helped you. Don’t worry about Arif and the cubs. I will look after them.” A tear rolled down each of her cheeks as she left the area.

            As she walked, she looked up at the stars. “You’re up there,” she whispered with a smile.

            During her trek to Pride Rock, Saada felt better than she ever had. She still couldn’t get over it, not even as she walked to pay her respects. Somehow, she knew something must have happened. It was a feeling she’d had when she first woke up, and it pulled her to Akase’s grave. In her mind, she wondered how Etana was doing. All Saada could remember was opening her eyes, feeling no pain, and seeing the gray lioness at her side.

            “It’s all right, Saada,” Etana had said, her voice weak. “You’re healed.”

            Saada had been astonished. Was this what happened with Dailia? Saada knew Etana took away others pain but to experience it for herself and under such circumstances was unbelievable. To her, what Etana had done was a miracle. Saada smiled. She would get the same reactions as Dailia. It didn’t really matter. She was healed and she had Etana to thank for it.

            When Saada reached the lower caves, she was tired. Carefully stepping over her pride sisters and brothers, she made her way back to where Arif and his cubs were sleeping. She looked down at them sympathetically and lay down near Princess Njozi. Her heart ached, but that feeling was soon overcome by fatigue.

            Saada yawned quietly and closed her eyes.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Baraka looked at the surrounding darkness in his chambers. He was half glad to be in here, but the reason why moderately puzzled him.

            He had been sleeping outside the main den when a soft nudge woke him from sleep. He’d looked up to see Saada. She had woken, and was healed completely. After nuzzling his friend, Baraka informed her of the day, his voice breaking. Saada took it hard. He knew she would. She didn’t know Akase that well, yet he could see she was wounded emotionally. Whether it was for Arif or for herself because she couldn’t convince the princess to return home, he wasn’t sure. Saada asked where Akase was buried, and once told, she left Pride Rock.

            When she was gone, Baraka wasted no time to enter the den and his chambers.

            Baraka turned his head. She was still there, her chest barely rising. He walked over and sat down, watching, his eyes never leaving her face. He shivered inwardly. He felt cold, useless. But he had to be here when she woke. He hoped she would. He prayed that like last time, she would be alright and fully healed.

            Baraka pawed the ground but his eyes never left her. He bit his lip and shaking with emotional fear. Saada had woken later than Dailia had. Did this mean Etana would too? He wished she would wake now. This had been the worst day of his life and he needed someone to talk to. Arif would have Saada to console him. But who did he have, other than Etana?

            Looking down at the lioness one more time, Baraka sank to the ground, stretching his legs and body. When he was relaxed, he put his head on the cold stone ground, but his eyes wandered to Etana’s still form. He felt his eyes fill with tears, but they soon closed, giving him the sleep he desperately needed.

            But during the night, he twitched, moaned softly, and wept.

Chapter 15: Remorse and Regret

Baraka woke groggily the next morning. His vision blurred after he opened his eyes, then cleared a few seconds later. He shook his head and stared, taking in his surroundings. For a split second he had no idea where he was. A sharp pain grabbed him and his head pounded. He groaned, yawned, and shook his head again, his mind suddenly in a fog. Where was…

            Then he remembered. He was in his chambers! Last night… what… Baraka shut his eyes, frustrated. How could he forget last night? His brother’s wife died, and he gave a memorial at Arif’s request.

            Arif…

            Baraka wondered how his twin was doing, not to mention the cubs, who, probably wouldn’t be playing with their friends, just as Arif wouldn’t be working with Rafiki. This would be a hard day including the days, weeks, and months to follow. Baraka hoped Arif could get not only himself, but his children through it. They would need each other more than ever.

            Keeping the thoughts of his brother, and all the while praying Arif had the mental and emotional strength to keep his family together, Baraka looked around the cave. Didn’t he come in here the night before to look after – Wait, where was she?

            Alarmed, Baraka leapt to his feet, eyes frantically darting around the chamber until he saw her lying near the entrance, her unseeing eyes clearly fixed on him. She looked amused, as if she knew he would panic when he woke to not see her beside him.

            “Looking for me, Baraka,” she asked with a sly smile on her face. “I woke not long ago and did not wish to disturb you. You needed your sleep.”

            The king sighed in relief and irritation. He had thought the worst, that someone entered his chamber and taken her out. But no one would dare disobey any order he’d give.

            He rose and walked over. “Yes, I did,” he said. “How are you feeling?” His eyes showed the seriousness of the question. He was concerned and it always seemed to come around whenever she finished her healings. This was the second time, and more would come in the future. If they did, he would watch over her. No one, not even Takata, could stop him.

            She nodded. “Better. Saada’s pain is gone from me. And she is well, but you already know otherwise you wouldn’t be here.” She smirked.

            Baraka smiled. “Yes, she told me and she’s very grateful. Everyone else will be too.” Even Arif, he added in thought.

            “Saada is a good lioness, Baraka; a good lioness with more to do in this life.”

            “Yes,” Baraka said again, his voice soft. He idly began to wonder now what Akase’s death would mean for Arif and Saada and how it would affect their ‘relationship’. Baraka shook his head, scolding himself inwardly. That was something for the lion shaman and the lioness to talk about together and alone… just them, no one else, though Baraka would hope for his brother’s happiness. After everything Arif had been through, Lord knew he deserved it, and far more than he.

            There was a silence until Etana broke it, much to Baraka’s gratefulness. He was at a loss for words, and why not? Yesterday had wiped him out.

            “You seem distracted, Baraka,” Etana said. “What’s wrong?”

            Wearily, he looked at her. Should he tell her, or should Arif? Would Arif be up to it? He doubted it and dismissed the question. After a moment, he found his voice, the words coming out in a stutter.

            “I’m-I’m alright, Etana. I just…” He sighed, pain filling his eyes. He bit his lip. “Do you feel up for a walk?” he suddenly asked, hoping a walk would make him think clearly.

            His attitude surprised and troubled her but she didn’t let it show. That would worry him, and it was clear he had enough to deal with. And he rarely spoke, as if he had no idea what to say. Talking with and to her had come so easily for him. What troubled him? Had something changed?

            Etana nodded. “Yes,” she answered quietly.

            They left the chamber, and when they stepped out into the morning light, Baraka was surprised to see his father with Adabu, Adisa, and Njozi. Surely they would have been with their father by now. Baraka shivered. Something was wrong. Arif