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At Last (Chapter 6)

The gathering gray clouds overhead created an air of melancholy that quickly settled over everyone. It was not the bright, happy occasion that Richard had dreamed it would be when they arrived in Aydindril later that day. Tension hung thickly in the air, following their every step.

Richard sighed heavily, his heart fraught with frustration as well as dread. The talk that had occurred last night with Kahlan had not gone well at all. He could still feel the stinging hurt that filled her voice, the crushing guilt that ate at his soul. She had felt that he didn't trust her, but it couldn't have been furthest from the truth. He did trust her, more than he had ever trusted anyone in his entire life. He felt an unbelievable connection to Kahlan unlike anything he had ever experienced before. Kahlan had dramatically changed his life. He would never be the same nor did he want to be the same.

Filled with fear and anger, Richard had left Kahlan by herself in the woods, the sounds of her weeping filling his ears and breaking his heart. He felt horrible for leaving her there all alone in the darkness, but he didn't know what to do. He knew they both needed a little time apart at that moment. If they had continued on, they would have only said things that they would later regret and he couldn't bear hurting her more than he already had.

After several minutes of wandering the woods, though, Richard had circled back to where he had left Kahlan. Guilt heavily weighed down his steps, not allowing him to return to camp until he had made sure Kahlan had safely returned. As he approached the small clearing where he had left her, Richard heard voices. His anger instantly rekindled, his jaw immediately set with jealousy as he saw Brey sitting on the ground next to Kahlan, his arms wrapped tightly around her.

His chest began to tighten as he watched the Bender comforting his Confessor. He could feel the heat of his fury burning through him. Everything inside of him cried out to end their embrace, but he couldn't make his legs or his mouth work. His hands were balled into fists, his nails biting into his palms. Richard knew that if Kahlan wasn't already tempted by Brey's return, then he had just driven her into his arms.

Turning his jealous anger into strength, Richard was finally able to make his legs move. He silently left the pair, the image of Kahlan in Brey's arms seared into his mind. Wandering deeper into the forest, Richard finally stopped, dropping to the ground in a rush of angry tears.

Richard didn't think he had ever felt so lost in his life. Even when rifts were ripping through the earth's crust and he had no idea how he was ever going to find the Stone of Tears, he had been able to fight, to continue on despite the odds because Kahlan had been by his side. With Kahlan, Richard felt that he could take on the whole world, face the Keeper himself head-on.

When he had finally returned to camp, Kahlan was asleep on her bedroll. Lying down next to her, sleep had eluded him most of the night. His thoughts were too absorbed with Brey and images of him holding Kahlan. Even though he was laying next her, Richard felt as if there was a large chasm separating them, intensifying his heartache.

He had briefly fallen asleep, waking the next morning to find Kahlan already packed and ready to go. Keeping her distance from him, she was sitting alone on a tree stump deep in her own thoughts, her eyes hurt and sad, reflecting the terrible struggle he had created in her soul. He knew she was upset with him and he really couldn't blame her. Even though he couldn't stand hurting her, Richard would do it all over again if it meant saving her life in the end.

Richard watched now as Kahlan and Brey walked side-by-side, talking quietly. There was not the laughter and happiness that had been there yesterday. Kahlan's shoulders were set, her steps determined. He noticed that her brow was creased when she would turn at times to look at Brey. She furrowed her brow only when she was upset about something.

Brey looked concerned as he talked to her, draping a comforting arm around her shoulders as they walked, pulling her closer to him and laying his head on top of hers. And every time he did, Richard felt a thousand agonizing pricks at his heart like someone was taking a knife to it, purposefully stabbing it bit by bit. Images of the scene Richard had observed last night began flashing tauntingly in his mind.

"You told Kahlan how you felt about Brey last night, didn't you?" Zedd said more as a statement than a question. "I just hope you try to fix it soon."

Richard looked irritatingly over at his grandfather who had suddenly caught up with him. He had managed to keep to himself all morning with Brey and Kahlan ahead of him and Zedd and Cara behind him. Zedd had just changed the dynamics of their little group and Richard was none too pleased with having to talk to anyone right now when all he wanted to do was brood.

"Did Kahlan tell you we had a fight?"

"No, she has not mentioned one word of it, but by the way you two are scowling and avoiding each other it's quite obvious that there is trouble in paradise."

Richard sighed heavily, tightly clenching the straps of his pack. "Zedd, I told Kahlan that I didn't trust Brey and that I thought he was up to something. She got very upset and it turned into a fight. She thinks that I don't trust her around Brey."

Zedd watched his grandson as he glared straight ahead, his jaw muscles tightening only to partially relax for a flickering moment before contracting again. His knuckles were almost turning white with the intensity of his grasp on the straps of his pack. "I know you had the best of intentions, Richard. Kahlan's just upset because she trusts Brey and now the man she loves is telling her that she's wrong. Why don't you try and talk to her again."

"I appreciate you trying to help Zedd, but I don't think now is…"

"Brey, I want to talk to you a moment. I have so many questions about Benders and what you can actually do," Zedd called, hurrying to catch up with Kahlan and Brey. Zedd quickly wrapped an arm around the Bender's shoulders as he pushed him on ahead of the rest leaving Kahlan walking by herself.

Richard just shook his head, unable to suppress the small smile that suddenly appeared on his lips. His grandfather could be so ornery sometimes. Richard watched as Kahlan walked alone, her head tilted down as if the dirt road unexpectedly held some fascination to it. He felt a sudden lump in his throat as he attempted to swallow his jealousy and pride.

Kahlan had shoved aside the overwhelming desire to run to Richard that morning, to feel his arms around her, his lips pressed to hers, to tell him that she was sorry, but her anger and pride wouldn't allow it…at least not at the moment. Her heart was drowning in a sea of confusion and anger, frustration and hurt.

Sleeping without him holding her last night had been agonizingly hard, harder than she had expected it to be. And tonight was supposed to be their first night together, their night to make love to one another, finally expressing with their bodies what they felt in their hearts. Tears immediately stung her eyes at the thought. They had held back for so agonizingly long, had been forced to keep each other at arm's length for fear of confession. Tonight was to be theirs; a night filled with intense passion and pent up desire for one another.

Kahlan had been very quiet during breakfast, a sense of sadness overwhelming her. Even though pretending to be asleep, Brey had noticed Richard taking Kahlan into the woods last night, following them later and arriving just in time to see Richard storm off. Walking next to her now, Brey had finally pried some conversation from the silent Mother Confessor. She was not the open, laughing friend that he had spent the day with yesterday. Her brilliant blue eyes held a warning that told him to tread carefully.

He had started out with neutral conversation, telling her about his plans once he arrived in Aydindril. He planned on finding a nice little home on the outskirts of the city. He hadn't really decided on an occupation yet, but he knew it wouldn't be long before he found work in the big city of Aydindril. He'd been making money over the years doing odd jobs and travelling here and there, taking in the whole territory before finally deciding to settle down in the governing seat of the Midlands. It had been mere coincidence that he had come across Kahlan and her friends after so many years…or so he had told her.

He was craftily spinning his web, telling her only the things that he wished her to know while keeping other details to himself. He didn't feel that he was lying so much as just not telling Kahlan everything. As he spun his web, he was slowly and subtly drawing his beautiful fly into his snare. He would have what he wanted by the time his prey had discovered what was going on and by then it would be too late.

After chatting mindlessly, Brey finally began pulling on his web, attempting to draw information out of his friend. "So, I assume you and Richard will be living in the great Confessor's Palace?"

"Yes," she simply stated, attempting to keep the hurt from her voice.

"I bet it's a magnificent place. I can't wait to see it. Does it have a lot of rare and valuable items there?"

"Yes, some," she coolly said, not really wishing to talk to anyone right now.

"The Wizard's Mansion…or is it Castle? That's right there near the Palace too, isn't it?"

"The Wizard's Keep and yes, it's right there built into a mountain behind the Confessor's Palace."

"Have you ever been in this Wizard's Keep?"

"Yes, I've spent lots of time there, reading books and talking to the Wizards."

"Maybe you could take me on a tour of the Confessor's Palace and the Wizard's Keep when we reach Aydindril? That is of course if you'll be able to find time for an insignificant friend from Thandor in the midst of your wedding plans and trying to put Aydindril back in order."

"I would be happy to take you on a tour, although I can't take you to the Wizard's Keep. That's off limits to everyone except Confessors and Wizards."

"You mean I can't even just go in and take a look around?"

"No, it's protected by very powerful magic. You have to know what you're doing or you'll get yourself killed in there. It's a very dangerous place. Even I don't know all that is in the Keep and I practically grew up there. There are places in there that I'm still not allowed to go and I'm the Mother Confessor."

"Well, there must be some right powerful and important things in there if it's that protected."

"There are. Besides, you don't want to go looking at dusty old books and artifacts anyways, not when there are so many more beautiful things to see in Aydindril."

"I'm looking at the most beautiful thing to come out of Aydindril," he murmured as he stared at her.

"Brey…" she began as drew in a sharp breath and closed her eyes momentarily. His flirtatious behavior was even beginning to weigh on her. It was inappropriate since she was going to marry Richard. He'd had every right to be jealous and upset about Brey.

"I know, I know…you can't blame me for trying, KK," he replied, his smile oozing with charm as he playfully batted his eyes at her. He quickly draped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her to his side. He tilted his sandy blonde head to rest upon the top of hers. He just as quickly released her as she began to protest.

"Brey, you're such a flirt! No wonder Richard is so angry. He has every right, you know."

"Since he is to be your husband, I will do my best to try and get to know him," he grudgingly sighed, scuffing the toe of his boot into the dirt road as he shoved his hands into his pockets just like an admonished child. "Is that why you two aren't speaking to each other today?"

"That's partly the reason," she reluctantly replied as she began to lightly chew on her bottom lip. Her head was beginning to throb, attempting to match the ache in her heart. She hated fighting with Richard, but he had no idea how much he had hurt her last night. "I don't feel like talking about it right now," Kahlan softly said, averting her eyes. She didn't want Brey to see the tears that suddenly blurred her vision.

Noticing Kahlan's grief rising to the surface, Brey opened his mouth to respond, but was abruptly interrupted by Zedd's thundering voice from behind which was soon followed by the Wizard's gangly arm around his shoulders. Brey soon found himself being pulled along by the old Wizard who was engaging him in endless chatter about his magic.

Brey looked helplessly over his shoulder, his eyes beseeching Kahlan for assistance, but she was already lost in her own thoughts, her focus solely on her dusty boots as they struck the dirt path beneath them. Brey quickly realized there was no escape for him now, not even for a Bender. Resigning himself to his fate, Brey threw himself into the conversation, relaying all the details of a Bender's magic.

XXX

Taking a deep breath, Richard quickened his pace to catch up with his Confessor. He didn't even know for sure where to begin or how he was going to fix things, but all he did know was that Zedd had been right…as always.

Catching up to her, Kahlan seemed to not even notice that he was beside her; she was so absorbed in her own thoughts, her lips pursed together, her brow knitted in bewilderment.

"Hey," he softly said, still keeping a tight hold on his pack straps as he stared anxiously at her.

Startled, Kahlan's attention immediately snapped from her boots to the Seeker who now walked beside her. "Hi," she shyly murmured, the corner of her mouth instantly quirking into a half smile, her eyes swimming with the storm of emotions that swarmed in her heart.

Richard felt his throat go dry, his voice unexpectedly failing him. He tore his gaze from her, focusing instead on the two men who walked quite a distance ahead of them. His mind was thundering with a thousand thoughts, things that he so desperately wanted to say to her, but he couldn't make his mouth work. They walked in awkward silence for several moments before Kahlan spoke.

"Richard, I'm sorry about last night," she finally said, casting quick glances at the handsome Seeker who walked beside her.

Looking to his side, Richard noticed her bottom lip begin to tremble, causing his own heart to tighten with guilt. "No, Kahlan, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said anything about Brey until I had proof. I was just so worried about him hurting you that I didn't want to wait until something had happened to you. By then, it would have been too late."

"I know, Richard," she sadly replied, coming to a standstill. Coming to a stop before her, Kahlan gently forced Richard to release his hand from his pack strap, taking it in hers. Giving it a loving squeeze, she continued, "I love you too much to stay angry with you."

Cara walked by them, rolling her eyes as she passed. "Would you please just kiss and make up already?"

Richard smiled at the Mord'Sith's sarcasm as he looked down at their entwined fingers. He loved Kahlan so much it almost hurt at times. "I know I don't understand or know all of the painful things you endured as a child and I thank the spirits every day that the Sisters of the Light rescued you and Dennee when they did. I'm glad Brey was there for you to help you through that time. I wish I could have been there for you."

"I would have liked that very much, but you're here now and that's far more important to me. I just wish you could get to know Breydan the way that I do."

With a heavy sigh, Richard reached deep down past his jealous pride to find the strength to fulfill Kahlan's wishes. "I will, but only for you. You must know, though, I still believe that he is up to something. If I find proof, please promise me that you will at least listen to me."

"I promise."

"I love you, Kahlan. I don't want to lose you especially now that we can finally build the life together that we've dreamed about for so long." Reaching a hand up, he gently cupped the side of her face as he lost himself in the depths of her bright blue eyes, eyes that he could happily drown himself in.

"I love you, too," she murmured, returning his steady smoldering gaze, tingles coursing through her body at the electrifying feeling of Richard's hand on her face.

Leaning in, he tenderly pressed his lips to hers, languidly kissing her, taking his time just savoring their renewed intimacy again. Pulling back, he softly brushed his nose against hers, his eyelids heavy with desire. "I can hardly wait till I make you mine forever tonight."

"I've always been yours, Richard, and always will be. Tonight just allows us prove it to each other." She nuzzled her nose against his cheek, relishing the feel of being in his arms, his heady woodsy scent making her lightheaded with need for him. Spirits, if they didn't make to Aydindril soon, she was sure she would burst into flames from the heat of her desire for him.

"I'm so sorry I hurt you, Kahlan," he murmured in her ear.

"Save your apologies for tonight, Seeker. You can make it up to me then," she whispered seductively.

Richard groaned with growing arousal. They could not reach Aydindril soon enough. Before he met Kahlan in her room tonight, though, he had to try to get more information on Brey. He needed to gather evidence to prove to Kahlan once and for all that his instincts were correct and not just based on jealousy. He knew he had to before Brey took her away from him forever.

"Hurry it up, you two! You can kiss face all you want once we get to the Confessor's Palace!"

Both the Seeker and Mother Confessor broke into lighthearted smiles at the sound of Cara's meddlesome voice. "And you allowed her to join our group why?"

"It seemed like a good idea at the time," Richard defended as they started walking again, tightly clutching her hand.

"Well, all decisions need to go through me first from now on," Kahlan chuckled softly, her mood brightening somewhat.

Richard could see her eyes dancing once again with the playfulness that caused his heart to leap into his throat, but traces of the struggle warring inside her soul still lingered in her beautiful face. "Anything for you, Mother Confessor," he replied with a teasing smile. He was going to make sure tonight was going to be a night that neither of them would ever forget…