you?”

“I'm...” I felt the fur around my cheeks grow warm and I lowered my gaze. “I'm good, thanks.”

There was a silence, and I could tell Dhoruba was aware of my intentions. He hadn't stopped looking at me, and even though I wasn't looking directly at him, I could feel the bright green of his eyes, burning deep into my fur.

“What's your name?” He got off the rock and seated himself directly in front of me, his smile faint and laced with thinly disguised amusement. I felt suddenly embarrassed.

“My name is Aliona,” I said simply. “I know that yours is Dhoruba. I heard your companion speaking of you in the cave.”

“My... companion?” Dhoruba asked, eyebrows raised now. “Awfully vague.”

I giggled nervously. “The lioness who arrived with you. With the dark brown fur.”

“Ah,” Dhoruba said, lifting his head and nodding. “Lingana. She's my sister.” He laughed once, much more a sound of approval than of mirth. “She does speak highly of me.”

I smiled, while inside, breathing a sigh of relief. His companion was his sister, meaning he was mine for the taking. “So, what land do you hail from?”

“I come from Sentinel Valley,” Dhoruba replied, obvious pride seeping into his tone. “My father was King there, before he tried in vain to kill the King of the Pridelands. Now his closest friend, Mwokozi, is ruler. He'll be arriving later in the week, for Mfalme's ceremony.” The pride left his voice and he looked down at me. “And where do you hail from?”

“The Western Vale,” I replied. “It's far from here, but it's nice and secluded, a lesser part of a larger Empire.”

He nodded, satisfied with my answer. “Some here have taken to calling you a princess. Why would that be?”

My eyes widened. “A princess?”

He waited. “Does this title shock you?”

I shook my head. “My mother is Kiara, daughter of the late King Simba. I suppose, because of her blood, I can be considered an heir to the throne.”

He smiled. “I take it you've grown up without the luxuries of royalty.”

“How did you guess?”

He shrugged. “The way you speak, the modesty in your tone when you speak of yourself as a princess. It adds up.”

I laughed. “I suppose so.”

There was a silence and I looked away. I could still feel Dhoruba's eyes, their bright green gaze. And I could see his smile from the corner of my eye.

“Say, Aliona,” he murmured, “would you mind spending some more time with me? Perhaps tomorrow, or after the ceremony?”

I turned back to him, beaming. “Of course! I'd love to!”

He laughed. “Then I shall see you tomorrow, at Sun's Height, yes?”

“Sun's Height,” I echoed. “Got it.”

He nodded and turned, padding off in a different direction. I smiled after him. My life was finally going to get better.

Or so I believed.

 

*****

 

I spent much more time with Dhoruba after that. He would accompany me on walks and join me on hunts. He was not much of a hunter himself, but I was eager to teach, and he was eager to learn. He was also very willing to open up around me, while he was very reserved and quiet around others. I felt like I had a very special connection with him, like no other lion could have.

The day for the ceremony finally dawned. The last of the arrivals, including Dhoruba's King, Mwokozi, arrived that morning, weary and worn from their journeys. Mfalme and Avem were painted with juices from fruits, all done by the ageing Mandrill Shaman, Rafiki. Because I was a member of the royal family, I was also lightly painted, and was able to sit somewhat closer to Mfalme, next to Kivuli. I could tell he was please with his opportunity, but I could care less about my seat. Dhoruba was sat somewhat opposite me, and would often glance my way, smiling. I would return his smiles, and sit patiently for the ceremony to begin.

When it did, Rafiki clambered to the top of the promontory, his staff in hand. He stood in the centre of the circle of lions and chanted in another language, then called Mfalme and Avem to his side. He took a gourd from his stick, cracked it in two, then ran a line of the juices over Mfalme and Avem's foreheads. He then led them to the tip of the promontory, and they roared to announce their reign.

Then it was our turn.

The roar would swear fealty to the King, as guests in his service, as fellow monarchs sworn to aid him. This was a time of peace, of understanding, of new life.

I roared, and Dhoruba roared too. The world seemed to stand still as our voices merged, becoming almost one. After the roaring was over, I smiled, feeling like our connection had sparked something new

Then Mfalme returned to the mouth of the cave, Avem at his side, then sat with her.

“My people,” he called, “my friends, my fellow Kings. Today is a fine day, a day I never truly thought would happen. My elder sister, Anasikia, would be Queen today, but alas, she fled the lands when we were but young adolescents. But never mind; she is happy now, and the life she has now is what she prefers to ruling a kingdom.

“Come now, let us celebrate, let us rejoice, for you are all welcome here in my kingdom while the ceremony lasts. Come, feast, hunt and make friends.

“But there is one last task before we depart, before we hunt and feast. I must choose my Majordomo, my Head Spy, the Right Paw of the King.” He smiled and faced me. “I welcome to my service Aliona, cousin of mine, who has been oblivious to her true heritage, her bloodline, till now.” I stepped forwards, eyes wide, and glanced at Dhoruba, who smiled.

I have no idea why I was picked, even now. Perhaps the King wanted to give me a chance, to give me importance and fame. Perhaps he wanted someone with my traits, with my intelligence and rashness at his side. I do not know.

“Aliona,” the King said, “do you accept my offer, my request to have you at my side, as my confidant?”

I hesitated, but then I bowed my head. “I do.”

“Good,” Mfalme replied, smiling. “But as my Right Paw, you must not share your your tasks with other lions, not even your family or friends. Save for one.”

I tilted my head. “I'm sorry, my King?”

“You must pick a Confidant, someone to share your burdens and tasks with,” Mfalme said, smiling faintly. “He or she will be the one who you work with, who you partner with during the tasks I set you. He must also be your mate, to father the cubs that will serve my descendants after your service is over.”

I paused.

My instinct was to pick Kivuli, for that was what he would want, and he was also a member of the royal family

Then I thought otherwise.

“I pick Dhoruba, son of Nuka, to be my Confidant.” I glanced at him, smiling.

Mfalme raised his eyebrows. “He is truly your choice?” When I nodded, he went on to say, to Dhoruba, “Dhoruba, do you accept Aliona's request, to be at her side and to father her cubs? To serve me and share Aliona's tasks?”

He smiled and bowed low. “I do.”

My heart raced, and I mouthed, “Thank you.” He nodded, and I could tell he was pleased with being picked. Mfalme then smiled and turned to the rest. “Go now, hunt and feast and celebrate. Let the ceremony begin!”

 

*****

 

A few days after the ceremony, I discovered that Kivuli had been avoiding me. No longer would he be there when I woke to take me hunting, and no longer would he smile when I passed. I had a feeling he was hurt by my decisions, but I couldn't see how. Just because I'd picked Dhoruba as my mate didn't mean he couldn't be my friend.

I didn't have much time to be reflecting on my actions, though. Dhoruba often kept me busy, taking me hunting and teaching me politics and affairs of other kingdoms. If I was to be Right Paw of the King, I must be intelligent and well-informed. Many of the King's tasks would be to visit other kingdoms or to spy and report back. It would be a dangerous job, but I would always have Dhoruba at my side.

One day, a while after the ceremony, I received a visit. I was in the cave near Pride Rock, the one that the fabled King Scar would use. It had been cleared of any filth or dirt and myself and Dhoruba had taken to living there, away from the bustle of Pride Rock.

Dhoruba was speaking with the King on the subject of law and order, and I was laid outside the cave, bathing in the sunlight. I heard the padding of paws and I lifted my head. A lioness was running towards me, her eyes narrow. “My lady, my lady!”

“What is it, pridesister?” I asked, not unkindly.

“There's a lion here requesting to see you,” the lioness said. “It sounded urgent.”

“What was his name?”

“He wouldn't say.”

I sighed. “Bring him to me.”

She nodded and left. The wait was not long, perhaps a few minutes. A large lion with a mane paler than his body fur came trotting up, his dark eyes lighter in the sunlight. It was Ushirikina, leader of the Western Vale Pride.

“Aliona,” he murmured softly, his age evident in his voice, “I bring terrible news.”

My eyes widened. “Please, come into the cave.” To the pridesister who had just arrived, I added, “Bring us some of the leftovers from last night's kill. They should still be fresh.”

The lioness bowed

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