The female that was sitting on the seat jumps up and goes to the corner with her head hanging down low.
Landon waits for me to sit and then he sits down. The silence among everyone is scaring me.
Then James breaks the silence.
“Well, I’m glad you have Davina as your lady, she knows how to cook really good.” He says, smiling.
Landon and James give each other a high five and I laugh. After a few seconds, I feel eyes upon me. They are like daggers. It’s Wendy and a few other ladies.
Wendy has the nerve to growl lowly, but it didn’t get past, Landon.
“Did you just growl Wendy?” He snaps. His voice is loud, and she takes a step back.
“Yes.” Her voice is low and a little shaky.
Landon stands, and it’s like he becomes the ruler instantly. He has no more laughter in his voice.
“Get over here right now!” he snarls.
Wendy slowly comes up onto the porch and with him standing, she lowers herself to the ground on all fours.
“You better start explaining fast.”
“You announce this rogue…”
“WATCH HOW YOU SPEAK!” He roars.
I can see everyone is giving him respect including James. His face is emotionless, and he too looks like he’s waiting for an answer as well.
“I’m sorry Zodiac Fire King.”
“Now tell me why you disrespected Davina.”
She swallows loudly and then starts to speak in a very hushed tone.
“You promised a fight to become your mate, and I’m afraid that if you are announcing her as your female, then it’s only a matter of time before she becomes your mate. This not only takes back the word you the king said, but it leaves us the females of your pride without a chance to become the queen.”
I look at Landon, and he looks like he’s thinking. I know he didn’t agree to something as barbaric as a fight to have him as a mate because if he did, they can have him. I’m not fighting these females over Landon. He and I are…are a couple, and I like being his lady. I close my eyes and pray he didn’t agree, but then he speaks.
“Wendy if I decide that Davina will be my mate you and any other female will have your chance to defeat Davina and become my queen, but until then she’s my lady, and you will respect her like you respect me, or you will not be able to even fight for me.”
“Yes, I understand. My apologies Davina. Welcome to the pride.” She says, the words kindly.
Soon everyone is back talking and laughing Wendy, and a few other females leave. Landon avoids eye contact with me the entire time. I’m sure it’s because fighting for him is never going to happen. I don’t want to be a queen anyway. I’m not groomed or even know what a queen to the pride does. Even with James and Landon telling silly jokes that make everyone else laugh.
I find myself only smiling, but thinking how much easier it would be if I just left. That way the others can fight for the spot of being queen to the pride. I like Landon more than I thought I would, but this is too much. I’m sure I can get my job back at the diner and my room back at Mrs. Riter house. Life was so much easier back then.
James invites us into his house, and we eat and watch movies until late into the day. When night comes, Landon and I head back to his place. Our walk is silent. I look at the sky, and the sun is setting so beautiful.
When we arrive at Landon’s house and as soon as the door is shut. I start talking.
“I’m not fighting for you Landon, and why didn’t you tell me that is what it takes to become queen.”
He sighs like he doesn’t want to hear it, and walks to the sofa and takes a seat.
“Usually it’s not done like that, but the other day when I went over to James’ some of the women felt intimidated with you being around. I promised a fair chance to become queen.”
“So you let Wendy trick you into having females fight for you, well I will not be one of them.”
“Listen come sit with me please.”
I’m standing, looking at him furiously, but my body betrays me , and I walk over and sit with him on the sofa.
“Landon nothing you say will change my mind.”
“Look, maybe I should have thought before I said that out loud, but as the ruler of this pride, I can’t take it back. It’ not like I want females fighting over me, nothing could be further from the truth, but I do like being around you, and I’m not sure where this would lead…what if I do choose you as my mate, you mean to tell me you can walk away just like that?”
I look at him, and with a heavy heart, I tell the truth.
“Yes I could, everyone that has supposed to love me has walked away from me without remorse. I may want to be with you, but fighting for you is something I will not do. I don’t believe in it, no one ever has fought for me.” I didn’t realize this would make me so emotional, and all choked up, but it did.
“Please Davina, don’t cry. I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anyone. Let’s relax and not think of fights, but let me be clear I will fight for you, and I’ll never let you go.”
I lay my head on his chest and sobbed. I want to be with Landon, but he comes with a lot of rules. I need to take a bath and think of how I’m going to leave here.
“I want to take a bath after all that rolling in the grass I’ve got dirt in every place on my body.”
“Do you want me to come join you?” He moves closer. I look up at him and as much as I want to take a bath with Landon, right now is not the best time.
“I want to take a bath alone…this time.” I tease.
He starts kissing my neck, and I know this is a way to convince me to take a bath with him. I feel my body wanting to submit to him, but I push him away.
“Landon King, are you trying to seduce me?”
“If it gets me in the water with you, yes I am.” He smirks.
Just as I’m about to give in when there’s a knock at the door.
“Saved by the knock.” I laugh.
Landon goes to get the door, and I start toward the rooms.
“Wait, Davina this won’t take long , ” He says, opening the door.
“I think we need to talk.” His mom walks in holding a huge book.
I keep walking, and I turn as I walk in the room and see Landon’s eyes are still on me.
I run my bath water and pour in some of my bubbles I like. I get in the tub and sink in taking a deep breath and exhaling. I close my eyes and start thinking about Landon, the fight, and the idea of leaving. My heart aches with the thought of being away from him.
He makes me laugh and makes me feel loved, something I’ve never felt is love, and Landon has shown me that it could be a good part of life instead of something I thought of as being a burden.
I’m not sure how long I’m in the water, but it begins to chill, and when I reach up to turn the water back on so it can warm up, Mrs. King is standing there smiling at me.
“Oh, is something wrong, Mrs. King?” I stumble over my words.
I’m not sure if she’s here to tell me I’m not good enough for her son, or if Wendy went and told her a lie after Landon yelled at her, all I know is I’m scared shitless.
“Oh no, precious you can stay right there, I’ll turn the water on hot for you.”
I don’t say anything, I’m in shock and confused at this moment.
After she lets my water heat up, she turns it off and sits on the edge of the Jacuzzi tub. I look at the bubbles too afraid of what’s going to happen.
“Davina, I’m about to say something to you, and it’s going to sound crazy, but it’s true.”
I frown and look at her.
“What could you possibly say to me that will sound crazy?”
She gives me a huge smile, and then starts talking.
“Well, after you changed into your true form, I been doing some digging of the prophecy that I’ve known about for many years even as a child. Your fur that deep orange and the deep brown color with the specs of red on your tai
l has never been seen, but told about. A lioness will be born to be mated to the Zodiac fire lion, and she too will be a fire lioness.” My mouth is open now, but no words come out. “It goes further and says that her parents will abandon her because of her fur, she will have fate bring her to the Zodiac fire lion. I’ve already told Landon, and I’m so happy to welcome you to the family my daughter.”
I climb out of the water naked not caring that she’s in the bathroom with me.
“I’m not sure about your prophecy or what you’ve been told, but your son said the females in his pride will be fighting for him, does that sound like I’m his mate? And another thing if my parents abandoned me because of this bullshit, then I’m glad I didn’t know them,” I snap.
I walk into the room and find Landon sitting on my bed, well his bed since this is his home.
“You had something to do with this didn’t you because I told you I’m not fighting for you,” I yell.
Landon stands and comes to me.
“Davina, I’m in shock just like you are, I had no idea about this prophecy, but you have to admit everything makes sense,” He pleads.
“Makes sense? Landon, I was abandoned for this prophecy if this is true, no parents no family, nothing. Am I supposed to jump for joy, Oh and not to MENTION I’M NO ZODIAC LIONESS!” I scream.
All of the emotion I’m feeling starts taking over, and I’m in tears, screaming and want to do nothing, but escape this. My family left me alone in this world, and I’ve struggled for a long time, but it was supposed to be like this for me, while Landon lives this perfect fucking life. Fuck him and this prophecy. I can’t do anything, but roar…for all the pain, for my parents leaving me, for Landon finding me, and most of all for knowing this could be true.
The next thing I know, everything is going dark, and the last thing I see is Landon picking me up.
Chapter 9
LANDON
I watch as she sleeps. She has been crying in her sleep numerous times, and it rips me apart because I can’t help her. Davina must choose to be with me, or I’ll never mate. I will never love like I love her. As my mother told me everything, I think about how I found Davina and how I want her here with me. I didn’t have to bring her with me, but it was a force, the sun god who brought us together. The true Zodiac mates.
It’s been over eight hours, and Davina has not shown any sign of waking. I had the doctor come in to check on her, and he said all her vitals are fine, she’ll wake when she is ready.
As I sit looking out my window looking into the distance, I feel her hand touch mine. I felt the warmth run through my body.
“Damn Baby you have had this ruler going crazy. How do you feel?” I ask.
“I have some questions.” She says.
“I know you do, while you been taking an extra-long nap, I been reading the book my mom has on our kind.”
I give her a cup of juice, and hand her a sandwich. She starts eating instantly.
“See, you more than likely have been suppressing your gift because of your anger. I think once you let it go your true shifter will appear.”
She looks at me and stuffs the last piece of the sandwich down her throat.
“If this is true, do I still have to fight?”
I wish I could go back in time, but if I change it, then anything I say to the pride will not be honored.
“Davina, please understand if I had known about this, I would have said different words, but I’ve said them, and so yes you will have to fight, but I believe you will win the people Davina, you were made for me, and I was made for you. This feeling I have for you will not go away. I need you like my next breath.”
She looks up at me, and I prepare for the yelling to start, but she surprises me, and pulls the covers back and looks at me.
“Can you stop talking for right now and make love to me Landon. I need you.” She smiles.
I slip under the covers with my mate and start to kiss her , wanting to kiss all her pain away. I take my time with her , giving her the love she deserves. Once I’m inside of her, she moans softly, and I can feel us becoming one. The rhythm we start is like music , and I make sure to kiss, suck and lick every inch of her body. I knew she was mine the moment I laid eyes on her, but now I know for sure.
We make love until we both find our release and she curls into my chest.
“Landon if I fight those females is it to the death?”
“Hell no, I will kill anyone who tries to kill you. It’s only until you have the other pinned down.”
“So I can kick Wendy’ ass, and everyone will be ok with it?”
That’s my queen. I can’t help but laugh.
“That’s right, so will you do it so we can have our mating ceremony. I’m ready to make you my queen.”
“Are you now? I thought you were not taking a mate.” She mocks the same words I had said many times.
We get dressed and go to the kitchen where my mother has made a feast. James and the elders are even at my house. When Davina walks in, everyone smiles at her and treats her like a queen already. She looks uncomfortable with all the attention, but she has to get used to it.
We sit down and start eating, and it takes James to spoil the moment.
“Davina you know the fight for Landon happens tomorrow?” he tells her.
She looks at me, and I stuff my mouth with food avoiding her eyes.
“Really? I didn’t know, but that doesn’t give me time to prepare.”
“Oh honey you only show up, we will prepare everything.” My mom says.
I smile at her hoping that will ease the blow.
“While you were sleeping I took the liberty of telling the pride of the prophecy and that you will be challenging anyone who dares to take your rightful place as queen.” The way my mom says it, it sounds epic. I smile at her and look at Davina from the corner of my eye and she’s looking around the table nodding at everyone.
“Landon, will you be there watching?” She asks me.
“I will be there Davina as the fight can’t happen unless I’m present, but I know it’s you that I will be leaving with.”
“You have so much confidence in me.”
“Yes, I do, that is what a ruler or better yet a King has, and you my queen will be victorious I’m sure.”
We continue to eat and talk. The elders all telling Davina how things will work , and even announce to her that if she needs servants she can and will have them. I have chosen not to keep females in my house while I was single, but with my queen , it could be nice.
After everyone leaves we both walk out on the back porch.
“Let’s run.” She says, taking off her clothes.
It’s all I need to hear. She’s undressed and shifting in no time. It gives her a head start. Once I’m in my true form as a lion I allow my fire to surface and chase my queen down. It’s easy to catch her.
She’s walking in the field slowly smelling the flowers. She looks up and starts running again. I knew she wanted to play. I chase her and pin her beneath me. She pushes me off, and I come up behind her and take her in lion form. The feeling is the best. When we both are done, I relax in the grass, and she lays in front of me, and we watch the sun go down together.
***
The next morning, I awake before Davina. It’s the day of the fight, and I want to cancel it, but I can’t. She’s still sleeping, but I’m in my study pacing the floor. Some of the females fighting for me I had no clue they were even interested in me, and I didn’t show them interest. A few I had been with sexually, but no feelings involved.
Davina walks into the room calmly.
“Landon your pacing like I’m going to lose.” She says.
“It’s not that, using claws during the fight is ok and I don’t want scratches on your body, plus I wish we didn’t have to do this.”
“Well, I will heal and besides today is the day either I fight, or I lose you.”
“You will never lose me, Davina. We are meant to be.”
Chapter 10
Davina
The Fight
Night fall has come, and everyone in the pride has shown up to this field with benches made of wood. I have to fight four females, and Wendy is last on the list, so she has all her strength, and I will have done fought three lionesses.
Mrs. King, James and the elders are all sitting behind me. Landon is sitting on a throne That has him high in the air. He looks at me and blows me a kiss, and I smile. I see Wendy growl and give me a wicked grin. I’m sure she’s planning something.
Passionate Roar: A Zodiac Shifters Paranormal Romance: Leo Page 5