see what you already have? He loves you and cares for you as for no one here. But you could destroy it so easily… If you kill Kiara… Do you think he could associate with murderer of his mate… mother of his child?”

“That is not the reason you can’t kill him.” Murmured another voice. Sandymaned lion was lying on funeral stone and looking on Tetesi. “It’s just a reason to kill him discreetly.” Seeing her amaze, he nodded her head and added. “Yes, that’s I. Ghibu. I hope you remember, you killed me three months ago.”

“You are not real.” Whispered brownfurred.

“Of course I’m not!” snorted dead lion. “Hawaa is just a memory too. But you still listen to us and decide which part of your crazy mind is… more reasonable.”

“That’s right.” Nodded Hawaa. “I mean about us, not about what he talks on Kiara.”

“So, I’m insane?” smiled Tetesi.

„It depends what you will decide.” Aren’t you?” Tetesi unwillingly nodded her head, recalling the storm that look her, when she was talking with king. “I could understand that. I tell you a story. There was a pretty lioness that lived with coalition of rouges. On of them loved her like Hawaa wants you to love Kovu. The second knew that he wanted and did it. The outcome is simple – my brother stuck in his elevated sighs and I was with Lipizi. And we have cubs… Akra and Simmi. If I only was alive now…”

“I guess you brother is better mate for Lipizi than you.” Said Hawaa. “But it’s not the point. Tetesi, don’t do something you can’t undo. I can’t believe you really want hurt Kiara.”

“Hey, girl, I’ll tell you something.” Said Ghibu. He jumped down from rock and came to lioness. He whispered to her ear. “You killed me. And it didn’t hurt. You cut my neck artery and I was so rushed with adrenaline that I hardly noticed I’m out. It just… like you are going asleep. You could finish her almost without any pain. Clear slash on throat and it will take less than minute.”

“Disgusting.” Snorted Hawaa.

“But how merciful.” Noticed Ghibu. “Just wait few weeks when Kovu’s child is born… and do what you really want.”

“I… I will take mother  out from her child.” Noticed Tetesi with shivering voice. He was full of uncertainty, however thinking over details of murder meant quick loosing of scruples.

“Well… yes. You will have to substitute Kiara in that task. I bet you will succeed – after all it’s Kovu’s cub. You will love it as own.”

“Listen how ironic it sounds.” Said Hawaa. “Speaking of love after speaking of hatred.”

“If she don’t do it, we will be still speaking about those, but in different sequence. Just do it, Tetesi and you will have all what you want.”

“Risky.” Murmured brownfurred. “I have to finish her without even slightest suspicion I was involved. Kovu, doesn’t matter what he fells now, wouldn’t accepted that.”

“Piece a meat.” Smiled Ghibu’s spectre. “Frame rouges into it.”

“So this is not only murder, but also betrayal and deceit.” Noticed Hawaa. “Not that could make too big difference after all, but I think it looks disgusting.”

“Shut up!” called Ghibu.

“No, you both shut up.” Snorted Tetesi. “I must reconsider it… Alone.” Instantly both shadows disappeared. “Am I really mad already?” asked lioness herself. Then she recalled Kovu’s face and decided that slight madness isn’t price too high.

*

The labour was hard, but both mother and child made it. Cub was unexpectedly big as newborn, surely strong and willing to live. Whole pride gathered around bedding of queen to watch royal heir. The official presentation was scheduled on next morning. But cub born on evening and pride hadn’t waited for long hours. Even rouges were allowed to spend that night in cave to be ready on sunrise to instantly recognise future ruler of Golden Sands.

“Dhalimu.” Smiled Kovu. “That I wish to call him.”

“Darling…” murmured Kiara. “I know that father should name his sons, as well as mother her daughters… But this particular name is…”

“What’s wrong?” asked surprised king. “My granduncle was named like that.”

“Yes, but in ancient Prideland’s language it means…”

“Violent.” Nodded Kovu. “But southern superstitions are no longer are concern. What do think, Dotty?” Dotty was changing brush in Kiara’s bedding. Queen was a bit surprised that king was involving lionesses in that.

“I like this name.” She said. “I heard much good about Dhalimu, brother of king Arista. I bet girls will like prince name too.”

“Honey, don’t you think that it should be our decision, not pride’s?” asked Kiara bending to Kovu’s ear.

“No, he will be king someday.” Blackmaned shook his head. “So everything what concerns him, concerns pride.” Then he noticed Tetesi, looking on royal couple from corner of main chamber. In fact he didn’t want to do this, but he called. “Tetesi, come closer.”

“Thanks, my lord.” Said brownfurred, coming slowly. She neither didn’t want to come, unsure if she could keep her temper.

“But you must.” She thought. “Maybe soon you will be raising that cub.” She sat in front of royal couple and bended down to newborn. “He is… sweet.” She whispered. “But strong in the same time. He will be strong ruler someday.” Added and thought. “In opposition to his mother!” but of course those words stayed unspoken. She carefully touched prince. Blind and sleepy cub instinctively hugged Tetesi’s paw as it was his mother’s.

I liked Dhalimu already. Of course, I had to love him as Kovu’s child, but also I just felt fondness toward that kid. It was something special in that child – he wasn’t totally helpless like most of newborns. He was by his own crawling to mother’s side, looking for milk and her warmth. There was much of decisiveness in those moves. I felt that he would become really touch lion and monarch someday.

Then I excused royal couple and exited cave. I had to calm myself, after seeing them, but also to think over few things. I went to acacia alley and sat down, savouring the coolness of night. Quickly I felt calm and relaxed. If I read Kovu’s behaviour properly, nothing really had changed. While talking with me he was still a bit absent-minded and uneasy. He paid most of his attention to his son and mate, but fact he remembered about me even in such a moment was a good sign.

Then Ostasi and Tuli came to me. We had a mission to do – to announce the good news and call animals of Home Sands to see new prince. For that one time I envied Pridelanders, who had bird as permanent advisor and majordomo – they just order hornbill to forward the message. We have to spread it by ourselves, on our paws.

“Girls, I’m exhausted.” Said Tuli. “Let’s find some bird to do the job.”

“Good!” I smiled. “But before he get know you bring him message about sacred peace for tomorrow, he or she would be running from you as fast as could.”

“So we must catch him, then say it and release him. I be he would be grateful.” Finished Ostasi. “So let’s go.”

“Let’s go.” I nodded and run as a first. I was burning inside with energy that was seeking any vent. Three months of waiting was over and time of final decision came. I still wasn’t sure what to do, but I was sure that my dilemmas soon would be solved in one way or another.

“They split.” Noticed Lipizi. “It’s night, no one will see us. We may follow Tetesi and do it finally.” But sandymaned shook his head.

“I like this name.” She said. “I heard much good about Dhalimu, brother of king Arista. I bet girls will like prince name too.”

“Honey, don’t you think that it should be our decision, not pride’s?” asked Kiara bending to Kovu’s ear.

“No, he will be king someday.” Blackmaned shook his head. “So everything what concerns him, concerns pride.” Then he noticed Tetesi, looking on royal couple from corner of main chamber. In fact he didn’t want to do this, but he called. “Tetesi, come closer.”

“Thanks, my lord.” Said brownfurred, coming slowly. She neither didn’t want to come, unsure if she could keep her temper.

“But you must.” She thought. “Maybe soon you will be raising that cub.” She sat in front of royal couple and bended down to newborn. “He is… sweet.” She whispered. “But strong in the same time. He will be strong ruler someday.” Added and thought. “In opposition to his mother!” but of course those words stayed unspoken. She carefully touched prince. Blind and sleepy cub instinctively hugged Tetesi’s paw as it was his mother’s.

I liked Dhalimu already. Of course, I had to love him as Kovu’s child, but also I just felt fondness toward that kid. It was something special in that child – he wasn’t totally helpless like most of newborns. He was by his own crawling to mother’s side, looking for milk and her warmth. There was much of decisiveness in those moves. I felt that he would become really touch lion and monarch someday.

Then I excused royal couple and exited cave. I had to calm myself, after seeing them, but also to think over few things. I went to acacia alley and sat down, savouring the coolness of night. Quickly I felt calm and relaxed. If I read Kovu’s behaviour properly, nothing really had changed. While talking with me he was still a bit absent-minded and uneasy. He paid most of his attention to his son and mate, ss="MsoBodyText2">“Not tonight.” They were lying on path on Golden Massif plateau and observing lionesses below.