Zuko knows the hush that comes over the palace at times like this. There is a certain kind of stillness that only comes before assassins burst in and chaos breaks loose.
This time is different, though. Katara sleeps beside him, her curls strewn across the pillows. His blood runs cold. Before now, he has always faced these threats alone. Before now, he has never had a wife's safety to consider.
Soundless, he slips out of bed. It doesn't matter who has come for him. If necessary, he will fight them off with his bare hands.
They will not harm Katara.
Katara wakes to the sound of fighting in the corridors and an empty space beside her where Zuko should be. Before she has time to think, she is out of bed and running.
She finds Zuko surrounded and backed into a corner. He fights with all he has, flames and swords moving as one. But it isn't enough. The are too many attackers and the guards are nowhere to be seen.
Katara's jaw clenches. She will not be defeated. She takes hold of their veins and brings the assailants to their knees one by one.
"No one hurts my husband."