"Your Highness – we are now entering Arus’ air space."
The handsome prince, who stood at the command console of the Falkorian cruiser ship, stared forward, his face etched in stone. "Advice Castle Control of our exact coordinates. We want to have a warm welcome waiting for us when we land."
Turning back to his own console, Tagor, second-in-command of the ship, proceeded to contact Castle Control. He did not see the Prince’s eyes flash with an unnatural light.
It wouldn’t be long now.
She could not understand it. It was just one week ago on Falkor that Balcos had held her close to him and promised that as soon as the war was over, he would marry her and make her his forever. Zarkon’s forces had darkened the skies even then, so it couldn’t have been the reason for Balcos’ change of heart. Did he just wake up one morning and realize that he couldn’t marry the daughter of a mere soldier, never mind if that soldier was the highest ranking admiral in the Falkorian fleet?
A soldier passed by, and Kayla streaked into the shadows. There had to be an explanation. Balcos loved her, as much as she loved him. He would never –
"Kayla!"
Kayla groaned at the sound of her younger cousin Leland’s voice somewhere among the shadows where she was crouching. Her legs were killing her, and she wanted to kill Leland. The lucky duck didn’t even have to crouch to hide. "Sssshhh… do you want to get caught?" she hissed in the general direction of the dark.
"Kayla, are we near Arus yet?"
Normally, Kayla and Leland were the best of buddies – despite the fact that Leland was only eight Terra years old, and Kayla was ten years his senior. He had come to live with Kayla and Tagor when his own parents had died in one of Zarkon’s attacks three Terra years ago. The two of them were always getting into scrapes – until Balcos had returned from the Academy and she began spending most of her time with him. It ticked her off to no end that Leland had disobeyed her strict orders to stay in Falkor when she had stowed away at Balcos’ ship – although she was secretly proud of his skill in getting on board undetected to follow her. Besides, she was here in direct violation of Tagor’s orders as well.
"Pretty near, but we’ll never see it if you don’t keep quiet," Kayla whispered in warning "They’ll lock us in the hold, and when father gets wind of our being here, we won’t be able to sit for a whole moon." And I won’t be able to talk to Balcos and demand an explanation from him until after he’s married and it’s too late, she added mentally.
It wouldn’t be long now.
A tall, well-built silhouette darkened the
doorway. He was just about as tall as Captain Keith, and built as well.
He stepped into the light, and many of the women in the crowd were stunned.
He really was a handsome man, with nut-brown hair and deep green eyes.
Allura looked up at the man who was supposedly
to be her future husband, giving him a friendly smile while at the same
time studying him closely. As he approached her, she realized that there
was something about him that she didn’t like, something she couldn’t put
a finger on but was definitely there. He was handsome, yes, and manly –
but he felt like a man with no heart. She shuddered imperceptibly.
"Prince Balcos," she said, trying to inject warmth in her voice. "Welcome to Planet Arus." She extended her hand to him, and he caught it and knelt before her.
"I’m very glad to be here, your Highness," Balcos said, smiling at her. Again, Allura felt uneasy. She didn’t know if it was because she was just averse to the thought of marrying him that she felt she would never like him. He kissed her hand, as was custom. She wanted to pull it away from him.
"Charming," Lance muttered to Pidge through his teeth.
"Indeed," Pidge muttered back, taking a glance at Keith.
Allura pulled her hand away then proceeded to introduce Balcos to her friends. "This is Captain Keith, commander of the Votron Force, and these are Lance, Pidge, and Hunk. And that is Coran, my trusted adviser and my father’s friend."
Balcos shook their hands one by one, lingering in front of Keith as if he were taking his measure. "Captain Keith – even if I hadn’t heard about you at the Academy I would still know of you. Word of your exploits are legend and have reached even Falkor," said Balcos as he took Keith’s hand into a tight grip. Keith didn’t even wince. Balcos smiled – and Lance could swear there was something decidedly fishy about that smile. "I’m looking forward to facing you in a fencing match of sorts, Captain."
"Likewise," Keith replied smiling, but his smile did not quite reach his eyes either.
"And this is Tagor, highest ranking admiral –" Balcos began, then paused as he heard the commotion coming from the doorway of his ship. Tagor turned as well.
"Unhand me, you brutes! I am Admiral Tagor’s daughter. Let me go!"
Tagor sighed and moved a hand over his eyes. "Kayla."
"Ouch, stop that you little brat! Stop biting me!" a soldier screamed. "Let my cousin go!" a little, tear-filled voice piped up.
"Leland," Tagor groaned, embarrassment complete. "Bring them down here so I can at least present them properly," he called to the soldiers.
The soldiers carried down a beautiful young woman with jet-black hair and blue eyes who was kicking and struggling, with a red-headed little boy pouncing on one of the soldiers’ back following in their wake. Upon reaching the prince and the admiral, the soldiers dumped their squirming burden at their feet and detached the little boy from the soldier’s back.
The girl got up to her feet, took the boy’s hand in hers, and faced her father, whose eyes were shooting daggers at both of them. Balcos’ face remained impassive, while the others’ were filled with curiosity – and admiration for the girl’s spirit.
"Kayla, what are you doing here? And why is Leland with you?" Tagor asked through clenched teeth.
"Father, I had to come… you know I wouldn’t be able to stay away," Kayla said, putting Leland behind her. She was embarrassed, but she held her ground. "Leland and I stowed away just before the ship took off. We’ve been hiding all around the ship since then." She glanced at Balcos’ face, and saw that he wasn’t even looking at her. It was as if he didn’t know her at all. There was nothing on his face, not even interest. Her heart fell. How had she lost him so completely?
"Your highness, kind sirs, I am very sorry for our rudeness in bringing unexpected guests," Tagor apologized. "This is my hellion daughter, Kayla, and my nephew Leland."
Allura sensed a kinship between her and Kayla and took her hand in both of hers. "You are welcome here, Kayla," she said, not needing to pretend warmth. "I am the Princess Allura."
Kayla looked at the beautiful vision before her and felt even more depressed. No wonder Balcos had decided to marry Allura instead of her. No wonder he was pretending she didn’t even exist.
"Ah, dear girl, your other guests are waiting," Nanny cried, rushing into the docking bay and straight for Allura. "Let’s all move to the Ballroom now."
Kayla’s eyes widened. A Ball? And her dressed in these rags! But Allura seemed to have read her mind and whispered, "Don’t worry, you can borrow one of mine. Nanny – can you ask one of the maids to take Kayla to my chambers to choose a dress she can borrow?"
"Yes, yes – but you must go to the ballroom immediately," Nanny said.
"Would you allow me to escort you to the ballroom, your Highness?" Balcos asked, taking Allura’s elbow. Since she couldn’t think of a way to refuse without being rude, she had no choice but to consent.
Kayla found herself walking between Lance and Pidge, with Hunk and Leland trailing behind them, and the Captain, Coran, and her father in front of them. Lance, ever astute, caught the subtle exchange between Balcos and Kayla and was already trying to figure out how the whole puzzle fit together.
"Kayla, why didn’t Balcos even say hello?" Leland asked, his brow furrowed in puzzlement. "Doesn’t he know us anymore?"
Lance stole a glance at Kayla and saw her bite her lower lip to keep it from trembling. "I don’t know, Leland," she replied, her eyes downcast. Pidge and Lance exchanged a look.
"But Kayla I thought that you and Balcos were in –"
"Enough, Leland," Kayla snapped, afraid that if he said any more, she would end up crying. She turned to her companions, who were looking at her curiously. "I apologize for Leland. He talks too much."
Another look passed between Pidge and Lance.
Catching Leland’s trembling lip, Hunk swung him up and enthroned him on his shoulders – never mind if he was already wearing his white dress uniform. "Hey, little fellow, no one’s allowed to frown around here today – it’s our princess’ birthday and we’re having a party…"
Lance glanced at Kayla as she wiped away a tell-tale
tear and followed Balcos with her eyes. There was something very wrong
here, and he intended to find out what it was.
Zarkon frowned at Haggar doubtfully. "And why, pray tell, would the princess wish to marry a complete stranger, old witch?"
"It’s a matter of her father’s honor, Sire… she would never dare break a promise her father has given. And Balcos will tell her that she has been promised to him. She has no choice but to comply," Haggar cackled, her evil laugh ringing through the throne room. "And when she does, Arus and the Voltron Force will be putty in our hands."
"And if she doesn’t?"
"The Robeast has been armed and readied and is just waiting for our signal. We have lots of insurance." Haggar glanced into her crystal ball again and watched Allura dance with the expressionless Balcos. "This time victory will be ours."
Allura's Wedding -- A Prince's Proposal