BOOK SEVEN: Reaching For Daylight
Allura: Dance With The Devil
It was a surrealistic experience for Allura-it was unlke any Royal Ball she had ever been given. She was escorted by Z'aale, who actually was beaming proudly, much to the shock of the crowd assembled. They had never seen their king so-so happy! Allura smiled slightly, for Z'aale was touching her arm with his own, both thrilling and repelling her - as usual. It seemed that when he touched her, she had no will of her own. This is what she hated most about being his wife-no will of her own. If this rescue failed, then the loss of her will would be for real.
They both walked down a wide carpeted aisle lined with all the guests. Of course, they all kneeled or curtesied as they passed by. To her horror, Allura saw of all people, Coran and a unfamilar woman beside him! Allura tried not to betray her feelings about this to Z'aale. She was afraid he might single him out for something!
She and Z'aale turned to face the guests and Z'aale said, "You may all rise...."
The guests as one raised their heads and awaited their King's command. Z'aale announced proudly, "I hold this Ball in honor of my new bride, Queen Allura."
he patted her arm. Allura wanted to sink into the floor in shame. She didn't dare look at Coran...was he the one who would get her out?
Zarkon continued, still the proud bridegroom, "There is of course, food and drink for all, as well as dancing....there will be "entertainment" later of course." He did not elaborate on what the "entertainment" would be, but Allura suspected that it would be some new prisoners, knowing him.
Z'aale pulled her close and said loudly, "I insist that you all enjoy yourselves at this celebration..and now before the evening gets much later, we begin the dancing.My new bride and I will begin the first waltz...."
For a moment, the guests were stunned. Their King-dance? He never danced! But then music drifted from the orchestra, and there they were, King Zarkon and his new Queen, waltzing quite nicely, across the floor! The guests joined in as well and the evening began.
She and Z'aale danced several times, each time Z'aale's eyes seemed to concentrate only upon her. Allura was nervous, scared, hopeful-a bundle of nerves, awaiting her freedom. Tonight would be the night if everything worked out! No more of this nightmare! The only thing that saddened her was the loss of Lotor-she would miss him so. Thinking of Lotor made her think of Commander S'aaul. She had seen him in the line of officers. He had given her a slight smirk before bowing smartly to her. She hoped that she could avoid him tonight. She did not want to be alone with him again, for it would be too easy to surrender to him-to believe that he was the one she loved, and not what he really was, a cruel, cold man who took delight in causing others pain-like the man dancing with her now.
He held her close, and whispered words of love in her ears, as if they were alone, instead of in a crowded ballroom. Once she had passed Coran and the pretty woman he was with, and she flushed with embarrassment for she swore Coran had heard what Z'aale had said-something about what he would do to her later. They had locked eyes for a moment, and all she saw was understanding.
Still, she was mortified. She was sure Z'aale had done that on purpose.
Leda Redux
Coran had thought that the way Allura looked was probably the way Lida had been in Avian's arms all those years ago, and he suffered with her. He hoped that all was in place, or they would never leave Doom-at least alive that is.
Coran looked quickly across the room to see if Lotor and Sonenya were there. Yes, there they were, standing by the refreshments, Lotor playing the solitious husband. Coran thought that the plaskin that Baile placed on Lotor was quite good. Hopefully, it would last long enough to suit their purposes. Coran did not see Keith or Kate, however. He suspected that they were this evening's "entertainment". Coran sighed and thought that it would be a long night.
Lotor kept looking at her.....a vision in black, her hair loose and flowing, dancing with the devil himself. It took all his will not to just take his lasersword and hack his father in two.
He looked down at his new lasersword-given to him to his suprise by Coran, who said it had been Alfor's. He was going to refuse, but Coran insisted he take it, for it hadn't been used since before his death. He had also said practically speaking, Lotor seemed more adept with a lasersword than he was with a blaster-which was true. Lotor had always thought the lasersword was a more elegant weapon.
..Cleave your enemies with style...he thought wryly.
He steered Sonenya to the front of the crowd watching the dancers to watch her-the one he loved.
Sonenya said quietly, "She must be nervous-look how she glows with her light!"
And she did. All eyes were upon her-at least all the male ones, that is. The ladies were rather jealous and steered their husbands, lovers, aqauintances, and one night stands away from the sight of the Queen.
Lotor said, "Yes, she does shine...she is beautiful..outside and inside."
He was mesmerized. Sonenya glanced up at him and said, "Hey, my pleasure-slave.." she hissed in a Hagar-like voice, startling Lotor out of his revelry.
He hissed back, "Don't do that!"
She smiled and said, "Keep your wits about you, boy! There is still danger here. Look over there-see the tall fellow in the black? Short cropped hair?"
Lotor looked. The man turned his face toward the dancing King and Queen, obviously ogling the Queen. Lotor thought he had definitely seen that chisled face before-a more youthful one, but he had seen it none the less.
It was Jarius S'aaul Tianus-that illegitimate cousin of his. Oh, he knew long ago, Jarius had told him before he had thrown him off the cliff of N'aa'Shulla during a rigourous exercise when he was but twelve and Jarius seventeen. He knew Jarius had done it on purpose to kill him for he had said so.
Lotor had survived by some miracle with only some broken bones, and Jarius had left the next day for battle, but Lotor remembered his words. He knew that Jarius had told the truth. They were not twins, but certain features and expressions were the same. Their build and height were the same. When they were together, you could tell they were related. He was suprised his father did not have him killed long ago.
He did not like the way his cousin was looking at Allura.
Sonenya sensed this and placed a gentle hand on his arm. "D'aavid, do not act hastily-all will be well, just wait for the signal..."
Lotor hissed back, faking a smile for the crowd, "What if he doesn't bring them out, Sonenya?"
She shook her head and smiled as if he paid her a compliment. "I am sure he will. From what you say, he will do it to show off for everyone....don't worry."
He couldn't help but worry, Allura out there with his father and Jarius looking like a vulture ready to strike. If he ever got her back, he would be tempted to lock her away where no one could look upon her-but he knew she definitely wouldn't go for that! He kept gazing at her, memorizing her every feature, her lines, the way she moved. The way the light played around her face. Once she locked eyes with him, and she looked away, as if startled. Of course, she wouldn't recognize him with the plaskin the doctor had put on him. Still-for a moment, she was his again. So once again, Lotor waited.
Reaching for Daylight:Chapter Two