Erik's Queen

Chapter One: Greetings

Erik Killmonger stood admiring the African artwork that was displayed before him. He looked onward taking in its beauty. This was his heritage, his birthright. He couldn't decipher his emotions. On the surface he was calm, maybe even tranquil. Yet, inside he was a bundle of rage, and other volatile emotions. He waited for the art director to surely come by and explained to him what he was viewing; as if he needed her to tell him about his own history. However, this was all part of the role that he was playing.

He was standing before the artifacts when he heard a soft voice from behind him speak. "Hello." Erik turned to see the origin of the gentle greeting. To his surprise it wasn't the blonde art director, whom he was expecting, but a beautiful woman of dark complexion. He tried to quickly take in all her features. Her hair was swept up in an intricate braided bun on the top of her head. His eyes dropped down to her body. She was in the same uniform, that was worn by all the staff members who worked in the art museum. Yet, he took special note as to how her uniform settled around her luscious curves.

Then his eyes traveled back up to settle upon her face. Erik was pleased to see that her soft facial features weren't covered with a ton of makeup. Her lips were glossed over with red lip stick that magnify the subtle red undertones of her skin.

Lovely. He thought to himself, she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. He realized that he was staring at her too intently and that he was probably making her nervous. Also, he was on a mission and couldn't blow his cover…at least not yet. He looked to meet her eyes and spoke, "Hello. I had questions about the artwork you have here." He said trying his best to sound as relaxed as possible. Though, she was a pleasant distraction, she was not the person who he needed to conversate with. "Are you the art director?" He asked, in hopes that it would prompt her to retrieve the person who he had planned to meet.

"I am sorry, but she is running late." She replied, and Erik instantly noticed that her eyes didn't connect with his own. He watched her for several seconds to determine if she was purposely avoiding making eye contact with him; or if she was incapable of the action itself. Soon it became painfully obvious to him that she was blind. He felt a pang of sadness at the thought, he couldn't explain why. Pity was not an emotion that he often experienced. However, that was the only emotion that made sense to him.

"It's cool." Erik said. "Are you able to tell me anything about the artifacts?" He asked tentatively. Erik was unsure about how much information she could offer, being how she couldn't see what he was talking about. She tsked, as she tilted her head to the side to consider him.

"If you say the name of the artwork, I will tell you all I know." Ashtyn replied with a smirk. "I may be blind, but I have an excellent memory. I have researched most of the artifacts here. Also, I oversaw verification of their authenticity. My assistant described to me what they look like. Based on her description I can visualize the artwork quite vividly in my mind. I can assure you that I am more than qualified to assist you." She ended with a confident tone. Obviously, she was used to people underestimating her, in that moment he decided that he wouldn't put any limitations on her again. "Shall we begin?" She asked.

Erik smiled, and began to motion to the artwork on the far end of the room. Then he realized that she couldn't see where he was directing her. Instead, he chose to take her by her hand. She was momentarily startled by the sudden embraced of his warm hand, but quickly became at ease once he gently tugged her along to stand before the artwork that he wanted to ask her about. Again, he knew everything about all the work that the museum had stolen from his people. Yet, he was fairly interested in keeping their conversation going, until the art director arrived. He stopped before a mask, that had sparked his curiosity the moment he had entered the exhibit. He refused to break their conjoined hands, as she spoke elegantly of its history, her words danced upon the air filling his ears. Yet, he couldn't say that he was fully comprehending her words, as much as he was being soothed by them. He stared at her unabatedly, knowing that she couldn't see him. It was in that moment he had decided that she was someone who he wanted to know. Someone who he wanted to have at his side.

"What is your name?" He asked. Cutting her off mid-sentence.

She abruptly stopped and turned to face him, her eyes couldn't find a place to land as they shifted uncertainly in his direction. He immediately realized that he may had come across as rude, and with her he wanted to be anything but that.

"My apologies…I only wanted to know who's the beauty before me." Her breath hitched for a moment. Yet, she found her voice quickly.

"Ashtyn." She said softly. "My name is Ashtyn."

He smiled. "Nice to meet you Ashtyn. I'm Erik."

Ashtyn nervously smiled, as she felt Erik give a gentle squeezed to her hand, as if to greet her. She took note that he hadn't released her from his grip, since he had taken her hand to guide her over to the mask. She could had gotten to the mask on her own. She knew the number of steps it took to get to the exhibit. Yet, she must admit that it was nice to feel his callous hands against her own soft skin.

Usually she detested a stranger assisting her with any task that she could do for herself. However, the way he had grabbed her let her know two things about the man before her. First, he was used to getting what he wanted. Secondly, he was slightly possessive. Both attributes Ashtyn shouldn't have found attractive…yet she did. Then a strange thought crossed her mind, something in the pit of her stomach said that something was off about Erik. Just when she was about to speak regarding her ill feelings the art director had finally arrived.

"Ashtyn, I am so sorry I was late." She said as she approached. Erik dropped his hand from Ashtyn. The warmth from his hand slowly began to fade, as Ashtyn became aware of her dismay of the disconnection she now felt without his touch. She felt alone…which is not a feeling that she wasn't familiar with. Nonetheless, it felt even more profound knowing the depths of connection that she felt with Erik just moments ago.

"I was running so behind, that I had nearly forgotten my coffee." She said holding her cup up for their viewing. "Luckily, one of the baristas had my coffee already made for me." She said as she took a sip. "Ashtyn you may return to your usual station. I will assist our guest from here." She said cheerfully enough, but Ashtyn knew that she was asserting her authority. Yet, Ashtyn nodded in acknowledgment of her subtle request for her departure and made her way for the exit.

She was carefully counting her steps and listening for footsteps of approaching patrons. Ashtyn didn't want to use her symbol cane, to find her way. Especially in front of the art director who had begrudgingly hired her; probably more less due to some affirmative action policy. Ashtyn in that respect helped the museum to appear accepting of minorities with physical impairments. No one could say that the museum didn't hire minorities in higher management positions. Yet, she was often dismissed when it came to her interacting with the public. Usually she was assigned to the research department and was hands on with any incoming artifacts. This meant that she was extremely familiar with all the artwork. Yet, her position also served to keep her hidden away, and set apart from her coworkers.

Just when she was about to exit the exhibit, she heard Erik call out to her. "Ashtyn…" She paused but didn't turn around. "I will be seeing you soon!" He added. There was a promise within his words, and a menacing threat that she hadn't heard in his voice during their conversation. She could feel something wasn't quite right, her intuition told her so. Yet, there was nothing tangible to base her concern upon, so she simply nodded in acknowledgement of his words and exited the exhibit. Unbeknownst to Ashtyn, the hell that was going to be unleashed.