As we entered the large, arched front-room, I watched Pidge and Lance take the head of our group, squeezing each other's hands harder than was needed. Jealous rage flushed my face as I strode two steps behind them, Shiro at my side and Hunk behind us. I tried to control my fury, tried desperately, and only barely succeeded. Shiro noticed my anger and whispered to me," What's wrong, Keith?" I glanced over at him and then away as my cheeks heated up. "Nothing," I muttered, ending the conversation and my staring at the couple at the front of our party before Shiro noticed my concentrated gaze. Shieo nodded once and turned to survey the palace's grandeur. The ballroom, which we had entered moments before, was wide and long and decorated in celebration for our arrival in our Paladin colors. I focused on the vaulted ceiling and beautiful crystal-chandaliers that caught the light reflecting off of the large bay outside the low windows. As we walked towards the dias at the end of the room, I felt the heat in my cheeks calm and the color in my face fade. At least until I looked back to the Fake Paladin couple and caught Lance watching me with a hooded look. I didn't have time to interpret the look in the three seconds our eyes held before he turned to face the four leaders of Vox126, who had shifted to a standing position in time for our entrance. Bowing in unison, our group showed our respect to the three men and one female that bowed with us. As we straightened as one, the female stepped forward, smirking at the confused expressions that flashed across our faces. In another moment, her amusement disappeared and was replaced by cold assessment. Her blue-green eyes roamed over our party, pausing on Pidge and Lance's entwined hands with a raised eyebrow. I could have sworn the female alien's eyes flashed to me for an instant before returning to the Paladin couple. A tug of amusement curved her lips once again, disappearing almost instantly like before. Her voice was deeper than most alien-women as she said," This is not what I expected, if I were to be honest... However, you have met our initial request - and we have just one more before we will accept alliance."
Confusion rippled through our party and through the rest of the assembled leaders.
Lance was the first to speak: "What other proof of our ability to care and love do you require??"
I somehow knew what was coming, but I didn't want to believe it. I couldn't...
The female leader threw a wicked grin our way. "The Paladin couple must express their mutual love for each other to us... through a kiss."
