Chapter two
Kahlan woke up with a headache.
Her dreams had been plagued by nightmares she couldn't remember, the Rada'Han choked her and she felt like she was about to fall apart any time now. Kahlan moaned, and forced herself to sit up.
There was breakfast waiting for her on the bedside table.
Kahlan blinked. Someone had been in her room. And she hadn't been aware of it. She doubted R— Darken would have brought her breakfast – Kahlan laughed bitterly at the ridiculous mental image of her husband with a tray of food wishing her good morning. It had probably been some servant girl... But the fact was still very disturbing.
Kahlan ignored the food and got to her feet, absently and futilely trying to smooth the wrinkles from her wedding dress. Her hair must be an absolute nightmare—
There was a knock on the door.
"Enter," Kahlan said in a hoarse voice, and a girl of sixteen came in, her eyes cast down submissively.
"Good morning, milady..." the girl began to say, but Kahlan interrupted her.
"What's your name? And look into my eyes when I talk to you!" She ordered harshly.
"I'm sorry, milady. Emily, milady," the girl curtseyed and timidly looked up.
Kahlan watched her closely for a very long time. Emily was an innocent and sweet little child. But she could never be of use to Kahlan. She was too weak, and she seemed too terrified of Lord Rahl to obey Kahlan's commands, much less be the recipient of Kahlan's confidences. A thought occurred to Kahlan. Could she push him so far as to let her choose her own servants?
"Go," Kahlan said finally.
"But Lord Rahl ordered me to help you with your bath, milady, and—"
"I don't need any help!" Kahlan felt fury building up inside. "Get out! And don't you ever dare come in here again without my permission!"
Emily bolted out of the room like lightning.
The headache got worse. Kahlan massaged her temples. Fortunately she didn't have to hide her true reactions from Darken just yet. She would never show him her pain, of course – she wouldn't give him the satisfaction of seeing her suffer. But thankfully the disgust on her face would not surprise him.
Kahlan sighed deeply and picked up an apple from a plate of fruit. She really needed to address the problem of disgust sometime in the future. No chance she would be able to fake physical pleasure and anyway – Confessors could not conceive a child without it. At first, Kahlan had thought she could imagine Richard while sleeping with R— Darken. But now she could never allow herself this escape from reality. It would be the end of everything if she accidentally cried out the wrong name. More than that – bringing Richard to her marriage bed now felt like even more of a betrayal than it already was.
Kahlan bit into her apple.
She had to get ready. No doubt, Darken would demand her presence at the Morning Devotional. The thought sickened her. But Kahlan had made a deal, and this was her duty now as his wife and Queen. And she would stand there by his side and watch while thousands of slaves pledged themselves to her husband. Just like she herself had, when she agreed to marry him—
Kahlan put the apple back. She had no appetite.
And her headache was killing her.
