He was prepared for Mai as she was. Cold. Unapproachable.
Not Mai like this.
Still a politician – still ruthless, calculating, precise.
But she carries the child with her almost all the time.
She carries Kya.
She takes her to meetings with spies, has her beside her throne, at the dinner table with ambassadors. Zuko cannot believe the change in his wife – for she is his wife still, after the formal explanation for her actions, and her heroic deeds.
He cannot escape it.
She wears bright colours because they are interesting for the baby to look at, feeds the turtle ducks of her own accord. Speaks gently to the child, tenderly spouts the nonsense that many adults speak to children. All little pretty baby this and lovely precious Kya that.
She has become friends with Suki, who comes with her own child, and takes tea with the Fire Lady.
Mai sleeps with Kya beside her bed, changes her nappies, holds her when she wails.
And Zuko cannot bear it.
Katara is dead. She's dead.
He dreams of her. Dreams she lies beside him, kisses him. He weeps with happiness and holds her in his arms.
She asks him to do something.
For her.
Then she leaves and his heart breaks again.