Queen who are together not just for the kingdom but for themselves, which Asya and I are not.” Aricin sighed. “I’m not sure if I should tell you this, but not too long ago she and I agreed to take different mates.”

Asya’s mother nodded knowingly. “It wouldn’t surprise me, Aricin, but in many ways, I do wish that this – you and my daughter – had happened on its own.” She turned her face away for a moment. “But we cannot change the past. We just have to accept it, no matter how hard it is, and learn from it.”

Aricin gave a nod of his own. “Yes, that is true. And I’m not going to lie to you when I say that I don’t know what I’m supposed to feel towards Asya now. Please don’t misunderstand I do want to her be well.” He heard himself chuckle. “I’m not sure I could keep Jangwa together without her.”

Tosca allowed herself to smile again. She succeeded this time. “Aricin,” she said, gently placing a paw on her son-in-law’s, “I know my daughter. Out of my three she is the strongest. She will come out of this.” Her own strength failed her suddenly and she bowed her head.

Aricin, filled with pity, came close and laid his head on his shoulder. He felt her put her head against his mane. “You said it yourself, Tosca. Asya is strong. She will be okay.”

The lioness sighed, sniffed and slowly moved away. “I do hope you’re right, Aricin.”

“Is it still daylight?”

“The sun is sinking and the hunting party returned with the kill. I hope it’s alright that I told everyone to eat of the kill while being mindful to save some for you.”

“Yes, it’s more than alright. So… everyone is back, including Themba and the young lions?”

Tosca nodded. “Yes, and Themba wants you to know that the borders are all safe. There were no signs of intruders which... is a first I have to admit. Our lands are quite valuable.”

Aricin’s eyes hardened. “Yes, but as long as Asya and I live, and as long as the young males continue to remain strong, no malicious rogue is going to get Jangwa.”

For the first time the Queen Mother allowed herself to admire her son-in-law for a show of strength, courage and determination he rarely made known. He was becoming more and more like a true King with each passing day. A part of her wanted to let King Chaka know of the lion his son was becoming.

“I’m glad you feel that way, Aricin. I really am, and I know Asya would be too.”

“I wasn’t entirely sure when I first came here, but I am starting to feel that this, Jangwa, is more my home than the Pridelands.”

Tosca smiled. “Would you like me to get you a piece of the kill?”

His stomach growled softly. Even if he wanted to eat, he couldn’t, but when Asya woke up… “Yes, please, and thank you, Tosca… Mother,” he added shyly, a trait very uncommon to him.

“You’re welcome, son,” said the elder lioness and she turned and left.

Aricin walked back to Asya and gently buried his face in the crook of her neck. He had no idea what came over him in that moment but he knew he had to do it. Slowly he pulled away. “Your mother was just here. Everyone’s fine.” He was about to say more but the smell of fresh meat came to his nose. He turned around just as Tosca dropped a large piece of meat in front of him. He smiled and bowed his head. “Thank you, Tosca.”

The lioness returned his smile, took one look at her daughter and quietly departed.

As she did Aricin walked to the meat, picked up and laid it not far from where he had laid near Asya when he first came in. The smell of the meat enchanted him. He was hungry, but what of Asya? She’ll need this more than me, Aricin thought and pushed it away with a paw. It wouldn’t be the first time he had chosen to go without food.

What he said to Tosca was true. His and Asya’s relationship was not what it should be and he had been assessing it all day, making his head hurt but clearing his mind. He turned to his ill-stricken mate again, only this time his wedding vows came to mind. There had been no shaman to perform it but he had learned a lot about wedding vows in particular from his parents, as much as it disgusted him when he was younger. But he was no longer incredibly young, no longer an arrogant Prince. He was a King whose mate was sick. Sick…

He searched his mind for one of the vows his parents had taken. What was it? Then it came to his mind. “In sickness and in health,” he said softly and studied Asya. That would apply to them, him and Asya, since they were, in a sense, but not a true sense, mates. His parents had vowed to take care of the other when they were sick or healthy. Wasn’t that what he was doing for Asya? He was fulfilling a vow he had never made, but the vow existed.

All of them did, including one his parents, namely his father, would cuff him for not keeping. “Forsaking all others…”

He and Asya agreed to take other mates when they were supposed to be faithful to each other, even though their marriage was in name alone. But they had broken that vow.

The idea that they had given up on falling for each other too quickly filtered through his head. It was true. They had, and Aricin hated himself for it. Couldn’t we have tried a little harder? She’s a good lioness, and I a good lion. Well, sometimes…

He swallowed and forced himself to turn away from Asya. He got up and paced again. It seemed to be the only thing he had done all day but he had no idea that Asya falling ill would make him realize all of this, let alone give him a chance to consider it. He and Asya needed each other and he wanted to do right by her and keep his commitment, as much as he didn’t want it in the beginning. But things were different now.

A sudden sound reached his ears and he turned his full body around, eyes wide. He stared and didn’t move. He heard the sound again and walked forward. It was Asya. She had made the sounds and… was trying to move her head!

Elation filled the young King’s body, his heart pounded and he told himself to calm down before he spoke. Asya tried moving her head again but it was a slow move. He expected that. She had been ill all day. It would take time for her to recover.

She can have all the time she needs. If she wishes I’ll be with her while she does!

“Asya,” he began, speaking her name in a kind, gentle voice. He noticed she tried to open her mouth. He waited.

“Aricin?” she asked in a very weak voice.

“Yes, it’s me. I’ve been with you all day. Your mother wanted me to be, and… I did too.” When the last words left his mouth he told himself it wasn’t a total lie. He hadn’t been at first but after seeing her he knew that here with her was where he needed to be.

“M-mother… how…?”

“She is well, so is the pride. The kingdom is still under our leadership. Themba and the young lions saw to that.”

The young Queen groaned quietly in pain. “I’m… tired, Aricin.”

“I know. Try to rest. I’ll be here. I’m not leaving.” She still had her eyes closed and Aricin knew that she didn’t have the strength to open them. He considered it a miracle that she was able to speak. “Don’t say anything more, Asya. You need to regain your strength. And I swear to you that I am not leaving until you’re well but in the event that I have to, I shall ask any member of the pride to watch over you. But… you are my mate and it is my duty to take care of you.”

He had no idea what he did next until it was already done but he kissed her cheek softly with his tongue. In any other circumstance he never would have, but this was different. Her life had, and was, still hanging in the balance. While he was certain beyond any doubt that he was not falling in love with her, he was caring for her… a great deal. Perhaps more than even he cared to admit.

“Rest Asya,” he continued.

When she didn’t say anything, let alone protest – not that she could – Aricin sighed with peace and in his mind thanked the Great Kings of the Past. His mate would be all right, but he still couldn’t eat so he left the meat where it was. He walked around Asya, settled down beside her and moved himself close to her but not too close, just enough to let her know he was there. He looked down at her again. “If you need anything, let me know,” he said quietly.

“Thank you,” she said in weakened voice.

He was moved again. “You’re welcome,” he replied and he gently nuzzled her and laid his head down on his paws. But before he could sleep, a thought came to his mind. Because of this event he knew he wasn’t falling in love with her, but through this – her illness – he was allowing his blocked and arrogant heart to be open to something other than what he’d allowed himself to feel all his life. He hated the way he’d been and wanted to continue being the way Asya’s illness was making him. He really did like Asya and wondered if this would lead them on a new path. A path to being what true mates ought to be.

As he closed his eyes he hoped. As he swore to be there for Asya during her recovery and after it he hoped that she would see a change in him. A change Aricin himself was starting to feel. He was even starting to accept it. And the fact that his father had sent him here for his own