Just over a month between updates! Woo hoo! Yes, that excites me. The muses are back and they're cracking the whip! I just hope I can keep up with them as baseball/softball season has started again! *oye* I do hope everyone had a great St. Patrick's Day and that this finds you all healthy and happy!

I make no claims to Voltron or any WEP characters.

Chapter Thirteen ~ Deception

It's a fluke. It has to be some sort of fluke, Lance thought as the priest droned on and on about love and living together. He hasn't attacked yet. He's going to. He has to…

Lance, enough! Maybe he didn't hear about the wedding, Allura whispered into his mind.

Lotor? Not know the one woman in the entire universe that he wants is trying to get married today? Not bloody likely.

Allura smiled at him. Well, probably not, but let's enjoy our good fortune for now, ok?

"Maahox! Can't this piece of junk go any faster? We will miss the wedding at this rate!" Lotor screamed.

"Unfortunately, My Lord, I am unable to increase the efficiency of the engines beyond what they are now. However, there is always eliminating her 'husband' and taking his place," Maahox stated, giving Lotor a droll stare.

Lotor studied Maahox intently for a few moments. "That…does have possibilities."

Maahox bowed, but his own mind was churning with his own evil plots as he turned back to his workstation.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife," the priest intoned. "Duke, you may kiss your bride."

Lance turned to face Allura, a shocked look on his face. He didn't attack…

Allura smiled. Shut up and kiss me already.

Duvessa and Larmina carefully tucked the last bits of Allura's train into the open carriage.

Keith was on the other side talking to Lance. "We'll be right behind you, covering you with the Lions until we get to the Castle. Did you give Vessa and Larmina your keys?" he asked, looking to Allura as well.

Allura nodded. "Larmina has Blue's key, I made sure of it earlier," Allura assured him with a smile.

Lance flipped over his Voltcom and grimaced, pulling his key out of the Voltcom and handing it to Keith. "I want that back," he muttered.

Keith grinned and shook his head. "You know me better than that. Vessa will make sure Red gets to his den."

Duvessa stopped beside Keith, who handed her the key and she slid it into her Voltcom, it flashing red for a moment. She looked up at Lance. "Be careful," she whispered.

Lance nodded, seeing the concern and worry in her eyes. "Yeah, nothing can go wrong here, right? I mean, I only have a huge target on my back now," he muttered.

Keith sighed. "You'll be fine," he assured them. He nodded to the driver, who gently nudged the horses into a walk. He looked to Duvessa. "You sure you and Larmina can fly in that?"

Duvessa smiled. "We will find out, won't we? We'd best get moving," she stated and they all headed for the Lions.

Once Red, Black and Blue were airborne, they joined Yellow and Green, who were already covering the procession to the Castle.

"Status," Keith ordered.

"All clear so far, Keith," Pidge assured him. "I still think weddings are weird."

"Ah, that's right. Baltans don't have weddings," Duvessa murmured.

"That's right," Pidge answered. "But, it is informational to learn other cultures and attempt to understand them."

Keith hovered Black over the parade route for a few moments, watching the carriage make its way to the castle.

Duvessa brought Red up alongside. "Keith? Everything all right?" she asked.

"Yeah. Yeah, everything's fine. Just letting them get a little ahead, that's all," he answered. If things hadn't transpired the way they have, that could have been me, he thought to himself.

The Lions shadowed the procession until the carriage disappeared into the courtyard, then the pilots put the Lions into their dens and made their way to the reception hall.

The reception was going well. The many toasts to the newlyweds were made, the meal was had, cake was cut, and the dancing began.

Keith stood beside Duvessa watching as Lance and Allura had their first dance together alone on the dance floor under the dimmed light of the crystal chandelier above. "I never thought I would see the day Lance would get married, much less be the first of us to do so," he murmured.

Duvessa looked up at him and smiled. "They look lovely together."

Keith nodded in agreement. "They do." He looked at her. "You look beautiful tonight, Duvessa."

She blinked, a bit thrown. "We're back to my full name already?"

He chuckled softly. "Well, sort of. I do like saying it," he murmured. He looked around nervously for a moment.

Duvessa watched him silently. "Is something wrong?"

"No, no, everything's fine," he assured her. "I just…" He sighed. "I'm nervous."

"Why? Everything is going well tonight…"

"Yeah, it's not the reception I'm nervous about," he answered.

"Then…what is it?"

He carefully took her hand and pulled her back from the dance floor slowly, so as not to attract any attention. Once in the shadows, he stopped. "I managed to go up to my room just before the reception started," he whispered. "I still don't know if I'm worthy or not, but…" he trailed off, staring into her eyes.

"Keith?" she asked softly when he didn't continue. "What are you trying to say?"

He licked his lips. "I…I love you, Duvessa," he whispered. He pulled a ring from his pocket, his grandmother's engagement ring and went to one knee before her. "Would you marry me, Duvessa?"

Duvessa stared at him, shocked. "Keith…Gods…yes." The last was a whisper.

Keith slid the ring onto her finger, stood, and kissed her.

As he broke the kiss, Duvessa giggled softly. "Well, I know why you were nervous," she stated. "Though, really, you didn't have to be."

He smiled at her. "I know, now, anyway," he agreed. He noted the bridal party was being called to join in on the dance floor. He offered her his arm and led her out to the floor.

After several dances, Keith led Duvessa back to their seats. He helped her sit, then gently kissed her hand. "I'm going to go refill our glasses," he murmured.

She nodded. "All right."

He smiled, picked up their glasses and moved off to the bar.

Randall walked over and paused across the table from her. "Duvessa, you look lovely tonight," he declared.

Duvessa blushed and nodded. "Thank you, Randall. You look nice as well."

"Thank you," he answered. "I know this may be an awkward time to ask this, but would you mind having a dance with me. I have an idea for the treaty between us that might interest you."

Duvessa blinked. "The treaty? Now?"

"We are both here, we may as well not waste good time, correct?"

Duvessa sighed, but nodded. "Very well." She rose to her feet and moved around the table towards Randall.

He eagerly took her right hand in his and moved towards the dance floor.

Duvessa pasted a smile on her face as she walked.

Keith got back to an empty table with drinks for him and Duvessa. Where did you go? he asked, eyes moving to the floor.

Dance floor. Randall wants to talk about the treaty.

At a wedding?

I'm not thrilled either, but…

Yeah. I know. Ok. I'll be here. His sharp blue eyes found them on the dance floor and he watched them intently.

"So, Duvessa, happy for your niece?" Randall asked as he faced her, pulling her into his arms.

Duvessa nodded. "Of course. Why wouldn't I be happy for her?" she asked, a puzzled look on her face.

"No reason," Randall answered, shaking his head. "Is it true, what happened with the prince from Sylanka?"

She blinked, not quite following his train of thought. "What do you mean? Is what true?"

"You and the Voltron Force arrested him for drugging you, the little princess, and the commander of the Force," Randall answered.

Duvessa narrowed her eyes, watching him intently. "Why are you asking me this? I thought you wanted to discuss the treaty."

He nodded. "I do, but I was curious as to what happened."

"I didn't know you knew about that," Duvessa stated.

"Well, I mean, Sylvan's trial and all was a public trial on Earth. It was hard for me to miss it," he stated with a casual shrug.

Duvessa frowned, not quite sure what to think or say.

"Is it me, or is it stuffy in here? Can we take our talk outside?" Randall asked softly with a smile.

She nodded, completely thrown by his random talk. "Yes, fresh air sounds lovely," she answered and allowed him to lead her outside to the patio that lead to the gardens.

Randall smiled once they reached the fountain on the patio. "Ah. Beautiful night for this reception," he stated, gazing up at the stars and moons. He looked to her. "Almost as beautiful as my present company."

Duvessa blushed. "Thank you, but I think you are getting off topic once again," she murmured.

His kind smile turned dark and menacing in an instant. "Indeed I am," he agreed. He nodded and hands locked onto her upper arms from behind her.

Duvessa struggled, surprised at the sudden attack. "What are you doing?" This can't be happening! This is Allura's wedding reception! Where are the guards?

Keith felt a sudden surge of panic and looked up from the chat he was having with another guest. He quickly scanned the dance floor and noticed Duvessa was not there. He excused himself and made his way around the room. Duvessa? Answer me if you can…

Outside. Patio. Randall…ugh…I don't know what the hell he's trying to do. I could use a little help.

On my way, he answered and ran towards the patio.

Duvessa glared at Randall as he and two of his men pulled her further into the gardens. "You won't get far for doing this, Randall," she snarled, struggling against the men who held her.

"Perhaps," Randall answered, with a nod. "I am taking you out from under the very nose of the Voltron Force."

"Stop playing with her, Randall. Let's tie her up and go meet Lotor and Maahox," a familiar voice growled from the shadows.

Duvessa's jaw dropped, recognizing the voice. "Sylvan?"

Sylvan stepped into the light from the shadows of a hedge where he had been lurking, a smirk on his face. "Surprised to see me? Too bad I lost my ring and the drug. It would make kidnapping you so much easier."

"How did you get here from the prison on Earth?" Duvessa demanded.

Sylvan nodded his head towards Randall. "I have Randall to thank for my freedom. Of course, he had to be persuaded by Maahox and Lotor to do it," Sylvan answered.

Duvessa looked to Randall. "What did they promise you? They will never carry through with their end of the bargain."

"Oh, that remains to be seen," Randall answered with a sinful smirk. "You see, my payment for freeing Sylvan…is you."

Duvessa gave an unladylike snort. "Lotor wants me dead. He will never turn me over to you."

"While the thought of you being dead is quite appealing, I did make a deal with Randall," came a darker voice from even further in the shadows. "So, for now, you will live."

Duvessa gasped, seeing the Drule king standing not far behind Sylvan with Maahox at his side. Allura! Lotor is here! You and Lance need to go, now!

Allura blinked and looked around the reception hall. Lotor's here? But, how? The alarms didn't…

I'm looking right at him in the gardens. Go!

Allura turned to Lance beside her at the table. "Duvessa says Lotor is here. She's looking right at him out in the gardens. Says we need to go. Now."

Lance stared at her. "I wondered why he didn't interrupt the wedding," he growled. He got to his feet, helped her to hers, then pulled her from the reception towards Control where they could make a quick getaway. As they ran to Control, he set off a silent alarm to alert the guards that Lotor was in the gardens.

Randall turned to face Lotor and smiled, giving him a slight bow. "I do believe I held up my end of the bargain, Your Majesty."

"Indeed you have, though I find myself upset that I missed the actual wedding, however killing Allura's groom will be an easy task once they depart on their honeymoon, which I will take over as her husband," Lotor purred, an evil smirk on his face. He looked to Duvessa. "Amazing how you so easily apprehended the Black Devil, Randall."

"I find you attract more flies with honey than violence, My Lord," Randall answered smoothly. "It was easy to deceive her to come with me and into my trap."

Lotor nodded. "Very good." He looked to Maahox. "So, we have Sylvan back. Randall will be taking the Black Devil to the far side of the galaxy. Arus will be so much easier to conquer as soon as I remove Allura's current husband and take his place."

"You could never take his place, Monster," Duvessa growled.

Lotor snarled at her, raising his hand to strike her.

"No, My Lord. I shall handle it," Randall purred. He grabbed Duvessa by the arms, spun her around, slammed her back into a brick wall, and kissed her, slightly tearing the front of her dress as his hand fumbled for her breast.

A dark growl came from the darkness. "Get your damn hands off her."

Duvessa raised her knee, connecting with Randall's groin.

"You bitch!" Randall snarled, striking her, knocking her face first to the ground.

The others had spun towards the newcomer's voice and a pair of swords glowed a very light blue in the darkness.

Duvessa slowly raised her head from where she'd landed on the ground. "Keith," she whispered.

Keith spun into motion, swords twirling in glowing arcs around him, easily dispatching several of Lotor and Randall's guards.

Maahox clapped his hands as Lotor stood behind him with Sylvan. Randall stood over near Duvessa, a blaster in his hand, unsure if he needed to hold it on her or point it at Keith.

"Very impressive, Commander," Maahox laughed. "Everything one should expect from the vaunted leader of the Voltron Force."

Keith watched him warily, knowing that something had to be wrong.

Duvessa slowly sat up, getting ready to get to her feet if she had to.

Randall pointed his blaster at her. "You'd better stay put, Princess," he growled.

She wiped her mouth on the back of her hand. "Randall, consider the treaty off for this betrayal."

Randall chuckled. "I wouldn't want to defile my system any more with a treaty with your planet, anyway."

"Then why did you agree to help Lotor?" she asked.

"Because the price was right," he answered. He roughly grabbed her arm and pulled her to her feet. He slowly backed towards an exit.

"Sadly, you didn't ask me if I liked the idea," Duvessa murmured.

"You have no opinion in my eyes," he answered.

She laughed and shook her head. "Wrong thought," she answered, her Voltcom going from bracelet size into its full sized form and her weapons appeared in her hands. She broke out of his grasp and attacked him.

Randall growled, firing several shots that missed her and ran for the exit and his waiting ship.

She turned back towards Keith, Sylvan and Maahox.

"Sylvan, get back to my ship," Lotor ordered. "We will be along momentarily."

Sylvan nodded, turned and disappeared into the darkness.

Duvessa moved closer to Keith. "Well, Lotor, your friend, Randall, has run off and left his 'prize' behind," she stated. "You might want to follow suit."

"Oh, but you looked like you were so enjoying yourself with him, Princess," Maahox purred, earning a growl from her. "Pity. Well, then I guess we will just have to leave our present for the married couple for the two of you to deliver for us."

Lotor quietly slipped into the shadows and back to his ship as Maahox spoke.

Maahox pointed something at them and fired. Then, he fled for the ship.

Keith knocked Duvessa to the ground beneath him as whatever it was hit him. He screamed in pain.

Duvessa gently pushed him off her, going to her knees beside him. "Keith?"

Keith looked at her, then his eyes slowly slid shut.

"Keith!" Her weapons vanished and she lifted her Voltcom. "Medical emergency in the Ballroom Gardens!" she cried over a channel. She touched his cheek. "Keith? Keith, stay with me!"