The Lion of Shadowfen

The predator yellow eyes of the man she saw on the way to the altar watched Aurelia with hunger. She drank in every second and allowed her face to redden under its intensity. Who was he, and what nation birthed his beautiful form? His attire suggested he came from a distant land to Shadowfen. He towered above all the other men by at least six inches. Unfortunately for Aurelia, embarrassment would still find her on this day either. The priestess tapped her on the shoulder, “Forgive me, your majesty, but the public awaits your words. Perhaps you would like to cast the spell?”A wicked smile played across the face of yellow eyes, and Aurelia felt hot and bothered, “Could I get a cold glass of water, please? The heat in here is unbearable,” she whispered while she waved a silver fan she carried with her at all times. The priestess nodded and returned with a crystal class. Ice clinked against the side of the cup. The liquid vanished down Aurelia’s throat in the mos

          Aurelia secretly envied other girls. Some she envied for their way with men, others for their skill in matters of statecraft, and those who had been gifted in the chest area. Today, the tables had turned, thanks to Zinjo, the werelion. Aurelia walked tall next to him and carried herself regally, and pretended not to hear the petty comments coming from those who ridiculed her.  “It won’t last, the princess in black is jinxed.” “He can do better than her. She messed up the heart’s call twice…” Each comment became a small arrow piercing the stoic visage of Zinjo, who probably heard everything thanks to his enhanced hearing. He turned to face those who would insult Aurelia. Aurelia didn’t know much, but turning into the werelion wouldn’t solve anything. She gripped his hand and pulled him back, “They are entitled to their opinion. I am in a position of

    Aurelia laughed at the way people hurriedly ate in the presence of Zinjo. Everyone left and Zinjo, The Queen, and Aurelia remained. The werelion was dangerously close to stealing her heart. Since they’d met, Zinjo had done nothing but lift her and made her feel like a person again. It bothered her that people hoped to see her miserable. It bothered her that everyone waited to laugh at her next mistake. The queen kept watching her with a strange look on her face.   “Something wrong mother?” Aurelia asked.  Zinjo sniffed the air and kept the raptor yellow eyes on the wall, “Hmmm.” his ears twitched. “No,” she put her hands down and folded her hands on the table. “Tonight was not what I expected...is he okay?” Sophie pointed to Zinjo who now walked along the wall, his nose in t

    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 t

    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