FIRE NATION

CHAPTER 19

"Ember Island?"

Larce's eyes narrowed in suspicion, but Lalisa kept her face carefully blank. She had perfected the art of lying to her father long ago. "Yes, My Lord. Since you claim you don't need me to help General Jeon track down this 'airbender' and stop the Water Tribe rebellions, I thought a little relaxation was in order. My mate requested Ember Island specifically."

"Your mate?" The expression on Larce's face only grew more skeptical at that pronouncement. His gaze flicked to her shoulder, and Lalisa's flesh burned even though Roseanne hadn't marked her. The word 'mate' had different levels of importance depending on context, but she had never used the term in front of him before. "Since when do you indulge your mate's whims? Isn't your omega supposed to serve you?"

Lalisa had to fight a little harder to preserve her neutral expression. You would think that. It's a wonder mother didn't run from you sooner. "I am trying to serve you, father. You ordered me to care for the omega carrying my litter, and that's exactly what I've been doing. Ember Island is a safe, remote location—"

"You still have no reason to take her there. The palace is perfectly safe already."

"It's safe, but you have to admit it isn't a relaxing atmosphere. She's been feeling restless. The sea air and sunshine might do her some good."

Larce scowled and folded his arms over his chest. He paused, as if searching for a plausible reason to deny her request. But you won't think of one, father. Not for something this trivial. And you know if you tell me no, I'll find a hundred ways to make your life more difficult for the next several weeks.

Still, he seemed poised to reject her proposal until Lalisa delivered her final blow. "If my happiness isn't enough incentive, think of what it would signify. No one in the Fire Nation will believe the rumors of rebellion are serious if Princess Lalisa, the leader of your army, is seen sunning herself on the beach with her pregnant mate."

Larce's frown became a smile, and Lalisa knew she had won. "Very well. You have my permission to take this vacation of yours. But I will be sending a complement of soldiers with you, as well as Lo and Li."

Lalisa ignored the slight churning in her gut. She still didn't know what Roseanne had done with the kajihana she had provided. It was entirely likely that the omega had already chosen to end her pregnancy. The possibility left her feeling strangely empty, but she buried those thoughts deep. It isn't my choice this time. It needs to be hers. Even so, she couldn't help hoping that Roseanne would decide to keep their litter. Somewhere along the line, she had gone from resenting her unborn pups to feeling protective of them.

"Of course. I understand."

"Then you are dismissed," Larce said.

"Thank you, My Lord." She rose from her knees, flattening her hand over her fist and bowing deeply. "As always, I am your servant."

That seemed to please him, and he allowed her to leave the room without any further groveling. She relaxed once she was in the hall, and a small portion of her stress melted from her shoulders. She knew she wouldn't be truly at peace until she had checked on Roseanne and told her the good news, but at the very least, she had succeeded in her mission. Ember Island would be an ideal place for them to finish their training, and if Roseanne had taken the kajihana, they would be safely out of Larce's sight for a while.

Lalisa remained in a somber, almost nervous mood as she walked the palace halls, ignoring all the guards she passed. Thankfully, none of them caught her eye. Her reputation was enough to make them wary of her even when she wasn't visibly angry. They avoided her just as she was avoiding them, and she arrived back at her chambers without any further incidents.