Chapter Nineteen: Katara
"Agni!"
The shrill sound pierced my ears making me jump. His body, a warm reminder we fell asleep in bed together. My limbs wrapped up in his.
Kiri's voice sounded nothing short of incriminating as Zuko and I scrambled away from one another. I immediately missed his heat.
Zuko cleared his throat, "It's-it's not what it looks like!" His palms extended out in front of him as though they could exonerate what Kiri had just been a witness to.
How scandalous was this? The Avatar's very public love interest curled up in bed with the Fire Lord himself.
Kiri rolled her eyes, "Get out of here before someone sees you." She all but hissed at him. His cheeks colored a pretty crimson before briskly walking into his conjoined bedroom.
As soon as the door shut Kiri's squeal threatened to deafen me.
"You have to tell me everything! And we don't have much time, I have to get you ready for your first meeting with the council."
As I bathed, I told Kiri what happened. Her giggles and hushed 'Oh my, spirits..' calmed my nerves for the council meeting. I emerged from the bathing chamber my eyes falling on a navy blue gown draped over the bed.
I was to be the Southern Water Tribe's princess today and speak for my people. The pressure was overwhelming, but I welcomed the challenge.
Kiri motioned for me and I dropped the lush towel to my feet. I stepped into the dress. Its fur made me feel at ease, comforted for the first time since I arrived here.
I felt her pull at the ties that rested on my back, the pearl colored ribbon fashioned into a bow cinching my waist and defining my hips.
Kiri worked on my hair as she mumbled about Zuko and I's sordid encounter. She stepped back from me, critiquing her work before lining my eyes with kohl.
"Ok, I'm done, tell me what you think?"
I stood and turned to a mirror. Tears threatened to fall.
Kya was staring back at me.
Hair loopies framed my face from my mass of chocolate curls cascading down my back.
My azure gown was long, dragging on the ground behind me, the sleeves fell well past my wrists. The penguinseal's white fur was impeccable and I briefly wished I could thank the hunter who harvested it so beautifully and the seamstress who dyed the rest a rich navy blue.
The neckline dipped low and showed some cleavage, my mother's necklace fastened around my throat. It was non negotiable who I was and why I was here.
I thanked Kiri and she escorted me to the chamber the meeting would be held in. She wished me 'good luck' before I braced my palms on the metal door and pushed.
Eyes consumed me. Judging and mumbling upon my entrance. I kept my head high as a guard led me to my seat and I thanked him before sitting down.
My eyes danced across the people here. Almost everyone in attendance was in Fire Nation red. Just as I found Shiu's warm smile down the table Zuko entered.
I sensed his presence before I saw him, my body felt ablaze as his eyes raced over my figure before looking away.
"Thank you all for joining me on this momentous occasion, we have many things to discuss." He motioned with his left hand and we all took our seats.
"We are honored to have Princess Katara here in Caldera to discuss foreign relations with the people of the Southern Water Tribe."
I inclined my head in his direction, "The honor is all mine, Fire Lord Zuko." I heard a loud scoff across the table. An older man I did not recognize stared at me disinterested and equally offended.
"Is there a problem, General Shu?" Zuko's voice, careful and cautious. The general stroked his graying beard, smirk on his face.
"With all do respect, my Lord, but this girl is hardly a princess. And even if she were to be recognized as such, the Southern Water Tribe sent a child, a woman no less, to handle their affairs? It just seems to me that they aren't taking this seriously."
I fought the urge to bend the water from the pitcher in front of me and show him how serious this was. Before I could say something on the matter, Zuko spoke up.
"Princess Katara, daughter of Chief Hakoda, was properly inaugurated and will bear the title of Princess. She is a war hero, waterbending master to the Avatar, and has saved my life on multiple occasions. You will show her your utmost respect or lose your place on the council.
"That goes for anyone who wishes to question Princess Katara's stature and importance at these meetings to form a new world of peace."
I wanted to gap at Zuko. I never thought he would defend me that way, especially in front of his council.
General Shu stood abruptly, his scowl sending wrinkles across his aged face. "Fire Lord Ozai would never allow a lowly peasant, nonetheless a woman, to stand council!"
I jumped to my feet, the glass pitcher shattering as I bent the water from it threatening to drown this worthless man right here. My body slipping into a freezing cold state, a welcome numbness.
Then the room grew ten times warmer as hot flames began to flicker, crackling away, Zuko standing in the middle of it all.
"Ozai is no longer your Fire Lord, I am. And if you, or anyone, has a problem with that you can take it up with me. I have no tolerance for your treasonous words. Remove yourself General before I do it for you. Permanently."
Zuko oozed power and strength. I couldn't look away.
General Shu looked furious but he didn't say a word as he walked out of the war chamber. I tried to think about what it might feel like to be Zuko.
Some of the Fire Nation still fiercely loyal to Ozai and their desires for world domination is as frightening as it is damning.
Although the war finally ended we still have battles to fight that threatened everything we had sacrificed and worked towards.
I looked back at Zuko, the flames dissipating, his eyes on me and the water I still bent. I took a deep breath, letting the water evaporate into the air before taking my seat once more.
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Will post chap. 20 :)
