Part Eight: Dancing

"I like your friends," Allura stated, later the same night.

"I did," Keith smiled reluctantly, "until Lance chose to introduce himself."

"He's what my nanny would call a hooligan," Allura responded with a wide grin, linking her hands around Keith's neck, as she'd noticed other women doing with their suitors. "She would not like him at all."

"He's been known to corrupt more than one young lady," Keith stated. "The only reason he's leaving you alone, is because he thinks you're with me and knows the consequences."

"My father warned me about such men on Terra," a frown creased Allura's brow. "Sven, he is different, to both you and Lance."

"Yah," Keith nodded. "Sven's become my first real friend. We moved so much after Mum and Dad died, I gave up trying to make mates, but he never gave up on me. One night, determined to get me drunk and succeeding, I told him about my childhood. I guess I finally trusted someone enough to let them in."

"Is that why you don't drink?" Allura asked.

"Lowers the inhibitions, Ally," Keith responded. "Lance calls me a control freak. I'm just very selective with who I trust."

"What about me," Allura held her breath. The music swelled around them as Keith twirled her on the dance floor. Coming back together, she wondered if he would answer her question.

"Your different," Keith stated. Then hesitantly he added, "in so many ways. We've only known each other a few days, but it seems like a lot longer. If, maybe, we'd met under other circumstances." He left the sentence hanging, unwilling to finish his thoughts. Ally was his duty, she was the daughter of an Arusian Dignitary and she was to marry the Crown Prince of Arus in a few months. Three facts Keith could never forget, no matter how real the woman in his arms felt, or the emotions threatening to overtake his heart.

"I just want to be Ally for the next few days," Allura sighed.

"I know you do," Keith soothed, drawing her closer to his body and allowing Ally to rest her head on his shoulder. He could feel the sadness emanating off her.

"Hey, Ally," Lance maneuverer his current dance partner next to the couple, "where did Keith meet you!"

"New York," she said, unwilling to lie. Alec taught his little sister the art of saying little and allowing others to assign their own meaning.

"So that's where you were!" Lance demanded. "What were you doing in New York, Kogane?"

"Need to know, McClain," Keith's tone became deadly, "and you don't need to know."

"Touchy, Kogane. Say, Ally, why don't you give your boyfriend a smack on the lips and alter his disposition," Lance teased. "He's no fun in this mood."

"Lance," Keith growled. His attention taken by his friend, the Lieutenant didn't see the contemplation in Ally's glittering orbs.

Allura grinned with every intention of using the opportunity. She'd never been kissed as many of her age had on Arus. Oh, she'd seen the maids do much more than just 'smack' their suitors on the lips. After all, Arus was at war and needed to regenerate their population. In days gone by, one had to be married to copulate and become with child. Presently, girls were not chastised for giving away their innocents, especially if their young man gave his life in the service of protecting their planet. They were, however, expected to remain with that one man for the rest of their lives if their union resulted in a child. From what she witnessed on Terra, the morals were not all that different.

Using her hands to pull Keith's towards her, Allura tilted her head to the side. Keith understood what was coming and tried to avoid it. Yet, he knew Lance was watching and would ask questions if he didn't follow through. Finally giving in, Lieutenant Kogane allowed his lips to brush Ally's softly. Not permitting the contact to be more than momentary, he attempted to pull away.

Unsatisfied with the demonstration, Lance shook his head in dismay. He'd seen Keith with a woman on a single uninhibited occasion. Kogane put many to shame with his moves, given the alcoholic inducement. It seemed he treated Ally with a lot more admiration and respect than those Academy Groupies. Ally, on the other hand, knew this was not the kind of first kiss she'd always dreamt of. Out of her customary surroundings, clothing and façade, Princess Allura wanted to be treated like any other Terran woman, and if she consulted her heart, as Keith would treat his Terran woman.

Moving a hand into Keith's hair, she forced his lips to meet hers once again. This time, ready for the contact, she slightly opened her mouth, holding him captive and extending the touch as long as possible. Keith's mind screamed for him to stop, which only caused his heart to beat faster and the attraction he'd held at bay to flare unmercifully. Finally, his mind in concordance with his emotions, he knew they had little choice if he wanted to keep the ruse of young lovers.

Giving himself over to the kiss, he nibbled at Ally's lips, ignoring her open mouth for the moment. Feeling her hold tighten further, Keith wondered if she'd ever been kissed before. He'd seen Crown Prince Alec caress her forehead, and, if the way Ally responded to him meant anything, the Arusian Royal didn't inspire this level of passion within her.

If this is the only chance I have, Keith berated himself for the selfishness of his thoughts, I'm going to give Ally something to remember.

Taking the hint, Keith allowed his tongue to slip into her mouth. The pleasing moan caught even Lance unaware and his cheeks coloured slightly. Few on the dance floor had seen Lieutenant Kogane in such a compromising position with a woman. Coming to his senses, Lance wondered if the pair would ever come up for air.

"Keith," Sven tried to get his friends attentions. He knew Keith wouldn't like making a sceptical of himself. Lance grinned at his side, forgetting about his dance partner. Locking eyes with the Norwegian, Cadet McClain placed two fingers in his mouth and let out an ear piecing wolf whistle. Keith reacted immediately, pulling Ally into the safety of his body as his eyes looked around the room frantically.

"Ally," Keith whispered into her ear, suddenly brought to his senses.

"I," she swallowed hard, "I think I should thank Lance. I know you would never have done that without…without… But I wanted you to, Keith. I want…"

"To be a normal Terran girl," he finished for her, smiling guardedly.

"No," she pulled away slightly so he could see her emotions as they crossed her face, "I want to be your normal Terran girl, Keith. I want to do everything, experience everything I can before I return to Arus. You have no idea what will happen if I am taken by our enemies. I shall be forced to wed a man I despise, the son of the evil despot attempting to subjugate my planet and people. He will wish complete submission from me in every aspect once we are married. I shall be forced to bare his children, one of whom will be installed as Arus's next monarch."

Swallowing hard, Keith understood her fear. Wondering if he had the relationship between Crown Prince Alec and Ally entirely correct he asked, "I though your marriage was arranged?"

Nodding in agreement, she answered, "my father requires his children to marry for duty, not love. Our suitors have been chosen for the good of Arus. I shall be expected to accept my husband without question and do so with gladness in my heart."

Nodding, Keith pulled Ally back into his arms, ignoring the startled looks from both Sven and Lance still standing, immobile, on the dance floor. He knew they'd never have more than this one kiss. As much as his heart broke for her situation, she should go to her husband unsullied and in love. It seemed Ally didn't want the first and would be denied the second.