Chapter 9

Kahlan quickly made her way through the busy streets of Aydindril toward the imposing walls of the Wizard's Keep. It would have been faster to travel by horse, but her frustration was such she needed the walk. She replayed the arguments in her head, how her reasoned rebuttals had been met with closed-minded opposition. She muttered to herself as she once again argued in her mind the importance of the union. Richard had warned her before she left to meet with the council that mostly likely, at least a few of them would dissent. She had assured him the intellects of the members would be of fair thought and deed. She had been disappointed. Most had understood but a few vehemently did not.

As angry as she was, she waved and smiled in return to the bows of respect and shouts of admiration by the people of the city. She was relieved when she was at last on the lone road to the Keep where none but Wizard's and Confessors dared tread.

"How did it go?" Richard asked when she entered into the Keep's library. Having arrived Aydindril just the day before, his grandfather was introducing him to the wealth of knowledge to be found there. Just that room alone contained thousands of books on magic and prophecy.

Kahlan let out a small sigh. "There are some who refuse to see reason."

"I will talk to them."

"No. I don't think that will help, at least not just yet. They need some time to adjust to the idea of joining with D'Hara." She idly fidgeted with one of the dusty volumes on the shelf.

Richard could see she wasn't being completely honest. "You mean 'withthe House of Rahl'." He knew it was his ancestors they despised. While they honored the Seeker, they did not like the idea that he was of the Rahl bloodline. Their lands had been enemies for too long. "What is it Zedd always says, "Passion Rules Reason? Seems they've fallen victim to Wizard's Third Rule…They are letting their passion for hate rule their thinking."

She gave him a small smile. "They will come around, Richard. They just need a little time." Time was something they didn't have. Not right now. Shota's declaration that Nicci still lived was a frightening thought. Her vision that Nicci would align with Rahl and help him gain control of D'Hara was too terrifying for words.

Richard took up her hand in his, gentle eyes finding hers. "The decision is yours Kahlan" he whispered. "We can wait until I return if that is your wish." They had discussed postponing their wedding to a time when it wouldn't be so rushed. Shota's vision made it imperative that he go to D'Hara now. Though Richard didn't hold much faith in prophecy, he didn't need a witch woman to tell him the dangers of Nicci aligning with Rahl. He would be leaving in the morning.

"No" she said quietly. "We've waited long enough." She cast a quick glance to Zedd, not wanting him to hear her intimate words. Her eyes found his eyes again, holding them with a knowing look. "I want to have you for my husband before you go heading off to D'Hara."

He wanted that too. Their desperation had drawn them together on the Plains of Merda, but they had not been together in that way since. And though only a handful of days ago, it seemed an eternity. "And so you shall" he said, giving a tender kiss to her brow.

xxx

Sunset was still a few hours off as Richard readied himself in his room, fastening the last of the clasps on the dark wool vest he wore. It belonged to one of the local councilors, Councilor Brant. There just wasn't time to have something made for the wedding and it was far better than his forest garb he usually wore. Underneath he wore one of the counselor's white gauze shirts. Richard's muscles were more defined than Brant's and the billowy sleeves fit nearly snug on him. Finely spun it was quite sheer, making the vest a needed accompaniment. He and Kahlan had decided on a very intimate ceremony, one without fanfare or announcement. In fact, aside from Dennee and Jennsen, and Cara and Zedd, Councilor Brant was the only one who knew they would wed tonight. They had confided in him and asked if he would perform the ceremony. He said he would be honored and since he was close to Richard's size, offered to let the Seeker wear anything he wished from his closet. When peace was secured and Richard returned, they would have a formal ceremony, one they knew the people would demand, allowing the entire city to participate.

There was soft knock on his door before it opened. "Lord Rahl, it's time to go."

Richard bristled at hearing the title and turned to see Cara at his door, an impatient look on her face. He knew she was more anxious to be off to D'Hara than for the wedding. "I haven't taken the throne yet, Cara."

She straightened, standing tall in the doorway. "You are still Lord Rahl. You have been since you defeated your brother."

Though he accepted what he needed to do, he didn't like it. "Maybe so, but you've always called me Richard." He slipped past her through the door, out into the hall.

She fell in step beside him. "Only to please you, but that time is past." He lifted an eyebrow giving her a sideways glance. "You are taking the throne. It's best if people get used to hearing it." She was thinking of her Sister's of the Agiel. They would be far less inclined to believe it themselves if even she didn't use the proper appellation.

They descended the stairs making their way toward the private grounds of the Mother Confessor. Only Kahlan's rooms overlooked the secluded gardens. There they would be assured privacy for the brief ceremony.

"I want people to follow me because they believe in me, not because of my title."

She'd heard it before. It was a noble idea, but not one they had the time to pursue. People needed to follow him now and the title of Lord Rahl would help ensure they did. "There's no time for morality. Once you hold the throne, you can be as benevolent as you wish."

He let it go. She had a point, but more than that, he didn't want to argue. He was on his way to marry Kahlan and nothing would dampen his spirit.

xxx

Dennee finished with the last of the buttons on Kahlan's dress, tiny pearls running down her back from neck to waist. "Turn around, let me see" she instructed. Kahlan did as she was told. The dress was one of many hanging in the closets of Aydindril, all belonging to the Mother Confessor. It was simple, yet elegant. Kahlan was uncomfortable having her sister and Jennsen fussing about her and let her thoughts wander one more to Shota's vision. What she had spoken had them all on edge.

When she and Richard shared it with Zedd, he shivered with fright, "A two headed beast? One from the north…and one from the south?" He believed Rahl – the beast from the north – would return to D'Hara and align himself once more with its troops, amassing an army, while sending Nicci – the beast from the south – to strike Aydindril and take the Keep, an impossible task without magic. That's why Rahl needed her. Richard wasn't so sure. He knew prophecy and visions could take on entirely different forms once they started to play out, often with barely any resemblance to the original revelation. But they couldn't take any chances. They'd have to guard against both.

Kahlan didn't like the idea of Richard going to D'Hara without her, but at least he would have Cara by his side. Her knowledge of D'Haran troops and the People's Palace would be invaluable. She also understood how important it was that she and Zedd remain in Aydindril. The city's troops alone would be no match for Nicci's power. The Mother Confessor and the Wizard of the First Order would be desperately needed should she attack. They had no choice.

Jennsen startled her from her thoughts, handing her a vibrant bouquet of blue morning glories, delicate wispy vines of them drawn together with an elegant white ribbon. "Richard brought these by a little while ago." Kahlan took the bouquet and pressed it to her nose. The thought of him picking flowers for her made her smile.

She took a quick look in the mirror, her mother's blue jewelry adorning her neck and ears, complemented her eyes as well as the flowers. "Shall we be off?"

xxx

A low fire flickered in the hearth, small shafts of its light barely illuminating the floor, dawn, a nearly imperceptible event just beginning to break outside their window. In the quiet darkness of their room, Richard and Kahlan lay with tangled limbs in the massive bed that was now theirs. She had often joked with him that he might lose her in it. She was pleased he had not.

They had made love all through the night, giving in only to brief moments of sleep…just long enough to enjoy the pleasure of waking up naked in each other's arms. Kahlan smiled now and stretched as she woke to Richard's persistent kiss on her neck, his warm fingers softly seeking out her flesh. He buried his face in her skin. "Tell me" he quietly demanded between kisses.

She rolled their entwined bodies so he was under her, her knees straddling his hips. "I love you, Richard. Now and forever" she vowed, her thick mass of hair surrounding him as they kissed. Richard loved her long hair, the feel of her skin. He wanted to hold her like this forever. He gave a little groan as his hands found her curves, and the aching thought that he would soon be leaving was quickly swept away by her tenderness.

Kahlan arched back, slowly, lazily, inviting him to explore her more fully, her thick mane cascading down behind her as she enjoyed his soft caress. "You're so beautiful," he whispered. She put her hands over his as he held her, leaning into his touch, moaning quietly as his fingers formed to her breasts. Gently shifting her weight, she eased him inside her.

Richard was at once tense with desire, Kahlan trembling with the heat of him. He gripped her tightly as she moved, taking pleasure in her body. Her languid motions left him panting for breath, aching with restraint. Every fiber of him begged for release. Kahlan knew he was holding back and urged him for more. Richard took hold of her shoulders, swiftly rolling her under him, his chest pinning her to the bed. "Not this time" he panted roughly. She tried to protest but he wouldn't allow it. He was all power and muscle pressed against her. She felt wonderfully helpless as he held her tight in his arms. "This time you will be under me." Kahlan decided that was fine with her and hungrily pulled him to her.

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