Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (VLD)

Chapter 13

Allura's POV

We raced far out on Mr. Kogane's horse riding towards Platt City for Romelle. I'm more than certain Lotor would have brought her here. It pained me to think about how I ever trusted him. How could I have been so blind. How could I have thought to believe him? 

Then again, I was blinded by my pride. My pride was wounded by Mr. Kogane and I wanted nothing more to do with him, so I disregard anything having to do with him. He'd written me off, so I wrote him off, all alone he was just being cautious. I nearly laughed, and I was always one to watch out for my sisters, protect them, and warning us all to be wary. The nerve when I didn't even extend that kindness to Mr. Kogane.

Now my dear sister is in trouble, and I am relying on Mr. Kogane to help. Even after all I've said to him. The cruel things I said to him, he still rushed to my side to help me. He's a far better man than I could have imagined. One I so pridefully wounded. 

I do not deserve him. Never in a million years. 

It was not a long ride from the Garrison to Platt City. 

Once we emerged over the hill, you see the town swarming with zombies on all sides. I have to admit a part of me died there as I wondered if Romelle was even alive at all. I slid off Mr. Kogane's horse with ease as he extended a single hand to offer balance. I took it wavering. Even now he still is kind. I wonder if it has something to do with his once spoken love for me or for his desire to protect me from Lotor? Or perhaps they are one in the same. 

I pushed the thought out of my head. It is not the time for this. In war you must have a clear head. Or it can mean death.  

But what alarmed me as I searched the surroundings was how not a single zombie could be spotted. In a world where zombies were everywhere, you grow accustomed to them, knowing where they are and how to fight them off, but in an abandoned city, and seeing no zombies. You know something is amiss. 

"Where are the zombies?" Mr. Kogane asked. But even I was unsure. 

The crisp air blew all around, the scent of death filled the air as bits of dust and debris blew around us, not a faint sound of growling or groaning. We took every step with immense cautious as the hair on my neck stood up. A new sense of fear overtook me as I'd realized I'd never been in a situation like this before. A situation where zombies are nearly all vanished, but they are conniving things and could easy pop their head out from behind a deteriorating building or reach their hand out from the ground. It was turning my stomach in ways I've never known it could. 

Mr. Kogane took the lead, walking in front of me as if sensing on off put I was. Then again, he is a skilled warrior, he's a creation of the Blade of Marmora, they are trained in all manners of ways in battle. No doubt he saw the shift in me as soon as my feet touched the ground. 

"Lotor had spoken of a way he claimed he could control the zombies." I whispered as we walked practically hand in hand. My body so close to his I could feel his body's warmth in all this cool dead air. 

"Control the zombies?" He questioned. Lotor never said those words word for word, but it was implied. Once zombies' east brains, their mind is gone. There is no reasoning with the inner beast they all die to. Lotor claims we could coexist. The idea was preposterous yet still I pushed to help him, but a part of me knew it was...foolish. But still, he suggested it for a reason. Zombies are unpredictable. The only reason Lotor could suggest an idea as such with confidence the zombies wouldn't act out of hunger for our brains is if he knew for certain he could control them. Somehow, some way.

"I don't know how. But it goes back to his idea of coexisting." I whispered again. "He believes we can coexist and for that he has a way to control them."

"How?" He whispered. 

"We didn't get that far for him to share that information." I spoke softly as I turned away. I barely registered Mr. Kogane's comment.

"Good." I don't know why, but his small, tiny comment was enough to send a warmth feeling through my blood and to my heart. Immediately my entire body no longer felt cold in this scare city, it felt warm, just from the word that came from his mouth. 

I faced him, to find him already looking at me. His eyes locked onto me as his lips twitched. He seemed to be hesitant. Debating his next words in what to say. But before he could speak, I spotted a familiar building up ahead and four black figures on horses guarding it. One of those figures' heads began turning as I tackled Mr. Kogane and we fell down behind a pile of debris. 

The horsemen.

I was about to get up and check when I felt a strong arm fasten around my waist pulling me closer. I looked down at Mr. Kogane and found him settled beneath me, my hands resting on his trenchcoat over his chest, my body perfectly up top his with little to no space between our chest and my bosom was squished between us, the square-neckline dress I wore showing off what I normally never show off. My face flushed as I realized with his height, he could no doubt glance down and see everything. My legs on the side of his in a wildly compromising position. 

"Mr. Kogane," I whispered before he cut me off. 

"Keith." He corrected but I declined, my face still flustered. 

"We should be going." As if sensing my embarrassment, he didn't dare look down, but only at my face. His eyes looking over each feature on my face, trying to get of sense of what I was really thinking. Aside from the embarrassment, I was overcome by feelings I've never experienced before. Having him between my legs was doing something I could not explain and though I would like to remain in this position, I cannot. 

"Tell me something," He spoke softly, "If I hadn't told you the truth about Lotor. Would you have still married him to spite me?" 

It was an absurd thought but one I now find myself deeply running over the scenario. I rejected his marriage proposal because of what he'd done to my sister, primarily. If being honest, Lotor wasn't a part of that rejection. His ideas were indeed outlandish but he himself never factored into my rejection. I only brought it up to add a reason to the list as to why I should reject him rather than accept his proposal despite the unnerving truth that I admired him and above all...that I fell for him. 

I felt his grip loosen before I cupped his face, my lips crashing into his before he kissed me back. I felt a beast awaken in me, wanting me to devour him, but I couldn't. Not now. I pulled away just as his hands began slipping up my back. 

"I always loved you." I spoke, his expression gave nothing away, "But your pride, your attitude, it wounded mine, so I retaliated. I pushed you and wanted to hate you, I rejected your proposal and yes, it was because of what you did to my sister Pidge, but the reason of Lotor...it was to add another reason to the list of why I hated you. To convince myself that I hated you rather than admit that...I love you."

I waited, watched his features for any sort of sign. But he was a skilled man, he gave nothing away as he loosened his grip.

"We must hurry to save your sister." He spoke.