Chapter 13

Moving on proved difficult for Hisani. Though relieved at finally doing something about Idhara, the hardest thing was figuring how to fill the large hole her betrayal had left in his heart. After punishing Nyoka and Idhara, only Hisani and Adaeze stood in front of the evening kills. Idhara stood among the lionesses, who, barely looked at her. Just as well. They were disgusted, but Hisani was more so, mainly since Idhara never spoke when he announced her punishment.

It had taken him a few days to see that she seem didn't care about not being near him or their daughter, and Hisani talked to a few lionesses about it. They were uncomfortable, but answered anyway.

"She must think neither you nor the princess will want to converse with her like you used to," one said hesitantly.

Hisani considered that. "Well, she may not be queen anymore, but…"

"Um, sire, forgive me if I sound blunt but why are you curious?" another asked. "She cheated on you."

He sighed then, his ears going back. "I don't know. I guess it's harder than I thought it would be."

The three lionesses looked at each other and the third spoke. "It'll take time, sire…" she said gently.

They were right of course, and Hisani told himself that much now as he sat on the ledge overlooking the kingdom in the late morning light. "Time… it'll take time," he muttered.

It felt like two years had passed, not weeks. Not long after that painful afternoon did Adaeze tell her father about confronting her mother.

"She didn't give me a clear response either, Dad." The princess shook her head and chuckled ruefully. "She even said I was too young to understand."

"You're not, Ada, and she knows that."

"We wasted our time talking to her."

"It looks that way," Hisani said softly. He looked down at the ground then back to her. "Did your mother say anything else?"

Adaeze's eyes snapped with a blazing fire and Hisani knew right then that whatever Idhara said their daughter didn't agree.

"She said that marriage is never easy. That it takes commitment and hard work. I don't think she believed it. She only said that to get me to drop the conversation. I didn't. I couldn't."

Hisani gritted his teeth. It killed him to partly agree with Idhara's words, but… He drew his words out slowly. "Well, she is right about marriage never being easy and that it does take commitment and hard work, but those standards apply to both parties, not just one."

Adaeze nodded. "I know, Dad…" Her voice was soft, as if trying to keep the anger she'd felt that day down. Her front claws opened and she clacked them along the stone ground. "Then she said that with any luck I wouldn't marry."

Hisani looked at her in shock. Idhara said that? What had come over her? He felt his heart pound inside his chest, his adrenaline rising to the point where he could barely breathe. It took him a few minutes to regain his composure and when he did, he spoke quietly. "And… what did you say?"

"The truth, Dad… that I hoped one day Maabade and I would marry and that we would keep our vows." She then went on to tell him her vision of marriage and what it should be like and finally telling him of no longer respecting her mother. "I know I should, but in light of everything I can't." Tears filled her eyes and she let out a small sob. "She's done the opposite of what she ever taught me. How can I respect a lioness like that?"

In the end Adaeze put her head on her father's shoulder and wept. Hisani placed a paw on hers and purred soothingly. He had no answer to give.

Now alone, sitting on the ledge, Hisani turned his head to the den. He wished Adaeze was here alongside him but he was an early riser. He'd been out here for a few hours and told the guards to patrol. He smiled. One day Adaeze would be an early riser too but for now she was a late one. Often she'd come into the royal chambers late at night but Hisani never worried. His daughter spent much of her free time with Maabade and their night conversations were no exception. Hisani was pleased. Imani's son was a good match for Adaeze, the only match. The two had a special bond, and Maabade was smart, cunning, gentle and he cared for Adaeze in a way that made Hisani wonder lately about him and Idhara and what they once shared. They'd been close like Adaeze and Maabade at one point in their lives hadn't they?

Even with Idhara no longer queen Hisani marveled that she still had yet to tell him if Nyoka had started the affair. A few times he'd been tempted to ask but didn't and forcing her wouldn't work either. It was as if his judgment and sentence made her no longer obligated to tell him or anyone. Not just that but Hisani noticed something different about her over the past week. Bit by bit she was withdrawing herself from the pride. The only thing that seemed to keep her interest was hunting. Sabiti had told him that much recently.

Then there was Nyoka, who wasn't taking his punishment lightly at all. In fact, he was very serious about it and determined not to make it sound like a vacation. Hisani had expected him to lull around and follow Imani's orders in a sarcastic manner, pretend to do them but very slowly just to tick Imani off. But no, Nyoka wasn't doing any of that, just the opposite. He didn't even seem to mind being in the low ranks as he was when starting out the first time under his late father's training. The day after the punishment Nyoka was first up, waiting and ready to go.

From what Hisani observed over the last two weeks Nyoka was very different. Gone was the laziness he possessed for eight months and in its place was responsibility and an effort to make up for messing around. Even his attitude was different, and one afternoon Hisani spoke with him, looking him hard in the eyes, as if searching for any trace of a smart mouth remark or comeback.

"Tell me honestly, Nyoka, how is Imani treating you?"

"He is being hard," the blue green eyed lion admitted. "But I deserve it after everything I put him and Atiya through over the last eight months. He tells me to patrol one side of the kingdom and talk to the animals there, I do it. I'm not about to let him down, not again. You demoted me which was fair and made Imani the leader which is also fair. When I do come back to the point where you'll trust me, I will be satisfied with whatever position you give."

The sudden change in Nyoka was amazing and Hisani was thankful that the lion he knew before this mess was slowly returning. "If only Idhara could do the same…" he said quietly. "If only she could return to the lioness I fell in love with…"

Thinking on the change allowed something Hisani buried in his mind for two weeks to resurface – Nyoka's confession. Something about it didn't sound right. Did Nyoka lie? Was he covering for Idhara? Did she start the affair? Was that the reason she didn't answer when he and Adaeze confronted her? Hisani growled softly and closed his eyes, scolding himself. What was he doing, asking himself these questions? Nyoka confessed! It was his fault and he wanted to take responsibility and accept the consequences. Sure, his name meant snake but to Hisani Nyoka was more honorable than any other lion, except Imani and his son.

He groaned quietly and focused his attention on the lands, knowing one day it would all be Adaeze's. He smiled proudly, and from the day he stripped Idhara of her title as queen he wondered about Adaeze and how much longer he'd be in charge. He couldn't step down yet for two reasons. First, Adaeze wasn't three years old and second, he didn't want to burden her with leadership too early.

Hisani licked his lips, swallowed and whispered, "Adaeze… when the time comes for me to step down I want you to be ready."

"Don't worry, Dad, I will be."

Hearing her voice warmed him and he smiled bigger with more love and pride. No sooner than he did she was sitting at his right. He looked at her, seeing her focus on the kingdom. No question about it. Adaeze was just like him. He'd known that from the moment she opened her eyes and nowadays those eyes had taken on a new shine – a determination, stronger than before, and an inner strength. The princess part – the half carefree, half responsible side of her was gone and in its place was responsibility all the way.

"I know you will," he replied. A moment of silence passed and he asked, "How are you and Maabade?" He half turned, grinning playfully. "Or is your old dad not allowed to know?"

She rolled her eyes. "It's all right. I had a feeling you'd ask and the answer is we're fine." Her expression grew somber. "He's been watching his uncle and doesn't believe he's really changed."

"I know hardly anyone believes it. I'm surprised I can!"

"But he told you what happened. It makes sense that you'd be more open."

"True and I have talked to him."

"I wish I could, but I don't know what to tell Maabade. Nyoka is his uncle."

Her father seemed to think on a good answer. "Then go to Maabade and ask him gently, in a conversation, if it'd be alright with him. He trusts you and deep down I'm sure he knows that you have every right to talk to Nyoka, to see the change for yourself, and to come up with your own conclusion about it."

Adaeze nodded. "Yeah… I'll talk to him about it later." Her ears went back and she sighed. "I just wish the same could be said for Mom."

Hisani's heart went out to her. "As do I, but let's be thankful that Nyoka is changing."

She leaned against her father. "And, unlike Mom, he's taking responsibility."

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Nyoka couldn't help but admit – even in his mind – that Imani was a good leader. Apparently little brother has been watching me for the past four years. He smiled to himself. When Hisani became king and appointed him guardian leader Nyoka worked hard to prove his worth, but to also treat his brother and sister-in-law with respect. He never thought of himself as a lion unto his own. If anything he was just as much a subject of Hisani's as Imani and Atiya, no matter the role they all played to help protect the kingdom. Whenever duty was ordered by the king the three were subjects first and family second. It had been that way from the start.

If only it could have stayed that way the last eight months. In truth Nyoka never really expected his 'relationship' with Idhara to get out of control. Then again he never expected it to happen in the first place! Why did he do it, any of it? He knew it was wrong, as did she. The fact that he did and was now paying the price – being demoted to the low rank of a guardian and nearly hated by everyone in the pride – was too much to fathom. But it was real and he was determined to never have it happen again.

He even kept the promise he made during Hisani's public punishment ruling. He and Idhara never saw each other. They never so much as talked or looked to each other. So much the better, as Nyoka wasn't sure if Idhara had any intentions of – He growled and quickly dismissed the idea. She wouldn't, not again, and neither would he. He would never follow along like before. He still had yet to tell Hisani. How could he? It was over and done with, no use telling him now, right?

Nyoka jerked and snapped to attention. He'd been doing well with that for two weeks – snapping to attention and focusing. How could he let an inappropriate relationship with Idhara deprive him of everything his father ever taught him, of the responsibility Hisani so honorably and kindly gave to him?

He shook his head and looked to his brother. "Where to today, Imani?" he asked politely, an old trait of the attitude he'd buried for eight months but only started picking at again. He was determined to keep that too and use it every day both on duty and off.

"I'll be patrolling the west side," Imani replied. "You'll be on the east, Atiya the south and Maabade the north." He stopped and turned his head, meeting eyes with everyone but to Nyoka his eyes filled with anger. "Anyone have questions?" They shook their heads no. "While you're on your respective sides talk to some of the animals, the leaders if possible."

"Will do, Dad," said Maabade.

Nyoka smirked at his nephew though Maabade didn't see it. The young one was completely focused. You're gonna make a good guard one day, kid.

Imani smiled at his son. "Okay then that's it. Get to work and I'll see you at home." He nuzzled his mate, nodded at his son, stared at his brother coldly, and left.

Nyoka watched them go in different directions but the one closest to him was Atiya, who to Nyoka's shock wasn't giving him the cold shoulder like Imani and Maabade. When he was sure father and son were out of earshot, he ran to her.

"Atiya," he said carefully, walking behind her.

She stopped and faced him. "Yes, Nyoka…?" Her voice and her eyes held no contempt.

"I… um, well… Atiya, I know I've hurt you and Imani with what I did and how I treated you, and I…"

She smiled gently. "Nyoka, you made a mistake. A big one, yes, but you're learning from it. I can see that."

"Yeah, but I deceived you. Remember that day you and I were patrolling…"

"And you asked me if you'd ever find a mate. Yes, I remember."

Nyoka couldn't meet her eyes. "I don't know what came over me and all I can say is that I am sorry. If need be I'll spend the rest of my life regaining your –"

"Stop, Nyoka. You don't have to do that, not for the rest of your life. The way I see it, you're regaining my trust by being the lion you were before."

"I lost control eight months ago."

"And now you're getting it back. I'm proud of you."

Nyoka smiled weakly. "Thanks, but Imani doesn't see it that way. I want to talk to him but he won't give me the time."

"Because time is what he needs, Nyoka. You can't force him to forgive you. He has to do that on his own."

He looked up at the sky. "How long do you think that'll take? I'm already changing. I thought that would…" He paused.

Atiya felt for him. "It won't be easy for some," she said quietly. Then she nudged him. "But if you keep the attitude you have now, they might come around sooner."

"I hope you're right."

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Traveling with his advisor and daughter made Hisani grateful to get away from home. Following his talk with Adaeze and going with her to a waterhole only to see Nabila there, who, after they drank, said, "There are some problems in need of your attention."

Before he could even tell his daughter, she said, "I'm going with you, Dad. I want to keep busy."

Hisani loved spending time with Adaeze, even in his busiest moments. What he could never get over was the fact she understood and – often having nothing else to do – always joined him. The three were on their way to a meeting with a couple animal leaders who, according to Nabila, were in a dispute about land ownership.

In the walk, silence enveloping, Hisani found his mind scattered. It happened a few times last week but not this bad. It was as though his thoughts were pushing him away from the task. Why and wasn't the silence a good thing, a way to mentally prepare himself for what was to happen with this dispute? For Hisani, silence was better than mindless chatter. Nabila was a talker but even she had her quiet moments, today being one of them, and Adaeze's quietness was no exception plus Hisani expected it. With everything that went on in recent weeks the princess's mind was probably full to bursting. Perhaps the quiet, Hisani thought, would allow her to process it all.

He groaned softly, knowing the reason for his wandering mind and how one thought pushed his royal thinking out into the plains. It was Nyoka's confession and the uneasy feeling that something about it wasn't right and very much out of place. Then there was Idhara avoiding him and everyone else. What was that all about? Hisani wrestled with the questions from the moment he woke up. Why wouldn't it leave him alone? He gritted his teeth. He had to figure it out and the sooner the better. In that moment his mind was made up. He would take care of it now, but what about –

Taking a deep breath he stopped and called out, "Nabila?"

The cheetah stopped. "Yes, Hisani, er, I mean, sire?"

He chuckled softly. Often she had the habit of calling him by his name on duty. "Go without me. I need to take care of something."

"Are you alright?"

"Not really."

"What shall I tell the leaders?"

"The truth," he said. "Tell them that their king was unable to make it for personal reasons and just that."

"Okay, anything else?"

"Tell them that he has sent someone who also has the king's ear."

"Who, sire?"

Without hesitation or a second thought Hisani turned his majestic head. "My daughter, Princess Adaeze…"

At those words, Adaeze's mouth dropped. "What, me, Dad, are you sure? I've… I've never done that before. What makes you think–" Her surprised tone stopped as her father came up, resting a paw on her shoulder, looking at her with his sky blue eyes and smiling a smile with the love and pride he'd showered her with for nearly three years. She swallowed nervously.

"Don't be afraid, Adaeze. Talking with the leaders and solving their problems is one of the many things you've been training for. You've watched me for the past year, watching how I work, how I consult with them. I can tell by your deep interest and the way you listen before speaking that you are ready. Today you'll be given a little taste of what will come when you take over for me completely."

Adaeze was still unsure. "But, Dad, I can't do this without you. What if I mess up? What if they won't listen? What if they–"

"Shhh now…" he soothed. "You can do this without me, Ada. You're strong and wise. I've seen the way you carry yourself – with confidence and strength, above all, faith. It reminds me of me when I was your age, and where you stand now."

A tear seeped out of her eye. "You really believe in me, Dad? That… that I can do this?"

He smiled. "I know it. Like I said, you're ready. The leaders will listen to you. They know who you are – the king's daughter. To disrespect you is to disrespect me, and that is something they do not want to do."

"And if they try, I'll set them straight," said Nabila, almost bearing her teeth.

Hisani chuckled. "See what I mean? Nabila will be with you." He paused and wrapped his head around hers. "You'll be fine, Adaeze. I am so proud of you. I love you." He pulled away and kissed her on the cheek. "Don't worry about me. I'm going to go see Amina and I'll see you at home, okay?"

Adaeze nodded. "Okay." She smiled at him and turned to Nabila. "Let's go."

The two walked away and Hisani watched them, a tear of peace rolling down his cheek. He bowed his head and prayed. Lord, I know she'll do fine. I trained her well. Now, please, help me understand my overrun feelings…

He prayed the prayer continuously in his head as he walked in the direction that housed the shaman's tree.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

The zebra grunted and cried out in pain, wrenching his head and locking eyes with its companion with a look that seemed to say, "You got me into this so you take this so-called medicine!" He then returned his head back to leopard shaman who was waiting patiently. He craned his neck out to her and shut his eyes. The pain was unbearable, and not due to the pain but the medicine being applied to ease it.

The black and white striped animal winced. "This hurts like h–" He stopped as the leopard snapped her eyes to his, glaring.

"Watch your language, sir, or I'll find another medicine that'll sting worse. Stop complaining. It has to sting in order to work." Amina dipped her paw into the last of the dark green colored substance and rubbed it gently onto the zebra's neck, the sting and the odor making the animal wince and near close to holding its breath. Amina rolled her eyes. "Oh, stop it, it's not that bad."

The zebra scoffed. "Yeah, that's easy for you to say. You're the healer, not the patient."

Amina bit her tongue. This patient wasn't so patient; in fact he was downright annoying. If she weren't the honorable animal her parents and the old shaman made her out to be she'd have told the zebra to leave and deal with the pain. But she was honorable; she couldn't go back on it because of a rude zebra. How would that look?

The zebra hit the ground with a hoof in frustration. "Are you done yet?"

She growled. "If you keep behaving like this I might have to add a second dosage." She turned to the last little bit of the medicine then back to the zebra with a smirk. "In fact, I have just a little left to do that."

His eyes widened but not in fright. He mumbled under his breath.

"What was that?" Amina asked. "Could you repeat that, please?"

"Ohh, geez, no, I don't need another dosage! One is bad enough. I'll behave."

"Good, I'm almost done," she said, making sure the medicine was spread to every part of the side of the zebra's neck. "I have to rub it in real good so it'll do its work."

"Right…"

Amina rubbed her paw along the ground. "Okay, that's it, you're done."

"Finally," the zebra said aloud as he got up, meeting eyes with his companion. "Let's get out of here before she does something to you."

"What are the odds of that," the other said. "I don't have any pains and if I do, I'll come to her and be patient as she works."

"Yeah, right, now let's go!"

"Thanks for everything, Amina."

The leopard smiled. "No problem, guys." When they were gone she leapt back into the tree, sighing with relief. Normally she didn't mind animals who complained. But that zebra was getting on my last nerve.

Amina prepared to lay down when a voice stopped her. She groaned softly, muttered and rose, looking out. "Sire, what brings you here?" She hadn't seen the king in two weeks, not since he told her about the queen and the guardian.

Below, Hisani lifted his head. "Are you busy?"

In spite of herself, she yawned. She wasn't busy, but tired. "I…" She peered harder at the lion and saw it. The look of urgency, the need to talk… She couldn't turn him away; he was the king. He wouldn't be here if he didn't need her and clearly he did. "No, it's alright, come on up."

He took a step forward but paused in the next. "Are you sure?"

"Yes, come on."

No sooner than she said it, Hisani climbed. When they were face-to-face, Amina could tell something was wrong. Like before, she lay down and he did the same. It was awhile before they spoke.

Amina broke the silence. "How's the kingdom?"

"Fine, in fact Adaeze is taking over my duties on the political front. She needs to learn how to do it and without my help."

Amina nodded. "I think she'll do just fine, sire. She is, after all, your daughter."

He smiled. "That she is." He paused, trying to process his thoughts into words. Then, "Actually, I'm here because I think there's something wrong with Nyoka, not generally, but his confession to me."

"How's that, sire?"

"I don't think he told me the truth." Taking a deep breath, he told her the guard's confession.

When he was through, Amina tilted her head to the side. "So… you think he lied?"

"Yes, as strange as it sounds." Hisani shook his head, aggravated. "Scenarios, or thoughts, maybe even facts about Nyoka and his character keep playing in my head."

"What are they?"

His mind numbing, his body eager to move, he got up and paced. "Well, first, Nyoka couldn't have seduced Idhara. He's not that weak, not in mind, body, or spirit. I know him too well, as does Idhara and everyone else. Second, I know for a fact that he would never jeopardize his friendship with me or his brother. And third, he would never risk losing his title as guard leader because of a lioness, even if the lioness is, or was, my wife!" The pain in his eyes when he told Amina about the affair reflected again and he shut them for a moment. He sucked in a breath through pursed lips. "I just know that something about it doesn't fit."

Amina flexed her paws along the ground in thought. "Have you talked to him?"

"No, I can't. I don't want him to think I'm trying to punish him." Hisani let out a dry laugh. "He's been punished enough. Being demoted and placing his brother as the new lead guard… That's enough for anyone…" He glanced to the opening of the tree and spoke, his voice quiet. "Then there's Idhara, who's avoiding the pride… even me and Adaeze." He hung his head. "She still hasn't told me or Adaeze the reason for the affair, which makes me all the more suspicious about how it happened."

"You think one of them is hiding something?"

Slowly, Hisani turned to her, meeting her gaze with eyes glazed over. "Yes."

Silence filled the air around them. Hisani returned to his spot and lay down. He wasn't exhausted, but not far from it either. He tried to relax.

Amina thought over her king's words. Again, for the first time since he told her about the affair she was in shock and surprise. But she was thankful. At least Hisani hadn't come to her saying that Idhara and Nyoka were still in their adulterous relationship. As far as Amina knew, at least from a few lionesses she treated for minor hunt injuries, the relationship between the guard and queen was over and that Nyoka was changing his ways, including his attitude.

Now Hisani was here because the guardian's confession didn't make sense?

Amina shrugged. Something about the lion's words was off. She knew Nyoka since he was born. She baptized him and his brother when they were two weeks old. Sure, his parents gave him a name meaning snake, but that didn't matter. Amina watched Nyoka and the others when they were cubs and not once did Nyoka act like his name suggested! He was the opposite of snake and to seduce a lioness married to the king… Hisani was right. Nyoka's confession didn't fit. Is it possible he's hiding the truth?

Amina licked her lips slowly as an idea formed in her mind. For Hisani to ask Nyoka straight would give the lion the wrong impression. It would have to be someone who knew the case, but someone who wouldn't judge. Yes, that was it, and the idea sounded better and better to her as the minutes passed.

"Hisani…"

The lion lifted his head, eyes meeting the shaman's. "What is it?"

"If Nyoka did lie, I don't believe he did it to get an easier punishment."

"What do you mean?"

"I think he did it to be honorable."

Hisani shook his head. "I'm not understanding, Amina."

"Nyoka knew that if he lied or told the truth he'd get punished, as would Idhara. It seems to me that when Nyoka found out that you knew about him and Idhara, he did a complete turnaround and became the lion he was before the affair started and that includes every moral he learned too. Hisani, for eight months Nyoka –"

"He lived up to his name. He became a snake…" Realization fell over Hisani like rain. "You're right. Before any of this he was the lion I grew up with, the good, caring, loyal lion. That's one of the reasons I named him guardian leader. For eight months he wasn't being who he was but now that the affair is over, he's different. He's right." His eyes grew. "But wait, if what we believe is true, that Nyoka lied about starting the affair, then does that mean –" He stopped as Amina held up a paw.

"Hisani, it's just an idea, a theory and a theory needs to be tested. You can't ask Nyoka if he lied. Even if you tried another way he'd take it wrong and you don't want that. It needs to be someone who knows him, Idhara, and the case, and most importantly, someone who won't judge him."

"Who, Amina…?"

She smiled. "Would you mind if I try?"

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Imani ran into the guardians' cave, ignoring the calls of his name from the lionesses. He didn't want to talk to any of them; there was a reason for his anger. He stomped around the cave, his tail lashing quick strokes behind him, his gold hazel eyes snapping.

"Imani…"

He looked to the cave's opening and growled lowly. "Get… out…" he said softly.

"No, we need to talk, now."

Imani flinched. His brother's voice was like claws scraping along a rock in his ears yet the words were controlled. "I don't want to talk! I know what I saw!"

Nyoka entered the cave and he could see Imani crouched low, waiting to strike. "No, you don't know what you saw. Your mind is playing tricks. Atiya and I were –"

With a short roar, Imani ran up and smacked Nyoka in the side of the face with his paw, claws unsheathed. "Don't… you… dare…" he breathed.

"Imani…"

He looked up and the anger inside him grew. "Atiya… You were with him, coming home…"

The lioness stepped inside, behind Nyoka. "We were just talking…"

"You know what he's done. First our queen, ex-queen, and –"

Nyoka came forward a little, his cheek stinging from Imani's impact. "We didn't do anything. How can you even think that? She's your wife and my sister-in-law. I wouldn't and neither would she. Our relationship is strictly friend based, always has been."

"Yeah, right, brother! Cut the 'I'm gonna be a good guy again' act. I'm not buying it."

"I'm not asking you to. What I am asking is that you let me explain."

Imani stood firm, but the anger was still written in his body language. "Fine, I'm listening."

Nyoka exchanged a quick glance with Atiya. "I was coming home from my rounds, which I completed and saw Atiya coming from hers. We walked home together and just talked, nothing more, nothing less." He sighed deeply. "And that's the truth."

"He's right, Imani," said Atiya. "Talk is all we did. And I've seen the change in him. He's different, who he was before any of this happened." She looked at her mate, pleadingly. "Imani, keeping this anger against him inside you is not good. Let it out. Forgive him. See that his change is not a front, but real and genuine."

The brown lion processed their words very carefully. He didn't speak for a long time. Atiya and Nyoka looked at each other, hoping that their words were heard. When Imani looked at them again, there was no change in his eyes or face.

"No. I won't believe it. He's playing us, even Hisani, and I know he hasn't fallen for this so-called change you two speak of. He was kept in the dark about your affair with Idhara, Nyoka. How do I know that the same isn't happening with me?"

"You don't, Imani," said Nyoka. "But there's this little thing called trust, something you once had for everyone, even me. But now, because of my foolish and life changing mistake, that trust is gone. Okay, but let your trust in me be the only thing that's gone. Don't let your love or trust for anyone else, especially your wife, die too. I know you and Atiya love each other very much. It's something I've wanted for myself with a lioness for a long time. I know it won't happen and being with Idhara was wrong and I will spend the rest of my life paying for it. Fine, that's alright. I can live with that, but your brotherly love is something that is hard to live without." Nyoka paused, took a breath, feeling his emotions running high. He exhaled. "I just pray that one day you'll find it in your faithful heart to forgive me."

With no other words he walked out of the cave, passed the lionesses and to a waterhole nearby. He took a long drink but it didn't refresh him. After awhile of standing there, contemplating, he heard his name, but the voice wasn't his brother.

"Nyoka…"

He turned to see Hisani and the shaman, Amina. "Sire… Amina… what are you doing here?" His words were full of respect and honor.

Hisani looked to Amina and stepped back. Amina followed Hisani's lead. "Nyoka… I'm here to talk to you, if you want."