Author's note: I'm sorry this took so long, and I will try to post more often. Please submit reviews; let me know what you like, don't like, or want to see in the future. I do not own any of the characters from Legend of the Seeker.
"Rise and shine gorgeous." whispered a voice in her ear. Grabbing the bed sheet, Kristina jumped out of bed wrapping it around herself for she had no clothes on. Kristina backed up against the wall in an effort to get away from Rahl. Darkern Rahl advanced toward her slowly, lips twitching in amusement. Kristina held the sheet tighter to her chest cowering in fear. Enjoying his power, Rahl reached out and slipped the sheet down so that Kristina's breasts were exposed. Tears coursed down her cheeks as she whispered, "Please, please no."
"All you had to do was ask." he said, as if she hadn't begged for him to stop the night before, "I can be gentle too." Rahl kissed Kristina tenderly. He stroked her hair murmuring "Don't cry, shhh." Kristina had been bracing herself for pain but relaxed when she saw that it was not forthcoming. This was the moment Rahl had been waiting for. He slammed her against the wall and yanked off the sheet. With the other hand he undid his own robes. He entered Kristina roughly and she cried out, sore from the night before. Rahl groaned with pleasure from his conquest of her body, but she swore that he would never conquer her mind. Then she remembered the potion he had given her, and this caused her greater pain than any physical violation. Kristina was ready to give up, Rahl could see the defeat in her eyes and then she passed out.
Kristina woke up and looked around warily for Darkern Rahl. He was bathing on the other side of the room. He realized Kristina was awake and said, "Pack up your things. We are leaving for my palace in half an hour." Too tired to ask any questions, Kristina slowly got dressed and assembled her things. Rahl finished bathing and dressed himself as well. He took Kristina by the arm and began to mumble an incantation. There was a blinding flash of blue light.
Amazed by the magic, Kristina took in her new surroundings. She was in a bedroom. It had clearly belonged to a woman because of the dressing table against the wall. "This room and everything in it is to be yours." said Rahl, "Unpack your things for you will be living here for the present. You are to stay here until I come get you. Am I clear?" She nodded.
Impulsively, Kristina sat down at the dressing table and began applying the makeup. She outlined her eyes with kohl making them stand out against her tan skin. Then she brushed some blush on her cheeks and painted her lips with the blood red lip dye. After finding a brush and some pins, Kristina began to brush her black waves and artfully pin up a few pieces of hair. She did not see Rahl watching her from the doorway. As Kristina turned to get a better view of herself in the mirror, Rahl was struck by her beauty. He felt a strange sensation in the pit of his stomach.
He watched as Kristina walked over to the closet and gasped at the exquisitely made dresses inside of it. She had never seen such beautiful clothes. She picked out a crimson dress embroidered with gold at the hems. She held it up to herself and twirled around as if she were a child. Then she noticed Rahl staring at her and started, nearly dropping the dress. Kristina flinched as he stepped towards her, fearing punishment, but Rahl said suddenly "Do you like it?" She nodded. "Then it's yours. Go ahead, try it on." Struck by his sudden change in behavior, Kristina stepped behind the changing screen and tried on the dress. It was a perfect fit: a tight bodice that flowed elegantly from her hips to the ground. The dress had a heart shaped neckline and short, off the shoulder sleeves that showed off her toned arms as well as showing a hint of cleavage. Rahl was pleased with the dress, and he found to his surprise that he enjoyed making Kristina smile. When she was happy her whole face would light up, and Rahl realized this was the first time he had seen her smile.
Trying to ignore the strange sensation he was feeling, Rahl led Kristina down the long stone castle halls. This was to give her a feel for the palace as well as to intimidate her. Kristina saw the heavily guarded entrance and the soldiers that seemed to be everywhere. She gasped in shock and fear as she saw a M'ord Sith dragging a mangled prisoner behind her. "What are they?" she asked. Rahl smirked a little and explained "Those are M'ord Sith. They are specially trained women who are my personal bodyguards and interrogators. They show no mercy." The chilling explanation seemed frightfully accurate. These women had no humanity in their eyes: only emptiness.
Kristina did not ask Rahl why he had brought her here to his castle and taken her out of the cave. She was afraid of his the content of his answer as much as she feared his undoubtedly angry response to her questioning.
It was the early afternoon when Agrammon, one of Rahl's generals, came to Rahl with important matters to discuss. Rahl told Kristina that she was free to do as she pleased as long as she did not leave the castle. As Kristina was walked down the hallway, she was stopped short when someone grabbed her arm. She turned and looked into the icy blue eyes eyes of a M'ord Sith. "So you're the reason Lord Rahl has been spending so much time away from the castle." she said, looking Kristina up and down, "I see he has good taste." Kristina blushed, feeling self conscious. She did not know what to say. "I should go." she finally managed and the vise-like grip on her upper arm let go. Kristina kept walking, her nose leading her towards the kitchen.