Chapter Seven
Prince Devonn picked Allura up himself. She greeted him at her door with a smile. He looked very handsome in his white suit. Allura thought that he probably knew it too.
Devonn looked her over and said with a broad smile, "Ah..you are even more lovely, Allura,your beauty outshines the stars."
Allura thought..oh brother!..She had heard that line before!
She said, "Thank you, Devonn, that is very sweet of you to say."
Devonn smiled, took her hand and kissed it. "It is not a problem being sweet to you, my princess."
Allura felt a little uncomfortable as he said that. He seemed too sure of himself. Still, she wouldn't let that stop her from enjoying the evening. She just hoped that Lotor had left already.
Devonn interrupted her thoughts by kissing her hand again.
He said, "Allura, we must go..or would you rather we spend the evening here?"
Allura was taken aback. He was so forward!
Devonn saw the shocked look on her face and said, "Please, Allura, I am sorry if I offended you. We are rather forward here. We have many customs that are unfamilar to you. I am sorry if you took offense."
Allura thought that she had overreacted. After all, this was the son of her father's friend, not Lotor!
She smiled and said, "I take no offense, Devonn.I would be glad to go to the ball with you."
Devonn released her hand and took her arm in his. He said, "Then let us away, my princess."
The ballroom of the main castle was beautiful. It was a room of clean lines. The wide columns were marble flecked with crystals embedded in the rock, making them glitter. There were exotic plants all around the edges ot the room and the view from the all windows was breathtaking. The guests had not arrived yet, so Devonn offered to give her a tour of the castle. Allura accepted, and so they went.
She was fascinated with the castle. It reminded her a little of the Castle of Lions, except that it was a little more opulent. Devonn showed everything with pride and was able to give her much history of the castle and his family. Devonn led her to a room full of royal portraits. The first and largest was of his father. Allura had been shocked to see his father's portrait, for instead of the fair skin and dark hair of Devonn, she saw light blue skin, felinoid eyes and white hair like Lotors race!
Devonn saw her questioning look and said, "Yes, he is of the Drule race.You see, long ago, his people were trapped here by the wormhole quite by accident. They had no way to get back home, so they settled Canesian, developing differently from the counterparts you know in your galaxy.I have a friend who is of this race.My mother was of a Terran race. She and my father fell in love, and they had me. Here is her portrait." He pointed to a large companion portrait of a pretty brunette woman in long flowing robes. Allura saw another portrait beside it of a sullen dark haired boy about eight years old.
Allura smiled and said, "Is that you, Devonn?"
He walked closer to her and said, "Yes. I was about eight years old then. I didn't want to have the portrait done, but father insisted."
Allura replied,"I remember when I had my first portrait done.I was four at the time. The artist nearly walked out because I kept moving around! My mother had a hard time keeping me still!! Did your mother have a hard time with you?"
Devonn shook his head sadly, 'No, she died when I was a baby."
Allura said, "I'm sorry, Devonn.I didn't mean to - "
He smiled and took her hand. "No apologies, Allura.I don't remember her, except what Father told me." He looked at the portrait, sighed, and said almost to himself," I had my last surgery done then."
Allura murmured, "Hmmmm?"
Devonn shook himself out of his revelry and said, "Oh, it's nothing, Allura. Come, let me show you some more portraits and then it's off to the ball! We haven't much time."
He took her arm and they continued to look at Devonn's ancestors.
By the time Prince Lotor arrived, the ball was in full swing. He entered the large room in his black suit, it's sleek lines making his body look even more graceful and sensual. All the women in the room turned to look at him in admiration, but his eyes searched for only one. He scanned the room and finally saw her with Devonn, laughing at something or other. She looked beautiful and radiant. Of course she always looked that way to him.
His eyes blazed with jealousy as he saw Devonn touch her hand. Lotor wanted to rush over there and snatch her away from Devonn, for he knew his friend's reputation with women, and he didn't want Allura to fall for his charm. Lotor didn't know what to do. All he knew was that he wanted her to be with him willingly, and after what happened today, she definitely wouldn't want to be.
Allura was standing with Devonn, ignoring the venomous stares of the single women in the room when Lotor came in. She let out a small gasp as she saw him. He was so handsome in all that black.She was so used to seeing him in his Doom uniform that she never thought of him wearing anything else or nothing else. She blushed as she remembered what he looked like in the shower ..I shouldn't be thinking about that..if he knew..
She blushed again and Devonn teased her. "Are you thinking about someone, Allura?"
She looked startled and said, "Oh no, Devonn..it's - it's just hot in here - I think." Devonn made a joke and Allura, trying to pretend that Lotor wasn't there, laughed loudly. ..there! see if I care!..
Devonn smiled and touched her hand. He said, "Shall we dance, Allura?"
She said yes and Devonn led her out on the floor. Allura could feel Lotor's eyes upon her as she danced with the handsome prince. She smiled and talked with Devonn, who seemed to be pleased. When the dance was over, Devonn led her to his advisor,Bengale and introduced them.
Allura, for some reason, didn't trust Bengale.There was something fake about him, something not right, but she couldn't place her finger upon it. For the rest of the evening, it seemed, Bengale was always close by,watching them. It gave Allura the creeps.
Whenever she and Devonn danced, Allura always scanned the room to see where Lotor was. If he was dancing with someone,she felt anxiety. If he was not, she felt relief. Of course, she wouldn't admit to these feelings even to herself.
Later, Devonn led her out to a small balcony just outside the ballroom to "cool off" . She suspected that Devonn wanted to be alone with her. They chatted awhile when Devonn said, "I hope you are enjoying yourself here, Allura.you are, aren't you?"
She said, "Yes, I am glad I came here, Devonn. Thank you for your hospitality."
Devonn looked into her eyes and without warning, placed his nands upon her waist. He said softly, "There is no need to thank me, Allura...except perhaps..." Allura saw the look on his face. She recognized it whenever some visiting prince wanted to kiss her. Perhaps she should let him. Perhaps Lotor would see and finally get the message. She leaned into him a little, ready for Devonn's kiss.
Lotor was searching for Allura and Devonn, fearing the worst. He thought, ..if Devonn's doing anything to her, I'll kill him!!..
He couldn't find them anywhere! Then he saw Devonn's advisor,Bengale intently looking at an angle to a balcony. Lotor didn't like the old advisor. He thought that he would make Hagar a good husband - he was so old.
Lotor had noticed the old advisor following Devonn and Allura most of the evening like a vulture waiting for his prey to drop. Lotor looked over to where the balcony was, and saw Devonn holding Allura by the waist. Lotor became angry and then he remembered something Devonn had told him once when he was drunk.
According to ancient Canesian custom, if a single member of a royal house kisses his intended bride in public, they are then considered "married." The bride's consent would not be needed for this and no public declaration needs to be made beforehand. Once the "marriage' was consumated, then rings were exchanged. This is the most ancient form of marriage and was still legal.
Lotor looked over at Allura and saw Devonn again and saw Devonn caress Allura's cheek tenderly. He was going to kiss her! He had to stop him! Lotor sprinted towards them angrily.
Devonn smiled to himself. This would be so easy! He would have her now. A simple kiss and he would be wed to her. All her riches would be his as well as the mighty robot, Voltron. Oh, he had been to her galaxy many times and knew of the legend and the reality of Voltron. He also knew of the war between Arus and Planet Doom. He knew a lot. It paid him to know, for Bengale had told him that his real father, a poweful ruler, lived in that galaxy.He knew who his true father was now and when Allura was his, he would use her mighty robot, voltron, to defeat him. He would be ruler of two galaxies - and all it would take was a simple kiss.
He looked into Allura's blue eyes and saw his victory. She would make it all possible. It had been a suprise when he had heard from her royal advisor. It had been many years since the House of Alfor had contacted them. If she had not come to him, he would have come to her galaxy and snatched her away - no matter what she looked like. Fortunately, she was as beautiful as the rumors had foretold. He had watched her many times and had heard from Lotor how beautiful she was. It would make their times together more enjoyable.
He anticipated that. Of course, his friend Lotor would be crushed to hear that the woman he loved was married to his best friend, but Devonn was sure he would get over it. Devonn had heard enough of Lotor's ramblings when drunk about her. He just thought he loved her. He and Lotor were much alike as far as women were concerned - they enjoyed them but didn't love them. Yes, his younger half-brother would get over it.
Devonn caressed Allura's cheek and whispered softly, "There is a custom I wish to show you, dear Allura."
She said archly, "Oh..and what might that be?" Devonn leaned over and said, "This..."
Suddenly, he was kissing thin air! He opened his eyes and saw a struggling Allura being held by his friend Lotor as he kissed her!!
Eight
Allura was standing there with Devonn ready for his kiss when suddenly she was jerked away,turned around quickly and kissed within an inch of her life!! She opened her eyes and saw Lotor!!
She struggled as he continued to kiss her. Allura jerked her face away and spat, "You've got the nerve!"
He cut her off and said, "Shut up, Allura." and kissed her again.
Devonn's eyes flashed anger and he went over and grabbed Lotor's arm.
He hissed, "Lotor,how dare you walk in here and ruin my intended bride!!"
Lotor turned to Devonn and said calmly, "How dare you, my thieving friend, take my fiancee and attempt to marry her without her knowledge! I am only taking what is rightfully mine,old friend!"
Allura, still struggling, sputtered, "Your fiancee? You - you- wait.." She turned her gaze at Devonn." marry me? You - !!"
Bengale chose that moment to speak with the angry prince. As he did so, Lotor hissed into Allura's ear, "Listen to me for once.It's the custom on his planet that if an unmarried royal kisses his intended bride in public before witnesses, they are wed! It is recognized in this world and throughout the galaxies.He was about to marry you, Allura!!"
Her eyes brimmed over with tears and she said, "But you - you kissed me."
Lotor hissed in her ear again and said, "Play along with me,Allura,or he will be our undoing. We'll never get back to our own galaxy. Devonn is ruthless."
He heard Allura mutter, "Like you're not."
Still, Lotor had a point. Allura sighed as she saw Devonn walk towards them.
Devonn looked toward Allura and said, "Why didn't you tell me, Allura?"
She stammered, "Ah, Devonn, I -I .."
Lotor nudged her in the ribs and she said, "I was mad at him and - and by the time I got here, I wanted to teach him a lesson..I wasn't trying to trick you."
Devonn said coldly, "I see."
He turned to Lotor and said, "Well, regardless of anything, according to my counselor,in the eyes of the law here, you are married, Lotor - " His eyes snapped with unrepressed anger as he continued, "however, I can rectify your wedded situation if you wish, Allura."
Allura knew what he meant. She didn't want Lotor killed! She said, "No, no Devonn, please.It was just a misunderstanding."
She thought,I better play this up for all it's worth!
Allura wrapped her arms around Lotor's neck and kissed him back much to his surprise. She whispered into his ear as if she were whispering an endearment and said, "Here, darling.."
Allura took her heel and promptly stepped on Lotor's toes! Lotor winced in pain even as he responded to her kiss. She kissed him again and said, "Lotor understands - don't you, darling?"
Lotor ground out, "Yes, my sweet..a simple misunderstanding..you will make it up to me later perhaps?"
Allura did not like the sound of that!
Lotor looked hard at Devonn and said, "You do understand,Devonn."As you stated,Allura is my wife! She is mine. Don't attempt your games on what is mine, Devonn."
Lotor felt Allura bristle in indignation and he held her tighter, enjoying the fact that she couldn't do much about it.
Devonn scowled at Lotor and said, "You ruined everything, Lotor.I will not forget this."
Devonn then looked at Allura and smiled slightly. "However,since your bride is so charming,Lotor, I will allow you to stay for her sake."
Lotor replied, "How gracious of you, Devonn.I think it is late. We should be going to bed now. My wife is tired."
Devonn said, "Of course, I do understand Lotor.Allura - " he bowed gracefully and kissed her hand. "My congratulations to you - if you do tire of him, let me know, my dear.good night." Devonn smirked at Lotor as if to say, "this is not over yet." and left them.
Immediately, Lotor hustled Allura out of the castle. As they did so, Devonn hissed to Bengale, "I want a guard to check on them - make sure my old friend is telling the truth."
Bengale said, "But Sire, he kissed her! They are legally wed! There is nothing -
"I rule here, Bengale.The law serves me as I see fit. I know about Lotor and the princess. I just want to see if their affection is mutual, Counselor.No one steals what is mine."
Bengale said, "Your Highness, there are others who would be glad to be your Queen!"
Devonn lost control and grabbed Bengale by his collar and said, "They don't have a mighty robot to serve them do they? They do not possess that regality, that royal prescence, do they? They do not posess her beauty, do they? No! They do not..and they never will. I will not stand for anyone taking what I claim as mine!"
He shook Bengale, oblivious to the fact that the guests were watching them. "And she is mine! One kiss and she would have been had it not been for Lotor!"
He let Bengale go and muttered, "It is not over yet."
Bengale bowed and said, "Sire, I will send for someone to check on them straightaway!"
Devonn whirled around and said, "See that you do! Tell him to record what he sees! I want to see if they are truly wed." Devonn chuckled and said, "Not that it will matter in the end, of course..still I want to know.."
Devonn saw the guests watching him and he said, "Please!! Enjoy yourselves! A minor misunderstanding..please go back and enjoy yourselves.." The guests turned away. Most of them were used to Devonn's mood swings - it was a normal occurence. As Bengale went to perform his task, Devonn spied one of his many mistresses over by the refreshments. Smiling, he went to her. There was no sense in the evening being a total waste.