#Uzumaki Rebellion's Pantherverse

[uzumaki-rebellion]

"King Killmonger: The Golden Jaguar" Chapter 11

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"They're calling me, back to the stars

Deep out of space, they're calling me

Back to the stars

They found peace in the ocean (peace with the pain)

Now they guide my way, guide my way…"

Meshell N'Degeocello—"Virgo"

The Royal Talon Fighter approached the opening of Warrior Falls.

Okoye and Ayo scanned a twenty mile radius before flying over the valley of gushing water walls to the other side.

"Kumkani, I've found the hover bike…"

Ayo glanced over at the king who sat in a pensive position behind her. Okoye flew the aircraft lower to the base of the Falls as N'Jadka stood next to Ayo and looked at the viewscreen that projected the image of a broken hover bike floating in an undertow where it was caught between two boulders.

"No signs of Queen Yani," Ayo said with a soft tone.

N'Jadaka's jaguar suit swarmed around him and he tapped the opening of the circular floor exit. He dropped eighty feet and splashed into a deep plunge pool of cold black water. Below the surface he scanned for signs of life around the bike before dragging it onto land. A flash of pink caught his eye and he lunged for it in the water.

Yani's walking shoe. It was drenched and unmarked, unlike the damaged hover bike. She had to have fallen trying to fly over the giant falls. He quelled the rise in panic in his demeanor. She was alive somewhere. He willed it.

Okoye's voice broke through his reverie, loud and clear inside his face mask.

"There are no other traces of anything. That is a good sign," Okoye said.

N'Jadaka dove below and searched underwater. Yani had a strong body. If she were injured somewhere he would find her. He scanned for her kimoyo beads thinking they may have been snapped away from her wrist, but there was nothing.

Breeching the surface he leaped onto the land and surveyed the surroundings. Okoye and Ayo dropped down from the gravity tracking beam. Aneka stood watch over the Talon Fighter. High above, stinger aircrafts circled the sky.

"Kumkani…here…" Ayo said.

Footprints in the moist earth. He recognized the pattern of her sandals. The king gave a grateful sigh of relief. His wife was alive and somewhere out there searching for God knew what. It wasn't like her to disappear like that without telling him where she was. He stared at the height from which she fell and all the dangers that could've swallowed her up. Was she under the influence of something? Did someone…or something lure her away? He remembered the panther cubs he couldn't see back in Ekuqaleni. Did they trick her into coming here?

Worry knotted his brow.

Wakanda was still a wondrous and mysterious place to them both. Anything could've happened to her.

"Come on," he said.

They followed Yani's tracks until they came upon two more that were bigger compared to hers. They made deeper impressions in the mud and directly faced Yani's footprints. Men. She followed them willingly because there was no sign of struggle in the area.

They scanned and tracked until the ground changed into grasslands and decomposing leaves. The grass was so thick like shag carpet that it didn't even bend to give an indication of what direction they went.

"They're gone…can't find anymore markings," Ayo said, crestfallen.

"She's gotta be around here somewhere. Let's spread out for a mile and check in," He tapped his kimoyo bead, "Aneka, contact Dr. Chidubem discreetly and have him flown here in case the Queen has major injuries."

"Yes kumkani, right away," Aneka said in his earbuds.

N'Jadaka shook out his arms and charged into the mountain forest on high alert.

He had to find his wife and return her to his side.

Warm balmy water cascaded all over Yani's body as she stepped through the birth waters. The entrance of the oracle's cave hummed and vibrated and the sounds made her jumpy. Passing through to the other side led her to the tranquil natural pool of glowing turquoise waters with steam rising from it.

"You made it Queen Yani."

Yani recognized the voice of Jabulile.

The woman was dressed in a long green robe like the men that brought Yani there. She was alone and holding a folded royal blue robe.

"Please bathe in these waters, from head to toe. I will help you put on this robe when you are finished," Jabulile said.

"Where are the other two women that were with you?" Yani asked.

"With Nolwandle…the oracle. They are waiting for you in the interior of the womb. Please kumkanikazi…bathe."

Jabulile turned her back to give Yani privacy as she willingly stripped down. She dipped a toe in the water first, and it wasn't too hot. Submerging herself, she gave into the heat and liquid comfort. The water smelled like sweet perfumes and tingled all over her skin. Dunking her head below, she quickly rubbed herself down. The water reflected against the ceiling and walls of the cave. She noticed inscriptions written in a language other than Wakandan, with pictographs depicting waves and sea creatures painted with neon blue paint. Some images were carved into the walls and looked older and eroded in some places. The bandage on her wrist fell away, and so did the dull ache of pain she carried since the Falls.

Stepping out of the pool, Yani looked for a towel.

Jabulile turned around and unfurled the robe she carried.

"No need to dry yourself, put this on quickly…here, I'll take those bandages for you. Follow me this way please…"

Yani trailed behind Jabulile. The light source used to illuminate their way couldn't be pinpointed by Yani. The cave floor was soft black sand that didn't seem to belong to that particular ecosystem. Her robe swished at her feet and stuck to the wet parts of her body, contouring itself like a designer dress. They walked through a purple mist that swiped across her skin like spiderwebs breaking across her face and body. She waved her hands around only to find that it was a sensation only…nothing was on her skin.

Her eardrums throbbed with the pounding of the drums…no…they couldn't be drums. The two young women who had drums were too far away to emit the sound she heard right then. Yani tuned in closer and realized the sound was a heartbeat, as if the cave was a living thing pumping its heart in a soothing rhythm.

Strange.

Yani walked a normal rate of speed, but her body felt like it was slowing down.

"We are almost there Queen Yani," Jabulile said.

Jabulile's voice sounded far away, the way it would if Yani were deep underwater listening to speech high above her head. Her heart thumped faster and she inhaled air through her mouth to calm down her fear.

They reached a narrow opening where the two women Yani asked about, Khanyisile and Nolwazi, stood watch holding torches. Both women smiled, relief evident on their faces.

"Go through there and you will find her," Jabulile said.

The passageway was dark and had only enough room for one person to pass through at a time.

"By myself?" Yani asked.

All three women nodded.

"Do not be afraid Queen Yani. Mama Wati protects you," Nolwazi said.

Yani shook her fingers and stepped past the women into the foreboding passage. Darkness swallowed her and she heard her own breathing speed up. Claustrophobia threatened to paralyze her from moving on, but she swallowed thickly and mustered the courage to keep walking, even as her shoulders hit the sides of the unseen walls. Step by step. Inch by inch. Yani staggered through thirty yards of pitch black until her cone and rod cells worked again to detect light and movement ahead.

Her eyes adjusted.

A woman with skin the color of freshly made Jamaican black castor oil sat crosscrossed on a bright green rug with painted sea turtles and stingrays. Her hair was wrapped in a large seagreen headwrap and her neck was heavy with seashell necklaces and sun-yellow glass beads. She could've been thirty, or she could've been seventy, it was anyone's guess with Wakandan people. They aged gracefully and seemingly slow. Bright eyes the color of glowing jade in the center and dark amber at the edges peered at her with a welcome kindness.

"Queen Yani Udaku of the Black Panther Tribe…and the unofficial adopted daughter of the River Tribe…I welcome you home. Sit…right there…in front of me," the Oracle Nolwandle said.

Yani crossed her legs on the long green rug facing the oracle. Nolwandle sat and stared at Yani's face until the young queen squirmed her hips.

"You look the way my emissaries said you did…youthful and full of energy. Very beautiful. The king loves beauty I hear," Nolwandle said.

The oracle's unnatural jade-powered gaze pierced through Yani's defenses of trying to appear stoic and queenly. Sitting in front of her made Yani feel like a young child chatting with her grandmother.

"King N'Jadaka's energy can be felt all throughout the kingdom. He carries his ancestors well. They are strong on the other side. The king is on his way now to retrieve you. I can feel his worry over you."

"I don't want him to worry," Yani said.

"There is apprehension in your voice my queen. Mama Wati wants you to be at ease here."

"It's hard…I don't know what to expect…I don't know what to do…"

"Ease…my queen…breathe in deep…"

Yani inhaled and Nolwandle urged her to do more. Behind the oracle, a small fire burned inside a stone fireplace. To the oracle's left side was a wide opening in the cave that led to a river of water not found on any Wakandan map. A pile of stones held another fire that lit up the roof of the cave leading out into the open water where other large mountains touched one another leaving gaps for water to flow past. Part of the walls shined like the sparkling emerald water reflecting shimmery images dancing on the walls. The interior felt dark, warm and mysterious and the waterway hinted at sunshine and an upperworld.

"Breathe…yes…deeply…slowly…"

Nolwandle reached behind her and lifted a bundle of herbs tied with bright white string. She tossed them into the fire and it sparkled and puffed out dark blue smoke.

"Breathe daughter…yes…deeper still…allow the smoke to enter your lungs."

"Are you drugging me…it feels thick in my chest…" Yani gasped, clutching her throat.

"I am opening the path for us to travel. Mama Wati will partially lift the veil for you to receive the message meant for you…"

"I can't breathe…I'm having a hard time…oracle! Help me…I can't!" Yani choked out.

"The message is coming, daughter. Mama Wati has opened the veil…"

The unseen presence of an entity larger than the cave itself came first.

It its wake was a pressure, like an ocean's weight of water pressing down on Yani's body, threatening to flatten her. The pressure in her ears changed too. She clutched at her throat and yet Nolwandle remained calm, her lips moving but no sound coming out.

The presence wrapped itself all over the cave and a roar thundered in Yani's ears. She looked toward the placid water outside and a mammoth ocean wave rolled toward her in slow motion. Yani couldn't move, her lower body locked to the ground helpless and unprotected. She could still mover her head though.

"Nolwandle!" Yani shouted.

Yani glanced at the oracle again and the woman's head fell back. Her eyes were squeezed shut and her mouth stayed wide open. Yani whipped her head to brace herself for when the wave would hit them, but it was gone. The opening was covered in a tranquil water barrier that made the outside scenery look blurry, fluid, and dreamy.

"Yani…"

A voice behind the water barrier came out of the oracle's mouth. Confused, Yani looked at Nolwandle again. Her mouth stayed agape and frozen in that position.

"Yani…JaJa's wife…"

Yani heard the voice come from the oracle, but it sounded like it was behind the water barrier too, as if it bounced out to use the oracle as its frequency to the human world. The queen rose from her seated position and walked toward the barrier. The shadowy outside world was there, rippling behind the veil.

Two figures walked forward.

Yani held her breath and waited until they stood before her. One was older and the other younger. Her breath hitched in her chest and she stumbled back, unable to believe her eyes.

The younger woman had fiery brown eyes and big ginger hair that crowned her head like a giant sunburst. Yani recognized the same freckles her son had. The older woman was shorter with an exquisite face etched with wisdom that matched the younger woman. Her hair was looser in texture and had faded streaks of light brown mixed in with white that was cornrowed in four thick braids going straight back. Yani knew right away the two women were related. Long pearl-white tunics shrouded their bodies.

"You know who I am. Don't you?" the younger woman said.

Yani nodded.

"Califia Stevens Udaku…N'Jadaka's mother."

"Yes…this is JaJa's great-grandmother, Nana Jean."

"Hello, ma'am," Yani said, instantly genuflecting to them both.

Nana Jean laughed and Califia joined her. The older woman held up a hand.

"We are family baby, you don't bow to us," Nana Jean said.

The presence pushed down on the cave and the water barrier vibrated, blurring the women from Yani's view.

"Califia!" Yani shouted.

Their images shimmered back into view seconds later. Yani wiped frantic tears away from her eyes, so terrified her mother-in-law and great-grandmother-in-law had vanished. Califia held her hand against the barrier. Yani raised hers to try and touch it. The cool blue kinetic liquid would not allow them to connect.

"I wish I could comfort you, Yani. Mama Wati has warned us. Bast is awake inside of my son. I'll have to speak quickly before we lose contact," Califia said.

Yani was spellbound by Califia, the woman's beauty staggered the imagination. She carried a vibrant charisma that was like N'Jadaka's times ten. No wonder Prince N'Jobu stayed away from his home and defied a nation. Califia was priceless.

"You're going to conceive a baby who is so important that they'll have the power to split the world into pieces in the future. I apologize having to sound so cryptic but I'm breaking so many rules to be here with you. I took what I could decipher from the realm of time in the spirit world with my limited understanding. Although I'm an ancestor now, Bast still shrouds us from telling humans too much."

"When?" Yani asked.

"Soon...two or three years at most from what little I could decipher from the time threads. A man is also coming there who will challenge my son for the world. I need for you to survive the war they may wage—"

"More war? In Wakanda?"

"War all over the world. You're the key to preventing their battle from consuming JaJa. If anything happens to that baby or you…my son will burn the world down and the future will become bleak for everyone on the planet even more than it is. Your baby must survive at all costs in order to claim their birthright and keep Wakanda secure years from now. That child will turn the nation into an empire. No matter the cost, it must happen!"

Califia stepped closer to the veil, unable to penetrate it. Her voice came from behind Yani through the oracle's mouth, but Yani focused on Califia's face.

"My son has lost too much in this world. I don't want him suffering again if I can warn you. I couldn't come to him because Bast would block me directly, so I had to come for you through Mama Wati," Califia said.

"I understand. I'll do all I can to protect our baby."

"Not just the one to come, but Riki and Joba too."

"Riki and Joba? What's going to happen to them?" Yani yelped.

The cave vibrated with the force of an earthquake. Califia and Nana Jean glanced behind them. Worry clouded their faces.

"Nothing will happen if you can prevent it," Califia said.

Nana Jean became agitated and looked over her shoulder again.

"We should leave now, Cali…Dayclean is coming," Nana Jean said, grabbing Califia's arm, pulling her back from the veil.

Califia gently patted her grandmother's hand, stood her ground, and locked eyes with Yani.

"Joba and Riki will be the ones to help the baby become what she needs to be in order to rule the future. But that future will face turmoil if none of them live once a foretold prophecy begins at your pregnancy. When Namor returns, be ready Yani. This is all I have to give you," Califia said.

"Namor," Yani repeated, searing the name into her mind.

"You must stay away from him…you and the children—"

"Califia!"

The booming voice of a distraught man flew out of the oracle's mouth making Yani jump. He appeared next to them in a long white tunic.

N'Jobu.

N'Jadaka's father.

Seeing N'Jadaka's parents together knocked Yani's knees. Never would she have dreamed of seeing them alive and looking so well from the other side. N'Jobu turned his kind eyes toward Yani.

"My daughter…Yani…you shouldn't be here with my wife or Nana Jean. Certain knowings belong to Bast, and only her. What you have heard is forbidden knowledge to that existence there. Your life must be lived with my son and grandchildren in ignorance," N'Jobu gently urged.

Califia shook her head and challenged her husband.

"No! I won't let that happen this time. Our son deserves happiness. Too much was stolen from him and I refuse to let anything be taken from him again. I don't care if I have to go against Bast or any other god to protect them."

N'Jobu put his arms around Califia. Her voiced raged from the oracle's open throat. N'Jobu's somber tone brought levity to Yani's predicament. Califia had gone above and beyond from the ancestral plane to reach her family. Her love bled through the water barrier and cloaked Yani with its comfort and legendary warrior spirit. Her willingness to defy gods was a trait Yani hoped she could live up to for her own babies.

N'Jobu gently scolded his wife.

"You have stolen free-will and burdened our daughter with fear and more confusion. That isn't fair to Yani. Now she will worry about our family needlessly," N'Jobu said.

The cave vibrated with the presence yet again. Mama Wati's collusion was weakening. N'Jobu held his wife lovingly as Nana Jean watched over them both.

"We must go back my love…please. JaJa will live a glorious life…"

"His children—"

"—will live out their destinies, whatever they will be, without interference from now on. Let them be…let them have their own lives. We are always here for them as a comfort and a reminder that life doesn't end at death."

"Yani," Califia said, still reaching for her daughter-in-law.

"You see death for us? Me and the children?" Yani asked.

Califia clutched at her temples and her mouth twisted into a horrid grimace. She appeared to be full of pain.

"Bast is jumbling up my mind…she's stealing the future threads from me…" Califia wailed.

"Califia!" N'Jobu cried out, grabbing her by the waist to keep her from falling.

A dark foreboding shadow loomed over them behind the veil in the shape of an enormous panther stalking tiny prey.

Bast.

"Forgive her Bast! Please!" N'Jobu shouted.

Bast's dark shadow scattered and floated away. Califia closed her eyes. Yani did the same as something slithery, warm, and invasive cleaved to her temporal lobe. The words of warning Califia gave her were plucked from her gray matter one by one until nothing was left. Yani struggled to grab onto anything, her brain synapses crackling with electrical impulses to store and hide any morsel. She was able to hold onto two words, and only because she sensed a benevolent shield from Mama Wati to allow her to grasp onto anything her mother Bast had culled from her mortal skull.

"It's gone, all of it. I can no longer see it," Califia said in a defeated tone.

Yani blanked out mentally as Bast swiped her mind clean too.

Nana Jean cradled Califia's face and N'Jobu nuzzled his nose against her cheek, comforting her. Soft footfalls from behind Yani captured her attention.

"Mom, Baba…"

N'Jadaka strode into the cavern with a shocked expression. Califia perked up and clung to N'Jobu's arm as she gazed at her beloved son.

"JaJa…your wife is fine. I needed to see her to tell her…." Califia glanced around trying to remember her thoughts.

N'Jadaka reached for Yani and pulled her into his chest.

"Thank the gods you're safe," he huffed into her hair. He kissed the top of her head and rocked her in his arms.

"I'm sorry I tricked you…I had to come. Your mother needed me."

N'Jadaka faced his parents. Their eyes shined bright with love for their only child. N'Jobu held Califia's hand.

"Nana?" N'Jadaka said, stepping closer to the water barrier to see his great-grandmother.

Nana Jean grinned. She swelled with pride at seeing her great-grandson as a grown man.

"Look at you… so big and handsome like your father. You did everything to hold onto our bond…my sweet great-grandson," Nana Jean said.

Pressure popped in Yani's ear. N'Jadaka experienced it too and winced like her.

"Leave here quickly son. You two aren't meant to be here like this. Your mother has been forceful as usual," N'Jobu said.

The water barrier rippled and the images behind the veil began to cloud and fade.

"Watch over each other, JaJa…love one another at all times," N'Jobu said.

N'Jadaka rushed the barrier and called to his mother. Califia gazed at him with a mixture of adoration and longing.

"Mom, why did you come to Yani?"

Califia's gaze fell upon Yani. The presence in the cave began to lift. N'Jobu tugged on Califia and Nana Jean to follow him back from where they came.

"Bast stole the memory from me, JaJa. I had it and she took it away. Yani, whatever I told you, hold onto it. I may never get to reach out like this again, but I want you both to know I tried my best to make life there good for you," Califia said. She gave N'Jadaka a winsome smile. "Take care of each other JaJa. We love you," Califia said.

Her voice sounded weary.

"Mom…Baba…wait…"

"We must go back, son. Feel us in your heart as always," N'Jobu said.

Nana Jean pressed her forehead against the barrier. N'Jadaka lined his forehead with hers and pressed against it.

"You have done well, JaJa. We are here with you at all times," Nana Jean said.

Califia blew Yani and N'Jadaka kisses and the water barrier snapped into a blurry whirlpool of foamy water. Yani turned to look at the oracle. The woman stayed in the same odd position with her eyes closed and mouth open.

"I soon come, Mama…Baba…"

A soft childlike voice came out of the oracle's mouth. It sounded like a toddler just learning to speak. It gave Yani chills, but not as much as seeing her body still sitting crossed legged in front of Nolwandle…with N'Jadaka sitting right next to her in the same position. Yani glanced back as a loud rumbling whooshing sound reverberated around them. The water barrier transformed itself into another mighty wave. It moved backward in slow motion beyond the mountain barrier. A strong force knocked Yani in her solar plexus and she gasped, finding herself punched back into her corporeal body still sitting cross-legged and staring at Nolwandle. The oracle's head fell forward and she closed her mouth, exhausted from the ordeal. Perspiration dotted her forehead and soaked her clothes. Her once glowing jade eyes had become a delicate dark brown since Mama Wati released her as a vessel.

N'Jadaka shook himself back into their side of the veil. Tears rested on his lids and Yani moved onto her knees and hugged him.

"I'm sorry…I'm sorry…" Yani said repeatedly.

"It's okay. I found you and you're safe. You left for a good reason if my parents and great-grandmother sent for you."

Nolwandle shifted to her knees and bowed her head low to the ground, holding her folded hands toward N'Jadaka.

"I beg your forgiveness, kumkani. I was directed by Mama Wati that your mother and great-grandmother wished to see the queen. I am a mere servant of the divine. My intention was not to maliciously trick you or your wife but to service the needs of your ancestors," Nolwandle said with fear laced in her tone.

N'Jadaka looked Yani over.

"Did you hurt yourself? You fell didn't you?"

"Yes," Yani said. "I may have fractured my wrist, but it feels better."

"I sent for Dr. Chidubem. He's on his way here to look you over."

Yani turned to the oracle.

"Thank you, Nolwandle. I appreciate everything you had to go through to help me."

"Blessings to you, Queen Yani. I pray that the message you received is one that will please you and prepare you for what is to come."

Yani shook her head in disappointment.

"I'm afraid I made this journey for nothing and your body suffered needlessly. Bast took away my memory of the message. Mortals can't know the future."

"Baby, it's okay," N'Jadaka said trying to soothe her depressed mood.

"I have been instructed to prepare the queen's body by Mama Wati."

"What are you going to do?" N'Jadaka asked.

Nolwandle stood and shuffled over to the fire where she lifted two wooden bowls. She brought them to Yani and placed them on the rug. She pulled a small stool out and planted herself in front of the queen.

"May I?" Nolwandle asked, pointing to Yani's damp robe.

Yani nodded and Nolwandle opened it wide revealing the queen's nakedness. Lifting a brush from the first bowl, the oracle painted a ring of blue waves around Yani's belly button that soaked into her skin like a tattoo marking. She then switched bowls and painted a different ring of twisty swirls in light green around the first ring.

"There. When you return to your honeymoon time, rub oil over them every night. The color will soak into the pigment of your skin deeper. This is your talisman, Queen Yani. Mama Wati has marked you as one of her own. When the time comes these markings will reveal their true intent. Walk out of this womb of the world with your purpose intact."

Yani clutched the oracle's hands.

"I heard a voice come out of you…a young voice…a child."

"I can only transmit, not translate what is for your ears only, kumkanikazi," Nolwandle said.

Yani's lips turned down in disappointment.

"It was our baby," N'Jadaka said.

He stroked Yani's hand. She stared at him.

"My parents came to me after their funeral ceremony…that time I was late coming to the repast at your lake front home…when we were apart. My mom said I had a child coming that I had to show a lot of grace to because she would need it. I felt the energy in that voice when I heard it, Yani. That was our child…speaking to us."

Yani trembled and lowered her head, the knowledge unnerving her. To hear her baby's voice before she was even planted in her womb or even born yet astounded her. The child called to her.

I soon come.

Yani slumped into N'Jadaka's arms and cried. All her fear and worry about the journey to Warrior Falls jolted her emotions. His parents loved her. Watched over her and their grandbabies. His great-grandmother knew who she was and came to bear witness in defiance of a deity. She wept and her husband held her in his warmth and understanding.

N'Jadaka tied the robe back around her and guided Yani away from the oracle. Her wrist felt a little tender, but the pool water helped her endure the slight discomfort longer.

"You go through first," N'Jadaka said when they reached the dark passageway again.

Yani walked through with assured steps. She was proud that she completed her task. Even prouder that N'Jadaka's amazing mother reached out for her, trusting that Yani would heed her words one hundred per cent without hesitation. She waited for the king to join her out of the passageway and they met Okoye and Ayo waiting for them with the three women emissaries.

"Thank you, Jabulile, Khanyisile and Nolwazi," Yani said.

The three woman bowed low to her and N'Jadaka. They passed through to the outside and the two Uyakhusela's greeted them.

"Peaceful journeys to you both," the men said in unison.

The Doras walked ahead of them and N'Jadaka clasped Yani's hand tight and kept them in one spot out of earshot of their security. He exhales softly.

"I'm blessed and happy you got to see them…speak to them."

"Is Bast furious?" Yani said, ready to shrink back into the forest if the goddess set a bush on fire or struck her down with a plague.

N'Jadaka touched his chest and closed his eyes.

"Displeased. But not with you. Mama Wati is her daughter and they have to deal with their family squabbles on that side of the spiritual plane," he joked.

He touched her wrist and looked it over.

"Does it hurt when I touch it?"

"Not as much as before."

"Crazy girl," he teased

He tapped his kimoyo beads.

"Aneka, come get us. You have my coordinates," he said.

"Dr. Chidubem will be arriving soon," Aneka said.

"We'll meet him halfway," he said.

N'Jadaka brought Yani to an open clearing and the Royal Talon Fighter lifted them up high into air. They flew for an hour and stopped halfway to their destination when a quad stinger arrived ferrying Dr. Chidubem to them. He took Yani to the back of the Talon Fighter and injected her wrist with nano bots that stitched her fractured wrist back together. She swallowed painkillers to dull down a fading ache. Dr. Chidubem's short graying locs reminded Yani of Baba Z.

"You'll be good as new in no time Queen Yani."

"It wasn't as bad as I thought," she said.

"Hairline fracture."

They thanked the doctor and bid him farewell after he pumped Yani full of vitamins and electrolytes for good measure. It didn't take long to get back to Umbono Lake and their peaceful houseboat.

Alone once more, N'Jadaka pampered Yani, feeding her a hearty lunch and insisting that she rest after a long warm shower. He rubbed almond oil on her scalp and slathered fresh cocoa and coffee butter all over her naked form, paying special attention to the new markings on her belly. She slipped on a bikini afterward.

"That paint is like ink," Yani said, rubbing her shiny belly.

N'Jadaka made them tea and snuggled with her in their loft bed. The boat gently rocked with the small wind currents. Intense relief rested her husband's body as he held her against him tight. He had been frightened without her being with him. That man could face any evil killer or terrorist without blinking an eye, but not having her near was his only true weakness.

She caressed his face.

"We heard our baby," she said.

His eyes glinted with unshed tears.

"We did," he said.

"We'll have to prepare—"

N'Jadaka took his index finger and held it over Yani's lips.

"I don't want you thinking about anything but getting well and resting. We have a honeymoon to enjoy and I want to live it up without prepping for another baby."

"What? This coming from the man who gets aroused simply thinking about putting a baby in me every time we make love?"

N'Jadaka gave a sly cheesy grin.

"Yeah…I want to make another baby…but…actually hearing the voice of my future daughter reminds me that we'll have four kids to raise. Thinking of it as a hypothetical was cool, but shit switches up when you hear your child's voice. Damn…like my daughter spoke to me. Half of her is still in my nutsack and the other half is still in your ovary…that shit is crazy. Yo, Ma…the fuck? We livin' in wild times girl."

N'Jadaka laughed and his eyes became shiny with the wonderment of it all.

Yani's gaze darted away from N'Jadaka's well-meaning focus. She saw things through the oracle that regular people would never experience. Gods, ancestors, and spiritual realms could come and go in her new world. She heard the voice of her baby, and the unborn child sounded confident and sure. A little girl, too. A girl who would grow up loved beyond measure by her parents and siblings. Something had to be very special about her if Mama Wati permitted her to speak to them from the other side. And just maybe, it was the reason Califia felt it so urgent to seek out Yani without Bast's permission.

Was this how Mary felt when the archangel came to her and said she would birth Jesus?

Yani shook her head at the sacrilege she skirted with her heavy Christian upbringing. Who was she to compare her unborn baby to Jesus. Thee Jesus from the bible.

And yet…

A goddess came for her and opened up a holy realm for Yani to speak to the dead and to also hear an unborn baby. This was the stuff that prophets wrote in holy scripture. Was she not a child of Mama Wati? Wasn't that what the oracle said?

God put her on the path to have that baby with N'Jadaka.

Yani stared out of the window at the water. A slight pressure on the back of her head toggled something loose in the deepest recesses of her mind.

She remembered two things from Califia. Two things Mama Wati hid from Bast in Yani's mind to keep it from totally slipping away.

Prophecy.

And a name.

Namor.

Yani put everything together quickly. Their unborn daughter had to be fulfilling a prophecy Califia had come to tell her about. But the name? Namor. It felt familiar in Yani's gut, and it most definitely gave her a shudder throughout her body thinking about it. A residual reminder of its importance maybe…or a warning. Something hidden and sticky in her mind would not let her forget that name. It sat on her tongue inside a tightly closed mouth. If she just mentioned the name to N'Jadaka, maybe he could help her figure out the meaning of it. N'Jadaka stroked her cheek.

"I can see you fretting about something from the cave," he said.

She nodded, knowing she could never hide anything from him. Not even her private thoughts. Her emotions welled up deep inside. She witnessed a profound gift and it still lingered over her.

"Baby…don't cry. That shit messes me up when you do."

Her lips trembled and she shut her eyes tight.

"Your mother was so beautiful. And your Dad…he was so sweet and kind, so royal…and your Nana…she loves you all over," Yani said.

N'Jadaka broke out into a delighted smile, even as happy tears leaked from his eyes.

"I'm happy for you, Yani. I wished they could be here to meet you, and Mama Wati made it happen. A part of me even thinks Bast let it happen because, trust me baby, Bast does not play."

"She seemed so angry to me."

"Or maybe she needed you to feel that anger out of love to leave well enough alone. This world we live in now, nothing is ever what it seems on first glance. All of this was your journey Yani. Do with it what you want."

"I remember only two things your mother told me. I want to say them to you. If you don't want to hear them because Bast may act out, I'll respect your choice."

N'Jadaka gathered his own thoughts by gazing out at the water.

"My mother told me I was going to live a long and glorious life. That means that you and our children are with me because that is my blessing. Nothing can change that if she said it," he said.

Yani rose from lying on his chest and held his hands in hers.

"Do you want to know the words and what I think they mean?" she asked.

"Tell me."

"Prophecy. I think our daughter is going to fulfill the prophecy of the River Tribe. It only makes sense as to why Califia would do what she did to speak to me. She wanted us to get ready for her. That baby has to be special, destined for some greater purpose in the future."

"I'm down with that. Mom did ask me to be ready for her before."

"Okay…the next thing. Namor."

Yani studied her husband's face carefully. His eyes seemed to bulge in their sockets when she said it, and his entire frame went rigid.

"You know that name," Yani said.

"My mother said, Namor?"

"Yes."

N'Jadaka stared through Yani as if he was watching something of great importance play out.

"Who is that person?"

"A mutant I met some time ago. A dangerous person who rules an empire under the sea," he said.

The word "empire" tipped something in Yani's mind, but it shambled away before she could hold it for closer introspection.

"I think those two things are connected somehow. I wish Bast hadn't wiped everything away in my head."

N'Jadaka stood and cracked his knuckles. His concentration lingered outside. The sky was a beautiful azure with not a cloud in sight. He glanced back at Yani.

"Namor's name can't be spoken outside of us, Yani. I'm upholding an agreement that King T'Chaka made with him thirty years ago."

"You've met him?"

"I have. He looks human, but he has wings on his feet and flies. His strength is ten times of any human and he can breathe underwater and on land. He and his people have killed thousands to keep their existence hidden. They also have vibranium."

Yani jumped off the bed.

"How?" Yani asked.

N'Jadaka sat back down on the bed and Yani planted herself next to him.

"Well, it fell from the sky. Apparently a chunk of it broke off hitting our atmosphere and some of it landed in the ocean near where he is from. They call themselves the Talokanil. Namor's true name is K'uk'ulkan. It means Feather Serpent God in their language. He and his people have powers that…well, just imagine every person in Wakanda having the powers of the Black Panther. That's how powerful they are. We don't even know how many of his people live down there. I've got enough problems dealing with motherfuckers on land, I don't need no shit starting with an unknown entity like that. Hell, there might be more mutants down there with him."

"That's it then. That's what your mother wanted me to know. Namor and our baby are tied together somehow."

"I hope to Bast they aren't. We don't need that smoke coming our way. Humans I can deal with. I've whooped alien ass and plenty of warlords…but Namor. I will continue to act like he doesn't exist."

He wiped the creases in her forehead away.

"Don't worry your pretty head about nothing Yani. We make the future we want, especially with that new little one waiting on us," he said.

He sounded confident. Yani believed him. He rested the side of his face against hers.

"If my mom is aware of Namor then I will be vigilant in keeping him far from Wakanda. Nothing can harm us if my mother and great-grandmother are looking out for us."

Yani touched her stomach. She and N'Jadaka traced their fingers on the colorful blue and green designs.

"How about we call the three munchkins we already have?" he suggested.

Yani tapped her beads quickly, yearning to see her royal brood. She leaned into her husband before the children's images popped above her wrist.

"I'm truly so sorry I scared you," she said.

"It's over and done with. I have you back. We're good, Yani."

"Hi Mama! Hi Baba! Look how Auntie Twyla did my hair today," Sydette said, twirling around showing off her artfully braided hair.

"She did mine too!" Joba chimed in, touching the braided tips of her long tresses.

"Looks nice, girls," N'Jadaka said.

Riki stared at them with a grumpy look on his face. His hair was braided in the same style as Joba's and Sydette's.

"You don't like your cornrows, Dumpling?" Yani asked.

"Auntie always does our hair all the same. A prince should have a different style," Riki grumbled.

Sydette ran her fingers over his hair that touched down to his shoulder blades.

"It's getting so long and he's mad because his friends said he looks like a princess," Sydette teased.

Riki rolled his eyes.

"I like your hair long, Dumpling," Yani insisted.

"Baba's hair is long too," Joba said, trying to encourage her brother to like his braids.

"Mama, what's that on your stomach?" Sydette asked.

Yani looked past her bikini top, forgetting she was resting in a swimsuit.

"I'm trying out some body art," Yani said.

Sydette looked at Yani's stomach and then waved her hand at Joba and Riki.

"Go get your sketch pads…you both left them on the desk," Sydette said.

Joba and Riki scampered off and returned holding up their separate sketch pads.

"Mama, look," Joba said, "your body art looks like this," Joba said.

"And this," Riki said with surprise in his voice.

Yani and N'Jadaka looked at the pictures closely, then stared at one another.

"When did you make those?" N'Jadaka asked.

"Yesterday," Joba said.

"Before we went to Umama's suite," Riki added.

Joba's picture, drawn with the careful flourishes she was known for doodling when designing her fairy garden looks, was an exact match of Yani's blue body waves. Riki's drawing was close to a perfect match of the green swirls of the outer ring.

"Have you drawn anything like that before?" N'Jadaka asked them.

"Is something wrong?" Joba asked, sensing the odd tone of her father's voice.

"No, I'm just amazed that you both created something like this so similar to Mama's marking."

"The green lady showed us how to do it," Riki said, looking over his own design on his mother's belly.

"The green lady?" Yani asked.

"Yes, Umama took us to the museum yesterday," Joba said, "We had our sketch books with us. Riki and I saw her sitting on the floor in front of a painting we were trying to copy with our new art pens, and she showed us how to make this instead," Joba said.

"Why do you call her the green lady?" N'Jadaka asked.

Joba shrugged. "She had on all green…and her eyes were kinda green too. She said that the waves and swirls are symbols used to represent the ocean in Birnin S'Yan…that was the painting we were trying to copy. It had a big ocean wave. Umama wanted us to see it since it's a very famous painting in Birnin Zana. It's called "The Mother of Waters" and was made in 1546. See?"

Joba swiped the image of the oil painting for her parents to see.

"Holy Bast," N'Jadaka said.

Yani covered her mouth. She recognized the wave. It looked exactly like the one that rolled into Warrior Falls. The one that brought the water barrier and allowed Califia to see them.

"Well, that is some amazing work you two. Sydette did you sketch anything?" Yani said, trying to move the conversation elsewhere. Riki and Joba began to look concerned about their sketches and the way their parents looked at them.

"No, I was trying my hand at photography. Umama let me wander and practice lighting and shadow techniques. She was my subject for most of my pictures. I have some very nice ones she wants to frame."

"That's super cool, Sweet Pea," N'Jadaka said.

"Can't wait to see you all," Yani said.

"Will we get to wear body art too?" Sydette asked.

"Maybe," Yani said.

"We'll call you guys back in a couple of days, okay?" N'Jadaka said.

All three children nodded and blew their parents kisses before winking out. Yani stood in front of N'Jadaka.

"It had to be an avatar. There's no way the oracle could've been in Birnin Zana yesterday. Sydette didn't say that she saw anyone and no Dora would let a stranger approach our children like that," Yani said.

"I wouldn't put it past my mother to try and reach our children. They were meant to know these symbols too."

"They didn't seem scared at all."

"Not until they read our body language and the tone of our voices," he said.

N'Jadaka pulled back the covers and helped her get into bed once more.

"More rest for you," he said.

"Everything will be okay, won't it?"

"It will, baby...it will. No god would bring us this far and let us lose what we have now."

Yani accepted his doting on her for the rest of the night. She closed her eyes and knew she could face anything with Califia Stevens Udaku in their corner from the ancestral plane. Tucking Namor into a faraway nook in her memory bank, the Queen of Wakanda slumbered well.

And so did her husband.

Chapter 12 HERE.

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[uzumaki-rebellion]

"King Killmonger: The Golden Jaguar" Chapter 5

Masterlist HERE.

"We hope each soul will find

Around and inside

Another soul to love

Let this be our prayer

Let this be our prayer, just like every child

Need to find a place, guide us with your grace

Give us faith so we'll be safe"

Avery Wilson & Candace Boyd—"The Prayer"

Yani held onto the hand of her baby sister Anika, as her middle sister Dawnette gushed over meeting Tahir. Anika told their entourage of women—Twyla, Zola, Ilana—the story of Killmonger and Tahir spending the night at their Aunt Leona's cramped apartment when she was sixteen and impressionable. But now that she was in her early twenties and legal, she had the right of first dibs on the handsome foreigner to Wakanda.

They entered the banquet venue's snazzy restroom where a full sitting room/powder room was set up before one even made it to the restrooms in a separate section. Checking their make-up and showering the room with their loud gossip over men and available bachelors, Yani noticed Ime in a corner with four other women seated on plush chairs chatting. Anika and Dawnette followed Twyla into the restroom to relieve themselves of wine and other spirits passed around for the after dessert libations. Yani took note of a few other noblewomen clucking together in their various groupings parceled about using wall mirrors to fix hair, and check make-up.

It was obvious that women snuck glances at Yani and she smiled while passing others to get to Ime.

"Princess Yani," Ime said.

Ime stood quickly and her friends did too, showing Yani respect.

"Leave us please…I would like to speak with Ime," Yani said.

Zola and Ilana walked away and kept watch over her for any intrusions.

"Shall we chat for a moment?" Yani said.

Ime nodded and Yani led her to some chairs in a corner that faced away from the other women in the room giving them some privacy.

"I wanted to talk to you about our relationship going forward. After I marry King N'Jadaka, I will be having a series of special events throughout Birnin Zana. Private teas, luncheons, and of course, the Queen's Ball. You and I will see a lot of each other because of Ramatla's position working for my husband."

"Of course."

Ime's voice was sweet as pie, but Yani wasn't keen on her maintaining a façade any longer.

"I know you don't like me. No need for us to pretend that you give a fuck about what I think about you."

Ime's eyes widened and several women within hearing distance moved away quickly to avoid catching strays. Hushed voices spread throughout the powder room and every woman not connected to Yani or Ime vacated the premises immediately. Zola and Ilana strolled over to the restroom toilet entrance to provide interference in case their party came out.

Ime pulled her shoulders back and lifted her head higher. She regarded Yani as a worthy adversary. Her mask fell away.

"It is true. I do not like you. You aren't fit to be queen—"

"You uncouth bitch!" Zola snapped.

Ilana held Zola back.

"I'm a bitch?" Ime said, slanting her gaze toward Zola. "You disloyal witches were so quick to scuttle over to her side that you threw away years of our friendship…and for what? A chance to be around the king?"

Yani glanced at Zola and Ilana. Ime craned her neck back and folded her arms over her chest. Her gaze burned into Yani's face.

"Do you know how many eligible women here that are better than you who would kill to have N'Jadaka Udaku?" Ime said.

"I know you are one of them," Yani said.

Ime didn't flinch. Her lips twisted into a devilish smirk.

"You are damn right. I was one of those women. Had you or that other one not showed up, I'd be in your place right now."

"Listen to this hussy!" Zola hissed.

Yani held up her hand to silence Zola.

Twyla, Anika and Dawnette wandered back in.

"What's going on?" Twyla asked, quickly sizing up the tension.

"Twyla, would you mind taking my sister's back to our party? I need to talk to Lady Ime in private," Yani said.

Twyla took the hint and gathered up the younger women toward the exit. Zola and Ilana followed behind to block anyone else from entering. Yani leaned her left arm over her right on the armrest and crossed her legs.

"I will be queen soon, so any dreams or aspirations you bad minded bitches had about N'Jadaka are over fuh good. I'll fuck up anyone who tries tuh come for we…even Remy."

Ime huffed and jumped to her feet. Yani's chest burned. She took her time standing up like a powerful royal woman with the highest status in the land shared with her man.

"This hatred yuh have in your heart…keep it or throw it away. I don't care. You mean nothing to me. However, we both have a duty to our country—"

"You are not a real Wakandan, Yani Galiber. You are a fake. A blight on the bloodline. You think your position is safe just because you will marry him tomorrow? Hmmph. Then you don't truly know the history of Udaku men. They have an appetite…a lust for life that you could never satisfy as an outsider. No Wakandan man in his right mind would see you as any kind of prize."

"Well, your man has a taste for me, so I can't be all that bad."

Ime's eyes narrowed and her right hand went up high to strike Yani.

"Ime stop!"

Remy's voice rattled them both. He grabbed Ime's arm and pulled her away before her hand connected with Yani's face.

"My apologies Princess Yani. She has disrespected you and I am…embarrassed by this."

Ime snatched her arm away. Her cold eyes had gone beyond jealous hatred. There was envious murder lodged in them too. Yani took a step back sensing an uncontrollable rage flowing through her nemesis. Remy struggled to get Ime's hand back down to her side. She stuck a finger in Yani's direction.

"You aren't special. He will get bored with you…you are nothing like us…"

Ime vomited hatred with her words, and Yani stood strong with a half smile on her face, allowing the woman to get everything off of her chest right then and there. Had Yani worn her finger armor that night, there would've been deep bloody holes in Ime's face. She kept a rigid posture despite her blood pressure going up. A physical entanglement would only fuel the fire of other nobles who felt the same as Ime. Her throat tightened and she parceled her words carefully. Yani's mind screamed to revoke Ime's wedding invitation, but she wanted the woman to watch her nuptials and squirm about it. Diplomacy and tact were the order of the evening.

"Lady Ime, I appreciate your honesty. You have never minced your words, so I will not run around the bush with mine. King N'Jadaka and I are one blade."

Ime's eyes narrowed hearing the euphemism. Remy watched Yani's face with an apprehensive expression. Had it been a club in St. Thomas back when she kept a reckless mouth, Yani would not hesitate to let all of the noble women know she was a good pussy gyal. They way N'Jadaka carried on in her pum pum was all the evidence she needed. The elites could come for Yani all they wanted, but that bad man from the hill wasn't going anywhere.

She took a step forward and Remy repositioned his left foot in front of the tips of her shoes to create a barrior between the two women. Biting back the rancor in her throat and the urge to call Ime a heavy-tongued cow foot whore, she opted to act her position.

"Your campaign to vilify me or make me feel less worthy of the throne has failed. You can't have N'Jadaka, so you go for Remy. The way I hear it, you backstabbed your best friend to get him…so if I were you Ime, I would worry about repairing my social reputation instead of coming for a queen. Good luck with this one, Remy. It's a pity that your family settled for this waste gyal as your future wife—"

Ime lunged for Yani. Remy became a shield. He hugged Yani and protected her body from Ime's attack. Ilana and Zola rushed over and yanked Ime into a corner, pushing her back against a wall mirror. They shoved her shoulders and cursed in her face to keep her from going up against Yani again.

"Please forgive her…I'm sorry for everything," Remy pleaded.

He held Yani's shoulders and she could feel his warm breath blow across her lips. From the reflection in the mirror behind him, Yani noticed N'Jadaka walking in with Twyla. Remy's hands dropped away from her body quickly, but N'Jadaka saw it all. Ilana rushed to the king's side and whispered something to him before he reached their side of the powder room. He moved like a stalking cat toward Ime afterward, ignoring Remy and Yani completely. Zola stepped to the side giving N'Jadaka space. Ime cowered before the man she desired above all others.

Everyone remained silent. N'Jadaka's smoldering presence held them all in a chokehold. Ime trembled.

"Look at me," N'Jadaka commanded.

Ime turned her head to the side and refused to do so. N'Jadaka crowded her body and Yani knew exactly how that felt up close. The heat. The crackling energy. The sexual prowess. It was too much to process all at once, and for a mere second, Yani pitied Ime. Her greatest desire was right in front of her and she couldn't even look at him.

"Don't make me repeat myself."

"King N'Jadaka, I beg…let me remove her from your presence. She has been drinking—"

"Do you have permission to speak to me?"

N'Jadaka didn't bother to look at Remy. His voice boomed and the message was received.

Stand down.

Ime lifted her head. Watery eyes peered at the king.

"I don't normally get into women's business, but I warned you once about bothering her, so now I will give you a choice. Get on your knees in front of her and beg forgiveness for your insolence or I will strip you from your title and make life hell for your entire family."

Ime jammed her back against the mirror with horror dripping from her eyes.

"She accosted me…I was minding my own business with friends," Ime whined.

"Ime…just do it. Stop making this worse for yourself. If you have no title, we cannot marry," Remy said.

The tears fell then. Ime wiped at her eyes as if her own body betrayed her. Yani slipped her hand around N'Jadaka's.

"Let it be. She's drunk and we know how powerful the drinks have been tonight. We need to leave for rest. Our wedding will be here soon, king," Yani said.

Mercy.

That is what Yani gave Ime. Although it would've been a sight to see Ime groveling at her feet, Yani wanted to be above the woman in the best way. Knowing N'Jadaka showed his trump card, she doubted Ime would get out of line ever again. The threat of losing a title was worse than going to hell in Wakanda.

The king allowed Yani to lead him away from Ime, and Remy rushed to her side, throwing an arm around his fiancé's waist. He guided her quivering form away from certain banishment. Twyla wandered over.

"Gossip has already spread outside. When you walk out of here, look cheerful like nothing happened," Twyla said.

Strolling hand-in-hand with Twyla cracking a joke, they left the powder room laughing. Their performance was good enough to get them past a few people, but it was clear the mood had shifted in the banquet room toward her. The upper class were shook to their core. No one was safe if the king jumped for Yani like that in public.

Yani gathered up her children with Leona and Dante's help, and they all bid farewell to the hosts and their dinner companions from the center table. Couples were still dancing and liquor still flowed and would do so into the night. Nobles from all the tribes rushed up to Yani and wished her a good evening, hoping that she graced them with her sweet voice and a smile. N'Jadaka shook hands and accepted congratulations for their upcoming nuptials once more. She waved at her favorite people throughout the banquet room while Zola and Ilana stayed close with her sisters in tow.

N'Jadaka held Yani's and Joba's hand until they were outside the venue boarding a different vehicle with the children by themselves. Yani turned on the sound-proof barrier for the back seat where Joba, Riki, and Sydette sat comfortably, their eyes drowsy from all the activity of the day. They spoke freely without their driver and guard hearing.

"I'm glad you didn't fight her physically," N'Jadaka said.

"Me too. It wouldn't be a good look for us, no matter how much she deserved to get boxed. She knows where I stand. That's the important thing when dealing with a yamhead gyal."

"Remy has a problem on his hands."

"You do too."

"How's that?"

Yani leaned into him and held onto his arm.

"According to her, you were supposed to be her betrothed if I hadn't showed up in Wakanda. Remy was her back up consolation prize."

The corners of his lips went down and his brows joined in the center.

"This caste culture is very particular, very selective of whom they pair couples. The more I learn, the more I see how dangerous it was for my father to choose my mother. Sometimes I think she would've received the same treatment."

"They aren't nice about my foreignness at all in Ime's cliques. She even insinuated that Ilana and Zola only came to me to get close to you."

"We know there are advantages being around me. But those two…," He gave a casual glance to to Yani, "Their hearts are in the right place. They adore you. I know they have crushes on me, but those are just harmless feelings. Most times I have to bargain with them just to get you to myself all alone."

Yani grinned and stroked a finger up and down his chest.

"Are you still going to your bachelor party tonight?" she asked.

"It's not a party. A little get together with the fellas."

"Where will you guys go?"

"We're staying in the palace. I have some food and drinks prepared up in the salon. We'll play cards, smoke cigars…catch up with my cousins. Nothing crazy."

"Strippers?"

Yani giggled and N'Jadaka put an arm around her pulling her into his side. Her breasts mashed into his chest.

"I've seen enough naked women in my life to last me. Every color, size, and from damn near every continent. I'd get bored watching some stranger shake ass for mere entertainment with a bunch of men. Smoking, drinking and shooting the shit is all I want to do. Besides…I have the baddest woman on the planet and I'll get my own private show after we get married."

She puckered her lips and he lowered his head to brush his mouth against hers.

They arrived in the palace parking structure at a reasonable hour. N'Jadaka carried Joba and Riki, while Yani carried Sydette in her arms. Back at their home, Kora helped guide the children away from the front door in their sleepy daze toward the stairs.

"I guess we have to say goodnight here," Yani said.

She wrapped her arms around N'Jadaka's waist and he held her close.

"Yep. I say goodbye to Princess Yani forever. I'll miss her."

They locked eyes, basking in the moment together.

"Thank you for never giving up on me…even when you thought I was gone forever. Thank you for making sure our children knew about me. Thank you for being the light that brought me back to myself…the light that showed me that I could find a perfect love in paradise. You have made this imperfect man so very happy."

"Thank you for coming into my life…thank you for believing in me and making sure I was taken care of even when you thought death was a possibility for yourself. Thank you for being the love of my life…choosing our precious Sydette as your own and giving me my beautiful son. Thank you for trusting me to raise a special extra daughter too. You have made this equally imperfect woman very happy too."

"Well shit, we might as well be married now. Sounded like we said some vows," he joked.

"I know. I'm actually happy that we don't have to say a lot tomorrow. I already feel like crying…"

"Aye girl…no tears…"

Yani buried her face in his chest and wept out her happiness. He rubbed her back with loving hands and cooed in her ear soft words of love.

"You are my life, baby."

He pulled away and kissed her forehead.

"Go on now, get some beauty rest. We all get to sleep in until twelve thirty. I shouldn't even be looking at you right now. We're supposed to stay separated," he said.

She held his hands, not wanting to let him go, not wanting to part from his warmth and strength. Staring into his eyes, she luxuriated in the overpowering essence of his presence the way Ime had experienced him up close. Yani still thrilled to his energy and aura. She pulled him in for a kiss…a long one. Their heads moved from side to side and his hands palmed her backside, squeezing the heavy orbs. His tongue explored and made promises for their wedding night. He kissed her woozy and she stepped back on weak legs. Her brain felt mushy and her body tingled all over. Especially down below.

"I should go now," he said.

"Okay."

Neither one of them left the front door.

"I have to change clothes for my bachelor party," he said.

"Hmmm."

His dimples and septum ring mesmerized her. The glint of his gold panther teeth held her captive when his lips parted in a gentle smile. The king's body heat wrapped her in a cocoon of love. His too-muchness enveloped all of her senses and she suppressed the urge to look away from his face.

N'Jadaka's kimoyo beads lit up breaking the spell for Yani.

"It's Mpilo…I betta dip. Can't be late to my own gathering," he said.

Yani moved away from him knowing that if he touched her again, she would pull him into their home and up to her bed.

"Love you," he said.

She blew him a kiss and dashed inside the front door, closing it quickly. Resting her back against it, she touched her face. It was hot and a light sheen of nervous sweat covered the back of her neck. She touched her stomach to calm the butterflies there. Lord…he still made her swoon like it was their first time together.

"Are you alright, Princess Yani?"

Sindiswa, the evening attendant for their home approached Yani with concern.

"I'm fine. Can you please bring me some bria tea and chocolate biscuits to my bedroom?"

"Yes, ma'am."

Yani climbed the stairs thinking of love, family, and finally having her happy new beginning with N'Jadaka.

Sunrises in Wakanda were a stunning tapestry painted with the delicate hand of Bast.

N'Jadaka rose early before the streaks of orange, rose, pale turquoise, and magenta saturated the horizon heralding the golden return of the sun.

He bathed in a wide tub filled with oils and herbs to purify his body for marriage. The humble priest Dinani waited for him on the balcony where they prayed together in the language of Bast, the ancient tongue that supported him through his transformation on the holy mountain. Ogum stirred in his chest and quickly rose to the crown of his head where the energies of two gods merged.

The ancestors rested within him.

Dinani and N'Jadaka's former temple caretaker Ayiz'e smudged him head to toe fully nude with river sage and more prayer work. As the sun rose, he watched it golden the sky while listening to a recording of a berimbau being played by his mother and a drum pounded by his Grandpop. He prepared his mind for hours of ceremony and honed in on Ayiz'e warming up a thick glob of ceremonial body butter in her hands. The pale yellow substance melted into clear oil and she rubbed it all over him, even his locs. It smelled wonderful, like citrus and honey. She knelt down and rubbed it on his buttocks and the back of his thighs. Dinani observed the preparation making sure no spot on his body was missed. Ayiz'e started rubbing the oil on his groin and when she stroked his flaccid penis and scrotum with it, Dinani held up a tied leather bundle about seven inches long.

"Kumkani, before you consummate your union with the new queen, you must remember to give Bast an offering of your semen first. Princess Yani has been trained properly to do this with you. We would all be pleased if you conceived a new heir on this night," Dinani said.

Ayiz'e finished oiling his nutsack and the front of his legs and feet.

"He is heavy with seed. We can expect plenty of blessings in the king's future," she said.

Dinani smiled.

"This is good to hear. It has been a long time since the royal family has had a bounty of children. Bast will be pleased with our king. We shall take our leave now until we see you at the wedding temple," Dinani said.

They left the suite and an attendant brought his early morning breakfast. Pork medallions, porridge sweetened with sugared red berries, buttery biscuits and slices of fresh fruit. He ate his meal alone on the balcony, calming his mind and the wedding jitters. The eagerness to be married right away already overwhelmed him. He wished they could skip all the ceremonial work, but the new marriage had to follow ancient Udaku customs.

Belly full and mind straight, he relaxed in bed for a short respite until it was time to dress. His wedding robes were brought to him and his personal stylist helped him dress. Ayiz'e returned to twist his locs into an elaborate bun with a few strands left to fall on his shoulders. She checked the wedding clothing front to back. His black opal ceremonial robes were blacker than an inky sky at midnight, but as he moved, the robes refracted an array of colors in blue, green, and silvery gray hues that looked like tiny galaxies bursting light in deep dark space.

"He is ready," she said.

Once more, she smudged him with a different bundle of dried plants that smelled spicy and sharp in the nose. It fit his personality. He sniffed it as she passed around him.

"You recognize it?"

He shook his head.

"Bast Root. It is the plant that we used for ceremonies before vibranium fell from the sky. This plant cradled the vibranium meteor when it landed. Bast led King Bashenga to it, and soon after, a patch of it mutated into the heart-shaped herb that we cultivate today. This original plant links us to our past because the Panther Goddess led us into our future. Smudging with it calls Bast and her sisters down to be with you on this day."

"I understand," he said.

Ayiz'e left his side and he stared at himself in the mirror.

"You truly are a king."

N'Jadaka turned his head and Dante walked forward.

"Your parents are with you…they can see how handsome you look, JaJa."

"I feel them."

"They came to me in a dream last night. All I could do was tell them how excited I was to watch you marry Yani, and they looked pleased. I woke up before I could remember what they said, but I'm sure it was something like 'We love you, son.' Their faces were so shiny…so close to me that I could touch them."

Dante touched N'Jadaka's shoulder and admired his wedding garb.

"Are the guys ready?" N'Jadaka asked.

"Waiting for you at the carport. Yani and the children have already left for the temple."

He took a deep breath and checked his clothing again. Dante tapped his arm.

"Come…let's go get your wife," Dante said.

N'Jadaka walked with his grandfather out of the suite. Four Dora Milaje and six kingsguards awaited him outside. They rode a private elevator down to an underground carport where his groomsmen stood near their vehicle transports wearing custom obsidian Wakandan suits that complimented N'Jadaka's robes.

"You look clean man!" Shawn said, giving N'Jadaka dap.

"Damn, I feel like royalty too," Walter said, showing off his outfit.

Tahir wore a custom suit that incorporated his cultural heritage into the design. Mpilo grinned from ear to ear in his own attire. Bibi shook N'Jadaka's hand and congratulated him on his day.

His older cousin, Junie paraded around in his suit.

"I think I ate too much last night," Junie said, patting his stomach.

"I think that fat has always been there," Bibi joked, poking Junie's round belly.

His cousin Nevaeh hugged him. She wore a long overcoat over her covered dress and would walk as his groomswoman carrying flowers to represent Marisol's missing presence. Yani's cousin Kendall was doing the same as a bridesman filling in the gap of missing family from the Galiber side. He would escort Nevaeh down the aisle.

"How are you feeling, JaJa?" Nevaeh asked.

"The nerves are kicking in a little bit, I'm not gonna lie," he said.

She kissed his cheek and wiped away the smudge of her lipstick.

"Are you ready to leave, kumkani?" a driver asked.

"Let's rock and roll," N'Jadaka said.

They split into three cars and N'Jadaka sat next to Dante.

The streets of Wakanda were jam packed with spectators who had lined up on every avenue and street corner waiting to catch sight of the royal family. Every inch of the city looked decorated and the festive energy of the citizens forced grins on all their faces in the cars. The wedding was the celebration the country needed after a tumultuous year adjusting to life removed from the Infinity War.

He watched people dance and throw flowers at the cars as they were whisked to the heart of the golden city where the temple waited. Traffic clogged up two blocks before they arrived at their destination, and they waited patiently for the kingsguards and the royal onyx squad to make way for their cars to get through.

They crossed through the gauntlet ten minutes late, but N'Jadaka didn't care about time. He stayed in the present moment, feeling all the feelings, letting the fervor of the crowd wash through him.

The ancient temple loomed in front of them. The last time they had been there was to reunite with his parents, but that sadness didn't linger over the ancient site. It beckoned to him with an ethereal beauty and gave him the gift of peace in his heart. His parents were there waiting to watch him wed. Their spirits hovered all around him.

Their vehicles were ushered into a covered parking structure on the west side of the temple entrance where his clan and extended family convened. Umama, Ramonda, and an army of other Udaku relatives stood waiting for him and his groomsmen.

"You look amazing Umama. You too, Ramonda," he said.

He hugged as many relatives as he could before a wedding director arrived and pulled him away from Soliel, Aujannue and Serah to give final instructions. Nevaeh's mother Rolita straightened the locs that tangled on his shoulders from all the hugging. The family drummers stood nearby waiting for their cue, and the family griot, his cousin Didah, walked in front of everyone carrying a centuries old staff that was carved with family sigils of protection. She touched the top of her forehead and took a deep breath before approaching N'Jadaka. He could feel the rising energy of his family behind him.

"Cousin N'Jadaka, the temple is packed. Your grandmother has permitted some people to stand in the back, so when we go in, please keep yourself in the center behind me at all times until we reach the front. The acting griot for the Galiber clan will come in right when the last of our family has been seated."

N'Jadaka nodded. He heard Didah's words, but his body sensed the anticipation inside the temple. Somewhere on the otherside of the structure, Yani was waiting for him. His heart thudded in his chest and his hands went clammy. Umama lifted his chin with her hand.

"Breathe, grandson…that's it. Relax and breathe."

Tunnel vision and anxiety ran through him. The overstimulation forced him to gulp in air. Serah clasped his hand and his Uncle Addae slipped next to him and gripped his elbow to steady him. N'Jadaka was about to ask for a chair to sit in, but a comforting warmth spilled down from the crown of his head and flowed to his feet. He closed his eyes. Her familiar scent came down on him the way it did when he used to cook in her kitchen when he was a little boy. Florida water.

Nana Jean.

"I'm glad you're here too," he whispered under his breath.

He knew his great-grandmother always stayed with him, but the scent of her protective potions surrounded him…grounded him. Standing tall, he shook his hands and prepared to swagger down the aisle so the world could see a king claiming his queen.

Didah gave him the biggest smile that rivaled the sun shining above them. She tilted her head back and burst into the first stanza of their family history and the drummers matched her strong voice as they pounded out the backing rythmn. His groomsmen and groomswoman were led away to join Yani's bridesmaids and bridesman to prepare for their entrance.

"I feel you all in me," N'Jadaka said out loud to his ancestors.

He held onto Dante's and Umama's hands and followed Didah out of the covered structure. The drummers controlled the pace of their trek around the temple and once they entered, N'Jadaka focused his eyes on Dinani the priest who waited for them at the front.

The temple overflowed with guests and their excited energy pushed against the king, adding an extra layer of sensory overload he tried to control. He was happy, so very happy, and every inch down the aisle heightened the experience. The piercing pride in Didah's voice carried him along as she sang out the story of the Udaku family leading the country for generations. Each time she named a queen or king, N'Jadaka felt their movement in his core as if they each tapped his soul to let him know they were walking beside him. He laughed out loud when Queen Shuriya's name was uttered. His greatest grandmother tickled the back of his neck and a vision of her clouded his eyes before the next name was called. His family gave a call and response with the drummers as they circled the temple allowing all the spectators to see the great King N'Jadaka in all his royal splendor. They made their way back up the aisle as his father's and mother's names were uttered. Umama let out a ululation that rippled through the family and N'Jadaka's knees almost buckled hearing the pain that was still in his grandmother's throat.

He closed his eyes when he felt a kiss from his mother on his temple and another kiss from his father on his forehead. He wiped his eyes and guided his elder relatives to their seats on a dais behind the priest. The rest of his family filled in the reserved seats in front of their guests.

N'Jadaka looked across the rows of guests and acknowledged the nearly nine hundred non-Udaku family members facing him. Sunlight filtered through the temple and illuminated the majestic indoor trees that created the canopy roof, their wide-sweeping branches intertwined with the solid pillars and Goddess statues making the atmosphere look surreal and holy. Didah and the drummers concluded their family song by highlighting N'Jadaka's bravery in protecting the people, and he danced entertaining the crowd. A few elderly Udaku aunts and uncles stood up and encouraged him to show out and he granted them a show. Umama and Dante hooted and hollered for him too. A bold drummer jumped in front of the king and pounded an extra rhythm for his feet and shoulders and he allowed his limbs to cut loose. The unseen Galiber clan called out his name loudly from the back announcing their entrance, and he ended his dancing by bowing to his grandparents. A riotous applause cascaded from the foreign guests in the audience.

Didah took her place behind him on the dais waiting for Yani's family griot to orate about her family.

The sound of clashing blades echoed from the far side of the temple. N'Jadaka waited with great anticipation. Kendall, and about fifteen of Yani's adult family members carried shiny cutlass blades and lit torches. They didn't use drums for a percussive sound, but sang acapella about Queen Mary, their history of enslavement and liberation using the acoustics of the ancient temple to echo the beauty of their combined voices. Leona walked among them lending her voice with her head held high wearing a strapless puffy champagne-colored gown decorated with tiny cutlass blades. Her salt and pepper hair was carefully decorated with Ginger Thomas flowers the official island flower from their home. Several young children and teenagers from their family followed along clapping to the beat and gazing at the wondrous beauty of the ancient temple.

Although Yani's family was small in number representing their clan in comparison to N'Jadaka's, they kept the guests spellbound listening to the story of their island roots and their connection to Africa through the diaspora. After singing the folk song of Queen Mary, Kendall took over the oral history and sang/rapped about their family. The other relatives stomped their feet and clapped their hands with percussive beats supporting his playful delivery of Caribbean history. The Galiber clan circled past N'Jadaka, and Kendall helped Leona join N'Jadaka's grandparents on the dais with four other elder cousins from her family. N'Jadaka moved over to them and gave them hugs and kisses before quickly taking his position back in front.

Kendall stood before Didah and the two of them had a playful back and forth of singing. Didah challenged Kendall to tell the world why Yani was the best woman for N'Jadaka and the young man waved his blade around and pointed the torch at the king. The fire was close enough to heat N'Jadaka's cheeks.

Didah held a long singing note and studied N'Jadaka's face.

"Is this woman for you, kumkani?" Didah asked.

"Bring her to me," he replied and the Udaki family laughed and clapped because he was supposed to simply say "Yes."

Didah's smile swelled his heart and she turned her attention back to Kendall.

"The king has spoken," Didah said.

Kendall grinned and attendants took away all the torches and cutlass weapons. The Wakandan drummers pounded away giving Kendall time to ceremonially return to the bride-to-be letting her know she was called forth. The sweet orchestral sounds of Wakandan strings, flutes, and violins mixed with the beautiful vocals of his paternal grand aunt serenading the strides of Twyla and Bibi. Twyla was already bawling as she clutched her husband's arm and the bouquet of flowers. Yani had all of her bridesmaids wear custom-made, iridescent mother-of-pearl dresses that each woman was allowed to choose in their personal style. Twyla's garment was a one shoulder wrap dress with a high slit on the left side. Her shoulder-length locs were also heavily decorated with island flowers. She clutched Bibi's arm tight while sniffling toward him. They stood on either side of N'Jadaka and he bent over and kissed Twyla's cheek, wiping her tears away.

"I'm sorry..I'm sorry…" Twyla whispered.

N'Jadaka laughed at her and she gathered herself together.

Zola and Ilana walked down with Tahir and Mpilo wearing elaborate crisscross halter neck gowns. The slits in their dresses were more modest, but their elaborate braided hair-dos showed flair and sassiness in their style. Mpilo looked terrified of messing up his walk down the aisle with Ilana, but he relaxed more when the king smiled at him. The heavenly music elevated the feelings in the temple and N'Jadaka touched his chest hoping it wouldn't explode before Yani appeared.

Anika and Dawnette made the long walk down the aisle with Walter and Shawn. Their dresses were a matching ruched style with sequins at the top and satiny overskirts that reminded N'Jadaka of mermaids. They crafted thick twists in their hair and wore their hair flowers tucked at their left temples like Billie Holiday.

Junie escorted Shuri who stunned everyone with her make-up and hair. She had fluffed out her hair into a perfectly coiffed 'fro where flowers were strategically placed to look like they grew from her scalp like a giant ebony bouquet. Her dress had a plunging neck with split sleeves that showed skin powdered with sparkly dust that twinkled like stars on her rich brown skin. As she passed the front row, she gave a nod to Nakia who held a sleeping Toussaint on her lap. Shuri gave a sly smirk to N'Jadaka knowing he was peeping all the extra make-up she never wore in her regular life. His young cousin looked stunning and his older cousin Junie looked proud to escort her in front of the Udaku clan.

Kendall strolled out with Nevaeh whose custom dress shared her Native heritage with Yurok detailing of abalone shells and stringed shell beads that dangled around her waist like a fancy apron that jingled as she walked. She wore a long braid threaded with flowers all the way to the small of her back. When she separated from Kenny she blew a kiss to N'Jadaka and showed him the extra bouquet of flowers she held for Marisol and Disa.

The music changed into a melody that transfixed the entire temple gathering. A young woman sang like an angel with a choral ensemble backing her up high above them. N'Jadaka lifted his gaze to a balcony above the temple entrance where the angelic voices rained down on them like holy blessings. He now understood why Umama insisted that the wedding take place in the late afternoon. The placement of the sun in the sky had its sunrays directed into the temple by the architecture where it created a natural spot light for his children coming down the aisle next.

The entire congregation stood up when Joba appeared, flower crowned with her thick wavy hair shiny with ringlet curls all down to her back. She held a basket of flowers and threw them in front of herself as she slowly walked in the procession. N'Jadaka heard the oohs and ahhs of their guests. The sun made Joba's skin a deep mahogany brown like her mother's and he beckoned for her to keep walking to him so he could hug her. Although her walk was out of order for an American custom, the Wakandans deemed it appropriate for the youngest child in the bridal party to herald the coming of the new wife with flowers and acceptance from the priest.

Joba reached the front and her eyes took in the ancient wisdom of Dinani who presided over the ceremony. Dinani gestured for Joba to come forward and the little girl paused, staring up at the expectant priest. Twyla waved for Joba to come to her side, but Dinani stepped forward and held Joba's hand. Something sacred transpired between the priest and his child. Dinani glanced at N'Jadaka and smiled. Whatever it was made the priest happy. N'Jadaka reached for Joba's hand and pulled her in front of him. He kissed the top of her head and the sweet show of affection made a few guests wave their hands in approval.

Sydette, his ring bearer, stepped lively carrying a satin pillow in her right hand that held the wedding rings. Her left hand kept a tight grip on a red satin binding rope that she would tie around her parent's wrists as part of the wedding ceremony.

His eldest child's hair carried buoyant curls that almost looked bigger than Shuri's 'fro with a braided Mohawk style. A few flowers were tucked into the intricate braiding pattern along her scalp accentuating the fullness of her curls, and her face glowed as she kept her eyes on her Baba watching her steps. Sunlight dappled across her hair and face as she drew closer to him. Her dress matched Joba's, silvery white and princess-styled to fit her age.

"Hey Sweet Pea," he said.

She fixed her lightly pink-glossed lips into a big smile for him showing big dimples like him, and took her place by his side next to Joba. He bent down and gave her a kiss on her nose and she giggled, patting his cheek with the hand carrying the marriage tie. She glanced at her sister and Joba giggled making Sydette giggle more.

"Wait until you see Mama," Sydette said to him.

N'Jadaka straightened right back up and waited for Yani to appear. Before she stepped into the temple, he heard her voice singing the words that were meant for him in that little St. Thomas club so long ago.

"Can't do without you for sure

Amount a place I and I explore

Still nuh find nobody else I adore

Them can't stop we, yeah

Yuh love a sumn wah mi have to protect

You are my balance and my ease to mi stress

Your vibration never fail me yet

Wull on pon me, yea…"*

N'Jadaka had been unaware that Yani was going to sing during their ceremony. Their rehearsal had been calculated from start to finish and at no time was he made aware of his bride serenading him. His ears caught the lead singer of the choral ensemble vocalizing the exact same English words into Wakandan, lending her vocals after Yani finished.

Like it had been in the past, he was mesmerized by Yani's voice before she even stepped into his sight.

Riki held his mother's hand and led her into the temple. His royal robes were an exact replica of his father's. His hair was fluffed out into the big sandy-red sunburst of his grandmother Califia. Yani wanted her son, the first child born to N'Jadaka, to give her away for the ceremony.

N'Jadaka's lips trembled as he watched the beaming face of his gorgeous bride walking toward him in all her glory. Yani's silvery-white dress sparkled in the light of the sun rays that struck the shimmery iridescence in all the right places. Form-fitting, a hood covered her head that fell back into a luxurious train, accentuating the roundness of her beautiful face and big tranquil eyes.

His heart stopped.

N'Jadaka gasped and Joba patted his wrist keeping his spirit from flying out of the room. He held out his hands, palms up, willing his radiant bride to come to him with all his might. Riki took his time setting Yani's pace. The boy wanted to show off his mother. The Wakandan choir sang over their bridal march with a hymnal that brought tears to N'Jadaka's eyes. Yani transported him.

He stood nude in warm liquid inside a Caribbean sea as a young mouthy woman fussed at him to get out of her waters. Surly eyes from the past challenged him to show his true self in a hectic kitchen on a compound until he clawed his way back to humanity and fell in love with his future queen. Yani beckoned him into the ocean of her love for all time. Was there no better proof of higher powers protecting him than that divine encounter with her?

Nothing prepared him fully to witness a vision coming toward him that made his whole body quake. He gasped for breath. Joba squeezed his hand.

"Its okay, Baba. Umi Yani is coming," Joba said.

Riki stopped halfway to the priest and puffed up his chest.

"Baba, come get Mama!" Riki shouted.

The congregation erupted into cacophonous laughter. Like his father, Riki eschewed tradition and said what needed to be said. Sydette pushed N'Jadaka forward and he took eager strides toward Yani. He was supposed to sing the royal wedding song that grooms shared with the bride, but he spoke them instead. The Wakandan words slowed down his steps and he approached Yani full-throated and proud:

"Come when the nights are bright with stars Or when the moon is mellow; Come when the sun his golden bars Drops on the hay-field yellow. Come in the twilight soft and gray, Come in the night or come in the day, Come, O love, whene'er you may, And you are welcome, welcome.

You are sweet, O Love, dear Love, You are soft as the nesting dove. Come to my heart and bring it rest As the bird flies home to its welcome nest.

Come when my heart is full of grief Or when my heart is merry, Come with the falling of the leaf Or with the redd'ning cherry. Come when the year's first blossom blows, Come when the summer gleams and glows, Come with the winter's drifting snows, And you are welcome, welcome…"**

He smiled, happy that he was able to remember every word and say them with enough eloquence in flawless Wakandan. Pausing for a moment to look over her stunning appearance, he relished the sight they created standing in the center of the temple with the warmth of the sun caressing them.

"Will you walk with me Yani Galiber?" he asked.

Yani kept her eyes locked onto his face. She fought to keep any tears from welling up, but the shimmer on her lower lids lost the battle. He never wanted to see her cry, but he made an exception for that day. Riki nudged her hip with an impatient hand. She cradled her son's chin and spoke to him softly.

"Should we?" Yani asked Riki.

A saucy grin curled Riki's lips and he nodded enthustiastically.

"I will walk with you King N'Jadaka Udaku," she said.

"Say that one mo' 'gin," N'Jadaka teased, cupping a hand to his ear.

Yani laughed and obliged him, her voice as soft and magical as it had been the first time he heard it.

"I will walk with you forever King N'Jadaka Udaku…my Golden Jaguar."

"Aye!" he shouted while offering her his arm. She held onto him with a firm grip and he clasped Riki's hand, escorting them both to Dinani.

Yani held tight to Riki's hand while the adult bridesmaids and groomsmen walked into the temple stepping in time to the exalted music playing for them. Several women priests had smudged her and the children with aromatic plants and oils before they left the palace and once again, a young female priest circled Yani and the children with a gold incense burner trailing a spiraling cloud of purple smoke that clung to their wedding garments and hair. The sweet odor calmed her mind and settled the children who were ready to gallop through the temple to reach their father.

Sydette hugged her waist.

"You look beautiful Mama," Sydette said.

"Thank you Sweet Pea. You all look beautiful, too."

Yani touched Sydette's hair then caressed Joba's cheek.

"I wish they'd hurry up," Riki lamented, swinging Yani's hand.

"They have to take their time walking down the aisle, silly. Everything is being filmed for the country and it's a big deal. If they walked fast they'd miss all the pretty clothes and how good we all look," Sydette said.

Riki and Sydette spoke quietly and Yani honed in on Joba's silence. She had been chatty and playful earlier that morning when everyone rushed around bathing in sacred oils and herbs with the female priests overseeing their preparations. But once they'd eaten a full breakfast, dressed, and left the palace, she'd quieted down.

Yani knelt before her youngest child and clasped her hands.

"How are you feeling, Sunshine? Nervous?"

Joba nodded. Sydette wrapped big sister arms around her.

"You'll make Baba proud when you lead us out…okay? We practiced and practiced and you will make the path for Mama pretty. I will be right behind you," Sydette said.

Joba clutched her basket of flowers and nodded. She tilted her head to look at Yani.

"What if I drop the basket or walk too fast?" Joba said.

Relief spilled over Yani hearing her speak again.

"All you have to do is listen to the music. It's like the metronome in Umama's suite. The beat sets the pace. If you think you're walking too fast, check the music cues. You are going to be a wonderful flower girl."

Yani hugged her and Joba leaned into the embrace. She kissed Yani's cheek and all was well again.

"It's time Princess Joba."

The lead wedding director smiled at the little girl and held a hand out to guide her into position at the temple entrance. Riki ran forward and hugged Joba. He whispered something in her ear and his sister broke out into another bright smile.

"You got this," Riki said out loud.

The director glanced at Yani.

"Everyone is standing up…here we go," the director said.

Joba took a deep breath and marched in time to the harmonious music.

"I'm next! I'm next!" Sydette squealed, twirling in a circle holding the wedding rings and sacred red tie.

Sydette peeked around the wedding director.

"Oh Mama! Baba looks so handsome," Sydette said.

Yani's heart and stomach fluttered. The anticipation of seeing him engulfed all of her nerve endings. They all heard collective oohs and ahhs and a smattering of applause. She wondered what happened to make the congregation applaud. Luckily, she would be able to watch the entire ceremony at a later time. The ceremony was broadcast live and recorded from start to finish. Palace recorders filmed everything the moment they stepped foot outside the palace for candid shots to later be edited into a royal wedding documentary.

"Princess Sydette, you are next please."

The director held out a hand and waved it, summoning the girl. Sydette blew Yani a kiss and marched out like a diva.

"Here you go, Princess Yani."

Another wedding coordinator handed her a mic. Yani waited for her music cue to tap it on. The peaceful strumming of harps alerted her, and she sang out all that she felt to N'Jadaka. She wondered what his facial expression looked like hearing her voice singing that particular song. Riki squeezed her hand in support and for a moment, holding her son's hand and singing to his father brought back all the connections they had in St. Thomas. Emotion spilled through her voice as she conveyed to the king how much he meant to her.

As the voice of the Wakandan choral member sang the song in their language with a different musical arrangement that transformed into the Wakandan wedding march, Yani held tight to her bridal bouquet and let her son lead them into the temple.

Grateful to have her son's hand for support, Yani took in the hundreds of faces that watched her march toward her destiny. Her brain tried to connect with individual eyes upon her. That proved useless once she zeroed in on N'Jadaka waiting for her at the far end.

God…he was more than handsome.

She lost her footing for a second and Riki helped her find her steps again.

It all came down to this moment.

Yani drifted away into a time when she was a lost woman-child trying to make a way out of no way on a small island. How many nights had she prayed for a better life for herself and Sydette? Given up on herself? How many days had she cried and chastised herself for choosing love with Chez who treated her so poorly and abandoned Sweet Pea? Yani had felt so alone and lost to a pre-destined fate that befell too many young women with big hearts and limited resources or support. Thank God Auntie was there for her. Thank all the angels too that her auntie liked Killmonger so much that she didn't run interference keeping them apart. There were too many tangible things that should have prevented Yani from ever meeting the foreign mercenary.

But look at God.

Her eyes watered and she looked away to control her blurry vision. No tears fell and she was able to concentrate on her delicate steps to reach the king.

Riki halted their march and shouted for his father to get her. The audience laughed and Yani chuckled herself. His declaration was not a part of the ceremony. She lifted her bridal bouquet to her lips to hide her open-mouthed laughter when Riki sucked his teeth sounding like an annoyed Auntie back home.

Her laughter fell away once N'Jadaka came down the aisle to claim her at his son's demand. She heard a few gasps from women around her who also felt that energy coming toward her. He spoke forceful words of love instead of singing them to her. The switch up made the evocative words more powerful and she felt every utterance in her bones, marrow deep. When he finally reached her, she could barely see his face. Her eyes had become a river threatening to spill down her face.

"Will you walk with me Yani Galiber?" N'Jadaka asked.

His voice was full of pride and so much love for her. The scent of oils on his skin and the smudging on his clothes smelled heavenly. She lost the ability to speak taking all of his spirit in. Riki balled up a small fist and pressed it into her hip. Yani lifted his chin and stared into Riki's shiny eyes.

"Should we?" Yani asked her son.

Those little Udaku lips on his face swept up into a knowing smile and Riki nodded like she was foolish to even ask the question. She looked at her great love again.

"I will walk with you King N'Jadaka Udaku," she said.

"Say that one mo' 'gin!"

N'Jadaka had cupped his ear and she knew in her soul he did that purely to show off for the nobles who questioned her place in his life.

"I will walk with you forever King N'Jadaka Udaku…my Golden Jaguar."

"Aye!"

Yani gripped his arm and he held Riki's hand, escorting them all to the priest waiting for them. Her bridesmaids and bridesgroom were in various stages of watery eyes, crying, and beaming love to her. She handed her bouquet to Twyla and her cousin gushed over her with a weepy voice.

Facing N'Jadaka, Yani watched the priest give Sydette instructions. She handed the wedding rings to her brother and a footstool was placed in front of her so she could easily bind her mother and father together. Dinani spoke ancient words as Sydette tied the satin binding rope around N'Jadaka's wrist first. She left about two feet of rope in between them before she tied the other end on Yani's wrist. Her task complete, Sweet Pea kissed both their wrists and returned to stand next to Joba.

Yani listened to the Wakandan words spoken by the priest, but her eyes stayed on N'Jadaka's face the entire time. His soulful eyes drank in every inch of her. It seemed like they were the only two there, but with the guests, plus the entire Udaku clan in attendance, over one thousand people witnessed their union and she blotted them all out.

Dinani spoke of their expected duties toward one another. Her ears glossed over all of those expectations and only tuned back in when the long ceremony moved into the portion where she was told the qualities of a virtuous queen.

Holy scripture was read by Ayiz'e who wore the sacred red robes of the mountain temple of Bast. A male priest presented Dinani with more sacred oils and they anointed Yani and N'Jadaka. The qualities of a virtuous king were recited to N'Jadaka. An older female priest blessed their children who stood there, and also blessed the children they would have in the future.

Umama stepped forward from her place on the dais holding Yani's queen isicholo. Dinani prayed over the crown and anointed it with holy Bast oils before N'Jadaka pulled back the hood on Yani's wedding dress revealing her platinum hair. Umama's voice was loud and strong.

"We of the Udaku clan accept Yani Galiber into this holy union. She is our welcomed daughter…our new queen…Queen Yani N'Isiqithi the First."

The women of the entire Udaku clan broke out into heartfelt ululations that echoed throughout the temple. Yani bowed her head slightly and Umama placed the queen's isicholo on her head.

"Stay blessed Queen Yani, may your reign make us all proud and may your greatest grandmother Queen Mary guide your hand in all that you do," Umama said.

Yani stood still and accepted the ululations, the shouts, the applause, the jealousy, the envy, the hatred, the admiration, the love, the curiosity, and the fear her queendom brought to Wakanda. She straightened her posture and let the weight of the crown sink into soul.

Queen Yani.

Heavy was the head that wore the crown, but not so much with N'Jadaka by her side. He held her hand up and they turned around to face the congregation. Dinani raised their arms and spoke with a firm tone in their voice.

"May I present to you all here, the royal heads of the nation, King N'Jadaka and Queen Yani Udaku, avatars of the Golden Jaguar…children of the Black Pather Tribe."

Everyone in the temple stood, including the relatives on the dais. The Council of Elders came forth from the audience and circled Yani and N'Jadaka. They held hands and recited an oath promising them both wise council in the days ahead. Stepping aside afterward, Yani and her new husband were able to acknowledge the crowd amidst their applause.

"You may now kiss your bride, kumkani," Dinani said.

N'Jadaka's lips were on hers before the priest finished giving permission, almost knocking her crown off. He kissed her within an inch of her life and backed away when she almost went limp.

"Hey queen," he said.

"Hey king," she answered.

Yani checked on their children and all three had glossy eyes admiring her new isicholo. N'Jadaka threaded his fingers with hers and boldly showed her off. To close the ceremony, they had to circle the inside of the temple as newlyweds counterclockwise. The isicholo settled nicely on her head, and Yani willfully entered her new era as ruler. She relaxed into N'Jadaka's strides and pranced about, letting her beauty and new status burn her enemies down to charcoal.

N'Jadaka kept stopping to kiss her hand and the red satin binding tie dangled between them letting everyone know they would never part. She reveled in the power, soaked it up and let it propel her around the temple with a fierce protective energy.

Back at the front again, N'Jadaka kissed her chasrely, with pecks to her lips and both cheeks. She bent down to hug and kiss their children just as the closing wedding march started. Dinani gave their final blessing and the Udaku family drummers showed out again, leading the march out of the temple. Didah sang a new griot song prophesying the reign of Yani and N'Jadaka.

"Ready to face the rest of the world?" N'Jadaka asked.

"I am," Yani said.

They held hands tight and strolled down the aisle together, exiting the ancient temple as husband and wife.

Chapter 6 HERE.

* Lyrics to Jada Kingdom's "Wull On"

** Poem by Black American poet Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872-1906), "An Invitation to Love"

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[uzumaki-rebellion]

Soon come... "King Killmonger: The Golden Jaguar" Chapter 12

Summary:

N'Jadaka and Yani are joined on the last leg of their honeymoon with their children as they explore hidden parts of Wakanda as a family and prepare to rejoin the ruling class once more.

[uzumaki-rebellion]

Soon come... "The Feathered Serpent's Daughter"

Author's Note: I wanted to create a bridge story prior to my "King Killmonger: The Golden Jaguar" fic coming out next month. This story will take place a year before Namor shows up to confront N'Jadaka about RiRi's vibranium detector. You will need to read my 3-part Namor fic "The Offering" to know what is going on when this drops.

Summary:

Namor's oldest daughter, Lewatle, has grown up a bit. Although she is all of twenty-one in human years, her slowed down mutant age progression has her looking like a fourteen-year-old child. Her close friends in Talokan are moving on to marriage and creating families of their own, and she's stuck being the pampered princess of the Talokan king and his Wakandan wife, Queen, Lebadi.

Bored and a bit curious about the surface world of her mother, Lewatle slips out of Talokan to travel thousands of miles away for a secret peek into the world of Wakanda.

[uzumaki-rebellion]

“Black Boys Bloom Thorns First: Volume 4, Chapter 67″

Masterlist HERE. NSFW. Smut. 18+.

"But for now He moves so proud He dips, he pirouettes; The Mambo King Floats around the ring His hands like castanets; He sways, tugged back Gravity grows slack He's propelled by strings of rhythm He forward stalls, Yes, to dance is all' Yes, dance while you still have Breath."

David McLansky - "Riff on Rita Dove's Mambo"

N'Jadaka approached the viewscreen of the Royal Talon Fighter. A storm cloud of thoughts rested above his mind in a gray funk, but he pushed it aside to enjoy the sight of thousands of Wakandans dotting the beach below his royal aircraft.

"Baba, so many people!" Sydette squealed, standing next to him.

Riki held his hand and Joba stood in front of him peering at the spectacle below them. Behind them, the Udaku royal family sat in anticipation. Disa and Yani were among the group as were Dante, Umama, and Baba Z. Nakia sat next to T'Challa holding onto his hand with quiet affection.

The shoreline rippled with people dressed in the colors of the sea paying their respects to Mama Wati. Six men carried the platform of a giant blue-black statue of an African mermaid with long serpentine locs decorated with shells and starfish toward the warm water where revelers piled an offering boat with gifts. All eyes were averted to the Royal Talon Fighter as it hovered above a cleared pathway for the king. The excitement of his presence was palpable. Ramonda handed him an extravagant blue sugar and azure floral arrangement in the shape of a giant nautilus shell. The Talon Fighter ramp opened and N'Jadaka stepped out of the aircraft with his family behind him.

Drummers startled his children as the Birnin S'Yan elders from the Mama Wati Temple greeted them, holding their hands out in a sign of respect.

"Ukumkani, we are so honored you could join us on this special day," said a male elder draped in all white with blue glass beads around his neck.

The rulers of Wakanda normally handed over their family offerings from inside the palace, rarely attending the festive site in person. N'Jadaka wanted to be seen all the time and in all parts of the country. The wide-eyed stares all across his family hinted at how detached the Udaku clan had been for decades. His children were an extra rare treat. They were ogled as much as him. Their mothers stood behind him and there were slick glances their way too. As always, Disa stayed covered up with a flowing blue caftan, dark shades, and her hijab. Yani wore a light blue skirt with a white netted top layered over a blue-green half tank with loads of long, cyan-blue seeded beads. She decorated her face with white dots fashioned after Shuri's flashy style.

"I present to you our family offering. May Mama Wati accept our gift," N'Jadaka said.

A female elder took the nautilus shell from his hands and carried it over to the lead boat where it was gently placed at the top of other beautiful offerings completing the ritual procession. The Udaku family stood to the side of the gathered temple priests and witnessed the prayers and incense given to the deity. The stimulated energy from all those present crawled along his skin and he noticed the reactions to the projection of power he displayed physically from his hair to his cobalt blue robes. Nine Doras mingled nearby and watched the crowds. Birnin S'Yan wasn't particularly fond of the transition of power. A small but vocal minority in their governing territorial body didn't want T'Challa to cede power to him. It was also the original root of the Phuri and it was better to be overly cautious with security. The Kingsguard also kept close to his kin and his Onyx Squad spread out among the revelers.

Yani moved closer to him and leaned up against his arm. She kept a watchful eye on his physical bearing. He had rested for days before the celebration, however, she stuck to him all the way from the palace. She must've clued Disa in because both women peeped his every move for any signs of fatigue.

"It's so beautiful… and calm," Yani said, watching the offering boat sailing over small waves.

She threaded her fingers with his and squeezed them gently, then pressed her cheek into his arm. Ramonda cleared her throat, reminding them to keep aware of their surroundings. Public displays of affection were to be full of reserve, but N'Jadaka ate it up. Yani touched him first. He released her hand, but they stayed close to each other, their children enjoying the Black mermaid display once the boat was too far to see anymore. Ritual singers chanted a sailing song for the boat and attendants on board released the offerings into the sea.

White incense swirled in the air across the waters once the boat was emptied of gifts, and ululations broke out accompanied by raucous music tumbling all around them with wild abandon. The raging flares of sunlight bounced off of elaborately decorated blue and white umbrellas that shielded smiling faces adorned with crystals and paint. The contagious release of joy spread beyond the shoreline giving the flavor of a second line. Yani and the children shuffled their feet and bodies with the Wakandans near them and the urge to shake his hips seeped into his marrow. Disa clapped her hands encouraging their little ones and he thought he would abstain from moving to keep a reserved image. But Shuri wiggled her hips with Ramonda, while T'Challa rocked on his heels next to Nakia's body rolls. N'Jadaka shook his arms and shoulders causing a rush of excited clapping from his people, egging him on to cut loose more. He watched Yani twirl around with Joba and joined them, shaking his body in time with the drums and stringed instruments. They widened the circle and let Riki and Sydette in, as his eldest tugged on Disa's hand forcing her to link up too. The crowd made their way toward the parade route and the Udaku clan shuffled behind to find their roped-off section of a raised platform to view the continued grand festivities. Yani shimmied her shoulders and he couldn't help himself from dancing behind her. She grabbed his hand and he swung her around in a wide arc, pulling her back in close. Their eyes met and he let her go, aware that everyone stared at their brazen playfulness with each other that bordered on intimate affection. Pulling back from her, he took on a cool persona again, helping Riki and Joba up onto the risers.

He checked on the family around him and caught Disa tapping her kimoyo before peeking over her shoulder toward the visible mountain range that led to the Jabari lands. She smirked at him when she turned her gaze back toward the festivities in front of them. Her face glowed and he winked at her to let her know he understood her feelings. Despite the fun of being with everyone, she wanted to be somewhere else.

The parade delighted his children, their precocious eyes were wide open in wonderment marveling at giant aquatic creatures floating past with angelic grace. Dancers, acrobats, singers, rhinos, elephants, and giant, long-horned bulls marched past. A beautiful woman dressed to represent Mama Wati floated past on a platform tossing out gold shell-shaped wrappers filled with chocolates and his kids went nuts squealing, trying to catch them with other children along the route. An hour went by, and there was too much more to see.

"This way your highness, we would like to show you the family altars," a male elder said.

The entire family followed him and they played tourist to the elaborate altars and other fanfare. In the distance, he saw the section marked off for the diaspora delegates who watched respectfully. As the formal ceremony ended, the foreign guests were allowed to view a few altars before they were escorted away for a lunch spread above the bluffs where they could continue to enjoy the celebration. There was a fair and more activity in the city for them to participate in too.

Yani and Disa chatted about the altars and their children collected seashells and flowers that had blown off of displays. They cruised along to the boardwalk on foot and looked over brightly decorated vendor booths where souvenir items could be purchased. The sugary smells of sweet candies, grilled corn on the cob, fried dumplings, and meaty kebabs scented the air making his stomach grumble. Food vendors gladly gave him free samples and asked for pictures with him. He shook hands, smiled for holopics, and talked to enthusiastic citizens.

Joba grabbed Disa's hand and dragged her toward the fair with Dante and Shuri. Riki and Sydette matched her pace while tugging Marisol and Twyla along. Nakia and T'Challa straggled off in another direction. Their security team split up accordingly. Baba Z, Umama, and Ramonda walked ahead of him. Yani stayed by his side. Music blasted around them.

"Reminds me of Juvay and carnival in Brazil," he said.

Yani nodded.

"This is more ceremonial… serious," she said.

"You don't think people were shaking ass hard for Mama Wati?" he teased.

She punched his arm playfully and he clasped her hand in his. He kissed the top of her knuckles. Ahead of them was a large tent. N'Jadaka stopped in front of it.

"Let's go inside," he said.

He read the display sign next to a young woman with stars in her eyes as she stared at him.

"Is it all statues?" he asked.

"There is other artwork too, my king," the woman said, keeping her eyes downcast from shyness.

Ayo and Aneka stepped inside first and checked every part of the tent. A few Wakandans stepped out and his Onyx Squad blocked the entrance so that he and Yani could enjoy the vendor tent by themselves in private.

"Oh, look at this," Yani cooed at the first large, framed photo.

A vivid color photo of the Black Mermaid statue that represented Mama Wati gave notice of the splendor inside. Every picture was a stunning photographic lesson on the importance of the annual holiday. Each display became better than the last, and they walked in silence until they came across a photo of his father and uncle when they were young teenagers standing in front of the palace handing over a family offering to the sea.

N'Jadaka grinned.

"It's funny to see my Baba all skinny and without a beard," he said.

Both boys held the offering with giant grins on their faces. There was love there. Pure brotherly affection.

"Things could've been so…"

He didn't finish the obvious.

"I like these," Yani said.

She drew his attention to several small statues representing Bast and Sekhmet, Mama Wati's sisters.

"Oh, and this one!" Yani said.

N'Jadaka read the placard. The statue Yani fawned over showed a depiction of a more ancient onyx Mama Wati with an extended pregnant belly with a curved fishtail that she rested on. She had a bald head and closed eyes making it seem like she was sunbathing herself and her full belly.

"Looks like you," he said.

Yani beamed and circled around the statue.

"I was almost that big with Dumplin," she said.

She touched the belly button of the figure and he touched it too, rubbing it a little. Yani's eyes held a dusky sensualness. He let his finger trace up the statue and onto her arm. She shuddered and he slinked behind her, lowering his head to kiss the back of her neck. Peppering kisses along the bare parts of her shoulders, he wrapped his arms around her waist. She leaned back comfortably and molded her soft frame against the hard muscles of his chest and stomach.

"You're still my Black mermaid?" he whispered in her ear.

Yani trembled and a breathy sigh escaped from her glossy lips. He nibbled on her earlobe and rocked her in his arms.

"Don't want to answer me right now?" he teased.

She tilted her head and he hummed her name in the shell of her ear and she giggled.

"Okay… okay… I see I have to get my formal courting on point before you accept me. Bet."

He released her and she turned around keeping her warmth against his warmer body. She raised her head up and he stared at her lips that were parted and ached to be kissed. Her hands slid up his chest and folded like little doves on the nape of his neck making him feel romantic and wishing to escape out of the tent and return to his palace home so they could really be alone together.

"I did well today, Yani. Didn't overexert myself or anything."

She nodded in agreement and he became so conscious of her body pressed into his with snug assurance. N'Jadaka's dick plumped under the royal robes and he relaxed knowing there were enough layers and beading on it that she wouldn't notice his arousal while holding her.

She kissed him.

Dammit!

Their lips connected and her tongue sought entry into his mouth right away. Being next to one another all day led to a fusion of plush lips, soft moans, and needy swirls of fingers against necks and waists. He angled his neck for more comfort and groaned when Yani figured out his erection disturbed his royal clothing. She sucked on his tongue and then licked across his upper lip, grinding her lower parts into him.

"See… I was tryna avoid this," he chuckled.

He adjusted his robes and she teased him by brushing sneaky touches on his privates.

"Show some respect to the king," he commanded.

She reacted to his tone and her eyes turned dreamy. He snaked a hand around her neck, holding her still. The air crackled with new energy and he wrenched his eyes away from her and toward the front of the tent.

"Someone's coming," he said, stepping back at an appropriate length between them.

Okoye rushed into their area and flanked his side.

"King N'Jadaka, you are being summoned by Captain Lebohang," Okoye whispered in his ear.

He looked at Yani and reached for her hand.

"I'll meet you when I'm done checking in with my naval officer," he said.

"Okay," Yani said with concern in her eyes.

"It's alright, Yani. I'll see you in a bit."

He kissed her cheek and she rested her hands on his chest.

"Don't stress yourself out," Yani said. "Today is Mama Wati's day… a day for family and fun."

He noticed Ayo waiting in the corner.

"Ayo. Please escort Princess Yani to where Lady Galiber and my children are."

"Yes, your highness," Ayo said.

N'Jadaka followed Okoye in the opposite direction of the vendor tent. The general led him to the well-guarded Royal Talon Fighter. Several stinger ships and wasp crafts flew above it for extra protection. T'Challa stood at attention inside, with an image of Captain Lebohang floating on the work console.

"Captain," N'Jadaka said.

"The Talokanil have attacked three more ships in the upper Atlantic. C.I.A. and Navy Seals connected. This time they sank them. A distress signal made it to their leadership and they are blaming us, your highness," Lebohang said.

"Shit," N'Jadaka grumbled.

"We intercepted a cryptic message to the United States Secretary of Defense and he is due to meet with their president later today," Lebohang said.

N'Jadaka turned to Okoye.

"Bring Fury to my office immediately. I'll be there shortly," N'Jadaka said. "Lebohang, what do they have exactly as proof that they think it's us?"

"Nothing. The hulls of the ship were damaged making the vessels sink. We know for sure that they are searching for vibranium."

Lebohang patched in audio of messages relayed before the ships were destroyed. N'Jadaka glanced at his cousin.

"I'll have to go to the states earlier than planned," N'Jadaka said.

"They are impatient for our resources and technology," T'Challa said. "Their search for vibranium will fail."

"Yet somehow, they keep getting on the Talokan radar," N'Jadaka said.

"They cannot detect vibranium. K'uk'ulkan is being reckless and the blame shifts to us," T'Challa said.

N'Jadaka projected a map of the globe and Lebohang marked off areas of ship attacks around the world that were not reported to the public.

"Show me a twenty-year overlay of classified American naval attacks," N'Jadaka commanded the Talon Fighter's griot.

Crimson markers sprouted up all around the world.

"They have a vast territory," T'Challa said.

"We barely know what's beneath the surface… looking at all of this… they could be legion and no one would know," N'Jadaka said.

N'Jadaka studied the data and compared intel from when he was a child on the Atlantic until their present state.

"I see a pattern," N'Jadaka said.

He tapped the projected screen and the Shuri-led Wakandan Group Design outreach facilities popped up in purple near the West African coasts from Senegal to Angola.

"The C.I.A. is searching wherever we are entrenched," T'Challa said.

"They won't be working alone. France has their foot on our neck too with the U.K. pretending to be patient with their former colonies who benefit from our research facilities," N'Jadaka said.

"We are providing desalinization machines, new fertilization techniques for agriculture, and diversification of seed farming, as well as medical training with advanced tools," T'Challa said.

"All benefits due to vibranium hardware," N'Jadaka said.

Okoye and Ayo ran back onto the Talon Fighter.

"King N'Jadaka," Okoye said.

N'Jadaka sensed her deep distress and followed behind her. They moved past the aircraft and stepped onto the edge of the boardwalk. Wakandans who stayed on the beach stood staring at the water. Okoye handed him a pair of slender binoculars.

"It arrived nine minutes ago and has been staying in that position ever since," Ayo said.

Peering into the binoculars, he observed a lone whale tail fin breaching the surface and standing still.

"This is not our season for that particular species of whale to be in our waters, and a spy drone detected traces of vibranium on the barnacles coating its underside," Okoye said.

N'Jadaka looked at T'Challa.

"He knows where we are," N'Jadaka said.

"A warning?" T'Challa said.

"A promise."

He peered through the binoculars again.

"The fuck?"

Several Wakandan leisure sailboats floated too close to the whale. One large boat sported the Udaku family crest. N'Jadaka tapped his kimoyo beads and contacted Noxolo.

"Where are you?" N'Jadaka barked.

His kimoyo GPS locked in on his children and their mothers. He knew the answer before Noxolo spoke.

"The royal family is taking a boat excursion," Noxolo said.

"Head back to shore now!" he shouted.

N'Jadaka ordered the Royal Talon Fighter to power up. A stinger aircraft zoomed above the whale and kept a tracking device on it.

"Take me to the boat," N'Jadaka said.

T'Challa's Black Panther suit swarmed over him and he jumped aboard a military quad aircraft that raced out to the whale. The Talon Fighter swooped down to the pleasure boat that carried his family. Okoye maneuvered the aircraft ramp onto the boat. He swept down to greet his people.

"What is happening?" Ramonda asked as she helped Umama and Baba Z onto the ship.

"Time to return to the palace," N'Jadaka said.

"Aw… but we wahn to go back to the fair again," Riki grumbled.

Sydette stared into his eyes.

"Baba knows best," Sydette said, pushing her little brother to move faster.

Disa and Yani kept quiet, already understanding that something wasn't right without asking him about it.

Nick Fury didn't try to hide anything from N'Jadaka.

He stood before the Wakandan king unguarded with his emotions and body language.

"The U.S. has been waiting to move on you," Fury said.

"What's stopping them?" N'Jadaka said, watching the man from behind his desk.

"Greed and collecting irrefutable evidence. We want you to hand over your vibranium and tech now. But we also want boots on the ground here just like we did in Iraq and Afghanistan. The success of your community centers and outreach facilities prevents an outright attack. Several U.S. senators have voted against pressuring the U.N., but the president will support covert operations from within and from our allies," Fury said.

Fury curled his lips into a sneer.

"You already knew that, king. Why the concern about it now?" Fury asked.

"I want full transparency from you, not the PR explanation."

"I could stand here and tell you we need your tech for the space threat, but our president looks beyond that. We want total control of this country and how you move. The U.S. is not beyond doing you like we did Japan in 1945."

"Destruction and then puppet master," N'Jadaka said.

"It's all we ever do."

"I will go to war if America feels froggish."

"You have a right to defend your nation. But you have no true allies anywhere. Your African neighbors look at you with distrust, even as you attempt to help improve their lives. Wakanda is a country without equals and you are a threat to everyone," Fury said.

N'Jadaka stood up from his seat and moved around to the front of his desk. He handed Fury a large cigar from a gold and mahogany humidor box. Lighting up the smokes, they both puffed and eyed each other warily.

"How soon?" N'Jadaka asked.

"How soon…?"

"Fury, now is not the time to jerk me around. When does the U.S. plan on coming for us?"

"The U.S., Spain, and France have drafted a joint plot to destabilize after the Asgardian problem has been resolved. China and Russia are already looking to disrupt parts of West Africa to get a foothold on any advances you share outside your borders. They all plan to reverse engineer anything they can take from you and retcon their previous calls to work in partnership with this country. The axis of global power is in your hand… just yours. Your assassination is on the table. They want T'Challa back in power. He is deemed flexible and more willing to do business."

N'Jadaka grinned and took a long drag on his cigar.

"I wanted to hear you say it out loud," N'Jadaka said.

"Yeah… well… before they come for your head, they want to use you. May I?"

Fury pointed to his controlled kimoyo beads and N'Jadaka's comm tab interface. N'Jadaka turned on his view screen projector. Fury tapped his beads against the floating screen.

"Received these images from your probe two hours ago," Fury said.

"What am I looking at?"

"To the military, a UAP—Unidentified Aerial Phenomena— to you, me, and the American president, little green men. Expect a call soon. We assume that whatever is coming from up there has sent a scouting team. An elevated orange alert is in effect."

"Place of impact?"

"There was none. It entered the atmosphere and went off the radar. The last known trajectory was over Western Europe. Scotland to be exact."

N'Jadaka rolled his neck and smoked. Both men stared at the images of bright lights streaking across the earth.

Fury told him a lot. N'Jadaka wouldn't reveal the Talokanil to him no matter what amount of intel he gave up. The whale sighting unnerved him, but he accepted the message K'uk'ulkan sent. The god-king knew where they existed just like Wakanda grasped their territories too. He studied war in the navy long enough to know how to be strategic. Talokan hated surface dwellers but had a vague connection to Wakanda. That made them neutral. The current threat floated in front of him.

"I want to leave Wakanda tomorrow morning. The Avengers have to be gathered," Fury said.

"I'll be in Switzerland next week and then I'm heading to the U.S. to meet the president on his home turf," N'Jadaka said.

Fury stared at him hard.

"You have international delegates coming here—"

N'Jadaka waved his hands at the man.

"I'm canceling all that shit. Shutting up shop. Telling them all that to their faces. Plotting against me? Nah, I'm coming to your house and setting everybody straight at one time and in one place," N'Jadaka huffed.

He crushed the last of his cigar in a brass ashtray and tapped the projected screen. Fury swiveled his neck to look at the new image above N'Jadaka's desk.

Agent Everett Ross.

"I'm familiar with him," Fury said.

N'Jadaka slid the government issue photo to the side and added another next to it. A slightly blurred picture taken on the Nigandan border from Nakia's bodycam long ago.

"I'm going to kill him," N'Jadaka said.

"Wait a minute…."

Fury held up an index finger and gave a nervous smile of disbelief.

"You can't kill a spook—"

"Ross came into Wakanda and pretended to be friends with my family. I shot him four years ago. He's supposed to be dead. T'Challa saved him because of Nakia. That spook came here, downloaded everything he could gather about us and our security, and pressured some unhinged Wakandans to go up against the royal family. He nearly orchestrated the death of my grandparents and helped murder civilians to stir up a coup. We captured one of the terrorists he instigated and supported, and I got a full confession in person with proof. I'm only telling you this so you can put some distance between yourself and us. I'm taking him out after I place Nakia in the States."

"King… N'Jadaka….listen…."

Fury ground out his cigar and furrowed his brow.

"He played in my family's face and disrupted the peace here. Threatening the safety of my children and their mothers is unforgivable."

"Why not use him? Huh? Play him like he played your people."

"No."

Fury held his palms together and closed his eyes for a second.

"His ex-wife is now the new head of the C.I.A. If you kill, you'll lose access to the root of all your problems. The Feds are hot for your head. Don't give them ammunition to come here early."

"We'd kill them all before they even reached the hidden border."

Fury paced the floor.

"I understand the fucked situation Ross put your people in—"

"Good, cuz there's no fuckin' way Wakandans should've been working with a C.I.A. agent in the first place—"

"But delay the revenge kill. There's a lot on the line on my end and I need that man alive."

"He orchestrated the destruction of the Hall of Panthers. The place where my ancestors rest, bruh. Umama and Baba Z were there to prepare for my parent's arrival back home… my three kids were in school not too far from where they could see and hear what was going on—"

"If you could find it in your power to hold off…for a time… I won't stand in your way. He isn't going anywhere. You said Nakia is heading to the States…best believe he'll be there close to her and T'Challa. Listen, I have no love for that man one way or the other. But I'm telling you as your only friend on the outside, the project I'm overseeing needs Ross and his contacts."

The urge to end the agent subsided. A coolness at the top of his head tamed him and he accepted the nudge from Bast to fall back. N'Jadaka did have time, and it would be smart to use Ross for a few more months by feeding him false intel and shadowing him. It took him over twenty years to be king. He could wait a year to snuff a rat.

"I'll give you twelve months," N'Jadaka said.

"Thank you."

"I'll have you set for departure after breakfast tomorrow."

Fury extended his open hand to the king.

"Let's meet in the States when you come over. I get word before you do about the UAP, I'll hit you up. We'll need everything Wakanda has if this turns out as bad as those refugees warned us about."

N'Jadaka shook his hand and summoned palace guards to escort Fury back to his personal villa. He missed dinner with the family and was shocked that Yani didn't send a message to remind him. Grabbing some leftovers in his office staff room, he heated up a vegetarian meal of slippery zucchini and pasta in a light cream sauce. He texted messages to his children that he would see them before bedtime and headed for the palace pool. Thoughts of murder and mayhem receded to the back of his mind.

Walking into the pool room he headed for the shower room first and shucked off his royal robes. Hot steam puffed around his nude form. His kimoyo lit up. A vid message from Yani. He played it.

"Hey! The kids are resting early. They want to see the fireworks tonight from the moon deck, so no storytime at nine. We can meet you there before they start. There will be ice cream too!"

He grinned and her image winked out. Stepping out of the showers he padded away from the fancy parts of the upper pool and headed down to the simple mineral water whirlpool section. Dropping down into the balmy warmth, he waded past a colored water display that sat in the center and discovered Yani already indulging in the soothing pool that bubbled and gurgled around her. She stood up and revealed her own naked form.

"I thought you were at the house. Got your message," he said, grinning so hard his cheeks stretched wide.

"Shuri and Marisol entertained them until they were knocked out for later tonight. Twyla and Disa went to a party and I didn't want to tag along."

"Decided to come here for a skinny dip, huh?" he said.

"Yeah."

"Me too. Some stress relief… wind down and shit."

"Was your meeting with Fury good?" she asked.

He could barely concentrate on her words. Staring at her in warm water with full breasts pearling with liquid droplets blotted out an answer to her inquiry. He shook his head and tried to focus on his hands swirling in the pool water.

"It was a good meeting. He's leaving tomorrow."

She nodded and turned away from him, heading for the stairs. He followed, watching her backside bounce as she moved in the heated water.

"Damn," he muttered while staring.

She bent over to fix a fluffy turquoise towel she had at the edge of the pool, and her ass cheeks parted enough where he could see the back of her vulva. Her folds glistened, not from water, but from her own sticky arousal. Had she been down here thinking about him being naked?

His dick jumped and he didn't try to stop it from reacting by thinking of mundane things. He embraced what was before him. She turned and lifted herself onto her towel. He moved between Yani's open thighs and held her by the waist.

"Why do I feel like you're really here to check up on my health again?" he said.

She batted her eyelashes. Her face was lightly made up and she smelled like sugar and vanilla. His body tingled up a storm so close to her and he was aware of her feeling the same way by how coy she played being there in the nude. He couldn't stop grinning while staring at her face and lush body. Yani knew that he needed to see her at the end of a long day and presenting herself fully naked and vulnerable was an invitation to love on her as he did in the past. He ignored the fat dick hanging between his legs poking at her thighs. Her big seductive eyes trapped him, turning his insides into mush. The heat of his love for her flowed out like it was a cloud of smoke and surrounded her, making Yani's fingers spring into action as they traced lines on his cheek and lips. A king needed a woman to come home to. N'Jadaka left his worries back at the office and slipped into the welcoming warmth of Yani's presence.

He held up a hand and she threaded her fingers with his and they pressed their foreheads together enjoying the peace of water and love floating through them. She would return to work in the morning with his older children and the separation ate at him.

"Yani, I love you."

Her gaze lowered and her eyes welled up, staring at his chest.

"It takes so much for me to be the king, but having you here with me means everything."

She placed her arms around his shoulders but still wouldn't look him in the eye again. Soft sighs fell from her lips and she listened intently. He wanted her in his home, but she valued her space away from him. A surge of energy reared up within him and she trembled, feeling it on her skin. He was a force of nature. As cliché as it sounded to him, he understood that his power was truly visceral, and everyone would always become affected by it when they were near him. Even his woman.

"Can I kiss you?" he asked.

She looked up at him then, her round moon-lust eyes so glittery with desire. Yani moved her face closer and he enveloped her lips with such tenderness that she cried. She needed his love and the weight of her heart pressed on him making his hands tremble as he held her face.

"You're so beautiful… gave me beautiful children… gave me life again," he said with soft words.

He kissed down her cheek and planted more kisses on her throat and in the middle of her chest where her breasts rested in wet glory. He palmed them, kneading the fullness until he plucked at her nipples, pinching them hard to make them pebble into high peaks. Lifting the royal dick that bobbed in the water, he fisted himself and sucked on a nipple. Yani threw her head back and moaned. He groaned while beating his dick, his fist bouncing from the wild hairy root of his dick. The thick thatch of hair that he kept ungroomed turned her on.

He released her plump nipple and lifted her legs out of the water, widening her thighs so he could stare at her pussy. Her folds were wide open and her slit dripped with slick arousal.

"Look at that pretty pussy," he said.

Yani whimpered and her pussy throbbed open, blessing his eyes with wet pinkness surrounded by smooth brown outer lips. He slapped his dick against the lovely sight and his tip spewed precum all over her clit.

They acted dangerously.

Her pussy was the gateway to paradise. They both knew it. His stiffness stood like smooth hardwood and slapping it against her folds made her weak. Her opening twitched and revealed heaven and he felt entitled to claim all of her. He was the king after all.

Dropping lower into the pool water for a better position, he smothered her folds with his mouth and sucked on her pussy lips and clit. Yani cried out and clutched at his locs. Coming up for air, the lower part of his face shined like a glossy welcoming to a new bond between them. He knew other men had been with his woman while he had been away. But there was no way any of them flooded her walls with cum. Her pussy was too precious for that after having royalty in it. He licked all around her vulva, even sucked on her meaty inner thighs to chase every nerve ending that came alive inside of her.

She had been his heart, the soft part of his soul when he worked for Klaue. Yani gave him kindness, and confidence to love again, yearning for a home of his own with a family of his own. She had nothing and yet gave him everything. She allowed him to be like his father. A provider. A protector. A lover. He was the one she came to when she needed reassurance and confidence in her own abilities. She followed him all the way to the end and despite the horrors of violence, a long separation, and emotional turmoil, she still loved the hell out of him. It poured out of her as she came on his lips, crying out his name and arching her back. He stood and stroked his dick, pressing the wide head against her opening, watching the aftershock contractions of her pussy making her shudder on her back. Being bold, he slipped the head in and she squirmed, raising up on her elbows to stare at his hooded eyes.

"Tell me nobody else came in this pussy," he insisted.

Her shiny eyes were drenched with an insatiable lust for him. A possessive streak rose in him.

"I want to hear you tell me… nobody came in this pussy," he barked.

His girth stretched her pussy lips and she gazed down at the brazen entry into her tight rings of muscle that squeezed at his tip. She closed her eyes, her lower body tense with expectation. Although he rested at her entrance, the bulbous head was still too much to take with the teasing. Yani could only shake her head, denying that anyone else had that type of close intimacy.

He relaxed and gripped the root of his dick, guiding the length out so that it smacked at her swollen folds again, testing the limits of her arousal. Her wet entrance curled around his girth as he shoved the head in again, not moving at all. He squeezed her breasts and pinched her nipples with gentle tugs. His tip pulled down on her clit, the friction bringing her intense pleasure and edging him closer to oblivion. The urge to plunge all the way in tickled his resolve, but he forced himself to keep control. He had to stay strong. Every second with her weakened him and he wanted to show Yani that a king had power over his own body and his word. He was supposed to court her properly. Not revert back to his island ways. The heat of his dick had her lips twisted up in agony. Her dewy eyes pleaded for merciful relief. He sighed knowing he would fail at restraint.

The gods inside of him watched with amused indifference and he was quite sure that Yani sensed that commanding otherworldly force. Her body definitely reacted to it. He wiggled his hips and her pussy contracted and squirted a drizzle of fluid that leaked onto his length. N'Jadaka kissed her and his tongue teased her mouth, drawing out scattered pants and mewling sounds. She squirmed and reached out to hold his shoulders, but he shifted back and pulled out of her entrance.

A king didn't need to play around in a pool.

He tongued her down properly, fingered her clit, spreading her wetness around, and helped her climax on his hand.

"Stay with me tonight," he said after she stopped shaking.

"People will talk."

"People are already talking about us. That can't be helped."

"I don't want our children to be confused… but I want to… I really do."

"We can have them stay with Grandpop. In the morning we can have breakfast together in my quarters and see them off to school."

Her hesitation felt more for his sake than hers. The king of Wakanda sneaking around the palace with the mother of his children sat in her cautious eyes. They both wanted to make love, not gossip. The public had accepted his domestic situation, however, there were still Udaku protocols about relations with royals. Technically, since Yani wasn't his wife, she would be looked on as a consort if they started a regular sexual liaison. Ramonda would find the need to keep it private and discrete. Umama and Baba Z would want a public formal courtship ending in a betrothal march. Grandpop would want more grandbabies.

He walked out of the water using the steps and lifted Yani to her feet. He kissed her again and palmed her ass cheeks. They filled his hands and made his dick spill more pre-cum onto her belly.

"Come with me," he said, pulling her toward the entrance.

"We have to shower and dress first," she said.

He let her saunter in front of him and he spanked both her ass cheeks. The dimpling on her backside and thighs had him cement hard. They stepped into the showers and warm jet sprays doused them. Rinsing away mineral water and sweat, N'Jadaka turned to look at Yani and she dropped to her knees and took his dick in her hot mouth.

"You like this, your highness?" she asked, with her lips pressed against his frenulum.

"You're starting trouble already," he groaned, rubbing her freshly cropped hair.

She slurped and sucked and stared at him, pleasing the king.

"Suck Daddy's dick," he moaned.

Yani sucked on his dick with such care that his legs wobbled to keep balance. She grazed her lips across his tip and played with his slit, swallowing pre-cum and playing with his balls. Her sensual touches and kisses served him the way he wanted to be catered to.

But playtime was over. He needed to cum in his woman. Needed her thick thighs and legs up in the air with his balls pounding against her fat ass. A king deserved exquisite pussy and he wanted to hear his ancient bed squeak with his thrusts into her. She hadn't had her ass cheeks clapped properly in four years. Her pussy was made for his royal dick. A princess required king things on his level.

He sensed nervousness from her.

She slurped on his erection and throated him down to his balls, and yet Yani was afraid of what he could do to her after all those years and as a new man. Her fingers played in the thick bushy pubic hairs that surrounded his heavy erection. He held the back of her head to help guide her mouth work. Pulling out from between her lips, she expected him to cum all over her face. He denied her that honor.

The king of Wakanda was going to cum deep inside of her.

In her pussy.

In her ass.

And all down her throat.

"Get dressed," he ordered, reaching for his robes after drying off.

Yani tumbled back onto her feet in a daze. He rubbed on her backside as she fastened her top, slipping two fingers in her pussy from the back. Licking his fingers before clasping her hand in his, he pulled her out of the poll room. His dick tented his clothing and he didn't care if the guards saw it. In the private elevator, he rubbed against Yani and she was already lost to anticipation, writhing against him. She was surprised to arrive at his home through his elaborate bedroom.

"This elevator was for concubines to secretly come up and please the king," he said.

Yani didn't like the sound of that. He smirked.

"Looks like you'll be my first," he teased.

She didn't like that either.

"I'm a princess," she said, stepping into the splendor of decadent bedroom furniture.

His round bed was on an elevated platform hidden behind beautiful ethereal red drapes. She took in all the artwork, floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking parts of the royal garden and grand river with a serene smile. Darkness had fallen and blanketed the sky with lavish twinkling stars. He started a fire in the fireplace and lit romantic scented candles around the bedroom giving a sensual ambiance. Yani spun around to admire more of the fixtures and antiques from the thirteenth century.

"This is amazing. It doesn't even seem to be a bedroom but a whole living space," she said.

"Come here," he said, holding out his hand.

She kicked off her shoes and padded over to him with slow steps. Without his asking, she undressed him, folding each garment and placing it on a small wooden smoking chair in front of the fireplace. Firelight danced in her sultry eyes, and she took her time relieving him of clothing. When she finished, he took his time undressing her, fondling a breast and her rump as he did. She was perfect. He gently patted her vulva and the heat down there was ready for him. Yani turned away and wandered over to his giant bed, climbing onto it and opening her legs for him. She rubbed on her clit, beckoning him to kiss her there again. He obliged her offering, grateful to watch her open her silky folds and finger her pussy. She was still nervous, the enormity of what they were about to do making the room feel heavy. He buried his face in her folds, licking and kissing, but the king in him took over and he mounted her like royalty had down for centuries in that bed when it was time to get down to business. He thumbed her clit with a gentle caress and watched her pussy contract rhythmically.

"You want the king?" he asked.

She had to know his intent. Taking him inside of her once more would change the world again. Their union would solidify her place by his side. If she had any doubts about him still, he wanted to give her time and grace to leave of her own volition.

"I want you, N'Jadaka," she said with a throaty declaration.

So be it.

Chapter 68 HERE.

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[uzumaki-rebellion]

Soon come..."King Killmonger: The Golden Jaguar" Chapter 11

Summary:

N'Jadaka frantically searches for Yani as she meets with the oracle to receive a mystical message about their future.

[uzumaki-rebellion]

“Black Boys Bloom Thorns First: Volume 4, Chapter 68″

Need to catch up? Masterlist HERE.

"You gave me a shoulder when I needed it You showed me love when I wasn't feeling it You helped me fight when I was giving in And you made me laugh when I was losing it

'Cause you are, you are The reason why I'm still hanging on 'Cause you are, you are The reason why my head is still above water"

Kina – "Get You The Moon"

Yani's heart thumped with erratic beats that nearly burst through her chest. Her thighs rested around N'Jadaka's waist and he peered down at her like a heavenly being studying his creation. The air in her mouth turned into a dry shortness of breath, and the percussive castanet rhythm of the blood pumping through her veins frightened her.

She wanted to lay with him. Yearned for the closeness of their bodies intertwining like sacred vines that would never separate in a garden of love that only they could make. The bed was set up like an enchanted canopy with a four-corner post that surrounded the round bed with gauzy red fabric drapes studded with tiny crystal lights that matched the twinkling of the stars outside in the sky. High above the cast-metal headboard decorated with fluffy red satin pillows, a woven wall-sized tapestry graced her eyes. Ancient Wakandan script told of a blessing poem, and her study of the language helped her decipher most of it. The bed they were sharing was called a loving bed, and the tapestry promised prosperity, love, and fecundity to all who slept there. Spiral shapes and delicate images of fire, air, water, and earth watched over them.

N'Jadaka sensed her anxious hesitation and his searing eyes turned tender as they used to when he knew she was nervous about something. He crawled over her and pulled back the thick duvet and sheets, inviting her to slip under them with him. She did so, moving carefully until she was curled into him, her face resting on his chest with his left arm cradling her close. Yani felt her heart thumping harder against his chest and he kissed her forehead to ease her mind. She stood on a precipice with him and looking down into the depths, Yani could make out a possible future with him that would have no turning back. Her years of raising their children alone had changed her into a woman who wanted to make better decisions in her life. Choosing to join with a king would shift her future choices considerably. The Udakus did not play about their offspring's partnerships. N'Jadaka had messed up the nature of their established protocols, but if he was to choose her in front of the world permanently, that meant the clan would expect marriage. She could become a Queen Consort and her role in the palace would dictate the rest of her life. They could restrict her work as a doctor. She'd have to take instruction from the elders like her children did that taught them their roles as heirs and royalty.

Shaking her head, she lifted a finger and traced around his right nipple, her mind racing with scenarios of what could happen if she made love to him. N'Jadaka was possessive in the past, and his assertive personality seemed more enhanced since his return to the palace. Spending the day with the family in a formal public setting taught her quickly how every single movement she made was watched, especially in how she interacted with him. Before heading to the pool to meet him in private, she had already witnessed the local news vids splashing images of them holding hands and hugging up next to each other. It was deemed salacious to the older Wakandans who expected pious behavior in public.

N'Jadaka was also under a lot of pressure. He kept most of his work private, but she knew he dealt with a lot on his plate. There were probably more responsibilities that he wasn't even prepared to handle, despite his intelligence and experience. He remained stoic and professional in the public eye, nurtured his children, assisted Disa and Twyla with their work, and went home alone to only work late into the night. He never made time for himself except for the lone walks in the royal garden. She caught him there twice during her stay in the palace. He never saw her because his brooding face stayed distracted with constant thoughts and she watched him from a distance. Sometimes he smoked a cigar. Sometimes he drank an amber liquid from a round glass and stared at the moonless sky. He looked lonely and not at peace with the world.

His hand drifted over the curve in her hip and he kneaded her backside, his fingers grazing against the soft separation of her ass cheeks. Under the heavy covers, his dick nudged her wrist with its hard heat.

They didn't speak, only held one another, listening to their mutual breathing, and gingerly shifting an arm or leg for comfort. Being there with him was going to be much bigger than being with him back on the island. He was a real-life king. A ruler of over six million people. Wakanda was the richest and most powerful nation in the world, and the man in complete control of it was rubbing on her booty and kissing her forehead. Yani never dreamed that she would be in the position she was in. Wakanda still felt unreal to her.

He played with her nipple and she leaned back so his fingers could fondle both breasts. She watched him stare at his own fingers pinching and circling her nipples. His breathing became slightly ragged. He licked his lips as his fingers trailed down her midsection and groaned "Oh… fuck," when he dipped eager digits into her drenched folds. He hissed as if her opening scorched his exploration.

His gentle insertion only went about an inch, just enough to touch the slippery wetness coating her walls under her clit. He knew how to manipulate her sensitive insides without the coarse erratic jamming that most men did to her in the past. The king took his time and investigated every part that led into her deeper with a teasing quality that set her on edge. When he inched back to her clit again, she pulled back the covers more and lowered her head to suck on the head of his dick. It stretched her lips and stuffed her mouth, already making her jaws ache with the effort to please him. He tasted earthy… salty…sweeter when she flicked her tongue-tip into his slit where pre-cum dribbled into her mouth clear and sticky.

N'Jadaka stared at her mouth work, poking his lips out the moment she traced her tongue along the underside of his length. She sprinkled tiny kisses around the thick ridge of his frenulum, tickling it while licking warm saliva down the center. Popping the head into her mouth, she sucked on it slowly, letting her tastebuds give it plenty of friction and tension with the constant fondling of his balls.

"Damn… Yani… baby…"

"Yes, your highness," she said.

She made her eyes look coquettish and innocent the way he liked her to look when she sucked on that big meat. There was something illicit to him staring at her while she pretended to not know why he was panting and moaning her name. The direct eye contact with her plump lips slowly sucking his tip like a lollipop weakened him every time. He once told her she looked provocative doing it like they were about to get caught. It was the exhibitionist in her he rationalized. She fed into the scenario just the way she did when they role-played her being a wife getting caught by her husband. He enjoyed the idea of taking her from someone, it was why he nutted harder when she played a wife instead of the secret side-piece.

She rested her mouth by slapping his dick softly against her moist lips. The size of his dick against her face got him off too. Licking a throbbing vein on the side of his girth, she gave herself time to sniff the pleasing aroma of his pubic hairs. His scent was heavy with cocoa and coffee beans, a favorite body butter combo to rub all over on special occasions. Sucking his balls, she lifted them and shuffled herself between his legs to tend to them well. His sack rose up closer to his body, a sign that he was ready to release. Slowing down her attention even more, she kept her eyes on his like the sweet young thing he needed to soothe his political worries. Twirling her tongue in deliberate silky circles back up to the tip, she bobbed her head in his lap. Her slurps and tiny nibbles with her teeth made him buck his hips. He fucked her mouth with desperate thrusts, clamping her head with his hands to hold her in place. Using her hand and lips together, she pleasured him at her pace, pushing away his forceful grip and wielding all the power to tame him. N'Jadaka was the king… but she was royalty too. He made her that way and she sucked him down with the gifts of a desired pampered princess.

Smacking her lips, she pulled her mouth away from his dick and gave him a wanton stare. He gasped and his body shuddered with the change of direction with her loving. She had him in a frenzy moments before but wanted to enjoy the dizzy look of ecstasy in his eyes. Kneeling inside his thighs, she lifted her breasts and stuffed his dick between them. There was a rumble in his chest.

"Fuck!" he shouted.

Her breasts were heavier and hung a little lower which was perfect by the way he grunted and begged her for more. Pursing her lips, she rubbed her big tits up and down. The tip of his dick peaked out from her cleavage and she held her tongue above it, letting it swipe against the spongy texture.

N'Jadaka held his hand up the way he did when he wanted people to stop talking to him. It was something everyone watched out for when in proximity to him. She clutched her tits and a string of saliva dripped onto his slit.

"Let me taste you… the way I did that first time," he commanded.

His lusty gaze had her hustling to lie down on her back. He turned over and held her breasts, taking time to suck on her nipples and around her areolas. Lifting his face toward her, Yani met him halfway so they could kiss and swirl their tongues. Her pussy was swollen past normal engorgement. The deep arousal she felt seemed to spiral into her stomach and up to her throat. Every erogenous zone opened up tendrils of electrical sparks. Each place he touched her, from her earlobes to her jeweled toes, burst into fiery songs of the flesh. He woke up the erotic in her supple skin, moaning loud vibrations everywhere, and once his lips kissed her sugary wet folds that stayed parted for him, she came with a torrent of shrieks to God.

Yani mashed his face into her vulva and squeezed her thighs around his head. He gripped her hips and lapped up her release. Moaning into her opening, he accepted the nectar flowing across his tongue. She jammed her face into a pillow, whimpering his name endlessly, sweat falling into her eyes and pooling in her belly button. N'Jadaka raised himself and rubbed his dick on her sensitive folds. He lorded over her and humped Yani's mound, his perspiration raining down on her. His gold claw necklace glinted with the tiny lights on the drapes, and the shine of his smokey brown eyes burned into her soul. The head of his dick pulsed against her opening and he waited for permission to enter her depths. He dragged his loving gaze all over her body, his soft breathing expectant and raspy.

"Yani, if you're not really ready, it's okay," he said.

He rubbed his right hand across her smooth fade when she didn't answer. Moving onto his haunches, he separated from her, giving her space. She lifted to her knees and met him face-to-face. Her voice trembled as she spoke.

"I love you so much… I was hurt for so long when you came back. There's so much I want from you… I'm still finding my way in this new world but this thing with us… it never went away. I feel it… all around us. If you want me, you must treat me with the utmost respect. My love is conditional now. Our family has to come first before the nation. You wear yourself down to the bone every day and that is something I will not accept with our young children. We need more time together as a unit, doing things together away from the rest of the Udaku family," she said.

"I hear you and I will do that. But on one condition of my own."

"What's that?"

"You return to the palace with Sweet Pea and Dumplin after I come back from the States."

"Where will we stay?"

"For now, the suite you are in for the conference. This space has a private wing for royal spouses, so you'll have your own room in here after the formal courting."

She grinned.

"I like that you have to follow rules to have me," she said.

"I don't want to just have you, Yani. I want to make you my wife someday."

N'Jadaka left the bed and padded over to a dark ironwood dresser and pulled open a drawer. He lifted delicate, triple-stringed blue vibranium waist beads sprinkled with precious glittery jewels.

"I had these made after your conference speech. Been waiting to present them to you. A lot is going on and I never had a chance to pull you aside until now. Do you know what these are?"

"Not really. I see fashionable noblewomen wearing them in the city. Fancy jewelry," she said.

"My father gave some to my mother when he claimed her… that's what they call it here. You give them to the woman you want to call your own… publicly. When you wear them, the world knows you've been taken for courtship. It takes you off the market."

Yani held her cheeks with both hands.

"Will you allow me to claim you, Princess Yani Galiber?"

N'Jadaka unfastened the clasp of the waist beads and held them out to her.

"I'm on a transformative path and I want you by my side," he said.

She touched the beads, and let their elegant beauty run across her palms.

"I accept them," she said.

He nodded vigorously and his bottom lip trembled, matching the tremors in his hands as he held the offering to her. She scooted to the edge of the high bed on her knees, and he draped the beads around her waist. She raked her fingernails through his locs, knocking the high bun on the top of his head over. His locs fanned out all across his shoulders.

"Thank you," he whispered into her mouth.

She nuzzled her cheek against his and hugged him tightly.

"This is our time, hear me?" he whispered in her ear.

She nodded.

"You're precious to me. All I ever wanted to do for you was to make you happy and see to it that you and Sydette thrived, no matter if I was in the picture or not. I will spend the rest of my days making up for the pain I gave you… not just with Disa… but how I left you in St. Thomas. I thought disappearing without contact was best to protect you, but life had different plans for us. I should've stayed there—"

"No."

Yani shook her head.

"I know now that this was meant to be. You were supposed to be the king, and because of that, I can do so much for so many with my work," she said.

She wiped away tears that sprouted in her lids.

"You are a gift, King N'Jadaka. A gift to the world that needs justice and help. I will stand by you to make sure everything changes according to your plans and mine. I'm stronger…wiser, and mi have a purpose beyond that small island you found me on."

His warm full lips crashed over hers, hushing up words that didn't need to be spoken. They were united again. That's all that mattered. She accepted whatever would come to them as a couple.

"Oh!" she squealed when he lifted her like she was a tiny doll.

His strength was unbelievable with the sacred heart-shaped herb flowing deep in his veins enhancing the trace elements that were already in his DNA from his father. He slid her on his dick down to the root and her mouth shot open with a loud gasp of shock. He gripped her thick ass cheeks and thrust in and out, never giving her a second to catch her breath. The stretching of her pussy snapped her concentration onto holding his neck with a death grip. She gulped air with her mouth pressed against his temple. His balls smacked her heavy rump while the friction of his dick forced rhythmic clenching inside her pussy. The stamina of his fucking astounded her. Drowsy with lust, Yani became catatonic as she accepted his fat dick claiming her properly. She forgot how his lovemaking overwhelmed her. It was even more profound than before, blowing her mind completely.

The only noise in the room was her pussy squelching and being all gushy for his thrusts. All the panting noises she made near his ear spurred him to lift her on and off his dick with artful handling. His continuous groans made her walls quake and twitch with every swivel of his hips. He spun around and sat on the bed, and they both moved together to the center where she stayed mounted above him. N'Jadaka tucked his hands under his head and watched her wind her hips and cup her breasts. Leaning forward, she let her tits hang in his face, taking shallow thrusts from his dick. Kissing him until he withered into submission, Yani bounced on his dick, balancing her hands on his wide chest, giving him everything he'd been missing.

"Fuck me…harder baby…yessssss… like that…shit… keep doing that… so nasty with all this good pussy…"

He became delirious, thrashing his head and squeezing her breasts, pushing them together so that they made a smacking sound. She rode him well and they both listened to her ass cheeks smack against his thighs and balls. He liked having his large sack pounded by a fat ass, so she leaned in further until her face was on a pillow and her back arched higher to slam down on him better. Her king yelped and clawed the sheets.

"Yani…ah fuck… Yani…Yani… I'm finna cum…. Oh! I'm 'bout to nut all in you… you ready for me, baby?"

She leaned back and allowed him to witness all of her prowess, plucking at her nipples and wiggling her hips in achingly slow circles until he was begging her to cum on his dick at the same time as his orgasm.

"Cum on my dick… please… Yani… cum on Daddy's dick!"

His fingers slithered up her waist and tugged on her waist beads. They were so pretty on her and he seemed dazzled by them as they tinkled with a dainty sound like tiny bells. She stared into his eyes which had glazed over and turned into something different. The begging had stopped and the eyes peering up at her were his, but somehow not his at the same time. Lifting up from the bed, he smashed his chest into hers and kept still, forcing Yani to do the work while he watched her face contort with bliss. She held his shoulders and swallowed that dick with her deep pussy, startled by the sudden change in his demeanor.

"Fuck me, fuck your king," he growled.

The throaty demand gave her goosebumps. For a split second, she thought she heard two messages in the command like there was someone else controlling his body. It fired up her need to show how good she fucked. She lifted her leg and turned to face the opposite direction. Rolling her hips seductively, she learned on the fly how to make her waist beads jingle in time to her sensual fucking. Looking back at him, a shiver shot up her spine.

A powerful king glared at her with molten lust.

He smacked her ass, rubbed, squeezed it, and demanded that she show out for him. It felt like a waterfall of sweat poured down her back, but she had something to prove. She was his woman. The one he claimed and beaded. He grunted and groaned watching her perform magic with her backside and pussy. She gave him king things.

"Lemme clap them cheeks," he said, palming her rump and pushing her forward until she was sucking on the duvet mewling and whimpering that she couldn't take anymore.

He spanked her ass several times, correcting her position with his palm on the arch of her back, forcing her head down even lower and her ass up higher. He grabbed her left arm and held it behind her back for balance.

"Shit!" he gasped.

The clapping sounds were so loud.

"You miss this dick?" he asked.

"Yes!" she shouted, pressing her lips into a thin line to hold back her whimpering.

"Cum on it then," he said, tugging on her arm gently. "Cum for your king."

He pushed his thumb in her ass and the nerve endings came alive with the added pressure of her pussy stuffed with so much dick. She rubbed her swollen clit to gauge how much more she could take without crying for mercy. He didn't give her enough time to figure it out. His dick swelled inside her tight walls and she reveled in the long hot spurts that warmed up her pussy. With a twist of her hip, she let go and throbbed all over his girth, making another wet mess to match the one he flooded her with. She didn't have time to come down from the high of milking his dick, he had already pushed into her ass making her belly tumble. He palmed both sides of her ass and plunged in a few more inches and stopped to let her get used to it again. She needed the gentle acclimation and soon enough they were back into their groove. He smothered his body all over her, mashing her into the mattress, his mouth pressed into the shell of her ear talking the nastiest love talk she had ever heard from him. Every stroke made her gasp for air to find words that never formed completely in her mouth to answer him back.

"Letting me fuck you in your ass again… such a good girl…pleasing your king so much tonight. We need to do some more practicing so I can go balls deep next time," he said.

She loved it. Loved how he moved inside of her. His dick felt even harder, ready to go all night, and she would give him everything. He gave her long probing wet kisses and the weight of his body locked her down. Their tongues slid together in sensual harmony.

"Fuck that dick… ooh shit, I'm almost all up in there… love fucking you in the ass, Ma…"

He caressed her breasts and enjoyed himself, giving her more than she could handle, pushing her to go further with him. His voice hitched and she prepared to receive fresh hot cum.

"Baba! You in there?"

They both froze at the sound of Riki's voice outside the bedroom door.

"Shit," N'Jadaka muttered under his breath.

His dick throbbed in her ass expecting to shoot off another thick nut. Cum already spewed out from her pussy and soaked the duvet. Small fists pounded on the door.

"Baba? What are you doing?" Riki called out.

N'Jadaka tapped his kimoyo beads and they saw all three of their children standing outside. Their night nanny waited downstairs on the third level holding three small jackets for the moon deck.

"I'm waking up Lil Man. I overslept," N'Jadaka yelled back.

"Open the door, I wahn come in! We have to go see the fireworks!"

"Go downstairs and wait for me. I'll get dressed real quick…okay?" N'Jadaka said.

"Baba, is Mama in there with you?" Sydette asked.

"Um…"

"Her kimoyos say she's here," Sydette said.

"Hurry up, Baba, the ice cream will melt," Joba shouted from behind the heavy wooden double doors.

"Your Mama is sleep, and I'm reading a book," N'Jadaka said.

Yani jammed her mouth into the covers to keep from laughing out loud. N'Jadaka's erection pulsed inside her ass. He was reading a book alright.

"Why won't the door open?" Riki whined, jiggling the doorknob.

"He never keeps the door locked," Sydette said.

"I'll wake Mama up and we'll see you guys in a minute," N'Jadaka said.

N'Jadaka tapped his kimoyo and little feet shuffled away. He proceeded to finish his pleasuring, humping on Yani with urgent purpose, his tongue tickling her ear with the explicit language she expected from him when he was ready to bust hard. She was ready to be baptized with creamy cum.

"I'ma nut all in this big—"

"Baba, open the door!"

Riki hadn't left the bedroom door.

Yani snorted and Riki heard her.

"Mama, you up?"

"I'm up Dumplin. Go on and wait with your sisters like Baba asked you to," Yani said.

"I'll wait here. Baba… are you dressed yet?"

N'Jadaka grumbled in Yani's ear so that only she heard him.

"Baba is about to nut in ya Mama boy, go away," N'Jadaka whispered to Yani.

Yani smacked his arm and chortled, and N'Jadaka's voice hitched. She looked back at him and the man had gritted his teeth. There was a wild look in his eyes as he pounded her.

"Soundproof the room," she whispered to him.

"I can't, this part of the palace is older and doesn't have soundproofing. I haven't installed it yet since I moved in," he huffed.

His controlled exertion turned her on more. Trying to stay quiet intensified their lovemaking. Slowing his strokes had him whimpering to hide his moans from his son. It was too soon for the children to know they were having relations on that level in a bedroom together before the formal announcement of their courting.

The patter of Riki's feet finally left the door and N'Jadaka pressed his forehead on the duvet next to her face.

"You feel so good… ooh… fuck me, Daddy. I need your cum in my ass. Show me I'm your woman… show me you love me," she purred.

A roar burst from his throat as he exploded in her ass, soaking her deep. His dick kept throbbing and pushing out cum until he collapsed on her back.

"That was fucking insane, Yani…goddamn you know how to make a man nut hard!"

He jiggled her right ass cheek before smacking it hard. Pulling her toward him, he kissed her, groaning as he did it. He fell onto his back and stared up at the high ceiling to collect himself.

"Shit, I don't know if I can do that formal courting now with all the chaperones… I'ma want you every night after this," he said.

Yani lifted onto her knees and sat back on her heels. Fingering her waist beads, she realized she was in total control of his passions for the rest of his life. By giving her the beads, tradition held that his family would enforce the rules of royal courtship. The Wakandan public would eat it up and N'Jadaka would have to fall in line to please the people. She symbolically had him by the dick. Giggling, she covered her mouth to keep from outright laughing at him.

"What?" he said, still gulping for calming breath.

His dick remained stiff. Her sticky juices made his pubic hair shiny. She decided to push him over the cliff for good. There was one thing he loved doing to women when he was sexual and wanted to show dominance. Stepping off the bed, Yani dropped to her knees in front of it. She batted her lashes and placed her hands on her thighs. N'Jadaka was already up and sitting on the edge, stroking himself, his eyes raking all over the submissive stance. She widened her thick thighs so he could see her smooth brown mound and fleshy folds better. Her king stood up, fisting under the head of his dick, his pupils blown, his lips curled into a seductive sneer. His aura filled the entire bedroom and the hairs on her arms rose up as he stared at her.

"Open your mouth… stick that tongue out…"

She obeyed and tilted her head back. He fondled her right breast and shoved the head of his dick against her tongue. Stroking and twisting under his frenulum, his eyes narrowed as a surge of pleasure flowed over him.

Hot ropes of cum drenched her face. Long creamy white lines coated her tongue and he stepped back, aiming his bulbous tip, his slit opening and spurting more of his powerful release. He shouted her name, loud enough to make the sound echo in the room. N'Jadaka's semen blessed him with ownership over her lush form in her submissive pose. But they both knew the truth. She owned him body and soul.

"Yani… fuck… Yani…"

He babbled her name, his orgasm making his thick dick jump in his hand. She blinked a few times to avoid getting hit in the eyes, but he kept cumming until he staggered and hit the bed with the back of his thighs. He threw his head back and exhaled with a rush of jagged air.

Yani ran her hands up his legs and thighs until she rested them on his hard belly.

"We need to go," she said.

He lifted her up and took her to his master bedroom's bathing room. Showering together quickly, he dried up first and changed his clothes.

"I'll take the kids down to the moon deck. You can sneak over to your suite and change," he said.

She kissed him while drying off, and he left the bedroom quickly to save face with their children.

Chapter 69 HERE.

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[uzumaki-rebellion]

Soon come... “Black Boys Bloom Thorns First: Volume 4, Chapter 67″

Summary:

Wakanda celebrates Mama Wati in Birnin S’Yan and N’Jadaka realizes Namor has sent a spy to the coast.

[uzumaki-rebellion]

“Black Boys Bloom Thorns First: Volume 4, Chapter 66″

Masterlist HERE.

"Woke up this mornin' Found my peace of mind And finally I can say to you That I, feel good this mornin' No, I can't deny So finally, I can lay with you And feel, feel the pleasure Finally do what lovers do, with you, babe Ride for two Don't you know, oh So we, can roam all we want to, yeah"

Terrace Martin – "This Morning"

Feathered serpent god.

N'Jadaka squinted at the words on his comm tab. Shuri dug up more profound history once she knew what the leader of the Talokanil called himself.

"They are a Mesoamerican culture," Shuri said. "Yucatec Maya to be exact."

"Indigenous," N'Jadaka said, reading Shuri's notes.

"Yes. Central America roots…located here…"

She highlighted a map for him inside his office and tapped her kimoyo.

"Griot, send over enhanced images from the second file of apocryphal texts," Shuri said.

Shuri's A.I.'s voice sounded chirpy and bright.

"Files sent, princess," the Griot said.

He tapped the images that blinked into view and Mesoamerican pyramid structures were highlighted along with pictographs. T'Challa read the same notes and contemplated the significance just as N'Jadaka did. Shuri's excited tone couldn't change the somber mood he was in. Several cabinet members grumbled about the potential costs after two weeks of grueling work with the diaspora delegates. For some reason, his declaration to view their role as helping to subsidize existing grass-roots non-GMOs fell on willfully closed ears. He was accused of creating a welfare state on the popular Wakandan news shows that were deeply conservative.

As for the delegates, they came to the realization that N'Jadaka did not plan to save all Black people in the world. He was a big proponent of believing people when they showed him who they were, and too many Black people were unworthy of saving when they harmed their own people. As his older cousin Junie was fond of saying, Noah didn't take everyone on the ark, and Moses left some triflin' niggas in the desert. Everybody didn't want to be free on the outside. Even Harriet Tubman knew that.

As the king, he had to push forth the best plan since T'Challa revealed them to the world. His original plan of being subversive and swift had to be changed. The world watched everything they did and he couldn't go in swinging like he originally plotted the moment he ruled Wakanda. It was a grave mistake on T'Challa's part. He didn't hold it against his cousin. T'Challa was swayed by Nakia and her heart was in the right place.

But N'Jadaka knew better.

So did K'uk'ulkan.

Hiding the truth of their power was the winning hand, and they had lost it in N'Jadaka's absence. The Talokan leader rode the same wave he did. Hit the enemy in stealth with coordinated attacks that disrupted the system of exploitation. Wakandan War Dogs were their only secret weapon at the present moment. He would have to Trojan Horse his way around the globe carefully.

"He calls himself a god, although he is a mutant. I wonder if he is a tyrant," T'Challa said.

N'Jadaka loaded recorded images from the Sea Leopard.

"Look at that," N'Jadaka said, making the image of the second American ship freeze.

He pulled up another image of the Talokanil underwater, gliding over the dead sailors they lured into the sea.

"Underwater they have brown skin… but above the water, they're blue," N'Jadaka observed.

"Not K'uk'ulkan," Shuri said. "Because he's a mutant, he seems to be able to breathe above and below. His people wear masks to breathe while climbing up the ship. There must be a biochemical reaction in their skin that changes when they come into contact with air."

"So… his warriors do have a weakness above the surface," T'Challa said.

"They appear stronger than regular humans," Erik said watching the replay of blue men and women rappelling up the sides of the targeted ship.

"Five hundred years ago the Yucatec Maya were invaded by the Spanish," Shuri said.

"Nothing here mentions people with blue skin," T'Challa said.

"Their color switches instantly in the water… see?" N'Jadaka said.

He pointed to Talokanil warriors dropping back into the ocean making sure enemy soldiers were dead.

"They must be an evolutionary offshoot of the original people on the land," Shuri said.

"I agree. The little that we have about them here doesn't explain any underwater people," N'Jadaka said. "They turned into another Wakanda… hid for centuries."

"Their vibranium must be underwater with them. K'uk'ulkan is the protector of his people like the Black Panther is to us. His mutant powers enabled him to become a god to them," T'Challa said.

Shuri looked away from her brother and pressed her lips together, holding her tongue.

"What?" N'Jadaka asked when he noticed.

Shuri froze an image of K'uk'ulkan where they could see him clearly with lights from the Sea Leopard.

"His powers… the way he moved and acted… his total bearing is God-like. Look at this closer," Shuri said.

She enlarged a Maya hieroglyph.

"Griot, translate the logograms and phonograms for the passage," Shuri said.

"Yes, princess," Griot said.

The glyphs were shuffled and changed colors to match Wakandan glyphs.

"Ready, princess," Griot said.

Shuri opened up a digitized copy of a Spanish journal.

"The Maya described their gods with all their attributes throughout the thirteenth century and beyond. Look at this face… and now look at this sketch in the Spanish colonizer's journal. Does that not look like him in both images?" Shuri asked.

"Maya glyphs are hard to distinguish against a regular face because the writing is highly stylized," T'Challa said.

"But the regal bearing, brother. Tell me that isn't him," Shuri said.

N'Jadaka compared the journal sketch of a flying, dark-eyed man carrying a spear with the images recorded on the Sea Leopard.

"No way that's him," N'Jadaka said.

"He is a mutant. Longevity may be another trait he has. I say that's him. The journal is dated from the early eighteenth century. Around the time our greatest grandmother Queen Shuriyah traveled out of the country to explore the world."

N'Jadaka stared at Shuri and pondered her words. She continued.

"I have a theory that our people met the Talokanil hundreds of years ago. How else would he know how to speak our language without translator buds? I would dare say he's had centuries to learn about us. Maybe a pact originated way back then. We have all these myths and legends from other cultures written in the old and even our forbidden texts. There had to be contact. Very few people know Wakandan fluently outside our borders," Shuri said.

Her eyes searched for agreement between her brother and him.

"Interesting theory," T'Challa said.

"That drawing has to be a relative of his," N'Jadaka pushed.

"They look the same to me," Shuri said. "And don't forget. Bucky Barnes and Steve Rogers have ages that do not match how they look."

"A super serum did that," T'Challa said.

"So why do you both not think his mutant DNA is capable of prolonging life for centuries?" Shuri challenged.

"It doesn't really matter if that man is five hundred years old or younger. He is a potential threat to us if we don't move carefully. All we know is that he's not interested in anything on land that doesn't bother him. That's good enough for me. My responsibility is to keep this country safe and help the people we care about outside our borders. Everyone else can fuck around and find out for themselves about the Talokanil," N'Jadaka said.

"Will you tell the council of elders about them?" T'Challa asked.

"No. This stays with us and our military."

Mpilo knocked on his office door.

"The governor of Birnin Azzaria has arrived to see you," Mpilo said.

N'Jadaka checked his kimoyo. He had several private meetings scheduled to listen to the concerns of the governing bodies of all the territories.

"Send her in," N'Jadaka said.

T'Challa and Shuri exited and he welcomed a thin dark brown-skinned woman with calculating eyes. Her braided hair was twisted into an extravagant updo with a few gray strands at her temples.

"King N'Jadaka, thank you for meeting with me so early in your day. I know you are a busy man."

"Governor Hlojeg… please sit down."

She could've called him and left a message. Yani chose to see him in person instead. Her part in the conference was complete and she was due back at the hospital after the Mama Wati celebration. Wearing her best azure dress, she presented herself in public to match the spirit of the upcoming ocean holiday. The palace was decked out in colors representing the sea and lovely paper aquatic creatures decorated the halls. There were starfish, dolphins, and rainbow fish all around her and she delighted in the atmosphere that reminded her of Christmas. She carried a covered platter filled with curried chicken, peas and rice, sautéed greens, along with a generous slice of yam cornbread smothered in butter and honey.

"Hello Tlotliso," Yani said walking through the front door of the king's outer office.

Tlotliso stood up from her desk, along with two other office workers on the public relations team.

"Is he in?" Yani asked, still moving past the staff.

"Yes," Tlotliso said.

Mpilo met her in the sitting room just outside N'Jadaka's inner office.

"Princess Yani," Mpilo said.

"He busy?"

"No. His last meeting was an hour ago," Mpilo said.

Yani knocked twice, waited, knocked again, then walked inside.

N'Jadaka rested his head on his arms, sleeping heavily. His deep exhales told her he was out for a long time. A map of Wakanda floated to the right of his desk and there were piles of papers stacked high in front of him near a glass pitcher of water. She moved his folders aside to make room for the covered platter. Gazing down at him, she ran her hand over the bun of his locs. Glancing over at the couch near the window, she noticed a small blanket and pillow on the armrest. He spent more time in his office and meeting halls with his cabinet and governing body than he did in his own home. N'Jadaka worked around the clock and there were stress lines on his face on the rare times she caught a glance at him moving through the palace. She could tell by the way he carried himself that there were things troubling him that he couldn't reveal. He acted the same way he did back in St. Thomas when he dealt with Klaue.

Yani was thankful the conference was ending soon. It took up too much of his time away from his kids, and she knew he hated that. Her fingers lingered near the base of his exposed neck rubbing tender circles. He groaned in his sleep. She stopped, feeling self-conscious about touching him in that familiar way. It was like old times back home in his workroom when he became hyper-fixated on his tasks and forgot to eat or drink anything. He could work himself down to the bone and not be cognizant that he needed to take time to care for himself.

She rubbed his neck again, moving her body behind him to even her touches to his wide shoulders tucked behind a smooth black tunic. N'Jadaka's focus had always been outside of himself, working toward helping other people. He was so much like his mother, community-oriented, and often to a fault. Thinking about it, she wondered what he did for fun all by himself when no one was around him in the palace.

His body stirred under her soft fingers and he shifted his head from one arm to the other before becoming aware of her hands on him. She moved away from him as he lifted his head from the desk. Gathering focus, he glanced at his work and then noticed the covered food.

"I made you a plate of comfort food," she said.

He smiled and reached out his hand, hesitating for a moment, before caressing her arm with a gentle rub.

"Thank you," he said.

She took the seat in front of his desk and watched him uncover the food and tuck in right away. He closed his eyes and groaned louder when he tasted the curried chicken. Licking his fingers, he pulled apart the yam cornbread and took less than fifteen minutes to devour everything. Yani sat there pleased as a peach watching him enjoy her cooking while being near him for longer than a few seconds.

"Damn, Ma, you put your foot in that," he said, pushing the plate away.

She covered it back up and studied the changes in his face that good food brought him. He appeared more relaxed and poured himself some water.

"Long day?" she said.

"Yeah."

His handsome face made her squirm in the chair. Everything about him was so… kingly. His clothes. Hair. The rings on his fingers. The diamonds in his ears. His aura of power. He had those things even back in St. Thomas, but they became magnified in Wakanda. He was true royalty. Always had been.

Drawing breath into her mouth to help out her nose once she became woozy staring at him, Yani stood up. He pushed his empty glass of water next to the pitcher.

"You have more to do today. I wanted to make sure you ate something. You've been skipping family meals," she said.

His piercing gaze dropped to his desk and took in all the tasks still ahead of him. Weariness drifted across his face. Yani walked around the desk and pulled the covered plate toward the edge of his desk. He reached for a folder and she placed her hand on the top of his head.

"Slow down and take of yourself," she said.

N'Jadaka closed his eyes at her touch and leaned against her chest. She cradled him and stroked his hair.

"Maybe you should take the rest of the day off," she whispered above his head.

"I wish I could, but there's too much to take care of. One of our War Dogs in Malawi thinks he located the man who helped bomb our country. I have to deal with that once he contacts us again."

"Can't T'Challa take care of that? He's the Black Panther."

"Nah, this man tried to kill my grandparents. I will see him myself and find out who put him up to it."

"Do you ever take time for yourself to rest? And I don't mean on that couch over there."

"I sleep when I can."

"It's not good for your health or the nation."

"I'm okay."

His warm breath touched her skin through her clothes with his mouth near her right breast.

"I know you. I see you carry stress in your body. If you don't slow down, I will call the royal doctors and have them force you to rest for a week. Hear mi, man? Our children complain all the time that they only see you for lunch. You haven't told them bedtime stories in a week. Sweet Pea, Dumplin, and Sunshine need you more. T'Challa can handle anything in your absence."

He didn't answer. She looked down and his eyes were pressed shut and he was in a deep sleep again. She grinned. His son was the same way. Head against a titty… instant sleep. Yani shook him back awake. He needed to know she wanted him to take care of himself for once.

"N'Jadaka…hey…"

She stroked his cheek and he pushed into her chest more to get comfortable.

"Listen to me," she said.

Yani lifted his chin and pinched it, forcing his eyes open.

"You are doing more than you need to. A king shouldn't walk around exhausted. I will have you put on bed rest if you don't slow down."

She sucked her teeth when he tried to bury his face against her.

"I need you to be at your best—"

"Yani, I'm good—"

"You are not."

She tapped her kimoyo and contacted the royal physician that looked after all of them. N'Jadaka fretted at her power move, but she spoke to the doctor and he arrived within minutes with an assistant rolling a medical cart. Mpilo and Tlotliso hovered at the doorway when the medical staff arrived and Yani closed the door on them. N'Jadaka was moved to the couch where he was checked and given fluids. The physician, Dr. Pheko, scanned the king's vitals with a frown on his face.

"Ukumkani, you are dehydrated. Lack of sleep and overwork has taken a toll," Dr. Pheko said.

"Make him take bedrest," Yani insisted.

"I'll take the IV and have a quick power nap," N'Jadaka argued.

"No," Yani said, standing behind the doctor.

"Yani, I have shit to do and very little time—"

"You will rest," Dr. Pheko said.

Yani crossed her arms over her chest and smirked.

"For how long?" N'Jadaka said.

"Three days at the minimum based on the readings I have," Dr. Pheko said looking at his small body scanner.

"In time for the Mama Wati celebration," Yani said.

Dr. Pheko's assistant gave the king a vitamin shot and they waited an hour for the fluids to perk him back up.

"Go to your quarters and sleep King N'Jadaka."

The doctor packed up his medical equipment and left with his assistant. N'Jadaka glared at her, but she stood her ground.

"I am a medical professional. How would it look if I allowed you to keep working without saying anything?" she said.

He grumbled under his breath and a mean scowl overtook his face as he stared at his desk filled with unfinished work.

"C'mon, let's go," she said, waving her hand for him to get up.

"… unnecessary…." he muttered.

He stood at his full height and she looked up at him. A tremble went through her.

"Just coming all in here and dictating," he said.

To keep her feigned cool with his heated gaze melting her resolve, Yani went to his desk and lifted the covered platter.

"Someone has to keep boundaries or else you'll run yourself down. Won't do anyone any good then, hear mi? Stop pouting."

He poked his lips out in an exaggerated expression and headed toward the desk. She blocked him. Putting down the platter, she pushed his folders aside.

"Leave all that alone," she said.

He brushed up against her.

"I hear what you're saying, but—"

"Mpilo!" she shouted into the desk intercom.

Mpilo walked in with wide eyes. Yani grabbed N'Jadaka's hand and pulled him next to her.

"Cancel all of his appointments for the rest of the day… and the next two. King N'Jadaka is under the doctor's orders to go home. Please contact T'Challa and Shuri to let them know he will not be disturbed."

"Yes, Princess Yani," Mpilo said.

Yani dragged N'Jadaka behind her.

"Please have the platter on his desk delivered to the palace kitchen staff on my behalf," she said.

"Yes, princess," Mpilo said, rushing to retrieve it.

N'Jadaka's hand felt cool and clammy in hers. The rest of his staff watched them leave and the Kingsguard, along with his Doras followed them onto the elevator. He waved the Onyx Squad away with the others leaving only Aneka and Noxolo with them on his private floor.

"The king will rest for the next three days," Yani told his Doras.

N'Jadaka opened up his home and Yani admired the interior. It was her first time there. Her children described the layout to her before and she sought out the stairs.

"Yani, I'm home now. You can relax," he said.

He pulled away from her and headed to a plush couch with a gorgeous view of the city skyline.

"Let me at least bring you some water… that way?" she asked, seeking the kitchen.

He nodded and she cruised through the spacious living room. It took her a moment to figure out the set-up of his dishes and glasses. She grabbed an orange from a bowl and placed it on a saucer first, before pouring him room temperature water into a tall glass.

"Here," she said.

He placed the fruit and water on an end table and leaned back on the couch.

"You look better," she said.

"Food and extra liquids. Nothing serious," he said.

"No working from home," she said, turning away from him.

"Yani…"

She stopped walking and took a breath. Pivoting around, she stood in front of him.

"Thank you for checking on me," he said.

"Call me if you need anything or if you want to talk to the children before they go to bed… if you're awake later."

"Does Grandpop still have them?"

"They've gone to the children's play with Ramonda at the city theater."

N'Jadaka grimaced.

"Shit… I was supposed to meet them there. Got my schedule mixed up," he said.

"Don't worry, I already told them you would probably be too busy to go tonight because you're getting everything ready for Mama Wati's day. They are more excited about that than anything."

"They get to swim in the ocean," he said.

He glanced at the skyline and a flicker of concern crinkled his forehead. His mind was already fixating on something else and not resting. She touched him above his brow to smooth the creases in his skin. He tilted his head back.

"Stop thinking about work."

"It's hard not to."

His gaze held her. She touched his nose ring and then traced the outline of his lips with a soft fingertip. Lowering her head, she brushed her lips against his. Her stomach fluttered with uncertainty and her heart galloped in her chest. N'Jadaka leaned into the kiss, his gentle mouth giving in to her advances. She parted her lips and slid her tongue against his. He welcomed the exploration. Yani pulled back when she sensed hesitation on his part. His eyes pooled with sorrowful tears and he bit his bottom lip to keep his face from crumbling.

She pressed her cheek against his and a hot tear streaked against her skin from his face. Wiping away a tear from the other side of his nose, she cooed soft words of forgiving endearments for what he couldn't say out loud. She sat on his lap, held the side of his face toward her, and kissed him again. He asserted himself more the second time around and all she could think with pure bliss was that he belonged to her. The king of Wakanda was hers to take.

Yani wanted him.

She weathered the storm and made it through to the other side of the journey a little bruised, but wiser with her maturity. She left him, created a boundary for herself, and held onto an expectation of respect that he had to follow. Yani took pride in that. No man would ever disregard her feelings ever again.

N'Jadaka put his heart on the table again, and she could choose to put hers next to it, or stay where she was in her home and pursue her work and parental responsibilities. She didn't need a man. But she wanted him back. Forever. She broke away from his lips and nuzzled her nose against his neck to smell his scent. He kissed her cheek and under her chin, his beard tickling her as his lips painted more kisses on her. She stroked his hair as he unstitched her nerves, his aura flooding her senses like a rush of powerful wind flowing over her.

Yani sucked his tongue. The tickling sensation in her panties turned into a heavy throbbing in her pussy. Their wet tongues collided and slid around slowly. She gasped when his right hand went around her hip and gripped her ass cheek to hold her tight against him. Yani went limp in his arms and he rested her against the soft armrest to support her head and neck. He nibbled on her bottom lip playfully before plunging his tongue back into her mouth. Her left leg shook, and he held her in place. She moaned in his mouth and he groaned when she shifted her backside on his lap.

She started kissing him with her tongue flattened against his mouth, licking his full lips and sucking them too. He went up for air and wiped the dampness from his forehead. His body heat soaked through to her and she burned all over with libidinous desire. He ran his fingers along her neck, nibbled her earlobe, and whispered her name in her ear making her tingle all over. Her folds were puffy and her pussy felt like it was wide open ready to receive the stiff dick jutting through his dark crotch-drop pants. They hid nothing from her. He adjusted himself and shifted her on his lap so that her heavy rump covered it from view. N'Jadaka kept kissing and her pussy grew wetter and soaked her panties. He licked the seam of her lips and thrust his tongue into her ear making her tremble more.

"I know you feel how hard my dick is," he said.

Yani dropped her head back trying to catch her breath. She wanted him to touch her. N'Jadaka only kissed and licked…sucked and teased her neck, ears, and lips. Her dress bunched up between her thighs and she willed herself to not rub on her clit which was swollen and ready to be kissed too. Grinding her ass in his lap, she welcomed more physical contact from him. His eyes narrowed full of lust and he groaned deep in his throat at the softness of her backside pressed on top of his covered dick. She noticed his mouth go lax and he panted a soft gust of breath. Was he about to cum? He smashed his lips against hers and snuggled his tongue back inside her mouth, the wet warmth and guttural moans from him sending her over. She whimpered in desperate pleasure as her walls throbbed in release, his kissing pulling out a big, messy orgasm that wouldn't stop until he gasped into her neck.

"Yani, baby… we gotta stop…"

He wrapped his arms around her and listened to her breathing return to normal. Kissing her temple, he cradled her face with his strong hands.

"I want to do this right," he said.

"How?"

"I was supposed to come back to you like this… ready to make love to you and make up for all those years I was gone. Let me… let me court you the way they do it in Wakanda. I want to show you that I'm worth it this time in a formal way. Will you let me?"

"Yes."

"Good. We'll go slow… get to know each other again the way we should've."

He rested his cheek on her breasts and she rubbed his neck.

"I love you, Yani."

Yani closed her eyes and a shudder went through her. Words meant things, but actions mattered more. She would allow him to court her and prove his worthiness to have her in his life again. Sighing, she rode the pulsing sensations in her clit. Being physical with him brought up so much yearning for more. He looked at her from his position.

"You came, didn't you?" he teased.

She playfully slapped his forehead.

"I could tell. Shit, I was ready to bust myself," he said.

He sat up and checked his pants. Back to normal. Standing, he held out his hands to her. She took them and he pulled her to her feet.

"I'm going to my bedroom to sleep. Can we have a late breakfast together here? You can check up on me… play doctor if you want," he said.

"I am a doctor, silly."

"I know. You can make sure I'm hydrated. I'll stay in bed all day tomorrow and we can have trays brought up with all kinds of food. I think you'll be impressed with my bedroom."

"That sounds very naughty and not in alignment with formal courting."

"We won't be naked… unless you want to be naked. I have no problem with that. Alternative healing is a thing."

"How about you rest by yourself and I'll bring all the kids to see you for dinner. We can eat here with you and they'll tell you stories for bedtime."

"Deal."

"Okay then."

He leaned down and kissed her forehead.

"Goodnight, N'Jadaka."

"Goodnight, Yani."

He spanked her backside and then held her hand to walk her to his front door.

"You were right. I needed to take a step back," he said when they reached the entrance.

"I have never steered you wrong, my king."

"I like how you say that."

His eyes looked glassy and far away like he was imagining her saying that in an illicit situation.

"Remember… respectable. I am a princess and you will treat me as such," she said.

"I'm glad you came to see me today. I feel blessed. I mean that, Ma."

"Get to bed."

He swept his arms around her waist and lifted her onto her toes. Her body responded to his touch again and she fought to make herself leave his home. The way he looked at her should've made her combust, but she kept it together long enough to get away.

Outside of his front door, she made no eye contact with anyone, not even the Kingsguard assigned to escort Yani to her guest quarters. They would see the bright arousal in her eyes and know all of her nasty thoughts about their king.

Her king.

She grinned in the elevator. He was earning his way back, little by little.

Chapter 67 HERE.

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[uzumaki-rebellion]

“Black Boys Bloom Thorns First: Volume 4, Chapter 65″

Need to catch up? Masterlist HERE.

"Who took movement Spirit included Made it a Movement We did (Never Forget)

Who's the origin straight from the soil? And, then redistributed Who did (Never Forget)

Future ancient our souls they'll never get it Aye, information passed down for generation Future ancients our souls they'll never get it They will never forget"

Sampa the Great – "Never Forget"

Twyla's Wakanda tour was a tremendous success.

Professional, punctual, and far-reaching, it showcased her love for history and culture. It also revealed her love for the country as a new citizen. N'Jadaka joined a hover bus ride to a river pick-up spot north of Warrior Falls where they landed on River Tribe territory. The tours were divided into daily rotations over three days allowing the guests to pick what activities they were up for each day culminating with their participation in all of them. The city tour covered Birnin Zana's museums, temples, and other historical structures ending with shopping at a popular bazaar and dinner at a restaurant overlooking the palace. The wildlife tour was a safari day trip with elephant rides, flights across the long Ibukun River, a fancy lunch at a wildlife preserve, and then a special musical play at the Zana Performance Theater that ushered in an eight-course dinner near Mount Bashenga to see the spectacular sunset. The River Tour was a day-long excursion aboard several large luxury boats with cultural geography lessons, a gourmet lunch on the river, and then a tour of the double palace before an exclusive dinner inside one of the extravagant palace dining rooms.

N'Jadaka brought his grandfather and Marisol with him on the boat and they watched the spectacular scenery through the eyes of their guests.

When they reached the palace tour, N'Jadaka made his leave and met with his children for an early private dinner with the Udaku clan. Their family meal placated his stomach and spirit and he left his young ones with Ramonda and Shuri. He noticed T'Challa slipping away from the dining room with Nakia and grinned. They no longer hid their rekindled closeness. Ramonda appeared thrilled by it and no one said anything about the warmth exuding between them.

From N'Jadaka's viewpoint, T'Challa was in his element as the Black Panther. He allowed the king to concentrate on other matters without having to second-guess what was happening outside of Wakanda. T'Chaka's son was built for the mantle. Being free of ruling seemed to make the man happy. It gave him time with Nakia in private, unlike N'Jadaka who had to be the face of the palace at every moment. He leaned into Ramonda for guidance. Her decades of experience as Queen Consort mentored him on how to behave during the conference with all the power he exuded. She suggested he become less familiar with the visitors and create some distance so that they would understand the immense responsibility he had. Plus, he needed rest. His energy tanks were depleted by nightfall as his empath abilities took in everything.

She was tickled pink when he told her that T'Challa would join Nakia in New York for the U.N. general assembly. They would be there to work on behalf of the nation, but Ramonda acted like it was a honeymoon trip for her son and favorite War Dog.

N'Jadaka walked with his hands clasped behind his back strolling on the deck of the palace moon room. A giant telescope pointed toward the dark sky and he snuck a peek through it. The dog star Sirius shined high above.

"It is a beautiful night."

He turned to find Ramonda walking toward him. Without her isicholo, her long white locs flowed down to her waist and brushed against the pale green silk of her dress.

"Shuri and the children are playing the Catch Me VR game and it is a little too loud to read in my quarters," she said.

Resting her arms on the balcony, she looked at the skyline with him.

"Your father used to come out here to stare at the stars after his dinner meals, too. I thought he was daydreaming about parties and traveling around town with his friends… now I know he was thinking of his family on the other side of the world."

She glanced at him with soft features in the moonlight.

"He was a wonderful man. Beloved by all who knew and met him. Your mother was very blessed to have him as a husband. You and I had a very troubling introduction… life has an extraordinary way of shaking up the world and turning it into something so unexpected."

She laced her fingers together and stared back at the stars.

"Listening to all those people from across the world has been a tremendous experience these last three days, N'Jadaka. Welcoming them here has opened my eyes to so much. Wakanda is the light of the world. We were just afraid of the responsibility… the weight of it. Your paternal grandfather… my own husband… they were not willing to carry that burden on their shoulders. T'Challa did his best to step into that role with Nakia's coaxing, but in the end, you are the one best equipped for the task. When T'Challa was king, he encountered so much treachery and deceit from the west, especially from the Americans. They chomp at the bit to take from us and that made my son so tired of dancing around all of the constant diplomacy games they play out there."

"We won't be dancing anymore. T'Challa is our greatest weapon of protection out there. I almost feel sorry for whoever challenges him in the future," he said.

"No… the two of you together are Wakanda's greatest weapon. Bast saw fit to bring you back to us in the way it was meant to be. A rebirth. The Black Panther and the Golden Jaguar. T'Chaka and N'Jobu were never able to sit and talk together the way you and T'Challa do. I can only imagine what a force they would've been if N'Jobu brought you home with Califia," she said.

N'Jadaka patted her hand.

"The past is at rest, Auntie. T'Challa and I make a great team."

Ramonda placed her hand on top of his.

"Our country will be greater for it," she said.

N'Jadaka accepted the compliment. Ramonda had been a slow thawing of glacial animosity with their interpersonal relationship. He was a living testament to her husband's tragic flaws, and yet, the Queen Mother Consort of Wakanda… the respected dowager of the T'Chaka lineage, accepted him fully as the rightful ruler.

"I will leave you, my king," she said.

His gaze lingered on her exit before he returned to his own quiet thoughts. He spent another two hours on the moon deck reflecting on the invited guests. Sydette's avatar popped up.

"Baba, where are you? You promised us a story tonight to make up for the other nights," Sydette said.

"I'm sorry Sweet Pea."

"Auntie Shuri told us a story about Mama Wati, so you don't have to worry about tonight. However, tomorrow night—"

"I will tell you a story about your grandfather N'Jobu and how he came to America."

"Good," she said.

He ended the call and wandered out into the palace halls. Art and structural beauty guided his relaxing walking meditation. To be a ruler was to be conscious of every aspect of his life and the lives of others. He thought of the two thousand visitors and their first introduction to the wonders of his new world. As a king, he was in control of the fate of every human living on the planet.

At least above the surface.

He took an express elevator to the palace swimming pool. He stripped naked and slipped earbuds into his ears so the sound of the pool waterfall wouldn't distract him. Tapping his kimoyo, he contacted his Sea Leopard naval captain for a debriefing of the day's reconnaissance.

Captain Lebohang, a hard-faced Border Tribe member with a wrinkled bald head and hooded eyes, stared back at N'Jadaka.

"My king," Lebohang said.

Visual logistical reports sprung around N'Jadaka's kimoyo. Lebohang added images from their sea probes too. N'Jadaka rubbed the top of his locs and stretched his back before resting against the side of the smooth pool wall.

"Fill me in," N'Jadaka said.

Yani hid between the cavernous walls of the fake waterfall as she spied N'Jadaka speaking to his military captain. She hadn't moved fast enough to hop out of the deep end of the elaborate pool to grab her swim robe and bathing suit. Naked and feeling the chill of the waterfall mist behind a fifteen-foot rocky façade, she stayed rooted in place hoping the king would move to the other side of the massive pool that would hide him from her so she could escape with her dignity intact. No one ever used the pool late at night and Yani expected N'Jadaka to be in his quarters or reading to their children for bed.

His nudity surprised her. The body she knew so well was heavier all over from eating buttery-rich palace foods. The palace learned he liked yam cornbread and since his return, they sent him loaves every other day. His pubic area was untrimmed and grown wild. She liked it. His flaccid dick hung heavy between his legs, and all the wiry hair around it made it seem more illicit to be out in the open. Steam rose around him from the heated water. Hopefully, he wouldn't get too hot and wade down to cool himself in the waterfall that was created for that purpose.

She listened to him speak forcefully but noticed the fatigue riding on his shoulders. He wasn't getting enough sleep. His voice sounded tired. She wanted to slip back down into the balmy water, however, any movement would attract his attention.

"…keep me updated," he said.

N'Jadaka rested his head on the lip of the pool. His kimoyo lit up again and Riki's avatar floated in his face.

"Hey Lil man, you're supposed to be sleeping," he said.

"Baba, tell me a story."

"Shuri told you a story already."

"I wahn hear one from you."

"It's late Riki—"

"I'm in my own room by myself."

"Why aren't you with Joba?"

"Auntie Shuri said I was too scared to sleep by myself, and I told her I wasn't. I'm alone… it's too dark in here."

"Use your kimoyo night light—"

"I am, but they'll make fun of me."

"It's okay to go sleep with Joba and Sweet Pea—"

"They'll say I'm a baby… not a big boy."

"If I tell you a story, will that help you sleep by yourself?"

"Can you come get me? I wahn be with you."

"I'll come get all of you, then—"

"No, just me."

"Ramonda and Shuri will miss you at breakfast—"

"I miss you. How come we can't come to the hotel place?" Riki asked.

"That's for the grownups. You would be bored."

"No, I wouldn't."

"Yes, you would."

"Nuh-uh! I know how to write now, so I can take notes for you."

"My assistant does that for me."

"Baba… please."

N'Jadaka moved from the ledge and waded toward the wide steps. Water rolled down his skin in thick droplets.

"I'll come sleep there. Will that make you feel better?"

Riki nodded.

"Give me a few minutes. I have to clean up from the pool and I'll be there soon," N'Jadaka said.

Yani pressed her hands against the center of her chest. The king was weary, but he wanted to comfort his son. She watched N'Jadaka enter a cleaning chamber where a high-speed heater evaporated the pool water from his body. He dressed quickly and left the room. She lunged forward in the warm water and swam to the nearest steps. Bypassing the cleaning chamber, she threw on her swimsuit and cover-up. Rushing out of the pool room, she trekked her way back to the guest suite given to her for her stay at the palace. Guards who were sprinkled throughout the upper floors paid little attention to her because of her status. Entering her quarters, she shed her swimwear and showered, later changing into a flowing house dress. She curled herself up on a loveseat and practiced her presentation for the conference.

Observing N'Jadaka drove her to perfect her physical stance while speaking her words. She stood up and practiced moving around to engage an audience. Yani had to convey to the cabinet the dire circumstances in healthcare for poor Black people. Affordability, racism, lack of access, and stark poverty steeped too many in predictable untimely deaths.

Sleep overtook her, but she didn't worry. Her conference section didn't start until later in the afternoon. She could sleep in and skip the buffet breakfast at the hotel. Yani's dreams were pleasant and scattered. Images of St. Thomas and cooking on the outdoor grill. Standing on the beach of an ocean she didn't recognize.

She awoke refreshed and energized. The palace kitchen sent up fancy overstuffed breakfast omelets with all of her favorite sides and fruits, and she ate a generous portion of the freshly baked raspberry coffee cake to finish it all off. Checking the waves in her hair, she looked over her outfit for the day as Disa walked into her dressing room to fetch her.

"Ready?" Disa asked.

They looked each other over to make sure they were color-coordinated for Yani's presentation. Together they settled on coral pink and pale crème for a soft maternal look. Disa sported a flared pants ensemble with a waist-length jacket and Yani went for a flowing long skirt with a silky, off-the-shoulder blouse.

"Pretty diamonds," Disa said, admiring the earrings N'Jadaka bought her years before.

Yani took a deep breath.

"You'll be amazing. I have the holo pics lined up with your speech, and I'll keep my part of the presentation under ten minutes in the end so there can be a longer Q & A for the king's cabinet," Disa said.

"I know what I will say by heart, but I still feel like I need to hold onto something to keep me from talking too fast," Yani said.

"Maybe use your comm tab at the podium instead of the holo prompter?" Disa suggested.

Yani nodded. It was a good idea. She could glance at the comm tab and even touch it without the audience knowing.

"We look good," Yani said.

Disa grinned.

Both of their kimoyo alarms went off to remind them to leave the palace on time.

"Show time," Disa said.

Yani shook her hands nervously and grabbed her attaché. Their heels clicked in the palace hallway and they chatted about Disa's trip in the Jabari lands. Disa appeared giddy and her eyes crinkled with her smiles talking about the beauty high above them. Yani inferred that a lot of the enjoyment came from her time with Adebiyi, but she didn't let on to Disa that she suspected as much. Yani was happy for her. There was a bounce in Disa's step as she carried her own leather messenger bag. Two Doras met them at the launch site of the Royal Scorpion Fighter and she looked back with Disa at the palace. Their children had gone for a day trip with Dante to visit Umama and Baba Z giving their mothers quiet time to work and get ready without interruption. A gentle, skin-caressing breeze carried the vibrant scent of river waterlilies. Yani sniffed the sweet odors of the flowers wafting around them and took it as a good sign that the day would go well.

The flight to the hotel conference center was quiet. Yani went over her speech in her mind and their stroll into the main room kept her focused. The diaspora delegates had been divided into sections dealing with health. The afternoon session centered on maternal health and postnatal well-being. Yani would open the session and the rest of their time there would be spent hashing out the best way Wakanda could assist the various countries represented. Yani met up with her leadership team of Dr. Bryan, Dr. Dixon, and Dr. Alcindor and they all prepared paper documents to pass out to the round delegate work tables. The conference area had been broken down into a war room of sorts. People arrived on time and ready, and as the crowd surged, the more nervous Yani became.

Disa set up her holo projector and waited at a nearby side table for Yani's cue to begin after Queen Ramonda welcomed the delegates and did a bit of conference housekeeping. A shout from a side door by a Dora announced the arrival of King N'Jadaka. Everyone rose to their feet and a hush went across the room.

N'Jadaka gazed at everyone he passed by. Mpilo walked behind him with a new contingency of people. Yani recognized Rolita and Nevaeh walking with the king, but ten other Native people were with them. N'Jadaka led them to a special table near his and the Council of Elders. He walked to the podium and lowered his hands for people to sit.

"Good afternoon. I know this morning's session was busy, but you all look well-fed and ready for another round," N'Jadaka joked.

The audience agreed with him. He glanced over at Rolita.

"Seated near me is a very special delegation of Native elders who were selected to bear witness to our proceedings. Many of us throughout the African diaspora live on stolen Indigenous lands, and any plans we have to shape the countries we live in must take into consideration the people who lived there first. My Aunt Rolita is here representing the Yurok and will act as a lead liaison for Native affairs that may overlap with our plans. This small delegation has members of First Nations from Canada, Central America, and South American tribes. They are sworn to secrecy just the same as all of you. Are there any questions?" N'Jadaka said.

No one said anything.

The king turned toward Yani and she prayed her knees wouldn't knock. His intense eyes demanded the best of her.

"I present to you Princess and doctor Yani Galiber, a direct descendent of Queen Mary Thomas of St. Croix."

The audience rose and clapped for her. Yani threw her shoulders back and stepped up to the podium. N'Jadaka held out his hand for her and she took it. He bent over resting his lips near her ear.

"Do your thing, Ma," he said.

He winked at her as he walked to his seat. She nodded to Disa who awaited her signal to begin.

Disa tapped her holo projector displaying a beautiful model of a birth care center she made for Yani. She watched Yani captivate the enthralled audience with her moving speech and plans to replicate the successful birthing practices of Wakanda and Black midwives from an island collective she belonged to with members spanning the globe. Yani's voice remained confident throughout the presentation, although she stumbled once while glancing toward N'Jadaka. He wore a stern expression with a wrinkled fold down the center of his forehead, and Disa wondered if he was displeased with some figures and financial predictions presented. Wakanda was a wealthy nation, but it would take more than half a billion over the course of twenty years Yani projected to get at least two generations on track in the future.

Yani ended her speech and received a full round of applause before Disa stood up to show more sketches and models.

"Thank you Dr. Galiber for an excellent presentation," Disa said.

Yani stood next to her, relief softening her sweet face. Disa displayed her work and Yani answered questions with her when needed. They wrapped up in under seventy-five minutes. The next thirty minutes were given over for a Q & A with N'Jadaka's cabinet officials. They were all given a twenty-minute break before a late working lunch at their assigned colleague tables. Disa stuffed her mouth with garlic-fried potatoes and pepper steak while going over building codes in the U.S. with her northern hemisphere team. She ate, took, notes, gave suggestions, and listened to experts in her field from various countries on how to build affordable healthcare centers that would attract very little attention from other governments.

Before the dinner break, Rolita and a First Nation elder from the Kanai nation in Alberta Canada spoke of sovereign indigenous lands willing to have wellness hospitals built on tribal territories in exchange for protection and use with the African diaspora. Clean water was a critical issue in many areas, especially on tribal lands in the U.S.

Disa watched N'Jadaka's face as he listened. He interjected very little the entire day, preferring to listen and let the experts there present their needs and solutions. It was a good look for Wakanda from her vantage point. Wakanda became a partner instead of acting like a powerful twenty-first-century global colonizer. N'Jadaka still projected an imposing figure in his seat while talking with Ramonda and Efetobo.

She skipped the hearty dinner buffet and sampled a small salad and fruit cup instead. N'Jadaka made his rounds to speak with people seated at the outdoor dining areas before joining her and Yani in enjoying the cooling summer air. Reaching across the table he squeezed Yani's hand and she beamed from ear to ear.

"You put it down, Yani. Disa… you were outstanding, too. Thank you for all your hard work. I sent your projections of cost and labor to the treasurer early and we should be able to come up with a working budget soon," he said.

Yani leaned forward in her chair to say something to him, but Ramonda pulled him away from the table to discuss the evening program that would be a closed debriefing with the delegates. N'Jadaka greeted an older American woman from the Bay area and led her to a table with Ramonda far away from them. Yani sat back in her seat, the corners of her lips downturned by his departure. Disa lifted a glass of water.

"He's so busy," Disa said.

Yani nodded and tried to muster a smile, but her body language didn't reciprocate.

"I haven't had a chance to talk to him since we've been back here," Yani said. "The palace keeps him tied up with all his other duties."

"I'm glad that things are running well with the conference for him. A lot of Wakandans are still against helping on the outside."

Yani glanced around at all the visitors.

"These people are here to work for themselves. They just need our protection more than anything," Yani said.

"I heard he's flying Walter here to work on some protective clothing designs next month," Disa said.

"Really?"

"Dante mentioned it to me before I left for the Jabari lands. The idea is to have DNA sequenced shirts that activate by mental command."

Yani folded her hands on the table.

"Is everything okay, Yani?" Disa asked.

"Do you think he's doing too much too fast?" Yani asked.

"He's always been meticulous… a heavy planner with contingency plans while he was in school. When he sets his mind on something, he'll see it through."

"There's so much coming at him. I worry about his health."

"He's put on weight in the mountains," Disa said.

"Yeah," Yani said.

Yani's eyes became wistful and dreamy.

They were still in love with each other.

Disa felt it when N'Jadaka reached across the table for Yani's hand. Yani's hesitation was understandable, but Disa and the Udaku family knew the truth. N'Jadaka and Yani were scared to lose one another. But N'Jadaka had to serve the people first. That was the ultimate job of a ruler.

She thought of her time in the mountains with Adebiyi, how freeing it was to get to know a man away from prying eyes and public speculation. Disa gave that up willingly as she discovered the beautiful parts of a man from a new culture just as hidden as Wakanda. Her trip was eye-opening and solidified her desire to take what she needed in a relaxed environment. Ayomide was pleased with the interest in her brother from Disa, and she planned on exploring that relationship slowly without her daughter mixed up in it. That meant more trips alone and perhaps a move away from the palace. Umama and Baba Z were open to anyone coming to their Jabari estate, and if Adebiyi turned out to be the man she felt he was from her first visit, there were changes to come for her and Joba. A serious conversation needed to be had with N'Jadaka about that. Like Yani, Disa secretly worried about his mental and physical health with all the tasks he wanted to accomplish before the year's end. Had he bitten more than he could chew? The man was fully capable of compartmentalizing his world, but being the public face of a kingdom was all-encompassing of his twenty-four hours each day. The only exception he made for anyone was his children. They always came first.

The doors of the conference room opened back up and she took a seat behind her former professor from M.I.T. who had retired after Disa received her Ph.D. Professor Donald Robinson had been the reason why Disa chose to study at M.I.T. in the first place. He was one of the rare teachers who understood the need to integrate climate change with architecture in coastal territories. She patted his back to get his attention and he clasped her hand to shake it, his fingers trembling with nervous energy. The podium in front of the room had been removed and in its place were ten stately chairs with men and women seated in them. Once the doors were closed, N'Jadaka stepped to the side of the front chairs and addressed the audience.

"Dr. Barbara Davis, please stand," N'Jadaka said.

The older woman with slicked-back white hair and dark chestnut skin who sat in the center stood and surveyed the audience. She adjusted her thick glasses and glanced at the king. N'Jadaka walked over and held her hand.

"Dr. Davis was my therapist when I was a child. She specializes in generational trauma, especially in children. I asked for her help in dealing with issues that may be brought up because of your stay here for this gathering. Because we are all part of the diaspora with troubling histories, I believe it's important to face and voice what your experience has been like here, so far. I grew up only knowing the iceberg tip of what Wakanda was. To find out the truth was painful for me and my mother. Many of you may feel the same. Dr. Davis and her team will talk with us about how to deal with our emotions as descendants from the Lost Tribe, and they will help us look toward the future with tools to help us work through the mental work we will face leaving here… Dr. Davis…"

N'Jadaka stepped away from the front of the room and took a seat on a corner chair near the front. Dr. Davis greeted everyone with a warm hot cocoa voice that had the authority of a beloved grandmother smothering her grandchildren in a cozy weighted blanket. Disa didn't expect to get a wonderfully succinct explanation of epigenetics and the history of the enslaved, but she sat there and listened to Dr. Davis capture the minds of everyone present.

Disa glanced over at N'Jadaka and imagined him being a child and talking to Dr. Davis about his childhood pain. There were sniffles and quiet weeping throughout the room. She glimpsed Yani wiping her eyes with a tissue. So much hurt filled the air with a thick cloud that choked Disa up too. The psychic trauma of loss and abandonment pervaded the space. No wonder N'Jadaka kept all the Wakandans out of the room, including his royal guards. They had to purge their pain in private.

The other therapists there spoke after Dr. Davis, and the other people in the room who wanted to ask a question or vent their pain in a safe space did so. The mood grew too overbearing for some, and they were allowed to go sit in an adjoining room that was created for that need. Disa counted about forty people needing to step out from the core group. N'Jadaka had been so wise to set aside time for a mental health discussion.

The private session concluded after two hours, and everyone was free to relax and reflect for the rest of the night and all of the next day. Disa watched Yani step into a corner with Twyla. The two cousins hugged each other and Twyla kept wiping Yani's cheeks. She looked for N'Jadaka, but he had vanished from the scene, probably off to work on something else without resting. Her cheeks grew tight with a smile when she caught sight of him taking long strides to the Royal Talon Fighter waiting for him on the top of a grassy knoll of the hotel's welcoming landscape.

He was beautiful… his swagger so full of confidence and royal cool. The colors of the fading late sunset painted him with glorious shades of royal purple and burnt orange. The sunset was like their past loving romance… still beautiful even as that relationship ended. He would always be her special one, but like sunsets dying, there was always the promise of a new day and a new sunrise. Adebiyi proved that to her with his uncovered kindness and passion for his life as a creative builder… just like her. Disa blew a kiss N'Jadaka's way as he stepped onto the Talon Fighter with his Dora Milaje. Allah had blessed her king and best friend.

Yani and Twyla wandered out from the conference room and found her gazing at a blue-black sky.

"Ready to head to the palace?" Disa asked.

Yani stared at her face, then reached up and wiped a tear away from Disa's left eyelid. Twyla rubbed her back. The gestures of kindness were another gift from Allah. Marisol joined them and the mood lifted to one of reverent joy. Disa would always have a loving bond with the three of them. They were a sacred sisterhood in Wakanda. Daughters of the diaspora who returned home.

N'Jadaka waited until after four in the afternoon to leave for a visit aboard the Sea Leopard. He slept in all day and visited his children for an early dinner before picking up Shuri and T'Challa from her lab. They flew across Birnin S'Yan to reach the ocean and followed a course correction that was transmitted from the Sea Leopard hundreds of miles out to sea.

"There," Okoye said, bringing up the images of the formidable ship.

The Royal Talon fighter circled the Sea Leopard once before docking on it. Captain Lebohang greeted him with brisk professionalism. His eyes looked strained and bloodshot from a lack of sleep. Setting foot on the top deck, N'Jadaka adjusted his balance from the heavy swells rocking the ship. A gust of wind ticked up and blew cool air on his face.

"The weather shifted twenty minutes ago, there is a storm headed this way," Lebohang said.

Shuri kept up with N'Jadaka, geeked out that he had permitted her to come on the sudden trip. She deserved a break from the lab and babysitting Bucky Barnes and Nick Fury. T'Challa led the way to the quarterdeck where the bridge was. Ship personnel greeted him and his cousins with hearty enthusiasm. The three of them together were a sight to see. The Dora Milaje stayed in the background.

"There," Lebohag said, pointing to the radar imaging. "We have kept an eye on that ship all day. No movement. No signs of anything."

"Let's get closer," N'Jadaka said.

The chief officer moved quickly to direct the Sea Leopard toward the unknown ship. A gray hue of fat storm clouds crowded the horizon, swallowing the rays of sunlight until the giant puffy condensed air looked like smoke rising from a sea fire. Their ship moved a slow ten knots, and the closer they moved toward their target, the darker the sky became.

"So strange," Shuri said.

The waves kicked up, rocking them more, and the sky changed into a stark grayish blue.

"I see it," T'Challa said.

N'Jadaka glanced at the radar first, then stared through the window at a large vessel sitting in the middle of the sea.

"American," Lebohang said as he scanned the ship.

"Captain, there are no life readings on board," the first officer said.

"A ghost ship?" N'Jadaka said.

"I tapped into the ship's manifest. It is the U.S.S. Powell. The ship is only ten years old," Lebohang said.

The captain ran his fingers across a touch screen. N'Jadaka turned to T'Challa.

"Go with the ship's team to check it out. We need to know if this is a lure to trick us," N'Jadaka said.

T'Challa's Black Panther suit swarmed over him and he left N'Jadaka's side. Ten other soldiers from the ship joined him on board a spider-class aircraft that lifted away to go land on the abandoned ship. Lebohag set the soldier's visuals on a viewscreen.

The soldiers on the ghost ship scanned the vessel further for leaks, explosives, or traps. Nothing appeared wrong. Fresh food sat piping hot on their mess deck.

"N'Jadaka, all of their electronics work and there is no damage in the engine room," T'Challa reported.

"Where are the crew?" Shuri muttered under her breath.

"Their lifeboats and emergency equipment are intact," a soldier informed them on the other ship.

"Another American ship is approaching. Five miles away. Moving fast," the first officer said.

T'Challa and the inspection team gathered together and flew back over on the spider craft. Lebohang ordered submersion and the Sea Leopard camouflaged itself before going underwater to hide.

"Captain Lebohang!" The first officer shouted.

The Sea Leopard had only gone to a depth of one hundred meters, and their sonar picked up images that made Shuri gasp next to him. Lebohang tapped the screen in front of him and underwater lights revealed the fate of the U.S.S. Powell crew.

Hundreds of drowned bodies floated within the pale light of their submerged ship.

"Scanning," Lebohang said.

The captain stared at N'Jadaka.

"No wounds… no bleeding…" Lebohang said with disbelief.

All dead. Drowned by a hidden hand.

"Back us away at a safe distance. I want us to stay hidden but back up on the surface," N'Jadaka said.

He rushed away from the captain with T'Challa and Shuri on his heels. The low hum of the ship guided them back to the surface. The spectral camouflage allowed them to see out, but the Americans had no clue they were being spied on by the Wakandans. On the top deck, N'Jadaka's golden jaguar suit enveloped him. He used his mask to see further on the other ship. Shuri stood between them with her own binocular shades on.

The new ship approached the U.S.S. Powell and a flurry of activity took place on it as they maneuvered closer to the ghost ship.

"What is that glowing redness in the water?" T'Challa said.

They gazed at the dark water as a shimmering neon blood-red shape emerged from the deep. A monstrous giant squid breached the surface, stopping the new ship.

A shrill sound stabbed N'Jadaka's eardrum and he jammed his hands over his ears. T'Challa and Shuri became transfixed and slowly walked toward the edge of the Sea Leopard.

"The fuck?" N'Jadaka screeched.

Hundreds of human heads bobbed in the water, facing the ship. With his mask's enhanced optics, he made out fierce faces that seemed to be… singing?

He grabbed T'Challa and Shuri's arms, but they kept moving closer to the edge. Splashes broke his concentration away from his cousins. Across the water, sailors from the new American ship leaped to their deaths, the choppy waves folding over their bodies as they joined their unfortunate comrades floating dead down below.

"Captain Lebohang! Soundproof the Sea Leopard! Now!" N'Jadaka screamed.

He watched in rising dread as men took their own lives listening to the deadly voices luring them to commit mass suicide. T'Challa slumped to his knees as the effects wore off, but Shuri had reached the protective railing and climbed over it. She dangled like a limp doll, but N'Jadaka grabbed her, yanking her body back to him. Her foot smacked the spectral camouflage shield making it glint brightly.

A body floated out of the sea and flew toward the middle of both ships. It rose above the Sea Leopard's great height and N'Jadaka observed that it was a man. He stared directly at their hidden ship.

"How can he know we are here?" T'Challa said, shaking his head to get his mind right again.

"He senses that there is a protective covering," Shuri said, resting her fingers against her temples.

All they could see was his dark shape holding a spear.

"There are wings on his feet," N'Jadaka said.

"The others aren't able to fly," T'Challa said.

They watched a swarm of men and women crawl up the side of the new ship. Soldiers continued to toss themselves overboard.

"Should we help them?" Shuri asked.

"No, we'll be blamed for all of this and we don't have enough manpower to fight them," N'Jadaka said.

He shifted to night vision with his mask.

"Oh, my Bast!" Shuri shrieked.

N'Jadaka swallowed hard. The hairs on his arms rose. There were at least a thousand people in the water that they could see, their heads lifted in siren song to kill their enemy. Sonic warfare at its best.

"It is them… the Talokanil," N'Jadaka said.

Shuri clutched at her brother's arm.

"That is their leader," N'Jadaka said, pointing to the flying man who rose higher in the sky above them hidden in the darkness of the black clouds.

The Talokan leader thrust his spear out and hovered in the air. Waiting.

No more bodies jumped from the new ship. The bobbing heads turned to face their flying leader.

"Lebohang, lower the camouflage shield," N'Jadaka ordered.

"Are you sure about that?" T'Challa asked.

"They aren't singing," N'Jadaka said.

The shield disappeared and the Sea Leopard became visible to the Talokanil.

N'Jadaka stepped forward, his golden jaguar suit covering every inch of him. He lowered his mask and latched his eyes on the flying man.

"Ndingu ukumkani N'Jadaka Udaku, ukusuka Wakanda!" N'Jadaka shouted.

The flying man raised his hand and flicked it. His people in the water disappeared below the surface. Captain Lebohang turned on underwater lights and N'Jadaka exhaled with a shuddery breath. There were thousands more swimming under the water with orcas and humpback whales carrying most of them away. No wonder King T'Chaka kept his mouth shut for so long.

"Are you the son of King T'Chaka?"

The flying man dropped down so that he was only twenty feet away from N'Jadaka and his cousins.

"I am the late king's son," T'Challa said.

T'Challa stepped in front of N'Jadaka, automatically protecting the king even though he had his own suit.

"King T'Chaka was my uncle," N'Jadaka said.

"You see what we have done to those surface dwellers?" the stranger said, pointing his spear toward the water.

"We still recognize the truce between Wakanda and Talokan," N'Jadaka said.

The stranger tilted his head and his lips curled into a sinister smile.

"That is good to hear."

"What do they call you?" N'Jadaka asked, watching the last of the Talokanil disappear.

"K'uk'ulkan."

"He is a mutant," Shuri said, tapping her kimoyo scanner.

K'uk'ulkan stared at her and his jaw tightened, making the smile turn into a cruel sneer.

"I am the feathered serpent God," he said with a hard tone.

"Why did you kill them? What did they do to you?" T'Challa asked.

"Nothing. I will keep it that way," K'uk'ulkan said.

"Captain Lebohang, take us back to Wakanda," N'Jadaka commanded.

The Sea Leopard hummed and moved away slowly from the dead and two ghost ships. N'Jadaka turned his back on the feathered serpent God. Shuri rushed to his side.

"Wait, N'Jadaka! We must talk with him! Did you not see that he wore vibranium on his body? Even his spear was made from it," Shuri blurted out.

"I saw it, and that's why we're going home and minding our business for now. They don't fuck with the surface world and we will not fuck with them until we need to."

"But this is a tremendous discovery! That means Wakanda isn't the only country to have vibranium. We need to know how much they have… maybe even see their world."

"In due time cuz, but right now I need him to see that we're not a problem to him. The truce is our temporary buffer," N'Jadaka said.

"When we get back home, I am going to find where they come from and send a tracking drone—"

"Shuri. You can do your research for me, but we will not antagonize him. I needed them to see me in person so they know I'm not a punk. He knows that now. He'll also kill without provocation. That tells me his people come first above anything. He's not interested in a foreign exchange of intellect or curiosity. He don't give a fuck. He also knows we have vibranium."

"You're scared like our father," T'Challa said.

N'Jadaka stopped walking. They were back on the bridge.

"Cautious," N'Jadaka said. "We can't afford to look weak. But we know where his territory begins."

He rubbed his forehead.

"Show me where I can rest and think," N'Jadaka said.

"Right this way, King N'Jadaka," Lebohang said.

Chapter 66 HERE.

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[uzumaki-rebellion]

Soon come... “Black Boys Bloom Thorns First: Volume 4, Chapter 66″

Summary:

N’Jadaka, T’Challa, and Shuri ponder their face off with Namor.

"Woke up this mornin' Found my peace of mind And finally I can say to you That I, feel good this mornin' No, I can't deny So finally, I can lay with you And feel, feel the pleasure Finally do what lovers do, with you, babe Ride for two Don't you know, oh So we, can roam all we want to, yeah"

Terrace Martin – "This Morning"

Feathered serpent god.

N'Jadaka squinted at the words on his comm tab. Shuri dug up more profound history once she knew what the leader of the Talokanil called himself.

"They are a Mesoamerican culture," Shuri said. "Yucatec Maya to be exact."

"Indigenous," N'Jadaka said, reading Shuri's notes.

"Yes. Central America roots…located here…"

She highlighted a map for him inside his office and tapped her kimoyo.

"Griot, send over enhanced images from the second file of apocryphal texts," Shuri said.

Shuri's A.I.'s voice sounded chirpy and bright.

"Files sent, princess," the Griot said.

He tapped the images that blinked into view and Mesoamerican pyramid structures were highlighted along with pictographs. T'Challa read the same notes and contemplated the significance just as N'Jadaka did. Shuri's excited tone couldn't change the somber mood he was in. Several cabinet members grumbled about the potential costs after two weeks of grueling work with the diaspora delegates. For some reason, his declaration to view their role as helping to subsidize existing grass-roots non-GMOs fell on willfully closed ears. He was accused of creating a welfare state on the popular Wakandan news shows that were deeply conservative.

As for the delegates, they came to the realization that N'Jadaka did not plan to save all Black people in the world. He was a big proponent of believing people when they showed him who they were, and too many Black people were unworthy of saving when they harmed their own people. As his older cousin Junie was fond of saying, Noah didn't take everyone on the ark, and Moses left some triflin' niggas in the desert. Everybody didn't want to be free on the outside. Even Harriet Tubman knew that.

As the king, he had to push forth the best plan since T'Challa revealed them to the world. His original plan of being subversive and swift had to be changed. The world watched everything they did and he couldn't go in swinging like he originally plotted the moment he ruled Wakanda. It was a grave mistake on T'Challa's part. He didn't hold it against his cousin. T'Challa was swayed by Nakia and her heart was in the right place.

But N'Jadaka knew better.

So did K'uk'ulkan.

Hiding the truth of their power was the winning hand, and they had lost it in N'Jadaka's absence. The Talokan leader rode the same wave he did. Hit the enemy in stealth with coordinated attacks that disrupted the system of exploitation. Wakandan War Dogs were their only secret weapon at the present moment. He would have to Trojan Horse his way around the globe carefully.

"He calls himself a god, although he is a mutant. I wonder if he is a tyrant," T'Challa said.

N'Jadaka loaded recorded images from the Sea Leopard.

"Look at that," N'Jadaka said, making the image of the second American ship freeze.

He pulled up another image of the Talokanil underwater, gliding over the dead sailors they lured into the sea.

"Underwater they have brown skin… but above the water, they're blue," N'Jadaka observed.

"Not K'uk'ulkan," Shuri said. "Because he's a mutant, he seems to be able to breathe above and below. His people wear masks to breathe while climbing up the ship. There must be a biochemical reaction in their skin that changes when they come into contact with air."

"So… his warriors do have a weakness above the surface," T'Challa said.

"They appear stronger than regular humans," Erik said watching the replay of blue men and women rappelling up the sides of the targeted ship.

"Five hundred years ago the Yucatec Maya were invaded by the Spanish," Shuri said.

"Nothing here mentions people with blue skin," T'Challa said.

"Their color switches instantly in the water… see?" N'Jadaka said.

He pointed to Talokanil warriors dropping back into the ocean making sure enemy soldiers were dead.

"They must be an evolutionary offshoot of the original people on the land," Shuri said.

"I agree. The little that we have about them here doesn't explain any underwater people," N'Jadaka said. "They turned into another Wakanda… hid for centuries."

"Their vibranium must be underwater with them. K'uk'ulkan is the protector of his people like the Black Panther is to us. His mutant powers enabled him to become a god to them," T'Challa said.

Shuri looked away from her brother and pressed her lips together, holding her tongue.

"What?" N'Jadaka asked when he noticed.

Shuri froze an image of K'uk'ulkan where they could see him clearly with lights from the Sea Leopard.

"His powers… the way he moved and acted… his total bearing is God-like. Look at this closer," Shuri said.

She enlarged a Maya hieroglyph.

"Griot, translate the logograms and phonograms for the passage," Shuri said.

"Yes, princess," Griot said.

The glyphs were shuffled and changed colors to match Wakandan glyphs.

"Ready, princess," Griot said.

Shuri opened up a digitized copy of a Spanish journal.

"The Maya described their gods with all their attributes throughout the thirteenth century and beyond. Look at this face… and now look at this sketch in the Spanish colonizer's journal. Does that not look like him in both images?" Shuri asked.

"Maya glyphs are hard to distinguish against a regular face because the writing is highly stylized," T'Challa said.

"But the regal bearing, brother. Tell me that isn't him," Shuri said.

N'Jadaka compared the journal sketch of a flying, dark-eyed man carrying a spear with the images recorded on the Sea Leopard.

"No way that's him," N'Jadaka said.

"He is a mutant. Longevity may be another trait he has. I say that's him. The journal is dated from the early eighteenth century. Around the time our greatest grandmother Queen Shuriyah traveled out of the country to explore the world."

N'Jadaka stared at Shuri and pondered her words. She continued.

"I have a theory that our people met the Talokanil hundreds of years ago. How else would he know how to speak our language without translator buds? I would dare say he's had centuries to learn about us. Maybe a pact originated way back then. We have all these myths and legends from other cultures written in the old and even our forbidden texts. There had to be contact. Very few people know Wakandan fluently outside our borders," Shuri said.

Her eyes searched for agreement between her brother and him.

"Interesting theory," T'Challa said.

"That drawing has to be a relative of his," N'Jadaka pushed.

"They look the same to me," Shuri said. "And don't forget. Bucky Barnes and Steve Rogers have ages that do not match how they look."

"A super serum did that," T'Challa said.

"So why do you both not think his mutant DNA is capable of prolonging life for centuries?" Shuri challenged.

"It doesn't really matter if that man is five hundred years old or younger. He is a potential threat to us if we don't move carefully. All we know is that he's not interested in anything on land that doesn't bother him. That's good enough for me. My responsibility is to keep this country safe and help the people we care about outside our borders. Everyone else can fuck around and find out for themselves about the Talokanil," N'Jadaka said.

"Will you tell the council of elders about them?" T'Challa asked.

"No. This stays with us and our military."

Mpilo knocked on his office door.

"The governor of Birnin Azzaria has arrived to see you," Mpilo said.

N'Jadaka checked his kimoyo. He had several private meetings scheduled to listen to the concerns of the governing bodies of all the territories.

"Send her in," N'Jadaka said.

T'Challa and Shuri exited and he welcomed a thin dark brown-skinned woman with calculating eyes. Her braided hair was twisted into an extravagant updo with a few gray strands at her temples.

"King N'Jadaka, thank you for meeting with me so early in your day. I know you are a busy man."

"Governor Hlojeg… please sit down."

###

She could've called him and left a message. Yani chose to see him in person instead. Her part in the conference was complete and she was due back at the hospital after the Mama Wati celebration. Wearing her best azure dress, she presented herself in public to match the spirit of the upcoming ocean holiday. The palace was decked out in colors representing the sea and lovely paper aquatic creatures decorated the halls. There were starfish, dolphins, and rainbow fish all around her and she delighted in the atmosphere that reminded her of Christmas. She carried a covered platter filled with curried chicken, peas and rice, sautéed greens, along with a generous slice of yam cornbread smothered in butter and honey.

"Hello Tlotliso," Yani said walking through the front door of the king's outer office.

Tlotliso stood up from her desk, along with two other office workers on the public relations team.

"Is he in?" Yani asked, still moving past the staff.

"Yes," Tlotliso said.

Mpilo met her in the sitting room just outside N'Jadaka's inner office.

"Princess Yani," Mpilo said.

"He busy?"

"No. His last meeting was an hour ago," Mpilo said.

Yani knocked twice, waited, knocked again, then walked inside.

N'Jadaka rested his head on his arms, sleeping heavily. His deep exhales told her he was out for a long time. A map of Wakanda floated to the right of his desk and there were piles of papers stacked high in front of him near a glass pitcher of water. She moved his folders aside to make room for the covered platter. Gazing down at him, she ran her hand over the bun of his locs. Glancing over at the couch near the window, she noticed a small blanket and pillow on the armrest. He spent more time in his office and meeting halls with his cabinet and governing body than he did in his own home. N'Jadaka worked around the clock and there were stress lines on his face on the rare times she caught a glance at him moving through the palace. She could tell by the way he carried himself that there were things troubling him that he couldn't reveal. He acted the same way he did back in St. Thomas when he dealt with Klaue.

Yani was thankful the conference was ending soon. It took up too much of his time away from his kids, and she knew he hated that. Her fingers lingered near the base of his exposed neck rubbing tender circles. He groaned in his sleep. She stopped, feeling self-conscious about touching him in that familiar way. It was like old times back home in his workroom when he became hyper-fixated on his tasks and forgot to eat or drink anything. He could work himself down to the bone and not be cognizant that he needed to take time to care for himself.

She rubbed his neck again, moving her body behind him to even her touches to his wide shoulders tucked behind a smooth black tunic. N'Jadaka's focus had always been outside of himself, working toward helping other people. He was so much like his mother, community-oriented, and often to a fault. Thinking about it, she wondered what he did for fun all by himself when no one was around him in the palace.

His body stirred under her soft fingers and he shifted his head from one arm to the other before becoming aware of her hands on him. She moved away from him as he lifted his head from the desk. Gathering focus, he glanced at his work and then noticed the covered food.

"I made you a plate of comfort food," she said.

He smiled and reached out his hand, hesitating for a moment, before caressing her arm with a gentle rub.

"Thank you," he said.

She took the seat in front of his desk and watched him uncover the food and tuck in right away. He closed his eyes and groaned louder when he tasted the curried chicken. Licking his fingers, he pulled apart the yam cornbread and took less than fifteen minutes to devour everything. Yani sat there pleased as a peach watching him enjoy her cooking while being near him for longer than a few seconds.

"Damn, Ma, you put your foot in that," he said, pushing the plate away.

She covered it back up and studied the changes in his face that good food brought him. He appeared more relaxed and poured himself some water.

"Long day?" she said.

"Yeah."

His handsome face made her squirm in the chair. Everything about him was so… kingly. His clothes. Hair. The rings on his fingers. The diamonds in his ears. His aura of power. He had those things even back in St. Thomas, but they became magnified in Wakanda. He was true royalty. Always had been.

Drawing breath into her mouth to help out her nose once she became woozy staring at him, Yani stood up. He pushed his empty glass of water next to the pitcher.

"You have more to do today. I wanted to make sure you ate something. You've been skipping family meals," she said.

His piercing gaze dropped to his desk and took in all the tasks still ahead of him. Weariness drifted across his face. Yani walked around the desk and pulled the covered plate toward the edge of his desk. He reached for a folder and she placed her hand on the top of his head.

"Slow down and take of yourself," she said.

N'Jadaka closed his eyes at her touch and leaned against her chest. She cradled him and stroked his hair.

"Maybe you should take the rest of the day off," she whispered above his head.

"I wish I could, but there's too much to take care of. One of our War Dogs in Malawi thinks he located the man who helped bomb our country. I have to deal with that once he contacts us again."

"Can't T'Challa take care of that? He's the Black Panther."

"Nah, this man tried to kill my grandparents. I will see him myself and find out who put him up to it."

"Do you ever take time for yourself to rest? And I don't mean on that couch over there."

"I sleep when I can."

"It's not good for your health or the nation."

"I'm okay."

His warm breath touched her skin through her clothes with his mouth near her right breast.

"I know you. I see you carry stress in your body. If you don't slow down, I will call the royal doctors and have them force you to rest for a week. Hear mi, man? Our children complain all the time that they only see you for lunch. You haven't told them bedtime stories in a week. Sweet Pea, Dumplin, and Sunshine need you more. T'Challa can handle anything in your absence."

He didn't answer. She looked down and his eyes were pressed shut and he was in a deep sleep again. She grinned. His son was the same way. Head against a titty… instant sleep. Yani shook him back awake. He needed to know she wanted him to take care of himself for once.

"N'Jadaka…hey…"

She stroked his cheek and he pushed into her chest more to get comfortable.

"Listen to me," she said.

Yani lifted his chin and pinched it, forcing his eyes open.

"You are doing more than you need to. A king shouldn't walk around exhausted. I will have you put on bed rest if you don't slow down."

She sucked her teeth when he tried to bury his face against her.

"I need you to be at your best—"

"Yani, I'm good—"

"You are not."

She tapped her kimoyo and contacted the royal physician that looked after all of them. N'Jadaka fretted at her power move, but she spoke to the doctor and he arrived within minutes with an assistant rolling a medical cart. Mpilo and Tlotliso hovered at the doorway when the medical staff arrived and Yani closed the door on them. N'Jadaka was moved to the couch where he was checked and given fluids. The physician, Dr. Pheko, scanned the king's vitals with a frown on his face.

"Ukumkani, you are dehydrated. Lack of sleep and overwork has taken a toll," Dr. Pheko said.

"Make him take bedrest," Yani insisted.

"I'll take the IV and have a quick power nap," N'Jadaka argued.

"No," Yani said, standing behind the doctor.

"Yani, I have shit to do and very little time—"

"You will rest," Dr. Pheko said.

Yani crossed her arms over her chest and smirked.

"For how long?" N'Jadaka said.

"Three days at the minimum based on the readings I have," Dr. Pheko said looking at his small body scanner.

"In time for the Mama Wati celebration," Yani said.

Dr. Pheko's assistant gave the king a vitamin shot and they waited an hour for the fluids to perk him back up.

"Go to your quarters and sleep King N'Jadaka."

The doctor packed up his medical equipment and left with his assistant. N'Jadaka glared at her, but she stood her ground.

"I am a medical professional. How would it look if I allowed you to keep working without saying anything?" she said.

He grumbled under his breath and a mean scowl overtook his face as he stared at his desk filled with unfinished work.

"C'mon, let's go," she said, waving her hand for him to get up.

"… unnecessary…." he muttered.

He stood at his full height and she looked up at him. A tremble went through her.

"Just coming all in here and dictating," he said.

To keep her feigned cool with his heated gaze melting her resolve, Yani went to his desk and lifted the covered platter.

"Someone has to keep boundaries or else you'll run yourself down. Won't do anyone any good then, hear mi? Stop pouting."

He poked his lips out in an exaggerated expression and headed toward the desk. She blocked him. Putting down the platter, she pushed his folders aside.

"Leave all that alone," she said.

He brushed up against her.

"I hear what you're saying, but—"

"Mpilo!" she shouted into the desk intercom.

Mpilo walked in with wide eyes. Yani grabbed N'Jadaka's hand and pulled him next to her.

"Cancel all of his appointments for the rest of the day… and the next two. King N'Jadaka is under the doctor's orders to go home. Please contact T'Challa and Shuri to let them know he will not be disturbed."

"Yes, Princess Yani," Mpilo said.

Yani dragged N'Jadaka behind her.

"Please have the platter on his desk delivered to the palace kitchen staff on my behalf," she said.

"Yes, princess," Mpilo said, rushing to retrieve it.

N'Jadaka's hand felt cool and clammy in hers. The rest of his staff watched them leave and the Kingsguard, along with his Doras followed them onto the elevator. He waved the Onyx Squad away with the others leaving only Aneka and Noxolo with them on his private floor.

"The king will rest for the next three days," Yani told his Doras.

N'Jadaka opened up his home and Yani admired the interior. It was her first time there. Her children described the layout to her before and she sought out the stairs.

"Yani, I'm home now. You can relax," he said.

He pulled away from her and headed to a plush couch with a gorgeous view of the city skyline.

"Let me at least bring you some water… that way?" she asked, seeking the kitchen.

He nodded and she cruised through the spacious living room. It took her a moment to figure out the set-up of his dishes and glasses. She grabbed an orange from a bowl and placed it on a saucer first, before pouring him room temperature water into a tall glass.

"Here," she said.

He placed the fruit and water on an end table and leaned back on the couch.

"You look better," she said.

"Food and extra liquids. Nothing serious," he said.

"No working from home," she said, turning away from him.

"Yani…"

She stopped walking and took a breath. Pivoting around, she stood in front of him.

"Thank you for checking on me," he said.

"Call me if you need anything or if you want to talk to the children before they go to bed… if you're awake later."

"Does Grandpop still have them?"

"They've gone to the children's play with Ramonda at the city theater."

N'Jadaka grimaced.

"Shit… I was supposed to meet them there. Got my schedule mixed up," he said.

"Don't worry, I already told them you would probably be too busy to go tonight because you're getting everything ready for Mama Wati's day. They are more excited about that than anything."

"They get to swim in the ocean," he said.

He glanced at the skyline and a flicker of concern crinkled his forehead. His mind was already fixating on something else and not resting. She touched him above his brow to smooth the creases in his skin. He tilted his head back.

"Stop thinking about work."

"It's hard not to."

His gaze held her. She touched his nose ring and then traced the outline of his lips with a soft fingertip. Lowering her head, she brushed her lips against his. Her stomach fluttered with uncertainty and her heart galloped in her chest. N'Jadaka leaned into the kiss, his gentle mouth giving in to her advances. She parted her lips and slid her tongue against his. He welcomed the exploration. Yani pulled back when she sensed hesitation on his part. His eyes pooled with sorrowful tears and he bit his bottom lip to keep his face from crumbling.

She pressed her cheek against his and a hot tear streaked against her skin from his face. Wiping away a tear from the other side of his nose, she cooed soft words of forgiving endearments for what he couldn't say out loud. She sat on his lap, held the side of his face toward her, and kissed him again. He asserted himself more the second time around and all she could think with pure bliss was that he belonged to her. The king of Wakanda was hers to take.

Yani wanted him.

She weathered the storm and made it through to the other side of the journey a little bruised, but wiser with her maturity. She left him, created a boundary for herself, and held onto an expectation of respect that he had to follow. Yani took pride in that. No man would ever disregard her feelings ever again.

N'Jadaka put his heart on the table again, and she could choose to put hers next to it, or stay where she was in her home and pursue her work and parental responsibilities. She didn't need a man. But she wanted him back. Forever. She broke away from his lips and nuzzled her nose against his neck to smell his scent. He kissed her cheek and under her chin, his beard tickling her as his lips painted more kisses on her. She stroked his hair as he unstitched her nerves, his aura flooding her senses like a rush of powerful wind flowing over her.

Yani sucked his tongue. The tickling sensation in her panties turned into a heavy throbbing in her pussy. Their wet tongues collided and slid around slowly. She gasped when his right hand went around her hip and gripped her ass cheek to hold her tight against him. Yani went limp in his arms and he rested her against the soft armrest to support her head and neck. He nibbled on her bottom lip playfully before plunging his tongue back into her mouth. Her left leg shook, and he held her in place. She moaned in his mouth and he groaned when she shifted her backside on his lap.

She started kissing him with her tongue flattened against his mouth, licking his full lips and sucking them too. He went up for air and wiped the dampness from his forehead. His body heat soaked through to her and she burned all over with libidinous desire. He ran his fingers along her neck, nibbled her earlobe, and whispered her name in her ear making her tingle all over. Her folds were puffy and her pussy felt like it was wide open ready to receive the stiff dick jutting through his dark crotch-drop pants. They hid nothing from her. He adjusted himself and shifted her on his lap so that her heavy rump covered it from view. N'Jadaka kept kissing and her pussy grew wetter and soaked her panties. He licked the seam of her lips and thrust his tongue into her ear making her tremble more.

"I know you feel how hard my dick is," he said.

Yani dropped her head back trying to catch her breath. She wanted him to touch her. N'Jadaka only kissed and licked…sucked and teased her neck, ears, and lips. Her dress bunched up between her thighs and she willed herself to not rub on her clit which was swollen and ready to be kissed too. Grinding her ass in his lap, she welcomed more physical contact from him. His eyes narrowed full of lust and he groaned deep in his throat at the softness of her backside pressed on top of his covered dick. She noticed his mouth go lax and he panted a soft gust of breath. Was he about to cum? He smashed his lips against hers and snuggled his tongue back inside her mouth, the wet warmth and guttural moans from him sending her over. She whimpered in desperate pleasure as her walls throbbed in release, his kissing pulling out a big, messy orgasm that wouldn't stop until he gasped into her neck.

"Yani, baby… we gotta stop…"

He wrapped his arms around her and listened to her breathing return to normal. Kissing her temple, he cradled her face with his strong hands.

"I want to do this right," he said.

"How?"

"I was supposed to come back to you like this… ready to make love to you and make up for all those years I was gone. Let me… let me court you the way they do it in Wakanda. I want to show you that I'm worth it this time in a formal way. Will you let me?"

"Yes."

"Good. We'll go slow… get to know each other again the way we should've."

He rested his cheek on her breasts and she rubbed his neck.

"I love you, Yani."

Yani closed her eyes and a shudder went through her. Words meant things, but actions mattered more. She would allow him to court her and prove his worthiness to have her in his life again. Sighing, she rode the pulsing sensations in her clit. Being physical with him brought up so much yearning for more. He looked at her from his position.

"You came, didn't you?" he teased.

She playfully slapped his forehead.

"I could tell. Shit, I was ready to bust myself," he said.

He sat up and checked his pants. Back to normal. Standing, he held out his hands to her. She took them and he pulled her to her feet.

"I'm going to my bedroom to sleep. Can we have a late breakfast together here? You can check up on me… play doctor if you want," he said.

"I am a doctor, silly."

"I know. You can make sure I'm hydrated. I'll stay in bed all day tomorrow and we can have trays brought up with all kinds of food. I think you'll be impressed with my bedroom."

"That sounds very naughty and not in alignment with formal courting."

"We won't be naked… unless you want to be naked. I have no problem with that. Alternative healing is a thing."

"How about you rest by yourself and I'll bring all the kids to see you for dinner. We can eat here with you and they'll tell you stories for bedtime."

"Deal."

"Okay then."

He leaned down and kissed her forehead.

"Goodnight, N'Jadaka."

"Goodnight, Yani."

He spanked her backside and then held her hand to walk her to his front door.

"You were right. I needed to take a step back," he said when they reached the entrance.

"I have never steered you wrong, my king."

"I like how you say that."

His eyes looked glassy and far away like he was imagining her saying that in an illicit situation.

"Remember… respectable. I am a princess and you will treat me as such," she said.

"I'm glad you came to see me today. I feel blessed. I mean that, Ma."

"Get to bed."

He swept his arms around her waist and lifted her onto her toes. Her body responded to his touch again and she fought to make herself leave his home. The way he looked at her should've made her combust, but she kept it together long enough to get away.

Outside of his front door, she made no eye contact with anyone, not even the Kingsguard assigned to escort Yani to her guest quarters. They would see the bright arousal in her eyes and know all of her nasty thoughts about their king.

Her king.

She grinned in the elevator. He was earning his way back, little by little.

[uzumaki-rebellion]

“Ramonda’s Choice”

Summary: Ramonda Matela makes a choice that changes the course of Wakandan history forever.

Finally! My Ramonda fic is finished! Enjoy because it’s long! Please reblog, comment, share etc, because that is the only payment I require.

NSFW. Some smut. Angst. My usual stuff!

"With every passing moment Thoughts of you run through my head Every time that I'm near you I realize that you're heaven sent, baby I think you're truly something special Just what my dreams are really made of Let's stay together, you and me boy There's no one like you around…"

Tamia – "So Into You"

Ramonda Matela knew the Udaku brothers like the back of her delicate hand from childhood to adulthood.

T'Chaka Udaku was the gregarious extrovert: arrogant, vain, and the elder statesman of the two. N'Jobu was the introverted one who observed the world with inquisitive eyes, a quiet nature, and a smoldering confidence that was less flashy than his older brother, but just as appealing nonetheless.

Ramonda was in the middle of their age group, meeting both boys at the same time when she was thirteen and dreaming about becoming a Dora Milaje. The palace had an extravagant fourteenth birthday celebration for T'Chaka out in the royal garden that was so exclusive, that Ramonda almost didn't get invited herself. It was by sheer luck on her mother's part in nabbing coveted invitations. Saffra Matela knew the head gardener who oversaw the royal grounds, and he was the Godfather to Ramonda and her younger brother, Khosi. L'Wazi had twenty years of service to the royal family, and he emboldened his throat to ask for permission to allow his Godchildren to attend the festivities and have the one opportunity to see the layout of the garden estate. He was granted permission and their household received the invitation on exquisite linen paper laced with pure gold and purple satin trimming on the envelope.

She squealed when the personal invitation sat in her hands, and she traced languid fingers across the gold-embossed words that lifted in a heavy Wakandan script from the paper.

"You are cordially invited to the Umgidi of Prince T'Chaka Milani Udaku…"

Fourteen was the age of manhood for Wakandan boys and after the birthday celebration, Prince T'Chaka would be whisked off to initiation school near Warrior Falls where all fourteen-year-old boys went for thirty days, only returning from the rites of passage retreat wth a new status as young adult men.

Ramonda couldn't wait for her version of the event. Her parents saved money for three years to prepare for her upcoming intonjane and the celebration that went with it. T'Chaka was lucky, his parents could afford to have a combination birthday and rites of passage party. Every night she counted down the days of the royal celebration. Her mother sewed her a lilac dress from a pattern Ramonda begged her to make, and her father purchased plum-colored diamonds for her neck and ears. Her maternal umakhulu twisted her hair into an elaborate cascade of thick textured layers that made her neighbors snap tons of holo pics when she was picked up with her brother by her Godfather L'Wazi.

They brought a hand-crafted citrine gilded filigree of a golden jaguar made by their father as a gift. It stood two-feet tall in a fancy silver gift box and Ramonda held onto it so it wouldn't fall to the floor in the back of L'Wazi's vibranium powered car. Nervous and a bit anxious at being around so many nobles and royals for the first time, Ramonda's godfather was a natural charmer and had everyone thinking that Ramonda and her brother were nobles from the Panther tribe because the Queen of Wakanda, Zintle, greeted him with such affection. Eyes wide and full of wonder at the dazzling purple dress and matching isicholo of the queen, Ramonda stood frozen in place with T'Chaka's gift in front of her while introductions were made.

"I see you love purple as much as I do," Queen Zintle said. She touched Ramonda's ears. "What lovely plum diamonds. You have wonderful taste for such a young age. L'Wazi tells me you have so many interests and hobbies. Tell me, what do you want to be when you grow up?"

"Queen," Ramonda blurted out.

But that was not what she meant to say. The exact words Ramonda practiced in her head just in case anyone asked her was "To become a Dora Milaje for the queen." However, the dazzling smile and elegant beauty of Queen Zintle flustered the young girl, and made her forget the first seven words in her sentence before the word "queen".

"Ohhhh, I see!" Queen Zintle said out loud for all the adults to share in the bold accidental declaration.

Queen Zintle winked at L'Wazi and then put a finger under her chin.

"Well, in order to become a queen of the nation, one must meet the crown prince. T'Chaka, come here! N'Jobu, you too!" Queen Zintle shouted.

Ramonda's cheeks warmed up like the tea on her mother's stove and she stood there mortified in her pretty lilac gossamer party dress and grown-up fancy jewelry in front of the mother of the nation. Two good-looking rambunctious boys trotted over with feisty giggles and a jovial shoving of each other as they approached the queen.

"I want you both to meet, Ramonda."

T'Chaka grinned at her with big white teeth, and N'Jobu lost his smile as he stared at her.

"Hello," T'Chaka said, his voice bold, colorful and a little bit creaky from puberty.

Ramonda lowered her head in a polite bow.

"Hi," N'Jobu said.

Ramonda lowered her head to him too and then forget to raise it back up. Both boys were so handsome and she was not prepared to be up close and personal with royalty so soon.

"What is in the box?" T'Chaka asked, touching the gift Ramonda brought.

"That is for later," King Azzuri said, stepping forward with a flock of admirers following behind him.

Ramonda's heart beat so rapidly like hummingbirds fluttering around inside her chest. The king's powerful voice was like a sudden booming of thunder from out of nowhere.

"Why is she still bowing?" N'Jobu asked.

Ramonda raised her eyes and the first-born prince smiled at her again and she could not fathom the emotions that swirled inside of her. She was two feet away from the future king of Wakanda and her friends back in her neighborhood would not believe that she had spoken to him.

Wait.

She hadn't said anything yet.

Royal drummers beat out a steady rhythm to announce entertainment, and when Ramonda finally straightened her back, she watched the shaggy-headed king and graceful queen lead away a procession of adults. Her brother ran off with the two princes to check out the stunning colorful acrobats flipping and flying through the air in the distance above the surging crowd of guests.

Left alone as two servants lifted her gift for the prince to join the hundreds of others on a raised dais, Ramonda touched her heart to make sure she was still alive as the beginnings of a crush developed for Prince T'Chaka… and Prince N'Jobu.

"Hurry up, you silly girl!"

Sixteen-year-old Ramonda stood on a flat wide rock ledge and peered down into the cool, dark blue waters of Warrior Falls. Laughing voices echoed all around the enclosed part of the natural pool that sat far enough away from the actual waterfall.

T'Chaka called out to her again, teasing her for not jumping into the depths like the others had moments before. There were six of them there. T'Chaka, N'Jobu, Ramonda, and their three school chums, Zhari, Sitha, and Imbo. Everyone swam in the pool except for Ramonda. She had a fear of dark water and the inky depths below the surface frightened her. The others frolicked in the cooling liquid counteracting the blistering sunlight that roasted all their skin into dark ebony hues. N'Jobu was the only one who treaded water in front of her, beckoning for her to join them with his hand outstretched for her. T'Chaka had encouraged her to jump in holding hands with him and she thrilled to the touch of his warm fingers threaded with hers. But she panicked and he became annoyed, leaving her to dive in head-first with the others.

"You won't drown, Ramonda. Holy Bast, you know how to swim for goodness sake!" T'Chaka shouted.

The two other teenage girls and boy watched her with T'Chaka and smirked at her fear.

"Ramonda, it's okay. It's not that deep," N'Jobu whispered to her.

"Don't stand there all day!" Zhari yelled, tightening the braids on top of her head with a hair tie.

Warrior Falls was a sacred place and they weren't supposed to be there desecrating the waters with their loud splashing and wild frolicking in the nude. Skinny dipping was something they started doing as a group the previous year and the risqué behavior was something Ramonda liked because she had the chance to look at T'Chaka naked. He had a beautiful physique and began to receive the delicate scarification rites that would prepare his body for ruling. Fresh symbolic cuts had been made on his pectoral muscles and on his stomach, marking his future ascension to the throne. The wounds had finally healed and his dark mahogany skin looked like a work of masterful art. T'Chaka preened and strutted like he ruled everyone already and it sometimes annoyed Ramonda because he was so much more than that when they were alone. He was sweet to her, and patient, but not then, not in front of their friends he liked to show off for.

N'Jobu had no marks on his body.

As the second son, he would receive no special cuts or the same treatment as his brother. The weight of the nation would never burden his shoulders like his brother. He was the spare royal, born into wealth and power, but would never harness it for himself… unless, of course, something happened to T'Chaka. Perhaps that fact made him the way he was with people. Unpretentious. Self-deprecating. Down to earth. His soft puppy eyes looked up at her and she still couldn't unfreeze her legs or stop her heart from palpitating, looking down into the void. If she could just see the bottom, she would be able to leap and join the fun.

Clenching and unclenching her fists, she relaxed her hands and stepped away from the ledge,

"I can't," she whispered.

"It's okay. Sunbathe and relax. Read a book," N'Jobu suggested.

Ramonda nodded and headed back to her folding chair where a fluffy yellow towel protected her skin from its heat. Stretching out her body, she watched her crew swim away toward the hidden caverns they would explore. She read a book about gemstones, her latest hyper fixation, and dozed off.

An hour later, she woke up to a wet tongue sliding around her right nipple. Opening her eyes, she blinked several times from the brightness of the sun and found T'Chaka's head dipped down to her plum-sized breasts. She glanced around to see if their friends were watching, but they were alone.

"Relax, everyone is still exploring the caverns," he said.

He lifted her off of the chair by her hands and wrapped his arms around her. Their naked forms melded together, and he kissed her with so much passion that it took her breath away. Rubbing her lower back, T'Chaka sighed into her mouth.

"I'm sorry for teasing you," he said.

She lowered her gaze to his chest and traced her fingers along the embedded half-moon-raised scars that marred his flesh.

"You always make fun of me when I'm afraid of something. You know dark water scares me. I don't know why you insisted on coming here. We could've gone to the beach or Pearl Lake. There's the palace pool—"

"Everyone wanted to come here. I didn't want to leave you behind. You would've been upset with me if I planned a trip leaving you out… even if I did it to protect your phobia," he said.

He nudged her chin to raise her eyes to his.

"Still mad at me, love?" he asked.

She tapped her fingers on his collarbone.

"Are you?" he pushed.

"It hurt my feelings," she said.

He kissed her forehead, her cheeks, her nose, and her chin, his special way of begging for forgiveness. She crinkled her nose and twisted her lips to pout, seeking more affection from him. He stroked her dark twisted hair that fell to her shoulders and nibbled on her earlobe.

"I don't want to hurt your feelings. I love you," he said.

She stared at him, her heart nearly flying out of her throat. He grinned, flashing those pretty teeth and a lupine smile.

"Say it again," she squealed, jumping up and down in his arms.

"I love you, Ramonda Matela. I have loved you since you told my mother you wanted to be queen and take her place on the throne so you can rule the nation—"

"I did not say all that back then!" she said, smacking his chest.

He pressed his forehead against hers, scooping her elbows into his chest.

"You have to take a chance sometimes and push against your fears. I will never let anything bad happen to you… ever," he said into her mouth before kissing her.

T'Chaka pushed her against a grainy wall of red rock and slipped his tongue into her mouth. He palmed her breasts, tickling her nipples with flicks of his fingertips. His left hand trailed a line down her flat belly to her warm mound. He palmed his hand into the shape of her vulva and held her gently as he gave deep, slow kisses. She moaned into his mouth once he went further and fingered her clit, spreading her natural sticky lubricant all along her sensitive folds. He pushed open her labia, allowing air to hit her damp opening before he dared to insert a finger. Her body stiffened. It was the first time he had ever tried to do that with her. The furthest they had gone with her body was the slow delicious fingering on her clit until she came. That was usually hit or miss because she was still learning her body with him. Sometimes he could make her cum and sometimes he couldn't, depending on how relaxed or tense she was.

Ramonda grabbed his arm when her opening resisted the push of his fingers inside of her.

"Relax, I'm moving slow," he whispered into her ear.

"I'm too tense," she said, gritting her teeth with discomfort.

"You need to relax so you can enjoy it… I'll go slower… like this… see… I'm almost in there all the way," he huffed.

T'Chaka's dick was hard and pushed against her thigh, the tip already spewing pre-cum. His steady breathing turned into heavy panting. Ramonda tried to relax, but once she focused in on his pleasure instead of her own, she tightened up down there and his fingers hurt.

"Stop, it doesn't feel good anymore," she said.

"Okay," he said, removing his index and middle finger and placing them back on her clit.

He rubbed gentle circles and pressed into the swollen nerves, but Ramonda couldn't find pleasure in it anymore because she was so worried about disappointing him. She faked an orgasm and stroked his dick for him, forcing him to splash cum all over the rock wall. He shouted with pleasure and hugged her afterward.

"You always make me feel good," he said.

He grabbed her hand and dragged her to the ledge again.

"Jump in with me. I will hold your hand. If you get scared after we get in, I'll lift you out," he said.

Ramonda could see the love in his eyes for her. He wanted to share everything with her.

"I don't want to jump. Can we just sit on the ledge and just… drop in?" she asked.

"Of course!" he said.

They sat down together, and he kept holding her hand. He kissed her knuckles, then leaned over and kissed her cheek. There was something so young, sweet, and innocent about them being naked together out in nature.

"On the count of three… one… two… three…," he said.

They scooted their rumps together and plopped down into the chilly water. Ramonda shivered from the cold until her skin became accustomed to the temperature. T'Chaka clapped his hands for her and snuggled with her near the ledge, their legs pumping furiously below the surface. She eventually swam away toward the middle of the pool and felt more confident with him next to her. The others returned, impressed that she finally braved the water. N'Jobu gave her a thumbs up and she had her chance to frolic and gossip while cooling off properly.

T'Chaka summoned a spider jet to pick them up on the other side of the falls and a pilot flew them toward Birnin D'Jata to have a late lunch before the two princes had to return to the palace. Everyone had to sport large shades to avoid the intrusive nature of the Wakandan paparazzi who snapped holo pics of their group dining in an expensive restaurant.

T'Chaka waved goodbye to them all once they arrived at the palace. A royal shuttle took the rest of them home and Ramonda floated to her room in a daze. The future king of her country loved her. She twirled around giddy and tapped her kimoyo beads to tell her besties the good news.

Ramonda caught them in the shadows of the tearoom when she ran back to fetch a headscarf for the queen.

T'Chaka had pretended to seek his brother in the royal garden and would see her at his mother's private art reception inside the second palace. The queen, forgetting a simple teal silk scarf, brought Ramonda face-to-face with her lover's infidelity.

She stood in the shadows with tattooed geometric red shapes on her bald head designating her status as a Dora Milaje guard for the queen as T'Chaka inserted an uncovered erection inside of a woman he insisted was the head of his new conservation project in the Border Tribe lands. He grunted and humped the full-figured woman, pushing her up against a wall with her curvy thigh resting over his arm. Pulling out his dick for a guttural climax, he ejaculated all over the woman's vulva.

"Bastard!" Ramonda shrieked, running from the room without the queen's scarf.

She ran smack into N'Jobu, who carried a tall stack of old texts, knocking them over.

"Ramonda," N'Jobu said.

Flustered, she dropped down to help collect the books with him. T'Chaka rushed out and his secret tryst was revealed to his brother, too.

"Let us not make a scene, Ramonda," T'Chaka said.

He stroked the hairs on his new goatee as his lover dashed off in embarrassment, avoiding eye contact with Ramonda. Had N'Jobu not been there, she would've knocked T'Chaka on his ass with her sonic spear. N'Jobu positioned himself between the two of them, sensing the rage coursing through her fired-up body.

"Leave us," T'Chaka said to N'Jobu.

"I should scratch your eyes out!" Ramonda screamed.

"You are on duty and will do no such thing," T'Chaka said.

The sweetness he once carried in his teenage face so long ago didn't stay with his mid-twenties demeanor, and a part of Ramonda knew that the halcyon days of their youth would change once they grew older and adulthood wiggled into the equation. They had kept their love affair quiet, but Ramonda trusted he would be faithful as she took on her additional responsibilities as a Dora. All her life as a child, she dreamed of wearing the shaved head, regal-looking uniform, and garnering the respect of her family and peers for such a prestigious honor. Her grip on the sonic spear tightened, and she lifted it an inch off the floor. N'Jobu blocked her from T'Chaka.

"Mother is waiting for you," N'Jobu reminded her.

Ramonda stomped into the tearoom and collected the scarf she came for.

"I hate you!" she hissed at T'Chaka, storming past him.

He chased her down, and they stalked through the halls side-by-side.

"I messed up," T'Chaka barked.

"It's over."

"It doesn't even count as cheating. We are on a break, remember? Your new assignment changed things. You told me—"

"I told you my work would keep us apart at times and we should concentrate on our duties until I was settled in my position. That was not me saying we were on a break."

"I misunderstood—"

"Liar—"

"Watch your tone with me!"

He snatched her arm and pulled her into an alcove for privacy.

"I am still a royal and above you in rank and status. While you are on duty you will address me as the Prince of Wakanda."

"Fuck you… your highness," she spat.

She left him behind and wiped away the tears that leaked from her eyes. Reaching the queen, she handed over the scarf and took her place among the other Doras. T'Chaka pretended to be interested in attending his mother's social event so he could be near Ramonda, but she ignored him. Queen Zintle's gracious nature dazzled her guests, and the artwork was astounding. Over one thousand guests packed the gallery, and Ramonda kept her concentration on protecting the mother of the nation. T'Chaka's regretful stares didn't penetrate her cooled heart. How she wished she had been on assignment with the king in America. Discovering her man in another woman's arms was the last thing she imagined happening in her life. Would it have been better to not know in a foreign country, or walk around like the biggest fool in Wakanda with the revelation?

There were signs of his unfaithfulness in the past year.

She ignored her intuition, hoping she was wrong about her man. After college, they went their separate ways for one summer as she trained to become a Dora. Their love was too strong to stay apart, and they found themselves together again, more in love than ever, until they handed her final assignment to her. Working for the queen. It shifted their relationship because Ramonda was out and about in public all the time. She committed to five years with the queen before she'd have to be rotated in duties or discharged from the corps, and it put a damper on their time together.

The eldest prince walked around the art gallery being charming, keeping himself in her constant view. Hurt washed over her in waves that grew in intensity until her eyeballs felt like they were cooking in their sockets from the heat of her anger. Her temples throbbed all night. He took advantage of her words. Used them as a loophole to fuck someone else. Perhaps two others. There were women he had around that she was not familiar with personally, and she chalked that up to his extra responsibilities as the Black Panther. They had given the mantle to him right when she became a full Dora. The added complication of their important work and love life clashed. They hadn't slept together for a few weeks because of travel and the various events the queen was in charge of while the king was away for conferences and the U.N. general assembly meetings in America. T'Chaka was left behind to protect Wakanda in his father's absence, and Ramonda was grateful that the prince would be home and not abroad.

A lanky woman with twisty black hair approached T'Chaka in a way that was too familiar and Ramonda grit her teeth. So be it. If he thought he was single, she would let him be that. A hot pain brewed in her stomach and she clenched her jaw until N'Jobu swept into the room. The younger prince looked like a dream in a cranberry and crème colored tunic and flowing pants. He had spruced up for the event after bumping into the scandalous affair of his brother. Ramonda's jaw relaxed watching the royal sibling make the rounds of greeting guests.

"Mother," N'Jobu said, kissing his mother's cheeks.

Queen Zintle beamed, having both of her sons present. N'Jobu positioned himself beside his mother, but close enough to Ramonda.

"It would be wise to finish my brother in private and not disrupt the queen's gala," N'Jobu said with a playful tone as her eyes glared at T'Chaka like hot spikes ready to carve him into pieces.

"The Wakandan streets can have him. We are no more," she whispered.

"You only say that because you are hurt. Look at him, doing his best to impress you," N'Jobu whispered back.

T'Chaka was all smiles, but he kept looking over at Ramonda with worry in his eyes. N'Jobu's cloying cologne shifted her attention. Standing close to him, she studied his profile, and a feeling came over her that should've stayed hidden. Her attraction to him bubbled up quickly.

There had been public gossip about N'Jobu's dating recently. He stayed discreet, but there were rumors of him courting two noblewomen from distinguished families vying for a chance to snag him. Ramonda hoped he went for the sweet one with the wide eyes and the adorable wide nose who made him laugh in all their holo pics together in the media. He liked plump women with personalities and they appeared to be a good fit from what she knew of their relationship.

"I am ready to retire," Queen Zintle said to all four Doras protecting her.

Ramonda tapped her spear, signaling the queen's departure from the event. She helped lead the queen out into the hall where a new set of Doras met them for a change in shift. Free from her duties for the night, Ramonda scurried down a palace hall that led to a private elevator for staff to leave the main rooms. The other Doras followed her, chatting about tired feet and wanting to sleep for hours.

"Ramonda,"

N'Jobu called to her before she stepped onto the elevator with her co-workers. The doors slid shut, and she faced the younger royal. Released from her work, Ramonda's body trembled with vexation as she fully processed T'Chaka's deceit. Her kimoyo lit up with T'Chaka's avatar signature and she ignored it. N'Jobu watched her expression and chuckled.

"Let's go have a drink before you run off to fight him," he said.

T'Chaka appeared down the hall and she balled up her fist, ready to punch him.

"Can we talk, please?" T'Chaka begged.

"I think you should let her cool down first," N'Jobu said.

"This is none of your concern, baby brother. I want to talk to my woman."

T'Chaka clasped her hand and Ramonda shook him off and turned away.

"We can't even talk?" T'Chaka whined.

"Go away. I can't even look at you!" she said. "I'm working my ass off protecting your family and you're running around fucking women all over the palace. You disgust me."

"You broke up with me."

"No, I didn't!"

"Okay… okay you two. Stop. Take a breath—"

T'Chaka threw up his hands at his brother and spun on his heels, leaving in a huff of entitled indignation.

"Brother," N'Jobu called out.

T'Chaka ignored him.

"Did you know?" Ramonda asked.

N'Jobu's bottom lip smooshed up into his top lip and Ramonda sighed.

"I didn't think it was my place to speak. I'm not privy to your personal interactions on that level," he said.

She waved a hand at him.

"Don't beat yourself up. I always suspected there was something off about us. I just didn't want to see it… not like that."

She rubbed the deep crease in her forehead and closed her eyes.

"Maybe I did make him think we were on break. I put a pause on so much to do well in my work."

"Don't second guess yourself. Clearly, you thought you were still connected, or else you wouldn't be so distraught. I'm sorry I said nothing to you. I try to stay out of his way. Being the Black Panther has puffed him up."

"Does that drink offer still stand?"

He grinned.

She pretended to escort him to his quarters and, once there, she placed her spear against the wall and pulled off her work boots. He loaned her a long caftan to change into after she took advantage of his luxury shower that overlooked a terrace with a view of the golden city that was spectacular.

N'Jobu mixed their drinks from his private bar stash and they sipped together, leaning against the terrace railing. The liquor hit them both hard on empty stomachs. She needed the feeling. It protected her heart from breaking.

"What will you do?" N'Jobu asked.

"Work. Become the best Dora Milaje there ever was. I'm living my dream. Your mother is an exceptional woman and I am so blessed to lay my life for hers if I ever need to."

N'Jobu reached over and stroked her cheek.

"Hopefully that will never happen. You would be a significant loss to me."

Ramonda took a step back and gulped down her third glass of hard spirits. She willed her legs to walk to her spear, grab it and her uniform, then vacate the premises, but she stood there and allowed his fingers to linger on her skin.

"Maybe breaking up with him is best," he said.

"Maybe."

His eyes captivated her, while his hand cradled the back of her neck and pulled her in closer.

"I think we've had a little too much," she said, holding up her glass like a talisman to ward off the arousal stirring within.

"I don't think we've had enough," he said.

She became so aware of herself naked under the caftan. Strange to think that for years they'd swam nude together as teenagers, but at that moment, a thin bit of material made her feel more naked than she had ever been in front of him.

"He doesn't deserve you. Never has," N'Jobu said.

"Why are you saying this when you know I'm feeling vulnerable?"

"What better time to tell you how I feel than now? When you're finally free?" he countered.

"This is too much. Goodnight, your highness—"

Warm arms with powerful muscles enveloped her, pulling her close to his broad chest.

"I'm sorry. This liquor has loosened my tongue, and I have dishonored your feelings," he said.

His touch caved in her will to leave his side. The urge to get back at T'Chaka with someone else raced up her spine and tilted her head up to look at the second prince with desire. Thrusting herself against him, Ramonda kissed N'Jobu and gave in to feelings that hovered beneath the surface between them since childhood. Her world had been upended and giving into her lust for T'Chaka's brother felt like the right thing to do.

Their lips sought an agreement on who would lead, and N'Jobu gave Ramonda control of the encounter. Full fleshy lips painted stories across her mouth before moving to play sonatas on her neck and clavicle. She arched her body, giving him room to explore, and he lifted the caftan off of her, tangling her hands. He nibbled, licked, and kissed his way to her breasts, circling each pebbled nipple with the tip of his hot tongue, bathing her areolas with saliva and promises of more.

Ramonda moaned and buried her fingers in his thick curls that smelled of sage wood and bitter root hair butter. His tongue slid further until it reached her clipped mound, slathering the area with more warm saliva and tender kisses. He parted her folds and teased her clit with artful, long swipes of his eager mouth muscle and looked up at her face. N'Jobu's lips glistened with her arousal and the slick feel of his lips on her forced a whimper from her throat. He took that as the signal to go further, resting his tongue against her slippery folds, before sucking on her clit again. She pulled his head back by his hair.

"We can't," she said.

"We can… we will," he replied.

He stood then, revealing an erection through his garment. Pulling it over his head, his length bobbed with pre-cum spilling out from the deep slit of a wide head that ran down the thick ridge surrounding his tip.

"Come," he said.

He led her to his bedroom and tapped the top of his fireplace to make a small fire appear, making the room cozier. The firelight flickered, and she glanced around his private space. Books were in various stacks on every open surface. English-language books and non-fiction texts about America surrounded them. The Udaku brothers were already fluent in three languages other than English. She herself was taking a crash course in American standard to prepare for away trips with her work.

His unmade bed had a small pile of poetry books resting on an unused pillow. He lifted them away and added them to his nightstand. Reaching for her hand, he settled her on the edge of his bed and sat next to her. The doubt in her eyes clouded his.

"If you don't want this, I will understand," he said.

He cupped her chin.

"I won't pressure you," he said.

Her rational mind finally made an appearance. She scooted away from his warm thigh.

"I'd only be doing this to spite him," she said in a harsh tone.

"So spite him."

"I would be using you."

"Use me."

"This isn't right. You're his brother. My friend. I can't sink lower than him."

N'Jobu's eyes were shiny beacons reflecting the crackling fire.

"I'm in love with you, Ramonda. I will never have a chance to be this bold again," he said.

She touched her right temple lightly and thought of a hundred reasons to walk away, but… she couldn't. T'Chaka stopped her angst by calling her again. Her kimoyo beads warmed up and his small avatar floated above her wrist. N'Jobu crashed his lips into hers with a sad desperation to keep her by his side.

"I love you," he murmured under his breath, his lips sending hot tendrils of pleasure all across her chest and neck.

He placed her hand on his dick and she squeezed it, wanting to know the heat and thickness before she jumped up with his pre-cum sticky on her fingers.

"We can't… I'm sorry. I love you too, but not the way you want…"

Ramonda ran out of his bedroom and gathered up her uniform and boots. She dressed quickly in the living room and grabbed her spear. Praying to Bast, she hoped no one saw her leaving his quarters or looking suspicious while departing the palace. A mad dash to her vehicle in the underground parking structure had her out of breath and feeling loopy. N'Jobu had never acted that way with her before. She sensed a crush when they were children, but she thought for sure he would never cross a line over his brother. What a mess!

She used autopilot and sat back in her car, watching the cityscape whip past. Her condo was located a half hour away by car and she arrived home trembling with confusion. Stepping inside of her spacious floor plan, she locked her spear in its safety housing and nearly jumped out of her skin when T'Chaka approached her on quiet feet.

"What are you doing here? Don't you have some other woman to bed tonight?" she quipped, turning the living room lights brighter.

His royal attire was gone, and in its place was a basic loose-fitting pink shirt and white lounge pants. He stood barefoot in the middle of the room with his hands at his sides, looking defeated and sad. For the first time since knowing him, he looked vulnerable.

"I made a mistake, Ramonda. You were so adamant about work and duties and being apart. I really thought you had broken off our relationship. My love, I am so sorry. I never meant to hurt you by seeing me like that. There's nothing serious going on with that woman. Just a fling to pass the time waiting for you to come back to me."

A quiver in his voice gave credence to his words.

"T'Chaka, I'm tired…"

She walked around him, hoping N'Jobu's scent wasn't obvious. Rushing to her bedroom, she removed her clothing and jumped into her shower, scrubbing so hard that her skin became irritated. Water ran down her bald scalp and she tilted her neck, allowing the warm liquid to rinse away tears and guilt.

T'Chaka stood in her bedroom doorway when she stepped out dripping nude, searching for a clean towel in her bathroom cabinet.

"I want us together," he said.

"Can we talk another time? I'm not… I'm not in the right frame of mind to deal with us."

A shimmer in his left eye brought her closer to him. Watery sadness threatened to drip down from his tear ducts.

"Mondie, I miss you. I barely see you anymore. I'm lonely without you with me. Being the Black Panther is difficult, knowing you don't need me anymore. I wish we could be like we were as teenagers… free. No responsibilities. Without you, I am nothing… not even close to being my best self."

He encircled her waist with his arms and pressed his cheek against the middle of her breasts.

"Please, don't throw us away," he said.

Ramonda cuddled him with her hands on his nape. His tears were warm droplets on her clean skin trailing down her belly.

"I love you, Mondie," he shuddered into her flesh.

His pet name for her soothed the ache in her heart. She lowered her head and kissed him, his lips frantic to connect with hers. Slow and lazy, she shared her mouth until he undressed, parting from her to get everything off until he was naked. Ramonda straddled him, gripping his hard dick, lining it up with her entrance. His skin smelled delicious, lickable, and all hers. Inching her way down on his erection, she grunted in her throat when she reached the fruit at the bottom.

T'Chaka's soft lips were slightly parted as he grew accustomed to having her ride him again. His pants and gentle groans pleased her. Clutching his strong back, she bounced on him faster. Images of N'Jobu tangling up her lovemaking. She squeezed her eyes shut, savoring the feel of T'Chaka inside of her, chasing away thoughts of his brother's dick weeping pre-cum in her hand. Ramonda slammed her ass cheeks on T'Chaka's thighs and he shouted her name. He threw his head back while praising her tight walls clenching him into submission.

"Yes… yes… yes…," he panted in her ear, fondling her ass cheeks while his warm breath stimulated her ear.

The woman he fucked in the tea room flashed in her mind, throwing off her rhythm. She adjusted her speed and thrust into his groin, bending him to her will. He began lifting her up and down, and gulping for air. His release was upon him., so she tried extending it by pushing him back on her bed and loving him slow and easy.

"Oh, Bast… oh… Bast!" he shouted, staring at her breasts.

The juiciness of N'Jobu's dick haunted her, and she stared across the room at her reflection in a wall mirror, drifting into a state of panic. Her pussy grew wetter thinking of the younger prince. The memory of his mouth on her folds catapulted her into murky waters. Watching herself fuck T'Chaka, she pretended it was N'Jobu and her walls spasmed. Her orgasm throbbed all over the future king's dick, shoving him over the precipice of release too.

"Mondie!"

He shoved his hips up from the bed and rooted himself in her depths. His body became stiff, and he shoved his face to the side, lost in his pleasure. His cum felt warm and thick, coating her walls. She collapsed on his chest and their sweat mingled and cooled quickly.

Butterfly kisses peppered her chest as T'Chaka showed his appreciation for their reunion. He helped her roll off of him and they stared at her ceiling, shoulder to shoulder. They fell asleep together in that position.

The next morning, they made love again. The parting of her folds relaxed her with his gentle missionary position. Afterward, he showered, and she stayed sprawled on her bed. Her kimoyo lit up with an encrypted code in the floating avatar. Facing away from the bathroom with T'Chaka singing off-key, she read the message.

"I love you."

N'Jobu's three words filled her heart with dread and longing.

Ramonda kept her distance from N'Jobu in private. Publicly, she did her job as a Dora and treated him the way she treated all the royals, with deference and respect. But he scared her sometimes. His eyes followed her whenever they were in a room together, and she feared everyone could see his feelings for her.

She made a mistake.

A year after his confession and their only sexual encounter, she gave into their lust for one another. It took place on her first and only trip to America with the queen. An East African delegation of women headed to the U.S. for a week-long women's conference. Queen Zintle was a guest speaker, and Ramonda almost didn't make the journey because her English skills were still very poor. The queen vouched for her to go anyway so she could learn on the job. Ramonda was one of the fiercest Dora Milaje, and the king allowed her to take the trip. She wore a translator to help guide her and felt comfortable leaning into the tech to help her along.

Ramonda hadn't expected N'Jobu to accompany his mother. A sudden change in plans had T'Chaka traveling with his father to Europe instead of the queen. Doing her utmost to stay above the carnal desires that always lingered around them, she picked a fight with N'Jobu to thwart his advances when she had a half day to herself to sightsee and play tourist. Exploring the rugged harshness of New York was going to be an anthropological experience for her. Americans were dangerous and odd. A deadly combination. New York was supposed to be the epicenter of their culture and it smelled like human waste and hot garbage the moment she stepped out onto the street to protect the queen and her son.

N'Jobu found it a fascinating place and went on day-long excursions, worrying his mother. He had the audacity to ditch his set of Doras on a subway by pretending he had to use the restroom. Queen Zintle fussed with him and forced Ramonda to escort him because he could never ditch her. N'Jobu went all out pretending to be upset with a babysitter, but the moment they hit the streets together, he gloated. It was her time off, but she didn't want the queen to worry and fret while trying to represent Wakanda.

"You are a stubborn rhino," she hissed as they rode to a museum.

"Do I look like I fit in?" he said in English.

She stared at him with wide eyes and an open mouth. His English was impeccable and there was no trace of an accent. He winked at her and stuffed his hands in a puffy black jacket that was a stylish New York trend in the city. His hair was clipped short and tapered in a style that fit in with the Black Americans on the subway.

"I do!" he said with enthusiasm.

She rolled her eyes, and he pressed into her, using the crush of new riders boarding as an excuse to get closer to her.

"Yo, my man, back up from my lady," N'Jobu said.

Ramonda glanced to her left side and noticed a light brown-skinned man easing up to her with a large backpack draped on his chest. N'Jobu glared at him and the man moved through the subway to get away from the bass in the prince's voice. She couldn't get over how comfortable he was speaking the language.

He grabbed her hand for the next stop at the American Museum of Natural History and dragged her out of the subway.

"Where are you going? The museum is over there," she pointed.

"Plenty of time to see that. Let's go for a walk," he enthused.

The excitement on his face made her smile.

"An hour's walk, and we'll come back," he offered.

They never made it to the museum.

N'Jobu entertained Ramonda with stories of his travels in Brooklyn and Harlem, speaking to her in his flawless English. Her earbud translator missed a few phrases, but he allowed her to practice openly and didn't chide her for mistakes in pronunciation. The city's ugliness transformed into a lesson in American culture through his eyes. He fed her giant salty pretzels with mustard, had her try a greasy pizza slice, and then took her to Central Park. Hours flew by. On their way back, he took her to a discreet hotel to rest in private. Watching American news together was depressing. Nothing positive happened in the country. Murder, poverty, racial tensions, and government failures dominated the airways and Ramonda switched over to her kimoyo beads to check on her homeland and all the amazing progressive programming they had for their news streams. N'Jobu seemed fascinated with the Americans. His eyes never left the flatscreen as story after story piqued his interest. Ramonda grew bored.

"We should leave," she said once the sun slipped down from the sky.

"No rush. You're not back on until morning," he said, relaxing on the king-sized bed across from the chair she lounged on.

"I have to check in with T'Chaka," she lied.

His expression changed with his lips pouting in frustration.

"You don't have to lie to me," he said.

"I'm not."

T'Chaka hadn't responded to the last four messages she sent, so wrapped up in being around his father. A bit of worry whispered to the anxious part of her brain with him being so far away.

"Okay, let's go then," he said.

He checked his kimoyo, swiped some code, and grinned.

"What?" she asked with curiosity.

"Made some plans. Grab your sweater," he said.

"Plans… where? With who?"

"Dinner with a friend."

They left the hotel and journeyed down to the subway. Ramonda fidgeted in the seat next to N'Jobu, wanting so desperately to know who he was seeing.

"Here's my stop. You can continue on back to the hotel on your own," he said.

He plunged through the crowd and exited with ardent strides to his next destination. She followed him down several blocks until he arrived at a hole-in-the-wall spot stuffed with chatty diners. He took a seat in a far corner booth. Ramonda spied on him from outside, but he sat alone for fifteen minutes. His date must've stood him up. She walked inside the restaurant and surprised him at his table. With hands on her hips, she stood ready to tease him until he pushed a menu on the table toward her.

"I hear the seafood here is delicious. It took you long enough to come inside," he said.

Flummoxed, Ramonda sat across from him on an uneven chair that rocked slightly when she moved closer to the table.

"You tricked me into having dinner with you?" she said.

"Not exactly. You want to be around me… don't shake your head… following me here lets me know you have feelings for me."

"Your safety is important—"

"I can protect myself with my vibranium shield. You were jealous and wanted to see who I was with. Admit it."

"I love T'Chaka."

"I know you do. But you love me too."

"Absurd."

"Why? Love is a powerful emotion that transcends time and space… history, even. It is limitless, and sometimes it does absurd things like put you in my heart… and my brother's."

"You are a mess."

"Then leave."

Ramonda stood up. Then sat back down abruptly. N'Jobu reached across the table and held her hand.

"Fate has brought us all together. You love my brother. Dearly. He has all the trappings that women want. But a part of you wants something different, just like me."

"The boldness from your lips—"

"I never pull punches. You know that. Give me one night. That's all I ask. If you don't feel it's right after that, I will fall back and let you trot after him."

"You make me sound like some lovesick puppy."

"You are a lovesick puppy with him. But it's not a good balance. I could give you a life, too. It may not be as flashy and far-reaching as my brother, but I sense a longing in you, Ramonda. You want to live a full, unrestricted life and you can't do that if you become the queen of Wakanda."

Her cheeks warmed up. Talk of becoming the queen was wishful thinking, considering T'Chaka hadn't proposed or even brought up marriage.

"This tension between us could go away if you stayed with me tonight. Last year, when we were together… I've never forgotten how you tasted or how you felt in my arms. You ran off before we could consummate our union fully, but I know you still dream about that. I know there are times you are with my brother and you wonder what it would be like with me. Give in to that and we can see if I'm being a fool for you."

"You are a fool. I am too, for sitting here and entertaining any thoughts of that. It is a betrayal—"

"Alls fair in love and war. This is a battle for the rest of your life."

She pushed away from the table with a queasiness souring her stomach and mouth. He spoke the truth. She loved them both for different reasons, but since she accepted T'Chaka's advances so long ago, she wanted to remain loyal. N'Jobu had plenty of time to claim her hand, but he didn't. His loss.

Ramonda turned down dinner with N'Jobu and wandered the streets for an hour. She caught a cab back to the luxury hotel they were hosted in with their entire Wakandan delegation. Inside her room, she showered and called T'Chaka on her kimoyo, but he still didn't answer directly. There were messages left for her, and he sounded bored and irritated at the European trip. He hated the outside world and how primitive it acted compared to their homeland.

Unable to relax fully, she showered, changed into casual clothes, and stared out of her window. Checking her kimoyo, she noticed the Wakanda media posting photos of T'Chaka in France, posing with international women who attended the same event as him. He wore a broad smile in all the pictures. The ones with his father were nice as they stood near the Eiffel Tower with a group of government officials. Wakandans back home gossiped about when the eldest prince would marry. She hated conversation threads like that because she couldn't scream to the world that he was her choice. Until T'Chaka made an official proposal, Ramonda was nothing to him. Just his secret lover hidden in the shadows until he stepped up to the light and made them official. For all she knew, his parents could arrange a marriage for him in the future to someone else. The queen had discussed family alliances in her presence with the king before.

Grabbing her room card key, she ambled down to the hotel lobby bar to get a drink and commiserate all alone over what her life would be in the future. The longer she sat and sipped, the fuzzier her mind became. Hailing a cab from outside, she returned to N'Jobu's secret hotel, tipsy and unstable on her feet as she knocked on the door. He answered. Naked.

Wasting no time by overthinking it, Ramonda pounced on him, smashing her eager lips over his thick, willing ones, and they tumbled back into his room and onto the bed. She wanted a fast fuck, a way of getting it over with and out of her system so she could erase N'Jobu from her mind, but his hands ruined her. He held her still, slowing their progression.

"No," he said.

"What?" she asked, breathless and agitated.

"You will not give yourself to me like this. Like I'm some chore for you to complete."

Pushing her away, he sat up from the bed and palmed his forehead.

"Leave," he said.

Naked and warm by his side, Ramonda stared at him with a puzzled expression. Her lips quirked and the creases in her forehead tightened her face.

"This is what you wanted," she spat out.

She shrank away from him.

"You're only toying with me. Is this to shame me? Test me?" she screamed.

"Lower your voice."

She slapped him. Twice.

N'Jobu closed his eyes and curled up his lower lip when she struck him there. She burst into tears.

"Oh, Bast! Why did I even come here?!" she wailed.

Raising from the bed, she wiped her eyes furiously, then held up her wrist draped with her kimoyo beads.

"I'm going to tell him," she threatened, "I'm not worthy of him."

N'Jobu leaped from the bed and held both her wrists.

"You are worthy," N'Jobu said.

"No, I'm not… I wouldn't be here if I was…"

Ramonda went limp in his hands and N'Jobu held her up, gripping her arms tight.

"I'm sorry, Ramonda. I don't want you to hurt, but this is more than I can bear. I love you and want you… but I can't force you to do anything you don't want. I want to see you happy."

She nodded and let her tears drip onto his neck as he held her close.

"I wish one of you was just awful so I could move forward in peace. You're both… perfect in your own special ways…" she moaned in his ear.

She pulled back from him. His eyes bound her to him.

"This will never go away. I'll love no one else but you for as long as I live, Ramonda."

The love in his eyes bathed her in warmth. Touching his face, she thought of all the times N'Jobu had stayed quiet behind his brother in all things. His family cherished him, but the reality was a more blatant truth-teller: T'Chaka was the favored one. He was destined to lead the nation and N'Jobu would forever be in the wings, watching and hoping to be noticed.

Ramonda kissed him, letting her tongue dance in his mouth. She shed away all the years of viewing N'Jobu as her friend and T'Chaka's side-kick. At that moment, he was to become her lover for the night. The elder prince was thousands of miles away, and once she was back in Wakanda, she would pretend nothing happened in America.

Lush lips explored her body.

Ramonda reclined under N'Jobu and allowed his mouth to savor every inch of her body. He took his time, the soft pads of his fingertips tattooing unspoken words onto her skin. Lifting her legs and dropping her cinnamon brown thighs open, she watched him fist his length, the swollen mushroom cap of his tip dripping pre-cum. She held her breath at his girth, stretching her, and only released it when he planted himself deep within. Slow and meticulous, he made their lovemaking last a long time. Soft murmurings and gentle pants spilled from her mouth. He grunted a few times and locked eyes with her throughout. His thrusts arched her from the bed and she threw her arms around his shoulders to tether her passion in that room. She had to keep it locked there forever, never to be opened again.

But it was.

Again and again.

Returning to Wakanda didn't quench their thirst for each other. It inflamed their lust. Not only did their passion ignite… so did her ardor toward T'Chaka.

Ramonda became insatiable. Loving both men in secret. In fact, her sex with T'Chaka became even more intense and more pleasurable. She worked her job well, rising in the ranks of the Dora Milaje, and becoming the head Dora for the king. Her mind hid the niggling doubts about how long she could sustain juggling two men. She spent most of her time with T'Chaka, but he traveled often with the king. On those occasions, N'Jobu would come through. She had learned to balance her affections with him, but he increasingly grew reckless with her love. Wanting more from her than she was willing to give. Despite her behavior, T'Chaka meant the world to her, and she held N'Jobu back from making future plans. The Dora Milaje was her priority over everything. He kept pushing, and she stopped seeing him. Cut off their affair and never looked back.

It all came to a head many years later when the king died.

King Azzuri was already middle-aged when he married Queen Zintle. She was a few years younger, but Wakandans tended to marry later and have children later in age, too. The culture believed in having full lives before settling down. Azzuri died peacefully in his sleep with his wife by his side, and although it was a sad occasion, there was no time for the queen to mourn when she was set on putting T'Chaka on the throne quickly.

Ramonda had entered a new phase of her career, training young Doras. The news of the king's passing came directly to her from T'Chaka. He arrived at her small house with a weary expression early in the morning.

"My father has transitioned, Ramonda. He is with the ancestors now."

T'Chaka sat at her kitchen table when he told her, and she hugged him until he wept. Wiping away his tears, it surprised her to see him smile.

"He lived a good life. A joyful life. I want that for us. I was hoping he would be around to see our first child together," T'Chaka said.

He held out a small satin purple box.

"I was going to wait until after winter when you finished training your latest recruits. But now, Baba is gone… and I will be king. I need my queen by my side."

Ramonda couldn't hide the shock from her face.

"Will you marry me, Ramonda Matela? I know this isn't the most romantic way to do this, but the way I feel, nothing is more special than now."

Her emotions were all over the place. Learning of the king's passing rocked her, but being asked to become a wife too was staggering. T'Chaka fell to his knees and held the box out to her. She took it, popped it open, and they both stared at the delicate blue diamond-crusted gold band. He lifted the ring and held it at the tip of her ring finger.

"Ramonda?"

T'Chaka's soft voice prompted her to smile and nod. He pushed the ring far back onto her finger and clasped her hand before burying his face in her lap and weeping profusely.

"Thank you, my love," he said between tears.

She held him, rubbed his back, and said soothing things about his father before he raised to his feet again.

"I would like for you to come with me to the palace. The family is gathering together for the press announcement. Queen Mother is waiting for us."

Ramonda showered and dressed quickly, choosing a long pale blue dress. Pale blue was the king's favorite color, and she wanted to pay tribute to that. She ran a light oil over her baby locs and put on make-up. The Royal Talon Fighter floated in front of her house and her neighbors were outside watching and wondering why it was there.

They flew over the golden city and arrived inside a hectic palace. The severity of the passing hit her. Nothing would ever be the same again. The gravity of her thoughts were reflected to her as the palace staff worked non-stop. The Dora Milaje escorted her and T'Chaka to the queen's chambers. Close relatives were already there. N'Jobu stayed by his mother's side with a grim expression. Queen Zintle's eyes shined with tears, but they became shinier when she saw the ring on Ramonda's hand.

"Daughter," Zintle said, holding Ramonda's finger up to admire the engagement ring.

N'Jobu's face became unreadable. Ramonda couldn't bear being near him. They hadn't been intimate for a long time, and there was enough distance in that for her to ignore his disapproving glare. She focused on the bereavement instead, hugging the queen and greeting the rest of the Udaku clan. T'Chaka introduced her as his fiancé with pride. Ramonda rested in that pride, wishing that they had been connected like that years before.

She avoided N'Jobu and took part in the mourning period, which lasted weeks. Plans were already in the works for T'Chaka's coronation and the presentation at Warrior Falls. She wondered if other tribes would test the new king, but there was no word on any challengers to the throne. Ramonda planned for a summer wedding that would take place once T'Chaka was crowned. The palace kept her busy with lessons on protocols and her new role as a future queen. Zintle was over the moon. Keeping busy with a wedding helped ease the loss of her husband. They spent hours on the design of Ramonda's wedding dress and royal isicholo and fussed over what foods to feed the guests. The queen showed Ramonda what would become her new home in the palace with T'Chaka.

Her life became an open book to the palace, and N'Jobu's words came back to haunt her. She wouldn't be free anymore. The needs of the king and the Council of Elders would dictate and control every aspect of her life. Ramonda belonged to the people and not herself anymore. The weight of that pressed down on her shoulders.

A few days before challenge day, Ramonda wandered the halls of the palace alone, taking in the beauty and thousands of years of history that rested within that structure. Meandering out into the royal garden to get fresh air, she came across N'Jobu walking near a gazebo overlooking a pond. He noticed her before she could slip away.

"Hi," he said.

She lowered her head, and he shook his.

"You are about to become royalty yourself. No need to defer to me anymore, Queen Ramonda," he said.

He pointed toward a bed of water lilies.

"Right over there, you told my mother you wanted to be the queen one day. You finally got your highest desire," he said.

"I hope we can be civil," she said.

"Why wouldn't we be? Instead of a lover, you will become my sister."

Ramonda stepped closer to him but kept a respectful distance.

"I will challenge him," N'Jobu said.

"No," she said.

"I will."

"Please don't do that. Your mother just lost her husband. She doesn't need to see her two sons fighting over the nation."

"Fighting over the nation? Do you think that's why I want to challenge him? Stop being silly."

"I chose him. It was always going to be him."

"It doesn't have to be."

"Things have changed… I've changed. Please, don't do this."

"I can do what I want."

"You're being spiteful. I'll tell him everything. Confess it all!"

"You think he doesn't already know? Maybe I told him myself."

Her heart fell to her feet.

"You didn't…"

"Marry me."

Ramonda pressed her right hand into her chest.

"Did you tell him?" she demanded.

N'Jobu's blazing eyes glared at her. Her eyes welled with tears. His face softened.

"I have not."

She covered her face with her hands and exhaled loudly.

"Please. Let me be with him in peace, N'Jobu. Don't tear apart this family over me."

"You're asking me to live without my heart. How am I supposed to survive without that? Eh? What do you expect me to do, fade into the background like always? I am tired of being second in your life."

"We are over—"

"We will never be over. You can marry him and fulfill your role as queen, but you will always itch to come to my bed. That is a fact."

"Don't fight him. If you love me, let me have this. Don't destroy the family."

"If you marry him, you will destroy me."

"I'm sorry."

She fled the royal garden, blinded by her watery eyes and fear.

"Ramonda."

She slammed into T'Chaka near his quarters, and he hugged her.

"What has you so upset?"

"I was thinking of your father… in the garden. The memories came back when I looked at his favorite lilies. I'm fine… really… it's hard letting go. I grew up here and around him. He was like my father, too. I wish he could see us marry."

"Me too," T'Chaka said.

Her heart thumped in her chest, and the lump in her throat swelled as more tears leaked down her face. What if N'Jobu killed T'Chaka? What if everyone found out it was her fault?

T'Chaka held her for a long time. All of his love flowed into her. The fear never left.

At Warrior Falls, Ramonda stood next to the queen as the royal shaman beckoned challengers to step forward. The elderly woman wore long, dark royal purple robes, and held out a long staff that she pointed toward each tribe's representative who was eligible to fight T'Chaka. Two men and two women stood in their tribal regalia, deflecting their eyes from T'Chaka, who knelt down in the cool water, shirtless, covered in dark body paint, waiting to see who had the nerve to step to him. Hundreds of witnesses crowded the sacred site, hoping for something to pop off. The energy in the air crackled with intensity and anticipation.

"Anyone?" the shaman said, her glittery eyes encouraging bravery.

Ramonda's eyes cut to her left as N'Jobu shifted his weight on his feet. He leaned forward and Ramonda nearly lurched from her spot to stop him. Their eyes met and locked. She trembled and her lips parted. N'Jobu lowered his gaze and kept his head down.

"I present to you all, King T'Chaka Udaku!" the shaman said.

Ululations and drumming rang out as the shaman placed a panther claw necklace around T'Chaka's neck.

"Wakanda Forever!" the people shouted.

Ramonda closed her eyes and shoved her hands to her lips to hide her relief. The crowd genuflected to T'Chaka, and he held his hand out toward Ramonda. She lifted her dress and stepped into the sacred water to greet the new ruler. He kissed her cheek and whispered in her ear.

"One day, our child will stand here to rule the nation. Don't you ever forget this day because we shall see it again," T'Chaka said.

They stepped on board the Royal Talon Fighter to do a flyover of the city before heading to the banquet and ball back at the palace later.

The day flew by fast. There was the Council of Elders' special ceremony for the king and then greeting all of his kin privately before they had a break to change clothes and prepare for the evening festivities. Ramonda had her hair in long braided extensions decorated with shells and gold hair jewels. Her elaborate orange ball gown was presented to her by personal handmaidens, and she allowed them to bathe, perfume, and pamper her for the night. Once dressed, she presented herself to the king, and the audience of guests praised her beauty and charm. The coronation turned into an engagement party as the queen brought in gifts for the couple. The whirlwind of activity gave Ramonda a taste of what life would be like with T'Chaka. All eyes were on them.

Ramonda took a private respite to walk outside on the long bridge that connected the double palace. The cool air blew across her face and hair, rejuvenating her spirit. N'Jobu walked past her on the bridge, his steps brisk. He ignored her completely, which was surprising. The Queen Mother came out onto the bridge with her personal Dora.

"N'Jobu! Come back!" Zintle shouted to her son.

"What's wrong?" Ramonda asked.

"He's being foolish. Maybe you can talk some sense into him," Zintle said.

Ramonda gathered up her gown and followed the angry prince.

"N'Jobu."

He stopped at an elevator and jabbed at the call screen.

"What is going on?" she asked.

"Did Mother send you?" he said.

"She said you were being foolish. What have you done?"

"I'm leaving Wakanda."

"Leaving? Leaving to go where?"

"I'm going to be a War Dog. If I can't have what I want here, I will go away."

"Breaking your mother's heart is what you're doing."

"Don't talk to me. Go back to the party and live it up."

"You stubborn man!"

She gathered up her dress and huffed away. He snatched up her arms and shoved his lips against her ear.

"Come with me," he pleaded.

Ramonda shoved him from being so close to her on the bridge exit.

"I want to hate you so much… if I could hate you…" he said.

The doors to the elevator opened, and he fled her side to jump on it. She ran after him, jamming her arm through the doors before they closed. Riding up to his floor with him, Ramonda stayed quiet.

"You won't truly be happy. I wish you well, though," he said.

"And you are making a decision in haste and under duress. Your father just died. The nation is in transition. Queen Zintle needs you here."

"I cannot stay here any longer. I will not be at your wedding next month."

The elevator doors opened on his floor. N'Jobu stepped out and faced her. The lights from his floor made his skin look like the precious ebon stones from the edges of Warrior Falls. His nostrils flared with his intention to escape the palace.

"Do you really want to be a spy?" she asked.

"I know how to blend in anywhere," he said.

He tilted his head.

"Do you even want to be a queen?" he asked.

"It is my destiny. According to you, it is my greatest desire."

He gave her a slight smile, then stroked her face.

"You are truly a queen at heart, Ramonda. You will serve the country well."

He leaned in and kissed her cheek.

"Next lifetime then," he said, before the elevator doors closed.

Ramonda saw N'Jobu one last time before he took a War Dog assignment in Oakland, California.

T'Chaka stayed busy adjusting to being king and left Wakanda before their wedding to take part in a summit that his father was supposed to preside over. Left alone in the palace with the queen, Ramonda prepared for marriage and decorated her new wing of the palace, making it cozy for T'Chaka's return. His presence at the summit cemented his place on the global scene. He was a colossal hit with Americans and the EU, and this pleased the Queen Mother and Council of Elders. T'Chaka's leadership would continue the great legacy of the Udaku rulers.

She invited N'Jobu for tea with his mother and he was pleasant and funny, making Ramonda relax. The sweetness he held blossomed all over their afternoon together. Zintle wanted to be supportive of her youngest son, but becoming a War Dog was a heavy burden for any family. N'Jobu had military training and the skills to do well overseas. Pretending to be a Black American seemed like such a simple job and so beneath his skill set. He appeared excited and his mother accepted his new pursuit.

They left her home in the early evening, and she cleared away their teacups and dishes without her servants. Spending time out on her own terrace, Ramonda rubbed her arms to self-soothe and watched a quarter moon rise. Her kimoyo beads lit up.

T'Chaka.

"I miss you," she cooed at her fiancé's floating avatar.

T'Chaka smirked and gave her a pretend smooch by puckering his lips.

"I miss you more. I'll miss you even more in the next few weeks. They have invited me to present in Switzerland at a consortium."

Ramonda pouted.

"Patience, my love. Oh, before I forget, did you have the tea gathering with Mother and N'Jobu?"

"I did. It went well. Queen Mother is upset that you won't be able to see him off."

"I will see him when he does his first check-in. Don't worry. I'll be with you soon enough."

He ended their call, and she went back into her parlor room. N'Jobu left T'Chaka's small parting gift on a side table. She picked it up and stroked the blue ribbons and decorative wrapping around it. Ramonda knew there was a ring inside. A black and silver ring that belonged to King Azzuri and was made as a set for both sons. T'Chaka wanted his brother to have the ring before he left the country and entrusted it to Ramonda. She hurried out of her suite to give it to him.

N'Jobu had a few bags packed and by his suite door when she arrived. He answered her knocking with a grin on his face.

"You forgot this," she said.

He took the gift and opened it, slipping the ring on his finger, and they both marveled at how regal it looked on him.

"There are only three rings like this ever made. We buried one with my father. T'Chaka has the other. I have this one," he said.

"Take care of yourself, Prince N'Jobu," she said.

"Farewell, Queen Ramonda."

They stared at each other for a very long time until he kissed her mouth.

After marriage, life was kind and fruitful.

Ramonda gave birth to a son, T'Challa, and she had never seen a man lose himself over his child before. Her T'Chaka spoiled and coddled the baby boy so much that she had to fight for time with her own child to breastfeed him. Never a prouder father had existed before King T'Chaka. Their son brought the family closer together over the years, especially when N'Jobu disappeared.

His last check-in had been when T'Challa was nearing thirteen. After that, there was an attack on Wakanda by a colonizer named Klaue. T'Chaka lashed out for answers as to how a white man could enter and exit Wakanda. Those were dark days, and the king leaned on Ramonda for support. Hundreds of Wakandans lost their lives on the border and T'Chaka swore to find the perpetrator no matter how long it took him. Soon after, they lost track of N'Jobu. Ramonda and Zintle pestered T'Chaka about his whereabouts, fearing the worst. The king stayed elusive and cryptic, telling them the work was a part of national security. Zintle visited the royal temple daily, burning incense and praying for her youngest son. Ramonda joined her on the days that T'Challa wasn't busy with school or activities. All three of them would kneel at the temple in front of a small black marble statue of the Panther Goddess holding long incense sticks, praying to Bast that N'Jobu would be found alive.

T'Challa asked about his uncle and Ramonda soon learned to change the subject until T'Chaka confessed to believing the worst, too. N'Jobu must've died on the job and was lost to their family forever. There was no official burial and T'Chaka forbid anyone to discuss N'Jobu in front of Zintle. He was simply missing in action under the official record.

Ramonda wept in secret often. The stubborn fool had gone out and gotten himself in trouble. All just to escape from seeing her with his brother. Lamenting over his fate, Ramonda's son helped bring her out of too much sorrow. He was a brilliant, growing boy who needed a mother's full attention. Especially since he had developed a crush on a young girl named Nakia.

Years marched on.

T'Challa became a young man, and Ramonda had a daughter to tend to also, little Shuri. The world moved on without N'Jobu.

Then the world moved on without T'Chaka.

The news came to her from T'Challa as he stood in front of a damaged building in Sokovia that a bomb attack had felled. Through smoke and tears, her beloved son told the sad fate of the king of Wakanda.

Broken down to her knees, Ramonda screamed her grief. She lost two men she loved in tragic ways.

"Mother… my wonderful mother… do not worry. I am coming home," T'Challa said.

His grief slashed lines across his forehead as he wore his father's ring.

"Come home, my son. Bring your father to me," Ramonda told him.

She trekked through the palace moaning her sorrow. Shuri held her arm, weeping, and Ramonda gathered the strength to be a rock for her precious baby girl. T'Chaka had been a lion for the nation. After their marriage and the birth of T'Challa, he rose in stature as the global leader the world needed. She created a life with him that put the needs of Wakanda first and they led the nation as no other royals had ever done in the past. Their War Dogs kept them abreast of the pulse of other nations and T'Chaka walked with the power of knowing how to bend the world in protection of his people.

"Mother, it's time. T'Challa is here," Shuri said.

Ramonda looked at her youngest child with loving eyes. Seventeen and full of spunk and confidence like her father.

"Let us greet the new king," Ramonda said, clasping her daughter's warm hands.

A phalanx of Dora Milaje surrounded Ramonda and Shuri as the Royal Talon Fighter gently landed on the Talon Port. A ramp slid out from the aircraft and T'Challa walked with the swag of his father. Nakia was by his side. Ramonda closed her eyes for a second to thank Bast for his safe return. She held her head high in the colors of dawn, her isicholo tall on her head, fingers clasped together. Her daughter stood next to her, watching T'Challa walk with General Okoye. The Dora Milaje crossed their arms with respect in the traditional Wakanda Forever salute, but protocols and salutes meant nothing to Ramonda. Her son was home. She bowed her head slightly to thank Bast, and then her feline eyes sought the child who would soon become king.

"Queen Mother… Princess," Nakia said.

The Wakandan spy bowed in the colors of her tribe, her head wrapped and her eyes downcast before Ramonda.

"My comfort for your loss," Nakia said.

Ramonda noticed her son could not stop looking at the River Tribe woman who grew up with him. Holding her queenly stance, Ramonda grinned at who she hoped would become her daughter-in-law soon.

"Thank you, Nakia. It is so good to have you back with us," Ramonda said.

Okoye addressed Ayo.

"Take her to the River Provence to prepare her for the ceremony," Okoye told Ayo.

"Yes, General," Ayo said.

Nakia walked toward another aircraft behind Lieutenant Ayo and once more Ramonda's son tracked her with longing in his dark brown eyes. Shuri fidgeted next to the queen.

"Did he freeze?" Shuri asked Okoye with playful aplomb.

"Like an antelope in headlights," Okoye offered with teasing eyes.

The embarrassment on T'Challa's face made Ramonda soften inside. She understood the feeling he wore on his handsome face. Shuri laughed, making her brother uncomfortable because of the open desire in his eyes.

"Are you finished?" T'Challa demanded of his first in command.

Okoye's teasing eyes fluttered across to the queen, and Ramonda held her head higher, trying to diffuse the ribbing her son was taking so poorly. Okoye tapped her spear and all the Dora Milaje turned in perfect formation to enter the palace, leaving the Udaku family alone.

"So surprised my little sister came to see me off before our big day," T'Challa said, holding his arms behind his back.

"You wish!" Shuri challenged. "I'm here for the EMP beads. I've developed an update."

"Update? No. It worked perfectly," T'Challa said.

Shuri pursed her lips, then cajoled her brother.

"How many times do I have to teach you? Eh? Just because something works doesn't mean it cannot be improved," Shuri said.

Ramonda caught the unsaid teasing name-calling in her daughter's tone.

"You are teaching me. What do you know?" T'Challa said.

He handed over his EMP beads, and Shuri palmed them.

"More than you," she chided.

"I cannot wait to see what kind of update you make to your ceremonial outfit," T'Challa called out.

Not seeing her daughter from behind, but knowing her well, Ramonda tilted her head back and called out to Shuri, who more than likely had her middle finger up.

"Shuri!" Ramonda shouted.

"Sorry, mother!" the princess called back.

Ramonda gazed at the man before her. Thirty-three years ago, Ramonda gripped her birthing chair and squeezed T'Challa out to the world in a rush of blood and prayers. He was the light of T'Chaka's life, the future beacon carrying the hopes and dreams of Wakanda. The world was much too cruel to deny T'Chaka the chance to see T'Challa take the throne. N'Jobu too.

Ramonda fought back the tears that loomed so close. The past created a reckoning that she swallowed down.

"How are you feeling today, Mama?" T'Challa asked.

Ramonda quelled the broken parts laying inside of her spirit. Deception and regret had no place before her son.

T'Challa had his eyes. His temperament. His smile.

"Proud," she said as T'Challa entwined his hands with hers. "Your father and I would talk about this day all the time."

A lie.

"He is with us… and it is your time to be king," Ramonda declared.

N'Jobu's son smiled at her, and Ramonda stroked his cheek. The past was the past. She made her choice and had to live with the outcome. Alone.

N'Jobu's son, not T'Chaka's, would become the king of Wakanda.

The secret she held for thirty-three years would never have to be revealed. T'Challa would go to Warrior Falls and defeat anyone who challenged him. The two men she loved were dead and gone. The living would carry on. Ramonda would carry on.

"Your grandmother is waiting to see you. Come, my son," Ramonda said.

She led T'Challa inside the palace. The family would live on in peace now, Bast willing.

Author’s Note: Betcha y’all will look at the Black Panther movie different now, lol!

Tag List:

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[zenlesszonezero]

[uzumaki-rebellion]

“Stark’s New Intern” Chapter 23

"When I'm in a bad mood It's good to know I have you You got niggas from your past that still ain't pass you But you're on my time But you're on my time now, and our past through

Now that we finally got them out the way All the decisions that I wanna make I want your body in a million ways Nobody ever makes me feel the same…"

DVSN—"A Muse"

Erik practiced playing poker online. When work was finished with Tony for the day, he would take himself to his apartment and cook a simple meal of plain brown rice with sautéed vegetables and boneless skinless chicken breasts.

Food consumed, he'd check personal emails, call his grandfather, and then hunker down on his laptop and play three hours a night. He was going to use the money Tony paid him that he had saved to get him in at the bottom: half a million dollars. Minus the other half a million he gave away to his family, he was willing to bankroll his spot at the high stakes poker table with no help from Tony.

Work had gotten serious. After Tony's cover story appeared in Forbes, the focus of his company turned toward escalating weapons manufacturing, and Erik finally saw the bread and butter of Stark Industries. His days were spent working with Tony at his subsidiary company AccuTech designing a new missiles system that he called Jericho X. The man spent hours of brainpower trying to create an experimental model that he wanted to manufacture and have on the market within five years. Inking a new contract with the United States Armed Forces, Tony was under pressure to deliver the hot-launched missiles sooner than the five-year deadline he gave AccuTech. The man was hands-on and Erik's education at the Naval Academy was useful to him. Erik had the mind of a soldier, and his training was meant to prepare him for his forthcoming Naval career. Those military eyes helped him on the job.

Erik had to concede once more that Tony was a smart motherfucker and his focus on work was just as laser-sharp and obsessive as Erik. Working around him on the Jericho X project was eye-opening and the long hours pushed Erik's mind to its limits. He was allowed to work at AccuTech and give up a lot of his assistant tasks which he was all for. He acted with restrained professionalism, and that allowed him to hang around after hours to do his own experimentation with the vibranium.

It did take the heads of AccuTech a couple of weeks to be accustomed to a Black teen having so much access to a secret project. If he had been some lanky white teen with an overly ingratiating personality, no one would question his presence. He would just be viewed as a white boy genius and "Atta boy!" accolades would've been thrown at him along with pats on the back. Instead, he was a Black boy genius faced with bias and suspicion. He endured the usual bullshit just so he could get his hands on equipment, testing space, and cutting-edge STEM knowledge.

Sitting on his bed and winding down from playing online poker, he checked out the housing available to him at M.I.T. In six months, he was leaving for grad school and he was already designing his life there. He checked out restaurants and clubs, searched for areas that had Black people and Black cultural things he could access. He searched for any capoeira spaces and the ones he found were white-dominated and he wanted Black people to practice with. He needed Black touchstones to keep him sane after his experience at the Naval Academy and Stark's internship.

Checking the M.I.T. website he found an alumni link that helped new students transition to the Institute. A few hyperlinks found him peeping the on-campus radio station, WMBR, that served the Cambridge-Boston area. Listening to a few archived music shows, he stumbled across one that was deejayed by someone called ButtaFly. The show was called Cosmic Café and when he listened to the first ten minutes, he immediately bookmarked it and added it to his listening rotation. The music was Blackity Black and spanned generations, and the DJ did live mixes that had Erik head bobbing.

For two months he laid on his bed from twelve midnight until two in the morning just being carried away by the sounds and also the voice of ButtaFly, a woman who made Erik's entire body relax. She opened her show with a positive quote or a bit of poetry and then she had themes that she created stringing songs from the field hollers of Black chain gangs to the Black Neo Soul of 90s British R&B, or any type of current African diaspora music she could blend with Hip Hop, Deep House, or Electronica.

He tried looking up personal details or even pictures of ButtaFly, but she was a hidden ghost, just words and rhythms and vocal soothing that helped him sleep before heading off for the grueling hours of AccuTech.

She became his brain muse, expanding his mind so he could juggle the science he worked with every day.

Stretching on his bed, Erik closed his eyes and put in his earbuds.

"As-salaam 'alaykum, Beloved. Welcome to the Cosmic Café. I am your host, DJ ButtaFly bringing you that good nourishment, that savory food for your mind, body, and spirit. Tonight's theme is going to run us into the realm of quantum physics. A little Afrofuturism to get us through Black History Month…"

Erik felt his shoulders loosen up and he closed his eyes. He tried to imagine what type of face went with the sultry voice blessing his ears. The modulations and changes in tone she used as she spoke hypnotized his ears. Muscles throughout his body relaxed and he wondered what kind of musical journey she would take her listeners on that night.

"I want to open the show with a piece from a sister whose work I adore, Alexis Pauline Gumb. I feel like someone out there needs to hear it. I know I do. This is taken from her book of experimental poetry called 'Dub: Finding Ceremony'. This particular joint is called 'Commitment'. Are you ready, Fam?"

Erik nodded his head as he grew more comfortable, slipping deeper into a state of mental ease. He rolled his right hand down his chest and rested it on his stomach. Lying nude in the dark he could almost hear his heartbeat.

"We promise to wake you if we think you won't get the point of the dream. We promise to show up if you show up. Everyday. We promise to make you feel sick if you lie to yourself. We promise to let love through if it's love you came to do…"

Soft. Soothing. Safe.

Her voice cradled and held him in a warm place. She wrapped his thoughts around her words.

"We promise to make time flexible if you give us your time. We promise to think of you more often than you think of us. We promise to remember you when you forget. We promise to be wherever and in everything you haven't noticed yet. We promise to be we, even one by one…"

Erik's body floated. He was still firmly pressed on his bed, but the eternal part of himself seemed to rise above his tired flesh and hover at the beckoning of ButtaFly's mouth thousands of miles away.

"We promise to outsmart your mind. We promise to overlove your heart. We promise to echo over your voice. We promise you everything. Everything. All we ask."

An image formed in his mind.

Full lips. Feline eyes. Skin rich and dark and made for touching and deep kissing.

His hand slid to his manhood.

ButtaFly spun dreams, drums, and breakbeats, sounds and rhythms that kept him floating above himself even as he stroked a growing erection in his hand. He tried to create a more detailed rendering of what he imagined the DJ to look like, but as pre-cum beaded at the tip of his swollen glans, his brain substituted Devika's face and body as a placeholder and he ran with it.

He tugged hard on his dick, keeping a tight grip right under the ridge of his tip. He imagined Devika's ass wiggling as he slapped his dick on her ass cheeks. ButtaFly's music urged him on and when she spoke to her audience about the songs she was about to mix in next, he latched onto her voice and grunted hard.

"Fuck!"

His hand was slick and more pre-cum spilled onto his fingers.

"Fuck this dick!"

"You ready for more?"

The haunting track ButtaFly flooded his ears with dragged him to the edge. He jumped up and turned over on his bed. Grabbing his pillow, he jammed it under his waist and ground his dick on it, pumping his hips as his glutes flexed hard. Eyes squeezed shut he conjured up images of a shapely ass clapping loud because of his thrusts.

A disembodied voice had him humping his pillow, the casing growing damp from the amount of pre-cum he was shooting out from his sensitive tip. He jammed his right hand on top of his erection to create a tunnel, allowing him to pretend he was in ButtaFly's pussy. His hand was slippery and he pushed down on the pillow to get more friction. The music in his ears was made for fucking and he thrust harder imagining some tight pussy yanking on his dick as his balls pounded into a nice soft ass. She sounded like the type who could throw it back on him and make him cry because it was so good. He lost it then.

He yelled like he was knee-deep in gushy pussy.

His thighs grew taught and his orgasm rushed across his ass and up over his back and neck before any semen flooded all over his pillow and sheets. A long groan blew out from his throat as he rubbed out another smaller nut. His fingers touched the pillow. The whole thing was soaked and sticky.

Leaning on his thighs he threw his head back to stretch his neck.

The moment he got to M.I.T. he was going to look for that DJ. There was no way in hell she could make him cum like that and he not find out what she looked like. His dick was still hard, and she kept the music going. He reached for his cell and searched through some old files. He pulled one up.

Athena.

She allowed him to film her as he hit from the back while she held onto her bedroom dresser. He watched Athena's big titties hang down and bounce in the mirror as he pounded her pussy. Jacking off again he allowed the music in his ears to narrate the fucking he watched himself do on his phone. Cradling one overly full breast in his hand on film, he watched his video self cum inside of her, calling out her name as she released on his dick screaming his. His eager hand worked his dick on the bed, the hard strokes slowed down until his cum splashed all over his stomach. He fell back on the bed feeling wiped out.

During his lunch break the next day, he downloaded the book of poetry, ButtaFly shared from the previous night, and read the piece at least five times. The words resonated with him. And they did something else: reminded him of his purpose.

Inside the work labs at AccuTech, Erik studied the mock-ups of new guns and smart weapons. He toyed with experimenting with vibranium and creating sonic weapons.

"We promise to outsmart your mind."

The line of the poem came back to him.

Staring at the new gun design that Tony had posed with on the Forbes magazine cover, Erik thought of converting it and somehow using the properties of the vibranium on it. As he listened to the best weapons designers grapple with the Jericho X missile prototypes, Erik memorized what he saw so that he could sketch it out later in his apartment. He wanted to compare it to the designs he saw in his father's old journals. He asked to work on the Stark sonic canon, a non-lethal long-range acoustic device. Granted permission to do so, he studied how the LRADs could be modified with the ideas he had swimming in his head. He looked for cheap and easy ways to mass manufacture devices that could be shipped around the world undetected. But he had to figure out how much vibranium it would take to modify Stark's LRADs. He only had six months left to absorb all he could.

He stayed diligent with his work and Tony visited AccuTech often giving his thoughts on their progress. Stark was preoccupied with some politicians giving him grief, and also preparing for the new batch of summer interns. He stripped down the number of interns he would have from 100 to fifty. That meant it would be even more competitive. Summoned to Tony's Los Angeles office from Palos Verdes where he had been working, Erik stepped into the outer sanctum and found Devika speaking to some assistants from other higher-ups. She took one look at him and paused for a long time. He realized then that they hadn't seen one another for a couple of months, his time spent in Palos Verdes cutting off contact between them in person.

He was about to step into Tony's office, but she held up a hand signaling for him to wait. When the assistants left, she walked over to him.

"Hey," she said.

"Hi."

Her eyes stared at him like she was seeing him for the first time.

"What?" he said feeling self-conscious.

"Something about you is different."

"How so?"

He sat on her desk.

"There's a swagger about you that is different…hmmm, more confident maybe?"

"When have I ever been less confident?"

"You look…good. Sophisticated."

Her eyes flitted away from his face. She was acting bashful all of a sudden.

"How's Wyatt?" he asked.

Her eyes regarded him carefully.

Wyatt was her new boyfriend, an older dude from Seattle she met at a mixer in Los Feliz.

"He's doing well. Thanks for asking."

He let his eyes linger on hers. She was still checking him out.

"He better be treating you like a Queen. Let me know if he doesn't," he said moving off of her desk and heading into Tony's office.

"Stevens. Good, we can get this intern stuff sorted. Come with me."

Tony swept past him and Erik followed. They only went around the corner from his office and into a mid-sized conference room. Pepper was inside the space along with two other executives Erik was not familiar with.

"Awesome, we can finish up now," Pepper said.

Tony and Erik took a seat at the end of the oval conference table facing a blank wall. Pepper handed them touchpads and turned on a floating screen.

"We've narrowed down applicants to just under three hundred. You need to choose who you want to be interviewed."

Erik and Tony scrolled CVs on the touchpads. So many names.

They painstakingly went through every CV, staring at applicant photos floating in front of them. Tony was open to Erik's suggestions, and this fact alone opened up the pool of applicants from ones Tony would've overlooked from his own biases. He tended to court favor with those from Ivy League schools and who had the same boring backgrounds. Mainly white and East Asian applicants who all did the shit that they thought would make them stand out. How many classically trained pianists/violinists who played La Crosse, Tennis, Chess, and water polo did one need? Sometimes too many extracurricular activities signaled a follower. A simp that did things not because they enjoyed it but because it padded their resume. He forced Tony to consider graduates from non-Ivy Leagues, those who did community-based work where they lived. More women applicants of color, especially Black and Latinx ones. He even suggested Tribal Colleges and lower-tiered public universities and colleges. He also mentioned looking at people who didn't have perfect Dean's Lists grades.

"I tell you what. I'll give you three weeks to open up the pool and bring in those types of potential interns you suggested. Pepper, give him access to the advertising bulletins," Tony said.

"That's cutting it close, Tony, we need to have interviews lined up and applicants chosen by the beginning of May."

Pepper and the other two Execs looked annoyed.

"Stevens can get it done. Give him the bulletins," Tony said, standing up.

Erik followed Tony out of the conference room.

"Let's go have lunch," Tony said.

Tony drove them to a restaurant in Pasadena. A small French café with excellent crepes filled with savory meats and sauces.

"Are you enjoying AccuTech?" Tony asked.

Erik nodded as he chewed a forkful of chicken masala crepes.

"I'm getting good reports about you. You've adjusted to the pace."

"It's cool. The LRAD work is right up my alley. That's what I'll study at school. Hands-on work will have me ahead of the curve."

"Grimaldo keeps hitting me up. He is ready for this re-match."

"I am too,"

"You sure you don't want me to bankroll you?"

"Nah."

"He tends to be at his best on his home turf."

"I'm good."

"Some things to know…"

A waiter brought over a glass of wine for Tony and sparkling water for Erik.

"We will be among a lot of royalty. I know you have excellent sartorial choices, but I need you to step up even more and have some formal clothing for at least a week—"

"A week? We'll be gone that long?"

"I'm making some business deals while I'm there, so work will be happening. You can use that time to work on the intern stuff. Pepper isn't coming with us, so I will slip you back into your old personal assistant role. She'll guide you from here. You'll need to be extra discreet while we are over there, and also be prepared for last-minute changes."

Erik ate his meal and listened.

"You sound kind of nervous," Erik said.

"Not nervous. This Jericho deal is very important and we'll be among some other industrialists and even some nefarious characters that want to see me fail. Things have to be tight and not attracting negative attention."

Erik nodded.

"I like the things you brought up at the intern meeting."

"Pepper and the others didn't sound so delighted."

"They'll get over it. It's why I put it in your hands for new outreach. Hey, are you sure about leaving for school after August?"

"Yeah. Gotta get that graduate degree."

"You should stay on at AccuTech."

Erik shook his head.

"M.I.T., Navy. That order."

Tony finished up his wine and glanced at his watch.

"Back to work," he said.

Erik stopped at Tony's office before picking up his car in the Stark garage. Devika was alone there, and her eyes seemed to light up when she saw him again.

"How was lunch?"

"Good. What do you want me to bring back from Monaco for you?"

"You don't have to bring me anything—"

"I want to."

"A t-shirt is cool-"

"T-shirt? That's so gauche. I'll bring you something classy."

"Don't spend a lot, Erik."

"I'll bring you back something that won't make your man jealous. How 'bout that?"

"Okay."

He smiled at her. The aroma of her perfume hit his nose suddenly and the scent took him back to her bedroom and the smell of her on his skin.

"I'm out," he said walking away quickly.

When his work was over for the day, he spread out on his bed nude and slipped on his earbuds.

"As-salaam 'alaykum, Beloved. Welcome to the Cosmic Café…"

Erik's muse took him away once more. Soothed his spirit. Steadied his mind.

He was ready for Monaco.

###

Chapter 24 HERE.

###

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[uzumaki-rebellion]

“Wet Sugar” [Part 28 of 30]

Summary: Erik and Yani’s lives are about to change permanently....

"I'm a fish in an aquarium Cut off from the outside world The water's always lukewarm And I observe

Hardly anyone takes notice of me But I am, here Quietly floating My lips, moving Just like yours

Always in motion You, never seem to rest Through my reflection I watch you Why do you keep me here, like this…"

Me'Shell Ndegeocello – "Aquarium"

"Come on Sweet Pea, it's okay. Come out from there…"

Yani stuck her head under Sydette's bed and saw her daughter curled up with her doll Miss Penny in the fetal position.

"It's just a bad man on tv it's not real," Yani said.

She reached her hands out for Sydette and the girl crawled from under the bed and sat on Yani's lap.

"Oh, I know that sound scared you. We'll watch something else."

Yani carried Sydette back into their living room and switched the channel to a cooking show. She wasn't expecting a violent news report to interrupt the comedy show they were watching. Her daughter eased back into her chest but Yani could feel her trembling. Touching Sydette's face, Yani kissed her daughter's forehead.

Two months and her daughter was still having night terrors and panic attacks because of Huntsman and their last night at the compound. Even Yani felt a little anxious when she walked around her apartment at night, afraid that someone would come to the door, break-in, and finish what they started on that night. Killmonger said he handled all those men. She wasn't so sure sometimes, especially knowing about Klaue's different minions from all over the world.

It had only gotten worse with Sweet Pea.

Loud sounds on tv or in real life brought either sudden tears or her baby running to hide. Sydette had finally stopped going to the front door and trying to find Killmonger. Yani no longer heard her baby girl asking, "We go find Baba now?"

Yani asked her mentor at the hospital for help finding a therapist that dealt with children and she was able to recommend a wonderful doctor for Sydette. The therapist was a friendly older white man with gentle milky blue eyes. Yani told the partial truth of what had happened to them. Sitting in the man's office while Sydette played with some dolls the therapist had in his space, she explained that they had been robbed while staying in a rental property with her boyfriend. She told him about the guns that were used on them, and she even explained how she and Sydette escaped on the beach. That was all she revealed. Afterward, she sat back and watched the man speak to her daughter just to get to know her. The therapist wrote a lot down, and when it was over, they set up appointments to have Sydette come in twice a week.

Once the therapist gained Sydette's trust after two visits, he had her use dolls to tell him what happened from her point of view. Sydette was so talkative and descriptive.

The man had Sydette coloring while she talked along with more doll play, and there were also sessions with Yani talking with her little girl to help develop coping skills when Sydette did run and hide.

Holding her child on her lap, Yani did what the therapist told her to do. She acted calm and regulated her own breathing so that Sydette copied her and brought down her anxiety. She acknowledged what Sydette was feeling and let her baby dictate how the conversation would go. It was hard though. Sydette tended to ask the same questions about the bad guys coming back. Yani often caught her acting out the attack with her own dolls, and it broke her heart. Bedwetting increased and going to bed at night was a difficult ritual and her daughter no longer wanted to sleep alone in her room. Yani allowed her to stay with her.

Sydette tended to self-soothe frequently with her thumb in her mouth, something she had never done before. She also dragged around a blanket that Killmonger bought for her and twisted her fingers frequently along the edges of the pink satin material whenever she saw something that reminded her of that night.

Sydette reached up and touched the curly lace front Yani wore. She was switching out three different wigs to cover up the scar on her head from the bullet that struck her. It hadn't healed all that well and the scar brought back bad memories.

"How are you feeling now Sweet Pea? Sad? Scared…?"

"Sad."

"Oh yeah? It's ok to feel sad."

"And scared."

"Mama is right here for you. You want to talk about it?"

She shook her head and pressed her face into Yani's chest.

They sat together until Sydette tugged on her pants.

"You need to change your pull-ups?"

"Yes."

Yani closed her eyes and tried not to cry. Sydette had been potty-trained, but now she was back to wearing pull-ups again because of so many accidents during the day.

"Come on."

Yani walked her to the bathroom and cleaned her up. After replacing the pull-ups she made sure to get them back on their evening routine. Making dinner together. Pork n' beans and hot dogs. Yani sliced up cooked wieners and let Sydette drop them into a pot of beans mixed with barbecue sauce and brown sugar. Keeping a daily routine helped Sydette a lot, but Yani was worried that Sydette would never get better.

Yani felt that her own therapy sessions were less important than getting her daughter back on track.

Plus….she had another concern that was twisting up her world.

And she needed to talk to Twyla about it and no one else.

###

Linda's eyes showed no glimmers of shock, surprise, or any concern at all.

Erik arrived in Sweden after a two-week trip of seeing relatives and solidifying his plans to take out Klaue en route to Wakanda. Linda picked him up at the airport and her enthusiasm at seeing him was the best Academy Award-winning performance he had ever experienced. He hugged her and allowed her to kiss his cheek, but then he went straight into work mode.

"How was your flight?" she asked.

They stood by the luggage carousel and waited for Erik's duffle bag and metal suitcase.

"Fine. How's Klaue?"

"Good. Calm actually, which is not normal for him. He seems pretty confident now that you have landed."

He grabbed his duffle as Linda picked up his suitcase. She ushered him to a cab outside and Erik watched her closely. Her eyes flicked over the attaché that Erik held in his hand.

"Things good with your family?" she asked.

"Cool breezy. I'm ready to get to work."

Her eyes were playful and Erik tried to keep his face neutral, but he felt himself grinding his teeth together.

The two-story hideout in Sweden was pretty swanky. Isolated and guarded by a new crew of security that Erik didn't know. Pure muscle men that Klaue planned on taking to Korea with them.

Erik handed over the attaché that Klaue needed, and he learned that Klaue was using it to essentially blackmail the C.I.A. into buying the vibranium from him. Linda acted nonchalant when she saw Klaue getting what she wanted in his hand.

Settling down into tracking the artifacts that would eventually arrive in London, Erik observed Linda's behavior with much more intensity. There might be a Plan B to her treachery. She stayed on several computers for twelve hours a day, and he never caught her sneaking off to try and contact anyone. The moment she saw Erik, she had to know her plans to rob Klaue had been foiled. Erik was alive and in her face. It didn't matter to him that she thought Yani and Sydette were accidental collateral damage. She would have to pay for what she had done.

Rising early one morning, Erik stepped out onto a patio and made a call to his Aunt Serah on his personal cell.

"JaJa."

Serah's voice sounded happy to hear from him.

"Can you face chat, or nah?"

"I am walking into my apartment now."

Erik switched to audio and video and adjusted the earbuds he wore.

"You look good," she said.

"Busy, but I'm maintaining."

"Bakari and Dante said they enjoyed seeing you."

"It was good to be home."

"How can I help you?"

He watched his Aunt take a seat in her kitchen.

"I need you to do something for me. And when I ask you to do this, don't ask why."

Her eyes took him in and she drew in a deep breath.

"What is it?"

"When the London exhibit hits, I don't want you to be there for the first week of the opening. Call in sick."

His face was serious and he waited for her to push back and be nosey as she was prone to be.

"A week?"

He nodded.

It had to be a week. It would take a few days before the arrival for Linda to get in with a job and start taking over surveillance. Erik had already shown their micro-crew the layout for the museum and also the main players. He couldn't leave his Aunt out of the staff photos he showed everyone, but he could keep her away from what they were planning to do.

"I have some vacation time stored up."

"I will let you know what week to leave," he said.

"JaJa—"

"Auntie…please…"

His eyes darted around to make sure he still had privacy.

"Fine. I will do it."

"Thank you. I have to go now. I'll chat with you soon."

She blew him a kiss and Erik went to find Linda.

He found her on her laptop posted up near Klaue in the dining room. She was creating a fake visa and London I.D. for herself.

Klaue sat staring at his own laptop while drinking his third cup of coffee.

"Ross is ready for the transaction," Klaue said.

"I found a plane to get us out. We can jump to Japan, and then Indonesia—" "You take care of all of that with Limbano. I'm working on getting our money upfront before the trade-off. Any word on when the exhibit is happening? I really don't want this to drag out."

"A few months. Be patient."

Klaue smacked Erik's shoulder and sipped on his fresh brew.

"Pre-paid gigs now. Impressive," Erik said taking a seat next to Klaue. He poured himself coffee from the pot sitting on the dining table.

Linda looked at him and the curl of a smile on her lips made him want to punch her. He needed to find something to do or else he would reveal his hand.

"Going for a walk," Erik said.

He left the house and walked around the grounds. The air smelled clean and it helped him clear his head.

He was ready to move.

Being in Sweden gave him time to watch the news on the regular. King T'Chaka would be at the Vienna International Center to help bring about the ratification of the Sokovian accords. Erik hoped the man would return to Wakanda in time for him to stomp him out. He didn't want to challenge the throne while his Uncle was out of the country. He needed him and T'Challa there in person. It would look like a reckless power-grabbing coup d'etat if Erik ran through Wakanda while they were away. No…he needed to follow the letter of the law in his father's homeland. Reading his father's journals, he learned of N'Jobu considering making a play for the throne before he was murdered. It wasn't enough to be a rebel. True power was claiming the throne with a legitimate justice claim. He wanted to kill T'Chaka and T'Challa on their home turf in front of their people. Under their own laws. Their rules. There would be no questioning of his ascension to the throne with their blood on his hands.

Blood on his hands…

His thoughts turned to Yani and Sydette.

It still pained him to think of them. God knows he tried to put them far in the back of his mind as he could, but he couldn't stop the occasional random memories that came at him. A certain odor in the house would remind him of a meal he cooked for his girls. A song on the radio put him back into the kitchen of Klaue's house with Sydette holding onto his hands and dancing as Yani fussed at them for being in her way as she cooked. As hard as he tried to stay busy and mentally occupied, they would creep into his psyche. His trip back to the states helped a lot when he visited his family, but the moment he stepped on the plane to Sweden he fell into a funk. Seeing Linda only brought the island back into sharp relief.

Erik walked back into the house to find some good liquor. He needed to drown his thoughts.

Stay the course.

Focus.

###

Yani stirred in a handful of potatoes into the fish soup she made on Twyla's stove. The fragrant home-made broth she fixed made her own mouth water.

"Don't put no okra in it. I nuh want to feel that slime in my mouth," Twyla said.

"Too late," Yani called out.

"Argh!" Twyla groaned.

"I didn't put a lot in. Barely a handful."

Yani put the soup on simmer and washed her hands.

Sydette played with two new Barbie dolls her paternal grandmother bought for her on the floor. The tv was on a cartoon and Twyla sat on her couch flipping through a fashion magazine.

"You alright?" Twyla asked.

"Yeah."

"You look funny…"

Yani glanced down at Sydette.

"Can we talk in the kitchen?" Yani asked.

Twyla eyed her and then tossed her magazine on the couch. They left Sydette to her dolls.

Twyla lifted up the lid on the soup and took a big whiff.

"Smells like Auntie's."

"Be done soon…Twyla…?" Yani laced and unlaced her fingers together.

Her cousin sat in a chair next to her.

"Yeah?" Twyla said.

"I'm in trouble. I…I messed up…"

"What happen?"

"Don't be vex…"

Yani's hand instinctively went to her belly.

Twyla's head tilted to the side. Her eyes got big and then she sucked her teeth.

"I don't want to hear that…Yani…last time yuh ask mi not be vex…oh dammit cuz…yuh had Sydette…"

Yani's hand covered her eyes and she felt fat tears squeeze from her lids.

Twyla jumped up from her seat and stuck her head out of the kitchen doorway to check on Sydette. She turned back to Yani.

"All this stuff you two are dealing with, and now…yuh telling me you carrying that man's baby?"

Twyla sat back down on the chair and touched Yani's hand.

"I'm not trying to be mean…I'm just. Dammit. I was worried about this happening."

"I'm not keeping it."

Yani wiped her face.

"We said we wouldn't have no baby together. I'm not going to term. I made an appointment in the states. I need you to keep Sydette for me. I'm going to fly to Florida. There's a clinic in Miami that will help me deal with this. I just need you to keep quiet, and watch my Sweet Pea."

"You're going by yourself?"

"Yeah. I don't want anyone to know. Just you."

Twyla squeezed Yani's hand.

"I didn't mean to sound like a bitch about it."

Yani shrugged.

"How far along are you?"

"Two months."

Yani stood up and went to the stove.

She lifted the lid on the soup and stirred it, needing something to do. Needing to be away from Twyla's eyes.

They hadn't been careful.

Especially for the last month they were together. A part of her thought she wanted it to happen. As careful as she had been in the beginning with him, they had become careless in the end. Her rigid birth control taking had slipped and she had no one to blame but herself. She hadn't been taking her pills at the same regular times she always had. The early morning was her normal time, but sometimes she took them in the afternoon, or at night. They had set themselves up for failure. Especially when she allowed him to ejaculate inside of her so often. She had irregular cycles and thought this was another scare like last time. She ignored the first month thinking the stress from the attack was the cause.

She beat herself up. His last few words to her was to not let anything stop her from going to school. Now she was carrying his seed and breaking every promise she made to herself. Killmonger was just as responsible, but now he was out of her life.

"No one can know about this, Twyla."

"My mouth is shut. I'll keep Sydette for you."

Yani covered the soup again. She felt Twyla's arms go around her waist, her cheek pressed close to hers.

"I'll carry this weight with yuh cuz. Okay? No worries."

Yani's head dropped down. Twyla turned her around and Yani buried her face in her cousin's neck.

"I can't go backward," she whispered into her cousin's skin.

"When are you flying out?"

"Next week. Thursday through Sunday."

"You shouldn't go alone. I'll go with you. I'll call in sick to work—"

"I don't want—"

"Calm down…calm down. We'll get Monice to watch Sydette. We'll tell her we're going to visit Kendall. We can see him when we get there, then disappear. He'll be busy doing his club dates and no one will suspect anything if we actually don't see him. It's just a Miami girls trip. Dry your eyes."

Yani nodded.

She was happy that Twyla would come with her. She didn't want to go alone, but she wanted to stay discreet.

"Mama…"

Sydette stood in the doorway and Yani wiped her eyes. Painting a wide smile on her lips she grabbed bowls from the cupboard.

"Ready for some fish tea, love?"

Sydette nodded.

"It'll be okay," Twyla said.

Yani hoped so.

###

Erik's hands slid up her thighs.

They were browner from the sun and so warm to the touch that Erik found himself heavy sighing as he touched her.

The sun beat down on his back and he could feel the hot searing heat making his keloids tingle.

She tried to wiggle back from him and he dragged her legs back to him.

"Nah…get back here. I want you right now. Just like this."

He used his strength to lock her legs down, and when he sank down into her, her lusty shouts made him smile.

Sweat dripped down from his face and onto hers. He threw his head back and a hard exhale fell from his mouth.

"Fuck…baby…!"

Her eyes seemed to be pleading with him, like she was trying to convey something to him on a deeper level.

The muscles in his ass clenched tight and his voice cracked when she said his name in his ear.

"Erik…"

He bolted up from the bed.

"Shit," he gasped, his fingers clutching his sheets.

Glancing around the bed, Erik saw that he was alone in his room. He shut his eyes tight and caught the fading sensations of being with Yani once more. Falling back onto his back, he stared at the ceiling. The warm tingling sensation on his skin disarmed him. He actually felt her hands on him. He could smell her scent still. Lucid dreams had happened to him before, but this one was much too powerful. His hand drifted to his groin and the erection that greeted him there was slick with his semen. He gripped his dick and the throbbing in his hand surprised him and he found himself ejaculating while being awake.

"Ah, fuck…"

Fingers wet, skin drenched in sweat, Erik rolled his face into his pillow and fought the urge to reach out to her. Although his body was yearning for the sexual contact, Erik just wanted to lay up with her and hold her. He missed the weight of Sweet Pea on his chest and Yani snuggled against him.

Erik dragged himself off the bed to clean up the nocturnal emissions. Red eyes greeted him in the bathroom mirror. Had he been crying while dreaming? His heart thudded in his chest and he touched the left side to feel the sensation. His gut told him something was wrong.

He grabbed his laptop and sat back on the bed.

Using an old avatar, he tried to check her social media, but she had deleted everything. It was smart on her part. Kept her off the radar. Twyla's accounts were locked, and Kendall's had become strictly business. When he typed in her name only pictures of her from Kendall's or Chez's fans popped up and they were very few compared to when she had been active online.

His fingers itched to call Twyla, but he refrained.

It wasn't right to try and bounce in and out of her life. She had money. She had support. She would do what she had to do to take care of herself and Sydette.

He shut down his laptop and went outside to walk the grounds. One of Klaue's new security team eyed him hard when he stepped to the rear of the house. Erik waved him off and continued meandering under the moonlight. The acute sensations of feeling Yani's presence had finally faded.

But something tugged at his spirit.

Something felt amiss.

###

Yani sat wearing a paper medical gown in a room filled with five other women dressed the same.

They all sat in a silent queue that they probably never thought they would find themselves in.

Yani kept her head down and stared at her bare feet encased in sandals. A woman sitting adjacent from her stared at her head, and she regretted not wearing one of her wigs. She still felt very self-conscious about the scar. Only part of the hair grew back and the rest was small but vivid scar tissue. Shiny like one of Killmonger's keloids.

Her heart jumped when she thought of him. She worried the thin material of the medical gown with her fingers as her nerves ratcheted up. A thin Latino looking woman was called to follow a Doctor's assistant and Yani could feel the collective anxiety from all the other women and herself as they watched the woman go through a door that closed with a loud bang. She wished she could text Twyla just to have something to do to occupy her mind, but her cousin was posted up at the hotel they were staying at awaiting her call for when the procedure was done.

Procedure.

Yani closed her eyes.

When she first found out she was pregnant with Sydette she was so ready to go to a clinic and terminate. Fidgeting in her seat, she couldn't imagine doing that. But that was only because she had Sweet Pea now, knew her, loved her. It seemed like such an easy thing to do back then especially when she was so angry with Chez and how that pregnancy came to be.

This one was different. It was an accident. A loving accident.

Her tummy flip-flopped and she felt her leg shake a bit with nerves. Another woman was called to go away. Yani was next if they were going in order as they had been.

An older white woman with tight crows feet around her eyes opened the door soon enough and looked Yani in the eye. Yani stood up and tried to close the back of her gown that had begun to stick to her backside from nervous sweat.

She was taken into a sterile room and asked to lay back on a cool blue gynecology chair with a protective white hygienic cover. The assistant helped her place her legs in some stirrups and adjusted her backrest for comfort.

Yani felt her blood pressure rise up and her breathing grew erratic.

The assistant's voice was raspy as she spoke from a protective mask.

"Try to relax. I'm going to place Misoprostol against your cervix. It will soften it for us, and then in two hours the doctor will come in and we'll start. Okay?"

Yani nodded but when the woman touched her thigh to let her know she was about to proceed, Yani tensed up and her hands went to her stomach and covered it.

"Stop, please."

The assistant stared at Yani and pulled away from her.

"You need a moment?"

Yani nodded and felt the small prick of a tear in her eye. She covered her face with her right hand.

"I'll come back—"

"I'm nervous."

The assistant gave a small sigh and when she was about to say something more, a Black woman with a short gray 'fro walked in.

"She's nervous," the assistant said.

Yani watched the Black woman approach her side. The woman touched her arm and gave it a soft pat. Her hand was warm.

"It's alright," the woman said.

"I'm sorry—"

"No need for you to be sorry. This isn't easy for any woman. Even the ones who act like it's no big deal. I'm the doctor who will be working with you. How would you like for me to proceed?"

The doctor reached out for her hand, and Yani accepted the comfort.

Closing her eyes, she rested her head back and exhaled.

###

Twyla drove to the side of the non-descript building and Yani walked to their rental car. She climbed into the passenger seat and burst into tears.

"Oh…cuz…it's alright."

Twyla caressed her scalp and turned Yani's face toward her. "I couldn't do it."

"What?"

Yani shook her head and covered her mouth.

"You didn't-?"

"No."

Twyla held Yani's hand.

"They are going to kill me back home."

"No. Disappointed…yes. But they will love this one like Sydette."

"Yuh disappointed with me?"

"I don't want to see you struggle again. You are supposed to be a doctor, Yani. It just gets harder with two babies."

"Yuh think I should abort this one?"

"I can't make that choice for you."

"They had my legs up and were prepping me and I just…I thought…this was an accident, but it didn't have to be a mistake. I know it don't make sense, and everyone will think I'm just a stupid woman who can't keep her legs shut. I want to be selfish for this child, for its father's sake. Killmonger…he's a good man. We all know he ah bad man when him with Klaue, he said it himself. Him clear on that. But I know he wants to be a good man. In his own way. I don't know where he is, but I want to have this good. This baby is good. Hear mi?"

"I hear you, Yani."

"I have enough money for now. It will just take me a little longer to finish school. But I won't have to struggle like before."

Yani wiped her eyes again.

"I want him to have something good in the world. I want to keep my baby."

Twyla stared out of the window.

"He was so loving to us, Twyla. I know you think I'm stupid for this—"

"I never said that. It's just hard having a child alone. It's why I never did it."

Yani snuck a glance at her cousin.

"You ever regret your decision with Devon?"

"No. The choice was easy for me. It turned out to be the best thing for me. I won't tell yuh what to do. This your decision."

Twyla regarded her face with concern.

"Once we leave here, there's no going back, Yani. I mean, you could make another appointment—"

"No. I've made up my mind. My parents are going to hate me, no matter what you say, but it's what I want to do."

"Crazy gyal. Lord ah mercy I can already hear Auntie sucking her teeth."

Yani smiled even as she felt new tears falling down her cheeks.

She was accustomed to working hard her entire life. She'd just have to be on the grind even harder for Sydette, school, and this little one.

"Can yuh come with me to tell Auntie? I want her to know before my parents. I have to get my house in order."

"Be ready for her to have a fit…although…"

"Although what?" Yani asked, hesitation in her voice.

"She really liked that big nigga."

Yani's lips trembled and Twyla squeezed her hand again.

"She really did," Yani agreed.

"I really liked him too. Lord, here we go again!"

Twyla started the car and Yani rested her head in her seat and closed her eyes.

###

Twyla stood in the kitchen doorway as Yani sat on a loveseat with Sydette seated next to her.

"Yuh understand what Mama is saying? You will be a big sister," Yani said.

"In there?" Sydette said pointing to Yani's belly.

"Yeah, the baby is in there. I'll get a big stomach like Sandrina."

"Can I talk to the baby?"

"Anytime you want."

Sydette leaned forward pressing her ear to Yani's stomach.

"You in there baby? Can yuh hear me?"

"You like being a big sister?"

Sydette nodded.

Yani's eyes swept over to her mother and her Aunt Leona. Her mother's face was tight, but she found strength in Leona's firm stance that Yani's mother not scold her or talk down to her. Leona herself was disappointed at first, but then she immediately steeled herself to support Yani when she told the rest of the family. Everyone knew who the daddy was, and they all knew the man was never coming back.

"The baby sleep in my room with me?"

"Yes, love. When it gets a little bigger."

"Will I have a brother or a sister?"

"We won't know until it gets here. What do you want me to have?"

"A brother."

Paula stood up and walked over to Yani, taking a seat next to Sydette.

"Your life is in your hands—"

"Mommy—"

"Let me finish. We didn't do right by you the first time…when you had Sydette—"

"Don't—"

"Listen. Your Daddy and me saw how hard you worked to raise your child on your own. I'm sorry we were so hard on you. We nuh treat yuh how we should have and we can't change that. But we can be better this time. I'm not ashamed of you, Yani. I know yuh think that. Yuh just make things tough on yourself and we don't want you to struggle like we did raising alla you girls. I'm sorry…"

"Mommy. Forget that—"

"Yes. Forget all of that past stuff and let's focus on getting this new pickney here healthy and in one piece," Leona said.

Sydette jumped down from the couch.

"Where yuh going, Sweet Pea? Yani asked.

"I have to use the bathroom."

Yani watched her daughter run to the bathroom on her own.

The evening was pleasant and her mother cooked dinner for all of them. Yani ate her fill of beef patties with fried rice and Sydette spent the night in their bed touching her stomach and talking to her sibling with soft whispers.

###

"JaJa."

"Auntie."

Erik could see on his cell that she was standing outside of the Museum of Great Britain.

"The exhibit arrives in July. The opening will be on 15th."

"Thank you Auntie."

"I put in my request for vacation time."

"Good."

Her sharp eyes took in his face.

"Whatever you are about to do…be safe."

"Always."

Erik hung up and turned his eyes back to the small touchpad he watched outside on the backyard patio.

King T'Chaka sat in the United Nations, his voice confident as he addressed the assembly. How fitting that he should speak of peace and harmony among countries when Erik was preparing to bring that work to his own country's doorstep.

How fitting indeed.

Chapter 29 Here

###

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[uzumaki-rebellion]

“Stark’s New Intern” Chapter 22

"Tell her be free, baby spread your wings Got your legs in the sky like a plane Let me guide that, I'm the pilot Can't nobody see you, 30 thousand feet On your knees in them Prada's Make the freaky shit come up out her…"

August Alsina—"Planes"

Twenty-Five Billion.

That was the annual revenue intake of Stark Enterprises.

The man himself was worth around thirteen-billion.

Erik sat on a stool inside a cavernous airplane hangar in Santa Ana watching Tony receive a touch up to the make-up he was wearing for the new Forbes cover he was shooting. The third richest man on the planet allowed a fussy ginger-haired man dab liquid foundation on Tony's heavily tanned face that was enduring a bit of sun damage from playing golf in Calabasas all weekend.

Erik scrolled through his work touchpad dropping notes to Pepper who was on vacation in New Zealand and wouldn't be back for three weeks. Although she was thousands of miles away, Pepper had a morning chat with Erik every day since the moment she left, and expected daily debriefings of Tony's antics.

"Turn to your left now Mr. Stark."

The photographer, Carmella, was a young Puerto Rican beauty with glossy blue-black tresses and sunburned dark pecan skin. She had been flirty with Erik when she first arrived at the hangar, parking her red jeep Wrangler near Erik's Porsche. The moment Tony arrived with his private driver, she got down to business, introducing herself and guiding Tony through the types of shots she wanted to take.

Tony's media team arrived to handle his make-up and hair and Erik hung back to make sure Boss Man stayed on schedule. They had to fly to Orlando, Florida soon after for a tech conference and Carmella was joining them for more candid shots.

Tony indulged her for she was one of the hottest photographers around and he wanted his newest Forbes cover to show a sophisticated side to himself and not just the playboy antics he was known for outside of the business. An hour into the shoot, the Forbes magazine interviewer showed up, a blue blood stiff who looked fifty but was only thirty when Erik checked his credentials before allowing him to approach Tony.

"Mr. Cormac, would you mind sitting over here," Erik said, directing him to an empty folding chair near him and the media team.

Tony switched out the dark blazer he wore for a lighter one at Carmella's suggestion and Erik witnessed their shared flirty banter. Tony could barely keep his eyes off of her legs that were gloriously displayed in the purple shorts and sandals she wore.

Tony served face in various contrived poses outside and inside his jet, and once they reached the allotted time given for the Forbes photographer, Cormac took over and interviewed Tony inside the plane. Erik sat across from them as Carmella snuck a few more candid shots.

Erik stepped off the plane to stretch his legs and Carmella followed him.

"You seem really serious," she said.

Erik looked up from his cell and eyed her.

"It's just work," he said.

Her eyes glanced over at the jet then back at him.

"So, Stark…is he single?"

Every damn time.

Erik gave a tired sigh.

"You see a ring on his finger?"

"No."

Erik looked back on his phone and texted Pepper an update on the interview.

"Attitude," she said.

He cut his eyes back to her and took in her face. She was a looker.

"Do you need to get anything from your car? We're leaving in thirty minutes," he said.

She nodded and walked away toward the private parking area.

The pilot arrived and Erik took his seat on the jet. Carmella sat across from him so that she could face Tony. Once they were in the air, Tony gave her a tour, and soon enough that tour ended in the back where his sleeping quarters were.

Cormac was busy typing on a laptop and seemed enamored of being on a plane with Tony. The security team assigned to the trip watched movies on individual chair screens.

Erik's touchpad chirped and the vid call came from Devika. He swiped his screen.

"Hey, is Tony available? He's not answering the jet phone."

"W'sup?"

"Sherrilyn Stein wants to speak with him asap. It's about the Monaco trip. Please have him call her right away."

"Will do."

He stared at her face. Her hair was flat ironed and styled a little differently. Her make-up looked overly done too.

"Where you going?" he asked.

"Girls Night."

"Hmmm-"

"What?"

"Nothin'. You look good."

Her eyes fluttered from the compliment but then she grew serious.

"How is it going?"

"Good. Pepper stays on me all the time. For someone on vacation, she can't seem to relax and leave work behind. When do you leave for your vacation?"

"I'm going to work part of Friday, but I officially start my time off Friday night. I have a red-eye to Vegas and my cousins will meet me there."

"Have fun."

"I will."

He stared at her. He missed hanging with her, but not being in a sexual relationship made them closer at work. He liked that change even though he could still look at her and feel all kinds of crazy urges. She looked happier too and whatever feelings went unspoken between them didn't cloud their interactions.

"I'll let you go. Pass the word to Tony."

He ended the call and slipped to the back of the jet. The soft hum of the plane obscured his footsteps. He wanted to be discreet, but the door was slid partially open and he could see Carmella riding Tony in reverse cowgirl. Her top was pushed up and her breasts bounced wildly as Erik's eyes dropped down to look at her vaginal lips sliding up and down Tony's sheathed erection. She began to slow grind on him and purposely pulled back her wet folds so Erik could see more. He felt his body reacting a little bit, but he pushed it aside and turned his head.

"Boss Man, you need to call Sherrilyn Stein," he said before walking away.

Ten minutes later, Carmella returned to her seat with a look of dissatisfaction on her face. When Cormac glanced at her, she quickly stood up and took the seat in the front right next to Erik. She seemed irritated. Cormac popped in some earbuds and turned off his overhead light. The humming vibration of the jet settled over everything. Erik put away his touchpad.

"What's wrong with you?" he asked.

She looked away from him.

"Sorry for asking," he said before staring out of the window.

"Rich guys can be pretty selfish," she grumbled.

"He didn't rock your world?" Erik teased.

She ignored his comment.

Erik smirked.

"He did have to take an important call."

"In the middle of fucking me?"

"Business is business."

"Rude is what it is."

"He's not a billionaire for nothing. He stays on the grind."

"Still rude."

"Y'all could've at least shut the door all the way."

"You liked what you saw though."

"I've seen a lot of pussy."

Carmella's neck tilted to the side.

"How old are you?"

"Old enough."

"You like being a smartass."

"I like being direct."

"I could tell you liked what you saw. You were staring hard."

She fidgeted in her seat.

"You still horny?"

He laughed softly when he saw the frustration still on her face. She didn't say anything, just tugged on the bottoms of her shorts.

"Lemme guess, he came and you didn't. Left you hanging."

Bingo.

The slight grimace on her attractive face told him everything. What a waste.

He decided to mess with her for fun.

"That's what you get for running after him."

"I didn't run after him. We had a connection."

"A connection. I see. You took the tour and then fell on his dick."

She couldn't hide the smile on her face.

"Money makes any dick attractive," he said.

"It's not just money, he's crazy gorgeous—"

"Was the dick good?"

She turned her body toward him.

"It was better than I expected."

"What did you expect?"

"A decent screw. Everything is heightened on a plane of course."

"Of course."

"You just sound so….so…."

"So what?"

"Smarmy."

"Hmmm. If you say so."

Her eyes took in his face and then she stared at his lips. He let the tip of his tongue dart out and then he looked away from her while stretching his legs. When he glanced at her again, she was looking at his chest, and then her eyes slid down to his crotch.

"He's probably done with his call by now. Maybe you should go back there and see if he can make you cum."

"Too much of a bother. I'm comfortable up here now."

"Bet your pussy is still swollen."

Her mouth fell open in shock and he watched a slow flush of color darken her already sun-bronzed complexion.

He let his hand slide on his crotch and he squeezed himself just enough so that she could catch it. She squirmed in her seat. He leaned closer to her. She was his height so he didn't have to shift too much.

"Show me your pussy. Lemme see if it's still juicy."

She gasped then, her eyes darting away from his for a second before she was staring at him again with her lips parted.

Staring at her face he saw wanton desire there. It was making him feel strong arousal. His dick strained against his slacks. The bulge was growing and Carmella could see it.

"Pull your shorts off. Lemme see that fat puss."

She whimpered and her hands unbuttoned her shorts. She pulled them down without fear. Everyone else was in the back of the jet.

"Yeah, that pussy still ready," he whispered, "what happened to your panties?"

"Still in the back," she panted.

Licking her lips, she watched him adjust his dick and then squeeze it.

"You left your panties on his bed?"

"Yes."

"Did you do that on purpose?"

He squeezed his bulge again and his dick rose up stiffer.

"No."

"I think you did, so you'd have an excuse to go back there. Do you want to go back there?"

She shook her head no.

"When you were riding his dick you pulled your pussy lips open so I could see all that pink. Open your pussy for me now."

She was quick to peel back her folds.

"Oh, you wet-wet. Is that for him or me?"

She squirmed harder in the seat.

He reached down and pinched her clit.

"Answer me."

"Yes...you."

Carmella had nice lush red lips and small dark eyes with black eyeliner giving her haughty 50's bedroom chic. From her dark hair to her dark eyes, and small dark thatch of pubic hairs at the top of her mound, she was sexy as hell and it didn't surprise him at all that Tony took to her so fast.

But she had flirted with Erik first, so now he was going to play with her a little longer.

He tugged on her clit and she gave a soft moan, her inner labia spreading open wider from her own deepening arousal. So warm and sticky.

"Play with your pussy. Lemme see how you touch yourself. You like me watching you. I know you do..,"

She rubbed her fingers around her engorged clit and he lifted the armrest between them so he could face her better. She kicked off her shorts and lifted her legs onto the wide seat. He rubbed himself and it turned her on. Her pussy became wetter.

He reached for the loose blanket that sat up against his hip and placed it between them in case anyone woke up and came toward them.

"You look wetter than when you were fucking Tony," he said.

Her eyes grew tight.

"You wanna see my dick?"

She nodded.

He lifted up and glanced behind his seat. They were good to go.

He unfastened his pants and pulled out his erection and Carmella's mouth really fell open and he saw her pussy contract and open up with more pink for him to see.

"Look how wet you are," he growled as he moved closer to her so she could see how big and stiff he was.

"Bet you wish you were riding me, huh?"

"Yeah!"

"Going up and down on my dick."

"Big Black dick…" she whimpered.

Oh. It was like that.

Could be a general observation. Or it could be some fetish shit.

At that moment, he didn't care. His pole was rock hard and ready to spit, and she had a needy pussy that was neglected by selfish dick and a man who could care less if she was satisfied.

He stroked himself slowly so she could savor every inch of what she wouldn't get. Twisting his fingers under the fat cap of his glans, he teased her further with his words until she was sweating and ready to cry.

"You'd let this Black dick nut in your pussy raw, huh? You seem like the type that would let me do that. Get deep in your pussy and make a mess…"

Her head pressed into the headrest and her toes lifted up. Her fingers ran up and down her slit teasing her clit. She was about to break and he wanted her to go down hard.

"Would I fit in your pussy? You look really tight. I'd hurt that pussy good. Stretch you all the way out. Bet you'd take it like a dirty bitch, huh?"

The slick sound of her fingers had his balls pressing up tight in his pants. Only his stiff shaft was visible in his hand. He fisted himself faster. He could see tears wetting her eyes. She wanted to explode on top of his dick

"You want me in your pussy?" he hissed low into her ear.

"Yeah! I want that big dick in me," she panted in his ear.

If he had access to a condom, he would probably lift her up and slam her down on his dick, but his belongings were under the plane.

"I'ma show you how much cum I'd put in your pussy," he grunted.

Holding his left hand down near his waist, he stroked hard on his dick while taking quick glances at her glistening wide-open folds.

"…show you how much cum…shit…oh, shit…all in your pussy girl!"

The rush at the base of his dick made his body jerk toward her and he splashed an obscene amount of cum into his hand. Grinding his teeth together to keep from yelling out loud, his ejaculate splashed onto her thighs. He reached down between her legs and smeared his hot semen all over her pussy. She exploded and he sat back to watch her pussy contract with his cum dripping all over her mound. Her body flopped in her seat and her eyes rolled back in her head as she worked her clit to milk every last earth-shattering orgasm out of her body. Keeping her mouth shut tight, the only sound that was heard was harsh inhales and exhales coming through her nose.

When she finally calmed down, she patted her vulva and played with his semen.

"Satisfied?" he asked.

Carmella laughed then covered her mouth. She licked cum from her fingers and pulled her shorts back on. Covering herself with the blanket, she watched him fasten his pants back up.

He stepped away from her and went to the restroom to urinate.

After washing his hands, he stared at himself in the mirror. He wanted to cum in Carmella's face. The compulsion to nut on her and have her down on her knees was strong. She had bounced on Tony's dick and tried to play Erik like some unlucky dweeb, but now the tables were turned. Tony had used her for quick stress relief, and he wanted to do the same just to teach her a lesson about teasing him as if Tony was worth a damn. It was petty.

When he returned to his seat, he had already lost interest in her. She slipped away to clean up her pussy and find her panties, and when she returned, he pretended to be asleep and leaned his head against the window. He felt her leaning her head on his shoulder for the rest of the flight.

When they landed in Orlando and got settled in their hotel rooms for the evening, Erik received a call on his cell phone. It was an overseas number he didn't recognize.

When he answered the phone, he recognized the voice.

"Mister Erik Stevens. I hope I haven't called you too late in the evening."

It was Francesco Grimaldo.

The Prince of Monaco.

Erik rubbed his chin.

"W'sup," he said.

"I'm ready for our rematch."

Erik stared out of his hotel room window. The midnight hour had him antsy.

"Bet," he said.

Chapter 23 HERE.

###

Tag List:

@fd-writes @soufcakmistress  @cherrystainedlipsbaby​

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@allhailqueennel​  @bartierbakarimobisson @cpwtwot​  @shookmcgookqueen​ @yoyolovesbucky​

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@tyees​  @eye-raq​  @writerbee-ffs​  @chocolatedream30​  @childishgambinaa​  @mygirlrenee​ @thewaysheis​—awkward

[uzumaki-rebellion]

“Wet Sugar” [Part 26 of 30]

Summary: Erik and Yani’s time comes to an end...

NSFW. Mature. Smut.

"Every morning, every evening

Oh love, love, love, love, loving you

I can hear you when you're calling

Oh, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon

Take me with you

Take me with you

You'll break my heart and soul

If you left me behind

Take me with you

Take me with you

Don't want to stay around when you're gone…"

Blundetto Meets Booker Gee—"Take Me With You"

Yani dropped Erik off at the compound after ten in the morning. He stood in front of the compound gate and allowed the retina scan to gain him access onto the property. Meandering down the walkway to the main house, he ran into Jerome who dangled precariously close to the end of a tree branch hanging over the middle house roof. The iguana's eyes were shut tight in a peaceful looking pose, and Erik took a moment to watch the creature snooze in the sunlight.

To think his woman adored that overgrown lizard.

"Jerome."

Erik called the reptile's name and Jerome opened one eye.

"Lazy ass," Erik said.

Jerome closed his eye again and ignored him.

Erik thought about taking a swim in the cove but decided to sit and meditate on the balcony overlooking the sea. Climbing the stairs, he saw Linda sitting on a lounger holding a mug of coffee up to her lips. Dressed in a beach robe with her wet hair jumbled about her head, she turned to look at Erik.

He gave a deep sigh. He was not prepared to see her again.

Their conversation the night before was uncomfortable for him. When Yani told Erik that Linda was in love with him, he scoffed at the idea. Linda? In love with him? She was a woman with a sex drive as high as his, and she often stayed out late sowing her wild oats like him. He knew she liked him, respected him, trusted him…but love?

Thinking on it, he knew she still had the hots for him, but that was because he put that thang on her so long ago and it was only natural that she'd want to have sex with him again if she could. He did enjoy it…for what it was. Just sex. He had no deep affection for her because his heart had already made a connection to Yani.

He should've been stronger, more discerning with where he laid his pipe. Hooking up with Linda had been a flippant mistake on his part. He assumed that she was a confident woman who played the field too. She had fucked him while she had a man and didn't regret it. Allowed Erik to humiliate her boyfriend in another country. He had no clue that her wanting to sleep with him on different occasions was her way of showing love for him. He thought it was just lust and horniness. Boredom from the other mercs and not having access to other men while they were stuck in various places doing the bidding of Klaue. If Yani hadn't been in the picture, he and Linda would probably be fuck buddies as well as colleagues. But love? Nah.

Perhaps her drinking too much all the time was a way for her to cope with his lack of interest in her. She could be hard to read. Perhaps her overconfidence and need to one-up the other mercs was her way of trying to impress him. Make him notice her more. She acted like Yani was beneath her and made fun of him when he came back from trysts with his woman.

To see her so upset in the kitchen of the middle house, her eyes blazing with anger and jealousy, was a sight to behold. It was a complete crack in her façade.

He knew what Yani said was true when he went to get his overnight bag and he found Linda crying on the balcony, her chest heaving and her eyes shiny with tears. He had never seen that woman emotional like that before. Didn't even know her powerful aura could even shed tears. She held her own with the deadly male company, her brilliant mind a joy for him to tangle with during their free time together. Nothing about her was ever soft with him and so he treated her like one of the guys at all times. To see her weeping because of Yani threw him.

"I wish you looked at me the way you look at her."

That's what she said when he tried to slip away with Yani.

He took the plunge and sat next to her.

"I tried to play it cool with you, Killmonger. I thought that's what you liked about me. I thought…I thought we had so much in common. I thought you would see me as something more…"

He let her talk. Tried to be a good listener.

"I didn't know," he finally said.

"You know how to read people so well, but you couldn't see how I felt about you?"

"We work for Klaue. He takes so much energy to keep up with. Maybe I just didn't want to see that. Or even deal with that. I don't feel that way about you. I'm not looking for that right now."

"I'm just one of the guys…"

"Yeah."

"I tried to play it that way for a long time. But those nights together in South Africa…before the raid…shit. As wild as it sounds, those were some of the best nights of my life. Talking under the stars all night. Arguing about shit in front of the fireplace and drinking so much together. Laughing so hard with you. Watching bad movies together. I thought of us as friends and then I just…wanted more. I should've told you then, but I thought we'd have time here to relive that magic like we had in South Africa. But once I got here, I realized that you wouldn't be with me like that. And then when Neal said you were fucking her…"

She wept and Erik could only sit and listen to her. No words of comfort came to him except sincere apologies for not loving her.

Staring at her on the lounger in the morning light, her eyes looked better. Less red and less puffy.

"Hey," he said. He sat next to her again.

She sipped from her mug.

"Back early," she whispered.

"A lot to do today before y'all head out."

"Yeah. I'm not sure if the Sweden adventure is a good fit for me."

"You quitting the team?"

"Doesn't seem to be a good idea since our misunderstanding."

Her head bowed down and she stared at her coffee mug.

"I acted a fool last night. None of the guys will take me seriously again. They'll look at us like a soap opera."

"It's a four-unit team now. Limbano and Klaue don't care—"

"But I do."

Her eyes regarded him with deadly seriousness.

"I love you. I can't change that, Killmonger. Yani saw through me like an open book and I was so pissed at her. She apologized for the fact that you didn't love me. Ain't that some shit? Apologized to me. That's fucking rich…"

"You're a big girl, Linda. You can work around feelings—"

"I can't. Not when it comes to you. Best to leave the team. Keep the drama at bay."

Erik felt the itch of panic in his belly. They needed Linda. It was too late to vet a new hacker or even a new team member. Tahir wasn't available. None of the other mercs were trustworthy.

"Yani is just a distraction for me."

"Liar."

"I made a mistake mixing business and pleasure with you. That's on me. I've had other women on this island too. You ain't the only one out there getting it in."

"Don't play me, Killmonger. You love that girl—"

"I love fucking her. Pussy too good to turn down. It's there when I want it. Think I'm gonna pass that up? She was just showing off yesterday. Tryna get a rise outta you because you always dog her out. And you fell for it. I got a million things to deal with that are far more important. Like getting this C.I.A. money. Getting into Wakanda so I can ghost this life."

Erik prayed that his words would get through to her.

Linda gazed out at the water.

"You don't see yourself when you're around her."

"The fuck that mean?"

"You glow—"

"Girl, please—"

"You do. Look like a big ole puppy—"

"Shut up."

She laughed.

"You're not a good liar. So stop trying to convince me otherwise."

"When we get to Sweden, you'll see how ridiculous you sound right now. Good pussy will make any nigga glow. You didn't see me shining with you after I hit it?"

Linda stood up.

"Good luck with Wakanda—"

Erik grabbed her arm and pulled her back down next to him. Klaue would rake him over the coals if this woman left them.

"You never said anything to me, Linda. How am I supposed to know your true feelings when you don't say shit? We gotta keep focused on the job at hand. We need you. Don't fuck up a fortune. You smarter than that."

"It's not easy for me. I'm not this person. But here I am."

"Do the job. Make these coins, Ma."

"I can't—"

"Please."

He pulled her into his chest and let his lips nuzzle her neck. Her body shuddered against him.

"I can't even look at you without wanting to cry. And I hate it. Fucking hate it. I'm better than this."

"I know you are."

She pushed back from him and he pulled her even closer.

"I can't force myself to be where you are. Don't hold that against me. It's not fair. I need you. I need your skills. You'll love being a multi-millionaire more than you love me, I promise."

She laughed into his neck.

"Come with me," he pleaded.

He stressed the word "me". Not "us" or "the team". He had to make it about them. Corral her into his control. She was making it hard. Linda had pride and she was so damn stubborn.

He ran his fingers up and down her back. Her robe loosened up and he stuck his hand inside the material so that his hand touched her side. She was naked underneath and her sighs from his touch danced in his ears.

"Killmonger…don't…."

His hand dipped lower and rubbed her hip.

"Don't be stupid girl. I'm 'bout that work. Always have been."

His fingers rested in the cleft of her thigh and hip, dangerously close to dipping down…

Linda pressed her face into his chest, her breath hot on his shirt.

"Okay," she whispered.

Erik's eyes closed with relief.

"We'll have fun in Sweden like we did in South Africa. Maybe you'll open your mouth and talk to me honestly for a change?"

"Whatever," she said pulling her robe tighter together.

He walked a fine line of manipulation. Gave her enough to draw her in, but not enough to commit to anything with her.

"I'm so embarrassed about everything."

"Who cares? Forget it. It's done. We'll be gone from here and it won't matter."

"My feelings won't change."

"That's all you, Ma. I told you my position. You packed up?"

"Yep. Bags in the S.U.V. Separate flight times and airline carriers confirmed."

"Cool."

He stood up.

"I'ma take a nap. See you at departure?"

"Yeah."

She sank back into the lounger and curled her legs under herself. She looked a whole lot better. Relieved.

Erik strolled into his room and after he locked the door he jumped on his bed and covered his face with a pillow. Fuck. So close to losing her over some bullshit. He texted Yani with his cell.

Will contact you soon when everyone is gone.

###

"Dat's mi fuckin' friend, we is trouble!"

Yani was loud and grabbing onto her friend Lesonne's arm as she screeched out words to a group of women who tried to provoke a fight with Yani's other friend Milah. She spilled a little of her rum drink on her white pants as she swayed against her other girlfriends Aisha and Caypri. From the side of her eye, she saw Erik at the bar stirring his glass of brown liquor as he spoke to the male bartender leaning over to listen to him.

Since she didn't have to drive, Yani decided to drink to her heart's content. She was so ready to hear Kendall perform live. The audience was bigger, the venue was bigger, and his popularity had grown to greater heights since his travels to Florida and New York. He had quit his gardening job with Klaue and moved into an apartment with two other rappers, finally getting his very own bed to sleep in. He no longer rode his motorcycle since he now had a new car to tool around in. Nothing too flashy, a two-year-old red Honda S2000. It was enough to make Kendall feel like he had arrived.

The boisterous women who had the nerve to accost Milah for looking at one of them a little too hard peeped Yani's whole crew, including Twyla who arrived on the scene late with her newest boyfriend. They hesitated to go any further with their backchat. Flouncing away with her girls, Yani tossed her empty drink and headed out to the dance floor and joined her cousin Dulan in swinging hips and throwing up party hands. She kept an eye on the bar as Erik was approached by different women. He was engaging but focused on his liquor and his view of the stage where Kendall would perform.

Yani danced with her friends among a group of men who tried to show off for them. Two were from St. Croix and Yani was stuck with a Trini who wanted to talk her ear off asking questions about Kendall. She eased off the floor and stood to the side to watch the action. Tapping her left heel with her arms folded across her chest, she enjoyed the gyrating bodies.

"Booty out here jiggling."

She felt Erik ease behind her, his right hand caressing her waist and pulling her back against him.

"I'm not even dancing, hush."

"It don't take much to make them yams bounce, Ma."

He kissed the side of her face and she reached up and stroked his new locs. She thrust her backside against him and he eased back.

"Nah, you not getting me in trouble right now."

She grabbed his hand and pulled him onto the floor with her and he held his drink above her head with his left hand.

Yani felt up his chest while enjoying the stares of others as Erik let her nails rake up and down his pecs that strained against a white cotton shirt. They both agreed to wear all white and her own form-fitting pants and shirt complemented his outfit. The lights of the club made them glow on the dance floor.

Erik sipped on his drink and watched her bring back old dancehall moves, her butterfly a bit raunchy for the crowd. Her friends swarmed around them making the affair more hyped. The energy in the room was high octane and so ready for good live music. Erik finished his drink, tossed the cup, and moved them deeper into the dance mix.

Her eyes took in Erik's face and the happiness she saw there made her spirit burst. The man could dance his ass off and entwining her fingers with his made her feel possessive of him. When dub mixes came on, she usually left the dance floor, but Erik made her appreciate dancing to the dank sounds, especially when she rubbed up against him and he matched her move for move. Winding on him, he gripped her hips and let the room see how he handled all of her. She noticed a lot of women watching him work her body over with dreamy expressions on their faces. There were a lot of stone faces from the men though.

They touched one another openly as they danced, and several times she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him while they swayed.

"Having fun?" he asked after releasing her lips.

"Mmmhmm."

She shook her hips and he slapped her butt playfully before pulling her close again and lifting her off of her feet to swing her around in another direction.

She couldn't keep her eyes off of him, nor could she stop touching him. His hands rested on her lower back as she gazed up at his face. His eyes darted about taking in the couples on the floor and his dimples flashed whenever she squeezed on his ass. He smelled so good that she constantly nuzzled her face into his neck so that her nose could take in his scent.

"Why you keep licking on me?" he asked.

Her tongue flicked along his neck and he leaned back from her.

"Tickles…" he whispered.

He lowered his mouth to hers and they kissed for the thousandth time that night.

"Hey, Killmonger…"

The woman's breathy voice caught Yani's ear as Erik released his mouth from hers and swiveled his neck to see who was talking to him on the dance floor.

"Still around I see," the woman said.

Yani sized her up.

She was only a few inches taller than Yani, a yellow-brown gyal with cat eyes and wanton lips. The woman danced with her man, but her moves were for Erik. Big titties… way bigger than Yani's…were thrust out for the world to see and her hips were made for men like him. Yani didn't like the way the woman licked her lips at Erik before her eyes fluttered to see what he had on his arm. She recognized Yani but chose to act like she wasn't there.

"Harlee," Erik said.

His tone made Yani's lips scrunch up with annoyance.

He had fucked that woman and it had been good to him.

"Tend to yuh man," Yani said to her with some attitude.

Harlee smiled and Erik pulled Yani closer into him.

"No disrespect, Black Mermaid," Harlee said.

Yani sucked her teeth and Erik slapped her butt.

"Stop being mean," he said.

Harlee moved with her partner further behind some other dancers.

"Her meant disrespect. She didn't have to say one word while I'm here."

"Chill—"

"Waving her titties in yuh face. She letting me know she fucked my man to get mi vex."

"Girl, stop."

"For true, man. But me nuh vex. For real. She rude. Yuh rude! Frog face, bitch!"

Yani felt spittle fly from her lips. Erik only smirked and twirled her around.

"Thought you had taste," she teased.

"She not ugly. Don't tell that lie."

"She not cute."

"You trippin."

"Step your game up. Yuh suck them titties good?"

Dimples. Big pearly white teeth flashed at her.

"Yuh did. That's the only thing cute on her."

Yani was amazed that she could joke about a woman he had sex with, but the way Erik held her let her know it was so long ago and probably a one and done hook up. She just wanted to be petty and he let her.

"You were still being mean to me when I got with her."

She caressed his chest again and he ran his fingers up and down her spine.

The movement on stage let the patrons know it was about to be showtime. Erik clasped Yani's hand and led her back to the bar where the best view was while Yani's friends headed to the left of the stage.

Posted up against the bar counter, Yani leaned into Erik, his hard body supporting her frame. She turned around to hug him a bit and his right hand drifted down to grip her right butt cheek. He rubbed it knowing people were watching, thirsty locals wishing they were in his place and squeezing soft handfuls of the Black mermaid. She tilted her head up and puckered her lips. Erik lowered his head and their lips touched. Yani slipped her tongue in his mouth and felt dizzy tasting cognac. His fingers rested on the cleft of her ass. She tried to keep her tongue in his mouth but his lips traveled up her neck and he nibbled on her earlobe.

"You 'gon take care of Daddy tonight?" he whispered.

"All night," she sighed.

"You 'gon sit that fat pussy on my dick all night?"

Yani's lips quirked and she felt her eyes water. His words were hot in her ear making the nerves tingle from his breath. Erik's hand dropped down and cupped her mound. He didn't care who saw him do it. The tips of his pointer and index finger tapped against the outline of her opening.

"…get you all wet wet. Let Daddy fuck you in your ass?"

"Oomph…Killmonger…"

His fingertips pressed a little too deep into her slit and she felt like she was about to cum in front of everyone. His soft taps along her pussy lips had her wiggling on his hand.

She could feel her clit thumping with his tongue dipping into her ear.

The lights on the stage flashed and the music switched to Kendall's "Fiyahbun". Yani's voice filled the entire club as they heard her sing the chorus. A big grin spread across her lips as she saw Erik giving serious appreciative stank face to the thunderous bass carrying her voice all around everyone. A few patrons stared at her as they sang along with her vocals. Yani twisted around to face the stage as she listened to the new remixed version of the song.

"Baby, you sound wavy as fuck," Erik shouted above the music.

"Queen Mary, ah where you 'gon burn? Queen Mary, ah, where you 'gon burn?"

Yani moved her neck in time to her own voice, impressed with the new version.

"Queens don't vibe, hear me now? With no fuck niggas!"

She felt Erik moving his hips dancing to the song. He gripped her waist and rocked into her as she let her ass cheeks rub against him in time to the music.

"Shit is dope," Erik whispered into her ear.

There was something epic about swaying with her man to her own song. The heat from his mouth on her ear had her turned on all the way. She wanted him to drag her to the car and fuck her in the backseat while listening to her voice in surround sound crooning to him.

The speed of her voice was slowed down in reverb creating a haunting sound as Kendall took to the stage. So much swag. So much confidence. So much command of the stage. Yani felt like his first performance over a year ago where he had an anxiety attack and almost vomited on himself was a fuzzy memory. The young man controlling the stage and audience now was acting like a seasoned professional while her voice backed him.

"Queen Mary…fiyahbun…fiyahbun…fiyahbun…"

Her voice seduced the audience and Yani stood still watching the crowd react to her singing as Kendall rapped a few bars on top of her lyrics. Kendall had asked her to perform live with him, but she wanted this night to be about him.

The last echoes of her voice faded as the live band behind him fired up and played the intro to his latest track. A mash-up of all the sounds they grew up with as children. There was nothing like live musicians feeding into the energy of their vocalist, and Kendall gave them all a taste of his true vocal prowess. He sang the chorus himself and his backup singers, top-shelf beauties who swayed in sync behind him, backed him up smoothly as the funky sounds reached a crescendo.

"Your cousin done come up!" Erik shouted.

"Mmmhmmm, him choice. He ah star now!"

Kendall's set was a glorious triumph and Yani felt so proud of her cousin. She hooted and hollered for him along with everyone else and when he finished, Yani knew for certain he was going to make it big. The charisma and talent and star power were right there in front of everyone.

A new performer took to the stage and Yani clung to Erik's arm as it wrapped around her chest holding her close. The seductive female vocalist put everyone into a sexy state of mind after Kendall's fiery intro and Yani arched her back and thrust her backside against Erik once more.

"Stop teasing'…" he whispered trying to ignore her ass by being still.

The crowd around them was busy holding up cell phones to capture the performers on stage and Yani felt bold bouncing her thickness on him openly.

"Yani—"

His left arm pulled her tighter against him.

Her mouth formed a tight "Oh" expression when his right hand slipped down into her pants, bypassing her panties. She gripped his arm in a panic as his fingers dipped into her slick opening.

"That's what you get for teasing me. I'ma play in this pussy now…"

Yani tried to squirm away from his hold, but he clutched her in a solid embrace, his fingers wiggling against her walls.

"People can see…"

"Think I care?"

Yani's eyes swept to her left. One man around Erik's age was the only person not watching the stage, his horny eyes glued to Erik's fingers turning her out.

Erik's teeth gripped the sensitive tip of her ear. Yani panted, her eyes darting about. Only the stranger to her left was paying attention to their public debauchery.

"A man is watching—"

"Let him."

Her eyes tracked back over to her left and the stranger's lips were pursed, his eyes fully taking in all the pleasure she was receiving. When Erik's fingers flicked her clit, Yani's body jerked back and her mouth flew open again. Her eyes latched onto the stranger's and the illicit connection made her pussy pulse around Erik's fingers. She widened her thighs and Erik went deeper and she moaned much to the stranger's own pleasure at watching her. The man's right hand held a drink, and he let it drop down in front of the clear bulge that poked out in front of his pants. He tried to be sly about it, but Yani could tell he was rubbing himself while watching her get fingered.

Tight circles teased her hard clit and when she felt the uncontrollable release of her orgasm clutching Erik's fingers when he inserted them once more into her gushy slit, the stranger's eyes closed tight.

"Jesus, man…yuh killing me…" she hissed.

Erik pulled his sticky fingers from her pants and grabbed her hand. She straggled behind him as he guided her out of the venue and to Klaue's S.U.V.

Erik opened the back-passenger door of the car and helped her get in. He jumped in after her.

Pulling down his pants and boxers to his ankles, she could see his rock-hard erection waiting for her. She kicked off her heels, pulled off her pants and panties for him and crawled onto his lap.

"Ride this dick."

He held her up by her waist and she lined her wet opening with his tip.

"Fuck yes!" he shouted when she slid down to his balls.

They had the car bouncing with their fucking and Yani couldn't stop squealing when held her still and pounded his dick up into her hard and fast.

"Lemme cum in your pussy—"

"No—"

"Why not…oh shit…pussy wet as fuck…fuck…Yani…I wanna cum in this pussy—"

"Cum in my mouth. Mi wahn see the rest of the show…yuh fill mi pussy up too much…ooh love…right there…I feel it deep…shit…yuh soak my panties up and I'll be a mess all night."

Erik grabbed her throat.

"I'ma bust in this fat pussy—"

Yani pushed on his chest.

"Killmonger…don't—"

"Pussy too good baby…"

He choked her tighter.

"Don't… mi nuh wahn walk around with soggy pants."

Erik burst out laughing and released her throat. She lifted off of his dick while he kept laughing.

"For real, man. Yuh like ah volcano. Cum heavy…then it flows back down."

"You don't like it?"

"I love it… at home."

He kissed her and she stroked his length.

"Too much," she whispered.

His eyes regarded her with humor until her thumb circled around the fat head of his glans.

"Let's go home," he said.

She rolled her eyes.

"Open your mouth."

Yani shifted next to him and put her face down by his tip. She let him tap his dick on her lips before she separated them for him.

He had her slurping on his dick while he cradled her head. She moved to her knees in front of him, head steady bobbing. He hit the back of throat roughly and she released his length to catch her breath and rest her mouth.

"I make too much cum?"

His thumb toyed with her wet lips and Yani nibbled the tips of his fingers before dropping her head back down to his lap.

His eyes burned into hers as she sucked around his frenulum. The tip of her tongue teased his slit. Playing with her nipples through her shirt, Erik closed his eyes.

"You should let me soak them panties…"

She groaned on his dick and he let the back of his head fall on the headrest.

"You know how to take all my cum…lick my balls…"

Her face lowered further and she suckled each nut sack for him.

"Yeah…put those balls all in your mouth…"

She sucked, licked, kissed, and fisted his erection until he lifted her back up and made her ride his dick in reverse. He squeezed her breasts and thrust up into her.

"I just want to hit it a little bit more…fuck this pussy right…get you ready for more later…"

The loud sound of him slapping his body into hers filled the car. She threw her head back and took it, the build-up of a new orgasm tightening the nerves in her clit that was feeling the strong tugs from his pounding. She loved what he was doing to her. She loved the liquor still coursing through her. She loved it so much that it made her mouth reckless.

"You fuck Linda like this?"

He slowed down.

"What…why would you ask…"

Her mind thought of her and Erik on the dance floor together, all the eyes of the other women watching him, watching his tight body rub against her front and back. She liked the longing she saw. All that desire. It was the same look Linda had on her face, and Yani wanted him to remember her pussy that had him begging to cum in it. Linda wanted what she had, and Yani wanted Linda's sex with Killmonger wiped from his mind.

"Answer me."

"Nah."

"Whose pussy yuh wahn cum in?"

His moans thrilled her ears and the hard needy gasps he emitted every few seconds let her know he was desperate to spurt inside of her.

"Yours girl…yours…," he grunted.

She leaned forward and shifted her weight. Erik shouted and slapped her rump.

"Godammit! Bounce on that dick!"

"She nuh give it to yuh like this?"

She slowed down and flexed her walls around him, doing her best to hold his erection as tight as she could.

"Fuck her, Yani…stop talking 'bout—"

"This be yuh pussy forever, hear me? No one love mi like yuh do, man. No one…"

"Yani…"

Erik stroked the back of her neck. She turned around to bounce on him face to face. Her wrists draped around the back of his neck.

"Love me always, Killmonger?"

"Yes."

Wet kisses joined them together even more and she leaned her face against his as he held her tight giving her everything he could in the backseat of the vehicle.

"I'ma cum…lemme cum in you, baby."

Yani sat still and just let her pussy muscles work Erik's thickness.

"I told you I wahn see the show."

"You betta lift up then cuz my balls are tight and I'ma—"

"Hold it—"

"Girl…the fuck…I can't just—"

"I wahn feel your dick all thick and juicy in this pussy—"

"Yani…I'm fuckin' serious…you betta—"

"Big dick…all in your fat pussy—"

Erik's eyes rolled back and he lifted Yani up from his dick. Her labia rested on his length as a hot lava flow of cum shot all over his chest and dripped down to her mound drenching them both.

Erik fell back against the seat gasping and stared down at the semen overflow. He touched his shirt.

"Damn, I messed up my shirt," he said.

Yani glanced down at his lap and lifted up. She felt his semen pooling under her ass. She gave a big sigh and stared back at him.

"Hey, I didn't cum inside you, so don't blame me for what happens outside your pussy."

The smirk on his face made her giggle and slap his chest.

"Guess we're going home after all," he said reaching for his pants.

###

They picked up Sydette from her parents.

Since they had left the club so early, there was no point waiting until morning to get her. Yani held her sleeping daughter in her arms as Erik drove them to the compound. She took a deep breath when they walked into Klaue's main house.

"You alright?" he asked.

She nodded.

They were back in their home again.

It was Klaue's property, but only the three of them made the house a real home.

Erik showered first and while he dressed in clean loungers, Sydette woke up and walked out of her room looking for Yani. Erik watched her while Yani showered, and instead of the nasty sex he thought he would have with Yani again, the three of them piled onto the bed together.

Sydette slept between them and Erik just stared at Yani's face as they watched one another. It felt good to have them both back with him.

He had food prepared for their last two days together. The next day would be a cove day and swimming with sunbathing. The following day had even more chill around the house time until he had to fly out. He planned a surprise birthday party for the three of them. He would miss both their birthdays again, so he wanted to have a celebration to end his time there.

Yani's eyes watched him so intensely that he reached out and stroked her cheek. She didn't want to sleep. So afraid he would suddenly disappear probably. They held hands on the bed until Sydette half woke up and crawled onto his chest, her head resting under his neck. Yani tried to pull her back between them but Sweet Pea whined until Erik made Yani leave her alone. Yani stroked her daughter's shoulder until she dozed off herself.

He listened to both of his girls' breathing and tried to stay awake for a long time so he could remember that sound.

He woke up in the middle of the night with Sydette shaking his face.

"I have tuh go bathroom, Baba," she said.

He helped her down from the bed and walked her into her room's bathroom where her potty seat was. The bright lights in the room woke him up fully as he waited for Sydette to finish.

"Make sure you wipe yourself."

She reached for the toilet paper next to the adult toilet and he had to keep himself from chuckling when she did her best to clean herself.

"Throw it in the big toilet," he said.

He helped her wash her hands after flushing the toilet.

"I wahn juice."

He walked with Sydette into the kitchen and found an unopened bottle of apple juice waiting. He poured a little inside a plastic cup and handed it to her.

"More, please," she said holding the cup up to him.

"It'll make you pee again."

"No—"

"Yes, it will."

"I hold it."

"No don't do that. Just a little bit."

He poured just enough for her to get three good sips.

"Thank you," she said handing him the cup.

"You hungry?"

"No."

His eyes took in her small form. He felt a small lump in his throat as he thought about the exact moment he first saw her on his bed fast asleep. No teeth. Tiny curls plastered to her scalp. Chubby belly making her shirt ride up. She could only babble and point back then, but now…

"We all good now?" he said swallowing hard.

Sydette nodded.

He wanted the best for her. If Yani ever married or formed a new relationship with someone, Erik wanted this little girl to know she was loved and would never want for anything. He didn't want Sydette to forget him, but she was so young. Erik tried to think of the many people from his past that his own parents knew and sometimes there were blanks when he tried to go back to when he was two.

Two.

Damn.

Sydette was just nine months when he first stepped on the island. She would be two so soon.

Her face stared up at him, probably wondering why they were still standing in the kitchen.

"Back to bed, Sweet Pea."

Erik guided her to the master bedroom. She fell back to sleep quickly against Yani's arm and Erik got up to go stand out on the bedroom balcony. The roar of the surf sounded loud and he stood there until dawn broke. The hours were winding down too fast for him.

When sunlight struck the room, he turned to see his love wide awake and watching him. Sydette was still asleep. Yani held out her hand to him and he walked back inside. Spooning around her he gave her kisses for over an hour until they both slipped away into the other bedroom to make love. He held her legs with his arms as he balanced her on the edge of the bed. Plunging into her, the only sound they released were soft sighs and the wet suction of her walls gripping and releasing him. She slathered his morning wood with so much frothy slickness that he had to bite his own lips to keep from yelling and waking Sydette. He didn't spill into Yani until they were under the covers spooned together once more, his hips rocking into her backside as he fondled her breasts. He bit her neck during his release and the new mark was deep enough to stay for a few days. A harsh shout escaped Yani's lips when he sank deeper to drown her with all of his seed.

A loud "Fuck!" jumped from his mouth and he pushed his face into her shoulder to laugh. He could never be totally quiet with her. It was impossible.

Sydette came looking for them and luckily, they were under the covers and already finished when she found them huddled together.

"Waffles?" Sydette asked.

"I guess I'm making waffles for breakfast," he said.

###

He had gumbo simmering on the stove early in a large crockpot and made them cranberry chicken sandwiches and salads for their time spent on the beach at the cove. Yani was relaxed on a beach chair and deep into a new medical journal on global pandemics while Erik built sandcastles with Sydette and dipped in and out of the water when the mood struck him.

They ate at their leisure until the sun was high overhead.

"I'm so full," Yani said rubbing her belly, "I won't have room for gumbo."

Sydette was tipped over on a blanket fast asleep, her fingers still clutching a pink plastic shovel.

"Here, put this over her."

Yani unwrapped a rayon beach cover she wore over her waist and Erik draped it over Sydette to keep her skin from burning.

"I should move her to the shade—"

"She's fine. It's not too hot right now. Give yourself a break."

Yani stood up and stretched. Her eyes surveyed the water and Erik watched her take off her blue bikini and wade in. She dove under a lazy wave and floated on her back. Her deep brown body drifted away from shore. He felt that automatic pull to go to her. Eyes checking for Sydette, Erik stood from the blanket they shared and followed Yani out into the water. He circled her and she tread in place.

"Sneaky face," she said.

He splashed water on her and she splashed back.

He ducked under and grabbed her legs pulling her down.

Rising back to the surface together, Yani wiped droplets from her face. They moved closer to shore until he could feel sand under his feet. The aura around her face had him entranced. Without make-up she was a natural beauty, her youth so apparent to him. A decade older he wondered how he would've been with her had he been in his twenties again. That time in his life was wild. Certain women from his past came to his mind and he was so glad that this woman swimming before him came at a time when he could really appreciate her. He broke a lot of hearts, but he could always say that he was honest with the women he hurt. So many tried to scoop him up. Lock him down. Domesticate him. He was a dog. A good dog. But still a dog. He may have run all through Yani and felt no guilt when he stepped. That's just how it was. His Uncle Bakari told him he had his father's nature. His Aunt Serah concurred whole-heartedly.

Maturity brought reflection. Wisdom.

He was old enough finally to have someone like Yani for the short time he did. And it was worth it. She made him remember his heart again. Made him feel once more. He was losing that side of himself through anxiety. Depression. Killing. All the anger he held deep inside.

"I like it when you smile at me," he said.

"I always smile at you."

"Not that first time I came here. You yelled at me."

"This is all my territory. Can't have some strange man out here."

He imitated her voice in a teasing high-pitched whine.

"Hey! You out there! What are you doin' here?"

Yani splashed water on him.

"I didn't say it like that!"

"Yes, you did! Gave me stank face and everything! Hand on your hip. Sucking your teeth. Pointing your finger at me—"

"Yuh lie, man!"

Her soft laughter warmed his spirit.

His Black mermaid.

Yemanja.

"The second time I saw you…you were naked and the water fell from you like… jewels. I walked away from you…"

Yani wiped seawater from his cheeks. He kissed her hand.

"My father…my Baba…he said the first time he saw my mother he knew she was his life…"

He lifted her up and she wrapped her legs around his waist. He held her and floated for them.

"Thank you," he said.

"For what?

Erik looked away from her bright eyes.

"This chance…"

A wave pushed them and Yani let go of him. They tumbled closer to shore. Water splashed in her eyes and she turned away. Wrapping his arms around her waist, Erik kissed the back of her neck. Tracing his fingers down her shoulders, he cupped her breasts and circled her tips with his index fingers. Yani turned suddenly and jumped on him, knocking him back into the water. He felt the drag of the tide sucking sand back under his feet and he reached out for her. Lifting her high in the air, he tossed her out toward the sea and the big splash blew back on his face.

"Mama! I wahn play!"

Erik saw Sydette bouncing on her feet, the water licking her toes at the shore.

"Come out here, Sweet Pea," he said.

"Cold!"

"It's not that cold," Yani yelled.

Sydette hopped on one foot and then the other. She was so cute in her little blue bikini.

"Come get me!"

"Swim out here," Yani called.

Sydette hopped up and down.

"Baba! Get me!"

Yani grabbed his arm when she saw Erik moving toward her.

"Let her swim," Yani cajoled.

"Baba…"

Erik was torn. Sydette's hands were spread out toward him. They heard the whine in her voice and watched her stomp her feet with annoyance.

"Baby girl, swim to us. I'll meet you halfway, okay?"

Erik waved her toward him.

Sydette took a tentative step forward and tested the water again with her right foot.

"Cold…"

"Be a big girl, Sweet Pea. Show me you can do it."

It was obvious to her that no one was coming, so Sydette ran really fast toward them.

"Ow…ow…ow!" she huffed out as if the cool water was really hurting her.

A small wave pushed her back and she went under only to pop back up dog-paddling toward them. Erik stepped toward her, keeping his promise and moving halfway to her. Her body was buoyed up by a new wave and he reached out his right hand.

"A little further, Sweet Pea," he encouraged.

The closer she got, the more determined her face was until she reached out to grab his hand.

"There ya go! Big girl!"

Erik held her against his chest as she wiped her face.

"I did it, Mama!"

"Yeah yuh did!"

Yani kissed her forehead and Sydette jumped from Erik's arms to hers.

They played in the water together until rain fell upon them. Sydette looked up toward the sky and stuck out her tongue to taste the rainwater.

"Well, at least we were able to get a few hours down here," Yani said as she gathered up her bikini.

They packed up their lunch basket and towels. Erik carried their beach chairs and once more found himself trailing Yani and Sydette. Yani bent down to adjust the bikini top that Sydette wore that matched her own.

"Queen Mary what yuh bun…" Sydette sang.

Yani glanced back at Erik with a big grin on her face.

"Who taught you that, Sweet Pea?" Erik asked.

"Auntie Twyla."

"No bad words I hope," Yani said to him.

Taking shelter from the rain in the main house, Erik made tea while Yani cleaned up Sydette.

"Are you yawning?" Erik asked when Yani padded into the living room wearing an orange baby doll dress.

"Water made us sleepy. I'm going to lay down with her. Want to come?"

"Y'all rest. I'm gonna chill a minute. Check on this gumbo. Take a nap with the baby. I'll wake you up later. Okay?"

"Not too late," she said.

Yani kissed his nose with a loud smooch and sashayed back to the master bedroom.

Erik checked their food and debated about making cornbread. He baked a small cake for their birthday celebration and let it cool on the island counter.

His personal cell rang and he saw Marisol's avatar. Padding back into the living room, he closed the hallway door that led to the bedrooms. He accepted Marisol's call on the viewscreen and lowered the volume.

"Yo, what it do cuz?"

Marisol's eyes didn't look playful like they normally did. In fact, they looked tense.

"JaJa."

The Portuguese accent on his family nickname let him know no English was going to be used.

"What is it?"

"Change your mind," she said.

Marisol's face loomed large on the screen. She was in her apartment alone.

"Don't start—"

"I'm begging you—"

"I'll call you when I get to my next spot—"

"You make me carry this burden. I don't want to do this anymore. I don't want you out there doing that shit anymore."

"Lower your voice."

"Don't tell me to lower my voice, JaJa."

She burst into tears and Erik stood up from the couch and moved in front of the viewscreen.

"Marisol—"

"Grandpa Dante told me that you are planning visits to everyone soon. That some kind of Tour of Duty?"

"I visited you and Aunt Serah back in December—"

"He said everyone, JaJa. Like a farewell tour. You're going there now, aren't you?"

"I'll talk to you later—"

"Don't you hang up on me!"

Her shriek was more explosive with her face so large in front of him.

"Killmonger…"

Yani stood in the open hallway door. Her eyes were wide staring up at Marisol's crying face.

"Go back to bed, baby. I'll get you in a few minutes. I need some privacy right now—"

"You're Yani, right?"

Marisol's English was good, but when she was stressed or excited, her accent came out thick.

"Yes."

Yani stepped further into the room.

Marisol's eyes gazed at Yani with compassion.

"Yani, I said go back into the bedroom—"

The rumble in his voice made Marisol's eyes focus hard on Yani.

"Yani, talk to him. Convince him to stay there…with you. Please! He's about to —"

Erik shut down the viewscreen.

He kept his back to Yani.

"Killmonger. What was she talking about? Who was that?"

"My cousin. She is upset with me because…"

The words wouldn't come the way he wanted.

"Finish. Why is she so angry? Scared?"

He heard the fear in her voice now too.

"We've had a disagreement for the last six months and it makes her upset to talk about it. It's personal Yani. Nothing to do with you."

"She knows my name. Looked at me like she knows me well—"

"I was with her and my Aunt. Before Sydette was sick. I told her about you. Us. Just forget it!"

"Why are you so angry right now?"

"I'm not angry Yani. Just irritated. That's all. You know family shit gets people agitated. Give me some space right now and I'll come in the room in a minute—"

Her arms went around his waist.

"She's scared for you. She was crying over you. Yuh going off to do something bad. Like before…"

She touched his keloids. He rested his hands on top of hers.

"Don't go," she whispered into his back.

It was the thing he didn't need to hear. The thing he dreaded coming from her. It was bad enough to see Marisol crying over him. He didn't need Yani falling apart too. Not now.

Twisting around in her arms he held her against his chest.

"Let's go lay down."

She shook her head furiously.

"C'mon."

He eased her backward and she went along with him.

###

"Happy birthday, baby."

Yani couldn't help but grin ear to ear when she saw Erik walk into the dining room with a blue and white frosted cake. Three light blue candles flickered on top. Sydette sat on Yani's lap and clapped her hands when she saw the birthday treat. He placed the cake in front of them on the table.

"Make a wish," he said.

Yani's eyes held his gentle gaze and she looked away before she said something to make herself start crying again. She closed her eyes and made a bargain instead. Something she would keep to herself.

When her eyes went back to his, he was watching Sydette touch a tiny corner of icing and taste the sweetness.

"Happy birthday to you…" he sang, and Sydette joined him.

"Blow?" her daughter said looking at Erik with excited eyes.

"Go ahead," he said.

Yani blew the candles out with her and Erik clapped his hands.

He didn't bother to bring out plates, just three forks. They dug into the cake and watched Sydette smear frosting on her cheeks trying to eat a forkful that was bigger than her mouth. Chocolate was their favorite and the small cake was gone in a matter of minutes.

"Dang, I forgot the ice cream," he said jumping up and running back into the kitchen. He returned with small bowls of vanilla ice cream and they ate that quietly together.

They watched a little television, Animal Planet, and Sydette sat wide-eyed watching giraffes run wild in a pack until she yawned and sprawled out on Yani's lap. An hour later Erik lifted her daughter from her lap and carried her into her room.

Yani stretched, took a moment to use the restroom, then waited for Erik to return. She was still rattled from Marisol's call. Couldn't get that woman's face out of her mind.

Erik sprawled out on her lap in Sydette's place and she stroked his hair. His eyes eased shut and his body relaxed on her. His bare chest enticed her to touch it and his warmth was nice to feel.

"Where are you going, Killmonger?"

He ignored her at first, turned his head toward her stomach and tried to pretend he didn't hear her.

"I have the right to know this time. Yuh never come back…I have the right to know…"

"Let us have this last night in peace, Yani. Please."

"You gave us so much. I don't want to spend the rest of my life…"

She felt his body tense.

"I don't want to start a fight or upset you—"

"Then leave it be."

"I want to…for you…but…"

He rolled over and looked up at her face.

"Don't make me hurt more than I already do. Don't hurt yourself more by asking. You're right about me. I'm a killer. That bad man. I just want to be a good man for these last few hours. Be a good man for you…"

He stroked her cheek and she held his hand against her chest.

"You can be a good man for always, love…please…"

He turned away from her and watched the tv.

"I'm sorry…I'm sorry…"

She touched his temple and smoothed back a few of his locs. His eyes shut tight and he reached back to touch her cheek.

"I'm the one that's sorry, Yani. I can't give you what you want. There ain't no promises I can give that can make you feel good or make you think we have a future. I have nothing—"

"You have me."

"I have you," he whispered.

She bent down and rested her plump lips on his fuller ones and let the skin there lightly touch before she opened her mouth to let her tongue taste his.

He fondled her nipples through her dress as they kissed.

"Take this off," he said tugging on her dress.

She did what he asked and he rested back on the wide couch.

"Sit on my face."

Always direct. Demanding.

She crawled above him and sat her vulva on his lips.

The heat from his mouth had her sighing before he even licked up and down her folds. She felt her labia plumping up fully, and when the tip of his tongue flicked her clit, she was already dripping onto his lips.

He flattened his tongue and Yani wiggled her waist to get the full lavish flourishes of his wet mouth. Leaning forward, Yani exhaled hard into the couch. He ate her pussy like it was a fine art to be mastered. His hands reached up and held her ass cheeks as he plunged his tongue into her opening. Hot puffs of breath from his mouth excited her more as deep groans had him stop every few seconds to gather himself. She lifted up and gazed down at his face as she writhed above him. She felt his hands release her ass as he pulled down his loose sweatpants and freed his erection. His right hand gripped his length and tugged hard.

She dropped her ass onto his face and he moaned into her pussy.

"Shit…Yani…"

His tongue traced patterns into her folds and her keening above him spurned the movement of his hand jerking off his dick. That wide tongue of his, interchanged with his big lips rubbing all over her labia, made her cry out his name. She pressed her pussy hard on his mouth.

"I'm cumming!" she yelled.

Erik groaned so loud and his body went stiff under her.

When she looked behind her, she watched him ejaculate all over his hand.

"Fuck! I want to cum in your ass Yani."

She crawled off of his face and sauntered into the master bedroom. When she returned to him on the couch, she handed him a bottle of lube and some tissue to wipe up his semen.

Lying next to him, she allowed his hands to roam all over her body before he squeezed a generous amount of lube onto his fingers. He kissed her with slow deliberation as his fingers took their time inserting into her anus, massaging her there. He slickened up his new erection with even more lubrication. Yani leaned forward while gripping the couch cushion and lifted up her leg a bit so he could get his tip pressed into her anal opening. She held her breath and relaxed with a deep exhale as he inserted three inches into her.

"You okay?" he asked.

Rubbing her waist, he waited for her consent before he pressed in further. She could only handle about four inches at that moment and he eased back out to use more lubricant. When she was ready, he pushed back in until she was comfortable with more from him.

He gave short thrusts that she liked and inserted his fingers into her pussy. Stroked from both openings, the tightness pulling her close to the edge of another explosive release, Yani endured the nasty words spilling from his mouth and into her ear as he fucked her good and long.

"…just letting me fuck you in your ass like this…"

"…yes…"

"…nasty…I'ma put cum in you like this…"

"…please…"

"…'gon nut all up in you like this…deep in this ass…fuck girl…letting me do this shit…"

She chewed on the sensitive skin of her lips.

"Who else you fuck like this?"

"Just you…and Chez…"

"Goddamn, I'm in there deep!"

His head fell forward onto her shoulder and she knew he was done whenever he couldn't speak anymore. His fingers had her pussy sticky. His dick had her anus stretched with pleasure. Slow. Deep. Gentle. Just how she liked it with him and only him. "I feel your balls, Killmonger…"

"All in this ass…tight…ah fuckkk—"

His orgasm rendered him speechless and he jerked against her as he spurt hot jizz.

"…nasty bitch…cumming in your fat ass…"

Yani felt tears of sexual release drip from her lids as her pussy spasmed around his fingers. When he removed his slick digits from her, he held her tight and kissed the back of her neck and shoulders. They were both covered in sweat.

"You can bring a nigga to his knees, swear to God."

Yani grinned and held onto him as he brushed his lips over her clavicle. She felt his penis soften and he pulled out from her.

They watched tv a bit longer until Erik removed himself from her and took a long shower. She took one after him and when she finished, all he wanted to do was lay in bed with her for the rest of the night. She asked him no more questions about his destination.

She focused on the now.

###

"What are you two doing?"

Erik sat still on the floor with his back against the vanity mirror drawer. Sweet Pea stood in front of him with her left hand on his forehead and her right hand smearing bronze lipstick on his lips. Yani clutched her stomach and laughed hard when she saw his entire face when Sydette stepped back from her handiwork.

Bronzer, cinnamon eyeshadow, false eyelashes, and liquid foundation rounded out Erik's features.

"Makin Baba pretty Mama, see?"

Sydette returned to her work tracing the lipstick outside the lines of his mouth.

"How I look?" he asked.

"A hot mess," Yani said.

Erik stood up and looked in the mirror. Sydette crawled onto the vanity chair and patted his arm.

"I have tuh finish your lips. Put more on…"

She held up the lipstick and he bent down so she could add a little more.

"There," Sydette said.

"All done?" he asked.

She nodded.

"Clown face—"

"Hush, baby girl worked hard to perfect this look. You just jealous cuz you can't get your face like this."

"Tuh."

Erik ran his fingers through his hair to fluff out his locs.

"I look good, don't know what you hatin' on. Jealous."

He walked into the living room and grabbed his sandals by the door.

"Please tell me you not wearing that face—"

"We're going for a walk. Join us if you want."

Sydette still held the lipstick in her hand and rolled it along her mouth. Yani took it from her.

"Fifty-dollar lipstick…for playtime," Yani said.

"You can afford it. Let's go Sweet Pea."

"We pretty, Mama."

"I see."

Sydette held Erik's hand and they walked around the compound.

They visited Jerome and watched him chase off another iguana from the pool. Moving through Klaue's prized flowers, they observed butterflies resting easy and caught a gentle breeze on their faces as they walked down to the cove.

Yani trailed behind them, still laughing at his overly made face, and Erik just acted like it was normal to have a face beat to the two-year-old Gods of cosmetics. He picked up seashells with Sydette and dipped his toes in the water with her. She chased him when they returned to the house for lunch.

"You are really going to keep that look?"

Yani served them leftover gumbo and cornbread. She kept shaking her head each time she looked at him.

"Hater," he teased.

They napped together on the couch until it started raining again, the soft patter of water striking the roof. They played with Sydette's toys until Yani couldn't take it anymore and made Erik clean off his face. He could hear Yani's snarky laughter while he did it.

Yani cooked their last dinner together, made him all the island foods he loved, and Erik ate until he was stuffed.

As the sun made the journey down from the sky, Erik grew somber.

They put Sydette to bed early and Erik read her a book and stayed with her until the little girl fell asleep.

"Here."

Yani handed him a glass of white wine and they sat outside on the lounger to watch the stars pop out across the dark velvet sky.

Yani crawled onto his lap and he held her close, nuzzling his nose into her neck. A dragonfly drone flew past the balcony, its movement a little off-kilter. The battery was probably running down.

Yani wiggled on his lap, hungry for him once more, and he stripped out of his loungers for her and gave her the dick she craved. In his favorite spot. In his favorite position with her.

"Fuck, I don't want nobody else in this pussy…." he chuffed into her neck.

Lifting her up, Erik stood with her legs slung over his biceps. His eyes watched the water far down below as he thrust. The mewling from her throat had him on edge and he locked his legs in position to hold her up while his length pumped up into her. He needed to work his back into it and carried her on his dick back into the house and into their bedroom.

Her legs spread wide and her toes pointing toward the wall, Erik pressed his muscular thighs into her thick ones as they both watched his dick plunge in and out of her gripping folds.

"I'ma be in this pussy all night. You know that, right?"

She nodded vigorously, her lips pressed tight as they heard the sloppy noise coming from their engorged lower parts.

"You want all of Daddy's cum now, huh girl?"

"Hmmmph…"

"Want me to fuck you in your ass again?"

Her head fell back onto the pillow with her mouth dropping open and when his dick slid out, he saw more sticky wetness spilling from her slit. He sank back in again hitting the side of her walls. The bed was bouncing with his thrusts. Yani's eyes went back to watch their joining.

"Oh shit…Yani…ah fuck girl…I love you…"

"Erik…"

"Say my name again."

"Erik."

He groaned as he slammed into her hard to punctuate the pleasure he received hearing his real name drip from her lips like honey.

"Erik…love…you feel so good. Making my pussy feel so good…God!"

"I see you squirtin' baby. I see it!"

Yani's legs shook even as Erik pressed down on her thighs to keep them flat on the bed.

"You tryna make me nut right now? Huh?"

He dug in her deeper and she took it like he knew she could.

Forcing her onto her hands and knees, he made her face the wall mirror so he could enjoy hitting it from the back and watching her face while he did it.

"All night, baby," he whispered.

All night indeed.

Every position.

Every nasty word he could think of in six languages.

Yani was panting, screaming into the sheets, squirting and cumming from every angle he could twist her into. Front. Back. Side. Diagonal. He held off from ejaculating, wanting to marinate in her juices for as long as he could, trying to savor and remember every moment of that night with her in their bed.

"Ah…baby…'bout to make a big mess…"

"Please!"

She held her breasts, her fingers circling her areolas.

"Wish I could suck milk out them titties again."

His head dropped forward and his right hand clutched her left breast and held it.

"These big titties…"

"Cum in my pussy, Erik."

His eyes narrowed looking down at her face.

"Want me to cum in your pussy, baby?"

"Yes."

He moved slow, so slow that her legs wrapped around his waist to get more friction from him.

"Tell me you love me again," he begged.

Yani clutched onto his back, her harsh pants tingling his ears. He knew that look and reaction from her. She was at the tip of her orgasm. A large one.

Her big eyes looked up at him as she clung to him, the look on her face taking him back to the first time they ever made love.

"Erik!"

"Yes, baby. I'm here."

"Erik…God…!"

Her voice hitched and Erik froze with her as her vaginal walls quivered against his length.

He couldn't breathe.

Tears slipped down her face.

"I love you, Erik. I want you here with me forever—"

Her head fell back as her pussy spasmed tight.

"Erik! Erik!"

"I'm cumming with you! Goddamit I'm cumming so fucking hard!"

There was no shame in his yelling out loud. Every hard spurt into her pussy made him yell out her name and how much he loved her. She only clung to his body as all of her softness pressed into the hardness of his body. When he felt the last of his semen leaving him, he bit into her shoulder and squeezed her tight. His toes cramped up and didn't want to let her go.

Their bodies cooled with the hot sweat evaporating from their skin.

Pulling her on top of him, Erik cradled Yani in his arms until she needed to go pee. He listened to her take a quick shower before she returned to his embrace.

"All night, remember?" she whispered to him.

"I remember. But a quick respite."

He shifted down until his head was on her stomach.

Yani whispered how much she loved and needed him until he fell asleep cradled in her arms.

###

Sydette's crying woke him up.

"She's probably having a bad dream," Yani said.

Erik shifted and Yani pushed him back on the bed.

"I'll take care of her. I get back and yuh give me some more."

Her eyes twinkled.

Jumping off the bed, she pulled on her panties and threw on one of his t-shirts.

"Big nipples poking through," he said grabbing his dick.

She kissed his lips and bounded out of the room.

It was late. If Sydette was up, she'd want to get into bed with them unless Yani could get her back to sleep fast.

He rubbed his belly then scratched his balls waiting for her.

His mind wandered to trivial things until he noticed things were too quiet.

"Yani. Everything okay?"

His hand swiped the security cam feed and he immediately sat upright. There was nothing there, which was impossible because he should see an image of Yani and Sydette…

Erik slid his hand to his bedstand drawer and pulled out his Glock. He slipped his loungers on and crept to the door.

The hallway was empty.

He checked Sydette's room. It was empty. He checked the hall bathroom and Klaue's bedroom on the far end of the house.

Easing toward the living room, Erik noticed a light pop on. He stepped into that light and saw Huntsman sitting on the couch with Sydette on his lap, his own Glock pressed into her little chest, his other free hand covering her mouth. Across from him standing near Klaue's wall of African masks was Shipley strong-arming Yani with his weapon pressed into her temple. His left hand fondled Yani's nipple.

Neal stepped into view with an AK-15 pointed at Erik.

"Now see, you shouldn't have been here, Killmonger," Huntsman said.

"Let them go," Erik hissed, keeping his eyes on Sweet Pea who had big shiny tears in her scared eyes.

"No. We can't do that. It's too bad though. Now they get to die with you."

Chapter 27 Here

###

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