Chapter 4: ocean wedding

When shuri emerged from the hot spring, she felt renewed, almost energized.

Was it the fact that she was now engaged or was it because the water simply that good?

She was guessing it was the first option. She never imagined she would get engaged this early. she always thought she'd be married off to some noble from one the six tribes. The council would often mention one of their sons to her. shuri however would shrug them off. She wouldn't be anybody's ticket into royalty. She the river tribe felt like they had won the gold because Nakia married T'challa, therefore making them close to the king. Shuri, however, snorted at the tribal politics. It didn't matter who it was, her brother didn't play the politics game. He ruled with justice and truth. And that meant that if she said no to a suitor her brother would back her up.

But now none of that mattered. She was now engaged to a man who not only loved her but held a tight fist over his kingdom.

That was something she loved about Ch'ah. He protected his country fiercely. He had told her plenty of stories about how he had killed many who tried to find or infiltrate his kingdom. They never got far because he killed them.

She didn't agree with his method, but she understood why. Humanity was greedy and if they found out about a civilization that thrived off of vibranium, she could only imagine the slaughter.

She understood his deep anger at the surface world. While many people outside Wakanda were good, there were some who were just downright evil and would exploit anyone they could just for money and power. That was how his people came to the sea in the first place. The smallpox brought on by foreigners and killing off a majority of his people. She didn't blaming him for being overprotective. However maybe she could help hide their kingdom.

Wait? Was it her kingdom? Did she truly have a say in how things would go? She would have to ask him what her roles would be.

But one thing she could do was help protect Talokon.

…..

Shuri's mind was working a mile a minute as she sped through her fiancée's home. The white and gold dress she wore stopped at her feet and the back flowed out over her legs. It was beautiful and the material had to be from the depths of the ocean.

She had just ran out of the hut when her foot caught against her dress, and she began to fall. However, she never hit the rock because Ch'ah had her in his arms.

"(my love)In yakunaj are you that eager to marry me?" he chuckled.

Shuri blushed and said "I am but that's not why I was running. I was thinking of a way to protect our kingdom. Wakanda has a protective energy dome that is made of vibranium energy! If we can gather enough vibranium Talokon can have owns own shield that makes it invisible to anyone searching for it! that means that ship that may pick up on the city or vibranium pockets can pick up on it, we- "

Shuri's rant was cut off when Ch'ah stuck his tongue down her throat. To be honest she didn't mind.

After he pulled away, he looked at her with adoration in his eyes.

"You aren't even my queen yet and here you are thinking of ways to protect us. It never occurred to me to create a protective shield. I always thought I was protection enough. But lets us discuss that later. Right now, there is someone I want you to meet."

Without asking, Ch'ah picked her up and flew over to an older man. He wore a brown tunic that had many symbols and colors she didn't understand. On his face was red paint with black dots.

"Eleuia, Lela' in x ba'al elegida Princesa Shuri u Wakanda" he told the elder.

"My love this is elder Eleuia he is one of the oldest males in Talokon. He is one of our kingdoms last shamans. He's here because I would like for us to marry right now. If you would agree."

Shuri gave the customary greeting to the elder, who in turn smiled at her, excitement lingering in his eyes. she then turned to Ch'ah and said "right now…I don't mind but why? Don't most people plan an elaborate wedding and what about your people? wouldn't they want to see their king marry?"

"In my culture, our weddings are very private. The shaman, myself, and you. The kingdom will celebrate afterwards. Besides I know you well enough to know you don't like being made a big fuss over."

Shuri bit her lip as she took in her lover. It was then she noticed what he was wearing. He wore a white and gold tunic that had different symbols on it as well. She was already here, why not take the plunge.

"I will marry you right now, but I must ask for something in return."

"Make your request known." He told her in a serious voice.

"If I am to follow your marriage customs, I ask that when we are ready, you allow me to present you to my king and council as the man I wish to marry the wakadian way."

"I will grant your request my beauty. however, no one outside of Wakanda can know of our underwater kingdom."

Shuri nodded. "I understand."

"Very well. Now can we please get married I have much desire for you."

Shuri blushed at his candor.

"of course, what happens now?" she questioned.

"We go down to the capital city. My other palace and temple are in the center of it. That is where our marriage will take place. "

…,

Ch'ah point of view:

Ch'ah couldn't get rid of the smile on his face as the current swept them to the capital city. No matter how many times he arrived in his city, it never failed to look even more beautiful. But he always knew as wonderful and powerful his kingdom was, it was lacking something. He was the protector of his people. He guarded them with his life. He cared for them; he often called them his children. He always made sure to be at every wedding, funeral, birth, and every hunt. What kind of king would he be if he didn't help provide food for his people? However, the one thing the people of Talokon were lacking was the nurturing of a women. A queen. A queen to bring the things he lacked. The love, the care, the warmth. His people saw him as a ruler and a protector, but the boundaries were so tight that he feared his people would never approach when it came to other matters.

Twice a week he held an audience for his kingdom, this allowed them to come to him with their problems, but he always felt as if they were holding back. Maybe his new bride would help break that.

Looking down at her, his heart swelled with love. An emotion foreign to him in this magnitude. Love for his people was one thing but loving someone like this was a whole new experience. Sometimes he even felt a wave of fear. A fear of losing this wonderful women he just found. He found himself praying a lot more for her protection and longevity.

As they swam into the cities capitol, the sound of music and drums flooded his ears.

"What is all this?" his bride asked as she turned in his arms to look around.

"I- have no idea." he said in shock as his whole kingdom began to sing.

"The kingdom wanted to surprise you K'uk'ulkan. Namora and Attuma noticed you were…leaving a lot more than normal… it was not our place to question you, but we were…curious. And then you made the request to expand your palaces and we just took a guess. Long story short, we wanted to celebrate that you found a queen K'uk'ulkan. The whole kingdom will wait outside the temple. They will honor your privacy." Eleuia clarified.

"What is he saying?" his love questioned as eleuia told him what was going on.

"Apparently our people have caught on to our nuptials. They are celebrating" he told her.

"This is so beautiful."

Ch'ah smiled at her as her eyes filled with awe.

"Is...is that a sun?" she asked, pointing to the giant ball of light at the top of the temple.

"It is. I felt saddened that my people couldn't see the light of the sun unless that went up to the surface. So, I created one out of vibranium. It even follows the same patterns at earths sun. goes out when it night and turns on for day. It even gets dimmer as the sun sets."

"That is amazing. Your amazing..." she complimented him.

Ch'ah held her just a little tighter. How had he gone so long without her?

"K'uk'ulkan, Princesa Shuri. let us begin." Eleuia said in broken English as they entered the temple. It was gold and turquoise with multicolored seaweed Strone about.

"he's going to pray my beauty." He told her lowly.

As the shaman prayed the couple bowed their heads. As the shaman prayed it was custom for a musician to blow into a conch shell to the north, south, east and west.

Once he stopped praying, he poured a liquid in a cup and directed both he and his bride to hold it.

"Balche. This beverage has the meaning of feed the soul and blessings." The shaman explained in their language. He then explained it to his bride.

She nodded in understanding and drank.

Then he gave them both yellow and white flowers. Yellow flowers representing the Sun. White flowers symbolize the moon corn, cacao, and also the rings. Ch'ah gave her the yellow and white flowers first and then she gave him hers.

The Shaman then tied their hands with red lace, representing the beginning of a true love relationship and the union of their love.

It was then the shaman placed a brown bowl between them and guided them to grind the two flowers together.

Once they were grounded up, they buried the mixture in a small gold pot.

"This mixture will represent the growth and strength of our union." He explained to his bride.

The last thing that was done was a golden basin placed in front of them.

"We must take turns washing each other's feet. It shows humility and trust."

Ch'ah washed his brides feet first. On his knees he scrubbed gently all the while looking into her eyes.

"I bow for no one but you." he told her seriously. "You are my equal. My counterpart, the love of my life. I humble myself before you. I promise to rule with you, not over you. I promise to always hear your opinion and consider it wisely. You will be the only one to share my bed and my heart. You will be mother to our children and queen to our kingdom. I accept this union with my life."

He cupped her face gently as tears streamed down her face. This time, it was her turn to wash his feet. He knew the scientist in her wanted to examine his wings, but she resisted.

"I bow for no one but you." she began. "You are my leader. my equal and I promise to always come to you first. I promise to always hear your opinion and consider it wisely. I promise to always hold you in high regard when it comes to my safety. You are my love; my heart and I promise to serve our kingdom with the upmost trust and care. I... will bear your children and nurture them with all the love I can give. I accept this union with my life."

Ch'ah was moved by his brides words. He knew with words came actions. He knew he could trust her word but Right now, he just wanted to show her how much he adored her.

He couldn't take it anymore. Not caring about traditions or customs. He leaped up, gathered her in his arms and swam out of the temple.

She was his wife now. His queen.

As they swam out of the temple, they were greeted by the whole entire kingdom. Attuma and Namora in the front waiting for them.

The shaman stood behind them and shouted "A presento Kukulkán yéetel a túumben reina!" (I present to you Kukulkan and your new queen!)

The kingdom cheered and played drums.

He gave one simple wave and sped off with his bride in his arms.

….

"You are my wife now." He told her as they entered his underwater palace. This was different from the hut he had in his cave.

"And you are my husband." She laughed through her mask. "Where are we?"

"We are in our underwater palace. My people built this for me two years after I was born …I don't come here often unless I absolutely have too. But today its different. Today this place will no longer be cold and empty. It will be filled with our love."

"It's beautiful…but why are we here?" she asked.

"We are here to consummate our union, mia amore." He explained as he laid her on a bed of seaweed and seal skin.

"How... I mean... I thought we would be …you know kissing?" she blushed.

Ch'ah made sure she was looking at him when he explained what would happen next.

"Mia amore… for as long as I have been alive… I have never had a lover. No one has ever shared my bed. I understand what sex is, I understand how to do it…but on the day of my birth, God gave me a gift…a gift and a curse. I had to use it wisely. Whomever, I decided to create a lifelong union with I could share with them a gift. Mia amore the minute we consummate our love…you will be given the supernatural gift…to breathe underwater." He explained.

Of course, his bride gasped and clasped her hand over her neck.

"Will I still be able to breath air? Will I grow gills! Will get wings on my feet!" she asked a sudden excitement to her voice.

He couldn't hold in his laughter.

"And here I thought you would be upset or scared but instead you're asking if you'll get wings. Unfortunately, I have no idea how this will affect you. All I was every told was that my bride would be able to breathe water and air alongside me. are you ready… or would you like to wait?" he questioned, praying she wanted to solidify their union now.

"I want you now..." she urged, pulling at his tunic, and kissing him.

Ch'ah moaned.

….

Shuri pov:

Shuri felt like she was on fire. By now, her husband still felt funny to say had stripped her completely naked. all except her mask. He was laying kisses up and down her neck.

"Ch'ah.." she called out

"say my name…" he growled

"Ch'ah Toh Almehen! Please!" she begged.

Her husband groaned in satisfaction.

"I will give you anything you ask for..." he told her as he hoisted her up around his waist. "Remove your mask mia amore. You must trust me with this next part. I know this will hurt but I promise you pleasure will follow."

Shuri nodded. She was a virgin, she heard it hurt often but this was different. She would be losing her virginity and suffocating at the same time. At least temporarily.

Without warning, her husband pushed past her barriers, breaking the one thing no one had ever touched.

Shuri gasped, but she didn't have time to reflect on the pain because in a swift movement, he had ripped off her mask, water filling her lungs.

She couldn't breathe! And yet pleasure and fire was filling every fiber of her being. He was quick to kiss her, as she clawed at his back. His hips meeting hers.

It felt like hours, the pain, the pleasure, and the fire.

And then the best feeling in the world crawled up her spine. It was like an explosion.

Ch'ah moaned into her mouth, his eyes rolling in the back of his head. She didn't get much time to stare because with the wave of pleasure came a wave a of suffocation.

She couldn't breathe. Her lungs were full! And her vision was fading to black.

it was then she heard her husband whisper in her ear."

"Shuri, Queen of Talokon, princess of Wakanda, my wife, my chosen lover. You will breathe the depth of the ocean and the skies of the air. I command you to breath!"

Instead of her vision fading to black, it changed to an ocean blue and shuri gasped for breath.