Chapter 10

Richard came awake with a pleasing warmth tingling his skin. It washed over him, lulling him to a place of peace and contentment. He moved a little, trying to orient himself. "Be still, my love," he heard Kahlan whisper and she pressed a gentle kiss to his brow. He couldn't move even if he wanted to, his body hurt everywhere. But he didn't want to move, not with Kahlan so near.

Resting on something soft and comfortable, he realized he must be in his bed. Kahlan and Cara must have found him in the woods after he'd collapsed and brought him home. That, or he was still on the forest floor, having the most wonderful dream…he kept his eyes closed tight just in case. His pain ebbed away as the pleasant sensation spread over his body. He could still feel the connection to his sword…its wrath simmering within, but the enchanting tingle was somehow keeping it at bay. Maybe he really was dreaming, what else could explain it? But then he felt the heat of her body as she left a sultry kiss on his neck, followed closely by another…and another. This was no dream. Richard swallowed through the thickness in his throat as he tried to breathe. He had been so long without her, he missed her so much. Grief had somehow changed her kiss, and he could only hope that in time, the loving tenderness he once knew would return. The anger that had long been his companion rushed through him once more and he tried to tamp it down but it wouldn't go. Then, like magic, when she slipped her fingers into his shirt, opening a path for her lips, his anger melted, the warm tingle chasing it away. Like magic he was whole again, aching to have her. His heart beating heavy with desire, he no longer felt weary or sad.

He whispered her name and when she pulled back, he pleaded for her not to go…he wanted her near. Soft hands spread over his chest as she nuzzled him, warm lips skimming over his jaw. Like magic, the pleasant tingle poured over him and Richard slipped his hands into her thick mass of hair. He awakened more fully, longing to kiss her without the dullness of sleep. Just as her lips met his, realization slammed into him: Like magic. So did his rage. His senses hadn't been dulled by the fog of sleep; they were being twisted by sorcery. Now fully alert, he instantly broke free of the spell, digging powerful fingers into boney shoulders as he pushed at the imposter over him. Opening his eyes he saw a smiling Shota pressed against him.

"You are disappointed?" she cooed seductively, tracing a long nail down his bare chest, ignoring the flash of anger in his deadly glare.

Richard grabbed her wrist with enough force to snap it in two. His voice was even harder than his hold. "Get up, Shota."

She gave him a sullen look, "I'm not as pitiful as you think, Richard – I could easily have disguised myself as your lovely wife. You would never have known."

"I would know," he seethed. Richard's wrath had returned; without Shota's magic to quell the rage, it stormed through him unchecked. He pushed her off of him, "I knew before I opened my eyes." He got up from the bed, his head swirling from standing too quickly, or from her enchantment, he wasn't sure which. He knew she had been bewitching him, using her powers to ease his anger and lower his defenses.

"Is this how you repay me?" she sulked, "after I helped you in the forest?"

"What are you talking about?" he asked angrily, in no mood for her riddles.

"You would have died if it weren't for me. You were hurt quite badly in that fall. Who do you think saved you?"

Richard glared at her. He didn't like the idea of being in her debt. "That doesn't give you the right to do what you did."

She shrugged. "I'm a sorceress, Richard. Bewitching is what I do. Besides, I wanted to give you a glimpse of how I could help you."

"I don't need help."

"Oh but you do. Are you not in agony over the course of events? Would you not alter the past if you could and ease your suffering? Kahlan's?" She appraised him for a long moment. "I know what happened, Richard. I'm sorry you had to lose your son, but you know it was for the best."

Richard's hand suddenly thrust out, grabbing her by the throat, her almond eyes bulging as he squeezed with all of his might, crushing her windpipe. So vicious, so fierce and quick had he been, she hadn't even had a chance to use her magic.

Richard blinked. His hands were still at his sides; Shota stood looking at him, blankly. As much as he wanted to squash the life out of her, it had been but a vision. One he wished desperately to fulfill. "You knew it wouldn't work, didn't you? You knew the Quillion would fail." He could see by her expression the truth of it. He was going to ask why she hadn't told him, but he knew. He wouldn't have listened, just as he hadn't listened to Zedd.

"Why the game, Shota? What is it you want?"

"A partnership."

"I believe it's my grandfather you want to talk with" he scoffed.

She shook her head. "You are much more powerful than he will ever be." She moved toward him again. "We could do wonderful things together, Richard, if you let me help you."

"Not interested. Now if you don't mind, I need to get back to Kahlan."

As he started past her she blocked his path, slipping thin fingers into his hair, bringing her lips close to his, "I could make you forget her."

"I doubt it." Richard could feel the subtle pull of her beguiling magic once more. At least now he could fight against it. She had caught him off guard as he'd slept and he'd nearly succumbed to her spell. Still, he didn't move. He knew showing fear or weakness before the witch woman would do him no good.

"Isn't that what you want?" she whispered, twisting her fingers deeper into his hair and pressing against him, a breath away from kissing him, "to forget? To leave the pain and misery behind? My magic can do wonders, Richard. I can take it all away. For you. For Kahlan." Her mouth hovered dangerously close to his. "I can make you forget...everything." Shota's words came in a breathy whisper, overcome with delight at the mere thought of having what she wanted.

Richard struggled against the lure of her magic, fear suddenly clawing at him, frightened she would make good on her threat – that maybe he was in over his head and with just a single touch – a kiss, she would wipe his memory forever.

He shoved free of her, leaning back to glare at her as he did. "What kind of monster are you?" he hissed. His anger hadn't only returned – it was now pounding in his ears, every beat of his heart sent it rushing through him. Shota backed away, frightened by the dangerous look in his eyes. "I would rather suffer the pain of losing Ethan than never remember having held him. I would rather bear the agony of his death than never know the sweet smell of his skin. And I would choose to suffer all of my days than to be oblivious to Kahlan's touch…her smile, her spirit." His voice broke with the last of his words, it had been so long since he'd last seen her smile. Still, he wouldn't trade their life together to ease his pain. Not for anything. "I would never let you take that away from me."

After awhile he cooled a little, resigning himself to the way things were. He spoke, barely above a whisper, "Losing Ethan is a part of my life now. Kahlan's life. We need to find a way to go on from here."

"And just how do you plan on doing that?"

I don't know" he said, shoulders sagging. He knew he needed to rid himself of the anger. He knew he needed to see the life again in Kahlan's eyes. Only then could they start to heal.

Richard turned away from her. He wanted to go home. Whatever the answer was, he wouldn't find it here.

xxx

The sun was beginning to wane, but Richard could still see well enough as he made his way through the trees and stepped back into the clearing atop the summit. He came to a sudden halt, his heart thundering in his chest, a lump rising in his throat. There were flowers on Ethan's grave. Slowly he made his way closer and kneeled down, trembling with realization…Morning Glories; Kahlan's favorite. He could barely draw a breath, stunned to think she had been here while he was gone.

"Lord Rahl has returned" Cara drolled from behind him, trying to hide the relief she felt inside.

He kept his eyes locked on the flowers, unable to pull his gaze away, his voice a tortured rasp, "Did you put these here?"

Cara scowled. "Yes, because a mighty Mord-Sith and protector of the Master of D'Hara, found myself with nothing better to do than pick flowers."

Richard closed his eyes against the pain, still kneeling before the fragrant blooms. "When was she here?"

Her tone softened, "Two days ago." She went and stood beside him. "Do you have any idea how difficult it was to keep me from looking for you? The Mother Confessor said to leave you alone. That you needed the woods."

Richard finally stood and turned to face her. "She said that?"

Cara nodded. "And she said you would be very angry with me if you came back and I wasn't here watching over her."

"She's right about that." He was glad Kahlan had finally made it, even if he wasn't here to help her. "Did you come with her?"

"No. She did it on her own. Of course, I was near enough without her knowing, in case she needed me."

The hint of a smile touched Richard's lips. "You did good, Cara. Thank you." She grinned at that, relieved to have her Lord Rahl safe at home.

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