TITLE: Deception

AUTHOR: LOTSlove®

CHARACTERS: Richard / Kahlan / Cara / Zedd / Nicci / Original Characters

RATING: R / M

WARNINGS: Author Chooses Not to Use Warnings

TIMELINE: Anything up through S2 season finale (Tears)

DISCLAIMER: I'm completely obsessed with the show Legend of the Seeker and all things Richard and Kahlan. I love to write about them even though they cancelled my show and now I'm fighting to get it back!

SUMMARY: Sequel to me fic Revelation, Richard and Kahlan fight to solidify the D'Haran Empire when a new threat rises threatening to destroy all that they have worked for.

Chapter 7

Sabinus listened to the insistent drumming of Representative Frinhill's fingers against the wooden table as they waited for Lord and Lady Rahl to arrive. They had been waiting for well over an hour, Lord Rahl making a very obvious point about how they had made him wait for them yesterday, although it had only been for a few minutes.

Reaching his limit, Sabinus's hand swiftly reached over beside him, roughly grabbing hold of the Representative's hand to still him. "Please…remain calm, Representative," Sabinus calmly addressed him. "I'm sure Lord Rahl will be here shortly."

Frinhill immediately jerked his hand out from under Sabinus's firm hold on him. "We don't have time for this," he snorted in indignation. "While we sit here waiting, our regions are being occupied by D'Haran troops."

"I told you we would work this out," Sabinus evenly replied. "Please, let me do the job that you hired me to do."

"Well, we can't very well let you do that when Lord and Lady Rahl aren't even here, now can we?" Backus from Narcissa huffed with equal indignation. "We only made him wait for a few minutes; not this long."

Sabinus calmly took in each representative's exasperated expressions, meeting each of their agitated gazes. "Gentlemen," he sighed. "Things aren't as desolate as they may seem."

"And how do you figure that?" Representative Gorrim yelled, leaping to his feet, the legs of his chair scratching along the marble floor with his abrupt movement. "We're on the brink of war!"

"Look, you gentlemen decided that you were not about to submit to D'Haran rule, choosing rather to form your own territory to rule as you see fit," Sabinus reminded them, his voice turning hard. "You didn't honestly think this decision would go unchallenged by Lord Rahl, did you?"

"No, of course not, but sitting here being made to wait like we are just common street people is not only disrespectful, but unacceptable," Backus blew up again, his face turning red. "I refuse to submit to this insolence."

Just then, the doors opened revealing Commander Holland, behind him Richard and Kahlan. Gorrim immediately dropped back into his seat, all the wind suddenly being pulled from his sails in the presence of the mighty Lord Rahl and the Mother Confessor.

"Gentlemen, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting," Lord Rahl smoothly said, a mischievous gleam in his chestnut brown eyes. "I'm afraid that something came up that I needed to tend to before we could meet with you."

His meaning was not lost on any of them as the Lord and Lady Rahl made their way to the head of the table, all four men leaping to their feet. Lord Rahl held his wife's hand as he lead her to her chair before taking his own situated right beside her.

Richard wasn't exactly thrilled that she had come to this meeting. He had tried talking her out of it, but she had insisted on joining them. She wanted them to see her presence beside her husband, hear her voice in unison with Lord Rahl's decision. It was the only way to put an end to this nonsense.

The Seeker didn't want her near Sabinus. There was something about the man that made him feel very uneasy. The way that he had spoken about her yesterday had not set well with him and the way that he looked at her now made the fine hairs on the back of his neck bristle.

Richard motioned with his hand for them all to take their seats as Commander Holland came to stand behind Richard and to his right. His hand came to rest on the hilt of his sword in silent warning, more than prepared to use it if necessary.

"Gentlemen, you wanted the Mother Confessor to be present for this deliberation," Richard began, his arms coming to rest on the arms of his elaborately decorated chair.

Richard had had another chair identical to it created for Kahlan, having it positioned right beside his. He wanted everyone to know from the very start that they were equal in every way; her decisions his decisions, her words his words.

"We respectfully thank you for coming to this important meeting, Lady Rahl," Sabinus drawled, dipping his head in deference to her authority.

Her power and beauty was well-known, but he found the gossip paled mightily in the presence of the woman herself. Her straight raven hair hung several inches past her shoulders, the sides pulled back and pinned. The white Confessor dress she wore only accentuated her beauty if that was even possible.

The intelligence that blazed in her cobalt eyes was breathtaking to behold, but it was the formal smile that she gave him as he lifted his head again and made eye contact with her that made his stomach flutter. He'd never felt such a response to meeting someone before.

He suddenly found that he had no idea what had hit him when she looked at him.

"It's my pleasure, Ambassador Dorst," she formally replied. "Lord Rahl and I share a common belief in creating an environment of peace and prosperity for all our people, those in D'Hara and the Midlands."

Her dark blue gaze slowly met each of the three representatives in turn. She had known two of these men from before she had left in search of the Seeker, the man from Urien, however, was unfamiliar to her.

Frinhill and Backus had always been reasonable men in the past, never creating any conflicts for the ruling Mother Confessor of the Midlands. Now, though, things were suddenly different for some unknown reason.

"Nevertheless, may I say that it is a great honor to at long last meet the Mother Confessor," Sabinus said, his eyes locked on Kahlan. "Reports of your beauty do not do you justice."

Kahlan could feel Richard immediately bristle beside her, his fingers suddenly wrapping around the arms of his chair. She forced down the smile that was attempting to work its way to the surface. His jealousy was unnecessary, but attractive nonetheless.

"Thank you for your kind words," Kahlan coolly replied. "Now, I think it's time we talk about the matters at hand that brought us all here today."

"I couldn't agree more," Sabinus smiled something dark and cunning that caused the Seeker to tightly clench his jaw.

Richard did not like this man, didn't trust him at all. He was up to something far more than just representing the interests of these regions. He had a private agenda of his own, something that he was keeping hidden at the moment and Richard was going to find out what that was one way or another.

"What concerns do you have?" Kahlan asked.

"First of all, everything was just fine with the ruling seat of the Midlands in Aydindril under the control of the Mother Confessor and the Council," Backus snorted, leaning forward in his chair. "There is absolutely no reason to unite us with the D'Harans."

Kahlan appraised him for a long moment, her penetrating icy blue stare causing him to shrink back in his chair. "Representative Backus, you of all people should know that things cannot always stay the same. Change has come and you are either with us or against us and you are quite obviously against us."

"Lord Rahl has corrupted your thinking, turned you against the Midlands that you once loved and called your home," Frinhill scowled, folding his arms against his chest like an insolent child pouting because he didn't get his way.

"It is because of my love for the Midlands that I believe this union with D'Hara is for the best," Kahlan said with a deadly calm that reverberated through the air, leaving a frosty chill in the room. "My union with Lord Rahl as my husband is based on love and mirrors the union of the Midlands and D'Hara. We love the people of both territories and therefore we believe it is in the best interest of everyone that we form the D'Haran Empire."

"It is because you fell in love with your Seeker that we are in the mess that we're in now," Gorrim abruptly chimed in. "You used to be a strong, independent ruler, thinking for yourself, not following the decisions of some man to influence you or bowing to his desires like some brainless wench mooning over..."

"Gorrim!" Richard's razor sharp voice pierced the air as sure as if it had been the steel of his sword itself.

A subtle reassuring hand abruptly covered his, causing him to swallow his sudden fuming rage. He turned to gaze into the bright blue eyes of his beloved, the warming calm he saw swimming there soothing the angry beast that dwelt inside of him.

Suffocating tension permeated the room, each one waiting with bated breath to see what would happen next. Would the Lord Rahl draw his sword? Cut them all down right here? Or would the Mother Confessor just confess them all?

"I'm afraid that we have not been formally introduced yet, Representative Gorrim," Kahlan calmly replied, her shoulders straight, her head held high with all the authority that her prestigious titles held. "Because I assume that you are new to your position and have not been formally trained in how to properly address the Mother Confessor, I will let your comment go...this time. I will not be so forgiving the next time you decide to open your mouth."

Gorrim immediately blanched with her words, realizing that he had crossed a very distinct line. "I beg your forgiveness, Mother Confessor," he swallowed hard. "I did not mean to offend you in any way. I only meant to say that…"

"I understood perfectly what you were trying to say, Gorrim," Kahlan angrily snapped. "And I don't appreciate your insinuation that I am any less the Mother Confessor because I was blessed enough to marry a man for love instead of being forced to confess and take a mate like Confessors past.

"That alone should prove that what Lord Richard Rahl and I share is extremely rare and special, something that has not happened in over three thousand years. I believe it is something to be celebrated, not questioned or diminished in anyway.

"Now, if you have any…valid…questions or concerns that you'd like to discuss with us then I suggest you say it now because I'm not in the mood to hear any more of your foolish accusations or ludicrous opinions."

Richard could barely contain the smile of pride that rose to his lips, his heart swelling with deep-seated love for her. She truly was a special woman, beautiful inside and out and she belonged to no one but him. There were hand in hand and heart to heart in every way.

"Does that answer your questions, gentlemen?" Richard frostily asked, his raptor gaze returning, darkening as he swept over the room with its fierceness.

"No, I'm afraid we have many more issues that we still need to discuss," Sabinus boldly replied with a small smile.

Richard drew a deep, calming breath before responding. "What more could there be to discuss," he bit out. "Our position is clear. You decision has obviously been made."

"Recall your army and we will be more than happy to see if we can come to some sort of resolution regarding this tenuous situation. We are not unreasonable men…and lady…here," Sabinus suggested, tipping his head towards Kahlan.

"I'm past being reasonable," Richard angrily stated. "I've been reasonable for several months. If you wanted to avoid this unfortunate end, then you should have been here weeks ago to discuss your concerns just like everyone else."

"But…but…it was beyond our control," Frinhill spouted.

"You should have thought about the repercussions of your decision to unite and form your own territory long before it came to this," Kahlan said, pulling her hair back behind her shoulder. "Treason is not something that we take lightly."

"I think that might be putting it a little harshly, don't you think?" Sabinus interjected with raised eyebrows.

"I'm afraid we don't," Kahlan informed him, standing to her feet. "Now, if you'll excuse me, gentlemen, I believe we're done here for today. We can meet again tomorrow if you wish, but our decision stands."

Shocked, the four dignitaries stood to their feet as they watched Lord and Lady Rahl exit the room. "But we're not finished here!" Gorrim sputtered.

"Yes, we are," Sabinus quietly said under his breath to the irate man as he stared at the chair that the Mother Confessor had just occupied.

"Gentlemen, if you'll follow me," Command Holland offered, more than ready to escort them not just from the room, but from the city.

Gathering his things, Sabinus was deep in thought. Kahlan Amnell Rahl was a very powerful, very intelligent woman, not one to be easily antagonized or goaded. Then again, neither was the Lord Rahl.

He was going to have to find Sangria right away.

XXX

Finding themselves alone in the private back corridor behind the deliberation room, Richard pulled Kahlan to an abrupt stop. Turning, he quickly pressed her back against the wall behind her. "Have I told you lately how incredibly amazing you are?" he softly asked her, a lopsided grin on his face as he lost himself in the deep blue depths swimming before him.

"I think you said something like that last night," she seductively murmured with a smirk, quickly growing warm with the feel of him pressing her against the wall, his lips lingering so dangerously close to hers.

His lips met hers in a heated rush as he fully pinned her against the wall with his body. His leg slipped between hers, causing a sudden friction that she hadn't anticipated. She moaned something sinful as he deepened the kiss, her fingers snaking into his hair and causing him to groan in response.

Retreating for air, he brushed his nose against hers. "So does the beautiful Mother Confessor have any plans for the rest of the day?"

"Maybe," she purred. "You see there's this very handsome man that I know, one that can't seem to keep his eyes off of me and…"

"Oh really?" he interrupted in surprise, quickly reminded of the way Sabinus had stared at her.

"You might know him," she continued to tease, tilting her head and using her teeth to lightly graze his lower lip. "He's tall with brown hair…warm brown eyes, carries this powerful sword."

Kahlan continued her tortuous assault, trailing warm kisses along his jaw to his ear and causing him to place both hands against the wall on either side of her head in an attempt to keep control. "He loves me deeply and I him, brings me such incredible pleasure that it curls my toes," she sultrily whispered in his ear.

Unable to stand it another moment, Richard turned his head with a low growl, his lips crashing into hers. He slowly slid his leg up and down between hers, feeling her body tensing with building need as he continued to kiss her, their mutual passion rising.

"Rich-ard," she gasped, her mouth falling open as he kissed along her pulse point. "We can't…here…"

"I'm the Lord Rahl," he breathily smirked against her throat. "I can have what I want where I want it…and I want you…always."

His demanding need caused arousal to shiver up her spine with his teasing words, her brain sending warning signals telling her that she needed to stop this before she couldn't. She already didn't want to stop him as she pulled him impossibly closer, but the logic in her head told her something else entirely different.

His fingers grazed along the edge of her dress, leaving a trail of gooseflesh along the tops of her breasts in his wake. Soon his hands, his mouth would be where she always wanted him, causing incredible warmth to pool in her core.

A soft sheen of perspiration broke out across her brow as she pressed the back of her head fully against the wall behind her, her chest beginning to heave with his attentive ministrations. She could feel her whole body aching to come undone right then and there, her magic already swirling towards the surface.

Richard knew he was beyond being able to stop now, his growing need for her becoming too painful, too demanding to ignore any longer. If he'd had his way, he would have cleared the deliberation room and taken her right then and there.

The things she did to him just by existing kept his need for her constantly simmering in his core, set to explode when he least expected it. He knew the chances of them being discovered here in this back corridor was slim. This was the Lord Rahl's private corridor. No one used it but them.

Still, just the outside chance of being discovered in such a comprising position with the Lady Rahl only made his want for her flare that much hotter in his core. The constant moans and gasps of his name spilling from her beautiful lips as he loosened the laces of her dress only spurred him on. He was far beyond the point of no return now.

If he didn't have her now, feel himself buried in her warm depths, he'd never survive.

His fingers became more insistent as he tugged her laces loose, his mouth following as he lifted her skirt, gripping her legs and wrapping her securely around his waist. She quickly worked the buttons of his tunic, her hands itching to touch his perfectly sculpted body. Her fingers feverishly traced the familiar curves of his muscular back as she kissed him, her tongue in a constant battle now with his for control.

He quickly loosened his breeches, freeing what they both so desperately wanted at that moment. Sliding over him, she cried his name despite herself, tilting her head back in sweet hot pleasure. That first moment of connection never ceased to thrill them both.

Richard buried his face in the crook of her neck, steeling himself against the overwhelming urge to fall apart right there. Biting his lip, he began to move, pinning her more fully against the wall and sending his senses reeling like only she could ever do to him. His teeth raked against her throat with a low moan, knowing he would leave his mark on her fair skin, but he didn't care. She belonged to him.

Kahlan felt as if her whole body was on fire as they made love, knowing they could be caught at any moment. She moaned as his tempo increased, making her even more desperate to have what only she could ever have from him as her powers roared to the surface.

Thunder without sound reverberated through the air as she clawed at his back, climaxing and bringing her lover with her as he emptied himself deep inside of her. His lips softly brushed against her throat, blazing a trail to her ear.

"I love you…more than you know…" he panted heavily, taking her earlobe into his mouth and sucking hard.

Kahlan sucked in a sharp breath, her heart hammering in her chest as she tilted her head to nuzzle the side of his face. "Forever…my love…" she softly breathed as he unhooked her legs from his waist.

Setting her back down on the ground, he tied the laces of her dress as she fixed his breeches, his lips softly brushing against hers as they worked to return everything to its proper place. He lightly ran his fingers over her hair, smoothing down the stray strands that he had inadvertently displaced.

"You are so very beautiful," he murmured as he gazed into her eyes, caressing her cheek with his knuckles. "Thank you for standing with me in there…in everything we do. I know this can't be easy for you."

"I love you, Richard," she smiled her special smile. "We're together in this life, in everything. I wouldn't have it any other way."

Kissing the tip of her nose, Richard took her hand in his as he started to lead her from their new favorite spot, knowing in his heart that he was the luckiest man alive. And it was all because of her.