Phoenix Rising
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Thirteen
"Allura!" Lotor yelled as he ran into the bedroom and saw her on the floor.
He looked at her bruised face and was angry, no, Lotor wanted to rush out and tear Devonn to pieces with his hands. He wanted Devonn's blood. But his first priority was Allura.
At first, she fought him as he held her, but then she opened her eyes and saw him. Tears ran down her face as Lotor held her. He tried to soothe her, keepinghisown rage in check.
"Shh..it's all right, Allura. I'm here now. I shouldn't have left you."
He was angry at himself for his stupidity. He should have known that Devonn would try to harm her.
Allura looked into his eyes and whispered, "No! no! It's not all right! Devonn's face! Oh god, Lotor! He has the face of your father!"
She started to sob anew. Lotor held her tightly and said, "Surely you dreamed this?" But Lotor had a sinking feeling that she didn't dream it. He continued to hold her as she sobbed. He knew that ordinarily, she wouldn't show her tears to him, but this was an unusual situation. He needed to get her out of here, even if it meant losing her again. He rocked her and stroked her hair.
She moaned in pain. Her body hurt all over, but the rocking soothed her. She would never forget that horrible face of Devonn's, never. He looked like a younger version of Zarkon! How in the universe could there be two of them? One was bad enough.
She felt Lotor kiss her gently on her head, lift her up and carry her in his arms to the bed. He gently laid her down without a word and went to the bath. She heard the sound of water running and then she remembered the little one, the tiny baby that the woman had entrusted to her. Suddenly she felt violently ill, and vomited. She shook and screamed. Lotor ran in with an alarmed look on his face.
She was screaming and crying, "The baby! Lotor, we must save the baby! I promised her! I promised her! Aaagghh! Lotor, save her!"
Lotor held her in a panic, not knowing what to do. He didn't know what she was talking about. A baby? He needed to calm her down and get her to tell him. She continued to shake as he held her. He was unmindful that that her tears and her sickness was upon his shirt. All that mattered was her well-being. He rocked her again, whispering soothing words into her ears. Little by little, she was calming down, however, she still wept brokenly.
He could hear her saying, "Devonn will kill her..a little baby..I promised, Lotor.." To his surprise, she lifted her face and looked into his eyes and said, "I promised we would raise her as our own daughter."
Lotor looked at her in shock. Did this mean that she would be his? That she accepted him at last? And a daughter? He was puzzled.
He said gently, "Allura, you must explain this for me, please.."
Allura sighed and said, "A woman came here while you were gone this morning with this tiny baby. She said that the baby was an orphan, that Devonn murdered her parents and that she wanted me to take the baby with us back to our galaxy. I didn't know what to say at first, but then I saw the baby, Lotor..she looked just like you." This she said softly and Lotor kissed her head gently.
Allura continued, "She was so small, so fragile, Lotor - I couldn't refuse. I offered to take this woman to our galaxy, but she refused. She said Devonn would find out and she left."
Then Allura shivered again and Lotor held her tightly. She said, "Then Devonn came. He came and he - he tried to.."
Lotor's face flushed with anger. He said, "Did he take you, Allura?"
She heard the anger in his voice and said, "No, he didn't - he tried but I - I ripped his face!"
And then she sobbed again uncontrollably. "His face, Lotor! It isn't real! It's a mask or something..he - he looks like your father, Zarkon!"
She shook again and Lotor had to calm her once more.
She said shakily, "You must think I'm crazy, but I'm not! I will never forget his face. Never! I though he was Zarkon at first, but he laughed and said he wasn't, that he would conquer Zarkon's empire! He - he said I would get used to him, that I would be his, or I would never see Arus again! He told me not to tell or he would kill the baby! He took her, Lotor..we must get her back somehow and leave!"
Lotor didn't know what to say. He couldn't quite believe that Devonn looked like his father. Could it have something to do with the diary that Bengale gave him? He would have to see, but first he needed to take care of his beloved.
She wept and said, "He deactivated our passkeys! Oh,Lotor, he's a monster just like your father. You were never as cruel as this - never."
He smiled to himself and thought that at least she did see some good in him even if he didn't. Perhaps there was hope for them after all.
He said, "Allura, I will get us and your orphan out of here, but tell me, my sweet - if I do, will you remain wed to me? Did you mean what you said, that we would raise the baby as our own?"
Allura looked at him said, "Yes. I believe there is good in you, Lotor. If you turned from Zarkon's ways, I think you would be a good father."
He added, "and a good husband?"
She shyly smiled and said, "Perhaps - yes.." She frowned and said, "Lotor, please, Devonn's promised to kill you."
Lotor interrupted and said, "I will take care of Devonn and I will get you and the baby away from here, but first I will take care of you.You're hurt."
He gently released her and caught her injured ankle gently in his hand and unwrapped the dressing. He frowned as he saw the new swelling and discoloration on it.
Allura said, "Lotor, please. I'm - I'm all right. You don't have to -" Lotor placed a finger upon her lips, silencing her.
He staightened up and to her discomfort he removed his soiled shirt and placed it in a laundry basket. Allura blushed as she caught herself admiring the play of muscles on his back and shoulders, but she couldn't help herself. He did have a nice chest. She closed her eyes as he faced her so he wouldn't know that she had been watching him.
He came to her, lifted her up and carried her to the bath. Allura could feel the warmth radiating from him, just as it had their "wedding night."
Allura said, "Lotor, don't..I know what.-"
He cut off her off with a gentle kiss and said, "Let me take care of you, Allura.I've never had to tend to anyone before. Let me."
In the bathroom, he gently set her down and before she could stop him, he slid the nightgown off her.
Allura gasped, "No!" and started to fight him.
Lotor said, "I won't hurt you, Allura - you know that.Your nightgown is pretty shredded."
She calmed down when she noticed that he kept his eyes upon her face and didn't try to place his hands anywhere inappropriately. Still she wasn't comfortable standing nude before him.
Lotor said gently, "Let me help you in, Allura."
She had no choice but to let him help her step in. Allura groaned as she sank into the hot bubbly water. She was relieved that bubbles covered her!
As she sank in, she said, "Thank you, Lotor,but I must.."
Lotor bent, kissed her head and said, "Be alone? Well, as much as I'd like to help 'scrub your back'..."Lotor smirked. I'll leave you alone but I'll be back."
Allura though wildly, ..back! He's coming back in here?
He left and a few moments later he returned with a cold compress.
He knelt and said, "Your face is bruised, baby..."
Oh! I never knew you had such a gentle, tender voice! Allura thought.
He placed the compress on her bruised cheek and Allura closed her eyes, she didn't realize how much her face had hurt. She relaxed in the hot water as Lotor kept the compress on her face. Lotor looked at her face and he felt such hatred for Devonn. He was just like his father. Another Zarkon. He wouldn't let him hurt Allura, not even if he had to die for her.
He smiled and continued to hold the compress to her cheek. He frowned as he noticed a small cut upon the corner of her lip. Some dried blood was upon it. He set the compress down and got a washcloth and rinsed it. Allura remained in the bath, her eyes closed. Lotor knelt beside the tub again and gently dabbed at the dried blood.
Allura opened her eyes, smiled and said, "Lotor, you don't need to do this.."
He said gently, "Yes, I do..I love you. You know I am your slave, Allura..you command me. I - have learned from my past - mistakes."
He took the washcloth and gently washed her face with it. Allura closed her eyes again, feeling relaxed for the first time since she came here. She did not think about what anyone would say about this. They would be in shock if they knew. Here it didn't matter much. Lotor was gentle and kind here. If only she was sure he would turn from his ways, she would accept him if he would.
Lotor continued to move the washcloth over her face and gently moved it down her neck. Allura remained relaxed, not really thinking, that is - until the washcloth moved a little bit lower.
Allura opened her eyes and gasped, "Lotor!"
He appeared startled and said, "What, my sweet.."
She crossed her hands over her breasts (which were still covered by the soap bubbles) and said, "I - uh think I better do the rest."
Lotor smirked slightly and said, "The rest of what, my love?"
Allura blushed and said, "Lotor, you know what I mean.."
To her discomfort, he leaned over and kissed her gently on the mouth, mindful not to hit the small cut. She found that she did not mind his kiss at all, and it deepened as her wet arms wrapped around his neck.
He leaned in closer and then Allura felt one of his hands slip around her waist. Suddenly she felt anger at herself and with him for taking advantage of her jangled nerves. Well, she would teach him! They continued to kiss with Lotor leaning pretty far into the tub now. Allura knew what she would do. With a sudden strength, her arms around his neck jerked him bodily into the tub.
With a yell of surprise, he landed with a splash. His pants - and his best boots were soaked along with the rest of him!
Allura laughed triumphantly and said, "Ha! I guess I taught you a lesson, Lotor! "
He put his face close to her own and said with a smirk. "If you really wanted me in here with you, my love, all you needed to do was ask.."
Allura blushed and said hotly, "I didn't!"
Lotor smiled and said, "You could have fooled me, Allura." he grimaced and then he smiled again. "Well, since I am already in here, I should get out of these wet things." He raised an eyebrow at her and said, "You will help me, won't you, my sweet?"
Allura started to laugh at his statement, and then she pictured the way Nanny's face would look if she saw them. She couldn't help herself.
Giggling, she did her best Nanny imitation and said, "Vat are you doingt taking a bath vit dat prince! That ist not proper behavior for a preencess!"
Lotor laughed as he heard that funny deep voice come out of her. Again, she marveled at how pleasant his laugh was and laughed again just for the fun of it.
Lotor whispered and said, "You know, you've ruined my best pair of boots, evil wench!"
She giggled and said coyly, "Well, you shouldn't come into the tub with them on!"
Lotor smirked and said wickedly, "I didn't expect a certain princess to yank me in with her."
He kissed her gently on her lips and said, "I think we should get out before we are wrinkled like old Hagar, my love."
At the mention of Hagar, she frowned slightly, but looking at him now she realized that he wasn't like his father at all. He got up and she laughed again, seeing his dripping wet figure.
He smirked and said, "Do I look so funny to you, Allura?"
He reached down into the water and lifted her in his arms as she shrieked, "Put me down!"
He shook his head and said, "Your ankle, remember? I will help you dress."
Without thinking, she said, "Sure!In your dreams."
Lotor laughed again as he carried her back to the bedroom and gently laid her on the bed. Allura quickly grabbed a cover and pulled it over her, not caring that she was soaking wet. She stiffled a giggle as she saw Lotor, still soaking wet, remove his boots and socks with a grimace. She stopped giggling when she saw him unfasten his wet pants!
She yelled, "Lotor, don't do that!"
He said, "Do what?"
She snapped, "You know, remove your pants!"
Lotor smirked and said, "Oh you wantme to? Anything to oblige you my love!" He grinned as he removed his wet pants.
Allura shrieked and closed her eyes.
She dared to peek. Oh!Oh!Oh! No underwear! Allura turned beet red as Lotor laughed and said, "I will get a robe, my sweet."
She heard him rifle around in the closet and when he said she could open her eyes, she did and she screamed! Lotor still didn't have a stitch on!
She shut her eyes and yelled, "Lotor, I thought you were going to get a robe!"
He smirked and said, "I AM getting a robe for you, my love!"
Allura said, "Please put something on, Lotor!"
He laughed and said, "Are you sure, Allura? I saw you look you know - earlier.."
She knew what he meant and said, "I - I wasn't.."
She still had her eyes closed tightly. Lotor smiled at her and grabbed a loose robe for himself from the closet. He did not notice the small mark upon it - a phoenix and a gold lion, the designs entwined together. He knotted it securely and came to her. He sat by her bed and brought her robe to her.
He said, "Your robe, my lovely Lady Godiva..you can open your eyes now."
Allura said, "No, I don't trust you.."
He smirked and said, "Hmm..perhaps you don't trust yourself?"
Allura opened her eyes without thinking and said, "You conceited - " Then she realized that he was dressed and she wasn't. She grabbed the robe and said, "Thank you."
He smiled and said, "You're welcome, my sweet, need help?"
She flared, "No!"
He laughed and said, "I'll turn around."
He did and Allura said, "Lotor..get out of here! Let me change!"
He ignored her and said, "I've got my eyes closed, Allura..you better hurry..."
Allura groaned. He wasn't going to leave! He was impossible! She couldn't just get up, for he might see her. Then again, he did see her already! Still..Allura quickly sat up, grabbed the robe and put it on quickly, praying he didn't really see.
As she finally knotted it, Lotor yelled, "Time's up!" and grabbed her around the waist careful not to hurt her.
Lotor loosened his grip and said worridly, "Allura..don't be scared, I'm sorry." He kissed her gently and stroked her hair. She closed her eyes and Lotor, to dispell her fear, remembered about the things that he had received from Bengale.
He was glad that they hadn't been in his pants! He said quietly, "Would you like to see something?"
Allura smiled and quipped, "If it's what I think it is, no thank you."
Lotor smirked and said, "I think I am becoming a bad influence upon you, my beauty." Then his face became serious and he said, "No, really. I saw Devonn's minister, Bengale. He gave me something of my mother's."
Allura said softly. "Your mother?" She had never thought he had a mother before.
He said, "Yes, I remember very little about her..my father.." his voice snarled at the word, "told me she left with her lover and left me behind."
Allura felt sorry for him all of a sudden. She placed a gentle hand upon his face and said, "I'm sorry.."
She knew what it was like to have and lose a mother, but he never knew one.
He shook his head and said, "Don't be."
He kissed her and said, "Well, would you like to see or- would you rather do something else?" Lotor raised his eyebrow suggestively.
Allura giggled and said, " I think I would like to see what your mother left you, Lotor."
He smiled sadly and said, "I think I would too, love."
He got up and retrieved the two small data cards. He placed the conventional holocard to the side, somehow knowing that it would be viewed after the one from his mother. Allura was now sitting up in bed, and he sat down beside her, holding the small datacard from his mother's. He looked at the card and turned it over, fingering the gold and turquoise phoenix.
Suddenly, an insight came to him and he placed his right hand across the phoenix, covering the card. He said without realizing it, "I, Lotor, last of the House of the Phoenix, request the the Last Record of my mother, Lady Lydeaa."
Suddenly a flash of light came from his hand and a projection of a woman, much more solid than a holo, appeared. Allura and Lotor saw that she was the woman in the portrait room. A soft voice said, "My son, Lotor, if you are seeing my image, then you have returned to your true home..My son..witness my thoughts and you will know the truth of your heritage...."
Lotor and Allura were completely floored by this. What would they find out? Soon they would see.