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Princess Mai of the Fire Nation seemed a perfect princess in every way. She was beautiful and possessed the kind of elegance and poise most noble mothers coveted for their daughters. She kept her true feelings hidden under the surface, wearing a fragile mask of politeness at all times. Her embroidery was exceptional, she could recite poetry without tripping over her words and her hair was smooth as silk, beautiful no matter how her servants styled it.
Her one defect was her lack of firebending ability, and that wasn't her fault.
Mai sat quietly on the balcony outside her chambers, pushing a needle with golden thread through fabric. It was a sunny day, but the light breeze stopped it from being too hot. Down below in the gardens, the Fire Sages were with her younger brother. Mai tried not to listen to them, but she could hear snippets of the conversation as she worked.
"Again, your majesty. Try to keep the edge of the leaf from burning."
The needle was sharp as it pushed up through the thick material, but Mai hadn't pricked herself since she was eight. She cast a glance down to the gardens below despite her best efforts not to look. She knew the leaf would burn to a crisp, just like the other smoldering leaves her brother had been handed.
She still waited for a cry of triumph. It didn't come.
Turning her head, Mai saw the two servants in her room talk quietly to each other as they hung up her robes in her closet. One cast a glance her way, starting guiltily when she caught the princess's eye. Mai's expression stayed impassive as she let her eyes glide over the servant and back to her embroidery, but she knew they had been talking about her. Mai supposed the news of the rejected marriage offer was passing through the palace. It didn't matter to Mai what anyone thought, she wasn't sad the offer had been rejected by her father. But the gossiping made her feel uneasy. It shouldn't be done so openly in front of her. It spoke of a lack of fear, even a lack of respect.
Mai wanted to summon the servant outside, to order her to do something meaningless and time consuming to remind her of their positions. But before she could think of anything, the door to the balcony opened with a click and another servant stepped out, one of her father's attendants.
Sitting up straight, Mai placed her embroidery on a small table.
The servant bowed deeply. "Princess Mai, the Fire Lord requests that you attend him in the throne room."
Mai nodded, rising to her feet. "I would not want to make him wait," she said demurely. As she followed the attendant out of the room, she wondered why her father was summoning her, and if perhaps her servants had been whispering about something she didn't know yet.
On the way to the throne room, Mai passed Advisor Ozai in the corridor. He inclined his head politely, and she returned the gesture. He looked satisfied.
That unsettled Mai, though she did not show it as she entered.
The Fire Lord's throne room was built to be imposing. Large, dark pillars reflected the light of the fire surrounding the throne. But as her father looked down at her surrounded by flames, Mai wondered how many people looked at those flames and thought the same thing she did. Her father had never been a firebender. That was not a secret. One of his royal guards kept the fire going at all times, which made the entire thing seem hollow.
She wondered if this symbol of power could truly mean anything when it was not his own.
Mai stepped forward until she was close enough to the throne to make out her father's face. Fire Lord Ukano looked tired these days, but the news he had for her clearly cheered him. As she bowed, Mai wondered if there was another marriage proposal, one her father had approved. But Advisor Ozai wouldn't have looked as pleased passing her earlier, and as far as Mai knew, he only had one son.
"Rise, daughter. I have exciting news," the Fire Lord said, and Mai's heart sank as she stood up.
"Yes, father?"
"I was talking to Advisor Ozai earlier, he came with an excellent suggestion, this time."
Mai waited quietly, though her mind was racing.
"His daughter Azula is known to be a firebending prodigy. He offered her to me as your personal guard, and I accepted."
There was a beat of silence as Mai processed this information. "Why?"
This clearly hadn't been the response Ukano had expected. He blinked.
Mai continued, thinking again of Ozai's satisfied face as he had passed her. Mai had never trusted him, though the same could be said for most of her father's advisors. This news unsettled her greatly, though she grasped for a more diplomatic way to question it. "I mean to say, if his son's suit was not appropriate for me, then why is this more acceptable?"
Ukano looked flustered as he glanced to his right. "Mai, you do not question me—"
A movement in her periphery made Mai's head turn to where her father had been looking. A figure stepped forward from the shadow, the flickering firelight illuminating her face. A slight smirk graced Azula's full lips as she bowed. "I'm at your service, princess," she said smoothly, straightening up again. There was an amused glint in her eyes. Mai had just insulted her family in front of her and had embarrassed her and her father both. It shouldn't matter, Ozai's family was minor nobility. But as Mai looked into those cold golden eyes, she wondered if she had just made a mistake.
Fire Lord Ukano broke the silence, clearing his throat. "Lord Ozai has assured me Azula is most suited for the role. She's a strong firebender, a talented prodigy from a young age. She possesses the power of blue flames and can summon lightning."
As her father spoke, Mai heard a longing in his voice that clenched her stomach. As he looked at Azula, she wondered if he saw everything he wished she could have been. Mai could be the perfect princess on the outside, but there was nothing the Fire Nation valued more than power. And even with a modest smile on her face, her plain clothes, and her hair pulled back in a simple bun, Azula exuded power.
Azula inclined her head to Mai respectfully, folding her hands neatly before her. "My family may not have been destined to join the royal line, as my father had hoped. But we are honored to be of use to it in whatever way we can." She held up one hand, showing a brief flicker of blue flame.
Ukano smiled in approval, his eyes focused on the fire until it disappeared.
Mai knew then that if Azula had been born Ozai's son, he would have gotten his wish of a royal marriage. Power like this was what the royal line needed desperately.
"Thank you," Mai said, addressing both her father and her new bodyguard with a slight bow. "I am grateful to be so well protected."
Her father nodded, seeming relieved. "Advisor Ozai has assured me it's a good time to tighten security. There have been—" He cut himself off, seeming to remember he wasn't alone with his daughter. "I have a meeting with the Fire Sages now, you are dismissed."
Mai bowed again, then turned to walk out of the room.
The echoing footsteps of her new guard followed behind her.
As a princess, Mai was used to being watched over. She'd had guards watching her every move for as long as she could remember and had gotten so used to it she often forgot they were there. But there was something about Azula's watchful gaze that unsettled her, something that made her impossible to ignore.
Azula, now wearing a uniform, blended in with the other guards with ease. She always seemed to be at the periphery of Mai's vision. Visible, but never obtrusive.
After the meeting with her father, Mai attended a tea service with some of the other noble ladies of the court. It was always a dull affair and today was no exception. Mai pretended to listen politely while Peijing spoke about her new hair pins, but her mind kept wandering to the conversation with her father and to the woman now watching her every breath. Mai only chanced the occasional glance in Azula's general direction. For some reason, she didn't want to be caught looking at her.
Ty Lee piped up with a funny story about one of her sisters, distracting Mai from her thoughts. Out of all the ladies who attended these events, she had always liked Ty Lee the most. It wasn't as difficult to feign interest in her stories, mostly because they were often either silly or utterly ridiculous. The other girl had confided her plans to run off to the circus to Mai in an unguarded moment and Mai felt a strange sort of envy— even though she would rather die than join a circus — and knew she would miss Ty Lee when she left.
After the tea was over, Ty Lee lingered behind to speak to Mai as she usually did. She leaned in, talking quietly.
"Your new guard is pretty, she seems nice."
Mai's lips twitched slightly. Ty Lee thought everyone seemed nice. "What makes you say that?"
Ty Lee shrugged with a little hum as she looked over at Azula, giving her a little wave. "I just have a feeling about these things. Maybe you can be friends."
If Mai hadn't been trained as much in etiquette as she had been, she might have laughed out loud at that. Instead, she bowed her head slightly, letting her hair fall forward to hide her face. "Perhaps."
The servants cleared away the dishes as the ladies left, talking quietly among themselves after bidding Mai a formal goodbye. She watched them go, then turned and walked into the gardens.
She had loved these gardens ever since she was a little girl, she had spent many hours out here. Reading, embroidering, daydreaming, practicing with her knives— though that only when no one else was around. She walked with quiet steps to the fountain, her favorite spot to sit.
Azula had, of course, followed her, but Mai was determined not to pay her any mind. Soon she would be so used to her new guard's presence that she wouldn't even notice her anymore. At least, that was what she told herself. If she was as good a guard as her father had promised, she would be quiet, unobtrusive, and—
"I can see why you dislike those girls, they seem dreadfully dull."
Mai turned sharply at Azula's sharp voice, her heart skipping a beat.
The firebender was still following at a respectful distance, her hands folded neatly behind her back. But there was a smirk on her face that confirmed Mai hadn't hallucinated her words.
"Whoever told you that is wrong, I don't dislike any of them." Mai said after a beat.
"No one told me," Azula said, taking a few steps closer. Her hands moved from their proper placement, one settling on her hip as she smiled at Mai. "I was told my job was to observe you closely, that's what I've been doing."
Mai frowned slightly, taking a small step back. It immediately felt like a mistake— she saw Azula notice. Saw her smirk widen.
"Don't worry, princess. You didn't do anything wrong— you were courteous enough." Azula waved her hand in a dismissive gesture. "But it was clear the only girl you actually enjoyed talking to is the one in pink. Like I said, I don't blame you."
Mai shot a quick glance around, seeing no one else to witness this baffling conversation.Azula should know better than to talk like this to her superior, but Mai suspected that was the point. This was some sort of test, her new bodyguard wanted to see how she would react to this insubordination.
Mai tilted her head slightly. "You may believe what you wish, though I would advise against voicing your opinion so openly," she said mildly, her tone emotionless, polite. "I would prefer some peace and quiet as I take my walk."
The amusement never left Azula's face, but she bowed and folded her hands behind her back again. "Of course, your highness."
As Mai continued her walk, she tried to put the incident from her mind. Maybe Azula wasn't used to this new role yet, used to being able to speak her mind freely. But Mai knew deep down this hadn't been a mistake. If it was, Azula wouldn't have waited for them to be alone. She suspected the other woman was playing some sort of game, though she didn't know what the point of it was.
She had put power in Mai's hands. A mention of this incident to The Fire Lord would doubtlessly get back to Azula's father. It might even result in her being dismissed from the position. But Mai already knew she wasn't going to mention it to anyone.
She had the uncomfortable feeling Azula knew it too.
Caught up in her thoughts, Mai had passed the fountain without even noticing. She sat down on a bench instead, taking the small book she carried in her pocket and opening it. The letters blurred before her eyes as her mind continued to race. She could feel Azula's gaze on her without looking up from her book. The entire situation was unsettling, she reflected. Ozai had been hoping to marry off his son to her, why was he now content by instead having his daughter serve her? Wasn't he angry about the insult to his family name? Wasn't Azula?
She remembered the flicker of blue flame, the spark of longing in her dad's eyes. He clearly didn't see the danger in it. He saw only power. Protection.
With a small sigh, Mai closed the book in her hands. There was no point in trying to read. The gardens didn't feel like the peaceful resting spot they usually were.
She rose from the bench, smoothing down the front of her robes. Azula straightened, effortlessly stepping back into the role of the perfect guard.
"I have had enough of the gardens for today," Mai said.
"Of course, Princess."
Azula didn't speak again on the silent walk back to the royal chambers, but Mai was aware of every footstep behind her.
In the following weeks, Mai fell into the rhythm of having Azula in her life. She wasn't watched constantly, even personal guards needed time to sleep and eat, but for most of her days Mai felt those unsettling golden eyes trained on her with every step she took.
In one of the rare moments Azula wasn't standing guard Mai had seen her spar with other guards in the courtyard. Sparring was a generous term, it was clear Azula outclassed them all easily. The power her father had spoken of was clear in every movement. It seemed almost effortless, the way she would take down men much larger than herself.
Mai hadn't meant to stop and watch, but something about the way Azula moved had captivated her. It was like the fire was a part of her, the blue flame an extension of her body as intrinsic to her as her hands and feet. Azula was quick as a scorpion snake, ducking under her opponent's leg as he tried a to kick fire at her, then using her momentum to knock him off balance with a kick of her own, bringing him down.
The man surrendered, looking slightly dazed. Mai could see Azula's expression clearly, a ruthless delight at her victory.
It was then that Azula noticed her audience and looked up at Mai with a start. It gave Mai a thrill, the roles reversing for a moment as she observed Azula in an unexpected moment.
Mai smiled at her guard, then continued on her way.
The brief triumph at catching Azula off guard didn't diminish the unease Mai felt after seeing her fight like that. She could defend herself better than most would suspect, but Mai knew she would never stand a chance against firebending like that in a fight.
Before long, Mai began to recognize a pattern. When they were with other people, she was the perfect guard. Respectful in her posture and polite when spoken to. But when they were together without anyone else around, Azula showed a different side of herself just like she had in the garden. Her posture would relax, she would lean against a wall or take a seat on one of Mai's chairs, and she would share her sharp observations with a cutting smile.
"Your robes seem very stiff and uncomfortable, do you ever tire of them, princess?"
"Your father's advisors do enjoy hearing themselves speak. It's a wonder anything ever gets decided."
"For a royal palace, the decorations here are very stale and boring."
"You have an awful lot of decorative knives in your room, do you ever cut yourself by accident?"
Mai answered with the same polite restraint she offered everyone else, never agreeing with Azula outright but never quite telling her to stop either. It started to feel like a strange game between them. Azula would say something to get a reaction out of Mai and Mai would try to remain perfectly composed.
The reason Azula was here still puzzled Mai. She didn't seem to enjoy being a guard. Advisor Ozai still seemed entirely too pleased with himself, and Mai hadn't noticed any new threats to her life that required constant guarding. If one didn't consider the guard herself a threat, that is.
The first time Azula jolted a real reaction out of Mai was when they were, once again, in the garden. Mai was sitting by the fountain, embroidering quietly. In the distance, her brother was training with the Fire Sages again. They were doing breathing exercises. Mai remembered those from when she was a child, hours on end simply focusing on breathing, hoping it would spark a flame deep inside her.
"He's not a firebender." Azula's voice cut through her memories like a blade. Mai looked up at her sharply. The firebender was standing at attention, staring ahead at Tom-Tom.
"You don't know that." Mai's response came out quickly, a harshness to her voice she hadn't intended.
Azula turned to look at her. There was no triumph or smugness in her expression. It was almost pitying, which was worse. "I can tell. They can make him breathe like that for days and he wouldn't produce a spark."
Mai looked at her brother, trying to see what Azula had seen. She then tore her gaze away, frustrated by her own reaction. "I think the Fire Sages know what they're doing." There, that was closer to the polite nonanswer she should have given.
"There's no shame in not being a firebender." Azula spoke again. "There are more ways to be strong. It's foolish to make him something he's not."
It irritated Mai that Azula wasn't following the normal steps of the game. Normally, her politely bland remark was enough to end the conversation. Maybe she had made these rules up in her own head. It still frustrated her. She stayed silent, hoping it would stop Azula from continuing.
It didn't.
"Did they make you do that too?"
The question was the most personal one she had asked so far. It was like she had seen into Mai's head, seen the memories replaying. She could remember the ache in her legs from holding onto the stances clearly. The blisters on her fingers when she couldn't stop the leaf from burning. The disappointment in her parents' eyes when the Fire Sages told them there was no chance she would firebend.
"It is none of your business." Mai snapped. And there was the smirk again. Azula had gotten a rise out of her. If it was a game, Mai had just lost a point.
Mai remained tense for the rest of the day, even though Azula had acted respectfully since their conversation. Mai was getting tired of of this, her mind kept returning to her new guard. Analyzing her words, her expressions, her gestures. Mai even dreamed of her, confusing hazy dreams that never felt quite like a nightmare, but never felt entirely unpleasant either. It was like she had a shadow following her through every aspect of her life, a puzzling, intriguing shadow who commanded her attention at every turn.
The following days at court were uneventful as usual, but there was an undercurrent of tension. Mai noticed her father's face growing more tired, and servants whispering in corners whenever they thought no one important was watching them. There was a general feeling of unease Mai couldn't shake, and she could tell others felt it too. There was a formal dinner planned with a few ministers and their families and Mai's mother fretted about it more than she usually would, deliberating over tablecloths and candlesticks as if making the right choice would save them from a terrible fate somehow.
The dinner was normal, which meant it was dull. Mai sat quietly and nodded politely whenever someone spoke to her, which wasn't very often. She ate in tiny bites and sat up straight. Across the table, she could see her brother trying to do the same. Young as he was, he couldn't help fidgeting and playing with his food, despite their mother's warning glances. Mai knew from experience that he'd learn better soon enough.
Mai wasn't paying attention to the dinner either, she was just better at hiding it. She had perfected the art of sitting correctly while her mind wandered to her books or her blades. Tonight, her mind wandered to her guard, once again.
Azula was standing behind her on her right, if she turned her head slightly she could spot the firebender in her periphery. But even though she couldn't quite see her, Mai could sense her gaze once again. It was truly aggravating how much time she spent thinking about her. Worse still was the thought that kept returning no matter how often she tried to dismiss it. If Advisor Ozai wished to retaliate for the slight against his family, he had put the perfect piece in play. A guard stood at her shoulder during meals, accompanied her through deserted corridors and knew when she slept. If Azula meant to kill her, there would be countless opportunities.
Whenever the thought pushed through the muddle in her mind, Mai tried her best to dismiss it. She told herself the unease hanging over the palace was beginning to cloud her judgment. It was foolish to suspect every whispered conversation or sideways glance. But she also knew her parents were worried, it was visible in every glance they shared.
And Mai knew her histories. A weak Fire Lord never lasted long.
There are more ways to be strong.
Azula's words echoed in her mind. There she went, thinking about her again. A cup of wine was placed in front of Mai, a welcome distraction. She picked it up almost eagerly, though she restrained herself just in time and brought it to her lips demurely.
"I wouldn't drink that."
Azula's voice was quiet but not a whisper. Mai froze, the wine sloshing against the rim of the cup.
Slowly, she lowered it, turning to look at her guard. Was Azula trying to unsettle her? Here, in front of everyone?
"Have someone taste it, if you don't believe me," she murmured, her tone careless, like it didn't matter to her one way or another.
Mai sat the cup down, then quietly alerted the taster to do just that. It wasn't entirely uncommon, mostly done as a formality. As the man took a sip of her cup, Mai's eyes stayed on Azula. Her guard was staring straight ahead at the opposite wall, as if she hadn't said anything at all.
The only change in her expression was the slightest twitch of a smirk on her lips as the man collapsed onto the table with a thunk.
Then, pandemonium erupted as panic gripped the room. Mai and her brother were quickly and efficiently moved away from the table as some of the guests started to panic. Ministers and their wives sprang to their feet, spitting out food and drink they had just been consuming. The taster who had fallen was quickly carried out of the room by other servants, presumably to be healed if that was still possible.
Mai let herself be led away from it all, putting a hand on Tom-Tom's shoulder when she saw he had started to cry. She had no comforting words for him, the gesture would have to do. It wasn't long before they were separated as well, as Mai was ushered to her quarters for her own safety. Azula was one of the guards following her into her bedroom, inspecting it for any intruders before they let her inside. To Mai's relief, Azula took her position in the hallway, along with the other guard, rather than staying inside with her.
As the door started to close, they locked eyes. Mai saw nothing but a faint amusement reflected in her golden gaze. She wanted to hurl the door open again and shout at her. Questions swarmed her mind. How had Azula known? Had she done it? But then why would she warn her? Was it just to mess with her as a new step in their strange game? Or had she really saved her life just now?
The door closed with a firm thunk, the key turning in the lock before Mai could utter any of her questions. She dropped down onto the bed, grabbed one of her pillows and hurled it at the wall. Then she grabbed the blade that had been hidden under the pillow, and hurled that as well. The pillow landed with a thump on the floor. The blade stuck in one of the decorative scrolls on the wall, right in the center of a painted sun.
Mai let herself fall back onto the bed with a grunt of frustration, staring up at the ceiling for a moment. Then she got up, retrieving the blade and the pillow again.
She felt safer with a weapon nearby.
Mai woke before she understood why.
The room was dark, dimly lit only by the sliver of moonlight that came through her window. For a moment, Mai thought she was still dreaming. A movement, the soft tread of a foot on the carpet, a glimpse of dark hair pulled back in a perfect bun.
Then she smelled the smoke.
This was it, then. The end of their game. Mai's heart sped up as she forced her panic down her. She was about to die, killed in the dark of her own bedroom. But she wasn't going down without a fight.
Her hand moved quietly under her pillow, seeking the cold metal of her blade. She nearly sighed in relief when she felt it, but she held it in. The figure moved again, closer this time. It was time.
Mai surged up from her prone position, her blade raised and aiming for the other woman. She saw the glint of Azula's eyes and adjusted her aim, going for her neck.
Her hand met solid resistance as Azula gripped her arm, stopping her momentum with a speed Mai hadn't expected. She snarled, twisting her wrist to drive the blade into Azula's shoulder—or anywhere she could reach. The knife caught on the thick fabric of her uniform before Azula caught her wrist with her other hand and effortlessly pried the weapon from her fingers.
The knife fell to the floor.
"I knew those blades weren't just for decoration," Azula murmured as she moved behind Mai. She tightened her grip as Mai struggled harder. It was enough to stop her from reaching for another weapon.
Mai drew a sharp breath, gathering herself to call for the guards, when Azula spoke again, cutting her off. "You had the right instinct, princess, but the wrong target."
In her continued struggle, Mai's foot brushed against something that shouldn't have been there. Something soft.
Mai froze, then looked down.
A figure was lying on the floor, their singed clothes presumably the source of the smoke Mai had smelled earlier. As her eyes adjusted to the light, Mai realized with a jolt that she recognized the man. A servant of the palace, the one who had poured her wine earlier that day.
Azula huffed slightly, her breath brushing against Mai's ear, her grip slacking just a little now she was no longer struggling. "I saw him during the dinner and I figured he would try again. The fool was bound to get caught sooner or later, he would have to act fast."
Mai swallowed, trying to comprehend it all. "But why— why not tell my father?"
Azula laughed scornfully, releasing her grip on Mai and turning her around. "Your father? And what would he have done about it?"
Mai's breath caught. The moonlight revealed Azula's expression to her— her sharp grin, the hunger in her eyes as she looked at Mai. It sent a shiver down her spine.
"Your father isn't fit to be Fire Lord. He's a weak man surrounded by other weak men who try to get as much power for themselves as they can before he inevitably falls."
Azula's hand reached up to brush Mai's face, her sharp nails running over her jaw. "I'm not here in service of your father, princess."
"Of your own father, then." Mai said quietly.
A slight tilt of Azula's head, an amused hum, her fingers still brushing Mai's jaw. "It was part of his plan to get me close to you, close to power. I admit." She murmured. "But I have a will of my own. I'm more than just my father's puppet. Just like you."
A part of Mai wanted to protest Azula's words on instinct. What was she, courteous and quiet, hiding behind her perfect princess mask, if not a puppet?
But Azula went on, as if reading Mai's thoughts on her face. "Oh, you play the part well. Almost fooled me at first. But I see you, Mai. You have more strength than your father and brother combined. You're observant, smart, resilient." Her voice dropped to a murmur. "You could bring our nation to greatness."
Mai had stopped breathing. She stared into those captivating golden eyes and watched as they dropped down to Mai's lips. For a heart-stopping moment, she thought Azula would kiss her. But when her guard moved, it wasn't to lean in. Instead, she dropped to one knee in front of Mai, taking her hand.
The sight of Azula looking up at her was as heady as a kiss would've been. Mai swallowed hard.
Azula bowed her head briefly. "Let me serve you, Mai. Together we can rule the Fire Nation and make it the most powerful nation in the world. I can make you Fire Lord, I can give you the throne. Give you what you deserve."
Her lips were soft as they pressed against Mai's hand, a silent promise.
Mai could see the potential future unfurl before her. Her freedom. Her power. Azula by her side. The other woman was right. They would be unstoppable.
She wasn't naive. She understood what this would mean for her father, her family. Something like this couldn't be done with clean hands.
But as Azula raised her gaze up at her again, locking her gaze to Mai's. It was a breathtaking sight. This powerful force, one Mai had feared would end her, offering herself to her instead. Granting her real, true power for the first time in her life. Despite everything she knew, there was only one answer Mai could give.
"Yes."