Zuko turned slowly in his sleep. The heat of a fire nation summer blazed across the whole country. The heat caused much disruption amongst the nation, people retreating in their house to evade the heat from outside. But even in such a large palace the heat managed to envelop every room. He felt beads of sweat beginning to form on his forehead. He groaned in annoyance, turning over once again to shift his position in some hope of finding a cooler position. He knew that would make no difference and settled by moving further apart from a body clinging to him. Mai sighed and turned in her sleep. He closed his eyes, hoping to find himself in a dream.
Time passed, and he found himself still no closer to sleep. He listened to Mai's light, elegant breathing, and his own out of sync, harsh breathing. A sudden clicking sounded in the room, just loud enough to be heard, and Zuko's body twitched in response. His eyes flickered open slowly, and a terrible sight appeared to him. He threw himself out of bed, and sent his fist forward, aiming a stream of fire to a body perched up on a beam. The figure jumped down, and rolled to the side as Zuko sent more jets of flame in the offenders direction.
The shadowed person sprinted out the door with incredible speed. Zuko swung around to examine Mai. He gasped in shock as a white line as silver as a spider web descended directly from the ceiling to Mai's mouth. A almost metallic looking liquid trickling down the the thread.
He physically dived to the motionless woman, grabbing the thin line, and tearing it away from her parted mouth. As he felt it in his hand, a sticky liquid glued to his palm and in between his fingers. His realisation struck him like a cold bucket of water in the face.
Quickly wiping the substance on his pants, he glanced to her stationary body, and reached forwards, trying not to panic. He gripped her shoulders tightly, and shook her roughly, hoping to endeavor a single breath from her.
He froze, and felt his heart stop for a split second. He leaned his ear down to her mouth, waiting, his patience eliminated by fear. His eyes beginning to fill with unshed tears, his hand curling around her own...
A spark of happiness ignited within him as a single rasp of air emitted from her throat.
"Oh Mai.." He whispered during a long held breath, relief filled his lungs. He called the servants for assistance, and asked to send an immediate message to the Governor officials, and his advisors to schedule a meeting tomorrow.
OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO
Two days had passed since the assassination attempt, and Mai had suffered from a paining sickness, and a temperature. Not too mention the occasional hallucinations, which at times Zuko found rather funny and amusing.
He sat by her, lazily running his hand in her long ebony hair. She sighed contently, closing her eyes, and pulling up the sheets over her shoulders.
"Are you feeling okay Mai?" He asked curiously. She opened her eyes, and looked at him.
"Mm not really. Is it just me, or is it really cold in here?" She asked flatly.
A smile pursed on his lips. Without hesitation, he let out a chuckle. The expression on her face went from a quizzical one, to a confused look.
"What?" She questioned.
"It's the middle of summer, and it's basically the hottest summer the Nation's ever experienced in over a hundred years." Zuko replied happily.
He extended a hand forwards, and placed it on her forehead. It felt unbelievably hot. How could she be the slightest bit chilled?
"But is it cold in here?" She asked, making her question clear.
He shook his head.
"Unfortunately no." He replied softly. She sat up slowly, feeling dizzy.
"I'm so sick of this poisoning. When will it wear off?" She said rather dryly and her voice tinged with irritation.
"The effect should wear off soon. Just get some rest." He said, shutting the curtains, darkening the room. She sighed impatiently.
"Do you want me to call the maid for you?" He asked generously. She shook her head.
"Zuko stop worrying about me, go be Firelord, or do something. Don't you have another meeting soon?" She said monotone.
"Mai that was a close call, too close. You could've been killed." He said sternly. Her plain expression didn't falter, but he saw a hint of annoyance in her eyes.
"I don't need a lecture Zuko. I wasn't hurt, you weren't hurt. We can put those factors in perspective, and just forget the whole thing." She responded bringing her hand to her head, feeling little pin-like prickling on her forehead, a migraine beginning to grow. Without noticing, she found herself lying down once again, and Zuko placing a cold towel on her head.
"I'm just glad you're okay. I'm calling a maid, just in case." Zuko said sternly. She groaned, but didn't testify. Sometimes she found it difficult to argue with him when he was in one of those 'over-protective states'; Like right now for example.
"Whatever." She said, disapproval evident in her voice. She closed her eyes, exhausted for some reason. She felt a hand touch her cheek, and although she was somewhat annoyed at his motherly actions, she could never reject his touch. She felt a faint need for him, but ushered the thought away to the back of her mind. She was in no condition for that.
He kissed her softly on the lips, so airy-like. He feathered delicate kisses across her cheek, receiving a small hum from her lips. Reluctantly, he pulled away.
"I need to go, I'll be back in a few hours. The maid should be here soon." He said kissing her one las time on the lips.
"Love you Mai." He said as he left the room. Before she could reply, she found herself dozing off into a dream.
