A Lion's Heart by Kracken Read Free Book Online Page A

stunned. He looked at where Tamarind was crouching by the fire, ears down and his expression sullen. He didn't look like the killing creature that Shang was describing. “Full grown lions-” Shakra began in confusion, but Shang snorted, cutting him off.
    “You should know me well enough to realize that I do not indulge in hysterics,” Shang berated him. “The werelion is not a werewolf, fox, or cheetah. His claws are razor sharp and he has four sets of them. His teeth are daggers. His speed is far beyond anything you can imagine. If he were to pounce on your person, my Prince, not even your dagger would be able to save you. He would disembowel you before you could take in breath to scream.”
    Tamarind tucked his tail around himself. He looked small, too young, and his eyes were uncertain and almost fearful. The werecheetahs had defeated him with cunning. Brute strength and sharp claws had not won him the day there. Shakra had secured his own safety with a better weapon than edged steel or sharp teeth. He had used truth and honor.
    “He isn't a wild lion,” Shakra replied angrily. “He does speak and he does understand the situation he is in.”
    Shang scoffed as his one hand tightened on the hilt of his knife unconsciously. “I do doubt that, my Prince. I also doubt that you understand the grave situation that you find yourself in. You are in direct rebellion with Warden Kol. You made him lose face in front of your people. You are keeping a creature he considers an enemy.”
    “Will he will move against me?” Shakra wondered sharply.
    Shang shook his head and the spines on his crest twitched in agitation. “He's trained you to be a warrior prince, but it was never his intention that you rule. If you show yourself unfit for that position, he is pleased. This, though,” He gestured at Tamarind and Tamarind snarled. “Defying him is quite another thing entirely. He will seek to correct you, to put you back in your place. I don't doubt that he will make that attempt very public. Your humiliation will secure his power.”
    Shakra balled his hands into fists, his ruff rising with his anger. “I am no one's tool.”
    “Dog,” Tamarind snorted and both werewolf and werelion glared at him. “I've seen the dogs the werecheetahs keep,” he told them. “They come when they are called, eat thrown scraps, and protect when necessary. You are his dog, it seems.”
    Shakra's anger sizzled along every hair, every nerve, but it was Shang's next words that snuffed that raging fire out instantly, “Prince Shakra is no one's dog. Warden Kol will discover that soon enough.”
    Tamarind huddled and looked away.
    Shang didn't let it drop. “You insult your savior. That isn't wise.” He nodded to the collar and chain. “He has freed you against all wisdom. He defies his warden and his people for you. He has endangered his very life for you.”
    “It isn't insult,” Tamarind replied quietly. “Simple truth. The savannah isn't so complicated. We are all free, we make our own decisions, and we lead our own lives. We fight. We mate. We hunt. We do not built cities and live where there isn't any fresh meat. We-”
    “Perhaps that used to be true,” Shang cut him off. “But it isn't any longer. Your pride leader is gathering the other prides. He is making alliances and killing those who stand in his way. He will bring the prides into the forests to kill us and he will sweep the deserts clean to claim all of it for the werelions.” His dark eyes narrowed at Tamarind. “That is truth. Perhaps you would like to tell us more truths and explain why he let you live, when he has killed so many others? Why would he kill the males from Lake Winago, who were sired by him and opposed him, and let a half-maned lion cub, not related to him, live?”
    Shakra was astonished, “How do you know this?”
    “We have our spies,” Shang explained, never taking his eyes from Tamarind. “Spies who saw Katze drive this young one out when he