A/N I know it has been a long time since I have posted or updated ANYTHING, and I apologize about that. I hope this finds everyone safe and healthy as we are still dealing with the pandemic. This story is still a work in progress, and my intention is to finish it. I just have to grant myself the time to allow myself to do it.

Just a note, I know that Coran is usually spelled with a C, but I have seen it spelled with a K. I like the look of the C, seems more regal. Someone felt the need to correct me, so I thought I would justify my thinking. I don't correct you when your child who is named Jordan shows up on my class roster as Jorden, Jordyn, or Jordiyhn (yes, I have one of them this year.)

Enjoy!

Part 4

It was early when Romelle walked confidently down the hall towards Allura's royal chambers. Having left her around 10:00 last night, she doubted her cousin had actually gone through with the dare. She expected to find her cousin passed out on the couch in the parlor exactly where she had left her. Guilt took hold in Romelle's stomach as she thought about influencing her cousin to drink as well as teasing her with the dare. Getting up early to tend to Allura's probable hangover, Romelle was prepared with coffee and aspirin.

Walking up to the door, she rang the chime. Waiting impatiently for several minutes, the Polluxian princess stood bemused when she wasn't immediately admitted. Punching in the override code, she walked through the door. Marching into the room, she called boldly to the couch, "Allura, you really must get up…" Her voice quickly faded as she soon realized Allura was not passed out on the couch. Nor was she sound asleep in her bed, or readying herself in her shower. In fact, the princess of Arus was nowhere to be found.

"She couldn't have, could she?" Romelle questioned herself when she finally decided to drop the search and go grab some breakfast. Leaving the tray of coffee and aspirin on the low table, the Polluxian princess figures Allura would find it when she returned from wherever she was. With a smirk on her pretty face, Romelle could not help but feel hopeful that maybe in fact Allura did take that dare and act on it. Maybe she had a night similar to the one Romelle had experienced.

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Down the hall, the princess of Arus had just begun to stir. Reaching her arms out above her head, she stretched her lithe body languidly. She smiled contentedly as the soft sheets pulled against her bare skin. Wait? What? she thought suddenly as it dawned on her that she was as naked as a baby underneath the soft white sheet.

Sitting up suddenly, she blinked rapidly to expel the sleep from her eyes. Looking around, she realized with a start that she was not in her room. The simple wooden dresser pushed against the wall was free of clutter and her collection of perfume bottles. Glancing toward the open closet door, she noticed the spare red and white flight suit hanging alongside the masculine tee shirts and the sharp, pressed Galaxy Garrison dress uniform. With a soft gasp, her bright blue eyes drifted to her companion lying beside her in the comfortable, yet simply adorned bed.

Her commander lay on his back, his broad shoulders and sculpted chest exposed in the dim morning light. The stark, white top sheet hugged his midsection, covering him from the waist down. One arm was flung off to the side while the other arm lay gently across his chest. The arm rose and fell gently with the deep and even breathing that indicated that Keith was still in a deep sleep. His handsome face was turned slightly away, and as Allura watched him, she wondered at how sweet and innocent he appeared in his sleep. His eyes were closed, dark lashes brushing against his cheeks. His lips were slightly opened and he seemed to have a slight smile lighting the dreamlike expression on his face.

With a rush, the events of the night before came back to Allura. All at once, she remembered Romelle, and the wine, and the dare, and showing up at Keith's door. Suddenly, her musings stopped as stark realization set in. She had done it. She had knocked on Keith's door, and when he answered, she had kissed him. And he had kissed her back, and, and, and... Based on the current state of things, it was quite obvious to the princess what else had happened between them.

A sudden panic hit Allura with such force she felt as if she had been hit from behind with a baseball bat. What have I done? she thought. What have I done? Glancing back toward Keith, she noticed that he was beginning to stir. Anxiously she watched as he turned his body towards her before he smiled to himself and breathed in deeply.

Keith woke slowly from one of the best and most vivid dreams he had ever had. In his dream, he and the princess had… A wolfish smile danced across his face as he breathed in deeply and recalled some of the sordid details. Unexpectedly hit with that familiar sweet pea scent, he knitted his eyebrows in confusion. Why was he smelling the delicious scent of the princess of Arus? Wow, his dream really did seem real. Opening his eyes slowly, he startled when his dark eyes suddenly met the azure eyes of princess Allura.

She was lying beside him with a look of bemusement on her beautiful face. As she stared at him, she clutched the sheet to her chest, trying for some semblance of modesty. As his mind came fully awake, he launched himself up and croaked out questioningly, "Princess?"

She continued to stare at him, and several moments passed by in an awkward silence. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the princess managed a quiet, "Good morning, Keith."

"Good morning, Princess," Keith replied through gritted teeth. As he moved to sit up further, the sheet fell lower across his hips. Suddenly aware of his own nakedness, he fully realized that his dream hadn't been a dream after all. Fighting in vain the sudden rush of blood that flooded his nether region, he flung himself back against the pillow as he realized how futile he was to try and fight his body's reactions to the fair Allura.

The princess watched the normally stoic and in-control commander of the Voltron Force caught in a wave of disbelief and confusion. He groaned as he leaned back against the pillow, closing his eyes in disbelief, and Allura couldn't help but giggle. She pressed her fists to her mouth to try and suppress her laughter. When Keith cracked one eye at her, her giggles got louder. She couldn't even respond to his shock or confusion.

"What on all of Arus could possibly be so funny?" Keith growled at her, eying her suspiciously with his thick dark brows knitted across his forehead. Forgetting his nakedness, he turned away from her and swung his legs over the side of the bed. As he stood up, the white sheet fell away. Bending over, the commander grabbed the pajama pants that had been so haphazardly thrown to the floor and quickly pulled them on before turning back to the princess.

Allura's giggles silenced the moment Keith stood up, his perfect rear-end in full view. A rush of lust, desire, and longing hit her in a now very familiar way and her loins ached as she watched him dress. Swallowing thickly, she closed her eyes to center herself. When she opened her eyes again, her commander was standing in front of her, arms crossed, one thick eyebrow cocked as he waited for a response.

Slightly annoyed, Keith watched as the princess sat in his bed, her eyes closed and her breaths coming in short, ragged bursts. "Well," he asked for the second time. "What is so funny?"

"Nothing is funny," the princess replied quietly, her tone now serious and strained. When she seemed to regain her composure, she opened her eyes and looked around. Her blue orbs darted back and forth from Keith to the bedroom door to her discarded robe and nightgown lying forgotten on the floor. Wanting to get up and dress, she suddenly felt vulnerable and shy about being unclothed in front of her commander. "And we will discuss it," she continued, "but first could you please throw me my nightgown and robe. I would like to get dressed."

Flushing, Keith sprang into action. "Of course, Princess," he replied, moving around the bed and snagging the pile of pink silk from the gray carpet. Gently, he tossed the garments to the princess. "Here, I will give you some privacy. I will be in the living room when you are ready." Turning away from the princess, he walked toward the door. Glancing back just before he left the room, he saw the princess get up, the white sheet held firmly around her as she took her clothing into the bathroom to change. Keith turned quickly back toward the door when the princess dared a glance back toward him before disappearing into the bathroom.

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Within the safety of Keith's bathroom, Allura finally let the sheet drop. Staring at herself in the mirror, she noticed her slightly bloodshot eyes and tangled hair. She also saw that her lips were swollen and her breasts flushed. Standing in the harsh light of the bathroom mirror, the princess rubbed the back of her stiff neck as she allowed herself a moment of reverie of the night before.

His lips, kissing her everywhere, bringing forth feelings unlike anything she had ever experienced. His hands, exploring and touching every inch of her bare skin. His… She flushed deeply over the direction her mind was going. Still tender from her night of lovemaking, she felt as if she had been filled from the inside out. Taking a deep cleansing breath, she opened her eyes and shook her head to try and clear her sordid thoughts from her head. Glancing at the chronograph on the wall, she started when she realized it was almost 6:00 am. She would need to hurry if she hoped to make it back to her own chambers. Distracted with the task at hand, Allura quickly began to dress.

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Having pulled on a T-shirt which seemed more appropriate attire, Keith paced back and forth across his living area. There was no denying what had happened. He and the princess had slept together. Remembering the events of last night, he could make no denials or excuses. What started out as a simple kiss quickly escalated, and one thing had led to another. He clearly remembered questioning the princess of her wants and desires, and she very willingly gave her consent. After that, there was no holding back.

The commander jumped when he heard the door to his bedchamber swish quietly open. Framed in the doorway, the princess stood shyly for a moment before walking fully into the room. She hesitated for a split second before she walked over to the commander's couch and sat down. Motioning for Keith to join her, she leaned back against the pillows and pulled her knees to her chest and waited.

Keith crossed the room quickly, sinking into the cushion next to the princess. He looked at the princess, his dark eyes full of regret. Sighing, he began to speak, "Princess, about last night….I am so sor-..."

Allura immediately shook her head. "No!" she stated emphatically, interrupting him before he could finish his thought. "I will not allow you to do that," she bit out, anger evident in her voice. "Don't you dare apologize to me for something that we both wanted to happen." She stopped, her eyes glistening with angry tears. "Don't you dare."

Taken aback by her unexpected outburst, Keith stopped his apology dead in its tracks. "Ok, ok," he relented. "I won't apologize for that, but please, there are some things I need to know." His dark eyes pleaded with her. When she nodded slightly, he continued, "First, were you drunk when you came to me last night?"

"No, I was not drunk," Allura replied. "I was a little bit tipsy, but I was not drunk. I was aware and conscious of every action and decision I made last night." Learning forward, she took one of Keith's hands in hers. "I promise you, Keith. It was Allura who came to you last night, not the alcohol."

"Ok," the commander accepted her explanation. Pausing, he contemplated how to word his second question as he squeezed the soft dainty hand still holding his. He decided to keep it simple and straightforward. "Will there be consequences because you aren't a virgin?"

"Why?" Allura asked, twisting her face into a confused grimace. "What kind of consequences? With whom?"

"Nanny? Koran? Your subjects?" Keith barked in exasperation. "Isn't it expected that you be pure on your wedding day?" Planet Arus was steeped in tradition. Based on what Keith has learned since living here, he often equated the Arussian culture to that of Medieval England, including the expectations regarding the monarchy.

"No, it's not expected," the princess retorted disgustedly. "I know Arus is a little old-fashioned, but there are no specific rules and expectations regarding sex. Especially when it comes to royalty. My father had several lovers by the time he married my mother, as did my mother before she married my father. " Flushing slightly, she admitted, "It is encouraged and expected that I do as well before I marry."

A great wave of both relief and jealousy washed over Keith as he considered what the princess had just said. Good, he would not be court martialed for deflowering the future queen of Arus. But wait, had she already…? He stopped his line of thinking. Realizing that the past didn't matter, he redirected the conversation. What he really wanted to know was about the future. "What about us?"

Us? Us? Allura repeated in her head. At the word "us," the princess's azure eyes slammed into Keith's obsidian ones. "Us?" she repeated aloud, in slight disbelief. "Is there an us?"

"Of course, there is an us," Keith repeated. "There is most certainly an 'us.' We just slept together, Allura!"

The buzzing of Allura's communicator interrupted the commander's tirade. "Blue, come in Blue," Princess Romelle's voice came over the comm. "This is Pollux 1, Please come in, Blue"

The princess of Arus grabbed her communicator. Mumbling "shit" under her breath, she fumbled to key it on. "Blue here, go ahead," she directed confidently, immediately expelling her exhaustion from her voice.

"Good morning, dear cousin," Romelle chirped cheerfully. "I was just in your room to offer some coffee and aspirin and was slightly surprised to find you not there. " She paused for a beat before continuing. "I don't care where you are, but I would recommend you head to your chambers as soon as possible. Koran was beginning to question your whereabouts when you hadn't shown up for breakfast yet."

"Aren't I supposed to be on vacation, too?" she asked herself under her breath. Keith caught her quip and offered an understanding smirk.

The princess glanced at the chronograph on her comm. It was 7:00 am. She needed to go. She needed to get back to her room. Even with the other Force members on leave and the Castle with a skeleton crew, the possibility of someone seeing her as she left Keith's chambers grew with each passing moment.

Jumping to her feet, Allura explained, "I need to go. I need to get back to my room as soon as possible before someone sees me." Seeing the look of utter bewilderment on Keith's face at her sudden change, she paused and came back toward the commander, who had not moved from his spot on the couch.

With purpose, the princess walked back over to Keith and gently pulled him to his feet. Taking his face in her hands, she gently touched her lips to his. "This isn't over," she promised. "We still have much to talk about. For now, let's carry on as normal until we can figure things out." And with that, she turned and dashed out the door.

Standing with the feel of her lips still on his, Keith shook his head to clear the fog that had settled there. They were supposed to carry on as normal, as if nothing had happened. The sudden rumbling of his stomach reminded Keith of his needs. Grimacing as a hunger pain hit again, he decided he would do his best to be as normal as possible. He guessed it would start with breakfast. Standing up and heading to his bedroom, the commander proceeded to get showered and dressed in order to officially begin his day.