Chapter 23: in love with a monster

Shuri almost tripped as she rushed down Wakanda University's stairs.

Ayo rushed behind her.

" how many minutes Ayo?" she called behind her

"We are now 10 minutes late princess." Shuri cursed.

As soon as they got on the jet, she stripped her clothes and put on her gold dress.

" I didn't expect to lecture that long! The students were very interested in the subject." She told Ayo as she put on her gold ringlets.

"that may be true Princess Shuri but we knew how important this meeting was."

Shuri sighed in exasperation.

"yes. Yes, that is true. I just didn't want to draw any attention away from the importance of the meeting. Today is the day we sign the treaty. Talokan and Wakanda will finally be united and we can move on with our lives."

Ayo snorted and laughed.

"says the woman who freaked out and insulted the mining tribe's warrior when you found out he wanted to ask your hand in marriage."

Shuri sneered as she finished dressing. Frustration filled her as she thought about the news that was brought to her as soon as she emerged from the sea.

Flashback:

Shuri emerged from the ocean, her body taking in the fresh oxygen. She felt her body tingle as the saltwater dripped off her skin. Nakia sighed next to her.

"I have never missed land so much!" Nakia cheered.

As expected her mother was waiting for them.

"my daughters!" she greeted, pulling them into wet hugs.

"come let's get you ladies changed and then we can talk."

Shuri and Nakia met their family in the throne, room. but they were not alone.

Zawavari, the leader of the mining tribe awaited them. Next to her was a man who looked to be at least twenty-five. He wore a red and orange dashiki trouser suit, with the mining tribe's signature clay jewelry.

"my sister! You have returned. How was it?" her brother asked as he stood from his throne and fist-bumped her.

He then embraced Nakia and whispered something in her ear. She laughed and gently pushed him away.

"well, how did it go? How was the underwater kingdom."

Immediately excitement filled Shuri as she sat down on a chair and told her brother how wonderful and amazing the kingdom of Talokan was.

Once her speech was over, the room filled with awkward tension. Before her brother could speak. The man from the mining tribe stepped towards her. A smug smile on his face as he looked at her.

"princess shuri, my name is Abimbola. I am the next in line to lead the mining tribe. It would be an honor to have your hand in marriage."

Before she could say anything, the throne room doors opened and a few mining tribe members appeared with chests of various gold. Even a few chests of vibranium.

Shuri sputtered as she looked at him.

"excuse me!" she demanded. " how dare you! you don't even know me and yet here you are pushing gifts under my nose! As if I can so easily be bought! It wasn't as if you contacted me to court me first! No! you immediately propose to me! my answer is no!"

She then stormed out of the throne room.

End of flashback

"I admit I could have responded better. But it was the audacity of his proposal. He didn't know who I was. Only my status. I did some research on him, and he has been a war dog since he was sixteen. He completed his mission a few weeks ago and decided to come home. He is Zawavari's eldest son. He is the mining tribe's strongest warrior. I am not pleased with his approach."

Ayo looked at her strangely as she landed the jet.

"what is it? Ayo?" shuri asked.

"I have never seen you this angry. Did his proposal truly offend you?"

Shuri sighed. She would not have been as emotional but with her pregnancy, her emotions were at an all-time high.

"it did. It was not like, he came to see me and asked to court me and to get to know me. he just shows up asking for my hand. I don't like that. All I want to focus on is finalizing this treaty and moving on."

Ayo nodded but still gave her a strange look.

As soon as they landed, Shuri walked with haste into the citadel and to the throne room. To her surprise, the council was still sitting in their seats.

Her husband was sitting across from them, a worried look on his face. However, upon her entrance, relief filled his eyes and he stood to greet her.

"My apologies everyone, the class ran a little late. Have we signed the treaty?" She said politely as she smiled at her husband.

"Kukulkan said we would not start until you arrived princess. So thank you for keeping us waiting." M'baku grumbled as he munched on a carrot.

"once again, my apologies. Let us get started."

Shuri made her way past her husband and intended to sit at her mother's side when a hand reached out for her wrist.

Turning back, she locked eyes with her husband. His eyes were wild and concerned.

"Amado, ba'ax a ma'alob. Ma' a wilik Jach ma'alob?" (beloved, are you alright? You don't look too good)

Shuri squeezed her husband's hand and said "Tene' Jach querido, chéen nerviosa. Tsikbalnako'on uts séeb bey le ba'ala' ts'o'okoke'."( I am well beloved just nervous. Let's talk as soon as this is over.)

She knew she probably looked a little green. She had puked a lot this morning. Plus she had skipped breakfast.

However, Nakia has become a great help since she found out she was pregnant. Often bringing her drinks and snacks to keep the nausea away.

"Well, now that everyone is here. We can begin. The treaty between our two nations will be signed today." T'challa announced.

Two hours later, the treaty between Talokan and Wakanda was finally signed.

Fireworks were set off and a song could be heard from the sea.

" Everyone! Please join us in the banquet hall for dinner."

Instead of following her family out of the door first, Shuri approached her husband, who lovingly held out an elbow for her.

She noticed a few of the council looking back at her strangely.

It was then her husband motioned, his small entourage to go ahead of him.

They followed his orders without question.

"Mia Amore, I have missed you. but I have also been concerned. Please do not hide things from me, darling. We haven't done it before, please don't start now."

Shuri felt a shred of guilt run through her. She and ch'ah had a foundation of trust, love, and communication. She wanted to tell him, she was pregnant but the timing just didn't seem right.

Feeling the need to finally tell him, she opened up her mouth to speak but a voice interrupted her.

" princess shuri? there you are. Are you ready for dinner, my beloved? The queen's mother sent me to find you."

The voice belonged to Abimbola.

Shuri felt the life drain from her when saw Ch'ah's face. he looked livid. Murderous even. Abimbola had called her beloved. That was mistake number one. mistake number two was him talking to her in the first place.

Ch'ah was very strict about protocol when it came to her. when it came to respecting her. and if anyone stepped out of line, her husband would surely drown them.

Before her husband could respond, Shuri mediated the situation.

"Abimbola. Number one, I am not your beloved and I do not want to be addressed as such. Number two, I will be in the banquet hall in a moment. Thank you and goodbye."

Abimbola however wasn't having it. he sucked his teeth and grinned in displeasure.

"I do not understand your deal. I propose to you and you say no. I am trying to be nice and get to know you but you are making it impossible. Why are you giving me such a hard time!"

"I do not want you Abimbola! I am in love with someone else!"

Abimbola stood back as if he had been slapped and then he glanced behind her at ch'ah.

" what spell have you put on her you monster." He accused her husband.

Ch'ah smiled, with a wild look in his eyes, as he flew toward Abimbola.

He was nose to nose with him, her husband raised his hand, ready to strike but then Erik appeared between the two.

"Woah, whoah, let's tone it down up in here future cousin-in-law." He said as he winked at ch'ah.

"Now, Abimbola I want you to stand down and go into the banquet hall. Speak nothing of what just happened here, or there will be consequences. I will take of it from here."

Abimbola gave the Wakanda salute and backed away. His eyes however held a burning hate.

"as you wish prince N'Jadaka."

As soon as he left, Eric whirled around to face them.

"Well, well, well Lucy you have some explaining to do." He said in his Ricki Ricardo voice.

"come on you two love birds. Let's have dinner and then you can tell me how you two go together under everyone else noses."

When Shuri glanced at her husband, his eyes were angry and cold.