I win. Barely. But that doesn't matter. What matters is i win. At least untill Kaya flips me on my back in the next round. But that's another story.
We take a break and midday and join Iroh for lunch on deck. Kaya expounds and gloats over hot noodle soup, which I try to rise above, and fail miserably.
"I was going easy on you!"
"Oh really?" Kaya scoffs. "My bad Fire Boy, I thought it was the other way round," she winks. "I'll be sure to go harder next time..."
I know it's ridiculous, Kaya hates my guts, but sometimes I can almost pretend she's flirting with me.
In reality, I think Kaya uses the conversation as a distraction. She hardly touches her food. The most she does is steal a sticky bun from my plate. Which i object to, mostly for reverse physiology's sake. Truth is, I'm already concerned about Kaya. Her barely nibbled the turtle duck last night and i know she skipped breakfast. Kaya must be starving, but even in the afternoon she denies food. I think about confronting her, but that would mean baring my concerns to Kaya and right now I feel alot more comfortable letting her hurling icicles at me.
Deep down, I know the reason why kaya isn't eating, and it's because of me. Franky, the prosect of marrying the Firlord would make anyone outside my nation nauseous. After what Kaya went through, its a miracle she doesn't throw up at the sight of me. I should be glad she's handling things better than she was last night. At least Kaya seems to be. But the ghost stories from palace about my mother marriage to my father haunt me now more than ever. Their are rumours my mother stopped eating. Staff in the palaces inner circle whispered about the prince's wife with the weak consitution. Before cousin Luiten died, what Ursa had or hadn't throw up after dinner was often the favourite topic of conversation at family functions. The memory is enough to set my own stomach churning.
"Scared to go again, Fire boy?" Kaya grins standing before the backdrop of the setting sun.
"Please." I roll my shoulders trying to hide the tension there, "I'm the firelord, I'm not afraid of anything."
"Right..." Kaya drawls before sending an icicle shooting my way. I leap back, yelping.
YOU ARE READING
A Match of Ice and Fire
FanfictionTo regain his family's honnor and restore balance, Firelord Zuko sets out to mend the rift between the Fire Nation and the Watertribes with an arranged marriage, between him and the mysterious 'Princess Kaya Arnook of the Northern Watertribe.' Littl...
