Kingdom of Fire

CHAPTER THREE

Ezra's eyes widened with horror and time seemed to slow as a familiar roar echoed in his ears. Ceaser had just merely torn him apart as he lunged at the prince but a dark tan lioness blocked his view, her beautiful delicate frame filling his vision.
Ceaser's cruel talons sunk into the lioness and the two fell to the earth. A painful lump threatened to choke him as Ezra realized what just happened. Dara had leapt in front of him, taking the ruthless blow.

Horrified roars responded to the sight before the battered prides. Ceaser crouched over a bleeding form, claws lost in crimson red fur. His eyes were rounded with shock and he began to back away slowly, showering the earth in blood as he did so. Ezra's mother lay panting, chest heaving with effort as her torso pooled a crimson tide on the dirt around her. Her fur was torn open, revealing angry red flesh. Her paws trembled and before Ezra knew it, his father bounded to the wounded queen. Ezra quickly joined and stood, body shaking at his maimed mother.

"S-Sefu." Dara whimpered.
The mighty king was quivering too, claws flexing in and out. "Shhh," he crooned. "Everything will be okay. We'll go home and fix you right up and you'll be back on your feet in no time."
As young as he was, Ezra knew what the face of death looked like. He'd seen it in the countless prey he'd devoured and Dara was not far off from meeting it.
"I'm scared," Dara whispered. "I didn't want this to happen. I promised I'd take our son home if things got too bad and I failed him." her sentence ended with a frantic sob.

No mother you didn't! You saved me! Ezra wanted to yowl but no words came out.
Sefu rested his head on his mate's and murmured sweet words in her ears. "It's okay my love. You did enough. You saved him, our last surviving cub. You were always so brave, so strong, my sweet Dara."

It was taking a mass of effort to keep him from breaking down. The king had never been seen so vulnerable and yet here he was comforting his dying mate. His comforting words seemed to change something in Dara. A look of clarity spread across her face.

She slowly turned his glassy gaze on Ezra. The look she gave him was so sweet, so soft. It was full of love. "I don't regret it," she whispered. "I wasn't expecting this to happen but I'd do anything for me son. Just know..." she began to cough up blood, turning her stare from to her son then to her mate. "This isn't your fault, neither of you. We all know the risk when it comes to battle. Please do not mourn me."
"Dara," Sefu whimpered. "Please don't leave us. I can't continue my life without you... I can't! You are everything to me."

Dara lifted her head slightly and lapped her mate's cheek one last time. "Yes you can. You are stronger than you know. I love you and will be watching you from where ever I am next. Take care of our son."

There was so much more she wanted to say but each time she opened her mouth, nothing came out and her breathing began to slow and become shallow. Her head had fallen back to the ground and she cast her gaze downward, eyes slightly closing before they were glassy, glazed, and sightless. Death had crawled over and taken her soul, draining her of any life left. The once beautiful and graceful queen was now dead, stripped from life to save her beloved son.

No one had uttered a word as the queen had died but now a harsh gruff voice spoke. "Serves her right. I've gotten my vengeance even if it wasn't the cub."
Ezra felt fury strong as fire coursing through his body at Ceaser's words. Though he'd been horrified in the moment, there was no trace of regret in his old, emotionless eyes. Sefu was practically fuming when he turned to face his opponent once more. "What did you just say?"

A tense silence met his words. No one dared move but watchful eyes of every lion didn't stray from the scene before them.
"What did it sound like I said, your majesty?" Ceaser sneered, curling his lip scornfully.