True Deceit

Part Seven

Cheetara awakened first that morning. For a moment she wondered where she was but soon remembered. Lion-O had set her up to be there. She rolled over on the king size bed and looked at the large empty space that would have been occupied by Lion-O if she had given herself to him. She wanted to, so badly she did, but she had to resist. The best thing to do is wait until he tells her why he has been avoiding her. If she understood and forgave him, then they could make up, but not before. Suppose she couldn't forgive him and she slept with him the night before. Things would've been so complicated.

Refusing to think about it even more, Cheetara threw the covers off her. She put on her robe and left the room. She found Lion-O sleeping on the sofa, wearing nothing but his boxers. His pants and shirt were in a chair. The cheetah felt guilty not giving Lion-O a pillow and blanket. It was cool that night, but Lion-O didn’t seem like he was cold. Her eyes lingered over his frame. A warm and sensual feeling began to rise in her. She quickly turned away from him, though, feeling she shouldn’t be staring.

Cheetara went into the kitchen to get started on some breakfast for her and Lion-O. All the noises the cheetah made with the pots and the preparing of the food didn’t wake up Lion-O. It didn’t surprise her. Lion-O could sleep through anything. The fresh smell of breakfast awakened the Lord of the Thundercats though. He sat up on the sofa and saw Cheetara sitting quietly at the table eating.

Lion-O walked over and gave Cheetara a kiss on the cheek.

“Good morning.” He said.

“Morning,” Cheetara said unaffected by the kiss.

Lion-O washed his hands and a got a plate and glass out of the cabinet. He went to the stove and got his food: rice, two strips of bacon, eggs and biscuits. He set his plate on the stove and went to the refrigerator. He poured orange juice in the glass and also got some cheese and margarine. He put the margarine and cheese on the rice, giving it an extra flavor. He put the contents back in the refrigerator, picked up his glass and plate and sat at the table across from her. Lion-O saw that Cheetara had her eyes on her plate and nothing else. Quietly, he began eating as well. The quietness between them was getting to Cheetara. She had to say something. However, Lion-O beat her to the punch.

“I’m sorry about last night.” Lion-O apologized.

“I know. How is the rewiring going on 3rd Earth and when does Panthro expect to get back?” Cheetara asked.

“He’ll be home in a day or two. He said the rewiring’s crazy. He thinks someone sabotage it.”

Cheetara looked at him puzzled. “Sabotage? A new enemy?”

“He and Bengali are looking into it.”

“I wonder who could be up to it and why.” Cheetara wondered.

“I don’t know. Maybe they wanted to sabotage the tower and the lair on Third Earth, so they could get to us here and we wouldn’t be able to ask for help, or maybe they did it so we wouldn’t be able to contact Third Earth. It sounds like a new threat to me.”

“Way to be optimistic, Lion-O,” Cheetara commented cynically as she drunk her orange juice.

“Just keeping an open mind,” Lion-O said. “Another thing. Panthro mentioned that the Feliner was surprisingly low on Thundrillium when he left for 3rd Earth. He didn’t notice it until he was in flight. I could have sworn it was full.”

“Of course it was full.” Cheetara said, setting her glass down. “It’s standard procedure to have the Feliner full of Thundrillium after usage. The Thunderkittens and I were the last ones to use it when we were mining for Thundrillium two weeks ago.”

Lion-O looked at her and commented. “I know that. That’s why I’m sure it was full. I haven’t a clue as to why it’s not.” Lion-O said.

“Do you think someone used it and didn’t tell us?” Cheetara asked.

“Now who would do that?” Lion-O asked.

“I don’t know. I’m just making a statement.” Cheetara said.

“It’s a possibility, but for someone to use that much Thundrillium could only be for going on a big trip like to 3rd Earth or many small trips on Thundera.” Lion-O said.

“I think you’re right,” Cheetara agreed as she finished up her breakfast.

Lion-O sat back in his seat and joked. “You know, this is the longest conversation we’ve had in a while without getting into an argument.”

“I suppose it is,” Cheetara stated as she got up from the table. She went to the sink and places her glass and plate in it.

Lion-O got up after her and set his glass and plate in the sink too. Cheetara didn’t even move. He was too close as he leaned over her to do that. Lion-O turned Cheetara around. They eyed each other. Cheetara looked down, which she found to be a mistake. He was still just wearing his boxers. Why couldn’t he put some clothes on, she wondered. A robe would’ve been sufficient. That way she wouldn’t be staring at his exposed chest. She closed her eyes. She wouldn’t see anything then. Lion-O placed a hand on her chin and made her look up at him. He rested his hands on her shoulder and slid it to her waist.

“Thanks for cooking breakfast. I’ll take care of the dishes. Why don’t you go get dress? Then we could take a walk around this place or just relax.”

Cheetara quietly nodded her head. She tore herself from him and headed towards her bedroom.

*****

In the control room, Pumyra was on morning watch, a duty that was meant for Cheetara. She found the morning watch to be dull as usual. Thinking of something useful to do, she decided to check in on Panthro on 3rd Earth.

“How soon will it be before you get back?” Pumyra asked.

“Tomorrow at the earliest. I’m getting some rest now and will leave later this evening.” Panthro knew he should wait until tomorrow, but he had to get back to Thundera. He was worried about what Tygra may be doing. “How is everything on Thundera?”

“Fine. Lion-O and Cheetara went on a mini-vacation. I think they are going to work things out.”

“Good. I think this vacation is exactly what they needed.”

“Yeah, but Tygra wasn’t too keen about it.”

Panthro raised an eyebrow. “Oh? What happened?”

“Well, uh, he went kind of berserk at the ball. The twins found me last night at the ball and said that Tygra was in a rush to get back to Cat’s Lair, and when we got home, he was searching for Lion-O and Cheetara. Snarf told him that they weren’t here and Tygra snapped at WilyKat accusing him of lying. And.... um, well, from the way he continued acting after Snarf explained Lion-O and Cheetara's situation, I got the feeling that Tygra wasn’t happy about Lion-O and Cheetara leaving together.”

Panthro shook his head. “I can’t believe him. After all this time, he hasn’t changed,” he muttered under his breath.

Pumyra heard every word. “What do you mean, Panthro? Changed from what?”

Panthro didn’t know the puma heard him. There was way to avoid this conversation now. He didn’t want to say this, but he had no choice now. He had to confide in someone. He already did that once with Tygra and now the panther is afraid the tiger will blow his secret, but with Pumyra, he was sure to be careful and not to tell her everything.

“Getting Cheetara.”

It only took Pumyra a few seconds to catch on. “Getting Cheetara? Wait. Are you telling me that Tygra wants Cheetara for himself? He can’t have her. She’s married to the Lord of the Thundercats.”

“I know, but he still wants her.”

“How long has he been pining for her?” Pumyra asked.

“Years? Since 3rd Earth.”

“Third Earth?” Pumyra gasped.

“Times were different then, Pumyra. We—“

“We? You mean you wanted her too?” Pumyra interrupted Panthro.

Panthro let his head fall down in shame. He looked back up at her. “Yes, but you have to let me explain.”

Pumyra sat back in her seat. “All right. I will.”

“It was months after we landed on Third Earth. Cheetara was the only adult female around. After spending months alone with one woman, a man get needs, feelings, thoughts that shouldn’t be there. I kept control of my feelings and I thought Tygra did, too. As much as I wanted her, I knew it wasn’t right. It was lust I had for her. I also knew we wouldn’t make a good pair. I always thought that she and Lion-O belong together.”

“Because he’s Lord of the Thundercats and he should be the one to provide an heir?” Pumyra guessed.

“Yes,” Panthro agreed. “But they seem right for each other and I knew she only had feelings for him.”

“And Tygra didn’t care about Cheetara feelings? He still wanted her after she and Lion-O got together?”

“Yes, and I thought he realized that once they got together, he wouldn’t have a chance, but after all these years he hasn’t changed.”

“You should tell Lion-O and Cheetara, Panthro. Why haven’t you?”

“I didn’t want them to know about my feelings for Cheetara. Besides, Lion-O may still think I linger feelings for her.” Panthro explained.

Pumyra looked at him as if searching for something. “Do you still linger feelings for her?”

Panthro shook his head. “No, no. I don’t…not anymore.”

Not anymore? Pumyra got a funny feeling about the way Panthro said that. She thought to herself for a moment before speaking again. “You don’t want to tell them because of your part, do you? You still feel guilt for your feelings?” Pumyra asked.

Panthro lowered his head in shame again. “Yes, I think after all these years, I still feel guilty for my feelings. More than you’ll ever know.”

“If you tell them, I’m sure Lion-O and Cheetara will understand. You may have to, so they will know about Tygra. Who knows what he may do,” Pumyra tried to comfort Panthro but then she got the feeling that Panthro was hiding something from her. “Are you sure it’s Lion-O you’re worried about or yourself? If you don’t have any feelings for Cheetara, then I think it’s guilt you’re feeling. Guilt that you felt that way about Cheetara.”

Panthro remained quiet and Pumyra got the feeling she was being left out of something. “Panthro, what else are you hiding? Tell me. I won’t say a word. I promise.”

When Panthro looked away, she knew he was hiding something else. “You are hiding something. What is it, Panthro?”

“I can’t tell you, Pumyra. It’s too shameful. I just can’t tell you. One person already knows and he’s hovering it over me. I can’t tell another. You must understand, Pumyra.” He sounded like he was begging her to not interrogate him anymore.

“Okay, Panthro, but whatever it is, it will eventually come out.” Pumyra said softly. I wonder what he’s hiding.

*****

An hour later, Lion-O and Cheetara left the cottage to take a walk around the land. Much to Cheetara’s surprise and relief, Lion-O hadn’t tried to touch her. He kept his distance from her. They took a stroll on the shore of the sandy beach, looking at the ocean; sometimes talking, sometimes being quiet. Not once did they bring up their marriage troubles. Lion-O thought it would be best that he casually bring it, and now wasn’t the time. A little while later, they separated. Cheetara went back in the cottage and Lion-O stayed outside. Lion-O sat on the soft sand, as he inhaled the fresh ocean air and looked at the view, thinking where things went wrong.

It was seven months ago. The whole world was celebrating a happy and historic event. Lion-O, Lord of the Thundercats and Thundercat Noble, Cheetara were now married. This was an event many thought wouldn’t ever happen. The two seem reluctant to start anything, but something happened to make the pair realized how important and how much they love each other. The two were inseparable since then and even at the wedding. Two hours after the reception party started, they split for a little while to talk to other guests. Cheetara was talking and laughing with the cheetah elders and other guests. Lion-O and Tygra stared at her from the buffet table.

“She’s so beautiful, isn’t she?” Lion-O asked as he stared in awe of Cheetara.

“Yes, she is,” Tygra agreed. “You two seem like you’re in it for the long haul.”

“Yes, we are. We love each other and there’s nothing to stop that.”

“Surprising as this may seem, many couples say that in the beginning, but once the honeymoon romance ends, things begin to settle down and the couple see each other for who they really are. Some realize that it was only lust not love they had for each other. Other couples realize that they just can’t live their spouse, seeing their habits and discovering who they really are, or they rush into the marriage without really knowing each other. Then there are others who may have loved each other in the beginning but soon fall out of love with each other. Some see that they don’t deserve the person. It’s as if they have been holding their spouse back for someone better. Things like this happens weeks, months or even years after the wedding. It happens a lot, Lion-O. More than you think.”

“That's some people, but it’s not Cheetara and I. We love each other,” Lion-O said confidently.

“Of course not, but many couples say that, but soon they discover they weren’t right for each other,” Tygra said and walked off.

How did Tygra see that? Lion-O wondered as he kept looking at the sky. I hope it wasn’t true for us, but it seems so, but I can’t lose her. I don’t want to lose her.

Cheetara stared at Lion-O throw the glass window of the door. She stepped out the cottage and saw Lion-O sitting on the ground. He looked so distant and sad. She knew she wasn’t being the best person by avoiding him, but she was so angry with him. Cheetara closed her eyes for a moment. She knew she should ease up on Lion-O. She thought about Pumyra words of advice about trusting Lion-O and giving him a chance. Lion-O was going to tell her why, but she was going out of her mind, wondering what the problem was. She walked from the cottage to Lion-O and sat beside him. Lion-O noticed her presence and looked at her surprised.

“It’s nice to get away from it all, even though it will be for a little while,” Lion-O commented and looked back at the ocean.

“Yes, it is,” Cheetara said quietly. His wife put a hand on his chin and turned him to face her. “Thank you for being so patient with me. I know I’m not the best person to be with right now. I’m snapping at you for every word you say, probably pushing you away from being open with me, and I want you to know, Lion-O, no matter what happens to us…. if our marriage fail or survive, I’ll always be here for you.”

Lion-O reached out to run a hand through her hair. “I know, and I’ll always be here for you too.”

Cheetara didn’t know what she was doing, but one moment she was looking into his eyes and the next she was leaning over to kiss him. Cheetara kissed him deeply as her hands ran into his hair and her husband’s hands ran up and down her back. Suddenly, Cheetara pulled back, aware of what had just happened. Unable to control her emotions, she got up and ran back in the cottage.

Things were quiet between them for the rest of the day. They ate their dinner in silence.

After she ate, Cheetara went to her room since Lion-O volunteered that he would wash the dishes. Later that eveing, Cheetara emerge from her room. She was in her evening clothes. She saw Lion-O lying on the sofa. She wondered if he was thinking about the kiss earlier. No doubt about it, there was still something between him in the kiss.

Just say goodnight, Cheetara and go back to your room. Cheetara instructed herself.

“Lion-O?”

Lion-O sat up and stood up.

“I’m going to bed now. I’ll see you in the morning.” She turned around to walk back to her room.

“Cheetara, wait. I think it’s time I tell you why I have been avoiding you.”

Fear and joy flooded Cheetara. Joy that she would now find out why, joy that he was now going to finally open up to her, but fear that she may not be able to take it.

“Come sit down on the sofa.” Lion-O requested.

Cheetara walked passed him and sat on the sofa. Lion-O sat close beside her. Cheetara moved over a little more so they wouldn’t be touching. Lion-O saw this and took her hand in his.

“This is hard for me to say. I am ready to tell you. It just that I’m nervous about it.”

“Just go ahead and say it, Lion-O,” Cheetara encourage him.

The reason I’m avoiding you, keeping my distance is because of you.” Lion-O admitted.

“Me? What did I do?” Cheetara asked.

“Everything was fine in the beginning. I was happy. You were happy, but then sometime later, marriage finally hit me. I was married to you forever. Seeing you everyday, going to bed with you every night. I don’t think we were ready for marriage. I think we rushed into it. I think we should have waited a little longer, been with other people until we were sure that marriage was right for us.”

“Are you saying you want another woman?” Cheetara asked getting angry. “You want someone else? Who is she, Lion-O? Pumyra?”

Lion-O shook his head. “No, no, that’s not what I’m saying. Pumyra?! What? You think I want her?! No, Cheetara. I want you, only you. Sure women have thrown themselves at me when I was single and even now that I’m married but I never wanted them only you. I think I’ve been in love with you since I was a little boy, but I didn’t know it because I thought it was infatuation. You have and always will be the one for me.”

“Then why do you keep yourself from me?” she asked softly.

“Lately, I’ve been feeling that I’ve been keeping you back, that I don’t deserve you. I've been thinking that you deserve someone better. I’ve been scared that someone will take you from me, thinking you’d want someone more mature or the same age as you mentally and physically. The farther we got in the marriage, the more doubts I began to have and so I withdrew myself from you. I stayed away at nights, pretended that I didn’t care. I thought the best thing I should do is...”

“Ignore me until I had enough of it and divorce you myself,” Cheetara finished his words.

“Yes,” Lion-O agreed. “But once you said you wanted a divorce, I realized then that I couldn’t be without you. I needed you in my life and even though I wasn’t good enough for you, I’d do everything I can to prove myself to you.”

“Oh, Lion-O,” Cheetara said softly. “You don't have to prove yourself to me. I love you and only you. No one will ever come between us. I don’t want another man, only you. To put it in simpler words, you and I are one, now and forever. Why didn’t you talk to me about this?”

“I was scared that you would see it true and leave me.”

“Lion-O, that would never happen. I’m to crazy about you, but I don’t understand where you would get the idea that I would leave you.”

“From Tygra,” Lion-O said.

“Tygra? I don’t understand.”

“On our wedding day, Tygra and I were talking. I was confident that nothing could destroy our marriage, but Tygra said a lot of people go into marriage thinking that and get a divorce. He mention how couples may grow out of love with each other, that they actually lust after another instead of love, a partner sees they deserve better, or that they rushed into marriage without really knowing each other. I didn’t think anything about it or believe that it would happen to us, but the further we got in the marriage, the more doubts I began to have and so I withdrew myself from you. I know that Tygra didn’t mean our marriage would die, but I mistook his words and begin doubting us. I began thinking that maybe you lust after me since I grew from 12 to 20 in one night, and I just...”

“Lion-O,” Cheetara said softly, placing her fingers on his lips. “When I first saw you after you came out of the capsule, I admit, I was attracted to you. I’ve never been so attracted to someone before. Whenever I liked a guy, I was always a friend with him first and then I grew to have a crush on him, but with you, it was different. I was instantly attracted to you. I knew I shouldn’t be, but I was. However, the attraction soon gave way to love and I knew I would never love anyone the way I love you. You have nothing to worry about. I’ll never leave you.” Cheetara cupped his face and kissed him softly and more deeply.

Lion-O was the one to pull back, surprisingly. He wanted to hug and kiss her and much more, too, but he held it down. Something else needed to be known first. “Do you forgive me for treating you the way I have been, deserting you, distancing myself from you?”

Cheetara smiled as tears appeared in her eyes. “Yes, only if you promise to never do it again.”

“You have my word, as you have my heart,” Lion-O whispered.

The happiness of their saved marriage built the emotions that were building inside of him. They moved closer to each other and kissed. The kissed deepen and Lion-O begins kissing her neck. They suddenly pulled apart. Looking into each other’s eyes, they knew there was a fire burning in them and that a passionate kiss wouldn’t relinquish it. Lion-O took her hand and helped her stood up. He picked her up and carried her to the bedroom.

*****

Hours later, Lion-O and Cheetara laid close together under the sheets of their bed. Lion-O had his arms wrapped around Cheetara snugly as he slept content with her. Cheetara herself, smiled happily, knowing that she and Lion-O were finally back together. Cheetara soon begin to think about what Lion-O told her. Tygra. Why did he tell Lion-O those things? Make him doubt him about his relationship with her. She remembered what Pumyra told her.

"Panthro told me that Tygra suggested that you get the divorce. Why do you think he said that?"

"Just being a concern friend that's all."

"I suppose, but being a concern friend, don't you think he would want you to save your marriage and not ask for a divorce?" Pumyra asked.

"Tygra saw things in Lion-O that I didn't see, so he thought the best thing I should do is get a divorce. Why?" Cheetara was now becoming curious with the puma.

Pumyra shrugged her shoulders, pretending she didn't know or suspect. "Just asking. Personally, I thought a friend would want you to try to save the marriage not end it."

Cheetara thought about what Panthro and Pumyra said to her and a thought came to her head.

Is it possible that Tygra secretly wants me? Could he possibly filled Lion-O’s mind with doubts, so Lion-O would leave me and he’ll have me all to himself. I must get back to Cat’s Lair and find out.

Cheetara continued to stare out the window as the sky begin to lighten up. Moments later, the sun appeared, bringing a new day to Thunderians all over. Lion-O awakened soon after. Cheetara could tell her husband was awake as he place kisses on her bare shoulder.

“How much longer do you want to stay here? A few more days? A week?” He asked between kisses.

“Today would be a good time to leave,” Cheetara said. She had to get back home. She had to talk to Tygra.

Lion-O pulled back a little to prop his elbow on the pillow “Today? I thought you might want to stay here a few more days. You know, have a second honeymoon.”

Cheetara laughed and rolled on her back. “We haven’t been married long enough to have a second honey moon.”

“No, but we went through such a crisis that I think we do deserve a second honeymoon.”

“And hopefully, we won’t ever go through this again. I think you want to stay a few more days, and I can’t blame you. I want to myself, but to be safe I think we should head back. How are we going to get home anyway? Our driver left us here.”

“I have a pod from the Thunderstrike behind the cottage.”

“You’re always prepared, huh?” Cheetara joked. “Well, I do think our problem is solved and we won’t have any more,” Cheetara smiled and reached behind Lion-O’s neck and pulled him down to kiss her. Cheetara broke the kiss and brought her hand back down. “Maybe now we could move on to something else. Like a baby.”

Lion-O’s face brightened. He put his hand under the covers on her stomach. “Are you pregnant?”

There was a sparkle in Cheetara’s eyes as she looked at her husband. “I could be. I won’t know for sure until a few weeks from now.”

“That is something to look forward to.” He leaned over and kissed her. He then moved to her neck. “Want to try again to make sure?”

Cheetara laughed. “I thought the third time was the charm.”

“Sure, but a fourth couldn’t help.”

Cheetara removed his lips from her neck to see his eyes and reply in a sultry voice. “My Lord, I’m in no position to disagree.”

*****

That afternoon at Cat’s Lair, the Thundercats welcomed Panthro back from his emergency trip to Third Earth. When Panthro saw Tygra, he glared at him. He ignored his true feelings to him and talked to everyone, catching up. As the time passed, one by one the others left to go on their errands. Only Tygra and Panthro remained in the council room.

“I know you sent me to Third Earth, you lousy punk,” Panthro growled at Tygra.

Tygra looked completely confused. “What in the world are you talking about?”

“I know you sent me to 3rd Earth so I wouldn’t keep an eye on you trying to get Cheetara to be yours.”

“Are you saying I want them to break up?” Tygra asked.

“I saw the look on your face in the council room and you're the one who told Cheetara to ask Lion-O for a divorce, but your plan backfired. You didn’t expect Lion-O to plan that getaway. I bet right now he’s winning Cheetara’s back.”

Tygra’s face contorted in anger and jealousy. “No, Cheetara is pushing Lion-O away from her, as she should be. He never deserved her. He pushed her away. That proves he didn’t want her.”

“I don’t understand Lion-O’s reason for avoiding her, but I’m sure he does have a good reason, and you have no right to take advantage of the situation.”

Tygra folded his arms. He thought it was as good as time as any to blurt Panthro’s secret. “Just about as much as you for sleeping with Cheetara?”

Panthro grabbed Tygra by the top of his clothes and slammed him in the wall. “You weren’t to breath a word about it.” Panthro growled.

“And I haven’t until now. However, if you keep up these lies that I want Cheetara, then I may have no choice but to tell Lion-O what you and Cheetara did.”

Panthro released his hold on Tygra and stepped back.

“You can’t say times were different then Panthro. It was nearly two months ago. Cheetara was lonely that Lion-O wouldn’t be with her and she turned to you for comfort. What a hot night that was, wasn’t it, Panthro?”

Panthro refused to answer, but Tygra continued.

“All those words you said about how we shouldn’t interfere with Lion-O and Cheetara because they belong together, were all lies. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have taken her to your bed. You know, Panthro you never went into details about it. How was it? Tell me, was she how you wanted her to be, what you expected her to be? Did she please you in every way? Did you satisfy her lonely needs? I know you enjoyed it. Who wouldn’t enjoy a tumble in the sheets with the Lady of the Thundercats? That made your night, didn’t it, Panthro, sacking Cheetara.”

In a rush of anger, Panthro punched Tygra. “It was an accident! A mistake that will never happened again. We never talked about it. In fact, she wasn’t even there that morning after. She must have slipped out after I fell asleep.”

“And of course Lion-O didn’t notice Cheetara slipping out of bed since he hasn’t been with her for weeks.” Tygra added.

“I knew I shouldn’t have told you, but I felt so guilty about it that I had to confide in somebody.”

“Better to tell me than Lion-O. If you told him, he would’ve killed you for sure, and who knows what will happened to Cheetara.”

“He would never hit her.” Panthro said.

“Of course not. Lion-O’s not like that, but he would leave her for sure.” Tygra said confidently.

“Leaving you to pick up the shattered pieces and mending Cheetara’s broken heart,” Panthro guessed.

“If it goes that way, and if I wanted to do that, so be it. You wouldn’t possibly tell Lion-O anyway because of your secret.”

WilyKit entered the tense session in the council room. “Tygra, Panthro, Cheetara and Lion-O are back.”

“We’ll be there in a moment, Kit,” Tygra said.

Kit nodded and stepped out unaware of what was taking place.

“I guess we should go see our Lord and Lady,” Tygra said.

“Not a word to Lion-O,” the panther said as if threatening the tiger.

“Why, it’s not like you have anything on me‚” he said and walked out.

Tygra found Lion-O and Cheetara in the foyer talking with the others. Tygra put on a cheerful face. “Look who’s back.”

“Yeah, and with good news. We’re finally back on track.” Lion-O said happily holding Cheetara close to him.

“You work things out?” Panthro asked coming down the steps.

“Yes, we did, Panthro, and I think our love is stronger now,” Cheetara said and kissed her husband affectionately.

Tygra smiled agreeing. That’s what you think, my dear.

*****

Later that night, Panthro poured himself a glass of warm milk. He couldn’t sleep. He was worried that Tygra would tell Lion-O what happened between he and Cheetara. What was he to do? He couldn’t tell Lion-O. It would be the end of him and Cheetara. He know it was a mistake, a moment of weakness between the two of them. Lion-O was avoiding Cheetara then and she turned to Panthro for comfort. He stared in the warm milk and relived that fateful night.

Panthro lays asleep in his bed. It was hot that night so the panther thought it would be best if he slept nude to keep cool. Cheetara entered his room. She was wearing a yellow silk nightgown under her yellow robe. She got in bed with Panthro and begins kissing him on his face. Panthro woke up and saw Cheetara kissing him.

“Cheetara, what are you doing?”

“I need you, Panthro. I need comfort. Lion-O doesn’t love me anymore.”

“No, Cheetara, you can’t do this.” Panthro said pushing her away.

“Don’t you want me, Panthro? I know you do. I see the looks you’ve been giving me. I’ve noticed it since we landed on 3rd Earth. I remember that time in the hangar when we were talking about the Feliner. I knew you were admiring my fine physique then, and then at Lion-O’s anointment party. I had trouble zipping my dress and you gladly offer to help me. You wanted me then as you want me now.” She kissed him again and ran her hands all over his body.

Panthro knew it wasn’t right, but he had always desired her and he thought he had it under control, but with her coming to him, he knew he didn’t have any control on it. He kissed her back, giving in to her.

Panthro poured the milk down the sink and cursed under his breath. I shouldn’t have given in to her. I should have been stronger.

“Panthro?”

Panthro stood upright. He sat the glass in the sink. “Cheetara?” He asked not even turning back to see her.

“Hi,” she smiled. She went to the cupboard and got a glass. She went to the refrigerator and got a pitcher of water and poured it into the glass. “How’s it going?”

“Fine,” he mumbled, still refusing to turn around.

“You don’t sound like it. What’s wrong?”

Feeling like he could look at her, Panthro turned around. He almost gasped when he saw her. She was wearing the same nightgown the night they were together. He was so close to the cheetah. He could smell the sweet scent of roses from her hair and a tempting scent from her body. Panthro was trying to control his feelings, trying to forget what happened but he began to remember the kisses she gave him, the kisses he gave her, lying with her in bed without a care in the world, not even thinking of the sinful thing they had done.

He had to get out of there. Who knows what he would do if he stood there a minute longer.

Cheetara walked to him and laid a hand on his arm. “Panthro, what’s wrong?” She asked concerned.

“Nothing is wrong, Cheetara. Why can’t you see that?” he growled and left.

“What’s wrong with him?” Cheetara wondered. She set her glass on the counter and followed him. Cheetara went after him, but a pair of arms grabbed her.

It wasn’t Lion-O’s she knew. She turned around in to see who the stranger was.

“Tygra?”

“It’s me. Why are you in a rush?” Tygra asked.

“Never mind that. I need to talk to you. Come with me in the council room,” she said authoritatively.

Tygra followed her unaware of what Cheetara was going to say to him. Cheetara entered the room first and turned on the lights. She sat down and Tygra sat beside her.

“What’s up?”

“I’m curious, Tygra. Why didn’t you tell me to give Lion-O another chance? Why were you pressing for a divorce?”

“Cheetara, I was only looking out for you. Nothing more.” Tygra said calmly, lying obviously.

“Nothing more? You weren’t trying to get me to divorce Lion-O, so you would have me for myself?” Cheetara asked.

Tygra feign surprise. “Cheetara, you have got to me kidding me.”

“I’m not, Tygra. I think you were trying to break Lion-O and me up. There is good evidence to support that.” Cheetara argued.

“Cheetara, whatever you got this idea, you’re wrong.”

“You wish I was, but I know better now. You were forcing me to divorce, Lion-O, you were telling me how wrong Lion-O was for me. You made me so confused that I almost stop trusting him, and I will never forgive you for that. It’s over, Tygra. You lost. Try it again, and I’ll see that you are banished from her.” Cheetara said and stormed out of the room.

Tygra only smiled after Cheetara left. Oh, my love. You’re going to regret those words. Soon, you will turn to me when Lion-O divorce’s you for your little affair with Panthro.

Go to Part Eight

Return to Lady Thundera's Fanfics

Return Home