Chapter 4 Slums To Luxury

The door opened, in walked a familiar face. Maleena eyed zarda as he glowed into the room. She was disturbed at his appearance.

"Did they inject you with lightning bug juice? Or are you actually happy? You're practically glowing, literally, right now. You weren't this bright yesterday." Maleena said confused.

Zarda walked over to a king-size bed, and sat down on the soft mattress. He looked at the ground, smiling. He felt as if he were back in natia's arms again. Only this time he had delilah on his mind. He didn't feel bad for thinking on another. As a Lion King, it was tradition to take on as many wives as possible. This ensured the pride would thrive and survive. The more lioness warriors to hunt, the more chances and opportunities the pride members ate and grew strong. Zarda embraced tradition. He was bitten, bitten by the love bug. He did miss his bride natia. Her love was like no others. She was strong-willed, thick-skinned and hard-headed at times, but her heart was a true warrior. She would lay down her life to protect the kingdom. He had faith in her, she would lead Makana kingdom justly. She couldn't fail with his mother queen saharrah and his brother meeku at her side. Not to forget, all the other well established and wise kings there to back her.

"No, they injected me with vitamins. I guess that's what is causing the glow." He replied.

Maleena placed a finger on her chin.

" Nope, it has to be something else. Whatever it is, I don't know, but I'll figure it out." She said.

Zarda laughed. "Good luck with that. My question I have right now. Is how did we get such a nice room, while you and others were stuck in a large, nasty cage?" He asked.

Maleena did not know the answer to that. She was curious too.

"I'll ask delilah tomorrow." Zarda replied, pushing back onto the bed.

Maleena walked over to the edge and stared down at him in shock.

"Wait. What did you say? You'll ask who? Hum." replied Maleena.

"I get it now. Delilah is the reason you're glowing. I heard you two talking for what seemed forever. She's human zarda, that breaks all traditions." Replied the hyena.

Zarda cocked his brow up at her.

"And what do you know about lions tradition? Do share with me your wisdom." He said.

She cocked a half smile back at zarda.

"I know that I am a queen, and very observant. I also know that I am very knowledgeable. You think I never learned your kinds ways. How else would an enemy defeat an enemy. I get it, times are different now for all of us. I don't see you as an enemy anymore. So as a potential friend; isn't it right for me to question you?" She asked.

Zarda didn't debate her. He considered her point of view.

"Your right. In the tradition of animal and beasts we have never married. But we are no longer just beast's.  We have human blood in us. Were are mixed hybrid creatures, one of a kind. What if the those traditions we followed or just that. Old. Why can't we mix and adapt to the new ways. So what if I was to fall for a human. We share now so much, yet we are still so different. I think it's time to put this conversation to bed." He said, closing his eyes.

"Do you like her? This delilah." asked Maleena.

Zarda turned his eyes towards the hyena.

"I think she's a kind and interesting person." replied Zarda.

"Well, I hope your friendship grows." said Maleena.

The room went silent as zarda took in her words. He began to close his eyes.

Maleena cleared her throat severeal times before zarda caught on to her hint, he opened his eyes again.

"What?" He asked. She looked around the room, then at the bed and back at him.

"There is only one bed. We have to share. I've been sleeping on hard concrete for many months now. I want the luxury of good rest." said Maleena.

Zarda scooted over and patted the spot next to him. "It's a good thing it's a large bed. You stay to your side, and I'll stay to mine." He replied.

Maleena agreed, then chuckled out loud. "You sure you don't want to break tradition number two, and hook up with a hyena." said Maleena, trying to control her need to laugh.

Zarda squinted at her in disgust. "No, thank you. I'm quite fine not breaking the rules on that idea." He replied, laughing. 

Maleena couldn't hold back anymore and joined him. It felt good to laugh instead of weeping. It was wonderful laying in a warm, cozy bed. She felt guilty that she should be given such a blessing, and jabari and echo not.

"Do you think jabari is okay out in the forest alone? Maybe we should have kept him here with us. I pray he found a safe hiding spot. I wonder what they did to echo?" She asked so many questions back to back. Too many worrisome questions.

"Don't think on what we should have done, or what lays in the past. I believe in my heart jabari is safe. I can't speak for echo and his situation, but I hope he is okay. Get some sleep, and we can explore those questions at another time." repleid arda, yawning.

Maleena crawled up next to zarda, turning her back to him. She snuggled under a soft blanket. Not realized just how tired her body had been. As soon as her head laid upon the comfortable pillow. Her eyes shut and sleep come over her very, quickly. Zarda shut his eyes too, and found rest in his favorite dream spot. Where the world disappeared, and the clouds met in a beautiful, sparkling light. He floated upon the puffs of weolcans, feeling them swirl around him. Zarda watched their colors shift before his eyes. It was a wonderful place to explore. Zarda's thoughts faded away, as he entered into the deepest realm of sleep.