special event was forbidden. In the early evening the prince, his wife, the king and his wife rested on the ledges, but Arif and Saada left a few moments later. Bidding his brother and new sister-in-law goodnight, Arif walked into the den with his mate to join their cubs in peaceful slumber.

            When they were gone, a silence filled the air. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming. Baraka glanced at her, seeing that she was growing tired and rightly so as he was also tired. Today, though wonderful, had been long. After they had roared their leadership, the animal leaders from each species came to greet them. Some were surprised to see their queen was blind, but to object would be offensive. They kept their opinions to themselves. Any problems their people had, problems that they couldn’t solve, the royal leaders could.

            “Yes, tomorrow,” Baraka thought with a small smile. The night was lingering. Good. He wasn’t ready for what he and Etana would face in the morning. But at least they would be able to continue their morning routines. He looked more forward to that than work. They didn’t speak. What was there to say? They were married and would spend the rest of their lives together. A small piece of him couldn’t get over it. She was his queen, his partner, his second in command and his wife!

            He saw her put a paw on his. Maybe she sensed his thoughts. If not, he would still share.

            “We should head in,” she said.

            Her voice warmed him and he replied, “Yeah.”

            They rose and walked into the den together. Everyone was sleeping. Arif and his family were laying in a large corner, the prince’s face next to his wife’s, his expression peaceful. Baraka smiled. It felt good to see his brother happy again. It was something he missed.

            As he and Etana walked into their chambers, Baraka started wondering. Arif had feelings for Saada when they were young. They were there when he married Akase, and remained when they fought. It posed a question. Was love, real love, that love you feel when you’ve found that other half, blind? If so, what about him? Had he, in his heart, been blind? Had he been unable to see other lionesses because his heart refused, telling him that none would live up to what he needed in a good mate? He looked at Etana, watching as she settled to a corner in the cave. His heart skipped a beat and he was once again mesmerized by her presence. The answer was yes. It was a miraculous feeling and he wasn’t about to let it go or replace it. Etana needed him and he needed her.

            He finally moved and lay down beside her. He nuzzled her and kissed her cheek with his tongue. She did the same to him.

            “I love you,” he murmured, pulling away. He stared. Maybe she didn’t need to see him on the outside. She knew his heart and his soul.

            “I love you too,” she answered.

            They put their heads down to sleep, but moved close so that nothing could come between them. For Baraka, fearing his future was over. His future was at his side. For Etana, the pain of her past could be buried. Whatever challenges came in the future, they would get through together.

            If love was blind, then he was thankful to have been blind for so long. Now, thanks to Etana, he could see and would for the rest of his life.

            The great thing was he would see only her.