Chapter 25

Standing on a rocky ledge, the disparaging scene below stretched as far as her eye could see. Her long wavy tendrils of hair whipped in the wind like a den of deadly vipers but she paid it no heed. Her dark gaze was locked on the horror that littered her land.

She felt her heart grow harder than the rock she stood on, knowing that she must bring this to its ultimate end no matter how brutal it was going to be. It was her responsibility as their leader to protect her people and she would regardless of what the cost was.

This desecration would not go unchallenged. They would know once and for all who was in control of these mountains. A very clear message had to be sent, one that would be observed or a high price would have to be paid by their enemies.

She slammed the end of her staff hard against the rocky ground in rage, too many faces below familiar to her and yet so many that were not. It made her smile that the number of strangers outnumbered her own people lying dead on the rocks below.

How would she return to tell their loved ones that they would not be coming home to them?

She knew that it was her duty as their priestess, their leader and she would perform it to the best of her abilities. It would be what her father would expect of her.

She scuffed a bare foot over the rock she stood on, her hard eyes suddenly softening around the edges with the thought of her father. How long had he been gone now? Less than a year? It seemed as if she had just lost him yesterday and yet it felt like an eternity since she had last seen him or stared into his kind eyes.

A sorrowful cry stuck in her throat as she fought to remember the deep soothing sound of his voice, so noble and strong, full of such great authority. Why couldn't she remember it? He had been the single most important person in her entire life and she suddenly couldn't even remember what his voice had sounded like.

Her body grew rigid as hatred slowly trickled through her, sweeping away the anguish that had unexpectedly surfaced. They would pay for that as well. She would personally make certain of it.

She pulled the fur a little closer around her neck as she turned to leave. Looking up at the gray sky overhead, she couldn't help but shiver. It was dark for mid-afternoon. Spring would reach up into the mountains in the next few days. She would be grateful for that. It was time to start anew. It was time to begin to heal.

But first would come revenge.

She came to an abrupt stop as she spotted something in the distance, something moving up the mountains towards them. She tightened her grip on her staff, her other hand gently stroking the soft black feathers that created a ring around the top of it as she leaned on the stick.

Pulling her hair out of her face, her gaze narrowed on the movement that she could see slowly plodding through her territory. It was a dark smudge moving along the horizon, but she immediately recognized what it was. She knew because she had seen it the last time they had come.

Her scouts had informed her that they had spied more of them last night camped along the south ridge, many more than had come several days ago. She had hoped that it had been for some other purpose, some other destination than here where they did not belong.

She scowled something menacing and hateful, so incongruent with her natural beauty. She thought that they had finally put an end to their intrusion in this private war and now they were back again.

XXX

Richard stood on a cliff, drinking in the amazing view, the wind brushing gently against his face. His gaze was locked on the breathtaking site before him, a site so beautiful he wanted to just reach out and touch it, to grab hold of it and never let it go.

It was the People's Palace. It was home.

They were still several hours away, but they were getting closer. They would definitely be sleeping in their own bed tonight. He could hardly wait to see his girls, to hold them in his arms. He was anxious to just be home, to spend some time alone with Kahlan without all the Mord'Sith and soldiers that constantly followed them everywhere they went.

A warm smile tugged at his lips as he thought back to three nights ago when he and Kahlan had made love in Kandahar. It had been so passionate and yet so emotional, reconnecting them as one soul.

Although it had been all those things, he still struggled with haunting memories, guilt that continued to fight to keep a stronghold in his heart. He was so thankful that Kahlan and Sachin were both alright, his unborn daughter was unharmed through all of it. He shuddered with the sudden reminder, but he knew, though, that he would get through it because of Kahlan.

She was his very heartbeat, the reason that he existed. He lived and breathed her and he wanted nothing else but her. She had refused to forgive him despite his pleas because she said there was nothing that needed to be forgiven.

Now, he just had to learn to forgive himself.

He was so relieved that their unborn daughter hadn't been hurt during all of this. That was something that he could not have accepted. It was horrifying enough to think that he had almost taken Kahlan's life, but to think that he could have inadvertently taken the life of their unborn child as well was too much to withstand.

He wasn't certain if that was something that either he or Kahlan could have gotten past. That was one test that he didn't want to force their love to have to try to endure. Deep down, though, he knew it would.

Their love defied all reason, defied the most powerful magic, had been prophesied about thousands of years ago. It was truly special in every way and he was more than thrilled that she was all his.

He was drawn away from his thoughts as slender arms snaked around his waist from behind, the soft warm blush of her breath against his skin sending chills up his spine. He smiled mischievously as her lips ghosted over the back of his neck, the fine hairs on his arms standing upright. He loved her playfulness, her seductive nature that simmered inside of her.

He could feel heat rising up from his core and warming his cheeks as thoughts of their last night in Kandahar roared to the surface of his mind. They had made love twice more that night, relishing in the feel of one another's body so close with nothing between to separate them ever again.

"I finally get you all to myself again tonight, Lord Rahl," she teased with such a seductive purr that it almost made his knees buckle.

He closed his eyes as her lips sought out his earlobe, her hands roaming so teasingly over his chest and abdomen. She shifted her thigh behind him, allowing it to settle between his and earning her a heady groan that brought a grin to her lips.

"You keep this up for much longer and I'll be forced to take you right here," he huskily replied, trying desperately to maintain some semblance of control.

"Isn't that what we both want anyway?" she giggled softly, creating a puff of warm breath to skate along his cheek as she leaned over his shoulder, pressing herself more fully into him. He didn't think she could get any closer to him.

"More than you could possibly know," he breathed heavily, his body tensing even more, his voice so strained that she couldn't help but blow gently in his ear just to see how much closer to the edge she could push him.

Her hand settled over his heart, delighting in the suddenly erratic rhythm that she now felt. She loved how their bodies always reacted to one another with something so little as a touch or a look, a kiss and so very much more.

"No one said that this break couldn't take a little longer," she whispered, her leg shifting ever so slightly as she paused to taste the sensitive spot behind his ear.

Richard suddenly turned in her arms, his lips finding hers as he swiftly pulled her flush against him. The feel of him growing hard against her caused her blood to warm, her body begging him to appease her need for him.

His tongue demanded entrance which she happily allowed as he buried his hands in her hair and holding her prisoner in his arms. The burning demand in his lungs for air caused him to break the kiss, but he kept his mouth close to hers.

"You're going to make me come undone right here if you're not careful, Lady Rahl," he smirked, his eyes almost black with the desire that was thrumming through his veins.

"I'm not stopping you from doing something about it," she seductively responded.

She was answered with a crushing kiss that nearly knocked them both to the ground. Richard knew that he needed to stop this now before he no longer could. He was finding himself dancing precariously close to that point of no return.

"I take it the nausea is better?" he smiled, his lips still hovering so dangerously close to hers.

"Much," she murmured, enjoying the way that his brown eyes practically sparkled with the love he held for her.

"Then if I remember correctly, the next few months are going to be exhausting…" he paused to kiss her. "Very sensual…" he kissed her again, his tongue gliding lightly along her lip. "And so very hot," he murmured against her mouth, teasing her with what she wanted.

"You have a very good memory, Seeker," she whispered, her throat going dry, her cheeks growing pink with anticipation.

Richard brushed his nose against hers, adoring the glow that lit her whole face, the love for him that shined so brightly in her sapphire eyes. He couldn't help but thank the good spirits for the thousandth time for allowing her to belong to no one but him.

"We're all set to go," Nicci called to them from a distance.

"We'll be right there," Richard hollered back to her, not even taking his eyes off of his wife. "We'll have to finish this tonight," he murmured, kissing her slowly before releasing his hold on her.

Kahlan signed in resignation, knowing that her hormones would have to be put on hold for now. It was bad enough that she couldn't get enough of him when she wasn't with child, but carrying his baby just made her need that much more intense and difficult to ignore.

"I'm holding you to that," she grinned something so sinful that it made Richard shiver with anticipation.

"You won't have to remind me," he chuckled softly, taking her hand and leading her back to their horses. "I won't be able to think of anything else."

"I also can't wait to see our girls," she thoughtfully said.

"I know; me too," he replied. "I didn't realize just how much I would miss them."

"Well, we'll get to see them and hold them soon enough," she replied, leaning in and kissing him tenderly.

XXX

Cara quickened her pace as she made her way towards the central courtyard, Zedd in tow following closely at her heels. Holland had told them that Lord Rahl and Kahlan had been seen approaching and would be here shortly. She found herself actually excited to see them.

It felt like they had been gone for a month when in reality it had only been ten days. Garren would hopefully be returning in the next few days as well if things went well. Then everyone would finally be safely home where they belonged.

Cara winced as Priya grabbed a tiny fistful of the Mord Sith's blond hair and tugged hard on it, giggling at the response she received. She gently unwrapped the baby's fingers from her hair, giving Priya a scolding look that only caused the baby to giggle even more in response.

Cara couldn't help but smile at her, amused by her mischievousness. Priya stared in wonder at her, her bright blue eyes so much like her mother's growing wide in anticipation as she reached out her tiny little fingers to touch the Mord'Sith's hair again, discovering that she had created an entertaining game with her godparent.

"You're ornery just like your father," Cara told her, her tone gentle.

"You don't have to walk so fast, you know," Zedd called out to her, Paige in his arms. "I'm an old man, remember?"

"You managed to keep up with us when we were traipsing across the territory searching for the Stone of Tears," she replied. "I think this cushy palace life has made you soft."

Zedd grumbled under his breath as he adjusted the bundle in his arms, propping Paige up against his shoulder. "I for one am surprised that Richard and Kahlan have made it safely home already. You had me fretting over nothing with all your 'something bad is going to happen' nonsense."

"I can't help it," she said, her brow furrowed. "I'm still not completely sure that something bad might not happen yet. I won't be happy until Garren is back. After that, no one is allowed to leave again. We're all just going to stay here inside the People's Palace where I can keep an eye on everyone."

Zedd chuckled softly at her words, amused by the Mord'Sith's change in attitude. "When did you become so sentimental?"

"I'm not sentimental," she retorted, looking over her shoulder and shooting the old Wizard a glare. "I just like everyone nearby where I can make certain that nothing is going to happen."

"Admit it, Cara," Zedd grinned. "You love us. You like being part of a family."

"Maybe," she shrugged, trying to sound indifferent as they stepped out into the late afternoon sun. "This has got to be the strangest family I've ever seen. Besides, who attracts this much trouble but us?"

"At least we have one another to see us through it."

Reaching the central courtyard, Cara and Zedd watched as Kahlan, Richard, Nicci, and their escorts made their way towards them. Cara could feel the corners of her lips curl up despite herself. Clearing her throat, she forced a stoic mask to settle over her face despite her relief.

Loud squeals from Priya filled the courtyard at the site of her parents making their way towards her, her little face lighting up in recognition. Paige began frantically kicking and wiggling her legs and arms, desperate to break free from the blanket binding her. She squealed in excitement as well as her father took her into her arms.

"Hello, Princess," he grinned, holding her up high above his head.

His heart soared as Paige giggled excitedly, her brown eyes sparkling with delight as she reached down to grab hold of her daddy's nose. He readily decided that nothing in the world could ever come close to the sheer joy that came with being with the family that he and Kahlan had created together.

Taking Priya into her arms, Kahlan couldn't suppress the lilting laugh that escaped her lips as she watched Richard with their daughter. She didn't think it could get any better than this except that she knew that it would. In just over six more months, they would have another little girl to add to their growing family.

Priya babbled excitedly at her mother, kicking her legs in excitement as Kahlan leaned in and placed a kiss on her forehead. "Hello, my baby girl," she softly said to her, bouncing her in her arms.

"Welcome home," Zedd smiled broadly, clapping Richard on the back.

"It's good to be home," Kahlan sighed, casting a glance at her husband and sharing a knowing look.

They were both ready to settle in for once, to fall into a steady routine of duties and responsibilities as well as working to unify the two territories. There was so much work that lay ahead but Kahlan was more than ready for it, thankful that her husband was going to be right there beside her the whole time.

She'd come so close to losing him, closer than she cared to think about.

"What happened?" Cara pointedly asked, crossing her arms, her narrowed gaze flitting back and forth between Lord Rahl and Kahlan.

"What do you mean?" Richard questioned her.

"I can tell," Cara frowned. "Something happened to you three while you were in Kandahar."

"It's nothing that we weren't able to handle," Nicci reassured her with a smile.

Cara huffed, not the least bit placated by her words. "Out with it. What trouble did you get yourselves into?"

"It's a long story, Cara," Kahlan quickly replied, shaking her head. "We just want to get cleaned up and spend some time with the girls. We can tell you all about our trip to Kandahar in the morning."

Cara appraised them both for a long moment before finally nodding her head in agreement. She felt a sudden sense of relief wash over her. Now maybe she could relax a little knowing that the terrible feeling that she'd been having had already happened and they were safe now.

"How have things been here?" Richard asked, anxious to change the subject. He was not looking forward to revisiting the tremendous pain of having attempted to kill his wife. The guilt and shame still swam inside his soul and probably would for some time.

"I'm afraid there's been some trouble," Cara grimly replied. "A tribal war broke out up in the mountains between the Ta'Niah and the Enalaroans. Garren and Holland sent an army up there to settle it but they were attacked. Garren left four days ago to lead more soldiers up there to rescue our men and put an end to the war."

Richard's eyes immediately clouded with worry. He knew nothing about these tribes, had never heard either of their names before now. He just hoped that Garren and their army was alright.

"Hopefully he'll be able to stop it and return soon," Richard said, bouncing his daughter in his arms.

"Lord Rahl!"

Richard turned at the sound of Holland's voice, his urgent tone making him bristle. The look on the Commander's face as he approached made his stomach drop.

"Lord Rahl, I'm glad you and Lady Kahlan made it home safely," Holland said as he came to a stop before them, casting a glance at Cara. "But I need to inform you that a scout from Garren's army just returned from the mountains."

"A scout?" Cara questioned him, her chest suddenly constricting.

"Yes, I'm afraid the scout is in bad shape," Holland grimly informed Richard. "He told me that they were attacked, a majority of their men slaughtered. Captain Stiles sent him back here for help."

Holland turned his full attention to Cara, noticing the sudden fear that permeated her green eyes. "I'm so sorry, Cara. Commander Garren is missing…and believed to be dead."

TO BE CONTINUED