"No, this is a dream. You are not here."

Keith woke slowly to the sound of Allura's voice.

"No! Leave me alone. You are not welcome here!"

He sat up quickly, hissing as a shot of pain hit him in the side.

Allura was clutching the blankets in her hands, staring straight ahead with wide, scared eyes. "No, Haggar, you are not welcome here. You are not really here, leave me alone." Her voice shook with nervous determination.

"Allura," Keith reached out with a gentle hand and touched her shoulder. "Allura."

She jolted sharply, her eyes moving wildly around the room.

"Allura, it's alright, calm down."

"No, Haggar, leave my planet now."

Keith took her hands in his, unclasping them from the blanket. "Fight her, Allura, you can do this."

She closed her eyes suddenly and her head whipped to the side, almost as though she had been slapped. Keith tightened his grip on her hands when she whimpered. "Fight her, Allura, you're stronger than this."

"You can't have it, you will never have Voltron," she said through clenched teeth.

Keith felt her struggling to get up, to get out of his grasp, but he didn't let go. He leaned down, pining her beneath him, "Fight it, Angel, you can do this. I love you."

A gasping sob escaped her mouth and she stopped struggling, her eyes squeezed shut.

"Allura?" He spoke hesitantly, loosening his hold on her.

Her eyes fluttered open, surprised to see him, "Keith?"

"Are you okay?"

She nodded slowly, "I, uh, I think so. What happened?"

"You saw Haggar again, you fought her."

"She wants Voltron and she said that once she gets him, Lotor will get me."

Keith rolled onto his back, bringing her with him so she lay on his chest, "That's not going to happen."

"I know. But it…it seems so real, Keith. I can see her and hear her. I felt her strike me. How is she doing this?"

"I don't know, but Kadmus will help us figure out how to get rid of her." He stroked her hair, feeling her shake against him. "It will be alright."

"I'm glad you were here," Allura whispered after a few moments of silence.

"So am I," he kissed the top of her head and tightened his arms around her.

She lapsed into silence, listening to his heartbeat. It had been racing, but was now slowing down. She closed her eyes, letting the comforting feel of him beneath her lull her to sleep.

Feeling her relax, inch by inch, he knew she had slipped back into sleep.  Keith stayed awake long after Allura had fallen asleep. He kept a tight hold on her, willing her a peaceful sleep.

********************************************************************

Keith woke the next morning feeling a little disoriented.  His eyes darted around and took in his lush surroundings.  He heard a soft sigh and turned to see Allura lying next to him.  A smile crossed his face as he watched her sleep peacefully.  She was curled up beside him, her cheek resting on his chest, her hair completely covering her face.  Her hand was clutching his shirt while his arm was wrapped around her.

A quick look at the clock on her bedside table showed him that it was nearly seven and Nanny would be in to make sure Allura was up.

"Allura," he whispered.

"Mm."

"Allura, it's time to wake up."

"No," she mumbled.  "We had a battle late last night, no early practice."

"I know, sweetheart," he pushed the hair off her face.  "But Nanny will be here soon and we can't let her catch me here."

Allura opened one eye and looked up at him, "Hi."

"Hi."

She rolled onto her back and stretched both arms above her head, "You're still here."

Keith tried not to notice the way her body stretched and her back arched in feline grace.  "Huh?  Oh, uh, yeah, I guess I fell asleep."

"How do you feel?"

"I'm fine, still sore, but I'm going to be for a while.  You?"

"I feel fine."

"Really?"

"Yes, I'm glad you were here last night."

"So am I."

She smiled slyly, "Maybe I just need you to sleep with me more often."

He groaned, "Don't tempt me."

Allura sat up and stretched again, "I guess we'll just have to tie the knot and make it legal so we can do this every night."

Keith looked at her, surprised, "What?"

She laughed, "Just something Lance said."

"What did Lance say?"

"Something about how you're so uptight because you aren't getting any and that if we would just tie the knot, you would get it more often and lighten up."

"He is so getting his as-uh-butt kicked."

"Do you think about getting married?"  She asked quietly.

"Yes."

"Really?"

"Of course I do.  But I thought you wanted to wait."

"I don't know.  What if…what if I don't want to wait anymore?"

Keith watched her, trying to absorb everything she had just said.  He wanted to marry her, there was no doubt of that, but was he ready?  She was still so young, was this what she really wanted?  He couldn't help but remember what Koran had told him about Allura believing in fairy tales and white knights.  Did she really want to get married or was this just another fairy tale she was hoping for?

"Keith?"

He smiled at her, "You want to get married?"

"Are you proposing to me?"

"Well, not officially.  Yet."

"Then you don't get an official answer…yet," she teased.

"I'm not going to ask you now," he told her, straightening the strap of her nightgown that had fallen, letting his finger linger, feeling the goosebumps on her cool, smooth skin.  "I'm going to wait for just the right time."

Allura pushed the blankets back and swung her legs over the side of her bed, "Well, you better not wait too long, I've had other offers you know."

Keith grabbed her arm and pulled her back onto the bed, "Excuse me?"

"I've been proposed to before, so don't make me wait too long," she giggled.

Keith pulled her roughly against him, "Don't threaten me, Princess."

"That wasn't a threat, Captain," she taunted.  "It was a fact."

Keith lowered his head, stopping a breath away from her lips, "You are such a tease."

"No more so than you are," she whispered back.

Keith jumped back and almost dumped Allura on the floor when there was a knock on the door.

"Princess!"  Nanny called out.  "Are you awake?"

Allura's eyes widened, "Uh, yes, Nanny, give me a moment."  She jumped off the bed and grabbed Keith's hand.  "Quick, in the bathroom."

Keith stole a quick kiss before she shut the door. She grabbed her robe from the closet and threw it on while crossing to the door.

"Ach, Princess are you alright?  You look flushed.  Come, let me see if you're feverish."  Nanny rushed into the room carrying a small tray laden with a teacup and small teapot.

"No, Nanny, really, I'm fine.  Thank you for the coffee, I'll get dressed and be down for breakfast in a few minutes."  Allura tried to usher Nanny out the door.

"What is going on, Princess?"

"Nothing, I just want to get dressed and get on with the day.  Did you know Kadmus is coming today?"

"What?  No!  When did you hear about this?  I have to get a room together for him.  Why does Koran not tell me these things!"  Nanny threw her hands in the air and stormed to the door.  "How long have you known he was coming?"

"I found out last night, after the attack."

Nanny sighed loudly, "You are all on your own for breakfast.  I have so much to do."

"That's fine, Nanny, we can handle it, go do what you need to do."  Allura smiled, watching the older woman storm down the hall.  She shut and locked the door before calling, "Come on out, Keith."

He slipped from the bathroom, "Good idea, freaking her out about Kadmus' arrival."

"What can I say?  I know Nanny."

"Is that coffee I smell?"  He asked, hopefully, sitting on her bed pulling his boots on.

"Maybe."

"I really like coffee."

"I know you do."

He stuck his bottom lip out in a silly pout.

Allura laughed and rolled her eyes, "Fine, you can have some coffee."

Keith tipped the delicate teapot and poured the steaming hot liquid into the dainty teacup.  "We'll move practice to this afternoon, after you meet with Kadmus," he told her as he sipped the coffee.

"I'm sure none of the guys will argue."

"I'm going to shower and change and then I'll be in Castle Control if you need me," he crossed over to her.

She nodded, taking the teacup from him, "Don't forget to eat something."

He smiled at her, "Yes, Ma'am."

"Go," Allura shoved him towards the door.  "I have to get dressed."

"Do you need help?"

"Keith!"  Her cheeks reddened at his innuendo.  "Go."

He gave her a quick kiss before opening her door and sliding out.

"Hm, isn't dis suspicious looking?"

Keith looked up to see Sven. "Knock it off, Sven, it isn't what it looks like."

"So you aren't sneaking out of de Princess' room early in de morning, vearing de same clothes you vere vearing yesterday?"

"Nothing happened."

"Dat's a shame."

"Hey, what are you doing here, outside Romelle's room, this early in the morning?  Shouldn't you be in your room?"

Sven shrugged, "Let's just say it isn't vhat it looks like."

Keith smirked, "Well, that's a shame."

*****************************************************************

"Captain," Private Whitman called from the main console.

Keith quickly walked over, "Yes, Private?"

"A ship is entering Arusian airspace, asking for permission to land."

"Kadmus?"

"Yes, sir."

"Give him clearance to land on the main runway, we'll meet him on the tarmac."

Whitman saluted, "Yes, sir."

Keith returned the salute and turned to walk towards a more secluded area of the room.  He unclipped his communicator and dialed up Allura.

"Yes?"

"Hey there, beautiful," he greeted her. 

She grinned down at the small image of Keith in her communicator, "Hey there yourself, what's up?"

"Kadmus has just entered Arusian airspace, he should be landing within ten minutes."

"Are you in Castle Control?"

"Yes."

"Alright, I'll meet you there in a few minutes."

"I'll be waiting."

She smiled and shook her head before closing the communication.

"Ahem."

Keith turned to see Koran standing behind him.  "Koran."

"Captain."

"Kadmus is coming in for a landing as we speak.  I just told Allura, she'll be here momentarily."

"He's ahead of schedule."

"That's good," Keith said.  "The sooner he can help Allura, the better."

Koran nodded stiffly and turned to join Private Whitman at the main console.

The door slid open and Allura swept in, looking more rested and relaxed than she had in days.  At the sight of Keith, her face lit up.  He held a hand out to her and she quickly crossed the room to take it in hers. 

"You ready?"  Keith asked her.

"Yes, I want to get this over with."

Private Fforden approached the couple.  Although it was common knowledge that the Princess and the Captain were officially courting, it was still a little awkward for the staff to see them behaving so intimately.  "Uh, excuse me, Captain."

Keith turned to him, still holding Allura's hand, "Yes, Private?"

"Kadmus is landing, sir."

"Thank you," Keith turned back to Allura.  "Let's go."

Allura walked with him toward the door, feeling her heart race.  What was wrong with her?  What if Karmus couldn't help?

Koran joined them on the edge of the tarmac, as the ship touched down.  Allura stepped closer to Keith, he squeezed her hand reassuringly and kissed the top of her head.  Taking a deep breath, she let go of him and stepped forward to greet Kadmus as the gangplank lowered and the door opened.

The old wizard shuffled down to the tarmac, leaning heavily on his walking staff, a large satchel strapped across his chest.

"Kadmus, thank you so much for coming," Allura said graciously.

"I am always happy to help in any way I can," he assured her in his high pitched voice.

"We'll get you settled in, would you like something to eat?"

"Oh, I'm fine, Princess Allura," Kadmus laid a hand on her arm and quickly pulled it back.  "Oh my, I'll settle in later, we need to see to this right away."

The place where he had touched her arm tingled unpleasantly and Allura stared at it, perplexed.

Both Keith and Koran stepped forward at the same time, but Keith beat him to the punch.  "What is it?"

Kadmus looked up at him, a worried expression on his wrinkled, brown face.  "I can feel the evilness inside her, we must purge her soul of the power Hagger has over her."

Allura looked up at Keith with terrified eyes.  Wordlessly, he took her hand and pulled her close, "It'll be alright, Angel."  He had lowered his voice so only she heard him, but neither noticed how Kadmus smiled at the two of them.

"What do we need to do?"  Koran asked.

"I will need a few moments to prepare, preferably someplace where the Princess is comfortable, she may need to lie down afterwards."

"Her bedroom?"  Keith asked.

Kadmus nodded, "That will do."

"I'll show you the way," Koran said.

"Will you stay with me?"  Allura whispered to Keith.

"Of course I will."

"What if Kadmus won't let you?"

"Angel, he isn't that powerful."

She smiled at him, "Thank you."

He studied her for a moment, absorbing every feature, the way her hair was pulled back into a bun, every hair in place, the light glinting off the circlet she wore.  Her cheeks were pink, her mouth slightly opened, and her eyes bright and watching him.  She was so beautiful.  He reached up and gently stroked her cheek with the back of his fingers.  Everything else melted away around him and all he saw was her and as far as he was concerned, that was all he needed.

"Ahem, uh, Cap?"

The trance was shattered and Keith looked up to see Hunk standing awkwardly in the doorway.  "Yeah, Hunk, what is it?"

"Kadmus asked that you and the Princess go on up to her room."

Keith nodded, "I don't want to be bothered unless it is an emergency, is that understood?"

Hunk nodded, "No problem, Cap."

"Well, let's go," Allura tugged at his hand.  "I want to get this over with."

Kadmus had lit scented candles around the room, surrounding them with a scent similar to lavender, only sweeter.  Keith unconsciously wrinkled his nose, not liking the smell.  The old wizard was slowly walking around the bed sprinkling what looked like herbs from a small pouch on the floor around the bed while muttering under his breath.  The young couple stood just inside the door, watching him go about his work, Koran was no where to be seen.

Allura sucked in a breath and brought her hand up to press the heel of her palm to her temple.  It wasn't pain that she felt, it was something different, strange. 

Kadmus looked up at her.

"Allura?"  Keith whispered.

She shook her head, "I'm fine."

Kadmus nodded slowly and went back to his task of sprinkling the herbs around the room.

Koran hurried in past them, carrying what looked like a chafing dish and set it on her desk.  When Kadmus finished, he returned the small pouch he held to the satchel he had brought with him and pulled out three small, stone bottles.  He slowly crossed to the desk and poured various colored oils from the bottles into the chafing dish.  With a wave of his hand a small fire appeared beneath the dish and he mumbled a few low words.

The contrasting aromas of the candles and the simmering oils were making Keith a little dizzy.  He shook his head sharply, trying to clear his mind.  It didn't get any better when Kadmus motioned to Koran to close the door, sealing the scents in with them.

"Please sit, Princess," Kadmus indicated the two chairs in the corner of the room.

Allura slowly pulled her hand from Keith's and crossed the room.  The wizard sank into the chair across from her and took her hands in his.

"Do you understand what happened to you, your highness?"  He asked.

She shook her head, "No, not really."

"It is an old, internal spell, used only for evil.  Before I arrived I was told about that night when you entered your room thinking someone was here.  Someone was here.  Haggar.  She, herself, is not inside you, but she was able to plant an image of herself within you.  I guess the best way to describe this is to say she is able to spy on you from within your mind, but then I guess you have already figured that out.  What we need to do is chase her from your mind, I can do it, but I will need you to fight her, without your help, I cannot do this.  Are you ready?"

Allura nodded, "Just do what you need to do."

He nodded and stood, walking behind her chair.  "Come here, Captain."

Keith looked at Koran, who nodded, and crossed to where Allura sat.  "What can I do?"

Kadmus nodded to the chair opposite Allura, "Sit and support."

He sat on the edge of the chair across from her and offered Allura a reassuring smile, taking her hands.

"Are you ready, Princess?"

Allura nodded.

Kadmus gently laid his hands on her head, closing his eyes and chanting in an alien language.

Keith felt Allura tighten her grip on his hands as her eyes closed and a gasp escaped her mouth.  He rubbed his thumbs over the back of her hands, trying to calm her, to remind her he was there.

As soon as Kadmus laid his hands on top of her head, Allura felt intense heat and was afraid her head would explode with the pressure from within.  She knew Keith held her hands, but she could no longer feel his touch.  Kadmus started chanting, but the sound of his voice faded away and was replaced with a rushing noise.

"Princess Allura."  The witch hissed, appearing before her.

"No, Haggar."

Everyone in the room heard her murmur.

"This isn't over," Haggar assured her.

"Yes it is.  You don't have this power over me."

"Even if that fool, Kadmus, is able to expel me, I will be back."

"No, you won't."

Keith watched as Allura screwed up her face in concentration.  Her eyes were squeezed shut and he felt her nails bite into his skin as her hands clutched his.  Kadmus' hands began to tremble with the effort of helping her fight. 

Suddenly, Kadmus hissed angrily and ripped his hands from her head, taking a few strands of her hair with him.  A woosh of air swirled past them all and disappeared.

With a quiet sigh, Allura loosened her grip on Keith's hands and sat back against the chair, breathing heavily, her eyes still closed.

"Allura?"  Keith whispered.

She shook her head.

"Give her a moment," Kadmus said.  "She has worn herself out."

"Will she be alright?"  Koran asked.

"She'll be fine now."

Allura slowly opened her eyes.

"Hey, how are you feeling?"  Keith asked, leaning closer to her.

"Fine.  Really.  She's gone, I…I can feel it."  She smiled at him weakly.

"You are going to want to take it easy for the rest of the day," Kadmus told her.

"But, I feel fine," she insisted.  "I'm not tired or anything."

"It's alright," Keith told Kadmus.  "There isn't much going on right now, she should be able to take it easy."

"Keith," Allura said warningly.  She was growing increasingly annoyed with the way they were speaking as though she was a child, unable to care for herself.

Kadmus moved slowly throughout the room, extinguishing the candles.  "I want to keep the medicinal oils simmering for a little while yet, to cleanse the room of any lingering effects."

Allura nodded and stood, "How safe is it in here now?"

"You should be fine, now, Princess.  Just take the day to rest."

"But I feel fine.  I have work to do."

"Don't fight it, your highness," Koran said.  "There is nothing you need to attend to right now."

She sighed, frustrated.

Keith grinned at her, "Come on, Allura, take it easy."

Annoyance and anger bubbled up within her.  When would they realize that she was not a child?  She was a grown woman and could think for herself.  But any response she may have had was cut off by the sound of the castle alarms going off.

"Stay here," Keith told her.  "We have you covered."

"I can fly, Keith."

"That's an order, Allura."

She watched him and Koran rush from the room.  "Dammit!"  She swore loudly out of frustration.

Kadmus chuckled softly.