The Lion Queen

Chapter 17

I waited three days before I put my plan into effect. I didn't want the others to suspect, and I wanted She'bah to think he was safe.

The day I chose was scorched and arid. The sun was directly overhead when I began. The others were lying in the shade of the bushes. It was far too hot to do anything else. None of us were going to do much of anything today. Except me.

It was easy to look casual as I walked out a gap in the back of the bushes. My plan didn't seem real yet, and the others had no reason to suspect I was doing anything. It looked for all the world like I was just taking care of business in a cat's neat and private way.

No matter how savage a lion or where he came from, he needed water. In this desert, there was only one watering hole in two days' walk. The sun burned hot on the fur on my back as I made my way there. It was empty, and I'd expected as much. However, I also knew a few things about lone lions. They preferred not to be detected. When I was wandering, I tended to take my drinks at high noon, when the sun was at its hottest and most animals were resting. While I was there I checked the scent for any prides, but at the same time I avoided predators or dangerous herds.

I tilted my head back and opened my mouth as I smelled in order to catch every trace. I needn't have been so careful. She'bah's scent was strong and obvious. I followed it around the edge of the pond and found a pair of footprints full of the scent. He couldn't hide now.

There was little cover in the desert, and at first I was afraid of being seen. But the trail lead me so far that soon the bushes were small in the distance. Ahead of me was a range of yellow-brown, jagged mountains that had been hidden by the horizon before. As I grew closer, I saw the many caves among the cliffs. The trail lead directly to one, but I didn't need to smell it anymore. I could see the bones littering the entryway, and more preceded me as I went inside. The stench of death mingled with the unmistakable smell of a male lion, and I knew I was close.

I passed around a wide rock and She'bah sprang at me. He smashed into my chest and knocked me to the ground on my side. His jaws snapped at my neck and I barely dodged so he got skin and not flesh. I surged back up at him and was surprised when I was able to push him back. He was a male, but he was the same size as me. His fur was pale and mottled and his neck looked scrawny and mangy without a beard. I batted at him with both paws and he grabbed me by the front and tossed me down again. I hissed at him as he looked for an opening, and we both lashed our tails as we paused.

I'd hoped to be able to surprise him, but I'd known this was a possibility. He knew the terrain and if I could smell him, he could smell me. As it was, I was in serious danger. She'bah was a rogue accustomed to brutal fights and constant vigilance. I knew that before I set out, and I went anyway. If I killed their tormentor, the lionesses might be willing to help me. If I didn't, there was nothing left for me to do. I was laying my life on an all-or-nothing shot.

She'bah lunged down at my throat again. I scuttled backward and he swiped my head with his paw. My head cracked against the ground and pain burst through me. I raked my claws along his belly and he sank his teeth into my shoulder. He shook his head back and forth and tore ribbons out of my flesh. I shoved him off and got to my feet, but it was difficult to stand. He went for my throat again and I tore at his ear until it was shredded. He turned his head and bit back at me, opening a gash from my cheek to my upper neck. Blood started to pour out of me and I knew I couldn't fight much longer.

My breathing was labored. If She'bah leaped at me again I would fall. I circled around him and snarled as he pressed in closer. In all likelihood, I only had a few minutes left, but it didn't bother me like it should have. She'bah's stomach was matted with blood and he was almost as battered as I was. He might survive this battle, but the next time he attacked Malik's tribe he wouldn't get away. I could accept death. It would mean the end of my problems and responsibilities. So be it. Hakuna Matata.

My survival instincts weren't as philosophical as I was, and I batted She'bah away whenever he moved to attack. My legs gave away and I snarled at him as he loomed over me. He stepped back out of my reach, then started to advance. Then he looked up and a shadow passed over me. He tumbled backwards as Malik drove into him and launched into an attack.

I hardly even had time to get up. She'bah screamed and tore at Malik, but it was like he was a cataclysm and not a lion. He shrugged off She'bah's blows and drove him back mercilessly against the wall of the cave. He swatted him against the rocks like a leaf and pinned him to the ground with his massive paws. His jaws clamped around She'bah's throat and he thrashed as his whistling breaths grew weaker. His struggles faded to empty twitches as the life left him.

He was still jerking when Malik left him. He ran to me as I gained my feet and checked me over worriedly, disregarding his own wounds. Blood was smeared on his jaws and flesh hung from his teeth, but he'd never looked so loving.

"You saved me," I said. Something lit up within him and he changed. He was tense with the battle and his limbs were still bent to jump if he had to. But then he straightened, and he seemed to swell in size. The worry and fear left his eyes and he looked as mighty as Mufasa. He drew himself up and became the king I knew he was.

"I was fast enough," he said.