10.2.12
Silver
He doesn't enjoy the night as much as she does - she knows that it's because it's the sun that powers his firebending - but he stays with her anyway.
She is sitting at the edge of of the pond in the royal gardens. The water is a sheet of liquid silver, smooth and unwavering until she finds a pebble and tosses it in. She watches the ripples cascade outwards until they fade, and then the pond is smooth glass again.
The breeze is warm. Ursa closes her eyes, taking a long, slow deep breath - summer is coming again.
Suddenly Ozai gently takes her hand, shocking her out of her reverie. In the time that they have known each other, he has been very careful not to come too near her, not to touch her. But now as his hand - hot against hers - grazes across her skin, she wonders if he has been waiting to do this.
She watches him, wide-eyed. His crown gleams silver in the moonlight as he tilts his head down slightly. His eyes do not leave hers as he slowly brings her hand up to his lips.
"My lady…" he murmurs quietly, and his eyes drop. He traces his lips along the inner curve of her wrist, a sensitive spot. It tickles, and she almost pulls her hand away in surprise.
He lowers her hand and sighs quietly, softly, leaning closer to her. He reaches up, moving slowly, gauging her reaction, then lets his fingers graze her neck and then down to her collarbone. She is barely breathing, her breaths shallow and slow. She's almost afraid to move - as if one false action will shatter the dream.
His head tips forward, his lips meet her jawline. Her heartbeat is loud in her ears. She tries to stay as still as she can, but as he moves lower, down to where the curve of her neck meets her shoulder, down to her collar - she can't help but want to touch him too. Her fingers weave through his hair, and he tenses for a moment before relaxing again.
Her hand finds the pin in his crown, undoes it. His hair falls around his face as the crown clatters to the cobblestone. A glint of silver.