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It would be poor of Nova to not respect Nakia. There was an uncounted number of reasons. Her heart was virtuous. The secrets exchanged, memories unfazed, and promises arranged were enchained to her. While Nova despised the change of plans for tonight, she graciously owed it to T'Challa to treat his friend right.
Nakia winced, gripping onto the table. Her arm trembled struggling to remain still. The skin ached at the touch of alcohol. Nova kneeled down in front of her. It was vital that she cleaned up her wounds before healing them with her blood. "I could've killed you" Nova muttered upset. "Why didn't you try to stop me?"
"You didn't give me the chance" Nakia joked, pushing her auburn locks back. "When did you get these powers?"
"After the battle with Thanos" her tongue laced with bitterness. She wished to never utter that name again.
"I see a lot has changed since I've left Wakanda..."
Nova didn't respond. Her eyes never dared to stray from the wounds inflicted on her. There were times like these where Nova questioned if T'Challa was looking over her shoulder, shaking his head in disappointment. The thought of that brought the anger back. Anger that threatened her faith to be lost.
Nova pulled back the second she was entirely healed. Her bloody hands turned the faucet. The blood ran down the drain with the steam easing the metallic smell. "How'd you even find me?"
"Nailah's kimoyo beads" Nakia hesitantly answered. Compelled to curse, Nova held it in. She was bewildered to say the least. How could she not double check her children's belongings? She could've sworn she threw away all her kimoyo beads prior to leaving Wakanda. The only explanation was Nailahs going behind her back. It didn't take a genius to recognize her daughter possessing her rebellious spirit. Nova could now only wonder what else Nailah could have taken.
"Queen Mother has been searching for you" Nakia silenced her thoughts, "She's worried."
Nova chuckled unamused, "You really came all this way to make sure I was okay? Trust me, I'm fine." A simple phone call would have sufficed.
"I wish I can say the same for Wakanda" Nakia confessed. "It has not been the same without you. We all miss you dearly."
The thing about happiness, it's simple. Life in Wakanda was perfect. She loved it too much. The thought of returning or even visiting was too much to bare. Not that it mattered, Shuri assured her that she wasn't welcomed back anymore.
"What's this all about?" Nova raised her eyebrow, "You're gone for five years and instead of coming to T'Challa's funeral you come here? I don't get it, I really don't get it."
Nakia licked her lips nervously. "Wakanda's in trouble. Queen Mother needs your help. The princess has been taken. I have been assigned to find her, but it hasn't been easy. I need someone who I can trust to help me rescue Shuri"
Nova shook her head, her baffled, "What? No, no, no, I can't. I've given up that lifestyle. I have a family to take care of."
"Shuri is your family" Nakia argued. "She is your sister. And now she needs you more than ever."
"She was my family until she decided to disrespect me. And question my decisions on how to live and how to raise my family" Nova snapped.
"What about Nailah? What will you do when she decides to return to Wakanda? As an heir to the throne you cannot take that choice from her" Nakia disputed.
"Don't you dare bring her into this! She's only two years old" Nove exclaimed, "I will not let her be pressured by the throne and ridiculed by the nations. So, until she is old enough to make her decisions I will decide the path she takes"
Nakia flinched. It had become clear now. Nova had become more ruthless over the years. Her protective crouch over her family nearly made her a menace to anyone who got in the way. Queen Mother would not be happy.
"Amma?" Nailah called out. Both their heads turned to the small child. Njari stood behind her worried. "I'm sorry, I tried to stop her." The violence pumping her brain completely vanished. Walls were no longer caving in on her. Nova found peace again.
"Sorry, mija. I didn't mean to wake you up." She picked her up. Nailah leaned on her shoulder, holding on. The clock in the wall lightly chimed. It was three in the morning.
"Hamba ngoku" Nova demanded. Nakia made no attempt to stop her. Nova took Nailah and Njari back to her bedroom.
"Njari..."Nova began.
"I'm sorry, I tried to keep her calm, but she snuck past me" Njari explained, worried that Nova would be upset.
"It's fine, just next time be more careful" Nova assured, "But, as their older sister you need to keep a better eye on your siblings. Do you understand?"
Njari nodded her head, "Yes, mom."
For the rest of the night they all slept in the same bedroom. It eased Nova's mind to be there in case she needed to defend her kids.
Her brain racked for a good night sleep, but her dreams tormented her through a beautiful nightmare. Once again, she found herself struck by anguishing sea. It's sole purpose was to sink her deeper to the earth core. Her lungs nearly collapsed. The powerful waves chanted the name K'uk'ulkan over and over. An alarm was being sent out to urge her to come back home. However, this home was unlike any other. A cave that led to the seas possibilities. Nova's imagined worries became liabilities. Although she couldn't tell what it had to offer her, the unknown rumbled with impatient haste. A siren song that resembled her voice was begging her to obey, but Nova refused to stay. Her hands reached to the sky before the light gave its life to the night, but Nova couldn't say if she made it out alive.
