TITLE: Marked

AUTHOR: LOTSlove®

CHARACTERS: Richard / Kahlan / Cara / Zedd / Original Characters

RATING: PG-16 / R later

WARNINGS: Author Chooses Not to Use Warnings

TIMELINE: Anything up through S2

DISCLAIMER: I'm completely obsessed with the show Legend of the Seeker and all things Richard and Kahlan. I love to write about them even though they cancelled my show and now I'm fighting to get it back!

SUMMARY: Sequel to my fic Revenge, Richard finally has Kahlan safely back with him, but does he really?

Chapter 10

Standing outside of the Spirit House, Temin and Hadi were less than pleased with their newest assignment. Clutching their hunting spears tightly, they were rigid with anger and resentment for having been ordered to stand guard against outsiders who should have been eliminated on sight, not brought into their village.

However, Nakunam was the Tolla and they had little say in the matter. All they could do now was plead their case to Mitta and hope that she would choose to side with them over the Tolla, allowing them to kill the outsiders.

Hadi suddenly huffed loudly in anger as he leaned on his spear. "This is ridiculous," he snapped. "We should just kill them, not invite them into our village like honored guests."

"I agree," Temin scowled, his sinister eyes darting suspiciously about watching the shifting shadows around them. "I saw that sword first. It should belong to me now, not Tolla Nakunam."

"This isn't over yet," Hadi told him, stuffing a small black leaf into his mouth and tucking it between his lip and gum. "We'll talk to Mitta and get that sword for you. It should rightfully be yours."

"You know Mitta," Temin frowned. "She'll take Nakunam's side. She always sides with him."

"We'll get you that sword – one way or another," Hadi said, his glower darkening. "I promise."

Temin cast a sidelong glance as his closest friend, a shiver racing through him with the sudden dark brooding that washed over him. There was something about the way he said it, the ominous tone of his voice that left Temin suddenly feeling on edge.

Just then Pasha approached out of the inky shadows that surrounded them, her petite form finally becoming visible in the soft glow of torch light. Temin and Hadi immediately pointed their spears at their unexpected visitor, but lowered them just as quickly when they realized who it was.

"Pasha," Temin spat out her name with great agitation. "You shouldn't be here. We almost speared you."

"I just came to see if I could get a peek at the outsiders," Pasha shrugged, her long black hair falling over her shoulder with the movement.

"Hi, Pasha," Hadi quickly greeted the beautiful girl. He quickly straightened his shoulders and thrust his muscular chest out. "I'll let you see the outsiders."

"Hadi!" Temin hissed. "You know it's against Aku laws for her to even be here."

"It's your sister Temin," Hadi rolled his eyes. "And it's just a peek. It's not like we'd let her near them or actually talk to them."

"I heard it's the Confessor herself," Pasha giddily replied, her face lighting up with the notion of being able to see a real living Confessor. She'd heard stories growing up about how dangerous these women were and now to have one right here in their village was beyond imagining.

"Come on, Temin," Hadi elbowed his friend in the ribs, his attention still locked on Pasha, his hungry eyes drinking in her every curve.

"Alright, but just a quick peek," Temin relented. "Don't even get any ideas about talking to them. Tolla will have our heads if he finds out about this."

"Oh, he won't find out," Hadi spat out. "He's clear on the other side of the village looking for Odo. And you know how long it will take the old healer to gather his herbal remedies together before coming here."

Temin drew a deep breath as he quickly looked around to make sure no one else was there. Turning, he opened the door to the Spirit House a crack, allowing his sister to look in. Pasha quietly inched closer, her heart racing with anticipation as she placed a nervous hand on the wooden door frame.

Biting her lip, she silently poked her head in, brushing her hair back over her shoulder. She was stunned to find a handsome man sitting on the other side of the holy fire with a beautiful woman lying on the ground beside him, her head cradled in his lap. He was speaking softly to her, running his fingers through her hair.

Silently watching them, she was immediately struck with how sad the man looked, the fear in his eyes and the tenderness in his touch as he held her. She could tell that he loved this woman very much.

Pasha quickly decided he must be confessed, her mate. No one would ever dare to fall in love with a Confessor. It was unbelievable, unimaginable.

Turning her attention to the woman lying on the ground, she was not surprised to see how beautiful she was. She had heard how beautiful and dangerous Confessors were, their touch powerful enough to steal the soul as well as the will and mind of any man.

Looking at her now, though, she didn't appear very dangerous or a threat to anyone. In fact, she looked very ill, fragile. She needed the healer soon.

"Alright, enough," Temin whispered low in her ear, pulling his sister back and silently closing the door.

"They didn't even see me," she reassured him.

"Are you satisfied?" Temin asked, turning back to his previous position between the village and the door to the Spirit House.

"She needs a healer right away," she told them. "She doesn't look very good."

"She needs to have a spear through her heart," Hadi interjected.

"Hadi!" Pasha scowled at him.

"The only good Confessor is a dead Confessor," Hadi said.

"Hadi, stop it!" Pasha snapped, folding her arms against her chest. "She needs our help."

"She needs to be dead before she confesses us all," Hadi continued. "What if we heal her and then she decides to take your brother as her mate? What then?"

"She won't," Pasha insisted, her hands finding her hips.

"How do you know that?"

"Because that man in there is already her mate," Pasha said pointing towards the Spirit House.

"How do you know?" Temin asked, his brow furrowing in thought.

"Because you can see how much he loves her. It's written on his face…in his eyes," Pasha sighed. "Besides, no man would be that attentive or caring to a Confessor unless he was already confessed. I'm telling you, he is her mate."

"Maybe, but still that doesn't mean that she won't confess us all the first chance she gets," Hadi countered.

"I wonder what their names are," she softly said out loud, more to herself than the two men standing before her.

"It doesn't matter," Hadi bit out. "They'll be dead soon."

"I like them," she readily decided. "They seem like a very nice couple. It's so romantic how he's taking care of his sick mate like this."

"Romantic?" Temin stared at his sister in disbelief. "They are dangerous outsiders who could wipe out the entire village and you like them because they're in love?"

Pasha shrugged a shoulder again, dismissing her brother's words. "I think we should help them. I'm going to go see if Nakunam has found Odo yet."

With that, Pasha turned on her heel and disappeared into the darkness again. Hadi released a soft low whistle as he watched the girl walk away. "She's so beautiful," he murmured.

Temin suddenly shot a heated glare at his friend. "What did you say?"

"She is," Hadi said, turning his attention to Temin. "I'm hoping you will let me become her mate some day."

"Hadi," Temin shook his head. "Just because you're my friend doesn't mean that I'm going to allow you take my sister as your mate."

"Come on," Hadi pushed. "Both your parents are resting with the spirits now. You are her charge. It will be up to you to decide who she will be mated with. I want you to pick me."

"Hadi, you're five years older than her," Temin reminded him. "I want her to marry someone closer to her own age."

"Please…just consider…"

A sudden cry came from within the Spirit House, interrupting them. They both turned to look behind him, Temin reaching for the door. Entering, they found the man crouched down in front of the Confessor, holding her by the shoulders.

The woman was kneeling on the ground, clutching her head in her hands. She was gritting her teeth against the obvious pain that had besieged her, a strangled cry filling the air as she rocked back and forth. The man suddenly looked up at them, the anger and fear in his eyes causing them both to take an involuntary step back.

"She needs the healer now!" Richard growled at them.

The Seeker's voice rolled like thunder as they stared at them, not moving. Richard abruptly leapt to his feet, storming towards them with deadly intent burning in his eyes like twin pillars. Hadi immediately raised his spear to him, ready to kill him.

In less than a heartbeat, Richard was suddenly there looming so large before them, disarming the warrior before he knew what had happened. He swiftly pinned Hadi against the wall of the Spirit House, the shaft of the man's spear pressed firmly against his throat.

Richard's chest was heaving with the rage that was thundering through him at that moment, the fear that nearly paralyzed him. "Ger her a healer…NOW!" he seethed.

The Seeker glared at him a moment longer before finally releasing Hadi. He broke the spear across his knee before flinging it aside. He cast them one last glance before turning and heading back to Kahlan. The warriors quickly exited suddenly afraid of the man who had so easily disarmed Hadi without even his sword to help him.

Richard knelt down before Kahlan, his hands finding her face and forcing her to look at him. "Please, hang on, Kahlan…for me," he softly said, his thumbs caressing her cheeks wet with tears.

"Kill me…" she begged, her bottom lip trembling. "Make it stop…please, Richard. I can't take it."

"No, Kahlan!" he angrily gasped, stunned by her plea. "You are the strongest, most amazing woman I have ever met, surviving so much more than anyone I know. We will get through this together. I'm not leaving you, Kahlan."

"Please…kill me, Richard," she sobbed. "I can't take the pain anymore…and my magic…I can feel it building inside of me. You'll be confessed if you stay here."

"I am not leaving you, Kahlan," Richard growled, his heart pounding.

He crushed his lips against hers, kissing her and sealing his promise to her. She responded to his kiss, relishing the feel of his lips so warm and urgent against hers. He used his lips to tenderly wipe away her tears, desperate to take away her pain, to draw it all into himself and save her. Something dreadful was happening to her, threatening to steal her away from him again and he was completely powerless to stop it.

"I love you, Kahlan," he murmured, gazing into her eyes still brimming with tears. "I…I love you more than life itself. I'm sorry…"

Just then the door flew open, interrupting the tender moment and the words that Richard was desperate to say to her, to make things right between them again. Nakunam and Odo entered, swiftly making their way to them.

Richard brushed his lips against her forehead, choking back his own tears. "They're here," he sighed against her face.

He moved to kneel beside her, keeping an arm wrapped securely around her shoulders as the healer knelt down in front of her. "I am Odo," he told her. "I'm going to do everything I can to help you."

Kahlan could only nod her head as she fought to keep a tight grip on her magic, fearing that she would release it and confess everyone in the village if the pain didn't stop soon. She quickly brushed the remnants of her tears from her face, doing her best to rein them in.

Odo momentarily closed his eyes, his hands gently waving over her as he hummed softly to himself. Kahlan studied him as he worked, taking in the deep lines around his eyes and mouth, his face showing his advanced years. There was a soothing comfort about him that brought her a small measure of peace, giving her hope that he could help her.

She leaned even more against Richard, absorbing his strength and savoring the feel of him so near, his arm keeping her close to him and reassuring her with his presence. Spirits, she loved this man more than life, almost more than her heart could hold. She felt more tears rising in her throat, knowing how deeply she had hurt him the last couple of days, hating herself for being the one to cause him pain.

Richard attempted to temper his still simmering anger as the healer worked, but it was difficult knowing that Kahlan was in danger. Kahlan's headaches were getting worse and they had no idea why.

Odo suddenly sat back on his heels, a puzzled expression on his face as he studied her. "When did these headaches start?" the healer finally asked.

"When I woke yesterday morning," Kahlan replied. "They started getting worse last night."

Richard watched as Odo slowly nodded his head, stroking his chin as he considered her words. "Kahlan…died…the day before that and was brought back from the Underworld using a powerful spell," he informed him.

"I see," he murmured.

"And she also has this," Richard said, releasing his hold on her to pull her sleeve up. "Could this be causing the headaches?"

Odo sat forward again, his gaze immediately narrowing as he examined the strange mark on Kahlan's forearm. He lightly ran a fingertip over the red raised skin he found there, his expression shifting from concern to one of great sorrow.

"This…this is not good," Odo slowly shook his head in dismay as he released her arm.

"What is it?" Richard asked, his arm snaking around Kahlan's waist and keeping her close against him.

"Her spirit is very, very sick I'm afraid," he said.

"What's causing it?" the Seeker asked.

"I am not sure, but this is very serious," Odo grimly replied. "I can give you something that will help with the headaches. Maybe if we can lessen your pain, your body will be able to fight whatever is causing it."

Richard swallowed hard, the healer's words doing nothing to diminish his fears any. They still had no idea what was causing Kahlan's headaches. He couldn't help feeling as though this was just the beginning of something so much bigger, something more than they could possible begin to imagine.

"Here, chew a couple of these seeds when the headache gets bad," Odo instructed her, taking her hand in his and pouring a handful of yellow seeds from a pouch into her palm. "This should help with the pain."

"Thank you," Kahlan softly said, taking two and popping them into her mouth.

She winced at the bitter taste that seeped from the seeds, doing her best to swallow it down inside of throwing it up. She could feel Richard's hand on her back, gently rubbing it. While thankful that he was here with her, she knew how dangerous it was for him to be near her right now. When the pain got severe, it took everything she had within her not to release her magic, to lose control.

"It doesn't taste very good, but you should feel better soon," Odo said, placing a hand on her shoulder. "I will come back and check on you in the morning."

"Thank you for helping her," Richard said.

Odo nodded and smiled as he stood to his feet, Nakunam coming to stand beside the healer. "We will have water and food brought to you, but you will need to face the Council of Elders tomorrow," the Tolla informed them.

"We mean you no harm in being here," Richard replied, standing to his feet as well. "I am the Seeker and we are in search of the Stone of Tears in order to seal the rifts and stop the Keeper from escaping the Underworld."

Tolla Nakunam considered his words for a moment before responding. "I understand, but you will have to tell your story to Mitta and the Council. They will be the ones to decide whether you will live or die."

"I understand," Richard nodded his head. "Thank you for helping the Mother Confessor."

The Tolla dipped his head in acknowledgement before turning and leaving with Odo, Hadi, and Temin in tow. Richard raked his fingers back through his hair, releasing a ragged sigh before turning his attention back to Kahlan.

The color was beginning to return to her face once more, her blue eyes already appearing somewhat brighter. He knelt down in front of her, hooking a lock of hair behind her ear. "Are you feeling any better?"

Kahlan smiled softly, not his special smile but it wasn't as forced or as artificial as it had been before. "I think so," she murmured.

"Do they really taste bad?"

"You want to try them?" she asked, holding out her handful of seeds to him.

"No," he frowned. "I'll take your word for it."

"At this point, I'll do whatever the healer says if it'll help these headaches," she grimaced, momentarily closing her eyes.

"I'm so sorry I couldn't help you, Kahlan," he softly told her.

"It isn't your fault, Richard," she insisted as she began to remove her jacket.

The door suddenly opened then, a couple of women entering with blankets, water, and a tray of food. They quickly set it down before exiting just as swiftly.

Getting up, Richard retrieved the items that had been delivered to them, bringing them over to where his Confessor was sitting on the ground. He carefully laid out the blankets for them before handing her a cup of water.

"Here, you need to eat something too," he urged her.

"I don't know if my stomach can handle it right now," she winced.

Richard scooted closer to her, taking a grape and holding it up to her lips. "Try…for me?"

His heart skipped a beat when his special smile made an appearance on her face. She thought for a long moment before finally relenting and parting her lips for him. Steeling himself against his longing for her, he held the fruit against her bottom lip before slowly pushing it into her mouth.

Kahlan sighed contentedly; her eyes momentarily falling closed as she relished the sweet fruit that swiftly began to banish the wretched taste the seeds had left behind. Opening her eyes again, she found Richard staring at her, another piece of fruit already in his hand. The heat in his gaze quickly warmed her clear to her toes.

She slowly parted her lips, allowing him to feed her again. He leaned forward, lightly brushing the fruit against her bottom lip before pushing it into her mouth. Kahlan quickly wrapped her lips around his fingers this time, sucking softly and earning a throaty groan from her Seeker.

She felt her heart begin to beat harder, his eyes falling closed as she sucked on his finger, her tongue softly caressing the tip. Richard's lips parted as his breathing grew more ragged. His arousal was beginning to pump through his system, begging for more.

He reluctantly pulled his finger free, his lips finding hers and kissing her softly. She parted her lips, welcoming him to come taste her more deeply. He quickly complied, his tongue stroking hers and tasting the sweetness of the fruit that he had just fed her.

He pulled back then, pressing his forehead against hers. He raked his teeth over his bottom lip as he attempted to tamp down on his need for her, knowing that he couldn't push her anymore. "You should get some sleep," he softly told her, his fingers lightly caressing her face.

His warm breath mingled with hers and it was all she could do not to kiss him again, unleashing what beat inside of her for him. "Will you hold me?" she asked.

"Always," he whispered, pulling her to lay down with him, holding her close as she quickly drifted off to sleep.