Chapter 3

Aurelia squirmed in the Zinjo's grip, "Put me down, Zinjo. We have to go out and face the public. I hardly think a seven-foot lion man is going to inspire confidence."

You are the future queen, yes?" Zinjo gently set her back on the hard stone without injuring her. Aurelia noted he smelled like fresh grass, sweat, and leather. The combination played on her pleasure center.

"Yes, I am," Aurelia's face grew hot under the yellow eyes. To look at him caused an ache she never felt before.

Zinjo knelt, "Then you must step outside with me like this."

"Why?" Aurelia saw a thousand images of people chasing them with torches and pitchforks in her mind.

The lion's smile unsettled Aurelia a little, but all the same, it had a certain charm to it. "The people will respect your bravery," He said.

Aurelia thought it might encourage the townsfolk to bring their torches and pitchforks to her front door. However, it didn't look like Zinjo planned to change back into a human any time soon, "Okay, just remember your idea may not work."

Once more, Aurelia felt her body lift off the ground. Zinjo placed her on his shoulder, "Looks more queen-like." He said.

She could feel the powerful shoulders move beneath her, and a bone kept rubbing against a sensitive spot and made focus difficult. "Lead the way," she said.

***

The iron doors squeaked open, rays of the afternoon sun streamed through the opening. Aurelia took a deep breath and Tapped Zinjo on the shoulder, "Are you sure about this?"

"If any speak out against you, I will crush them," He clenched his fist and snarled.

"No, no, there will be no crushing. Another kingdom did things that way and, the people rebelled. The royal family wound up with heads on pikes at the front gates of their palace. It doesn't sound like a good way to pass an afternoon." Despite the violence of the suggestion, Aurelia found it sweet.

Zinjo stalked his way out to the massive Crowd with Aurelia atop his large. His tail twitched back and forth as he made his way to the nervous priestess and the shocked queen. The worst possible reaction came from the crowd, silence. The multitude of eyes on her made Aurelia sick to her stomach.

She nudged him with her elbow, "You need to be human. This is not going well."

Zinjo set her down and crossed his arms, "It is not going well because you will not speak."

Aurelia glowered at Zinjo, "If you are so smart, then you talk to them."

"No, you will be queen. It is your job. I will be here beside you."

She wanted Zinjo to speak. After all, they would be his people too. Something in his words made Aurelia think there was more going with him besides his animal side. She opted to trust the bestial man even though the rest of her wished to remain invisible.

"People of Shadowfen, the hearts call succeeded uniquely. I present to you your future friend and king, Zinjo...um he has no last name, and he is a werelion. I had no idea that was possible but here he is...That is all," Aurelia ran and hid behind the massive form of Zinjo.

"I understand now," Zinjo said in a simple growl.

"Understand what?" Aurelia asked.

"You are like a cub in the eyes of your people."

Aurelia scoffed and poked a finger into his chest, "I'll have you know I'm considered fully grown among our people. I just have stage fright, and the last two times I used the spell it failed."

"I don't understand stage fright." Zinjo pulled her in with his powerful arms, and she yielded to the soft fur and pressed against the hard muscles.

A manicured hand of Aurelias stroked the chest fur absently, the action calmed her, and loved the feel of her body against Zinjos, "I am not good at speaking in front of crowds. People laughed and ridiculed me for the last time."

"Your people do not respect you?" Zinjo asked.

"No, not really."

"Hmmm." Zinjo stared out at the crowd and watched their faces, and sniffed the air.

"I know the spell chose you but, you can leave if you want. I'd understand if you wanted someone more like you," She winced and hated her self-depreciation. Her hand kept stroking his chest. A soft rumble vibrated her hand. Aurelia was terrified at first until she realized Zinjo purred, "Okay, things just got a little weird."

Zinjo's form shrank and revealed the man behind the beast. All of the girls her age swooned at his handsome visage. His human form smelled like cinnamon and mint, "No I will stay. He put a hand over her heart. You may look weak on the outside, but inside you are strong, stronger than me," he sniffed her ear.

The sensation of his warm breath in her ear caused her to giggle, "Stop that, we are still in front of everyone, you know." She felt her face redden while the people smiled and pointed at the new couple.

Sophie hastily strode up to the podium, "It would appear the princess, and her chosen king wish to get better acquainted, once again our future queen and king of Shadowfen." She clapped, and everyone followed suit. She stepped up to Zinjo and held out her hand, "I am queen Sophie."

"Zinjo," the werelion replied.

"I need to speak to my daughter privately for a moment, do you mind?" Sophie asked.

She moved across the small courtyard and sat on a bench, Sophie waited until he was well out of earshot, or so she thought, "Are you crazy? The people were terrified of him. They will never accept him, and if they do, it will be out of fear."

She loved her mother, but Aurelia knew she was wrong, "Amouria chose him for me, I think a god knows better than you do. He has been nothing but gentle and encouraging."

"I have never heard of him, and we have no idea which family he belongs to. He could be dangerous for all we know," Sophie hissed in anger. Meanwhile, Zinjo played with some of the children. They shrieked with joy as the bestial man gave chase.

"How should I know? We just met," Aurelia argued, "You complained when the spell failed, now you complain when it works. After all the disparaging comments you gave me this year, I feel you owe Zinjo a couple of dinners to learn more about him."

"You are not seriously attracted to that thing, are you?" Sophie covered her mouth and pointed at her daughter.

Aurelia rolled her eyes, "Yes, I am. I want to know everything about him," a wistful smile appeared on her face, "I want him to know everything about me.

"Nothing will change your mind?"

Nothing will change my mind," Aurelia spoke in a clear cold voice. She longed for the safety of Zinjo's arms. Anything was better than another lecture from Sophie, "Now I suggest you set an extra place at supper, Zinjo will be joining us."

Aurelia stormed away from her mother and sat beside Zinjo on the bench. She put his arm around her and leaned against his shoulder, and sighed, "I'm sorry."

"You fought for me like a lioness. Why would such efforts disappoint me?" Zinjo replied.

Aurelia sat up straight, "How do you know what we said?"

Zinjo pointed to his ears, "I can hear for miles."

"I see. Do you want to have dinner with my family?"

"Nothing can change if I hide."

she pulled him off the bench, "Let's find you some suitable clothes," Aurelia dragged him by the arm and said, "I know just the place."