fathers supposed to love their children unconditionally? She was heartbroken all over again. So much could be said with words. She stifled back a cry.

            Baraka noticed her tension. He wanted to comfort her, to let her know he was there. Was her father’s mistreatment and rejection the reason she didn’t trust most lions or kings? Why was it then, she trusted him?! Did she sense a difference? In that moment, he got it. Her blood father had believed the blindness a curse, but he believed it to be a gift. She could see things others couldn’t, relied on her senses where others didn’t. And he was raised to treat others, even enemies, as equals. Etana was royalty from birth. It was in her blood, and her legacy. Her father had turned her away, but he didn’t, and wouldn’t, even with this information about her life. His throat filled with a deep emotion, one he wasn’t ready to express.

            The weather had gotten cooler but neither noticed. They were too wrapped in the last memory to care.

            Baraka saw the hurt in her face. How did she handle carrying it deep inside all these years? He was furious. How dare you, Dharau! All she wanted was acceptance from her companions and unconditional love from her family.

            She felt his worry over her hurt, felt his anger over the love she never got from her father. Thinking about him, much less talking about him made the past come alive… She hated it and hated telling him this. Why was she paining herself over something that happened four years ago? And why was she telling a lion that could have cared less, but wanted to know and was willing to stay? And why did she trust him so much?

            Baraka could tell the emotions of the memory were eating her. They grabbed him too. He wanted to do something that would neither offend her nor bring more pain. He bit his lip and took a chance. It would probably earn him a swipe of her claws, but it’d be worth it. Maybe she’d understand. Hesitating, he put a paw gently on top of hers and watched closely for a reaction.

            Confusion raked her. Was he so concerned that he would touch her paw, to physically let her know he was still there? He cared enough to do that even if she’d try to mark him? An unusual feeling of warmth passed through her body. His action was understandable. She had done the same for him when he was troubled. He was returning the favor and it made her smile.

            Baraka saw the smile. It was false. She was in pain and needed to release it. Even on me… Despite his mind’s protests, he moved closer.

            His side touched hers. She was neither frightened nor worried. Anyone else, she’d have clawed. But him – the King of the Pridelands – she allowed his closeness. She knew he wouldn’t hurt her.

            Baraka leaned his head toward hers, and to his shock she rested her head against his. He didn’t pull back. She needed this, as did he. He purred gently and soothingly.

            Her purr joined his.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Adila finally called a meeting of the lionesses. No one was surprised. The king’s behavior toward the young princess was evident and worrisome. Watching her daughter try to seek affection from Dharau made Adila’s heart shatter. Even with the princess growing Dharau still wouldn’t accept her. What would happen when she became an adult? Would Dharau see her as a threat?

            The queen led the group to a secluded place on the eastern side of the kingdom. There was a stream of water to drink and trees for shade.

            “I’ve asked you here not as your queen, but as a mother.” Adila tried to speak confidently. “You all know that Dharau hates the princess and I fear that one day he may harm her or worse…” She trailed off, tears brimmed her eyes.

            “You think he may kill her?” asked a lioness in front. “That’s unthinkable…” The others around her agreed.

            “He’s a fool,” said another. “The princess would make a wonderful queen, even if she is blind…”

            “Adila, do you really think he’d kill her because she’s blind? His own father was and he seemed alright with it. This cruelty doesn’t make sense.” Murmurs of agreement rose again.

            The queen nodded solemnly. She remembered her mate’s words after hearing the shaman’s news. He had been so angry, and after all these months, he still was. One day he would act on that anger and if he did…

            “Mom?” asked a voice. The lionesses looked up to the queen’s left side. Prince Jelani stepped forward and nuzzled his mother.

            “Jelani, what are you doing here? Where’s your sister?” Adila asked.

            “She’s with our friends and one of the elders’. Don’t worry, she’s safe.” The prince tried to smile but even his emotions regarding his sister and father were riding thin. He couldn’t remain strong forever. He choked back a sob. The words he would speak tore his heart. “Mom… I think it would be in Etana’s best interest, if she left the North Mountains…”

            Adila stared at her son, mouth agape. “J-Jelani, why do you say that…?”

            “Mom, you know as well as I that Father’s hatred for Etana is going to get worse. She’s accepted her blindness and has been using her other senses like grandpa did. I’ve seen her play fight with the other cubs. She’s good at it, a lot better than me.” He smiled feebly but then his gaze turned serious. He faced the lionesses, feeling not like a prince, but a brother who would do anything to protect and care for his only sister. “Etana is my sister and I love her deeply. I too believe she would be a great queen for these lands but with my father in charge that will never happen.” He paused for a second. “Many of you don’t know this, but Father has been training me to be the next king.”

            Surprise and shock fell over the small crowd. Dharau was teaching Jelani? Adila looked down sadly. She wasn’t surprised. She also knew that there would be no changing Dharau’s mind now.

            Jelani continued. “I think… its best that Etana leave the North Mountains. Father already sees her as a threat. He hates that she’s blind, and if it were me, he would still act this way.” Slowly, he looked up at his mother. “Mom, you know this is right. Take her far from these lands. Give her to either a good pride or a good lioness. She will have a better life. I know it. She deserves it.” Tears streamed down his face. He came to his mother and cried quietly.

            Adila drew her son close. She sniffed, and tried to remain strong, and to shove out the possibility that her mate would kill their daughter because of a hereditary problem. But his attitude, his eyes, and the way he spoke… Adila’s heart sank. She would have no choice.

            Her daughter, the Princess of the North Mountains, would have to be taken from her home for her own safety…

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

They stayed in that position for a long time. They had never been this close, but did not move apart. Most of her pain was gone. Being this near Baraka was overwhelming, but also wonderful and comforting.

            “Is there anything else?” Baraka asked after a silence.

            She swallowed hard. Was there more? Did she have other memories to relive and share? Could she continue? So far, this was nothing but pain and remaining hurt. Now, if it wasn’t telling Baraka, it was his reactions that were scaring her. Why was he so calm, so welcoming and caring about this, about her feelings before, during, and after each memory?

            She closed her eyes, searched her mind. “N-no, I don’t think so…”

            “Etana,” he said