Chapter 2

Richard looked up from stirring a pot of spice soup over the fire as Kahlan came in from outside, a layer of snow covering the hood of her cloak and dusting the hair that peeked out from its edges. She had gone to feed apples to the horses while Richard warmed the soup. "They enjoyed that" she said, looking up at him with cheeks rosy from the cold. He couldn't imagine her looking any more beautiful. Kahlan noticed his beaming smile. "What?" she asked as she pulled the snowy hood back from her head.

He went to stand near her. "I have a beautiful wife."

She poked a finger in his middle. "It's about time you noticed, Richard Cypher."

He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her nose "Oh, I've noticed."

She gave a small laugh before giving him an affectionate kiss.

The door burst open, caught by the wind as Zedd entered. He quickly closed it against the cold air. "Smells like I'm just in time!"

Kahlan whispered in Richard's ear, "How does he always know when we're about to eat?"

"Come in Zedd," Richard offered. What brings you here this time of day?"

Zedd pulled off his cloak. "I've come with a message" he said, pulling a small scroll out of his pocket. "Martha said this was given to her today at the inn. I told her I would deliver it to you." He held the scroll out to Kahlan. "It's for you."

"Me?" She took the message from his hand and unraveled the scroll, reading it twice before looking up to Richard's expectant face.

"What is it?"

---

"Your father?" Richard couldn't imagine why he would be writing to Kahlan.

"Yes." She seemed as puzzled as him. "He says he was saddened to learn about Denee's death, that he heard from someone in a town near him that I married and that I was in Holly Meade. He didn't want to come without my consent."

"It sounds like he wants to make amends" Richard said.

Kahlan frowned. "You're more trusting than I."

"Has he never made any attempt to see you, contact you, during all this time?"

"No. The Valley of Thandore is hidden by magic. He wouldn't have even known how to all those years we were there. And when the Sister's of the Light came and got us, they forbid him from ever trying to see us." She looked back to the message in her hands. "So why now after all these years, after all he's done to both Denee and me?"

"I don't' know Kahlan. Maybe after hearing of Denee's death something changed in him? You're all he has left in the world, maybe he wants to set things right?"

"So you think I should see him?"

"I didn't say that. I think you should do whatever you feel is right. I'm just saying that people can change, become better than what the world made them."

Though he said the words sincerely, Kahlan felt the sting of hearing her own words used against her.

---

Kahlan had considered her father's request for nearly a week before she finally sent her reply. She wrote telling him she believed it was possible to change and that she was willing to see if he truly had. She warned him if he hadn't, the Seeker and the Mother Confessor wouldn't hesitate to banish him once and for all, not just from her life, but from all the Midlands.

The man who had delivered her father's message was still in town anxiously awaiting her reply. She had given her message to Martha on her next visit asking her to pass it on to him.

---

Richard and Kahlan spent the afternoon on the lake. Frozen over in the grip of winter, they had walked to its center taking in the views of the shoreline. Kahlan thought their little cottage looked so tiny and isolated from where they stood. She didn't feel that way when she was in it, but she could see their little home sat very much alone. No wonder Elizabeth preferred to be in town. With no one to share it with, Kahlan imagined it would be quite lonely. As they watched the evening sky made crimson from the setting sun, Richard stood behind her with his arms wrapped around her for warmth.

Kahlan felt him stiffen. "What is it Richard?" He held up a hand to indicate quiet and slowly drew his sword, the distinctive ring of steel filling the air. The hairs on the back of his neck pricked up. He turned, surveying the landscape, keeping Kahlan close behind him. Kahlan heard a low growl. Had it not been for the freshly fallen snow they would have been much harder to see in the gray light of dusk, but against the crisp whiteness, the gray fur of the wolves stood out in contrast. Richard quickly counted at least a dozen. They were making their way across the ice toward them, having come from the distant shore. His voice was calm and quiet. "Stay near me, but watch my sword." His back to Kahlan's, they turned as one, keeping his eyes on the advancing pack. Kahlan gripped her daggers tightly. She could use the weapons if the beasts pounced, but knew they were too fast to attempt throwing. The closest animals began to circle them, snarling, their heads low to the ice in a menacing stance.

Teeth snapping, the wolves lunged. Richard kicked at the nearest one, catching it in flight, sending it hard onto its back. As he spun from the kick he arched his sword through the air slicing through two more of the beasts. The remaining wolves were upon them, descending on Richard from all sides. Kahlan, staying clear of his sword was separated from him, surrounded by several of the wolves but they didn't attack her as they were attacking Richard. It was as if they were trying to keep them apart. She could see Richard's sword flying through the air as he slew the beasts. As he killed the last of the wolves around him, the ones surrounding Kahlan broke off, heading for Richard. She screamed his name in warning. Holding the sword before him, panting with anger, he turned to face the beasts. The wolves suddenly changed course and fled back across the ice into the darkening night.

"Kahlan!" He made his way to her, sliding his sword back in its scabbard. "Are you alright, are you hurt?"

She assured him she was fine. "Why did they only attack you Richard? Why didn't they come for me?"

He held her head to his shoulder. "I don't know. But I'm grateful for it."

---

Richard stood lost in thought by the warmth of the fire, an arm on the mantle; his foot on the hearth, thinking about the encounter they'd had with the wolves, relieved it had ended quickly. His mind sifted through what Kahlan had said about the wolves seeming to attack only him. Why would they behave that way? He thought too of her father's arrival. He would soon be here. Mostly, he thought how easily Kahlan could have been hurt today and was thankful no harm had come to her or the baby.

Kahlan laid a hand on his shoulder, pulling him from his thoughts. Richard's eyes couldn't help but roam over her curves more visible in the nightshirt she wore, revealing the fullness of her breasts and hips as she grew with child. He had always thought she couldn't be more beautiful. He had been wrong. "Off to bed?" he asked lightly. He was still skittish around her, treating her like she was something fragile that he might break. Kahlan wouldn't let that dissuade her this time.

She undid one of the buttons on her shirt. "Only if you come with me." Richard's breath quickened with the sound of her voice. He suddenly didn't know where to look, trying to put his eyes anywhere but on her. He wanted nothing more than to hold her but knew if he did, he wouldn't be able to stop himself. Seeing his apprehension, Kahlan put her hands to his chest, pulling lightly on his shirt, she leaned into him, her mouth close to his she whispered, "I miss you Richard."

As she kissed him, his hands held her hips; even he wasn't sure if they were pulling her close or holding her away. His heart pounded with her nearness. "Kahlan…I don't want to hurt you."

She took a step back so he could watch as she slowly undid her remaining buttons. His chest heaved with his breathing. "I will never fear your touch, Richard." Undoing the last button, she came close to him again.

As her lips coaxed his into a passionate kiss, Richard felt his resistance falter. Kahlan took hold of his hands and slipped them inside her shirt. He no longer needed her coaxing, his hands moving freely to caress her body. He lowered himself to his knees, covering her round belly with his soft, tender kiss before slowly making his way back to her lips. He sunk his hands deep into her hair, kissing her with a restrained urgency.

"Tell me Richard" she whispered.

His fingers gripped tighter into her hair but his kiss was gentle. "I love you Kahlan. More than life itself."

She kissed along his jaw, gently urging him, melting his inhibitions. "Show me."

Richard desperately wanted to feel her again. A quiet moan escaped him as he readily returned her kiss. All anxiety and hesitation left him, replaced with a soft, gentle passion as he slipped the nightshirt from her shoulders.

xxx