soul.

            The late former queen of the Pridelands smiled. “Arif,” she said, her voice tugging a chord in his heart. The prince felt his heart melt.

            When he was able to tear away from his great-grandmother, he met the eyes of the other lioness, which were crimson red like his firstborn son’s. She too was also familiar and he felt that same connection. He stared hard at her features. She was different than Sarabi. Her body was sharp and angular, strong and swift. She looked almost like his aunt Vitani, except her fur color was desert brown, and she had a dark brown stripe that started in the beginning of her forehead and…

            Arif swallowed. He knew the connection. This lioness was also of his blood, another ancestor, and a former queen of the Pridelands. “Zira… Grandma…” Arif stammered. One was his father and aunt’s mother, the other his mother’s paternal grandmother.

            Was this a dream, or was he about to physically go into heaven again? Were they here to escort him? Last time it was Simba who had come down and gotten him. Where was his late grandfather and why were Sarabi and Zira in his place?

            Before he could speak, the wife of Scar looked at him, her smile kind. Heaven had certainly changed her, and she paid for her sins when she died in the river. “Don’t be afraid, Arif,” said the desert lioness. “Sarabi and I are here to help you through losing Akase.”

            His heart sank at the mention of Akase. Wait, they were here for that? While he slept, did he pray for release? Was this the answer? They must’ve come to him for a reason. They were, after all, family.

            “I… understand,” Arif said, though confusion played in his eyes. “But why are you two here?” Surprised at how the question sounded, he held up a paw. “Not that I’m not happy to see you or anything…” He smiled at that. “It’s just that last time –”

            Sarabi addressed him. “The last time it was Simba who woke you and took you into heaven?” She chuckled. “Yes, well, the Lord felt it appropriate that one or two of your blood ancestors, who know what’s like to lose a mate help you. Get up, Arif we have much to talk about.”

            Without waiting for a response, she and Zira turned and started walking through the grasses. Arif was still in shock, but was able to move. Much of the emotional pain and anger was gone, but not all. His head still pounded. He rose and followed.

            “So… you know of Akase?” he asked, then felt foolish. Of course they knew! They were spirits who lived and reigned with the Almighty in heaven! Akase was a spirit now too, of that he was sure.

            Sarabi answered. “Yes, we know, and we were just as saddened and surprised as you were. She was a good lioness.”

            Arif nodded numbly. “Does she know? Does she know that I… I still love her…” The question tore his heart.

            Zira answered this. Her expression was soft and slightly grim. “All I can tell you, Arif is that she knows, and that the love you once had changed. The same with her love to you…”

            “A friend love, right?” Arif guessed, pain engulfing him. He hadn’t meant for his love for Akase to drop so much. He felt responsible for that. She had been right. He had put work before family.

            Zira nodded. “Yes, but your love lives in on your children. She’s proud of them, even Njozi. It was just… hard for her to accept such truth about her only daughter.”

            “I know how that feels,” he said quietly. He looked up at Zira, his eyes serious. “But I wasn’t about to turn Njozi away or say she was crazy. She’s not. Akase should’ve known that! She was her mother for…!” He snarled angrily then regained control. He didn’t mean to snap. He sighed and bowed his head. “What was I supposed to do?” he whispered. “I… loved Akase, but seeing Njozi hurt…”

            “You were looking out for your child. No one can fault you for that.”

            There was another question he wanted to ask but fear prevented him.

            “Ask any question you wish, my grandson,” said Zira, seeing the hesitation. “Sarabi and I will do our best to answer.”

            He sighed heavily, feeling the rhythm of his heartbeat increase. His breath was short, but he had to ask. He had to know if he had a future, if his children had a future. “Will I –” He paused and scolded himself. He couldn’t! What if the answer wasn’t what he wanted to hear? He would be rearing himself for more disappointment.

            But the lionesses knew. Zira eyed Sarabi and dipped her head, allowing her sister-in-law to take up the question. Sarabi smiled at her and walked closer to Arif, the glow from her body illuminating his side. “Speak, Arif, it’s alright. There is no reason to be shy or quiet.”

            Arif was shaken and nervous, but permission was given. He exhaled a breath and his stomach churned. Once the question was poised he couldn’t take it back. Here it goes… “You… know about Saada, right?” He flinched. “You, you must know that I…” He stopped and let out an anguished cry.

            Sarabi and Zira looked at each other. They knew. Sarabi went to the pained lion and purred soothingly while Zira answered the question.

            She nodded. Her sharp red eyes were not angry or condemning. “Yes, Arif, you have feelings for Saada. We’re not surprised. We always knew you two had a special relationship. Akase was, as we said before, a good lioness, and she did give you three remarkable cubs.” She stopped and Sarabi took over.

            The graceful lioness nuzzled Arif and licked his cheek. “Every animal has a purpose in life. And as a shaman, you know this. We all have our parts in the Circle of Life whether they’re big or small. Akase’s was small. Yes, her death was hard, but be thankful she didn’t suffer.”

            “I am…” Arif was panting. He was thirsty, but the information he received tasted like water from a newly created pond. Where was the freshness? Was it yet to come? “I am deeply thankful. That was the last thing I ever wanted. But, me, and Saada… is there a chance? Will it be accepted? Will Akase? She never liked Saada as it was.” He shook his head. “I sinned against Akase. I betrayed her and lost her trust.” His voice broke.

            The lionesses put a paw on both sides of him. They looked at each other, feeling his inner agony. They had never seen a family member so lost and defeated.

            “You have not sinned, Arif,” said Zira, looking at him point blank and hard in the eyes. Her own eyes snapped a moment, filled with the harshness she had when she was alive. Who knew that being on earth would remind a person of who they once were? Zira thought she’d been passed that. She had a new body and mind when she got into heaven. Some things never change.

            “She’s right, Arif,” said Sarabi. “You have not sinned at all. You only thought of a future with someone you loved long before you realized it. You did not act on your feelings for Saada nor did you lust after her.”

            Arif wasn’t sure about that. “I think I did, or maybe I only dreamed about her. Is that wrong?” Despair came over him. “I can’t help it.”

            Sarabi nuzzled him. She had to do something to ease his pain. “It’s not your fault. Your bond with Saada has been there from the very beginning. It’s just been…