11

Namor kept his word. We sat in different positions on my bed talking about both our pasts. He told me how his people came to be with the help of their own herbs infused from the meteor that contained vibranium. His people used it to heal themselves from the sickness of that came from their own colonizing enemies.

Namor spoke with such passion of his own birth and how his people came to rely on him for guidance, strength, and protection. Much like Wakanda, their worlds grew and with their growth the beginning of their own advanced technologies. As I asked questions, and he would explain, we found ourselves constantly switching positions to get comfortable so that we could hear each other's stories. When he asked me about my past and my ability to use water, I told him the story of what I thought was my birth before finding out I was adopted. I told him about the time I grew very sick and found myself before Bast at the beach and the wave of water that consumed.

Namor was now staring at me with childlike wonder as I told him of the water falling down upon me and my mother screaming for me in fear.

"Were you not afraid?" he asked as he was now on his side, his cheek buried in his crossed arms over my pillow. I was sitting up still and I looked up in thought, giving a soft smile as I shook my head lightly.

"No. I saw Bast in the water and felt she was either going to take me to the world of my ancestors or prepare me for a different path in life." I replied softly looking at him now. He smiled warmly nodding before looking above my head. I turned and saw the once dark sky was now being painted with strokes of orange. I was stunned as I moved from the bed.

"I don't believe it. We stayed up all night talking." I replied looking out my window. Now I finally did feel exhaustion start to take me and I let out a gentle yawn. Namor glided down beside me and I looked up at him and he looked at peace as he looked down at me.

"I cannot wait to watch more sunrises with you. I never see them in Talokan." he said warmly. I gave a gentle smile. Today is the day now.

"It's all still a little nerve racking… in a few hours I'll be getting married. Have you ever been married?" I asked. Namor shook his head.

"No. I am a God, my people are my children. I have never once thought of marrying any of the women in my city." he said. I nodded slowly hearing the faint noises of the city waking up. Ships were taking to the sky, lights of the building were starting to shine. I guess it gave me comfort but now I started to wonder something else.

"Have you ever had sex with them at least? I am sure a man of your caliber has had some women throwing themselves at your winged feet?" I asked. His body tensed some and he looked away.

"I will not lie to my betrothed I have mated with other women before when my needs grow." he said looking at me now and taking my hand. "But none of them matter now as I have found the woman who will be my mate for life. No other woman will matter to me except when it involves protecting my people."

I wasn't surprised by his answer as a person's past lovers meant nothing to me. I simply smiled and nodded at him.

"And no other man will matter to me except when it involves protecting my people." I replied. He smiled warmly down at me and raised the top of my hand to kiss it.

"I will see you in a few hours, my Eywa." he said. I nodded and smiled.

"Until then, K'uk'ulkan." I replied. His eyes brightened at my words and the wings on his ankles fluttered happily as it raised him into the air. Our hands remained together, outstretched, until he was finally gone from my window. I moved closer to the window and watched him fly a few feet from the window before pausing and turning to me. I watched as he raised his arms to his chest in the familiar X fashion. Wakanda forever. I smiled and raised my hands as well holding my right hand up and my left hand flat with my palm facing up below the other. Shuri had told me of the hand movements she had seen Namor use with his people when she was down there. We really weren't that different after all.

Namor smiled and turned and flew off through the sky. I stared at the sky for a moment. Yes I was still very afraid of what was to come from this marriage, only because now my future, my decisions now involved someone else. I moved back to my bed and lied down on my back. I stared up at the ceiling raising my hand that contained the bracelet. Namor's gift. There were beautiful glowing stones in different spots. It was… truly beautiful.

I closed my eyes and did my best to sleep. I only had a few hours before everything completely changed. And changed was an understatement!

The beach was packed with many people from all the tribes. Music was playing and the Dora Milaje were dancing in a firm line around Queen Ramonda and Shuri. There were tables set up where lots of food was being set down. Everyone was dancing happily as I was in a large tent at the sand's edge. White dots were over my eyebrows, going down my nose and under my chine. I was expecting to wear the tribal dress of my mother, but no. I was dressed in a flowing red gown with the chest cut out in a perfect oval. My hair was pinned up so an orange head dress could be put on.

My mother was putting on some gold lipstick as servants put on black eye liner on my eyes.

"You are no longer a tribal princess simply marrying the neighbor tribe's son… you are marrying a king, a God to his people. Now you will be treated as such both in Wakanda and in the land below." My mother announced. My makeup was flawless, I almost didn't recognize myself. My skin was sparking, and my fingers were decorated with many rings. I was finally done and standing up looking at myself in the full body mirror. My mother was behind me, her eyes swelling with tears.

"I am so proud of you. Not because of what you are doing for your country, but because of the strong woman you have become." she said. I felt I would start crying but I held back the tears and turned to her taking her hands.

"I am afraid." I replied. She nodded slowly.

"You will find peace knowing that it's okay to be afraid." she said giving my hands a gentle squeeze.

"I love you mama." I replied. The tears fell softly down her cheeks.

"And I love you, my darling." she said.

The tent door opened and in came Shuri. Everyone, even me, began to turn and bow, but she shook her head.

"Oh Eywa, in a few minutes you bow to no one, not even the queen. Might as well get used to it now." she said with a grin. I gave a warm smile still shocked at that fact.

"I guess you are right." I replied. Shuri looked at everyone.

"If she is finished, then leave us." she ordered. Everyone bowed and began to move from the tent. Now it was just us two and slowly she approached me and I smiled as she did. She looked me over and shook her head.

"It feels like we are sacrificing you the waters." she said and I inhaled some and nodded.

"You are." I replied honestly and she nodded.

"You have done so much for my family that we repay you by marrying you off." she said. I nodded.

"But it is what must be done. Ramonda would never allow you to marry him. She has lost so much; you are all she has left." I replied and she shook her head the guilt filling her eyes. I took her hands. "But for Wakanda, there is nothing I won't do."

She sniffled and pulled me into a warm embrace. I smiled and rubbed her back some. Ayo finally entered the tent and with that I could hear the music had stopped.

"The Talokans are here." she replied. My mother came in behind her and Shuri smiled at me.

"See you out there." she said before leaving out the back. Mother stood beside me wrapping her arm around mine.

"It is time." she said. Another Dora approached and with Ayo they held the tent open. Indeed it is time.