Planet Aden, evening into night...
Allura went to her suite of rooms to prepare to dress for dinner. She turned on her lights and it was then she noticed the dress lying on her bed. She picked it up. It was beautiful - an old ivory satin. It was long and and it was made up in an old Terran style of centuries past. It was a dress made for dancing. She smiled. She hadn't seen such a beautiful dress! Where did Lotor get this? Allura smiled and thought...I guess I could try it on, what's the harm?
So Allura took off her clothing and tried the dress on. It was a perfect fit. She looked at herself in the mirror, suprised by her reflection. The dress fit her like a glove. Her shoulders were bare, and the heart shaped neckline was low, but tastefully so. Her dress was also backless-which she wasn't used to, but it was tastefully done as well. The skirt of the dress was straight and a slit was cut in the skirt to allow for movement. Allura thought that this was a very classy dress! She did think that the skirt was a little long-obviously, she needed to wear heels with this dress. Then she noticed a box on the side of the bed. She must have missed it before. She picked the box up, laid it on the bed and opened it. Inside was a pair of matching heels and a small marble box containing some delicate earrings.
She smiled. It was obvious that Lotor wanted her to wear all this this evening. Well, she would humor him. Besides it was a beautiful outfit-she was so used to having to wear her Voltron Force uniform or her pink royal esemble(she was getting tired of pink!) It would be nice for a change.
She took the dress off and went to the adjoining baths. Sometime later, she was dressed and ready. She looked stunning. Allura looked as if she stepped out of time from Terra's past into this future. She was wearing the delicate earrings and her gold hair was swept in a French twist. The only thing that ruined it for her was the hated choker around her neck. Allura inspected herself in the mirror, when there was a knock on her door. It was Lotor, she knew. He had wanted to walk her down to the dining area himself.
She answered the door and sure enough Lotor was there. His eyes swept her face and looked at her in the dress he had picked out for her to wear.
He said, "I knew it would look beautiful on you, Allura..."
She knew he was referring to the dress and said, "Thank you. You're pretty nice yourself, Lotor." Nice? He was HOT!! Allura though to herself.
He did not wear the Doom uniform he normally wore, but was wearing a dark suit which made him look like a dancer. It was cut well and gave his body sleek lines. It resembled a Terran tuxedo of centuries past and it looked well on him.
....almost too well..Allura thought, blushing slightly.
He took her arm and they went out down the hall towards the dining area. But, instead of going to the dining area, Lotor steered her down another hallway.
Allura was curious and said, "Where are we going, Lotor?"
He only smiled and said, "You'll see, Allura."
They finally reached a set of double doors and Lotor opened one of them. He led her in and to her suprise, it was a small ballroom, equiped with holoimagry and sound equipment. Allura noticed a table in the corner that was already set up with their food and cutlery.
She smiled....this is really beautiful! He went to a lot of trouble.....
He escorted her to the table and to her suprise, he pulled her chair out for her. She sat down and he went to sit across from her.
Allura felt shy all of a sudden for some reason. Lotor suprised her again and said, "Would you like to say grace, Allura?' Allura was stunned. Grace? Lotor was full of suprises tonight!
He noted her expression and said softly, "Mother did this when she was alive.She always acknowledged where everything she had came from-she said that it kept one from thinking too highly of himself.I thought perhaps you practiced this as well." he smiled wistfully, as he shared his memory.
Allura understood this. Her mother and father had been the same way. Still, it was strange that Lotor would ask her this.
She smiled, bowed her head and said a brief prayer of thanks. She noticed that Lotor had done the same.
She thought...there is much I do not know about this man. I was wrong to think him like his father....it was very shallow of me....
They proceeded to eat dinner, with Lotor serving her dishes as she needed and being a very good host. After they had finished eating, Lotor said, "I have a suprise for you-one I think you'll like."
Before Allura could say anything, Lotor walked towards a small holoimager panel, punched in some buttons and said, "Glenn Miller program number 6..."
Instantly the holoimager produced a holographic image of an old Terran musical orchestra with a bandleader who wore old-style glasses. They were frozen at the moment,waiting the program command to start.
Lotor walked over to Allura, whose eyes were filled with wonder. "What...?" she said.
Lotor smiled and took her by the hand and said, "Shall we dance, Allura?."
She followed him willingly as Lotor steered her out onto the floor. He then said, "Start program......"
The holoimage of the band came to the life and the famous Terran bandleader Glenn Miller proceeded to start their number. The beginning strains of "Moonlight Serenade" wafted out into the room. Lotor and Allura started to dance. She was mesmerized by the beautiful music.
She asked Lotor, "Where-how did you-?" Lotor smiled. He held her close, gliding them smoothly across the floor. He said, "Mother loved a certain period of Terran history. She had a fondness for what they called "big band music." Mother liked them all...Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey....Glenn Miller....." he gestured his head towards the bandleader, "was her favorite. My Aunt Aman'daa's husband sent her holoprograms of the bandleaders of that era. It is also where she recieved the dress you are now wearing." Allura looked down briefly at her dress. "You mean-it was your mother's?" Lotor nodded. "Yes, I wasn't sure if it would fit you-I'm glad it did. It is yours if you want it."
Allura was speechless. She never dreamed that Lotor could be this way - so sentimental and caring. Never.
They kept dancing and the Glenn Miller orchestra played on, weaving their magical spell just as they did centuries ago on Terran. Without knowing, she leaned her head on his chest and they slow danced.
She thought that Lotor danced so well. She asked softly, "Where did you learn to dance? You dance so well..."
He thought, ...ah, she did notice!....
He said, "Mother taught me.I hated it at the time, though."
She smiled, picturing a reluctant little boy dancing with his mother.
Then he just had to say, "Of course, dancing is not all I do well, Allura." She gave him a look. He just laughed.
Allura started to pull away, but he held her tightly. "I didn't mean to make you mad, Allura." He kissed her then, still dancing. Allura was swept away by the magic of it all.
She had danced with many princes who sought to align themselves with her. Some were very rich, and most were very handsome, but no prince ever affected her like the son of her father's enemy. Caught in the music and the moment, Allura kissed Lotor gently. They swayed together, lost in their own world. where nothing intruded upon them.
Allura made a decision that moment. She had been protected all her life by everyone she loved. Even through the horrors of war, she had been protected. Her father, Coran, Nanny, and the Voltron Force protected her. She was Princess Allura of Arus.They wanted her to marry to insure the line of sucession, but she had always sidestepped the issue-always hiding behind flying Blue Lion and defending Arus. She didn't want to face living with someone she didn't love just because she happened to be born a princess. Now Lotor was trying to protect her from his father, and she was afraid.
She, like Alfor, had a bad feeling-that disaster would come and she would be unable to stop it. She had a feeling that Z'aale Zarkon would find them - but perhaps if she..At the thought of this, she shivered. Lotor noticed and tightened his arms around her.
Allura looked into his eyes and said, "D'aavid." He smiled.
He liked it when she called him that. He replied, "Yes, e'Allura?"
She kissed him softly and said, "I wish...to be with you tonight...please stay with me."
Lotor's eyes widened. "Allura...are you sure about this? I mean...you do know what you're saying?"
She nodded. "Yes, I do, Lotor. Please, it what I want...I love you-please." She kissed him again.
Lotor never thought this would ever happen! All the times he had tried to force his love upon her and now this!She wanted him! She loved him! This was no slave for pleasure, this was Allura, the one he loved.....who loved him back! He felt so joyful, so alive!
T hey stood there, still swaying. Lotor was a jumble of emotions, but he said, "Allura-are you truly sure of this? I didn't do this to...I still want to marry you."
She smiled and said, "I know you didn't plan to and I know you want to marry me, but I-I want you to be..the first...and only one...not him..."
They both knew who she meant. Allura blushed then, embarrased by her frankness. He smiled gently and said, "I want you to be my only one too, Allura."
They stopped dancing and Lotor turned towards the holoimager and said, "End program Glenn Miller 6-shut down." The holoimage of the band disappeared and the machine shut down. He turned towards her, and took her arm gently. They left the room and went down the hall to her suite of rooms. They entered the room which was dimly lit by a backlight. The door closed behind them and they were truly alone. He stood as Allura walked willingly into his arms, a glow seemed to emanate from her as she did so. She said, his name softly. They wrapped their arms around each other and kissed. Lotor then bent his head and kissed her bare shoulder. He murmured his love for her. A soft gasp of delight escaped from her which pleased him. His grip tightened around her waist when suddenly a piercing sound made them both jump- a cry of terror suddenly being cut off in mid scream.
Lotor jerked away and said, "That's from outside! Something's happening!" He broke from her and said, "Allura, please stay here.I'm going to see what happened."
She looked frightened. "But.."
Lotor kissed her briefly on her mouth and said, "Don't worry, I'll be right back-please just stay here and wait for me-promise?"
She nodded and he quickly smiled. "Good, I'll be back. I love you, Allura." he said as he went to the door.
She followed and kissed him. "I love you too...please be careful!"
He said, "I will, Allura...I will." And then he was gone. Allura was frightened. The feeling of foreboding returned. Allura prayed that he would return safe. Not knowing what else to do, she sat down on her bed, waited and prayed.
To BOOK FIVE: Lunar Eclipse: Chapter One