VILLAIN

Chapter 19

I hadn't been sitting there long before a shadow descended upon me, and its owner, Tiger Lily, sat down cross-legged beside me. She held out a wooden bowl not unlike the one the chief had painted Max's face from, only this one held clear, cold water. I accepted it eagerly, gulping some down and not even caring that it was dripping out over the sides and onto my now rather dingy flower-petal dress.

"Thank you," I told her breathlessly, handing the bowl back to her.

She inclined her head in acknowledgment of my thanks, setting the bowl down on her other side.

"I thought you might be thirsty," she said.

"Well, then you were certainly right," I replied, offering her a smile.

"We could see you dancing. You had much joy," Tiger Lily remarked.

I turned to face her, my mind latching onto the way she had began that statement.

"We?" I inquired.

She nodded. "Pouncing Cub and I." The barest hint of mischief entered her eyes. "He said not to tell you."

At this, I couldn't help grinning. "Yep. That definitely sounds like Ma – Pouncing Cub."

Tiger Lily nodded her agreement, expression turning somewhat wistful. "Ah yes. He is...much hard to understand."

"How do you two, um...know each other?" I couldn't resist asking.

Her eyes wandered away to where he sat with Chief Great Big Little Panther, cross-legged, much like Tiger Lily. "We grew up together. Chief found him near edge of forest, all alone. Took him in and raised him. He always has been like this, even when he was small. That is how he came to be known as Pouncing Cub to us. Like a cub, he pounces without knowing he is not yet strong enough." There was laughter in her eyes, and I could tell she was remembering something.

"And how did you end up...um..."

"Betrothed?" she finished for me, blinking out of her memories. Something almost like sadness entered her eyes for the briefest of moments, but as soon as I had seen it, it was gone. "When he became Hero, he had to leave us. We all were of great sadness to see him go, so Chief proposed a betrothal so that he would remain in our tribe. I know it is forbidden, but Chief refuses to accept law of High King. Said no white man would tell him who his daughter could not marry. Cub had become quite good warrior by then, and when he was named Pan...it brought great honor on us all. That is why when he was bested by new Pan, the betrothal fell on him."

I watched her carefully. "But you do not love him?"
She turned to me, the sadness returning to her eyes. "How can I?" she countered. "I have met new Pan only once. Neither me nor he wishes to marry the other. But Chief says honor must be upheld. That is why when I suggested I go save him, Chief was so willing despite reservations."

I nodded thoughtfully, the pieces clicking together. "Because by saving him you agreed to honor the betrothal," I finished. "And you have previously refused because you do not love him?"

Tiger Lily inclined her head in response, eyes wandering back to Max, and something occurred to me that I probably should've thought of a long time ago. Because if Tiger Lily had agreed to the betrothal in the first place, but later denied it because she didn't love Peter, then...

"Do you love Ma – Pouncing Cub, then?"

Tiger Lily's lips spread into a melancholy smile. "Once."

My eyes widened. "But you don't anymore?"

She shook her head, her eyes returning to mine. "No. Not that way. Cub is still like brother to me, but no more like husband."