Lion-O walked outside the newly built palace. He inhaled deeply taking in the fresh crisp night air. The day was over at last. The wedding banquet lasted for hours. An endless stream of Thunderan nobles and commoner congratulating the new couple. He thought that was the worst of the day, the true test come later. His first coupling with Amnextria. She was cold and unresponsive to his touch. The whole process was mechanical and passionless.
He walked deeper into the gardens of around his palace. He could not continue this farce. He had no love for Amnextria nor she for him. The thought of coupling with her again caused a cold shiver to run down his spine. The forest glade just beyong the palace garden looked inviting so he continued his midnight stroll. The sounds of the nightbirds lofted in the air as the young lord casually walked through the woods. There was a crystal clear pool just up ahead. A late night swim, that's just what I need, Lion-O thought to himself.
He removed his sandals and simple tunic and dove into the pool. The cool clear water was soothing and refreshing. He swam easily through the water, when something caught his eye. Another figure!
"Who's there?", he called. "Show yourself!"
"Forgive me, milord. I didn't think anyone else would be about tonight", a voice that was clearly female said. She swam closer to him. The moonlight slowly illuminated her face. Lion-O lost his breath. It was her. The leopard. Blessed great mother! She's beautiful, he thought to himself.
"You...you're one of my new wife's attendants, yes?"
"I am, milord. Lady Kareala of the Silver Claw clan."
Lion-O could not believe she was here. He was alone with her. And she like him was completely naked. She swam away from him toward the bank of the pool. She rose out of the water. Her body was magnificent. Lithe and graceful, her leopard spots ran in a perfect line down her spine. The spots thined out at her lower back and spread slighty over her shapely buttocks.
"Wait, please don't go", Lion-O called out, rising slightly out of the water and then quickly lower himself. The sight of the nude leopard female greatly aroused him and the water hid his...excitement.
Kareala quickly ducked behind a bush, retrieving her clothing. "It is not appropriate for me to be swimming with my queen's husband. Nude! And on her wedding night no less!" Her voice was more teasing than chastising.
Lion-O quickly swam to the side and dressed himself. He ran over to the bush were the female was dressing. He would not lose her again.
"I doubt Amnextria cares much about my whereabouts tonight or any other."
Kareala reappeared. Her clothing was a mess. Her wet body caused much of the fabric to cling to her. It only enhanced her form. She was still beautiful. She gave Lion-O a quizzical look.
"It's only your first coupling, milord! Sometimes these things take time. A new wife and husband must learn to...appreciate each other", she said giving Lion-O a knowing look. Her green eyes sparkled with humor.
First and only coupling, I hope, Lion-o silently told himself. Though he knew it was not true. Amnextria's duty was to bear him an heir. He shuddered again causing Kareala to laugh.
"Amnextria is cold, unfeeling. I don't believe there is a passionate bone in her body", Lion-O said stepping closer to Kareala.
"Those of us who have fought with her in battle would disagree with you, milord", She responded. "She fights as a cat possessed when challenged. Put a mutant in front of her and her passion would be unleased."
Lion-O chuckled, "Perhaps, I should command Panthro to capture a mutant and chain it in my bedchamber."
Kareala laughed as well. Her laughter was music to Lion-O's ear. Her voice a siren's song. She was so alluring. He moved in closer and gently ran his hand down her arm. She tensed and pulled away turning to go. Lion-O grabbed her arm.
"Please, milord. I must go."
"Very well, I will release you with one condition", he commanded.
She turned and faced him. Lion-O moved yet closer. He leaned in until they were nose to nose. "Meet me here again tomorrow?"
She lowered her face. Lion took his hand and raised her face to meet his again. "You feel it as well. Don't deny it", he said softly.
"We cannot milord, if Amnextria ever...'
Lion-O silenced her with a kiss. She was unresponsive at first. But she gave in and returned his kiss. Lion-O's whole body felt alive. He had never felt this way about any female. Kareala abruptly ended their kiss. She turned and ran, disappearing in the forest. Lion-O started to run after but then stopped himself and let her go. How was this going to work? He could take Kareala as a concubine but she would never be his queen. He was trapped. Amnextria must be his cub. Duty above all else!
Amnextria left the bedchamber she shared with her new husband and lord. She was returning to the chambers of her handmaidens and attendants, a wing of the palace built for the female members of the Royal Court. Her wedding night was as horrible as she imagined it would be. Males with their pawing and thrusting, she thought to herself. Her taste lay elsewhere. A young huntress, a slim and lithe ocelot caught her eye. The young raven-haired female was guarding the entrance to her attendants' chambers. Her duty was ceremonial as no enemy would dare get this far within the palace.
Amnextria eyed the female with delight. The female form so lovely, so supple. The huntress bowed her head as Amnextria passed. The delights I could enjoy with her, the new queen thought as she entered the chamber.
"You return. Was His Majesty pleasing to you?", a familiar voice called from the shadows.
"You know he was not", Amnextria answered as another female lion stepped from the shadow. The female slowly walked around Amnextria. She ran her fingers through the queen's hair as she circled her.
"His stench is all over you, my queen", the female purred. "Shall I lead you to the bath chamber?"
"Yes, that would be lovely", Amnextria cooed. The female turned and walked toward another door motioning for the queen to follow.
"All the others are asleep, milady. We shall be alone in the chamber", the female said as she lead the queen to the bath chamber. She opened the door and Amnextria walked through admiring the room. It was a scene from Old Thundera. Lion-O had this chamber built especially for her and her attendants to bathe. The pool in the room was surrounded by trees. It looked like a clear grotto one would find on the plains of Old Thundera where the lions once roamed freely. It was the one place in the palace that felt like home to Amnextria.
"Shall I help you disrobe, milady?", the female cooed.
Amnextria nodded as the lion female stepped behind. She ran her hands down Amenxtria's side stopping at the waist were she reached around and untied the belt. Amnextria stepped out of the robe and eased into the pool. She glide through the water gracefully. Turning on her back, she looked at her attendant.
"Will you join me, Oona?"
The female lion disrobed and stepped into the water. Amnextria watched Oona enter the water, her eyes burning with passion. Oona was more muscular the most females, but her breast were full and firm. Oona swam toward Amnextria until they were face to face.
"How long before you must return to His Majesty?", Oona asked.
Amnextria's look of disgust made Oona laugh. "I'm glad you find this amusing. Allowing that male to paw and mount me... I'm sorry I agreed to this."
"You must bear his cub, milady", Oona stated kissing Amnextria's neck. The young queen moaned sligtly. "It is your duty as queen."
"I most certainly will not!", Amnextria stated, returning Oona's kiss.
"How can you not? You may now carry the future lord of the Thundercats in your womb", the female said, using her hands to sensously rub Amnextria's lower abdomen, causing the queen to quiver slightly.
"There are certain herbs that females can take to prevent pregnancy. I have an ample suppy, I assure you", the queen stated kissing Oona deeply. The female pulled away.
"But you cannot remain queen unless you bear an heir", Oona replied her voice full of concern.
"Lion-O only needs a pure blood lion as an heir. I have a cousin here in the palace. One night soon, I will feign sickness and send her as a ...gift if you will, a concubine for the virile young lord. There are also herbs that enhance a female's ability to concieve", Amnextra said reaching for Oona, again kissing her.
"But the child is not yours, how will you hide this fact?" Oona said again pulling away.
"I will simply retreat to some place quiet to give birth. It is done by a great many families. My grandmother had an estate on old Thundera used just for that purpose. No cat ever questioned her about it", Amnextria said smiling brightly. "My cousin will give birth to the future lord of Thundercats and I will never have to lie under another male again."
"You are queen, Lion-O will no doubt expect to couple again."
Amnextria gave Oona a look that chilled her to the bone. "Lion-O my dear, will not live long after the birth of his heir", she said laughing malevolently. "And I will assume the throne as regent for the cub."
Oona smiled, "Long live the queen!" Amnextria smiled even bigger as Oona pressed against her body. The two locked in a passionate embrace.
Amnextria's mind was racing with thoughts of grandeur. She would see the lions returned to their rightful place atop Thunderan society. They were the strongest of all the cats. Survival of the fittest was the law of nature. She closed her eyes and reveled in the pleasures that were now overtaking her whole body.
It was her duty to see this through. She and her family had planned this the moment they answered the beacon, signally the return. A return to old traditions and old glories. The elders would have their heir and she, her throne. Duty above all else.