I AM SO SO SO SOOOOO SORRY FOR THE LONG WAIT. I wanted to get this story done sooner but I kept getting hold with school work, life, other stories. I seriously wanted to finish this story for Halloween. I even spent most of the holiday writing this, but alas I had other responsibilities. However, for November, I was determined for this to be the first story I update and also finish. Thanks so much for the love and patience. Hope you like the last chapter

Day 3

Something was on her, moving across her bare backside like a snake. Light as a feather, smooth as rich silk, slowly bringing her out of the dark cocoon of slumber and into the light.

For a moment she was tempted to ignore the touch, pretend that she was still in dreamland. But it was hard to ignore the strong beam of sunlight pouring in, hitting her eyes. It was hard to go back to dreamland when the veil of sleep was peeling from her body. It was especially hard to ignore the touch when it was replaced by something much firmer, pressing soft kisses along her spine while his hand reached down to her hipbone, lightly raking his nails across her skin.

She bit her lip, clenching onto the pillow for support, to hold in the moan brimming in her throat. Resistance, though, proved to be futile when his hand crept up to her breast, stroking it along the side.

Katara surrendered with a half-tortured, half-pleasing sigh, leaning more against him.

His lips attached themselves to her neck, imprinting her skin with more kisses as his finger played with her nipple that hardened underneath his touch, tugging at it lightly.

The sound that came out of her could have belonged to a cat basking in the heat.

"Good morning," he murmured.

Lips curled into a smile, she looked over her shoulder, meeting blazing gold that glowed like the sun, his black mussed hair framed around his heart-stopping gorgeous face, pale skin creamy as milk. It was baffling that someone so beautiful, so perfect was actually real. More than that; someone as beautiful as him actually wanted her.

The realization hit her like a blow to the gut. She suddenly was reminded of her plain features, what took place earlier between them, her easily surrendering and him early taking, and that they were still naked. Embarrassment bit into her skin, causing her to look away-

Then found herself lying flat on her back, hands pinned by both sides of her head, with him hovering over her.

As if he could read her thoughts, Zuko's handsome face darkened by the sight of a dark, monstrous scowl pulling his lips. "You're beautiful," he stated, the steel baron in his voice leaving no room for argument. "Anyone who says otherwise," He traced her lips with his finger. "I'll gladly slit their throats."

A shiver shook her frame as she remembered what happened to Jet, his neck cut wide open, waves of crimson red pouring from the wound. "I-"

He punished her with a harsh kiss, crashing his mouth against hers, plunging his tongue into her cavern, slashing her resistance into ribbons with artful strokes. Moaning, she fell into the sweet abyss of the wicked sensation, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him closer to him, entwining her legs around his torso.

"Perhaps," he said, licking and nipping her lips. "The fair maiden needs to be show just how tempting she truly is."

Just as his tongue plunged into her mouth, he plunged himself into her in a single thrust. Brutally. Harshly. And she loved it. She cried out from the mix of pain and pleasure boiling in her veins, arching her body closer to him.

Gentleness was the furthest thing from his mind. Once he was in, Zuko moved, drilling into her with rapid, brutal thrusts that made her cry out, begging him to go harder, to go faster, for more. Always more. She tried to meet the intensity of his movements with her own, pouring every ounce of her determination and fire.

The coil in her body twisted more and more like a crooked knob, tightening with every thrust, every touch, every kiss.

Then snapped, her body breaking apart into thousands and thousands of pieces, burnt to crisps from the sun's brilliance.

Shallow, soft breaths spilled from her lips. She tried to calm her pounding heart back to its normal beat. She was roused from semi-sleep by a finger that traced her mouth. She covered his hand with hers as she looked up at him, heart melting from the immense amount of warmth and care brimming just for her.

She couldn't remember the last time someone looked at her like that. She was sure no one actually did, not her father or even her grandmother. As if she were a precious treasure meant to be cherished.

"I love you." The words escaped her mouth like a trio of thieves disappearing into the night.

The smile on Zuko's face dissolved into a remote, unreadable mask. Seeing the dissolving smile made her stomach tighten, chained by nerves. It was foolish of her to say those words so soon, unmarried or even betrothed. Perhaps for her, what was shared between them was a wonder she wanted to experience again and again but for him, it could be different. After all, how many times had she overheard Sokka speak of his own escapades, getting what he needed and then quickly moving on? For all she knew, that might be the same case with Zuko.

Shame stung her face as if she were slapped. Oh dear god, perhaps that was all this was. The flirting, the rescuing, the-the-their moment, all part of a game where he came out as victor and her the loser.

She moved away, gathering the sheets to cover her nude body, but once again she found herself at his mercy, pinned down, breath and all matters of thought stolen by the passionate, almost-violent kiss he laid on her lips.

By the time he pulled away, minutes, perhaps even an eternity later, she couldn't even remember why she was so worried. She couldn't even remember her own name.

"I want to show you something." he said.

"What?" Katara asked.

A mischievous twinkle sparked in his golden eyes. "It's a surprise."

Years of being the victim to her brother's surprises, which typically involved meat pies stuffed with bugs or unexpected mud facials that caked her face and her dresses, made her weary of the word. However it was hard to be cautious with a beautiful, alluring stranger sitting so close, who kissed her so sweetly, touched her so wickedly that a blush colored her cheeks as memories flashed through her head.

Katara pulled herself of the bed, ignoring Zuko's smug smiles as he took in the stiffness of her legs. It felt silly putting back on her crumpled nightgown with her straps practically falling off from the bodice, but it wasn't like she had any other opinion.

Zuko threw on a fresh white shirt and loose black pants. He smiled at her and took her hand, leading her outside. It took a few moments for her eyes to adjust after being shut away in darkness for so long.

Sunlight poured across the clear blue sky like melted butter. Leaves in burnt-orange and maple-brown and scarlet-red poured from the thick oak threes, creating an autumn shower. Katara stood underneath the leaf-rain, transfixed by the sight, until Zuko tugged at her hand, smiling at the confused frown she gave him.

"Close your eyes."

Her frown deepened.

"Trust me."

If he wanted to hurt you, a voice chimed. He would have done it ages ago. It was foolish to put so much trust into a stranger, but there was something about Zuko, something she couldn't explain that told her that told her that she was safe hands. That she wouldn't be harmed. Biting her lip, Katara sealed her eyes shut. Zuko brushed his thumb against her hand and led the way. Katara blindly followed behind, weary of her steps.

"You said the tale of the Rose Keeper is one of your favorites, correct?" he asked.

"Yes," she answered, nervous as the sound of running water floated against her eardrum. They must be getting close to a river. She hoped Zuko would be careful with their footing. "My grandmother has been telling me-well me and my brother but he isn't that much interested in sitting for long-that story for as long as I could remember. It became somewhat a tradition."

Except for this year, thanks to the ball her father insisted on having, oblivious to her lack of enthusiasm.

"Seems too dark of a tale to share with a child?"

"Maybe but I think that the purpose behind it, the man's motivate for doing what he did, kept me from being frightened by it. Despite the sad endi-eeeeeh!"

As if strong gush of air pushed her, Katara felt her body falling, legs swinging up. No, not falling. Lifting. She was being lifted up, pulled against a strong, solid chest. Against her cheek, she felt the vibrations of his barely-suppressed chuckles vibrating underneath. Annoyed, she smacked his chest.

"Next time, give me a warning."

She felt those shoulders shrugging, his smirk widening. "Could," he purred. "But where's the the fun in that? It makes the surprises all the more. At least for me."

She smacked him again, twice as hard.

Chuckling, he tried soothing the injury with a peck on her forehead. She tried to appear non-impressed, although she did press herself closer against him. "So the tale of the Rose Keeper is your favorite?"

Put off by the question, she nodded.

"What if I told you there's more to the story?"

Her interest perked. "What?"

"The night of Halloween, the keeper met his love at their secret place in the rose valley with the perfect red rose the devil crafted after he gave away his soul. More fair, more beautiful than the rest. He used that as a wedding ring to propose to her. She accepted. And he was sure that everything would be perfect, that their story would be a work of fairytales."

Even though Katara heard the story innumerable times and knew the outcome, a shiver still ran up her spin as Zuko continued.

"One minute, his love was his arms, so beautiful. The next she was dead, killed by his own hands. What's worst was that he couldn't fight it. He knew in his heart what he was doing was wrong, but it was like he was locked away in a dungeon while a monster took over his body, making sure her death was painful. It was the devil's own twist of irony. The fool giving everything up for love and then that love driving them both to their graves."

Her grandmother had mentioned that something horrible happened to the woman and that it involved the Rose's keeper bargain. She remembered Zuko mentioning it last night but she never guessed it was that gruesome.

"He was so distraught with grief that he killed himself, using the same rock that took his love out of his world. He thought that would be the end of that. The Devil had a different idea. The bastard said he hadn't had such fun in centuries that he didn't want it to end. And so he made it so. As he constructed the contract between him and the man, the Devil added a loophole that would ensure his fun never ended."

Another shiver zipped through her body, stealing away any trace of warmth, causing the hairs on her neck to rise.

"How do you know so much about this? The story, I mean?" she asked.

Zuko didn't answer, continuing the walk in silence. Katara decided not to push him.

While she was being lead to a great surprise, her family must be waking up right now. Sokka, suffering from choice of having too many drinks, stumbling into the kitchen, a hand pressed against his aching head. Her grandmother at the stove preparing breakfast. Her father the last to enter the room, eyes scanning over to the room to make sure all was well, soon noticing her lack of appearance. Maybe he wouldn't realize at first. Perhaps he'd think she was still sleeping but halfway through the meal, he'd most likely decide to check on her, calling her name as he slowly pushed the bedroom only to discover an empty bed.

Shock would be the first thing to hit him like a punch. He'd probably think she was in the bathroom or decided to start on her chores. Shock, though, would deepen to an overwhelming mix of fear and anger. He'd call for Sokka, his friends, the start his search.

A grimace crossed her face as Katara thought about the wraith that'd waited her at home. Sadness heavily weighted down on her heart as she realized she'd eventually have to go to it.

And yet…she didn't want to. She didn't want to go back to lessons. She didn't want to go back to finding a husband. She didn't want go to her ordinary life, where she had to be the perfect, obedient daughter and her life was quickly ending before fully beginning.

A sweet, intoxicating scent trickled her nose, interrupting her thoughts.

"Where are we?"

"At the surprise."

Zuko set her down gently on the ground and undid the blindfold. The first thing she saw was red. Rich, vibrant red of beautiful, fully-blossomed roses. It was almost as if they were in a winter wonderland, only one of roses, with the flowers filling every inch of the ground, the high arches and low slopes of the hills, silk petals pouring from the trees, dancing across the air.

"Oh my…" she breathed, glancing around.

Katara moved her body in a full circle, eyes glancing from the bundles of roses planted in the ground, the petals floating in the air, entwining. She took in a breath and was nearly drunk from the heavenly scent. She turned back to Zuko, who watched her with a small, faint smile.

He stepped forward, reaching out for her. She accepted his hand and allowed herself to be lead to the river bank.

"Do you like it?"

"I love it. It's-its-"" She struggle to find the right words that would match the utter wonderment of this field. "It's like a dream and…" It was as if the lady in red had taken over, shielding the timid girl and taking charge, causing the next to leak out. "I never want to leave."

The look that sparked in his eyes, surprise and wonder swirling, touched her deep to her core. He cupped her cheek in his hand and brought their lips together in a sweet, deep kiss that made pleasure zinged up his spine.

"I love you." He murmured against her lips, his hands drifting from her cheeks to her shoulders, stroking her skin tenderly.

She surrendered into the delicious sweetness, leaning more into him. Zuko's hold tightened on her. Katara opened her mouth to him, brushing her tongue against his, embers of passion dripping like sweet honey-

Air was crushed into mush as hands grasped onto her neck, squeezing so tightly, she felt bones cracking.

Startled, she snapped open her eyes to find Zuko across from her, eyes steady and thoughtful as if he were working on a masterpiece, hands clenched around her throat. She struggled against him, trying to shake off his hold, tear his hands away. But the more she fought, the more he squeezed.

"W-aaaa..NO! " She wheezed.

"When I first saw you, you took my breath away. Like always. I should have stayed away to end the cycle. But I couldn't."

Dots started popping behind her eyelids, small bits of red that grew more frantic, wider with each failed breath.

"We will always find each other no matter what and our story will always end like this."

She felt as if she was being pulled apart, her body pulling one way, her soul going another direction. She fought to hold on, to keep herself together.

"All beauty must die. But love remains forever." Zuko leaned in close, his cool breath brushing acorss her heated skin. "Tis the curse I brought upon us."

With the little fragments of her strength, she cracked open her eyes just a bit. Golden eyes stared back at her, burning as the sun, filled with incredible regret, unbearable pain, undeniable love.

It was the last thing she saw before everything faded to black.

Ignoring the snickers behind her from the rowdy customers drinking themselves silly, she ventured out to escape the chaos. The cold winter night bit into her skin, sharp as a knife. Still she welcomed it with open arms, taking in a deep breath, leaning against the brick wall.

"You know there's a tale about maidens being left alone in the dark."

She nearly jumped at the sound, but held herself together, straightening her spine. She turned over to the right, into the darkness where the sound came from. "There's also an interesting tale of men thinking they're stumbled across a lamb only to discover they came across a wolf. With sharp teeth."

He stepped out of the shadows as if he were born from darkness himself. Breath caught in her throat. She remembered him. The rich, young lord who rode by the tavern over a week ago. She immediately knew what his type was, having to deal with dozens of his kind: arrogant, spoiled to the core, thinking having a good name and money had him a god. She threw a glare at him, picturing the thoughts scattering his head while he passed down the rundown tavern.

She had no idea that he'd return. Or that he'd keep returning, despite her scoffs and dismissals.

"You're quite a girl, Wild Rose." he smiled.

She made a vow right then to kill her sister for coming up with that name that stuck to her like a birthmark. "Who wants to know?"

"Someone who thinks you may just be the most interesting, fascinating creature he ever met," he answered, taking slow steps toward her. "Someone who also would be honored if he was given the chance to win your heart."

He reached behind him and pulled out a rose. A beautiful, crimson red rose that was fully bloomed, each petal delicate.

She studied the flower, memorized by its beauty, then forced her gaze up to the lord who was watching her. She reminded herself of the countless tales she read and heard of a low-class woman giving her heart away to a man of power, receiving heartbreak in the end. She reminded herself that it could be just a game to him, that she was one of a dozen girls he was trying to woo. And yet…

She couldn't remember making such an effort for her, constantly seeking her out, refusing to ignored. She couldn't remember anyone looking at her like that.

"Elisa."

Surprise flickered in his eyes. He took a step closer. "Pardon."

"My name is Elisa," Her lips curled into a soft smile. "Elisa Day."