Chapter 19

Aurelia began the journey to Shadowfen with confidence, not only had she restored diplomatic relations with Brismond, their neighbors to the east, but she turned an enemy into a friend. Zinjo remained quiet for most of the journey. His face wrestled with the questions known only to him. By the second day, Aurelia grew tired of his silence and sat on his chest, "We are not leaving this campsite until you tell me what's bothering you."

"Dark Princess, I worry about Kivuli. I am known to him and who knows what a spiteful creature such as he will do to you just to see me suffer or vice versa," He kissed her hand, "Would you object to being a lioness?"

The question rocked Aurelia's inner world. A part of her screamed to do it just to be closer. Her more cynical side knew such power came at a cost. "Will it be painful?"

"Most do not survive the first change. Ayasu says the body can take it, it is the soul that must survive the change. Some become lions forever locked in a speechless, doomed to be at the whim of the pride," Zinjo spoke in a serious tone.

Aurelia stroked his chest and a great rumble of purring came from his throat, "Do you think I will survive?"

"I believe you can. Your soul is stronger than you think it is."

"How long will it take?"

"Not long, but those who survive to say it feels like an eternity."

"Can I take some time to think about it?"

"But of course,"

Aurelia rose to her feet. "We should get back to Shadowfen. Mother is probably telling the whole kingdom I died on the way home or something equally as silly." She stared at Zinjo's crotch area for a moment with lust and proceeded to pack up her things.

Zinjo put his arms around her waist and kissed her neck. Little waves of excitement and pleasure wreaked havoc with her body, and her loins ached and began to brew, "I appreciate your patience with me." she could feel him through the buckskin pants.

"Why are you making it harder?" Aurelia's tone became feisty and seductive.

"Lions mate for life Which is why we make sure the bond between mates will last. The goddess may have guaranteed our future, but our way is all that I know." He strapped the partisan to his back. "We are not ready for children."

Sometimes all someone needs to hear is the truth to make them feel more secure in the relationship. Aurelia is one of these people. For two years she knew exactly where she stood with the people of Shadowfen. True it wasn't the best of times, but she knew where she stood.

"Thank you, I thought there was something wrong with me," Her mind flashed to the previous discussion about changing, "What about the trial of manes?"

Zinjo laughed, "The few humans who come to visit us, often have a desire to be changed. Our way is to live in balance with nature. Most do not want to live this way, they are far too concerned about their social station, or revenge on their enemies. When we change someone it is because it will benefit the tribe, and make meaningful contributions."

"I am honored you made the offer," She pulled him by the hand, "We should head back, I need to have a long and angry discussion with my mother," Aurelia clenched her fist and bared her teeth.

****

Back in the palace the queen rose from her gaudy throne, and fluffed out her robe, "Let me guess your journey to Brismond was in vain. You came..."

Zinjo shifted forms and roared, "You have wronged your daughter, and your actions put both of you in danger. We know about Amadeus," Zinjo's voice filled with accusation, and anger. "It was your need to mate that brought the hyena to your door."

"Zinjo back down, we sorted the whole thing out," Aurelia put her hand on his chest and pushed him back from her mother, "I appreciate your indignation on my behalf, but I can handle this." Aurelia strode up to her mother, and let a hand loose on her cheek. The slap echoed across the throne room, and a pair of guards stood with their hands on their sword hilts. "All this time, you told me father died on a diplomatic mission. Imagine my surprise when I found out I was the heir of Brismond."

The queen withered under the stern gaze of Aurelia. She writhed and squirmed on the spot, "I was young and foolish, Amadeus was the bad boy I always wanted to spite my mother with. We faked the hearts call using a clever piece of illusion magic. I don't know what it was about the moment, but we got caught up in it. You know what happened after that."

"Did Amadeus have a cousin named Horace?" Aurelia asked.

"I thought you wanted to discuss this further with me?"

"We both know you aren't going, to tell the truth anyway. Answer the question."

"No. Amadeus was proud of his family line, even those who did not go on to greatness. He called them the abstract colors in the rich tapestry that is his family."

"Zinjo?" Aurelia asked, "Do you sense lies about her?"

The lion-man marched up to the queen and sniffed the air, and flicked his ear, "She doesn't smell like fear, and her heart remains steady."

"Good lets go find Mashek. I'll bet a dozen gold he knows about Zadock," Aurelia said. She adjusted the shapely leather armor and shook her head, "Honest opinion, Zinjo, is the armor practical or not?"

"It looks good dark princess, but I doubt its protective properties."

"We should find something more suited for our adventures. Perhaps it is meant for the bedroom."

Zinjos eyes rolled skyward and his thumb and forefinger cupped his chin, "Perhaps we should keep it for such an occasion?" He buried his face in his hands, but it did nothing to hide the redness.

"You're adorable, you know that." Aurelia put her arms around him, "It's okay you asked, I think it could make things interesting after we're married."

"Where were we?" Zinjo hastily changed the subject.

"I believe you were picturing me in this Leather harness without anything else on?" Aurelia teased.

Zinjo went to say something, and he stared at his future wife with an odd expression, "Hmmm."

Rivets of laughter came from Aurelia as she gripped Zinjo by his hand, "Lets look under some rocks to find Mashek."