AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I closed my eyes as I sank into her touch, feeling it spread across my cheek. Her skin was soft, her scent alluring, and all I wanted to do was fall into her. The stars glowed outside, providing a beautiful backdrop for us. The situation may not have been ideal for many things, but perhaps it would provide an opportunity for us to become closer.
“I will not fail you Lioness,” I said. I looked up and our gazes locked together. I felt something stirring within me. My skin tingled and a sense of arousal bristled on my skin. I leaned towards her, my lips parting slightly as I readied myself for a tender kiss, but before that happened her attention was jerked away as there was a knock on the door. It opened. Mika was standing there. I snarled at the way he had entered in the worst possible moment. Had he sensed what was transpiring between us? Did he want my Lioness for himself?
“What do you want?” Ava spat.
“I want to talk to you, about tomorrow,” Mika replied.
“I have nothing to say to you.”
“But I have plenty to say to you. Is listening a sin in your world? You’re a stranger here. You don’t know how things work. Just listen to me. I need to speak with you. In private.”
He glanced at me as he said those last words. I was about to protest, but Ava had already considered the matter and told me to give her some privacy. I growled at him as I left the room, heading outside to find some food and learn more about these lions, while I tried to not allow resentment to fester within me at the fact that Mika was alone with my Lioness.
Chapter Sixteen
Ava
I took a deep breath, having to compose myself after the moment I shared with Lanas. I assumed it was because of the stress I was under, but I believe he could truly care for me. Perhaps it was for the best that he did not stay because the night before battle I should be focused on only one thing, although now Mika was coming inside to make things complicated as well.
“What do you want Mika? Were you not able to say everything you wanted while with your family?” I asked, glaring at him before I went to stand beside the window. He walked into the middle of the room.
“I came here to say that I think you have a point.”
“You do?”
“I do. My family can sometimes take their time over things. It’s just the way they are. It doesn’t mean that they’re not going to rule in your favor. They like to do things properly. They want to understand the lions that you came from and how you’ve changed over the years.”
“The only thing they need to understand is that we are suffering and we are dying. It is easy for you lions to live in Orestes and hunt whenever you want, to fish and eat and enjoy the fruits of this haven. It is not the case where we are from. You do not have the right to deny this to us.”
“But you don’t understand it’s just…,” Mika sighed. “It was explained to me a long time ago. When we started to visit other worlds again, we had to come up with rules about allowing other prides to come back to Orestes. If we just let every lion return then there would be chaos. We can’t simply allow prides to roam the fields as and when they want. There needs to be a process.”
“Try telling that to my people.”
Mika sighed. “I’m not saying I agree with it, I’m just trying to make you understand that this isn’t anything personal. It’s just the way things are done.”
“Of course, it’s personal. Everything is personal,” I said.
Mika shook his head. “A long time ago, when I was young, we had someone come through who was like you. They claimed they wanted refuge and my fathers were quick to give it to them. They thought that things would be like they always were, but instead the new lions came in and tried to take things for themselves. They made trouble and did not live up to their promises. We have to protect Orestes before anything else. I’m sure if you just gave them time, they would come to see that the right decision is to allow you to live here.”
I just laughed. Was he really believing the words that were coming out of his mouth. “You’re a naïve fool. I can see that you have never done anything worthwhile with your life. Do you truly believe that is the case? They have already labelled us as criminals even though we have done nothing wrong. And I’m supposed to just sit and wait around for their validation? I have never done that in my life, and I’m not about to begin now. I’ve had people telling me all my life that I’m wrong, that bad things are going to happen. My own father hurt me because he was afraid of what I was capable of. I will not stand by and have these terms dictated to me because people cannot see past the history of my people.”
“I’m not saying it’s necessarily fair, I’m just saying that you don’t have to put yourself through this. You can walk back the challenge. I know my father would understand. This must be a chaotic time for you and-”
I glared at him. “I don’t know how you do things around here, but you cannot simply take back a challenge once it is issued. I am not scared of your father.”
“You should be.”
I allowed my gaze to linger on him. He may not have been the fastest or strongest lion, but he had some kind of determination about him.
“My father has led this pride since the day of his ascension, when his father stepped away. He has fought great beasts and conquered these lands. He has traveled to other worlds and defeated horrors of the imagination. Nobody from this pride has ever challenged him because they have all been happy with his rule, and because they have been wise enough to know that he will kill them. You are the first challenger here since before I was born, and probably a long time even before that. Do you really think you can beat him?”
“I killed Gargann, didn’t I? I am no stranger to challenges Mika. My entire life has been a challenge. Tell me, what challenges have you faced?” I asked. I sensed the shame that flickered in his eyes. “Do you have any idea what hardship is like? You sit here in your tall tower that looks over the world, that treats it as a loyal subject. This world you inhabit has great herds grazing nearby. There is food in abundance, and loyal lions by your side. You have a world walker who can take you to any world you can imagine, and yet still you complain. What kind of hardship do you know? What kind of warrior has been forged in that flesh?” as I said this I reached out and pushed my finger into his chest, sending him back a few steps.
“I’m not what you think I am.”
“No? Then what are you?”
“I’ve had to put up with things as well!”
