Guys I changed it and added!
BOOK ONE: FIRE
CHAPTER SEVEN: LOVE AMONGST DRAGONS
LOVE IS A FIRE. BUT WHETHER IT IS GOING TO WARM YOUR HEARTH OR BURN DOWN YOUR HOUSE, YOU CAN NEVER TELL.
- Joan Crawford
You'll never be anything more than a bastard, the harsh words echoed in his mind. Try as he might to ignore the harsh sting of them, he still felt as if they had made hundreds of thousands of small incisions across his heart. Or, more accurately, what was left of it. And what was that, he wondered as he, wearing a long black robe, strode through the capital. His disguised earned him more than a few suspicious looks, however they were easily ignored.
He didn't owe these people anything, he was above all of them. They should be parting way for him, he thought, laughing at the idea. His title had never garnered much respect in the palace, but out here it might. Everyone in the palace sneared at him, as if it was his fault his mother opened her legs. If anything it was the firelords fault, he should have kept it in his pants, Ozai mused to himself. He found his thoughts drifting to his father. If it was possible for a person to feel true, pure, unrelenting hate, Ozai felt it for his father. The man was a wheasle, a snake, a cockroach (that could be the only possible reason he was still alive). He was a disrgace to the firenation, a bad ruler and -
Ozai was so consumed in his traitorous thoughts that he didn't notice the women crossing his path until it was too late. He felt his body hit hers, the force of it pushing her, along with the baskets of fruit she carried, to the ground. He angrily mumbled something as he brushed off his robes, about to give the women a piece of his mind. However, when she looked up at him, he was caught off guard by her beautiful blue eyes.
It's important to mention that Ozai had never seen eyes of such color. Around the fire location, people either had Amber or brown eyes, the exception being the royals who had piercing golden ones. Times in the past for me for him as he stared into the depths of the murky sea that raged in her eyes. He could see pain, something only one who had experienced it as well could recognize. And so he stared, blatantly ogling such a feature. When he finally managed to break his gaze from the entrapment of hers, his eyes scanned her face. Tanned skin stretched along her shocked features as she stared up at him. She was young, perhaps even younger than him. Her long obsidian hair framed her delicate face, stretching back into a bun of sorts. Her lips, pink and decorated with makeup, hung open as she looked at him.
She apologized, her musical voice ripping him out of his haze. He shook his head, indicating there was nothing to be sorry for, as he bent down to help her up. He forgot if he was a prince, forgot even interacting with commoners was beneath him. And so he extended his hand, which she gratefully took. She brushed herself off, looking down at the fallen items with a look of dread on her face. Why did she seem so fearful? Ozai wasn't going to ask this question, but it did intrigue him. Instead, he offered to replace the items. She gratefully accepted, and once they had picked up the mess, they made their way back through the streets.
Not much for said as they walked, however the prince still found himself clinging to her every word. Mostly she was just taking him, thanking him, and apologizing for running into him. She asked where he was from, as she had been coming to market every day and hadn't yet seen him around. Ozai simply explained that he lived within the palace, working as a servant for the second prince.
"Prince Ozai?" She asked, to which he nodded. "That must be dreadful, I've heard some awful things."
Ozai wondered what she had heard. He wanted this because truthfully, he had never done anything to warrant such rumors. Unlike his brother who was out fighting wars, his father had decided to keep him secluded. He was often reminded that this was the case so he couldn't further embarrass his father, as being born was embarrassing enough. Still, he didn't know where such rumors came from. It wouldn't be his fathers doing, fear was power. If the people of the capital feared him, that meant he had power in the capital, and his father wouldn't want that. No, so who's doing it. It had to be someone with power, with say. Only one person came to mind, and he decided he would confront him later.
He was saved having to answer the question by the bell of the door, dinging to announce they had entered the shop. After filling the woman's baskets up with fruit, Ozai offered to help her carry it back home. It was the least he could do, he assured her.
She apologized, her musical voice cutting him out of his haze. He quickly bent down, forgetting he was a prince and far beneath this. He helped her place the items back in her baskets, realizing just how much she had been carrying. He was impressed she had managed it. Some of the fruit was bruised, and though it shouldn't be that much of a deal the girls eyes were wide and fearful.
"I can get you some new food," he offered, his voice sounding strangely unsure. Still, when her relieved eye met his, smiling gratefully at him, he smiled back. And so he purchased replacements for all the items she had found, as well as a few extra things. He offered to get her a pastry as an apology, however she insisted she was in a hurry to return home. He sadly agreed, far too interested in this girl to want this to end. He respected her time, understanding her situation as he too should be returning soon.
When they made it to her house she smiled and quickly thanked him. He nodded, apologizing yet again before they finally parted ways. Still, she didn't leave his mind. Not as he made his way through the passageways back into the palace, not as he crept back into his chambers. Perhaps it was this distraction that was responsible for his stupidity. And his stupidity, well that resulted in him getting caught.
"Ozai," the voice of the firelord sneered. His father stood in his room, watching as his son entered.
Ozais' heart beat instantly increased in pace, fear surging through his body as his eyes made contact with Azulons. Without thinking he bowed to the floor, prostrating himself in front of his father. However his father didn't signal for him to rise, instead mad for his son to stay in this uncomfortable position.
"You were training for quite some time," he hissed, angrily aproaching his son.
"Yes, while mastering the lightning technique has proved to be quite challenging," he replied, forehead still touching the ground.
"And yet your brother mastered it easily, far before he reached you age," Azulon reminded him.
Everyone always compared Ozai to Irohs, causing him to resent his brother. He knew his brother was kind, only he didn't see him much and it was much easier to hate him as it helped fuel his training. Sure, Ozai wasn't as proficient a fire bender as the general, however he was far better in other areas of fighting. He could easily beat his brother hand to hand, or with swords. However you would never hear his father talking about this.
Azulon's footsteps stopped mere inches away from his son. He stared down at him, and Ozai knew his expression was no doubt filled with disdain. "Had you truly been training I may be inclined to forgive your tardiness, however when I arrived at the arena you were not present, in fact the staff claimed you left early," his father stated.
Ozai's body shook as he realized his father was onto him. He knew what followed and dreaded it still. "You should really improve your lying if you wish to get away with such actions."
———
It had been a week since the incident, a week since Ozai had left the palace. His wounds were starting to heal and he could once again walk. His body didn't demand as much sleep as it had to start the healing process, however he was still in no shape to train. This resulted in more time, more time to think. Or, in his case, more time to obsess.
He thought about the women, about her eyes. Her smile, her laugh. Everything about her. He hadn't even gotten her name, he chastised angrily at himself. Still, he did know her place of residence. So when the opportunity presented itself, he once again snuck out of the palace.
It was night, a full moon as it happened. He noted this as he finally emerged into the outer city. He had a keen memory and remembered where her house had been, in fact he remembered it down to the exact street. Okay, perhaps he had been paying extra attention. Still, he was able to make his way to the women's house rather easily.
As he approached his steps began to falter with his nervousness. He shouldn't be so nervous, he was an Agni damned prince. Still, he knocked on the door with trepidation, anxiety pooling in his stomach.
He saw the lights flicker on, knowing they couldn't be electric as only a few nobles had access to such things, he deduced they were a fire bender. He could hear footsteps approaching the door, could see a shadow emerge through the lights. With ever second his anxiety grew, until finally the door swung open to reveal… a middle aged man.
Ozai tilted his head sideways, examining him. He didn't look at all related to the women, his physic was that of an average noble. Ozai didn't recognize his family as having someone in the palace, and so didn't have much information on him. The man looked back angrily, upset that this hooded man had appeared so late at night. No suspicioun though, such things didn't happen in the caldera.
"I'm looking for a girl, blue eyes," he said, the most distinctive feature. He decided the women may have a husband, something that seemed strange with how young she was however who was he to judge. The man however looked even more confused.
"You won't find any of that type in my house," he said, scoffing. Ozai wondered what he ment, however he didn't ask. No, he didn't have time because the man slammed the door in his face.
Ozai hissed angrily, how dare he! However, outweighing the anger was confusion. The women had given him the wrong house on… purpose. Only why would she do that? Ozai, not yet wanting to return home, walked throughout the empty streets of the capital, confused and disappointed. He sulked through the capital, kicking pebbles in anger. Eventually, Ozai became bored of this activity, and decided to go to the one place he knew was open.
When he arrived he went straight to the barkeep. As he ordered himself a beer, he heard the loud rapping of the door signaling another visitor. He turned around, expecting it to be another patron come to drink themselves silly. Only isntead he saw her, the blue eye beauty. She noticed him staring, and apon recognizing him she waved. He returned it awkwardly, wishing he was invisible. He didn't want to acknowledge his presence, but he couldn't exactly ignore it either. He had been so confident when he went looking for her, only now his stomach churned with anxiety. Perhaps it was that she had caught him off guard, or perhaps it was simply how it would have been regardless.
She walked up to him, smiling brightly as she took a seat beside him. "Small world," she commented, to which he laughed.
"Only a few bars in the capital are open this late," he said, grabbing the women tending the bars attention. Her long black hair hung loosely past her shoulders, resting right above her exposed chest. He tried not to look, however it was difficult considering her lack of clothing. "can I have a dragons fang for me and," he looked towards the blue eyed woman.
She paused, and he was worried he had overstepped. He had assumed that since she came up to him, Agni, maybe he was as dumb as his father tried to tell him. However after the excruciatingly long moment she spoke. "can I have your Agnis blast," she decided.
Ozai raised his eyebrows, taking note of her size. She was fairly small, and the drink she ordered, while needless to say even he couldn't withstand it without having to make use of his fire ending. Of course if she was a fire bender that wouldn't be a problem, considering they could chose to burn through alchohol. But all firebenders he had encountered had yellow eyes, and hers were… he tried not to get lost in them, focusing his attention on the drink that had been shoved infront of him.
"You don't think I can manage," she said, not a question. Je didn't even bother to lie, it was true. In response she simply smirked at him, raising her glass. He took a deep breath before bringing the cup to his lips and drinking deeply. Once done he wiped his mouth, turning to her.
He had expected to see her sipping slowly on her drink, however was suprised to dined her glass already empty. He raised his eyebrow and she laughed, singnalling for the bartender. "wanna go toe to toe with me, pretty boy?" she asked.
The night sang on, downing drink after drink after drink. She could certainly hold her alchohol, however eventually everyone had a limit. After paying for the drinks the two stumbled from the bar, laughing as they walked into one another.
"well, I should probably get back to the palace," in one of his more sober moments he had told her he was a servant there, which she believed. "are you positive you don't want me to walk you home?" he asked.
She shook her head, very adamant about him not accompanying her. He sighed, wanting to respect her yet still worried. "Pheraps later this week we could meet for that pastry," he asked her.
She didn't even have to pause before nodding. "I-I would like that a lot!" she said, blushing slightly. "I umm, I'm free Sunday at noon," she said.
Ozai nodded, he could make it work. "How about we meet up at the market then?" he asked.
She nodded happily, a red dusting her dark cheeks. "Yes! That sounds wonderful!" she exclaimed.
With a small smile on his face Ozai turned to leave, making his way back to the palace. On the walk back he made sure to burn through the alchohol, though agonizing nessesaey it he was to sneek back inside.
she watched him go, sorrow in her heart. He seemed kind, like he understood her. He too was a servant, his master also cruel. She bit her lip before she stumbled back to the hole she crawled from.
He did get her that pastry, as well as many more. They became enthralled with one another, meeting every night when the moon reached its peak and parting at the first rays of dawn. It was the only time they could see one another, both of them victims to controlling masters and fates that favored them not. Still, when they were around eachother they managed to let that go, to forget about all the pain and suffering they had been forced to endure for simply being born. Instead they could focus on the beauty in one another, on the laughter they inspired in eachother. On the smiles the gave and the glances they stole.
On particularly cold mornings when they were waking throughout the capital Umi would huddle close, using the fire bender as a furnace to keep herself warm.
Ozai never told her his name, Lee sufficed, though she always refered to him by both endearing an annoying nicknames. Her favorite thing to do was refer to him as a turtle duck, a hard exterior shell however a soft l, cute belly underneath. He reminded her he was anything but soft of build, which caused her face to scrunch up in laugher. Ozai on the other hand had taken to calling her his blue eyed firespitter, inspired by the flame that seemed to burn within her.
The first time she let such a side show they were sitting down at the bar. It had been early morning as normal, and so only really drunk men had remained. Ozai hadn't seen it coming but he had witnessed it happen, a man grab the round flesh of her ass, squeezing roughly. Thoughts of murder flashed through his mind, anger clouding his vision. However she hadn't given him time to act, in less than a second she had ripped the hand from her backside, broken it at the wrist. The had spat on him angrily before walking away with Ozai, ignoring the looks they revived as they left.
His blue eyed firespitter. Of course latter, days after the incident he had his men track him down and bring him to Ozais chambers. He had burn him to nothing more than ashes, the scream he wished to release never leaving his throat. His men, the ones that were loyal to him, not Azulon or Iroh, had cleaned the mess and hid all evidence. The man had disappeared, his wife and family would forever be searching for him, holding out hope he lived. Only Ozai couldn't bring himself to feel bad, he knew he should but it was almost as if the longer he loved the more the part of him that did faded.
The met ragularly for mounths, none of them ever missing a meeting. Of course Ozaiz training suffered due to this, which angered his father, but it was all worth it to him. All the hours spent laughing and talking, the even better hours spent in silence, enjoying each others presence. She had come to crave his company, perhaps almost as much as he craved hers. She began to think of him, to worry for him when he would appear with a burn of sorts. The prince was an awful master, she assumed, Lee would shrug it off. Still she worried quite a bit, however it wasn't even close to the worry she felt when one day he didn't show up.
Umi waited for him, maybe he would simply be late. When it had been an hour she decided perhaps something had come up. She should have left it alone, only something in her gut told her not to. And so she found herself crawling through the palace tunnels, the ones Lee had shown her when occasionally they came back here. It wasn't often and she didn't know them well, however she was able to stumble around until she found paths she recognized. She wandered deeper into the palace, her feeling of unease growing along with something else, fear. She was afraid something had happened. Her worst fears were confirmed when in the tunnels she found a body.
It wasn't a sight for the week stomached. There was a path of blood that followed him for a while, as if after collapsing he had tried to crawl his way further from the palace. Blood stained his robes, robes that most certainly did not belong to a servant. Umi took no notice of that as she raced over, pulling the blood dampened hair from the persons face. Golden eyes blinked open slowly, finding her blue ones. His face was carved in pain, fear, and shame, tears rolling from his eyes.
Umi had to bring a hand to her mouth in order to suppress the scream that threatened to leave her lips. Her eyes welled with tears, her stomach rolling with fear. "Lee," she whispered, voice hardly audible, scared that saying it would make it true.
An: ik guys, this time around I'm giving Ozai actually depth and character development.
this will either be a two or three parter. Either way, book one ends at chapter ten, so it's coming to a close! I'm so excited for you guys to see what I have instore.