Mai had been brought back to the Fire Nation capital. Her wrists were black and blue from being chained up at the boiling rock and her cheek busied from where Azula had let her know that she was just beginning to pay for helping Zuko escape. Ty Lee was left at the Boiling Rock and Mai wondered why Azula would being her back to the Fire Nation capital. For the first time in many years Mai was scared.
Zuko looked up at the sky at the Western Air Temple. Sky filled with stars and the moon was bright and the air smelled sweet like fire lilies, fire lilies and vanilla. It must be his imagination because he was so far from the Fire Nation but he was so sure he could smell it and could almost taste strawberries on his lips. He was taken back to those precious nights he spent with Mai in the palace at Ba Sing Se and upon his return to the Fire Nation. How he held her close, took in her scent and kissed her lips. Over by the camp fire the rest of the group told stories, Hakoda sat with his arms around Katara and Sokka and everyone seemed to have found a bit of happiness being reunited with lost loved ones. Zuko however was worried, worried about Mai. What would happen to her? what will Azula do to her for helping him? He felt helpless, there was nothing he could do. He couldn't go back to save her and all he could do was hope that she was alive somewhere and that he would be reunited with her when this nightmare was all over.
Azula brought Mai into the throne room and pushed her to the ground. Mai fearing for her life stayed with her head bowed and then Ozai ordered Azula to leave them alone. Ozai must know what she had done and asked Azula to bring her back to him so he could kill her himself. Mai eyes were fixed on the polished wood of the chamber, she could feel the heat of the fires in the room on her then she felt Ozai's presence close to her. Ozai stood in front of her bearing down on her, "Look at me girl" he ordered, Mai had no choice but to comply so she lifted her head slowly to look at him. Mai looked at him and as soon as their eyes met he gave her a very sinister grin. He put his hand under her chin and lifted her head a little higher, "so, you're the reason my son was able to escape the Boiling Rock" he said, Mai did not answer she simply lowered her head and eyes back to the ground. Ozai in a swift motion lifted her chin again. "When I ask you a question I expect an answer girl!". Mai's eyes met his once more, "Yes" she said and at that Ozai removed his hand from under her chin and proceeded to walk circles around her as if he was inspecting her. She could feel his eyes going over every inch of her body and although she was fully clothed she felt naked and although the chamber burned bright with fires she felt a very cold chill creep up her spine.
"I take it that you love my son, only a girl in love would so something so foolish", Mai nodded. "What is your name?" Ozai asked, Mai told him and she saw that same sinister grin come across his face just like when she was first brought to him. "You're the governor of Omashu's daughter. Yes, you use to play here in the palace with Azula when you were a child". Mai nodded again and Ozai laughed, "Don't tell me that you and my son have been carrying on a secret affair all this time. I never thought he would notice you, you're such a plain girl" Mai didn't say anything she just lowered her head. She never thought of herself as fit for a Prince and never understood why Zuko loved her.
Ozai stopped in front of her and ordered her to stand, Mai did as she was told. Ozai stood in front of her, he ran his hands down the length of her arms and across her chest. He ran his fingers through her hair and moved her bangs out of her face so that he could see her eyes then he stood there staring at her. "Well, you certainly aren't a plain little girl anymore are you" he said. He moved behind her and placed his hands on her hips
and pressed himself against her, Ozai's body felt like stone and that cold shiver crept up Mai's spine again. "You love Zuko, that much is very obvious and he is foolish enough to love you in return" he whispered in her ear, "but when I'm done with you no man will want you, not even my son"