The sun is several candle marks from rising when Nicci and Alaina exit their village house. "We have to hurry," Alaina says, covering her face as best she can with the hood of her cloak. As the Future's Cocoon has ended its run, they must flee before the Supreme Seer confronts them. If it hadn't been for Arbin and Breginderin constantly guarding their dwelling by taking turns standing watch outside their door, or the slow re-accumulation of Nicci's han, they would have left already. And although it's a wonder that they aren't being guarded this morning, the only reason they believe there may still be a chance to flee is that the Supreme Seer surely would have confronted them by now.
"Leaving so soon?" a familiar voice — the Supreme Seer's voice — halts them in their tracks. They turn to see Kae and the others — Richard, Coron, Zedd, and Solan, as well as Arbin and Breginderin — standing several feet away near a bonfire. "We know who you are," Kae continues, "and we know where you're headed. Just as you knew this moment would come."
Nicci and Alaina exchange calculating glances. They'd been reckless, naive, to think that the Supreme Seer wouldn't see through their deception the moment the Future's Cocoon wore off. The brunette had probably been waiting for the right, or most embarrassing, time to strike.
"Relax," Kae says, moving a step closer to them. "We wish to help you. It is Lord Rahl who has enslaved you, is it not?" Her eyes dart to Nicci. "We can free you."
Nicci laughs a dark, cold laugh, her new appearance not at all hindering the prominence of her aura. "And why - or should I ask how - would you do that?" she spits, eyes blazing.
"With my help," a deep and seemingly thunderous voice suddenly booms behind them all.
Everyone turns to see a tall man with long, silver-and-blond striped hair. He looks as old as Zedd, but stronger, with broad shoulders and an overall meatier build covered by a long, black robe.
Kae moves to him with a smile. And when they hug, looking upon each other with a sense of adoration the group can't even begin to comprehend, Coron has to hold himself back from angrily confronting the man. "Everyone," Kae says, turning to them with pride, "this is my father. Itolicus Demitrias."
Coron's eyes widen. "Your fath..."
Zedd's mouth hangs open. "Well, I'll be a D'Haran's uncle."
"It's you," Solan comments, moving closer.
"Who?" Richard scratches his head.
Nicci and Alaina look to each other and back to the stranger.
"This is the man I told Coron and Kae about upon their arrival here," Solan explains. "The man who cured my legs so that I may walk again and said that I would be of great importance concerning a future matter." He embraces Itolicus with a "Mud Person" welcome and steps back. "The recent turmoil my village has experienced must be to what he was referring."
"Indeed it was," Itolicus confirms, eyes assessing the group.
"You were rumored to only be popular belief," Zedd says, still in awe. "Something of folklore. Every wizard of the First Order had seen images, paintings, of you, but with no one knowing you personally, or as someone still among the living, your existence must have gotten trapped somewhere between fact and fiction...fact and mythology."
"Zedd?" Richard arches his eyebrows in question.
"Itolicus Demitrias... One of the most powerful wizards from the Old World," Zedd clarifies. "Some have believed that he was still alive. Apparently, they were correct. "
"I was able to see that he would be here and why," Kae cuts in, addressing them all. "And that he knew that I could see this."
Itolicus nods. "There is no time to waste," he warns, looking to the Nicci and Alaina's dwelling. "Let us hurry inside."
IIII
It has been minutes since Kae and the others gathered inside to listen to what Itolicus has to say, and it is still fairly difficult to decipher much about this man. "So you had no choice but to leave Kae?" Richard asks, sitting in a chair before him.
As Kae stands behind her father, Coron stands beside Richard, and Zedd is beside Kae. Solan listens next to Zedd, while Arbin and Breginderin stand watch outside. Nicci and Alaina, present in the back, whisper among each other, eyeing the group suspiciously,
"Kae's mother," Itolicus answers, "as descendant of the line of The Secret Order, had seen it all upon Kae's birth. What had to be done, and how things had to play out exactly how they had in her vision, if all was to be right. It was like an awakening. She didn't know she was a seer until then. Neither of us did. Somehow, she hadn't been born within The Secret Order's fold and her identity had been kept secret...much like we knew we had to do for Kae." He looks over his shoulder to her, then to the floor. "If I'd known I was with such a woman at the time, I'd never have pursued the relationship, for such a combination is not safe. Not for a woman who'd be considered a traitor to The Secret Order, and, subsequently, not for any child we'd hope to bare. It was a mistake to think that I, with the extended life span I possess, could live any normal life. And there was always the risk, no matter how small, that a practitioner of magic may recognize me due to their studies. Having long given up magic myself, I only ventured out in disguise when necessary. And when I met Edith," he pauses with a smile, "the disguises pretty much stopped."
"All this time...we believed that it was Kae's father who was a part of the secret fold, when it was actually her birth mother," Zedd says in amazement.
"Edith, as in the name of Kae's birth mother?" Coron questions, looking from Kae to Itolicus. He somewhat relates to what the man is saying, having been unaware of Kae's true heritage until recently. But the indisputable difference? He can't imagine ever having been able to give up the woman he loves.
"Yes," Itolicus replies. "I'd never tried to settle down with a woman before. Not until her. And seeing as we were living in a small, quaint village at the time, the need for physical deception ceased to exist. But when Kae was born, we knew what we had to. We were careful in selecting just the right home for her, in a community many leagues from our own. But of course, Edith already knew the right location to choose. It is only because of her that I took up magic again, being in exactly the right places at the right time."
"Like when you healed my legs?" queries Solan.
Itolicus nods. "And like when I thwarted Nicci's original descent upon your village."
"That was you?!" Nicci screeches, attempting to make a lunge forward, but being held back by Alaina.
"So you were the voice I heard in the cave," Zedd chimes in. "But surely you weren't told everything about your fate. "Even with matters needing to play out exactly the way Edith saw them, it is never good to know too much about one's own future," he says worriedly. "Just trying to make sure things can happen as they are supposed to can lead to grave mistakes."
"I was only told what I needed to know," Itolicus replies, eyeing the wizard. "And more so about Kae's future than my own. We have no idea how Edith went undetected by The Secret Order for so long, other than maybe she was more normal than she was abnormal. Her parentage perhaps. She'd only had one major vision, and that was what would happen to Kae and those associated with her. As for Kae being undetected until recently, I can only assume that her biology — a combination of Edith and mine's — was so unexpected that it was beyond The Secret Order's sensory range until that power was finally awakened in her. Someone with the ability to see all — Supreme Seers, as they call them — had always been speculation up until that point. For there was no recorded case of a Secret Order member romancing a wizard or witch."
"What happened to Edith?" Richard asks, leaning forward. "If you gave Kae to a loving couple who would act as her parents, and you left, then what of Kae's birth mother?"
"The woman who raised Kae until the age of six was Edith," Itolicus answers.
All eyes immediately land on Kae. "It's true," she tells them, gaze resting on Coron. "Obviously, I didn't always know... But now I do." She looks down at Itolicus with a light smile. "My mother had to move on without my father, but her leaving me was not an option. She changed her identity and claimed that I was left on her doorstep. And soon after that, she met a man other than my father and started a life with him."
Itolicus's eyes display regret and loss.
"I know that it is hard for my father to hear," Kae continues, "but he needn't feel as though I was cheated. Mother chose a good man. Two good men. And both were my father." She shares a look with Itolicus that more than sufficiently expresses the familiarity and love they share for each other, strangers though they may be.
"You spoke of there being no time to waste," Coron brings them back to the matter at hand. "Something about helping with Nicci."
Nicci narrows her eyes.
"Yes," Itolicus says, turning back to the group while rising to his feet. "And you too," he says to Richard, towering over him before moving to Nicci and Alaina.
"Stay back, old man," Nicci says, offering him a fierce gaze. While her tone may treat him as though he is any other wanderer, she senses great power in this stranger and knows that it is not something to take lightly.
"Do you want this collar off or not?" he queries, unfazed by her wariness. His hand moves briefly over her to reveal the Rada'Han-like object adorning her neck.
The rest of the room, all except for Kae, gasps. Although Kae had informed them of the collar, the suspicion that ridding Nicci of it will ensure faster restoration of her han must also be kept in mind.
"It's okay," Kae assures them. "I said I intended to help her because it will help us. And promising to remove that collar is the only way it's going to happen."
"Who's to say she won't blast us with her han the moment that thing's off?" Richard asks.
Coron, while pondering the same, looks as though he wants to deck Richard; Kae silences the latter with one look. "I say," she answers.
Zedd is just as worried, but holds his tongue. They have no true reason to doubt Kae's seer abilities, after all.
Itolicus waves a hand over Nicci and Alaina, returning them to their true appearances. "The power of this collar has made it so that you may harm others, but not Darken Rahl himself," he says to Nicci, watching the two women assess their "new" appearances. "And if you have surmised that it is also the cause of your han returning slowly, you are correct. An undesired side effect, I presume." He raises his hands to their foreheads. "I will turn the spell in on itself. Make it possible so that you are not able to hurt others, but are able to hurt Darken Rahl."
"This is the kind of help you offer?" Nicci replies bitterly. "Remain a slave to my own power?"
"Do you want vengeance on Rahl or not?" Itolicus asks, halting the sudden movement of his hands. When there is no response, he takes that as his answer, waving his hands as he did once before. A single, white light passes over the collar and Itolicus steps back. "Once I transport you to the People's Palace, you will need to be convincing in detailing why it is only now that you are returning before his throne, negating the complete truth of course. Explaining the loss of your men, particularly at the hands of Bird Man, and the depletion of your han will be easy enough, but explaining how - despite all that - you managed to capture the Supreme Seer will require careful consideration."
The entire room exchange looks, eyes focusing on one person in particular.
Coron's jaw hardens before asking the question on everyone else's lips: "What does he mean, Kae?"
"He means...I'll be going with Nicci."
The room bursts into a commotion, voices trying to rise above each other.
"Quiet, all of you," Kae admonishes. "You know by now that if I wasn't certain of this, of what must be done, I wouldn't be going."
"Look, it's not that I don't trust you," Coron cuts in, positioning himself in front of her. "But you have to admit that it's a lot to digest. First, we do everything in our power to keep Nicci from sending you to Rahl's domain. Now you just want us to hand you over to him like that's all to it?"
"The power to follow or change fate," Zedd utters with clarity. "Some argue that it cannot be changed because what happens was always meant to happen. And it is because of that - this fate - that Kae could not be sent to Rahl's domain upon Nicci's quest to capture her. Only now, in accordance with what must be, is that allowed."
"Thank you, Zedd," Kae offers.
Coron's fingers slide along her face. "Kae..."
She smiles lightly, taking his hand into hers. "There's no time for protest," she says, looking to the Seeker. "Richard?"
Richard's eyebrows furrow into confusion, eyes directing themselves to Kae's extended hand as she silently asks him to join her.
"What's going on?" Coron asks, looking from her to Richard and back again, watching as he moves beside her.
"Richard," Itolicus begins solemnly, walking toward the three, "before I can help Nicci, I must help you. You have tried with little success to remember Kahlan Amnell, have you not?"
Richard nods. "I only remember that my heart longs for her."
"And it is a good heart," Itolicus proclaims. "One that correctly deduced that Kae is the key to unlocking all of your guarded memories of the Mother Confessor. But your mind has over-analyzed what is needed. Where it sought solidarity, your heart sought a kiss."
Richard stiffens. "You mean -"
"- I mean to regain your memories of Kahlan, all you need do is kiss Kae."
Richard considers this, his mind trying to reconcile his emotions, to let them take over.
Coron, one hand still interlocked with Kae's, tightly grasps onto one of his sticks using his free hand.
Zedd balks.
Solan narrows his eyes.
Nicci and Alaina watch on in humor, as this has certainly been the most entertainment they've had in ages.
"That's all?" asks Richard. "That's all I have to do?"
"And you would be wise to do it now," Itolicus advises.
"When you kiss me," Kae chimes in as though she were simply referencing a handshake, "your memories of Kahlan will instantly return, but the journey will not yet be over. If there were any chance of that - it being over so easily - I would not be preparing to turn myself over to Rahl. As we speak this instant, The Secret Order are concocting an obstacle for you, a distraction to separate you from your orb of J'ahan and buy Kahlan more time to confess her love to another."
"But, I -"
"- You must do all that you can to make it through this obstacle in a timely fashion," Kae warns. "Let nothing slow you down. For too long at least."
"Richard, you must act now," Itolicus adds urgently.
Richard hesitates. He cannot imagine what he'll face from here on out. He sees the seriousness in Kae and Itolicus's eyes, the jealousy and concern in Coron's, all of it making him feel out of his element. But he's been 'out of his element' for some time now, and he knows if the world is to be even a little bit safer, he must do as Kae and Itolicus have advised. And so he does, body leaning forward so that his lips capture Kae's, eyes fluttering closed.
The effects hit him immediately, blinding light behind the eyes, spinning floor beneath his feet, and an onslaught of images documenting a stunning brunette in white. Memories. Memories of his time together with the one they call Kahlan Amnell. His head throbs and his mouth goes dry, and when he opens his eyes, he sees a bright ball of energy extending rays of light in every direction. Hovering before him, it is no doubt the orb of J'ahan he has earned. But it is soon out of his reach, moving backward until there is nothing but an image of men and women in white leather from head to toe staring back at him, their eyes dead. And soon they are gone too.
Richard is blasted into another environment, skidding along pebbles and dirt until his back hits a gigantic rock. He looks up groggily, seeing two suns to the sky's right, two moons to its left and one big star in its center. If he were to think he's hallucinating, the scorching temperature would be enough to tell him otherwise. The area is desolate, air is humid, and dust blows frantically with the hard wind.
"Kahlan," Richard coughs, struggling to stand and reconcile the memories that have returned to him. "How could I...forget you?" He wobbles on his feet, hand going to shield his face from the blazing sun. He has to find shade soon. He won't last maybe even minutes out here, his skin already feeling like a morsel in the oven. It hurts severely. Both the environment and his heart. But he must survive this if it's to count for something. If he's to see Kahlan Amnell again.
IIII
The Secret Order nod their contentment. "As we can see...as we know...Richard Cypher will fail," they say in unison.
IIII
The Blue Paradise creators' palace shakes, images of Richard at every stage of his life flashing along the walls. Statues fall, paintings crack, ripples tear the floors. The leader jets up from the seat in his office, looking around, just as his usual helper comes bursting in through the doors. "My grace," he says frantically, "The Secret Order have obstructed the Seeker's orb."
"Gather the Brothers and Sisters in the well room immediately," the leader orders, watching the helper scurry out against the pull of the vibrating building that is only just now starting to calm down. They both know that this latest act by the opposition is a most threatening one. Not only will it buy time for the Mother Confessor and Mord-Sith to bond, and therefore allow mutual confession of love to take place, but it may eradicate the Seeker before the prophecy has any chance of doing so itself. The Secret Order having been able block an orb of J'ahan means that the interference has sent the Seeker to an alternate realm, and there is no doubt that he has been sent to one of the most heinous ones in existence. It is the orb's only secret weakness — that its owner can be cast to another dimension, any dimension, right before the power is unleashed so that the owner is no longer its holder. After all, if a person does not exist in the world harboring the orb, how can they own and wield it? And as a result, the orb stays in limbo, afloat between dimensions, awaiting its previous owner or creators. It is a weakness that has dawned on the leader before, but he and his people had not been able to rectify it. Sending others who are a threat to different realms has long existed, and, despite all of their power, there was no way to ensure that whoever won one of their orbs could be immune to such exile. Similar to how there was no way of keeping The Secret Order from using some form of witchcraft.
"Curse you all!" the leader yells, angrily sending a wave of electricity into the wall.
IIII
"Another dimension?" Coron asks.
"Yes," Kae says, having explained Richard's predicament to the group in as few words as possible. "And it is now my time to depart." She turns to Nicci and Alaina.
As Coron makes an attempt to stop her, Zedd grabs him by the arm, letting him know with a look that they must let Kae do this. Kae and Itolicus move to Nicci and Alaina, and Itolicus immediately raises his hands over the three. "Remember, do not attack Rahl until you have Kae's approval," he tells Nicci. In the next second, the women are gone, vanished from the spot they were in.
Coron's eyes center there, lost and helpless. Zedd approaches him with a comforting touch to the shoulder.
Solan looks upon them with sympathy; he can only imagine how he'd feel if Merlana were put in such a position. Behind them, Itolicus lowers his head, knowing all too what this somber moment feels like. Trusting in Edith and Kae's seer abilities aside, turning your child over to the enemy is akin to forfeiting that child's life.
IIII
"Tell the magistrate that while I am willing to allign with him, I am not willing to share the Supreme Seer," Rahl tells Stathis. They're in the throne room, Shota at Stathis's side, all discussing the supposed world power Rahl is creating — alliances with rulers close to home which will eventually extend abroad.
When Nicci, Alaina and Kae all instantly appear before them, tangled in a pile on the floor, the quill that had been in Rahl's hand drops. He pushes from the desk he'd been sitting at and stands to look upon them, his face reflecting a conflicting mix of mischievousness and intrigue.
While Stathis looks quite surprised by this development lying at their feet, Shota most assuredly does not.
IIII
Ten hours into the day, Kahlan watches Cara from the balcony of their home. The blonde is sitting by the shore with Ryder, pointing to Spinner. Kahlan would give anything to be out there with the two of them, laughing and just enjoying the other's company, but she knows Cara wouldn't be receptive to it. It's the fourth day since Ryder's birth and Cara still hasn't opened up to her, as witnessed by their encounter earlier today at the pond. Any time Kahlan is around, the blonde stiffens and essentially ignores her. If Cara's attention is focused on anything these days, it's Ryder, the ocean and any laborious activity.
Laborious activity, Kahlan smirks. There's a number of "laborious activities" she'd like to do with Cara whenever time permits, but seeing as these activities involve the certain pressing of their bodies, it's not exactly anything the blonde would have in mind.
Kahlan sighs. She wants to spend as much time with her son as possible, but this is "Cara's time" to play with the child and at least she got to bond with him for a few candle marks before Cara took over.
IIII
Cara lies back as Spinner finishes one of his earlier-than-usual performances, and Ryder chases after his pet parrot "Parro" hovering just a few feet above ground. "Don't go too far," she calls after him.
Ryder grins, heading back toward Cara the moment Parro ascends into the sky. "Parro fly," he says, "Parro gone."
Cara laughs, pulling the boy into her arms and pointing to the sky. "No, not gone. Just higher."
"Higher?" Ryder looks to the sky, seeing Parro fly in circles. "Higher!" His little blond eyebrows raise as he jumps up and down. "Car-Car, Parro's higher!"
Cara chuckles, sitting up to dust off her leathers. "Yes, I know, Ryder. I'm the one who told you that, remember?"
"I wanna fly too." He looks back at the blonde.
"You do, huh?" she says, pulling the boy back to her. "Well, I'll let you in on a little secret: It's something I want to do as well."
"You fly?"
"Well, not yet." Cara smiles. "But if it means you get to, I'll see what I can do."
"Yes, fly." The boy hugs Cara tightly. "I wanna fly."
"As you've said." Cara grins. She is quite humored. It's something about the way Ryder repeats the same phrases over and over again. Or maybe it's the innocence of it, how determined he is to make sure she or Kahlan understands. Cara wonders if all 2-year-olds are like this. But then she remembers that he isn't two, at least not naturally.
"Mama."
Cara pulls back to to see the boy looking past her shoulder.
"Mama," he repeats, pointing.
Cara quickly turns toward the balcony. Kahlan? But when she sees no one there, disappointment settles over her features. She doesn't admit it to herself often, but she likes it when Kahlan looks at her. Watches her. Especially the way the woman's been looking at her lately. She doesn't like ignoring her, and maybe it's best that she doesn't. Doing so has only been a half-hearted attempt at making the point that there shouldn't — wouldn't — be any physical intimacy between them, but it hasn't helped. If anything, it's made her think more about Kahlan, what they were to each other, what they could be again...if only she could remember. Or, more realistically, let herself remember.
There is also the fact that shunning and lashing out at Kahlan is not something Richard would want, no matter how effective she is at rationalizing such behavior out of respect and duty to her Lord Rahl.
IIII
"What are you doing?" Cara asks half an hour later, taking in the sight of Kahlan standing on a stool to paint the wall of their bedroom.
The stool is at least four-feet high, and Kahlan dips a medium-size paint brush into the bucket on the matching stool to her left. She stands in a small, white shift a few feet beside their bed, coating the wall in a bronze color. "What does it look like I'm doing?" She looks over her shoulder at the blonde with a smile. "Now I know I should have started outward and worked my way inward," she explains with a brief look to the wall and back," but, well, it's too late for that now." Her eyes take in Cara's Mord-Sith attire — how foreign it seems now, even earlier today — but more importantly the woman's prominent scowl. If Ryder isn't around, it's more than guaranteed that Cara will be scowling. "I take it Ryder's asleep?" she queries.
"Yes," Cara's tone is hard and her jaw tightens as she observes Kahlan's shift riding up long, slender legs. Except for its shortness, the shift isn't too unlike the one the brunette gave birth in. "I know that you're painting, Kahlan," Cara continues, eyeing the wall for emphasis. "Any idiot can see that. But why are you doing it? You can just easily wish for the room to be a different color."
"Cara, we've been over this." Kahlan slowly turns so that she is fully facing the blonde. "Laziness... Just because we have the power to have everything taken care of for us doesn't mean that we should..." She stops, realigning her thoughts. "You understand this better than anyone. What joy is there in having everything done for you?"
"I understand working." Cara moves further into the room, looking around. "Painting is not working."
"Hmm." Kahlan cocks her head. "We all have our hobbies, don't we?"
Cara stares at the brunette then. Painting is one of the Mother Confessor's hobbies? she quirks a brow, moving a bit closer. "You like to -"
"- Not really," Kahlan answers quickly, having practically seen the question written on Cara's features. "But it is quite relaxing."
Cara stares, bewildered in a way.
"My point," Kahlan carries on, "is that we need something to make us feel productive, and, that if it's something you like doing, what's the point if you aren't the one doing it?" She smiles, extending her hand. "Now...help me down?"
Cara would mention how the brunette is athletic enough to get herself down, especially since she got herself up there just as easily, but, in this moment, she is too drawn to the woman to refuse assistance. Rolling her eyes, she takes Kahlan's hand into hers; Kahlan uses Cara's shoulder for leverage, sliding down the blonde's body until her feet hit the floor. Cara's free hand instinctively moves to rest just an inch above Kahlan's left hip, and they stand there staring into each other's eyes for what seems to be several candle marks.
It's only seconds, however, and Cara is soon backing away with an averting gaze. "I wanted to ask you about the island," she says, hands grasping her agiels, vision locked to the floor.
Kahlan watches the almost-nervous seeming Mord-Sith now standing a few feet away from her. Due to her heart beat drumming loudly in her ears after such close proximity with the blonde, the question has barely registered. But she quickly gathers her bearings. "There is more you wish to know?" she replies, breath barely above a whisper, which earns Cara's full attention.
"No. You have been most comprehensive in your detail about the island and what we have done on it."
Kahlan feels her cheeks warm, and she resists the urge to step closer to Cara.
"My concern is Ryder," Cara presses on, eyes hard. "There is a gift that I wish to give to him, and I don't think that the island will grant it unless I make you a part of the equation."
"You mean bonding?"
"Yes," Cara answers. "The island has been good with regard to our wishes for him, but, from what you've described of its anatomy, I think that has more to do with us working together. It has been pleased with us sharing parental duties and has rewarded us for such. However, for the gift I have in mind, there will no doubt need to be actual time spent together. A significant amount." Her hands clasp behind her back. "I know this not only because it is a likelihood, but because I have already tried the wish...to no avail."
"I see." Kahlan looks to the partially-painted wall and then back to Cara. "And what is it you propose?"
Cara offers a blank stare.
"For our time together?" Kahlan clarifies.
"We should eat meals together."
"Is that all?"
"And enjoy Ryder's company together."
"Is that all?" Kahlan takes a step closer, the step she's been meaning — debating — to take.
Cara holds her ground, raising her chin in challenge. "We can also bathe together, I suppose. And sleep together."
"Sleep together?" Kahlan's voice is soft, labored.
"Reach slumber in the same bed," Cara clarifies.
"Mmm." Kahlan takes another step closer, but it's wasted when the blonde abruptly heads for the door.
"That's what I wanted to tell you," Cara calls over her shoulder.
"Um, Cara?" Kahlan eyes the floor before redirecting her gaze to the Mord-Sith.
Cara stops, but does not look back.
"What's the wish?" asks Kahlan.
Cara briefly looks to the woman. "Well, that's between Ryder and me, now isn't it?" She then continues her retreat out the door.
IIII
Kae stands in a fresh, regal dress after a long bath. She looks around the immaculate room she's been placed in as Darken Rahl enters, nodding to his guards at the door before they close it behind him. He stands there, gazing, gawking, his leer a definite indication of what he has in mind. He not only wants her to be his eyes, but possibly his queen as well. And most certainly one of his many lovers.
"Not the dungeon you were expecting?" he asks, gesturing toward their surroundings, eyes focusing on the huge lavender curtains by the wide window behind Kae before finally refocusing on only her. "But then again," he says, moving closer, "you wouldn't have been expecting this...because you see all." He stops in front of her. "Tell me what it is, Supreme Seer, that you see."
Hands clasped before her, Kae lifts her chin in a most challenging manner, eyes meeting his but mouth refusing to speak.
"As defiant as the Mother Confessor herself," he says, dragging a hand along the side of her face, admiring her physical resemblance to the aforementioned woman. Moving back with a frown, he adds," Let's see how far that defiance gets you when the lives of innocent people, yours included, are up for forfeit."
As he heads away from her, toward an adjoining door at the back of the room, Kae sighs. Her thoughts are mostly with Coron, and not even a confrontation with Rahl, the man she must defeat, can take away from that.
IIII
Locking the door behind him, Rahl enters a room similar to Kae's — antiques lining shelves, other extravagant furniture placed randomly, huge lavender curtains covering a wide window, a large bed placed center-floor. The only difference is its female occupant; Nicci stands at the far end of the room, examining a miniature statue. With Alaina back in the company of the Mord-Sith of the palace, Nicci had been provided this abode soon after being allowed a bath, fresh clothing — a long, black robe in her case — and a meal.
"I must say," Rahl begins, "you seem more surprised by your living quarters than the Supreme Seer."
Nicci places the statue back on the shelf, turning to him slowly. "Well, you did keep me imprisoned for two years, my lord." She smiles, but it doesn't quite reach her eyes.
"Think of this as me making amends for that," Rahl offers.
"I don't want amends. I want my freedom."
"You are free here," Rahl answers nonchalantly, approaching the bed with all the grace of a king.
Nicci almost ends his life right there. She can feel her power surging in his presence, indicating that the wizard Itolicus has not failed her in that department. But she somehow refrains. It would be so easy to take her freedom now, but to do so would mean the loss of her power — Itolicus having been quite clear that it only works in the presence of Rahl. If she wants her freedom to be worth anything, she'll abide by his wishes and ensure the destruction of this abominable collar. While she cannot be sure that he'll keep his word. it is the only chance she has. And then there's the uncertainty of what fate she'd be subjecting everyone, including herself, to if not going along with Kae's visions. She briefly wonders if maybe not doing as the woman has asked is a part of the visions.
"Tell me more about how it is you managed to capture her - the Supreme Seer," Rahl coaxes, sitting on the bed and popping a piece of cheese into his mouth from the nearby snack bowl. "Something about having cloaked Alaina to resemble the seer's lover, this boy who looks like Mistress Cara."
Nicci resists the urge to grit her teeth, taking a step closer instead. She isn't sure why Rahl is asking again, having heard her twisted version of events the first time, but it cannot be that he doubts her words. If it's one thing she's excellent at, it's deception. "Yes," she answers. "As you know, we distracted the actual lover - Coron Maler - while Alaina made her way to the seer. She was able to incapacitate her before realization could even dawn -"
"- Yes, yes," Rahl interjects. "But the most interesting part is when you say you and your men were indeed winning, as Shota and Stathis showed me before, but then this bird man, as you call him, signaled an army of birds to descend upon you all. And yet only you and Alaina survived."
Nicci narrows her eyes; Rahl arches an eyebrow. "It's like I told you, my lord, " she continues, "I only had enough han left to put the two of us in protective shields, and the transportation power was a -"
"- Relax, Nicci," Rahl says, rising to his feet. "I have no reason to doubt what you say. And if I did, Shota and Stathis would have confirmed any suspicions by now. It is only that I find the events, how they culminated, to be quite fascinating. The bird man has no doubt intrigued me. The power to take out an entire army in one fell swoop, as it were. And my dear brother still nowhere in sight." Rahl rubs his fingers together, eyes sparkling as he looks off into a corner. "Most intriguing indeed." He walks toward the door. "I'll have Shota and Stathis take a look at your weakened han - that collar of yours. We can't have you being a complete waste, now can we?"
He exits without another word, and Nicci is left more determined than ever to end his life.
IIII
At the other side of the palace, Shota and Stathis conspire in one of the several rooms at their disposal. Keeping their voices to a hush, they discuss the people involved in this tangled web of sorts that Shota has foreseen.
"I was fine knowing very little before," Stathis states, "as long as it meant I could work with you...be near you. But the Supreme Seer showing up like that. Doubles of the Mother Confessor and Mord-Sith Cara Mason in existence... Would you mind informing me of just what it is I'm helping you with here, besides your plot against Rahl?"
Shota pulls her robe snugly against her body, almond eyes assessing the young wizard as though if she dare speak, she would be revealing all of the world's secrets. "It is not my plot per say," she informs, moving to other side of the room to stare at the wall. "But rather what must be done. I called upon you, child, because we all have a part in this game." She waves a hand in front of the wall and it instantly displays past events, as well as foretold ones no one other than a seer could have possibly known about. "Take a look."
Even Shota and Stathis as they are now display on the wall, as if it was all destined to happen.
Stathis's mouth hangs open in response.
IIII
Richard walks through muddy terrain that he could have sworn moments ago was dry and hot. He feels rain pour on his face and then it is gone. The breeze that comes by a second later is just as conflicting, lashing at his flesh with a level of heat that could rival the Underworld and then soothing it with the sensation of the most fantastic salve. His vision intermittently shows creatures never imagined in his wildest dreams as the suns blaze into his back, and he makes an attempt to thwart them each and every time...only to wind up swiping at thin air.
But when he swipes at the creature this time, it is undoubtedly real. It looks to be half-snake, half-man, eagle heads emerging from either shoulder and lining its back. Its snake-like head cranes, long, sharp teeth showing themselves as its body tackles him to the ground.
Richard presses the knife he's been branding to the creature's throat. "Kahlan!" he screams.
IIII
The Blue Paradise creators are gathered in the black and orange-striped room — what they call the well room — gazing at the large pool of water in the floor which reflects Richard's fate. The room looks twice as large as it did before and so does the pool. Occupying almost all of the creators, with the exception of those guarding the palace making sure that its magical walls hold up, the room resembles an audience gathered for an event.
The leader holds his hands over the pool and a large black portal opens above it. At first nothing but a blend of lightning-like colors against a black backdrop, an orb of J'ahan appears in its center. Richard's orb of J'ahan. A simple bright light amidst the darkness and overlapping colors. "There it is," the leader says. "Caught in limbo." He frowns. "Do it...now."
The other creators aim at the orb along with the leader and it glows brighter. "It may take all of our power," he notes, "but we must do all that we can to keep the orb of J'ahan. within the Seeker's grasp. To make sure that he is able to locate it in the hell that he is now in. Touching it just once will take him to paradise... Just once."
As they view Richard driving his knife deep into the creature's chest, they watch as he views faded imagery of a white ball of light just feet above to the left of his head. "The orb," he croaks, pushing the dead creature off of him as the imagery disappears and he instantly gets to his feet.
The Blue Paradise creators are not the only ones viewing this. Having brought in their own magical wonder, The Secret Order watch as their wizard, nearly indistinguishable from them except for his long, black robe, hums at the portal hovering above their table. His humming clearly has an effect on the orb, making it deny its creators and start to push its way back into obscurity.
Sensing this, the Blue Paradise creators turn up the level of their magic with just a twist of their hands, the leader's usual helper temporarily panicking. "It's them," he says. "They're fighting against our magic with the darkest of their own. Trying to -"
"- Never mind them," the leader replies firmly. "The fact that they're even resorting to such tactics means that they are desperate. If it's all about fate, they wouldn't have to interact. Stay the course. They can't touch the orb directly or reach Blue Paradise, and so those things remain our strengths."
As the creators increase their pressure, words suddenly boom in their palace, words as if spoken by individuals collected in a single body: "We do not usually interfere in this way," voices of The Secret Order roar in unison. "Because we do not usually need to, for we know all. But fate has shown us our part, just as it has shown us yours."
The dark wizard of The Secret Order pulls at the orb, taking it just a little further into the darker realm, only to have it pulled back toward the lighter realm.
"It takes many of you against only one of our sorcerers. Accept defeat," the seers say in unison.
"Be clear...if you are going to make such a declaration," the leader fires back, quite certain that the seers can hear him. "It is only because you have taken the orb away from our world and have cast it into a dimension far more heinous than ours that it must take all of our effort. The fact that you have not played fair shows who is the weaker of the sides."
"We shall see," the seers reply.
As both sides vie for the orb's placement, Richard continues his descent into the unknown.
IIII
By mid-evening, Kahlan has dressed in a light pink dress and stands in Ryder's room going over daily lessons with him. "And what color is this?" She uses a well-sculpted teaching stick to point to the splattering of colors on some random paper board propped on a stand to their side.
"Green!" the boy exclaims with a jump on the bed, his bright blond hair shaking with just as much enthusiasm.
"Yes, green." Kahlan giggles, briefly thinking of Mr. Turtle and how she hasn't talked with the animal in awhile because her son makes better company.
"Uh-oh, I jump in shoes," the boy says, looking past his shirt and trousers to the tiny boots covering his feet. Although he's been taught to set his shoes aside before bed, he doesn't always remember...aside from when it's too late.
"It's okay, Ryder," Kahlan assures with a smile, moving to briefly pat the boy on the nose. Maybe she should do as Cara suggests after all — keep Ryder in nothing but underclothing until he actually demands to wear something else or until it's so cold that it's required. "Being barefoot is pretty much what you're used to." She nods. "So I can't blame you for not always remembering."
"I want barefoot," he professes with another jump.
"Yes, I know you do. And we have your Car-Car to blame for that," she replies with a smirk. Although...who doesn't prefer being barefoot? "Now...let's get back to your lesson, shall we?"
"Lesson, lesson!" Ryder flops down on the bed, scooting to the edge.
"And what color is this?" Kahlan points to a spot on the lower corner of the board.
"Blue and green!" Ryder laughs.
"That's right. It's a mixture of the two," Kahlan confirms. Not a single color, but two colors put side by side.
"Mix!"
Kahlan laughs. "A definite mix."
"I wanna play." Ryder looks to his boots, knocking them together. "Car-Car plays."
"Oh..." Kahlan places the stick down, folding her arms over her chest. "So, you're saying that Cara plays with you, and all I do is teach you, is that right?"
Ryder's blue eyes are slow to meet Kahlan's, and he grins mischievously the next moment. "Mama only teach."
"I'll show you who teaches," Kahlan says, tackling the boy to the bed and tickling him relentlessly.
As Ryder laughs, the sounds seem to reverberate throughout the room. "Mama only teach," he breathes in between giggles, even as Kahlan's fingers dance along his belly and reach under his arms.
"Is that right?" She becomes more methodical in her onslaught, and it isn't long before Ryder is pleading mercy.
"I give," he giggles. "Mama, I give."
Kahlan takes pity and pulls him into a bear hug instead. "You'd better," she warns, placing light kisses on his forehead. And as the moment calms down, she lies back against the pillows, Ryder's head in the crook of her arm. "You're right, Ryder. Mama hasn't been much fun, has she? But I promise that changes now."
Ryder looks up at her curiously.
"Let's go find Cara," she tells him.
IIII
"Car-Car!"
Cara turns around to see Ryder running toward her, Kahlan approaching swiftly behind.
"What is it?" Cara asks. The blonde has been sitting against a palm tree, carving a block of wood. And before that, she'd been contemplating possible ways to get off the island.
"You said we needed to spend time together," Kahlan replies, stopping in front of her.
"Me and Mama play with you," Ryder beams, moving to sit in front of Cara.
Cara looks up at Kahlan, watching the woman shrug in response.
"Let's play, let's play." Ryder pushes at Cara's feet.
"Play?" Cara raises a brow. "With Parro or one of the other animals, you mean?"
"What's this?" asks Kahlan, reaching into Cara's lap to grab what looks to be a partial carving of a horse.
"Something for a Ryder."
"A toy?"
"It isn't finished," Cara informs, standing to extract the object from Kahlan's hand.
"I can see that." Kahlan watches the woman examine the toy. "Perhaps we can wish for other toys in the interim?"
Cara's eyes meet hers.
"I know you play with Ryder, Cara. Not only has Ryder confessed to it, I've seen it."
Cara looks to the boy then, seeing him look back up at her with a grin. "I don't know how to play," she says. "What you have seen is my ability to enjoy Ryder's company while he enjoys the company of his pets. Nothing more."
"And Ryder sees that as playing," Kahlan contends, touching Cara's arm. "As do l."
Cara looks to the ground, biting her bottom lip. Why must the Mother Confessor seemingly challenge her every word?
Kahlan brings Ryder to his feet, instantly pulling Cara and Ryder along a moment later. "Come on," she says, taking them several paces near the center of the shore. "Ryder made me see that I have yet to entertain him." She moves some feet away, then stops. "So what do you say I start that now, and we up the entertainment value? Get a little more involved." She extends an arm and makes a silent wish to the island, a leather ball appearing in her hand a second later.
"And what are we to do with that?" Cara asks, folding her arms across her chest, causing Ryder's toy to fit in one of the crooks there.
"Have you never seen a ball before, Cara?" Kahlan teases. She looks to Ryder, who is extremely attentive. "Ryder, you are going to watch what Cara and I do with this ball, and then you are going to copy us, understand?"
Ryder nods emphatically, but Kahlan isn't quite sure that qualifies as 'understanding.' A demonstration is certainly in order. "Cara?" she says, looking to the blonde.
Cara sighs, freeing up her hands by wishing Ryder's toy to his bedroom.
Kahlan throws the ball with a smirk; Cara catches it, but examines it as though utmost scrutiny is required.
When Ryder giggles, however, looking up at her, bright-eyed and expectant, she throws the ball back to Kahlan. Her eyes stay on Ryder for a while longer, watching him beam with joy, before returning to the brunette. They toss the ball back and forth, Cara staring at Kahlan and Kahlan smiling back, for several more moments before Kahlan decides to approach Ryder with the ball. Placing it in his hands, she returns to her spot some distance away, waiting to see what he'll do next. Ever a fast learner, the child throws the ball back to his dark-haired mother, and, when she throws it back to him, he tosses it to his light-haired parent several paces to his left. Cara's not only impressed by the strength of the boy's throw, but the effortless way in which he catches the ball. "I think we may have a late stage two-year-old on our hands," she tells Kahlan.
Kahlan chuckles. "Oh do we now?"
Ryder suddenly stops and throws the ball toward the ocean. "Wanna play in water!" he exclaims, pointing to the waves.
Cara watches the ball roll near the shore. "Ryder, no. It'll ruin the leather."
"We can always wish for a new ball," Kahlan points out, moving toward Cara and Ryder to grab their hands.
"Who said I was talking about the ball?"
Kahlan laughs, looking over the Mord-Sith attire. "C'omn," she urges, pulling her wife and son toward the ocean. "You can wish for a new one of those too, or restoration, whichever you prefer."
Once they reach the shore, and then the tides, it isn't long before Kahlan and Ryder are in a consistent "throw and catch" rhythm. Cara watches as the woman she has desired for sometime plays with the blond, enthusiastic child connecting them, falling repeatedly into the water with smiles and giggles. Cara ponders those smiles, the way they light up Kahlan's face as if the brunette hasn't a care in the world. Isn't the woman concerned with getting off the island, with getting back to Richard?
Cara remembers what Kahlan said to her earlier — about what happened in the two years they've been here, and how they grew closer, so much so that Kahlan seems to believe that her feelings for her have toppled Richard's — but it doesn't quite register with Cara. Kahlan hadn't said she loves her. In fact, she'd retreated when asked if these feelings meant that she loved her more than Richard. But what else could they mean, if not a greater romantic affection? Does it alternatively mean that their friendship is stronger? That their lovemaking temporarily heightens these feelings? That her feelings for Richard aren't as strong simply because he isn't here, and that their bond ultimately cannot be toppled?"
As Cara continues to delve further into her mind, arms folded across her chest, she doesn't notice the two sneaky individuals creeping up behind her. Without warning, Kahlan and Ryder tackle her into the ocean. Ryder giggles hysterically as his mother holds him and straddles Cara. "You're wet, Car-Car! You're wet!" he says, splashing his feet at either side of the blonde.
The moment the tackle happened, Cara had been admiring Kahlan — the way the brunette was trying to hide, or rather project, the subtle lust in her eyes, the way her head had been thrown back most provocatively before grinding her hips down into hers. She sits up on her elbows, dragging a hand through her soaked, blond hair before spitting out a mouthful of water. "Apparently I am," she agrees, exchanging a look with Kahlan that only the two of them have the good sense to understand the meaning of.
"Allowing a surprise attack?" Kahlan arches a brow. "You're becoming rusty, Mord-Sith."
"You wanna throw the ball, Car-Car?" Ryder asks eagerly, eyebrows aching not too dissimilar to Kahlan's.
"No, that's enough for today," Cara decides with a frown, attempting to get up, which causes Kahlan to rise with the boy. Cara just knows she has to get away before she's tempted to give into what the woman has been offering. It's true, of course, that Cara has wanted her for a long time now. Of course it is. The memory-ridden version of herself apparently even confessed it. And that Kahlan would have the daring to "offer" in front of their child... Well, it could be argued as unbecoming of a lady to some, but it excites Cara all the more.
"Cara!" Kahlan yells after her, watching her stalk off.
Cara takes a deep inhale of breath, exhaling frustratedly before turning back to the woman.
"You're the one who wanted us to bond," Kahlan reminds her, "for Ryder. And now you're just going to leave?"
Ryder squeezes Kahlan's hand, looking up at Cara as he stands at the confessor's side.
Cara's eyes are on Kahlan, however, slowly moving from her face to the way her nipples stand out beneath the soaking wet fabric. The light pink dress might as well be sheer in its current format. "You appear to have more than Ryder's best interest in mind."
"How do you know I don't have Ryder's best interest in mind when I think of you?" Kahlan challenges, taking a step closer.
Cara looks away with a grunt. "You could use a change of dress, Confessor."
"Cara..."
Cara waves a hand in the brunette's direction. Then turns to leave.
When Kahlan looks down at her dress, she sees that it is now dry.
IIII
At dusk, among the different colored trees and oddly-shaped animals, Richard attempts to drink from a secluded pond. As he prepares to aid his dry lips and parched throat with the liquid he so desperately needs, he braces himself for any unpleasantries it may bring. But the water turns out to be clean, cool and refreshing, and, hopefully, non life-threatening.
He hears howls in the night, ranging from the sound of a single owl to the fiercest lion...and ones he's quite sure he's never heard in his life.
Sitting back against a tree, he sighs, pulling his sword close to his chest. His sword — he'd forgotten he had one.
IIII
Several hours after the shore incident with Kahlan, Cara lies in the bed of their joined, well-lit bedchamber. Same leather ball from earlier in her company, she uses it to toss from hand to hand as she thinks about what transpired between herself, Ryder and Kahlan just sometime earlier. It's strange, she thinks, how these two people quite possibly make her feel more like herself than her leathers, agiels and witty retorts all put together. So much like herself...and so not. She doesn't recognize the person she's becoming, or already was...is...according to Kahlan. It's one thing to have lust and the occasional affinity for the confessor. But the possibility of having deeper feelings? To actually like the idea of sharing a family unit with the woman?
Can't be. Cara scrunches her nose in distaste.
Her thoughts are interrupted by the sound of the door opening.
Kahlan, already in a night shift, enters with a surprised look on her face. "You were being genuine about spending more time together." She smiles, gently closing the door behind her.
Cara only acknowledges that with a grunt, but it is enough to send Kahlan's heart aflutter. Although the blonde is still dressed in Mord-Sith attire, eyes focused straight ahead, and not on her, as she tosses a ball from hand to hand, Kahlan is grateful for the small miracle that the woman is in their bedchamber at all; she knows that she can't win everything in a day. "Ryder woke up a little awhile ago and I had to tell him a story just to get him to go back to sleep," she tries again. "He has this thing for fairy tales, where the prince and princess kiss and live happily ever after."
Cara remains silent, biting on her bottom lip as she continues to stare straight ahead at the wall. But when Kahlan approaches, Cara's hands come to a halt on the bed, the ball resting under one arm.
Kahlan slowly gets under the covers, and Cara can practically feel those penetrating blue eyes on her. The brunette is lying on her side, one hand propped to support her head. "Cara..." she says softly, so softly Cara is sure she could get lost in that voice, "you're thinking about earlier today, aren't you? About how carefree you were?"
It is silent for several moments before Cara replies, "I played with him today. I mean...I really played with him today, Kahlan." She turns to look at the brunette. "Who was that person?"
"It was you, Cara," Kahlan answers, pulling one of the blonde's gloved hands to her lips. "The person you've always been capable of being." She daringly...slowly...removes one pair of gloves, grazing delicate lips over tanned fingers.
"Not always," Cara says softly, frowning.
"Cara..."
Cara removes her hand from Kahlan's grasp, turning back to stare at the wall. "I should get some sleep."
Kahlan knows that she should give her space, but she isn't quite ready to back off just yet. "You're going to sleep in that?" she asks, eyes tracing over Cara's leathers. "Simpler clothing wouldn't hurt."
"Maybe another time."
"Cara..."
"The temperature and comfortability levels are just right," Cara replies stoically. "And even if they weren't, you forget that we have wishes for that, Kahlan."
Kahlan smiles. "Some things are better done the old-fashioned way."
"Good night, Kahlan," Cara says with much finality.
Sighing, Kahlan reluctantly turns away from the woman, relaxing into the pillows. "Good night, Cara." She snaps her fingers and the well-lit room instantly goes dark.
Candle marks later, Cara still sits against the headboard, now listening to the sound of Kahlan's breathing. It has evened out, indicating that she's asleep, and it's intoxicating for reasons that are seemingly unknown. As she stares at the woman's outline with the aid of the moonlight, she cannot help but think just how beautiful Kahlan's body is. Her ungloved free hand briefly traces over marvelous curves...tracing over them before coming to a halt once she realizes what she's doing.
Idiot, she scolds herself.
IIII
In the morning, Kahlan isn't fairing much better as she cooks breakfast and bites on her bottom lip, much the same way Cara has been doing. She wonders what she did wrong. If she pushed Cara too hard. Or maybe not hard enough. When Cara had touched her last night, despite thinking that she was asleep, Kahlan was certain it was going to lead to more. But it didn't.
And now she's just as confused when Cara comes waltzing into the kitchen, in a seemingly chipper mood, wearing black trousers, a white blouse and black boots, and grabbing a green apple from a fruit bowl before plopping down at the large dining table.
"What?" the blonde asks, watching Kahlan watch her.
"Your clothes," is all Kahlan can say, putting down her cooking utensils by the stove.
Cara shrugs, biting into the apple. "I said maybe another time. Did you only think I meant night garments?"
As Kahlan's mind tries to wrap itself around that question, and this unexpected turn of events, Ryder appears to notice the difference as well. Quite prominently, in fact. "Prince Ed!" he exclaims, pointing to Cara as he pushes from his tiny chair beside her.
"Excuse me?" Cara arches a brow at the boy, now biting rather lazily into her apple.
"Prince Ed! Prince Ed!" he repeats, jumping up and down.
"He's talking about a character from one of his picture books," Kahlan explains. "What I was telling you about last night." She cocks her head, throwing a cooking towel over her shoulder as she assesses Cara's new attire. "And he does have a point." She smiles. "You do indeed look like Prince Edward...hair included."
"Mm-hm." Ryder nods eagerly. "And mommy is Princess Rachi."
"Rachi?" Cara asks, still confused.
"He means Rachel," Kahlan clarifies, a giggle escaping her lips.
"And so now you and Mama have to kiss," Ryder says emphatically, nodding his head.
Kahlan's face instantly goes blank; Cara immediately sets the apple on the table, eyes averting there.
"Come...you kiss Mama," Ryder says, moving to Cara and grabbing her by the hand.
"Ryder..." Cara looks the boy over, eyes pleading with him even though it's no use.
"Kiss and happy ever after," he urges.
"But I'm not Prince Edward," Cara protests even as she rises to her feet; she sees Kahlan a few feet away, fidgeting and avoiding eye contact. If it weren't for how caught off guard the brunette seems, Cara would have suggested that she must have put Ryder up to this.
"You look like him, that good enough," Ryder assures.
Cara lets herself be guided toward the Mother Confessor by the little instigator. And when they stand face to face, one pair of blue eyes meeting unsure blue or green ones, what started out as an awkward suggestion turns into a prospect with limitless, hopeful outcomes. As Ryder cheers the two on, it is Cara who reaches out first, pulling Kahlan into her and feeling the brunette shudder in response. It's enough to spark excitement, Cara's mouth tentatively meeting hers, her mind initially being shocked not only by the utter softness of the brunette's lips, but by the raw sensuality that follows. But before she can begin to explore it, little hands are pushing at her legs.
"That enough," Ryder declares. "Only one kiss, Car-Car." He pulls at the blonde's pants legs, successfully causing her to lose her leverage and part lips with Kahlan.
Kahlan steps back, hand holding her head as though trying to get a hold of her senses.
"Don't be so greedy, Car-Car." He points at the blonde, as serious as can be. "Only one kiss to make happy ever after come true."
Cara eyes Kahlan for a long while before looking to their son. "Only one kiss, huh?"
"Yeah." The boy nods. "Those the rules."
Cara looks back to Kahlan, watching the brunette watch her quite breathlessly, finger pressed to parted lips.
Cara isn't sure about fairy tales. But, Lord Rahl be damned, she might just have to change those rules.