Chapter 3 Zinjo

Aurelia squirmed in the lion's grip, “Put me down, Zinjo. We have to go out and face the public. I hardly think a seven-foot lion man is going to inspire confidence.”

You are the future queen, yes?” Zinjo gently set her back on the hard stone without injuring her. Aurelia noted he smelled like fresh grass, sweat, and leather. The scent tore at her pleasure center.

“Yes, I am," Aurelia’s face grew hot under the yellow eyes. Something about his gaze caused a deep longing in her.

Zinjo knelt, “Then you must step outside with me like this.”

"Why?”

The lion's smile unsettled Aurelia a little, but all the same, it had a certain charm to it. “The people will respect your bravery,” He said.

Aurelia thought it might encourage the townsfolk to bring their torches and pitchforks to her front door. However, Zinjo had no plans to change back into a human any time soon, “Okay, just remember your idea may not work.”

Once more, the strong hands gently lifted her. This time, Zinjo placed her on his shoulder, “You look more regal and in control this way.” He said.

She could feel the powerful shoulders move beneath her, and a bone kept rubbing against a sensitive spot, making it hard to focus. “Lead the way,” she said.

***

The iron doors squeaked open, rays of the afternoon sun streamed through the opening. Aurelia took a deep breath and Tapped Zinjo on the shoulder, “Are you sure about this?”

“If any speak out against you, I will crush them,” He clenched his fist and snarled.

“While I am going to be queen, perhaps we should save the crushing of peasants for dire circumstances. Oppressive nobles often end up on pikes to the front gates. How about we avoid that whole ugly scene,” No one had ever spilled blood or threatened to spill blood in her name before. She found the gesture endearing.

Zinjo stalked his way out to the massive Crowd with Aurelia atop his broad shoulder. His tail twitched back and forth as he made his way to the nervous priestess and the shocked queen. The crowd worried her. "Remember, Aurelia, the worst response from a crowd is none at all," Her mother told her when she started doing public appearances.

The princess nudged Zinjo with her elbow, “You need to be human. Our first appearance is not going well.”

Zinjo set her down and crossed his arms, “Why are you afraid of these people? Is it so hard to open your mouth and speak?”

"You don't understand," Aurelia complained, "These people have branded me a failure for the last two years. Now they think I failed again."

"Do you feel like a failure, Aurelia?" Zinjo held his arms open and crushed the princess against him again.

"Yes."

"You are not a failure. Each day you live is a victory over death," Zinjo spoke soft and gentle in her ear, "Speak to them as a grown woman. The people will have no choice but to respect you."

She couldn’t understand why her future husband refused to speak to the people. Something in his words made Aurelia think there was more going with him besides his animal side. She opted to trust the bestial man even though the rest of her wished to remain invisible.

“People of Shadowfen, the heart's call succeeded uniquely. I present to you your future friend and king, Zinjo...um he has no last name, and he is a werelion. I had no idea that was possible but here he is...That is all,” Aurelia ran and hid behind the massive form of Zinjo.

“I understand now,” Zinjo said in a simple growl.

"understand what?” Aurelia asked.

"You are like a cub in the eyes of your people.”

Aurelia scoffed and poked a finger into his chest, “I’ll have you know I am considered fully grown among our people. I just have stage fright, and the last two times I used the spell it failed.”

"I don’t understand stage fright.” Zinjo pulled her in with his powerful arms and she yielded to the soft fur and pressed against the hard muscles.

A manicured hand of Aurelias stroked the chest fur absently, the action calmed her and she started to enjoy being in his arms. “I am not good at speaking in front of crowds. People laughed and ridiculed me for the last time.”

"Your people do not respect you?” Zinjo asked.

No, not really.”

“Hmmm.” Zinjo stared out at the crowd and watched their faces, and sniffed the air. 

"Look, just because the spell chose you doesn’t mean you have to go through with anything. I’d understand if you wanted someone more like you,” She winced and hated her self-depreciation. Her hand kept stroking his chest, a soft rumble vibrated her hand. Aurelia was terrified at first until she realized Zinjo purred. “This is so weird.”

Zinjo’s form shrank and revealed the man behind the beast. All of the girls her age swooned at his handsome visage. His human form smelled like cinnamon and mint, “No I will stay. He put a hand over her heart. You may look weak on the outside, but inside you are strong, stronger than me.” he sniffed her ear. 

The sensation of his warm breath in her ear caused her to giggle, “Stop that, we are still in front of everyone, you know.” She felt her face redden while the people smiled and pointed at the new couple. 

Sophie hastily strode up to the podium, “It would appear the princess and her chosen king wish to get better acquainted, once again our future queen and king of Shadowfen.” She clapped and everyone followed suit. She stepped up to Zinjo and held out her hand, “I am queen Sophie.”

Zinjo,” the werelion replied. 

“I need to speak to my daughter privately for a moment, do you mind?” Sophie asked. 

She moved across the small courtyard and sat on a bench, Sophie waited until he was well out of earshot, or so she thought, “Are you crazy, the people were terrified of him. They will never accept him, and if they do it will be out of fear.”

She loved her mother, but Aurelia knew she was wrong, “Amouria chose him for me, I think a god knows better than you do. He has been nothing but gentle and encouraging.”

"I have never heard of him, and you don’t know where he comes from.”

"Like I would know, we just met.” Aurelia argued, “You complained when the spell failed, now you complain when it works. After all the disparaging comments you gave me this year, I feel you owe Zinjo a couple of dinners to learn more about him.”

"You are not seriously attracted to that thing, are you?”

"Yes, I am. I want to know everything about him.”

“Nothing will change your mind?”

"Nothing will change my mind,” Aurelia spoke in a clear cold voice. In her mind she was still pressed against Zinjo’s fur in a gentle embrace, “Now I suggest you set an extra place at supper, Zinjo will be joining us.”

Aurelia stormed away from her mother and sat beside Zinjo on the bench. She put his arm around her and leaned against his shoulder and sighed, “I’m sorry.”

You fought for me like a lioness, I couldn’t have asked for more,” Zinjo replied.

Aurelia sat up straight, “How do you know what we said?”

Zinjo pointed to his ears, “I can hear for miles.”

“I see, do you want to have dinner with my family?”

“Nothing can change if I hide.”

she pulled him off the bench, “Well let's find you some suitable clothes.” With that Aurelia dragged Zinjo off the bench and said, “To the market.”