AUTHOR'S NOTE: Thank you for being so patient! It meant a lot to me that you guys reached out to me for an update :) And here it is! I'd love some feedback but otherwise thank you for your time. I appreciate you stopping in to read! You guys are great.
Seated at the head of the table, Zuko waited for me. He looked me over approvingly, yet I could not reciprocate it. I was less than happy with the arrogant prince. Furious was certainly a fair word to describe it. When left alone with him, it was clear he sensed a shift in me. He smiled just shy of a smirk as the servants left us to eat.
"How are you this evening, Miss Katara?" He questioned me, lifting his glass for a drink of wine. "You look rather warm in the cheeks. Has the heat gotten the better of you?"
"I supposed you could say that."
My tone bit him openly. He raised a brow at my blunt displeasure, having been used to my ever cautious regarding of his royal position over me. He wasn't angry with my tone, but he was intrigued. Setting his glass down.
"Oh? Why, don't you look upset. You look as if you're seeing red with those beautiful blue eyes of yours."
"I've seen enough red."
Zuko's expression was nearly unimpressed. He stared at me before nodding. My heart hammered as I realized what an error I may have made. For moments, silence stood between us. But I held his stare. Zuko waved a hand, gesturing to the grandiosity of his palace.
"Have I failed to meet your standards of satisfaction? My intent has been to please you. Now if you wish to run off on me, I have no reason to believe enough has been done." With serious eyes the prince folded his hands and played idly with a ruby adorning a gold ring along his index finger. "Now tell me, Miss Katara. What can I do for you? To please you?"
"You can return my belongings."
"Such haste."
Zuko shook his head.
"I can not simply return your belongings. You can not leave here just yet."
Upon the hair at the nape of my neck standing on end, my pulse quickened, sending my blood to boil shortly after. My food untouched, I stared at Zuko unsure of how to carry on. The prince held my stare and raised his eyebrows before dropping them in a taunting manner, taking satisfaction in my fear.
"How could I let you leave? I believed it was to your understanding that you were to dance for me."
Holding his eyes with my own, ensuring I could him intention, I raised a question.
"Once I dance, I'm free to go?"
"Now where are you in such a hurry to run off to ?"
I could have easily said 'home'. But the truth was I just wanted out of the palace. The Fire Nation was the last place I wanted to be. I wanted away from the prince and away from his land. Because I'd learned enough that he could easily manipulate to his liking and have me back behind his walls at any time, to his liking. I could be plucked off the streets and returned to him at whatever expense.
In response to Zuko's question, I was left at a loss. I hesitated, and that was answer enough. Zuko knew I wanted away from his home, namely him. If he was offended, he didn't show it. He picked up his silverware and cut in to his food leisurely. All I could do was panic internally, fretting my escape. The opportunity to leave Zuko's put me somewhat at ease, however. If only a bit.
"If you wish to leave, you will dance for me first. Yes. "
I was given an opportunity. If he kept to his word, I could leave. All I had to do was keep my promise and dance. That was simple enough. Fair was fair. I dance as promised, and then I leave. Although I was eager to leave, I still wasn't mentally prepared to dance before the Prince. Zuko had done well to rattle my nerves for days.
"When would you care for me to dance?"
"Your bruises haven't even fully vanished yet." Zuko objected matter of factly, but humored me none the less. "Seeing you are in such a hurry to leave, I presume you will have no objection to performing tonight."
I had no other choice but to agree to Zuko's request I dance that night. I did not wish to leave in the middle of the night, but I feared what message he would interpret if I voiced any insinuation I wished to prolong my stay. So hours following dinner that evening, my clothing and makeup were returned to me by Silta. My bag, with the rest of it's contents, remained in Zuko's possession.
In his chambers, to be more precise.
"Miss Katara?"
Silta stood along one of the walls in my bedroom chambers, watching as I unfolded my clothing, checking them over. The silver and blue wraps were freshly cleaned as promised, undamaged and the fabric well tended to. Something irked me though.
I expected the clothes to smell of the oils and fragrances used by the fire nation. The clothing from my home would no longer smell like home, it would smell of Zuko's palace. The spice lingered in the air whereever I went, reminding me of just where I was. Surely the Prince took enjoyment in that...only when I smelled my clothes, they smelled nothing of cinnamon or spicy incense.
They smelled like the perfumes from my land.
"Miss Katara?"
"Hm?"
Looking away from the fabrics of my clothing, I acknowledged Silta had spoken to me. The small, pale woman blinked worriedly.
"Are you alright? You look confused."
"My clothes smell like home."
"...Of course they do. They're yours, Miss Katara."
Silta did not understand the situation I was in. Of course, being she lived in the fire nation her life, she did not think anything of the smoldering reds and spices all around. The suffocation. For myself, it was overwhelming. Where as red drapes that smelled of cinnamon and tiles of black obsidian were her norm, they were very foreign to me.
"It smells very different here." I explained. " Your soaps and oils, the incense, it wafts everywhere. I would have thought for certain my clothes would smell of them."
"Prince Zuko demanded our oils be kept from your traditional wrappings. Your clothes were soaked with herbs from your homeland. The Prince sent for them from the market."
Of all the gestures the Prince had offered, that had been the one which popped the lid off my growing curiosities. Centering myself as my late mother had taught me years prior, I looked Silta straight in the eyes. The Firebender looked taken back by my stare.
"What is it, Miss Katara...?"
"Your Prince, he has been a rather... diligent...host."
"Well he only offers the best to those he favors."
"By which you mean beautiful women?"
Silta caught on to what I'd implied. My implication was not taken with grace. The sweet petite woman's face tightened around the mouth. Curling her fingers by her sides, she addressed me with trained courtesy. Her usually sincere persona was gone.
"You should consider it an honor. Believe me." She forced through tight lips just loose enough to slip words past. "He has passed up suitors dressed head to toe in the finest silk this nation has to offer. Women pale as the moon with sweet spice incense wafting from their hair, red lips, with gold adorning their bodies. "
Silta's tense posture eased as she met my blue eyes, now caught started at her shift. Aware of herself, she cleared her throat and carried on, breathing in what felt to be a crestfallen manner of sorts.
"Women from across his beloved nation have come to him, having done all they could to catch his attention. He did his part, he was hospitable. None of them were selected and he sent them all away...yet he puts so much effort to entertain a woman off the streets. A gypsie. A water gypsie."
"Silta? If I've offended you-"
"You have done nothing to offend me. My scorn lies elsewhere, but pay it no mind. I'm speaking nonsense. You should be preparing for the Prince."
Placing my clothing aside, I began undressing from the lovely clothes I'd been given for dinner. Silta took them and folded them, placing them next to my bed.
"Tonight I will fetch you fresh clothes to sleep in."
"I will not be staying the night."
"Come again?"
Confused, Silta paused. As I wrapped my skirts snuggly around my hips, letting the excess blue fabric drape loosely around the length of my legs, Silta watched on. With my skirt set over my bindings, I unfolded the white blouse that layered over it. The loosely ruffled cut of the blouse's collar fell low enough to show my mother's necklace which laid upon my neck.
"Tonight I'll be leaving" I told her, putting on the blouse. "It was the deal. Zuko would house me until my hip healed, then I would dance and be on my way."
"Oh? Really?"
Silta sounded unconvinced but went on talking.
"Is your hip healed fully? Mora said nothing of it."
"It will have to do."
Smoothing out my skirts once more, I looked to my wrists where the silver bangles still bestowed to me by Zuko lay. The ones I'd worn with the lovely blue dress he'd had tailored for me. Ready to take them off and place them with the dress Silta had folded, I was surprised to hear a knock on my door.
"Silta, the Prince wishes to see Miss Katara upon the top of the hour. Please ensure she is prepared by then, Zuko expects you will do fine to deliver her." Okka spoke through the door, under the impression I was still changing. " I will be leaving my post as directed by Zuko himself. You will be bringing her to him soon."
"Very well, Okka. Thank you." Silta replied, dismissing him.
When his footsteps were heard disappearing in the distance, Silta took in my appearance. In the mirror I inspected my hair which still laid done up atop my head. I debated whether to put my waves free of the tight confines, unsure of what was expected of me.
"The prince wishes you to look one with your element. It would be best if you'd fix your hair accordingly." Silta advised me."It would do you well to please Zuko."
Xxxxx
The clock tolled ten across the palace as Silta silently guided me along. None were around and it looked as if the palace had been abandoned in comparison to the usually bustling hallways. Outside large doors we stood as the loud ringing filled the corridors. Before Silta could knock, Zuko's voice came through the door.
"Let her in and kindly be on your way Silta." Zuko spoke as silta's knuckles just barely missed grazing the polished surface of the door. "You are now dismissed for the evening. "
Unseen by the Prince, Silta bowed her head and gestured for me to open the door. I placed my palms along it before pushing. As I stepped it, Silta walked away quickly. The door shut behind me as I stepped away from it. When entering the unfamiliar set of doors, I expected a study of sorts or a room used for gatherings.
Only to find myself met with the golden eyes of the prince, who was seated along the foot of his bed.
"Welcome to my chambers" he greeted, smiling at me.
"I'll be performing here?"
"Indeed you shall."
Crossing one leg over the other, Zuko beckoned me forward with two fingers. I eyed him apprehensively and his smile only grew. He reached an arm behind himself and pulled something in to view. My bag was held in his hand and he set it down on a chest along the side of his bed, as if he were giving me some sort of motivational reminder.
"Come dance for me."
With my sight set on my bags, I stepped in closer towards the center of the room. Zuko eyed me closely.
"Make any attempt to run..." He warned, ripping my gaze back to him. "And it will be pointless. "
I hadn't even thought of snatching the bag and running, but Zuko had his suspicions. Eyes glued to me, he waited expectantly. His brow set low of his face a smirk crept to his lips as I'd yet to make any attempt to perform. Then he chortled.
"How silly of me. How could I ask to you to dance with no music?
Getting up, he approached a record player along the wall. A record was pulled from a shelf and he set it to play. Music I recognized began to come from it. Amazed, I looked to the device.
"The markets have been very kind to me" Zuko mentioned as he resumed his seat at the foot of his bed. "Granted I've paid pretty pennies for it all. "
I knew he was referring to dress he'd had tailored for me with materials exported from my lands in particular. Zuko spoke nothing else of the matter and waited for me to dance. With the music playing, and Zuko's eyes set on me, I had no choice but to carry on.
"If you will Miss Katara. I've waited long enough. "
The music played slowly, filling the large spacious chamber of Zuko's. Raising my hands above my head, I took a centering breath and held it. Zuko watched on, smirking pulling back enough I could see the glint of his teeth.
My hips swayed, my arms going limber with the flow. To each side I swung my pelvis in a low arch, the hands I held above my head coming down like leaves a flutter in the breeze. As my shoulders rocked with the current of my limbs, my long waves of brown hair moved with them.
The skirts wrapped around my legs split on one side allowing me the freedom to swing my legs. With the music picking up speed, I saw the Prince's anticipation. He watched, waiting for me to accelerate with the melody.
Tightening my core, I moved with precision. Down my abdomen the muscles underneath my dark skin coiled, releasing tension only to swing my pelvis around like the moon set to revolve the sun. In my fingertips I could feel my blood rush with the itch to draw my element to them. But all that surrounded me were obsidian tile.
Zuko spoke not a word as he watched me. But his eyes took hold an expression worthy of vulgarity. Those golden irises were polluted. My heart seized and heat touched my skin as I met those eyes. I nearly lost my rhythm all together at that stare. Where as ice water would have been the sensation going down my spine, instead I felt as if steam as rose past my hips to the entirety of my face and body.
"Something wrong, Miss Katara?" He pried, ever so suavely. "You're flush."
Not daring to pause, I resisted the urge to touch my face. I was capable of blushing, but my complexion was very forgiving. Surely if I were warm in the face, it were not that visible. How did he know? Keeping an eye on him skeptically, I threw my hair from over one shoulder and spun, nearly losing my center of balance as heat overcame me once more.
The warmth I felt ignited, like fire set upon my veins. My pores didn't leak with perspiration, the heat was different. It felt as if it were trapped beneath my skin with no way to ventilate. The sudden onslaught was alarming and I struggled to maintain my composure. At my predicament, Zuko must have been amused because as I caught myself with the arch of my foot planted on the tile, he chuckled deep in his throat.
I ignored him, dancing as he wished. Swinging my leg I held my arms up above my head, feeling the air around me become far too warm. With heat rising within and pushing from the outside, I could hardly breath. Unsure of what was going on, I gasped and looked to Zuko as my head swarmed with fatigue.
My knees fell to the tile as I shut my eyes, the heat becoming too much. Footsteps approached and soon the prince's shadow loomed over me. He came down to perch on one knee, fingers held under my chin as he raised it.
The prince's red tunic was vivid and sharp along his pale skin. My eyes flickered to it in my dizzy trance. Zuko chuckled just short of a scoff and brought his face in towards mine. His fingertips felt hot enough to burn me, his lips emanating heat like a freshly lit fire.
"Water is such a beautiful element" he drawled, letting his breath hit me softly like embers adrift in the air. "But it is heavily susceptible to manipulation."
The fingers upon my face warmed and the heat within me did also. One of Zuko's hand drifted to my collarbone where he traced the hollows there, letting a trail burn an invisible line down to the dip of my breasts.
"What are you doing to me?" I demanded as the trail of heat crept down my torso slowly, spreading once it hit the swell of my hips. " Stop it!"
The heat paused as it began seeping down past my pelvis, a mellow burn left to sizzle in its tracks.
"Tell me Katara. Is this heat too much for you? Have you truly had enough?" The Prince taunted me, his hands beginning to wander over my shoulders to the swell of my bosom, lingering but yet to squeeze. "Because I don't believe you have. Not for one moment."
Panting, I was left an easy target when Zuko placed his mouth upon mine. He kissed me wetly without restraint. I struggled but was too weak to resist. The hands on my bosom began to fondle and squeeze, feeling the plush flesh contained by simple white clothed bindings.
Putting two hands up, I attempted to summon some strength to push him away. But Zuko deflected my efforts and picked me up. Dropping me to his bed, I fell with my legs thrown apart. I'd tried shutting them, but a knee set between them stopped my thighs from reuniting with one another.
My blouse was pulled off me, tossed aside. Zuko's hand pull my wrapped skirts undone in a single tug before he gathered up the fabric, sweeping it off the bed without a second in my bindings, my legs forced apart by his, I trembled as his hot palms ran over the expanse of my abdomen.
He spoke none as I met his eyes. Those lips of his curled again and the dormant heat along my pelvis began moving, wandering south. Zuko let the fuse race towards the apex of my thighs, warming with a far less tormenting heat. Although the heat he set upon me was smoldering, the heat set to my loins was overwhelming. Unable to struggle, my breast bindings were tugged from my chest.
My thighs shook as Zuko kissed between my breasts, pinning me to the bed with nothing but the scorching sensation igniting my innards. As I panted, he chuckled and kissed up the slope of one breast before darting his tongue out to taste the darkened skin of my areola. Those lips then wrapped around the bud of my nipples, biting down.
I cried out with the assault to my chest, the prince bringing his body down closer to knees still kept mine apart as I lay spread eagle against my own doing. Zuko took a moment to fondle both my large, voluminous breasts, squeezing and pressing them together sensually before moving a hand away to slide down my body.
"Let's give you a real taste, shall we?" He spoke slowly, touching the fabric separated my intimate skin from his hand. "Give you reason to stay seeing as I've failed to please you. "
He lessened his assault enough for me to breath. But when I regained my bearing and attempted to thwart his hand away with a raised knee, he brought the heat back down upon me. When he alleviated me once more, I made no attempt to fight him. His finger slid under my bindings, touching the intimate skin that lay there.
Around my labia he explored, his mouth now set to suckle my throat. My pulse raced beneath his tongue as he slipped his finger past my labia to the hidden pearl nestled within. With no hesitation, he bought the pad of his finger to it, and began tracing lightly.
"Zuko, enough of this" I objected as the nerves there awakened with his touch. "I-"
"You what?" He teased darkly. "You like this? "
He touched me lightly, licking down the length of my neck as my hips began to squirm on their own accord. His touch increased, circling my clitoris and manipulating my body to rock up towards him. My breasts were suckled upon again as Zuko placed one hand over my head and worked me steadily with the other.
With the heat between my legs building, I could not suppress myself. I called out, shaking as the Prince forced my body to it's brink. His fingers slid through the wetness forming, but only leaving my clitorous to glide over my entrance briefly. I gave a jolt at the fear of being penetrated, only Zuko resumed touching me how he'd done before.
"Just like that: " he encouraged me, releasing my breast from his mouth. "Give in to me."
Having no choice as he persistently touched me, my thighs and chest quaked as an orgasm struck me with full force. My bindings were wet with my release, I could feel as my wetness dripped from me. My thighs fought the hold Zuko's legs had on mine, unable to close. When my body relaxed from Zuko's assault to my body, he removed his fingers from me, and brought them to his mouth.
"I'd suggest you make yourself right at home. You haven't a choice. "
.
