Cold Heat - Prologue
A few gals over at dA have gotten me re-interested in this story, so I've started the revise process. Like all my other work, I'll be uploading a piece or two at a time.
If you've read this, I encourage you to reread. I'm prone to making drastic changes, especially my bedroom scenes since I've learned a lot about the art of erotica.
If you haven't read this, I'm sure you've gathered it's a mature--not only for sex, but for language and some violence later on.
I really like comments.
Enjoy!
火火火
An estate on the outskirts of Gaoling, Earth Kingdom
"No!" Master Piandao pounded his large fist on the large round Pai Sho table, punctuating his outburst with a loud bang that reverberated throughout the large drawing room. "Returning to the Royal Palace is far too dangerous. You are a key member in the Order, Ursa. I cannot allow this."
From across the table, Ursa met the hazel eyes of her lover in defiance. She didn't want to return to the Fire Nation either, but the comet was only weeks away. Time was running out. "I know the palace and I know my ex-husband, which means I'm the only one who can do this. My plan will work."
Piandao's voice lowered, the pain contained in his whisper palpable. "But at what cost?"
Ursa wanted to go to him then, to hold him and tell him how much she'd loved him, but now wasn't the time for theatrics. "The cost if I don't go could be far more, and I'm not willing to pay it. I don't think any of you are." She glanced around the table at the other White Lotus members present. None of them looked any more convinced by her argument than Piandao did. "He won't hurt me."
"You underestimate my brother. He'll have you killed the moment you step inside the front door," the Grand Lotus, former general and Fire Prince Iroh spoke up, his rich tones creating an eye of calm in the whirlwind of chaos Ursa had created when she'd first proposed her plan. "No. We have to send someone else."
"With as little time as we have?" she asked, nearly laughing at the absurdity. They'd have better luck asking someone to jump into a pit full of hungry moose-lions. "It could take weeks to find someone qualified and trustworthy enough to infiltrate the palace, then weeks more to train them on what they need to do."
"Then I suggest you drop this crazy plan and let us handle things," Master Pakku added, his expression stern as always.
Ursa rose to her feet and met the eyes of every man at the table. "With the two largest Earth Kingdom cities under Fire Nation control and the Avatar presumed dead, we're running out of options. I have the funding to do this on my own if you won't support me." An empty threat she hoped wouldn't come to fruition.
Piandao's face reddened considerably. "Don't even think about doing this without protection from the Order. It's suicide."
"I won't," Ursa interrupted. Pakku was correct in that her plan was crazy. She, however, was not. "Not at the moment, anyway. But should 'things' become difficult to 'handle,'" she said, sparing a pointed glance at Pakku. "I won't hesitate to pack my bags for a reunion. Do not underestimate the power of one woman."
"Believe me, I don't," Iroh said as he stroked his graying beard. "And I do think your plan has merit." He raised a hand when a broad smile broke over her face. "But I also think we must send someone else. I won't have Azula and Zuko ending up orphans if you're caught."
Yes... there is that.
Guilt over leaving her children those many years ago cut through her like a dagger, but she couldn't allow it to shake her position. She retook her seat, eyes still on Iroh. "Given we find a woman willing to go to Capital City, there's none I trust well enough to send in my place. No woman who would possibly agree to-"
"My lady, your tea is ready."
All eyes were drawn to the doorway of Ursa's drawing room as her maidservant, Kaiya entered, carrying her tea tray.
The men fell extraordinarily silent as they stared, a stark contrast to the din from just a few minutes prior. This wasn't the first meeting Ursa had held at her home so all the high ranking White Lotus members had seen Kaiya before, but even after two years she still managed to render them speechless.
Kaiya preferred to wear her long tresses up in a braid and dress in loose fitting clothes that hid her figure, but she was undoubtedly a fine-looking woman. If it wasn't for her past, it wouldn't have surprised Ursa if the local men from Gaoling were lined up outside her door, fighting to ask for her hand.
But it wasn't just Kaiya's fair face the men of this meeting always found fascinating, but who Kaiya happened to resemble-Ursa. A younger version of her before age and childbirth began to take their toll on her body, and before the stresses of war and Ozai began to take an added toll on her mind.
As Kaiya began to place the tea in front of each of the men, Ursa's eyes were drawn to the green and gold leaf designs on the teacups, similar to the ones she'd picked out before she and Ozai were married. These particular ones were a gift from Piandao and Ursa could not possibly part with them. But all she saw whenever she looked at the cups was the look of shock on Azulon's face when he realized Ursa had not come to his chambers to bed him-but to kill him.
Ursa had often served Azulon tea at night after his wife, Ilah, died. Poisoning the aging Fire Lord had been the perfect way to rid the world of his evil ways and it was how Ursa intended to dispatch Ozai should he allow her into his palace and eventually, hopefully, his bed. But Ozai was not a forgiving man, and Ursa knew she wasn't as young and attractive as she once was.
But Kaiya is.
Ursa closed her eyes, trying to ignore the voice in her head. She couldn't do that to Kaiya. It wouldn't be right to put her in harm's way like that. Not when Ursa knew what kind of man Ozai was.
Was it right what happened to Kaiya's parents? To her? Or what could happen to hundreds or even thousands of other girls like her if Ozai is not stopped?
No, it wouldn't be.
Despite her conflicting feelings, Ursa had made up her mind by the time Kaiya served her, hating every part of what she was forced to beg her favorite maidservant-and her friend-to do. But right now, it was the only way.
Placing a hand on Kaiya's arm, Ursa looked up into Kaiya's brown eyes and prayed to Agni the poor thing would be able to survive the mission she was about to be recruited for.
"Kaiya, it's time you found out the truth about me."
火火火
