He set the table and then went to the door to look outside, it was starting to get dark, and a strange sense of foreboding swept over him. Allowing his senses to roam, he tried to feel her presence, but couldn’t. She was not in the village; he was sure of that.
Slipping out of the house, he moved across the street and kept going until he came to the start of the path that led upwards. The same path they had taken the other day. He shifted, without thought, his lion and human form acting as one, working together to scent their mate. There it was faint, but definitely there; she had come this way some time ago. He moved up the path, not stopping, not thinking of anything other than where Amara was heading, and why.
When he crested the hill, the scent all but disappeared, the wind swept over the grass, taking any trace of his mate with it. But he knew where she was going and followed the path down, not surprised when he picked up her scent again. She was heading towards the Talamo Pride Lands. But why? She had warned him to stay away, so why would she go there herself?
And why hadn’t she returned?
He didn’t think of the consequences, only of his mate as he began the steep descent down towards the plains his father had once controlled. What lay in front of him, he didn’t know, but life without Amara would be unbearable. So if she was here, he would find her.
Breaking out of cover, he trotted across the rough grass, her scent still lingering on the grass. And then it changed, she had changed; the human Amara had stood here. A dozen paces further on, he scented two male lions, they had come out to meet her.
Standing with his head in the air, he breathed in. It was unmistakable, she had gone with the other two lions, whether by force or choice, he couldn’t tell. But he was not leaving here without her.
28
“I came to see Leandra,” Amara said to the two men, who she figured must be guards. “Is she here?”
“She isn’t expecting you,” one of them said.
“I know. I come from a village in the Satoma Pride Lands, and was passing by and wondered if I might see her,” Amara said, smiling and trying to look relaxed.
“Then you are trespassing,” the other guard, big, six foot four at least, said.
“No, you see I have been trying to get hold of her for a couple of days. It’s about a job she asked me to do.” Amara knew this sounded better in her head than it did on her tongue. Their next question was going to be…
“What kind of job?” And yes, their suspicions were raised. This was not going to end well.
“A dress alteration.” An older woman, her face lined with sorrow, came into the room. “I bought a new dress, and it was too big in the waist. The seamstress in Riverford was too busy to do it on such short notice.”
The two guards assessed the situation and seemed to accept the explanation. But they didn’t leave, awkward. But Leandra was so cool and collected, Amara had to remind herself that this was a made-up story, and not reality.
“Now, do you have the dress with you?” Leandra asked.
“Er, no. I needed another measurement,” Amara said.
“Good,” Leandra said with a smile. “Why don’t we go to my dressing room and we can do it there?”
“Yes. Yes, that would be great. I’m so sorry I didn’t get it right the first time. Stupid of me,” Amara said.
“No harm done. As long as the dress is ready for Thursday.”
“Oh, easily.” Amara followed at a respectful distance trying not to be too keen to be away from the guards, who, thankfully, did not follow them.
“In here, let’s close the door behind us,” Leandra said. “And I should warn you, if you try anything, I am more than capable of defending myself.”
“Oh. No, that’s not why I am here,” Amara said.
“Then why don’t you explain why you are here, before we both get into trouble.”
“Trouble? But this is your house,” Amara said, looking around the opulent room.
“It might be my house, but … well, that doesn’t concern you,” Leandra said.
“It might,” Amara said.
Leandra’s eyes narrowed and she examined Amara closely, trying to gauge if this was some kind of trap. What life did she live here if she couldn’t trust anyone?
“I am too old for intrigues. This is my life and I am resigned to it. If you have come to make mischief, then please leave.” She went to the dressing table and sat down wearily.
“What happened the night your mate died?” Amara said.
Her eyes flashed and she stood up, her face transformed from sorrow to rage. “How dare you,” she hissed. “How dare you come here and drag up the past?”
“Because the past is about to become the present,” Amara said.
Leandra stopped the full force of her scrutiny on Amara. “Speak quickly and plainly, or I will call the guards.”
“What happened that night? And what happened to your children?” Amara asked.
Leandra collapsed to the floor. “I don’t think about it. I had to block it out, I have had to block a lot out in my miserable life.”
Amara went to her, kneeling next to her and holding her close. “I can’t say any more. But I need to know whose side you are on.”