With Wukong and I unofficially together in addition to officially, life became much sweeter.
Sweet kisses, affectionate nuzzles, passionate nights.
I was everything I dreamed of when I was a little girl.
What I didn’t dream of was that our relationship was only one aspect of each of our lives.
I needed to find something to do beyond Wukong, and that something was stepping in to my role as queen.
Wukong had his own goals he wanted to accomplish as well, he wanted to catch the attention of some kind of powerful organization called heaven, specifically the eastern heaven.
He left the island occasionally to go fight other powerful people or to put an end to trouble-making demons.
I threw myself into teaching our people chi manipulation.
Once I got them to sit still long enough to find the chi, that was usually enough to get them started, then they experimented on their own or came to my classes on basic tricks like using your chi to keep yourself from aging or manipulating it outside of yourself to nudge things around.
I found the monkeys who learned chi manipulation had a longer attention span and better critical thinking skills.
That encouraged me to try and teach as many monkeys as I could.
But my favorite days were those when Wukong suggested we spend some alone time together.
Just relaxing on Nimbus, racing over the ocean, showing me fantastic sights in this world, or just cuddling together in bed.
Wukong promised today would be another one of those days.
We’d have some fun with everyone in the throne room together, then retire to our room when we wanted to be alone.
I was getting ready for it in our room, Wukong’s old room.
It was the largest and most ornate room in the royal suite, obviously meant for the king and queen, so it only made sense we moved in there together.
I turned this way and that, eyeing my outfit critically.
Suitably fancy, it was an older dress of mine, with wide long sleeves and a silver sash tied into a bow over my tail.
The dress itself was a deep blue, with embellishments like swirling water embroidered on it.
I paid special attention to my looks today.
I might be queen of a rudimentary kingdom, but I was still a queen.
If we were technically holding court, I wanted to look the part.
I adjusted the small silver circlet, tilting it a touch higher to catch the light.
There.
Perfect The last thing I looked at was my silver bracelet.
Polished up and looking good.
The little red gem in the center shone with brilliance.
Wukong had a matching bracelet, gold with a blue gem.
Jewelry to show we belonged to each other.
Such a sweet notion.
Okay, all ready.
Wukong was probably waiting for me in the throne room.
He had to leave earlier to deal with some trouble on the beach, but said he’d meet me there.
I walked towards the throne room and the sound of playing monkeys.
Ba was standing guard at the entrance and nodded, opening the door and announcing me into the throne room.
“Announcing Sun Yue!
The Monkey Queen!” All the monkeys went wild as I walked in.
I kept my head held high, pleased with the attention, and elegantly walked up to where Wukong was lazily stretched out on his throne, a wide grin on his face as he watched me walk up.
He couldn’t be happier I was taking my queen duties seriously now, even if he remained rather lackadaisical about his.
“Did I miss anything?” I swept my dress around and primly sat on my stone throne.
All the monkeys went back to what they were doing before, chittering, eating, running around and playing games.
I noticed some in the corner, playing marbles, but instead of using their hands, they nudged the marbles around with their chi.
I smiled at the game.
I might have to join them after I finished talking to Wukong, show them how it’s done.
Wukong grunted, crossing his legs.
“Nothing interesting.
Some demon landed and started causing trouble, but it didn’t put up much of a fight.
I just tossed its body in the ocean.” “I bet you didn’t even ask why he was here before you killed him.” I grabbed a peach and a few nuts from a nearby platter for breakfast.
“Well, does it really matter?
He was threatening to kill the monkeys.” He gestured to our subjects, carousing like they didn’t have a care in the world.
“There could be a whole demon army about to invade you know.
Information is important.” He shrugged, as relaxed as ever.
“If a demon army does invade, then I’ll deal with it.” Same answer.
Every time.
I rolled my eyes as I handed the walnuts off to Wukong who cracked them in his hands and gave them back to me.
As I picked the good parts out, Ba came back through the entrance, looking alarmed.
He bowed deeply to us, still observing decorum even as a hint of panic lingered in his voice.
“Your Majesties, we have a visitor.
A celestial god.” Wukong’s eyes widened, and he bolted up, going from relaxed to nervous and tense in a single second.
“There is?!
You’re sure?” “He calls himself the Evening Star and says he has a memorial from the Jade Emperor.” “YES!” Wukong jumped up and pumped his arms into the air in victory.
“Bring him in!
No, wait!
I should get something better on.
Uh, Yue!
Can you entertain him until I get back?
I don’t want to keep him waiting outside.” I blinked at him.
“Uh, yeah, of course.” “Great!
Bring him in!
I’ll be right back!” Wukong ran back towards our room, leaving me in a daze.
“Your Majesty?” Ba looked to me for direction.
Right.
We had a guest, we couldn’t leave him waiting outside.
“Go ahead and bring him in.” Ba nodded and left to go fetch our guest.
I ordered the monkeys to make some simple fruit dishes and bring out some wine.
And I straightened out my outfit.
I felt nervous.
I knew this was a big deal to Wukong.
He’s been wanting to visit heaven and get the celestial’s attention for a long time.
I sat as regally on my throne as I could and waited for him to arrive.
Ba pushed open the doors and stepped the side, bowing.
“Now announcing the Evening Star, Venus.” A human walked in.
Ugh.
It looked like an older one, with wrinkles and long, floppy white hair tied behind his head.
His robes were a seafoam green, decently nice.
He had a vaguely annoyed expression on his face that did not inspire a lot of confidence in me.
I know Wukong said most immortals on this planet were humans, but why did they have to look so… gross.
Remember your manners.
I took a deep breath and gave our guest a smile.
“It’s nice of you to come Evening Star Venus.
I am Sun Yue, the Monkey Queen.
Welcome to our home.
Would you like some refreshments?” I gestured to the food and wine coming out from the kitchen.
He raised his hand in refusal.
“I apologize, but I have an urgent message for Sun Wukong, a memorial from the emperor.
I’m afraid I can’t linger.
Is Sun Wukong here?” “We have sent word.
He’ll be here soon.
Please, sit down while you wait, and we can talk.” He begrudgingly sat at the banquet table, and I sat across from him, kneeling onto the cushion.
I had the fruit dishes sat on the table along with some cups filled with both water and wine.
Ugh, I felt a little self-conscious about the simple dishes and wooden cups and plates.
Not to mention what a state our palace was.
That’s it!
As soon as he leaves I’m organizing the monkeys to do something about this place.
He didn’t touch the food, and just looked around.
“I was unaware Sun Wukong had a wife.
You said your name was Sun Yue?” I nodded.
“I am.
We’ve been married for a few years.
Why don’t you tell me about the memorial?
What does the emperor need with my husband?” “It’s best if I read it to you both when Sun Wukong arrives.” “Ah.” Awkward silence.
Shit.
What the hell was I supposed to talk to this guy about?
He didn’t eat so we couldn’t talk about the food.
He wouldn’t talk about the memorial without Wukong.
Gah!
I activated my chi sight.
This guy wasn’t even strong!
I probably had more chi than him.
I took a deep breath.
This is for Wukong.
He really wants to impress this guy.
I tried again.
“I hope you didn’t have any problems getting here.” “Not at all.” … I give up.
“Now announcing His Majesty, The Monkey King!” Oh, thank Lunus.
Wukong swaggered in wearing his best clothes, the ones made with shiny gold silk, a bright red cape, and a hat with two long phoenix feathers bouncing up and trailing behind him.
Evening Star stood up, and bowed as Wukong sat in his throne.
I moved up and sat beside him, happy to be done with the “entertaining.” Wukong waved down the cheering monkeys and gestured to Evening Star.
“Welcome to Flower-Fruit Mountain!
Please, have something to eat and drink.
We’re pleased to have a guest from heaven here.” “I’m afraid I don’t have the time.
Once I read the memorial to you, you’ll understand.
May I?” He brought a scroll out of his sleeve, and Wukong practically vibrated in his seat.
“Yes!
Ahem, I mean, please go ahead.” He opened the scroll.
The first bit was a very long date that meant nothing to me, and the next part was just some flowery talk about the Jade Emperor.
I suppressed a yawn, and he finally got to the important part.
“Sun Wukong is hereby invited to heaven and offered a position in the heavenly court effective immediately.
The emperor shall appoint him upon his arrival to heaven, posthaste.
With the deepest regards—” My head began spinning as he launched into the end of the memorial.
Wukong and me in heaven?
Leaving Flower-Fruit Mountain?
Living with a bunch of humans?
I didn’t know about this.
Evening Star finally finished, and Sun jumped up from his throne.
“That’s great!
We should have a banquet to celebrate!” Evening Star shook his head.
“Well, according to the memorial, we need to leave for the Jade Palace for your appointment right away.
Please follow me.” Wukong turned to me.
“Let’s go Yue!
We should hurry to heaven!” “Wait, hold on, Wukong, are you sure about this?
What about our monkeys?” I looked out over the crowd.
Their eyes tightened, scared we were leaving.
Didn’t Wukong just kill a demon this morning?
What if another demon came and killed our subjects?
“They’ll be here when we get back.” Wukong waved it off.
“But neither of us has been to heaven before.
Can we talk about this first?” This was happening too quickly, and shouldn’t we get more details on his job there first?
What if they make him do something he doesn’t enjoy?
He threw his hands in the air, jubilant.
“Yue, it’s heaven!
What is there to talk about?
It’s the greatest place in the world!” I thought Flower-Fruit Mountain was pretty great.
“Ahem.” Evening Star caught our attention.
“I’m afraid your wife has not been given an invitation.
She shall have to remain here while you receive your appointment.” Oh.
That knocked the wind out of Wukong’s sails.
He deflated, staring at Evening Star in disbelief.
“But… she’s my wife.
Why wasn’t she invited?” Evening Star bowed again.
“My apologies.
I believe the emperor was unaware you had taken a wife recently.
Once you get settled in your appointment, I’m sure arrangements can be made to bring her to heaven.” I jumped on this opportunity.
“Please give us a few minutes to discuss this in private Evening Star.
Enjoy the refreshments in the meantime.” And eat some of the fucking food we prepared just for you.
I dragged Wukong out of the throne room and off to one of the private rooms in the next hallway.
A few crates of fruit were piled in the corner, the room dark.
I poked my head out the wooden door to make sure no monkeys were listening in before moving back in to talk about this huge life change.
He still seemed shaken, rubbing his arms as he stared at the floor.
“I didn’t think only I would be invited.” I stepped towards him, grabbing his arms and catching his eyes.
“Wukong.
Are you sure about this?
Moving to heaven?
Living with all those humans?
What about your responsibilities here?” He sighed, turning away.
“I’ve left before, and everything was fine.
And… you don’t understand Yue.
Heaven is the goal of every immortal.
It’s the ultimate achievement.
I’ve been achieving great things for decades to try and get their attention.
It’s all I’ve wanted for so long…” He took a deep breath and turned back towards me.
“But if you don’t want to, we don’t have to go.” Wukong meant that.
He stared deeply into my eyes.
Heaven meant so much to him, but I meant more.
But I didn’t want to get in his way.
He wanted this.
Even if we had to separate for a little bit.
It wouldn’t be forever.
And once we got there, I could see for myself what heaven was like and we could talk more about staying there.
I let go of his arms, unclenching my hands and forcing myself to take a step back.
“It’s okay Wukong.
This is important to you.
You should go with Evening Star to get your appointment, and then you can come get me once you’re able.
We’ll give heaven a shot.
And if it doesn’t work out, we can just come back.” He smiled, his eyes softening.
“Thank you, Yue.
This means a lot to me.
I promise, as soon as I get settled in, I’ll send for you.
Be patient until then.
I love you.” “I love you too.” He stepped in, and we shared a brief, sweet kiss.
Our last one for a little bit at least.
I mean, it couldn’t take more than a few weeks for Wukong to settle down in heaven.
Once we finished, we headed back to the throne room.
Wukong stood proudly in front of Evening Star, puffing out his chest.
“Evening Star.
I’ll come with you to get my appointment at the Jade Palace.” Evening Star nodded.
It looked like he didn’t even sit down.
I really didn’t like this guy.
“We should leave immediately.
I’ll show you to the Jade Palace.” I followed the two of them to the waterfall, the entrance to our palace.
Venus got onto his own cloud, and Wukong summoned Nimbus, turning back to say goodbye.
He took my hands, his happy smile burning into my mind.
“We’ll be together again before you know it.
Goodbye for now Yue.” I squeezed his hands one last time.
Then I let them go.
“Goodbye Wukong.
Try not to get into any trouble.
I’ll see you again soon.” He took a reluctantly step back before turning and hopping onto Nimbus.
I forced myself to see him off with a smile, but as soon as he was through the waterfall, I dropped it.
Wukong and I have never been apart for very long.
Not since I came to this world.
I counted the years.
Four years and two months.
It didn’t seem like much compared to how much time I spent on Pluas and in the in-between.
But I’ve changed a lot since then.
I shook my head, and turned back to the crowd of monkeys who had come to see Wukong off.
They were nervous, looking at me with unsure eyes.
I took a deep breath, and smiled at them before addressing them.
“No need to worry!
While Wukong is gone, I want to clean up the palace and teach you all a little more about chi manipulation!
Let’s work together, and surprise him when he gets back!” The monkeys milled about another moment before one began whooping.
The others all joined in, getting excited for my undivided attention for the next few weeks.
I think I’ll focus on teaching them how to keep themselves safe and chi healing.
Just in case.
If I stayed busy, I wouldn’t have time to miss him.