Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to Black Panther.

***Dedicated to my BFF Nikki. Thanks for always reminding me to write!

Chapter Nine: Lows to Highs

It has been a few hours since their battle against the being who has possessed Nakia. T'Challa and Erik both suffered serious injuries. Thankfully, Zora performed the healing ritual to restore their health. Now, they have all been called upon by T'Challa to discuss the situation at hand. In attendance is Shuri, Okoye, Erik, herself, and of course, the King who presides.

"I have called upon you all as advisors to determine how to best deal with our current crisis. As briefed, Nakia is no longer the ally we once knew. With a heavy heart, I must consider her a hostile enemy of Wakanda. However, I wish to capture her alive; I ask everyone to honor this request."

Though no one looks in Erik's direction, Ashtyn can feel everyone's concerns regarding him. Truthfully, she isn't sure he can. She saw the battle firsthand. He gave it his all, only to be utterly dominated. He is a prideful man. It is hard to imagine him letting go of this transgression for anyone.

Perhaps, she can reason with him? Cool his temper, as she has done before. She frowns, recalling her reason for being in the lab in the first place.

Ashtyn glances at Shuri, who is attentively listening to solutions for resolving the situation. Ashtyn's focus should be on the meeting too, but her mind continues to wander. If it is not thoughts of Erik's emotional wellbeing plaguing her mind. Then, it is the agony of not knowing if she's pregnant with his child. Either way, her world twirls around him like he's her sun.

T'Challa ordered the Dora Milaje, as well as all Wakanda's neighboring tribes, to search for her. Shuri has employed drones to hunt Nakia from above. With everyone's eyes and ears gunning for her, it is only a matter of time before she pops up on the radar.

Nevertheless, her strength is a supernatural authority that may prove tricky for even Shuri's technology to track. But damn-it at least they must try to locate her before she launches another surprise attack.

After T'Challa adjourns the meeting, they head to their respective places. When Ashtyn and Erik are in the privacy of their bedroom, he finally speaks.

"Well, that was fun. Wouldn't you say?" Erik says. Sarcasm drips from his every word, as well as another emotion she cannot yet place. He plops down on the edge of their bed.

She looks at Erik who is pulsating with energy, she has never seen him display. In the meeting, he was cool and collective; but now the careful place veil of control gave way to his inner demons.

"Baby," she calls out, as she approaches. Ashtyn kneels before him, settling herself between his knees. She strokes the top of his thighs willing him to relax. He reclines onto the bed as he exhales.

"I couldn't defend you. She could have-" He begins to say but stops himself short.

There's no need for Erik to finish his morbid confession. They both know just how close they came to utter defeat. And they both know what he fears the most, to be helpless and to feel inferior.

"We're okay," Ashtyn says, trying to soothe his wounded ego.

"Barely."

Talking to him isn't going to solve anything. Plus, she still has unfinished business to attend to, she needs for him to relax. Only then can she venture out to seek Shuri.

Ashtyn smirks, as she determines a surefire way to ease his mind and to put him to bed. She switches her sensual strokes to caress the inner parts of his thighs. He moans, enjoying her teasing touch.

With quick hands, she undoes the button to his pants, then unzips. His head pops up. He looks downwards, a soft curse escapes his lips, before allowing his head to fall back onto the mattress.

Ashtyn continues her mission to free his hardening member from his pants. She soon pulls his pants away from his body, tossing them onto the floor.

His only clothing that remains is his robe, gaped open revealing his scars. As well as his black boxer briefs that are peaked high like a tent, thanks to his hardened shaft. Finally, she frees him and takes him into her masterful hands.

"Ashtyn," Erik nearly sings her name as if it is a curse word. As if bidding her be mindful of provoking him. The warning is more of a lure than a deterrent. Oh, how he needs this.

Once her hands are around the instrument of her greatest pleasure, she takes him fully into her mouth. He moans loudly as she begins her torturous sucking.

Heady words of admiration keep falling from his lips as he endures her. Suddenly, he grips a handful of her hair. He forces her bobbing head to take more of him when she intakes.

His ragged breathing gives away just how close he is to climax. Hence, his aggressive behavior, reminding her so much of their time in the aircraft. Then, she had done it for penance, but now she does it for his enjoyment...and hers. Oh, and to put him to sleep. No, she hasn't forgotten her objective.

Before he gets the chance to push her head down, she deep throats him. He hisses with approval as his body quakes beneath her. Time for the coup de grace. Though she loves the taste of him, today he will not be coming in her mouth.

Always prepped and remembering how he likes her ready for use, she forgone wearing any undergarments. She straddles him, his eyes grow wide with shock and unbridled lust soon follows.

Ashtyn begins her rhythmic dance, to ease him into transition to what is to come next. Simple lovemaking isn't going to do it. She will have to fuck him into utter submission. If she wants to succeed in her quest.

It is time to showcase my sexual acrobatics.

She bounces and contorts on top of him like she's a performer at Cirque du Soleil. Her efforts are richly rewarded; he cuffs her breasts through the thin fabric of her dress, sending sensual waves of ecstasy pulsating through her body. Ashtyn screams his name, but she must remember her end is not what she seeks.

Mustering the strength not to succumb she grips his wrists and pins them above his head.

"Oh, fuck," he says.

The utter amazement on his face is priceless. Usually, he is the one with the upper hand during their sexual escapades. But not today. No, today she is king. She picks up the tempo. He begins screaming her name and other obscenities to encourage her hard grind. Straight-up making her feel like a gangsta.

A broken whimper escapes his lips. His body goes rigid, he grips her hips firmly as he comes. Ashtyn follows suit, her inner walls constrict around his member, prolonging his release. Only after coming down from their sexual high does his voice returns.

"You are sumthin' else," he confesses. His eyes are heavy from his release.

"Sleepy?" Ashtyn asks. True he was healed by the ritual, but the fight earlier had taken its toll. He needs to rest.

"I might shut my eyes for a moment."

"Sleep baby. I'll be near to watch over you."

"My guardian angel," he says. But there's an edge to his tone, one she hadn't heard for quite some time. Yet, she doesn't allow her ill-emotions to stop her progress. She must see Shuri and put to rest the nagging question. Am I pregnant?

Finally, he falls asleep. She waits for a half-hour before quietly making her exit. To say she is nervous is an understatement. Though she has catlike reflexes, gifted to her by her spiritual guide. If he awoke, he would demand answers. She wants to be sure, needs to be sure. A baby now will only complicate things, especially with a potential war with Nakia, or whoever the hell is inside her.

Ashtyn reaches out for the door; she slowly begins to turn the knob. Pulling the door open she sees the light of the hallway. She breathes a sigh of relief.

She smirks. Go Madam Slay!

Yet, her celebration is premature. The door suddenly slams shut. Ashtyn trails the hand braced upon the door, to the arm, then finally to the person who is blocking her way...Erik!

"Where're you sneaking off to?" He questions. His eyes glaring at her with a dark intensity that makes her quiver but not in the come-hither sort of way.

"Um..." She scrabbles for a suitable lie.

"Ashtyn did you really think I wouldn't figure out you were trying to fuck me to sleep. What the hell are you up to. Answer me!"

Oh, he's pissed. "I-"

"Please Ashtyn. I love you to death, but don't lie to me right now. It simply will not bode well for you."

His threat is legit. He might not kill her, or strike her, but he will find a way to make her concede. She recalls the punishing sex she endured when he discovered her betrayal.

And that was after he traveled her Hershey highway in the shower. She loves to have sex with him, but him screwing her with detached malice isn't an appealing offer.

Finally, knowing he will not let up until he learns the truth she shouts, "I might be pregnant! I am trying to see Shuri to make sure. I didn't want to tell you because I know how badly you want to be a father and I didn't want to get your hopes up."

Erik's face goes from rageful to impassive. He stumbles a couple of steps back, before settling onto a chair near the door. He stares at her with an unemotional expression. Ashtyn has never seen him like this before. Fear and concern grip her, and she goes to be by his side, begging him to say anything.

He finally speaks, "We'll go together. If you are pregnant, we will leave Wakanda tonight, no arguments."

"But-"

With an authority she has only seen him use when he was king, he commands, "We leave!"

His decision is final and there will be no convincing him otherwise. She nods, submitting to his verdict. He takes a moment before standing.

"Alright, let's see if we have a bundle of joy on the way." His emotions return with a slight giddiness within his words.

"Glad to see you're in a better mood," Ashtyn comments. Slightly perturbed by his uncouthness.

"Well, you shouldn't be surprised. I'm getting everything I want. You finally becoming submissive, and a baby on the way."

"I'm not submissive, I just don't want to go to war with you. And the baby is not yet confirmed. Let's not put the horse before the wagon. "

"No matter," he says, as he wraps his arms around her. He intentionally presses his hardening member against her. She rolls her eyes. For him, any win makes him randy with lust.

He peers at her noticing her discontent and tsk. "You should be happy about how I handled things. Though a bit crass for most, it was downright timid for me."

"You got to manage your temper better. How can we raise a child if you turn all dark at a moment's notice? Plus, like I said what if I'm not pregnant?"

"Like I was saying. No matter. We will try until we conceive. Besides, ain't trying half the fun?" He ends with a smirk.

A/n: Hey fanfiction friends! So sorry for the long wait. But here's another one for your reading pleasure. Thank you, for rocking with me this long! Stay safe! Blessings- Concrete Lily.