A/N

Hi there! Sorry about the long week between posts. It's been a very busy week with the holidays creeping closer.

I love the speculation about what is to come. There is only one chapter after this, and please be aware, the story will continue with the next installment of the challenge arc.

To all my reviewers and followers, I truly appreciate you. Happy Holidays.

Rated T/M for suggestive action (I wouldn't call it citrus,)

Disclaimer: I don't own Voltron.

Chapter 9

Keith awakened slowly just as dawn began to peek over the horizon. Opening one eye, he took in the pristine white ceiling above him. Wasn't his ceiling painted gray? Turning over in confusion, he turned his head from side to side, taking in his surroundings.

He recognized the princess's bedchambers. Suddenly fully awake, he pushed his naked form up to a sitting position between the satin sheets. Shivering a bit as the cold air met his bare skin, he felt a stab of regret take hold in his gut as he suddenly remembered what had transpired the night before.

He and Allura had made love. After escorting her back to her chambers and trying to settle her in for the night, the princess practically threw herself at him, offering him her body and begging for him to warm her as only he could. Weak from the cold and tired of fighting against his heart's desire, he relented and took advantage of the situation. Hanging his head in his hands, he hugged his knees to his chest. What the hell have I done? He almost panicked.

The sound of a toilet flushing and the en-suite bathroom door opening caught Keith's attention. The princess of Arus walked out, clad only in her fluffy pink robe. Keith's mouth went dry when he saw her; he imagined what she probably didn't have on under the robe. As his eyes flitted over her form and finally lifted to gaze at her beautiful face, he saw a knowing smile playing on those succulent lips. Unencumbered by clothing, Keith felt his body stir to life again.

"Good morning, Commander," Allura greeted him with a purr. "And how are you this morning?" She walked over to sit next to him on the bed, running a delicate hand up and over his sculpted bicep.

Fighting to ignore his body, Keith turned his eyes straight ahead so that he was staring at the wall. "Princess," he managed to croak out, "what happened?"

"What do you mean, 'what happened?'" she retorted. "You don't remember last night?" Her voice was thick was emotion; she fought the tears that threatened to fall.

Turning to look at her, Keith shook his head. "That's not what I mean," he corrected. "I know what happened. I just….I just….how did we let this happen?" He grabbed her chin and turned that breathtaking face towards his. Seeing her love and desire for him shining in those azure eyes without a hint of regret, Keith felt his own uncertainty slowly melt away. Running his fingers along her cheek, he answered his own question. "We let this happen because we love each other," he whispered. "We couldn't fight it any longer."

Watching Keith accept what had happened, Allura relaxed back against her pillows. Letting his words sink in, she snapped her eyes to meet his. "We love each other?" she repeated, a question in her voice. "You love me, Keith?"

Reclining back next to her, he propped himself up on one elbow. "I do love you, Allura," he confirmed. "With all my heart, and all my soul." He ran his unoccupied hand slowly up the front of her, until it rested lightly on the tie to her robe. "I hope you don't think I would let any of this happen without truly being in love with you."

Smiling into her hand, the princess nodded her head. "I know that," she said. "You're not Lance." She sobered suddenly, and her eyes darkened to midnight blue. The princess became suddenly distracted when Keith's hand tugged at the knot around her waist. "Is there something you want, Commander?" she asked huskily as Keith finally got the knot free.

Keith's eyes smoldered as he slowly opened the pink robe. Letting his eyes rove over the treasure he uncovered, he grunted in satisfaction. "Damn right," he growled. Pushing the robe off of her shoulders, he rolled over until he was lying on top of her. With his lips a breath away from hers, he whispered, "Maybe it's not so much something I want, as it is something I need," he corrected just before he lowered his lips to hers.

They kissed for several moments, their bare skin sliding over each other's, when Allura suddenly pulled away. She sat up, a thoughtful expression on her beautiful face. "Wait," she said, holding up her hand to stop Keith when he tried to pull her back to him. "If I'm something that you need," she mused. "That means I am something that you can't live without."

He rolled back onto his side and looked at her. Cocking an eyebrow, Keith flashed a sardonic, lopsided grin. "So?"

A sensual expression crossed Allura's lovely face. "Well," she explained. "I am just thinking that I could totally use that to my advantage." Pushing him on to his back, she slid her body up so she straddled him.

Keith was fighting a battle between his body and his head. Struggling to sit up, he tried to feign commander mode. "Take advantage? What do you mean?" he gasped out as Allura started to move her hips as she moved against his groin. "Allura, I can't show preferential treatment."

"I am not asking you, too," she interrupted him. "I am not talking about taking advantage while you're in command or while we are in battle. I am just talking about taking advantage of this amazing body of yours any time I want to." Continuing the gyrations of her hips, she felt his resolve break.

Grabbing her hips, he lifted her up and onto him. "That kind of advantage I can willingly let you have," he groaned out as her warmth surrounded him. With their bodies joined, they danced in the early morning light, neither noticing the swish of the princess's outer door as it closed behind Allura's early morning visitor.