It was the night before the wedding, and Leiko was locked away in her room in Kilix's quarters. She was in a white night gown, and the chains were still on her hands. There were guards below her window and in front of her door to make sure she wouldn't escape. Leiko was disconcerted and a mess at the moment, pacing back and forth in her room, letting her chains rattle and her heart race. Shortly after dawn she would become Kilix's wife. Her hair was out and it swiftly danced around her as she turned and followed the same course she had been walking in the room. As she did, she clutched the necklace Zuko had given her.

Zuko…her dear prince, he was so far away and out of her reach. If only she could touch his face one more time. She'd give anything, but she also knew that Zuko was mad at her. He had every right to me mad at her. She knew he would never want to see her ever again; after all she did kill his sister. Leiko sat down on her bed and thought more of her sweet prince. "He's so far away. Oh, Zuko…I'd do anything to take it back. I'm so sorry. I can't live without you." She whispered and bowed her head and tears began to flow. They trickled down her cheeks and dropped off her chin.

"Leiko…" she heard a voice say. She turned towards her window and saw a figure dressed in black with a familiar white and blue mask on.

"Zuko…" she started and leaned towards the window. The figure removed his mask and revealed it to be no other than her Prince Zuko. "Zuko!" she cried and she ran over to him and hugged him! He hugged her back tight and more tears spilled from her eyes. "Leiko." Zuko repeated.

"Oh Zuko I've missed you so!" she said and she looked up at him. He wiped away the tears from her cheeks with his thumbs and kissed her forehead. "I thought you hated me."

"I could never hate you, Leiko. I love you too much!" he said and then he hugged her again. "What have they done to you?"

"They tried to hang me."

"What?"

"But Kilix saved me." Zuko went silent, "He said the only way he'd keep me alive is if I marry him." And then she held up her shackles to show him, "I've been walking around with these on since I got back. It's terrible, Zuko!"

"You're marrying Kilix?" Leiko just bowed her head.

"Yes…"

"When?"

"Tomorrow morning." She said. There was more silence between them.

"Run away with me Leiko." He said suddenly.

"What?" she asked with a sniff.

"Run away with me, the ship is here. We can sneak out. The guards down there left a long time ago. If we hurry we can leave now. We'll get back on my ship and then we can…be together again." He slowed down towards the end. Leiko wanted nothing more than to run away with him and be free. And to just be with him would mean the world to her. But she sat down on her bed and replied,

"I can't."

"What?" and he sat down next to her, "Why not?"

"I've already been bind to Kilix by law. If I even mess up the slightest bit than they'll kill me." There was more silence between them.

"I'll fight Kilix in an Agni Kai! If I win, he'll have to let me take you away!"

"No Zuko! You don't understand. There is no way out of this. Either I marry him tomorrow morning or I die. And if you try and help me than you'll die too."

"I'd rather die than go the rest of my life without you Leiko." Zuko replied while looking her in the face and a hand on her cheek. Leiko just broke down into tears.

"Oh Zuko, me too! But I can't! I have to marry Kilix."

"Leiko…I've come back for you."

"And there is nothing more I could ask for. But I'm sorry…I have to stay here." And then she looked back up at him. Her eyes were full of need. "Just…please…tell me you forgive me…and that you love me. I can't go on knowing you don't love my anymore." Zuko just looked at her more as her amber eyes glistened like flames. "Tell me."

"I love you Leiko." He said and then he leaned in and they kissed.

"You should leave." Leiko said against his lips.

"I can't." he mumbled back and they began to kiss deeper. Leiko felt Zuko's hand creep down her back and onto her thy. She touched his cheek and his hands began to roam on her as they stood on her bed on their knees. Leiko wanted his hands to explore…for it was the last time she'd ever feel his touch.

They were interrupted when there were footsteps in the hallway that drew closer. Leiko stopped kissing Zuko and removed his hands from her warm body and pushed him away. "Zuko, my love, you must go! He's coming!" she said. Zuko just shook his head and went to kiss her again.

"I can't leave you here."

"But you must!" and then she pushed him away harder. "Please!"

"But I love you so much."

"If you love me than you must go." She said. Zuko just frowned and walked to the window. "I will never ever stop loving you, Zuko."

"And I you Leiko Sikari."

"Go." And with that he climbed out the window, just in time for Kilix to come in. He looked at Leiko and saw the tears in her eyes and walked over to her.

"My dear, what is the matter?"

"Nothing that concerns you." She replied and wiped away a tear. Kilix went to run his fingers through her hair like Zuko had just done but Leiko turned away in disgust. "Do not touch me!" Kilix just leaned in closer to her.

"You are my fiancée. I can touch you whenever I want." He said and he stroked her cheek. "You're so beautiful. Even when you are crying." He whispered. "Can you bless your husband to be with a good night kiss?"

Leiko was appalled and pressed her hands up against him to keep him away. Kilix went back and looked at Leiko. His gaze turned into a glare and he gripped her wrist tightly! He leaned in and grabbed her hair on the back of her head and forced her lips on his! Leiko resisted the kiss, but it was no use! Kilix pulled away and let go of her, and she just wiped her mouth. "You have soft lips." Kilix said.

"Bastard!" Leiko muttered and crept back on her bed.

"No matter, tomorrow I will be able to make you do that whenever I please. You will be under my command. And you're going to like it whether you want to or not." And then he grabbed her wrist again. "Now…kiss me again." He said.

Leiko gave up on fighting it any longer. Without Zuko in her life anymore, why should she even try? She gave up on not just her life, but herself. She knew that marrying Kilix would change everything, including her. Without freedom how could she be herself? There was no reason to even try. She would turn into another married drone that does whatever their husbands command in the end.

So she leaned in and reluctantly gave him another kiss. He pulled her in closer, making it passionate. She wanted to fight it so bad, and she hated the feeling of his tongue in her mouth! But all the fight left her body and she went limp and allowed it. His hands began to wonder on her body, and squeeze the parts he saw fit. She whimpered when he removed his lips and hands from her and turned away. Kilix just patted her head. "Good girl." And then he walked out. "Good night." He said and he closed the door behind him. Leiko stretched out on her bed and broke out into hysterical tears.