Ch. 1 The Parting

The ape's steps were deliberately slow as he ventured toward the cavern's exit. His blue eyes moving forward then back.

The prince allowed his hands to slide carefully across the walls, an extra incentive to guide his way.

When the stars of the night came into view, Blue Eyes movement increased, and he walked in the direction of the awaiting gorilla guards.

"Prince Blue Eyes, General Rocket is waiting outside. Your horse has also been prepared for your departure." One of the guards stated.

Blue Eyes noticed the guards were looking around the caves if he wasn't so afraid himself the prince would have laughed at the gorillas.

"Vine, Zij. You know the plan if she comes?" The ape said. The gorillas nodded holding their spears close to their chest.

"Yes, but sir we are not comfortable doing this," Zij muttered motioning to his twin brother.

"What Zij means is that Princess Marahan is a formidable warrior. We don't know if we will be able to distract her." Vine explained.

Blue Eyes patted Zij's shoulder and positioned his spear to the holster attached to his back. His thoughts going to his wife as the ape glided his fingers across the wolf tooth necklace.

She would hate him for doing this.

"Only for a few minutes. Just enough time for Rocket and I to leave. Do your best." Blues Eyes saluted the guards then hurried down the ramp.

He looked ahead and paused in terror at the sight of his wife.

Marahan stood in front of Rocket and Blue Eyes' horses. Her hands gently brushed the side of the horse, soothing the beast so it would not make an unhealthy amount of noise.

Rocket stood still near his horse feeding it his last scraps of fruit.

It was obvious the bonobo knew an argument was going to transpire and maneuvered his steed away from the chaos.

"Just so you know." Marahan began. "Zij and Vine wouldn't have lasted five minutes with me."

The prince's fear diminished giving way to humor.

How foolish must he have been to put two newbie guards against an experienced huntress.

"I know." The prince whispered admiring how the moonlight cascaded off of her body.

Marahan was currently wearing a long skintight elk hind that acted as a nightgown. Her long black hair was unkempt the result of bedhead and late-night intimacy.

The silver wedding band glowing on her finger made him purr with happiness.

He wanted to kiss her, but with the glare, she was giving him that would not be happening right now.

Marahan walked from her husband's horse, the woman didn't stop until she was directly in front of the ape.

"You are not leaving." The princess said looking him straight in the eyes.

"I have to." The prince replied. "You heard my father this war has caused massive destruction environmentally soon this hideout won't be able to sustain us. As a precaution, Rocket and I must find a new home far from this place so the soldiers will no longer be an issue."

"I know, but I can't lose you! We haven't been married that long! What if something happens to you?" Marahan yelled clenching the locks of her hair.

This war was a nightmare, day by day the colony lost apes to the bloodshed. The woman lost count of how many deaths Maurice had reported over the last several months.

She cursed Koba's name every single day for causing their demise. Now Blue Eyes was being taken away from her.

"It is for the sake of the colony."

She heard Blue Eyes say as he wrapped an arm around her waist pulling the disgruntled human into his chest. Marahan closed her eyes feeling the soft beat of his heart matching her own.

"It is our duty as royals to protect the colony to the extent of our own lives." The prince muttered taking Marahan's face and putting his lips against hers.

The woman gripped his shoulder as she got lost in the kiss, her tears soaking her cheeks.

She didn't want to let him go, but just as he said the colony comes first.

From a general to a princess, it is her sole job to ensure the survival of the colony during this tiring war.

The pair broke from their kiss and held their heads together.

"I love you," Marahan muttered giving his nose a quick kiss.

"I love you too. You will not lose me." Blue Eyes said kissing her soaked cheek.

The ape hurried to his horse and moved him near Rocket.

It took all his strength not to look back at his wife and mate.

Marahan slowly retreated to the cavern watching the apes leave the safety of the hideout. With weakened legs, the woman stumbled into Caesar's nest and curled inside letting her tears fall.

When she was fast asleep, Caesar carefully pulled Marahan close, so she was resting between him, Cornelia and Cornelius.

He shared a sorrowful look with his mate, who was aware of the princess's silent cries. They spread their arms wide engulfing what remained of their family with sadness, praying Blue Eyes makes it back to them safely.