Phoenix Rising
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Eleven
Devonn stretched back in his bed and wondered where Giselle went off to. Not that he really cared, of course, but she still needed to be here when he needed her. Ah well. He was growing weary of her anyway. Soon he would give her to his officers or perhaps he would simply have her killed.
He thought of Allura, sleeping with Lotor, and it made his blood boil just to think of them together.How dare she choose him! He would punish her for her foolish choice, and he would make sure that she was truly his. He would take pleasure in torturing her before having his way with her. She would learn that she was his and his alone. No one triffled with him.
He would kill Lotor, just as he should have from the start. He had been a fool to let him live, but he had been drinking and had been in a good mood that night. Devonn couldn't believe how foolish he had been.
Well, it didn't matter now. He would have Allura and he would use that robot of hers- that Voltron to conquer the empire of his father - his true father, whose skin that fool King Raull had tried to hide.
Devonn smiled. Soon he would reveal his true heritage and he would eliminate his competion. He would rule two galaxies with Allura by his side, obedient and compliant to his every desire. She would bend to his will. He would see to it.
A chime sounded - it was his communicator - and Devonn snapped, "What is it?"
A voice said, "My lord, you wished a report - Prince Lotor had departed for the city. She is alone."
Devonn got up and smiled. "Good. You have done well, now go back to your duties. "
The voice said, "Yes, my lord." and the communication ended.
He would go visit the new "bride". Perhaps she would be lonely with her "husband" away. He would take care of her thoughly..he would see to it.Devonn's smile was malicious as he hurridly changed his clothing.
Allura felt a warm kiss on her lips and heard Lotor's voice say, "I love you, Allura. I will be back.."
She murmured his name sleepily and his eyes lit up with happiness. He was tempted to just crawl back into bed with her and hold her, but he needed to see about this marriage thing. If it were true - Well, he didn't want to think about that. He always wanted to marry her, but this had been an unusual way to do it. But perhaps when they got back to their galaxy, he could use their time here to influence her. He would see and then he would get her out of here quickly for he didn't trust Devonn. Hopefully, Devonn was sleeping, getting over a hangover or with his many mistresses. Lotor knew he wouldn't be gone long.
On his way to the city that was just beyond the main Castle, Lotor ran into the familar figure of Bengale, Devonn's advisor.
Lotor smirked and said, "What are you doing out in the sunshine, old spider! Didn't think you went outdoors."
The old man snarled, "You best keep a civil tongue in your head, Prince Lotor - I have come to warn you of Devonn."
Lotor said contempeously, "Devonn? I know him. Your warning is wasted, old man! We're leaving here just as - "
Bengale cut him off and said, "You don't know, fool! Devonn is a monster like his father! I do not like you, Lotor, I never have, but out of love for your mother - "
This time it was Lotor that interrupted him. "What do you know of my mother, you toad?"
The old man smiled craftily and said, "I will let you find out - for a price."
Lotor sneered and said, "What, just to hear fairy tales, old man! I don't think so!"
Bengale's pale blue skin darkened with anger. "I have proof of your heritage, arrogant prince! I knew your mother. We were on Doom together long ago. I sired a son while there by the name of Yurak."
Lotor thought increduously ..Yurak?..How would he?..
Bengale smiled, seeing the look on Lotor's face said, "Recognize the name, eh? I was once advisor to King Zarkon, fool! It was I who protected your mother from the jealousy of Hagar, his witch!"
Then Bengale shook his head sadly, "..and it was I who arranged her escape and failed miserably."
Lotor said quietly, "What proof do you have, Bengale?"
The old man smirked and said, "Ah, ah..there's a price remember? Get me away from here and take me back to your galaxy and I will provide the evidence."
Lotor said, "Hmmph! Doctored evidence, no doubt."
Bengale said, "Suspicious, aren't we? No. This evidence is where King Raull had kept it all these years.Devonn's tried to find it but without success.."
Lotor asked, "What is it? Tell me!"
Bengale sighed and said, "It is a thought diary of your mother's."
He saw the puzzled look on Lotor's face and said, "Your mother came from your galaxy. Her world was technologically advanced. This diary recorded her thoughts and images - much like a vid would. She kept this record of her time on Doom. I did not know of this until after I arrived back here and King Raull retrieved it.If I had known, I would have destroyed it! A shameful time. I don't know why she did it. She suffered enough under Zarkon."
Lotor said quietly, "All right, I am interested. But I have one more question, old man. Is there really a law here about being wed with a kiss? Are Allura and I wed?"
Bengale smiled and said, "Yes - of course, but to truly seal your bonds you must consumate your marriage. I assumed this has already been done?"
The old man started to laugh and Lotor became angry. "None of your business, old man!"
Bengale chuckled and said, "So sensitive!" Then he frowned, "Lotor, I will show you the evidence, because only you can retrieve it, being the last one of her line - the House of the Phoenix."
Lotor thought..the Phoenix? That is my mark!
The old man continued, "But you must promise me to take me with you when you leave here. My life is in danger here. Devonn is a menace to all. Promise me!Swear by your's mother's -"
Lotor said, "Yes, I promise, old man. Now let us go. I do not wish to leave my Allura for long."
The old man turned and muttered, "With that fiend around, I don't blame you."
Bengale took to the main Castle into the Royal Portrait room. There for the first time, Lotor saw the picture of Devonn's father, Raull. Lotor was suprised that he was of his race even though Devonn had told him the story of how his ancestors got here. Lotor gazed at the handsome king. His face was chiseled and well formed. His felinoid eyes sparkled with hidden mirth. A small dimple showed in his smooth cheek. His long white hair was striking as well.
Bengale noticed Lotor's perusal of the king and said, "You favor him quite a bit, but you also take after your mother as well.Come, your mother's portrait is here."
Lotor reluctantly left the striking portrait of the king and saw his mother's portrait. She was beautiful. Lotor could barely remember her, but he could recall her beauty, her sweetness and her comfort. He remembered that she loved him very much. He never did understand why she had left him when his father said she did.
Bengale said, "Touch her hand, Lotor."
Lotor looked at the old man as if he lost his mind. "What are blathering about?"
Bengale said, "Do it! Place your hand flat upon your mother's! You will see.."
Lotor decided that Bengale had lost his mind but humored him anyway. He placed his hand upon hers and suddenly, the picture shimmered, and a soft voice he remembered from so long ago said, "Son of my true love, you have come at last..retrieve your birthright.."
Lotor jerked back startled.
Bengale said, "Go on. Reach within the painting!"
Lotor, feeling like a fool, placed his fingers on her hand and they went through! Lotor reached in further until he felt something like a small data card and pulled it out. He looked at it and saw his mark - the turquoise and gold phoenix!
Lotor looked at Bengale and said, "What trickery is this? This is my mark!"
Before the old man could say another word, the gentle voice said, "My son Lotor, you carry the mark of my house within you..we were and are connected, you and I..take my record with you - you will know how to access it for it is within you."
The voice faded and the painting became a painting again. Bengale said, "There is one more thing - King Raull wanted you to have this ." The old man pulled out a small holo card out of one of his voluminous pockets and handed it to him.
He said, "That is a conventional holo card. I know you have this type where you are from. Raull wanted me to give this to Lydeaa's son should he ever come here."
Lotor flared at him. "I have been here many times, Bengale and you never mentioned this before!"
The old man said, "I didn't like you, Lotor,and I still don't. But since Raull's death, Devonn has shown the true linage of his father. I fear for my life as you should yours. He desires your princess, much as Zarkon desired your mother. " The old man scowled with hatred.
Lotor said, "Tell me, Bengale, if you hated my father so much, why did you become his advisor?"
Bengale glared at him and said, "You think I wanted to be a lowly slave? I - a member of the royal court? I had to survive, boy! Your mother did what she had to do to survive, though I was jealous over it. I would have killed her myself rather than have her submit to that creature's lusts, but she was pregnant and she did not want to kill you even though she was not sure who your father was.."
Lotor was puzzled. "Father?"
The old man snapped, "Yes! It is all in the thought diary, simpleton! Go see, but remember, you will take me with you when you go!"
Lotor was about to say something else when he felt a tingling sensation at the back of his neck. Something was wrong. Allura was in danger somehow. He needed to get back to her! Without another word to the old man, Lotor turned away and ran down the corridor.
