Just Allura

by (Kitty)Shannon

Disclaimers: Voltron and all associated characters are owned and copyrighted by WEP. Original/new characters belong to the author.

Rating: PG - Mild Language and Innuendo

Chapter 10

When Keith entered the corridor leading to the Princess's bedroom, he paused and took a deep breath. He didn't know how he was going to get through the next few minutes, let alone the entire night. After running a hand through his mane of black locks, he noticed that his hands were shaking. For a moment he held his hand out, looking at it as if it couldn't possibly belong to him. He let it fall back to his side and wondered how he'd gotten himself into this mess to begin with. One kiss. One little kiss had ignited this entire situation. He squared his shoulders and continued on his way, determined that things would progress no further.

:)

:)

Princess Allura was just putting on her earrings when she heard the knock at her door.

"Just a minute," smiling widely, she slipped the beautiful diamond studs into her ears and hurried to open the door.

"See, I told you I'd be ready by- Oh! Keith. I thought you were Lance."

Keith's breath caught in his throat and his stomach tied itself into at least a dozen knots. The Princess was always a beautiful woman, but this evening, she looked absolutely stunning. Her new floor-length dress was made from a soft shade of silvery-blue, rich velvet, the color like the sheen of a night sky on new-fallen snow. It clung to her curves, slender straps making their way over her shoulders and leaving a wide expanse of creamy bare skin. There was a velvety ribbon, the same color of the dress, tied around the graceful column of her throat - it seemed to entice him, making him long to run his lips along that sensitive skin. Her waist-length hair had been swept away from her face, and tiny diamond-studded hairpins winked at him from where they were nestled in the golden curls that cascaded down her back. His heart thudded in his chest when he noticed the only real jewelry she was wore were the diamond earrings he'd given her for Christmas.

"So, you approve then?" she asked mischievously, enjoying his stunned, silent appreciation.

"Uh... I'm- I'm sorry," he blushed and gave himself a mental shake. When he returned his attention to her, she was smiling up at him. "You look absolutely ravishing."

"Why, thank you. You don't look so bad yourself, Captain." He was impeccably dressed, his white uniform absolutely spotless, his medals polished until they gleamed. Indeed, he made a very impressive figure. She was thrilled at his choice of attire as she didn't get the chance to see Keith in his dress uniform very often, but when she did, she had to admit he took her breath away. Of course, he was the kind of man who would make rags look good.

"Lance was running behind so I came to get you. I hope you don't mind." Keith's sudden speech interrupted her thoughts.

"No. I don't mind at all." She slipped past him into the hallway. She felt a little shy about her new dress, but Lance had told her to make sure she took a few steps ahead of Keith. He had said something about 'appreciating the whole dress' meant the back of it too. So she took a few steps down the hall before she turned to wait for him.

Keith groaned. He couldn't help but notice how the dress clung to her curves, outlining her softly rounded hips and backside. The view from where he stood also included a high slit up the back of her dress - one that had just given him a glimpse of her shapely legs and a pair of very high-heeled shoes. Tonight was going to be a very long night.

Allura grinned at Keith's reaction and made a mental note to talk to Lance about getting a few more designs for Terran-style dresses. After a moment's indulgence in his obvious discomfort, she cleared her throat and gave him a gentle smile.

Breaking out of his reverie, Keith hurried over and offered the Princess his arm. She slipped her own into the nook made by the bend of his elbow and started merrily chattering away about how much she'd missed his company this past week, how busy he must have been and how excited she was about getting to wear her new dress tonight. He simply smiled, nodded and made polite noises at the appropriate times, but couldn't quite get over just how seductive she looked. Or how hard it would be to keep his lips from hers.

:)

:)

There was a beautiful little secluded patio that sat off the ballroom. There were many, actually, but only one that also opened out into the castle's gardens. And that was the one they had chosen for their dinner party. Nanny had seen to it that their patio had been filled with dozens upon dozens of fresh cut flowers, creating a glorious sea of vibrant colors. Their sweet scent mingled with the earthy aroma coming from the multitude of plants in the gardens. Together they created a heady perfume, one that beckoned to lovers, inviting them to hold one another near and whisper words of shared passion to one another.

In the middle of the veranda an elegant table had been placed. The dishes were the best that could be found in the Castle of Arus; elegant and simple, white with ivory flowers and a silver trim. There was more food than the guests could possible consume, plates piled high with succulent meats, freshly baked breads, fresh fruits and vegetables, and so many divine looking dishes that they were all assured the meal would be nothing short of delicious.

The finishing touch came with the soft and romantic glow cast by the numerous candles lit throughout the room. They flickered with a resplendence that was both cheerful and dazzling.

Lance looked around the room one final time before turning his attention to Sophie, the cute blonde he had invited, unbeknownst to Keith, to be his date for the evening. He smiled down at her, his intention to both reassure and charm her. Lance took a moment to turn his attention to Hunk and Pidge and their dates.

Although he had been uncertain about bringing dates tonight, Hunk was definitely enjoying Kinra's company now. It seemed once the Big Guy had meet Sophie's beautiful older sister, he'd decided Lance had a pretty good idea when he'd decided to invite the girls. In fact, Hunk had decided that, as long as Kinra agreed, he'd like to spend more time with the charismatic young woman.

On the other hand, Pidge had been very excited about inviting Liann, one of the older orphans that he often hung around with. He was just starting into his teenage years and being in a dress uniform was pretty impressive to the young girls. Besides, as much as he enjoyed being with the other members of the Voltron Force, it was quite a treat for him to be with others his own age.

The only complication in inviting the girls had been finding proper attire for them. But Lance had found some very pretty dresses in one of the Princess's old trunks. After the gowns had been cleaned and pressed, the dresses looked as good as new, so he had them delivered to the girls. He smiled again, knowing that the Princess wouldn't mind the girls borrowing them at all.

The ballroom doors swished open and all heads turned to watch the final couple's arrival.

:)

:)

"Are we almost there, Keith?" Allura asked as they walked toward the patio. She was still clueless about the surprise waiting just a few feet away.

"Almost." He smiled at her warmly. But the smile slowly faded as he considered the situation. In one way he felt relieved that he wouldn't be alone with Allura after the next few minutes. In another way, he didn't want to share her at all tonight - he wanted to keep her all to himself. He refused to give into that part of his heart, so with a hardened resolve he continued forward, more determined than ever to keep things at a stand still between himself and the Princess of Arus.

They continued on their way, arm in arm, toward the open patio door. Allura could feel Keith's tension and considered asking him if he was feeling okay. She never got the chance because as they reached the doorway, they were greeted with a chorus of cheers and shouts of "Surprise!" from those awaiting their arrival.

Allura gasped. "Is this all for me?"

"Yes, it is," Keith told her with a smile.

The three other members of the Voltron Force made their way forward, each taking a moment to give the Princess a warm smile and kiss on the cheek. One by one they introduced their dates, and the three girls dropped into a low curtsy before their monarch. Of course the Princess already knew everyone there, but there was something charming about the formality.

"Oh, please don't do that," Allura pleaded, "we are all friends here. Especially tonight. I don't want to hear Princess even once. I'm just your friend, Allura. Please."

Her kindness and generosity were rewarded with bright smiles from everyone. Well, everyone except Keith. He couldn't help but think that this 'I'm just Allura thing' was exactly what had gotten him into trouble to begin with. Of course the Princess was so caught up in the fun and excitement that she never even noticed.

Once things began to settle down and they were all seated around the dinner table, Allura looked around in semi-confusion. "Where are Nanny and Coran?"

"We convinced them to let us have this little party unsupervised," Lance said giving her a grin and a wink. "By the way, you look beautiful in your new dress."

"Thank you," she blushed as everyone agreed. But only Lance understood that her thanks were for much more than the party and the compliment; once again, her dear friend had come through for her.