Light of the Stars: Chapter One

Tick-tock. Tick-tock. Allura sighed, breathing in deeply before exhaling and resting her head on her desk. She was supposed to be reading over the briefs she was given to prepare the coalition for the next day, but her mind wouldn't let her. She was constantly distracted, her thoughts jumping from one place to the next. There was simply too much going on for her to be able to focus. Allura sighed again, looking at the digital clock next to her computer. Perhaps she should simply give this up for the night and go to sleep. She might have better success in the morning after a good rest.

Suddenly, a dial tone rang on her computer screen.

- - EMPEROR LOTOR IS REQUESTING A VIDEO CALL - -

Allura's eyes went wide and she sat straight up in her desk chair. She wasn't prepared for this call at all. It was late. Allura's hands quickly went to her hair and smoothed it down. She wanted to look at least a bit presentable. After all, he was the emperor of most of the known universe. She clicked on the screen to accept the call.

"Good evening, Princess Allura," he began, "I hope I am not intruding." He looked as perfect as ever, not a strand of his hair out of place. Allura locked eyes with him.

"No, not at all," Allura said, smiling. She stilled for a second before she continued,

"And you don't have to address me as Princess Allura, Lotor. We're closer than that, aren't we?" Immediately after she said it she cringed internally. It had sounded far too intimate, suggesting something that wasn't there. She mentally berated herself for the phrasing. Lotor didn't seem to mind though. He only inclined his head a bit, the corner of his mouth tilting upward in a barely-there smile.

"You're right," he admitted. It had only been a week or so since their adventure into Oriande and their fight with Haggar. He had shared a lot with her then.

"What did you want to talk about?" Allura asked, trying to keep herself on task. Lotor's gaze met hers through the holo screen again.

"The quintessence project. I know it hasn't exactly been… calm lately, but I believe that we should begin working on it as soon as possible."

"Yes, we should. I just hope I can fit it into my schedule. Voltron is planning on making a trip to the revolting factions tomorrow and the next day as well. I wish it was easier to balance everything," she said, admitting that she was overwhelmed.

"Well, I have an idea about that, but I have no idea how you would feel about it," Lotor explained. Allura raised an eyebrow, interested.

"What is it?"

"I've been in regular contact with the Blade of Marmora, as you know, and I discovered that one of the members used to be a paladin of Voltron." Lotor tilted his head a bit, eyeing the Princess.

"An earthling named Keith," Allura explained. Lotor made a noncommittal noise.

"Yes, Keith and I have been talking about the possibility of him returning to Voltron as a paladin. Now that Zarkon is gone and a majority of the universe is under my control, I assured him that the Blade will have less of a need for him than they did before… Keith was very interested about the possibility of returning to Voltron full time." Allura blinked, wondering where he was going with this.

"If the Blade of Marmora accepts his decision, it would be possible for Lance to return to the blue lion and Keith to return to the red lion," Lotor theorized.

"And where would that leave me?" She asked, a tinge of discomfort in her voice. Lotor stilled for a second, smiling.

"Well, that would leave you more time to spend working on the quintessence project with me… along with your other duties of course. Diplomacy and such." Allura was silent for a while, thinking about what Lotor was proposing. She had to admit; spending time working on the project seemed like a very appealing option. However, she was just beginning to fit into her role as the blue paladin.

"I don't know, Lotor. I would love to work on the project with you, but… I have a bond with the blue lion. I don't know if I would want to give that up," Allura admitted, looking up at Lotor. He nodded slowly.

"I understand. It was just an idea." Lotor seemed a tiny bit disappointed.

"I hope we can work this out somehow. My schedule, I mean." She bit her lip, watching as Lotor examined her. He sat back a bit in his office chair, nodding.

"I don't want you to think I don't care about the project – I do! I really do want to help, its just that everything is so crazy right now," she paused, thinking, "How about this? I'll try to do both this week and I'll see how it goes. That way I can think about it for a while and get an opportunity to talk to Keith."

"Of course. Don't feel rushed on my account, Allura. It's a big decision," Lotor said. Allura wondered a bit at his strangeness. Lotor had so much grace for a galra, so much of a sense of diplomacy. It was a bit strange to see. But she had to remind herself that he was half-galra, half-altean.

"Thank you for your patience in all this. It means a lot to me," Allura said. Lotor smiled lightly, and it made something in Allura feel warm and giddy. He really had such a nice smile. His eyes were warm and soothing, and Allura couldn't help but smile back. She could feel something tugging on her heartstrings, just like before when they were on Oriande.

"You're welcome." They simply stared at each other for a few moments more before Allura shook herself out of it.

"Well, about the schedule - I believe I'm free in two days. I could see you then," she offered. There was still a hint of a smile on Lotor's face.

"Excellent. I'll be waiting for you," he said, his voice low and rich, elegant in all the ways a man of his stature should be. Allura knew it was his voice that did things to her. His Altean accent was so beautiful and refined, and he certainly used it to his advantage, smoothing over the words like he was reading poetry.

"Goodnight, then," she said, locking eyes with him.

"Goodnight, Allura."

A/N: Welcome to my new Lotura fanfiction! I hope you guys enjoy! Please leave me a comment!