Katara and the guards were halfway to her room when one said, "that was entertaining. Did we miss anything, good?"

"No, just the discussion of a Ball. You're welcome," she said wryly. Both guards chuckled.

She stopped and turned abruptly to look at them. They halted too. "Who do you work for?"

"We're just general palace guards," the second answered.

She cocked her head, "how did Kei find you?"

"You know her name?"

She rolled her eyes, "I'm not a snob. I value good people. I knew her name before I'd been in training in the harem for a week. How did she choose you?"

The one with the scar over his eye said, "Kei," he then coughed and blushed. "Kei said we fit your specifications."

She chuckled, "she did know I wanted to have muscled, intimidating-looking guards. She more than outdid herself today." Katara then turned and started walking, and they quickly followed.

She then stopped a servant in the hall who bowed deeply to her. "Can you deliver a message?"

"Of course, Katara, ma'am, miss, umm…."

She chuckled, "I promise Katara is fine. Please tell Aya, Haru's mistress, to meet me in the harem gardens tomorrow at ten."

"It would be an honor," he said, bowing and then walking away quickly to do what she asked. She knew the message would be clear. She had news, and it would need to be delivered privately.

When they made it to the room, she stopped and said to the guard with the scar over his eye, "Kei isn't seeing anyone. I only say that because she is an exceptional woman, and it is only a matter of time before some kind man figures that out."

"I have a scar," he whispered.

She rolled her eyes, "you're complaining to the wrong woman. I was raised among warriors; do they not have them in the Fire Nation?!" She asked rhetorically. "It's only scars on the back that bring dishonor to the water tribe men. Even if they lose," she stressed, "they faced their opponent and they didn't run. Be a man that doesn't run."

She then turned and entered the room, and she was thrilled she beat Zuko back from the council meeting.

Seven minutes later, he came into the scowling and grumbling. She asked, "was the meeting that bad?"

He shot her a look, "no, actually, it was great for a change. It was the two muscled guards in the hall begging to be your bodyguards that got me in this mood. They have scars on their faces! I know how sexy you find that."

Her eyes shot wide, and she started laughing. "I love you so damn much, Zuko. You're so perfect."

"Because I'm jealous?"

"No, because you've realized your scar is sexy. Because you trust me when I say it is. You despised that scar before me. It makes me so happy." She smiled at him lovingly. "You're my world."

"I know, and I trust you. I don't trust them. Why are they even there?!"

"Long story. But first, they were helping me help you. I don't even know their names, and I know one has a thing for a very worthy woman." It was the truth and why she refrained from asking their names. She liked to show respect for all people. But once she saw them, she knew Zuko might feel jealous. And she respected him more than anyone.

He sighed, "Katara. You're beautiful always, and with that flower in your hair, you're stunning. Men are always drawn to you."

"So having me guarded might be a good thing. Someone did try to force himself on me."

"Ugly guards," he insisted, and she laughed.

"Kei picked them out for me because they look scary and intimidating."

"Kei?"

"A servant in the harem and the crush of one of the guards. She was a huge help to me today."

"I might fire her," Zuko grumbled and couldn't help himself; he cracked a smile. "How did she help?"

She smiled at him. "I'm thinking of your mouth devouring my pussy as I tell you how amazing I am."

He stalked toward her and pinched her nipple as he said, "on my desk, yes."

"Wait, what desk?" she asked, looking around.

"The one in the office my father gave me after how I handled Chief Hakoda and discovered that my 'useless' mother wasn't a threat."

She started crying tears of joy. "Oh, Zuko. He values you. I'm so happy."

"You care about that?" he asked, confused.

She smiled tenderly. "Yes. Because you do."

He lovingly rolled his eyes and held her. "You get I want him dead?"

"No, you don't. You need him dead. The whole world does. He's still your father even though he's a monster."

"Dammit, I love you too much, Katara."

He then pulled her from the room. He was excited to show her his office. It was in the "hall of honor," and that did matter to him.

When he got to the hall with her, he glared at the two guards waiting expectantly. He pointed at Katara, "she's mine. Get that?" they both nodded. "Kill any man that touches her. You're both her bodyguards. I'll make sure it's official. He then looked steadily at both of them. "Why? Why do you want to guard her?"

"It will be the most entertaining job in the whole palace," the guard with the scar on his cheek said.

"Nozomu, the two guards here," Zuko said to his new secretary, pointing to them. "Make them Katara's guards. Oh, and…" he blushed. "You might want to do that now."

Nozomu bowed and said, "Prince Zuko, I will do as you say, and then..." he flushed. "Make myself scarce for a while." He then bowed respectfully and walked away.

Katara laughed as she entered the office. "Handy. If we lock the door for a secret meeting, he'll leave, assuming he doesn't want to hear us have sex."

"There will be lots and lots of sex in here," Zuko vowed.

She looked Zuko in the eyes and said, "don't you get it yet? I want to fulfill every desire of yours." She cupped his cheek and kissed his forehead. "More than that. I want to be everything to you. I went to the wives' lunch today. I did it to make them realize you are faithful and wouldn't require those around you to shame their wives and rut indiscriminately. Yes, I'm a mistress, but I want them relieved when you make me your wife." She slid her hand down his pants and gripped his cock. She stroked him and leaned forward and whispered into his ear, "use me. I don't care. I would do anything for you. But mostly, I need to heal your scar, not the one on your face, but the one on your heart."

She kneeled and yanked down his pants and licked his cock. "I forget what I was saying," she teased.

"You were saying…" he moved and thrust his cock in her mouth. "I can't hear you."

She made sure that he was absolutely audible as she sucked his cock. He came hard down her throat, and he grunted out his orgasm. She kept his softened cock in her mouth and moaned as she sucked him clean.

He then grabbed her up and laid her on his desk, pulled up the bottom of her dress, and pulled off her panties. "Why do you wear these? They're always in the way," he teased, then tossed them on the floor over his shoulder.

She laughed and then gave him a seductive look. "Think it will set the servants talking if I stop wearing them? They do my laundry."

He flicked her clit and smiled triumphantly as she moaned and grew wet. "I hope so," he whispered as he moved down and brought his face to her pussy. "I like everyone knowing I please you." He then licked between her folds, and she moaned out loudly.