Aurelia found it odd to have any man sleep in her room. Even if that same man was technically her future husband. Zinjo did not try to force his way into her bed, even though a part of Aurelia desperately wanted him to. To fill the long awkward silences she asked the gorgeous man about his life.
“Why do you think the Hyena man attacked my mother?” she asked. Aurelia spent much of her time trying to divine their purpose but lack of information saw her come up empty. Zinjo laid out a bedroll for himself next to the fire, “It will depend greatly on how many more remain. If this is indeed an isolated incident, we can close the book on it.” “And if not?” “The hyenas are like the lions, if it serves the whole tribe, then it is an action worth taking.” “You think there is more?” “I smelled many different hyenas on the dead one. The scent was fresh too.” Aurelia came and sat by the fire next to Zinjo, who in the space of a day, had stolen her heart. She leaned against his warm body and sighed in content, “Do you have any idea where they might be?” A strong arm wrapped around her and a soft purr escaped Zinjos voice. Aurelia loved the sound and allowed a single hand to caress his face. “The hyenas would never move or hunt in another clan's territory without permission. Which is why I think we should start with traders and merchants, it is how I found you.” “Do you think we'll fall in love?” Aurelia's face turned the color of beets and she instinctively pulled away from her strong companion. His arms pulled her back with ease. “Aurelia, if I believed there was no chance of things working between us I would've left by now. None of us knows what the next season will bring, all we can do is make the best of the one we are in,” before Aurelia could respond his lips were on his again. The softness and care he put into the action, awoke a primal part of Aurelia's mind. She tackled Zinjo down and straddled him. Her breaths grew deep, and her hands slowly moved down his chest before she returned the kiss. It lasted for several moments before Aurelia recovered her senses. “I'm sorry, I should've asked.” “Do not be sorry. I enjoyed it.” He pulled her back down to him, and she felt so small in his arms. “Mates should show each other affection.” Next to his spicy smell and the warmth of his body, Aurelia felt tired and yawned. Lead weights attached themselves to her eyelids, “I can't wait to show you the marketplace. You will get a kick out of it.” Before she could say another word ripped her from the land of the awake and into the world of dreams. The queen greeted them both warmly as they entered the main dining area for breakfast. She wore a gaudy purple robe and a gown that hugged her slight form. She embraced Zinjo and Aurelia, I have to say you two make a handsome couple. What's on the agenda for today?” She motioned for the couple to take a seat. Zinjo sat in silence, and whispered something to the servant who nodded and left the room, “Old business,” the words were simple yet confusing in the same breath. “Our people have learned more than a few things about our attacker,” The queen scraped off her toast with a knife. Aurelia followed suit, and Zinjo waited, “Is there something wrong?” “In lion society, the young eat first always, because they are the future. I was waiting to make sure no children were waiting.” “You need not worry about that here. Each family is responsible for their children,” The queen all but dismissed the young warrior's words. “All children matter,” The words blasted from his lips amid a small growl. Aurelia didn't care what her mother thought, she sided with Zinjo, “I think the thought is very sweet, to be honest.” The queen sighed and set her toast on the table. She rang for a servant to come and speak to her, “Basil, please make sure all the children of the servants are fed properly this morning.” “Is there a reason why?” “Our foreign guest wishes it to be so.” “Very well, your majesty I will see it done.” With that small piece of business out of the way, Zinjo took a modest helping and ate slowly, “I am sorry if my customs offended you Pride Mother.” Sophie put her hand on Zinjo’sand smiled. Aurelia scowled at the older woman, “No Zinjo, I am sorry. What you say makes sense. I will try to remember about the children.” Zinjo nodded and went, “Hmmm.” He ate a piece of meat, “Do you have many enemies, Pride Mother?” Aurelia shook her head, “Shadowfen is a neutral country and we only involve ourselves with others when it is necessary.” “Enemies exist whether we know about them or not,” Zinjo replied indifferently. “Speaking of enemies, what is the plan for you two today?” Sophie asked. Aurelia squeezed her future husband's muscular arm and smiled, “Zinjo thinks we should sniff around the markets for information. He thinks the hyena wasn't alone.” “The hyenas are good at trading and commerce. They made contact with the humans before we did,” Respect, Zinjo spoke about them with respect. The queen nodded, “I think that is an excellent place to start. I know a few seedy traders who would make deals with people like the Hyenas.” Aurelia put her hands on her head and slunk down in her chair, “Mother you sound pretty ignorant right now.” “Well it's not like someone gave me a manual on how to deal with lycanthropic tribes, it's going to take a minute or two to get used to it.” Zinjo put his arms around Aurelia and kissed the top of her head, “It is fine. I am unused to your customs as well. As long as we don't languish in ignorance we will be okay.” Aurelia wiped her mouth and put her napkin on the plate, “We should get going.” Zinjo followed suit, “Do not worry, your daughter will be safe.” Sophie nodded and even looked a little sad. “Be back in time for lunch you two.”Before they left the market in search of the Hyena's origin, Zinjo armed himself. The polished bone and Ivory shoulder guards highlighted the silk tan face and hair. Interlocking plates made up the chest guard and shin protectors. Zinjo turned to Aurelia who was dressed in her usual black and red silk gown, and hair in a tight elegant bun. “How do I look?” he asked while he gingerly cradled a rolled-up blanket. Aurelia's whole body reacted to the werelion's appearance. Her hands shook with excitement, and then a thought crossed her mind: What if she removed the armor and they stayed in versus going to the market. “I am more than proud to walk beside you,” She gripped his hair and pulled him down for a kiss, the image of the last one was fresh in her mind, and her loins begged her to take another. “What's in the blanke
Down in the sewers, Aurelia and Zinjo stalked their prey. Well, Zinjo stalked, Aurelia clung to his back like a tree trunk as he waded through the murky smelly water. Despite the low light, Zinjo negotiated the stone maze with ease. He stops and sniff the air and would adjust his course according to what his nose told me. Aurelia couldn't help but question how he could smell anything over the stench of human feces and excrement, “How do you know which way he went?” Zinjo gave a throaty chuckled, “The thief does not smell as bad as this tunnel,” He turned down a much larger tunnel and growled, “There are many bad men down here, I can smell them. Do you know how to fight?” “No, I was raised in statecraft.” “Foolishness, every leader should know how to protect themselves. Guards can be bought, best friends can become enemies in the blink of an eye, enemies can
It took several baths to get the stink of the sewer off of Aurelia. Zinjo waited patiently in the next room for her to finish. Despite being immersed in the putrid liquid the lion man didn't smell at all. Her lady in waiting, Madeen scrubbed her hair, “How are things with the beast?” Aurelia took offense to the term, “Zinjo is a man, a good man, his kind are nothing like werewolves at all. Not to mention he is our only link to the Hyenas. He thinks that Mshindi is not alone. I'm inclined to agree.” “You intend to get involved in the affair?” Maddens hands were like magic to the scalp and Aurelia felt the tension in her body release. “Yes. It's about time I stopped moping aro
The afternoon sun warmed the streets of Shadowfen. The people's attitudes toward Zinjo remained petty and suspicious despite the fact a goddess had chosen him for Aurelia. It bothered Aurelia at first until Zinjo shook his head. “I thought you didn't care what they thought?” Zinjo gestured to a bench and leaned his partisan against the stained wood. His massive calloused hands cradled Aurelia's with a gentleness that belied his size. “I try not to, but it seems like I can't please them at all,” Aurelia spoke in a glum tone. “You are the best thing to happen to me, and nobody wants to be happy, not even my mother. You saved her life, shed blood for this kingdom and its future, you deserve better.” &
A cloud of smoke and boisterous conversation hit Aurelia's ears the moment she entered the Seaside tavern aptly named, the Cracked Oyster. Men with pipes smoked by the fire and swapped tall tales, while the younger and more virile arm-wrestled on patchwork tables. Unlike the local populace, the sailors didn't bat an eyelash at Zinjo or Aurelia. “Stay close,” Zinjo said quietly. One last look around the leathery faces and missing teeth made Aurelia nervous enough to cling to Zinjo's arm. “I didn't plan on leaving your side,” She lifted a drink to her nose, it smells like sour lemons and whiskey, “Eww what is that?” “The sailors called it Grog,” Z
Before they hit the road to Brismond Aurelia undid the latch on the chest. The lid squeaked open and soft wool and the smell of tanned leather entered her nostrils and she tingled with excitement. Inside was a set of leather armor and a matching outfit. She held up the breastplate and then turned it upside down, “Ummm, how do I...? I've worn such a thing before.” Zinjo grinned wickedly, “I know-how. If it is proper to you, I shall dress you.” “That would imply I have to get naked,” Aurelia felt her loins boil over at the thought, while her mind worried her bare form would drive Zinjo away. Girl “Your slender form pleases me, dark princess.” the werelion blushed,
Aurelia never traveled to Brismond before. As she and Zinjo stepped in unison toward their goal, Aurelia wondered why the goddess chose the large werelion as her life companion? Not that she minded, Zinjo was everything she wanted in a husband and more. Doubt ruled her heart when they first met. Aurelia may have dressed in black after the heart's call failed once, but further inspection revealed she's felt that way for longer than she realized. "Something on your mind, dark princess?" her large companion growled with concern. He stepped next to her and put his arm around her slender shoulder. "You have been quiet since we broke camp." Aurelia leaned against his muscular body, "I was just marking my progress since we met." "Oh?" "I've treated myself terribly for a long time. For the first time, I believe things can get better," Aurelia blushed a deep crims
The guards escorted Aurelia and her companion to the audience chamber of Lord Dawkins. The chamber featured previous lords and ladies who presided over the thriving town of Pallrath. Lord Dawkins commanded respect without words. His looks may have been average, but the way his servants, and guards looked at him, one could conclude Lord Dawkins was anything but ordinary. He scrutinized Aurelia and Zinjo as he approached the caterpillar, thick eyebrows knitted in thought, deep brown eyes affixed on his guests. He kept his hands clasped behind his back, "Please state your business, and surrender your weapons. I do not know you, and armed people make me nervous." Zinjo handed the partisan to a young guard who trembled under the gaze of the predator's yellow eyes, "This is a family heirloom, please care for it." the guard almost dropped. His knees knocked together. "I am Aurelia, heir to the throne of