M Rated content in the second part of the chapter.
Allura smiled shyly at Keith as they trod the all too familiar path to the castle infirmary. She felt an awkwardness that she'd never felt with him before. The silences were no longer comfortable so she spoke up, "I still want to be friends, if we can."
Keith coughed before saying, "Of course we can. It's going to take me some time to get used to King Lance, but…"
"It's not a guarantee that he'll be king."
"Everyone seems to think so. From what he said you're already planning a wedding and family."
"Oh, that's…well, true." She blushed. She supposed it was a good thing if Lance was confiding in Keith, but, even with the constant monitoring of Dr. Lunnen, she wasn't sure how she felt about everyone knowing she was sleeping with Lance. "If he doesn't pass King's Sword, he'll be my consort. Hopefully no one else will be able to pick up the sword. I believe that happened ten or so generations back and it was very awkward with the king and queen being married to other people. The main royal line was maintained only when King Nurinac and Queen Loana couldn't have children."
Keith wasn't terribly interested in the history so much as the ceremony. "What is King's Sword, exactly? I keep hearing about it but all it sounds like is Lance has to pick up a sword."
"Yes. And no." She felt as if she were still teaching basic Arusian history to the Voltron Force and had to remind herself that, until now, there was no reason King's Sword would have ever come up. "It's a ceremony…we have a sword with the most important royal relics called the Sword of the Gods. It was believed to be forged by the gods from the very core of the planet for Alephros, the first king of Arus. The sword is connected to Arus. Only members of the royal family in line for the crown or those fully accepted as members of the royal family can wield it. Right now, only I can handle it. If Lance can pick up the sword, it will confirm that he is a king of Arus and can be crowned beside me."
In spite of his experiences on Arus, Keith seemed to remain skeptical. "You do know there's a reason they're called legends, right?"
"Does it matter why it happens that way? My family has ruled here for thousands of years. All I know is that I'm the only one currently who can lift the sword."
"What about Larmina?"
"No, I doubt she could lift it even if she wanted to. Although if something were to happen to me before an heir is born, it's possible she would gain the ability. Look, the point is…every time a non-Arusian prince or princess has married into the Arusian royal family, the Ceremony of King's Sword has been performed to determine if they can be crowned King or Queen."
"Uh huh. And…the sword decides? For the planet?"
"You know, I don't make fun of your culture."
"I'm not making fun. I mean, I'm not about to argue that Arus doesn't have a little magic going for it." Keith gave her a half-smile with a twinkle in his eye that would have melted her not long before. "I am the pilot of a sentient robotic Lion that forms a giant robot that protects the universe."
"I believe the last time King's Sword was invoked was when my great-grandparents were married."
"But the Drule invasion happened after that. Maybe the sword got lost between then and now."
"No, the sword is safe. When the time comes, all Arusians who want to will have the chance to life the sword. That includes you, Keith."
"Still seems strange to me." He ran his hand along the stone wall of one of the older hallways they were now walking. "Couldn't it just be some strange coincidence? No one in my family ever mentioned that we were from anywhere but Earth."
"But your instincts on that ship, Keith…"
He suddenly turned, "Did you really not know?"
"That you're Arusian? I had no idea before…"
"No," he interrupted gently, "I meant about me. And Lance. That we had feelings for you."
"Keith…" She didn't want to discuss it with him. She'd been embarrassed to talk about it with Lance, and they were now routinely…she flushed as she thought about it. "I didn't have any idea. I think it's important that you try the sword, though. When the time comes."
She stopped short of the door of the infirmary. "You know, I have some royal business to attend to. I think Rina might appreciate a visit from her favorite Lion's pilot."
He rolled his eyes, but said, "Think a ride in Black will help her feel better?"
"It couldn't hurt."
Lance yanked his finger from one of the clamps on the breastplate of the armor. "Damn, that hurts."
Idiot.
He turned with a loud clank and grinned. Knew you wouldn't abandon me in my hour of need.
I would hardly call this anything other than your own fault. Allura's nimble fingers made quick work of the rest of the clamps holding the breastplate, the only piece of armor he hadn't managed to take off himself.
He took a deep breath as he was finally free of the constrictive piece. Thanks. Not that I couldn't have done it myself.
One thing you apparently couldn't do by yourself was put my ancestor's armor back on the table in a respectful manner.
He looked sheepishly at the pile of gleaming metal at his feet. "Oh. That was my next step."
"And where are my guards? Did you dismiss them, too?"
"He assured us it wouldn't be a problem, your highness." The guards had chosen that moment to make their reappearance.
Allura was in full-on royal mode now. "You two will not be held responsible. However, now that the armor is no longer glowing, I no longer think your presence here is necessary. You're dismissed."
The two men saluted and nearly ran out of the room with the door banging behind them. Lance was just about to start making excuses for the pile of armor on the floor when Allura tackled him. Whoa, frisky. He was flat on his back on the researcher's table when he noticed a serious potential cause for concern. "Allura…your eyes. They…they're glowing blue."
So? She purred hard and kissed him deeply. It was almost enough to make him forget how much he loved her green eyes when he felt another presence seeping into his consciousness. She pulled back for a moment. Red eyes. Think this means we should get to our Lions?
No time. His pants suddenly became a bigger impediment than any piece of armor he could imagine. She came to his rescue again, freeing his length with a deft movement. Who needed a sword anyway? He wasn't sure how he did it, but within a few seconds he had her leaning on her forearms, the globes of her perfect ass pressing into his groin. He could give a damn what color either of their eyes were as he entered her, pushing harder than he remembered from previous experience while she mewled with pleasure beneath him.
Holding her by the waist, he pulled her into him with each thrust. It felt as if he had claws holding her in place. He could feel himself getting close as her cat-like demands became more urgent and he leaned down, teeth digging into the skin on the back of her neck. The next few moments were a blackout of pleasure and fulfillment. He felt himself slide out of her with a wet squelch as he collapsed on top of her half-naked body.
He opened his eyes a minute later to an unsettling sight on the back of Allura's neck. Oh my God, I bit you.
Is it bleeding?
No, you can just see the teeth-marks but…holy Hell, Allura. He kissed the spot, where a purplish bruise was emerging. Maybe our Lions weren't just teasing about our having sex in their cockpits.
She sighed and snuggled against him. Red first.
Why Red?
Males are always less patient. I just wish Blue had warned me that the Lions' spirits would take us over if we didn't include them in our bond.
Is that what just happened? He turned her face and saw only the beautiful green eyes he loved so much. "Sorry I bit you."
"It's a good thing I have long hair. Now stop stalling and help me find my pants. We need to get to Red."
Lance had never complied with such a disappointing order so quickly. Red was finally going to get what he wanted.
