Cara has never seen mistletoe before.
"Wizard, what is this strange plant?"
Cara held out the offending greenery for his inspection. Zedd peered at it, eyes lighting up in recogntion.
"Why, Cara Mason, it's mistletoe. Have you never seen it before?"
"No. It doesn't grow in D'Hara. Is it good to eat?" she asked, practical as ever.
"Absolutely not! The berries are poisonous."
Richard and Kahlan wandered over to join them.
"Then what is the point of it?" Cara asked.
"They're not poisonous to all creatures," Richard said. "And we grew mistletoe in Hartland, to decorate our homes in winter."
Cara rolled her eyes. Cultivating a plant for wildlife to eat and for mere decoration!
Kahlan laughed and slipped one arm around Cara's waist. "There are some interesting traditions about mistletoe," she said.
"For instance?" Cara asked dryly.
Zedd took the sprig of mistletoe and held it above Cara's head. "It's traditional to kiss under the plant," he said.
Cara began to see the appeal. She turned and brushed her lips against an astonished Kahlan's mouth. Richard's mouth fell open in shock.
"Like that?" Cara asked, hoping they'd be pleased with her readiness to embrace one of their ridiculous customs.
"Somewhat," Zedd said faintly.
Some people, Cara thought, were just never satisfied.