A Match of Ice and Fire

Chapter 9: Kaya

"YOU WILL APOLOGISE TO FIRELORD ZUKO!"

Arnook launches straight into it, the secound his warriors march me through and the Grand Hall's doors.

"YOU HAVE DISHONNORED OUR ENTIRE FAMILY!"

No; how are you niece? I heard you nearly drowned today? Are you okay? just:

"DO YOU WANT TO BE DISOWNED!?"

Oh, the richness of his words! I could choke on them. " If Brother was here I'm pretty sure he'd be one disowning you..."

"General Nikko is not here." Arnook spits my brothers title with a vemon I have never heard him use before. "When your brother left you here, he intrusted your welfare to me," he speaks at if I'm livestock to be traded. Wow... I'd forgotten how misogynistic this tribe was. For once, I'm glad I didn't have the chance to grow up here. My uncle continues his lecture. "I took you in and gave you everything Kaya! The least, I expect of you is to treat my generosity with some sembelance of gratitude!"

"Right, right..." I spit back at him, "because I'm sure Nikko would be really grateful to know that your selling me off to the enemy!"

"For the last time," my uncle Lies, "The Fire Nation is not our enemy!"

"Then how did princess Yue die?" It's a low blow, dragging my cousin into this. I regret it the secound i snarl it from my lips. The question echos coldly around the empty hall.

Arnook rises from his throne, with intimidating grace. "My daughter was a victim of the war like everyone else, including your parents." He levels his gaze directly at me. "But the war ended over two years ago, Kaya..." Arnook steps down from the platform, taking my chin in his hands. " It's time you realised that."

I try not tremble. Not because I'm afraid of my uncle. Just because I'm still freezing cold from the water. My bedraggled hair drips down on to my damp clothes, chilling me even more. The memory of the Firelord's touch still flickers across my skin with fading warmth. For secound, I wished I had stayed in his embrace a little longer, at least until I'd recovered my core body heat. I can already feel the flu coming on. But this thought is ridiculous. When I think about what i did, how I acted around him before I realise who he was, every inch of my skin feels dirty. I can't believe I nearly thought the Firelord was-
I stop my self from even finishing the thought, revolted with myself.

"Go clean yourself up." My uncle speaks softly, beckoning the attendants to enter. "You can apologise to the Firelord over the welcome dinner tonight."

"He's still coming!?" I blurt, staggering back. After what I said to him?

"Yes, astonishingly, I've just been told Firelord Zuko has been persuaded to give you a secound chance."

"Seriously?" My mouth dries up once again in terror. The tryant is more deranged than I thought.

"Yes, it's a miracle he didn't declare a diplomatic incident. " Arnook adds, "Instead, Firelord Zuko has somehow found it within his heart to forgive you." As if I'm the one that needs to be forgiven! Arnook silences the murderous look in my eyes "-which is why you will be preaching just how sorry you are to him the entire evening..."

"I'm not going." I sink my feet into the floor securing them in Ice. " You can't make me."

"Oh, I think I can..." Arnook gaze hardens, as he melts the ice round my feet. "And I will."

Before I can react the attendants desend, grabbing both my arms. In one final attempt I kick the water up arching it backwards but two more attendants catch my feet mid-kick, and I'm completely immobilised. Suspend off the floor, trussed up like a prized moose-lion. I fight wildly to escape their grip to no avail.

"Take her away." My uncle instructs as they begin to carry me up the stairs.

"I'm not marrying him! You can't force me!" Rightous indignation flares in my chest.

"You will if want to maintain this family's honnor!"

"I don't care about your stupid honnor. " I call back infuriated by the pathic arguement. I cry, battling my uneven voice. "It's my life."

My uncle has the last word, when he speaks them they are quiet, barely detectable. "And it's our nation."

I open my mouth to defend my love for this tribe and the intergrity of the position I take, but door slams shut before I ever get the chance...