Chapter 13

The joking had disappeared hours ago. No one really spoke as the horses picked their way over the rocky path. The steepness of some of the terrain made John and Aeryn just close their eyes and pray the horses would bring them safely through. They didn't know how people could handle traveling by horseback. Planes, those were much safer and less terrifying. They were hoping that their ship was already safely to Aydindril and that they would soon join it. They were hoping that all of them would arrive in one piece.

The weather had begun to pick up as they neared the peak of the mountain. Tiny snow flakes were forming and falling.

John enjoyed watching them tickle Aeryn's eyelashes and nose, her cheeks were pink from the cold and she looked like a kid at christmas time. He told her to stick out her tongue and catch the tiny crystals. Living in space for her whole life had prevented her from many of the experiences he took for granted. One of them was snow. While he'd lived in florida for a long time before that he'd been in other towns and states where winter was more of a big deal. He'd remembered playing in the white fluff as a child and he wanted that for his baby. One day he'd find a way to make sure their children got everything.

The snow seemed to distract them both from the soreness of their bodies. Richard and Kahlan just looked concerned when it began to fall. They'd heard all the tales, the warnings, the disasters that happened here. They'd probably witnessed some of the devastation that the mountain pass travelers succumbed to. John had faith that they would all be through to the other side before anything too serious happened.

As the hours passed the snow was gradually increasing it's intensity. Soon the ground was white with the dusting of ice crystals. They were descending now, hoping that the heat would increase as they followed the mountain path down.

"It's colder than space down here!" Crichton called over the bitter wind that was now whipping the snowflakes around them all. The breeze had turned frigid instead of warm as they continued the journey. It was supposed to get warmer as the altitude decreased but with night swiftly approaching the weather was turning wicked.

"I'm fine." Aeryn called over to him. She could see that his lips were turning blue and he was shaking. Richard and Kahlan had pulled out their cloaks and put them on. They didn't have any extra for John or Aeryn, but then she remembered about the shiny blanket material.

Kahlan dug in the saddlebag and pulled out the silver blanket. The horses were too tired to care about the crinkly noise and the flash of light reflect off the fabric. She passed it over to John and he quickly wrapped it around his shoulders. She offered the second blanket to Aeryn but she turned it down.

"You sure, sweetheart?" John didn't understand her being able to stand extreme cold but not heat. He would never truly understand the subacean regulatory glands he supposed. He could tell her body was reacting to the cold. Her nipples were pointing at attention. His mouth watered thinking about warming them up and making them harden for a completely different reason. "I don't want anything… vital... freezing."

"It's a perfect temperature for a nice ride." Her voice was almost lost in the wind as the horses got further apart. "Although I'd love for you to warm me up later…"

He just shook his head and looked forward at Richard. As they descended into a valley the path narrowed. Each horse had to continue single file. The Seeker led the way and Kahlan took the rear. Neither of them wanted John or Aeryn to get lost, even though it seemed impossible on the tight trail, or injured without them knowing about it.

As they got lower and lower into the valley the mountain began to block much of the wind and the snow seemed to slow. The covering on the ground was becoming a mere smattering, no longer could you see the hoof prints left by the horse in front of you.

"Looks like we're getting out of the worst of it." Kahlan shouted across the group. The wind no longer stealing her words. "You can see the sun trying to peek through the cloud cover now. We should be out of the storm completely soon."

"Shouldn't be much longer now." Richard waited at the bottom of the path, letting his horse graze on the frosted grass. He could see the final turn before the last large descent right up ahead. The others slowly gathered with him until finally Kahlan was down the steep hill. "Ready?"

"Lets get out of here." John clucked to his horse to get him moving towards the well worn trail in the nearby trees. The others seemed to agree that waiting around even a few minutes was a poor idea. The storm could catch them at any time. The wind was already starting to pick up again.

Richard sent his horse into a trot, passing Crichton, and leading the way along the forest pass. At least they were back in the trees, the woods would help protect them from the bitter cold of the harsh wind. He was glad that the journey was almost complete. He could practically smell Aydindril now. His friends would be able to figure out a way home and everyone would be able to curl up under heavy blankets in comfortable beds. Soon Kahlan would be his wife. He led the charge in the final leg of the journey. There wouldn't be anything to stop them now.

The city was grander than John had pictured in his mind. He suspected the twilight made it even prettier. The way the orange of the sunset made the palace glow. The tall walls and buildings all sparkled with the setting sun, reflecting and moving the light as if the city was alive. His mouth gaped at the beauty.

"Wow. It's beautiful." Aeryn's deep voice sent a shiver down his spine. She was speaking reverently. He loved when she was in awe of something. Her voice would get low and she'd speak slowly. It made him want to hold her close and feel the vibrations of her voice box against his lips. Among other places. Despite his sore backside he was thinking about getting to a warm bed. A nice comfortable bed. With Aeryn. He wasn't going to let her off with the tired excuse, not tonight. It had been too long. Too much had happened. He needed her. All of her.

"It's home." Kahlan felt the tears sting her eyes and she wiped them away. She didn't think she'd be so emotional seeing it again. "Lets go. People are waiting."

They rode hard towards the gates the palace guards opening them as they approached. As the courtyard drew near all of them slowed their mounts and walked easily up to the palace.

"You live here?" Aeryn was impressed by her home. It was larger than it looked across the field.

"Yes. Now so does Richard." She shot a worried glance over at him. They hadn't really discussed it yet, but with the way he'd be ranting about D'haran's when they'd attacked them she was feeling good about him not leaving her any time soon."You two are welcome to stay as long as you need to as well."

They all dismounted and grooms were right at their sides collecting the horses and bringing them to the stable.

"They're taking our things!"

"It's alright, Aeryn. They'll bring them up to your room after everything is cleaned and washed." Kahlan held her elbow and directed her to follow them into the palace.

"Why aren't you two a sight for old eyes." Zedd was right inside the main entrance speaking with one of the footmen. He hadn't been expecting them so soon. He'd heard that the mountain pass was closed due to weather. "You must have started up that mountain before they closed it. You're quite lucky to be alive my dears."

"It was quite cold." Kahlan ran over and gave the old wizard a hug. "How are you and Cara?"

"We're fine, child. We've been here only a short time but most everything is prepared for you two." He turned to Richard and pulled him in for a hug as well. Holding both of them in his arms made his old heart beat a little slower. When they were out of sight he always worried. "Good to see you too, my boy. These must be your friends. The ones with the mysterious vessel that is out of fuel."

"Oh, how rude of me." Kahlan stepped back and walked over to John and Aeryn. "Zedd, meet John Crichton and Aeryn Sun."

He shook their hands in greeting.

"Nice to meet you, I don't suppose you've had time to take a look at it at all have you?" John was eager to know if they were going to have a way home or if they were going to be spending a while here looking for one.

"Well, I haven't had much time at all." He saw the disappointment reign over their faces and quickly continued. "But it was quite the curiosity so I made the time."

"What do you think? Do you know something here we can use to fuel it?" Aeryn was excited at the prospect of getting back home.

"I am fairly sure that we can make it fly for you again." Zedd nodded his head at them. "But there is time to discuss that later. Now lets get you all fed, bathed and to bed. You look terrible, the lot of you."

"Always dishing out the compliments, Zedd." Richard patted him on the shoulder and then waved a footman over. "We need a room made up for our guests. Put them in the same wing as the Mother Confessor and I."

"So you need a room for them and one for the Seeker? Your suite is always ready for your return, my lady." Henri, the footman, looked to Kahlan for direction.

"No just one more room. Richard will be in my suite." Kahlan gave him an imposing look and he clearly wasn't one to question her orders. He scurried off, his face bright red, to fulfill the demands of his mistress.

"Did you confess the staff?" Aeryn joked after watching the speed that Henri left to make up the rooms.

"I don't have to. Most of them have grown up in the Palace and learned to follow the orders of the Mother Confessor to a tee. Some of the previous rulers haven't been as tolerant…"

"Shall we eat?" Zedd was always ready for another meal. His stomach grumbled at the thought of the dinner he knew was waiting for them to enjoy.

"Yes, Zedd, lets go to the dining room." Kahlan led the way and everyone followed eager for a hot meal after the journey through the cold mountains.

The meal passed by quickly but not fast enough for John and Aeryn. She kept eating her food suggestively. Her tongue would test the flavor and savor it before her lips wrapped around the morsels. She would smile as she slowly chewed her food. After each bite she'd lick her lips and suck them between her teeth. Low moans escaped her throat marking her enjoyment.

Johns eyes wouldn't leave her lips. He was so hard for her he was having issues sitting still. The conversation flowed around them and he would mutter agreements or shake his head. If he was asked an opinion on something he'd give it but not really know what he was saying. Everything that mattered was right in front of him. His life was there and he needed to explore her. The way she'd taken him in her mouth the other night had sated some of his desire but nothing could replace the joy he got from being inside her.

The way they were looking at each other over their food was starting to make Richard hot. He was hoping that he'd be able to convince his fiancée to let him have his way with her tonight but she might still be sore from her first time. He'd be content to just hold her if she wasn't ready yet. She grinned at him, flashing her pearly white teeth, her eyes sparkled with the joy she was feeling. He loved her happy like this. He felt her hand on his knee squeezing indicating that he might indeed get lucky again soon.

"I'm quite tired." John pushed his plate of food into the center of the table before scooting his chair back. "Ready Aeryn?"

"What if I'm still hungry?" She asked with a mischievous smile knowing full well that he was still starving, but not for food.

"Oh, I hope that you are." He stood and held out his hand to her. He was relieved when she took it, thinking for a microt that she would tease him and continue to munch on her food.

"You know the way?" She let him pull her to her feet and stood directly in front of him. His breath puffed across her lips and she felt her heart rate increase. She wanted to get to their bedroom. Tonight she wasn't too tired.

"I'll find it…" John rubbed his head trying to think of a way to get someone to show them. "At this point I'll take any private room however."

"Henri." Kahlan beaconed him into the dining hall. "Please show John and Aeryn to their room."

He nodded and held his arm out towards the doorway they should exit through.

"We'll see you two in the…" Kahlan paused knowing that no one was going to be eager to get out of bed in the morning. "When we see you. Perhaps lunch tomorrow."

They exchanged goodnight wishes as they left the room.

"Well I think they have a good idea, Kahlan." Richard slid his chair closer to hers and slung his arm around her shoulders.

"Don't you want to spend time with our friends?" Just as she was finishing her sentence Cara walked through the doorway. "See Cara just returned!"

Kahlan jumped out of the chair and shuffled over to the mord'sith. She was tired but she was glad to see her friend. She hugged her tightly when she got close enough to her and she felt Cara almost hug her back.

"I see you two were able to make it back without my help. It's quite remarkable, actually." She smirked and removed herself from Kahlan's grasp. She was getting more used to her touching but it still made her slightly uncomfortable if it went on for too long.

"We didn't know how we'd do it without you…" Richard didn't bother to stand knowing that Cara would just be uncomfortable with too much affection from both of them. He let Kahlan be the one to crowd her today. An angry Mord'Sith wasn't something he liked to deal with ever but especially when he was tired. "Somehow we managed."

"I heard you dragged two unfortunate stragglers with you." Cara scanned the room for the newcomers. "I see you've already chased them away. Were you two making goggly eyes at each other? It probably made them nauseous…."

"No, no. I think that they had… things… to do." Kahlan blushed a little thinking about what John and Aeryn would actually be doing.

"So they wanted to have sex?" Cara shrugged and sat down helping herself to some food. "No need to be shy. I know what that is."

"Cara…" Kahlan went to sit with Richard again. She was lowering herself into her chair when his hands grabbed her by the hips and pulled her off balance landing her in his lap. She yelped in surprise as her bottom settled against his thighs.

"Hi." He nuzzled her neck right below her ear and held her so she couldn't wiggle free and reclaim her own chair.

Their foreheads touched and noses rubbed as his hand cupped her cheek.

"You guys need some time alone?" Cara snarked over a mouthful of food.

"Yes." Richard smirked. "But we're going to spend some time with you while you eat. Believe it or not we missed you and Zedd."

Cara just flashed them a smile. She planned to keep them there for as long as she could. A little torture never hurt anyone, much.