she suggested, amused. “It’s what you want to do, isn’t it? Come on, don’t you want to spare my sister the dramatics? She’d be better off without me. She protected me during our mother’s spats, not the other way around.” A shadow of pain fell over her eyes as she lowered her head. “The whole pride would benefit with my absence… even you now.”

            He knew what she was trying to do. “I’m not changing my feelings, Hasira. Don’t guilt me. You brought this on yourself. And I can’t believe you would suggest the punishment!” He closed his eyes, his emotions overwhelming him. He had to wonder if banishment was a good idea. Keeping her in the pride, even under guard, would still be a risk. And killing her was also out of the question. Dailia was one of his best friends. She had already lost her mother, losing a sister even though they didn’t get along, would be another blow. He swallowed, knowing he had no choice. He had to do what was in everyone’s best interests.

            “Hasira,” Baraka began, hoping his voice was almost authoritative. “I hereby banish you for attempted murder.” His body tensed.

            She smirked. “I guess this would save you any constant monitoring of me. But are you sure that you can live the rest of your life without seeing me in the Pridelands or among the pride?”

            Baraka growled. “Enough of that!” he said, his chest heaving, a rumble of thunder sounding. “I never had any interest in you when we were young and I never will. I’m sorry about what your mother put you and Dailia through, but she’s gone. You can stop living in the shadow of your cubhood. This banishment could give you another chance.”

            Hasira laughed. “Not so easy, the shadow of the past is all I have… And your words…”

            He didn’t speak, just shuddered, but his mouth quivered. “You’ll never let up will you?” he asked softly. “Hasira… you should be thankful I’m banishing you. If I didn’t believe in my morals, I would kill you for what you’ve done to Etana.”

            “That is one thing I can say about you, Baraka. You stay to your morals. Very well then, love.” She turned then looked back over her shoulder. “Tell Dailia anything you want. And even if I’m gone, my fantasy about us won’t be. And maybe your fondness for the blind lioness will mean nothing and you’ll regret banishing me. I hope you do. I could be the queen for you that she could never be. Until then, my king…” She gave him a wink that sent chills down his spine and with that she fled into the wet night.

            Baraka only watched as she vanished. He felt cold again, her words tearing his mind. He ached. He hoped that she would find a better life, find a lion to share her life with and live well and peacefully. He’d prayed for something like that for her every day. He wasn’t the one for her, he always knew as did everyone else. And that wink? He shrugged, hoping that she wasn’t going to return and put him in this position again, or worse, return and kill Etana permanently. He sighed and sank to the grass, paws over his eyes as tears leaked. How long he laid there he had no idea. He didn’t care. If he released his emotions here and now before going home, he’d do it.

            Sometime later, Baraka slowly rose to his paws, hanging his head, wondering if he could or should move. He willed his body to make a step, and then another and another until he was running in the direction Mabaki and Takata had.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

He stepped into the den and shook the access water from his mane. First order of business was to tell Dailia. He was still shaking as he came to Dailia’s corner. She, like the rest of the pride, heard what had happened. She saw Takata and Mabaki bring in Etana and watched Arif leave and return with the mandrill shaman. Dailia rose and approached Baraka, searched his face and understood. There were no blood stains or marks on his body, which, Dailia knew could only mean one thing. She bowed her head and nuzzled him.

            “I’m sorry,” he whispered. “But she tried to –”

            “I know. I will miss her, but it’s for the best. Maybe she can find a better life and I sincerely hope she does. Thank you, Baraka… I know it wasn’t easy.” She gave him a friendly lick on the cheek and returned to her family. She settled down beside Kadiri and cried quietly. The gray lion embraced her and looked up at Baraka, silently sending his own thanks.

            Baraka saw the silent thanks and headed for his chambers. Arif and Rafiki were waiting outside the entrance. The word caught in his throat. “Well?”

            The shamans exchanged glances. “I’ve given her herbs and wrapped leaves with medicine on the larger wounds, mainly the one on her back leg,” said the old baboon. “She’s badly hurt, sire, very badly. It’ll be a miracle if she does recover. She’s still nonresponsive.”

            “But, there’s a chance, yes?”

            “We’ll just have to wait, Baraka,” said Arif, his eyes downcast and pained.

            He swallowed hard, nodded, gently nuzzled his twin, bowed to Rafiki, and entered his cave.

            When he was gone from view Rafiki hugged Arif and left the lions’ den. Arif sighed, the heaviness weighing him down again. He went to his cubs. Saada was there, she hadn’t moved. He was so grateful for that. He lied down beside Saada and wept on her shoulder.

            While his brother cried, Baraka stared at the darkness then his eyes looked on her. Hurt welled inside him. She was in his chambers, not helping another, or there to shield herself from rain. She was here fighting for her life. Rafiki and Arif had done all they could. He couldn’t argue or fault them. They were, after all, mortal and did not have the powers she had. But could she heal herself from wounds like these? Healing Saada had to have been different. She had been hurt mildly… but Etana was hurt so badly, the wounds could kill her.

            He closed his eyes, glad that Hasira chose banishment. If she hadn’t, he’d have killed her. He wanted to, but something stopped him. Etana would not have wanted him to spill blood for her sake. He wondered if she would wake. She had to! The words he’d spoken to Hasira were the truest words he ever said. A sob came. He reached out to touch her shoulder but dared not. In her unconscious state if she was able to heal herself, he would not disturb the method.

            Baraka watched then lowered his head down to her ear, hoping, praying she would hear him. “I’ll be here when you wake. I feel responsible. I shouldn’t. And don’t worry about Hasira, she’s gone… banished for attacking you. Rafiki and Arif have given you medicine to try and heal your wounds.” His chest constricted, his throat tightening again. His eyes began to moisten. “I really hope you can hear me. I should wait until you’re well, but I can’t. Etana… I love you. I love you so much… Please, you can’t die on me, or Takata. We all need you, I need you.”

            A tear fell from each eye, landing on her cheek. Baraka winced. He hoped that didn’t bother the healing method. His body was tired. He yawned softly, stretched his limbs and tried to get comfortable. He put his head on his paws and closed his eyes but not before casting a look on Etana’s still form. He prayed she would be alright, repeating the same prayer continuously in his head as he drifted to sleep.

            And as he slept, the warmth fell on him like a ray of sun soothing his body and his soul.

Chapter 20: Love Realized

Over the next few days, life seemed almost normal, as if it was still trying to piece itself back together. When it wasn’t raining hard, the guardians patrolled,