I thought about Zulu's offer. In truth, I could've turned it down and never bothered to ask what happened that night. I already had an idea of whose name I'd called—but I'd been so confused then, clinging to the first face that came to mind. That was why I tried to ignore it. Still… mating while calling another's name isn't something you can just brush aside.
"You've got a deal," I said.
Zulu smiled and turned his gaze toward the coast.
"I was roaming the woods of Sylva, looking for a place to rest, when you came out of nowhere. You looked enchanting—but desperately lost. You clung to me suddenly. You were warm, and your scent was overwhelming. I tried to help you, pushed you away, but you begged me not to." He paused, eyes distant. "You pulled me close, crying his name. I wanted to stop, but the longing in your eyes hurt to see. So I gave in. If only for a while, I wanted to ease your pain. Lucky bastard," he finished quietly.
His eyes were sincere—soft, steady, honest. Then he looked straight at me and spoke the name I had cried that night. When he pronounced it all the sounds around me disappears.
"It was really,Him."
Time slowed. My chest tightened. I bit my lip and clenched my hands.
I had known it.
"You kept apologizing," Zulu went on, "saying your heart was confused because you could love infinitely. Maybe that's true. But I've never seen anyone love like you. I was rough because I envied him—envied someone I'd never even met. Beasts mate easily, especially in season. But you… you don't love easily. You feel deeply, freely, honestly. Even if you bond with many, your heart never lies."
His words hit something deep inside me.
It was like waking up.
Even if Eriu could love endlessly, I still had my own will. My own choice. My own heart.
And my heart had always known.
I felt relief—then sadness followed right behind it.
"What's wrong?" Zulu asked gently.
"Thank you for helping me understand who I truly love," I said. "But there will never be an 'us.' Because I need to love everyone fairly and gave it to all infinitely."
Zulu nodded. "My loyalty is yours too, Sienna. If you ever need me, I'll be here."
I will protect him—from Eriu, from Vera, from me.
He deserves a life that follows his own rules, not one twisted around mine.
As we turned to leave, the tide suddenly surged higher than Sora expected. Waves tore through the sand mounds the crabs had worked so hard to build.
I ran forward, grabbing crabs before the water swept them away. Zulu followed fast.
I manifested thick vines and tossed them to him. "Tie these to the trees!"
He obeyed without question while I pulled the smaller beasts to safety.
When the water retreated, Sora was left in ruins. The people looked crushed—but their so-called leaders only laughed.
"Just move somewhere else," Azul, the sea lion ruler, joked.
Gorgo the walrus only yawned.
I leaned close to Zulu and whispered. He straightened and announced:
"My woman says we will stay and build levees for Sora!"
He blinked at me in surprise. I nodded. He understood.
I stayed.
I worked.
I built.
I hid my presence from those who might recognize me.
Zulu carried stones, joked with crabs, listened to sea stars, and never once pushed me for anything. For a tiger, he was gentle—steady, patient. Maybe that was why he'd been exiled.
When the levees were done, Sora thanked us with tears and songs. I reminded them of the Goddess of Abundance—and of kindness that asks for nothing back.
"Where to now, my woman?" Zulu asked.
"Please don't call me that. Just Sienna."
"Sienna, then."
"Let's go to my refuge. I'm ready to return." I hesitated. "And about him… don't tell anyone. Especially the other kings. I don't want anyone else to get hurt. Gideon chose to walk away. What we have now is loyalty—and maybe friendship."
Zulu studied me. "One condition. You stay near me, and I won't tell a soul."
"Deal."
As we walked side by side, a sting brushed my hand.
I looked down.
Another word had appeared.
Charity.
I felt steady again—almost whole.
Or at least… close enough to keep walking.