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"Fire Lady Katara…Fire Lady Katara?"
Katara looked up at the sound of the Earth Kingdom delegate's voice. "Pardon?"
"I asked how you were liking the Fire Nation so far."
"Oh, I'm…liking it," she replied, taking a sip of your tea. These "delegates," as the Earth Kingdom ambassador had introduced them as, were no better than the Fire Nation's own courtiers: gossiping wives and daughters of noblemen. But at least these women were functioning on the pretext that they liked her, or at least respected her as the wife of, arguably, the most powerful man in the four nations. She suspected the ambassador had brought them along to keep her out of the "men's" meetings, but she couldn't prove it. She could only smile and play host to the women graciously.
It had been weeks since she and Zuko had argued about the kiss, and she thought their relationship was both better and worse. Better, since they hadn't fought again, and worse, because they were barely speaking at all. Their relationship had taken quite the business-like tone—friendly, but impersonal. And it pained her, to her core, but she didn't know how to fix it.
"It's taken some getting used to, but I am liking the warmer weather most days," she continued.
"I've heard the Fire Nation has some of the best beaches," one young woman, with a bright green flower in her hair, said.
Katara nodded her agreement. "I've seen a few. But we haven't traveled much since we were married." Which was true. After their honeymoon, her only trip outside the palace had been to the market, and that was months ago now. Zuko left every week or so for military training exercises and the like—for as little as a day or as much as a week—but she was not permitted, or invited, to go.
To make matters worse, people had noticed the couple's distance. "People" being the women of court. Earlier this week, she'd heard a rumor that tore at her heart and gut, but she could only pretend that she hadn't heard it. She could only attend council meetings and sit beside him as he leaned away from her. She shared Zuko's bed at night when he was home, but with council meetings winding down for the season, and his traveling schedule, she could hardly know where he was at all times. And she shouldn't have to know—he'd never done anything to betray her trust.
Well, at least not since they were children.
But his aloofness as of late still hurt. He was still very kind to her, yes, but different. Indifferent.
"There are some very nice beaches in the Earth Kingdom," green flower's sister laughed, "but I'm afraid between the rocky coastlines and unpredictable inclement weather, it's not worth the trouble. I tell my father we'd be better off vacationing at a Fire Nation resort, but he insists on dragging us to some isolated peninsula every summer."
Katara tried not to glare at the girl. She would kill to get out from under all the prying eyes, for a bit of privacy. "I remember some very nice resorts on the west coast. The Bei Fongs—"
Sister laughed. "The Bei Fongs! If they didn't have so much money, they wouldn't—"
Green flower elbowed her sister, effectively silencing her. At least one woman in the room remembered her close relation to the Bei Fong family.
After an awkward silence, the conversation was redirected, but Katara sighed with relief when a Jien told her it was time to get ready for dinner. She dressed slowly, not looking forward to the fifth and but final night hosting the Earth Kingdom envoy. She had thought she'd enjoy having company, new faces, new conversations, and initially, she did, but after five days, she just wanted the palace to herself again—well, herself and the husband and few hundred servants she shared it with.
Fortunately, the dinners became less formal as the week progressed; tonight wouldn't require a formal entry, which meant Zuko hadn't waited for her. She didn't let this bother her until she spotted Zuko across the banquet hall, conversing with a tall, lithe, leggy woman with straight black hair that fell to her backside. Her bright red satin dress, that hugged her sharp curves, was a stark contrast to her dark hair, and though her arm was around Reike's waist, her eyes were all for Zuko. Both the men appeared enthralled with her, and for once, Zuko didn't look completely bored.
Katara swallowed the lump in her throat, ashamed of the anger she was feeling—because it was only anger, not jealousy. She was not jealous. She was turning on her heels, preparing to excuse herself discretely, when Reike looked over the young woman's head and spotted her. Almost immediately, Zuko followed his line of sight, and Zuko was soon crossing the room to her. She squared her shoulders, prepared to hear some explanation or excuse.
But instead, after greeting her with a bow, he asked, "Come with me, please? There's someone I want you to meet."
She was so shocked, she couldn't voice her objection, and he took her silence for acceptance, leading her across the room with a hand at the small of her back.
The woman bowed low when she approached, smiling up at her sweetly. "It's an honor to meet you, Fire Lady Katara."
"Oh, the honor is mine…"
Reike put his arm around the woman again. "Katara, this is my sister, Laike."
"Your-your sister? I didn't know you had a sister."
"You didn't mention me?" Laike asked, looking up at Reike and poking him in the ribs.
"I could've sworn I have…she's my twin sister. I didn't mention that?"
"No, you didn't."
"Well, that sounds just like him, actually," Leike said with a bright smile.
"It's not my fault you've been gone so long."
"Only a year!"
"Laike has spent the past year traveling through the Earth Kingdom," Reike explained. "She says it was to help rebuild some towns affected by the war, but I know it was just to avoid getting married."
"I see you've managed to do the same. No little wife for you yet. How're you liking the Fire Nation so far, Fire Lady Katara?"
"Oh, I'm…liking it," Katara said, surprised by the shift in conversation. Yes, they were definitely related.
Zuko asked Leike about her time in the Earth Kingdom just as an attendant announced dinner was ready. The twins bowed and retreated to their end of the table while Zuko led Katara to their seats at the head of the U-shaped table. Once Zuko was seated, the rest of the room followed suit, and the room grew loud with conversations once again.
Tonight, they were seated across from an elderly Earth Kingdom General and his wife. Iroh was sitting at Zuko's left. The general was discussing post war reconstruction efforts and the implementation of new technologies in the rebuild. Zuko pointed out that while this was the more expensive route short-term, it would be more beneficial in the long run. Katara agreed, and the general pointedly ignored her, and Katara understood that she had not been welcome in the discussion.
"Either way, is technology really what we should be investing in?"
Katara looked up at the sound of a new voice. The source of the voice was young, in his military dress uniform, of low rank but seated close to the general and his wife.
"Oh, you'll have to forgive my son, Fire Lady Katara," the general's wife pleaded, patting her son's arm. "He can be quite cynical about matters he deems as frivolous."
"I see."
"Forgive me, if I was rude. I meant no offense, Fire Lady Katara." He stood and bowed, holding out his hand to her. Tentatively, she placed hers in his, and he kissed the back of her hand. "Forgive me."
She swallowed, awfully uncomfortable, but nodded her consent.
He bowed over her hand and introduced himself before releasing her. "Tano, of Ba Sing Se, corporal in the First Regiment of the Earth Kingdom Armed Forces."
"Pleasure," she said, rubbing her palms against her thighs under the table.
He bowed to Zuko, who was eyeing him, expressionless, before sitting back down.
"And what industry would you invest in, hm?" The general asked gruffly. "You would have us rebuild everything exactly the way it was?"
"Why not? Why change what previously worked?"
"Things are always changing," Zuko pointed out.
"Yes, but the money being spent on these new structures and defenses could be going to welfare, education."
"Well, I would think the reconstruction is creating new jobs, and people have to learn to use these new technologies, to maintain them. You're equipping them to take care of their families, so that their children can go to school and not have to be worrying about bringing in a second income…" Katara stopped when she realized they were all staring at her. "I'm sorry, did I say something?"
"Your bride is very…articulated. Informed," the general stated as he sipped his wine, and it didn't sound like a compliment.
"She is. My Fire Lady attends all my council meetings with me, and she was a vital part of reconstruction efforts in the Southern Water Tribe before joining me here. Her contribution is invaluable."
Katara looked down at her lap, feeling her face grow increasingly hot. She hadn't expected Zuko to come to her defense like that, let alone sing her praises.
However, the general sipped his wine, muttering to himself, and Katara managed to catch one word: "heir." She froze, her blood turning to ice water in her veins.
And Zuko had caught it, too.
Katara could feel the shift in the room almost immediately. The general's wife looked terrified, and even Tano looked wary. The rest of the room, sensing the Fire Lord's change in demeanor, quieted around them.
"I'm sorry, general, did you have something to say?"
"Nothing you haven't heard from your own council already, I'm sure."
"Father…" Tano warned.
"I am sure that is none of your business. I'm also sure that you have just insulted my wife under my roof, and I'm sure that is not what you were sent here to do."
"I was sent to ensure the Earth Kingdom's alliance with your nation. If that means ensuring there is a nation to have an alliance with—"
"Enough!" Zuko shouted, rising to his feet. "Captain, please escort the general and his wife back to their ship. I'm afraid he's had too much to drink."
"I am not drunk," the general insisted, but he did sway unsteadily as two palace guards lifted him to his feet. His wife bowed to them, apologizing profusely, before following her husband out of the room.
Katara could feel her heart pounding in her chest. She just wanted to disappear, to melt away from this room, from this scene. She couldn't remember feeling this embarrassed, this hurt. And still, every eye in the room was on her, on her and her husband.
Zuko remained standing, eyeing the room wordlessly. Finally, he said, "I may have a considerably more lenient reign than my father, but do not confuse leniency and mercy for weakness. And do not think you can enjoy my hospitality, insult my family, and leave here my friend, my ally. You will find no such mercy from me." He sat back down and downed his wine. After a moment, conversations resumed, if much quieter than before.
Katara could barely breathe, let alone move. Her hands remained fisted beneath the table and her eyes were glued to her plate of untouched food in front of her.
Zuko's hand on hers startled her, and she let him pry her fist open and lace his fingers through hers.
"May I be excused?" she whispered quietly.
"No. You cannot show weakness either."
She knew he was right and she hated that.
Dinner passed in a blur, and Katara was relieved when Reike and Leike appeared and asked her to join them for drinks. Katara let Reike lead her to a private veranda that overlooked the city. She took the glass he offered without question, choking when expecting wine she found fire whisky.
"Easy there. I know you need it, but still," Reike said, sitting next to his sister on the sofa across from hers.
She took another sip. "So, Leike, did you enjoy your time in the Earth Kingdom?"
Leike looked at her brother, who shrugged. "Lady Katara, we don't have to talk about me right now."
Katara signed, leaning back on the cushions. "Fine, as long as you don't call me 'Lady' Katara again."
"Want to talk about it?" Reike asked.
"Not really."
"Was Zuko overreacting? He does that, sometimes," Leike said, half joking, half serious.
"Not this time. The general was way out of line. He's lucky he was only asked to leave."
Katara looked over her shoulder at Zuko as he strode onto the veranda. He poured himself a glass and went to stand at the balustrade, his back to her.
Fighting the stinging in her eyes, she downed the rest of her whisky and poured herself another glass.
"What was the old man thinking?" Reike asked.
"Clearly, he wasn't. Drunk fool."
"The old Zuko would've—"
Zuko snorted. "I think we can all thank Agni I am no longer 'old Zuko' for a multitude of reasons."
"He wasn't wrong though."
Zuko turned around to glare at Katara. "What?"
"He's not," she said, holding his gaze steadily. She finished her second glass without breaking eye contact.
"Katara, I think you've had enough," Reike said quietly, trying to pry the glass from her hands. She let him, but grabbed the bottle and scooted further away from him.
"Katara—"
"Reike, will you excuse us for the night? I'll take care of her."
Katara was vaguely aware of the twins saying goodnight and leaving her with Zuko.
"Katara, come to bed."
"No. I don't want to go in yet. It's such a nice night."
"Fine, but give me the bottle."
She took one more sip before handing it over. He sat down on the other end of the sofa and took his own swig. After a few silent moments, Katara whispered, "I'm sorry."
"I've never seen you drunk before."
She laughed and wiped at her tears. "Not for that. For…" She sighed. "For not giving you an heir yet."
He looked over at her. "What?"
"I know I should've—"
"Katara, I thought we agreed we were going to wait till we were ready."
"I know, but—the contract—"
"Are you ready?" he pressed.
"I…I don't know."
He moved to sit beside her, their thighs and knees touching. Gently, he took her hand and laced their fingers together like he had earlier at dinner. "Is this alright?" he asked, kissing her fingers.
Breathless, she nodded.
"This?" he asked, kissing her temple.
Again she nodded. When his lips lingered, she said, "Here would be alright, too," touching her fingers to her lips.
He smiled, a rare sight that caused her heart to skip a beat.
"I'm not going to kiss you there tonight, Katara."
"Why not?" she pouted.
"Because you're drunk."
"I'm not. I'm just dizzy. And I'm angry at that Earth Kingdom man. And my stomach hurts a little. Why won't you kiss me?"
"Because I want you to remember when I kiss you." He stood, reaching down to help her to her feet. When she swayed, he scooped her up in his arms.
"Where are you taking me?"
"To bed."
"You promise to kiss me tomorrow?"
"If you promise to let me know if you need to throw up."
She leaned her head against his shoulder. "Are you mad at me?"
"For what?"
"For being a bad wife."
"You're not a bad wife, Katara. You're a wonderful wife, and I'm very proud of you."
"You are?"
He nodded.
She fell asleep in his arms, the sound of his heartbeat thrumming softly in her ear.