I was standing in the crowd on that horrible day.

I had just been called to the palace as the new High Priestess for the Fire Lord.

I had been told he was in an Agni Kai.

What had I expected? An honorable battle with a general or a master. Instead I saw a cruel, horrifying spectacle of a father marring his son.

As Prince Zuko went down, clutching his face, I saw one other face turned away—Iroh, the Dragon of the West.

I hurried to the old general.

"Please my Lord." I begged him. "Give me leave to save the prince. If something is not done, he will die."

Iroh took my arm and we parted the crowd. He gathered up his nephew in his arms and carried him to the healing area.

Normally this place would be full of healing-talent Waterbenders. But not during a war. It was up to me.

Iroh stepped back, not willing to look at his hurt nephew.

I placed my hands over the prince's face.

Silver light blossomed in my fingertips—spiritual energy. Priests and Priestess were those who had gone to the Otherworld and trained in the art of energybending.

The Fire Lord was not a superstitious man, and had so far dismissed my powers and abilities, leaving me no more than a servant. If he knew of my skill, knew I could easily find and pluck out the soul of even the Avatar—he would surely send me on such an evil mission.

Best that he remain ignorant.

I breathed in and poured more of my spiritual energy into the wound.

I find that wounds are alive with energy more than an accidental injury. This one seethed with anger and despair.

Tears poured down my cheeks as the wound fought with my spirit.

The Dragon of the West fell back a step.

It was then that the prince opened his eyes.

Xxx

Zuko had thought he was lost, dishonored, exiled.

But for a brief moment, he felt peace.

Her hands were soft and cool against his skin.

She was no healing-talent Waterbender.

That light in her hands touched his heart deep down and he sighed, watching her bright silver eyes, and her long dark hair and perfect caramel skin.

Then all went wrong.

Pain etched on her face; but she kept pushing the healing.

He opened his mouth to call out to her, but she couldn't hear him. Black light ate into her fingertips and up her arms like frostbite.

Suddenly the pain was too much and she flew from his side to the wall, where she slid down, caught by Uncle.

Zuko watched, still unable to move, in shock.

Why? Why did you do this for me?