Relief
Darken did not pressure his daughter. He showed no impatience.
He listened attentively to the recitation of every secret she and her mother had been keeping from him since Rachel's childhood, careful not to interrupt despite the desire to drag every detail out of her.
His waiting had paid off. He could be patient for a little longer.
The longer she talked the closer he watched every emotion flicker over her expressive face.
Despite her training, Rachel had not yet mastered the mask of stoicism required of a Confessor.
He was impressed with his daughter's ability to maintain her composure as she described her mother's treachery and deceit.
He was careful to be quietly supportive.
Calm and compassionate.
He kept his growing rage at Kahlan's duplicity hidden beneath a father's gentle understanding of a child's misplaced trust.
The most difficult thing for Darken to disguise was his overwhelming relief as Rachel described Richard's predicament.
Under the circumstances the whole situation was rather amusing.
His poor brother, forever trapped in a future without the love of his life!
There would be no Confessor willing to help Richard when he emerged years from this night. There would only be Darken's child, her children and her grand-children. Their own survival would depend on preventing Richard from ever returning.
And Richard would be totally unaware of what needed to be done. Shota would be of no help to his brother. The witch woman had enjoyed Darken's hospitality for too long. Even the most gracious host had limits. He looked forward to seeing the look on her face as she watched the unraveling of her loathsome scheme. He would relish those delicious few seconds – before he killed her with his own hands.
Shota would be gone, but Richard would not be alone. He would be surrounded and comforted by a loving family. His niece and grand-nieces would make him welcome.
Perhaps one of Darken's own grand-daughters would confess Richard when he arrived and take him as her mate.
His pure hearted brother committing incest would be so richly appropriate. Not that Richard would care. Once confessed, He would be honored, he would beg, for the chance to wed his own niece.
It was so gloriously ironic, so fitting, that Darken and his descendants would triumph over Panis Rahl's best laid plans.
Darken wished to witness the great arrival, but accepted that fact that he would no longer be alive when it occurred. Despite what his few remaining foes claimed, he never really expected to live forever. Although still healthy, fit and active, he was a realist about surviving for another forty-two years.
One mystery, of course, was the location of the Boxes of Orden.
Rachel did not seem to know anything about it - only that they were necessary for the magic to send Richard back. They must have disappeared with Richard.
Darken would have to leave instructions for his grandchildren. A confessed Richard would be all too happy to tell his mate where to find the magical artifacts.
With the Power of Orden, Darken's family would have total control. It would no longer matter that he had no son.
Son.
Darken almost flinched.
Cara
How could he have forgotten?
Cara had disappeared with Richard.
Perhaps she had killed him.
Cara had been his most trusted and ruthless Mord'Sith.
His favorite.
Irreplacable.
If she had killed his brother, would she emerge alone to be met by his family?
Darken could not afford to be too optimistic, or too impractical.
Regret crossed his mind as he considered that Richard might have killed Cara. It was surprising how much that possibility stung, even after seventeen years. But his brother no longer had the Sword of Truth. Without its magic, Richard could never have defeated Cara.
But what if Cara and Richard had both survived?
Darken had to face the possibility that his brother might have swayed the Mord'Sith to his side. In the time to come, Richard would be the only male of the Rahl bloodline. That bond alone might compel Cara's loyalty.
What if Cara and his brother joined forces?
The Seeker had an irritating ability to elicit affection without compulsion. As much as Darken wished otherwise, he had to take that fact into account.
Reluctantly, Darken consigned Cara to death.
No one could be permitted to pose a threat to his family, his real family. He would leave detailed instructions as to her fate, making it very clear that his Cara's death was to be quick.
And merciful.
There would be no agonizing death by confession for the mother of his dead son.
The son Darken had murdered.
Pushing the unwanted memory aside, he turned his mind to the immediate problem.
Dealing with the venomous traitor in his own household.
His loving, devoted wife.