Summary – Katara reads the letter. Zuko carries out his duty.

A/N – Many thank yous to Spleef for going over this and pointing out the rough parts. It is greatly appreciated! I also owe so much to Moncapitan! He allows me to bounce ideas off him. He challenges me with questions that only make my stories better. You rock!

Thanks to all who have reviewed. I know this story is dark, but I felt that I needed to address a scenario where the bad guys won. So, here it is. It pained me to kill Iroh and Aappa. I struggled to find a place in this story, but they just didn't fit. Aang's death is vital to the plot. I do apologize to any readers for not putting character death warnings.

Warning! This chapter is edited for mature content.

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Chapter Four –

I clutch the letter to my breast and watch him leave. Some of the servants and guards leave with him while the others stay focused on me. Confused and numb, I make my way to the washroom, glaring at the servant girl who tries to follow me.

They know better than to mess with me when I am close to water.

Closing the door behind me, I lean against it. I hear only the sounds of my raspy breath and heart pounding. Looking around the washroom, I ascertain that I am truly alone. It's a rarity, but it is possible.

With haste and dread, I open the letter and wonder what cruel joke the Prince is playing on me now.

Katara,

I have little time and less courage these days. If you do anything, please read this letter in solitude and destroy it once you do for you and I are watched at all times.

I know you think me a traitor to our cause. I am not. The fever weakened me. When Aang died…

I know it looks like I betrayed you all, but I did not have the strength to fight my father. So I did the only thing possible to protect you. I lied…pretending to be something I'm not. I convinced my father I was loyal to him all along.

The look on your face will be forever branded in my soul when you learned of my 'treachery.' I've done everything I know of to keep you and Sokka safe. It has been a difficult path to walk, convincing my father to let me keep my 'war prizes.'

The guards are watching me. They draw closer with each line I write. There is so much more to tell you, but I haven't the time.

But know this! I love you! I can't remember a time I did not love you. You must be strong! Believe in me! I will save you and Sokka. Say nothing to me. The walls have ears that bleed with rumors. One rumor can destroy everything I've worked toward.

Am I a fool to hope that you can feel for me what I feel for you? One sign from you will strengthen me tenfold. My darling Katara, I must go.

Zuko

My heart pounds as I place the letter in a basin of water. My eyes scan the words of hope as the water washes the ink away. If only I were a Firebender I would burn the letter.

Can it be true? Can fate be so cruel?

I hear a shuffling of feet on the other side of the door and panic, bending water into icicles and throwing them at the door in warning. Only a few pierce the wood, but my warning is taken at face value and no one enters.

The water in the bowl is now black. Pulling the paper from the water, I twist the water from it and begin to rip the paper up. I rip it into the tiniest pieces I can. I move quickly, walking to the drainage grate and pulling it up.

I throw the paper into the hole and summon the black water from the bowl, flushing the evidence down the drain. With an economy of motion, I bend more water from the pipes, sweeping my element into the basin to clean it.

Setting the grate into its place, I stand and take a steadying breath and ready myself for the intimacy I will share with Zuko.

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Warily, I approach the shelter of the shadows. I know not if she read the letter or if it was confiscated. All I know is that she is waiting for me. The sun has set -- my other duties of state settled moments ago.

I undress as I approach the bed, pulling the sash of my robe loose and shrugging out of it. I can see Katara's outline on the bed. She is still -- possibly asleep. I sit on the bed and lean against the headboard, the wariness of my life seeping into my bones and claiming my youth and vigor.

I sigh. Even if I were to pretend to take Katara, I would still wake her.

But then I feel it – her hesitant touch upon my thigh. She is not asleep. I lie down, moving the covers out of the way and gathering her in my arms. As always, I feel my body respond to hers.

I exhale a sharp hiss through clenched teeth and give myself to her.

Eagerness overcomes gentleness. With an aggressive huff, I claim her gasp of surprise as I seal my lips over hers.

"Mine," I growl against her lips. She silently welcomes my touch as she arches into my hand.

I need her.

As I loom over her, the moonlight from a nearby window illuminates her eyes. Instead of the disdain I have grown accustomed to, I see worry and confusion.

Instead of kissing her, I suckle the pulse point of her neck and make my way toward her collarbone. I fan the embers of her long-dormant desire.

Katara arches her back, offering herself to me. I take full advantage of the maneuver, lavishing her flesh as she gasps and groans. As I finish, I lick and nip my way to her stomach, peppering the flesh with light kisses. This is where our child will rest.

As much as I wish to spare her the pain, I am powerless to prevent my desire for her. My father's order must be fulfilled. Katara will carry the future of the Fire Nation…and the world. Placing my seed in her womb will buy her some time. It will buy us some time.

I want to cry out as I claim her. I want to tell her how much I love her, but I bite my tongue and drive toward ecstasy. The cradle of her body welcomes me and tears slide from my eyes, mingling with the sweat from my brow.

The sound our movements echo in the room as we silently keep words of love or endearments out of this union. The spies cannot see us in the dark, but they can hear.

I feel her welcome the little death. With an anguished groan, I follow her into oblivion, praying that my seed will take and give us the time I need to see Katara and Sokka safe.

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TBC

A/N – Please accept my apologies for the delay in posting. Not only are my hands crap, but my laptop died last night. Sniff! Actually, the power supply died. I have a new one on order. It should arrive on Monday. For now I have to share my husband's desktop. And that is not as easy as it sounds. Ha ha!