6

I was silent as I stared out the window of the sub like ship Nakia came in. The water looked different down here then up above. Fish and other aquatic life passed us by and I gently placed my hand on the glass trying to see if I could feel anything like I felt with Namor. What was going through my mind back there?

He almost kissed me and I let him. A man I didn't know was yet pushed the boundaries of my body. Only this time, it was different. Yes, I was afraid, but this fear was different from with Killmonger. He was a man filled with rage and pain and he had no issues taking it out on others. But Namor, he was happy. He was warm. Was that the warmth I felt? Was it his happiness?

"Eywa, are you sure you're alright?" I heard Nakia ask and I looked at her. She was turned in her seat to me. The ship must have been on auto pilot. "You've been very quiet. Did he hurt you?" I shook my head quickly.

"No. He didn't hurt me. It's all just a misunderstanding." I replied. Now she looked at me as if I was crazy.

"Misunderstanding? He attacked an American ship which definitely has our American allies very upset, he kidnapped you and risked another war with Wakanda!" she said. I nodded slowly understanding her anger.

"Yes, he did attack the ship… but he did it because he thought one of his people were being held captive on the boat. He thought he was saving me." I replied. Now she looked even more confused.

"What! How does the "great king" Namor make such a mistake!" she asked.

"It's not a mistake!" I spoke. Now she looked confused and stunned.

"What?" she asked gentler this time. I nodded and looked down at my hands gently rubbing them together.

"I have Talokan ancestry in me and the Talokans thought somehow the Americans managed to kidnap one of their own." I explained. Nakia shook her head slowly and looked down at her lap as if trying to make sense of it all.

"How is that possible? We didn't even know about their existence until a year ago." she said and I nodded.

"I don't know but it doesn't matter now. I just want to be with my people." I replied. She looked at me with light eyes and nodded.

Namor's POV

I sat in silence with the elders both listening and not. I was thinking of her. Eywa, the Wakanda maiden of the sea. I gently rubbed my palm with my other hand already feeling empty now that she was gone. How can that be, a woman I did not even know, could have such an impact on me? Attuma, my second in command was sitting on my right when he leaned forward to look at me.

"My king, our scientists analyzed the data we captured from the Wakandan girl," he said. Now that brought my attention back to everyone, "The data is strong, she is a very close descendant of our people." I looked at him with curious eyes.

"How close?" I asked. He crossed his arms and sighed.

"The data shows maternal background to be of Wakanda and paternal background… Talokan." he said. My heart fluttered at this glorious news, and I looked down doing my best to withhold the smile that would play on my lips. However, the room around me was filled with constant uproars.

"A man of the people laid with an outsider!"

"His blood line is completely tainted!"

"But Wakanda is an ancient civilization much like our own!"

"It would be far worse if this Talokan had mated with anyone else like the putrid savages of the world!"

I finally stood up and now the room grew silent. I looked at each member of my counsel.

"You are all right. This woman is of another world, but she is of ours nonetheless and it seems she has been blessed by the Gods with the ability to control the water. She has been watched for some time, and we know she is a healer, one of the best. She is loyal to her people, and she has a good heart, one not tainted by the cruel humans of the world," I said gently pounding over my chest with. They all nodded in agreement. "I still must answer for the attack on the savages' ships and I will. But your words of wisdom mean more to me than anything. We know this woman exists and the power she holds. I would propose an ultimate alliance with Wakanda having two powerful forces become one by marrying this woman and together our bloodlines will be stronger, together Talokan and Wakanda will never fade. Any upper world forces who stand against us will be cut down by our numbers. But if you all do not agree, and feel we should continue the alliance on the foundation of word of mouth I will take it into consideration, but that means we will leave the outsider, Eywa, alone." I preached looking around at everyone in the room now.

They all looked around at each other and whispered amongst each other.

"To have a being with the power to heal any sickness is one we cannot pass up even if she is of Wakanda." Attuma said looking at me with a nod that he was with me. I nodded back at him and then looked at the men and women in this room.

"What say you?" I asked. One by one they each responded by saying marriage. I was happy for their agreement, because no matter their decision, I would not let that woman slip through my fingers.

Eywa's POV

As the ship docked at the harbor, I saw my mother and a few mining warriors standing there. Her eyes sparkled with happiness as she saw me.

"Mother!" I called out as I got out of the ship and ran to her. She let out a happy cry as she moved to me hugging me hard.

"Oh thank Bast you are safe!" she said looking at Nakia who approached behind us. "Thank you, Lady Nakia." Nakia smiled and nodded.

"Of course… Eywa the queen told me to bring you to her as soon as we got back." she said gently. I winced just wanting to be with my tribe, but my mother placed her hand on my cheeks.

"Come to me once you are done. We will have a feast to celebrate your safe return." she said. I nodded and touched her hands before moving to follow Nakia toward the kingdom. Once inside, Ayo and the rest of the Dora greeted us and guided us to the throne room. Once the doors opened, I saw Queen Ramonda standing and smiling.

"Eywa, you are back unscathed!" she said and I smiled and bowed as I entered.

"Yes. I am just fine my queen." I replied. The queen thanked Nakia who bowed and retreated from the room. Queen Ramonda approached me with a warm smile, the purple she wore complimented her well. She held her hands up and I took them.

"When Agent Ross contacted us and told us what happened, I was shocked that Namor and his people would mount an attack. When Nakia sent word that she had you and that their king would be coming to speak to me, I had to admit I was at a loss of words. I thought perhaps you could clear all of this up before he comes to land?" she explained. As she spoke of Agent Ross, I was happy to know he was truly alive and well. I inhaled and looked down at our hands for a moment.

"It was a misunderstanding, an honest one." I replied. Now the queen looked confused and looked to the side as if trying to think.

"How?" she asked. I bit the side of my cheek and looked down not sure how to even bring this up.

"Queen Ramonda, the Talokans attacked the ship because they thought I was a Talokan being taken from them. Namor thought Wakanda had a Talokan here as well." I replied. She blinked heavily confused.

"How could they make such a mistake?" she asked. I looked at her with worry before holding my hands up to her.

"Because I am both Wakandan and Talokan." I replied. Her eyes widened some and she just stared at me stunned.

"How can this be?" she asked. I shook my head.

"I don't know… I mean it's obvious one of our people got together with one of theirs. Their technology must have picked up on it and caused them to act. My queen, I am sure they were just as confused as I was but doing what they felt was right in protecting their own." I explained. She shook her head and sighed heavily.

"That means nothing to the outside world now. America is very upset that a nation that controls vibranium attacked them. They may not have killed everyone but there were losses nonetheless." she said turning to walk toward the window, her hands on her hips. "They could use this as a means to get vibranium from us as penance for this attack."

I took a few steps to follow her.

"But we did not attack anyone. Wakanda cannot be held responsible for what other nations do." I replied. She nodded.

"But they know that Wakanda and Talokan are allies. I had to reveal this information at the last United Nations meeting, to show that the Talokans were no longer a threat. But now that they attacked the ship and live underwater, they will come looking for answers from the very nation who is closest to them." she explained. She turned to me now and looked me over.

"Do you believe you have Talokan blood in your veins?" she asked. I sighed and shook my head.

"I do not know what to believe, my queen. But when they did attack the boat and sang, everyone who did not protect their ears were hypnotized. I didn't have any protection and was not hypnotized." I replied. She nodded at my words.

"What matters is that you are safe and home with your people. You need not worry. From here on out, I want your duties strictly to the royal family. With this new information, we cannot risk anything else happening to you. Our medics will take over your position. Go and rest with your tribe." she said. I bowed at her.

"Yes my queen." I replied and turned, making my way toward the doors.

"And Eywa." She called. I paused and turned to her.

"Yes your grace?" I asked. She looked at me with soft eyes.

"Talk to your mother." she said. Maybe she will have the answers I need. I bowed once more and left her to her thoughts.