Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to Marvel.

A/N: I would like to thank everyone for your support. I have been experiencing some shoulder issues and it is causing me to slow down on my typing. So…instead of a weekly update, it has been two weeks since my last posting. Hopefully, it will improve, and I can resume my usual schedule of producing weekly updates. Please continue to review, let me know how I am doing. ~Concrete Lily.

Chapter Eleven: Morning

The next morning, Erik awoke to see a still sleeping Ashtyn cradled within his arms. Her glorious eyes were hidden from his view, but he still felt their lasting effect on him. Erik marveled at the thought that she had the ability of nocturnal vision. His Ashtyn had changed…but he wasn't alarmed in the slightest. Erik had learned long ago that change was a necessity for growth, without it death was inevitable. He knew that his world, even with the security of him now being King of Wakanda, was still dangerous. Ashtyn remaining the same would had spelled her extinction.

Yet, she had changed, and she was stronger for it. Erik wanted to make the day special for her to celebrate her newfound evolution into the new exotic creature before him. He decided that they would take a tour of their kingdom. Also, he had hoped that they could narrow down a time and date for their wedding. He felt an urgency in making Ashtyn completely his. He couldn't explain his need for her to be declared his queen for all to see, but it was an ever-present feeling.

In her sleep she moved within his arms. Thinking about ways to make the day special he began to kiss her neck. A soft moan escaped her lips, yet she was still asleep. However, Erik had decided that it was time for them to start their day. He slid down her body, trailing soft kisses down her naked form. Oh, how he loved watching her beautiful body, bounce up and down on top of him while they were making love last night. Yet, it was her eyes that had stolen his heart. He loved how they were focused solely on him even more, as he came beneath her. She had viewed him with an intensity, that had wrecked his body with a nervous energy that he had never experienced before. All he had ever wanted was to see acknowledgment within her eyes for him. Erik never expected how her gaze would affect him. It had stirred a lustful fire within him, unlike any gaze had…or ever would again.

Nevertheless, that was the night prior. It was now morning. They had the entire day to explore the gifts of her sight, and to experience greater levels of ecstasy. Erik vowed that Ashtyn would remember this day forever. Reaching her core, he took two of his fingers to spread the folds of her lips, revealing her cute little button. Erik smirked, knowing that in a moment she was going to be awake, and writhing beneath his kiss. He gently blew onto her sex, and witness her body perform an involuntary quiver. He paused for a moment to see if she had awoken. She hadn't, but it didn't matter as his tongue connected with the sensitive flesh.

Ashtyn sucked in a breath, as the feeling of being aroused began to overtake her body. She opened her eyes and peered downwards. All she could see was the top of Erik's head between her legs. She hissed, as he continued to pleasure her. She grabbed his dreads roughly, he lifted his head from her only to say. "Good morning."

"Ditto." Was all Ashtyn could manage, as her sleep haze wore off and was replaced by lust. She wrapped her legs around his neck. He cuffed her ass, ensuring that her punani would stay in place while he continued to eat her out. Erik's tongue was merciless as he used it to build a sweet tension within her. She recalled his words during their flight over. He had confessed to her that he loved tasting her. A shudder ran through her bones at the thought. She was succumbing to her arousal, but she wanted to hold out. She wanted the feeling to last. She was attempting to resist the waves of pleasure that Erik was enlisting from her body. However, he wasn't having it, she was going to come for him no matter what she thought.

Erik lifted his head once more, to command her, "Give in to me." Before plunging his mouth once more onto her. She felt his tongue, as he slid it inside of her. He then began to stroke at her button with one of his thumbs. Tears started to pour from the wells of her eyes; teetering on the edge of her climax was almost more than she could bare. Her legs began to quake as she tried to maintain her resolve, she didn't want to give in yet.

However, Erik lifted his head for a third and final time. His eyes connected with hers. If it wasn't for the benefit of sight Ashtyn would had missed the devious smile that he cast in her direction. The light from the morning sun reflected off the surface of his gold crowns on his lower teeth. His stare is what had finally caused Ashtyn to lose control. Erik smirked knowing that the moment his mouth encountered her sex, that she would come despite her wishes to hold out. Seeing his head lower once more, caused Ashtyn to tense. For she knew that she was about to experience another mind-blowing peaking that only Erik could provide. When she came she shouted his name, but his assault upon her didn't diminish until her sexual high had passed.

Ashtyn was heaving, still recovering from her orgasm. When she heard Erik's command, "All eyes on me." Ashtyn eyes fell upon her lover, she knew that this was only the beginning. He hadn't yet met his own release, and she had no plans of leaving him unsatisfied. He was now straddling her; his dick was fully erect. "Girl…I swear that your eyes can cut through diamond and steel." He said with admiration. "Do you know how long I have waited for you to see me." The statement was rhetorical; but Ashtyn knew that he questioned if she knew how much he cared for her. She did.

Ashtyn knew that he needed her to truly view him. To take in his splendor. Her eyes peered deeply into his own, she considered his face. He was a full-grown man, there was no question in her mind about that. Yet, there were times, when his anger and cockiness weren't in command that he looked innocent; perhaps even childlike. Ashtyn recognized from what he had revealed of his past that he longed to be loved. When he opened his heart to her he did something that was frightening to him. She only wanted to prove to him that his trust in her was not misplaced. She needed to let him know that she had his back always.

"I see you." Ashtyn knew that he would understand the weight of her words, how she meant more than the physical action. He stared at her with an intensity that nearly took her breath away.

"I know." He responded. "Don't stop at my face. Tell me what else you see." Ashtyn's eyes dropped down to see the scarring on his chest. She had felt his scars but to see them was an awe-inspiring experience. Ashtyn wondered how much pain he had inflicted upon himself to achieve his engraved skin. Ashtyn's face must had shown her discontentment, because he suddenly spoke.

"You freed me of my need to self-harm. Last night you provided an alternate outlet for my dark desires." He said, as he shifted so that he was between her legs. Yet, he remained in a kneeling position. "I have never allowed for anyone to subdue me…I felt free. The pain that you inflicted was sensual and punishing at the same time. I…never felt anything like it."

"I only want to satisfy you. You told me once that we were meant to be boundless. I want you to always tell me what you need, and how you need it. Our love is ours alone, we do not have to answer to anyone else; but to each other. You call your desires dark, when all I see is you. There are no limits within the context of our relationship."

Erik's smiled as her words settled within his heart. He wanted to bury himself balls deep within her core. Yet, he wanted her eyes to see the last part of him. The part that bridged their physical connection. With Ashtyn sex wasn't just sex, it was as if they were two halves of the same being, being reacquainted after eras apart. For this reason, he needed to have her as often as time would permit. For it was like death when he couldn't consummate their commitment to each other.

He waited until her eyes when passed his stomach, straight to his harden dick. Erik's breath hitched as her view lingered on his member. He loved the lust he saw within her eyes, his dick twitched knowing what was soon to come. Erik licked his lips and eased himself into her slick entrance. He groaned in appreciation for the warmness of her core as it encased his swollen self. He felt like he was about to come just thinking about the process itself.

Erik began to move inside of her. His pumps were gentle at first but quickly became aggressive. Sweat began to formulate on his back and he press onward trying to get his future bride to climax once more. He thrusted into her repeatedly giving her all of him; surrendering to his desires for her once more. They were broken people, in their own way, but when they came together they were whole. Ashtyn was becoming wild with a passion that Erik had never seen beforehand. It was intoxicating seeing her completely unhindered. She clawed his back. Though she had done this same action before, this was the first time that she had drawn blood.

Erik screamed out in pain but kept his punishing rhythm. He had sworn to himself that she was going to come harder than any other time before. He winced as he felt the pain she had inflicted. No, he would never have to carve into his own skin to validate or chastise himself. For his queen had all that he needed, and he would never thirst for anything more than his Ashtyn…his Madam Slay. Erik's eyes rolled into his skull, as he hit a spot within her that nearly pushed them both over the edge. He was panting, and so was she. How long could he keep on going? He thought as she began to lick at his right nipple.

"Damn…" Was all he could utter in response. "I am about to bust." He warned. Just then she clenched her walls; forcing him to break. Yet, he wouldn't lose this round. If he was coming so was she. He gripped her ass and forced her to meet his thrusts harshly. She grimaced as they both climaxed together. Erik collapsed on top of her, not bothering to shield her from his weight. It was clear that she wasn't the same fragile girl who he had met in the museum. No, she was beyond that of a typical woman, she was something supernatural; and Erik relished in her strength.

They laid as they were for what seemed like forever. Then Ashtyn spoke. "That was one hell of a wakeup call." They both laughed hardily at her joke.

A few hours, and two more sexual encores later, they were finally dressed and ready to make their appearance. Ashtyn felt a slight soreness between her legs, but she was already feeling herself healing from the powerful strokes that Erik had delivered to her. She felt marked by his love, and thanks to her heighten senses, she could not only feel; but smell his essence all around her. She thought back to her visit to the afterworld and remembered how his influence was felt. Her mother had said that they were spiritually bound, tied together by their very souls. This was a lovely thought, but what did that really mean for them? No doubt their love transcended the boundaries of social norms, but what else could their love do?

"Are you ready to go?" Erik asked. Ashtyn looked up to see him. She smirked when she realized his wardrobe choice. He wore a dark hooded-knitted robe and had chosen to go shirtless. Ashtyn knew what her man was doing. Erik was profoundly aware that his subjects would understand the significance of his scars. He wanted everyone to know that he was a treacherous man, and not one to be trifled with. It was subtle but was extremely effective.

"Yes…but where are we going?" Ashtyn asked. Erik had been eerily quiet about whatever he had planned for them to do for the day. Whenever she pressed him for details a boyish smile would spread across his face. If only all their moments together were as easy as this morning. For the first time since they had met Ashtyn didn't feel as though they were fighting for supremacy, they were simply just being a loving couple.

"You'll find out as soon as you move your sexy ass out the door." Ashtyn could had thrown some sass his way, but she knew that it would lead to another back-and-forth between them. Arguing would most likely end with him asserting his authority over her by using the one weapon in his possession that always made her submit. His sex. Ashtyn loved making love to him, but she was ready to leave the room and see the rest of the kingdom. This time she would let it slide.

There was a soft knock on their bedroom's door. Erik answered, "Enter."

To Ashtyn's surprise Zoya walked in, with her head hung low and not meeting her king's eyes. She was timid, and fear poured off her in waves. Ashtyn grimaced. Clearly, Erik's actions from yesterday were still very present within the woman's mind. Ashtyn looked over to Erik. His expression was indifferent, did he not notice her temperament, or did he simply not care? Ashtyn walked over to Zoya, she attempted to strike a casual conversation, or blasé convo as Erik would state.

"Hello Zoya. It is so nice to see you again." Ashtyn said.

Zoya seemed to relax, just a little at the sound of Ashtyn's voice. "It is nice to see you too." She replied. "I was requested by the king to show you around the estate."

Ashtyn turned to Erik once more. Still, his expression was impassive. Ashtyn couldn't understand why he would have chosen Zoya to be their escort. He had nearly choked the life out of her, now he was asking her to be near the one person who had caused her harm…himself. Oh, how she didn't want to believe that he was attempting to intimidate the woman; but what else could he be doing? If that was the case, now wasn't the time to bring it up to him. She didn't want to show any signs of division between them in front of her. She would wait until they were alone again to vocalize her concerns.

Despite Zoya's misgivings she was an excellent chaperon. She showed them around the kingdom and was a wealth of information. Once she became accustom to Erik's presence, she began to relax a bit more. Though, Zoya did try her best to keep her distance from Erik. Ashtyn too tried to keep the two separated, by being in the middle between them as much as possible. Ashtyn liked Zoya and didn't want her to feel apprehensive regarding Erik, but he wasn't making things easy.

He walked around with them, with a cold uninterested expression etched upon his face. Occasionally, he would stalk behind them; an action that clearly made Zoya uneasy, as they walked through the corridors of their fortress. Ashtyn was trying to prove to Zoya that Erik meant her no harm, but his behavior screamed predator.

Zoya showed them to the royal garden. Where an assortment of rare flowers, and plants were grown. At this time, Erik opted to view the arsenal storage facility, which was a building located near the garden. He excused himself and gave Ashtyn a peck on the cheek before leaving. Ashtyn was relieved that he was gone, for Zoya's sake. The woman released a breath of relief when he had made his exit.

"Zoya are you alright?" Ashtyn asked. She didn't know what else to say. Nevertheless, she wanted to know how well she was coping. The attack was still fresh within her mind, and to be forced to walk beside her attacker had to be upsetting at the very least.

"He is terrifying." Zoya confessed. Ashtyn couldn't argue with her assessment. Erik dripped with animosity, and if Ashtyn hadn't seen the softer side of him she too would think that he was frightening. Yet, she wanted for Zoya to know that he wasn't one dimensional; that he wasn't just a tyrant he was a man.

"I cannot say that he doesn't mean to be. It is just that he only knows one way of being. If that makes any kind of sense."

"Do you find yourself always defending him and his actions?" Zoya accused. Her words stung, as Ashtyn considered how true her accusation was. Indeed, she did defend him in contradiction of every ill word spoken against him. He gave people plenty of reasons to find him disagreeable, but Ashtyn simply couldn't allow for anyone to judge him; despite his actions.

"The same aggressiveness that you hate about him, is the same ferociousness that he will use to protect this kingdom. Trust me he is better as your allied, than your enemy." Zoya thought over Ashtyn's statement. She didn't say anything to counter her words. Instead, she busied herself with naming off the different flowers and plants of the garden to Ashtyn.

Thinking about the flowers, Ashtyn began to wonder about the healing qualities of the heart-shape herb. She determined that if anyone knew the details of the herb's abilities that Zoya would. "Why is it that the herb healed my eyes?"

Zoya stopped her ramblings regarding the garden, to say, "Your sight was stripped from you due to illness, the herb is a cure for such things." Zoya replied straightforwardly. "Yet, it is no more." Her added statement was pregnant with blame. She was taking another jab at her man. Ashtyn didn't want to get angry with the woman, but Zoya had no idea what was going through his head when he had ordered them to burn the fields. However, to explain anything of what he had revealed to her would have been a betrayal of his trust. Ashtyn remained tightlipped and decided to let the comment pass.

The two women continued their conversation about the garden. Then suddenly Ashtyn felt a presence just beyond the borders of the courtyard. She looked over to the surrounding wooden area of the property. There was a familiar presence lurking within the forest. She felt it call to her and she broke away from Zoya, who looked puzzled by Ashtyn's behavior.

"Madam?" Zoya questioned. Ashtyn didn't answer, as she approached the woodland. Suddenly, a leopard leapt forward from the cover of the forest. Zoya screeched, as she attempted to run to the safety of the palace. The big cat locked onto her, preparing to pounce. Ashtyn could feel the animal's intentions, as clearly as she felt her own. Knowing the animal's thoughts, she projected her own desires upon it; willing it to stop its attack on Zoya.

The creature's eyes reverted to focus onto Ashtyn once more. There was understanding within its eyes, the impulse to attack Zoya had passed. Ashtyn searched its mind and found that the creature was simply curious about her presence. It felt a kindred spirit within Ashtyn and wanted to see the source of the kinship. Ashtyn mentally projected her own curiosity towards the big cat. It purred in response and rested before her in submission. Ashtyn rubbed between its ears, then a thought suddenly came to her.

"You are a boy. Aren't you?" Ashtyn said aloud. The cat purred, as if to say yes. "I shall call you Timber, because you came from the woods."

Ashtyn was amazed by her ability to communicate with him, as she stroked his fur. In the afterworld she had managed to do the same thing, but she had assumed that it was the magic within the realm that had allowed for her to perform the action. Yet, now she was in the natural world, and this should have been impossible. Unless…all that had transpired in the afterworld was true; and she and the leopard, who she had encountered while there, had combined into one being. The heart-shaped herb had given her back her sight, but her connection with the leopard had given her all her other abilities.

"Another gift from your travel to the afterworld." Ashtyn heard Erik state. She looked over to him. She saw that there wasn't any fear within his eyes. He simply stood viewing her with the big cat. "I see that you aren't just a slayer of man, but beast." He marveled.

"Yes…I can hear his thoughts." Ashtyn said to him. "Where did Zoya go?"

"She's back at the palace. She told me what happened and refused to come back out until the leopard was gone. She had to be pretty freaked out to come to me for help." He ended with a chuckle. "May I approach?"

Ashtyn sensed that the cat wasn't going to harm Erik, so she nodded her head giving him the okay. Erik walked slowly towards them and crouched down beside Ashtyn. He reached out and tentatively began to stroke the animal along with Ashtyn.

"I have never touched a leopard before." He said.

"Neither had I, as least not in the real world." Ashtyn said. She sighed.

"What is wrong?" He asked.

"Why did you make Zoya escort us? You know that she is fearful of you."

"I did it for you."

"What?"

"I figured that I will not always be around to spend time with you. I don't want for you to get lonely, so I thought that she would be a good companion for you whenever I am away." This was a far cry from Ashtyn's original thoughts of him simply wanting to scare her. He was trying to help Ashtyn adjust to her new life with him. She smiled, remembering her own words to her mother, about him having a better heart than he pretended to have.

"Thank you." Ashtyn replied.

"If you truly want to show me your appreciation, you would tell me when you are planning to become my Mrs."

"The sooner the better. Tonight, is going to be lovely. I want to get married beneath the stars."

"Then I will alert the kingdom that we are going to wed tonight. Any special request?"

Ashtyn thought for a moment before answering, "Yes…I want for you to apologize to Zoya." The look upon Erik's face went from easygoing, to rage. Never had his anger been directed towards Ashtyn, but in this moment for the first time she felt slightly uneasy with her lover. This time…she may have asked for too much.