Chapter 23
Cara and Kahlan walked together along the corridors of the palace to meet the Zedd, Richard and Sarah for a meal. The Mother Confessor looked towards the blonde and smiled at the calm look she could see on the usual serious Mord'Sith.
"What?" Cara asked, noticing Kahlan's eyes on her.
"Nothing," Kahlan shrugged. "You just seem… calm," she said with a contemplative smile.
"Because normally I'm so agitated?" Cara chuckled as she met the brunette's eyes.
"Well, when you put it like that," Kahlan grinned, noticing they had arrived at their destination and pausing at the door. "But I meant that you look at peace, happy," she clarified, caressing Cara's cheek.
"I wonder who's fault that is?" Cara mused with a grin, circling Kahlan's waist and pulling the Confessor closer to her.
"Mine, I hope?" Kahlan raised an eyebrow and grinned when Cara just nodded before kissing her lips softly.
Kahlan encircled Cara's neck with her arms and kissed the blonde back with tenderness. She loved that she could see this transformation on the usually stoic Mord'Sith. Cara had come a long way in dealing with her emotions and the Confessor couldn't help but be proud that she had been a big part of that process. Kahlan ended the kiss, smiling at the blonde, but the smile faded when she looked to the door next to them and then to the end f the corridor.
"You're not coming in, are you?" Cara said, noticing Kahlan's pensive look.
"I'll meet you in a bit," Kahlan confirmed, looking back at Cara. "I have to talk to my sister," she said with a sigh.
"Kahlan," Cara started, but pursed her lips, not sure how Kahlan would react. "Don't be too hard on your sister."
"Don't be too hard on my sister?" Kahlan repeated disbelievingly. "She killed you or did you forget?" she asked.
"Trust me, that's one experience I'll never forget," Cara raised her eyebrows and shook her head slowly. "But I did start it," she added with a shrug.
"You mean you killed her first and now you're even?" Kahlan guessed the blonde's line of thinking and took a step back from Cara when the Mord'Sith just nodded. "That's not how things work; what she did was extremely reckless and I'm not so sure it wasn't born out of revenge," she replied, her expression hardening into the one of the Mother Confessor.
"You can't deny she was entitled to it," Cara pointed out, aware that she had wronged Dennee and her family and she never got any punishment for that.
"She's not a commoner that can seek revenge without thinking of consequences beyond the immediate satisfaction of their desires," Kahlan argued without faltering. "She's a Confessor, representing me in the high chair of Aydindril, nonetheless. He actions have to be guided by justice, not revenge."
"What about me then?" Cara challenged; her voice steady. "I killed not only your sister, but every single Confessor alive, except you; don't I deserve to be brought to justice?" she questioned.
"That's different," Kahlan disagreed. "You were just following orders, Dennee acted on her own account," she continued.
"Orders or not, I did it. And the only reason I didn't try to kill you is because I wasn't assigned that particular task," Cara said, her voice breaking slightly, making Kahlan soften her expression. "You spared my life at Stowcroft, even when you had just discovered I was the one responsible for all those deaths."
"You're only proving my point, Cara," Kahlan pointed out with a small smile. "I spared your life because it was the right thing to do, you were on trial essentially for being who you are, for being Mord'Sith, and for," she trailed off with a vague gesture of her hand, avoiding mentioning the death of Cara's father by the blonde's own hand, but knowing Cara understood what she meant. "And despite wanting nothing but revenge back then, I chose justice on that trial and I chose to protect the Seeker after. Those are the kind of personal sacrifices someone in my position has to make, and Dennee forgot about her position. That's the difference."
"I understand all that and you're right, of course," Cara agreed, fixing Kahlan with her eyes. "I just mean that if you could end up forgiven me, even if you didn't like me back then and you did want revenge for what I had done, you certainly can forgive your own sister now," she concluded.
"You have no idea how it warms me to hear you say those words," Kahlan smiled and kissed the blonde's cheek softly, a thankful gesture. "I can understand what you mean but I'm not only Dennee's older sister here, I'm the Mother Confessor and the people who were supposed to rule in my place, to advise the one sitting on the chair, made a decision that could have had disastrous consequences to our future or even our immediate present," Kahlan reminded solemnly, watching Cara bit the inside of her cheek but otherwise not disagreeing with her.
"Do what needs to be done," Cara nodded in agreement, confident in Kahlan's judgment. "I certainly know by experience that you don't let justice be mistaken by revenge," she smiled.
Kahlan nodded and smiled. If anyone told her months ago that Cara would be telling her to temper her judgment and forgive someone that had killed her, she would have laughed in their faces. But here she was, asking her for mercy to the woman that had confessed her. She really couldn't be prouder of the Mord'Sith.
"I'll take your words into consideration," she conceded with a nod. "And I did, you know?" Kahlan added softly, moving back into Cara's personal space and tucking a stray blonde hair behind he lover's ear.
"You did what?" Cara asked with a confused tilt of her head.
"Like you, back then," Kahlan admitted, her hands resting on the blonde's shoulders. "I just did so against my will," she chuckled ruefully. "As much as I wanted to deny it, you were not like any other Mord'Sith I had met before; you were not like anyone I had ever met before," she smiled and kissed Cara's lips.
"You caught my attention from the start too," Cara circled the brunette's waist once more. "There's no denying how attractive you are and since you were pretty much scowling at me all the time, that just added to the alure," she smirked and raised an impish eyebrow, making Kahlan chuckle and roll her eyes. "But you also were fearless when you talked to me, always fair and never afraid of my attitude," she recalled. "I have to admit that I greatly enjoyed provoking you to raise a reaction out of you, but you handled that damn well, it impressed me." She grinned, recalling the multiple times she purposefully provoked the Confessor.
"I always knew you took some devious pleasure in pushing my buttons," Kahlan scrunched her nose and bit Cara's lower lip playfully. "You intrigued me more than scared me," Kahlan mused. "Somedays I had no idea what to do with you and your stubbornness and aloofness," she chuckled. "But I think I found a way around all that."
"That you did and it was no easy task," Cara confirmed. "So, I'm sure you'll find a way here too," she assured before kissing Kahlan.
The Mother Confessor sighed when the kiss ended and she gave Cara a short nod before turning to go look for her sister. She had to admit Cara had a point, Dennee was her sister and she deserved to be listened, but that would be a hard thing to do when the image of Cara's dead in her arms was still fresh in her mind. She took a deep breath to calm herself; she would do her best to be fair and not let her feelings guide her, as much as part of her wanted to do just that.
After Kahlan walked down the corridor, Cara watched her go until she turned a corner and only then did the blonde walk through the door beside her. Inside the room were Zedd, Richard and Sarah, all of them laughing at something the teen was saying. Cara took a moment to observe them and smiled at the easy way her daughter was in the men's company, they clearly had a good relationship in the future.
"Cara, finally," Zedd said, noticing the Mord'Sith entering the room. "Come sit with us, the food is amazing, I asked for it to be delivered from Ambrosio's," he wiggled his eyebrows at her suggestively, as if she would know that place or how good the food there was supposed to be.
"If you don't hurry, these two will probably eat everything in here," Richard said with a laugh as Cara looked questionably at Sarah. "Oh don't be so surprised, looks like Sarah learned to eat with Zedd, given the chance of a feast, " he said playfully, earning a twin glare from the other two.
"I'm growing, I need sustenance," Sarah justified with a shrug. "What's your excuse, Zedd?" the teen looked at the wizard with a grin behind the chicken leg she was eating.
"I'm a very powerful wizard, therefore I expend tremendous amounts of energy with magic," he said, as dignifying as he could with sauce dripping from his chin. "I need to replenish my reservoirs," he finished, looking with a serious expression at an incredulous Cara.
"The kid I believe," Cara said slowly, approaching the table with steady steps. "But you wizard, you just latch at any excuse to fill that bottomless pit you call a stomach," the blonde put her hands on the table and leaned in, smirking at Zedd's glare.
"She's not wrong Zedd," Richard agreed. "You can stop pretending with us, we won't judge you," he assured playfully.
"Speak for yourself, Seeker," Cara drawled. "I judge him every day," she quipped as Zedd just rolled his eyes.
"We'll see who laughs when we are back on the road and only my amazing culinary skills can turn simple vegetables into a delicacy," Zedd complained with a huff.
"Who told you your food is anything close to a delicacy?" Cara asked, her eyes widening comically. "Probably Kahlan, right? Sometimes she's just too nice," she shook her head to herself.
"I don't recall you complaining," Zedd pined Cara with his eyes.
"That's because you're growing deaf in your old age," the blonde shot back. "And on the road, we can't exactly be picky," she said, looking at Richard for support and rolling her eyes when the coward just raised his hands in a dismissing gesture.
"I like your food, Zedd," Sarah said with a smile at the wizard.
"Imagine that, despite being raised by you this girl has manners," Zedd taunted Cara. "I guess we have Kahlan's niceness to thank for, after all," he added bitingly.
"Actually, mom is a lot stricter when it comes to manners," Sarah disagreed, motioning to Cara with a tilt of her head. "You would be surprised," she nodded at the wizard, that lowered his face back to the food after the blonde smirked victoriously at him.
"Where's Kahlan?" Richard asked after the banter died down.
"She went to talk to Dennee," Cara said somberly, as both men just nodded, nothing else needing to be said for all of them knew that would be a difficult conversation. "Sarah, come here with me for a second."
Cara approached Sarah and grabbed the teen lightly by the arm to direct her away from the others. She bit back a smile when she saw the brunette reluctantly accompany her, probably suspecting already the subject her mother wanted to broach with her.
"Listen kid," Cara started, feeling a little nervous. "You mother is a little embarrassed by what happened earlier," she said reluctantly.
"Yes, I noticed," Sarah nodded without looking at Cara. "It's not exactly comfortable for me either, so how about we don't talk about this anymore?" she suggested hastily and made to go back to the table, but Cara's hand stopped her.
"Alright, I get you," Cara said a little awkwardly. "Just wanted to apologize and make sure you were okay."
"There's nothing to apologize for, it was just bad timing on my part," Sarah assured, looking at Cara for the first time since they started this awkward chat. "It's hardly the first time it happened anyways," she mumbled with a sigh.
"Sorry about that," Cara said with sympathetic wince.
"At least this time you were the one to talk to me," Sarah brightened. "The other times you harassed mother to do the talking and you just conveniently ignored the entire thing," she chuckled.
"Well, I guess it's not as difficult for me now," she supposed, wondering how her future self had dealt with this. "I don't have the same relationship with you that I'm sure I will in the future," she supposed.
"Yeah, I can understand that," Sarah smiled.
"Let's get back to the table," Cara said as put her arm protectively around her daughter's shoulder. "I'd like some food too, before the wizard makes it disappear," she said, sharing a mischievous look with Sarah while they both went to join the men around the table.
Kahlan sat in the Confessor's chair, her arms poised on the armrests as she stared focused ahead while waiting for Dennee to arrive after being summoned. She was apparently calm, her straight posture that of the Mother Confessor of the Midlands, ready to judge. Her eyes flicked to the door once it opened, Dennee entering and bowing slightly, before standing a couple passes in front of Kahlan.
"You sent for me?" Dennee said, her breathing betraying her nervousness.
"I did," Kahlan confirmed, paying close attention to her sister's movements. "Look at me when I address you," she demanded, face impassive as Dennee lifted her eyes to her. "Explain your actions and keep in mind that you're not speaking to your sister right now," she warned with an icy tone.
"Yes, Mother Confessor," Dennee deferred with respect, knowing perfectly well she was being judged. "I did what I think was the right thing to do, in the face of the dilemma I was presented with," Dennee said steadily, her eyes bravely facing Kahlan's. "I know now I was wrong; I misjudged the situation and I'm ashamed to admit… I also let my feelings towards the Mord'Sith cloud what should have been an impartial judgment." she finished, her eyes never leaving the Mother Confessor's, for she knew the ruler of the Midlands was searching for the truth in them.
"You killed the woman I love," Kahlan started, getting up from the chair and approaching Dennee. "You, of all people, know exactly what that feels like, how could you do that to me?" Kahlan asked, her voice trembling almost imperceivably for the first time.
"I was trying to save you, I didn-" Dennee stopped abruptly as Kahlan's hand wrapped menacingly around her throat.
"Cara was never a threat to me," Kahlan said firmly, her eyes piercing her sister's. "You were reckless Dennee," she continued. "Or did you and your council not think about the consequences of such an act?" Kahlan challenged, letting go of Dennee's neck with a shove. "I could have confessed you all!" she shouted, turning away from her sister.
"You would never hurt any of us-"
"You fool!" Kahlan shouted, turning back to face Dennee, her eyes full of anger and disbelief. "If Sarah hadn't brought her back… the Con Dar would have robbed the free will of everyone in that room, of that you can be absolutely sure," she guaranteed. "Do you even begin to understand what that would have entailed?" she shook her head when her sister remained quiet. "That stunt of yours endangered not only you and your friends, but you jeopardized the Seeker's quest and with it, the lives of everyone in this world."
"I didn't think that could be a possibility," Dennee admitted, closing her eyes in the face of the gravity of her actions.
"No, you didn't," Kahlan shook her head, her voice quieter but not less angry. "Neither you or the council I trusted to be competent to predict such fallout," she said.
"I shouldn't have killed the Mord'Sith," Dennee said quietly.
"Cara," Kahlan interrupted once again. "Her name is Cara," she repeated.
"I shouldn't have killed…Cara," Dennee sighed in regret. "I should have found another way, even if my only goal was to protect you; I'll abide by any decision you make, Mother Confessor," she bowed her head, prepared to accept the verdict.
"Were you any other person than my sister you would never have left that room alive," Kahlan said vehemently, watching as Dennee swallowed with difficulty, a statement to her fear.
"I know," Dennee whispered as a lonely tear escaped down her cheek.
"Cara asked me to have mercy on you," Kahlan revealed after a pause. "That monster, as you put it, asked me to forgive the woman that killed her," she stated, watching her sister closely. "What does that say about her, Dennee?"
"She's not who I thought she was," Dennee acknowledged. "I saw it clearly when I confessed her and she does love you deeply," she added.
"And don't you ever forget that," Kahlan said. "Because if you do anything to harm her ever again, she will kill you… and I won't stand in her way," her intense stare a promise that Dennee understood clearly.
"I swear to you, here and now, I will never do anything against her, ever again," Dennee said, meeting the Mother Confessor's eyes solemnly.
Kahlan could read the truth in Dennee's words and the regret in her eyes. She knew Dennee tried to do her best to resolve an incredible complex dilemma, with the least damage possible. She just forgot that what was just collateral damage to her, it was Kahlan's whole world. The Mother Confessor was about to pass her judgment when there was a knock on the door, followed by a guard entering the room after her permission.
"Mother Confessor," the guard said with a bow. "The council is here, as you asked," he informed.
"Let them through," the Mother Confessor ordered, watching as the three wizards entered the room apprehensively and stood waiting in front of her.
"Mother Confessor, if I may-" Bryus said hurriedly, his eyes fixed on the ground.
"You may not, wizard," Kahlan said coldly. "I talk here, not you, this is not a debate," she said, addressing the three at once. "You failed Aydindril. With your miscalculated theories, you led the Confessor in charge into committing a great mistake, one that could have jeopardized everything we have been sacrificing for in the last months."
Kahlan watched the constricted faces of the wizards, noticing that even if they regretted the consequences of their actions, there still was this arrogancy about them, that told her they wouldn't fully understand the gravity of it, still thinking deep down that they had made the right choice. She had made her decision and continued talking in the unmistaken strict voice of the Mother Confessor.
"I can see that you did what you did with good intentions," Kahlan nodded. "But the greatest harm can result from the best intentions," she continued, purposefully reciting the Wizard's second rule. "And I can't allow Aydindril's council to be so small minded and rash when it comes to delicate situations, that could endanger the wellbeing of my people as well as my own," she paused for a moment before continuing. "You are hereby removed from your seats on the council and you must leave Aydindril, you have until tomorrow at first light," she declared undoubtedly, not a single one of them daring to refute her decision.
"Yes, Mother Confessor," Thoros acquiesced with a bowing head. "Please allow me to apologized for letting you and Aydindril down; we will leave today," he said, knowing there was no way they could defend what they had done and that the Mother Confessor was being benevolent in not having them killed instead.
"And you, Dennee," Kahlan turned to her sister. "I can't ban you from Aydindril, we are the only two Confessors alive and I need you by my side," she admitted. "Cara also wronged you in the past, caused you a great pain. You did pay her in the same coin, so it's my decision that the matter between you is resolved," she stated, noticing Dennee nod once in agreement. "I can see you saw the error of your ways and will be a lot more careful from here onward. But heed my words, one misstep can cost you dearly," Kahlan warned.
With a dismissing gesture of her hand, she sent the three wizards away, but motioned for Dennee to stay behind. The Mother Confessor duty was done, she needed to talk to her sister now.
"I'm sorry, Kahlan," Dennee said as soon as the door closed and they were alone once again. "You know I could never hurt you on purpose, but I did nonetheless and I feel terrible," she said, tears running from her eyes.
"I know, little sister," Kahlan nodded, wiping the tears from Dennee's eyes and embracing the woman that clung to her has if her life depended on her, and for a second there, it did. "We will get through this and eventually I'll be able to forgive you, it's just going to take a while," she sniffed, the hurt she felt present despite the love she felt for her sister.
"I'll make sure to make you proud of me once again," Dennee said as she stepped away. "I'll not fail you again," she vowed.
Kahlan smiled softly, sending a prayer to the Creator that this would be true, because if her sister attempted against Cara's life again, she would not be so merciful.
"Hmm, Cara," Richard addressed the Mord'Sith as they sat around the table eating. "Can I talk to you for a second?" he asked, already getting up from his seat and smiling softly at Cara's apprehensive expression.
"Of course, Lord Rahl," Cara said prudently, a curt nod before she got up too and followed Richard to a corner of the room.
"Listen," Richard started awkwardly, reaching with his hand to scratch behind his head. "I just wanted to let you know that I'm happy for you," he said with a sincere smile.
"Okay," Cara drawled. "Anything else?" she questioned, suspecting by Richard's restless shifting that he had more to say.
"I mean," Richard started again. "For you and Kahlan, I'm happy for both of you," he clarified needlessly.
"I know perfectly well what you mean," Cara said, not entirely comfortable with having this kinds of talks. "I guess… I'm glad there's no hard feelings between us," she forced herself to say, not used to talk about such personal things with the Seeker. "I wouldn't want to provoke the Lord Rahl," she said with a smirk, a clear attempt at lightning the awkward tension around them.
"Friend," Richard said more confidently as he extended his hand to Cara and smiled once the Mord'Sith clasped his forearm. "To you, first and foremost, I'm a friend," he said, squeezing Cara's forearm meaningfully, using the gesture to communicate with the blonde in a language she was more versed in.
"What are you two up to?" Kahlan questioned with a smile as she approached the two of them, paying closer attention to Cara.
"Nothing," Cara was quick to reply, letting go of the Seeker's forearm and turning to Kahlan. "Richard was just…talking," she shrugged, an attempt to not prolong this conversation but knowing she was not fooling her lover.
"I was telling Cara how I felt," Richard answered the Confessor, shaking his head fondly at the Mord'Sith.
"You people sure love to go on and on about feelings," Cara huffed while she put her hands on her hips.
"How do you put up with Kahlan then?" Richard asked teasingly, laughing at the slap in his arm he earned from a mock indignant Kahlan.
"Kahlan is an exception," Cara pointed out. "The only one," she stated, her eyes widening slightly as she tried to make her point across.
"I can see that," Richard nodded, sobering a little. "I guess I could see that for a while, but I just didn't want to believe it," he admitted, looking sadly at Kahlan. "Bu there's no denying it and, like I said to Cara just now, I'm your friend and I'm truly happy for the two of you," he said meaningfully, his smile widening when Kahlan hugged him.
"You will always be special to me Richard," Kahlan smiled as she cupped the Seeker's stubbed cheek lightly. "You're more than a friend, you're family to me," she said with watery eyes that mirrored Richard's.
"Are you done?" Cara asked exasperatedly, sighing when the other two just smiled at her expected impatience. "Aren't you hungry?" she asked Kahlan.
"Yes, actually I am very hungry," she smiled and kissed Cara's cheek, grinning when a slight blush colored the blonde's face and took her lover's hand to guide her to the table.
"Cara," Richard called and saw the blonde turn around, her eyebrows raised in question. "Love looks good on you," he grinned, sure that the statement would embarrass the Mord'Sith.
"Shut up," Cara admonished with a roll of her eyes, but as she turned her back to Richard and looked at Kahlan, she couldn't contain the little smile that forced itself on her lips.
"How was your talk with Dennee?" Zedd asked after the trio returned to the table, bringing everyone's attention to Kahlan.
"Exhausting," Kahlan sighed, her eyes immediately searching Cara's for support. "She, along with the council, had no right to do what they did," she said. "But since there's no justice without mercy, considering past events and the fact that she's a Confessor, Dennee will continue to stay here in Aydindril," she revealed, looking at Cara and smiling when the blonde nodded her agreement.
"What about the council?" Zedd asked.
"I banned all three of them from Aydindril," she replied with a sterner voice. "They gave ill advise and I could never trust them again after what they have conspired to do."
"And Dennee?" Richard ventured, noticing Cara glaring at him from the corner of his eye. "Will you be able to trust her again?" he asked, looking questionably at Cara, who just sighed and rolled her eyes.
"I'm sure I will," Kahlan confirmed. "I'll just need a little time," she pursed her lips and focused back on her plate.
"Mother Confessor, if I may disturb you," one guard entered the room, something clutched in his hand.
"Of course," Kahlan motioned for him to come closer. "What is it?"
"This was delivered at the gates," he said, opening his palm to show a ring. "The instructions were for it to be delivered immediately and only to you," he added, presenting Kahlan with a scroll that accompanied the ring.
The Mother Confessor took the ring with a thankful and dismissing nod to the guard. She looked at the piece of jewelry closer, noticing runes carved around it. She passed the ring to Zedd, trusting the wizard would have some insight and opened the scroll to read aloud.
"'Dear Mother Confessor'," Kahlan started with a frown. "'Fulfilling my promise of being in touch, here's a gift for you'," she finished, turning the scroll around, but the message was the only thing written on it. "It's not signed, but we can guess who it is from," she sighed worriedly.
"What is that?" Richard eyed the ring as he approached his grandfather.
"It's messenger ring," Sarah said with just one glance at the item, not noticing the surprised looks the others were giving her.
"What exactly is a messenger ring? And how do you know it?" Cara quirked one eyebrow.
"It allows you to communicate with someone, no matter where the other person is," Sarah clarified. "We use them back at home."
"How is it activated?" Zedd wondered almost to himself, turning the ring around and analyzing every rune.
"You put it on…" Sarah said slowly, a teasing smirk lifting the corners of her mouth.
"Yes, quite, of course," Zedd cleared his throat awkwardly, shooting the teen a warning look that was more playful than reprimanding.
"Then let's see who is on the other end," Kahlan extended her open palm to Zedd, silently requesting for the item back.
"Wait," Cara interrupted, snatching the ring from the wizard's hand. "Just like that? Shouldn't we maybe be more careful?" she frowned, looking around for backing.
"The only thing it provides is sight and sound," Sarah assured. "No one will materialize in here, it's like talking to a ghost, you see and hear, but you can't touch," she explained, seeing Cara relax a little and give the ring to Kahlan, albeit not totally happy about it.
"Let's see if our suspicions are confirmed," Kahlan sighed and slid the ring on her finger, an image immediately appeared before them, a man they loathed but, nevertheless, wanted to see. "Farkas," Kahlan spit the name with disgust.
"Oh, hello Mother Confessor," Farkas said cheerfully. "I'm so glad you could join me," he said with a fake smile.
All of them gathered behind Kahlan, watching as Farkas appeared before their eyes, a large field of grass and some trees behind him, but not much else could be seen that would help identify where he was.
"Where's my sister?" Sarah wasted no time in demanding to know where Alys was.
"I have no interest in talking to you," the wizard sneered. "It's the Mother Confessor's answer I want," he said, walking along the green field.
"The only way I will talk to you for one second more, is if you show me Alys right now," Kahlan said firmly.
"I was expecting that demand, of course," he stroked his chin. "That's were I'm going right now, to visit the little freak, who I left in great company, women that I'm sure made her feel safe and secure," he said provokingly.
"If they touched even one hair of hers," Cara pierced the wizard with a menacing look. "You will regret it," she bared her teeth in a dangerous promise.
"I can't speak for my associates," Farkas shrugged unconcernedly. "I'm sure you know how Mord'Sith are, sometimes they can't help but to inflict a little pain to pass the time," he smirked, enjoying Cara's concerned look.
"Enough talking!" Kahlan interrupted the wizard's taunting. "Show me my daughter," she demanded.
"Don't you fret, Mother Confessor," Farkas said, moving his hand like he was opening a door. "She's right her-"
Kahlan stopped breathing when she saw the shocked look on the wizard's face, her mind conjuring the worst scenario possible. Instinctively, she reached for Cara, grabbing her lover's forearm in a silent need for support. She watched as Farkas got inside of what looked like a cabin and looked cautiously around. As the wizard moved, all they could see was what was directly behind him, so when he turned back to the door, Kahlan allowed herself a breath of relief when she spotted two Mord'Sith lying motionless on the floor.
"I'll be damned," Sarah chuckled, an impressed look replacing the worry she was feeling. "The little thing escaped," she grinned at Cara, who was still cautiously observing every detail that was visible to them.
"Where is Alys?" Cara demanded, not letting herself hope until she had proof that Sarah's assessment was true.
"Looks like I won't be able to show her to you, after all," Farkas said with barely kept anger, as he bent down to pick up an open Rada'Han that was lying useless next to what was sure to be a dead Mord'Sith. "Apparently she went for a walk," Farkas got up, Rada'Han in hand, and went outside the cabin, looking frantically around.
"She's not there," Cara smirked triumphantly, finally convinced that the girl had indeed manage to flee from the cabin.
Kahlan squeezed her lover's forearm and concentrated on every single detail she could find on the frame of image the ring allowed. She noticed the cabin behind the wizard, but more than that, she could see the tall tower that could be seen in the distance, raising above the tree line. That sight was unmistakable to her, it was one of the watch towers from Aydindril, they had to be close.
"No, she's not here," Farkas furrowed his brow. "But make no mistake, I will find her, and when I do, I'll teach her how to behave," he snarled before ripping the ring from his finger and breaking the connection with the Mother Confessor.
"They're close," Kahlan grinned with hope as she took the ring off. "That tower we could see in the distance, it's one of Aydindril's watch towers."
"The west one," Sarah said with conviction. "It's where those woods are," she turned to Kahlan for confirmation.
"You're absolutely right," Kahlan smiled, circling the teen's shoulders and pulling the brunette into a hug. "Let's go, we need to find Alys before Farkas," she looked around to see her companions already moving towards the door.
They all left Aydindril mounted on horses, speed being of utmost importance in this mission. They rode for a few leagues west, looking for a familiar cabin, but up until now they hadn't found it.
"We need o find the cabin so I can pick Alys's tracks," Richard said, riding ahead of the others and using his knowledge of the woods to guide them towards their goal.
"No, what you need is to follow me," Sarah pulled her horse next to the Seeker's, looking expectantly at him.
"Sarah, I'm a great tracker, I'm sure I can-"
"I'm sure you can too," the teen interrupted. "But have you ever been to Aydindril's woods? Do you know my sister better than me?" she questioned efficiently, straightening herself on the saddle as if to demand his full attention.
Richard stared at the suddenly more regal girl for a second and then turned to look at his companions. Zedd was struggling not to laugh, Kahlan was looking at Sarah with a mixture of fondness and pride and Cara…she just wore an almost identical expression to Sarah's, eyebrows raised and an impatient pout.
"No, I don't, but-" Richard chuckled when Sarah quickly interrupted him again.
"Then trust me, she has to be in that cave," Sarah pointed forward, to a small cave that could be seen ahead, half hidden amongst the tree line. "We took shelter from the rain there once and ever since then it became a secret spot of ours," she recalled with a fond smile, spurring the horse in that direction.
"Are you supposed to wander this far away from the city?" Kahlan asked Sarah with a knowing smile, looking back at the distance they had covered already.
"We're wasting time with chit chat, we should pick up our pace," Sarah insisted, not turning to look at Kahlan and kicking her horse to make it go faster.
"So that's how you lie to a Confessor?" Kahlan challenged, knowing perfectly well that the teen was just diverting the attention away from the fact that she should not be wandering this far away from Aydindril unaccompanied.
"Yes," Sarah said simply, turning to look at her mother. "You should take some notes," she couldn't help herself from uttering the insinuatingly teasing remark, chuckling when the Mother Confessor looked away with pursed lips.
"You deserved that one," Cara said with a smirk, not fazed by the glare Kahlan shot her way.
"What is she talking about?" Richard asked good naturedly, noticing the embarrassed reaction Kahlan had to the teen's words.
"Nothing really, Kahlan just momentarily forgot she's not the only one around who can read people," Cara told the Seeker with a dismissive shrug, trying to avoid further discussion for Kahlan's sake.
"You lied to Sarah?" he asked with chuckle, trading an amused look with Zedd. "What about?"
"Absolutely nothing important," Sarah hurried to reply. "Now, again, less chit chat and more looking around for my sister," she effectively ended the discussion, much to Kahlan's relieve.
The group was now closer to the cave Sarah had pointed out and their trained eyes looked around for any sign of trouble. They slowed their horses to a stop and Richard was the first one to dismount.
"We should leave the horses here and check the cave," he said carefully, hitching the animal in a low branch. "Be careful, we never know who we can find," he warned, looking around the area for tracks that could indicate someone's presence.
The others followed the Seeker's lead and dismounted, securing the horses close to each other. Richard approached the entrance to the cave and drew his sword warily, he didn't want any surprises. He squinted to look inside the cave, but he couldn't discern anything beyond the entrance. Looking back to see Kahlan and Cara behind him, he gave them a nod before he braved into the dark, his sword preceding him. As soon as he took a couple of steps inside, he felt a horrible pain in his wrist, that made him drop his sword and fall to his knees.
"Richard?" Kahlan raised her daggers, ready to slice whoever attached the man, but stopped in her tracks when she saw a flash of blonde hair come out of the darkness of the cave.
"Uncle Richard!" Alys shouted, dropping the agiel she was holding and leaping to hug the Seeker's neck. "I'm so sorry, I didn't know it was you," she smiled apologetically at the panting man.
"It's okay, no harm done," Richard reassured the little girl and hugged her back, retrieving his sword and looking with surprise at the two agiels he could see lying on the floor.
"Mommy!" Alys grinned and ran to her mother's waiting arms, burying her face in the Mother Confessor's neck.
"Oh, sweet girl, we got you," Kahlan hugged the blonde to her tightly, lifting her into her arms and walking further away from the cave. "Are you okay?" she put the girl down, holding her at arm's length to check for possible injuries.
"I'm fine," Alys said with a roll of her eyes. "Hey sis, calmer now?" she asked cheekily when she noticed Sarah approaching them quickly.
"Watch it, you don't want to make me mad now, do you?" Sarah said as she kneeled next to Kahlan and hugged the girl to her.
"Wow, you went into the Con Dar because of me?" Alys said in awe. "Just goes to show you love me to bits!" she teased.
"Just goes to show you can get me really angry, you mean," Sarah corrected with a raised eyebrow, trying to contain her smile.
"You both can discuss that inside the safety of the Confessor's Palace," Cara warned; this time when Alys approached her the girl didn't need to trick her into kneeling and letting the girl kiss her cheek, this time Cara was the one who pulled the girl to her and gave her a sweet kiss on the cheek, making Alys giggle happily.
"I agree, we should get back to the city," Richard reminded them, looking fondly at them and still rubbing his wrist.
"What did she do to you?" Cara asked Richard as she got back up, but left her arms around Alys, the girl clinging to her.
"She struck me with an agiel!" Richard laughed. "They're lying in there, I'm definitely not picking them up," he motioned to the cave.
"I'll get them," Alys said, darting for the cave.
"She managed to surprise you?" Zedd asked Richard with an impressed look, chuckling when Richard just shrugged good-naturedly.
"Don't overdo it, little thing," Sarah called after her sister. "She can handle them fine, but not for too long or her hands start to hurt," she explained to the adults.
"Overdo it?" Alys countered, coming out of the cave with one agiel in each hand. "Wait till I tell you what I did with these!" she said proudly, twirling the wailing rods around as she walked back to the others. "You'll never belie-" she trailed off with a scream, feeling something stab her shoulder blade and throw her to the ground with the force of its impact.
Kahlan gasped when she saw her daughter fall to the ground, a dacra firmly stuck in the little girl's flesh. Looking to where the projectile had come from, she saw several red robs fluttering in the wind as a group of Sisters of the Dark run towards them.
"That girl is coming with us," sister Mariana shouted, raising her arm and throwing her dacra with impressive speed at Kahlan.
Kahlan inhaled sharply as she watched the flying weapon come at her. The Confessor started to reach for her dagger in an attempt to defend herself, but a red gloved hand was faster than her.
"Come and get her then," Cara challenged when she caught the dacra midair with her subtractive magic. "If you dare," she smirked menacingly, throwing the blade back into the group of attacking women, striking one in the neck, effectively killing her.
"I think I'm starting to dislike this place," Alys said through gritted teeth as she reached behind her to pull the dacra off.
"No!" Zedd shouted in warning, coming to stand next to Kahlan. "Don't pull it off, child," he shook his head warningly at Alts. "Only a Sister of the Dark can pull it out safely, if you pull it out yourself the magic of the dacra will kill you," he explained.
"Of course it will," Alys drawled and sighed, letting her head thump on the ground.
"Alys, get behind us," Kahlan pulled the girl carefully to her feet and trying to get her away from the battle that was surely to take place.
"Farkas must have contacted Darken Rahl, he must have sent them to get Alys back," Richard supposed, helping Kahlan lift the girl back to her feet and diverting a dacra with his sword.
"I can help," Alys protested, turning to face them and refusing to be pushed back.
"Not with them, Alys," Richard looked back at the girl, shaking his head. "It's too dangerous," he added but flinched when Alys raised her hand instinctively in front of his face, successfully stopping a dacra from striking him in the head.
"You were saying?" Alys asked with a raised eyebrow.
"You sound more and more like Cara every day," Richard chuckled and winked at the blonde girl before raising to his feet and running towards Zedd's side, who was already fighting their enemies with flames.
Kahlan couldn't help the smile that reached her lips at the Seeker's comment, he was really more comfortable with this whole situation. She looked back at Alys and shot the girl a stern look that left no room for discussion, Alys was to stay back and take cover. She smiled to herself when the blonde girl just whispered a defeated 'okay' and scurried to safety, reminding her of the way Cara sometimes acquiesced to her when Kahlan reproached her for some reason; it looked like she had a way with stubborn blondes. She grabbed her daggers more firmly and met her first opponent.
Behind Kahlan, Sarah reached for the agiels at her back and brought them together to form the familiar staff, but as she started to run towards the Sisters of the Dark, a hand on her shoulder stopped her firmly.
"Let me go!" Sarah protested, trying to side step Cara. "I can fight," she said again, when her mother blocked her path once more.
"What you can do is go around," Cara stressed, looking pointedly towards the trees that circled the cave. "Use your persuasion on one of them," she hinted, glancing at a squirming Alys and smirking when Sarah nodded in understanding.
With one last warning look at Alys for the girl to stay put, Cara ran to the front line, more precisely in front of Kahlan. She looked around to see everyone engaged with one or more Sisters of the Dark and wasted no time in shoving her agiel on the side of one of their attackers.
"Where is Sarah?" Kahlan asked Cara in between strikes.
"Putting her talents to good use," Cara said mysteriously, but winked at her lover to put her at ease.
Just after Cara's reply, Kahlan could spot a shadow come out of the tree line in front of them and dart towards the closest Sister of the Dark. She smiled when she noticed it was Sarah and what the girl was trying to do.
Sarah approached the Sister of the Dark from behind and struck her in her lower back with her staff. The woman doubled over in pain and tried to turn around to cut her attacker with the dacra. Sarah saw it coming and sidestepped easily, before hitting the Sister's arm with the staff, leaving it pressed to the skin for good measure. While she had the woman pined down and screaming in pain, Sarah reached out and closed her hand around the Sister's neck, letting her power flow through her, confessing the woman.
"Go get that dacra out of Alys's back," Sarah ordered the compliant woman and joined the others in finishing off the Sisters of the Dark.
Once the Sister's of the Dark were all dispatched, the group approached Alys again, who was looking quite pale as the confessed sister pulled the dacra out of her back.
"Zedd!" Cara shouted towards the wizard, who she thought was still burning the dead bodies but was really already behind her and startled with the Mord'Sith's shout.
"Always so impatient," Zedd complained, touching his ear with a grimace. "I know what I have to do, I don't need you directing me," he scoffed, kneeling besides Alys to heal the cut on her shoulder blade.
"Sometimes I wonder," Cara mumbled, not low enough for it not to be meant to be heard.
"Please take a look at her neck next, Zedd," Kahlan said concernedly, moving away Alys's hair to check the red rash that was probably a consequence of using the Rada'Han. "Does it hurt?" she asked the small blonde, wincing in sympathy when the girl nodded.
"Rada'Han's are the worst things ever!" Alys huffed. "Don't you agree?" she asked Kahlan.
"Well…yes," Kahlan replied awkwardly, her mind betraying her with images of the use she and Cara had given to the Rada'Han, multiple times.
"You like them?!" Alys gasped, having no difficulty in seeing through her mother's half-truth and frowning confusedly when Kahlan just pursed her lips and blushed.
"Please stop asking our mother about Rada'Han's," Sarah tersely said, glaring at her sister.
"Why?" the blonde girl asked, meeting her older sister's glare without backing down. "What bug bit you?" she continued, noticing how annoyed Sarah looked.
"Imagine we had to bind Farkas's powers," Cara addressed Alys, attracting everyone's attention to her. "Wouldn't a Rada'Han be a good thing then?" she asked the little girl.
"Oh, I see," Alys nodded pensively, feeling the warmth of Zedd's healing magic totally closing the wound at her back. "I guess it does have its uses," she agreed. "That's what you meant, right?" she turned back to Kahlan for confirmation, letting the wizard heal her neck next.
"Yes," Cara said quickly, before Kahlan could open her mouth. "That's exactly what she meant," she nodded her head, smiling as Kahlan let out the breath she was holding and mouthed a thank you to her.
"Great," Sarah said a little too loudly. "Now that that's settled, lets get out of here. Are you done Zedd?"
"Spirits, do you have dirt under your leathers or something?" Alys eye Sarah up and down. "I didn't know you hated Rada'Hans this much," she continued.
"Stop talking about Rada'Hans!" Sarah shouted at her sister, punctuating each word.
"I can talk about whatever I want," Alys argued, approaching her sister defiantly, now that Zedd had finished. "You're not the boss of me," she quipped.
"Shut up or I'll stick that dacra back in you," Sarah threatened, glaring at the blonde.
"Mom!" Alys shouted. "Sarah is threatening me!" she pouted as she looked at Cara for help.
"Be nice to her, Alys," Cara admonished, not being fooled by her daughter. "She was really worried about you, you know?"
"Oh, really?" Alys grinned and hugged her sister's waist a little too tightly. "I love you too, sis," she squeezed again, giggling at Sarah's groans and halfhearted attempts to push her away.
"Please don't say stuff like that to her," Sarah begged Cara. "It gets to her head really fast," she rolled her eyes.
"I'm entitled to praise today," Alys said, letting go of her sister to look at her challengingly. "You do realize I killed two Mord'Sith on my own, right?" she said proudly.
"That's all?" Sarah looked down at her with an unimpressed look and shrugged. "I gave the Breath of Life," she sniffed disinterestedly and looked distractedly around.
"What?!" Alys gasped, her eyes going impossibly wide as she looked up at her sister. "To whom? What happened? When?" she fired questions rapidly.
"I'll tell you all about it on the way home," Sarah promised with a smile, preparing herself for what would be a difficult tail.
"Am I to accompany you, Mistress?" the confessed Sister of the Dark questioned Sarah with adoring and hopeful eyes.
Sarah did a double take when she noticed the confessed woman was talking to her. She had completely forgotten about the woman and didn't know what to do about her.
"No, hmm," Sarah eventually said uncertainly. "You should, hmm," she turned her panicked eyes to Kahlan for guidance, but her mother just stood there calmly, looking at her expectantly, without taking any initiative to resolve this problem.
"Just tell her to join the Sister of the Light or something," Cara suggested but frowned at Kahlan's weirdly passive stance. "Or tell her to-"
"Cara, no," Kahlan gently interrupted her. "Sarah will tell her what to do herself," the brunette said, looking at Cara to convey what she was trying to do and nodding curtly when she noticed Cara's expression reflect her understanding of her intentions.
"But I just confessed her so she could take the dacra out of Alys's back," Sarah justified, not sure what her mother meant for her to do.
"Confession is not a fleeting thing, that can be used while it's useful and then be terminated when we don't have use for it anymore," Kahlan started gently, but her solemn tone convened the seriousness of what she was explaining. "That woman will be confessed to you for as long as you live, it's your sole responsibility to decide what happens with her now," she finished, holding her daughter's eyes as the teen took this in.
Sarah swallowed and nodded at Kahlan in understanding. She got the message from her mother loud and clear; it was just that this was the first time she had been confronted with the aftermath of confession. She had confessed people before, but those had been a couple of criminals that had been sentenced by the Mother Confessor and dealt with by her mother after it was done; mainly so they could be sure she had the power of Confession. Then here, she confessed people in the Con Dar, but still she didn't have to deal with what happened to those people. But now, here was this woman, that had come here to kidnap her sister and kill them, asking her for guidance and pleading for her affection. It was indeed an entirely different predicament.
"I want you to arm no one," Sarah started, looking into the confessed woman's eyes. "But if your life is at risk, you will defend yourself by any means necessary," she warned as the woman nodded eagerly, happy to do whatever her Mistress ordered her to. "Do you want to be a better person?" Sarah questioned.
"Yes, Mistress," the woman readily replied. "I regret all the harm I caused, I wish nothing more than to redeem myself and help others now, if that's what my Mistress wants of me."
"You will serve no one or join any religious order," Sarah said calmly. "You will strive to be someone better and make good choices every day," she paused for a moment, her eyes watering with some hidden emotion. "Because it's the choices that you make, that make you who you are."
The confessed woman nodded happily and without looking at anyone else, she turned away from them and left.
"You did really well, sweetie," Kahlan said with an approving smile, hugging the teen and kissing her temple tenderly, knowing her daughter understood the responsibility of her power.
"That was a nice and truthful thing you told her about choices," Cara admired. "Where did you learn that?" she curiously asked, suspecting Kahlan was the responsible for such wisdom.
"From you," Sarah said, turning to meet Cara's surprised eyes. "You said that to me once and it made a lot of sense to me," her eyes glazed as she thought about a moment in the past. "It stuck with me, I never forgot it."
"It's a good philosophy to live by," Zedd commented with a kind smile, for once not using the opportunity to make any teasing jab at the blonde Mord'Sith.
"Looks like you'll be growing wise in your old age, Cara," Richard teased, earning himself a glare from the Mord'Sith. "Let's go back to the city, it will be dark soon," he said, looking up at the sky and already moving towards his horse, Zedd close behind him.
"You're already wise now," Kahlan whispered in Cara's ear before facing the pensive blonde. "I can only imagine how much you will grow still," she said in awe and kissed the blonde's cheek.
Kahlan turned to face the girls and smiled fondly at the way Alys was already pestering Sarah for the teen to tell her all about what had happened before they found her. She looked at Cara again and chuckle when she saw the blonde shaking her head at their daughter's antics. The brunette squeezed Cara's hand and they both moved to follow the others back to Aydindril.
After arriving at Aydindril, all of them were definitely needing some rest. It had been a long and stressful day, but they had finally got Alys back and Cara was safe and sound. After some minor arrangements, everyone departed to their respective bedrooms for the night.
Cara entered her and Kahlan's bedroom and stretched slightly, in a hopefully discrete way. She didn't want to admit it, but after the day she had, her muscles were accusing all the tension they had been through. Cara heard Kahlan entering close behind her and smirked when the sound of the door being locked was distinctly heard.
"Somebody is having ideas," Cara said insinuatingly, not turning around to face Kahlan and taking her agiels out to go put them on the table.
The blonde paused when Kahlan didn't respond and just walked calmly towards her, pressing her body flush against Cara's back and letting one hand slide down the blonde's arm. The Mord'Sith turned her palm up, in anticipation of Kahlan's touch, but the brunette ignored her in favor of reaching for the Rada'Han that was still carelessly tossed on the table.
Kahlan had to bit back a grin at Cara's curious look as the blonde's eyes followed her every movement while she walked towards the bed, hips swaying provocatively. Turning to meet Cara's intense look, Kahlan put the Rada'Han on the nightstand slowly and paused to admire Cara's body, the blonde's canted hip never failing to make the her feel a pleasant type of vertigo.
Cara crossed her arms and smirked when Kahlan's eyes immediately were attracted to her cleavage. She loved that Kahlan wasn't shy when it came to enjoying the sight of her body, like she once had been. The Mord'Sith watched in a trance as the brunette approached her again with slow, but sure, steps and pulled the blonde's arms to circle her own waist while she grabbed Cara's neck and pulled the blonde into a deep searing kiss. Cara sighed contently when Kahlan licked her lips once before letting her tongue explore her mouth.
"Someone is very tense," Kahlan breathed against the blonde's lips, squeezing Cara's tight neck muscles for good measure. "I know how to help you with that, if you're interested," she whispered seductively, kissing Cara's lips unhurriedly.
"What do you have in mind?" Cara whispered back, pressing her fingers on Kahlan's lower back and smiling when the brunette moaned softly.
Kahlan kissed her lips one more time before pulling slightly away to look deep into Cara's eyes. She cupped Cara's chin and let her lips trail along the blonde's cheek gently until she reached her ear to whisper. "A bath," she nipped Cara's earlobe playfully and left her lover's arms with a smirk.
Cara was not as amused; she raised one eyebrow at Kahlan and placed her hands on her hips when the brunette just shrugged and walked away from her, towards another door in the room. Cara tilted her head, observing the Confessor pause at the doorway and hook one inviting finger at her, disappearing inside without waiting for the Mord'Sith. Cara sighed and chuckled, but could do nothing but follow her lover inside.
The warm mist that floated around the room, risen from the hot water filling the large bathtub carved in white marble on the floor, had an immediate relaxing effect on Cara's body. That coupled with the sweet fragrances she could smell from the oils mixed with the water, made the Mord'Sith unconsciously relax.
"I asked for the bath to be drawn before we came back to the bedroom," Kahlan said in a low voice, not waiting to break the atmosphere of the room. "I though we both need it," she smiled, unlacing her white dress and taking it off.
"You thought well," Cara replied in a similar tone of voice, taking the dress from Kahlan and hanging it on a nearby hook.
Kahlan took advantage of Cara's back being to her and started to unlace the intricate knots on the blonde's leather, a ritual she already knew by heart. After both had discarded the rest of their clothes and put them away, Kahlan took Cara's hand and entered the bathtub, that looked more like a small pool. Once inside, the water reached the top of their thighs and Kahlan sighed when Cara tugged on her hand to pull her into a kiss. Their lips touched and separated in sweet caresses, both knowing that they were in no rush to go anywhere or do anything for once; all they had to focus on was each other.
"This is nice," Cara said breaking the kiss to look at Kahlan.
"I think it might be my favorite place in the entire palace," Kahlan admitted, looking around the dimly lit room.
"I guess the room is nice too," Cara said, making a show of looking around, pleased when Kahlan chuckled.
"Aren't you so smooth?" the brunette rolled her eyes good naturedly and lowered herself on the water, dipping her head back to wet her hair. She sat down and rested her back against the marble wall with a sigh, opening her legs and arms in a silent invitation.
Cara took a moment to take in the image before her eyes. The way the water run down Kahlan's dark hair and shoulders hypnotized the Mord'Sith. She had seen a lot of women in baths similar to this one, but none took her breath away like Kahlan did. The blonde silently kneeled, her eyes never leaving Kahlan's until the very last moment that she submerged herself in the water. Under water, Cara reached for the brunette's legs and ran her hand slowly up as she glided towards Kahlan. Reaching the top of the brunette's thighs, the blonde nipped playfully at Kahlan's lower stomach and resurfaced, letting her lips and nose trail over Kahlan's torso on her way up.
"You are very seductive; did I ever tell you that?" Kahlan asked, watching mesmerized as rivulets of water traveled down the Mord'Sith's hair and upper body.
"I'm aware," Cara said smugly with a one shoulder shrug, grinning when Kahlan just laughed.
"Turn around and come here," Kahlan chuckled, pleased to see Cara didn't even protest and she turned around and settled herself in Kahlan's arms. "How are you feeling?" she asked softly in the blonde's ear as Cara rested her head on Kahlan's shoulder.
"A lot better now," Cara sighed and closed her eyes, her hands resting on Kahlan's bent knees and her forearms on the brunette's firm thighs. "I'm okay," she said firmly, knowing that Kahlan needed a more direct answer.
"We were thrown in a whirlwind of emotions," Kahlan started, her fingertips trailing absentmindedly up and down Cara's arms. "We find out the girls are both our daughters and both have Mord'Sith and Confessor powers, Alys gets kidnapped, Sarah enters the Con Dar, you-" she choked on the emotion that tightened her throat.
"I'm right here," Cara assured, bringing Kahlan's hand to her lips for a soft kiss.
"Were you belong," Kahlan replied, taking a deep breath and squeezing the blonde in her arms gratefully.
"But I agree, it was not a boring day, at all," Cara said. "Can you believe the way Alys got away from that cabin? Alone and facing two Mord'Sith?" she said, clearly impressed.
"I'm sure they were not counting on her being able to withstand the agiels, she definitely had the element of surprise on her side," Kahlan agreed, thinking back to what Alys had told them about the way she managed to flee.
"Not to mention the clever way she pushed their buttons," Cara smirked. "Really sneaky that kid," she chuckled, caressing the Confessor's legs. "I wonder with whom she learned to trick people with words?" she wondered aloud, glancing accusatorily at Kahlan.
"How dare you?" Kahlan gasped, glaring at the blonde. "Are you insinuating I trick people? I do no such thing!" she argued, pinching the blonde's arm.
"No so much trick," Cara conceded. "But your argumentative skills sure can turn any argument around," Cara explained, turning slightly to better look at Kahlan.
"It is a useful skill to have," Kahlan pouted slightly, glancing at Cara by the corner of her eye.
"I didn't say the contrary," Cara grinned at Kahlan's almost sulky expression and kissed the pout off the brunette's lips, very thoroughly.
"Did it ever cross your mind that you would be a mother in the future?" Kahlan asked pensively after the kiss ended, picking up a scented soap and working it on Cara's hair. "I always assumed I would be, it's part of my duty after all; but it's different with Mord'Sith, right?" she asked kindly.
"Once," Cara said somberly, her eyes turning to look blankly ahead. "Not anymore since then," she said, knowing Kahlan would know she was talking about the son she had lost. "Definitely not with you," she raised her brow and chuckled, silently enjoying Kahlan's ministrations on her hair.
"Well, yes, I guess I can see how that detail wouldn't cross your mind," Kahlan grinned, relieved that the blonde didn't linger on the dark thoughts of the past. "But you're glad it will happen?" she asked after a silent moment of her just washing Cara's hair gently, her voice turning a little shy all of a sudden.
"Without a doubt," Cara turned to look meaningfully into Kahlan's eyes when she replied. "I guess… I like…" she shrugged meekly and submerged her head to rinse her hair.
"You like what?" Kahlan prodded after Cara came back up, immensely enjoying this almost shy reaction of her lover; she was certain Cara had never been so open and comfortable with anyone else in her life, so she loved to be the only one privy to this side of the beautiful woman.
"I like… to see you in them," Cara said quietly, a small smile gracing her lips as she faced Kahlan.
"Me? Sarah is like a copy of you," Kahlan reminded her lover with amazement in her voice.
"Yes, but the way she carries herself, that quiet strength and regal pose," Cara explained. "That's all you," she nodded.
"I know what you mean," Kahlan smiled, maneuvering Cara so the blonde had her back to her again and picked up a washcloth and another soap to wash the blonde's back. "I have to admit that from the moment we met Alys, even if I could see her resemblance to me, there was something about her careless attitude and quick sarcastic remarks that were incredibly familiar to me," she mused. "I guess it never crossed my mind how familiar it actually was," she laughed.
"Well, that kid is too mischievous for her own good," Cara drawled. "She got under my skin at first, you know?" she said reluctantly, shaking her head at all the times Alys tried to trick her into being close to her.
"She got under your defenses, you mean," Kahlan corrected, trying to contain her grin when the blonde turned slowly around to glare at her. "Don't look at me like that, you would have better luck with scaring Alys with that stare and you don't even manage that," she said teasingly, meeting Cara's look challengingly, but yelped when the blonde pinched her tight.
"I can be pretty scary when I want to be," Cara said, baring her teeth and sliding menacingly towards Kahlan.
"And I'm pretty sure I'm woman enough for you," Kahlan countered, advancing herself on Cara and crushing their lips together in a hungry kiss.
Cara grinned into the kiss and pulled the Confessor closer to her, moaning when their slick breasts touched. She tilted her head to gain more access and let her tongue duel with Kahlan's until the need for air was stronger.
"You are the woman for me," Cara said with a wink, smiling when Kahlan smiled shyly and her cheeks colored red, the hot steam around them having nothing to do with it. "Come here, it's your turn now," the blonde said mercifully.
Kahlan turned around and let Cara wash her head with the scented soap. She loved these fragrances and the indulgence of the hot water around them. This was something they almost never got when they were on the road, so she let herself enjoy it to the fullest.
"Your hair has become really long," Cara mentioned absentmindedly. "I like how it curls when it's wet."
"I like how you take note of the smallest details," Kahlan replied, closing her eyes at the glorious massage she was receiving on her scalp. "Are you going to let yours grow back as long as you had it?" Kahlan asked.
"Not for now," the blonde replied, continuing her task reverently. "I kind of like it this way," she shrugged.
"I really like it that way too," Kahlan complimented, smiling at Cara's whispered 'I'm glad'.
They finished washing themselves and took a few more minutes to lounge around in the water, trading soft words and softer caresses. When the water started to cool off, they got out of the bathtub and Kahlan got them both towels to dry their bodies and hair.
"That was really soothing," Cara said, discarding her towel and pulling Kahlan's towel wrapped body to her. "Maybe now we could find something to do that requires a little more exertion," she smirked suggestively and kissed a trail down Kahlan's neck and around her cleavage.
"Not soothing enough, it seems," Kahlan said as she ran her hands up and down Cara's back, feeling the still uncomfortably hard muscles there. "You're still tense."
"I'm always tense," Cara dismissed, continuing to kiss her lover. "I don't care."
"But I do," Kahlan said and reached for a bottle on one of the shelfs. "And I want to do something I always wanted to do," she said and showed the bottle to Cara when the blonde lifted her head curiously.
"That being?" Cara asked, trying to figure out what the transparent liquid inside the glass bottle was.
Kahlan didn't reply and instead took Cara's hand and dragged the Mord'Sith back to the bedroom. She guided them towards the large bed and stood next to it, motioning for Cara to get on it.
"Lay on your stomach," Kahlan instructed, placing the bottle on the nightstand.
"Why?" Cara asked, furrowing her brow but liking where this was going.
"Because I'm telling you to," Kahlan lifted one commanding eyebrow, smirking when Cara just widened her eyes a bit but lay down on the bed, the blonde head resting on the pillow at the top. Kahlan knew her lover was secretly loving her little game.
"Trust me, you'll enjoy it," Kahlan promised and climbed on the bed to straddle Cara's naked bottom, gasping when the blonde reflexively lifted her hips to meet Kahlan.
"I'm enjoying it already," Cara said, grinding her buttocks on Kahlan's hot center and folding her arms under the pillow, resting her cheek on top.
"Stop," Kahlan commanded in a stern voice, to which the Mord'Sith immediately obeyed. "You will stay put and let me do whatever I want," she continued in a softer voice, happy when she heard the small agreeing whimper from Cara.
Kahlan reached for the small bottle and dropped a small portion of the oil on her hand. Rubbing her hands together to warm up the oil, she pressed her hands on Cara's lower back and slid them up the blonde's back, using the weight of her body to maintain the pressure on Cara's strong muscles. Reaching the blonde's neck, Kahlan moved the blonde hair aside and massaged Cara's neck and shoulders.
"Okay, that feels amazing," Cara groaned, her eyes closed in satisfaction as Kahlan's fingers loosened every knot she could feel and a couple more she couldn't.
"I knew you would enjoy it," Kahlan smiled, kneading the tension out of Cara's back with slow and deliberate touches, pressing her fingers and knuckles where Cara needed the relieving pressure the most.
Cara sighed contently, letting herself indulge in this luxurious treatment. Once she would never allow anyone to see her in suck a surrendered stated, but with Kahlan she could just let go and let the brunette do something Cara never allowed anybody else to do, she let her lover take care of her. The heat Kahlan was creating while she rubbed the oil over Cara's back, was as relaxing as much as the massage itself. Cara felt the Confessor's hands leave her back after what seemed like forever and massage her shoulders and her upper arms. She took a deep breath and felt those magic hands move over her sides, caressing the outer side of her breasts, continue over her ribs and then she gasped when Kahlan's right hand slid under her hip and cupped her mound.
"Kahlan," Cara moaned her lovers name, bending her right knee to the side to give Kahlan more room and lifting her bottom slightly.
Cara pulled her arms from under the pillow and tried to raise herself on her elbows, but groaned when she felt the warm hand leave her center and Kahlan seize her arms, pushing them back under the pillow and forcing her down with the weight of her body.
"I told you not to move, or didn't I?" Kahlan demanded, pressing her towel covered front to Cara's back and squeezing the blonde's wrists under the pillow.
"You did," Cara bit down on her lower lip. "I'm sorry," she said breathless.
"Now, keep you leg bent like that but don't try to get up or move your arms," Kahlan instructed, her hand already traveling lower.
Cara felt the Confessor sit back up, her long damp hair tickling her back, and place her left hand on her lower back. Kahlan's right hand went back under the blonde and stroked slowly over Cara's clit, circling the engorged nub slowly. Cara whimpered and pressed her face against the pillow, her breathing becoming shallower as the brunette's fingers moved expertly. She gasped when Kahlan moved her fingers lower and rubbed along her lower lips.
"Oh Cara," Kahlan sighed wantonly. "You're so wet," she breathed out, running the other hand up Cara's spine and clutching at the blonde's shoulder.
Kahlan stroked slowly over Cara's wetness, going from flicking her clit to pushing just the tip of her finger in Cara's entering, only enough to leave the blonde trembling on the bed. Almost without noticing, Kahlan started to rub herself on Cara's firm bottom, the sounds and shudders she was drawing from her lover driving her into a lust filled haze. Kahlan ripped the towel off her body and lowered herself on Cara's back, moaning approvingly when the blonde pushed back against her.
"Kahlan," Cara breathed in an almost pleading voice, not really knowing if she wanted this sweet torture to end or to continue.
Cara moaned at the feel of Kahlan's heavy breasts pressed fully against her back. The blonde kept her head on the pillow, not really seeing anything, which only seemed to heighten every touch she felt on her skin. She felt the brunette's left arm slid under her ribcage and cross her chest, one hand cupping her breast and squeezing greedily at the same time one finger entered her easily.
"I need more," Cara pleaded when the finger entering her barely found any resistance.
"Anything you want," Kahan whispered hotly in her ear, pushing two fingers inside Cara as she sucked just bellow her lover's earlobe.
"Oh Kahlan," Cara moaned and thrust herself into Kahlan's fingers, her clit rubbing deliciously on the heel of the brunette's palm. "You're driving me crazy," she whimpered as Kahlan hooked her fingers inside and started to massage that sweet spot that made her see light behind her eyelids.
"Oh Cara, you're so hot like this," Kahlan breathed next to the blonde's ear, tweaking the hard nipple between her fingers.
Every time she filled Cara with her fingers, Kahlan thrust her hips forward, so she pushed Cara even more against her hand. They kept a relatively slow tempo until their mutual need grew and their movements became more erratic. Kahlan sped up her fingers, marveling at how open and warm Cara was and panting against the blonde's ear.
Kahlan's labored breathing only excited Cara more and she shot one arm behind her to fist Kahlan's hair at the back of the brunette's head. The blonde moved her hips frantically against her lover's very capable fingers, not knowing anymore if Kahlan was fucking her or if she was fucking the brunette's fingers. Kahlan's clean shaven mound was rubbing against her bottom, pushing her more and more towards the edge and it was when Kahlan bit possessively on her shoulder that Cara tipped over the edge. Her eyes closed tight and rolled back as her walls clamped around Kahlan's fingers, spasming without control. She moaned loudly when Kahlan curved her fingers and pushed her more onto the heel of her palm with her thrusting hips, easing Cara through her explosive orgasm and every pleasant aftershock that came after.
Kahlan collapsed on Cara's back when she felt the blonde stop bucking under her. She withdrew her fingers carefully and moved her hand to gently caress the soft skin over Cara's hip. Pulling her left arm from under the blonde, she pushed herself up on her elbow and combed through Cara's damp hair, placing small kisses on the blonde's back and shoulders.
"Hmm," Cara managed after a while, barely opening her eyes but smiled when she felt Kahlan chuckle.
"Welcome back," Kahlan teased, pulling gently on the blonde's hip to make Cara lay on her back and face her.
"That oil is really good," Cara said through her post orgasm haze, not really able yet to focus her eyes.
"Oh, so it's all the oil?" Kahlan laughed. "No credit for me?" she mock complained.
"You deserve some praise too," Cara grinned and pulled the brunette down to share a languid kiss, leisurely running her hands over Kahlan's side and back, cupping one round breast to kneed it gently. "In fact, you deserve something more than that," she whispered against her lover's lips and tried to invert their positions but was stopped by Kahlan.
"Wait," Kahlan breathlessly said, her arousal that was dormant for the blonde's moments of recovery was quickly stoked again by Cara's sensual touches. "I was enjoying myself before," she said with a smile, straddling Cara's hips and lowering herself so her sex kissed Cara's, noticing her lover's eyes turn darker with desire.
Kahlan started to move her hips slowly, trying to make this moment lats as much as possible because she was already embarrassingly close to release. The sight of Cara completely undone under her had stirred something primal within her.
"You're beautiful," Cara breathed as she moved her hands to grab Kahlan's hips, mesmerized with how the brunette moved so sensually over her.
Kahlan threaded her fingers through her long locks, pushing her hair to her back as she started to feel a heat traveling from her lower belly to spread all over her already heated body. Sprawling her hands on Cara's taut abdomen, Kahlan rubbed her sex on Cara's, moaning when the blonde started to move with her, making their clits rub pleasurably together.
Cara moved her hands up Kahlan's torso and cupped the brunette's breasts, pinching the hard nipples in between her fingers. She groaned when Kahlan placed her own hands over Cara's, and squeezed hard, making the blonde do the same to the creamy mounds under her palms. Cara could feel her orgasm building fast all over again, the sight of Kahlan on top of her like this, panting heavily and rolling her hips over and over, was making Cara dizzy with desire.
Kahlan's movements were getting faster and faster, she locked her eyes with Cara's and couldn't help but lower herself to kiss Cara's lips hotly. She whimpered into the kiss and reached blindly towards the nightstand, clutching the Rada'Han with her hand and clasping it hurriedly on her neck; she was so close. Kahlan moaned as Cara's hand on her lower back pushed her down against her at the same time the blonde thrust her hips to meet Kahlan. The blonde's other hand went to the back of her neck, keeping Kahlan against her lips as they kissed passionately.
Kahlan broke the kiss and panted against her lover's lips as she felt a tightening in her lower belly that alerted her of her impendent release. With a few more thrusts of her hips, Kahlan straightened herself up when her orgasm hit. Cara's hand slid down the brunette's neck when Kahlan sat up and she vaguely noticed her fingers getting caught on something but too lost in her own pleasure, she failed to realize what it was.
They both noticed it at the same time, but it was already too late to prevent it. Kahlan's power was already breaking free with her orgasm, but her pleasure was painfully interrupted when she felt the metal band around her neck fall and Cara's eyes turn completely black, before the blonde gasped loudly and arched her back of the bed.
"No!" Kahlan screamed in panic, watching in horror as her worst nightmare was happening right before her eyes.
She had confessed Cara.
"Cara!" Kahlan called frantically, shaking the blonde that had closed her eyes unresponsively, after she had fallen back limp on the bed. "Cara, please, open your eyes," she begged, tears already sliding down her face.
Kahlan grabbed the Rada'Han that lay open on Cara's stomach and wondered how that was possible. She clutched at her neck and gasped in realization. The Rada'Han's clasp must have gotten caught on the thickness of her still wet hair and was never safely closed to begin with.
"Cara," Kahlan tried again, lifting herself off of Cara and lying beside the still blonde, her hand searching that place in Cara's chest where she could feel life.
Kahlan breathed a small sight of relief when she could feel Cara's heart beating strongly, albeit a little too fast, which only ended up worrying the brunette even more. But after a moment that fell like an eternity to Kahlan, she saw green eyes open sluggishly and turn to meet her own.
"Cara?" Kahlan's voice trembled with fear, already dreading the adoring tone that would sound like a knife to her heart. "Please, say something," she begged, cupping the blonde's cheek and looking searchingly into her eyes.
"I told you earlier your power felt good," Cara whispered in awe. "But this was unbelievable!" she said, her eyes widening in shock.
Kahlan just stared dumbfounded at Cara. The first thing she noticed was the lack of the adoring tone and command request. Then it was the lack of pain on the Mord'Sith's eyes, she just looked something between surprised and extremely pleased.
And still, none of them dared to move.
"I didn't confess you," Kahlan finally whispered tentatively, watching as Cara just shook her head to confirm her suspicions. "How did I not confess you?" she wondered, sitting up and bringing Cara with her, still looking at the blonde closely for any signs that she was not okay.
"How would I know?" Cara shrugged, grasping the severity of what had just happened now that she was a little more awake. "Last time I was confessed I died," she shrugged confused.
"You blacked out," Kahlan told her, her voice still trembling a bit.
"For how long?" Cara questioned.
"A few seconds," Kahlan replied. "Which was already too long," she said, still feeling her heart beat wildly in her chest.
"Then why was I not confessed?" Cara repeated the question that was in a loop in both their minds.
"I have no idea," Kahlan shrugged helplessly.
"You think a person can only be confessed once?" Cara suggested, the idea sounding ridiculous to her even as it was leaving her mouth.
"That makes no sense," Kahlan said, confirming Cara's inkling. "Confessor magic always works," she said with certainty.
"Apparently not," Cara said with a tilt of her head.
"Are you saying my power stopped working?" Kahlan asked, the idea only making her panic again.
"No, I definitely felt it," Cara shook her head rapidly to reassure the brunette. "I meant that your power doesn't work on me," she stressed.
"You mean I can't confess you," Kahlan repeated, mulling the idea in her head. "Specifically, you," she pointed out, watching the blonde nod.
"Kahlan, come here," Cara pulled her lover to her, wanting to comfort the shaken brunette. "I'm fine, okay?" she assured, settling herself against the headboard and hugging Kahlan in her arms. "I'm not dead, nor confessed," she continued, feeling Kahlan snuggle more into her. "I'm myself, with all the free will that belongs to me," she smiled comfortingly when Kahlan glanced up at her.
"This is just…unexpected," Kahlan sighed, feeling herself calm down in Cara's arms.
"There's an understatement," Cara said. "It was also the best orgasm I have ever had in my life," she said offhandedly, chuckling when Kahlan sat up and looked at her is disbelief.
"The best orga-" Kahlan sighed, biting her lip to stop herself form smiling at Cara's pleased look. "Well, mine was the worst," she huffed. Seeing the woman you love dying in your arms as you were falling over the edge was definitely not her idea of sexual gratification.
"I'm sorry," Cara said softly, grabbing Kahlan's hand, but was having trouble keeping her mirth at bay.
"You laugh now, but it was not funny a minute ago," Kahlan protested halfheartedly, letting Cara pull her back into her arms. "I felt horrible, Cara," she said softly.
"I know, I know," Cara nodded. "I'm sorry, it's just you looked so adoringly disgruntled for having such a different experience from me," she smiled apologetically, earning a forgiving kiss from Kahlan.
"It didn't cross you mind you were going to die?" Kahlan asked curiously.
"For a second maybe, when I noticed that my fingers got caught in the Rada'Han and the thing just fell open from your neck," she explained. "But then all I felt was an unbelievable pleasure, like I had never felt before."
"The best of your life?" Kahlan said dryly, but the corners of her lips were curving up.
"Without any doubt," Cara confirmed in the same tone. "Your power always felt like a pleasant wave for me, as I told you earlier, but without the Rada'Han, it just overwhelmed me, but in a good way," she tried to explain. "This is a good thing," Cara hinted, glancing down at her lover.
"A good thing we don't understand," Kahlan reminded the blonde good-naturedly. "But yes, definitely a very good thing," Kahlan smirked, cupping Cara's cheek and kissing her lips with a great deal of relief.
Cara kissed Kahlan back and pulled the brunette into her arms, lying back down on the mattress. They were both amazed at this new found discovery, not caring much how it was possible right now, just marveling that they could love each other without any fears from now on.
The blonde broke the kiss long enough to pull the sheets down and crawl under them with Kahlan. Once Cara was settled on her back, Kahlan snuggled close, kissing her lover lazily and sighing at Cara's soft caresses on her skin. After a few tender moments, Kahlan rested her head on the blonde's shoulder and hugged her lover tightly.
"Thank the Creator for your clumsiness," Cara couldn't help but say, laugh building inside her.
"I'm not clumsy," Kahlan protested, raising herself on her elbow to glare down at Cara.
"Really?" Cara snorted. "You were the one that put the Rada'Han on, how do you explain that it wasn't tightly closed?" she challenged.
Kahlan dropped her head back down and hid her face on Cara's neck, groaning something unintelligible.
"Sorry, what was that?" Cara asked, greatly amused, and Kahlan repeated herself but her voice was still too muffled for Cara to hear. "I still didn't quiet catch that," Cara repeated.
"I said, it got caught in my hair," Kahlan lifted her head and repeated loudly, immediately hearing Cara laugh out loud which in turn made her laugh too at the ridiculousness of the situation. "You know what? Maybe we should just go to sleep," Kahlan said as their laughter died down.
"Yes, it's probably the best thing to do," Cara agreed, already pulling Kahlan back into her embrace. "You did wear me off," she sighed contently, feeling Kahlan kiss her cheek gently.
They both settled down in the comfort of the bed, trading soft caresses to lull each other to sleep, when suddenly Cara started laughing all over again.
"Oh, shut up," Kahlan groaned, but started laughing too soon after.
