"An elixir." Zedd responded, leaning back in his chair once again, a satisfied look spreading across his face. Kahlan's eyebrows scrunched together as she cast him a sidelong glace. Cara glared at the him. Richard was dumbfounded.
"An elixir?" He asked, his right hand moving to rub his temple.
"Yes, my boy. Elixir's can do wonderful things-"
"Get to the point, old man." Cara scoffed. The interruption made Zedd jump back slightly while Kahlan grinned.
"Well, I know of an elixir that can make you immune to the forest's power."
"How is that even possible?" Richard's head was buried in his hands, the dull throbbing becoming unbearable. He needed sleep. Richard was convinced that no amount of dwelling over Ryan's devotion would affect him now. All he wanted to do was crawl back into bed. With Kahlan.
"The elixir keeps whatever magical power you may have intact, but keeps other forces from acting on you. For example, Kahlan's power would still work, but if she tried to touch Cara, nothing would happen." Cara, who had been intently observing the walls, directed her gaze at Kahlan. Kahlan smiled.
"I'm not sure I like that." The three looked at Kahlan, who was leaning on her elbows. "What if I wish to confess Cara later on?" Cara smirked. Zedd bellowed a deep laugh.
"My dear, the elixir is temporary. It only lasts a day or two, at the most. If you wished to confess Cara later in life, then you would be free to do so."
Richard thought this conversation was odd. Kahlan was delving into the prospects of confessing Cara, Zedd was informing her that she could, and Cara only smirked at the responses. She didn't even scoff like she normally did. Unless his eyes were deceiving him, he could have sworn he was seeing a friendship form between the two. It didn't surprise him, the women had a lot in common. Dominance being the main similarity.
"So," Kahlan began, dragging the book back in her direction from Cara, "this supposed elixir will keep us from becoming weaker when we enter this forest." She pointed at the illustration on the page. Zedd nodded. Cara seemed very interested in the conversation, and Richard noted how her and Kahlan would glance at each other periodically. They were having the same thoughts. He hoped they would voice them soon.
"Wizard, there is still a problem." Cara scoffed, grabbing the book from Kahlan as she read through the passages. Kahlan and Cara both called Zedd 'Wizard.' Another similarity. When Cara had found what she wanted, she turned the book towards Zedd and pointed. Before Zedd could even move his gaze down to the text, Kahlan had already begun talking.
"The Sisters are still stronger than usual."
"Exactly." Cara pursed her lips as she smirked at Kahlan. Zedd sighed. Richard didn't know whether it was from the women bringing it up, or that he hadn't thought of that aspect. He smiled as he chuckled.
"Then we'll just have to be on our toes, now won't we?" Kahlan made a face as she leaned back in the chair, arms crossed. Richard had to stifle a laugh from seeing her be so huffy. Cara seemed to imitate the response, slouching in her seat.
"And when would we do this?" Richard questioned, finally grabbing the book for himself and trying to focus on the drawing and the words on the page.
"As soon as possible. We should pack and then be on our way. We can make good time in the dark, seeing as we do have a former woods guide with us." Zedd winked as he stood to move from the table. Richard sighed as his shoulders slumped forward.
"Do you suppose we can have a few hours before we leave?" Zedd looked at Kahlan, his eyes questioning. She rolled her eyes as she stood up, batting his shoulder with the back of her hand. "I'm still quite tired from attempting to make grand children." She raised her eyebrows at him.
He chuckled. "Yes, dear one, a few hours can be spared. When you have awoken again, we will be ready to leave." Zedd nodded at Kahlan and Richard before exiting the main hall.
Kahlan reached out her hand to Richard and he accepted, letting her help him out of his chair. She smiled up at him while her other hand patted the top of his, and began leading him back to the bedroom. Kahlan glanced back at Cara, who was still seated at the table, now turning the pages of the book curiously. The two nodded slightly at each other.
Kahlan opened the door to their room, letting Richard slide in before closing the door behind him. He turned to look at her.
"I didn't know you were tired."
"I'm not. You are." She replied, lightly pushing him towards the bed. He sighed. How was this woman so amazing? She ushered him towards the left side of the bed, urging him to sit down. She cradled his face in her hands.
"You need to get some rest, Cypher." She pressed her nose against his, smiling down at him. He grinned as his hands went to rest on top of hers.
"What did I do to deserve you?"
"I don't know." She answered playfully. Richard's hands dropped from hers and her right hand picked up his pendent, rolling it in her fingers.
"Thank you for this." He breathed in her scent, her hair slightly falling to tickle his face.
"You can thank me for it later." She mumbled as she placed a light kiss on his lips, pushing him down with her left hand. When his body hit the bed, he almost instantly drifted to sleep. He was faintly aware of Kahlan pulling off his boots and tucking him under the covers. He felt her lips press against his temple before exhaustion took him over.