IX — Steel

Mai never thought about her wedding day. Occasionally when Ty Lee and Azula would discuss such things she would put a few seconds of thought into it, but she always knew it was out of her hands. She only knew that she would have to be as cold and sharp as steel if she were to get through it.

Her steely demeanor was the one thing that got her through the day. She kept silent while she was made into a beautiful creature that she was not. The audience might have wondered why the bride did not cry but Mai never did such a thing, even when she was doing the unthinkable.

Standing there before Fire Sages and a multitude of strangers, Mai looked at him and thought about people who married and fell in love.

It was gradual. Love took time and Mai was aware of that.

She did not think she could love. She had a heart of steel and his was of stone.

They would not be able to do it, immensely good sex or not.

Mai was done trying to love him, because it would never happen.

The metal bracelet on her wrist marked that she had no choice but to be his and so his demand when he first dragged her from the Boiling Rock should have expired.