Chapter 12
Zuko awoke to the faint glow of sunshine behind his eyelids. Had he really forgotten to close the curtain last night? He groaned, and shifted to move out of the sunlight when he felt a warm figure at his side. Momentary confusion was replaced with sudden realization as the events of the previous night rushed back to him.
Entirely awake now, he turned his head to look at his beautiful bride. She was still asleep, her loose brown hair swept over everything near, including his arm and chest. She was breathing gently, and he couldn't' help but watch as her gorgeous breasts rose and fell with each breath. He gently began running his hand up and down her arm.
Kya's eyes opened lazily, bright sapphires catching and projecting the sunlight. Zuko felt his chest grow tight, along with something down below. Spirits be cursed, she was gorgeous!
She looked at him drowsily until recognition dawned on her as well. She ducked her head as a blush began to creep up her face. She looked around, confused. "How did this happen?"
They were tucked under the covers, no mess from the previous night noticeable. Zuko shrugged. "I was still awake for a bit." He brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, "I figured you'd want to wake up well."
She beamed and his heart melted. "Thank you." She pressed a gentle kiss to his lips before snuggling up to his chest.
Zuko smiled and wrapped an arm around her waist. "Kya, I…" He trailed off, unsure of what he was going to say.
She leaned her head back to catch his eyes and kissed him, soundly this time. "I understand."
Kya sighed in contentment, snuggling back against him. Her sister (her real one) had told her what having a romantic marriage was like, but she never would have imagined this. Better than sex? Not anything she could imagine.
Zuko groaned. "I have a meeting in half an hour." His hand slipped from around her waist before Kya caught it.
"Ten more minutes." Her voice was muffled against his chest.
Zuko hesitated for only a moment before giving in. He pressed a kiss against her forehead and squeezed her tight.
The ten minutes were up far too soon, and he pulled away. Kya sat up with him, and he handed her her clothes, neatly folded on a chair. They dressed in silence, the peaceful kind from before. But something was different.
After they finished dressing, he sat for another moment on the bed, and she leaned against him. A sudden thought came to her, and she sighed. "I'd like to thank you for last night." Her eyes glistened as she looked up to him. "That was the best night I've had since… well… ever." She looked away. "I hope you can offer the other girls a similar comfort."
Zuko winced. He had entirely forgotten about the outside world in their few hours of heavenly bliss. "Kya, I don't want to-"
She cut him off with another kiss, arms settling on his shoulders. He reciprocated, allowing the now familiar sensation of Kya to relax him once more. She pulled away after a few seconds.
"None of that. I am as much your wife as they are." Her face fell. "As much as I wish they weren't."
Zuko swallowed. "Maybe you could visit tonight?" he asked hopefully.
Kya shook her head. "And risk their wrath? I hate to say it, Zuko, but this is a status game for most of them. If I appear to be 'winning'," she said, emphasizing the word with air quotes, "they will go for Katara." Her face clouded. "And I cannot allow that to happen."
Zuko frowned. "They wouldn't do anything to hurt you, would they? I mean, they could get in serious trouble." He thought of his mother's reaction to such a thing. She would NOT be pleased at all.
Kya thought for a moment. "I cannot take that risk," she answered finally. Her face softened as Zuko's fell. She lifted his chin with her finger. "However much I want to," she murmured.
They sat for another minute before a pounding at the door startled them. A brief glance at the time made Zuko curse. He stopped immediately after noticing Kya, and she giggled at his expression. He apologized, and she waved him off.
She smiled as he left, and blew him a kiss. The moment he was gone, she felt lonely again.
On her way back to the Tributes' room, Kya was interrupted by the approach of Lady Ursa. "Might we talk?"
Kya nodded and Ursa gestured for her to follow. She obeyed.
It occurred to Kyra that Ursa was not much older than she was. The reality sunk in that she was almost old enough to be Zuko's mother! The thought took some getting used to.
Ursa led them into a small conference room, with a single table for two. They sat down, the women studying each other.
"I hate to ask…" Ursa started. "But I have to be absolutely certain." Kya shifted uncomfortably. "You bedded him?"
Kya's jaw tightened. "Yes."
"And he came inside of you?"
"Yes."
Ursa nodded and leaned back, satisfied. "Thank you. During our measuring today, we will have you take some herbs to detect whether or not he impregnated you."
Kya's eyebrows shot up in confusion. She was sure that they had given her anti-pregnancy herbs. Maybe that hadn't figured out which ones worked yet. "Yes, Your Highness."
Ursa dismissed her with a wave of her hand. As Kya rose to leave, however, she called out one last question. "Did you enjoy yourself?" The question sounded almost playful.
Kya stopped in her tracks, face already beginning to burn. She hesitated for a moment. "Yes, Your Highness."
Ursa smiled. "Thank you, Kya. That will be all." Kya bowed and exited the room.
Ursa bit her lip as Kya left. Kya's face had told her all that she needed to know. Zuko's harem was definitely warming up to him.
The tributes were already up and chatting when Kya entered. She did so quietly, but all eyes in the room immediately turned towards her. Mai's scowl spoke volumes, her face far more dark than usual. Keeping her head down, Kya headed over to where Katara sat on their bed.
Katara got a queasy feeling in her stomach thinking about what had likely happened last night. Her mom with Prince Zuko. She couldn't wrap her mind around it at all. Worse yet was how calm her mom was being with all of this. We all must adapt, dearest. How could she do it?
Kya sat on the bed next to her, and they sat in awkward silence.
Before either of them could speak, Ty Lee was already there in Kya's face. "How was it? Is he big? Did you get pregnant? Did you deepthroat him? Did you use toys? What kind of-"
Kya silenced her with a hand. "We did nothing except...the obvious." Her face began to redden once more. "And kiss."
Katara tried to erase the image that had arisen in her mind. She flopped back into the bed, groaning, as Ty Lee kept pressing for details.
Kya kept her answers distressingly vague. "He's an alright size," and "We'll have to see." After only a few minutes, Ty Lee was interrupted by Ursa throwing open the doors.
"I'm afraid that breakfast will be had in here today," she announced, "due to our… late morning." She grinned at Kya, who pursed her lips in response. "During breakfast, we will conduct our weekly measuring."
The women glanced around, eyeing each other's bodies. "Keep in mind," Ursa continued, "that it has only been a week. Most of you likely didn't change at all."
June seemed unimpressed with the topic. "Who's Zuko bedding tonight?" She asked abruptly. Kya flinched. Mai glared.
Ursa gave a small nod to June. "She will be picked by an activity this afternoon. As the harem manager, I intend to give the next privilege to the most capable of you."
She paused, and gestured for Menolda to come forward. Menolda offered a bag to Kya, clinking indicating the presence of coins within. "This is for your exceptional performance last night." Ursa smiled. "200 gold."
Audible gasps were heard around the room. Kya's eyes widened as she accepted the bag. Ty Lee's jaw dropped, and she gazed at Kya, impressed.
Ursa gestured for the other seamstresses to come forward. "With all that aside, it's time for breakfast."
New Measurements:
Suki: 26/20/34 – 20/40 – Average – 10 gold
Ty Lee: 26/18/30 – 20/38 – Acceptable – 0 gold
Mai: 36/25/36 – 22/47 – Noble – 20 gold
Kya: 39/28/42 – 25/53 – Royal – 75 gold
Katara: 34/24/33 – 19/43 – Acceptable – 1 gold
June: 42/27/35 – 23/50 – Noble – 35 gold
Katara stared in shock at the slip of paper she had been given. She looked at her score a little more closely. Before, she had… she tried to remember. But she had gotten more than one measly coin! 33,23,33. The only difference was that she had grown a little in bust and waist, likely from the amount of food being brought in.
She sighed and looked at her uneaten breakfast. It was clear that Suki's careful eating habits and exercise routine had paid off, judging from the small pouch of gold. Maybe she should actually try.
She glanced over to her mother. In addition to the large bag of gold from her visit with Zuko, she now also held a much smaller, but still properly sized bag. Katara couldn't help but wonder about what June said about men. Maybe Zuko really did just go for the best figure.
She tried to restrain a small burst of jealousy that attempted to jump into her face. Maybe if she was better sized, Zuko would have picked her first.
Kya glanced over at Katara and caught her staring. Katara quickly averted her eyes and returned to her plate of food. She picked at it, wondering how much she should eat. She had quickly warmed up to the comforts of palace food despite its foreignity. Cutting back would be hard.
Her thoughts were interrupted as Ursa rose from her seat and gathered everyone's attention. "Menolda will be handing you your new assignments. As it would be such a waste to have you all do nothing, we have assigned each of you a job around the palace."
Katara blinked. It hadn't occurred to her that they would get jobs. As the newness wore off, she had been wondering how they were going to keep busy, but she hadn't expected a job.
Menolda offered her a slip of paper, not unlike the one she had found in her dresser. Shaking these thoughts off, she opened it to peer inside. Rice Tender. Rice? She knew nothing about rice!
Ursa clapped twice, and the servants began packing up the food. "You will begin your assignments tomorrow. In the meantime…"
"Let's play."
I'm back, and ready for more! Hope y'all didn't give up on me!
I'm going to ask three things, as I need ideas: First, what activity are they going to do? Second, who's going to win the activity and claim Zuko's second night, and third, what jobs should everybody have?
Please just send a review with your vote, and I'll make sure to keep this updated.
If you've gotten this far, I'm proud of you! Thank you all!