“I hope you can hear me. I hope in the depths of your sleep you understand what’s going on. Please, don’t be angry. I’m doing this because I love you and want you safe and protected. I know that one day you’ll make me proud, that you’ll find the happiness and life you deserve. No matter what you go through, I will always be with you. Etana, my sweet daughter, I love you.” She nuzzled the gray cub, stepped back and turned to Takata. “I can’t thank you enough for this.”

            The lion rose and knelt. “The honor is mine, my queen. I wish you and your family well.”

            The North Mountains queen bowed to the rogue lion and ran in the direction she had come.

            Takata’s heart dropped into his stomach. No mother should be forced to give up her child because of a disability. He shook his head sadly. “Dharau,” he whispered. “You have made the worst mistake of your life.” He walked over to the cub and lied down next to her. He looked down at her, smiled and lifted his head to the sky. “Ancestors, I will take care of her. Thank you for sending me here.”

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

“I heard everything my mother said that morning. I knew she was doing it to save my life. Takata kept his promise. He took care of me when I was a cub and watched out for me as I grew into an adult. I was able to tell him of my other gifts when I was young and he didn’t rebuke me, for which I was thankful. It didn’t take me long to call him father. He earned that title more than my real one.”

            “Takata is a good lion. I never would have guessed you weren’t related.”

            “No one would. He’s always been there for me. He was the father I should have had from the start, but if that happened…”

            “You wouldn’t be here.”

            “I’ve learned over the years that things happen for a reason, both good and bad.”

            Baraka smiled. “I’ve learned that, too.” He shut his eyes and gave a soft yawn. “It’s really late now. I think we should return.” But he didn’t want to move. Hesitating, he moved his head from hers and stepped back. The cold feeling returned.

            Etana shook her head and turned to him. “Yeah, we should. You have duties tomorrow.”

            “I’ll take tomorrow off. I need a break anyway.”

            They took one more drink from the waterhole and left. As they walked, Baraka looked up at the sky. There were a few clouds rolling in and if it rained… “Etana, I think it may rain tonight and Takata told me that rain disturbs your other senses.”

            “Yes, it does. I cannot sleep outside when it happens.”

            “I know. I have a solution for that.” He pressed his lips together, his heart hammering. “You can stay in the den… in my chambers. It’s warm and dry. The sounds of the rain shouldn’t bother you too badly.”

            Her stomach twisted. Stay in the royal chambers? “Baraka, I don’t think that’s a good idea. What would the pride say or your parents?”

            “I’m the king, Etana. What I say goes, and I don’t want you getting sick. The lower cave is good but the sounds of the rain could have unwanted affects on your hearing and your other senses. I want to avoid that and the only way is for you to stay in a higher cave. My chambers’ is the best place.”

            Words failed her. She couldn’t turn an offer like that down. He was right. Takata had filled him in completely. She would thank him later. “If I say yes to your offer… will the pride… do they have to know the reasons?”

            “It’s none of their business. As for my parents, I trust them. They won’t ask questions, neither will Arif.”

            They arrived at Pride Rock, ascended the stone stairs, and made their way into the den. Much of the pride was asleep. Baraka carefully stepped over the lionesses, Etana following with ease. At the back of the den, Baraka eyed his sleeping parents, his brother and the cubs and then entered his cave. Etana followed, her mind whirling. She hoped no one sensed another being in the royal cave.

            The moment Baraka stepped inside, the warmth did not drain from his body. He knew the reason. It was because she was there inside with him. He suddenly felt awkward and foolish. Maybe this was a bad idea. It was too close for either of them. But he had made it clear that he did not want her anywhere else during the rainy season. This was the best place. And no one would bother her.

            “Choose whatever spot you feel is comfortable, Etana,” he said, his voice soft. While he lay down near the front wall of the cave, the wall opposite to the entrance, he mindfully admitted that it was weird having her in his chambers with no one to heal, but maybe it was her who needed healing. She needed to be cleansed of her past.

            The night had tired her, he could see that, but she felt it all through her body. She was aching again. Though most of her emotions were shed, the past shadowed her and she was afraid of the nightmares she still suffered. If she lied near a cave wall, she was sure to have some nightmares. Etana realized that being so close to Baraka, she’d felt at peace at his side, and comforted when their heads gently touched… Should she? What would he say? Shyly, she walked over to him.

            Baraka looked up at her, half expecting. A part of him was surprised she didn’t find a corner to herself, but after talking, he understood her vulnerability. He hated seeing her like that, and didn’t want her like that the rest of the night. He patted the ground with a paw, smiling faintly, and watched her lie down beside him.

            “Thank you for this, Baraka.” She gave him a smile. “But, more for listening.”

            He smiled back. “You’re welcome, Etana. Remember, I’m here if you need to talk.” He was tempted to nuzzle her.

            She smirked. “I thought that was my job for you.”

            “It works both ways.” He yawned quietly and put his head down. She did the same. His mind protested again as he found himself moving closer. Their sides touched and she didn’t object or move away. His heart told him that she needed it and would for awhile.

            Etana was grateful to him. He had been so patient and caring that she was not afraid to drop her guard. She shivered slightly but he purred to calm her down. He put a paw on hers, something she didn’t mind. His comfort was something she needed and got.

            They smiled again and closed their eyes.

Chapter 18: Coming Storm

Soft grey clouds hung over the Pridelands. The sun’s rays were able to shine, but only for a few moments. With the look of the sky, many knew rain would come and with it, the grasses would be greener and the waterholes filled to a great capacity.

            It was near mid-morning, and Baraka sat on the promontory watching the animals below graze and rest in the cool morning air. Baraka breathed in the air deeply, his eyes filled with a bright glow. For the first time in so long he had had a good sleep. No nightmares haunted his subconscious. What a peaceful sleep! His ears twitched, and he frowned slightly. He had woken, but Etana was still in his chambers. When he rose from sleep the pride was gone; the den empty and seeing this, he allowed Etana to sleep in. After last night, she needed it, but his mind was still grasping her past. What she had been through… It was then, he realized, she had more courage and determination than he, or anyone he knew, ever would. He found himself admiring that.

            He smiled,