Held Captive by my Desires

Chapter 8

Katara watched as the glittering ballroom came to life. When Ursa had told her they would not be spending a single night at home for a while, she wasn't kidding. With so many opportunities to meet a worthy husband, Katara could not complain. She had already met two gentlemen that night, and three more had asked her to save them a dance. However at this moment she was starring across the ball room at a man who wouldn't leave her thoughts.

For a fire nation captian, Zuko sure made was a handsome figure in his best black robes. She was surprised at how well he could blend in with the stuff people at this party. He looked far too handsome, and many women at the party were noticing.

Right now he was swinging a pretty dark haired girl around the dancefloor. He had not ask Katara to dance. He had barely spoken two words to her all night. He paid her no mind as people flocked to them when they first arrived. Everyone was complementing her on her new robes, icy-blue with embroidered roses in pretty pink thread that trailed along the seams, with matching slippers and hair ribbons. But did Zuko think she was pretty? After the nasty looks and the things she had heard him say to his brother earlier this morning about her, she did not think so.

She did not mean to easedrop, but she had woken up early that morning. She had gone down towards the kitchen in search of breakfast, and she was barely down the hall when she heard their conversation.

"Your much better at being boring" She had heard the older brother Lu ten say

"Considering we are in shippping, I'd say Uncle Ozai might be pissed if you try bringing a pirate into the family."

"A sweetheart in everyport"

"Never getting hitched" She understood perfectly now, Zuko was a womanizer.

"Your scaring all the eligible men away with that look on your face" She jumped at the sound of Zuko's voice, "a copper for your thoughts."

"My thoughts would cost you a lot more than that" She said in a dismissive tone

"How much more are we talking?" He said with a smirk

"More than you could probably afford"

"Pity. I was hoping to get a good laugh"

She drew in a sharp breath, telling herself to not let him get her worked up, "So you think my thoughts would be funny? You think they are just that silly?"

"I never said that, you did" He cut in

"You didn't have to. It was implied" She snapped, then added under her breath, "no more than one can expect of a brute"

Apparently, not only did he have looks but very good hearing, "Is everyman you meet a brute?"

"No only ones who while trying to help someone leave them bruised.

His eyes narrowed at her statement and he demanded, "Show me your bruises"

He grabbed her wrist gently and lifted her sleeve to reveal two small bruises.

"I told you" She said in pleasure

"I'm sorry, Kat" Zuko said sincerely, "I was only trying to help that day, I'm sorry you bruise so easily"

She did not bruise easily, was he trying to call he weak? She drew in a breath and tried to bite down the remarks she so badly wanted to make.

"Anyway why are you standing here alone?" Zuko asked putting his hands in his pockets.

"I asked my dancing partner to grab me a drink before the next dance started" she said looking for the guy to return

"perfect" he said in his raspy voice, before twirling her onto the dancefloor, "I was wondering how I could manage a dance with you"

He was touching her. Her hand was clasped in his larger and warmer one, while his other hand lay on her lower back. The chandeliers glistening off of his liquid gold eyes. Standing this close she could see no other color in them except gold. Quite distrubing, those eyes, like that of a predature. Those eyes started butterflies in her belly.

His shoulders and chest were so broad. He was such a tall man and too pleasing to the eyes. She really had to get away from him. His smell seemed to envelope her, exotic spices.

"You never did answer my question" He rasped into her ear, taking her out of her thoughts, "Did you really come up here just to find a husband?"

"Yes, but don't worry I won't be setting my sights on you. I know you are never getting hitched"

"Am I? And where did you hear that?"

"Your mom may have mentioned it before" She said looking away over his shoulder, not wanting to admit to overhearing his conversation earlier.

"No she wouldn't have. She may be annoyed that I don't want to get married, but she will never give up trying to get me hitched."

"a sweetheart in every port?"

He gave a raspy chuckle, "now that is something that would come from my brother or father."

Swirling her around, and drawing her back in close, the music slowed to a stop. Then he leaned in close to her ear and was about to say something when, "I see one of your suitors has come to claim you."

"Sorry don't mean to steal you away so soon. Kinda makes me feel like a pirate" The bald young man joked as he approached. Zuko looked down at Katara with a smirk, as she starred wide eyed at the new comer.

"Yes, bloodthirsty and all that. It's a shame there are no planks around here."

Zuko leaned in close to her ear again, "He thinks your teasing, but I wish you weren't. Pirates aren't virgins and don't give a damn about it, so you could prove you are one by spending a night with me."

Katara blushed, as she felt the arm around her waist squeeze a little tighter, just as she moved away towards her new dance partner.

Ursa approached Zuko at that point, "You are behaving right dear?"

"Don't I always" He answered giving his mother an innocent smile, while she starred straight through it.

"No you don't. But make sure you do" She warned

Zuko rolled his eyes and watched at Katara danced with her other suitor. Her eyes flickering in his direction every so often, and a blush brightening up her cheeks.

Aang Giatso had to say her name twice to get her attention during their dance. She'd been too busy turning Zuko's words over in her head. Had Zuko squeezed her tight like that as a sign to Aang? Aang did look at Zuko a bit curiously. She gave Aang a bright smile and her full attention at that point. Now he had potential. If she really was in a hurry to marry, she would choose a guy like him. He was handsome, comical, and witty. She could find no faults in him, except he was younger than she. He kept her laughing through the whole dance. She was pleased to have met him tonight, and could keep her mind off Zuko. Maybe not totally off Zuko, she really had to stop thinking about him and keep her mind focused on the men, who were interested in marrying her.