CHAPTER 14

Entering her suite, Kahlan felt an overwhelming sense of joy and pride in what Richard had been able to accomplish in such a few short months. Smiling softly to herself, she thought that she had never been more proud to be his wife than she was tonight.

Despite the exhaustion that permeated every ounce of her being, there was a buzz of excitement that had taken hold of her, especially with all that they had to look forward to.

Sitting before her vanity mirror, Kahlan began to undo the ribbon that had been woven into the curls of her hair. Running her fingers through the curly strands, her hair tumbled down around her face.

Picking up her brush, she began brushing out her hair when she stopped all of the sudden, a feeling of uneasiness tugging at her. She felt the fine hairs on her neck stand up with the unexpected sensation that made her skin crawl.

She paused, listening intently for what she was sure was not there. Turning her head, her eyes roamed around the empty room, looking for any sign that someone was there with her. Finding nothing, she returned to her task, hoping that Richard would return shortly.

"What a lovely nursery you have, Kahlan."

Kahlan froze, the brush falling from her hand as her heart suddenly hammered beneath her breast. She turned to find Sister Nicci entering her bedchamber from the nursery.

Dressed in black, her long blond hair flowing down her back, Nicci looked the same as when Kahlan had last seen her. The sight of the Sister of the Dark caused her to internally shudder as memories of being confessed to her inundated her mind, guilt and regret resurfacing along with the memories.

Kahlan knew that Nicci had her at a severe disadvantage. Not only was she well over seven months along with the twins making her movements awkward and clumsy at best, but she knew that she couldn't try to confess the Sister of the Dark again, not after what had happened the last time.

She was still haunted my horrifying nightmares of being confessed to the dark sorceress, of killing Richard. If Cara and Zedd hadn't arrived when they had…she couldn't bear to think of it, the thought alone causing overwhelming panic to well up within her.

Standing uneasily to her feet, Kahlan turned to face her unwelcomed visitor, straining with every ounce of strength that she possessed to call upon the ConDar she so desperately needed right now.

"How did you get in here?" Kahlan asked, her eyes hard with anger and resentment for the pain that this woman had caused them.

"Darken Rahl has his secret entrances," Nicci calmly told her, appearing not the least bit threatened or concerned as she roamed about the room, stopping to gaze at a painting on the wall, to smell flowers that Richard had given Kahlan yesterday.

"Where is he?"

"He's about," she vaguely replied, sitting down on the bench, causing Kahlan's anger to flare hotly inside of her.

It was bad enough that she was here, but to sit on the bench that Richard had made for her, that she had been in their babies' nursery was almost more than she could bear.

"What do you want, Nicci?" she bit out through clenched teeth, her simmering rage barely contained.

"Richard," she simply stated, smoothing out her skirt, acting as if she had just requested a glass of water.

"What?" Kahlan whispered, taken aback by her response.

"I'll get right to the point," Nicci said, folding her hands in her lap. "Darken Rahl found me and brought me back from the Underworld with the breath of life. He took me to Namara where I was brutally tortured and raped. The Mord'Sith tried to break me and they almost did. Actually, if it weren't for Richard, they would have.

"You see, when I was bound to you and we nearly died, it was Richard who brought me back. His voice was so full of heartache as he wept, begging for you to live. His pain was so immense when he thought that you had died that it did something to me, broke through the unbreakable shell I had built around my heart.

"And then he kissed me. He was in reality kissing you goodbye, telling you that he loved you, but it was my lips that felt his kiss, my face that was wet with his tears, my ears that heard his cries of anguish."

Kahlan stood in stunned bewilderment as she listened to her explanation. She was stunned by the extent of Richard's pain when he'd thought that he had lost her. The thought of him kissing Nicci made her nauseous, but she knew in her heart it was her, his Confessor, that he was sending his love to, not this depraved sorceress sitting in her bedchamber.

"After that, I had attempted to forget how deeply Richard had affected me, choosing rather to seek revenge on everyone and everything. Hanging by my wrists in that dungeon, though, I found my thoughts constantly focused on Richard, on the feel of his lips against mine, his voice, the warmth and compassion that filled his eyes. It was the only thing that allowed me to survive what I had endured at the hands of the Mord'Sith, the relentless brutal raping by Darken Rahl.

"I made him believe that I had been broken, that I was his slave to command so that he would eventually remove the Rada'Han from around my neck. When we reached the mountains overlooking the People's Palace, he told me where to enter, giving me my orders.

"Once the Rada'Han was removed, I immediately made my way here, but instead of following his orders, I decided to follow my own plan. I have come to claim that which has saved my soul. I've come to take Richard."

"He is not yours to take!" Kahlan yelled at her, her chest heaving with anger at the Sister's intrusion once again in their lives. Would they ever be free from this wretched woman's interfering?

"I realize that and I'm sorry to have to do this to you…really I am, but I'm afraid you have to leave," Nicci softly replied, lowering her gaze.

"I am not going anywhere. It is you who will be leaving!" Kahlan seethed, as she made her way towards her, ready to defend her husband and preserve her future at all cost.

Nicci suddenly rose to her feet, raising her hand out before her and bringing the Mother Confessor to an abrupt stop.

"You wouldn't want to risk the precious little lives growing inside of you, Mother Confessor."

XXX

Richard couldn't stop the smile that tugged at his lips. Despite his lack of enthusiasm about tonight's ball, it had been a grand evening, full of such wonderful moments. It had truly been a successful night, meeting so many influential people throughout the territory, bringing him the encouragement and strength to push on in his plans for D'Hara.

And Kahlan, she had looked so exquisite tonight in her gown, illuminating the room as well as capturing the hearts of every person there, infusing them with her heartwarming energy and grace. He had never been so proud to be her husband as he was tonight.

Things couldn't be better than it was right now. The territory was coming together, peace was being established and in less than six weeks his daughters would be here. The only thing that tugged at his heart was the prophecy that loomed so large over them.

He was certain his brother was tied into that prophecy somehow, though he couldn't be absolutely certain just yet. Zedd still hadn't revealed any details of what he had discovered. He had looked for him after his dance with Kahlan, but he had disappeared and he hadn't seen him since.

Richard was hoping to send some time in the secret library with him tomorrow, going through books and finding out exactly what his grandfather was keeping from him. He refused to go through another day without knowing what he was up against, what he needed to know to protect Kahlan.

The horrifying possibilities of what the prophecy could be continually sprung to his mind, making it difficult to think straight, to even sleep at night. He had to find out what it was if he was ever going to be able to prevent harm from coming to Kahlan.

Glancing at a wall as he passed by, Richard came to an abrupt stop, smiling to himself and shaking his head. Backing up a few steps, he came to stand before the new painting that graced the wall. His eyes roamed over the beautiful painting of a garden, the vibrant colors practically leaping off of the canvas. He lightly ran his fingers over it, amazed by what his wife had already accomplished.

Every time he turned down a hall or entered a room, there was evidence that his wife had there, infusing the Palace with her warmth and inner beauty. The essence of her heart was seen in almost every aspect of their new home as she slowly worked to banish the dark, haunting reminders of his brother's presence, turning the Palace into a welcoming home to raise their family in.

He felt a rush of warmth and love wash over him as he once again continued to make his way back to their quarters, anxious to see his wife. She was the light of his life, always driving away the darkness that threatened to steal into his mood with the setbacks that life threw their way.

Greeting the guards that stood in the hallway of their suite, Richard entered as he began unbuttoning his coat. He was more than ready to be rid of the confining garment, to feel his wife's back pressed against his chest, holding each other closely while they slept. He also couldn't wait to talk about the evening and the people that they had met. He was anxious to get her opinion on how things went tonight and any thoughts that she may have on how they could improve things for D'Hara.

Tossing his jacket aside, he began to unbutton his shirt as he opened the door to their bedchamber just in time to see Kahlan grab her head and fall to her knees, Sister Nicci flooding her with her magic. Kahlan gritted her teeth in agonizing pain, her head falling back with the sheer intensity.

"Kahlan!" Richard yelled as he started to run towards her, the sound of her agonizing cry filling his ears.

"Stop, Richard," Nicci calmly ordered. "Don't force me to end her life and the lives of your babies."

Nicci felt a flutter in her stomach as her eyes fell upon the Seeker, her heart soaring at the sight of him despite the look of sheer contempt that filled his face as he stared in horror at her.

"What do you want, Nicci?" he seethed, his eyes burning straight through the sorceress as Kahlan continued to writhe in pain.

"You," she evenly stated.

Closing her eyes, Nicci chanted softly to herself, mumbling incoherent words. Her hands began to glow brightly before channeling into the Mother Confessor. And then, she was suddenly gone.

"NO!" Richard screamed as he ran to the spot where Kahlan had once been, his chest heaving with rage. "KAHLAN!"

Nicci patiently watched as Richard turned in tight quick circles, searching frantically for his wife. "She's gone, Richard. You must come with me now."

"I will never go anywhere with you," he roared with a sneer, his hand automatically reaching for his sword. All he wanted to do right now was run her through and get his wife back.

"If you want to know what happened to Kahlan, then I suggest you put your sword away, put this around your neck, and come with me," she told him as she held a Rada'Han out before her, hoping that he would comply with her wishes. She had not only done all of this for her, but for him as well. He would see that in the end.

Panting from the intensity of his rage, Richard glared at her, his hand gripping his sword. He was a war wizard now. He didn't need her to find Kahlan. Between him, Zedd, Cara, and Garren, they would find her and bring her home…if she was even still alive.

"Richard, no one knows that anything has happened in here. I have isolated the room so no sound can escape. Now, put this on so we can be on our way."

"Tell me what you have done with Kahlan," he demanded, his raptor gaze directed at her.

"Put this on and I will be more than happy to tell you everything you want to know," she insisted. "It's a simple request, Richard. I'm not the same person I was before. You have changed me. I want to make you happy."

"By taking my wife and my unborn daughters away from me?" he yelled at her, incredulous to the words that she was saying.

How could she ever possibly think that he would be happy with her? Kahlan was his life, the reason that he drew air. Without her, there were no more tomorrows for him.

"Richard, I regret what had to be done, but it was for your own good. You would not have come with me if I hadn't sent her away."

"I'm not going with you now or ever. Bring Kahlan back now or I will end your life right here," he declared with a deadly calm, the intensity of his rage causing gooseflesh to form on her arms.

"I don't believe you will. You see, only I know where she went. If you kill me, you'll never learn what happened to her."

"Tell me what you did with Kahlan and I will spare you your life," he offered, his knees growing weak from the weight of his anguish, desperate to find out what had happened to her. She was in no condition to be anywhere except with him in the Palace.

"I will tell you one thing that you want to know, then you will put this on so we can get away before it's too late," she insisted, her patience growing thin. They did not have time for this battle of wills.

"Too late for what? You've already taken my life away from me. There is nothing else."

"Richard, Kahlan is alive. I have not killed her, but merely…sent her away, so to speak. Now put this on or I will be forced to put it on for you," she forcefully said, shoving it at him once more.

Richard felt a wave of relief ripple through him knowing that Kahlan was at least still alive. That little bit of news suddenly provided him the fortitude to stand, his legs becoming stronger. If Kahlan was still alive then there was a chance he could still save her.

Slowly, Richard lowered his sword, placing it back in his scabbard. Reaching out, he took the Rada'Han and placed it around his neck, locking it in place. If this is what it took to get Kahlan back, then he would do whatever the sorceress demanded for now.

"Good," she smiled softly at him. "Now, that wasn't so difficult, was it? Come, follow me."

"Where are we are going?"

"You soon shall see," she stated.

Turning, Sister Nicci walked to a wall on the far end of the room that the head of the bed was against. Pressing her fingers against the ornate wooden paneling, Richard watched in disbelief as a secret door suddenly opened.

Casting a magical glow with her hand, Nicci led him into the secret corridor that ran behind their suite. Taking one last look around their bedchamber, his eyes fell on Kahlan's brush lying forgotten on the floor.

Richard swallowed hard as he followed the sorceress, praying that when he returned to their quarters it would be with Kahlan and not the Sister of the Dark.

XXX

"I don't know why, Garren," Cara crossly muttered as she quickly got dressed before making her way to the door of their suite. "I can just tell that Lord Rahl is not in the Palace any more. It has to do with the bond we share with him. It's not as strong as it was an hour ago."

Quickly getting dressed as well, Garren followed Cara out of their suite and down the hall. The posted guards still stood where they had been when they are returned earlier in the evening from the ball.

"Has Lord Rahl gone anywhere?" Cara asked, her brow furrowed with concern.

"No, Mistress Cara," Cam readily answered in surprise. "He returned over an hour ago at least and no one has entered or left since then."

"Something is wrong," Cara mumbled beneath her breath.

Opening the door, she was surprised to find it unlocked. Entering the greeting room, she found Richard's jacket draped over the arm of the couch, the door to the bedchamber standing open.

Cara felt her pulse quicken as she slowly made her way to the bedchamber, drawing her agiels. Something was definitely not right.

Garren followed closely behind her, sword drawn and ready for an attack even though he wasn't quite certain what had happened just yet. He trusted Cara, though, and if she said that something was wrong then it was.

Entering the bedchamber, Cara quickly searched the room, angry to find it empty. Kahlan's brush was lying on the floor beside her vanity table. Other than that, nothing else seemed to have been disturbed.

Walking towards the bed, Cara suddenly noticed something was wrong with the wall. Running her fingers along the wood, she noticed that one panel was off center compared to the others. Pushing against it, she was able to force it open.

Just then Zedd walked in, his face filled with fear. "Cara, what's happened? I was on my way to bed when Cam and Ian said that something was wrong, that you and Garren were in here."

"Richard and Kahlan are gone. I found this secret entrance partly open," she told him, anger building with what could have happened to them.

Closing his eyes, Zedd raised his hands as he began to scan the room. His eyes abruptly snapped opened, dread permeating his wrinkled face.

"Sister Nicci has been here," he announced.

"Sister Nicci? How did she get in here? Commander Holland has the entire army on high alert. No one is allowed to enter the Palace itself unless they pass through him," Garren said as he sheathed his sword.

"There are hundreds of secret entrances and corridors that run all over this place," Cara said as she hung her agiels at her hips once more.

"Not to mention, Nicci is the most powerful Sister of the Dark that ever walked the earth," Zedd added with disdain.

"I'm going after her," Cara announced as she began to duck into the secret passage.

"Wait, Cara!" Zedd called after her. "Something about this isn't right. There is no way that Nicci could have gotten both Richard and Kahlan out of here together. Kahlan is far too along with the twins to be able to walk any distance with her and Richard would have fought her to the death before he would've allowed her to take Kahlan anywhere. No…something else happened here as well."

"Well, when I find her, I'll ask her right before I kill her," Cara ground out before entering the secret corridor, Garren and Zedd close on her heels…