Making sure no hyenas followed her, she went to the east and finally slipped into the neighboring territory. “Ugas? Are you out there?” There was no answer and she realized just how disappointed she was. “Ugas??”

“Uzuri!” a rich voice said at last. The lion hurried over, his face beaming. “I’ve waited for you. I thought you’d forgotten me.”

“I see you haven’t forgotten me,” Uzuri said. “Thanks.”

“You’re unforgettable,” Ugas said. “I enjoyed our talk, but I’d like to get to know you a lot better. Can you stay a little longer?”

She bowed her head. “You said if I had a problem I could come to you. Does the offer still stand? Can I tell you anything?”

“Anything at all, my dear. I’m so glad you came back--I’ve been really worried about you.”

“I don’t know what to do anymore. I can’t hunt with those hyenas- -well most of them. Some of them aren’t half bad, but that Pipkah-- ugh!! And their Incosi is a she-devil!!”

“You didn’t come here to talk about hyenas.”

“You’re very perceptive for a male.”

He laughed. “It doesn’t take much perception to tell what’s bothering you.”

She cleared her throat self-consciously. “Well, uh, yes. Ugas, I’m so alone and confused!”

Ugas smiled sweetly. “Uzuri, you’re not alone now. And perhaps you’re not as much confused as you are frightened.”

“Frightened of what?”

“Frightened of this.” Ugas drew close and touched her cheek with his nose, then kissed her lightly. “Simple closeness. Letting your feelings show. Do you have a consort?”

Uzuri looked at him timidly. “No. Why?”

“Because all I could think about for the last moon was your beautiful, sad face. I wanted to kiss away your tears forever.” He nuzzled her, and though surprised, she did not pull away. “I’ve never seen your smile. I bet it’s beautiful.”

“You’re toying with me.”

“I’m too old for subterfuge and subtle gestures. Now let’s see that smile. Think of something happy. Like maybe fresh antelope.” He looked into her eyes deeply. “Not good enough? Then imagine the look on Taka’s face if he caught us making passionate love behind Pride Rock!”

She tried to look away before the smile covered her face. Hiding behind a paw, she felt like slinking away, but he looked around her camouflage and said, “Oh, it IS a pretty smile. You should do it more often.”

“You’re terrible!”

“I know. Quite wicked. And if you can pardon me for dreaming out loud, I really would like to make passionate love to you. You make me tremble.”

Uzuri shoved him with a paw. “You aren’t serious!”

Ugas looked at her pleadingly. “I was never more serious. When you get to be my age, you see more and more yesterdays behind you and fewer and fewer tomorrows ahead.” He sighed. “I have no son to inherit my kingdom. I was almost desperate enough to form a loveless union, and then you came. Uzuri, I could love you. I could love you with my whole heart, my whole being. You’ve awakened feelings in me that I thought were dead. Am I selfish to want both a son and a little happiness before the sun sets on my life?” He waited a while for her reaction, but she stood unmoving, staring at him.

He bowed his head. “I’m sorry. I still feel like the same young lion inside, before the evening aches and pains settle in. Sometimes I forget that I’m just an old fool.”

“Ugas, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean....”

“No need to apologize. Why would you want a broken-down has-been like me when you’re so young and beautiful? I wasn’t always old. There was a time when I might have lured you away from that lonely lifestyle and made you happy. Please tell no one you saw me this way out of respect for the Ugas that once was.”

He turned and trudged away, his tail hanging limply and a distinct slump to his face and ears.

“Ugas, wait!”

He turned and looked at her, tears in his eyes.

“Only if you will pledge to me,” she said.

“And tie you down to an old carcass? How long could I make you happy?”

“However long it would be is that much more than nothing. And I could give you sons.”

“You just pity me. I shouldn’t have begged you. Maybe it’s better that I go now before you do something out of pity that we’ll both regret.” He turned and trudged away again.

“I don’t pity you, Ugas. I want to give you a son. My world is slowly crumbling around me--I need your love. Come back and I’ll prove it to you. You’re a dear, sweet creature and I’ve been thinking about you since we met--all the time.”

He stopped and looked back. He straightened to full height and looked like a real lion again. “Please Uzuri, I have feelings. Don’t say that unless you really mean it.”

“I never say what I don’t mean.”

Trembling, he stalked over to her, his gaze locked into hers, and he held out his left paw to touch her shoulder. “Before I lose my nerve, I’m going to say it!” He drew in a breath, let it out in a sigh, then said, “Before the gods, before the stars, before the assembled host I swear to give you my protection, my life, and my comfort forever."

She purred and nuzzled him. "Till the last beat of my heart, to the last breath I sigh, our lives are one, so help me gods."

He took his large paw and fondled her cheek. “I’ve only seen you twice. Once for an evening. And once more for the rest of my life. Bless you, Uzuri! You’ll never be lonely again, and you’ll never feel regret or hopelessness again. Come, let me show you around your new home!”

“My new home?” Her smile dropped. “This is foolish. I can’t be your queen! I have responsibilities and family. They need me!”

“Uzuri! Oh gods, what are you saying?”

“I’m sorry, Ugas. Our vows have not been sealed, and it’s best that I leave now.”

“No, you just can’t!” He ran in front of her and stared at her with wide eyes. “Please, Uzuri! Beloved! Can’t you at least stay with me as you can get away? I want you by my side always, but if you can only visit, don’t renounce our pledge! I’ll always be here when you need me. I didn’t want to beg before, but I’m begging you! Uzuri, I’m begging you!”

“Ugas, please don’t!”

Tears began to stream down his face. “If you leave me now, never come back. You remind me of too many things I’ve lost--youth, beauty, hope.”

“Ugas, don’t cry!”

“Why shouldn’t I?? If it bothers you, go tend to your responsibilities and you won’t have to watch.”

“Fine.” She turned around, her nose slightly lifted and began to trot away. But after a few steps, her head lowered and her ears drew back. A tear ran down her cheek. “What am I doing??”

She whipped about and ran to the old lion, nuzzling him desperately. “Forgive me, darling! Forgive me!”

Ugas nuzzled her face, then rubbed against her neck, walking slowly along her and letting his tail stroke her under her chin. “Since you stumbled into my life, you’re all I think about. You’re the first thing I want to see in the morning, and the last thing I want to see at night. I want to fill my senses with you!”

She sighed deeply. “I’ve never felt this way before.”

“I thought I’d lost you, but when you came back, I knew it was our destiny to be together.”

“If it is our destiny, then it must be so.” She nuzzled him passionately and purred. “Ugas, make love to me.”