Author's Note: It's update time! Yes, yes I know...long time no see. Sorry about the massive delay's in the updates but hopefully this will more than make up for it! Again sorry and thank you to all my avid readers for sticking with me! Again all grammatical errors are mine and mine alone.

Disclaimer: I do not, nor have I ever, owned Voltron. I simply play in their world.

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Chapter 43

"She wore her hopes

like a crown,

an outspoken soliloquy

of dreams."

-Ariana

Allura stared at his hand as though it were a snake about to bite her, such was her horror at his proposal.

Never!

The words were on her lips, begging to be screamed in outright denial at the utter ridiculousness of his request.

Married to a drule and him at that, does he truly take me to be that dimwitted as to hand over my kingdom and my people just for the asking?

However she did not scream the word. Instead that cold, logical part of her brain that allowed her see a situation beyond an emotional response, made her pause.

He has information I need. If I outright reject him, I have lost my bargaining chip. So, let us see how badly he desires this 'alliance of marriage'.

Allura tilted her head, a frown marring her elfin features.

"You speak in riddles Lotor and as I told you I have no time for your games."

The dismissive nature of her words had the drule prince returning her frown. "It is you who are speaking in riddles now, Allura. My proposal of marriage is a legitimate one."

Allura allowed a derisive smile to come to lips. "The son of Zarkon, proposing an alliance of marriage to the woman who now rules the planet he tried wiping out of existence? Even if I were...inclined, to take your words seriously, your father would have me executed the moment the ink was dry on the marriage contract."

Lotor waved a hand at her words as though they were inconsequential. "My father is old and has fallen out of favor with the Drule Supremacy. His recent actions against your planet have been met with...less than enthusiastic greetings from the remaining rulers."

Allura felt the lift of her eyebrows in surprise at his candid words.

If Lotor is to be believed, then there is dissension among the nine rulers of the Drule Supremacy.

Allura forced a shrug to her shoulders. "What of it? So a few of the kings and queens of the Supremacy have your father out of favor. Speaking plainly your father is not one to bow his head so meekly because he has made a few enemies."

Lotor eyed her, weighing his options, and sighed.

I am damned either way. My father will have me executed as a drule traitor for my involvement with Merla but if I take Allura as my bride,I will have to bring her to Bhorn's attention regardless.

"It should matter a great deal as one of those 'kings' you speak of is Bhorn, ruler of the First Kingdom and leader of the Drule Council."

Allura could not stop her eyes from widening at this new bit of information. Bhorn, a figure so cloaked in secrets that even Garrison cannot prove if he even existed in the first place and now I have Lotor confirming that not only does he still rule the First Kingdom, but in essential, the entire Council.

"Bhorn?" Allura made the name a question, wondering how long she could draw this conversation out, "I've heard of that name, but only as a drule myth."

Lotor gave her a small laugh, but there was no mirth behind the sound. "He is no myth Allura. I have met him on several occasions."

From your tone, I doubt you enjoyed that experience much. But to bring him up...what is your game?

Again she gave an elegant shrug of her shoulders, "So he is indeed alive and not some made up fiction to scare little drule children when they misbehave? Why speak to me of him?"

"Because, should you accept my generous offer of marriage, you will meet him."

Allura's blood ran cold and she could not help but take a step back at his proclamation. Lotor lifted a single, white eyebrow at her reaction.

"An alliance with me will allow you not only peace with the Ninth Kingdom, but the rest of the Supremacy, once of course, Bhorn acknowledges our marriage as legitimate."

Ah, so that is the piece I am missing. For all his bold talk he is uncertain that Bhorn will truly accept me as a drule bride. If he does not, not only does Lotor lose face and possibly his life, but my life and the lives of my people are forfeit as well.

"You make an...interesting argument, I will give you that." She made her word reluctant as if she was actually thinking about taking his proposal seriously.

"Let me think upon your words."

When he did not demand an answer right away, she lifted her brows in surprise. "You're not pressing me for answer right away?"

"No I am not. Take the time you need, Allura." Her dubious nature must have been clear on her face because his dark laughter soon filled the small space. "I am obviously not going anywhere soon and even if you answered me now, I would know it to be a lie. You are many things Allura, but stupid is not one of them. Think about my offer, you know where to find me when you decide."

Allura knew a dismissal when she heard one. This conversation is over, I won't be getting more information no matter what I ask. I also have a strong suspicion that if I don't give him the answer he wants to hear then I can forget about getting any more information on Bhorn and the Council.

"Very well, I shall."

Allura turned and pressed her hand to the invisible field, passing though it seamlessly once again.

She moved with an even stride, despite her mind screaming at her to run from Lotor and those eyes that were no doubt watching her every move.

But she didn't, she would not let him see how much he had shaken her. Allura made it to the command room where, unsurprisingly, she found Keith waiting for her.

"Ristol you may return to your post."

"Princess, Commander."

He snapped a salute to both his monarch and commanding officer before exiting the small room.

"How long have you been here?" How much did you hear of that conversation?

"Long enough."

Allura sighed, for that gave her no answer and yet more than she wanted to know.

"I will never marry Lotor."

"I know."

Allura looked at him sharply and he gave her a slight smile that seemed rather forced.

"You seem to forget that on Earth I was a Marine. I know a battle tactic when I see one. You wanted information from him and agreeing to listen to his talk of marriage was the easiest way to get what you needed."

Allura let out a silent breath that she hadn't realized she had been holding until that moment. Seeing him there, she had expected a fight out of him but his calm logic put an end to that thought.

"Yes, that's exactly what I was doing. Keith...we need to talk."

The Voltron Commander gave her a long, searching look before giving a sharp nod of his head.

"Yes, it's time."