She finds him sitting underneath a cherry blossom tree, arms crossed and with a frown on his face.
Katara hesitates before making herself known. She could go back. She could crawl into her bed and pretend that her heart isn't completely and utterly broken.
But she cannot say no to her Prince.
She moves out of the shadows, steps light and silent. Zuko spots her, and he smiles softly at her, pleased.
"You came." He walks forward and wraps herself in his embrace and Katara curls her fingers into his tunic. She can barely breathe. Nevertheless, she manages to find words.
"Why did you ask me to meet you here?"
He pulls back, but just enough so that he can gaze down at her. "Katara, I love-"
"No," she snaps. "Don't finish that sentence."
"But-"
"You're getting married in a two days. Do you think I haven't been counting?! It's all I can think about an I can't even do anything about it because your father wants you to marry some Fire Nation-"
He kisses her and she shoves him away.
"What's wrong with you?!"
He laughs and Katara feels the old urge to smack him.
"I don't care about any of that. I'm just a prince. My cousin will become Fire Lord and I'll be expected to go into politics or the military or travel, but I don't want that. I don't want any of that. I just want you."
"But your father...and my father...we're worlds-"
He leans down and kisses her forehead. "I don't care."
She leaves with him that night.