AN: Sorry for the delay in chapters. It has been a crazy last few weeks! Just found out both my sister and brother-in-law are having a baby and my brother and his fiancé are having a baby! Plus work is picking up. So I do apologize! Hope you enjoy the chapter.
After the visit with Doctor Li, the Madam escorts Katara to her personal chambers within the harem. It wasn't too large and yet it certainly wasn't small. It was nestled in the north eastern part of the harem. Sheer red silk drapes separated it from the rest of the harem. Much like the other concubines private dwellings. The inside was breathtaking, but in the most simplistic kind of way. There were long arched windows that lined the eastern side of the room. No doubt for the occupant to welcome the sunrise. Nestled into the western wall was a bed, carved into the wall itself. It was rather large and Katara finds herself running her fingers along the luxurious sheets, all the while applying slight pressure to test the bed's level of comfort. Once again there are long sheer silk drapes drawn back on either side of the bed and Katara muses over how little they do to provide any sort of privacy.
In the middle of her chamber is a low seated table with pillows scattered about it. On the table are ink wells, script brushes, unused scroll parchment and an odd looking instrument. Her brow quirks slightly as she looks to the wall adjacent to the table to see two dragons entwined in a erotic pose. An azure dragon writhing beneath a crimson dragon, it's body caged as the crimson beast nuzzled it's nose into the jaw of the pinned creature.
As Katara surveys her room, she hears soft whispers coming from the other side of her silk drape partition.
"Katara?" A familiar voice calls to her and Katara pulls back the silk from her entryway to see Jin standing on the other side.
"Jin!" she yells out joyously, tugging the girl's wrist and bringing her into a tight embrace.
Jin chuckles softly, "Miss me that much?"
Katara pulls away, a smile reaching her lips, "More than I care to admit," she brushes a few strands of hair from Jin's face, before pulling Jin into her small chamber.
"The Madam took you personally?" Jin asks incredulously.
Katara nods, as she leans into the palm of her hand, arm resting on her small table.
"Song said that the Madam doesn't generally take any interest in the harem girls. All the girls were surprised when she escorted you to see the doctor," her tone was more questioning than anything else.
Katara shrugs, "I suppose it could have something to do with the dock incident and then that little outburst in the throne room."
Jin chuckles, "Perhaps she thinks you are going to be a handful," she covers her mouth as she continues to laugh.
Nodding, Katara sits up a little straighter, "So, who is Song?"
"Apparently, she is Prince Zuko's favorite concubine. He spends more time with her than his own fiancé."
Katara shakes her head, "To be so disrespectful to your future wife…" she trails off with a sigh.
Images of his naked, sweaty torso and chiseled face come to the forefront of her mind and she finds it hard to deny his rugged handsomeness. One thing that stood out to her more than any other aspect of his appearance was a large, crimson scar across the upper left side of his face. It had to have been a wound from the war. Perhaps a rouge fire bender struck him in battle. She had heard how the Fire Lord sent the Crowned Prince into the Imperial Army to raise troops moral. But never once did anyone know what he looked like. He blended in with his troops, never once declaring his presence and always fell into the ranks as a normal foot soldier. But now that she knew his face, if she could somehow get information out, all would know to look for the man with the red scar covering his left eye and temple. She knew that the Prince continued to venture out into the world during the war on more than one occasion. They had crossed paths before unknowingly and she tries to pry through her memories to see if she could recall such a face. But no such memories have surfaced. Perhaps it was during his time as a soldier that he had picked up such distasteful acts with women.
"No doubt he visited brothels while serving in the Imperial Army," she scuffs softly.
Jin simply shrugs, "His fiancé is a noblewoman and apparently their marriage is an arrangement. Her family is supposedly wealthy beyond imagining."
For the briefest moment, Katara wanted to take back her words. An arranged marriage? How uncultured and barbaric. Much like the customs of her Northern Tribe before both tribes were united.
"Doesn't surprise me that the Fire Lord would force his son into an unwanted marriage."
Jin gives her a quizzical look, "I think it is something that all royalty partake in," she sighs herself, leaning back to lay spread amongst Katara's many floor pillows, "royalty have always been something of an enigma."
Katara watches her for a moment before leaning back amongst the floor pillows as well. Her thoughts mirror Jin's.
"I hear he is a gentle lover," Jin muses softly.
There is a softness to her tone, a whimsical thought and perhaps a silent prayer in the way she says it and Katara just stares at her from her position on the floor.
"The Fire Lord—" she cuts herself off with a sharp exhaled breath, "I hear he beats his women," she shifts to look at Katara, "I hope he doesn't favor me as one of his concubines."
There is fear in Jin's eyes and she can understand why. This whole ordeal is full of uncertainties and a part of her truly hopes that the Fire Lord will overlook her, but her gut churns. She has a sense of dread and if what she experienced in the throne room was any indication, Katara believes that Ozai has his eyes set on her.
There is a knock just outside her chamber and both Katara and Jin sit up quickly. A maid servant parts the silk curtains and bows to both of them.
"The madam requests your presence, both of you."
Both follow the maidservant quietly to the harem's main lounge area. There the madam waits along with a cluster of no less that thirty women. All ranging in age. Katara guesses that the eldest is near forty years of age, while the youngest looks to be barely eighteen.
"Still your tongues," the Madam orders sharply, "we have new arrivals to introduce."
The harem is filled with whispers and giggles. Eyes roaming around to take in any new, unrecognizable face. Katara can feel their eyes linger on her and she tries her best to keep her gaze set firmly on the Madam.
"If you newly arrived ladies will come forth," the Madam gestures to the empty space next to her, "I shall introduce you."
A few girls rush to the front of the harem. All at least Katara's age or slightly older. Most looked to have come from the Fire Nation or the Earth Kingdom. Katara eyed the harem as she stood before the other ladies and felt disheartened yet thankful that she was the only Water Tribe female amongst them. Silently she prays that she will be the one and only of her people to suffer the indignity of this place.
The Madam began to list them off, like a farmer would livestock, "Lady Kiara of the Fire Nation," the young woman bows a traditional Fire Nation now, followed by the next introduced, "Lady Mika of the Fire Nation."
Whispers echo as the women take in their Fire Nation counter parts. Both are of striking beauty. Sharp features yet soft and kind golden eyes. Rivals no doubt for the current women of the harem.
The Madam clears her throat, "Lady Aurora of Ba Sing Se," the young woman kneels to the floor and a kowtow position and bows her head respectfully to the floor. The other Earth Kingdom nationals follow her example as they too are listed off my the Madam.
"Lady Jin of Ba Sing Se and Lady Ma Lyn of Omashu," she finishes and Katara can't help but pity them. They were prisoners here just as she was. The three women were as different as the cities they hailed from. Each strikingly beautiful in their own way. Jin was a simple and natural beauty with a toughness to her that Katara admires. Ma Lyn and Aurora were delicate and pale, with brilliant emerald eyes, sporting full flushed cheeks. Yet one thing was certain, each of these women from the Earth Kingdom had a defiance in their eyes that Katara knew ran as deep as the tunnels beneath Omashu.
Her focus shifts when the Madam calls her name, "Lady Katara of the Joint Water Tribes."
Katara bows her head politely to the ladies of the harem. Before the gossip can start, the Madam silences everyone with her firm gaze.
"As new arrivals you shall undergo extensive training," she calls forth a maid servant with tea, "women of the Royal Harem are to be well versed in the ways of poetry, music and dance. You are to perfect the art of conversation and above all, you must be masters in the erotic craft."
Some of the women blush and giggle, yet none of the new arrivals dare move, "You will do well to cast out any ill ideology of the women of the Royal Harem. You are not courtesans nor are you wives. You are enlightened women who provide artistry and pleasure to those of the royal household and esteemed nobility. Is that understood?"
All six women now to the Madam, "Yes, my lady."
The Madam waves her hand, dismissing the women of the harem but instructs Katara and the other new arrivals to follow her. They follow her in silence through the palace and Katara dares not raise her head to meet any onlooking gazes. Soon they come to an elaborate chamber with silks hanging from rafters, tapestries painted with elegant women and silk fabrics of every know color littering tables and counter spaces all along the room. There are small platforms placed throughout the chamber. Each accompanied by a small stool and Katara wonders where they are. She sees shears, red chalked string and cushions with needles. There is a wall decorated with spools of threads in varying colors and she begins to piece together where they are. Long, opened arched windows line the wall opposite of the entrance and Katara can hear what sounds like laughter of children. She can hear the turtle ducks quacking and can even smell the fresh water. She assumes that beyond the windows is a common garden for nobility and their families.
"Today you will be measured by the Royal Tailor," the Madam's voice jerks Katara's attention to her, "be sure to show your respect."
While she speaks, the Madam's gaze wonders around the room searching for the tailor, but there is no one in sight.
"Perhaps he is not in…"the Madam trails off, walking past a large row of silks, "I told him I would be bringing the new arrivals over today," her tone holds slight agitation as she whirls around and starts to head for the exit.
"The Fire Lord had something that required Mushi's immediate attention," everyone turns to the deep, husky voice that startles them from behind.
Katara's breath hitches when she recognizes the man. This time he is adorned in sleek blood red body armor with gold edging and a crimson red collar wrapping around his neck. A golden flame sits at the center of the chest plate. Katara notes that the armor looks more casual or ceremonial and not something to be worn into battle. Beneath the armor, he is clad in a long crimson tunic that parts at the waist and pants that are tucked into knee high boots. An elaborate crimson two slit kilt wraps around his waist with a blood red accent center fabric piece. The kilts trim work is gold with small flames in the corners of all three strips of the kilt's front. A golden belt with the royal insignia wraps around his waist. Dark red greaves and bracers with gold tracing are strapped to his forearms and shins. All the while a small three pronged golden flamed crown sits atop his head, attached to his neatly formed topknot. The others next to her gasp softly and she isn't sure if it is out of surprise or horror. The two women from the Fire Nation recognize him immediately, along with the Madam and they all instantly bow to him.
"Prince Zuko," at the Madam's voice, Katara and the Earth Kingdom girls bow just as well, "forgive us, we did not know you were here."
The Prince waves his hand slightly as he steps closer to the Madam and her new ladies, "Please Madam Min, there is nothing to apologize for."
The Fire Nation girls giggle, trying to hide their blushing faces behind their hands and Katara watches as the Prince's gaze flickers to them. She waits to see a cocky amusement fill his eyes, but there seems to be only a dull gaze. His eyes begin to move across the row of girls and something changes once he makes eye contact with her. His gaze that seemed so dull and lifeless moments ago are now ablaze with recognition and something akin to curiosity.
Averting her gaze, Katara tries to look anywhere but at the Prince. When she does happen to look his direction he is still gazing at her.
"What brings you to the Royal Tailor's Prince Zuko?" the Madam asks, diverting his attention away from Katara.
"The securing strap under my chest plate has come loose…" he trails off, his eyes flickering to Katara briefly, "and you?"
The Madam chuckles softly, "I cannot have my ladies wandering the halls in nothing but silk robes."
This time the Prince laughs softly, "I'm sure not many would object."
"Prince Zuko!" the Madam laughs, her hand playfully smacking his forearm. There is a fondness in his eyes when he looks at her and Katara finds it strange. The air about them is comfortable, but not in the way one might think. Shaken by this small observation, Katara steps back and ends up bumping into one of the mannequin's causing it to topple over. The small commotion startles her and she ends up knocking a pair of shears off the table.
She hisses when she feels a sharp pain on her inner thigh and looks down to see blood staining her white silk robe.
"Katara! Are you alright?!" Jin asks as she rushes to her side.
"She's bleeding!" one of the other girls yell.
Katara cups the wound and begins to apply pressure to stop the bleeding, but it is no use. How did the shears cut her so deep?
Before she has time to think, Prince Zuko is knelt before her, his face dangerously close to her most intimate of places and she tries to back away from him. Suddenly she feels a firm warmth on the back of her thigh and she registers that it is his hand. He pulls her leg towards his face and she tries to pull it from his grasp. But the resistance doesn't seem to bother him. She can feel the pads of his fingers digging into her flesh. The pressure is intense and she stifles a small moan when his hand travels further up her thigh. He is quick to action and rips the crown from his head, tossing it effectively to the Madam.
"I need to stop the bleeding," he's looking her dead in the eyes as he pulls the hair sash from his topknot. Loose ebony hair crowds his face as he places the sash between his teeth momentarily. Again he pulls her thigh closer to his person, hiking her leg up so her foot rests on his thigh. Unconsciously she stables herself against him, her hands resting on his shoulders.
Katara's heart is pounding. His hands on her thigh is stirring something in the pit of her stomach and she tries not to focus on how calloused and rough they are. She chastises herself for being so aware of how enticing his hands on her are and reminds herself that he is the enemy. Suddenly she feels her robe being hiked up and she glances down alarmingly to see the Prince wrapping his hair sash around her thigh, just above the wound. He lets the robe fall back down and places her foot on the floor.
"This temporary tourniquet should stop the bleeding, long enough for me to get you to Doctor Li," he stands abruptly, causing her to lose balance but luckily he catches her. One arm wrapping around her back and the other sweeping her legs up and coming to hook beneath her knees.
Katara lets out a startled yelp as she is forced to cling to him, her face tucking into his shoulder in sheer embarrassment.
"Prince Zuko, let me call one of the guards—" the Madam begins as he pushes through the doors of the Royal Tailor's office.
His pace is brisk and Katara can hear the gasps and whispers as the Prince storms through the halls with her in his arms. He doesn't seem to pay them any mind however and Katara thinks she feels his grip on her tighten. She can hear the hurried footsteps of the Madam and the other ladies trailing close behind, followed by their heavy breathing. Daring to look up, Katara studies the Prince for just a moment. She is able to study the scar more carefully at the proximity and more openly. The tissue seemed less angry around the outer parts. Whereas around the eye, the scar looked redder. More angry. She wonders briefly if she would have been able to heal such an injury, but then kicks herself mentally for ever thinking such a thing.
"We're almost there," he says softly as he looks at her briefly and Katara merely nods before tucking her head back against his plated shoulder.
After a few more moments they arrive at Doctor Li's chambers and the Prince lays her down on the examination table.
The Madam, along with the other ladies come rushing in behind him, "Prince Zuko, you really did not need to carry Lady Katara all the way—"
"It was no trouble Madam Min," Prince Zuko holds his hand up, effectively cutting her off, "I do not mind looking after her."
Both Katara and the Madam look flustered by his last comment, "I dare not inconvenience you further," Katara speaks, bowing her head the moment the Prince looks back at her, "your majesty."
Prince Zuko gives her a curious look, brow raised slightly and he looks like he is about to say something but is interrupted by Doctor Li's appearance.
"It isn't often I see the same patient twice in one day," Doctor Li says amusingly to Katara, "your majesty," she bows at the Prince.
"She has a deep cut on the inside of her thigh," the Prince states, pointing to the makeshift tourniquet, "I was able to stop the bleeding."
The doctor rushes to the examination table, examining Katara's leg, "Spirits! How did this happen?"
"Sewing shears," Katara states softly, her hand tracing over the sash tied around her thigh.
The doctor gives her and the Prince a look before gathering the tools needed to take care of the wound.
"Would you ladies mind waiting outside," the doctor asks as she starts to lay Katara down on her table.
The Madam and the other ladies bow as Prince Zuko looks at them expectedly. He follows them only to stop at the entrance and starts to close the doors.
"Your Majesty—" the Madam begins softly.
"I'll bring her to the tailor's once Doctor Li is finished," he states firmly before closing the doors.
Katara's breath hitches when she hears the Prince is still in the doctor's chambers. He circles the table and stands next to her head. Katara sees his hands folded in front of him and they are covered in her blood. She looks up to find him staring at her and she stares back momentarily.
"Your Majesty, will you apply pressure here?" Doctor Li points to the spot right below the tourniquet. He does as instructed but it isn't to the doctor's liking.
"More like this your majesty," she turns him around to where he is now facing Katara and places his right hand just below the sash. His thumb positioned on the top of her thigh as his fingers dig into the soft skin of her inner thigh.
"Be sure to apply more pressure," the doctor states and Katara can't help but look at him when he does. He looks to take a deep breath before giving her upper thigh a squeeze. His hand is just a few inches away from touching a part of her that only one man had come to know. His jaw clenches and she can see him visibly swallow hard. He seems just as uncomfortable about this whole ordeal as she does. His eyes are shifting about until they finally settle on hers and she sees them widen a fraction.
Another hand comes to clamp down on her thigh where the wound has settled and she knows it's the doctor's. She feels something cool swiping against the gash and she jerks momentarily.
"Hold her steady your majesty," Doctor Li instructs, "it's only going to get worse from here," and just as she says this, there is a wet sensation rolling across the flesh of her thigh, followed by a searing pain.
Katara jolts upwards, her legs jerking and she feels her body being forced back down by the Prince. His hand is on her shoulder, while the other remains secured tightly on her thigh. There is a frantic look in her eyes as she clamps her hand around his wrist, nails digging into his flesh as a needle penetrates hers. She cries out but forces her other hand to clamp down on her mouth. Katara's eyes roll into the back of her head as she feels the needle pushing through the other side of her wound. She can feel the thread sliding through her flesh and it causes her to thrash around.
"I know it hurts," the Prince's voice breaks through her pain, "but you have to try and hold still or you'll undo the doctor's work."
Katara's teeth dig into her lower lip but she nods her head despite the pain. A darkness begins to encroach in the corners of her vision and she can feel her body growing slack. If only she had her bending. She'd be able to seal the wound and avoid the pain and embarrassment that she is enduring right now. She can feel herself fading into unconsciousness but tries to fight it. Her body is fatigued due to the blood loss and her soul is weakened by being in the care of the enemy's very own Prince.
"Now Prince Zuko, I'm going to need you to cauterize the wound," Doctor Li's voice breathes life into her and she draws her head up to see the doctor cut the remaining thread.
The Prince jerks his head to the doctor, "Why? You just stitched her up."
The doctor stands, making her way to a water basin and begins to clean her hands, "The stitching was only to bring the flesh together. But with a wound like this, due to the artery being torn, the only thing that'll stop the bleeding indefinitely is cauterizing it."
The Prince looks to Katara, his eyes searching hers questioningly. Tears prick at her eyes and she subconsciously squeezes the Prince's wrist before slowly nodding her head.
"Do it," her voice quivers, "be done with it."
She doesn't address him as Prince. If he is bothered by it, he doesn't seem to show it. But the doctor however, she corrects it for Katara.
"Forgive her your majesty. She is delirious from blood loss and doesn't know how to mind her tongue in her current state," the doctor gives her ankle a squeeze but Katara ignores it.
Zuko pulls back his hand from Katara's shoulder, the other still firm on her thigh, "You're sure this is the best option?"
Doctor Li nods, "Yes. Where the wound is located, should the stitching rip, she could bleed out in minutes."
Zuko nods, giving Katara one more look before pulling his other hand away from her thigh. Out of sheer horror, Katara reaches for his left hand, holding onto it desperately. His head snaps to her questioningly but when he sees the fear in her eyes, he twists his hand around a bit to hold her own.
"I'll make it quick," Zuko whispers softly as he ignites a flame at his fingertips. In a quick move he runs the flame along the stitched flesh and Katara cannot help the screams that escape her. Before she can comprehend anything else, Katara blacks out. The last thing she remembers is the Prince cupping her head and saying her name over and over as if it were a prayer on his lips.
"Katara!"
Katara wakes feeling a dull ache in her thigh. Her breathing is shallow and she feels a cool, wet compress on her forehead. She reaches up, pulling the cloth from her flesh and slowly starts to sit upright. She looks around and notices that she was on her bed in her chambers. The last thing she remembers is the Prince burning her and quickly she parts her robe to look at her thigh. There is bandaging wrapped around her whole thigh and Katara finds herself running her fingers along it. The bandaging that covers her wound is wet and slimy. Katara pulls her fingers to her nose to see if she can determine what it is based on the smell.
"You're awake!"
Katara startles as the drapes to her bed part and Jin appears, "Oh you gave me a fright!" she yelled as she pulled Katara into a tight embrace.
Chuckling, Katara pulls herself from Jin's embrace, "I'm sorry Jin."
"Don't do it again!" She smacked the bed playfully and Katara nodded.
There were whispers coming from outside the room and Katara could here that most of the whispers were about her. Jin noticed as well and she patted Katara's knee.
"They are all just a little jealous of you," Jin states, "pay them no mind."
Katara's brow furrows quizzically, "Why are they jealous of me already?"
Jin smirks, "Who wouldn't be jealous of the woman that Prince Zuko carried to her bed?"
Katara's eyes widen, "He carried me here?"
Jin nods furiously, "Yes! Oh and Katara, he was such a gentleman!" Jin was blushing. Blushing!
Katara felt her face heating up at the thought of the Prince carrying her here unconscious. Her breathing picked up slightly as she pushed her hair from her face. She hated the idea of being indebted to him. She had to admit that his actions surprised her, but what surprised her more was her body reacting to his close proximity and the way his hands felt on her body. It was almost an intoxicating feeling and her loins warmed at the mere thought. Before she can curse herself for such horrid thoughts a knock gets her attention.
"Lady Katara?" Jin gasps and Katara is just as shocked when she hears the Prince's voice from outside her chamber.
Jin leaps off the bed and goes to the entry way to allow the Prince access.
"Your majesty," Jin bows quickly.
The Prince gives her a small smile before he looks to Katara's enclosed bed. He stood there for a moment, silent, before he gave Jin a curt nod. Jin seemed to understand what he was conveying and she bowed once more before quickly exiting Katara's chambers. Katara curses under her breath for being left alone with the Prince.
"How are you feeling?" he asks softly.
Katara swallows hard as she swings her legs slowly over the edge of the bed, curtains swaying with her movements. There is a sudden movement from the other side and she yelps when calloused hands grab her hips, stabilizing her as she tries to stand. She grips his shoulders and pulls herself up from her bed, bowing her head curtly.
"You shouldn't be moving too much," he whispers breathlessly in her ear, "you should be resting."
Katara's heart beats out of rhythm as she looks up to meet the Fire Prince's gaze. Her breath hitches as her body gets pulled into his and she can hear his breathing changed. Her grip tightens on him as they stare at one another in silence.
"How are you feeling?" his breath fans over her face.
Katara breathes a little heavier, "Sore, but not something I can't handle."
The Prince looks down at her, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lip. For a moment there, they are silent as they stare at one another and Katara thinks she imagines it when she sees his eyes shift to her lips and the then back up. She thinks she imagines it when her body feels like it is leaning in of its own accord. And Katara knows, beyond all reason that she imagines it when the Prince looked as if he were leaning in closer to her as well. Both seem to be in a trance.
"Prince Zuko?" and just like that, the sweet voice of a parakeet broke the spell and both Katara and Zuko separate as if they had been burnt from just touching one another.
The Prince clears his throat, "I'll be with you momentarily Song," he addresses the woman on the other side of the silk partition; all the while maintaining eye contact with Katara.