Hell Hath No Fury

Disclaimer: I do not own Voltron or any of its characters nor any of its alternate universe personas. So sad, I could become fond of a Lotor with green eyes…

Part 5 of the Chivalry story arc: 1. Chivalry; 2. Lion House Restored (& 2A. LHR – Allura's POV); 3. Doomed Quest; 4. Alternate Choices; and 5. Hell Hath No Fury. While some of the stories can be read as stand alone, this one must be read AFTER Alternate Choices for it to make sense.

Rating/Setting: Rating is T, bordering M. There are some topics that could be triggers for some people; I will try to post warnings for those chapters. However, I'm never graphic or explicit in any of my writing. If you've read Alternate Choices, you should know what the trigger topics are. Setting is DotU in flavor.

Chapter Fourteen

~ Day Five in the Mirror-verse

Keith awoke with a question in his mind. What did I do last night? Looking to the side, he saw that Allura Alt wasn't there, but he heard the sounds of the shower emanating from the bathroom. He looked down and saw that he still had on his pants from last night, but not his shirt, shoes, or socks. Sitting up on the side of the bed, he saw all of his missing garments on the floor beside the bed. The last thing he remembered was kissing her and picking her up…

The sound of the water cut off, and Keith's attention turned to the bathroom door. He anxiously stared at it, willing her to come out. However, he knew she would dress before exiting. So unless he wanted to take a chance on entering while she was disrobed, he'd just have to wait.

The Queen looked at herself in the mirror, pleased with the results. She had decided to go ahead and dress in preparation for her fight with the Arusian Queen. The long-sleeve royal blue shirt was fitted and was topped by a black leather vest that laced up the front. Her pants were made of matching supple black leather. Black military style boots encased her feet, lacing up to just a few inches below her knees. She would pick up the belt with the blaster and lazon sword later. For now, she slipped a small dagger into the side pocket of her boot. Allura Alt's long blonde hair cascaded down around her in a curtain as she leaned over. She had decided to leave it down for now; there was plenty of time to bind it in a braid later. Plus, there was no need to drastically alter her normal look more than this. It would invite speculation and she had no intention of informing anyone in her command staff, besides Naveena, of her challenge to the Queen of Arus. Standing, she looked towards the door; she would enjoy seeing the look on Keith's face…

Hearing a noise, Keith turned to the bath doorway and was stunned. Rising slowly from the bed, but never taking his eyes from her, he asked, "Allura contacted you?"

Pleased with his response, she responded, "Yes, last night, after I gave you the injection."

Keith's eyes searched hers. He wanted to know, to be certain, and yet he was afraid at the same time.

Walking to stand an arm's length away from him, she looked him in the eye as she answered his unspoken question. "You'd remember if we did."

Raising an eyebrow, he responded, "I don't remember much of anything after I kissed you."

Allura Alt tilted her head, "Hmmm, I'll add that to my request to Gorma. You should definitely be able to remember."

Keith was amazed at her and how she disregarded him. "So why didn't we?"

"The Queen of Arus contacted me." Moving to sit in a nearby chair, she continued, "I told you that if she contacted me by last night that I wouldn't consummate our union."

"And why should I believe you would keep your word? You told Allura that you'd wait until after the match to complete the process."

Allura Alt took her time answering. Her gaze traveled over his body. He had put the shirt back on. Pity. Her eyes shifted quickly back to his, noting that her perusal did not bother him in the least this time. "My promises to her have no meaning. However, when I promise you something, be it good or bad, I guarantee that I will follow through with it."

Keith had the feeling that she meant it. Of course, she would probably promise him a whole lot more 'bad' than 'good.'

Gesturing toward the bath, she said, "Go ready yourself. We have a busy morning."

He didn't move, but asked, "When?"

"Remember your place, Keith." Allura Alt said as she sent a pulse of energy through the band.

It was enough to make him close his eyes. This was a battle he couldn't win right now. It was best to follow her direction and learn what he could later. His was senses were on edge at the thought that this could all be over by nightfall…

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Lance looked at Allura as they sat in the cockpit of their borrowed shuttle, eating ration bars for breakfast. Neither of them slept particularly well, but then what could one expect in this situation? "What time do you want to get to the mesa?"

Allura sat facing the fortress as she ate the filling but tasteless breakfast. Tearing her eyes from the citadel, she looked at Lance and said, "We've already scoped it out. The last thing I want is to get there too early and have one of her battleships blow us up before I can fight her."

A smile crossed Lance's face. "My thoughts exactly. I suggest we time it as close to the nooning of the red sun as we can, and it will be all the better if we arrive at the same time. I'll monitor the radar and make sure that no one else goes there before the allotted time." Turning to the console, he brought up the radar and muttered, "Wouldn't put it past her to booby trap the place before we get there."

Thinking the same thing, Allura nodded although Lance couldn't see it. "I think I'll contact the Resistance to see how things are going on Ascension. How long do I have before they can trace the out-going transmission?"

"Two minutes."

Luckily, Allura had been given a priority code that put her directly through to Orla. Once in contact, the seer of Altea knew that time was limited. Orla quickly imparted that both sides had sustained casualties, but that the ground forces were making headway on the surface. Haggar and the Artemis had managed to magnify two robeasts before the ship was put out of commission. It was thought that Haggar had taken refuge on the surface, but it wasn't certain yet. Voltron had sustained damage to the Green Lion while defeating the two robeasts. They were thankful that the damage happened at the end of the battle. Allura thanked her for the information and was going to sign off when Orla stopped her.

"I've had a vision, Eleanor."

Allura's fearful eyes turned to Orla.

"He hasn't been touched."

A smile brightened Allura's face as she ended the conversation. "Thank you."

Orla nodded and the conversation ended.

Lance flipped a few switches and said somewhat smugly. "I told you it wasn't him."

Turning eyes that still shone with happiness on Lance she retorted, "It was him, Lance. I don't know why he hasn't been touched yet, but I…"

"Yeah, I know." Feeling that she was open to a little teasing, he added, "It took you over a year to get him to touch you, what makes you think she can do it in just four days?"

Allura laughed. She had to. They both knew exactly how the Altean Queen could get Keith to touch her, but it hadn't happened. Perhaps there was a bit of truth to Lance's joke after all.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

After a breakfast that was painfully normal with Naveena and the Queen, they retired to a conference room off the dining chamber. He knew something was immediately wrong when he saw Dr. Gorma there. Keith's blood ran a little cold.

"Good morning, Commander. It's good to see you looking so healthy." Gorma then turned his gaze to the Queen. "My Queen, I've made some modifications to the serum as you requested. I'm sure that it will work now exactly as it should. I tested it with some of the blood samples we took from the commander."

Keith glared at the doctor. He knew exactly what serum they were discussing.

Allura Alt moved to have a seat at the conference table. "Thank you, Doctor. I don't think that I will need it tonight, but if I can have it available tomorrow night?"

Bowing slightly in acknowledgement, Gorma replied, "It will be as you said, my Queen." His eyes shifted momentarily to Keith and then back to the Queen. "I have the other item you requested."

The Queen nodded at him and then spoke to Keith, "I need you to sit down and let the doctor inject you."

Keith stiffened and was going to give her a sarcastic comment when the pulse radiated out from the band. It was much stronger than anything he had experienced on Ormond. Dropping to an almost prone position, he felt a boot pressing on his back. Without the energy or ability to combat against it, Keith soon found himself flat on the floor. The pressure continued on his back and he soon heard the tell-tale sound of the injector. A warm flush soon enveloped his body only to dissipate just as quickly. With the pressure removed from his back, he pressed his body up and looked to Allura. "Wha-" He stopped. He tried to speak, but no words came out. Sitting up, he looked at the Queen for his answer.

"Now, Keith, I can't have you calling out any warnings to her." Smiling, she rolled her chair closer and reached to touch his face, but he jerked away. She frowned at him as she said, "Maybe this will help you learn your place." Looking at the Doctor and the orderlies that had attended him, she said, "You may go now. The Commander won't be a problem."

Naveena came to sit in a chair beside Allura Alt. "Do you plan to tell him?"

"Why, yes, General Flynn. I believe I will."

Keith didn't like the gleam in either woman's eyes. It spoke of treachery, and he knew it would be directed at his Allura. But maybe there would be some way for him to give Allura the information. Perhaps…

Allura Alt gestured to a seat at the table, and Keith rose to take it. There seemed to be no side-effects from the drug besides its purpose to render him mute.

"The challenge between the Queen of Arus and myself will be in just a few hours. I'll be taking you and Naveena with me." Allura Alt watched him and said, "Are you wondering about Haggar?" Seeing his nod, she continued, "She is off-planet dealing with a diversionary tactic by the Resistance. However, before she left, she placed a spell on me."

Keith eyes shifted quickly between the two women. Where they telling him the truth? Was Haggar off-planet?

"The spell will protect me from any fatal wounds that she might inflict." She watched with pleasure as fear crept into Keith's eyes. "She can cause minor injuries, but if she thinks that she has inflicted a fatal blow… I will catch her off-guard and kill her instead."

Allura's Champion from the Right of Challenge worked hard to control his breathing. Closing his eyes, he realized that he could likely live through the very nightmare that Allura had experienced just over a year ago. He would see his Allura kill Allura Alt and then walk away, only to be cut down by the Altean Queen. How? How was he to get word to Allura and whomever she brought with her? Now that he couldn't speak, his options were greatly limited. In fact, he was certain they would be non-existent. He would not be left alone now and would definitely not be given access to a computer.

Opening his eyes, he looked at Allura Alt with contempt and hate. If she were successful, he silently vowed that he would stay here until he found a way to end her reign of terror.

The beautiful monarch saw the hatred burning brightly in his dark eyes. Eyes made even darker by the emotions he was feeling. Strong emotions were good. Hate could be turned into something she could use. A wicked smile formed on her face. He would be hers at some point, body and soul. This would just be the first step in breaking him.