At Last (Chapter 9)
Richard felt a surprising sense of accomplishment despite the fear that still consumed his heart. The feeling of powerlessness that had encompassed his spirit ever since Brey's arrival had suddenly disappeared now that he was finally doing something. He felt like he was at long last getting somewhere even though he still had no evidence or clue as to what the Bender was actually after.
After leaving Zedd, Richard had quickly made his way to the main entrance of the Confessor's Palace, waiting patiently inside the door as Brey stood in the street. He watched curiously as Brey pulled out a piece of paper, examining it closely before carefully placing it back into his pocket. He couldn't see what was on the paper, but whatever it was, it seemed very important.
Richard cautiously followed from a distance as Brey began to wander through the swell of people that crowded the busy streets. Brey's height allowed Richard to easily track his movements while remaining inconspicuous. Whatever he was after, the Bender definitely had a purpose and was determined to see it through to the end.
Seeing him come to a stop, Richard quickly slipped behind a tall cart of baskets. Peering around the corner, the Seeker watched with alarm as Brey paused by a vendor's cart and casually stole a bag of coins. Anger suddenly surged through him as he watched the Bender stealing the money, but Richard knew that he had to allow him to do it if he was ever going to prove to Kahlan that Brey was not the innocent friend that she had left behind in Thandor.
"Can I help you, sir? Would you like a basket?"
Startled at the sound of the kind voice, Richard quickly stepped out from behind the tall tower of baskets. "Oh, no…thank you," he softly replied.
Looking up, Richard noticed that Brey was no longer standing near the vendor's cart. He frantically began scanning the sea of people, desperate to find the thief and the proof that he now carried in his pocket. As he searched the crowds, he instinctively checked to make sure his sword was free in its scabbard in case he absolutely had to use it.
All at once noticing a familiar mess of sandy hair turning a corner up ahead, Richard hurriedly began sifting through the crowds, forcing himself between people, and trying as politely as possible to excuse himself around groups of friends who paused to chat in the middle of the road. He was growing anxious to find his prey again as he turned the corner.
Finally spotting him, Richard watched as Brey made a purchase. His gaze narrowed as he watched Brey hold up a little blue bottle, inspecting it before dropping it in his pocket, a malicious grin spreading across his face. Richard wasn't sure what was in the bottle, but he quickly forgot about it as the Bender suddenly disappeared in a blinding flash of light.
XXX
Richard quickly made his way back to the Confessor's Palace, cursing under his breath the whole way. He had soon realized that Brey had discovered that he was following him. Now, fear for Kahlan was pushing him harder as he plowed through the crowds of people making their way home for the night.
The sun was beginning its descent behind the horizon; darkness would soon be upon them. Richard was unsure how far a Bender could actually travel with his magic, but he was in no mood to test it now. Things were still not clear as to what Brey was actually up to, but it was definitely not well-intentioned. He was beyond relieved that he at last had proof of that after having witnessed Brey's thievery.
Richard could hardly wait until he got to Kahlan's room. After telling her about Brey, they would be rid of him once and for all and then they could begin their long awaited night together. Now, he was glad that they had decided to wait until they got to Aydindril. It would make the encounter with his beloved that much sweeter.
Thoughts of Brey and the jealousy that had clouded his mood the last two days had all been shoved aside. Tonight, it was going to be just him and Kahlan. A smile began to spread across his face as he breathlessly bounded up the palace steps that would lead him to her room. Memories flashed in his mind, memories of all the moments that he had wanted to really touch her, desperate to feel her soft flesh under his fingertips and mouth, to feel his body melded into her beautiful form; the times that he had wanted to kiss her so much longer than he had been allowed, more intensely than he knew he should.
He'd had the benefit of that one extraordinary night to show Kahlan what he held in his heart for her, to experience her heated touch only to discover later that it hadn't really been his Kahlan. He had been so ashamed for having shared something so personal and intimate, something meant only for Kahlan, with another woman. Instead of a temporary reprieve from the constant intense longing for her, it only seemed to have intensified it. He'd had a brief taste of what it could be like with his real Kahlan. It had made the chasm of her magic that separated them that much larger but his determination to bridge it that much stronger.
As he made his way down the hall, Richard felt his heart seize as he heard the sound of Brey's voice. He had beaten him back to Kahlan's room. Rushing to the end of the hall, Richard's breath caught in his chest as he peered around the corner, spotting Kahlan standing outside of her room talking to Brey.
The sight of her made his pulse race, causing his heart to soar with love and longing. Kahlan stood in total exquisiteness, some of her dark hair pulled up, soft curls falling down around her face just the way her Confessor side had worn it when she had been torn in two. She wore a modified version of her white Confessor's dress, a style that Richard had never seen before. The white gown had a scoop neck that dipped low, revealing the soft swell of the tops of her breasts. Richard also happily noticed that it was missing those annoying laces that would slow his access to her. He smiled to himself as he noticed the silver necklace he had given her resting against her fair skin.
The sleeves were fitted, ending at her elbows and missing the long flow of material that adorned her original Confessor's dress. The bodice hugged her every curve, displaying her petite waist that Richard loved to wrap his arms around. Also missing was the generous material that swirled at her feet when she walked. Instead, the delicate material embraced the swell of her hips before falling straight down to lightly graze the floor. She was a graceful white pillar of beauty and strength. And she was all his.
Pulling himself out of his daze, Richard noticed that tears were beginning to fall down Kahlan's face, clearly upset by something Brey was telling her. He subconsciously clenched his jaw, his hand automatically gripping the hilt of his sword as he watched Brey grip Kahlan by her arms.
Just as Richard was about to put an end to it, Brey suddenly pulled Kahlan into a passionate kiss. Shocked, Richard's blood burned like liquid flames of rage in his veins, scorching his soul and threatening to consume him in its firestorm as he watched Brey and Kahlan kissing. His arms pulled her closer, her hands disappearing into his hair as she pressed her body tightly against his, pulling him even closer before disappearing in another blinding flash of light.
Standing there in stunned fury and bewilderment, Richard could feel his heart shattering as he gasped for air that was suddenly not there. His mind went numb, his soul a storm of emotions. Brey had kissed Kahlan and worst yet…she hadn't resisted. Kahlan had kissed him back. Richard felt as if his whole world had just crumbled right before his eyes. Releasing his hold on his sword, Richard slowly turned and made his way back down the hall, anguish washing over him like a powerful flood as tears leaked from the corners of his eyes.
XXX
"Very well done, KK. You just saved your precious Richard's life." He smugly watched as Kahlan ran the back of her hand across her mouth in a futile attempt to erase the kiss and the accompanying shame.
"Richard was right about you. He tried to warn me, but I wouldn't listen to him. I trusted you!" Kahlan furiously lunged at the man standing so arrogantly in front of her, her hand outstretched before her more than ready to take his soul.
Brey immediately grabbed her by the wrist, twisting it violently. Kahlan could feel the tiny bones crack under the pressure of his grip causing her to cry out in pain. He suddenly punched her, his fist connecting with her jaw. The force of the blow sent her sprawling to the floor in a heap. Dazed, she gingerly held her broken wrist to her chest as she attempted to stand to her feet.
"And I trusted you too, KK, but you proved to me long ago that you can't trust anyone…not even your best friend," he said in a deadly low voice that caused the tiny hairs to stand up on the back of her neck. He knelt down in front of her, staring strangely into her eyes. Reaching out, he seized the necklace Richard had given her, snapping it from her neck and tossing it aside.
"My necklace…" Kahlan cried, reaching for the gift from her beloved.
"Forget about it! It's gone now!" he shouted at her, grabbing her arm. "You will have nothing that will remind you of your Richard!"
The venomous look in his eyes made her blood run cold. Kahlan had never seen Brey like this before. Guilt began washing over her for believing in Brey over the man she loved. Richard had tried to warn her, but she had refused to listen. And now, Richard had just seen her kissing Brey. The anguish that she had just caused him broke her heart. How would he ever forgive her after this?
"What happened to you Brey? You were my friend and…"
"And you left me. Now, it's our chance to be together again once you help me get what I need," he informed her as he reached a finger to trace the bruise that was already forming along her jaw. Kahlan jerked away from his touch like he had just burned her, but was caught when he seized her broken wrist, causing her to cry out in pain again, more bones breaking with the fierceness of his grip.
"I will not help you," Kahlan ground out, her eyes twin balls of blue fury as she slowly snaked her other hand out to catch his throat.
"Yes you will and if you don't want another broken wrist, you will lower your other hand," he hissed as he roughly grabbed her by the chin, squeezing hard to make her look at him.
Kahlan quickly retracted her hand, not wanting to risk any more broken bones. If she was going to get out of this, she needed one good hand to confess him when another opportunity arose. Releasing her chin, he seized her arm, dragging her to her feet and wrapping his arm tightly around her waist to hold her to him.
"Now, you will help me if you want your precious Richard to live. If don't help me, I will use my magic to appear right behind him and slit his throat before he even knows what happened."
"I will do whatever you want…just don't hurt Richard…" she softly relented as she choked back tears. She had to be strong and go along with whatever Brey wanted until she could find a way out of this. He was after something else, something more than just her.
"I will make you soon forget you ever had feelings for him," Brey sneered with disgust before his face unexpectedly softened, his entire countenance completely altering. "You are just so beautiful, my precious KK. You have no idea how much I truly love you, how much I've missed you. Once you get me into the Wizard's Keep, all of our dreams can come true at last."
"Brey, I don't love you! I will never love you! I am in love with Richard!"
Brey's clear blue eyes instantly became matching storms of rage as he hurled Kahlan into a nearby wall, causing her to hit her head on the corner of a small table before collapsing to the floor. "You love me, KK! I know you do! I was your first kiss, your first love and I will be your only love!"
Rushing to her, Brey bent over her as she attempted to get to her hands and knees, blood streaming from a nasty gash on her head. Brey furiously shoved her back down on the floor, his boot slamming hard into her back, knocking the wind out of her lungs. "I'm not completely unreasonable, KK. You do what I want and I will allow Richard to live."
Kahlan's head was swimming in a haze of pain and confusion, trying desperately to remain conscious. She had to keep her focus if she was going to survive this. She didn't believe for one moment that Brey would ever allow Richard to live. They both knew that Richard would stop at nothing to save her.
Kahlan suddenly found herself yanked to her feet, her legs struggling to hold her up as her vision threatened to tunnel into pinpoints of blackness. The room was spinning violently causing her stomach to churn. Her head was pounding mercilessly as Brey pulled her close in a tender embrace.
"I don't want to hurt you, KK, but you leave me no choice. Once you help me get what I need, you'll see that this was all for the best," Brey reassuringly said pressing his lips to hers in a sweet kiss. Releasing her, Brey continued as he stroked her now disheveled hair. "You get me in the Wizard's Keep, I'll find the Sparrow's Eye and then we can be together forever."
Suddenly, the door to the Mother Confessor's suite burst open, revealing an irate Mord'Sith standing in the doorway. "I'm going to enjoy ripping your throat out," Cara spat out in a sneer as she marched towards him, agiels in hand.
"Cara…no!" Kahlan cried out, her eyes growing wide with realization of what was about to happen.
In a burst of light, Brey disappeared only to reappear right in front of Cara. Before she could even react, Brey stabbed her in the abdomen with a knife he'd pulled from his boot. As Cara stumbled back in shock, Brey raised his boot, kicking her in the chest, causing her to crash into the wall.
"Cara!" Kahlan screamed as she stared at the motionless Mord'Sith lying on the floor, blood oozing from her abdomen.
Fury tore through the Confessor's heart, causing her to lunge at the Bender, but he was too quick for her. He quickly disappeared, materializing behind her with a cloth and the small bottle he had purchased earlier. He swiftly pulled the cork, emptying the contents of the liquid into the cloth.
Kahlan spun around, her hand outstretched in an attempt to clutch his throat and take his soul. Just as she seized his throat, Brey was gone. She suddenly found a cloth being forced against her mouth and nose as he appeared behind her. She struggled violently against his hold, but to no avail. He was stronger than her and the abuse she'd already received had weakened her considerably. She tried hard not to breathe, but her lungs began to burn from the lack of oxygen.
Kahlan attempted to cry out for Richard as she struggled, but no words would come. She unexpectedly found she had no voice as the powerful toxin Brey had poured on the cloth seeped into her system. She fought desperately against the overwhelming darkness that was swiftly closing in on her from all sides, threatening to crush her, but ultimately the darkness won out.
XXX
"Richard! Richard!"
Ignoring the sound of his grandfather's voice, the Seeker continued marching down the main corridor. He was in no mood to talk to anyone. Right now, all he wanted was to escape and to forget. His legs felt heavy with every step that took him away from her. Every ragged breath he took just caused his heart to constrict with even more agonizing pain, reminding him of a life that he no longer shared with Kahlan.
"Richard, stop!"
Richard abruptly stopped, spinning furiously on his grandfather. "Not now, Zedd," he bitterly yelled.
Zedd was immediately taken aback by the sight of his grandson. His eyes were filled with fury mingled with cutting anguish, his icy glare intensely focused on him. He looked as if he could tear a full-grown gar in two with his bare hands while at the same time looking like he had just lost his only reason for living. "Richard, what happened? What did you find out?" Zedd asked, dread beginning to well up inside of him.
"You want to know what I found out? Brey is exactly what I thought he was! He's a liar and a thief and I just caught him kissing Kahlan in the hall outside of her room," Richard shouted, anguish causing bitter tears to instantly collect in his eyes. "Kahlan's made her choice."
Richard watched as the lines on the old Wizard's brow creased all the more, creating deep ravines of worry on his forehead as his mouth turned into a contemplative frown. "You must be wrong about Kahlan, Richard. She loves you."
"I saw her, Zedd! Brey kissed her and Kahlan kissed him back. She did nothing to stop him!"
"Something is not right about this. Brey must have done something to Kahlan, something that's affecting her mind."
Richard's brow suddenly furrowed even further as he absorbed Zedd's words. Hope suddenly flickered in his broken heart. "Do you think so?"
"You said yourself that Brey was up to something. There's no telling what he may have done to Kahlan to get what he wanted."
"How could I have been so blind…" he gasped, drawing in a sharp breath as he took off in a dead run, Zedd following close at his heels.
Unbearable guilt pierced his heart for believing that Kahlan had betrayed him. He had allowed his jealousy to cloud his judgment and now Kahlan was paying the price. Taking the steps two and three at a time, Richard raced through the hall towards Kahlan's suite. He felt his heart drop into his boots as he noticed Kahlan's door broken in.
Cautiously approaching, Richard peered inside to find her room in shambles. Broken furniture lay scattered about, small puddles of blood spotted the floor. Looking to his right, Richard saw Cara lying on the floor, a large wound in her abdomen, blood soaking the floor beneath her.
Zedd immediately fell to his knees beside the Mord'Sith. Running his hands over her, Zedd said, "She's hurt very badly. I'll need to take care of this wound right away."
"Cara! Cara!" Richard yelled as he gently shook the Mord'Sith's shoulders. He had to find out what happened to Kahlan.
Groaning, Cara slowly opened her eyes. "I tried to stop him…he appeared right in front of me…"
"Cara, it's alright; we're here now. Everything is going to be fine. Where is Kahlan?"
"You have to save her…Kahlan's hurt…he took her…the Wizard's Keep…"
"The Wizard's Keep? What could he possibly want in there?" Zedd asked aloud as he turned to look at Richard.
"I heard something about a sparrow or something…I don't know for sure…"
"Sparrow? Zedd, what could he be after?"
"The Sparrow's Eye," Zedd whispered, horrified.
Terror gripped his heart as he watched the horrified look that washed over his grandfather's face. Richard had to get to Kahlan before it was too late...
