Chapter 10
They had walked for almost five days through dark forest, resting sporadically and uneasily as they were entering the heart of drule territory. As she walked behind him, Allura thought back to the last few days where she had been unfortunately forced to accompany him. He moved carefully through the terrain, familiar with all the pitfalls and clean water sources and had gathered food for them from what Allura thought where inedible plants. This piqued her suspicions even more, demanding her own weapon the second day they had left the cabin. She had demanded that he walk in front of her, leading the way to God knows where he was going. The glint in his eyes showed that he knew it was a defensive measure on her part in case he attacked her. His frustration at having another argument with her was obvious, and he relinquished the fully loaded weapon to her unquestioned and led the way, throwing Allura into a deeper pool of confusion. Blue had not returned to her charge's side, and it made her even more uneasy.
Allura thought about her mother, the former queen. She had been the light of her father's life, the source of his strength. Her strong sense of justice and compassion lit up the whole kingdom, giving resolve to all the people, a resolve that Allura realized she didn't have no matter how hard she had tried to emulate her. It never chased the sadness from her father's eyes or the lamentations of the people during this war. She had decided to be her father's daughter's daughter, the non-complainer, the strong princess that they needed. She was a proud warrior, and a proud daughter. She would never allow anyone to destroy what they had left.
Especially this man.
He's dangerous, she thought to herself. It was unmistakable. But she would never get a chance to get this close to the running of the drules, and she wasn't going to lose it.
Allura bumped into the captain's back, not realizing that he had stopped.
" Penny for your thoughts princess." His baritone asked as she straightened her flustered self, embarrassed at having been caught unawares.
"A penny wouldn't even cover what I think about you, Captain." She retorted stiffly.
"Says the woman I've had in my arms twice now." Keith said smoothly.
He heard the woman behind him stutter in a very unprincess like manner. He smiled slightly, finding her company amusing despite his somber mood.
"We're here." He said, cutting off the princess' tirade.
Allura stepped around him and saw that he had stopped in front of a very large waterfall. In front of them was an enormous pool with clear water clearly showing all the rocks that had fallen that covered the base in the high midday sun.
"Where are we?" She asked, before she screamed as Keith suddenly picked her up and jumped into the cool water. She tried to fight against his strong grip, but he held her tight. As suddenly as they had entered the water, they were out.
"Easy." Keith said as Allura continued to cough because of all the water she had swallowed. She pushed the man away from her, trying to calm herself.
Keith stepped away from the princess, feeling slightly bad at having given her such a shock. But it had been the only way he could get her on the other side of the waterfall.
"Why did you…" Allura asked when she had gotten her breath back, only to realize that the captain was completely ignoring her, facing the impenetrable darkness ahead of them. The waterfall was behind them, how they had gotten across, she had no idea.
"We used an old escape passage built by my family. The only way I could get you across was to have physical contact with you. I apologize because of the abruptness."
Allura wanted to argue, if not for the somber tone he had used.
"I like water, Captain. Only when I'm not fully clothed." She said lightly, wringing out her drenched t-shirt.
"Don't give me any ideas, princess. You may regret it." Keith's sultry voice washed over her, igniting the slow burn she'd felt only with him. A gasp from her gave her away, making Keith turn fully toward her. He had no idea where the strong pull toward the princess came from. And at that moment he didn't care. He knew what he wanted and he took it. Allura didn't fight him as his lips found hers. She didn't stop herself from placing her palms on his wet torso, slowly dragging her hands across the ripples she felt through the wet t-shirt. She felt the heat of his body against her own, completely forgetting the inappropriateness of it all. And she didn't stop herself as a soft moan escaped her.
But it did stop him.
Keith ended the kiss and looked at the dazed woman in his arms. He slowly let her go before he turned and started heading toward the dark cavern, pulling on Allura's arm gently.
"Keith…"
"Not now." He replied.
He knew what she wanted to ask, what she wanted to say. But he wouldn't let her.
"Not until you know everything. Then we'll figure out what this is." He said, as he led her through the labyrinth in the darkness. Allura relented for the time being, knowing that she would get her answers, but trying her hardest to not doubt the man. She'd just kissed a potential enemy, and she'd loved every second of it. Suddenly she felt ashamed. She may have just kissed a drule spy.
She tried to release her hand, but his grip only got firmer.
"I told you that this passage was built by my family. Because of its enchantments it only accepts members of my family. If I let go of you now you'll bolt and I'll never find you. You might end up down there."
Keith flicked a glow stick he had and let it go. It fell into an abyss of darkness with no walls, rocks or crevices that Allura could see. It just disappeared into nothingness. Slightly frightened by the overwhelming void around her, she stopped fighting him as he continued to lead them, keeping her closer to him this time.
….
"Another hail from his majesty, my lord." The drule communications officer announced to the young monarch sitting in the command chair.
"Ignore it. And cut off all communication immediately." Lotor replied smoothly as he drank from his goblet.
"But my lord, the King…" the young officer did not finish his sentence, not in words anyway, as the only sound he was making were gurgling sounds as blood filled his throat and mouth. The cause was the prince's golden goblet, with its rim dented and now stuck in the left side of his neck. The young officer gurgled for a few more seconds before he stilled, slumping into his chair.
"Are there anymore suggestions or concerns about our journey." The prince said, looking around at all his officers, and the witch that was accompanying him. As silence was the only response, he went back to his chair, promptly picking up another goblet placed on his side table and taking a sip. He continued to read through the documents he now knew by heart, word for word.
"Have you observed anything new, my prince?" The witch asked, aware of how vicious the young man's mood was.
"Yes. You might say I have realized something of importance."
"What is it, sire." The witch asked lazily.
"Weakness. That what these humans and ourselves have in common is weakness. Our people were defeated by these lowly creatures not because they have a higher intelligence, or any special distinctive skill. But it is because we were weak. The emperor, the old kings and generals that we must bow to have eroded us, our greatness, into that of a myth to these insects. Why? Because they are weak." Lotor spat in disgust.
"Story after story of our people's greatness. A kind known through nightmares. We were reduced to children's stories and may be reduced to worthlessness again by the old fools. However, I will not let it happen. I will conquer this empire on the bones and ashes of these insects. I will make every drule bow before me for I have no weakness, witch. I have not fallen like my father has. And the kingdom of our people's captivity will be my stage." Lotor resolved, watching the human soldiers make their way toward his intended target.
"I will show them I have no weakness. Is my package ready, witch?" Lotor sneered.
….
"Commander Hawkins, we've got the enemy on radar. 12 ships, sir. Heading East."
"It may be their advanced fleet. All crews, battle stations!" Hawkins shouted.
"Commander. Commence the secondary mission immediately." Admiral Garrison ordered.
At the all clear signal by their ship's launch officer, Lance said a silent prayer as he launched the Red lion from the docking bay.
"Let's go kitty cats!"
"Finally!" Pidge yelled through the radio, nearly drowned out by Hunk's resounding "Hell yeah!"
For the first time in over a millennium, the lions' roar was heard through the skies of Arus.
A/N: I'm back! School's been hectic but I'll try to update as often as possible. Thanks for your support.
