At Last (Chapter 8)

"Let's see…Sierra got married and had a baby just this past winter…and…"

"Is Sierra even old enough to marry? Who did she marry?" Kahlan asked as Aggie got her caught up on all the palace gossip.

"My dear, she's nearly twenty – two now. And oh, she married a very nice fellow who works down in the stables. They make such a handsome young couple. Of course, not as handsome as you and Richard," she gushed with a giggle as she laced an arm around Richard's as well as Kahlan's so she could walk between them. "How soon are you two going to be married?"

Kahlan looked up at Richard with bewilderment in her eyes, not knowing how to really answer that. She had assumed that they would marry as soon as it could be planned, but they had never actually discussed it now that she thought about it.

Seeing Kahlan's look of uncertainty, Richard readily chimed in with an answer. "Just as soon as you and Kahlan can get it planned. I don't want to waste any more time than absolutely necessary before making Kahlan my wife."

Meeting Kahlan's eyes again, Richard was suddenly lost for any more words. The loving look in her eyes was making his heart melt. He couldn't wait any longer until Aggie showed them to their room so they could finally be alone together. Every step that took him closer to their room made his pulse race faster with an intensifying need to feel her skin pressed warmly against his. He could hardly wait to get his hands on her…as well as other things.

Noticing the darkening desire in Richard's eyes, Kahlan suddenly flushed with longing, her mouth instantly becoming dry. She unconsciously dragged her tongue across her lips causing Richard's breath to hitch.

"Zeddicus, I think that you'll be very comfortable here. You'll be just down the hall from Kahlan's suite."

"Thanks, Aggie. What time should I be ready for dinner?" Zedd grinned broadly, a twinkle in his eye. He and Aggie had been lifelong friends. They loved teasing each other, but he especially took great pleasure getting her all riled up.

"You're always ready for dinner, Wizard!"

They continued down the hall, leaving Zedd to inspect his room and get settled in. It was going to be so nice to have a real bed to sleep in instead of the cold hard ground. He had beginning to wonder months ago if perhaps he was getting a little too old to be cavorting around the Midlands chasing evil with the young people. Each morning, his back reminded him of just how old he truly was despite how young he felt on the inside.

"Here we are…the Mother Confessor's suite," Aggie proudly announced as she opened the large door. "Edmond, you can put her pack in there for her. I'll make sure Mallory comes up to draw you a nice hot bath so you can get cleaned up. And now, Richard, I'll show you to your…"

"He's staying here with me," Kahlan softly interjected as she attempted to keep her heated blush at bay. Unfortunately, she could feel it rising up from her chest, quickly enveloping her face. She lightly chewed on her bottom lip, waiting for the reprimand she knew was coming.

"What? Kahlan Amnell!"

"Aggie, Richard is staying with me," she repeated more firmly this time, taking Richard's hand securely in hers.

Richard could barely contain the smile that spread over his face with Kahlan's words or the pounding of his heart in his chest of what it all meant. The blush that suddenly appeared on her cheeks only added to her radiant beauty, further increasing his hunger for her. He had been wanting her behind locked doors for so long now, but her announcing to everyone that he would be staying in her room with her just made him that much hotter for her.

"Tsk, tsk…young people these days," Aggie muttered disapprovingly under her breath, rolling her eyes to the ceiling as she pointed for Edmond to leave Richard's pack in there as well. Frowning, she shot daggers at Richard with a single look.

Richard smiled to himself knowing that Aggie was having a fit over him staying in Kahlan's room. He went from being the valiant Seeker who had won the heart of the Mother Confessor and loved her beyond her magic to a detestable young man who was going to take Kahlan's virginal innocence from her. Little did Aggie know Kahlan was just as desperate to give it to him as he was to take it. He felt a rush of warm arousal surge through his system, his mouth going dry with the thought.

In less than a heartbeat, Richard found that he had just been summarily removed from Aggie's good side. He was going to have to find some other way back on it because there was absolutely nothing that was going to keep him out of Kahlan's bed, not even Aggie and her disapproving glares.

"And now, Miss Cara, I have a nice suite of rooms at the end of this hall that I think you'll find most…"

"I want this room," Cara said firmly as she stood by a door directly across from Kahlan and Richard's suite.

"But that's just a small guest room! There's hardly any room at all in there! Wouldn't you be happier in a suite of your own?" Aggie asked in bewilderment.

"I want this room," Cara determinedly repeated, crossing her arms over her chest as she eyed the stout woman.

"Fine, you can stay in there," Aggie finally relented with a huff, throwing her hands up in the air. "But I don't think you'll be very happy in such a small room."

"I have to stay close to Lord Rahl and the Mother Confessor. I can't protect them if I'm comfortable in a suite down the hall."

"Protection? Protection from whom? Who would want to harm the Mother Confessor? The Confessor's Palace is very safe. There are guards everywhere. No one could even get in here to harm the Mother Confessor," Edmond sputtered excitedly in protest. The very thought set his stomach churning as sweat broke out across his brow.

"I will stay in this room," Cara reiterated, her voice not losing any of its edge. "Oh…and thank you," she quickly added, remembering her manners as she turned and entered her room.

Aggie sighed with resignation. None of her splendid arrangements were working out the way she had planned them out in her mind. "Alright, now for you, Brice. Come with me," she said with annoyance as she waved a summoning hand over her shoulder for him to follow her, no longer concerned with gratuitous hospitality.

"Brey. My name is Brey," he ground out with matching annoyance as he growled under his breath.

"Brice…Brey…whatever…come with me. You'll be down the hall and around the corner," she curtly replied. Now having lost all her excitement, Aggie was no longer concerned where any of them stayed, least of all this one.

Richard watched as Aggie led Brey down the hall, chuckling to himself at how exasperated poor Aggie had just become. He was going to have to keep an eye on Brey, though. He had not completely forgotten about him even though everyone else had seemed to.

Turning towards Kahlan, Richard sighed deeply, his heart torn between what he wanted most and what he knew he had to do. He wanted nothing more than to lock himself in that room with her right now, making fierce love to her for days on end. However, the evasive man occupying the room down the hall prevented him from relaxing.

"Kahlan, I have a few things that I need to take care of right now before our special night together can begin," he reluctantly told her, hooking a long strand of hair behind her ear. Resting his hand along her beautiful face, he gently caressed her cheek with his thumb as he stared into her bright blue orbs.

"Richard, what are you up to?" Kahlan watched him suspiciously, unable to disguise the disappointment in her eyes. They were finally here alone outside of her room and now he was leaving her. "You aren't having second thoughts…are you?"

The hurt that reflected in Kahlan's face caused Richard's heart to constrict. "Kahlan, I have no doubt in my mind about making love to you. In fact, it's taking every ounce of strength I have to not lock you in this room with me right now, to tear your clothes off your body, and make love to you for the rest of your life." Stepping closer to her, Richard trapped her back against the wall, his mouth just inches from hers, his breath so warm and inviting against her lips. "Kahlan Amnell, I want to have a passionate love affair with you for the rest of our lives."

Kahlan softly moaned as he captured her lips in a fiery kiss, her knees growing weak with the heat of his desire for her. She swiftly grasped his face, lovingly cradling it in her hands, begging him to never stop. Richard reluctantly pulled back, softly gasping for air. Pressing his forehead to hers, he opened his eyes. "I love you, Kahlan. There is absolutely nothing that is going to keep me from making love to you tonight. I promise I'll be back in a little while."

"I'm going to make sure you keep that promise, Seeker," she softly smiled. All of the sudden, her face grew serious. "I love you, Richard," she murmured, her eyes sparkling with love and longing.

"I better go before I completely lose all control and take you right here in the hallway," he muttered, nuzzling his nose against hers before pressing his lips to her forehead.

"You two finally have a room. Why aren't you using it instead of being out here?"

Richard released his hold on her as he turned to face the meddlesome Mord'Sith. "Are you sure you wouldn't prefer the suite down the hall, Cara?"

Cara quirked an eyebrow as she smirked at the lovers. "I'm perfectly happy right where I am. Besides, someone has to keep an eye on the two of you."

"Well, I have a few things I need to take care of. Keep an eye on Kahlan while I'm gone."

"I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself. Besides, the palace guards would kill anyone who got in here before they even reached me." Kahlan crossed her arms, tilting her head as she stared defiantly at Richard and Cara.

"Just the same, Cara…" Richard instructed the Mord'Sith, ignoring Kahlan's comment as he quickly made his way down the hall, wanting to avoid an argument with the Confessor.

Kahlan rolled her eyes as she turned and entered her room to count down the hours until Richard came back. He could not return soon enough.

XXX

Richard wandered the Confessor's Palace, unsure of where he was going or what he was actually looking for. He just knew that he had to find out more about Brey before he took Kahlan from him. She had promised to listen to him if he uncovered proof about what Brey was up to. He just had to find that proof before something happened to Kahlan.

Richard couldn't shake the gnawing feeling that had settled in his soul ever since Brey's arrival, a feeling of dread that was eating at him, telling him that Kahlan was at the center of whatever Brey was after. He did take some measure of comfort in the fact that Kahlan was safely in her room at the moment with Cara directly across the hall.

Lost in his own thoughts, Richard turned around the corner, running directly into Zedd. "Whoa there, my boy! Where are you headed in such a hurry?"

"Actually, I'm not sure," he muttered absentmindedly.

"What's wrong? I thought you'd be with Kahlan right now," Zedd replied with a devilish grin.

Richard smiled shyly, somewhat embarrassed by his grandfather's insinuation. "Zedd, I'm concerned about why Brey is really here. I have to get to the bottom of it before something happens to Kahlan."

"Are you sure that whatever Brey is after even involves Kahlan? He seems like such a nice boy."

"I don't have any evidence; I just feel it, Zedd. I don't know how I know…I just know." Frustration and dread pervaded every part of the Seeker from his movements and his voice to the expression on his face.

"I believe you," the old Wizard simply stated.

"You do?"

"I learned a long time ago that when the Seeker has a gut instinct about something, you best go with it."

"I just don't know where to start, though."

"Follow your instincts, Richard. They haven't led you astray yet. I'll see what I can find out as well, but remember, listen to your heart, my boy."

Staring past Zedd, Richard watched as Brey made his way towards the front entrance of the palace. "Right now, my instincts are telling me to follow him," Richard muttered under his breath.

XXX

Brey strode purposefully toward the main entrance of the Confessor's Palace, his thoughts solely focused on his ultimate goal. All of his searching the last few years had finally pointed him to Aydindril. He was so close he could almost taste it and yet it felt as if he was just as far away from the object of his desire since the day he had started this quest.

Standing in the streets of Aydindril, Brey immediately sheltered his eyes from the glare of the late-afternoon sun as he attempted to decide the best route to take. Pulling out a folded up piece of paper from the pocket of his breeches, he carefully inspected it. He really didn't need to look at it nor did he need to even keep it. He had studied the special document, memorizing every detail of it down to the tiny idiosyncrasies of the paper that he could just as clearly see it all in his mind's eye. He could see the unique curves of the writing on the worn paper, the small tears at the corners, the crisscross folds and the sinister words of warning that stretched ominously along the bottom.

It was a warning that he paid very little attention to. He didn't need the warning; he needed what the paper was going to lead him to, what he had been searching for ever since he left Thandor so many years ago. Feeling the anger welling up and threatening to choke him, Brey carefully folded the paper like it was the most precious piece of artwork every created and placed it back into his pocket.

Looking to his right and then left, Brey decided to follow the flow of foot traffic that would lead him into the heart of the city. Shoving his hands into his pockets, Brey began to wander the streets of Aydindril, not particularly paying attention to where he was going or how he would find his way back. The Confessor's Palace stood out like a comforting beacon, noble and proud above all other structures in Aydindril, save for the Wizard's Keep which stood foreboding and dark in the background. It wouldn't be hard to find again.

As he walked, his mind began to swirl with thoughts and emotions that he had long since buried in order to fulfill his purpose. Brey had thought that once he saw her he would be able to handle his emotions, but his heart had proven him completely wrong. Seeing Kahlan had unexpectedly unlocked that vault, awakening things inside of him that he had wrestled against for so long, had fought so hard not to feel until the time he could allow it. The time was drawing so very close, a heartbeat away, but it had not come yet.

The day Kahlan left Thandor had been the hardest day of his life. She had shattered his heart with her leaving him behind to go to Aydindril. He had sworn that day as he watched Kahlan sadly turn and wave goodbye to him that he would find her again someday and make her his forever. Brey had never forgotten that vow he had made to himself and worked every day since to accomplishing that goal.

Now, here in Aydindril, he was so close to finally realizing that dream. The only thing standing in his way after he found what he needed was the Seeker. Brey unconsciously ground his teeth, clenching his jaw tightly at the thought of Richard Cypher. Pulling his hands out of his pockets, he found his hands twisted into rigid fists of fury.

Thoughts of Richard staying in Kahlan's room began to make his chest heave with the rage that poured from his heart, thoughts of his arms around her, his lips on hers, his hands touching every inch of her soft flesh.

A man suddenly stumbled out into the street, knocking into Brey, almost causing him to fall. Brey angrily grabbed the man by the shoulders, roughly hauling him up to his unsteady feet to glare into his eyes. The man mumbled his apologies, his words slurred. His eyes were red and glassy, his breath reeking of alcohol.

Brey irritably threw the intoxicated man aside before continuing on. Making his way through the crowded streets of the market, Brey's eyes scanned the vendors and their wares. His gaze finally fell on exactly what he had been looking for. He watched as a vendor stood in front of his cart of wares, shouting out above the din of the crowd. He was large man, his voice deep and booming. He wore a belt around his waist, a small coin bag attached protectively at his side.

Slipping near, Brey silently reached behind the cart, snatching the larger coin bag and immediately slipped it into his pocket. He quickly made his way back into the throngs of people, stealthily getting lost in the masses before he could get caught. Slipping his hand into his pocket, he rapidly untied the string and emptied the contents into his pocket. He pulled the large coin bag out of his pocket, tossing it aside into the street. Pulling the coins out to count his prize, he was startled to find twelve gold pieces and twenty silver. He grinned widely with his lucky find, ready now to resume his search.

His eyes scanned over vendors and carts until his gaze finally fell on the small colorful bottles that lined the edge of a peddler's cart. He swiftly made his way to the dealer, his sights set on a particular small bottle. Taking a blue bottle, Brey paid the man a silver coin.

"Keep the change," Brey grinned broadly at the astonished man, feeling suddenly very wealthy.

As he turned, Brey caught sight of a familiar figure following him. His grin slowly turned wicked, but had not lost any of its intensity as he suddenly disappeared into a blur of light. Things were about to become very unpleasant for the Seeker…