The bright light was an attack on her closed eyelids. Azula opened her eyes to find the yellow gaze of Zuko's little pest staring at her, flicking his red tongue at her face. Zuko was moving around her room opening the thick curtains, letting the morning sunlight through. He must have come fresh from firebending training, judging by the loose clothes he was wearing, and his hair was an unbound mess.

"Get up!" he grinned at her.

Azula pulled her pillow over her head and groaned. "Have you never learnt that it's rude to be barging into other people's room?"

"It's sunrise, Azula," he said with boyish enthusiasm.

"I don't care. I get to sleep in, whenever I want." It was the only perk she had left. For the first time in her life, she did not have to get up at the crack-ass of dawn every day.

Zuko stepped closer to her bed. "Not today. Don't you know what day it is?"

Azula let out a dramatic sigh. "I don't know. Is it annoy-a-sibling day?"

"It's the Festival of Charity of Hanu Province," Zuko beamed at her. Which was weird because growing up, of all royal functions, there was nothing he hated more than that stupid festival.

"Why does that make you so gleeful? I remember how much you used to whine about it. *Muuuum, do I have to?* You complained the whole time about shaking hands with smelly old people, getting kisses from drooling kids and listening to Fire Sages endless mumbling."

"You are right. I did," he smirked. "I also remember you saying *just suck it up, Zuzu. It's not a big deal. If Mum sent me, I would do it absolutely perfectly,*" Zuko's voice went up an octave, he made a vaguely familiar dismissive gesture with his hand.

"Did you just imitate me?" Azula did not know whether to laugh or feel offended.

"Maybe," he gave her a lopsided grin.

"Well, it was terrible, I don't sound like that at all," she said with the exact same wrist flip he just made. He gave her a smug look. She grimaced. "Anyway, Father abolished the Festival,"

In the very first year after Mother's disappearance, and part of their father's attempt to erase her from their memory he put an end to anything Ursa held important: Ember Island holidays, music lessons, theater plays, festivals of charity.

Zuko cocked his good eyebrow at her. "Except, Uncle reinstated it while he was interim Firelord. He thinks it's important for the morale of a region struck so recently by natural disaster."

Azula felt slight annoyance. "Uncle's always been a meddlesome old man."

"Tell me about it," Zuko agreed with a long-suffering sigh.

Azula shrugged. "In any case, it sounds like your problem. I don't see this warranting the intrusion."

"You see, that's where you are mistaken. Because I distinctly remember this being the duty of the eldest Prince of the Royal Family," he said lightly. "Or Princess," he added with a pointed look at her direction.

It was a ridiculous, stupid event; something even a little child could do. But Azula understood the significance of what Zuko was offering. It was one thing that he let his poor, crazy sister stay in her childhood home under the watchful eyes of the guards. It was a whole different thing of acknowledging her again officially as Princess of the Fire Nation in the new, post-war order, even if her first official duty was the royal equivalent of scrubbing the deck of a ship with a toothbrush. A lump started to form in her throat and tears were stinging her eyes.

"Zuko…" Her voice came out pitifully small. She was not going to cry. Her head was spinning. What if it was a trap, just a way for him to assert his authority over her? He was a fool if he thought she would be bullied into doing his dirty work. She looked at him defiantly. "Is this an order?"

There was a small frown and a flicker of annoyance in his eyes, but then his face relaxed into a grin."Will it get you out of bed, if I give one?" He puffed out his chest, cleared his throat and chanted on an overstated pompous voice accompanying his speech with dramatic handwaves, "By my most fire lordy royal decree, I declare you Princess Lazybones of the Land, if you don't get out of bed immediately!"

He was ridiculous and goofy, just like he used to be when they were kids. Azula couldn't hold back a laugh. She threw her pillow at him, which he ducked gracefully. Druk hurled himself at the flying object and set it on fire with a hissing breath.

"No firebending inside," they both yelled at once Mother's Unbreakable Rule and burst out laughing. The levity of the moment engulfed her heart in a golden light, chasing the dark clouds of doubt away. Maybe this is what family felt like? It was so long ago ...

"I… When do I have to leave?" she asked quietly.

"In an hour," he smirked.

She gasped horrified, jumping out of bed at once. "In an hour? But I need to wash my hair and get my nails done and … Get out of here, I need to get ready… These people are expecting to see a real princess, not a frump…." She ushered him towards the door and rang for the servants.

"I knew I could count on you. Everything is ready for your trip," Zuko said, this time seriously and turned to leave. Druk flew over and perched himself on his shoulders.

"Wait," Azula called after her brother. He turned back from the doorway looking at her. She was out for words for once in her life. Gratitude never came easy for her. There was too much to say, and it was hard to figure out where to start. She opened and closed her mouth a couple of times, but before she could formulate her thoughts, the servants started to pile in. The moment was gone.

Azula settled for giving her brother a small, but formal bow, putting her fist to palm. "I will do my best to represent you well, Fire Lord Zuko," she recited the customary words of accepting a royal task.

She had never called him by his formal title, and she was surprised when she didn't choke on the words. Instead, it felt like it was easier to breathe. From the way his eyes widened, she knew he got her message.

He smiled warmly and bowed back to her, even if according to protocol the Fire Lord never had to return a bow. "I don't have the slightest doubt, Princess Azula, that you will be perfect." His words were formal, but his eyes were glimmering playfully. He turned and left the room.

Azula watched in the mirror as the servants transformed her into a Fire Nation princess, expertly dressing her into layers of silk, applying an elaborate make-up. As one of the maids pulled her freshly washed hair into a tight topknot and placed a royal hairpiece into it, she thought she caught a glimpse of her mother's shadow in the mirror. For the first time it didn't fill her stomach with a bitter dread.

It felt that somewhere beyond the noise of the chatter of the servants, of the rustling of clothes she could hear her approving voice. "There you are, my daughter, the beautiful princess you were always meant to be..."

-0-

"We are almost there, Princess Azula," Great Sage Shyu touched her hand lightly. She looked out the window, as the sun was rising above the rice fields, encasing the green shoots in golden light. She remembered the assassin from the ship. He was an idiot, but he was right about this; it was truly a magnificent sight.

"We'll do the fire ceremony first, then you'll listen to the petitioners and we finish with rite of Charity," The Fire Sage reminded her needlessly.

Azula waved impatiently, "I know. I've studied all the words, but I remember them even from the time when my brother had to learn it." She always had an extraordinary memory.

The people were already gathered around the shrine of Agni, etched into the side of the volcano. The crowd bowed as the Great Sage and the Fire Princess emerged from the airship. Azula took her place on the platform and surveyed the gathering. She noticed many sunken cheeks, dull eyes, ragged clothes. The hard times the province fell on was apparent.

Shyu started the fire ceremony, chanting in the ancient language of the Fire Nation. Azula watched with both wonderment and longing as he effortlessly swirled the flames in sync with the words. Shyu spoke words of hope, reminding the people of the constant rebirth of Agni, bringing light to the dark. The ceremony finished with a traditional song, celebrating the sun.

It was Azula's turn. The line was opened and the petitioners were allowed to bring their requests to her.

The first one was a short, stout woman in her mid-thirties. She bowed to Azula. After exchanging the ritualistic greetings, the woman explained that her name was Hayko and she was a local craftswoman, making hand-knotted silk rugs that were once the pride of Hanu province. She brought Azula a gift of her handiwork; an extraordinary piece with delicate patterns of dragons, flames and fire-lilies. The volcano destroyed the local silk-spider population and she pleaded for funding to be able to reestablish them.

Azula took the rug, admiring the rich details and promised the woman that she would present her request to the Fire Lord.

The next petitioner was a veteran navy sergeant. He lost his left leg at the battle of the North Pole.

"Some days I still wake up thinking it itches. I try to scratch it, but there's nothing there. It is an odd feeling, Princess."

Azula looked at the torches burning next to her. Some days she still felt that the fire would breathe in rhythm with her, only to find that the connection was gone. She knew that empty longing all too well.

"What do you wish for?" she asked the man.

"Our entire squadron perished there, alone in the sea. I fear that their spirits are lonely, so far away, under the deep, dark, cold water. Maybe if you find a way to remember their names, it will lead them to the light." He gave her a small parchment with a long list.

Azula stared at the symbols. Each one a man or woman - people her father sent to their deaths in the name of glory.

"Agni will shine a light on their sacrifice," she said. The words never felt more empty.

Hiding the parchment in her sleeve, she turned to the next person. There were hundreds more waiting. Azula straightened her back. She could bear their pain. This was her duty and she would do what was expected of her.

After six endless hours, the line thinned out. The last petitioner was a little girl of about eight years old. She wore tattered rags, but her eyes shone with intelligence and curiosity.

"Are you really a princess?" she asked with a bright smile.

"Yes. Not what you have expected?"

"You are beautiful. I've never seen a real princess before, but my mother used to tell me stories about them," the girl replied. "I wanted to see one with my own eyes.

"Where is your mum?" Azula asked looking around.

"She died. She got sick from the fumes," the girl explained sadly.

Azula's heart squeezed. So much tragedy. "And your father?"

"He died in the war."

Azula sighed. "He died with honor then, serving his country," she had said these same words way too many times in the past hours. "Do you have a petition for me?"

"No, but I brought you this," the girl gave her a simple bouquet of snapdragons and fire lilies. Azula stared at the somewhat wilted flowers. Something was nagging her inside. It felt like they were the answer to a puzzle she had been trying to solve.

She noticed the girl's smile fading, perhaps thinking she did not like her offering. Azula took the flowers. "That's beautiful. Thank you."

The girl beamed at her, as if Azula was giving her a gift instead of the other way around.

"Who is taking care of you?"

"My brother," the child replied.

A boy of about ten broke through the people. He bowed low. "Sorry princess. Forgive my sister."

"She's a remarkable young girl. Take care of her," Azula said to the boy.

"Of course, Princess," the boy muttered, clearly frightened. "Come Aino, don't bother the Princess anymore," he pulled on the girl's hand.

Azula smiled at them. "Let me talk to Aino alone."

The girl stopped. Azula got up from her chair and leaned close to her. "You are lucky to have a brother who loves you. But he needs you too. Never forget that. Take care of him," she whispered to the girl. Maybe if someone had told her this when she was that age, it would have made a difference. She liked to think it would have. On a whim she took a gold pin off her dress and gave it to the child.

"I will, Princess," Aino said seriously, bowed and ran after her brother.

After the end of the ceremony ended, Shyu turned to the princess.

"You did very well, Princess Azula. We'll be expected at the Governor's mansion for dinner, but before that, I'd like you to meet someone. She may be able to help you with your bending."

Azula frowned. This was strange. She wondered for a moment if it was a trap. Then she reminded herself, Shyu was the Great Sage, with a spiritual link to fire. It was worth the risk.

They left the royal procession behind, and clad in simple robes, rode khomodo rhinos to the edge of town to a cave hidden behind a grove.

"We go in here?" Azula asked looking skeptically at the dark entrance.

"That's where she lives," Shyu nodded, dismantling his animal and heading into the darkness.

An old woman, dressed in red, wearing a bead necklace greeted him with a fierce hug. "Welcome, Brother."

"Sister," Shyu replied.

The old woman bowed, "Princess Azula,"

"What is this place?" Azula asked turning around. Little lights, like fireflies flickered all around. There were strange paintings on the wall.

"My name is Niano." The old woman said. "These are the remains of the ancient shrine of our order, the Sisters of Agni. We are energy readers, studying chi pathways."

Azula's eyes widened. "You can bend energy like the Avatar?"

Niano shook her head. "No, only the Avatar can bend energy… But I can interact with the flow of your chi. It tells me a story, helping us to understand what happened to you, if you please."

Azula looked at her with uncertainty. Shyu gave her an encouraging nod. Niano led her deeper into the cave, to a sparkling hall with a clear spring. She pointed Azula towards the smooth black rock and told her to undress. Azula stripped down to her bindings and laid down on the rock, the cold surface giving her goosebumps.

The woman held out her hand, lingering over Azula's body, but not quite touching it. It was a strange feeling, like a thousand fire ants marching in her veins.

"Why are you helping me?" the princess asked.

"When Firelord Sozin banned our order, your mother's family helped us to hide, to continue our art in secret. Your great-grandmother was one of us," Niano replied.

"I've never met my great-grandmother," Azula whispered. She knew every detail of the life and death of her Fire Lord ancestors, but she hardly knew anything about her mother's family.

"You remind me of her so much. She had an exceptional gift."

Azula always assumed that her firebending was something she inherited from her father. It was a revelation that her mother's family also counted great benders among their ranks.

"So what can you see?" she asked breathlessly.

Ninao frowned. "Your fire is still inside you, though it is weak and faded. But you won't bend again until you know without a doubt that you are ready to use your gift the way it was meant to be."

"I'll do whatever it takes," Azula pledged. "But how?"

"Forget everything you've known and open your mind and heart," the old woman replied. Another infuriating riddle.

"I don't understand what that means," Azula grimaced. She wanted something concrete. A form to master. An instruction to follow.

"Your brother has the key," the old woman whispered, she seemed to be far away in a trance.

Azula looked at her in confusion. "My brother? I am a much more skilled bender than he is. He cannot teach me anything."

"It is not about skill, Princess Azula. It's about understanding," Niano replied.

"Why should I believe you?"

"I'm only a messenger. The message comes from Agni himself," the old woman put her hands together to indicate that they were done. Azula felt a wave of bitter disappointment wash over her, it was another useless dead-end.

-0-

By the time they got back to town, the dinner guests had already arrived at the Governor's mansion. The governor's wife offered Azula a cup of rice nectar and introduced her to all the local upper-class ladies gathered around. Azula only half-listened to their boring chatter, focusing on the conversation behind her back between the governor, Shyu and one of the richest businessman of the province.

"Fire Lord Zuko is just a child. No wonder we are being eaten alive by the rest of the world. He pays more attention to other nations than to the suffering of his own people," the Governor grumbled, barely bothering to keep his voice down. Azula seethed. Their father never would have put up with such disrespect.

"Give him time, Governor. Fire Lord Zuko is doing good work with education reform and clean water programs," Shyu explained patiently.

"Programs that don't give work to all the returning veterans. At least mining was good work." The rich man, who unsurprisingly got his fortune from mining concessions, interrupted.

"Princess Azula, why don't you join us?" Shyu called to her.

"Fire Lord Ozai started the reckless military spending, bleeding our region dry," the Governor continued, barely paying attention to the princess.

"I don't remember you speaking up against him, Governor," Azula noted, popping a rice ball into her mouth. Her remark produced the required effect. The governor's face turned red.

"Nobody spoke up at that time," he stammered.

"Somebody did," Azula said quietly. "So maybe you should listen to him."

"I thought, Princess…" the Governor didn't finish. He didn't have to. They all thought she would turn on her brother, be a willing puppet to whatever pathetic conspiracy they were plotting. Well, they didn't know her at all.

"I'm loyal to my family and to the Fire Lord. I hope for your sake, you are too," Azula delivered the final blow, narrowing her eyes. The Governor turned pale. Shyu gave Azula an encouraging wink.

Azula took a shrimp skewer, and turned her back on the gaping men with a triumphant smile. With or without her fire, she was the Fire Princess and she still had her game.

-0-

The numbers painted a gloomy picture. Zuko knew how much the war depleted their economy, but seeing it in black and white, in a long row of sums still always felt like a punch in the stomach. They couldn't afford the war reparations, except the other nations were in even worse shape than the Fire Nation. It was the right thing to do.

He sighed and started combing through the papers trying to see how to make it stretch. Each line represented something: a school, a hospital, people's jobs, families' livelihoods.

The door opened and he saw his sister leaning against the doorway, dressed in a casual attire. She must have returned when he was in his meeting with the Earth Kingdom envoy.

"How did it go?" he asked.

"What did your spies report?" she replied with a wry smile, cocking an eyebrow. Zuko pondered for a moment whether he should deny that he got daily reports on her trip. He shrugged. Might as well come clean. Neither of them were naive - he was offering her an olive branch, but there was no reason to throw all caution to the wind. The reports he received gave him hope - she was the perfect princess.

"That you scared the pants off the good governor," he smirked. "But I'd rather hear it from you."

Azula nodded. "It was dreadful."

Zuko grinned. "I told you so."

"And the Governor is a weasel," she added angrily.

"Tell me what's new?" Zuko sighed. The reports from Hanu province were especially concerning, discontent was brewing into trouble.

Azula gave him an exasperated look. "I don't understand. Why do you put up with it? He's trying to undermine you. Why don't you just send in the army and snuff out rebellion?"

That was what a strong Fire Lord was expected to do. That was what Ozai would have done. Which was precisely the reason why Zuko didn't want to do it.

"The Governor has a point. Loyalty should work both ways. We've depleted Hanu province - took their rice, took their men to a senseless war and left them alone when disaster struck. It's up to us to prove now that we can serve them well. And I don't want people to be afraid to speak up anymore if they think I'm doing something wrong," he instinctively touched his scar. These days it didn't bother him the way it used to. But it was a constant reminder why things had to change. "It weakened us as a country."

"And you plan to serve them how?" Azula asked sharply.

"Giving support to them until they can reclaim their farmland," Zuko replied.

"But that will take years. We can't keep giving them handouts for that long."

"We can't let them starve either…They are our people. What options do we have?" Zuko had been turning this question over in his head, but saw no other way out.

Azula had a familiar smug look on her face which normally meant she was leaps and bounds ahead of Zuko. Well, if she had an idea to offer, he didn't mind.

"I met some of the local women, they showed me these incredible silk rugs they used to make. We could revive their craft, provide them with a start-up loan," she explained. "I bet I could make those things fashionable with the snotty upper crust."

This actually sounded like a decent plan. Something to restart the economy of the suffering region - giving them the dignity to find their own way out instead of keeping them on a lifeline.

"I bet you could," smiled Zuko. Of course, she was perfect and actually listening and thinking about what the people said, unlike Zuko when he did the festival as a bored little kid, only waiting for it to be over. It was the right decision to send her.

"So?" Azula frowned.

"Make a proposal and present it to the council," he said encouragingly.

She seemed pleased with the prospect of explaining her brilliant idea to the ministers. Azula always liked to show off. Then her smile faded. "The governor may have a point though about the reparations. Isn't our responsibility to our people first?"

This was a question Zuko grappled with constantly. "The war left us in a bad place, but the others are even worse off. It's the right thing to help them. But it is also in our interest."

"How so?"

"So they have money to buy our rice and mangoes, our re-purposed machinery and your silk rugs." Zuko added with a pointed look. "At least that's what Minister Todo explained to me."

Azula remained skeptical. "Let's hope the old scare-crow is right."

"Anything else interesting?" Zuko prodded. Shyu mentioned that he would take Azula on a little side trip, but remained mysterious about it, claiming it pertained to purely religious matters.

"Shyu took me to this old woman, his sister...she told me about an old art of firebending called energy reading," Azula said hesitantly.

It sounded familiar. "Uncle once mentioned it to me, I think."

"So did you plan this all the way?" Azula snapped. "I don't need all the smokescreen."

Zuko shook his head. He suspected Uncle had something in mind, but that was the extent of his involvement. "No, of course not. You know me - I've never been the long play guy. But I would not be surprised if Uncle thought about this when he decided reinstating this particular festival. So what did she tell you?"

Azula shrugged. "She said that I'll bend again when I'm ready. It was probably just a lot of humbug."

Zuko felt that this was not the full story. "But?"

Azula bit her lips. "She told me that our family..., mum's family helped them hide after their order was outlawed. That mother also protected them."

Zuko's heart started to beat faster. Maybe that woman would know something about Mother. "I… I had no idea." Zuko took a deep breath, asking the question that had been on his mind for a long time. "Azula, did Dad ever talk to you about what happened to her?"

Azula looked at him almost scared. They were forbidden to talk about their mother after she disappeared. "No. He never mentioned it and I knew I was not supposed to ask. I thought maybe she'd come back when you became Fire Lord." Zuko had hoped for the same, and now he was fearing the worst. Azula added on a low voice. "Do you know something?"

"Father told me that she was banished for her role in killing Grandfather."

"So she could be alive." Azula's eyes widened in shock. "Why haven't you told me this? Did you try to talk to Dad about it?"

Zuko bit his lips. He didn't tell her because he couldn't trust her. But now, finally it felt like they were on the same page.

"Of course I did. But he's not telling me anything."

Azula's voice was trembling. "I could try. Maybe he would talk to me."

Zuko was tempted for a moment. She was always their father's favourite. If anyone, she could get it out of him. He pictured their reunion… then he shuddered. Azula going down there, defeated, without her bending…Every part of him screamed that it would be wrong, that she wasn't ready.

"I prefer you didn't," he said hoarsely.

Azula scoffed. "You don't trust me. He's my father too, Zuko. You can't keep me from him."

"He's poison, Azula. He destroyed our family once. I don't want that again. We'll find another way." He knew if she insisted he'd let her, but he really hoped this time she would listen to his warning.

There was a long moment of silence as she looked at him with a mixture of defiance and relief.

"Fine," she said finally. "I'll go and work on my silk rug proposal instead."

"I do think it's an excellent idea," Zuko gave her a relieved smile. "Although looking at the budget - let's just say it's in less than stellar shape. I'm trying to find where to cut - but…" he waved at the large pile of paper in exasperation.

"Zuko - do you need help with that?" she sounded eager to stay.

"You have nothing better to do than spend your evening on budget lines?" he shot back mockingly.

"I like to be valuable," there was just a hint of defensiveness in her voice.

"And I don't mind the company. There is more than plenty here for both of us…" he handed her half the pile.

For the first time in forever the silence was comfortable between them. It felt like family, there was only one thing missing.

"Tea?"

"You sound like Uncle…"

Zuko shrugged. There were definitely worse things in the world than sounding like Uncle.

-0-

Zuko was right, the numbers painted a grim picture. Azula frowned as she took in the pathetically small sums - the military was bled dry, festivals lost their founding, badly performing factories were being closed down. It was the price of giving money to schools, so kids like Aino could learn and to hospitals, so people like Sergeant Toko could get healed. It was a painful, but necessary trade-off.

She remembered the little girl with her wilted flowers. The puzzle in her head fell into place.

"I got it!"

Zuko looked up with surprise. "You found us more money, already?"

"No, the stupid pai sho game riddle, Uncle left me with. I know how I win it," Azula explained triumphantly.

It was ridiculously simple, but also counter-intuitive. She had to sacrifice all her strongest tiles to fight her way out of the corner; the orchid, the cherry-blossom, the jasmine, representing power, wealth and strength. Only then could her weakest tiles, the fire lily and the snapdragon, representing family and duty create a bond that was strong enough to win the game. Wily old man and his long plays…

He set it up on purpose, she realized. She thought of him for the first time with grudging respect. It was a lesson in more than just pai sho.

"Is that even a strategy?" Zuko asked after she gave a lengthy explanation of the winning play to him.

"Have you learnt nothing of pai sho spending all that time with Uncle?" Azula looked at him incredulously.

"I tried my best to resist," Zuko grinned.

"You are such a Dum-Dum sometimes," she shook her head.

Zuko threw a budget scroll at her with one hand and managed to catch Druk by the leg with the other before the dragon could set it on fire. Azula laughed. It was a lot like when they were just kids, acting out during boring lessons with pompous tutors. Their laughter got interrupted by a loud knock.

Suki entered, placing a scroll in Zuko's hand, the two of them whispering. She gave Azula a measuring look before she left. Zuko unrolled the letter and started to read. Azula watched his face change from worried to relieved to a grin.

"What is it?"

"It's from Sokka," Zuko handed her the parchment.

Azula stared at the atrocious handwriting covering the thin paper, curling in every direction like a frustrating labyrinth.

"How do you read this thing?" she scowled.

"I remind myself that my best buddy did not have an expensive education with the finest calligraphy masters money could buy. You get used to it."

Azula blushed at Zuko's playful rebuke. He sounded like mother, reminding her constantly of her privilege. Instead of coming up with a sharp reply, she started to read the letter.

Hey Buddy,

We made it back to the South Pole in one piece. Gran-Gran is much better thanks to Katara's constant fussing and splashing. But you know my sister… she takes it very seriously. Unfortunately, she still doesn't want to leave Gran-Gran, which means we won't make it to the solstice festival, which is a terrible pity. The special fireflakes are my favourites. And that bonfire dance thing. And the paper lanterns.

So anyways, it got me thinking of plan B: why don't you come down instead to celebrate first shark-whale hunt of the season? You haven't seen South Pole culture until you've seen that. And you know how Aang is squeamish about these things.

And I promised Princess Petulant that I'd take her shark-whale spotting. I think she could do with an immersion tour of the South Pole - what do you think?

There will be meat and spirits, music and dance and a sled-race. We'll prepare all local specialties for the occasion. We can go ice-dodging again, since you were so fond of that last time.

I hope you can spare a moment for fun and friends in all you terribly serious work. Team Egg deserves a reunion!

Sokka

PS. can you find the next volume of the Love Among Dragon series? I was on Book 3 and I can tell you, the plot thickens.

PS 2. Pack some warm clothes for Druk. I'll ask Gran-Gran to make a fur hat for him. I can't wait to see my fiery baby. He must have grown so much.

"Princess Petulant?" That was a terrible nickname. She was never petulant. Contrary, yes. Unyielding, sure. Stern, maybe - sometimes.

"He used to call me Jerk-bender…" Zuko shrugged.

"And you let him?"

"Terrible nicknames is how Sokka shows affection," he explained patiently.

"You have weird friends," Azula noted drily.

"I know," beamed Zuko proudly. "So what do you say? Shark-whale hunt festival?"

"I don't know. Local delicacies and ice-dodging? It sounded more like a threat than an invitation." Azula had no doubt that Sokka was planning ridiculous pranks.

"It's a challenge," Zuko shrugged.

Getting out of the palace did sound like fun. She would show the Water Tribe boy what a perfect shark-whale spotter looked like. She would research absolutely everything on shark-whales.

"Well, I've never been to the South Pole," she said, trying not to sound too eager.

"That's decided then," Zuko nodded, not at all bothering to hide his enthusiasm. "It's a must-see."

They turned their attention back to the budget lines. The two of them together, spreading scrolls on the floor of the study - it felt right. She let out a deep breath. Maybe it was just her eyes playing tricks on her, but it looked like the candles on the wall flickered.

"Your brother has the key ," Niano's words played in her head.

Druk flew over to her and wrapped himself around her neck. His scaly body felt strange against her skin, but not unpleasant. The dragonling breathed a fiery breath on her earlobe. Its warmth tickled her in a pleasant way. Maybe there was something Zuko knew that she didn't.

"Zuko…" she asked hesitantly. "The Avatar… Aang told me that you learnt a dance from the dragons."

"Uhm," he muttered in agreement, not looking up from his paper.

"Would you teach it to me?" She was feeling ridiculous, so she elaborated. "Maybe that's the key to unlock the fire."

"Sure," he said simply. "Tomorrow morning? But I warn you, I practice at first light of dawn..." he added with a glint in his eyes.

"I'll be there," she nodded. After all, she was the Fire Princess. She rose with the sun.