time with who he wants. Who are you to say anything or make judgments? You’re not the queen…”

            “I could’ve been.”

            Akase shrugged. This had been the lioness’s attitude since Baraka became king. She wished Hasira would put her anger aside but it was the meaning of her name. To let the meaning go wouldn’t be easy, if it could even be done.

            “Speaking of spending time,” Hasira began again. “You and Arif don’t seem to.”

            “He likes his time alone,” Akase said defensively.

            “Yes, but what of time with you? It’s obvious he doesn’t. Does he talk with anyone else?” Akase didn’t reply. “Or does he like talking with other lionesses…”

            “If he does, so what…? He’s allowed to.”

            “Even if they’re lionesses he’s known all his life? Lionesses he probably once had feelings for?”

            Akase stopped and Hasira walked ahead. Her jaw quivered. “What do you mean?” she asked, her voice a whisper. She took a step forward and Hasira turned around. “Did the lionesses, those he grew up with… Did they have feelings for him?” The look in her orange eyes was now insistent and slightly filled with fear.

            Hasira shut her eyes but not in the way Akase wanted. It wasn’t in sympathy. Hasira looked away. “One may have,” she whispered. “A long time ago and at that time, he considered it, considered her and a possible future.”

            Akase felt her heart go into her stomach. Hasira remained silent until Akase snapped her head up, her breathing heavy and shallow. “Who,” she asked in a shudder.

            “Does it matter?” Hasira asked, lifting her head to meet the Princess’s gaze.

            “Yes!” Akase snapped, surprising herself. She recoiled and shook her head quickly. “I mean, no. No, it doesn’t matter. It… doesn’t. It’s in the past, right?” She stared into Hasira’s eyes.

            “We learn from the past, but sometimes the past as a way of catching up to us and with that, even the oldest of feelings can return. But I’m sure it’s nothing to worry about. Arif loves you.”

            Akase, feeling her heart pound, walked past Hasira, the lioness watching every step she took.

            “Where’re you going?” Hasira called but Akase didn’t answer.

            Hasira saw the princess break into a run. She, however, headed in the other direction.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

“Rafiki…”

            The mandrill turned to see the bedraggled lion approach. “Arif, do you need more herbs?”

            “No, but the ones you gave me earlier should help.”

            Rafiki put a hand on his apprentice’s shoulder. “For your sake, I hope de do… Is it Akase?”

            “Yes,” Arif replied, his voice low.

            “And your father, brother and mother have tried talking to you but you’re still unable to speak,” Rafiki said, studying the lion’s tired gaze. “And dere worried about how dis matter is affecting your relationship with your mate.”

            Arif turned away. From the edge of his vision he saw the lands and felt a wave of nausea. He was dizzy and forced himself to think of something, anything, other than his problems.

            The shamans were silent and after a few minutes Arif spoke. “Yes and yes. Rafiki, I don’t know what to do. I love Akase with all my heart but…” He trailed off and sniffed. “I…”

            “Arif, you need to talk to someone.”

            “It doesn’t do any good. Mom, Dad, Baraka…”

            Rafiki smiled gently. “I don’t mean your parents and brother. I mean someone who is not of your blood, a non family relative.” The mandrill thought for a moment. “A friend… someone who will not pressure you…”

            Arif pondered. He had yet to talk to those he grew up with, but who of his friends could he talk to? Kadiri, Dailia and Mabaki were performing their duties as guardians of the Pridelands. That left only two others: Hasira and Saada. Arif sighed. He would never tell Hasira anything. She was too hung up on Baraka and hating Etana for no reason.

            At the mental mention of Etana Arif wondered if he could talk to her. His brother spent his mornings with the lioness and was always different in the afternoons. He was somewhat happier and mingled with their parents and friends. In his mind, Arif believed that Etana was the one lioness Baraka could be open with and if that made him a better lion and king, Arif was happy, but what of him and his problem? No. He couldn’t ask her. It wouldn’t be right.

            That left only Saada… Could she help him? Arif laughed softly. Saada’s name meant help and she lived up to it. “And she’s been the sister I’ve never had,” he thought. “I could tell her everything when we were young and as we were growing up.”

            He bit his lip and turned back to Rafiki. His eyes were still sad but his gaze was almost hopeful. “You’re right. Thank you, Rafiki. Would you mind if… I mean, I don’t want to leave but…”

            The old baboon laughed for a moment then grew serious. “Arif, it’s okay. You cannot concentrate when you’re worried. Go.”

            The Prince stood. “I’ll make it up to you.”

            “Even if you can’t, it’s alright. Go. Your peace of mind is more important.”

            With a grateful smile Arif leapt out of the tree. Rafiki watched, putting a hand over his chest. “Oh, Lord, why would you allow dis lion to carry what appears to be a heavily burdened message, knowing he has a family to provide for?”

            Sighing, the mandrill returned to his work at the tree wall.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Sometime later, Arif found himself sitting at a large waterhole beside a lioness who wasn’t his mate. This lioness was golden brown with white rimmed ears and white tail tuft. He looked at her pretty sky blue eyes and sighed in relief. He was glad to have found her. Rafiki was right. He could talk to her because she wasn’t of his blood family. She was a friend and he loved her like a sister.

            After a slow greeting, he told her everything and she listened. She always did. He was so grateful. She never spoke while he talked; only nodding her head to let him know that she was paying attention. When he was through she was still silent, going over everything in her mind. Arif was also quiet. He didn’t know what to expect. Then, she spoke.

            “Arif… you’ve been given a heavy burden.”

            He flinched slightly. He knew she’d say that. Everyone did, aside from Rafiki. Her next words, however, surprised him.

            “I can’t imagine what you must be going through and I cannot say I understand. I don’t, but this message, whatever it is, has been placed on you for a reason. I don’t blame you for being distant.”

            “Even