Keith had bought all the time he could for Kayla – there was nothing more that he could do. After delaying the wedding a good fifteen minutes, the maidens were finally going to reach the end of the aisle. And considering how quiet the has suddenly become, they were probably seeing the bride as she came down the aisle on Coran’s arm.
Lance glanced over at Keith. Jeez, he really had to admire the man, he was keeping a stone face through it all. He knew Keith had to be responsible for the falling maidens fiasco, and played along like a pro. He scanned for a view of Kayla’s face, but she wasn’t anywhere in the crowd. A wave of dread washed over him. What if Kayla was in cahoots with Balcos after all?
Then he saw Allura and his mind went blank.
She was incredible. Lance didn’t know how Keith could keep his stone face when this treasure was slipping out of his hands.
One by one, each of them knelt before her as she passed by, kissing her hand in homage. Lance glanced up at her when it was his turn, and saw that she was crying. He gave her a reassuring wink that he hoped she would understand to mean everything would turn out fine. But – would it? Where was Kayla?
Keith was the last. And beyond him – Balcos.
The Archbishop waited for the Princess to take
her place beside Balcos. After watching her receive one final kiss from
Coran, the Archbishop cleared his throat and began the ceremony. "Dearly
beloved, we are gathered together to witness…"
"Haggar, I do want to conquer Arus within this lifetime," Lotor sneered. "Admit it, something has gone wrong with your plan."
Haggar refused to believe that she had been outwitted once again by those damn Space explorers. "Sire, so long as the Prince and the brat are in our control, we have everything covered."
But she was no longer so sure.
Keith drew a breath – it looked like they would have to do this the harder way.
"Balcos cannot marry the Princess."
It was Kayla, breathlessly running up the aisle towards Balcos.
Keith released his breath. From the corner of his eyes, he could see Tagor’s eyes widen in shock at his daughter’s appearance – and her temerity. "Kayla…"
"Balcos cannot marry the Princess because he is promised to me," Kayla said, her voice carrying through the entire ballroom as she reached the end of the aisle where a stunned Allura and a furios Balcos stood. "We love each other."
"I don’t know you," Balcos sneered at Kayla. "Continue with the ceremony."
"NO!" Kayla said, holding his shoulders firmly and forcing him to look into her eyes. "You loved me once, Balcos. I refuse to believe that you have forgotten your promise to me. Can’t you remember? You’re in there somewhere, I know." Balcos tried to shrug her hands off his shoulders, but Kayla held on. "Balcos, listen to me. Don’t you remember? Can’t you remember?" Kayla began to cry.
"Take this woman away," Balcos commanded his soldiers. They hesitated. After all, though Balcos was their prince, Kayla was also their Admiral’s daughter. Kayla took advantage of the hesitation to shake Balcos.
"Look at me," she ordered him. As though against his will, he stared into her eyes. All of a sudden Kayla felt a flicker within his mind, a light of recognition. Encouraged, she reached up and kissed him. She felt the light struggling to burst forth from the walls of his mind.
They broke the kiss, and he stared at her wonderingly. "Who are you?" he asked, again seemingly against his will. Sensing victory, she touched his cheek. "Remember me? I am –"
"NO! HE BELONGS TO US!" Leland screeched in an unearthly voice, the laser aimed at Balcos. Pidge ran to get the laser from Leland, but Leland fired at him. Pandemonium broke out. Pidge ducked and crawled towards Leland as fast as he dared.
"EVERYONE DOWN!" screamed Lance, trying to restore calm. Keith had already caught Allura and forced her down on the floor, shielding her with his body. None of them had expected this. Keith and Lance had their own lasers aimed at Leland now, but none of them wanted to shoot.
Then Leland aimed again and fired at Balcos.
"Balcos, look out!" Kayla shouted, blocking Balcos’ body with her own and taking the ray for him. The force toppled them both onto the floor. Balcos instinctively rolled over, and ended up with Kayla on top of him and in his arms.
"Kayla?" he whispered, tracing her pale lips. He gathered her to him. "Kayla – who did this.. what happened…?"
"You are mine again, yes?" she asked, smiling. Then she passed out.
"I was always yours, Kayla," he told her, stroking her hair away from her pale brow. "Don’t you dare die on me…" Tears began to form in Balcos’ eyes as she lay limp in his arms.
Dr. Gorma moved forward from the crowd, took Kayla from Balcos and lifted her in his arms. "Let’s go, Balcos, she needs medical treatment. Follow me."
Meanwhile, Admiral Tagor had Leland clenched within his arms and knocked the gun out of his hands. Leland, failing to overpower his uncle, fell into a faint.
Allura's Wedding -- The Battle