Keith stood on the bridge of the ship lost in thought. The doctor had taken the news as bad as expected, not that Keith blamed him. Though he wouldn't have wished anyone else to have been the one to tell him of his mother's passing. He and Acxa had spent hours consoling the small family, the doctor's wife thanking them profusely for telling them in person when they finally left. To Keith, it didn't seem like enough, but he hoped they'd given the doctor's family some comfort.

Sighing, he closed his eyes and turned. Nent asked, "Are you ready, captain?"

Keith nodded and went to open the teleduv. "Acxa, hail the fleet. Let them know we're inbound." As the Retribution entered the wormhole, Lotor walked onto the bridge holding a drowsy Rhea. Her blanket was draped over one shoulder and she rested her head on his other shoulder cuddling into him. Keith signaled Lotor to remain silent while Acxa made the call. Then Rhea stretched and yawned. Keith crossed to Lotor and took Rhea's blanket, wrapping it around her shoulders. "Acxa, take Lotor to the hangar and prep him to disembark."

"Yes, captain," Acxa answered.

Rhea clung to Lotor's torso. After a moment when they realized she wasn't just going to let go, Lotor patted her head, gently stroking her hair. Rhea relaxed and slowly slid down Lotor's body until she was sitting on the floor with her arms around his leg. Lotor stepped out of her grip, bending to straighten her blanket.

Acxa asked incredulously, "How did you do that?"

"Just an old trick someone used to calm me when I was young," Lotor answered with a nervous glance at anything except Keith. "Shall we be on our way, Lieutenant?"

Acxa made a noise in her throat. "Follow me."

Keith furrowed her brow in concern. Acxa had barely shown any emotion when he'd confessed to spending the night with Lotor, but she didn't have to speak for him to tell she was upset. Rhea crawled over, distracting him from his lovers and he said, "Perov, Nent, when we land, Rhea will be in your care. Keep her away from our forces. If all goes well, we'll be on our way before nightfall. If not, you have my permission to enact protocol zero niner."

They saluted him and answered in sync, "Yes, sir."

The screen lit up and Keith accepted the incoming call saying, "This is Prince Keitaran of the Retribution seeking permission to land."

"Ground Control reads you loud and clear, your majesty. Proceed to the designated coordinates. A team will inform you of our current status and escort you where you wish to go."

"See you soon, Ground Control. Retribution signing off." Keith saw the screen blink at a specific landing pad and commanded, "Bring us in, Nent. Rhea stay with them for me?" Rhea grinned and nodded in agreement before rolling on the floor from the ship's inertia with a happy giggle.

Keith smiled fondly and left the bridge. Raised voices came from the hangar. He sighed. At least they didn't have to pretend to hate each other. Pausing in the hall, he took a deep breath and rolled his shoulders.

"I've already submitted to wearing that revolting mask, I refuse to be gagged as well!"

"You have no choice! You are a prisoner, Lotor! What did you expect? A parade?!"

"To be fair, there may still be a parade, but the mask and gag are to help provide a level of discretion." Keith leaned into the wall. "If the colonists see the imperial prince in our custody, no doubt they will want to celebrate such a feat with festivities in my honor. Which is something I'd rather avoid, if you don't mind."

Lotor glared at the cloth gag in Acxa's hand with a raised lip in disgust. Leveling his gaze on Keith, he shuddered. "You're serious?"

Keith stalked to Acxa and took the gag. "I will do what I must to pull this off, Lotor, even if it means holding you down and gagging you by force."

Lotor clenched a fist and looked between Keith and Acxa. "I cannot believe-"

Keith phased and clothes-lined Lotor's waist. Lotor doubled up and fell to his knees coughing. If nothing else, the bruises would make it convincing that taking Lotor had been a struggle. Holding Lotor's arms behind his back, he instructed coldly, "Cuff him, Acxa."

"Don't you dare!" Lotor snarled over his shoulder as the cuffs locked his arms behind his back, "Keith, I swear, if you-"

Keith slipped the gag into Lotor's mouth and turned Lotor's loud protests into muffled complaints. Lotor's eyes narrowed as he glared at Keith while he tied it behind his head. Keith maintained a neutral expression, though he did have the courtesy to make sure Lotor's hair wasn't caught in the knot. Last, Keith slipped the druid's mask on over the gag, hiding the scathing anger and indignation in Lotor's eyes.

Keith went to the hangar door and opened it as four crew members flanked Lotor from out of the shadows, forcing Lotor to his feet. Acxa walked at Keith's shoulder as he put his own druid mask on. When they exited the ship, a dozen armed galra soldiers wearing the colony's colors saluted Keith. Keith nodded in acknowledgement and watched as the squad surrounded his own team.

The leader stepped in on Acxa's side and said, "It's good to see you again, my prince. We were all worried when Commander Sendak and your mother arrived unaccompanied by your vessel. I hope the journey went smooth?"

"Like the underside of a scurn," Keith replied, earning a few short chuckles from their escort. "Tell me, where are my mother and the commander now?"

"The witch-empress and commander are using the Craschia as their temporary headquarters. We can take you there if you like, your majesty."

"Yes," Keith agreed. "I have much news to share with my mother."

Lotor struggled to breathe behind the mask through the gag. If he was being honest, this was exactly what he'd expected, but at the same time, his rage at being treated like a hostage flared to a burning inferno. He felt the curiosity of their escort in their glances, shaming him without intention. He followed Keith's lead while not so gentle prods kept him moving if he slowed even slightly.

Despite his anger, he tried to take in his surroundings. They made their way down a wide thoroughfare toward a grand building that rose from what seemed to be the center of the city. Soldiers wearing all manner of insignia from all backgrounds and heritages went about their business. Civilians and shop keepers averted their eyes from the witch-prince's company, but not before Lotor saw the adoration in their eyes for their sovereign. Parents scooped their children into their arms to keep them from running enthusiastically out to meet them.

A call went up when they neared the large building, or Craschia, as the soldier had called it. Soldiers lined the street and saluted Keith in passing. Keith kept his gaze forward and his bearing regal. Lotor began ascending a grand staircase that narrowed the higher they went when a familiar imposing figure appeared in the doorway of the Craschia. Lotor inhaled sharply through his nose, but a painful pressure between his shoulders forced him onward.

Sendak nodded in greeting. "Prince Keitaran, I see you managed to shake off those pirates."

Keith tilted his head, the movement slightly unnerving and unnaturally fluid. "The pirates were not the problem, Commander."

Sendak raised an eyebrow toward the center of the party, his mono-gaze lingering uncomfortably on Lotor. "Oh?"

Keith resumed walking. "There is much to discuss, Commander, but first I must speak with my mother. Where is Witch-Empress Honerva?"

"Allow me, my prince."

Keith nodded toward the soldiers escorting them, who separated and stood at attention. Sendak stood at Keith's shoulder and said, "The witch was very concerned, your majesty, when I informed her you had abandoned the fleet to engage the pirates directly. Are you sure the situation was taken care of?"

Keith lifted his chin. "The Retribution was more than capable in the hands of an excellent pilot."

Sendak chuckled under his breath. "Always proving your abilities... my prince."

"As you continue to prove your own, Commander," Keith returned. "How is the war effort coming?"

"I was unsure how your colony would react to my direction, however, they have been nothing short of accommodating to the highest degree. In fact, they've held several war meetings to offer further service to the point that I have nothing more to ask of them in the city," Sendak praised.

They came to an intersecting hallway. From the left came a party of three. A galra, some exotic feathered alien, and a druid. The druid looked up at their footsteps and there was a bounce to her step as she stopped her conversation to say, "Brother, you are returned!"

She came forward and lightly embraced Keith, bringing the procession to a halt. Keith returned the embrace, gently cupping the side of her neck. "I'm back, Apothica. Tell me you've been well?"

She glanced away, the turn strangely fluid as only the druids were capable of, and nodded. Keith exhaled and pulled the woman to his chest, holding her head to him. "You don't have to be so strong, Apothica," he whispered. "We've lost much these last quintants."

The woman let out a small whine and tucked her head under his chin, holding him tighter. "I am strong for you, brother. My mistress requires you, and I am a poor substitute."

Keith pulled the woman to his side, a guiding arm wrapped around her shoulders. Lotor felt the eyes of the galra man and avian woman on him as they continued forward. His mouth was starting to hurt around the gag, and yet he dreaded the moment it would be removed. Keith was taking him to Haggar.

They finally came to a stop and two of Keith's officers opened a door. They flanked it as guards while Keith led into the darkened room. Dim lavender lights lined the walls. Lotor cast a glance around, spotting half a dozen druids in dark robes and ivory masks. Simple furniture rested in the center of the room where the ancient figure of the witch sat on a couch stroking that infernal cat.

She stood when she saw them. Her movement was slow, methodical, and calculated as it ever was. Lotor's bile rose in his throat. How he hated her. Then he watched in horror as Keith released the druid and went on one knee before the witch. He bowed his head and said, "Mother, I am home."

Haggar put a hand on Keith's cheek and said in that bone chilling rasp, "Rise, my son." She kept her hand on Keith's cheek as he did her bidding, closing the distance to draw him to her bosom. "Do not worry me so, Keitaran. You should have returned sooner."

Keith stepped back. "There is a reason, mother. The pirates that attacked us... they did not act alone." Keith looked past Lotor and nodded.

Lotor grunted as his knee was knocked out from behind. The ground sent sharp pain up his legs and he would have fallen forward if the officers had not caught his shoulders. Flicking his hair back, Lotor felt the knot loosen at the same time the mask was lifted. He flexed and clenched his jaw properly for the first time in over an hour and glared at the people in front of him.

Sendak's eye widened slightly before he barely turned to see how Haggar would react. The witch didn't move, didn't even flinch in surprise, and her lips curled into a smile from the depths of her hood. However, it was the female druid whose reaction was strongest. Her fists flexed before she extended her fingers, purple energy dancing at her touch.

"You!" Her single word scorched his nerve with her intensity. She began shaking and took a threatening step toward him. "He's dead because of you!"

"Apothica, no," Acxa denied stepping into the woman's path. "This is not the time."

The woman, Apothica, whipped around and spat, "How can you say that? He was our family! He hasn't even been properly returned to the cosmos and you expect me to stand aside?"

"Acxa is correct, Apothica," Haggar stated.

Apothica cast what was clearly a shocked look at the witch. Then Acxa pulled her away toward the couch where she collapsed into Acxa's arms in silent weeping. Haggar looked at the women a second longer before pacing toward Lotor. She seemed to examine him from within the darkness of her hood, her hand twitching as though she wished to touch him.

Lotor flinched, but there was no escape. Haggar reached out and gently stroked his cheek, her cold touch making him recoil and turn away. He finally found his voice and hissed, "Don't touch me, crone!"

Haggar withdrew her hand as if he'd struck her, much to Lotor's relief, but Keith vanished and appeared in front of him in a burst of smoke. The back of his hand connected with Lotor's cheek in a piercing slap that sent Lotor's head the other direction. Keith rebuked venomously, "You will not speak to her like that."

Lotor whipped back to glare at Keith. Blood from his split lip left a hot metallic taste on his tongue while the hot pain from a bruise already forming on the rise of his cheekbone couldn't hold a candle to the anger burning in his chest.

Lotor followed Keith's movements with his eyes like a cornered beast as he guided Haggar further from him. Keith then explained, "When we dealt with the pirates, we discovered the imperial prince aboard their ship."

"What was he doing so far from the empire?" Sendak asked.

Keith turned to look at him and said, "It took some time before he admitted it, but the blood empress has exiled him."

Haggar glanced back at Lotor before turning to Keith. "Are you quite certain, my son?"

Keith reached into his robes and removed a familiar luxite knife. "He had this, and yet when we fought, he was unable to awaken the blade. In a desperate attempt to reconcile his dishonor, I believe he thought to capture me and present me before the blood empress, much the way I have done to you, mother."

Sendak growled and paced a few steps. "If what you're saying is true, then Lotor is useless to us. You should have killed him and saved us the trouble."

Keith said evenly, "He may be useless to you, Sendak, but I knew my mother would wish to decide his fate."

Haggar chuckled and walked to Keith. "You are correct, my son." Turning a wicked smile on Sendak, she said, "The imperial prince's captivity is a victory in itself. One could not wish for a better start to our campaign, Commander." To Keith, she said, "You have made me proud, Keitaran."

Keith ducked his head, in deference. "Then what shall we do with the prisoner, mother?"

Haggar looked once again to the couch where Acxa gently rocked Apothica, then back to Lotor. "The prisoner has struck us where we are most vulnerable. He must be punished." Raising her voice, she called, "Apothica," The woman on the couch looked up in surprise, "you have my permission to seek justice for your brother's murder. Do what you must." Haggar then hooked her hand in the crook of Keith's arm and said, "Keitaran, attend me in my chambers."

"Yes, mother," Keith answered.

As they passed, Lotor saw him look back at Acxa, who nodded. Sendak followed a second later and the door closed with a low echoing boom. It took several moments for Lotor to realize that he was at the mercy of the druids. His breaths came fast and sharp where he knelt. Acxa allowed the woman to approach.

She stalked with lethal precision, a dangerous sway to her movements. When she was ten feet in front of him, she set a wide stance and alchemy once again sparked at her fingertips. She tilted her head in a predatory nature and asked, "How did you kill him?"

Lotor bore his fangs and snarled, "I do not know of whom you speak."

Her head tilted the other way. "My brother. The one my prince carried to me, a gaping wound in his chest."

Lotor pieced it together and whispered, "Serad."

Her head twitched and quintessence flew from her body in arcs to hit the floor close to where he knelt. She accused, "So you do know his name. Serad. My brother. My twin!"

Her hand flew forward like a serpentine whip and Lotor screamed as lavender energy struck him in the chest. He fell backward writhing as the pain ended almost as quickly as it had started. The druids lining the wall hadn't moved, though Acxa had taken a step closer to the woman. The woman let out a slightly deranged laugh and looked at her. "Do not worry, witch-daughter. I will not kill him. He will not die without feeling what I did that day."

"Do you know why I killed him?" Lotor saw Acxa's gaze snap to him and there was almost a warning in the hard sheen to her eyes. Lotor ignored caution and growled, "He wore the mask of my traitorous beloved. I killed him because I mistook him as your mistress's executioner."

The druid splayed her hands and the ground lit up ominously around him. Lotor grinned in challenge. "He died because your prince was too cowardly to duel me himself." His brave words became a scream as alchemy coursed through his body. When his lungs protested, the attack ceased and he lay panting on his side.

"You stupid fool. My prince has ten times more honor than you will ever know. My princess supports him infinitely more than you ever did. You are pathetic, Son of the House of Lethua. You stain the very blood flowing within your veins." The druid spat at him. "I am glad my mistress forsook you in your weakness. I will break you, your highness, with great pleasure."

"Go to hell," Lotor cursed. Keith's words were unfamiliar off his own tongue, and yet nothing could have conveyed his emotions more purely. Then the next bout of energy struck him and his body was beyond his control as he involuntarily flexed. Her attacks came steady and strong. Every tick was agony. And all the while the druids watched immobile until he passed out unsure if he'd ever wake up again.

Honerva waited until they had reached the lavish quarters the colonists provided to start a conversation with Keitaran. He was tense and quieter than usual. She led him to the couch where he sat at her feet. Lifting his arms into her lap, she gently stroked the back of his hand. "Tell me what bothers you, my son."

Keitaran looked away. "You should have let me kill him."

Honerva smiled softly and reached out to lift his mask. He looked back at her, the intensity of his statement reflected in his eyes. She put a hand on his cheek and guided his head onto his arms across her lap. He actually believed what he was saying, even if she lacked faith in his conviction to go through with it. He sighed as she stroked his hair. Yes, her son would find himself incapable of committing the final blow to end Lotor's life.

"Have patience, my son. The imperial prince may prove useless in swaying the blood empress to surrender, but that does not mean he is without purpose." Honerva saw him look up in confusion and smiled. "You know him better than I, Keitaran. Tell me, what drives him?"

Keitaran's brow furrowed and he looked down in thought. Honerva waited for him to answer. Eventually, he said, "You want him to help you discover the secrets of quintessence?"

Honerva chuckled and patted Keitaran's cheek. "My clever little kit. That is precisely what I want. Stay with me today. Allow Apothica to release her wrath. And then you must convince him to join us of his own volition."

Keitaran's eyes widened and he tried to pull away, but she kept a firm grip on his hands. He protested, "You can't expect him to actually- Mother, do not- I can't!"

Honerva lifted her chin and instructed sternly, "You can and will, Keitaran. Only you possess the ability. When he looked at you, I saw weakness in his eyes. Exploit that weakness, and I believe he will do anything you ask."

Keitaran frowned and put his cheek against her thighs again. "What if he expects something in return... as a show of faith?"

Honerva stroked his hair. "You mean, if he asks you to prove your 'love'?"

"I will not betray Acxa, mother."

"Your loyalty is only to me, Keitaran. Never forget that." Honerva scratched his scalp lightly and he tensed up. She lifted his hand to her chest to feel her heartbeat. "And surely it would mean little to share your bed with him. After all, your own father shares the bed of the blood empress with another. Taking multiple consorts is nothing short of a show of strength, correct?"

Keitaran shivered and twined his fingers in her's. Grudgingly, he accepted, "I understand... though I am not pleased."

Honerva laughed lightly and patted his cheek. "Your honesty is appreciated..." she angled his face to meet her gaze, "and adorable." He blushed and put his forehead to her knees with a groan, making her laugh again. She repeated, "You managed to do what Sendak could not. You make me proud, my son."

Keith left Honerva's room near sundown and made his way back to where he'd left Acxa and Lotor. The door was shut.

"The screaming stopped about half a varga ago."

Keith turned to see Sendak leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. "And you've been waiting here because...?"

Sendak smirked and pushed off the wall with his foot. "I was simply curious who would show up first. Congratulations." He waved a hand. Keith raised an eyebrow. Sendak rolled his neck and started walking. "Your woman did go in search of the physician. They should return soon. And another thing, your officers were looking for you. They had the girl with them. I sent them to your suite here."

Keith's eyes narrowed skeptically. "Why are you so friendly?"

"Can I not return a favor?" Sendak chuckled, the low sound reverberating in Keith's chest. Sendak continued, "I did not exaggerate about the usefulness of your people here. And you did manage to capture the heir of the blood empress."

"I don't know if I believe you," Keith muttered.

Sendak laughed again. "Take a piece of advice I live by, your majesty. Second guess everything. You'll be pleasantly surprised when things play out in your favor."

Keith watched him walk away with a frustrated groan. What the hell did that mean? Pushing Sendak's cryptic message to the back of his mind, he entered the room. Lotor lay sprawled with his arms still cuffed behind his back. A passing glance showed he was still breathing. Keith walked to where Apothica had collapsed. She was pale and sweaty. When he tried to align his quintessence to her's, he found only an unstable thread of energy. He frowned. She'd really gone too far.

Supporting her against his arm, he brushed her hair away and kissed her forehead. Her eyes fluttered open and it took a moment for her to focus on his face. He smiled sadly and lifted her in his arms. She slumped into his chest and silent tears stained the front of his tunic. He carried her back to the couch and settled her against the cushions.

"My prince, do you require assistance?"

Keith looked over his shoulder to see the druids that had lined the room gathered behind him. He looked at Apothica who stared blankly at the ceiling. "No. I can handle this." The one who had spoken nodded and the druids filed silently from the room. Keith moved to stand when a cool hand grabbed his. He met Apothica's watery gaze and asked, "Did it help?"

Apothica whimpered as her eyes brimmed with tears to the point of spilling. She covered her mouth with her other hand and sobbed shaking her head. "Why, Keitaran? Why does it hurt? I thought it wouldn't hurt anymore if I hurt him!"

She wailed as she had when she'd first been shown Serad's lifeless body and threw herself into Keith's chest. He held her in her delirium and grief until another presence at his shoulder brought relief. Frenik knelt beside the couch and gently pried Apothica off of him. Acxa quickly settled beside her on the couch allowing Keith to free himself.

Frenik took the moment to look at Lotor unconscious on the floor and asked, "Would you like me to help him?"

Keith reached out and rubbed Apothica between her shoulders. Standing, he said, "Help her. Give her something to rest if need be. I will take care of Lotor."

He walked to Lotor and lifted him in his arms. Lotor moaned in pain, but didn't wake up. As Keith walked through the halls to his suite, he felt the eyes of his subjects on them. Seeing the imperial prince beaten like this would no doubt spread rumors like wildfire. It wouldn't take long for news to reach the empire. They'd have to hide Lotor at the abandoned manor quickly so as not to draw Krolia's armada.

"My prince, what is he doing here?"

Keith stopped at Governor Trest's voice. The galra leader of Iiterai was staring at Lotor with an expression of disgust. Keith shifted Lotor, his face turning into Keith's chest, and answered, "My mother wanted him captured once. I finally fulfilled her orders." Trest frowned. Keith held eye contact. "Trest, when have I ever let you down?"

Trest shifted uncomfortably. "This isn't about the chance of failure, my liege. I don't like you drawing the eye of the empire so strongly to yourself. What would we do without you?"

Keith's gaze softened and he coaxed, "Nothing is going to happen to me, Trest. I wouldn't risk putting my people in danger." Trest seemed somewhat reassured and Keith added, "Trust me, Trest. Continue to have faith in me."

Trest straightened up and saluted. "You will always have my faith and loyalty, my prince."

Keith grinned and nodded. "Thank you, my friend. And thank you for confiding your doubts. We are only as strong as our weaknesses."

Trest nodded and went on his way. Keith looked at Lotor in concern as he groaned again. He picked up his pace and entered the suite. The lights came on automatically. Perov and Nent looked up at the same time Rhea ran out of her bedroom. Perov scowled at Lotor and immediately left the room. Nent chewed his lip and followed her.

Keith heard Rhea's footsteps follow him into the guest bedroom of their suite. He laid Lotor down on top of the covers and released the handcuffs. Rhea peered over the edge of the bed. Keith ruffled her hair and then exhaled. He lifted one of Lotor's hands to his lips and closed his eyes to focus. After all of his alchemy training, it didn't take long to bring Lotor back to the present.

The hand yanked from his and Lotor jerked upright raising his fists to defend himself. Keith sat on the edge of the bed and caught Lotor's wrists. Lotor flinched and focused on Keith's face. With wide terrified eyes, his breathing increased and his hands started shaking. Like Apothica before him, Lotor's complexion cracked and he started sobbing.

Keith wrapped his arms behind Lotor's shoulders and held him. Lotor's arms clung desperately around his neck. Keith murmured, "It's alright, Lotor. It's over. I've got you. You're safe here."

Lotor buried his face in Keith's tunic. "She... Keith..."

"Shh, Lotor," Keith calmed. "You did it. Honerva took the bait. She won't let anyone hurt you again." His words felt hollow even to him. Of course, he knew exactly what Lotor was recovering from. There wasn't a way to ever forget that kind of abuse. And forgiveness seemed unthinkable.

Keith closed his eyes and gently rocked Lotor until the trembling finally stopped. Acxa returned some time later and entered the room. She picked up Rhea where she slept on the floor and made eye contact with Keith before leaving the room. The door shut, throwing them into darkness. Keith looked again at Lotor. He'd fallen asleep, but every time Keith tried to lay him down and leave, he'd startle and whimper. Thinking back on Honerva's suggestion, Keith grimaced and slid down on the bed beside Lotor until his dark prince was laying in his arms, miraculously still asleep.

Lotor tucked himself into Keith, the larger man suddenly a frightened child in his arms. Through the night, he would flinch and murmur, though thankfully, there were no screams. Keith wouldn't be able to hold his tears if Lotor screamed at the memory of Apothica's torture. He stayed awake hating himself.

He never should have let Lotor come. Kolivan should have stopped them. His dad should have told his mother what was really going on. Lotor shivered. Taking a shuddered breath, Keith lifted a hand and held the back of Lotor's head, his hand gently rubbing Lotor's hair. They should not be lying in the same bed.