Maximus was walking through the thick grass that covered most of the pride's territory, especially around the hunting ground. He'd found a nice plump hare to eat earlier, and after washing himself in a small stream he was headed back towards the lake. He thought the meal would give him strength and help settle him, but now his stomach only rumbled more... He felt quite ill, but only because of the fear building up inside him...

What would Nyao do? What would he do if she turned him down? Atia thought he should just force her... and if he had to, he would, but the very idea of it made him want to lay down and pass out from grief. He did not wish to hurt the healer... but the pride came first...



It was that time of year again, one that they couldn't avoid, when venus was strongest and love was in the air. She was feeling confused though, the last few days had been rent with mixed feelings and odd thoughts which kept dashing through her mind.

Of course Atia had helped to put them there. How was it that the elder leopard knew and the little wild dog slave knew but she did not? Shaking her head she slipped away towards the lake for a cool drink and time to think, perhaps water would clear her mind, though she doubted it. This was something water or medicine couldn't fix, this was somethign she had to do on ehr own. She just had no idea how to do it, how to tell Maximus, she liked him..too?



He walked towards her, catching her scent on the breeze. His stomach felt so tight now, and his breathing was shallow... Ugh. He couldn't go to her like this! But what choice did he have? He stopped behind a small tree and took a few slow, deep breaths, then stepped out towards her.

"Nyao? Could I speak to you?"



Nyao was so invested in ehr own little world taht it wasn't until Maximus spoke to her that she came out of ehr daze. She blinked owlishly and looked at the large male with a slightly oopen jaw. It was times like this that she felt almost psychic, she had been thinking of him then he just, appeared?

Closing her mouth so she didn't look so gawmless she bowed her soft blue head "Of coruse my lord, I am always heer to help, do you have a stomach ache?" The healer in ehr pushed away her 'foolish' thoughts and turned to the health of the king, she had seen the sighns of stomach ache before "It's easy enough to cure, a little cammomile will solve it straight away."



"I.. uh..." He blinked a couple of times, then shook his head. He doubted any of her remedies and medicines would work, this time...

"No, not thank you. I'm quite alright really... I just wished to speak to you about..." He cleared his throat, his voice trailing off. He couldn't even look at her anymore... His eyes weaved to the side to stare out over the lake. "If you have the time, of course..."



Nyao looked up at the ceasar, she had never seen him look so awquard in her life, he seemed embarressed, ashamed maybe? "Have I done something wrong my lord?" She asked, attempting to keep the panic out of her voice though it wavered a little. Had atia spoken to Maximus about her 'arthritis' remedy in anger? She only wanted to help?

All the worst things ran through her head, perhaps it was time to be punished for all those she had watched die and couldn't help? She had never seen Maximus this upset. Oh what had she done?



His fur bristled slightly, making him frown deeper. His breaths came in short bursts, almost as if he was hyperventalating... or about to. He took a moment to calm himself, all the while frowning deeply. "...No, no, of course not... You have done nothing at all wrong, Nyao..."

"Rather..." He began, glancing back to her with slightly pained eyes. He... he couldn't do it. But he had to do it... but he couldn't! He... had to... for the pride. And for himself.

"Nyao..." He muttered, his voice falling a touch deeper than usual. "We have been friends for many years... And you have proven to be skilled in your trade, and a good citizen... And a good woman."



She watched him for a long quiet moment, her soft pink gaze fixed upon the large male, he was her ceasar, ehr friend, and there was always a little, something else there between them which she couldn't deny made her heart flutter.

When he spoke of her being a good woman she flushed all the way to her pale muzzle, turning it from white to a very noticable shade of pink. She couldn't find anything to say to him in regards to that particular thing. She tried, she wasn't as koi or reserved as some maidens but she had to be stern it was a prt of her job of who she was. She almost thanked him, but instead remaiend quiet to allow him to continue, she wasn't really sure where eh was going with this.




"And... you know that the Venerlia is... soon. Only a day away from the opening feast." He looked her over with a stiff look, then cleared his throat... He had to just get this over with.

"I will announce you as my mate at the feast." He said bluntly. The Caesar had forced all of his strength and courage into that statement, and in the blur of his mind he had forgotten to... ask her first. His mind was too caught up in being a strong leader... That he had neglected the fact he needed to be a strong lover and gentleman as well. The statement came off a little too harsh, and a little too demanding... He regretted it, slightly, and his ears tilted back some... But he couldn't take it back now, and only waited to hear her reaction.



Nyao opened her mouth,s he was flbberghasted, her stomach tightened in to a big old knot and she felt sick and dizzy all at once. It took ehr a moment to stop the world from spinning and for her mind to return to her body. Licking her lips, she knew what she had to say and it made her gut churn.

She would never say no to Maximus, she knew that the little tingly feeling that rolled down ehr spine and made ehr heart beat that little faster was the start of love, but she needed to know if this was just convenience or if he really liked her too.

"Do you, do you feel for me Maximus?" She whispers, ehr voice drained of it's usual power and drive, she needed to know.



The large lion frowned and looked her in the eyes finally, his ears tilting back slightly. There was a long moment of silence as he fought for the right words... Something to make up for the moment of idiocy he'd just went through.

Finally, he cleared his throat and looked back out over the lake. "I will be honest... I do not love you... And I'm not sure when..or if I ever will love you. But..." He glanced back to her, his frown turning to a warmer expression. "Nyao... even if this pride were a hundred times larger... There would be no one else I'd want to love more than you. I'd be honored for the opportunity..."




The pale lioness smiled, her soft pink gaze lifting to the big males, where there was a spark there could be fire. her mother had always said that and she knew that they could start that fire together.

"I will join you Maximus, I would never say no to you." She whispers approaching him and rubbing her head under his chin. "I understand and I will walk by your side forever if you wish it." She takes a step back then, hoping she hadn't crossed any boundries, if they were to be mates, they would have to become closer, she cared deeply for Maximus and she knew that that care could easily grow to an undying love, she just hoped that one day he would return the sentiment but until then, she was pleased with the hand the fates had delt her.




He blinked and stiffened a little when she showed such direct affection, having never really experienced anything of the sort. He watched her with pursed lips as she moved away, then frowned... Not disaprovingly, but a touch troubled.

The moment of anxiety passed quickly enough though, and he smiled... She had accepted. They would be mates come Venerlia... He would have a heir. He would fufill his duty to his pride, and... Maybe, just maybe, he'd be perfectly happy with it all. "I wish it." He replied tenderly, stepping closer to rub his cheek against her's, letting her lean into his mane without restraint or bounderies. She was his, and he was her's.