everything? What choice did he have? He couldn’t say no to a silent request like that and wouldn’t be able to if she asked him. After all the things she had done for him, his friends, and his brother, the least he could do was let her explain. He had done the same for Takata. And he would show her the same courtesy.

            Etana sat down, her gaze unsure, uncertain. She was silent, either gathering the next words or thoughts. Maybe it was both. She closed her eyes, wondering if this was still a good idea. Was she going to ruin their friendship by telling him the truth, even if it was painful for her? If so, she had to be ready before, during, and after but she could no longer hide who she was. It surprised her she had put it off this long.

            “Baraka,” she started but he interrupted.

            “Etana… before you say anything, let me just say that I didn’t expect this.” His tone was neither sharp nor soft. It was somewhere in between. She was one his friends, and one of three lionesses he admired and trusted so deeply. “Whatever your reasons are for telling me this now, you don’t have to tell me. I don’t need to know them. I’m just very thankful that you decided not to keep this from me completely.” His gaze softened, and though she couldn’t see it, his eyes were warm and kind. “You can tell me who you really are and where you came from. I will sit right here and listen. I will not leave. I promise.”

            If she could see, she would’ve looked into his eyes and saw truth in his words, but just hearing the words and truth behind them was enough. She gave a weak and grateful smile. Appreciation shined through it. “Thank you, Baraka.” She turned, lied down, and took a drink from the waterhole. She needed the moisture, her throat was dry. When she sat up again, her posture strong and firm, she let out a sharp breath. “Are you sure you want to hear this?” She had to be sure, just in case.

            Baraka nodded. “Yes, I’m sure.”

            “Okay…”

            True to his word, he sat there and listened. When the first words left her lips, he was completely immersed.

            “I was born in the North Mountains…”

Chapter 17: Past Lives

Queen Adila looked at the two cubs in her forelegs. One was a girl, the other a male. Adila smiled. Twins were a rare birth in the North Mountains, at least for the royal family. Slowly, she turned her head to the lion at her side, her mate, King Dharau. The gray lion’s majestic head was lowered which made Adila shudder. The shaman had just left a minute ago, having come to check on the week old cubs. And he delivered heartbreaking news.

            The royal couple’s daughter, their firstborn child, was blind.

            Dharau was in a daze, pawing the ground.

            Adila’s ears fell. “He’ll think it’s his fault,” she thought.

            Blindness ran in Dharau’s side of the family, the royal line. His father and grandfather were born blind, but Dharau had been spared. He considered himself lucky, but now it was happening again to his children, his firstborn… the heiress. And Dharau would not accept a blind cub.

            Adila smiled sadly, remembering her late adopted father. The old king adjusted to his blindness. His senses were stronger and relying on them he could tell who was who. He was smart, wise and cunning. The animals admired him and the pride respected him. When Adila’s mother died too early in her life, the old king and queen raised her.

            Dharau became king at the age of three and his parents died in their sleep seven months into his reign.

            Adila silently wondered how her parents in law would feel about their granddaughter. Another smile spread across her face. The old king would’ve taught the cub everything he knew and loved both cubs equally.

            There was a grunt and Adila felt her mate’s tongue on her cheek. She looked up at him. Dharau stared at her gently and together they stared on their cubs. He spoke. “Adila… the girl cannot be my heiress. We can’t have another blind royal on the throne. Since our son can see, he will be the next leader.”

            “But Dharau, the tradition is for the firstborn to be the next king or queen, and she was born first.”

            “She is blind like my father, but he was strong enough to endure and adjust. I’m not blind so I don’t understand. She will never be able to hunt. What place could she have in the pride?” He trembled. “The times are different compared to my grandfather and father. There has never been, at least not that I know of, a North Mountain princess born blind, firstborn or not!” He let out a sharp breath. “Blind kings are one thing, Adila, but I don’t think the pride will accept a blind queen. No lion would want her as a mate. She is unfit to rule.”

            Adila was unable to speak. He couldn’t mean this. She had watched the old king; a lion she often called father. He got around, performed royal duties to the kingdom and cared for his family, her included. The old king conducted himself in a special way and it made no difference to his mate that he was blind. And what difference it had made to Dharau was gone.

            She bit her lip. “Dharau, my love, please… she’s still your daughter, our daughter. I’m sure that with training she can –”

            “I do not have the patience for that!” the gray lion continued. “Yes, my father was strong and independent… but I can’t handle this…” He sighed and nuzzled her.

            Adila was frightened at his outburst but she had to be strong. As queen, she could never show weakness. She purred and buried her head in his mane. A few tears fell down her face.

            “I’m sorry,” he said calmly and meaningfully. “I didn’t expect this. I love you, I always will. And I will love our son, but her…” He motioned to the small gray colored female, closing his eyes in emotional pain. “… I don’t think I can. She’s like my father and his father before him. Any cubs she produces could be blind too…” He licked the top of Adila’s forehead and walked out of the cave.

            Adila felt sorrowful. She loved Dharau with all her heart and would do anything for him. But this was the first time he showed how much he hated the blindness in his family and it made her fearful for their daughter. Questions ran through her mind. Would Dharau try to love their daughter or disown her completely? Couldn’t he just teach her the things he observed from his father? There had to be something! She wasn’t about to let her daughter have no hope of a future or a life.

            Perhaps with the right training, either from her, or the elder lionesses - the ones who knew the old king - her daughter could be a normal cub, a normal lioness and perhaps, queen of the North Mountain Pride.

            It was possible but for now, she smiled at her daughter. “Don’t worry my girl,” she whispered. “Whether your father loves you or not, I do. I will do anything to protect you. With my help you will become a healthy and strong lioness…” In that moment, she found a name. Dharau could name their son, but she would name their daughter. “Strong… you will be strong… my Etana.”

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

“I was born in the North Mountains…”

            The words twirled. The North Mountains… he had never heard of that kingdom. For all he knew it was a pride that wanted to be left alone.

            “Please, go on…” His words were quiet and he knew continuing would be hard. If it took all night, he wouldn’t care. Learning her past would be worth losing rest. If he