Chill (Klance Warmth series Book 2 of +4)

22: Testing Boundaries

"So, you have fire power."

Keithek flushed and continued  walking through the tunnel before crouching at the cliff overlooking the  hanger. There were at least fifty Galra fighters parked on the floor  approximately seventeen spans below the cliff. The control tower was  directly across from the paladins' hideout reachable by several metal  beams that crossed the open area of the hanger. They were probably there  to lend support to the Balmera's questionable foundation. Keithek  hadn't missed the crumbling state of the Balmera's tunnels. He would  wager they were on the borderline of safe at the moment.

"Keith."

He  scanned the hangar for any sentries or Galra and counted only thirteen  drones. That was an unusually low number of sentries protecting so many  fighters. Normally there were twice that many. Something about this just  felt wrong.

"Keith."

Well, between himself and Lance,  Keithek was certain the sentries could be easily dispatched. He drew his  bayard and activated it, pleased when the short, red and white sword  materialized from the handle. The only problem would be getting down the  side of the Balmera's walls. As long as he was climbing, he could only  use the shield on his left forearm to defend if he was seen. Otherwise-

Cool  arms slipped around his neck and something nuzzled his neck between his  helmet and collar. He shivered when cold air brushed his skin.

"Keithek," Lance whispered.

The  red paladin froze stiff, violet and gold eyes wide in shock. One of the  blue paladin's hands slid down Keithek's armored chest, over to his  arm, and down to cover his right hand. His bayard dropped from nerveless  fingers as Lance wove their gloved fingers together.

"You're ignoring me," Lance murmured.

Keithek's  ears twitched where they were pressed against his hair under his  helmet. Lance was holding him of his own volition. He had to take a  deep, shaky breath to calm his Alpha senses and slow his fast beating  heart. Quiznak, this Altean would be the death of him.

"Lance," he hissed, perhaps a little breathlessly. "We are behind enemy lines."

"Really?" Lance asked, sounding ridiculously calm. "I had no idea."

Keithek twitched. "Don't push me," he warned.

"Is that a challenge?" Lance purred against his neck.

It took every ounce of self-control Keithek had to not turn  around, pin his mate to one of the tunnel's walls, and kiss him stupid.  Now was not the time or the place for that. Later. Once they got back  to the Castle; or the Lions, Keithek would be fine with it in the Lions.  Whichever came first. Probably the Lions.

"You weren't planning  on barging in there, sword swinging, with an almighty war cry like some  crazed Alpha, were you Keithek?" Lance asked, sounding like this whole  thing wasn't affecting him at all.

Quiznak him.

"I... I am an Alpha," Keithek said. "Unless you have a better idea," he took a deep breath, "then that's all I've got."

Lance  laughed softly, and it did things to Keithek that were not suited for  this situation. "I do have a better idea actually," Lance said, smiling.  He used the fingers of the hand that remained over the red paladin's  chest to lift Keithek's chin, turning it so they both looked at the  control tower. "We break in there and close the hangar doors. With those  closed, even if the Galra get to their fighters, they won't be able to  do anything for a good while."

"That..." Keithek's blush darkened and he sulked. "That is a better idea, actually," he admitted reluctantly.

"I know," Lance sang happily.