Betrothed

Chapter Eleven

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"Another ship," Lotor announced. He leaned closer to the screen panel to investigate. His first suspicion was Voltron, but his fingers flew over the controls, quickly assembling data on the incoming ship's make, year, and capabilities. He could practically feel Allura's excited anticipation emanating off of her, which angered him greatly. If it was Voltron-which he couldn't fathom since only a select few individuals knew how to locate his personal craft's unique signature- Allura would need to be restrained. There was no doubt in his mind she would do anything to escape him.

The scanners finished their readings, and Lotor frowned at the identity of the incoming aircraft.

"It's Galra," he said, brows furrowed in confusion. He hadn't sent for any troops. He checked his communication array and found them operating perfectly. No missed notifications.

"Oh," the princess sounded depressed. "They didn't notify you of their approach?"

Lotor didn't answer. He was too busy mentally racing through a list of the most probable scenarios. All his senses screamed danger, so he flipped on the weapons systems and activated the guns.

"Prepare for evasive maneuvers," Lotor ordered his guards, who promptly took seats.

"What? Why?" Allura questioned in confusion, "That's your own Galra ship isn't i- AH!"

Lotor yanked the joysticks just in time to dodge a seeker missile. It blurred past them without warning in a mad, red streak, and arched back around to recalculate and target them.

"Oh my god!" Allura gasped. Lotor opened the throttle, flipping several trim switches and atmospheric stabilizers, gunning the ship into a reverse roll with stunning precision. The missile missed them a second time and Lotor turned towards the enemy ship, navigating to put it directly into his line of sight. He fired a random spray of lasers, not really trying to hit his attacker right away, just put him on the run. It would be much more fun if they were destroyed by their own seeker missile. But not until after he had fully identified them. The enemy ship started to retreat, and the chase began.

A rogue ship is highly unlikely. He mused, turning his ship into a barrel roll. No traitorous soldier would get past my generals. And they would have warned me in time if they had failed. Unless it was a member of the Blade of Marmora. We've had some trouble with them in the past.

The seeker missile was gaining on them a third time now. Lotor saw it on his scanners. So did Allura.

"It's coming back!" she pointed. As if he hadn't noticed.

"Patience princess," he cooed.

"If you're trying to show off, I already know you're an excellent pilot!" Allura screamed at him, "Stop fooling around and blast that thing!"

Lotor's ship quickly gained on the enemy fighter. He could have flown circles around it, but he refrained, just getting close enough for a good look.

If my sources are correct, I believe the former paladin, Keith, is a member of the Blade now. Perhaps he heard of Allura's capture… A stealth attack is more his style.

Plummeting down in a high-side guns pass, Lotor noticed that the enemy's cockpit was darkened, and there were no distinct paint patterns on the strange vessel's exterior. A turret swung about on its aft and suddenly shot at them. Lotor serpentined, dodging the stream of lasers easily enough. He targeted the enemy's aft canon and thumbed the trigger, blowing the cannon up just as they soared by. That had been too easy. Lotor could have blasted the whole ship to pieces just then if he wanted. The enemy ship dove straight up in a panic to get away. Pathetic. Lotor performed a quick wingover and stayed with him.

Maybe not Keith then. This is no expert pilot. He's a coward. And this poor starfighter couldn't outrun a space whale. What kind of assassin would choose an outdated piece of scrap metal like that?

Then, just as he was regaining proximity to the enemy ship, it suddenly flickered and disappeared.

"Where'd it go?" Allura asked, eyes wide. Lotor snorted.

"Just a cloaking device," Lotor answered. Nothing he hadn't seen before.

No wonder you're not concerned with speed. You think you can hide. So that's your fun little party trick, is it? Too bad it won't save you from me.

The seeker missile was back now, creeping ominously closer behind them. Allura was grimacing in fear. Lotor decided to end this. Maybe he'd pick up more clues as to who this assassin was from the wreckage. Allura opened her mouth to nag him again.

"Lotor, I swear if you kill us-"

He flipped the ship, launching them into another mind scrambling barrel roll. Lotor almost smiled as he successfully evaded the projectile for the third time in a row. How easy this was. It rocketed past them and flew straight into the invisible starship, tearing it to pieces in an explosion of red and black fragments. By the time Lotor leveled out of the barrel roll, one of the guards had already lost his lunch. Allura just heaved a loud sigh of relief.

"That was a bit dramatic, don't you think?" She chided, running a hand through her wild hair.

"I didn't know you were such a back seat driver," Lotor replied coolly.

"Well, up until lately, I'm usually the one piloting," Allura defended.

"Of course. How could I forget your precious Blue Lion?"

Shutting down the ship's weapon systems and bringing the auto controls back online, the prince took his time to peruse the wreckage. He hoped to see a body, but nothing was left aside from corroded ship remains.

"It's a shame our attacker couldn't survive long enough for me to determine just who he was," Lotor commented.

"I don't think it matters now," Allura replied, also searching the wreck.

"That is yet to be seen."

Wholly dissatisfied, Lotor redirected their flight path back towards the fleet.

There's no possibility that just any random assassin could track my location. The ship was definitely Galra. Who among the Galra most wants me dead? That's quite a list… But who would be able to track me?

And just like that, realization dawned on him. Lotor's eyes widened. How had he not thought of her before?

That witch... She's been uncharacteristically absent since I killed father.

Gifted with bizarre magical abilities that Lotor could never fully understand, Haggar alone could find him if she wished. This was a crucial factor to consider. With everything else going on, he had temporarily forgotten. Maybe that's what she had been waiting for… She was sly like that. Well. He wouldn't make that mistake twice.

Once they were docked safely back on board his command ship, Lotor unbuckled and stood to assist Allura to her feet. She unbelted and rose slowly, taking his offered hand. She was shaking. Subtly, Lotor motioned for the guards to leave, and waited, looking at her. She tried to leave too, but he prevented her with a firmer grip on her hand.

"Allura, are you alright?"

Her gorgeous, crystal blue eyes lifted to meet his innocently.

"I'm just fine," she insisted.

Stubborn girl. Lotor could clearly tell she was still rattled from their eventful outing.

"Have you had quite enough of our little adventures?" He teased lightly, smiling at her.

"Of course not. Why would you think that?" She challenged, becoming heated. For once, Lotor hadn't meant to fire her up. He looked down at her hand.

"I noticed you were trembling."

She instantly flushed, her cheeks turning hot pink with embarrassment.

"Oh. I didn't realize," she admitted, removing her hand from his, "I promise you, I'm fine."

"Really?"

"Yes, really," she replied confidently.

Lotor was getting distracted by her frazzled hair. Her rich, white curls were so much thicker than his own, and twice as beautiful, the way they framed her lovely face. One particular strand had turned rogue, and was hanging partly in her eye.

"All things considered, you conducted yourself remarkably well under pressure. I'm impressed," he said, tucking the stray strand of her hair behind her ear. He hadn't been able to stop his hand, and he fully expected severe repercussions for such a gesture. But all Allura did was watch him closely, guarded.

"Lotor," she said at length.

"Yes, Princess."

"I… I regret having yelled at you. Clearly, you knew what you were doing," she admitted, sulking. "And, you did save my life… So… Thank you."

"My, my. Two 'thank you's in one day. I think that's some sort of record," he smirked, playfully, "Are you actually warming up to me?"

Allura rolled her eyes, and Lotor laughed, taking the opportunity to sneak his arm around her waist as he escorted her from his ship. At first she walked stiffly, but after a short time, she relaxed into the contact.

Good girl.

Lotor decided to push his luck even further. As they neared the entrance to the ship's interior halls, he leaned his face down to whisper right into her ear.

"Rest assured, my beloved. You need never fear death while I am the one protecting you."

This time, Allura did retaliate.

"Just because you saved my life this once does not mean I'm about to trust you with it blindly. You had your own life to save aboard that spacecraft too," she snipped, ducking away from him and breaking their contact. Lotor took a deep breath. Back to square one then.

"That's where you are wrong, my princess. Don't think for one second that I would ever hesitate to come to your aid," Lotor replied. Allura glared up at him. She thought he was mocking her.

"Maybe so. But only because you need something from me," she insisted. Lotor sighed.

"You and I want the same things. I know it. You know it. So why not learn to trust each other…?"

"As if you would ever trust me," Allura laughed.

The doors to the main ship slid open from the hanger, and three of Lotor's generals were there to greet him.

"The guards informed us of what happened," General Zethrid said.

"I'm so sorry my prince," Ezor grimaced.

"I don't know how that enemy fighter slipped past our detection," General Acxa explained, frantic with worry. His generals had every reason to fear punishment for their oversight, but Lotor was in a forgiving mood.

"At ease ladies," Lotor said, "I do not blame you. We will discuss this later, but first, I will escort Princess Allura back to her quarters. Continue monitoring the bridge with Narti until I return," he commanded them. They saluted. Lotor laced Allura's arm once more in his own, and they continued their walk through the ship, towards their bedchambers.

After a few minutes in silence, Lotor spoke.

"I have an idea."

"Do share."

"How would you like to spar with me?" Lotor inquired, tilting his head to look down at her. Allura hesitated.

"You mean with weapons?"

"If you so desire."

"For what purpose?" Allura questioned, all skepticism.

"Call it a trust exercise."

"You would willingly hand me a weapon and let me attack you?"

"Don't pretend like you haven't been dreaming of such an opportunity every night since your capture," Lotor goaded. Allura didn't refute him. They arrived at the entrance to her bedroom door, and Lotor opened it for her. She lingered at the threshold.

"Alright," she agreed finally. "I would like that. Tomorrow then?"

"It's a date," Lotor grinned.

The pure fury of her glare as she closed the door on him made Lotor laugh.

A/N:

Thank you to those of you who reviewed and expressed their happy "welcome back"s! I so appreciate you! News updates for this fanfic-among others are now being posted on my fanfiction instagram: tamingtheriver, for those of you IG users! Go check me out and feel free to DM me there! I want to have open discussions with my readers about my stories and how I can improve.

Thanks again!

-2Tame a River