The next morning, Gamu looked at Kubali with a smile but also a hint of reproach. “Miss some sleep last night?”
“Yeah. The lightning and thunder.”
“I bet. It’s a wonder you slept at all.” He glanced at Elanna who hung her head embarrassed. “All that lightning and thunder.”
Kubali looked at Elanna. “Lannie, are you OK?”
“Why shouldn’t I be?” She edged nearer to him, but said nothing more. Kubali glanced at Gamu, then back at her. She made no sign whether she wanted Gamu to know about them.
“I bet you didn’t sleep well either,” Gamu said at Elanna, pointedly. He winked slyly.
“Look here, Gamu,” Kubali said sharply.
“Yes?” Gamu smiled.
For a moment, Kubali was nonplused. He didn’t know what to do or what to say. He looked at Elanna again, seeing how she wanted to curl up and die.
“Look here, Gamu. I’m unworthy of her, an exiled prince with no one to blame but himself. But last night, that wonderful creature....” He became inarticulate for a moment, looking for the right words.
“We made love,” Elanna said, moving next to Kubali and nuzzling him.
Kubali found his tongue again and straightened with pride. “Yes. Many times. And if I died tomorrow, I could look Aiheu in the face and tell him I’ve lived a full and meaningful life. Well, Gamu, aren’t you going to congratulate us?”
Gamu smiled meekly. He’d clearly lost the first round. But if anything, he was tenacious. “I’m glad for you. Both of you. I’ve lost to the better lion.”
Elanna pawed Gamu playfully. “We need to find you a mate. But for right now, you understand, we’ll need some privacy.
“Of course. You just give the word.”
Kubali leaned against Elanna and purred softly. “The word is given. Go scout up some gazelles--or something.”
“As you wish, Lover Boy.”