distant.”

            “Even from Akase?” the lion asked, his voice quiet, almost far away.

            The lioness put a paw on his. “Even from Akase… I know she’s your mate but there are some things you cannot tell her and this is one of them.”

            Arif bowed his head. “That’s just it, Saada. I love her so much that I don’t want to keep this from her, but… I’m bound. I don’t want to anger the ancestors. I want to talk to her but I’m afraid… afraid I might spill.” His face grew somber and pained. He looked at her for a moment then turned away. “You must think that’s stupid. That I’m being a coward.”

            Saada shook her head and nudged him kindly. “Arif, for as long as I’ve known you, you have never been secretive. You always spoke your mind. Even when we were cubs you weren’t afraid to do that. Remember those times you spoke against Hasira for the way she treated Dailia and for how she used to follow Baraka? Of course, that got worse as we grew older…”

            “She still thinks he loves her,” Arif said quietly. “He doesn’t and everyone knows that. She’s too wrapped up in her own little world, where they rule the Pridelands.”

            Saada chuckled. “You know if they did rule, I’d leave the Pridelands?” She saw Arif turn to her stunned. “I’m serious. I would. I love Baraka like a brother and his orders I could live with, but Hasira?” She shook her head ruefully. “No, there’d be no chance. I think I’d kill her before she got the chance to order me around.”

            Arif shivered. He never heard her speak this way. It frightened him but she was right. If Baraka did marry the wrong lioness, like Hasira, there would be dire consequences, which is why he was thankful that his brother didn’t marry but he was also saddened. He would never see other cubs running around the Pridelands. He would never hear the words ‘Uncle Arif’ from any cubs’ lips. It hurt him to know and realize that it would simply never happen.

            Arif spoke. “I wouldn’t blame you either and lucky for all of us Hasira is not Baraka’s mate, nor the queen.”

            “Arif… you’re doing what you have to do.” She paused and spoke again, her voice soft and quiet. “Akase should understand that.”

            “I shouldn’t speak ill of her, but she just wouldn’t understand. I’m scared, Saada. I don’t want to lose her because of this…” He shut his eyes and seeing this, Saada nuzzled him. Her nuzzle was one of sisterly affection and he welcomed it. She allowed him to rest his head on her shoulder. Arif sighed heavily. Being near his dear friend gave him comfort and strength. Saada always had that presence about her, even as a cub.

            In that moment the two began to reflect on their old lives. While they talked, Arif started to feel better but the inward agony was still there. He wasn’t sure how he was going to resolve it without hurting Akase’s feelings. He would have to talk to her eventually, a point Saada made in their conversation.

            “You’re a good and kind lion, Arif,” she said gently. “And if Akase is a good mate then she will understand when you talk to her.”

            “And if she doesn’t?”

            Saada would’ve replied but knew he wouldn’t like what she said. “She will,” she reminded him. But her voice was hesitant. Akase wouldn’t understand. Saada knew that as well as anyone. Silently and almost unaware, she allowed her front claws to come out and she tapped the ground in thought.

            “You okay?” Arif asked looking over at her after a small pause.

            It took a long time for Saada to respond. She liked the princess but she was also and in an impossible to explain way, jealous. Saada shut her eyes tightly. Jealousy was such an ugly thing to possess. She loved Arif like a brother, always did from the time of their cubhood, so why did he come to her with his problem? Why did she allow him to rest his head on her shoulder? His action didn’t make sense. Of all the members in the pride, his parents and brother included, not to mention the mandrill, he came to her. Saada sighed silently. The answer was obvious. He trusted her… trusted her so much… but why? Why so much to share his burden, though he didn’t tell her what the message was about? Why so much that he laid out his fear of Akase not understanding?

            Saada found herself in a daze. She would’ve spoken but her throat constricted and her heart sank low into her stomach. She trembled and hoped he didn’t see.

            “Saada,” Arif asked again.

            She couldn’t speak. The tightness in her throat increased. She felt like she was choking. Her emotions allowed themselves to build up in her system and she turned from him, her head low. She shuddered.

            “Saada, are you alright?” No response. He tried again and reached out with an outstretched foreleg, his paw about to make contact with her back.

            Suddenly, her eyes snapped and she whirled around, standing up right, her forelegs spread out.

            Arif stopped. He saw the look in her eyes. It was of fear and slight anger.

            “Don’t… touch me!” she breathed, her chest heaving up and down.

            “Saada…”

            She began growl. “Go to her, Arif. Go and tell her. If she’s a ‘good mate’ she will understand.” She lay down. “Leave me alone. I’ve done all I can to help.”

            He would’ve spoken but her tone scared him. Sighing, he did as told and left the area. He stopped and turned, looking back at her. He bit his lip, his expression sorrowful. “Thank you for your advice, Saada.”

            She grunted in reply and her ears flickered as she heard him leave. She let out an emotional sigh and sniffed. Tears fell from her eyes.

            But neither she nor the departing Arif heard the soft movement in the tall grass.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

The afternoon sun started to sink; the atmosphere in the air still warm. The pride gathered with the kill of the evening in front of them and their king on the other side of it. Baraka stepped forward and gave the blessing. Each member of the pride arose, taking their pieces. Dinner was eaten in soft silence and the occasional conversation was done amongst those who couldn’t stand silence. The cubs barely ate, which made their parents wonder aloud about what was bothering them, but each one, looking up into the concerned eyes of their parents, said in no uncertain terms that nothing was wrong.

            After the meal the pride lounged around Pride Rock. The lionesses laid on the platforms and chatted. The king informed his parents of the day’s events. As the Regents gave advice to their son, Baraka found himself looking upward, past them to see Etana and Takata heading towards the den. But they didn’t enter. Instead, Etana settled down in her sleeping spot and put her head on her paws. Takata joined her. Baraka smiled softly. The lions were tired and needed to rest.

            The cubs left their parents sides to talk in the grasses. They still held worried eyes. Nearby, Kadiri and his mate looked at each other. They wondered what seemed to trouble their cubs and the cubs of their friends.

            Meanwhile, Arif, who set himself away from the pride, silently left to go into the den. A moment later, another figure followed.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Arif sat in the darkness. He shivered. The atmosphere was cold and comforting simultaneously. He could see the opening at the back of