Zuko’s POV
I awoke alone in my palace bedchambers, darkness closing in, and my chest burning. Despite the rising panic, something whispered assurances of safety. In time, my aching body relaxed and I could allow my mind to wander.
My childhood friend was grown, so obviously I could not look at her without comparing. Her hair was longer, more shinny. She had a better complexion, fuller lips, and straighter teeth. Sometime in the three years I’d seen her, she’d developed a full, inviting body, one that I could not help notice included breasts. Yet, here she was, attacking me as I gaped at her in search of something recognizable in this familiar stranger. The scowl— yes, there it was, and it made me feel better. I could focus on more important things than lust, like staying alive. I dodged one of her knives, admiring her precision and lithe movement. The flash of anger in her eyes nearly made me smile, for I could not remember her showing any such emotion as a child, even when I tackled her and knocked her into a fountain. As I dodged another fatal attack, I surveyed her and realized she was so far from the little girl I once played tag with.
This could be fun, I decided.
Mai’s POV
My cell was cramped, chilly at night and sweltering when the sun came up. I rarely moved from the battered cot on the floor no matter where the other prisoners went. Not so much because I didn’t wish to go outside, to eat, to run, but because I simply couldn’t. Everything hurt too much.
As if on cue, another damn boy entered my cell. I was well past tensing up and fighting. I did not scream; I was prepared, ready with my own unique defense. Closing my eyes, I willed my body to relax. I figured I was not the only one to go through this, but I knew I was better off than most. The stranger overtook me, reeking of sweat and dried blood. A whimper threatened to escape my parted lips, but I stifled it, my teeth clamping on my lower lip until I tasted blood.
Zuko . . .
Just like that, he was there above me, whispering my name. Pain melted away, replaced by a burning sense of pleasure. He was being more rough than usual, but I didn’t mind so much. It was the kind of thing to do when you were angry and horny at once, the kind of thing to make a lover feel bad. I felt his teeth graze my shoulder and a thrill traveled down my spine. Once, before I assured him he did not need to remain a Prince, nor I Lady beneath him, Zuko would unwittingly irritate me, nuzzling when I wanted him to bite. Now we could be ourselves. More importantly, now I permitted myself to feel.
I believe I shouted his name, only to receive a sloppy kiss to shut me up.
Then, I remembered the last time I saw him, the images overwhelming me despite my protests. “You miscalculated. I love Zuko more than I fear you.” His bitch of a sister was going to kill me— and I was prepared to die if it meant saving him.
Therefore, Zuko was not here with me. My lovely reality shattered and my eyes flew open. I saw strikingly pale hair as it brushed my cheek— far from Zuko. My eyes closed again.
I could keep this up no longer and prayed to Agni for it to be over. This man was no lover, no Zuko. My body ached, fighting him without my knowledge or consent. Pain crested unbearably and a scream ripped from my throat. This time, he slapped me so hard my face whipped to one side and color exploded behind my eyes.
At last, it was over. I lay there, sobbing, murmuring Zuko’s name, not in ecstasy, but as a plea.
He would come to save me. He had to. I could only feel so much.
Zuko’s POV
I sighed, trying to fight off the drowsiness plaguing me. My mind quickly switched to another memory in order to put off sleep, revisiting another time long ago, within the walls of Ba Sing Se.
I could not remember her name, but there was no mistaking the Avatar’s companion. She stood out easily in her blue Water Tribe attire; her cheeks flushed a rosy color beneath the tan of her skin. I stood still, waiting for her to notice me— it would not be too difficult with my scar. The girl sat down, or rather, threw herself into a chair facing away from me. Her shoulders shook slightly and I could see her crossing her arms. Curious as to what she could be pouting about, I stepped closer, the tray ready in my hand although the steaming cups were meant for long-forgotten customers. She sighed and shook her dark hair from her face. I sidestepped a young boy as he rushed passed me on his way to the counter, using the excuse to catch a better glimpse of her profile. With her hair frayed and loose from its usual braid, she looked like a total savage.
I knew then the girl was not just my means of reaching the Avatar.
Katara’s POV
I screamed when he hit the ground, his body slamming onto the soil like a limp doll. Blue static danced across his form, devouring all energy and life. “No,” I breathed and dashed toward him, hearing his agonized moan. If I could only get to him now . . . I could save him.
His sister had other plans, apparently. Lightning struck the ground just ahead, causing my hair to stand on end and the earth to shake and blacken. I was too close to stop, so I forced my way forward on weak legs, Azula cackling from atop a building behind me. I felt the air heat up and vibrate as she generated more lightning. Oh, Tui!
“Zuko—“
I threw myself to the ground, the impact knocking the breath from my lungs even as I rolled away from my former position. Lightning struck the ground yet again with a loud crack, but I was safe. For now. Dizzy, I staggered to my feet, willing away the disorientation as I tried to close the distance between the dying boy and myself.
Zuko was reaching out to me, his teeth clenched behind bleeding lips. The terrible trembling continued, involuntary spasms sweeping through him. I watched his beautiful eyes close.
Save him.
Zuko’s POV
My resolve thick, I gritted my teeth and sat up. The pain was intense beneath the bandages, but I managed somehow, despite the increasing waves of nausea that followed. By the time I was able to stand and reach the door, the sun was up, light blazing into my room to blind me. My head was pounding, but damn it, I was going to see her if it killed me.
