Chapter 29

Whirling dresses and bright colours were splashed around the ballroom as the Calamitians danced. All of them were dressed in jewel tones and bright colours.

Kiera stood at the side of the room after her dance with her brother. She was with the rest of the Paladins. Well, except for Shiro and Allura who were completely lost in each other's eyes while dancing. Kiera giggled a little at how clearly they liked each other. Shiro was so oblivious it was almost sad.

"Lady Nebula." Pidge brought her out of her glazed-over stare.

Kiera turned to her "Yes, Lady Emerald?" Their names all corresponded to the Paladins colours. Kiera's reminded her of her galaxy mask.

"Wouldn't it be a wonderful time for some punch?" Pidge asked "If you could go get some for me, it would be greatly appreciated."

Kiera nodded, that was their signal for Kiera to talk to Sendak. She smiled and said "Of course. I will be right back."

She turned, heart beating faster, and walked toward Sendak. He was at the opposite of the room and Kiera had to look as insignificant as possible while she edged around the room. She smiled and tried to look like she was supposed to be there.

Sendak's purple ears were dropping a little. He seemed very bored.

Kiera picked up a glass of punch from a floating serving tray and took a small sip. She forced down the urge to wrinkle her nose as the taste of sour apples and vinegar filled her mouth. She swallowed hard and felt a shiver of disgust travel down her spine.

She moved slowly closer to Sendak. As she did, she felt more and more nervous. Her face betrayed none of this. Being a thief for years had its benefits.

Finally, she was right near Sendak. She could hear his quiet complaints.

"Why are we still here?" He was whispering "This was supposed to be a quick signing of the peace treaty and then we leave. I have important business."

Kiera stood slightly beyond his guards and positioned herself so Sendak could see her. She fixed her eyes on the dancing and tried to look as bored as possible.

She pretended to mumble under her breath "Dinner party's. So overdone."

Sendak took notice of her and peered at her. Her long mismatched hair braided on her head. Her pale skin. Her purple eyes and purple gown that hugged her figure and sparkled like stars. A look came over his face that Kiera had seen before. She sighed internally.

The Commander swept from his guards and sidled up to Kiera "Greetings. I am Commander Sendak, of the Galra Empire. And you are?"

She mentally screamed In dire need of escaping this room!

Instead she said "My name is Lady Nebula. Pleasure to meet you, Commander." She gave him a little curtsy.

"You don't appear to be Calamitian." Sendak said.

Kiera nodded and fixed her eyes on his face "Indeed I'm not."

Sendak leered lightly at her "And I don't suppose you will tell me where you are from?"

"Unfortunately I can't. I don't know myself." Kiera was making it up as she went "I've never been this unentertained at a dinner party before. Have you, Commander?"

Sendak scowled a little "No, I have not. I have never been to a formal dinner party like this."

Kiera turned her eyes back to the dancing "The Calamitians seem to be a peaceful people. I wonder how they would react to being in a prison?"

"Would you want to test it?" Sendak asked "It would greatly brighten up this party."

Kiera fake giggled with a hand in from of her mouth "Why, no. Not here, not now. And besides, I have no prison to put them in."

"Ah, but the Galra have many." Sendak smirked.

"I have heard of the Galra Empires power. I have never been to any of there places of power. I hear they are quite formidable." She mused. Their conversation went quiet. Kiera watched the dance to hide the panic in her eyes. Had she overdone it?

Sendak spoke "A prison ship is one of the biggest Galra ships. Heavily armoured inside and out to prevent escapes and break ins. There is one just near here actually." He said a set of numbers that Kiera desperately filed away in her brain, repeating them over and over until she memorized them.

Kiera nodded, acting as the intrigued psychopath she had shown the Commander she was "Commander, if I may ask, many prisoners are aboard the ship?"

"Around a few thousand." He said almost proudly. Kiera violently fought down the instinct to retch. He kept talking "If you come visit the nearest one, I may be there."

Kiera smiled a little and said "And it is always a pleasure seeing you." She'd only met him once but the line worked. Sendak's guard was down.

A small conversation later, Kiera and Sendak finally went their separate ways. Kiera walked into a dark corner and focused on breathing.

If I had given myself away, we all could've died. She thought ferociously. She hated suspense and looming threats. Tears threatened to fall down her cheeks but she quickly blinked them away.

The ballroom was big enough that you couldn't really see who was on the other side. So, Kiera edged around the room, looking for the Paladins. A couple of Calamitians whirled near her and she jumped out of the way.

Kiera tried to keep a smile on her face the whole time.

When she finally arrived near the Paladins, she saw that Hunk was off dancing with some Calamitian girl. Lance was standing there with Pidge, Shiro and Allura. Keith was nowhere to be found. She stood next to Pidge.

Pidge whispered to her "Did you get the coordinates?"

Kiera nodded sharply "Yes. I've memorized them."

"Good." Pidge paused "Are you alright? You look like you're about to pass out."

"Yes, I'm fine. Just a bit shaken." She whispered.

Many dances passed and the sky had begun to darken. The sky displayed thousands of stars. The town was lit up with lanterns of every colour. It was beautiful.

Lance offered his hand to Kiera "Lady Nebula, may I have this dance?"

"Of course, Lord Sapphire." She took his hand and he led her to the dance floor.

Kiera was reminded of how much of an expert Lance was. He lead her through the dancers as if he were in control. He seemed to know where everything was. He whirled her around the room.

After a little time, Kiera whispered "Where did Keith go? I didn't see him over there."

"Don't worry he was just outside for a little fresh air." Lance said. Silence fell upon them as they kept dancing.

Kiera looked around the room as they danced. The Commander had left. People were beginning to watch Kiera and Lance. A certain mood came about the room. Kiera's eyes leaped back to Lance's. She was slightly panicked.

"They think we are in love." Kiera said "Keep smiling." A panicked look came over Lance. A pained smile appeared on his face.

Lance whispered "What do I do?"

Kiera whispered harshly back "They believe we are in love. What do lovers do?" She pulled herself closer to him so her lips were next to his ear.

"Th-they..." Lance whispered with a shaky voice "They kiss."

"Exactly." Kiera whispered "They expect us to kiss as they think we are in love. So, to remove suspicion, you have to kiss me."

Lance gasped "But I don't want to, no offence, but what you said earlier was true. I have a crush on someone else."

"I think I know who that is." She mumbled "Is it Keith?"

She felt him nod and she smiled. Shared crushes confirmed.

Then she remembered the problem at hand. The song was ending.

As the final notes of the song played, Lance dipped Kiera low towards the ground. Her heart wanted to die. She was about to kiss her brothers crush.

Lance gently placed his lips on hers and the world ended.