The sun drifted high at its zenith, casting a brilliant golden sheen across the lush green plains below, without a speck of shadow to be seen. Warm rays cascaded from the cloudless blue sky, and the peak of Pride Rock stood perfectly amidst its gentle touch. Tahnari loved these days, with the breeze fluttering through his mane, and the light soothing his knotted muscles. Part of him wanted to thank his host for confining him to such a cushy prison, his afternoon naps wouldn’t have been as delightful down in the dark rocky dens.        
Nearly a year had passed since Tahnari first crossed into the Pridelands. Arid wastelands and shifting deserts carried their own charm, but none of them truly felt like home. He once ran across a beautiful oasis filled with glistening, dew covered trees and the clearest waters he had ever seen, but every morning brought damp, heavy fur, and mosquitos that would drive anyone beyond the verge of insanity. 
Tahnari had all but forgotten the features of another lion, so being greeted by others of his own kind felt rather refreshing; a party of lionesses, led by a violet-eyed beauty named Vitani. She was rambunctious and headstrong, with a flame that burned almost as fierce as his own. He couldn’t help but feel like a moth in her presence. Their time together would inevitably lead to Tahnari taking her scruff in his teeth, and pinning her body beneath his. He saw her quite often.
The welcome he received from the king of Pride Rock wasn’t as warm as he had anticipated. Perhaps it was his scars or defiant demeanor, possibly both. Simba always grew standoffish around Tahnari, not that he didn’t encourage it. He often addressed him like a rebellious cub for refusing to bend to their ways, baring his teeth at every sharp tongued reason for being unable to simply bow his head. On several occasions Simba threatened to, “teach him a lesson,” but never followed through, despite how much Tahnari urged him to try. He knew it would never happen; he saw that lack of backbone on day one. Instead of attempting to drive him away, the king simply confined Tahnari to the upper caves of Pride Rock where he could be easily monitored. “Their honored guest,” was the title he received… one that wasn’t allowed to go anywhere without an escort. A hollow title, he reminded himself.
His accommodations offered a spectacular view of the land, but made picking out its details a challenge. Vitani and the rest of the guard set out for their morning patrol as usual, while the rest of Pride Rock still slumbered in the caves below. Her determination to continue her role as leader, while carrying a belly full of cubs, always brought a smile to his face. I can never tell if she’s hardy or just stubborn. Oftentimes her team would make their rounds until midday, before the other lionesses embarked on their hunt, but today they returned early. Simba and Queen Nala left shortly after. 
Tahnari released a wide mouthed yawn and rolled onto his back, allowing the sun to wash over his pale gold underbelly.
“Tahnari! Tahnari!” The call grew louder as it approached, prying at his lazy eyes until he finally sat up with a defiant groan.
This wasn’t the first time Sarabi paid him a visit. In the past it was to kindly convince him to formally join the pride, while occasionally indulging in one of his many stories. Tahnari didn’t mind the company. Even amidst her gentle bargaining, Sarabi carried a very comforting aura, which made her easy to talk to and even laugh with. She still has very pretty eyes. A mother’s eyes. This voice wasn’t curious and silky, and her urgency betrayed the lioness’ otherwise soft personality. 
“Sarabi, never seen you in such a frenzy,” Tahnari yawned again. “What happened, did the king stub his toe?”
“This is not the time for your wisecracks!” Sarabi snapped.
Normally Sarabi responded to his quips with a stern look, and told him to, “be more respectful.” Tahnari casually rose to his feet and stretched. His joints cracked into place. “Well that’s no fun. Why else would you be here if not to hear my witty jokes?” He wondered with a wry smirk. 
Sarabi took a deep composing breath.  “The Guard reported a pair of outsiders in the Pridelands. Simba and Nala went to confront them, but I...I have a bad feeling about this.”
Tahnari’s smile vanished. “I’m failing to see why I need to be informed of this. I'm sure the king and queen can handle themselves, well...maybe the queen can,” he quipped.
Sarabi glanced over her shoulder, as if hoping her son would be there, safe and sound. “Vitani and the others weren’t able to handle them. I’m worried Simba and Nala won’t fare much better.”
Vitani is also close to birthing, so that’s not surprising. Tahnari rolled one of his blond braids across his paw. “I still don’t see how this concerns me,” he mumbled.
Sarabi’s gaze pierced his teal eyes. “Those stories you’ve told me, the battles you’ve fought,” she gestured at the scars on his face, “you can show Simba and everyone your strength. If you help him and Nala-”
“And why would I do that?” Tahnari interrupted.
A chill skittered down Sarabi’s spine and her heart sank. “Why? He’s the king! He’s my son…” her thoughts trailed off.
Tahnari hummed. “Correction, he’s your king. I’ve never sworn him any oath, nor will I ever.”
His defiant words peeled away her composure like bark on a tree. Sarabi gnashed her teeth and her hackles stood on end. “Why must you be so stubborn?! Are you so fixated on your own pride that you cannot bring yourself to act when lives are at stake?!”
Tahnari paused. A passing breeze rustled his braids. “Let me ask you something Sarabi,” he finally spoke, “what’s the difference between a king and his servants?”
“What is that supposed to mean?” She sneered.
“I’m not asking for an obvious answer, like ‘one gives orders and one follows,’ or ‘one sits on a throne and the other looks up to him.’ I want you to look at their capabilities, and tell me what sets them apart.” Tahnari clarified.
Sarabi tried to speak, but her words caught in her throat. Any attempt to muster a response proved a fruitless effort, as countless images of her son facing an unknown danger flashed across her mind all at once, pushing all possible answers from her head.
“The answer is simpler than you’d think. It’s instinct,” he revealed. “Some of us are born with a natural aptitude for leadership and strength. They carry the basic instincts necessary to draw others to their cause and muster them beneath their ideals, empowering their followers through unshakable will. However, they understand that not everyone will simply fall in line, and some will even attempt to knock them off their throne. As such, the king also possesses the strength necessary to defend not only their ideals, but those relying on them for guidance.” Tahnari nodded toward the landscape at his back, as though a crowd had gathered to hear his speech. “While the ones that lack those instincts cling to the king and become his servants. They carry out his ideals, because they trust that his strength and guidance will protect not only them, but their children.” Tahnari huffed and brushed his mane from his eyes. “It’s the reason Vitani chose me to sire her first litter over her king. It’s the reason the princess has a belly full of my cubs, after I proved my strength exceeded her former betrothed. They both understand the value of true strength, and chose to put their faith in a firmer foundation.”
Of all the times Sarabi had spoken to him, this was the wisest Tahnari had ever sounded. He couldn’t have been much older than Kovu, yet his words carried a spirit that she hadn’t felt since Mufasa. Confusion swirled in her heart, accompanied by a stinging truth. A tear fell from her amber eye, but her gaze never separated from his. “Simba is not his father, but he does not need to be. He is a kind king, and he-,” 
“Also allowed how many uprisings to fester under his nose?” Tahnari cut in again. “From what I’ve been told, it was at least two.”
“They were not his fault!”
Tahnari furrowed his brow. “Weren’t they?! He banished Vitani’s mother and her followers, with no regard for her thirst for vengeance. He allowed the hyena clans to lurk just outside your borders, and plot a second take over. His solution has always been to bury his problems and consider them solved, because he wasn’t willing to get his paws dirty.” Information came to him quickly over the course of his stay, whether it was meant for him or not. Kiara had been the most talkative when it came to recent events, though she would always get halfway through a story before Kovu interrupted. Eventually Tahnari put the pieces together on his own. “Tell me Sarabi, who were the ones who put down those insurrections?”
Sarabi sighed heavily. “Kiara and Kion.”    
“Precisely, and had it not been for them, far more people would’ve been hurt or worse.” Tahnari scooped a small pebble into his paw and rolled it across his pads. “You may not want to hear this Sarabi, but your son does not possess the instincts of a king. He’s so focused on not presenting as a tyrant that it causes his judgement to suffer, and by extension, everyone relying on him suffers. It’s because he’s weak!” A muffled crunch escaped his clenched fist, followed by a fine dust that scattered in the wind. Tahnari stepped forward until his nose nearly met hers. “I don’t put up with that, am I clear? I don’t know about the rest of you, but I refuse to play servant to a king that is weaker than me.”
Sarabi remained stoic. “Why then...why didn’t you challenge Simba for the throne when you arrived?” She wondered.
“Same reason I refused to fight him for the past year, I don’t want to be a king.” Tahnari sighed and brushed past her. “Crowns don’t suit me, they just weigh me down,” he paused at the mouth of the ridge leading deeper into Pride Rock. “Speaking of crown, I doubt your son is going to hold onto his. You’d best prepare yourself to greet a new king.”
Sarabi zoned into the expanse of the Pridelands and the horizon beyond. “If what you say is true, if you don’t possess the desire to be king, then to whom do you owe your allegiance?”
Her question caught his feet like quicksand.
She spun about to face him again. From this angle Tahnari’s mane seemed to glow in the sunlight, giving him an air of majesty that she had never seen before. Sarabi felt a flutter in her chest, but pushed through it. “You said you won’t bow to someone weaker than you, yet you refuse to hold a title of your own. So tell me who you bow to,” she demanded.
Tahnari’s mind drifted into the void. For a moment he swore the wind grew more ferocious, tugging at his mane as if trying to draw his focus. “Someone you’ll probably never meet,” he finally responded.
“Tell me!” She stammered.
Tahnari cocked his head to cast her a glance. A streak of white hair danced within a sea of gold, and a shallow grin spread across his muzzle. “Come on, I’m curious to see which king is going to make his triumphant return,” he dodged. 
Despite the number of times Tahnari laid eyes upon Pride Rock, its majesty never ceased to amaze him. The great monolith lived up to its namesake, both now and before the Pridelands’ first king staked his claim, with its smooth, solid stone standing like a proud lion gazing across an endless paradise of grass, trees, and stone. Behind stood its unbreakable foundation, like a spear thrusting toward the heavens. Life thrived within the light of the king’s domain, safeguarded from the shadows lurking beyond.
 Having called off their hunt, many of Pride Rock’s residents still remained within its cool shade, lionesses both young and mature. Tahnari drew no small amount of attention whenever he emerged from his den. He was young and scry, with muscles that rippled through his legs and shoulders like water; each scar patching his deep gold fur told a story of challengers that tested his strength and failed. He vividly remembered each of them, from the elephant that rammed its tusk through his gut, to the crocodile that attempted to tear off his right leg. Back home, Tahnari needed at least two braids in his mane before any lioness would even look in his direction, here it didn’t seem to matter. In the king’s absence, the denizens of Pride Rock didn’t hesitate to bat their eyes and coo his name. Tahnari simply smiled and passed them by.
The news had spread like wildfire. Every lioness within Pride Rock’s reach has amassed around its perimeter, gawking at the sea of green surrounding them, awaiting the arrival of the king or his challenger. Is this a welcome, or an ambush, Tahnari wondered, as he shuffled through a few observers and found a comfortable spot in the sun, perched atop the king’s overlook. 
Sarabi wanted to race off to her son’s aid, but Tahnari had advised otherwise. It’s the duty of the king and queen to defend their kingdom, not the king’s mother, he told her. 
“If she keeps pacing like that, I’m going to get exhausted,” Vitani complained as she sauntered up to Tahnari’s side. A round belly adorned her otherwise lithe form, and easing onto her side proved more difficult than normal. “I could’ve taken them. I blame you for this.”
Tahnari chuckled. “I’m sure you could’ve Fireball, but let’s not forget, it was you who seduced me.”
Vitani gave him a playful shove on the shoulder. “I told you to stop calling me that. It happened one time, and I wasn’t thinking clearly.”
“Oh believe me, had you told me you tried to burn the Pridelands down twice, I’d have been the one chasing you,” Tahnari joked. 
Vitani laid her head across his forelegs. “Are you saying I’m going to have to keep doing all the work?” She muttered with a sly grin.
“All the work? That hurts more than your bite Fireball.”
“Call me that again, and I’ll bite harder,” she bellowed, grazing his chin with her teeth.
“Careful now, or I may just have to pin you again, pregnant or not,” Tahnari cooed as he laid his head on hers.
Vitani shut her eyes with a hum. “Maybe that’s been my plan from the beginning.”
The sun was gradually beginning to sink. Amidst the serenity of the savannah, the day’s tension almost seemed lost. A flock of colorful birds fluttered overhead, gliding toward the red horizon. Many creatures were beginning to settle, while others started to stir. Tahnari shifted to drape a paw over Vitani’s swollen belly, letting his eyes rest while focusing on the soft purrs vibrating in her chest.
“So what were they like? The outsiders,” Tahnari muttered.
Vitani hummed and nestled into his embrace. “There were two of them. If you’ve been looking for a good fight, that would’ve been it. The guard didn’t stand a chance.” She winced as one of their cubs kicked. 
“You didn’t try to fight them did you?”
“Of course not! Not like this,” she said with a sigh.
Tahnari lifted his head to look down at her. “Do I hear a hint of regret in your voice?”
Vitani opened one violet eye. “Not really. The Pridelands could benefit with a less cushy king, and between us, I haven’t forgotten that it was Simba’s judgement that condemned my family to life in the Outlands.”
“So what would a new king mean for us?”
Vitani licked him across the muzzle and gazed into his eyes. “Absolutely nothing. I didn’t need a king before, and I don’t need one now. You’re all I need Tahnari.”
Tahnari nuzzled her and settled back into their cuddle. “I like the way that sounds,” he chuckled softly. “I’m surprised you feel that way, considering what I did to your brother.”
Vitani snickered. “Kovu was always a pompous idiot, even when we were cubs. I’m actually glad it was you he provoked, anyone else would’ve killed him.” She paused and gave him a curious grin. “What’s Kiara like anyway?”
“She’s not as innocent as she looks,” Tahnari answered with a hum. “She’s far more submissive than you though.”
“Keep this up, and you’re going to end up with your own pride soon enough.”
Tahnari stroked her short, silky fur. “Between you and her, I kind of like that idea. Just don’t start calling me king.”
Vitani rolled her eyes. “Yeah yeah, I’ve heard all that.”
“Someone’s coming,” Tahnari heard a lioness call out. Chatter began to circulate amidst the onlookers. He rolled onto his belly and peered at the fields below, searching for the ones being heralded by the observers. Tahnari had only been expecting two lions, and unless he still hadn’t shaken the nap from his eyes, he definitely spied three marching their way toward Pride Rock. Sometimes I get tired of being right.  A pair of lionesses flanked a large male, with the indistinguishable figure of Queen Nala among them. Her brilliant blue eyes always shone in contrast to her pale tan fur, with a voice that made his head swim and his heart throb.  A chance to put a litter in her was the only reason I would’ve challenged Simba. The other stood nearly the same height as the queen, young and sleek, coated in scarred sandy blond fur, and a white rimmed muzzle that bled down her underbelly. A smudge of black peppered her snout, and a long tan braid slithered down her back like a serpent. Scars and braids, be still my heart. Her partner was strong in frame, wearing fur of clay tan, with a thick, brown mane, and the same streak of white separating his back from his belly. His steps were heavy and filled with purpose, crushing the earth beneath his paws. At least he looks tougher than Simba.
Tahnari couldn’t see Sarabi from his perch. He could only imagine how she felt, spending most of the day praying for her son’s return, only to behold his queen returning home without him, and alongside his challenger no less. After everything she has suffered, he wouldn’t be surprised if she left on the morrow.
By the time the trio reached the rocky grounds of Pride Rock, what remained of its dwellers had amassed outside to glimpse their new king and queen. Many heads bowed in fealty and some remained undecided; they exchanged bewildered glances, as if reality hadn’t reached them yet. The outsiders wondered at the kingdom of stone and dust with smiles of exhilaration and triumph, a sensation like the reward after an exhausting hunt. They paused and let their attention drift to the great crest of Pride Rock, the hill every king and queen before them had ascended to declare their reign. 
Sarabi pushed through the collective bodies and intercepted the queen. “Nala, why are you...where is Simba?!” Too many questions tried to escape her at once, but her son still stood at the forefront of her mind.
Nala cast a look at the lions beside her. “Simba...was challenged for the throne, and lost. He is no longer our king,” she said, forcing herself to keep her head high.
Voices bounced about the crowd, whispers of acceptance, shock, and uncertainty. 
Tears welled up in Sarabi’s eyes. “And you just left him behind?! I thought you loved him!”
Nala sighed. “I did Sarabi, but I am also the queen. I cannot afford to act on my feelings alone, I have to do what is best for our kingdom. We need a king that can protect our lands from those who would seek to pillage it, and Simba proved that he can’t protect us.”
“Did you decide this before or after you let yourself be taken?” The scarred lioness chimed in, her crimson stained muzzle curling into a curious smirk. A drop of blood soaked into the dust.
Nala averted her eyes.
“Listen to your queen. My mate and I have heard a great deal about this place, a haven beyond the barren wastes, and you see how easily we have taken it. Terr’Kar and I fought your king and cast him from his throne, the one whose duty is to protect you.” She licked her chops. “He proved as useless as the fruits I tore from between his legs.”
A collective gasp erupted from the other lionesses, and Sarabi looked as though her heart had been ripped from her chest. Tahnari half expected her to lash out at the queen, but she never lifted a paw. She’s too gentle for her own good.
The lion she addressed as Terr’Kar stepped forward. “We are not here to make enemies. Yuri and I wished to see if the rumors were true, and if they were, it was where we wanted to build not just a home, but a genuine kingdom. We came here not only to stake our claim, but to prove a point.” He circled about, meeting the stares of every lion focused on him. “A domain this bountiful will always attract ambitious eyes. I have no doubt that there are others beyond your borders similar to us, and not all of them bring an offering of peace. So long as I am your king, we shall defend this kingdom from those who would seek to plunder it! Fealty will be rewarded with love, valor with honor, and insubordination with judgement.” He approached the foot of the king’s ascent and turned to address the crowd once more. “We didn’t come here to be conquerors, but protectors. Put your faith in us, and I swear, we shall fight to our last breath before we so much as consider failing you!” He ended his speech with a thunderous roar, which was echoed by every lion it reached, all but one.
Sarabi glared at Nala one last time before darting off into the depths of the den.
“Should I go after her?” Yuri asked as she regrouped with her partner.
Terr’Kar shook his head. “Neither of us are strangers to the pain she is feeling. Give her time.”
Dusk was beginning to creep across the sky as the sun continued to plummet, bathing Pride Rock in protean shades of orange and red, as hues of pink and violet melted together like the juices of crushed fruits. The newcomers made their deliberately steady climb up the rocky slope, casting gargantuan shadows against the cliffside. Tahnari rose to his haunches and his tail began to twitch. The duo halted in mid stride. 
“I remember you.” Yuri said. “You’re one of those guards that tried to stop us from coming here,” she huddled into a pouncing stance with a toothy grin. “Oh please try to stop us again,” she prodded.
Vitani struggled to her feet, and braced for an imminent assault.
Tahnari nonchalantly stood and stepped between her and the outsiders. “Vitani, go inside,” he muttered.
“Are you crazy?! They’ll kill you!”
“I’ll be fine. Go.” He solemnly requested.
Vitani frowned then cautiously slipped around them. Tahnari’s claws released the stone beneath his paws as her form vanished into the darkness of the cave. The rest of the world fell away, and time seemed to crawl like thick tree sap. A small pebble tumbled from the cliff. Butterflies fluttered in Tahnari’s gut again, an exhilaration he so dearly missed. His blood began to rush, and his heart thrummed like a drum. He couldn’t help but smile.
“You’ve got guts, stepping up to us like this,” Yuri finally broke the silence.
“And you’ve got guts, disrupting my nap and threatening an expecting mother,” Tahnari retorted.
“Sharp tongue too. I doubt you’ll be as witty after I rip it from your mouth,” Terr’Kar glowered.
Tahnari deliberately licked his chops. “Now that’s just cruel. There are a pair of lionesses here that would sorely miss it. Why would you go and deny them such pleasure?”
The two lions regarded each other. “Look at those scars, you think he’s…” Yuri mumbled from the corner of her mouth.
“I do,” Terr’Kar agreed, sinking into an aggressive posture.
Tahnari stood stoic as they began to circle him like vultures, heads low and claws splayed, deep bellows rumbling in their throats like the hooves of a great stampede. His eyes traced each of their steps, and his muscles itched with anticipation. No retreat, no surrender, he reminded himself.
“He’s not backing down...good. Finally someone worth killing,” Yuri growled.
Tahnari rolled his shoulders with a pop. “Keep talking like that gorgeous, and you’ll be the second lioness to ever make me blush.”
“Careful now Yuri. This one is definitely not a push-over, he looks like he’s been in a scrap or two,” Terr’Kar advised.
“Ten actually. I keep track,” Tahnari corrected.
“Regardless, you’re still standing between us and our goal. Your eleventh battle is going to be your last,” Terr’Kar threatened.
Finally, someone with a spine. It had been a while since Tahnari received a death threat, and this lion seemed likely to back up his word. “You can certainly try, but don’t make promises you can’t keep.”
Yuri snarled. “With pleasure!” She roared and swung for his face. Her strike came heavy and swift. The air whistled as it rushed past her paw.
Tahnari’s ears twitched and he raised a paw, catching her swipe with a dull thud. He could feel her leg tensing as she tried to force her way through his grip, but Tahnari wouldn’t budge. He tilted his head and narrowed his eyes at her, completely ignoring the claws attempting to rake his eyes from his skull. “You seem familiar, have I tried courting you before?”
Yuri grunted and tried to yank her arm from him, but Tahnari’s claws dug into her fur like thorns. “If you had tried to court me handsome, you’d have far more scars than that,” she sneered.
“You certainly know how to get my blood pumping,” Tahnari quipped.
“Pay attention!” Terr’Kar roared! His powerful legs shoved off the ground. Dust sprayed into the air.
Tahnari’s ears twitched again. His grip tightened, and he threw himself to the ground like a log. Yuri jerked from the sudden pull. She tried to free herself again, despite his claws piercing her skin. Beads of red stained her fur. Tahnari smirked and twisted his body into a vigorous roll. Yuri’s remaining legs tried to resist, but found no purchase against the stone. The sudden torque overpowered her balance and put her at the mercy of Tahnari’s momentum, dragging her body with alarming force. She glimpsed the rapidly approaching face of her partner, and the sudden shift in his expression. Their bodies collided with a collective yelp.
Tahnari sprang to his feet and shook a cloud of dirt from his mane. “You know, this is why I prefer single combat. Fewer bodies get in the way.”
Yuri and Terr’Kar untangled themselves and shook the haze from their heads. “Are you okay?” Terr’Kar asked.
“I’m fine, I just underestimated him,” she clarified, trying to massage the ringing from her ears.
Tahnari chuckled. “I wouldn’t recommend doing that again.” 
“Good advice pretty boy,” Yuri said. They barred their teeth and readied for another attack.
“Stop! That’s enough!” A silvery voice cut through the cacophony of roars and growls.
Tahnari didn’t need to turn to know its source. Kiara trotted to his side, a frown of fear and unease painted on her muzzle. Her fur was short and silky like her mother, with a peachy tan hue covering her body, blending into a beige streak that wrapped around her muzzle and flowed down to her distended belly. Her diplomatic skills far exceeded her father’s, at least from what Tahnari could judge. Between her and Vitani, he started to feel some merit behind the label placed on him. Most of his time with her was spent exploring the kingdom, or sating her curiosity of his scars, until her betrothed eventually disrupted the mood. Simba wasn’t the only one who felt unnerved by Tahnari’s presence, though Kovu’s ire was driven more by jealousy than paranoia. It wasn’t until he tried to fight Tahnari that Kiara finally had enough. She continued to fraternize with him, more so when she inevitably came into heat. She was the second lioness Tahnari claimed. Shame I won’t get to see Simba’s face when she births my litter.
“You’re in the way girl! I suggest you move, for the sake of you and your cubs.” Terr’Kar grumbled.
“Our pride has already acknowledged you as king and queen. Why are you doing this?”
Yuri scoffed. “The pride will never truly acknowledge us as long as your king is still standing.”
Kiara’s eyes narrowed. “What are you talking about?”
Tahnari snickered.
“You really expect us to believe the lion we fought earlier was your king? A newborn would’ve put up more of a struggle,” Yuri mocked.
        Kiara paused and glanced at Tahnari. “Wait you think-”
        Tahnari erupted with laughter. “They think I’m king!” He wheezed between cackles.
        The confusion forced Terr’Kar out of his stance. He shook his head, as if it would cast off some sort of delusion clouding his sight. Nothing changed. “This lion seems to be the only real warrior among your pride, and you mean to tell me he isn’t your king?!”
        Yuri’s brows furrowed in disappointment. “So the babbling idiot we fought earlier today was the king?! Who or what are you to this pride?”
        “I’m just a ronin...and the father of the princess’ litter.” Tahnari answered, casting a sidelong glance at Kiara.
        Kiara’s face turned red, and she avoided his gaze. “He is our guest. My father allowed him to stay, but only under close watch.” She sighed and rolled her eyes. “It wouldn’t be the first time he felt threatened by an outside male.”
        Yuri raised an inquisitive brow. “And you never overthrew him because…” her words trailed off for Tahnari to finish.
        “A crown wouldn’t suit me. I’ve humiliated one king in my life, and the results were… less than satisfactory.” He crossed in front of Kiara and dusted her chin with his tail. “Plus, think of all the opportunities I’d have missed out on if I were stuck on a throne in one corner of the world.”
        Yuri and Terr’Kar threw each other another look and shared a smirk. “I won’t lie, I like this one,” he said. “It’s not every day that we meet another battleborn like us, let alone one so formidable.”
        Tahnari cocked his head and gave a proud toothy smile. “Such high praise, and here I thought you wanted to rip my tongue out.”
        “Try to challenge me for the throne, and I will.”
        “There’s only one thing I have my eyes set on.” His focus drifted to Yuri and he uttered an endearing purr.
        “Dangerous and charming, kind of reminds me of someone.” Yuri brushed against Terr’Kar and meandered toward the mouth of the den, pausing as she reached Tahnari’s side. Her eyes shone of deep gold like the first glimpse of dawn, tracing the braids in his mane and down his jagged scars, giving a subtle hum when she glimpsed between his thighs. “Looks like you’re off the hook today, but I suggest you get some sleep tonight. You’re mine tomorrow handsome.” Her tail snaked across his nose as she slipped away.
        Tahnari peeked over his shoulder, studying the hypnotic motion of her hips. “I look forward to it,” he muttered with a lick of his chops. Had she not noticed his arousal a moment ago, it would’ve been obvious now. Most folks would’ve cowered in fear at the sight of a warrior like her, but Tahnari felt a sense of nostalgia, an alluring danger that proved too enticing to resist. He felt the same rush when he met Vitani and craved to feel it again. Guess we’ll find out how many more scars I’ll gain.
        His trance was broken by Terr’Kar clearing his throat. “Seems my queen has already taken a shine to you. She doesn’t do that to just anyone, so now I’m curious. My name is Terr’Kar, what’s yours ronin?”
        “Tahnari.” He pushed his mane from his eyes again.
        “Well Tahnari we can speak more tomorrow.” His attention drifted toward Kiara. “For now, I do believe we have some...terms to discuss princess,” he suggested as his eyes meticulously traced her body. The prospect of her already expecting a litter didn’t seem to deter him.
        The crimson flush returned to her face. “I suppose we do. However, I do have one request, King Terr’Kar.” Kiara’s head swiveled toward Tahnari. “For my own sake, I would request that the father of my cubs be allowed to remain with me.”
        “Fair enough. Do you agree, Tahnari?”
        Definitely not as innocent as she seems. “I think I can accept these terms,” Tahnari cooed in her ear, and gave it a playful nip. He felt her body shiver; she always melted when he went for the ears. He nuzzled along her neck and grazed her silky fur with his fangs, drawing out blissful sighs and hums. Their tongues danced clumsily in the sunset until Tahnari locked their muzzles together, drawing her closer as he reclined against the warm stone, leaving her tail high and her scent flowing in the breeze.
        She wasted no time nuzzling between his thighs, dragging her tongue along his heavy loins and growing arousal, before taking his length in her mouth. 
Terr’Kar admired his prize, she was wet and well prepared. He inhaled her aroma deep then mounted her, pinning her beneath his weight and vigorously flushing their hips. 
The harmonious blend of her warm, wet muzzle, and rough tongue sent waves of ecstasy pulsing through his body. Tahnari simply relaxed and watched her work, his girth stifling her moans as Terr’Kar drove into her again and again. He can have his crown. I never needed one, and never will. Tahnari’s head joined the clouds. He wasn’t sure when he finally reached his peak, or how much of his seed she drank down, only that he was far from done. I wonder if Vitani is still in the mood. 
        The horizon was bleeding. Its blood always looked beautiful from Pride Rock. Stray clouds followed the creeping dark, and the light expired.