Katara Pov

So far I'd been here for two days and In that time I'd bearly been out of my room. After Azula had marked me she'd dragged me to the room next to hers saying that she'll come get me when I was needed before she locked me in my room. The thought of escaping had crossed my mind, but every time I thought about I always realized that I had nowhere to go and even if I could escape the palace Azula would no doubt catch me before I got half a mile away.

Well despite the aching feeling from her burning her mark into my hand I guess it's too bad. I mean this room is honestly the most elaborate place I'd ever seen. The bed was like a cloud wrapped in silk, the view from the window was exquisite. But a prison was still a prison.

In fact the only people/creatures I'd seen were the maids that delivered my food three times a day. If I didn't get to do something and soon I'd probably go mad. Just as the thought of breaking something entered my mind it was soon interrupted by knocking which soon turned into the sound of a key being turned.

"I hope your decent because you have a job to do." As if summoned by my thoughts Azula had come.

"You never waited for my response, I could have been naked and then what?"

"Then I'd have you do your job naked but you'd do it never the less now come on." With no other choice I for the first time in two days left my room and followed her down the halls until we reached two massive doors. As she started to open the doors she turned to me and with slight amusement in her voice said.

"Oh if by some chance you do feel the need to walk the halls without clothes you wouldn't have to worry about the consequences. That mark on your arm will tell all that see it that you're mine and if they tried anything I'd personally castrate them before publically executing them." I couldn't tell if she was just telling me I was hers or trying to scare me, but at that moment I also felt a bit touched that I was under her protection even though I was a prisoner. After giveing her a quick nod she opens the door to what was possibly the most flower filled place I've ever seen. But then again I've lived my entire life in frozen tundras so seeing more than three plants in one place is a surprise to me.

"Come on we have an area set up for you by her bed." She says leading me further into the room where I'd be spending the majority of my time. As we passed a giant purple flower I took notice of a figure watering the leaves in a clearing and even from a distance I could tell she was not only severely sick but trying to hide the worst of it to not alarm others.

"Ty lee you should be resting not tending the flowers." The girl now known to me as Ty lee stopped watering her flowers long enough to look at Azula and actually smiled when she me standing next to her.

"Azula why didn't you tell me we had a guest? You know I love company" Before I could register what was happening Ty lee had crossed the short distance and wrapped me in a hug before pulling back and shaking my hands in an excited way. As she was letting go she took notice of the mark on my arm before letting out an ear-splitting shriek.

"Oh my gosh! Azula finally found someone! I knew she'd find love eventually and she's gorgeous! I wondered why you snuck away during the festival." During this little event Azula actually looked frightened.

"It's so good to meet you...uh..."

"Katara"

"Katara, what a nice name and I'm sure that we'll be the best of friends. Now tell me how did you two meet?" At this I looked to Azula desperate for any help she could give but she was a worried as I was and could only shrug which told me I had to improvise.

"Oh we met during the festival actually, in fact we had a very heated moment at a shrine and after a lot of pleading and a declaring of love she convinced me to come back and marry her." The sarcasm in my voice was lost on Ty lee who was grinning with happiness but Azula understood my words and that's what mattered.

"Anyway besides being my future wife Katara is an expert healer and because of this and the extremely powerful spirit water I got we can finally heal you of that curse."

"Really? But we've tried countless times before..."

"This time will be different!" The seriousness in her voice startled us both, but underneath I could still hear the desperate pleade that told me if this didn't work she'd probably break down.

"So please Ty lee just do what Katara tells you do do alright."

Azula showed the both of us to a nearby tub filled with spirit water and placed Ty lee inside. I'd studied healing like the other female benders although I preferred combat bending so this would be rather challenging. Taking a deep breath I focused my energy and felt the water respond to my touch as it started to glow. Almost immediately I felt a response from the water... something dark and hungry, whatever it was it was slowly draining Ty lee's life force away. When I couldn't just pull it out I tried to overpower it with the water but this thing was fighting me every step of the way as it seemed to move to exactly the place I didn't want it to be. But I wasn't about to give up so I focused all of my strength into forming a kind of barrier in Ty lee and pushing the curse away from her vital spots and down into her feet where with a bit of help from the water locked it in place. When it was done Ty lee let out a scream and I collapsed backward where Azula caught me.

"What happened?" She asked looking from me to her a panicked expression on her face.

"Azula I feel different, not bad like I usually do but still full strength."

After helping me into a chair and Ty lee out of her now soaking clothes and into her bed Azula turned to me.

"What happened?"

"Whatever curse she's under is powerful. I don't know exactly how to cure it but I did manage to push it from her vital areas and into her feet for now."

"So does the water help at all?"

"Yeah the curse recedes when near it but until I can do some research the best I can do is keep it from her vital organs and keep it contained but don't worry I've decided to save her and nothings going to stop me."For the first time since I've seen her Azula actually smiled and for some reason that made me smile.

"Good, now you must be tired I'll escort you to you room where you can rest I need you at full strength for tonight."

"Why? What happens tonight?"

"I'm hosting a party for the nobles and high-ranking officers of my kingdom and tonight I'll tell them all that I've taken you as my suitor so be ready to be paraded around."

I'd actually forgotten about that part of my job. If this kingdom was like it was in the water tribes then I'll have to deal with a lot of angry suitors tonight. Well at least I knew Azula would keep me safe even if it's only to ensure the charade goes as planned. As we said out goodbyes to Ty lee for the day and walked down the halls I took notice of the pictures I'd missed on my way there. Each one showed a young to old man or in some cases a massive dragon each one looking fierce and angry. That is for the very last picture which showed a smirking Azula dressed in red and yellow armor.

"Take a good look, each one shows a former leader of dragon kind from first to current. I'm the youngest to ever get the title so of course I have a lot of would be assassins. They help keep me in shape mostly." To say I was impressed was an understatement but then again I reached the title of master sooner than any in over a century. As I entered my room I noticed some things had changed, for one there was now a round table overflowing with books and scrolls and secondly there was a door connecting our rooms together.

"I had my servants bring all the scrolls on water bending they could find and to install a door so that we could be together but still have privacy."

"Great just what I wanted"

"Oh don't be ungrateful it's just to make sure I can reach you in case others try to kill you in the middle of the night." As i moved to examine the scrolls on the table a small glint caught my eye. when I went to investigate I found the light was coming from a blue diamond necklace that was laying atop a dark blue dress. From the looks of the dress it seemed modeled after my normal outfit except this was clearly made to show off certain assets.

"I am not weaing this thing." I said flinging it at Azula.

"Come now I can't have you appearing in public in your normal clothing all of my important people will be in attendance and if we're to pull this off I need you to look completely stunning. Now be a good girl and put the dress on."

"And if I refuse?" She just smiles before shoving the dress into my hands and leaning close to my ear.

"You can either look stunning in the dress or look dazzling with no clothes on. Either way you'll be at the party tonight." I remembered her words earlier today and knew that I had no choice in the matter so after letting out a sigh I accepted the dress.

"Excellent, now I'll be change into my attire for the night and come and get you." As she leaves through the adjoining door I slip from my outfit and into the dreaded outfit that I would be stuck in for the night. As the last of it slid into place and I looked at the only mirror in the room I couldn't help but realize that I did look pretty amazing in it. Knowing I couldn't put it off I crossed the distance to the door connecting our rooms, but before I could open turn the knob it swung open to reveal Azula wearing what I would only guess was formal armor. As I took in her appearance I saw that she was doing the same.

"I must say that dress only increases your beauty."

"That armor makes you look good as well. Now can we just get this over with?"

Once again she guides me down the halls of her palace until the sound of music starts to fill my ears. When we finally get there I nearly freak out from what I was seeing. Spirits of all shapes and sizes were milling about some just talking while others were dancing. There were even two massive red dragons that seemed to be seeing whose fires was strongest while others watched and cheered them on. Not only spirits but I could also see a few humans about which really surprised me.

"I thought I'd be the only human here."

"Oh you are, but all spirits have some shape-shifting abilities and some spirits just prefer to look human. Now smile and get ready I'm about to set our charade into motion." While raising one hand she sends a small blue flare into the air getting everyone's attention.

"Attention citizens of my kingdom I have an announcement to make. As you know for some time I've ruled this kingdom alone but that time has come to an end." This started a wave of murmurs amongst the crowds of spirits.

"Tonight I am glad to tell you I have chosen a suitor that will eventually rule by my side" As she talks I saw an older man with dark golden eyes and a long black beard smile as he starts to make his way toward us as Azula kept talking.

" Now everyone I present to you my bride and future ruler Katara of the water tribes." All eyes shoot to me and I do the only thing I could think of and smile and wave showing everyone the mark on my hand as I did so which caused another wave of murmurs.

"As you can see she already wears my mark making it official. But for those of you still unconvinced allow me to show you our love." Before I could stop here she grabbed the back of my had and forced me into a kiss.

She's kissing me! That was never part of the deal. And what's worse is that she's my first. I knew I had to make it look real so after repressing the urge to push her off I wrapped my hands around her waist as I waited for her to finish. When she finally pulled back I saw the tiniest blush on her face that soon changed into her usual smirk as she turned to the crowds. With the announcement now out I was soon greeted by multiple people some of which applauded me while others said nothing but their anger was still clear. It was just after I'd finished shaking hands with one of them when I saw the man from earlier talking to an older man who must have been his father. They both looked angry but unlike the son who was literally steaming he wore a cruel smile on his face as he spoke to his son. I don't know what they said but for some reason it made me feel uneasy which caused me to unconsciously grab Azula's hand.

"What's wrong Katara?" When she didn't receive an answer she followed my gaze to the two men who took notice of being watched and raised their drinks as if to applaud us before the walked away.

"Don't worry about them, like I said as long as you wear my mark on your arm no one would be stupid enough to touch you." Although I knew she was telling the truth i couldn't help but wonder if some body as stupid enough to try.