Ok, I tried to wrap it up and have this be the last chapter but it was getting way too long and I still had more to write so I broke it up. Sorry this chapter is kind of short, but there will be one more chapter after this one!
Blinded by Love (Chapter 9)
Kahlan sat on the ground, surveying her surroundings. The darkness, the agony that surrounded her, the never ending pain. It was causing panic to rise up from within her. She slowly pulled her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms tightly around her. She had never felt so alone in all her life. Even growing up with all the heartache and loneliness that came with the duties of a Confessor could not compare with this.
She could still feel the pressure on her lips from Darken Rahl's kisses, his hands roaming over her body, squeezing her. She shuddered at the thought of him. He sickened her to no end, taking what only belonged to Richard and no one else. He had only kissed and groped her, but that had been more than she could bear. She couldn't stand the thought of him doing anything more to her. How could she possible allow him to do what he wished to her when she belonged to Richard? How could she do that to her Seeker, her best friend, her lover?
Richard…the thought of him was like a salve to her broken heart. Calmness and love slowly seeped into her soul at the thought of him, of the thought of their love making that morning. It had been pure bliss. She recounted his kisses, his gentle touch, his urgent passion, his heated desire. Just the thought of him now and how he had loved her caused warm desire to settle into the pit of her stomach. She missed him so much it hurt.
Tears threatened to fall again at the thought of him. She just hoped that Zedd and Cara would be able keep him safe even though she was no longer there to protect him. Cara had promised she would protect the Seeker at all cost. Kahlan could at least cling to that. She knew Cara would keep her promise.
Something once again caught Kahlan's eye as she turned, trying to move away from the bodies that crowded in and surrounded her. Darken Rahl was coming back and he would want an answer. What would she tell him? Neither choice was even worth considering. It was a no-win situation for her. Kahlan finally decided that if this was to be her future, she would make sure that Richard still had one.
"Well, my love, I've come for my answer," Rahl smugly said, a smirk drawn across his lips. "What will it be?"
"Before I give you my answer, I have one condition of my own," Kahlan defiantly stood before him.
"I really don't believe you are in much of a position to be making demands of your own, but I will hear it," he inwardly smiled to himself. Even in the face of agonizing misery with the Keeper, Kahlan was still fiery and insolent. That was one thing he loved about her. The love he had for the Mother Confessor wasn't the pure, abiding love that his brother had for her, but it was a form of 'love' nonetheless. It was the only love he was capable of having for another person.
"I will willingly be by your side…in every way," she choked out, "only if you leave Richard alone. No more Banelings, no more screelings, no more plans to bring him to the Underworld. You leave him alone forever. Only then will I stay with you."
"I don't know if I can guarantee Richard's safety. The Keeper is pretty adamant that the Seeker be brought to the Underworld to serve him. I'm not certain I can persuade him to change his mind."
"Well, you had better come up with a way if you want me," Kahlan boldly replied, glaring Rahl directly in the eye.
"I can have you at any time, Kahlan. I was trying to be considerate and allow you the choice, but I don't have to be so kind," Rahl viciously spat out, sliding his body up against hers, grabbing her jaw with his hand.
Kahlan fought down the vile feelings that were igniting deep within her. Everything inside of her was screaming for the spirits to save her, for Richard to come save her. And yet, she was so relieved Richard wasn't here. That he wasn't here experiencing all this pain. That he wasn't here to see what she knew Rahl was about to do her.
Kahlan clenched her teeth as Rahl slammed his mouth against hers and attempted to force his tongue in her mouth. She was going to fight him to the bitter end. She knew he would eventually get what he wanted against her will, but she was sure not going to make it easy on him.
Feeling Kahlan's resistance to him, Rahl's anger was further ignited. He would have her; he would not be denied. They could do this the easy way or the fun way. It looked like Kahlan had just picked the fun way.
Rahl was eager to begin her breaking. He released her lips as he began groping her, pressing his lips against her neck and moving down across her collar bone. Kahlan bit the inside of her cheek as she fought back the threatening tears. His touch was rough and invasive, so unlike Richard's passionate, loving touch.
No longer able to stand his hands on her body, Kahlan shoved him back, connecting her fist with his jaw. She was not about to make this easy on him.
Rahl was taken aback by the Confessor's response. Flames of fury blazed in his dark eyes. She would pay dearly for such insolent behavior. She would be broken and she would be his.
Rahl stepped back and swung his arm, his hand connecting with her face. The force of the slap sent her reeling to the ground. As she knelt on all fours on the ground trying to recover from the force of his retaliation, Rahl began summoning the green flames of agony that suddenly erupted from his fingers.
Pain vibrated through her body like shock-waves of electricity. She felt like her body was on fire with pain. She threw her head back in agony as Rahl increased the intensity of the pain.
Suddenly Kahlan began to disappear right before Rahl's eyes. He immediately realized what was happening.
"NO!!" he screamed in a tumultuous rage. Richard was taking Kahlan back to the world of the living. He could not allow it; he would not allow it. But there was nothing more he could do as he stood helplessly staring, seething with rage, at the empty space that Kahlan Amnell had once occupied.
XXX
"Cara, hurry!" Richard shouted. Time was rapidly running out for Kahlan. If she didn't receive the breath of life in the next few moments, then nothing would ever be able to bring his beloved back to him.
Blood slowly oozing from her head, Cara knelt down beside the fallen Confessor. Still dazed from the blow she had taken to the head, Cara tried as hard as she could to regain focus. She quickly bent down over Kahlan. Parting her lips, a wisp of smoke escaped Cara's mouth, rapidly drifting into the mouth of the Mother Confessor.
Cara leaned back on her heels, rubbing her throbbing head. She had done all she could do. All they could do was wait now to see if Cara was in time.
Zedd rested his hand on the Mord'Sith's shoulder, grateful that she would be alright as well as Kahlan hopefully would be. He just prayed they had been in time to save her. He didn't think he could bear to watch his grandson suffer with the loss.
All three silently watched the Mother Confessor. After a couple of moments, Kahlan slowly opened her eyes. So overcome with relief, Richard grabbed her, pulling her to him in a tight embrace.
"Kahlan!" he cried as relief swiftly washed away the grief that had consumed him.
"Richard?" Kahlan replied, confused. She pulled away, scooting back from him, glancing from Zedd, to Cara, and then finally back to Richard. Her blue eyes were once again shining brightly back at them.
Realization finally began to sink in. She was free…free from the Underworld, free from Darken Rahl. Overcome with emotion, Kahlan threw herself back into Richard's arms. Holding her trembling form close to him, the Seeker held his Confessor as she cried.
