I know that it has been an eternity, but I have not forgotten Sadly, many life challenges have come up. I have been following all of my lovies though and am so proud of the stories they continue to create! Thank you to all those who have continued to follow, and all the new additions- welcome!
Disclaimer:Disclaimer: I do not own or profit from GoLion/Voltron or it's characters. All other characters belong to me
The Resistance: Book III
Chapter 8
The more time they spent alone together, the more intense their encounters became. The princess and her captain physically felt each other's passion and desire which only served fueled their fire more. Every kiss, every touch was penetrating and full of purpose; a pure want to explore and understand the depths of their need. They were addicted in every sense. Keith had to have her, he wanted to have her, and have her often; a need that the princess was all too willing to satisfy as she hungered for him just the same. If it were up to her, they would never leave their lavish room in Duncan Manor. Allura arched her back, calling out to him in ecstasy once more before collapsing onto his chest. Burying her face into Keith's neck, they both tried to level their breathing. The captain wrapped his arms around the beautiful bare body lying on top of him as he planted light kisses onto her shoulder and traced his fingers up and down her back. How much he loved her; words could not describe the depths of his love. With every passing day their bond grew deeper and stronger. Keith began to believe that without her, he would cease to exist- and Allura's love was certainly not lacking. The mere thought of him sent her heart racing. Her heart beat for him, her eyes longed to look upon him, her soul fused within his. The pilots of Black and Blue were one, for always- in life and in death. The time had come for her to let him in, to tell him everything and for him to do the same, to let go of their pain and torment and help each other heal. Their love would finally set them free. Allura looked into Keith's mysterious chocolate eyes and offered him a deep passionate kiss, which he graciously accepted. She slid off him and lay to his side, resting her head against his heart, stroking his chest with her fingers as she began her haunted tale.
"We left the safe-house and returned to Arus immediately. Something big was coming and my parents knew it. My mother…she was determined to stop it. She believed that they could prevent the horrors to come…that she was above the prophecy. Mother couldn't have been more wrong" Allura closed her eyes and sighed.
Keith was taken aback. "Lura, you don't have to do this" he whispered, placing a kiss atop her head and gently continued to stroke her back.
She looked up at him. "I know I don't have to. I want to. I need to. I'm haunted, Keith…we both are." she breathed. Allura closed her eyes and leaned back into his chest, wrapping her arm around him. The captain held her tightly, knowing how right she was. He knew that he had lost control with his uncle earlier. Instead of confronting Keith about his lapse in judgment, the princess said nothing. Instead, she wrapped her arms around him and loved him.
"My mother's death was tragic, as was my first encounter with Lotor…but it was not what scarred me; no, it was what I had witnessed upon my return to the castle that broke me forever…"
Allura still hung onto Aaron as they entered the safety of what remained of the Castle of Lions. They quickly made their way down the corridor toward the entrance to the caves. As they ran passed the throne room, the siblings froze at the sounds coming from inside. The young princess trembled when she realized they came from her father.
"Allie…no! Come! We must go to the caves."
The young princess didn't listen; instead, she stopped at the entrance to the throne room, frozen in horror at what she saw. Aaron held her back as they both sat on the ground, trying to shield themselves from their father's pain and agonizing cries. King Alfor had negotiated an exchange Queen Auria, but she wouldn't have it. Auria fought Zarkon with all her might, especially after Alfor had projected that Allura had been rescued. Zarkon was not amused in the least. He made sure to make her suffer so that Alfor would pay a dear price- and pay he did. The children bore witness to their father screaming, writhing, clenching himself in agony as he felt every blow Zarkon delivered to the queen. Alfor used their bond, begging her to give in, pleading with her to do whatever Zarkon wanted. Auria refused.
The king's blood-curdling cries were heard throughout the castle "Auria! Please Auria!"
Coran held on to his long-time friend, trying to help him, but could not. How could he? The woman he loved, his soul's mate and partner in life, was being murdered slowly and painfully, and not only could he do nothing to stop it, but he felt it all. He writhed on the floor, calling her name, praying for someone to end her pain and the torture they both endured. Suddenly, it all ended. Silence- all that remained was the shell of a man who had once inspired so much love and laughter. The king refused to move. Allura called out to him but he did not respond. Aaron held his little sister as she cried, lifting her in his arms to carry her to the caves. The king father lay on the floor into the next day, refusing help from anyone. At daybreak, Zarkon's men graciously dumped the queen's beaten, mutilated body, along with that of the female child they ripped from her womb, in front of the castle. They named the child Ariel as homage to Queen Ariella. After the funeral, Alfor confined the princess to the tunnels with Coran and Nanny. He and Aaron had decided to increase Allura's training in order to guarantee that she could defend herself. She rarely saw her father as he turned all his focus on reactivating Voltron.
Aaron had taken on the role of his little sister's guardian. He made sure to spend as much time with her as he possibly could. Aside from tuning Allura into one hell of a warrior, he also taught his sister how to play guitar and drums and exposed her to all kinds of Terran music. Although he was older, the Crown Prince of Arus enjoyed spending time with her. It killed him that Allura was confined to the caves and didn't have a chance to experience the fun things that life had to offer. The young princess idolized him and never left his side. Aaron was the Ring Bearer, chosen by prophecy to be the one who could destroy Haggar; but, he was more than that- he was her beloved brother, her guardian, her best friend. Allura loved him more than anything. When Aaron died, a part of her died with him…forever- or at least until…
"Aaron was the only one that understood me, the only one I had. He was my everything and he lay in my arms dying, all because I was too stubborn to stay in the damn caves like I was told. It was all my fault. When he gave his last breath he took a part of me with him. My innocence was gone. I was full of anger, full of rage. I sensed Doom soldiers approaching. There were about six of them. I was burning with hatred and revenge. I grabbed my brother's katana and my own and I slaughtered them, every last one, and I didn't care how violent I was. It felt good. They murdered him. They took him away from me. Lotor took him away from me. I promised myself that one day, if the opportunity presented itself, I would kill him too." Her eyes narrowed while a frost enveloped her voice "I'm still waiting."
Keith pulled her up to him and could feel the rage still boiling up inside her. He knew, all too well, that she meant what she said. "Hey, look at me." She glared at him with eyes full of hate. "Allura relax, please." He looked deep into her eyes, gently caressed her cheek, and noticed her gaze begin to soften. He felt relieved. Allura slightly shook her head as is trying to reign herself back into reality. "Blue, stop blaming yourself. It wasn't your fault."
"Seriously?" she replied, tears trickling down her haunted azure eyes. "He was only out there because of me! He was distracted because of me! Don't you get it? My mother died because of me. Aaron died because of me. My father died because of me. Everyone I have ever loved has died because of me…to protect me…and you…oh god, Keith! I can't do it! I can't handle anymore I just can't!" Allura lost control of her emotions and could no longer hold back her cries. More than anything, Keith hated to see her in this state. He held her closed, wiped at the tears- anything to console her. "Allura…I promise, I'm not going anywhere. I won't leave you, I swear it." he said, planting soft kisses wherever he could.
"You know can't promise me that, Keith. Look how many times I've almost lost you…and this last time…oh God…"
Keith quickly interrupted "Yeah, but you didn't. I'm still here, and I always will be. You know this to be true." He paused to look into her eyes.
"Do I? I'm not sure of anything anymore."
"I love you…you can be sure of that" he whispered, capturing her lips for a tender kiss.
The princess reluctantly broke away and looked at him, breathlessly. "What about you? When will you stop blaming yourself, K?"
Keith furrowed his brow and bit the inside of his cheek. "Blaming myself for what?"
Allura let out a sigh through her nose as she ran her fingers up and down his arm. "For what happened at Romelle's cotillion, for your parents' disappearance, and the million other things you feel responsible for." Keith sighed and turned onto his back, running a hand through his hair. Allura perched up on her elbow and looked at him. "I know about your parents Keith. Admiral McClain told me about the suspicions the two of you share."
Keith looked at her and arched a brow "Uncle Charles told you? When?"
"He told me on our way to Arus after Lotor had shot you."
"Well, then you understand my animosity toward my uncle. He had the technology to help find them and did nothing for fear of losing his stupid contract."
"I know, Keith….I understand. What he did was down- right wretched; however, I can tell you that he is one hundred percent genuine in his regret and pain. Just, please, give him a chance to redeem himself."
"Pfft, you just want a piece of this Manor…seriously…high maintenance that's what you are…" Keith said in an attempt to deflect from the uncomfortable discussion.
Allura pursed her lips and hissed "I have my own castle, Kogane…I don't need yours…"
"Sorry, Blue…I was just…look, you know how uncomfortable I get with all this 'sharing'…"
"You're the one that's been pushing all this 'sharing' on me, remember?"
"Yeah, well…that's because it's you and my type A self needs to protect you. You know how much it kills me to see you hurting, Blue." He said as he pulled her toward him to lean his forehead against hers.
"Is it so silly to believe that I feel the same for you, Kogane? I can feel you, remember? No matter how much your type A self tries to hide it, I know you're hurting just as much as I am." Keith looked at her and blew out a sigh. The princess ran her hand through his hair, knowing that it would most likely be his next move. "We both need to work passed our demons, Keith. If the prophecy is right, then all hell is going to break loose on Arus…and we need to be ready…focused. Our minds need to be clear."
Keith bit his lip and looked at her, thinking back to what Alfor had told him
"She needs to move on, Keith. Allura is the only one standing in the way of the prophecy. She needs to work passed her anger so that you can all be ready when the time comes…the Daughters must be awakened…they must return…"
"Keith? What is it?"
The captain blinked his eyes. "What? Oh…nothing…really…you're right. We need to move on…we need to focus. We can't let the past get in our way anymore."
The princess sat up and crossed her arms in front of her. "Bullshit, Keith…my father said something to you…"
"You're not supposed to be reading my mind, Allura" he said as he slightly narrowed his eyes.
"I wasn't…you projected to me again. It's not my fault you haven't figured out how to control this."
"Then why are you asking if I 'projected' it to you?"
"You only projected part of it…"
"Seriously…ugh! Look, it was just reiterating what you said…that we need to move on…that's all" Allura cocked her head to the side and continued to stare at him. She did not appear to be convinced. Keith grabbed her wrist and pulled her onto him "Look, we've both shared a lot today…"
"Both? Really?" The captain placed his finger on her lips to quiet her which made her chuckle. "You promise me you'll try and be civil with your uncle?"
"Only if you promise to come to me when something's bothering you. I don't want you keeping things bottled up inside anymore, Lura." Keith reached up and pushed a lock of hair away from her face.
Allura placed her hand over his and rested it against her cheek. "I promise" she agreed before nestling against him once again.
He moistened his lips and continued "Listen…I was thinking…maybe we should tell Coran about us, and maybe…maybe…Nanny."
Allura shot up and looked at him "Are you serious?"
Keith gave a light laugh as he rubbed his hand up and down her arm. "Yeah, Blue, I am. I've been thinking about it for a while actually. The castle staff and guards are loyal…we can trust them not to leak it out to the public. This way, we don't have to sneak around all the time."
Allura giggled "What, you think Nanny and Coran will let us share a room?"
Keith rolled his eyes. "Of course I don't think that, Allura…but at least we won't have to hide our affections…to an extent of course." He leaned in and gave her a light kiss on her lips. Allura touched his face and looked into his deep brown eyes. "Are you sure?"
The captain grabbed her hand and placed his lips against her wrist. "Yes, I'm completely sure." The princess smiled and instantly lost herself in his kiss. Keith protectively wrapped his arms around her and within moments, the two lovers melted into each other once more.
xxxxx
The morning found Lord Duncan sitting in the sun room drinking coffee in front of the floor to ceiling windows as he skimmed the morning paper. Upon reading the headline, his brow knit together and he began to rub the bridge between his nose.
"Not good….not good at all." He said to himself with a deep sigh.
"What would that be?" said Keith, leaning against the door with his arms crossed in front of him. Ian quickly folded up the paper and put it to the side as he stood up to greet his nephew, shocked that the young man had even thought to join him after their altercation the night before.
"Keith Michael! I am so glad that you decided to join me. Please lad, have a seat. The coffee is fresh and the scones just baked." He nodded as he motioned to the chair. Keith looked at him and slowly made his way over to sit.
"I must warn you, I'm very particular about my coffee."
His uncle chuckled "Aye, aren't we all." Keith sat down and poured himself a cup, fully relaxing his shoulders after the first sip. Shit that's good. He slowly set the delicate cup down and looked at his uncle.
"For Her Highness' sake, I have decided to be civil. It is important to her that we get along."
"It is important to me as well, my boy." Keith momentarily narrowed his eyes at the man, causing him to stiffen in response.
Regretfully, the captain ran his hand through his hair "Look, this isn't the place or the time to air out our differences, and I'm not sure that I will ever be ready to do so; however, I will do my best in an attempt to get along. Don't expect too much from me."
Lord Duncan relaxed his stance and gave a slight grin. "That is more than enough for me, lad…more than enough…so, tell me…where is Her Highness this fine morning?"
Keith cleared his throat. "I'm sure she'll be around in a moment." He said, taking another sip of his coffee.
"I know it's not my affair, but…are the two of you…close?" he asked with an arched brow.
Keith furrowed his own brow. "You're right, it's not your affair."
"Accepted. It's just that I couldn't help but notice that she is wearing your mother's ring."
Keith held the pristine cup within his hands and lightly licked his lips. Placing the cup back down, he looked at his uncle once more.
"I gave it to the princess as a token of my gratitude for all she had done for us since we arrived on Arus."
"That is quite a token, Keith Michael…quite a token indeed." said Ian as he lifted his own cup to his lips. Keith was about to speak but was interrupted by Allura's arrival.
Her sweet voice filled the air "Good morning, gentlemen!" she smiled. Both men rose to greet her, Ian unaware that the newspaper he'd been reading had fallen to the floor.
"Good morning, Your Highness. I trust you slept well." Lord Duncan asked with a bow. Allura threw a fleeting glance in Keith's direction before looking back at Ian. "I certainly did, Lord Duncan, thank you." She smiled and gracefully walked over to sit in the chair Keith had pulled out for her. She noticed the paper on the floor and decided to pick it up. "Looks like you dropped this."
"Princess…that's quite alright…" Ian quickly scrambled to grab the paper before the princess had a chance to see it, however, he was not fast enough. Suspicious from his reaction, the princess looked at the Duke and slowly unfolded the paper. Upon first glance, her eyes widened and then she threw her hand over her mouth and began to giggle. Keith narrowed his eyes at her as she slowly took her seat and continued to laugh.
"Well, that was an unexpected reaction." chuckled Lord Duncan.
The captain looked from the Duke to the princess. "What is it, Allura?" Keith cringed after he noticed his uncle's expression over the casual use of her name. "I mean…Princess." He said as he threw his eyes up.
Allura shifted the paper to her side. "Nothing…just a picture…that's all."
"Must be some funny picture."
"No…not funny…pretty wonderful if you ask me…"
Keith leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. "Then why are you hiding it?"
Allura bit her lip. "Have you had your coffee already?"
"Yes."
"Did you enjoy it?"
Keith pursed his lips at her while his uncle did all he could to stifle his amusement. "Very much so…thank you for asking. Now, show me the picture."
"You promise not to overreact?" Keith slapped his palm over his face and began to rub his forehead.
Allura looked at the Duke and then hesitantly handed the paper over to the annoyed captain. He ripped the paper out of her hands then straightened it out to look at it. His eyebrows flew to the top of his head as his eyes widened.
"What the…!" The captain continued to stare blankly at the full front page photo of himself and the princess, smiling and gazing at each other with a headline that read 'Finally!'; not on a local paper- no, no, on the Cosmic Times. Keith slammed the paper down on his lap, threw his head back, and placed a hand over his closed eyes.
"That's it. I'm dead. Coran is going to kill me." He cringed. "How the hell did this happen?"
"It looks as though it was snapped upon your arrival. You'd be surprised where these vultures hide." offered Lord Duncan. Keith placed his elbows on the table and rested his head within his hands as he blew out a frustrated sigh.
"I don't know what you're so upset about. I mean…it's a great picture of us…look at it!" said the princess as she took the paper from his lap and opened it up to the front page again. Keith groaned and used his hand to whack the paper down.
"I saw it…thanks." He snorted. Ian looked on, trying his best not to laugh at his nephew's obvious discomfort. Allura looked at the Duke, blushed, and bit her lip before turning back to Keith.
"Look, you said last night…"
"Allura!"
"Oh come on, Keith…your uncle wasn't born yesterday…the whole manor knows that we shared a room…anyway…you're the one that said we should let the Castle of Lions know about us…"
"This is not the Castle of Lions, Princess" he hissed "It's the whole damn universe!" he yelled. Allura placed a hand over her chest and flinched at his tone. Ian decided to try and diffuse the situation.
"Might I point out that the entire article is based on speculation. Heaven's know that photographs can be manipulated to obscene extents. After all, it is one thing to suspect and quite another to know." At the last remark, the princess choked on her coffee. Keith looked at her and raised his finger.
"Don't…even…think…about it." he challenged.
The Duke raised his brow while the princess to a sip of water. "I'm sure your publicists can clean this right up." Added Ian. Keith looked up and snorted.
"Um…publicists?" inquired the princess.
Ian Duncan widened his eyes. "My pardons, Your Highness, you mean to tell me that a royal of your stature does not have a team of publicists?"
Thoroughly confused, Allura looked to Keith who, in turn, addressed his uncle. "No, Lord Duncan…the Royal House of Arus does not have a team of publicists…we are at war, remember? Are priorities are elsewhere." said Keith through slightly clenched teeth.
His uncle closed his eyes and shook his head. "I apologize…I wasn't thinking…" Allura cut him off by placing her hand upon his.
"It's alright, Lord Duncan…please…" she nodded.
He placed his other hand upon hers. "Princess, if it pleases you, I can have my team take care of this right away…"
The captain interjected before the princess could respond. "Yes…it pleases her…" he barked.
"Keith!" Allura narrowed her lips and gave him a warning look before turning to the Duke.
"Could you get me a copy of the actual photo?" she asked while Ian cocked his head to the side.
"Of course Princess, I'm sure I can…but what about the article itself? Do you want me to take care of it?"
Allura looked down at her hands and gnawed at her bottom lip. Keith stared at her. What is she doing?
'Allura?' The princess looked up at him and he continued to project 'what's going on?'
'The picture wasn't doctored Keith…it's beautiful. It has captured our feelings completely…'
'I know'
'and you want the world to think that it was all a lie?'
Keith closed his eyes, sighed, and ran his signature hand-through-hair before looking at the picture once more. She was right. It was so obvious from the picture that they were madly in love- their eyes and smiles gave it all away. He couldn't help but to allow a small grin to tug at his lips as he looked at it.
'No…I don't…'
Keith looked at his uncle who was confused by the silence. "We appreciate the offer, but leave your publicists out of it. We'll find a way to explain it to our people when we get back home…the Arusian opinion is the only one we care about anyway." Keith explained. Allura's face glowed like the sun at his statement. She smiled the brightest smile and her eyes shimmered as she placed her hand on his and interlaced their fingers.
"Do you mean that? Do you really see Arusians as your people?"
Keith looked at Allura, flushed by the love he felt for her- completely ignoring the fact that his uncle was sitting right across them "Of course I do, Blue" he said as he held her hand in his "Arus is my home…I felt that way even before I found out about my father…I always thought you knew…"
Allura smiled and giggled "Well…I suspected…" Keith joined in her laughter as he leaned his forehead against hers. Lord Ian Duncan continued to study the couple with a grin, glancing from one to the other. Not wanting to break their spell, but knowing that he had to, he softly cleared his throat.
"Well, then…seeing as though the two of you will be leaving shortly, I just wanted to let you know that I have chosen a DAAT representative for the project. As soon as the paperwork is complete and all the kinks are ironed out, I will send him to Arus. He should be there in time to supervise the start of the project."
"Kinks? What kinks?" asked Keith
"Well, he is currently heading an Alliance mission. The goal is for his fleet to be relocated to the Arusian quadrant…double duty if you will. His fleet would be available to you if you ever need assistance…"
Keith interjected. "With all due respect, are you forgetting that we are no longer a part of the Alliance?"
Ian Duncan sported a mischievous grin "Aye lad, but the tides have now changed. It is they who now need me. They will move this fleet and authorize its use to save face, or they can build their own ships…what's that phrase? Ah…something to the effect of turnabout being fair play?"
Keith leaned back in his chair and huffed. "You're blackmailing them? Pfft, figures."
"Nae, not blackmailing them…no need for that. DAAT doesn't need the Alliance or the Garrison; but they bloody well need us. So you see, Keith Michael, I don't need to blackmail…just make a …suggestion, if you will."
Keith nodded his understanding and decided, for Allura's sake, not to push the issue. He did promise her to try, after all. The princess could sense that Keith was itching to tell his uncle off but decided against it. She looked at him and squeezed his hand.
'Thank you, K' Keith returned the grin and Allura turned her attention to the Duke.
"Very well then, Lord Duncan, we will be expecting your representative's arrival. Please make sure you send all the necessary paperwork to Sergeant Stokker so that he can run the proper checks before his arrival."