They finally stop for lunch when the sun reaches it's peak in the sky, but in the interest of time they simply snack on some left over rabbit with a few bits of hard bread and cheese instead of making a fire to cook with.
No one does much talking while they eat, although the tension has lessened slightly since last night.
Kahlan watches as Cara fills their water skins in the creek. The day is hot and Kahlan's not sure if sweat is trickling down Cara's neck or if the blonde had splashed herself with water.
What am I going to do?
Kahlan smiles as Zedd goes to Cara and retrieves a water skin. He drinks his fill then bends down to refill the skin again. She watches as the two converse; she can't make out what they're saying and from this angle she can't see their faces well enough to read them.
Zedd finally claps Cara on the shoulder before standing and approaching Kahlan with a smile.
Kahlan pats the grass beside her in a silent invitation, which Zedd gladly accepts.
"The right path is not always the easy one," he says, unbidden.
Kahlan chuckles, "which rule would that be?"
"Not a rule," Zedd replies, "simply an observation."
Kahlan sighs, pushing a lock of hair behind her ear, "I don't know what to do Zedd."
"About what, my dear?" Zedd cocks his head towards her, giving her his full attention.
"About Richard; about Cara," her hand gestures vaguely, circling in midair, "I feel like I've lost both of them."
Zedd's gaze narrows curiously, glancing from Kahlan, to Richard, then to Cara before landing back on Kahlan again.
"I suppose they are a somewhat packaged deal, what with Cara's bond to Richard," he says slowly, piecing it together while regarding Kahlan, whose gaze is focused on the Mord'Sith. Zedd glances between the two women once more, watching as Cara glances up to find Kahlan and Zedd both staring at her. Kahlan ducks her head quickly and Zedd can see the blush rising in her cheeks. "I'm sensing that you wish they weren't bonded as they are."
"You've always been very intuitive, Zedd," Kahlan mumbles, her head still lowered, gaze downcast.
"What exactly did you tell Richard yesterday?"
Kahlan picks her head up, along with her hands, giving a flustered shrug, "I don't know Zedd, I told him a lot of things," she begins before barreling on, "I told him that I didn't want to marry him. I told him that I saw him with a wife, just not me. I told him I don't see him by my side in Aydindril. I told him I don't see anyone by my side."
Zedd snaps once, bringing her to halt, "Ah! But that's not exactly true is it?"
Kahlan sighs, "I thought it was Zedd, I was being honest. I don't see anyone by my side when I envision myself ruling Aydindril…"
She trails off, leaving Zedd to prompt her, "But…"
Kahlan can't help her lips from turning up into a small smile, "But I do see someone behind me. Guarding me, protecting me, caring for me in all the ways that Richard ever has and never could," her eyes flit over to Cara, who's finished with the water skins and is now talking quietly with Richard.
Knowing that Zedd is following her gaze she glances back down to her hands, pretending to examine them closely but really just absentmindedly worrying them.
"I guess…" she starts slowly, "…I just imagined she would always be there…with me."
Zedd smiles sadly at her, "And therein lies the rub." Kahlan nods. "Has she given you any indication that that won't be the case?"
"She has to go with Richard, Zedd," Kahlan says resignedly looking up to meet his eye, "She serves the Lord Rahl, not the Mother Confessor."
"Yes, but what does she want?"
"What does who want?"
Both Kahlan and Zedd jump at the sudden interruption. Cara looks between them, "what does who want?" She repeats her question.
"No one." "You." Kahlan and Zedd say at the same time. Kahlan stares daggers into Zedd for telling Cara the truth.
Cara cocks her head, a puzzled look crossing her face as she regards them, before finally answering, "A Mord'Sith has no wants; only duty and orders."
Kahlan can tell Zedd is about to retort when Richard calls out to them.
"We should get going, there's some clouds coming in from the North; it could be a storm!"
Kahlan hears Zedd huff as he stands and goes to collect his things. Kahlan stands as well, which brings her face to face with Cara, who hasn't yet moved. Kahlan searches her eyes for a moment, letting her gaze wander to trail over Cara's striking features.
"Is that true? You have want for nothing?"
Cara doesn't speak but tips her head in the slightest of nods. Kahlan shakes her head, before leaning in to whisper into the Mord'Sith's ear, "You can't lie to me to Cara."
She feels Cara stiffen slightly, but steps around her and follows after Zedd and Richard.
Kahlan hears Cara's footsteps as the blonde jogs to catch up with her, stopping just shy of Kahlan's shoulder.
"What use is it wanting something you know you can never have?" Cara's soft voice carries on the wind to Kahlan's waiting ears.
"If you never express your want how can anyone fill it?" Kahlan replies, glancing over her shoulder at the blonde. This is dangerous territory for them, but Zedd's words from the past few days tumble over and over in Kahlan's mind. Twisting and shaping her thoughts, her memories; bringing realizations to the fore and what she thought were certain truths are shoved back for the lies that they are.
Cara's hand on Kahlan's stops them both in their tracks.
"Exactly," the blonde says suddenly, her hawk-like gaze holds Kahlan hostage in its piercing claws, "if you never express your want how can anyone fill it?"
Kahlan feels her breath leave her. All this time she has been begging Cara for answers without offering any of her own. Of course the Mord'Sith would be hesitant, other than breaking things off with Richard, Kahlan has shown no other signs of the tumultuous feelings that have been weaving in and out of her consciousness; like wisps of smoke creeping through the trees, calm on their own but their smokey haze harbors the warnings of the coming firestorm.
"Kahlan!" Cara snaps, her leather-clad hands are gripping the sides of Kahlan's head as the brunette tries to shake herself from her thoughts.
"Sorry," Kahlan replies, unsure of why her pulse is racing so fast, why her face feels hotter than the warm day should provoke. She meets Cara's gaze and her eyes widen in alarm at the fear she sees there. "What? What is it Cara?"
"Your eyes," Cara murmurs, her brow pinched with worry, "they started to go black Kahlan; it looked like the Con Dar."
Kahlan gasps slightly as Cara releases her hold on Kahlan's head, letting her hands slide down to rest lightly against Kahlan's neck.
"I didn't know what to do." Cara's shaking voice tells Kahlan exactly how much fear the Mord'Sith is feeling right now.
"It's alright, I'm alright," Kahlan soothes, bringing her hands up to wrap around Cara's, "I'm so sorry. I don't know what happened."
"What were you thinking about?" Cara questions searching Kahlan's eyes.
Kahlan swallows thickly, "You. I was thinking about you."
"And that sent you into Con Dar?" Cara's voice is nearly frantic.
"No, no it wasn't that," Kahlan replies softly, rubbing her hands along Cara's forearms, hoping to calm the Mord'Sith if only slightly. "I was thinking about you but not in an angry or hurtful way. I was…" She trails off, looking to the sky as if the words she needs will be spelled out in the swirling clouds above them. "Cara…when I think about you…" She pauses, meeting the blonde's gaze, "I feel so much. Do you have any idea what you mean to me?"
Cara's jaw drops slightly. She shakes her head a fraction to each side.
"I…"
Light flashes around them suddenly with a massive booming thunder rolling not far behind it. Within moments huge drops of rain are splashing down on them.
"Kahlan! Cara! Come on, we have to move!" Richard has to yell to be heard above the sudden storm but the two woman hear him and with one last meaningful glance they pick up their pace catching up with the Seeker and Wizard.
Kahlan shivers as the rainwater permeates her gown and leathers. With every step her sodden boots squish and splash through the mud. Kahlan glances back at Cara, wondering idly if the Mord'Sith had used some sort of wax on her leathers to repel water; the rain running down her body has an eerie appearance combined with the red leather. It's not so much that it looks like blood, but Kahlan can't help the images that flash through her mind. In some it's the enemies blood trickling down the red leather; in others it's Cara's. Kahlan has to shake away the intense feeling of dread that those thoughts bring.
"Kahlan are you alright?"
Richard's hand is at her elbow and she realizes that she had stopped walking, allowing Cara to catch up to her and giving Richard enough worry to double back.
Pushing her sopping hair out of her eyes, Kahlan replies, "We should find someplace to make camp!" A flash of lightening illuminates her traveling companions faces; Richard's eyes squint through the rain and Cara's…Cara's eyes are fixated on Richard's hand, still wrapped around Kahlan's arm.
Kahlan gently shakes her arm free and meets Cara's gaze when the blonde realizes she's been caught.
"There's no time!" Richard yells over a boom of thunder, "We're a days walk from The Pillars of Creation and we still have to get to Rahl and get the stone back!"
"Richard's right!" Zedd agrees, having also doubled back to check on them.
Cara comes to her side, silently nodding her agreement.
As they continue on the sky only grows darker; the ground beneath their feet sinking in a little bit more with each step they take. Richard leads the way, head bowed, following the compass's every slight change in direction.
Zedd's tall figure looms ahead of her in the misty downpour, his soaking robes stick to his thin limbs, making him seem even ganglier than he usually appears.
Kahlan glances down, the white of her Confessor gown is nearly black with mud at the bottom hem; the filth lessens the higher up she looks finally giving way to a translucent white. Her dark corset shows through the drenched fabric, which clings uncomfortably to every curve and angle of her body.
Up ahead Richard comes to a halt. They've reached a fork in the road, one path veers off to the left while the other continues on alongside the swelling creek. Richard turns down one path, staring down at the compass before angling the compass down the other path. He shakes his head in frustration.
"This doesn't make any sense!" He yells out.
"What is it m'boy?" Zedd questions, looking over Richard's shoulder towards the compass.
"It's pointing down both paths!" He replies, pointing the compass down one path and then the other.
Kahlan and Cara come to stand on his other side.
"Isn't it supposed to glow brighter when pointed in the correct direction?" Kahlan asks, raising her voice to carry above the howling wind and rain.
"Yes, but it's the same, both ways." Richard tries closing the compass before opening it back up. Sure enough the compass glows equally as bright when pointed down both paths.
"This can only mean one thing," Zedd postulates, "we must split up and follow both paths."
"What? Zedd that's crazy!" Richard argues, rounding on his grandfather.
"Richard, you said it yourself, we don't have time. The only way to follow both paths is for two of us to go down one path and two to follow the other," Zedd counters calmly.
Kahlan watches as Richard's jaw muscles work, his jaw clenching and unclenching in consternation. He glances at her for a moment before his eyes shut, a pained expression overcoming his features.
He turns his back on them, staring down the paths, rolling his neck slowly before letting his head drop.
"Richard," Kahlan implores, as softly as she can while still being heard above the raging storm.
Richard lifts his head, his gaze unfocused ahead of them.
"Kahlan, you and Cara continue on the path that follows the river. It will lead you to the sea and more than likely The Pillars of Creation. Zedd and I will take the other path."
"Richard…" Kahlan starts, "are you sure?"
He nods solemnly as he turns to face them, "Keep an eye out for Rahl and The Stone. Whatever happens, we'll meet you at The Pillars in time for the eclipse."
"It's as good a plan as any," Zedd agrees, "but we need to get moving."
"Just a minute Zedd," Richard interjects, motioning for Cara to follow him a few paces away. Kahlan listens intently trying to catch snippets of their voices but the wind is too strong, the storm too loud.
After a few moments Richard clasps Cara's shoulder tightly before rejoining the others.
Kahlan gathers him into a tight hug, "may The Spirits be with you."
Richard nods, pulling away, "you won't need The Spirits," he quips lightly, "you've got Cara."
Kahlan gives him a relieved smile before hugging him once more, "thank you Richard."
Thunder crashes above them as Zedd tugs at Richard's pack, "come along Seeker."
"Be safe!" Richard calls as they turn away.
Kahlan watches them go for a few moments before turning to Cara. The Mord'Sith gives her a slight nod and they start off.
They rain continues into the evening, making the already treacherous path nearly impassable.
Kahlan feels Cara's gloved hand on her elbow, easing her to a stop. She turns to Cara but the Mord'Sith is staring resolutely at the ground; Kahlan can see the muscles in her jaw work as the blonde clenches and unclenches her teeth.
Kahlan knows they should keep moving but there's a small voice at the back of her mind.
Don't force her, she'll only pull away.
Finally Cara raises her head, her eyes slowly meet Kahlan's.
"What you said earlier, when you asked me if I knew what I meant to you…" Cara trails off slightly but Kahlan meets her gaze, nodding firmly her acknowledgment. Cara forces out a deep breath that is something between a laugh and a sob. To Kahlan's ears, it's pain.
"I don't know," Cara says suddenly, "I didn't know that I meant anything to you." She runs a hand through her hair, pulling wet strands away from her face. "All that I've ever known of you, is that you are," she pauses, "—were—completely and utterly in love and devoted to Richard."
Cara throws her hand up in exasperation before letting it fall back to her side with a smack on the wet leather, "And now — now I find you weeping in the middle of the road, Richard storming off and you telling me that you're no longer marrying him."
Kahlan tilts her head slightly to the side, her forehead creasing with concern and confusion.
"Yes, Cara, all these things are true, but what of it?" She asks softly.
"I don't know!" Cara cries out, gripping her head with both hands, "I don't know why. There's no reason behind it! Why did you do those things? And—and—and," she stutters and has to stop and compose herself for a moment before continuing, "and something's changed; you've changed Kahlan."
Kahlan feels her heart drum a little harder in her chest; of course, she knows all the reasons why but finally, truthfully confessing them? She would laugh were the conversation not so serious, so laden with unspoken potential. As it is, her world is teetering. She's terrified of speaking the truth; her stomach roils uncomfortably as she thinks of all the people she's confessed, all the people she has forced to tell the truth. Were they feeling this? This terror creeping under their skin?
"How have I changed?" Kahlan's voice barely carries over the sound of the rushing river behind her.
Cara shakes her head, "I don't know," she huffs, "in every way and in no way at all. I can't put my finger on it, yet I see it with every move you make; hear it with every word you speak."
Kahlan steps closer to Cara, bringing up a hand to rest against the Mord'Sith's cheek.
"I wish I could explain," she murmurs unsure if Cara can hear her, but the blonde's eyes are locked on her lips. "I wish I could tell you what's changed. I wish we were just two people, two ordinary people. I wish I wasn't The Mother Confessor; I wish you weren't Mord'Sith, bound to Richard."
Kahlan feels warm tears mingling with the cold raindrops on her face as Cara mirrors her, raising her gloved hand to Kahlan's cheek before sliding down and around the back of her neck, fingers tangled in Kahlan's hair. Kahlan feels herself being pulled forward but Cara tips her head down at the last second, letting Kahlan's forehead fall gently against her own.
"But I am bound to Richard." Kahlan can feel Cara's warm breath wash across her lips as the Mord'Sith speaks, her voice hushed, constrained.
"I can't lose you," Kahlan whispers, clenching her eyes shut as her traitorous mind vividly reminds her of all the ways she could lose Cara.
There's a flash of lightening that seems to surround them all at once with an almost simultaneous earth-shaking roll thunder. Kahlan gasps, and jumps back as her terrified heart races. For a moment she sees Cara, who's shocked expression quickly turns to concern.
Kahlan cries out as her foot slips backwards, down the muddy embankment of the rapidly swelling river; her sturdy boot failing to stop her ankle from twisting at an awkwardly painful angle.
She tries to right herself but the mud is too slick; the embankment too steep. She hears Cara cry out her name as she tumbles into the rushing water. Her dress and pack feel like a dead weight dragging her under. She kicks hard, forcing her head above the surface.
Her eyes blink away the muddy water as she struggles to get her bearings. Out of the corner of her eye she spots something solid in the water and kicks out away from it, narrowly avoiding getting slammed into a jagged rock.
"Kahlan!" She hears her name on Cara's tongue again, but only barely. The rush of the raging river fills her ears. Turning her head she spots Cara sprinting along the shoreline, trying to keep pace with the swift current.
Kahlan kicks her legs, trying to make her way over to the bank but the current is too strong; her dress too cumbersome, and with every flick of her feet her injured ankle flares with pain.
"Cara!" She screams, realizing with a jolt of fear that she has no hope of getting out of the river on her own power.
Kahlan's head dips back below the water as her muscles begin to fatigue. The harder she kicks the more her limbs protest. Soon she is spending more time below the surface than above it.
There's a flash of red in her periphery as Cara dives headlong into the rapids.
"Cara!" Kahlan calls again, coughing as water invades her throat and lungs. Her vision swims from lack of oxygen and she knows she's moments from losing consciousness.
She's not sure if she stays under for seconds or minutes but her heart swells as a strong arm wraps around her, pulling her to the surface.
"I got you," Cara says as they break through the surface, her breathing is labored but steady, "kick with me if you can."
Kahlan nods weakly and kicks with her uninjured leg.
It takes Cara a few minutes to get them to the river's edge but she manages to pull them both up the bank before collapsing, Kahlan still held tightly in her arms.
They lay there each catching their breath.
Kahlan's not sure when her teeth started to chatter but now that they are she can't seem to get them to stop.
"Cara I'm so c-c-cold," she stutters, trying to curl into Cara's body even more, seeking any amount of heat she can find.
"I know you are," Cara murmurs gently, sitting them up, "come on. Can you stand?" She pulls herself up and Kahlan with her but as Kahlan goes to put weight on her right foot she cries out.
Pain flares through Kahlan's ankle, shooting up her shin.
"I c-can't," Kahlan cries, favoring her injured leg.
Cara nods determinedly before bending down and slipping her arm behind Kahlan's knees.
"Cara, w-what are you-" Kahlan stammers as Cara lifts her off of her feet.
"I have to get you someplace warm and dry," Cara explains, before taking off at a slight jog. Kahlan winces as her ankle bounces with Cara's every step. Cara slows slightly, "are you alright?"
"I've survived worse," Kahlan grinds out, clenching her still chattering teeth, "Keep going."
Cara pulls her tightly against her body, murmuring, "Hold on, Kahlan."
Kahlan nods, wrapping her arms around Cara's neck before losing herself to darkness.
When she opens her eyes she's not sure how much time has passed. By the sounds of the storm still raging on she figures it can't have been too long. She shivers, taking in her surroundings, rock wall on every side save for an opening about a dozen paces away.
Jerking her head around suddenly she realizes Cara is nowhere to be found.
"Cara!" Her voice is ragged and her throat strains with the effort. "Cara!" She tries again but the sound is even weaker.
She feels her eyes water as panic begins to settle in her chest. "Cara," she cries once more before the tears begin making their way down her cheeks.
"Kahlan!"
Kahlan's head snaps up as a streak of lightening illuminates the cave opening, silhouetting Cara's imposing figure.
"Kahlan," she says again, rushing to the brunette's side. She drops an armful of only semi-soaking wood nearby. "It's ok, everything's ok."
Kahlan throws herself into Cara's arms, trying to slow her breathing.
"I'm sorry, I just went out to collect some firewood," Cara soothes, squeezing Kahlan tightly.
"I know, I'm sorry, I just-"
Cara shushes her gently, pulling back, "I need to try and get a fire started. You're still freezing."
Kahlan nods and Cara goes to retrieve some flint and steel from her pack. Kahlan watches as Cara gathers some dry brush from around the cave and starts to work on getting it lit. She does so surprisingly easily but it's slow going after that. She pulls the drenched wood near the small flame and grabs a piece that looks the least wet, holding that to the flame in an attempt to light it. She continues on this way, adding wood a little bit at a time so as not to kill the small fire, until it is large enough in size that she can toss some larger pieces on without fear of it going out.
After that she goes to unpack their bedrolls. She takes them near the front of the cave and wrings them out as best she can, then does the same for their blankets before laying them out to dry.
Kahlan scoots as close as she dares to the fire, wrapping her arms around her knees. A shiver runs up her spine as she watches Cara undo her belt and set her agiels nearby.
When she starts to work on undoing the laces along her sides Kahlan stiffens.
"What are you doing?" Kahlan exclaims.
Cara arches an eyebrow in her direction without stopping her movements.
"I'm soaked and so are you," she replies simply, "we need to dry off and we'll never do it wearing these things."
Kahlan opens and closes her mouth several times trying to formulate a response but just ends up averting her eyes as Cara begins peeling her leathers off her wet skin.
After a few minutes she hears Cara's light bare footsteps approach her.
"Do you need help?"
Kahlan expects Cara's tone to be playful if not entirely suggestive but it's not. She chances a glance up to see Cara wrapped in a nearly dry blanket. There's no playful smirk on her face, only concern in her eyes.
"No," Kahlan clears her throat slightly, "No, I can do it."
Cara nods before turning away and walking towards the mouth of the cave. She stands inside, just out of the rains reach.
As quickly as she can Kahlan sheds her confessors gown, before going to work on unlacing her corset. She lays them out next to where Cara had laid her leathers before sitting down one of the bedrolls and wrapping the other blanket around her shoulders.
It takes her a little longer to get her boots off because of her injured ankle but she manages to do so and sighs in relief as her ankle is no longer constricted by the tight leather.
She sees Cara glance curiously over her shoulder.
"It's alright," Kahlan calls softly, "I'm finished."
Cara nods and turns to come and sit beside her. Kahlan feels a blush creeping up her cheeks as she fully acknowledges their equal state of undress. Knowing that a simple blanket is all that's keeping their naked bodies from each other.
"How is your ankle?" Cara asks, gazing into the fire.
"It hurts," Kahlan replies honestly, "but I should at least be able to put some weight on it by morning."
Kahlan shivers again and pulls the blanket tighter around herself. Cara shifts backwards on the bedroll, urging Kahlan to scoot forward a bit.
"What are you doing?" Kahlan finds herself asking for the second time that night.
"Warming us both up," Cara replies from behind her. Kahlan stiffens as she feels Cara's legs slide around either side of her. Cara wraps her arms in front of Kahlan, bringing her blanket around to provide a second layer of warmth. "Relax," Cara murmurs near Kahlan's ear. Kahlan takes a deep breath and hesitantly eases herself back into the blonde's embrace. She sighs lightly reveling in Cara's warmth as it seeps through her blanket.
The only part of their skin that's touching is their cheeks as Cara lightly rests her head on Kahlan's shoulder. "Better?" She asks softly.
Kahlan nods, "Better."
Kahlan can't help but be amazed by Cara. After all that she's seen and heard about the legendary Mord'Sith hyper-sexuality, it completely blows her mind that even though only a thin layer of fabric separates them, she doesn't feel the least bit objectified by the blonde. She feels only comfort.
Even with Richard she'd always had that niggling feeling at the back of her mind as he'd look her up and down when he thought she wasn't watching. Whenever he touched her, there was an overwhelming reverence that always hinted at something more; something desired, that Kahlan wasn't ready to give.
She knew that he would never force anything upon her but he couldn't hide anything from her, least of all his lust.
Kahlan leans back further into Cara, finally relaxing completely.
"Thank you," her voice wavers slightly.
"For what?" Cara's tired reply comes a moment later. Kahlan can't help but laugh lightly.
"Have you forgotten so soon," her voice lilts, "I would've guessed saving the life of The Mother Confessor to be more memorable."
Cara chuckles in her ear, "The Mother Confessor? No," she pauses, "but you," her voice softens, "yes."
Kahlan tilts her head to meet Cara's eyes, "but we are one in the same."
Cara shakes her head slightly, "The Mother Confessor is a title. It doesn't define you." She searches Kahlan's gaze, "You are entirely undefinable."
Kahlan's voice catches in her throat, "Is that a good thing?"
"The best," Cara replies, her voice a near whisper, "It means anything's possible."
Kahlan feels like her air has been taken away and she finally understands what it means to have someone leave you breathless.
Her gaze flits down to Cara's lips and back again; Cara's eyes do the same.
Suddenly there's a growl and with a groan Kahlan realizes it's her stomach. She watches as Cara tries to suppress the grin that is quickly spreading across her face. She fails miserably. Kahlan can't help the laugh that bursts from her lips. Internally she curses her stomach for interrupting whatever it was that had been happening between them but she has to admit that she's very hungry.
She sighs and leans her forehead to rest against Cara's forehead as the blonde chuckles lightly.
"I guess I'm hungry," Kahlan admits reluctantly. Cara rolls her eyes teasingly before leaning over to grab her pack. Kahlan laughs as she's pulled right along between Cara's legs, nearly falling over before blonde straightens back up.
"Here," Cara says, presenting her with a large leaf that's been wrapped up around something, "I picked these earlier."
Kahlan unfolds the leaf to find a handful of luscious, red berries.
"It's not much but it should calm that Shadrin in your stomach," Cara quips, her eyes twinkling with mirth.
Kahlan thanks her and leans back into Cara's embrace, placing a few berries in her mouth.
"Are you warmed up yet?" Cara asks a few moments later.
Kahlan hesitates briefly, "No."
Liar.
She feels Cara shrug in acquiescence.
"Would you like some?" Kahlan asks, holding up a berry over her shoulder.
Cara doesn't reply immediately but Kahlan's pulse surges as she feels soft lips wrap around her fingers, delicately extracting the berry from between them. Kahlan pulls her fingers back, examining them, almost mesmerized by the red stain the berry left on her skin. Without thinking Kahlan puts her fingers to her mouth, licking the remaining juice off. Her heart hammers against her chest as she slowly picks up another berry and holds it up.
She turns her head and meets Cara's gaze as the blonde inches forward, once again wrapping her lips around the tips of Kahlan's fingers. Her eyes never leave Kahlan's as she pulls back, running her tongue along her lips.
Kahlan feels her face flush as she pulls her hand back but before she can lick her fingers a second time, Cara's hand wraps around her wrist pulling it back towards her. Kahlan's mouth goes dry when Cara's tongue flicks out to lick Kahlan's fingers.
Kahlan finds herself biting her lip as Cara pulls back. There's no doubt now that both of them are more than adequately warm as Kahlan feels the heat radiating off of both Cara and the fire. Kahlan reaches back again, this time she doesn't have the excuse of a berry in her hand but it doesn't seem to matter as her fingers weave through Cara's hair on their way to grasp her neck.
Kahlan pulls Cara to her but Cara pauses, her lips just barely brushing Kahlan's, "Are you sure?" She whispers. Kahlan nods and sees Cara's eyes darken before their lips finally crash together.
Kahlan feels like she's drowning again but as Cara's lips glide against hers she realizes that kissing Cara is the opposite of drowning. It's living; it's breathing, in a way she never has before. It's like feeling the sea breeze on your skin for the first time; like standing at the precipice of the tallest peak and realizing you're on top of the world.
Kahlan's not sure how long it is before they break apart, both panting, taking in much needed oxygen. Kahlan rests her forehead against Cara's. She feels like she's flying, soaring over the grassy plains of Aydindril. She feels like she's free.
She feels like she's home.
A/N: :) Sorry this is a little late but I was working on "Into Pieces". So yes, I decided to do a Cara POV story that parallels this one. However, do not feel like you need to read that one if you do not want to. This story will remain a stand-alone as will the other. But if you'd like more insight into Cara's side of things check it out. The only downside is that I will now be updating this story every other Sunday but hey, at least this was a longer chapter right? Thanks for reading and reviewing!
