Rahl/Cara, pre-series, prompt: snowflake

The Magic Snowflake

Snow was so rare in D'Hara that Cara couldn't remember ever having seen it, since she was a little girl (and she tried never to think of that).

So, on Creatormas Eve, she wasn't surprised to find the sky resolutely clear and the air stubbornly dry; her disappointment made her cranky, though, and when she kicked her latest pet so hard in the stomach that he flew out of his chains and rebounded from the dungeon wall, even Dahlia gave her an odd look and left her to her own devices.

About dinnertime, Denna came to the door and said snidely, "When you're done, Lord Rahl requires your presence."

Cara, aware that Denna was only being extra snide because she hated being a messenger-girl, smiled sharply. "You may tell Lord Rahl that I will attend him directly," she said, in a fine ladylike tone wholly belied by her coiled posture. She was ready for a fight—indeed, she was itching for it.

Denna gave her a long, speculative look, hands going for her agiels—Cara tensed eagerly, longing for someone on whom to take out her holiday blues—

But then Denna just smiled and said, too sweetly, "Happy Creatormas, Cara," and flounced off.

Defeated, Cara tossed her long braid so that it smacked against her back, spared not a glance for her new pet (whose continued survival, no matter what the Breath of Life had to do with anything, was a marvel), and went to find Lord Rahl.

He was seated in the throne room, idly examining a small, glass cube. Cara supposed this must be his latest amusement, and devoutly trusted he would not require her to make towers of blocks with him (Lord Rahl's childhood had allowed few opportunities for youthful exuberance—he made up for this lack by playing games with his Mord'Sith).

"Ah, Cara," purred Lord Rahl. "It has come to my attention that your Sisters have found you a sad trial this year."

"My Lord," said Cara respectfully, trying to bury her tempestuous feelings. Now was not the time for her Creatormas issues.

"Do you not enjoy the beauty of our great land?" Lord Rahl asked.

Prudently, Cara remained silent. As always, however, she was struck by the beauty of our great Lord.

"Come here," said Lord Rahl. "I have a gift for you." Warily, Cara approached.

Lord Rahl turned the glass cube in his hands, and, before Cara's eyes, a huge, intricate snowflake appeared, spinning within it.

"Oh," Cara gasped involuntarily. It was beautiful.

"It is as unique as you are," Lord Rahl said, watching her.

Impulsively, Cara reached up to Lord Rahl and pulled him down into a very passionate kiss—

What she couldn't express in words, she could in action.

Unobtrusively, she slipped the magic snowflake into the bodice of her leathers; she was giving Lord Rahl no chance to reclaim it.