Raelee...hehehe! WARNING: Explicit content ahead...as I warned in the last chapter, as well.

I make no claims to Voltron or any WEP characters.

Chapter Nineteen

Lance smiled down at Allura where she laid on her bed. "I always feel like its Christmas when I'm with you," he whispered.

Allura blushed, but smiled. "And why is that?"

He chuckled. "Because, it's like unwrapping a present that I've waited a long time for," he purred as he leaned over her, kissing her soft lips. His fingers slid down her side to unfasten the clips to her stockings and then he began to roll them down her legs.

Allura shivered, loving the warmth of his hands as they slowly made their way down her long legs. She watched him as he pulled them off her feet and tossed them across the room. "Lance."

He looked up at her. "Yeah, sweetheart?"

"You're gorgeous," she whispered.

He chuckled. "I know, but thank you for reminding me of that fact," he joked with a wink.

Allura giggled.

"Oh, she thinks it's funny, huh?" he teased. "Let's see what she thinks about this," he murmured and quickly removed the rest of her clothes.

Allura gasped, but her smile remained in place. "Such a bad boy," she purred.

Lance chuckled as he pulled off his boxers and slid under the covers beside her. "Darn right. Don't you forget it."

Allura kissed a path along his jaw. "I don't think I ever could, love." She reached around and gently smacked his toned backside. "A spanking for the bad boy."

Lance laughed darkly and nodded. "Oh, it's on."

Allura nodded back, a challenging glint in her green eyes. "Indeed."

Lance captured her lips with his own as he settled himself between her legs. "You are feisty tonight, sweetheart."

She hooked her legs around his and grinned. "Can you blame me?" she asked before she flipped him over onto his back, pinning his arms over his head.

Lance blinked in surprise before he grinned at her. "Can't blame you one bit," he confessed. He relaxed beneath her, knowing he could turn the tables back on her, but decided to wait her out, see what she had in store for him. "So, you've got me where you want me," he purred with a wicked grin. "Now, what are you going to do with me?"

Allura beamed and slid down his body.

Lance's eyes went wide feeling her mouth on him. "And here you said I was the bad one…Shit!" he cried, bunching the sheets in his hands.

Allura only laughed and continued her assault on him.

X x x x x x x x

Duvessa moaned. She felt as if Keith's hands were everywhere, tracing every curve of her body. Not that her hands were exactly still, either. She slowly was committing every aspect of his body to memory, the corded muscles of his back, the hard planes of his pecs. "Gods, you are a masterpiece and should be immortalized in marble," she whispered harshly as she nipped his earlobe.

Keith chuckled as his mouth captured hers once more. "Mmm. That's new. I've never heard that one before," he purred against her lips.

Duvessa lifted one leg as he traced his hand down her thigh until she hooked it around the back of his.

Keith growled softly and smiled. He lifted her until her legs were around his waist then spun, pinning her against the wall.

Duvessa gasped at the coldness of the wall against her back. "Keith," she murmured, gazing down into his shimmering eyes.

Keith panted as he gazed up at her. "I don't want to scare or hurt you," he whispered. "But…"

Duvessa kissed him, her fingers lacing behind his head. She roughly broke the kiss. "I'm not afraid of you, Keith," she panted. "And I know you won't hurt me. I trust you. Go with your instincts."

Keith nodded once before he spun her away from the wall, walked to the bed and dropped her down onto it. He quickly stripped them of the rest of their clothes and then made his way back up her body with his mouth, making her squirm and whimper softly.

X x x x x x x x

Lance growled, lifted Allura off him and flipped her over onto the bed beside him. He rolled until he was over her and bowed his head, panting heavily.

Allura was quiet for a moment and then she giggled. "I wasn't finished."

Lance growled again and lifted is head, gazing down at her. "My turn," he snarled, his fingers sliding into the wetness at her core.

Allura arched her back and moaned. "Lance, please?"

"Oh, no," he snarled, his brown eyes intense. "Fair is fair, Princess."

"Uh oh," she whispered, her eyes going wide as she looked down at him.

Lance grinned. "Oh, yeah," he purred and trailed his lips and tongue down her body to join his fingers in his torment of her senses. "Fair is fair."

Allura cried out as the world exploded around her.

X x x x x x x x x

Keith stared up at the woman on the bed before him, a satisfied grin on his face. She was breathing hard, coming back down from the high he had just sent her on. "Duvessa?"

"Hmmm?"

He chuckled and slid up onto the bed beside her. "Well?"

She opened her eyes and stared at him. "Wow."

He bent and kissed her. "That was only the beginning, love."

Duvessa shivered. "Then finish it, Commander," she purred.

He chuckled darkly. "Commander, is it?"

"Mmmm," she purred. "I'm pretty sure I could get used to saluting you," she teased.

Keith laughed as he pulled her over him, letting her hair create a curtain around their faces. "I'm sure you could," he agreed. He kissed her again and palmed her breast. "But right now, I am definitely saluting you, milady. I think you need to do something about it."

Duvessa could feel the tip of him pressing against her. She shifted slightly and felt him slide into her and heard him gasp. She smiled down into his shocked blue eyes. "Does that help?"

Keith could only nod before she started to move.

X x x x x x x x x

Lance collapsed on the bed beside Allura, sweating and panting.

Allura purred and cuddled up next to him, promptly falling asleep.

Lance chuckled, draped his arm around her and drifted off.

X x x x x x x x x

Keith felt triumphant and like a scoundrel at the same time. It was definitely an interesting mix of feelings.

Why like a scoundrel? a soft feminine voice whispered through his thoughts.

He chuckled. "Because of what happened back on…"

"Shhh," the woman whispered. "I forgave you and you're still beating yourself up over that? You need to stop it."

He opened his eyes and stared down into the electric blue eyes of Duvessa. "I can't help it. I still feel guilty."

Duvessa snuggled her back closer to his front and closed her eyes as she laid her head back down. "Don't. I probably pushed you like I did tonight."

He laughed. "I think I'm ok with you pushing me like that," he whispered into her ear. He rested his head on hers, his arm tightening around her. "How are you feeling?"

Duvessa smiled. "Mmmm."

He gently nipped her shoulder. "That good, huh?"

"Yes," she whispered and drifted off.

Keith watched her sleep for a few minutes before he slid out of her bed, dressed and left her room.

X x x x x x x

Lance groaned as his Voltcom beeped. He slowly opened one eye and glanced over to where it laid on the nightstand next to Allura's. He held his arm out to it and it immediately fastened itself around his arm. "Yeah?" he asked quietly, hoping to not wake the woman nestled in the bed beside him.

"Lance, meet me in the Control Room," came Keith's voice.

Lance mentally groaned. "Alright. Be there in five," he murmured and slid out of the bed.

"What does he want at this hour?" Allura murmured.

Lance looked back to her and grinned. "I don't have a clue, sweetheart. Go back to sleep. I'll be back if I can."

Allura smiled. "Alright."

Lance quickly pulled on his dress uniform and headed out of her room and down to the Control Room. He grimaced, knowing what he probably looked like. He stepped into the Control Room as he buttoned the last button on his jacket and his eyes about popped out of his head. "Keith?"

Keith turned and looked at Lance. He gave him a half grin. "I see I'm not the only one with uniform issues right now," he muttered.

Lance chuckled as he took in Keith's appearance. Disheveled hair, his jacket unbuttoned, and what looked like a love bite low on his neck. "I take it you found her and manned up, huh?" he teased.

Keith grimaced and nodded. "Yeah."

Lance arched an eyebrow. "Walk?"

Keith nodded and the two left the Control Room and began to wander the halls aimlessly.

Lance walked beside his friend in a confused silence. "So, um…"

Keith sighed. "I still feel guilty about what happened back on Sylanka. Granted, we found who drugged us last night, but…"

"Is she mad?"

Keith shook his head. "Far from it. Though, come morning it might be a different story."

"You left."

Keith nodded, a pained expression on his face.

Lance chuckled. "That's one of my moves, not yours."

"Believe me, I know," Keith admitted. He ran his hand through his hair.

Lance stopped suddenly. "No. Way."

Keith stopped two paces ahead and turned back to look at him. "What?"

"Seriously?" he asked, staring at his friend.

Keith arched an eyebrow.

"You love her."

Keith sighed and shook his head. "I don't know. Maybe."

Lance blew out a harsh breath and ran his hand through his own hair. "Allura told me about the rest of the prophesy that Duvessa had mentioned after her telepathy unlocked."

Keith grimaced.

"It's you, isn't it? The man she dreamed of?"

Keith nodded. "She said I was."

Lance sighed. "So, the two of you are getting married."

Keith blinked. "Um, what?"

Lance nodded. "Also part of that prophesy," he stated.

Keith closed his eyes. "So not ready for that."

Lance chuckled. "I sometimes wonder if anyone ever is," he stated. He moved to the wall and leaned against it. "So, what is really on your mind, Cap?"

Keith grinned. "You haven't called me that in a long time."

Lance shrugged. "Stop changing the subject. You dragged me out of bed for a reason, let's hear it."

Keith nodded and began to pace in front of Lance. "Am I worthy of her?"

Lance blinked. "What?"

Keith grimaced. "You heard me."

"Why would you think that you aren't?"

Keith sighed. "Her brother keeps coming to me in my dreams."

"Her brother? Seriously? Duvessa's brother, who has been dead for how long?"

Keith glared at Lance. "King Alfor still visits Allura, so why is this such a hard concept to grasp?"

Lance frowned, but nodded. "Ok, you got me on that one, but her brother has been dead for ages longer than King Alfor." He shot a curious look at Keith. "Why, exactly, has he been visiting you in your dreams for anyway?"

Keith stared down the hallway. "He isn't sure if I'm worthy of her and her crown."

Lance groaned, shook his head and rubbed his hand over his face wearily. "Seriously? You're the commander of the Voltron Force, the most noble and honest guy I know. How can you not be worthy of her?"

"And the crown she wears. He always says it that way," Keith stated.

Lance stared at Keith. "She refuses to wear any crown."

Keith nodded. "I know. I wonder why."

Lance sighed and moved down the hall towards the recreation room, Keith following him. He sat down at the table that had a built in computer. "Ok, let's see what the heck he means," Lance muttered. He chuckled and shook his head. "This is going to take awhile. If you wanted to wake Pidge…"

Dread pooled in Keith's gut. "No. The fewer who know the better," Keith answered.

Lance shot him a puzzled look.

Keith shook his head. "Just a feeling."

Lance nodded and began a search query. "The Black Crown?"

Keith nodded. "Sounds like a good place to start," he agreed.

The monitor blinked to life above the table.

The Black Crown of Arus denotes the heir to the throne of Arus. Given to the firstborn child, no matter what sex. The last bearer of the Black Crown was Princess Duvessa, who mysteriously disappeared after battling King Xarior of Doom. Rumors abound about the fate of the Princess and of the Crown. Some of the rumors include murder, kidnapping, cryostasis and banishment. When pressed about the Princess, King Darius and Prince Alec refused to comment.

The Black Crown of Arus had been seen after the disappearance of Princess Duvessa, making many believe she had fallen victim to some form of foul play. King Darius presented the crown to Prince Alec in hopes that he would wear it. Prince Alec refused to wear it saying that it had refused him, much like the Lions had refused to let him pilot one. It is believed that the crown was created with some metaphysical powers imbued within the glittering Ascension Diamond, which is the name of the black diamond that gives the Black Crown its name. According to legend, the Ascension Diamond had been blessed by all of the elements sacred to Arus, Lighting, Earth, Wind, Fire and Water. Upon the refusal of Prince Alec to wear the Black Crown, it, too, disappeared.

The Crown has many powers, according to legend. It was instrumental to the initial activation of the mighty robot, Voltron. As a gift from the people of Planet Kalai, Queen Klaudia blessed the mighty robot and charged it to protect the people of Arus on her wedding day while wearing the Black Crown. All of the Lions roared upon her blessing, thereby blessing the Crown with its legendary powers. The first pilot of the Black Lion was Princess Duvessa, who wore the Black Crown whenever she piloted it.

The full legend behind the Black Crown is as follows: The Crown of Black Diamond, the stone of Ascension, formed of the Earth, heated by Fire, cooled by Water, dances with Wind and lit from within by Lightning, shall denote the next in line of the Royal House of Arus. The one who wears the Crown shall be proud and noble of spirit, possessed with keen intellect and, above all, willing to sacrifice all to protect Arus. The full powers of the Crown will be known instinctually and may change over time. It shall be lost for five centuries before it is rediscovered and placed upon the head of the heir once again.

Lance shook his head and looked at Keith, who had a frown on his face. "Wow."

Keith nodded. "Yeah. Sounds like one hell of a burden to bear," he muttered, sitting back in his seat.

Lance nodded. "And to think that you were flying with it in your Lion for all that time without even knowing it was there." He chuckled. "Maybe that's why you knew so much of what you knew by instinct when we first arrived here to fly the Lions."

Keith shook his head. "I don't know…"

"Keith, really, think about it. You were already a good leader and strategist. Once you started flying Black, it was like you were suddenly this military genius." Lance shrugged. "Maybe the Crown knows you're worthy?"

Keith frowned at his friend. "Thing is, I don't feel like I'm worthy."

Lance grinned. "I know that feeling all too well," he admitted.

Keith grinned back, knowing that Lance was referring to the relationship between himself and Allura. "So, Commander, what do you think I should do?" he teased.

"Oh, damn, he pulled out the rank," Lance muttered, shaking his head. "Never thought I'd be on the receiving end of that question, especially from you, Keith."

Keith arched an eyebrow at his friend quietly waiting for his answer.

Lance squirmed slightly in his seat. "Honestly, Keith, I don't know. I wouldn't even begin to have a clue. If I were you, I'd probably just try to forget I even saw this," he stated with a wave towards the monitor, "and let life progress as it saw fit."

Keith shook his head. "You know I can't do that, not with having found this information."

Lance shook his head again, looking defeated. "How did I know you were going to say that?"

Keith grinned. "Because you're smarter than you look?" he teased.

Lance shot his friend an offended glare. "That wasn't nice! Here I am, trying to help you and you slap me in the face like that. How rude!"

Keith chuckled. "You're tougher than that, Lance. Unless you've lost your nerve?" he asked, arching an eyebrow at him.

Lance shook his head and gave him a murderous glare. "Now, I know you got laid," he muttered under his breath, earning a punch on the arm from Keith, who heard him. He chuckled darkly as he rubbed the sore spot on his arm. "It was that good, huh?"

"Lance," Keith warned, his eyes narrowed.

Lance laughed. "Relax, Keith. I was hoping it would lighten your mood. Maybe you need to get back to her…"

Keith hit him in the arm again, which only made Lance laugh harder.

X x x x x x

Duvessa opened her eyes and rolled over. She looked around the room and found she was alone. Puzzled, she slid out of bed and went to the bathroom and took a quick shower. When she finished, she pulled out the Black Crown and stared into the Ascension Diamond. She saw lighting flash in its depths and she smiled. "I'm not sure I'm ready to wear you. I don't know if I ever will be again." She watched the play of the lightning for several moments before she put it away again. She turned to the bed, climbed in and fell back to sleep.