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Retribution (Chapter 6)

The night was quickly creeping upon them, shadows growing longer and darker. They were proceeding just as she had predicted they would. She smiled smugly to herself, satisfied that she had been correct. Now she was one step closer to him.

Kirsten had been pushing her the last two days since leaving Glenshire to attack, but Denna had her reasons for holding back. She was not prepared to reveal her motives just yet, not even to her Sisters of the Agiel. Kirsten would discover her secrets soon enough, but by then it would be too late.

She watched in eager anticipation as they each set about their chores setting up camp. They had no clue what was about to hit them. None of them did. That was the way she preferred it in fact. To be the only one who really knew what was going to happen.

XXX

Having started the campfire, Kahlan stood to her feet, brushing her hands off on her skirt, pleased with her accomplishment. Richard always teased her about how long it took her to get the fire started. This time she had been able to get it started rather quickly she proudly decided.

The last several days had been heartrending to say the least. After she and Richard had shared their hearts and their pain, they had shared her bed, reconnecting them body, heart, and spirit. Her heart still ached with sadness, but it was more bearable now that she knew that Richard didn't blame her nor would he allow to her carry the guilt herself. They had wasted precious time blaming themselves instead of comforting and loving each other through this tragedy.

The day after they had made love, they had gathered their things and began the journey to Aydindril to stop Kirsten and Denna from taking over the Midlands. In order to avoid running into the entire army of the Mord'Sith, they had chosen to take a different route to Aydindril which added an extra day to their journey, but in the long run would prove more prudent. They wouldn't be able to save Aydindril if they were all captured or dead.

Gazing at the fire, Kahlan suddenly smiled to herself as arms abruptly began to snake their way around her slim waist. A firm chiseled body pressed tightly against her back, sending warm tingles of desire to flow throughout her before settling into her pelvis. As one large hand held her by the waist and trapped her against his body, his other hand began to trace the tops of her breasts that lay exposed above her jacket.

Richard nuzzled his nose into her luscious hair in search of her ear. Finally finding what he wanted, he slowly began nibbling on her earlobe, his teeth grazing the soft skin, his tongue massaging her as his warm breath caused goose bumps to appear on her arms.

Tilting her head back into his embrace, Kahlan slowly closed her eyes, reveling in the feel of her lover's intimate embrace. She released a low moan as Richard abandoned her ear for the newly exposed neck she revealed by resting her head back on his shoulder.

Feeling her chest begin to heave with mounting need, Richard felt his own desire blazing a hot trail throughout his body. He had missed being with her so badly he felt like he was about to burst if he didn't get her alone soon.

"I've missed you so much," he murmured between placing hot kisses along her neck. Anxious to feast on her breasts, he quickly began unclasping her jacket.

"Richard…they're going…to be back…soon," Kahlan said between gasps for air. Her head was spinning with the frantic need to be with him as passion was rapidly tossing logic aside. She ached to be with her lover again, but they hadn't gotten a moment to themselves since leaving Glenshire two days ago.

It hadn't been that long since they had last made love, but the need for each other had intensified tenfold since they had begun the arduous process of healing each other's wounded hearts. Guilt and fear had initially driven them apart, but together they had gotten past that. Working through the grief that would always linger in their hearts, they had found solace within one another. They had discovered a deeper, more intimate and emotional connection, becoming more bonded to one another than they ever had before.

"They won't be back for a while yet and I haven't had a moment alone with my beautiful future wife in two days," he panted, unable and unwilling to control his need for her any longer.

"I've missed you too," Kahlan gasped as he nipped his way along her neck, his hunger for her driving her mad with desire. The risk that Zedd and Cara could be returning at any moment just made her burn that much hotter for him.

"It was not a bad deal!"

Hearing their friends approaching in the distance, Richard growled against Kahlan's neck in frustration. With his body pressed tightly against hers, Kahlan could feel how ready he was to take her, making her groan in frustration as well.

Turning quickly in her Seeker's arms, Kahlan smashed her lips against his in a heated kiss as she rolled her hips against his, her tongue plunging into his mouth in a desperate attempt to release as much pent up desire as possible. Richard grabbed her head to hold her there for as long as humanly possible. At this point, he didn't really care what Zedd and Cara saw when they entered the campsite.

"Admit it, Wizard! It was a terrible deal and you know it!"

Releasing a moan into her mouth, Richard finally relented and released his hold on her. Pressing his forehead to hers, Richard tried to catch the breath she had taken away. "Kahlan, if I don't feel you under me soon, I'm going to lose my mind," he whispered to her. "I want to make love to you; I want to lose myself in you."

"I want that more than anything, but we're going to have to wait," she regretfully replied, wanting so desperately to feel him inside of her, moving over her, showing her the love that burned brightly in his eyes for her.

"I don't know how much longer I'm going to be able to hold on," he murmured as he leaned in already starved to taste her again.

"I have first watch tonight. Maybe you will have trouble sleeping and will have to come keep me company as I check the perimeter outside of camp," she enticingly hinted with her special smile.

Richard groaned at the thought of taking her just outside of camp with Zedd and Cara sleeping nearby. "You won't have to worry about me falling asleep tonight. Right now, I have enough drive to keep me awake for days," he heatedly replied, unwillingly releasing his hold on her as Zedd and Cara entered the camp deeply absorbed in their own conversation.

"It was a great deal! You just don't know anything about bargaining," Zedd grumbled as he stormed into the clearing with the agitated Mord'Sith following closely behind him.

"I know enough to know that was a horrible deal," she huffed as she marched past him.

"What happened?" Kahlan interjected between rebuttals, her stomach fluttering as she attempted to ignore the aroused Seeker standing very closely beside her as he caressed her backside.

"This Wizard is out of his mind!" Cara yelled in frustration as she threw her hands up in the air, exasperation settled on her face.

"I beg your pardon! I will have you know that I have the best bargaining skills in the Midlands!"

"Zedd, you got taken by that herb dealer," she informed the Wizard, her hands on her hips, her lips twisted in a sneer.

"Whatever, I still was able to get the herbs we needed to keep the three of you healthy for at least a month," Zedd retorted as he settled on a log to examine his purchases. "Don't you have supper started yet? What in spirits have you two been doing while we were gone?" he exclaimed in utter surprise, pausing his argument with Cara long enough to see where his supper was. He cast an annoyed glance from the Seeker to the Mother Confessor as he waited impatiently for a response.

Cara smirked to herself as she suddenly noticed the heated look of frustration that showed on their faces. "Yes, just what were you doing?" Grinning broadly, she quirked an eyebrow, crossing her arms over her chest as she waited too for a reply.

"Setting up camp and catching dinner," Richard replied as he moved towards the animals that lay ready to be prepared for cooking. "I just returned to camp with these when Kahlan finally got the fire going," he said with a smirk at his Confessor as he held up his prize.

"I will have you know it didn't take me near as long to get it started this time," she stated indignantly. She had been rather proud of her accomplishment, not having grown up in the woods like Richard had.

"You did a fine job, Kahlan. And here is your reward," he chuckled as he handed her the rabbits. "It's also your turn to cook dinner."

Kahlan gave the Seeker a sneer, taking the rabbits from him and swatting his stomach with the back of her hand in the process. He quickly grabbed her hand, raising it to his lips and pressing a kiss to the back of it. "Don't lose any of that feisty energy…I promise that you'll need it later tonight," he softly murmured with a smirk, his eyes smoldering with passion that was pleading with her to release it from its prison.

Kahlan's breath caught in her chest with his sultry comment, causing her face to flush with the heat of their want for each other. "Behave yourself, Seeker, or you might end up having to take a cold swim in the lake," she quietly retorted, mischievousness dancing in her bright blue eyes. She loved when they flirted and teased each other.

"Fine with me as long as you're with me," he playfully shot back, their banter further igniting his need.

"You're impossible!" she laughed as she walked away to prepare dinner, noticing that their companions were staring at them. She didn't want anything to give away what they were planning for later that night. Nothing was going to keep her from making love to Richard tonight.

Zedd watched the two young lovers, glad to see them so happy. It was good to see them so close and so in love. There was so much danger that lay waiting for them all in the days to come. He just hoped when they arrived in Aydindril tomorrow that they would be able to save it from the Mord'Sith.

Kahlan quickly went about preparing dinner, smiling as Zedd examined his prized herbs with Richard. He carefully replayed every detail of his dealings with the herb trader and how he had been able to get them for a steal. She couldn't help but chuckle, hearing Cara huff and interject her observations into Zedd's story from the other side of camp.

Occasionally, Kahlan would gaze up at Zedd and Richard, watching them as she worked. She found herself staring at Richard, his eyes dancing as he listened to his grandfather's exaggerated story. He bit his lip to keep from laughing when the Wizard got all worked up about how Cara didn't think that he knew what he was doing.

Richard turned to find Kahlan staring at him. A mischievous smile played on his lips, a knowing look flashed in his eye, reminding her of their secret plans for later that night. It caused her stomach to flutter and her cheeks to flush. She gave him her special smile before turning her attention back to dinner.

She didn't think that she could ever feel this happy after the painful anguish they had endured. She knew, though, that it was because of Richard that she could. She had never dreamed that she would be marrying a man that she loved so deeply. Tears stung her eyes as sadness suddenly welled up inside her as she thought about how much happiness he had brought to her life, how much she wanted to bring him the same measure of joy. Instead, it seemed that pain and tragedy followed them everywhere they went.

Kahlan quickly brushed away the tears with her fingertips, hoping that no one noticed. She looked up to find Richard watching her, his brow furrowed with worry. She smiled softly at him, her eyes telling him that she was alright. Since they had left Glenshire, tears would suddenly appear, falling down her cheeks, reminding her of the fresh wounds that still lived in her heart. Richard would hold her during those times, sometimes crying with her.

Pulling herself together, Kahlan sternly reminded herself that they were about to go to war against the Mord'Sith over Aydindril. The Midlands needed their Mother Confessor now more than ever. She needed to be strong especially if Denna was with them.

Kahlan could feel her resolve retuning with a vengeance at the thought of Denna. She knew that whatever Denna was up to, it no doubt involved Richard. She was not about to lose him to that Mord'Sith again. She had taken him twice now; she would not take him a third.

As they sat eating their stew, Zedd decided to take that opportunity to tell everyone how the stew paled in comparison to the food at the Sovereign's Palace, no offense to Kahlan or her cooking skills. The old Wizard jabbered on reviewing each and every detail of all the meals he ate there with no one particularly interested or paying any attention.

The evening could not have gone by fast enough, however, for Kahlan or Richard's liking and Richard sitting across the campfire staring at her hadn't helped any either. Those smoldering dark brown eyes always sent chills down her spine, creating a burning need deep within her even before she had finally admitted to herself that she was in love with him. Noticing the look on his face, Kahlan hoped that Richard would be able to hold out until they were alone.

XXX

The night was so peaceful, the only sound was the occasional stirring of an owl. Although only half full, the moon still shined brightly, illuminating the darkness that tried to swallow it. The countless stars overhead continuously winked at her as she made her way through the woods, scouting the perimeter.

Walking among the trees, Kahlan absorbed her surroundings as she scanned for signs of trouble while at the same time letting her thoughts drift. Every time she let them drift, they always floated to Richard. She could hardly wait to marry him, to be his wife, the mother of his children.

Kahlan sighed heavily as tears once again found their way to her eyes at the thought of children. Would she ever stop crying? Frustrated, she quickly closed her eyes in an attempt to stop their escape, but to no avail. Just when she thought she couldn't possibly have any more tears to shed, more seemed to develop out of nowhere.

"What's a beautiful woman like you doing in a place like this?"

Spinning around in surprise, Kahlan found herself standing face to face with Richard. "Richard! You scared me half to death."

"Why? You knew I was coming out to here to meet you. You ought to be more careful, Mother Confessor. Anyone could have crept up on you and stolen you away from me," he lovingly scolded as he pulled her into his arms, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth, his brow furrowed with concern. "What were you thinking about just now that I was able to catch you off guard like that?"

Looking down in embarrassment, Kahlan softly responded, "I was thinking about you."

"I guess since it was me you were thinking about I will let it slide…this time," he smiled, lifting her chin up to look him in the eye, noticing her tears. "I'm so sorry, Kahlan. I know losing the baby still hurts," he softly replied, his brow furrowed with concern as he tenderly began stroking her cheeks with his thumbs.

"I just want to make you happy," she murmured as he pulled her tightly against him, placing a kiss on the top of her head.

"Kahlan, I couldn't be any happier than I am with you," he murmured, placing a tender kiss on her lips. "The day I met you and every day since is when I learned what true happiness and love really means."

His tender words caused her heart to warm as her insides began to melt with burning need for him. Kahlan tilted her head, meeting his lips in a heated kiss that took his breath away. He quickly responded, opening his mouth for her to delve into and explore all over again. The feel of her tongue stroking his caused him to release a throaty moan.

He swiftly had her back pushed against the nearest tree, keeping her right where he wanted her. His hands quickly found her hair, cradling her head as he reciprocated her deep wet kiss. He rolled his hips against hers, causing her to gasp with wanton need as she felt how ready he was to take her. She immediately responded, rolling her hips against his, their breathing quickly becoming ragged with mounting passion.

Her breath was warm and enticing on his neck as he began licking and kissing along her throat. Her hand was massaging his scalp as she held him to her, occasionally stopping to tug on the long strands when her passion suddenly surged hotter.

"Sorry to interrupt you two love birds, but I'm afraid I must."

Richard immediately released his hold on Kahlan. In one swift motion, he had the Sword of Truth out of its scabbard and gripped tightly in his hand as he whirled around to face their enemy. In less than a heartbeat, Kahlan had her daggers drawn as she moved to stand beside her Seeker. She was not about to lose him to her ever again.

"Is this any way to greet an old friend?"

"You are no friend of ours!" Kahlan hissed, her chest now heaving with anger rather than passion. "What do you want, Denna?"

"I need your help…"

*Dun...Dun...Dun... :)