She slept peacefully, or so it seemed. Her small lips fluttered every so often as if she might actually say something, but she remained silent. Once, the back of her hand swept across her forehead, down her cheek, then twisted to rest beneath her face, but she still did not wake. The soft candle light danced across her face and caressed her features. It was almost painful to look at her though, she had become so thin. Like a glass object that might break at the slightest touch.
He reached his hand out to her forehead, but thought better about actually touching her. She might wake up. Then what would he do? She was safe. That’s all that mattered. The thought that she had almost died was more than he could bear.
“Aren’t you still confined to your room?” came a gentle voice from the other side of the large bed in which the Princess slept. If he was shocked, or dissapointed at being discovered, his face did not show it as his eyes raised to meet the older womans. The ends of his mouth turned up ever so slightly in a silent smile. “Your secret is safe with me.” she said gently brushing two fingers across the girls face to remove stray hairs.
“Don’t wake her.”
“With all the medicine that doctor has poisoned her with , a war wouldn’t wake this child.” she said with a motherly smile.
He watched her a moment longer before asking, “Mara, how is she?”
Mara sighed, still running her fingers through Allura’s hair. “She’ll be fine. She’s a fiesty one. Though, a bit sensitive at the moment. She has lost an incredible amount of weight. Coran called a makeup artist in to the castle to help her with her appearance. He doesn’t want her people seeing her like this. I think her feelings were hurt. With all the medicine she is taking she can’t hold down much food.” A slight pause. “How are you?”
There was no answer. She had come to understand that he usually did not answer questions concerning himself. He still looked quite battered. Slowly healing bruises and scratches still decorated his handsome face. It had been over a month since his return to Arus and no one, aside from Coran and the Doctor, had seen him.
“I’m fine,” he finally said, mechanically as if the words were programmed into his brain. “Getting out of Doom was easier than getting out of the medical wing.” he said almost in thought still looking down at the Princess. “How do you like it here?”
“It’s good to be needed again.” was all she said .
“Were we able to recover any of your things?” he whispered.
“No. A picture or two, but the rest was burnt. ” she said sadly walking around the bed towards him. She knew this kid needed a hug whether he wanted it or not.
“I’m sorry, but I’m glad you are here with us.” he said after her arms had enfolded him.
He couldn’t see her clearly, but he knew she was there. Her long silken hair brushed across his face, hiding her blue eyes and pouty lips from him. She laughed softly as if only she knew what was funny. That was unmistakably her laugh. He felt her lips on his forehead as her hair ran over his face like a river. I knew it She took hold of his wrist and brought it to rest in her lap. Her knees were bent and her feet rested beside her. He wanted to grab the warm thigh the back of his tired hand rested on, but she lifted it gently into the air and cradled it with her own small hand. Gently, she pulled back the fingers that he had made into a fist and flattened the hand with her other. She slowly traced the letters I- L- O- V- E- Y- O- U into his palm. I knew that, too
He bolted upright in his bed. Was someone calling him?
“Sir, forgive me for the intrusion, but, your father has arrived and wishes to speak with you immediately.”
“Fine,” he growled as he rose from the white velvet couch, still swooning from the alcohol that plagued his body. He stumbled across the room and shut off the holo-com. There was a sick feeling deep inside his stomach that wasn't from the vast amounts of alcohol he had recently drank. He knew his father hadn’t come all this way to congratulate him on his most recent conquest.
Once more the drama begins thought the dark prince as he fingered one of the thousands of tiny white braids which hung from his head. As he made his way through the state building on Taleeth Noor, he was greeted with proper bows and salutes. They did not matter now, though. He rehearsed in his mind the things he would say to his father. As if it mattered. He had no idea what it was his father wanted , but figured that it wasn't good. What had he come here for? Not to praise him, he wasn't that foolish. His father never made notice of his accomplishments. Putting him in charge of his armies was compliment enough.
He sat in silence as the boarding frigate took him to the King's small, but more than adequate personal A-class Mangler. Zarcon only touched his foot down to one planet other than other than their home of Calidyan, that had been Arus. Even when he visited other planets, which was rare, all meetings were held aboard his own vessel. There was no need for him to contaminate himself he thought. Arus had been bad enough, he once told his son. It had taken weeks to erase their stench.
Nervously, he pulled at the cuffs of his sleeves. They hung down low from the ends of his blue jacket. Masses of perforated chitterlings decorated the cuffs. Ripples of material lined the neck of his shirt. He reached up and buttoned one more button, he knew his father would not be impressed by his massive torso.
The grand chair was turned with its back to the entering prince. All the better, it took Lotor a moment more to gather his wits. This onyx throne, like the original, also sat high upon a pedestal held by twenty or so steps. Within this throne, various sea creatures danced overhead and underarms, mouths open ready for the kill. One large monster seemed to peer down at the nervous prince from the back of the throne, mocking him.
The King viewed his new planet through a large, round window. Lotor could see the raven sky with its three scarlet moons himself. The room was dead silent, not even the shallow breaths of the Kings four personal guards could be heard. He could hear the heart beating in his chest, though. Lotor had never been terrified of anyone, except this man. Lotor stood poised at the bottom of the steps for several long moments before his fathers blue hand peered from around the divan and motioned for him to come up. Slowly, he climbed the steps until he perched beside the ornate throne, did the carved animals just move? He did not dare speak first or even look at his father first. At the age of 15 he had learned silence. Then,only once had he spoken out of turn, that would never happen again. He tore his gaze from the ogres and looked upon the Taleeth Noor landscape. Even though he would never say it, Lotor knew his father had to be somewhat pleased by this bounty.
"You may explain yourself." said the King quietly.
"It's beautiful, is it not father? And barely a scratch on it. I was able to conquer the planet almost intact."
"Beauty seems to weigh to heavily on your mind these days, son." replied the evil King Zarcon slowly. Lotor faught to conceal a shocked expression from giving him away.
"Father, I'm afraid I don't understand."
Slowly the raised chair swiveled , allowing the Prince of Doom to see his father in person for the first time in months. The differences in himself and his fathers appearance always alarmed him. The blue skin and yellow eyes, were reminiscent of his own, but all other features were purely Cerulean. For that Lotor was thankful in his fathers choice of a bride.
"Tell me," said the King turning to his son after studying him for several moments.. "Why it is that you try to impress me with these lesser planets?"
"I'm sorry Sire, I'm not sure I understand." he replied buying time.
"Of course you don't.," he said standing, towering at least a foot over his son. "Why have you wasted your time with this planet. I've seen that you haven't made a move on Arus for early 50 pardecc's. Is there a reason why, son?"
"Father, this is the most prosperous planet on the Amethyst quadrant. Now that it is ours, all the other planets will quickly yield. We have not only gained a planet, but an entire system. I-"
"You have not answered my question!" roared the King startling his son who stopped short, clenching his fists at his sides. "Could it be a certain Princess? Blonde hair and blue eyes. Do you not think I notice how you surround your self with blonde hair and blue eyed female slaves?"
"Father, I assure you I have no feelings for the Princess of Arus. I would have her dead just as you would." he lied. He knew if Zarcon knew of his affections, he would stop at nothing to have his loves head on a stick.
"Why do I not believe you son. Your heart stinks of her." said the evil king incriminatingly. "Have a seat." he said motioning with his hand toward his throne.
"Father?" His father never let him sit on his throne.
"Sit. You should be accustomed to sitting on my throne by now." He gazed out the window once more over the glowing city as Lotor quietly took his seat in his fathers throne. The sea creatures twisted and comformed to his powerful body.
"I will not have you humiliate me like this. You will be relieved of your command -"
"But, father! You......" He stopped short as his father turned and stood only inches from him. He seemed so huge towering above him. The look on his face was pure evil. If the command was given to someone else, the Princess could be harmed.
"Why should I give you another chance?"
"Father, I'm planning my assault. With the firepower I gain from the planets we are conquering I will have an unstoppable fleet. Voltron can't stand up to the kind of power we will have after I've done my part. He's proven himself against your witches beasts, but Arus has not had time yet to rebuild its degenerate forces. Five lions are nothing against my Fleet of Doom." He slammed his fist into the arm of the chair for effect.
"I don't think you have a firm grip on reality. You have one more chance. Don't think that I have let the incidents of Yadl pass my attention either."
Lotor hesitated one moment before he stood and bowed. There was no way that could ever be traced back to him.
What had just happened? Lotor tried to clear his mind , but it was of no use. Too much wine and amphorahee salts. His world spun as the latest ingestion of the spice wore off.
Damn Zarcon. It would not be long now before he made his move. It would not be on Arus, though. He knew a time would come to when Arus could not be ignored any longer, but that was not now. The planets in the Denubian Galaxy had probably only read about these planets he had been consuming. Drule air space stood between that galaxy and this. Voltron was not a threat here.
He reached for a new glass bottle of the wine that he had kept close by since the celebration. How many had this been today? Too many to count. He hit its neck against the desk at his side and broke it open, producing a jagged edge. He drank the bottles contents in one deep swallow, casting it aside before reaching for the next. Brushing the back of his had across his bleeding lips he turned his thoughts to Allura.
He fell back onto the bed spilling the cool wine across his chest. Why had he not heard from her. Surely she would want to thank him for saving her life. She is my passion. My passion is not my enemy. He closed his eyes and imagined her lips against his. Her sad, pouty baby face. The dream. One of many. He could still feel her tracing the letters into his palm. He bolted upright in his bed.
"Thes!"
"Yes your highness?" replied the small servant as he quickly ran into the sleeping chamber.
"Bring me my slave from Pollux," he requested with a smile. He would solve one of his problems.
"But Sir, she is on your Destroyer on Doom."
"I knew that!" exclaimed Lotor drawing his sword in a rage and turning it on he unfortunate man. He dropped his sword by the bloody corpse and sat once more on the soft bed. So be it, he would have to pay a visit.
He silently watched her all day long, thinking how careless these people were. He didn’t even try to conceal himself. He wore only a long blck robe with golden embrodroy around the edges, to conceal his body, and black velvet gloves to hide his blue hands. Once, he walked not three feet from the Princess, just to take in her glorious fragrance. She smelt as beautiful as ever, but looked sickly and weak. It had been a long time since he had been able to reach out and touch her with his own greedy hands, he was filled with anticipation.
Early in the day, a young man came into the castle to present Allura with a painting. Lotor stood on one of the grand balconies of the great hall, hidden behind a waterfall of purple drape, and watched the scene curiously. He watched Allura as the man spoke to her and her advisor. One member of the force was there, too. The big and slow one.
She looked painfully frail. It was no secret that her advisor, who had been politely holding her by the arm all day, was supporting her weight. Dark makeup surrounded her eyes, giving her the appearance of a child playing dress up. She wore a long cream-colored robe, with a long purple satin sash draped over one shoulder. It was obviously placed there to conceal her gaunt frame.
The young man had been carrying a large canvas with a drape to hide its treasure. He rested the painting against the wall opposite Lotor’s hiding spot. He had said that his father, who died only two days ago had been the castle artist long before the war. As he was cleaning out his fathers work room he had come upon the painting. He felt that Her Majesty might wish to have it.
After Coran nodded his head the young man removed the drape from the large painting to reveal a remarkable portraiture. Allura gasped as she rested a dainty hand on her chest, just above the swell of her breast. The gesture charmed he dark prince. The portrait was of a strikingly beautiful woman sitting at an emerald and jade piano with a small child. Their backs were to the artist, but they had turned to face one another. The woman held a finger in the air between the two as if in mid-thought. Long blonde locks cascaded down her back and ended just before the emerald bench in loose curls. Voluptuous lips surrounded a mouth which was slightly parted.
The child possessed a wild mane of curly blonde hair pulled away from her face and held in place with a tiny white bow. She looked adoringly up at the woman. The pouty baby mouth and puffy cheeks could belong to none other than his love. Lotor knew at first glance the portrait to be of a five year old Allura and her departed mother.
The room was totally silent. Even the maids who had been milling around gathered to view the exquisite portrait. Coarn snapped his fingers and suddenly a man appeared at his side with a purse. Coran offered the young man a handful of coins but he refused. He said that the work had been his fathers, therefore he could not accept payment for it himself. When the matter was settled it was decided that the castle would pay for a proper burial for the artist along with the other Royal Artists. The young man was very thankful, but somewhat distraught by the pained look on the Princess’ face as he left the room.
As soon as the man exited the large room Allura fell limp into her advisors arms and began to cry pathetically. The maids quickly scattered from the area as the big man (Hunk, that’s his name thought Lotor.) comforted the Princess along with Coran.
It enraged him to see his love cry like that. Her face was turned toward his place of confinement. She looked even more childlike with the dark eye make up running over her cheeks. As the old man held her lithe body close to him, Lotor could have sworn that her eyes met his.
The painters son would pay for this. No one upset Allura and got away with it. The unfortunate man did not make it past the draw bridge.
The Princess disappeared from his sights after he took care of the unlucky painters son. Hours later he found her again. This time in the foyer of her castle. It was easy to get close enough to hear her soft voice because many people were gathered in the room. An informal meeting of sorts was about to take place. Her advisor pushed her from person to person so she could converse with each, he still held tightly to her arm in an effort to support her.
Once, her advisor left her side and passed his duty on to another young man Lotor did not recognize. He was not one of the troublesome pilots. The advisor stood close as a servant girl escorted another woman to him, but Lotor moved in closer anyways. He could have touched her. If he had, what would she have done? Scream? Quietly beg him to leave?
But, he didn’t get his chance. The Princess quickly turned to her advisor. “What is the problem?” her sweet voice rang out. Coran was speaking to a young woman wearing a charming blue dress.
The lady quickly fell to her knee and bowed her head.
“You may stand.”
“Your Highness, I’ve come to see Captain Dewar. I have something of his that he may want.”
“Captain Dewar is not taking visitors as of yet,” said Allura with a questioning look upon her face. “I will deliver it to him myself.”
The girl looked thoughtful for one moment before she reached into her pocket and produced a silver medallion on a long chain.
“Madame, will you please tell him that Cassia brought it back and said Hello?”
Allura quickly took the necklace from her hands and agreed with a forced smile. The lady bowed and was gone in an instant. Lotor stepped back as Allura turned from the scene. Her eyes were glassed over and she looked as if she might cry again. Her advisor met her troubled face with a frown.
Lotor turned to follow the woman out of the castle. It was hard to follow her in the crowd. It had not been long since his last ingestion of spice. He stumbled and almost fell more than once. Maybe he could kill her here in the midst of the crowd. He could do it quickly, silently. No one would ever even notice when her lifeless body fell to the floor.
They were close to her exit, but still surrounded by many people. “State your business!” exclaimed a guard nearby to a small group of men. Lotor drunkenly reached for the lady and caught a handful of her blue dress. She turned to see who had hold of her but no one was there except for many people busy in conversation. He laughed to himself at the expression of fear on the girls delicate face. Her heart raced as she turned back around towards her exit. She could feel someone’s hands on her back, but the crowd became to thick to tell who it belonged too. A chill passed through her. There had always been rumors that the castle had been haunted but she did not believe any of them to be true. Until now. She grabbed the childs hand who she had come with, as a rush of adrenaline sent her safely flying through the castle exit.