"Should we wake Keith?"

Hunk. That is definitely Hunk. Who's he talking to?

"I don't know. Does he know he's in her bed?"

Lance. Of course it would be Lance. I feel Keith's arm draped across me. I feel safe. I don't want to move.

'You either?' Keith. 'Let's see how this plays out.'

'Okay.'

"Maybe? It looks like they both just collapsed." Hunk again.

"Any other time, I'd be having fun with this, but seeing as they haven't moved in half an hour, I'd say there's nothing more than what we're seeing here going on."

"Coran will flip out if he finds them like this."

"You think?"

"Come one, Lance. You've waited years to find Keith in this sort of position. And now that he is, you're not enjoying it as much as I thought you would."

"Oh, I am going to have fun holding this over Keith's head. This pic might get me out of midnight watches for a month."

"Why haven't you broug-" Coran's voice. But I'm still so comfortable I don't want to open my eyes.

'Here we go.' Keith sends to me through our bond.

"What in the Hell is going on here?" Coran practically shouts.

'That's our cue.'

We both make a show of waking and looking shocked to find three people standing at the foot of the bed. I give a big yawn for effect as I look to each in turn as Keith rubs his hands over his face. "Is something wrong?" I ask in a sleep addled state.

"Why are you two in the same bed?" Coran asks, pointedly glaring at Keith.

"We were exhausted. After we came back from the tombs, We just sort of collapsed," Keith replies matter-of-factly. 'It's not like we made love or anything.'

I can't stop my face from heating at his unspoken comment, but I cover my mouth with my hand to keep me from breaking into a fit of giggles.

Coran looks between us a look of confusion on his face before he turns to Lance and Hunk. "Leave us."

"Oh come on, why can't w-"

"NOW!" Coran all but shouts.

Both young me skamper backwards, almost tripping on one another in an effort to leave quickly. The door shuts and Coran waits until the outer door closes before turning to the door to the sitting area. "Come out here," he says in a tone that bodes no argument.

We both nod and turn to get off the bed, stand up and follow him. Keith comes out before me, as if to protect me from Coran's wrath. 'I don't need protection. We have the blessing of the Ancients.'

'Force of habit.'

"Both of you, sit," Coran says firmly.

I take a seat on the small sofa and Keith sits beside me. Coran sits across from us and looks between us as if he's trying to figure out how to begin his lecture.

"Why were you in the tombs again last night?" he finally asks.

"We had questions," Keith replies.

"Why not ask me?"

"I don't think you had the answers we were seeking."

"You were also rather busy. You told Keith to keep me safe. He has done what you asked."

"I did not ask you to join her in bed, Commander."

Keith holds up his hands in a defensive motion. "I simply collapsed from exhaustion, Cor-"

"What is this?" Coran asks as he stands up and grabs Keith's right hand and turning it so he can see the ring. "Where did you get this?!" he asks as he snatches my hand from Keith's left hand and sees I have the same ring. "How?" he says as he releases our hands. "How did I not see this happening? How long have you…"

"We began hearing one another yesterday after Keith entered the tomb to check on me. We didn't know what was going on. I tried to sleep. As did he, out here. I was in the bed. But we couldn't. So, I went and dressed warmer and we went back in hopes of speaking with Father again to get some answers."

"And what did he say?" Coran asks as he plops down into his previously occupied chair.

"That we are bond-mates. The strongest in a millenia," Keith replies. "He called me the Warrior Knight of Voltron."

"As well as my consort," I add. Coran's eyes go wide and he drops to his knees on the floor. "A princess no longer, My Queen," he says as he bows before the two of us. "Long live Queen Allura of Arus and her Warrior King Consort, Keith of Arus."

"Please rise, Coran," I say feeling awkward seeing him in such a deep bow. He returns to his seat and wipes his eyes.

'Is he mad?' Keith asks.

'No. Shocked, yes, but he knows how rare this is and is awe, I think.'

"We...This wasn't planned Coran. We wanted answers, but when the Ancients insisted we seal our bond, we knew it was right."

"Wait, you said the Ancients appeared?" Coran asks in a tone that worries me.

"Yes," Keith replies.

"Then the prophecy was right. Romelle lives."

"What prophecy?" Keith and I ask at once.

"When the mate-bond returns the two will rule as one until the Heir is able to take their proper place upon their throne. As the last of their lines, the cousins and their kingdoms will form a bond through tragedy and triumph. Bonds of hope and love shall forge a new era from the ashes of hatred."

"Could Sven be the one keeping Romelle safe? Has anyone heard from either of them?" I ask after a long silence.

"It seems to fit," Keith replies. 'You know he's been her consort for years. Just their court refused to recognize their union.' "I know that so long as he lives, she lives. And given that we've not heard of either being among the dead, we should assume they are simply working behind the scenes, saving as many as they can."

'I agree, Com- Your Highness," Coran replies.

I sense Keith stiffen at the formal address and I nearly laugh. "Since I'm not sure what day it is now, I'd like to get updates on progress and aid. But I think we should eat something first."

"I also think you should both change. To be seen in the same clothes as the day before would certainly start some interesting chatter."

'I bet," Keith says to me.

I smirk and Coran smiles. "So you can speak telepathically?"

We both nod.

"When this matter is all said and done, you should have an official wedding. One that the people can witness. It would do wonders for the morale of everyone."

"Of course," I reply.

"I am going to check on the status of all the various projects. I want the two of you to change, slip down to the kitchen and eat something, then we will convene with the rest of the Voltron force and Garrison officials to get status updates in an hour and a half. I hope that gives you ample time to make yourselves presentable."

"More than enough time," Keith replies dryly.

"What will you say to those in the castle? I'm sure word has already spread that we were sharing a bed," I ask.

"To those in the meeting, I will announce your titles. To our allies on Pollux, your title will be known. If their scribe knows of the prophecy as I do, they will understand what it means for Pollux and Arus. I will do what I can to keep the news within the walls of the castle," Coran replies as he stands and walks to the door then stops, turning to face us once more. "And as soon as possible, I want the two of you to move to the Royal apartments. It will be more secure and afford you more room and privacy," he adds as he exits the room and the door closes after him.

A/N: Almost to the real action. Be prepared for a lot of information in the next few chapters. It may be late next week before I can update again, but I will make an effort to update sooner. Thank you for your kind reviews and encouragement.