taken care of her father when he was ill? Wouldn’t he have done the same for her?

Now that it entered her mind her parents were true mates and partners not just for the sake of the kingdom or the pride but for themselves. She and Aricin…? They’d been and were still too afraid. They had been set up for each other against their will. They had never gotten the chance to get to know each other before their marriage. Their whole lives had been turned upside down because of their fathers! They were friends, yet they really weren’t. They’d been too worried about falling for each other that they never gave themselves a real chance to be friends.

She felt something touch her neck… a wet nose. Aricin, she thought. She wasn’t alarmed but instead strangely comforted.

“Your mother was just here,” he said. “Everyone’s fine.”

That’s good… She wanted to tell him that and wondered how long it would be when she was strong enough to open her mouth to speak. She hated feeling this way, useless, helpless and vulnerable. And the way her situation was turning Aricin was frightening her.

The aroma of fresh meat invaded her senses. Her stomach quietly growled but until she was fully well she wouldn’t eat. Would Aricin? She wouldn’t forgive herself if he didn’t because of her state. But he had sacrificed being out in the kingdom for her. He would never have done so if she hadn’t fallen sick. Please eat, Aricin… you’ve sacrificed too much for me today as it is…

Asya wanted to pull through, not just for herself, her mother, sisters or the pride, but for Aricin too. If she stayed the way she was… She tried to move again, a foreleg, a back leg, her head, anything! She tried to groan, call out in some way. Though it was a painful process, she was able to move her head a little and slowly. She hoped the noises she was trying to make grabbed the dark red brown lion’s attention.

“Asya…”

Again he spoke her name in a kind, gentle voice. Her heart beat. Though she was still incredibly numb, she was moved by how he said her name. He noticed she tried to open her mouth. He waited.

“Aricin?” she asked weakly.

“Yes, it’s me. I’ve been with you all day. Your mother wanted me to be, and… I did too.”

She believed him. He was genuine. “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.”

A pained groan came but she was glad that all was well with their kingdom. Aricin was a good king, it seemed, even when he wasn’t on duty. She wanted to sleep, really sleep, but she still wanted to hear his handsome sounding voice. Had it always sounded like that?

“I’m… tired, Aricin,” she said.

“I know. Try to rest. I’ll be here. I’m not leaving.”

She wanted to speak more but she would be taking the last of strength she somehow – by a miracle – managed to gain.

He noticed, and as if reading her thoughts, said, “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.”

His time in the chamber and looking after her had changed him in a way she never would have expected. Maybe he hadn’t either. She was wary of it… and found herself liking what happened to him, whatever that was. But what he did next caught her by surprise, if that was possible. He kissed her cheek softly with his warm tongue. She felt herself crumble under the action. She wanted to weep for his sudden change in behavior and something in her told her that it wasn’t going away as soon as she was well. Whatever Aricin was going through it was going to be permanent.

“Rest Asya,” he continued.

She couldn’t say anything. She couldn’t protest but she could accept this for whatever it was. The fact that she had spoken and moved a little told her she would be all right. She was glad and Aricin was glad too, but what did this mean for them? Would something change? Aricin clearly had, and so dramatically. What of her? Would she?

She heard him walk around and lay down on the ground. He was in-between her and the wall. He moved close to her, but not too close. He’s letting me know he’s there, she thought, her emotions rising a little. Gratitude filled her.

“If you need anything, let me know,” he said quietly.

“Thank you,” she said in weakened voice. But she meant the words.

“You’re welcome,” he replied and gently nuzzled her.

Asya savored his kind affection, surprising herself. So, there was a lion of honor and compassion underneath all that arrogance and cockiness. She smiled, relaxed, and surrendered once more to sleep.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Over the next few days she was amazed he kept his promise. He was there, looking after her, talking to her when she was able to respond and it didn’t drain her strength too much. The first day he told her that her sister, Princess Themba, would be patrolling with the young lions until further notice.

“She doesn’t mind,” Aricin told her. Then he shrugged and looked away for a moment. “She’s only doing it for you, not me.”

Asya didn’t say anything. She knew her sisters would obey her without question as they did their father. She was their sovereign… so was Aricin. He was King.

When Aricin left the caves to go the waterhole, Tosca visited her daughter and was pleased to see her in good condition. “How is Aricin treating you, dear?” the Queen Mother asked.

“Well, Mother,” the Queen replied. “No need to worry. Everything is fine.” She smiled weakly but truthfully.

Tosca nuzzled her. “That’s good. I’m glad.”

Me too, Asya thought to herself.

When Tosca left the chamber she found the King waiting outside. They faced each other and Tosca laid her head on her son-in-law’s shoulder. “Thank you, Aricin,” she whispered.

“You’re welcome,” the young King replied. When she went off to join the pride outside he returned to the royal chamber where he and Asya did not speak, but instead remained in quiet comfort. Asya slept a lot, and Aricin understood why. She was still regaining her strength and would continue to over the next few days. Sometime later, Tosca who brought in a piece of the leftover kill to them. Aricin ate while his mate managed only a tiny piece. It wasn’t much but it was enough. It was something, better than nothing.

The following two days were the same but with changes. On the second day of Queen Asya’s recovery she was able to speak without too much trouble and managed to eat without pain. Aricin was pleased, thrilled.

“It’s good to hear you speak again,” he said meaningfully, kindness laced in his words. He smiled at her.

“You missed me talking?” she said jokingly.

Aricin nuzzled her gently. “Surprisingly enough… yes…”

The look in his eyes when he pulled away told her he was serious. She felt her heart beat a little. Whatever thinking he had gone through during the worst of her illness was starting to affect her.

The third day came and she rose to her paws, unsteadily at first, but with Aricin’s help, with his large form to lean on, she was able to stand. “Thank you,” she said. Being that close to him slightly excited her but she was still wary. He noticed because he smiled gently. His dark red hazel eyes seemed to shine when he did. She was seeing him in a whole new light. He wasn’t a bad lion, but he was far different from the lion he’d been when he first arrived.

Asya walked around the chamber, leaning on Aricin of course. Then cautiously he stepped back, wanting her to get her bearings but he remained close in case she stumbled. When she took a few hesitating steps alone without stumbling or falling Aricin breathed a sigh of relief. She was recovered, but not completely. That would take a few more days. He would be there. He had made a promise and he wasn’t going to break it.

They stayed in the royal chamber – not that they had a choice – and the silence between them spoke greater, maybe even peaceful volumes. Before, the silence had been tense and filled with hesitation and worry of their emotions and their future.

When Tosca entered the cave with a large piece of meat she set it down near Aricin and smiled at her daughter. Like before the red King left to give his mate and mother-in-law time to talk.

“Is he still treating you well,” Tosca asked after nuzzling her daughter.

“He is, Mother, better than even I expected.”

“That’s good.” She stared at Asya. “He does care for you, you know.”

The Queen nodded and looked down. “Yes, I know,” she said haltingly. Then she raised her head. “How is the pride?”

“Everyone is well, Asya… everyone.”

“Good.”

“I’d better let you and Aricin eat. Continue to rest, please.”

“I will.”

Tosca smiled, nuzzled her, licked her cheek, and departed. Once again she saw Aricin waiting with a patient look on his face. Overcome with gratitude she laid her head on his shoulder. “You don’t know how much you being with her these last