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Chapter Sixteen: Betrayal

Ashtyn didn't sleep a wink. Her mind was too busy trying to plan her exit from the compound. She was grateful when Erik said that he needed to attend to his kingly duties. It was just the opportunity she needed to talk to Zoya. She watched him dress himself and noted how he was baring his scarred chest for his subjects viewing. "Intimidation is key huh." She remarked.

Erik sees her through the reflection of the mirror and smirks. He knew that she understood his tactics well. Once he had finished dressing he approached her, as she laid on the bed. He takes his seat on the bed, then leans over to kiss her gently on the lips. A sharp ache hits Ashtyn in the center of her chest. Ashtyn was excruciatingly aware that this could be the last moment that things would be peaceful between them. She knew that her next course of action was treason, and even Erik's love for her could not guarantee that she wouldn't face disciplinary actions.

Yet, Ashtyn was certain that she could intervene without being found out by her husband. She could warn the royal family and be home in time to be Erik's supportive wife. If she was careful perhaps he would never know.

"Is everything alright?" Erik inquired, as he redrew from their kiss.

"Yes, why?" Ashtyn replied coolly.

"You seem…tense." Erik commented. His eyes searching for signs of her truth. Ashtyn was determined to sell her wellbeing and insisted that she was fine. Erik seemed satisfied by her reply. He kissed her on the forehead once more before exiting their bedroom.

Ashtyn threw the covers off her and hurried to the bathroom. She took a quick shower and dressed. It was midmorning, she had to find Zoya, wherever she may be. Thinking about Zoya and her role as a high priestess she decided to go to the underground chamber. Upon entering the chamber Ashtyn witnesses firsthand, the destruction that Erik's insecurity had caused. The once beautiful garden, that housed the life-saving heart-shaped herb was no more. In its place were ashes. Only Zoya remained tending to a garden that was beyond restoration; or…was it? Ashtyn viewed Zoya kneeling and smoothing over the soil; and instantly realized that something was amiss.

"Zoya?" Ashtyn watched as Zoya jumped in response to hearing her name being called.

Zoya quickly tried to recover from her nervous reaction by a pleasant greeting. "Madam, I trust that your morning is going well."

Ashtyn refused to address her. Clearly, her greeting was meant to redirect Ashtyn's attention from whatever Zoya was trying to conceal. Instead, Ashtyn asked, "What are you doing here? The hidden garden had been burnt to nothingness. Yet, you still come here."

"I…" Zoya begin to explain, but she's abruptly cut off by Ashtyn's demand.

"Zoya, move aside." Zoya was hesitant but eventually obeyed. Stepping aside Zoya revealed what she tried so desperately to hide.

Ashtyn leaned over to get a better look at Zoya's hidden project and was surprised by what she saw. Just sprouting out of the soil was a bud of a heart-shaped herb. Shock resonated within Ashtyn, who promptly turned to Zoya for answers.

"I kept seeds of the heart-shaped herb in my quarters. Just to ensure the species survival." Zoya offered in explanation. "Please…mistress do not be angry with me." Ashtyn held a single hand to her to silence her. Zoya felt the walls of her world collapsing around her. Fully expecting Ashtyn's wrath, she instead received a proposition.

"This can stay between us. Only if you promise to assist me in my quest. You mustn't tell anyone ever about what we are about to do. This is the only stipulation for my silence." Nodding, Zoya agreed to her queen's requirements. "My husband wants to retrieve T'Challa's family. He believes that they are heading to the Jabari Tribe. Do you know where they are located?" Zoya nodded once more. "I need for you to take me there. I must warn the royal family."

"Madam, this is high treason. Even for a queen, the repercussions could be severe. Are you sure that you want to do this?" Zoya's warning penetrated Ashtyn down to her very core. It was the very same warning that played on constant repeat throughout Ashtyn's mind. Yet, she couldn't make herself change her course. With her whole heart she believed that it would cause irrevocable damage to her husband's very soul if he were to murder his own blood. He had seen and done great evil, but she still could see the fragile spirit that lied beneath it all. Ashtyn felt that it was her wifely duty to protect him, from all evil…even the evil that he creates for himself.

Steeling herself Ashtyn answers, "Yes, I am aware of the potential consequences. Nevertheless, with your help I believe that we can do this thing, without being caught. Will you help me?"

"Yes, Madam I shall help you." Walking over to grab her cloak, Zoya wrapped the garment around herself. "Where we are going is high in the mountains. It can get extremely cold. Perhaps, you would like to dress in warmer attire."

Ashtyn looked down at her clothing. She was dressed in nothing more than a halter-top dress, that was shades of gold, and purple. She thought about her attire and quickly realized that since her transformation she hadn't experienced the sensation of feeling cold. In fact, her body temperature if anything ran warmer than most of those who were around her. Only Erik's temperature felt like her own. Perhaps, that was a side-effect of them ingesting the heart-shaped herb; or Ashtyn's bonding with the leopard. Either way Ashtyn somehow knew that she wouldn't need anything more than what she was already wearing.

"I am fine. Let's go."


Ashtyn and Zoya managed to get outside of Wakanda's boarders by stashing themselves inside of a wagon that was going out for trade. When the wagon had made its first stop they hastily exited the wagon and hid in some nearby shrubberies. Once the wagon had made it beyond their view the women stood to their feet.

"This path will lead us directly to the Jabari Tribe. This is the only passage to their kingdom. If we hurry, we may be able to reach their boarders by nightfall." Zoya said.

Nodding in response Ashtyn followed Zoya on the path that would lead them to the tribe. Along the way, they spoke about anything to pass the time. Their topic of discussion ranged from everything from their favorite foods, to some of the fears for the future of Wakanda. It was refreshing that Ashtyn had someone other than Erik to talk things over with. Her conversation with Erik were just as profound, but there was always a struggle for each of them to be heard. Their conversations were rarely easy, but her talks with Zoya came with no hidden agenda. Therefore, their conversations didn't carry the same heaviness as her talks with him.

Suddenly, the thought of Erik popped into Ashtyn's mind. She wondered what he was doing and if he was beginning to wonder where she was. She hoped that he was still busy with his duties. Once she was back home, Ashtyn planned to tell him that Zoya and her spent the day exploring the kingdom. It was not a total lie, Zoya was showing her the sites; just not those exclusive to Wakanda's boarders. Ashtyn exhaled, lying to her mate wasn't something that she wanted to do, but to tell him the truth was not an option. Then, Ashtyn's nose caught a scent. She felt an internal warning engulf her body, she stilled Zoya; who looked at her expectedly. Ashtyn herded them off the road into a ditch, that was beside the path. Sheltered by the veil of darkness provided by the starless, wintery-night sky. They were hidden from W'Kabi's men as they marched pass them.

"What are we to do?" Zoya whispered to Ashtyn. "This is the only path to the Jabari Tribe. We are fortunate that they didn't see us."

"It wasn't fortune that they didn't see us. I could smell them coming." Ashtyn could sense Zoya's disbelief but didn't address her concerns. Only Erik knew the extend of her transformation. For all Zoya knew, the only ability that Ashtyn returned with from the spirit realm was the gift of sight. Yet, so many more gifts had been added to her. Even Ashtyn was unaware of any limitations regarding her newfound capabilities. Suddenly, a second blast of wind alerted Ashtyn of other scents. With terror Ashtyn realized that the second set of scents belonged to the royal family. They were downwind and in the direct path of the soldiers.

Ashtyn knew that she had to stop them, but what could she do? It all happened like a scene from a suspense movie. The commotion was loud as W'Kabi's men found the family. There were screams and sound of combat, they weren't going quietly. Yet, there were too many soldiers and Ashtyn knew that they wouldn't last long without assistance. Without a further thought Ashtyn leapt into action. She could hear Zoya's pleas for her to stop, but she couldn't.

Ashtyn took off in a dead-run towards the site. Once she was there she immediately leapt into the air and pounced onto the first soldier that she encountered. Ashtyn's nails elongated and harden, she ripped through the man's throat without mercy. Tracking her next prey through the darkness, who was attacking T'Challa's younger sister Shuri. She ran over to aid her, all the while dodging the attacks of those who came between her and her target. Her catlike reflexes allowed her to move easily among them, and her claws ripped through the men with ease.

She reached Shuri within mere moments and disposed of her attacker just before he could strike her again. A bloodlust was raging within Ashtyn as she searched for more of W'Kabi's men, but Nakia had handled all the others. A strange disappointment took root within Ashtyn. Her adrenaline was pumping which caused her blood-stained hands to tremble. It was only after a few moments had passed that she could comprehend exactly what she had done. Now she trembled for a new reason, fear of what she had become.

Yet, there was no time to focus on herself. She had come to make sure that the royal family wasn't retrieved by W'Kabi's men and they weren't. She had succeeded in her quest.

"Why are you here?" Nakia asked, as she approached Ashtyn with caution. "Are you not with him?" Ashtyn growled at Nakia, who promptly drew her blade as if she was prepared to attack her. Ashtyn knew of the him who she spoke of and could hear the disdain in her voice for her husband. Though Ashtyn had just helped to delivered them from the hands of W'Kabi's soldiers, it was done for the protection of her Erik. If Nakia had mistaken where Ashtyn's loyalty lies, then she was about to find out. Ashtyn began to move towards Nakia, but Ramonda interceded.

"Nakia, meant to say that we are grateful for your assistance. Thank you." Ramonda said as she curtsied. Ashtyn halted, the former queen words calming her aggressiveness. Zoya approached the crowd and kneeled once she saw the exiled royal family. "Arise Zoya." Ramonda kindly said to her former subject.

Tears came to Zoya's eyes as she looked up to Ramonda. "I am so glad to see that you are alive and well." Ramonda smiled and helped Zoya to her feet. Turning to Ashtyn Zoya said, "We must be on our way back. It is getting late." Without a word being said, because there was nothing that Ashtyn could said. Her actions were puzzling even to herself. All she wanted to do was go home and washed the night away. Zoya and Ashtyn turned to make their way back to Wakanda. However, Shuri urged them to stop.

"Wait…" Shuri beseeched. Ashtyn slowly turned to face her. Ashtyn wasn't sure what she was going to say, after all her Erik had murdered her beloved brother. Ashtyn was prepared for everything except for what the princess had to say. "You have his hear, and his heart. If you can…try to steer him towards goodness." Ashtyn still speechless didn't outwardly give any indication that Shuri's words had penetrated her, but they had. Zoya and Ashtyn turned away from the royal family, leaving them to whatever fate that may befall them. As far as Ashtyn was concerned her part was finished.


Once they had made their way back to the kingdom the two women parted ways. Zoya held Ashtyn in a warm embrace that was almost as soothing as the shower that Ashtyn was planning on taking. Ashtyn was soon off to her bedroom, but not before learning that her husband was still dealing with his business matters. Ashtyn was grateful. She slipped into their bedroom without notice. She immediately headed to the bathroom and started the shower. She was anxious to get the dried blood off her. She strips off her ruined clothing, she stepped beneath the hot waters that streamed from the shower head. Tipping her head back she allowed the water to wash away the dirt and grime. She exhaled thinking that she had made it home free. When suddenly she heard a familiar voice say. "Where have you been…Ashtyn?"

Dread welled inside of Ashtyn's heart as she looked through the steamed glazed shower door to see Erik's standing with his arms crossed over his chest. Ashtyn wiped the steam from the glass to see his face better and was instantly frightened. He was calm in appearance, but his eyes gave away his rage.

"Oh Shit." Ashtyn said beneath her breath.

"Oh, Shit is right." Erik said as he began to disrobe. Ashtyn wasn't sure what was about to happen, but she knew one thing. She was in deep trouble.

A/N: Hey everyone. I wanted to take timeout to thank everyone who has supported this fanfic. We are nearing the end, and it has been a blast! Don't worry I still have a few more chapters in me, and I will finish this story. You all are the best! Thanks again and have a good week! Plus, do not forget to review. Concrete Lily.