?"
"Yes, your Highness."
Lotor sighed, the sound heavy and exhausted. "Farin, I will slit your throat myself if you dare repeat what I am about to say."
"My loyalty has always been yours, Lotor."
"I know," the Prince of Doom looked away from his only friend. "It sickens me that she sees me as a beast; a monstrosity to be feared and loathed."
Farin was stunned, never before had he known Lotor to care one way or another what anyone thought. He remained silent, unsure of what to say.
The Prince of Doom's final words were spoken in a whisper.
"To show her my love is true, I had to set her free."
End
"What is it?" There was no doubt that Lotor's mood was black.
"We've known one another our entire lives; we have been friends since childhood," Farin began.
"And?" Lotor's tone was snarky and impatient.
"I'm sorry I disturbed you, my Prince." Farin lowered his head and turned to go, deciding now was not the time to question Lotor's motives in releasing the Princess of Arus.
"Farin," the Prince began and when their eyes met, he continued. "No one is to know what happened this day.No one. Is that understood?"
"Yes, your Highness."
Lotor sighed, the sound heavy and exhausted. "Farin, I will slit your throat myself if you dare repeat what I am about to say."
"My loyalty has always been yours, Lotor."
"I know," the Prince of Doom looked away from his only friend. "It sickens me that she sees me as a beast; a monstrosity to be feared and loathed."
Farin was stunned, never before had he known Lotor to care one way or another what anyone thought. He remained silent, unsure of what to say.
The Prince of Doom's final words were spoken in a whisper.
"To show her my love is true, I had to set her free."
End
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