How long have you been awake?
Not long. She whispered, afraid anything louder would shatter their temporary peace.
Gently pushing her onto her back, he moved to his side and ran his hand over her stomach, smiling as she closed her eyes to his touch. Come with me.
I can t. The council refuses to let me leave as long as I am carrying a child. she smiled widely, looking up at him as she gently caressed his cheek. You can always stay.
They shared a soft laugh at their situation, Maybe I could wait a few days.
You ve already put it off a week; because you wanted to be sure I was alright. You should go.
I don t like leaving you. You are carrying my child, Kahlan. I don t want to be away from you. He smiled, pressing his lips to her shoulder. I like having you with me, waking up with you in my arms, making love to you throughout the night.
Me too. She breathed out, his hand moved to gently cup one of her breast as he whispered into her ear.
Slowly, his lips trailed over her neck to her jaw, his tongue slowly tracing along her skin before his lips met hers. She parted them quickly, allowing her tongue to meet his as it entered her mouth. Wrapping her arm around his neck, she pulled him closer, moving her shoulder, forcing him to move over her. The change in angle made it easier to kiss as she tilted her head to deepen it as he reached between them.
Tightening her grip on his hair, she arched forward as he pushed into her. The moan that escaped her lips was silenced by his mouth. Kicking the blankets from them, Kahlan wrapped her legs around his waist. He felt her hands leave his hair and grab his shoulders, her nails digging into his back as he quickened their speed.
The force of her magic being released almost pushed him from her body. Tucking his head in the crook of her neck, he held onto her, pressing a quick light kisses as they came down together. Softly, he whispered his love for her into her ear as she struggled to find her breath. She held him tightly against her, her arms wrapped tightly around his shoulders, keeping him from rolling off of her.
Moving to their sides, Richard held her close to him, moaning in protest as he slipped from her warmth. Slowly, she pressed her lips to his throat, giving him an open-mouth kiss. The vibration from his moan fueled her already re-growing desire. She could never have enough of him. The feel of his touch, lips and embrace were intoxicating and she found herself craving him constantly.
If you keep kissing me like that, I m going to roll back over you. He breathed out softly, closing his eyes.
He felt her smile against him as she continued; only now, she slowly ran her tongue from the base of his throat to his jaw as her hand moved over his side. Her leg lifting slowly, wrapping over his and pulling him onto her.
He didn t waste a moment; he pushed her back and moved over her, pressing his lips passionately against hers. The feel of her naked body lying beneath him made his passion fuel further still. The soft moans and gasps of his name were things he was sure he would never tire of hearing. She held him tightly against her, needing his body harder against hers.
She moved quickly, flipping them over, pressing her palms against his chest to steady herself as she gracefully moved over him. Her long, dark hair fell freely over her shoulders, blocking his view of her breasts. Pulling her arms back, she arched her back, releasing his name into the air as he tightened his hold on her hips, keeping her from falling from his body. Her eyes squeezed shut as he helped ease her down. His own eyes, stressed to remain open, through his own release as he watched her.
Mmm. She hummed, pulling herself against him, his arms wrapping around her, gently stroking her back. Don t stop. She didn t have to look up to know he was smiling. Maybe you can leave after lunch.
Yes, Mrs. Cypher. I do believe that is a great idea. Zedd will want us to eat-
I don t plan on letting you leave this bed before then. She interrupted with a smile, before pressing her lips to his chest.
He looked back every few seconds, having to see her again. Slowing his horse, he turned back facing her. With tears collecting in his eyes, he waved to her, smiling widely as she waved back. Cara, standing beside his wife, rolled her eyes at the sight of them. She knew Kahlan was praying to the spirits for time to pass quickly, so he would return to her. And she was.
We will never make it if we do not leave. Zedd laughed, pulling his horse beside Richard s.
I know. He replied softly, keeping his eyes on Kahlan. I don t wasn t to leave her.
I knew that the moment you two met. He laughed, But, you have business to attend to. You cannot spend every waking moment with your wife, though I am sure that neither of you would mind.
He couldn t help the smile that crossed his lips. His grandfather knew them very well. If given the choice, they would spend the entire day in their bedroom. That had. The week after their wedding, he and Kahlan barely left their room. I wouldn t. Let s go.
Her heart pounded in sadness as she watched him disappear into the thickness of the trees. She could feel Cara s eyes on her, waiting for her to give the order to ride after him and bring him back. She did not like being left under Kahlan s command.
Are you going to cry? she asked as Kahlan turned towards her. He hasn t been gone five minutes and you start to cry.
He s my husband, she replied softly, looking from her friend to her sister. My husband is going to bring back our armies and unite the lands. A smile crossed her lips as she took in her own words. Richard Cypher, savior of the lands.
Rolling her eyes, Cara crossed her arms. Richard Rahl. She corrected with a smirk.
Cypher Rahl. Dennee said softly, pulling her sister from the Mord'Sith. He will return in a month. You will manage. You are needed for Confession and punishment in the prison.
The next month had gone exactly the way she had hoped. Morning Confessions, followed by an unpleasant meeting with the council on all the things they felt she had not done to the best of her duties. The only part of the day she looked forward to, was her time alone before bed. Each night, she would rush to her room and pull out the Journey Book Richard had given to her.
He had told her how he hated the thought of not being able to be with her, to simply speak to her. With the Journey Book, he had been able to tell her how much he loved her each day.
With a joyous heart, she opened the book, excited to see what he had written her. The world, suddenly dark, came crashing down around her as she read the page.
Your husband is ours.
She didn t recognize the hand it was written in. Her heart filled with panic as her eyes filled with tears. Grasping the book tightly in her hands, she raced from the room and down the hall, her white Mother Confessor s dress flowing freely behind her.
Cara! she shouted as she burst through the door, waking the Mord'Sith. Something has happened to Richard!
Jumping from bed, agiels in hand, she looked quickly to her. What are you talking about?
Handing her the book, she wiped the tears from her eyes. He s been writing to me in this. Cara, someone has taken him!
Reading the page, Cara withheld a sigh as she looked back to Kahlan. He has been taken by Mord'Sith. I know the one who wrote this. She never believed Richard to be the true Lord Rahl. She follows the orders of Darken Rahl. She watched as the panic grew within her, speeding her breathing. I will bring him back. She said confidently.
I m going with you. Kahlan said turning around and leaving her friend standing in her room. Richard has been taken prisoner, ready the horses. Cara and I are going to bring him back. The man standing across the hall nodded quickly and ran to do as she asked.
Kahlan, you don t even know where he is. How do you expect to find him? Dennee s voice echoed in her ears.
I have to go. I can t sit here and do nothing. He is my husband. The man I love. I can t lose him. I will bring him back.
Kahlan, this is not something you should run into. You don t even know if he wants you to come for him. If he was even captured at all.
Standing beside her horse, Kahlan stared into her sisters eyes. He would not play this kind of game with me. I am going to find him and bring him back. She repeated herself, this time, staring her in the eye.
"What about your child? You have to think about this. If you go after him and they get you too-"
"I'm going. Dennee, I have to."
We re more than a month behind him now. Kahlan said softly, pushing the horse as fast as possible. We re going to have to change horses soon. I m not sure how much more these can take.
We re almost two days from the next town. We should slow down.
I can t. she looked over, meeting Cara s eyes. I have to get to him.
She could see the desperation in her eyes, her mind racing. You are in no condition to go on like this. Richard would never-
Richard is not here. Kahlan said softly. When we find him, he can take me back himself.
You should go back to Aydindril. She said it softly, knowing there was no chance that she would listen to her.
I have been pregnant for seven months, Cara. If I go back now, I m afraid I will have his child before you bring him back. She sighed at the thought, the fear of doing it without him. I can t do it without him. I don t want to. Cara, you found him and we are so close. We are going to get him back.