Shattered
By Shannon (AKA KittyShan, LancesKitten)
Originally Published 10/20/2015
Disclaimers: Voltron and all associated characters are owned and copyrighted by WEP. Original/new characters belong to the author.
Be Advised - This chapter contains...nothing too bad.
Rating: M Violence, Sexual Situations
Chapter 13
Several days had passed since Romelle's return. The afternoon found Allura and Romelle sitting together on a plush settee in Allura's private sun room. The room was quiet, which suited their moods, and filled with sunshine, which lifted their spirits. They sat close enough that their shoulders brushed, and they both basked in the warmth of their familial love for one another.
Allura reached over and held Romelle's hand. "Bandor will be here tomorrow."
Romelle smiled. "It will be so good to see him."
Quiet once more washed over the room and the two sat in silence for some time. When Allura spoke, her voice shook.
"I- I still can't believe Sven is alive."
When Hunk had returned to the castle with Romelle, they had all been ecstatic. When Hunk stepped aside and they all saw Sven...
You could have heard a pin drop.
At first she wondered if it were some kind of trick, but one look in Sven's eyes and she had no doubt it was really him. She had rushed forward and wrapped her arms around his waist, while tears flowed freely down her cheeks. Sven had returned the hug, but hesitantly. When Allura stepped away from her old friend, she looked at her cousin and the two women rushed to each other, holding on as if they might never let go.
She thought about the rest of the team...Keith had looked baffled, relieved and concerned all at once. Pidge had dashed forward and jumped onto Sven's back in what was a strange show of affection. But Lance, poor Lance, had fallen to his knees and began to pray.
Lance had been so torn apart by Sven's death. For months after the incident, Lance had tortured himself, placing all the blame onto his own shoulders. It was only recently that he had started to come around and work through his grief.
"I wouldn't have been able to escape without his help."
Romelle's voice cut into Allura's musings. The Princess of Arus looked over at her cousin and felt her heart sink just a little. Although each day brought a little more color to Romelle's cheeks, her skin remained pale and her eyes were shadowed by dark rings. The two had been sharing a room because Romelle didn't want to sleep in alone, and Allura knew her cousin only slept a few hours each night. There had been many times when she had awoken to find Romelle sitting near the window, looking out at the night sky and silently crying.
It worried Allura, and she hated Lotor more than ever for putting her cousin through such torment, even though she didn't know what that torment was. Maybe one day, Romelle would talk to her, but for now, when asked, the Princess of Pollux would just smile sadly and reply that she needed some time.
"Allura?"
"Yes."
"My maid, Darla?" Romelle turned to face her cousin. "When I return to Pollux, I would like her to stay here with you."
"Of course!" Allura was happy to help in any way she could. "What about her family?"
Romelle shook her head sadly. "They were killed along with my father. She has no one. But she has told me how wonderful she's been treated here, and that your Nanny has taken her under her wing. It would be good for her to remain here, where she could have stability and find new friends."
"I will make sure she is well looked after."
"Thank you," Romelle's voice held a sad note; she would miss Darla. "She is a wonderful girl, courageous and loyal."
Allura leaned over and hugged Romelle. "Why don't you stay, too, Roma?"
"I can't." Romelle pulled away to meet Allura's eyes. "You know what it's like to have your planet under siege. I must fight for my people."
Allura nodded. "Then know you have my full support, as well as Voltron to defend you! If you need us, dear cousin, you must only ask."
"There is one more thing I would ask from you."
"What is it, Romelle?"
"Sven wants to come with me back to Pollux, but he's uncertain of his duties here."
Allura swallowed hard. "Keith said that the Galaxy Alliance is working to allow Sven to resign his commission with them. We will all hate to see him go, but I would never ask him to stay here when he could do so much good for Pollux."
Romelle smiled. "Thank you, I told Sven you would say as much."
"Besides, I think it would help you to have him nearby." Allura looked at her cousin from the corner of her eye. "I've noticed the way you two look at each other!"
"Allura!" Romelle gasped. "I'm sure I don't know what you mean."
The Princess of Arus began to giggle at the dark pink stain on her cousin's face. She took a chance and nudged Romelle in the ribs with her elbow. "You can't hide it from me!"
Romelle giggled before making an attempt to sit up straight and ignore her cousin.
"He is awfully handsome, Roma. And I can tell he's sweet on you!"
Romelle broke into a huge grin. "Do you think so?"
"Oh, I do, cousin! I do!"
Allura blew a kiss at Romelle and winked lewdly. Both of the young women erupted into laughter, the sound filling the room with a tinkling music that had been missing from both their hearts for some time.
Maybe, everything was going to be all right after all.