Finally some solo Allura pov. I love her. This relationship is so beautiful. Tell me another ship (besides Klance) where the give and take is more palpable. Allura provides Lotor with so much firm support and in return he treats her with so much respect and dignity without putting her on an impossible pedestal. He consistently shows his support of her in a way no other character does.

Also there's a callback to Season 1 Ep: 9 in here... And I needed to repost the earlier chapters because I forgot to post Chapter 47. My apologies.

Allura swayed into the prince's side. 'Emperor' soon. She reminded herself. The idea was daunting and exhilarating at the same time. Dazzling possibilities hung seemingly within their grasp, but an egging voice warned her not to trust the hope. The emotions chased each other in constant circles.

It was almost as dizzying as the green hedge maze they wandered idly through.

She and Lotor stood on the precipice of peace. It was normal to feel apprehension when she imagined the future they could have. Of that, she certain. But what does that concern entail? How close to the truth are these whispers? The universe was poised to fall in either direction. Collapse and chaos were just as probable as victory and peace at this point. She felt balanced on a knife edge, waiting for fate to decide its course.

The tranquillity of this planet sat totally at odds with the major events that unfolded upon it, as if nature was unaware of their conflicts.

Lotor's episodes of madness, which she had witnessed during their time in the Netherworld on Euro I, replayed in her mind. Another instance, it felt so long ago… watching the false ghost of her father guiding her to the vision of Altea… She had never let the event go. It haunted her footsteps warning her of trusting what she could plainly see in front of her.

Nothing was trustworthy save her own feelings.

The steel taste of betrayal soured the night, yet she contrived to relish the stars above them lest the prince guess at her mood.

Lotor had whisked her from the large dining hall moments before Naigus had stood and announced, somewhat inebriated, that stories would be shared of the Emperor's younger days. Shiro had been caught up in awkward banter with Commander Vos. The other paladins were hounding Naigus' poor apprentice. She had been quietly enjoying the respite, blissfully ignorant for a time. She knew Lotor had meant to …

His deep voice pulled her from her reveries. "I will say, I did miss this planet."

The unexpected vulnerability in his voice drove daggers into her heart. He could be so soft. She savoured the newness of seeing his fragile side. It was a difficult impasse she found herself in. Sometimes, she thought the two aspects of him were nearly tangible. Other times, he was merely confused and locked in the gridiron of his own twisted coping mechanisms.

Instinctively, she squeezed his hand. "It is beautiful." The words sounded hollow. It opened an icy chasm between them that she prayed Lotor could not sense. A question, a dire need to confess came over her. It had dogged her steps since their earlier meeting in the conference room. Perhaps it would free her mind from the morose topics of trust. "Lotor, let me ask you something."

His steps slowed and he half turned to face her. She noted that he was unable to meet her eyes. His face remained calm and cool; the default she was used to seeing.

"Yes?" he hazarded.

She wondered what he was afraid of.

"I've just been wondering. The Alchemist we encountered on Euro I showed me a vision. I saw terraforming unfold before my eyes. If we are to help these people and others… how can I if I don't even know…."

The most minute relaxing of his shoulders perplexed her. Surely, he wasn't afraid of her. No one feared her.

Allura continued, "I saw it clearly in front of me. It was laid out like a map." She let go of his hand and gestured. "I saw a mountain rise and another fall. I felt the energy flow through me. I heard words but understood nothing. How…." A sudden despair settled onto her shoulders like a heavy snow on frail branches.

"How do I manifest this?" She completed. The words sounded stupid to her. She was the daughter of King Alfor. She was expected to know these things. She was expected to be the mighty alchemist who would lead Voltron to victory. Why was this so important? She stopped the avalanche of feelings, carefully setting them aside. Maybe she had slightly too much to drink earlier. Unconsciously, she hugged herself, feeling alone despite his warmth hovering so close to her. "I hope you have an idea."

Lotor halted their steps. His voice was strength that she did not know she wanted. "These are merely pieces of a larger puzzle, Allura. Everything will come together."

He took her hands again in his large paws. She was aware of his claws slowly showing themselves. He didn't seem to notice. "We are close. I can feel it. Very soon, we will uncover the key to unlocking your true potential. I can feel something, Allura." The excitement in his baritone shone in his gold eyes also.

"We are closer than I have ever been. I know it." He sounded so certain.

There was such resolve in his eyes. Ambition and true, unfaltering, unshakeable, faith in her was evident, sculpted into his very form. She wondered how long he had been yearning for this moment. She wondered if he saw her as a means to an end or some exquisite weapon.

That was the doubt talking.

No. She knew why he feared her. He was afraid because she was the one thing that had taken him by surprise. In all of ten thousand years… She had done that.

Moving swiftly, Allura crushed his lips with her own. The tremor that shot through his muscles was palpable. It proved her suspicions true.

What to do with the knowledge, she knew not. Her mouth moved without hesitation, taking him in and leading the movements with utter confidence.

The prince's hands, unsure what to do, wavered lightly over her back. Her own held his strong jaw steady as the kiss continued. His heart was pounding. She could feel it through his light shirt. She rose onto her toes to deepen the kiss, twisting a lock of his hair in between her fingers and tugging lightly.

His breath hitched and he leaned forward, casting aside the overwhelming astonishment that had caught him unawares.

Foreign territory surrounded them. Allura was unsure what she had begun, yet she did not back down. She pushed the boundaries further, pulling away to draw a breath before diving back in voraciously. Her hips found themselves pressed against him, moving seemingly of their own accord. Lotor's scent was heady and intoxicating, the strong smell of wine was thick on his mouth. It rose up and heated the space between them. She heard a moan when her fingers traced up and behind his jaw.

The sound grumbled deep in his chest, where her breasts pressed close. A shudder coursed through him when she shaped herself against him, closing what centimetres had divided them. Lotor was an immovable wall, his powerful lean body reminded her of the wild cats that had roamed the ranges of Altea.

The memory hurt, an enigma as strange and random as it was mocking of her and her struggles. Here she was, with one of the only remnants of her people… She kissed him harder, powerfully.

Unknowing which emotion prompted the change of pace, Lotor fell back into uncertainty.

Yes, he was afraid of her. He danced around the fact like how he pretended she didn't notice the Altean marks that ran down his spine. Allura slowed the kiss to light ministrations. Her grip on him lessened, the movements seeking to comfort him.

Indeed, if her spirit was her sole, reliable, constant she would trust it.

Finally, the princess spoke. "I love you."