Author's Notes:

Happy Australia Day!

Thank you for reviews and thank you Chris for editing.

Chapter is Rating strong T to M.


Chapter Twenty-Eight

"Purple"

Warm lips pressed against her forehead, gentle fingers brushed her hair.

She heard a deep, calm voice through the fog of blissful slumber, but vaguely understood his whispered words.

Her stretched arm shifted against silken sheets, searching for Keith's comforting warmth. Nothing. She rolled off her stomach and slowly opened her eyes. His side of the bed was empty.

Sighing, she grabbed his pillow and inhaled his delicious scent. Her insides tingled at the lustful thoughts of her husband. She recalled in vivid detail Keith's luscious ministrations. Gingerly, she lifted herself up on her elbows, feeling a tad sore.

She glanced at the lancet window. Was it morning already? Were those dark clouds looming in the sky? Was there the threat of rain? There were so many things she wanted to do today and dreary weather be damned. But first, she needed to find Keith and ask for a tour of the royal residence, explore the gardens, and walk along the wharf. Hand outstretched to the side of the bed, she yanked the bell cord.

As Allura donned her dressing robe, her thoughts drifted to Keith. For a wisp of a moment, she felt her connection with him. Why did she sense anxiety from him? What was troubling him? Was he having a meeting this morning? She knotted her brows. Their connection was definitely growing each passing day, but she had yet to hone her new found abilities. They'd only been married for over a month. Mayhap, her own anxiety and her acclimating to her new surroundings affected her mental link with her husband. Whatever it was, she felt the urge to go to the administration building and surprise Keith.

A short knock on the door and Lady Hys quietly entered her bedchamber. "How are you feeling today, poppet? Any dizziness?"

"I feel fine this morning." Allura pushed the twisted and tangled bed linen from her legs. She blushed at how unkempt their bed was. The different positions she and Keith tried last night were—

She blinked. What was happening to her? Such lusty thoughts so early in the morning. Shaking them away, she coughed awkwardly and averted her gaze from Lady Hys.

Her former nanny pulled out two new dresses from the large wardrobe at the far corner of the bedchamber. "It comes and goes, does it? I remember your mother had the same bad days." She strode beside the four poster bed. "What would you like to wear today?"

Allura rose from the bed and glided her hand over a yellow silken gown with layers of skirts underneath. "Definitely yellow, something to brighten up the cloudy day."

"Aye, 'tis beautiful." Nanny smiled, placing the gown on the dress rack. She then opened the narrow connecting door that led to a tiled room with a large, copper bath tub in the middle.

She and Nanny were thoroughly impressed with the indoor pipes that ran straight to the bath tub. Hollering for hot water to fill up a bathtub seemed a thing of the past now.

"Mayhap His Highness would have such a water system installed in Alforia castle as well?"

"I shall discuss it with my husband. And I am glad you are here with me in Altea. Coran went back to Alforia yesterday. Looking at Altea, Alforia looks very small, provincial—"

"—And in a good way, poppet. Do naught fuss over these trivial things. What matters now is that you are happily married, and we shall take care of you and your baby."

After a quick bath, Nanny helped dry her hair, and then brought in a tray of breakfast. Allura quietly nibbled on rye bread and tart cheese while Lady Hys styled her hair to Altea's latest fashion.

"You look dazzling." Lady Hys gushed, impressed with her handiwork.

Smoothing the silken fabric, Allura eyed herself critically in the tall mirror. She wasn't used to the glamour that her title held. "If I had my way, I'd be in breeches, tunic, and chain mail." She whirled to face Nanny with a mischievous twinkle in her brilliant blue eyes.

Nanny shook her head, chuckling. "Your husband needed a wife and naught a knight. You must remember your station in life, poppet."

Allura sighed in resignation. She didn't want to argue today. Today was a fresh, new day and she felt good.

Stepping towards the doorway, she saw Nanny following her. "I don't need an escort, Nanny. I am going to find Keith."

"Nay, princess. I was instructed by His Highness that when he is naught with you, I'm supposed to accompany you. And we shall be escorted by at least two of his knights at all times."

Allura couldn't believe her ears. She ground her teeth, her hand on the door latch. "Nay, Nanny. Keith said that the royal residence is secure." She flung the door open and stepped out to the corridor only to see two knights standing in attention and in full armour.

"Your Highness." They bowed stiffly.

Allura's brilliant blue eyes widened in surprise as one knight raised his helm's visor. "Sir Boris, you are now part of my husband's knight corps?"

A month ago, when she and Keith were recuperating from their wounds, Keith told her that two knights were killed by the Forest kingdom's former garrison commander.

Revealing himself, Boris greeted Allura in her Alforian title, "Aye, Your Majesty. There was a vacancy." To the Alforians, Allura was their queen and preferred to address her as 'Her Majesty'.

"Another knight from Alforia is also assigned to you, Your Majesty." Boris nodded to the other knight, who promptly lifted his helm's faceplate.

"Greetings, Your Majesty." The other knight said, fighting off a grin.

"Ah, is that you, Norris?" Nanny said from behind the princess. She swept past Allura and faced the younger knight.

"Unbelievable," Allura said, smirking; her hands to her waist.

"I have known these two lads since they were still wee bairns." Lady Hys said to Allura. Then, looking up at the two, tall, broad knights, she said, "I know your mother, gentlemen. Make her proud and protect Her Majesty with your life."

"Upon our oaths," Boris said, as he and Norris slapped their mailed fists on their armoured chest.

"You three are incorrigible." Allura shook her head, grinning. Quietly, she wondered how she could evade her three escorts today. Tapping her chin, a plan began to form in her mind. She asked aloud, "Do you know where Prince Keith is having his meeting this morning?"

"I shall find out for you, Your Majesty." Boris volunteered and quit the corridor.

When Boris left, Allura turned to Lady Hys. "I saw an indoor garden of some sort in one of the lower floors. I would like a large basket of treats to bring with us this morning. Sir Norris, please go with Lady Hys to help carry the basket. I want to surprise my husband for morning tea," she ordered. It wasn't a lie. She really did want to surprise Keith.

"That is a brilliant suggestion." Nanny clasped her hands, her face lit up. "And I did see the indoor garden you speak of."

"I shall wait in my antechamber." Allura strode back inside the antechamber.

Lady Hys nodded. "We won't be long, Your Majesty." She left with Sir Norris trailing after her.

Allua shut the door and sauntered in the middle of her antechamber. As soon as the footfalls disappeared and everything was quiet, she summoned Blue.

:: Escaping your entourage, cub? :: Blue gazed at her warrior drolly, lazily licking her fur.

A golden brow lifted. "Looks like you and Lord Alpha had a special night, I see. Shall we be expecting a litter of lion cubs in the near future?" Allura teased.

Blue gazed at her with languid eyes and purred. Looking like a large cat in heat, she stretched, her claws retracting, unravelling the rug beneath her paws.

Allura wrinkled her nose, suppressing a laugh. She had never seen her lion behave like this before. Was it because they were all at home, with their beloved crystal chamber below the city? "Please, Lady Alpha," she cajoled, "I want to spend time with my husband and naught mollycoddled by my nanny and his two knights."

Blue lioness merely chuckled at her warrior. They both looked far too relaxed this morning. Moving beside Allura, the lioness enveloped them in blue light. They disappeared from the royal antechamber and emerged in one of the corridors where the royal administrative offices were located. They were still inside the capital's large cluster of buildings, slightly beyond the guarded entrance of the royal residence.

:: Through there. :: Blue bobbed her head and then dissipated beside her warrior.

Allura found herself standing at one end of a long, opulent, carpeted hallway. Perusing her surroundings, the crown princess realised that the hallway was lined with large, ornate, and highly detailed tapestries hanging from the ceiling along one side, and large windows on the other that overlooked the gardens.

Each tapestry depicted a scene representing a period from Altea's history. And in front of each tapestry was a sculpted bust on a pedestal. Allura examined the closest one.

Made of smooth, shiny grey stone, it was a sculpture of a woman's head with an engraved metal nameplate on its base. The first one read 'Queen Ariella I'. "The row of tapestries and sculptured stone busts are Keith's royal ancestors," Allura murmured to herself.

Walking slowly, she tipped her head up to study each tapestry, then leaned down to read each name plate. Were all queens named Ariella? After viewing the fifth tapestry, the sixth bust had a different name. She read the nameplate aloud, "Queen Alisabeta I." Allura grinned. The further she walked the more she discovered there were quite a few Alisabetas and several Ariellas.

Ahead, she had a choice to either go straight or turn right to another hallway. She almost reached the tapestry of Queen Ariella IX, when she heard heavy, heeled footfalls on the carpet and the rustling of layered skirts.

Pivoting, Allura saw a tall, voluptuous woman sauntering along the hallway. She had wavy red-black hair and wore a deep red gown with a daringly-low neckline. Was she among Keith's relatives? She was naught in the royal residential building. Mayhap, she was one of the ministerial or council members' wives? Whoever she was, she was bedecked in sparkling red jewellery.

As the woman in red reached Allura, she slowed her pace and raised her hand.

Allura smiled at the gorgeous lady. She also extended her hand to greet her. Much to her horror, instead of a warm greeting, the woman's hand transformed into gnarled fingers. Her brown eyes looked almost red, flaring at Allura.

Suddenly, everything stood still, like time had frozen.

The windows and tapestries behind her turned dark-red, swallowing everything around them.

As the brown-red eyes narrowed at her; her throat tightened. There was something about her energy that didn't feel right. Allura tensed and worry spiralled in her tummy. Heavens! Whatever was wrong with her? What was this odd feeling in her chest? Gasping to breathe, she found herself clutching at her bodice. She forced a step backward. Grunting in effort, all she mustered was a small, half-step, away from the lady in the red dress.

Blue attempted to appear beside her, but her lioness couldn't move either. For the first time, Allura saw her lion cower. When did Blue cower? Never in her entire life had she seen her lion fear anyone, until this moment.

:: She's...she's...she's naught what she seems. :: Blue stammered. With difficulty, the lioness half-appeared in a weak, translucent state.

Allura clenched her teeth as she covered her and her lion with their protective blue energy. ''She has no power over us, Blue."

Instantly, the blackness surrounding them and Allura's chest stopped hurting. Time and space were back to...normal?

The red woman jerked backwards. "Mother didn't tell me you have powers," she hissed beneath her breath, her head lowered as she stomped her feet in irritation. Then, straightening herself, she spoke in a loud, icy, and haughty tone, "Damn foreigners loitering around. Such a nuisance." She eyed Allura from head to toe and then whirled her skirts and continued to walk past. She turned right, towards another hallway.

Before Allura could reply, her head began to throb. "What just happened?" She staggered forward and the hallway began to spin. She was about to head back to the royal residence when she heard the woman's shrill voice again, but this time she heard a man with her. Despite her aching head, she wondered why the man's voice sounded familiar.

Hesitantly, Allura stumbled towards the intersecting hallways, only to be shocked to see Keith holding the woman in red, his hands on her waist. The woman's body was pressed against her husband.

Stunned, her eyes widened and her heart lurched to a halt. Bloody hell. Was Keith naught honest with her? Did Keith love someone else in Altea? Did he see her as a mere duty, and kept another woman? Damn it all. Mayhap, she was too provincial, unworthy and unbecoming of a crown princess of a mighty kingdom. Mayhap, now that he had an heir apparent he didn't want her anymore?

As myriad of questions raced in her mind, she didn't notice Lance zooming past her. The Red Lion warrior yanked the woman away from Keith. What were they saying? Were Lance and Keith arguing for the woman's affections?

Tears welled in her eyes as her heart shattered. Her hands flew to her mouth, stifling a whimper. She must have made a sound, because Keith's shocked eyes latched onto hers.

Blinded by tears, Allura backed away from him. Her instincts dictated that she run whenever someone hurt her. Running away was the only way she knew best when distressed, to escape situations she had no control over. Gripping her skirts, she ran in the opposite direction. "Take me away, Blue." she commanded her lion.

In an instant, Allura reappeared among the thicket of bushes with brilliant blue flowers.

:: Compose yourself. :: Blue pleaded.

Allura wept, naught caring how the prickly bushes snagged her gown. She ran as fast as her legs could carry her, naught caring if she heard Nanny's voice or her guardsmen catching up to her. She tore through the garden's wide open space, too upset to care where she was headed.

"Leave me alone," she shouted, throwing out her arm in an attempt to ward off her entourage. As she zipped past a nearby pond, a wall of ice appeared, forming a barrier between her and her pursuers.

All Allura wanted was to be near the water; she heard the sound of crashing waves beckoning her. She bolted towards the wharf.

xoxoxoxo

Panic seized Keith the moment Allura slipped out of his grasp. Where the blazes did his wife go? He tapped his gauntlet in confusion; he was somehow unable to find her. Had she not worn her communication device?

He bolted towards the royal residence, urgency and despair in his every step. By all the heavens! She was naught in the safety of the residential wing. What if there were other assailants out to get his princess? He hoped that she had her security detail with her.

Why did Lacey have to show up at that particular moment? Keith swore beneath his breath. The girl was absolutely out of her mind. If she hadn't been Lance's sister, he would have ordered her thrown out of the premises in an instant. Unfortunately, being the sister of a lion warrior and a distant relative to the royal family had its privileges, granting access to areas within the city centre.

Despite her being Lance's only sibling, he had never liked her. He had never liked any of the women of station. They were all only after the titles and the riches he'd inherit.

All he wanted was Allura. The flash of pain he saw in her eyes left a heavy pang in his chest that threatened to rip his heart in two. He needed to tell her, reassure her that there was no one else in his life but her.

Keith continued to run, finding his way back to their chambers when two large knights ran alongside him. He had assigned Boris and Norris to guard his wife while he was in a meeting.

"Where is she?" he demanded to the knight, unsure if he was Boris or Norris.

"Norris saw her running towards the gardens, my lord," Boris said, his full armour clanging around him as he ran.

Keith halted abruptly when he saw a blur of yellow and gold tear across the green lawn. Relief coursed through him now that he'd located Allura. He flung open a large bay window and vaulted over the sill, following her path across the manicured grounds.

"Allura!" he shouted, hoping he would hear him as he bolted towards her. As he approached, a ferocious blast of wind pushed him back and he could barely move. Blast! Where did that whirlwind come from? Dragging one foot in front of the other, his arm on his face, he called again out to her.

Allura stood atop the breakwater. Huge breakers pounded behind her, spraying her with salty waves.

When he looked up, Keith was shocked by the intensity of her icy glare staring back at him. She was enveloped in blue...no...purple energy? What was that about?

Black Lion appeared beside him. :: The Blue lioness is unwell. ::

"What?" His brows furrowed.

:: Calm your princess. I need to remove whatever's affecting my mate. ::

Keith nodded and opened his mental link with Allura. :: Allura, love—::

:: —You lied to me, :: she hissed. Allura whipped out her arms and unleashed a shockwave so forceful; Keith had to fight to keep upright.

He raised both his arms to protect himself, and the loud sounds of shattering glass exploded behind him. He quickly glanced over his shoulder and saw shards of the entire residential wing's broken windows scattered on the ground.

"Who was she?" Allura demanded, her face contorted with rage and pain. Purple energy whirled around her.

"Lance's younger sister and—"

"—Do you love her? What is she to you?" She spat while gripping her head. Blue Lion stood beside her, snarling in anger and pain.

Black Lion motioned Keith to get ready. Black fired a silvery electric bolt from his gaping maw, hitting the purple energy sphere around Allura and her lioness.

Blue Lion jolted, and the purple energy fizzled out, letting out a hissing sound as it evaporated into thin air.

In an instant, the ferocious winds and pounding waves died down.

Keith cautiously stepped forward towards Allura. Closing the gap between them, he stopped a few feet in front of her. He outstretched his hand, his eyes never leaving hers. "I love no else but you. Search my heart, Allura. There is no one else. This, I swear, upon my oath," Keith said solemnly. Surely, Allura, who is also a knight, would know the knights' honour code.

Allura's teary blue eyes gazed back at him. "Truly?" she asked, barely a whisper; her angry stance softened.

"Truly." Keith quickly closed the gap between them. He caught her just before she sank to her knees. "Never doubt my love for you."

She nodded in his embrace, her face buried in his chest.

Black Lion nuzzled his blue lioness, now lying exhausted on the ground. :: She needs to get to her crystal chamber to re-energise, :: Black said to Keith.

In a flash of light, both lions dissipated.

Keith swept Allura in his arms and strode back to the royal residential building where he saw his aunt and his parents standing at the veranda with stunned expressions. He shook his head to them. He wasn't ready to talk amidst earshot of the gawking household staff clearing the debris and broken glass.

His gaze riveted back to Allura. Her eyes were closed, her face pale, and her wet golden tresses and gown clung to her. When did his wife start harnessing more than one elemental energy? And what was that purple energy that Black Lion eliminated? "We need to get you out of those wet clothes," he said softly.

Walking ahead of them were Nanny and his two knights, who carved a path for them back to their chambers. He asked Lady Hys to go on ahead and fill up the copper tub with hot water.

He was supposed to concentrate on the troop deployment and the growing threat among disconcerted Altean vassals, but all he could think of right now was his wife.

Somehow, not only did he need to make amends to Allura, but also break the news to her that he was to leave on the morrow.

(TO BE CONTINUED)