Kahlan's Joy
Before the four of them resumed their quest, Kahlan found time to get a few moments alone with Dennee. Well—almost alone. Dennee cuddled the baby—the woman Lucinda's son—on her lap.
In spite of everything Dennee had endured, Kahlan couldn't hep feeling a little jealous.
"What are you going to—what's his name?" Kahlan asked.
"Bernard," Dennee said seriously. She pulled Bernard up so he was standing, facing over her shoulder and away from Kahlan, and then looked at her sister. "I should have gone back to the Underworld. I don't belong here. This—isn't my life."
"It is now," Kahlan told her firmly.
"But I—" Dennee started.
"No," Kahlan put her hands on Dennee's knees. "Dennee, you have no idea how happy I am—the joy it gives me, to have you back. I love you. You're not doing anything wrong."
Dennee smiled tremulously, and Kahlan smiled, too, and carefully didn't mention how grateful she was that Dennee, not Lucinda, not anyone else, sat beside her.
She had her little sister back—her joy was incandescent. Guilt had no place in it.
And Kahlan grinned.