Avengers The Captain's Secret Book 2: Waiting for Thor

Part 29: The Ancestral Plane

LESEDI POV 

I was scared. The potion they gave me made me feel sick. I watched T'Challa drink a potion, and the next thing I knew we were being buried alive. I had a potion earlier, and now realized that it must have been some sort of sedative. I got drowsy, and decided not to fight it.

I opened my eyes and was greeted by the sight of a tree full of dark figures.

"Take my hand."

I looked over to see T'Challa standing there, his hand extended. I slowly took it, and I followed a step behind him admiring his walk. He truly did walk like a king. As we came closer, I saw that the dark figures were black panthers.

He gave my hand a squeeze. "Do not be afraid--"

"I'm not, these are your ancestors--"

"Correction, Lesedi," he squeezed my hand again and looked at me. "Our ancestors."

Two panthers dropped out of the tree and came toward us. They changed into two old men.

"Father!" T'Challa greeted. They hugged and they looked at me. "My father, T'Chaka."

"Son," T'Chaka smiled at him, and then at me. "I see you found your cousin?"

T'Challa was quiet for a moment.

"This is Arizzari," T'Chaka nodded to the other older man.

"I am your grandfather." He threw his arms around me. "My granddaughter!" He looked me over and then slightly turned. "Come, meet my granddaughter!"

All the panthers jumped down from the tree and assumed human form, not even breaking stride toward us. They encircled us, and began saying their names in introduction.

T'Challa took my hand, and smiled. "Welcome, cousin. Welcome!"

"We have a witch priestess in our family," One of the ascendants said.

I stilled at that. "But I'm not—"
Arrizari smiles and patted my hand. "Good for what is to come."

"What is to come?"

"The future," T'Chaka said quickly. "But for now, we celebrate that you, daughter of Wakanda, have finally come home."

Sometime later, I awakened, and to many surrounding us. Servants bowed and dressed us both. T'Challa himself gave me my tattoo, and informed that Steven be brought to him to get his. Servants fussed over me more than ever, calling me the Wakandan Cinderella. I didn't think so, and it took a lot for me to just let them do their job, though now it was with more joy and excitement.

"You will have to get used to this, cousin," T'Challa told me. "They know who you are now, what blood runs through your veins. It is much, but you are now a jewel in the crown of Wakanda."

"Where is Steven?"

"With the children of the elders, being introduced."

"How could they know?"

"If you were not who you said you were we would have returned right away. When we did not they knew you were uniting with the family. Your son is being introduced to elder families, his future playmates."

We left the chamber and headed back to the palace. Just as we got there, we ran into Shuri.

"He is here."

Who is here?

"He is?" T'Challa said. "Is he waiting in the--"

"No, he won't wait--"

"Your Highness?"

My breath caught. "Steve?"

Steve froze. He stared, and then slowly changed the course of his steps as he completely ignored T'Challa and Shuri and came toward me.

I was shaking. "Steve!" I whispered, unable to take my eyes off him. Suddenly all that had happened came over me in a wave, and I felt like crying out, or just crying all together.

He pulled me to him with one arm, not losing eye contact with me. He brought his other hand up to lift my chin and caress my cheek. I leaned into it, closing my eyes and turning my head to kiss his palm.

I took a deep breath and looked up, looking into blue eyes I hadn't seen in years. "Feels like I'm dreaming." I whispered as I covered his hand with my own.

"It's you," Steve breathed, and pulled me into a tight hug, molding my body to his. That familiar hum started between us. "It's really you." When I nodded yes, tears fell, and he bent down to kiss me. I melted into him, responding in kind, the longing for him almost becoming painful because I had buried it deep so I could function. I didn't have to do that now, hopefully, never again.

"Well, that settles that."

I thought that was Shuri talking but I wasn't sure. All I knew was that I finally felt like I was home. I nuzzled his neck as I tightened my arms around him. "Oh, God."

Steve stiffened, realizing we had an audience. "Your Highness, I--this is my--"

T'Challa raised a hand. "We can all meet later today. Right now, I think you need to--speak with--your wife."

"Thank you." He took me by the hand, and led me away.

"Where--"

"My room," he said quickly. "someplace where we can--talk."