A/N - First, as always, a *huge* shout-out to the best beta-reader ever - Lynne! I've said this before, and I'll keep saying it over and over, but, truly, you make me a better writer, and what more could any writer ask from their beta-reader. :-)
This fanfic was one of my originals - written by hand when I was a teenager in 1987-1988 or so. Years later, (when I was still just a newlywed) I found a box full of childhood mementos in my garage. Among various other things, there was a notebook filled with fanfics I'd written. So, I dusted it off and posted it on the KAEX mailing list - that had to be 1998-ish. When the original version of "The Lion's Keep" vanished into the mists of the internet, so did "Lotor's Revenge" - it was the only place this fanfic was posted in its entirety.
Over the past few months, I've been rewriting and revising - my brilliant beta-reader (KittyLynne of "Bonds of Love" fame) has been editing and correcting (and when I'd get overly distracted by shiny things, gently reminding me that I was supposed to be writing! ;-) ). All this has culminated into the new and improved version of an older fanfic - and so, for the first time in a very, very long time, I give you...Lotor's Revenge!
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
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Lotor's Revenge
By Shannon
Prologue
When she returned to her rooms after the marvelous surprise party her friends had thrown in her honor, Princess Allura quickly dismissed her maids by feigning exhaustion. Although they fussed over helping her to undress and prepare for bed, the young monarch waved them away with a promise that she would be sure to properly hang her gown and that she was perfectly capable of running herself a bath.
"Shoo," the young monarch said playfully, as she opened the door leading out into the hall.
"Are you sure, your Highness...?" Concern filled the face of the young woman who asked.
"Yes, absolutely!" The Princess said with a laugh. "You worry almost as much as Nanny! Now, go! I'm so tired that I will be asleep in minutes!"
After the last maid exited the room, Allura quickly closed and locked her door.
'Finally alone...'
She slipped out of her heels before making quick work of undressing and, as promised, carefully hanging her gown in its proper place inside her wardrobe. She unsnapped her bra and tossed it into a small clothes hamper before grabbing a t-shirt and pulling it over her head. Next, she pulled the bobby pins from her hair, stopping to toss her head from side to side and loosen her curls before turning to cross the room.
She headed for her dressing table where she would sit and brush out her golden locks, then stopped in mid-stride when she caught sight of her reflection in the mirror. Time seemed to stand still as the Princess of Arus studied her appearance.
The first thing she noticed was how tight her t-shirt had become. She'd had it for years, loving the cute little cartoon bear that smiled at her from the thin fabric that stretched tautly over her full breasts. Her hair was wild and messy, as if she'd just climbed out of her bed, falling about her face and shoulders, down her back and brushing the top of her rear-end, which was covered with a lacy pair of blue panties. When had her hips developed such a womanly curve?
She felt heat rising in her cheeks and she watched them turn a rosy-pink color. Her image looked back at her with wide blue eyes, while she worried her lower lip between her teeth. A small gasp parted those full lips when she realized they were still tender from the passionate kisses she and Keith had shared just hours before.
The young woman frozen in the glass pane was almost unrecognizable- even to herself, Allura thought. And she giggled.
Hurrying over to her dressing table, she dropped the handful of bobby pins into a small container, sat down, and picked up her brush. She pouted, then smiled at herself, turning her head one way and then the other. "I wonder what Keith would think if he saw us like this." She said confidingly to the Allura in the mirror. She blew herself a kiss, and burst into giggles once again.
When the soft knock sounded at her door, the Princess jumped straight up and out of her seat, dropping her hairbrush as she did so. Who could be visiting her at this late hour? Instinctively, she lifted one arm to cross her chest, covering her breasts while the other hand dropped to shield her womanhood. In the mirror, her twin's expression was one of shock.
But shock was quickly replaced by a huge grin at the thought that it might be the very sexy Captain Keith, back for a few more secret kisses. Her heart beat a little faster, and she found herself almost breathless, remembering the way his silky black hair felt when her fingers had twisted in it as she pulled his lips to her own...
For just a moment more, Allura studied her reflection and wondered what Keith would say if she were to greet him at the door dressed just like this...but when the second knock sounded, it was accompanied by a familiar voice...and it wasn't Keith's.
"Hey Princess, you still awake?"
She scrambled to slip on her bathrobe and quickly tied it at the waist. "Hang on, Lance," she called, grabbing a hair-tie and making an attempt to tame her tresses.
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When the door opened, Lance's breath caught in his throat. He had no intention of making a move on the Princess, because he respected her, and the fact that Keith was obviously in love with her. But that didn't mean he couldn't appreciate her sweet and sensual beauty.
A lazy smile appeared on his handsome face and his warm blue eyes twinkled. "Hey Princess-"
His greeting was cut off when Allura shushed him and stepped out into the hall, looking one way and then the other. When she saw that the coast was clear, she grinned and grabbed his arm, yanking him into her room.
"I've got SO much to tell you!" She said, as he stumbled in and she closed the door behind him.
Although not unused to being alone with a woman, the second-in-command of the Voltron Force was uncomfortable. One glance around her private chambers and he felt a blush sting his cheeks. Reaching back, he nervously attempted to smooth down the back of his chestnut brown hair. "Uh, hey Princess, maybe we should find a more, um, public place to talk? I'm already on Nanny's crap list - I'd never hear the end of it if she caught me alone in here with you, at night..." he waved his arm up and down, indicating her state of undress, "...wearing that."
"Oh!" Allura blushed and hurried behind her dressing screen. "Sorry, Lance! I didn't even think about it!"
"It's okay Princess. I don't mind." His laughter was filled with anxiety. "Nanny's not even the worst part. After seeing how jealous Keith got tonight, I sure as hell wouldn't want HIM catching me in here alone with you!"
A giggle preceded Allura's stepping out from behind the ornate dressing panel. She was wearing a royal blue tracksuit and in the process of wrapping a hair-tie around her golden-blonde locks, which were now piled atop her head in some sort of unruly bun. "I don't think I've EVER seen Keith so upset!"
Lance grimaced. "Yeah, I know. My brother's usually much better at hiding his emotions."
As they talked, the two friends had exited her bedroom and were now walking toward an observation deck that occupied the same floor as Allura's personal suite.
"So, I take it things went well?" Lance asked with a grin.
"At first, no, then yes," she replied, offering up a brilliant smile. "Why don't we make sure no one's in here and I'll tell you all about it?"
The door opened with a "swoosh" and they found themselves looking out at a beautiful and clear night sky. Allura quickly crossed the room and stood before the wall of floor to ceiling windows and smiled out at all the twinkling stars.
"I love coming here, it's so quiet and peaceful."
After looking around the room and ensuring their privacy, Lance joined the Princess.
"The view is stunning," he agreed, plopping down into a nearby chair. "But now you gotta tell me everything!"
With a happy sigh, Allura settled into the plush seat across from where Lance had made himself comfortable.
"At first it was HORRIBLE," she began, telling the story of how she and Keith had argued, how heartbreaking it had been, how she had believed there was no hope.
"Then he told me he loves me," she said, smiling tremulously.
"Wow!" Lance was genuinely shocked. He knew Keith had feelings for the Princess, but not in a million years did he think his Captain would admit to loving her!
"We've decided to see how things go, to try to have a relationship." Allura continued, "but Keith wants us to keep things a secret. At least for now."
"You don't sound so sure about that," Lance commented.
"I'm not." She admitted. "I don't want to keep this a secret from anyone. I've decided to give Keith some time to adjust to our new relationship before I talk to Nanny and Coran. I'm a grown woman and they will just have to learn to accept the situation."
Lance's eyebrows shot straight up, and he sucked in a long draft of air. When he spoke, it was slowly, and with carefully chosen words.
"Allura, I have to tell you, I think it would be in everyone's best interest if you kept this a secret from Nanny and Coran. Period."
He eyed her for her reaction; as expected, she was unconvinced.
He'd known the Princess long enough to realize that once she made up her mind, not much would change it. But if she were to tell her guardians about her new romance, he had no doubt they would move heaven and Arus to end it.
"Think about it, Princess." He urged. "Do you really think you and Keith can have any kind of romantic involvement with your Nanny and Coran breathing down the backs of your necks? Come on, they don't even want you and Keith to be friends - they won't stand by and let you date."
She sighed heavily. He could tell she knew he was right, every time Nanny even THOUGHT something inappropriate was going on, the woman flew into a fit. And Coran was just as bad, always watching her like a tiny child who needed a babysitter.
"I am so tired of everyone making my decisions for me. I can take care of myself, you know."
"I know, Princess." Lance could only offer her a bit of wisdom. "But until you're old enough to be crowned queen and sit on that throne, you're going to have to deal with your overprotective guardians. And if you don't want them to send us away, or lock you in your rooms, you're going to have to keep your mouth shut."
When it seemed she was unmoved, Lance stood up, stretched, and gave her one last bit of sage advice.
"My mom always says when you have a big decision to make, you should sleep on it. So go to bed, get some rest, and give it a few days before you decide."
At her nod, he walked across the room and stood in front of the automated door.
"Good night, Princess," he said as he slipped out of the room.
Allura watched as the door swished closed behind him, leaving her in silent contemplation. She turned toward the window to stare out into the beautiful night, transfixed by the contrast between the darkened sky and the iridescent stars that twinkled high above.
From the corner of her eye, she glimpsed a flash of light; she turned her head just in time to see a shooting star streak across the horizon.
Maybe Lance was right. She'd give things a little time before she made her decision on what to do next.
With that, Allura could finally feel the toll the evening's tumultuous activities had taken on her; after yawning and stretching, she headed off to bed.
TBC...