Ascendancy

Chapter XI

Chapter 11

T'Kia
2041

"T'Kia, wake up, beautiful," Aviwe's voice tickles my ear. I just mumble something before getting more comfortable against Aviwe's body. He laughs. "T'Kia, it's time to wake up. Your mom called you twice. Ndiliswa is here."

I slowly open my eyes. Aviwe is sitting up with his iPhone in his hands and a smile on his face. "Aviwe, I don't want to face Ndiliswa or Mandla. I just want to lay here with you."

He kisses my forehead. "Maybe one day, but until then we have work to do."

I finally sit up and get out of bed to prepare for my day. "What are you working on? On your iPhone?"

"Uh...just some songs. I have an album coming out in May. I need three more songs to finish it." Aviwe answers and I can see the stress and worry on his face.

"You have to leave, don't you?" I ask slowly. He lets out a deep breath.

"Eventually, yeah. I'll have to do promotion for my album. And I got some auditions for some movies and shows. My family is doing a big tour at the end of the year. I can't stay here forever. Fezile and Sam have to leave too. The UN needs them back at work." Aviwe says as he watches me put on a dress over skintight pants.

"Right. Well, when do you all have to leave?" I ask as quickly braid my hair in two. I know his duty isn't to Wakanda. Not like mine is.

"Three days at most. Fezile and Sam might leave before," Aviwe says before getting out of the bed and walking toward me. "That won't change anything between us. I'll make sure to call or text everyday. I'll even write you letters. Whatever it takes. And I'll be back for your coronation."

"Well, in that case, make sure your family comes back with you. They need to be properly welcomed back into their home." I smile. He smiles back and leans down to kiss me just as my ladies-in-waiting enter the room.

"Kwenene? Ngaba akukho mntu unokuziphatha?" I snap. (Really? Does no one have manners?)

They apologize and leave the room after placing clothes for Aviwe on the bed. "Is everyone going to interrupt us like this when I finally get to marry you?"

I laugh. "If you get to marry me," I kiss his cheek. "And anyway, I hope you know that I have to propose to you."

His face drops in shock. "I can't propose to you?"

"No. That's not it works in Wakanda. The ruler or royal must propose to whoever they want to marry," I shake my head. "Get dressed. We don't want to miss breakfast."

I kiss his cheek again before going into the sitting area to look through all of my messages. I answer messages from the Council, my parents, Ramonda and Aunt Shuri, and Uuka through my Kimoyo beads as I listen to the ancestors that have finally reestablished our connection.

"T'Kia," Aviwe slips his arm around my waist as he finishes getting dressed. He has on Black sweatpants and a black hoodie with the Continent on it. "Why can't I propose to you?"

"Because it is not the way things are done in Wakanda, Aviwe," I gently place my hand on his cheek. "Get over it, love. I will propose to whoever I plan on marrying. If you want to be my king, you will be proposed to."

Aviwe pouts. "Can I secretly propose and we say you proposed?"

Americans. T'Chaka shakes his head. So bold. So stubborn.

I just laugh. "Where is this talk of marriage coming from?" I kiss him softly before walking toward the door. I look back at him. "Marriage will come later. For now, walk with me to breakfast."