"I don't like this idea one bit, cub!" Panthro shouted for what seemed like the millionth time. After Cheetara's exit, Tygra had called his generals back to discuss the new turn of events, and to ask them to go with him to meet Cheetan and seal their arrangement. All three had expressed their objections at the danger and uncertainty but their protests seemed to be falling on deaf ears.
"You don't get to call me that now," Tygra taunted with a smile. "I'm technically betrothed."
"Then start thinking like a grown cat! We aren't even certain that kit was who she said she was, and what if this is a trap, uh? What happens if you're struck down?" Panthro growled back, unamused.
Tygra sobered up instantly. "Then the right prince would be dead." The three older cats stiffened. They would not say it and he wouldn't blame them, but Tygra knew that if it came down to his life or Lion-O's, Lion-O would always be protected first without hesitation. Tygra took a deep breath and ran a hand over his face.
"We would see you live, Tygra. Without you, who then would listen so earnestly to such old cats prattle on about days of war?" Lynx-O smirk and took a smoke from his pipe of catnip diluted with grass to prevent over indulgence. Tygra nodded in appreciation at Lynx-O's praise and attempt to lighten the mood.
"I know she is who she claims, or she is at least highborn." Tygra addressed Panthro's concern of credibility.
"And how would you know that?" Grune asked in interest. While each of the three elder cats leant aid in the princes' training, Panthro served as Lion-O's personal trainer as Grune served Tygra. Through their lessons, Grune knew that Tygra was much more observant then many gave him credit for. Tygra was a cat of stealth, disguises, and shadows; such things demanded keen senses and a quick wit, and Tygra had those in spades.
"Her hands were soft." The prince smirked and Grune smirked back, immediately understanding.
"Oh, great!" Panthro threw his hands in the air in frustration. "Your life may rest in the balance, but at least you were aware enough to recall a soft touch."
"You idiot," Grune shook his head; sometimes it was hard to believe he and Panthro were even friends. "If her hands were soft, it means she does not do anything strenuous enough to callous them. What kind of cat would be able to escape hard labor, especially in times of a war?"
Panthro looked at Grune then back to the prince, recognition finally dawning on his face. He smirked at Tygra and gave him a strong clap on the back that almost sent the younger cat flying face first into the grass. "You sly little thing; never would have thought your penchant for womanizing would actually come in handy."
Tygra laughed for a bit, rubbing his neck then sobered up. "I brought you here not to ask for advice, but to ask that you go with me. You are not mistaken that it is a risk, and it is much to ask for you to risk your lives as well, but I would want no one else to fight at my side."
"We followed you to battle; do not insult us by insinuating we would not follow further cause." Lynx-O spoke immediately. Panthro and Grune nodded without hesitation. Tygra smiled and thanked them, then dismissed them to get some rest before they set out in a few hours. Tygra blew out the candles lighting his tent and then crawled onto his cot. Sleep took him easily with thoughts of the morrow still dancing in his mind's eye.
Cheetara grumbled as she tossed and turned again. No matter what side she lay on or how many blankets kept her warm and sheltered, she could not fall asleep. Her thoughts were too consumed by the life changing events that would happen in a few short hours. Her father had been pleased to hear that Tygra had accepted her offer, though she had not told him of the one demanded in return; she would let Tygra face her father's madness and wrath. While the political arrangements set into place gave her mind pause, she confessed that it was more her betrothed himself that gave her mind cause to wander. With every breath and thought, Cheetara remembered the feel of Tygra. His hands stealing over her body and finding purchase at her curves. His lips moving delicately over her own, encouraging play like the little otter children she had seen on one of her trips to a village on the edge of the water with her mother when she was young. His hips pressing into her own had spurred something dark within her that knew how to respond to his touch without instruction. She had wanted more, but she did not know how to name her desires. She would talk with Ama in the morning about unsettling thoughts.
Cheetara found the ache between her thighs almost unbearable, and wished to see it gone so she could finally surrender to slumber's grasp. Cheetara turned on her back and arranged the covers so she had free movement. She was no stranger to her own body, but had found the experience wanting; perhaps because she did not have so delicious a memory to give her hands purposeful direction. Hesitantly she ran her hands over her breasts, feeling their heavy weight. She recalled Tygra's eyes upon her, his appreciation and hunger for her body, and felt her body heat to point where blankets became a little uncomfortable, yet she kept them on her in case someone came in her room. Cheetara's hands squeezed her breasts lightly, and she wondered what it would be like to feel bigger, rougher, stronger hands caressing her curves. She squeezed the pebbling tips, stifling a moan at the hot pleasure. Would Tygra kiss her here as he had kissed her lips, as she had heard others speak of their encounters with lovers? She traced her claws gently around the peaks, slowly drawing out the sweet clenching of her lower muscles. Would his lips travel lower to the toned muscles of her stomach, and lower still? Would Tygra be a slow and gentle lover, or would he be as ferocious in bed as she had heard he was on the battlefield? So entranced was she with thoughts of the handsome tiger, she did not notice sleep's grip sneak upon her and fell asleep with deep, slow breaths.
The morning sun shone dimly through the gauzy curtains of her room, alerting her that the appointed hour had finally arrived. Cheetara blushed lightly at finding her hands rested upon her bare breast and stomach; she must have been much more tired than she thought, to fall asleep in such compromising position. She shook the sleep out of her eyes and went to the wash basin in the adjoining bathroom; she would have little time for a full bath, but she could wash the sleep from her eye and run some perfumed water over her body. She dipped a cloth into the cool water and rubbed it gently over her face, thankful the blushing heat of her nighttime activity had receded. She quickly washed her body and dabbled on a few drops of honeysuckle before walking out to her bedroom. Ama, an elderly and beautiful Egyptian Mau cat, sat on her bed with a gown ready. Cheetara raised a brow at her caretaker's choice; the gown was a simple one made of sturdy cotton dyed indigo to compliment her unique eyes.
"It is alluring but modest. We will show him your true beauty at the wedding feast, besides there is much work to be done and I would not have you lounging about while you father and the prince have a hissing match." Cheetara giggled and Ama shot her a humorous glance before helping her into the gown then combing her long hair and braiding half of it up. Ama handed her a few modest pieces of jewelry and ushered her out to the throne room where her father was undoubtedly waiting. As she walked out, she was immediately met with her father's disapproving glare.
"You would greet yourself to him like this?" He scoffed and grabbed the ends of her hair, inspecting it, before throwing it back over her shoulder with disgust. "Ama is losing her touch. You should have been more finely dressed, at least to deceive him and show you are at least pretty though lacking worthier talents."
"Dressing in opulence would have been a mistake, considering you have saw us fit to position of beggar." She tilted her head and waited for more of his cutting words. Before he could utter them, the doors opened, revealing Tygra and the three generals who were in his tent when she arrived yesterday. Cheetan looked at her with promises of scolding and pain then turned to the Thunderan entourage.
"Prince Tygra. Welcome to Savannis." Her father held his arms out in gesture as if he was greeting guest and friend instead of enemy.
"A welcome come too late, Cheetan. I wish to discuss the terms you sent your daughter into enemy camp to broker." Tygra's voice was frigid. He looked at her and she saw his eyes soften with warmth, then turned back to her father with disdaining eye.
"You are of narrow mind, young prince. So eager to have her and be gone home?" False hospitality drained from the king's voice.
"As I told your daughter, I will be staying Savannis as heir to the throne." Cheetan's eyes widened and he glared at his daughter then looked back at the prince.
"I don't know what my foolish daughter promised you, but the agreement—"
"As I told Cheetara, you are in no position to hold negotiations. You are at the disadvantage here, not I." Tygra crossed his hands over his chest, secretly reaching for his whip.
"You forget where you stand, young prince." Cheetan nodded to the guards stationed along the walls and smirked down at the tiger. Tygra just smirked back.
"You would attack the eldest prince of Thundera after offering peaceable agreement of surrender and inviting hospitable meeting? You would bring the fury of not only Thundera but all her allies for your breach in civility." Tygra scoffed at the king's arrogance. "How do you think Savannis' people would fair in such confrontation? My father is valued friend to many, his grief would see Savannis razed to the ground. You would be no honored," he said the word in mockery, "guest at your daughter's wedding but instead she would see your head mounted on a pike outside the burning city. And she would be nothing more than a spoil of war to be passed from victor to victor, instead of bargain to assure your life beyond our union when I take the throne." Tygra ended his threat with a smirk, taunting Cheetan to protest or find fault with his words. Tygra glanced at Cheetara to gauge her reaction to words she knew struck too true. If only Tygra had known that threat of his daughter's fate would not sway the mad king to see blinding reason. Cheetan paused, the young prince was not as foolish and wet behind the ears as he had first believed.
"When I heard Claudus was sending his eldest brat to face me, I was quite insulted, yet it seems his young has been forged with teeth of iron. What will you do with me, tiger? Letting me live would be a threat to your reign." Cheetan taunted, testing the young man's backbone.
"As a gift to my wife, I will let you live; you will reside in a separate dwelling, with only guards for constant companionship, and my wife's presence only when she deigns to give it." Tygra could see the anger burning in the king's eye and made mental note to be sure that only loyal cats from Thundera would guard his home away from the palace yet still on palace grounds.
"When shall we arrange the wedding, my prince?" Ama asked, giving deference to Tygra. Cheetan let a low growl that made Lynx-O, Grune, and Panthro rest their hands on their swords.
"In three days. I want only light snacks and wine; it would not sit well with the people to see boundless food prepared for the royal family while they scrounged and starved during the siege. Make it clear that all citizens of Savannis are invited to share in joyous celebration. Any other details, you will arrange with Cheetara." Tygra looked over to Cheetara and she nodded.
"Of course, my prince." Ama gave an arrogant smirk to the king as she turned to Cheetara. Cheetara nodded and turned to take her leave with Ama at her side.
"Stay. I would have you by my side." Tygra called to her. Cheetara stopped, a little shocked at his request and nodded, sending Ama on her way to make preparations.
"Already suckling up to a woman's breasts and kissing up to petty simple folk." Cheetan sneered in disgust. "You will surely lead these fools to ruin."
"Ruin at my hands seems like a paradise in yours. Call your men to the courtyard outside the palace; I would have words." Tygra took the last few steps up the dais to the throne while his generals flanked him. Cheetan bared his teeth to the older cats. Tygra waited, hand switching from his whip to his sword. Should the king make any sudden move, his head would not sit on his shoulders long enough to see his only daughter married. Cheetan glanced at the four cats in front of him, still weighing his options. After a moment he nodded to the guards behind him, who left to call the soldiers to the front courtyard. Tygra turned and held his arm out to Cheetara. She looped her arm through his and they headed out the gates to greet the army of Savannis with Grune, Panthro, and Lynx-O securely at their back should anyone try to make a move. Once the army was gathered at the courtyard, Tygra began to address the men.
"King Cheetan has seen fit to offer terms of surrender to end this war and see the suffering of his people ended. As agreed, I will wed your princess, Cheetara, and become heir to the throne of Savannis along beside her." He slipped his hands down her arm and intertwined their fingers in show of unity. Cheetara felt her body heat and prayed a bright blush did not rest on her cheeks. "I ask you now; will you swear fealty to me as rightful heir and future king of Savannis, through your princess, my intended?"
Cheetara felt the shock flow through her body and wondered if she had imagined a gasp answering Tygra's question; she knew not who was more shocked, herself, her father's army, or Tygra's generals. Surely, Tygra hadn't just made the army of Savannis her army instead of his own? She was no military commander and he knew that. Whatever strategy he was playing at belayed an intelligent wisdom far beyond the capabilities of cats even twice his age; she would remember to broach the subject when they were alone to learn his mind. Cheetara looked from her betrothed to her father who stood in the shadows of the gate way; hatred gleamed in his eyes and she could see the edges of madness overtake him. She shook her head, praying that he wouldn't move, but he did. His body flashed gold and only her eyes and that of other cheetah could track him. As if happening in slow motion, Cheetan drew his swords and charged towards Tygra. The ringing of the blade pulling from scabbard caused all to turn but it was as if they were weighted down by heavy stones. Cheetara saw Panthro call out to Tygra and Grune and Lynx-O move to protect their prince, but she knew they would be too slow. She dashed towards her father in an earnest attempt to stop him before his disregard for his people claimed all of their lives. Cheetan swung at her, grazing her arm; at the speed they moved, Cheetara was amazed it didn't slice clean off. She ducked under his sword and launched herself at his shoulders. Her father titled down, causing her arms to wrap around his neck and tighten. Cheetara heard a sickening crunch and felt her father's body drop to his knees. All at once time seemed to return to normal speed and she looked into her father's eyes: a feat that should have been impossible, given her position directly behind him. Cheetara almost vomited at the unnatural angle of his neck as his eyes stared wide in frozen terror and his jaw hung open. She had just killed her own father. Surely the gods would visit their wrath upon her for the sacrilegious defile of family rights and regicide. With shaky hands, she let her father's body drop completely to the floor and stared down at her hands with horror. Her body wretched but she shallowed the acidic bile to keep some ladylike appearance. She looked up at Tygra who looked back at her in shock. He looked down to the bleeding cut on her bicep then back into her terrified eyes. He shook off Grune's hand on his arm and moved towards her. Her feet could not move which gave him opportunity to embrace her. He wrapped his hand around her head and back and pulled her into him. Her body shook but tears had yet to fall from her eyes.
"It's ok." He whispered softly in her ear, brushing her hair back from her face. "Everything's going to be ok. We'll push the wedding back a week to give you time to mourn a father lost, but you will not mourn a king. His death will be observed as a traitor to the people of Savannis not that of a loving king. I will command all mourning in private; there will be no black shrouds hung from every doorway." Cheetara nodded in silent gratitude; his commands would see that her people saw her as a hero and not a murder and traitor to the crown. Yet even so, he was giving her and the people of Savannis an opportunity to mourn not only a fallen king, but all who had fallen to a selfish man's war. Tygra kissed her head and gestured to a handmaiden who had come from the palace.
"See her to her chambers and that a warm bath is drawn for her. Never let her out of your sight; I will be there soon." The handmaiden nodded and ushered Cheetara into the palace. Tygra sighed and turned to face his generals and the army of Savannis. The army was well disciplined as they didn't shift with the newfound turmoil. He took a deep breath and addressed them.
"Is this the type of king you would serve?" He pointed to the dead body on the ground. "A king who had little regard for your lives, the lives of your wives and children, the lives of your brothers, sisters, mothers, and fathers? Cheetan tried to break agreement with me earlier and threatened my life; he was warned of the fury that would befall Savannis at such a breach in decorum. He was warned that all of Thundera and her allies would march against Savannis and wouldn't cease until Savannis labored with its last breath, putting his people at greater risk, yet he ignored it for sake of his own pride. He is no beloved king. He is a traitor to his own people. Only his daughter, your princess, took heed of your plight and refused to stand idly by when her people were threatened. A woman who would forsake bonds of family to do what was right for her people… that is the type of woman I gladly take to wife to rule by my side. Isn't that the kind of queen you would serve: a queen who would not only ask you to risk life and limb for the protection of her kingdom and your home, but would willingly and without hesitation do the same?"
A cat stepped forward, whom Tygra guessed was the leading general of the army. He took off his helmet, drew out his sword, laying it down on the pavement, and knelt on one knee with his head down. "We would serve such a queen. Our allegiance remains with our princess." The cat looked up and nodded to Tygra. Tygra hid his shock to see a white tiger among the Savannis army and nodded back. The army cheered to the end of the war.
"My wedding to Princess Cheetara will be delayed a week hence, in honor of present events. While Cheetan is a traitor to my wife and Savannis, I will not deny you time to mourn the passing of a fellow citizen, nor my wife that of a father. There will be no public displays of mourning such as the black shrouds or mourning cloths by any but my wife, since she must observe familial rights; however, none will command what any may do in the privacy of their own homes. Now let us put this business of bloodshed and death behind us; see to the welfare of your families." Tygra dismissed the army but asked the cat who had taken voice of the army to remain. The soldiers of the army began to take off their helmets and head to the armory to rid themselves of the heavy steel.
"What is your name?" Tygra asked the white tiger and held out his arm in sign of comradery.
"Bengali, my lord." The tiger replied, clasping the hand and forearm Tygra offered.
"Bengali, are there any who would take up arms against Cheetara to avenge a fallen king?" Tygra's eyes narrowed slightly.
"None who would so vocalize it, my lord." Bengali whispered. Tygra nodded in understanding.
"Has she a guard to see to her wellbeing?" Bengali shook his head.
"The king did not see much to her…safety. Save passed keeping her alive to ensure an advantageous match." Tygra felt a growl rumble at his throat but swallowed it. Cheetara's words regarding another possible heir sounded in his mind and Tygra felt angered by Cheetan's disregard of not just his people, but his own daughter as well. Cheetan had been fortunate to die by more loving hands than his own for his insults to her.
"See that 5 of your most trusted men are sent to guard her chambers tonight; they will be inducted as her Queen's guard. See that they understand any threat that befalls her under their watch that could have been avoided will cost them their rank and compensation, and, should justice warrant it, their lives."
"My lord, I would wish the honor of serving as one of her guard." Bengali urged but Tygra shook his head.
"We need you as commander. You know your men far better than I and, by my understanding, my wife too."
"Of course my lord." Bengali looked dejected. Tygra placed his hand on the cat's shoulder and smiled.
"I appreciate your commitment to my intended's safety. Know that as her commander, you will be serving just as important a role as her personal guard."
"Thank you, my lord." Bengali smiled and took his leave. As the white tiger walked away, Grune walked up to the prince.
"Clever, cub, to have them swear fealty not to you, but to your future wife."
"Command would be better received from loving royal family than invading force." Tygra answered, but knew Grune's praise hid more than compliment.
"Of course." Grune smirked at the younger cat. Tygra turned to his commander.
"Make our men aware of the events that have happened and see them rested in the barracks in the city. They will remain here until I am certain there will be no uprising before I have ensured the army's loyalty to Cheetara and myself, then they will head home."
"As you wish, my prince, or should I be calling you my king now?" Grune laughed loudly and walked down the steps to give Lynx-O and Panthro their orders. Tygra shook his head, and walked back into the palace to find Cheetara's chambers.