“I don’t care about the pride.” A slash across a sapling.
“I don’t care about cubs.” A twin to join its brother.
“I don’t care about Fuli.” A third, drawing an oozing green sap from the young tree.
“I don’t even care about my parents!” A final slash brought the tree to the ground. The young lion collapsed in a sob. Tears flowed freely from his chocolate brown eyes.
“It will be okay.” Ashiki purred as she walked out of the underbrush. She looked around at the clearing. To the left there was a small waterfall, trickling into a pool before flowing off into the river. Moss covered the ground and vines snaked their way up the trees. The sunlight barely managed to get any of his golden rays to hit the lush floor.
Ajali felt her brush up against him. Her fur brushed against his. Her scent filled his nostrils, intoxicating him. She smelled of crushed berries and fresh cut foliage. It was overwhelming him. He could feel his blood flow hot. The sobs faded.
Ashiki gently placed her head against his. She could hear his heartbeat. Her blue eyes closed.
He closed his eyes as well, the tears had finally stopped. He felt at peace, but another emotion was raging inside him.
“I’m supposed to feel this way about Fuli.” He said without thinking. His eyes widened and he allowed his head to fall to the floor.
* * *
A roar echoed through the cave. A sound that was chilling, haunting, as if death itself had appeared. It was full of pain and fear.
“It’s Layla!” Tufani yelped. He had been the first to enter the cave. There, he had seen the queen, surrounded by her own blood, thrashing around and breathing heavy. “The cubs! Get Chuki! She needs help!”
* * *
With his sudden movement, Ashiki stumbled. Had he actually said those words? He feels for he like a lover? A mate? Her world was flipping, and all she could think of was the caramel lion next to her. Her heart was racing.
“I like you, Ajali. More than that, I think I love you.” She purred; confused on where she found the courage so say the words she had been too scared to utter.
“And I, you.” The male purred back.
* * *
Jalil entered the cave at full speed, his paws thundering when word of his mate reached him. And now he looked upon his beloved Layla, breathing heavy, soaked by her own blood, and tears rolled down his face. “Oh, Layla.” He purred as he lay in front of her.
* * *
Ajali licked her cheek. Everything felt so right. A fire burned in his belly. He intertwined his tail with hers and pressed himself closer to her.
She purred and rubbed her head against his neck. This was what she had always wanted, ever since she was a young cub. Her heart ached with a burning sensation. She could feel it flowing through her.
He took a deep breath and stood up, circling the lioness. His eyes took in her whole body; the curve of her neck, the arch of her back, the rippling muscles under her wheat-colored pelt .Things he had never seen in Fuli.
Ashiki’s eyes remained glued to his, watching his every move. She shifted her position ever so slightly. The atmosphere had changed. Hormones were flying, and both of them knew it.
* * *
“One cub: a boy.” Chuki called. She picked up the tiny chocolate cub and placed him down away from the blood. She had felt neither heartbeat nor breath. Her eyes flashed up and met Jalil’s. “Stillborn. They are too early.” She cooed sadly.
“No…” Jalil growled. “Oh, Layla.” He pressed his muzzle against her cheek. She was in pain. Breathing heavy and seizing up. She could barely hear him.
“I… love… you…” She managed to exhale.
Chuki suddenly placed another cub next to his brother. It was another dark cub with a little cream tuft of fur on his head. He, like his brother was stillborn. “I am so sorry, Jalil.” The aged lioness whispered as she went back to the birth.
Suddenly, Layla fell limp. Her eyes closed. The staggered rise and fall of her chest had ceased. The queen’s heart fluttered, and then went silent.
The healer got up quickly. In her jaws was a small cub, a caramel color, only shades lighter than her brother, Ajali. She was crying out. Chuki put the cub down, away from the scene and began to lick her clean.
Jalil, however, had not heard the cry. He sat next to his dead mate, not caring if her blood soaked through his pelt. He looked up, at the roof of the cave and opened his mouth.
* * *
Two roars echoed through the valley; one from the sorrow of death, the other the joy of new life.
Ajali exited the jungle with Ashiki in tow. He was greeted by Tufani, who shared with him the news of his mother’s death and his newborn sister’s life.
“You’re father won’t accept her.” Tufani explained. “But she won’t survive long without any nourishment. Chuki is gathering what she can from your mother. But that will only last a week at most.”
The prince flicked a look over to Ashiki, who blushed and looked away. Both of them knew what they had done was forbidden, and what they had created together was wrong. Ajali was promised to Fuli, and there was no changing that.
Ashiki walked past Ajali, unsure of what was to become of them. Or their unborn cub.
