Chapter 19
Carrying Paige in his arms, Richard made his way through the Palace corridors. The special day was finally here. His little princesses were a year old, Confessors now. It caused his throat to constrict with pride as well as a shadow of fear for what lay ahead for them.
Kahlan walked close at his side, making it difficult for him to focus. He found his attention continually wandering to her, finding it nearly impossible to take his eyes off of her. When she had entered their bedchambers this morning in the new dress she'd had made especially for today, he had nearly lost the ability to breathe.
She was wearing a lightly shimmering pale blue dress that clung to her feminine curves, the elegant cut revealing her petite waist. A frosty gossamer overlay only added to the elegance of the pale blue satin beneath, its delicate sheerness making his heart flutter. Only he knew the utter beauty that lay beneath that dress, the softness of her body, each curve of her perfect form, every beautiful freckle that marked her pale flesh.
The dress was cut low in front, revealing the soft swell of her creamy breasts. The sleeves stopped just above her elbows before flowing in a long current of pale blue satin material much like the sleeves of her white Confessor's dress. The long skirt swished softly with every graceful step she took, an air of nobility completely encompassing her.
She was truly every bit a Queen, the Lady Rahl of the D'Haran Empire.
Her raven hair was a dark waterfall of curls trailing down her back, the sides pulled up and secured with the hair combs that he had given her that morning. The sapphires accentuated her dress and only seemed to make her blue eyes seem even more vibrant if that was even possible.
Even now as he gazed at her, Richard could feel his blood warming, his pulse racing. It was going to be a long time before he could truly be alone with her, the planned festivities likely lasting long into the evening.
Turning his attention back to the direction they were heading, he tried to shove aside his longing for her, knowing that he was going to have to stay focused today. He needed to be on guard against Ambassador Sabinus Dorst and the representatives from the Midlands. He didn't want anything ruining his daughters' birthday celebration.
One step out of line, one wrong word to Kahlan or anyone else for that matter and they would be personally removed from the grounds by Commander Holland. He had already spoken to Holland about it yesterday, giving him his orders to quietly escort them out if need be. He was not beyond having them thrown into the darkest corner of the dungeon, locking them in irons and leaving them there for a good long time.
Richard was not about to let them upset Kahlan again or create a scene that would in any way disrupt this special day. His family meant everything in this world to him and nothing was going to interfere with this celebration.
As if sensing his brooding mood, Paige began to gently pat his face at that moment, causing him to grin in response. He turned to look into the little face that he adored, the light smattering of freckles on her nose and cheeks so much like Kahlan's. It created a tender warmth in his heart that seemed to spread clear to his toes. He wanted all of his children to look just like their beautiful mother.
His daughter jabbered at him, pausing to giggle about something or other, her chestnut brown eyes practically sparkling with delight. It was as if his girls knew that today was an extra special day, the excitement that seemed to fill the air so contagious.
Richard swiftly turned his head, his lips kissing the palm of his daughter's little hand. She giggled again as he pretended to eat her fingers. She quickly yanked her hand away, hiding it behind her back as she grinned victoriously at him for having escaped his attack.
A loud squeal behind him captured Richard's attention, causing him to look back over his shoulder. Dressed in a pale pink dress to match her sister, Priya was riding on Garren's shoulders, her small hands patting the top of his head in an attempt to make him move faster. Garren growled something deadly fierce in response which only caused Priya to giggle and squeal all the more.
Richard shook his head in awe, amazed at how fearless his daughters were at such a young age. Any normal one year old would have been terrified, crying and screaming in response, but not his girls. He didn't know whether to be proud or worried about them.
Cara smiled in response to her husband, her hand firmly gripping Garren's free arm that wasn't keeping Priya securely in place on his shoulders, her other hand resting on her large belly. Adorned in a deep red dress, the Mord'Sith looked positively stunning, a warm glow radiating from deep within her. It was so good to see her feeling better and out of her suite.
Following behind, Sister Nicci kept a sharp eye on Cara, her lips pursed with worry. The sorceress wasn't about to let her out of her sight today. She may have allowed her this momentarily reprieve from bed rest, but she was going to make sure she kept the Mord'Sith on a short leash with several breaks in order to rest.
Richard couldn't deny the happiness that he felt with being surrounded by the people that meant so much to him. This was his family, his home.
His heart sank a little as he thought about Zedd and Frederick somewhere out there in the Lo'Gaire Mountains. He missed his grandfather deeply, wishing that he were here to share in the festivities with them. He hoped that they would be on their way home soon.
Checking on Michael this morning, he had found that the little boy wasn't fairing very well, his strength faltering. The fever had returned again, but not nearly as high as it had been the other day when he had removed it with his magic.
Richard feared that time was swiftly running out for him if they didn't return soon with a cure.
A gentle hand on his arm suddenly brought him out of his dark reverie. He turned to find himself staring into the eyes that always made his knees weak. His special smile graced her lips, her hand squeezing his arm affectionately.
"Don't worry," she softly reassured him. "Zedd will be back before we know it."
He smiled in response, amazed at how she always seemed to know exactly what he was thinking and feeling. It was comforting to know that there was someone in this world who loved him so deeply, who knew him better than he knew himself.
"I miss him," he simply admitted with a sigh.
"I know; me too," she agreed. "It would have been nice to have him and my father here, but hopefully they're finding what they need to help save my father and Michael."
"I'm sure Caelinus will be able to save your father, Kahlan," he replied. "Zedd will do everything in his power to help him."
Hooking a stray curl behind her ear, she suddenly became sad, almost lost. "I know. I just finally have the father I never thought I'd have. I don't want to lose him now."
"We won't give up until we've found a way to save him," he solemnly promised her, capturing her hand in his. He knew her just as well as she knew him, could see the worry settling in her eyes.
Kahlan smiled softly at him, tightening her hold on his hand. "I love you, Richard," she murmured.
"Forever, my love," he replied, leaning in and kissing her softly, slowly.
"Alright, you two," Cara suddenly interrupted from behind. "Break it up. You two have enough children at the moment."
Richard chuckled softly against Kahlan's lips, watching as his wife's cheeks grew rosy with the Mord'Sith's words. "I would love nothing more than to make another child with you," he softly said as he grinned wickedly at her, his eyes warm with desire.
Kahlan smiled seductively in response. "You would, would you? I think we just may have to work towards that goal."
Richard released a ragged breath, excited with the very thought. Making love with Kahlan was always unbelievably amazing. Knowing that she could conceive at any time, carry his child again just made it that much more incredible to him.
He turned to look at Paige in his arms, smiling broadly in anticipation of the future. "Would you like to have a little sister?" he asked her.
"Dada," she babbled as her brow furrowed, placing her hands on his face as if to keep his attention on her so she could tell him something very important.
Richard couldn't hold back the deep rolling laughter that rose up in his chest. The look on Paige's face was pure Kahlan in every way. "You are so your mother, my little princess," he grinned, kissing her forehead.
"And this one is so her father," Garren chuckled from behind as they approached the entrance to the courtyard. "She won't be happy until I'm racing wildly up and down the corridors like a gar with its tail on fire."
"Please do not give in to her," Kahlan winced as she looked up at Priya high on Garren's broad shoulders. "I have them both dressed for their special day. I'd like for them to stay that way for once."
"Kahlan, we both know it won't last long," Richard shook his head. "They're the most active one year olds I've ever met."
"I know, but a mother can hope can't she?"
"I could always put a spell on them for you," Nicci offered from behind.
"You already have your hands full today keeping my wife out of trouble," Garren reminded her.
"I'm always well behaved," Cara retorted with a cocked eyebrow.
Kahlan smiled brightly at her friend. "You look beautiful today, Cara."
"I feel as large as an ox," she huffed.
Stepping out into the bright sunlight, Kahlan breathed in the late morning air, relishing the warm feel of the sun's rays on her face. This day was starting out perfect in every way, sharing it with the people that she loved and cared about.
While she wished that her father and Zedd could've been here enjoying the day with them, she knew that what they were doing was of utmost importance. If they could find a way to save her father and Michael, then whatever they were going through would be worth it all in the end.
XXX
Sister Deryn sat quietly in a nearby chair in a corner of the room, watching as Zedd paced back and forth, his hand cupping his chin. The wrinkles of his face were creased deep in thought, his brow knitted together in a worried groove that did nothing to lessen her own mounting fears.
She absentmindedly wrung her hands as she fought to control the torrent of emotions roiling around inside of her. Caelinus wasn't proving to be very helpful in their search for answers or solutions to their problems. He had disappeared into a back room some time ago in search of books that he'd kept from his time at the Wizard's Keep, but had yet to reappear.
She was growing more and more anxious with every passing moment, her hope deteriorating as her fears continued to soar. They were getting nowhere with this, sitting here with a crazy old man who didn't have the first clue how to help them. Meanwhile, her son lay in a bed back at the People's Palace dying without his mother.
She couldn't take this any longer.
Leaping to her feet, Deryn began to wander the room as tears began to stream down her cheeks. "I…I can't do this…" she cried, her hands balling tightly into fists. "My son is dying and we're getting nowhere here. I…I have to do something. We need to leave!"
Frederick quickly made his way to her, taking hold of her arms to calm her. "It's going to be alright," he gently told her, forcing her to look him in the eye. "No one is giving up yet. Caelinus said that he might be able to find something in his old journals."
"And what if he can't?" she whined, her bottom lip trembling. "I will lose the only thing I have left."
"We won't give up until we've found the answers that we need," he promised her. "For all we know, Richard or Nicci may have already found a way to save Michael."
"Do you really think so?" she whispered, afraid to hope.
"I hope so," he nodded, looking to Zedd for some help.
Zedd came to stand beside them, placing a comforting hand on her back. "My grandson is the most resourceful young man I have ever known," he told her. "And Sister Nicci is the most powerful sorceress who has ever lived. Between the two of them, they may have already stumbled across a cure for all we know and are just waiting for us to return so they can tell us all about how they saved Michael's life."
Deryn felt a small sense of relief with the thought, hoping that they were right. She couldn't bear to think of her son dying, so young with so much life ahead of him. He had swept into her life and stole her heart, becoming her everything. She had just accepted the fact that she had lost Richard, would never win him back. She couldn't accept losing her son as well. It was too much to ask of her.
"Come, let's make some tea while we wait," Frederick suggested, leading her to the small table in the corner.
"Well, I finally found them," Caelinus triumphantly announced as he reentered the room with a large armful of journals and books.
Hobbling over to the table, he set them down with an exerted grunt, a puff of dust suddenly billowing up from the pile that tumbled free from his grasp. He quickly waved his hand in embarrassment in an effort to vanquish the dust that filled the air.
"Bags, Caelinus!" Zedd grumbled as he approached. "Where have you been storing these? In a cave?"
"No," the Wizard retorted with an indignant frown, placing his fists on his bony hips. "Just never you mind where I've kept them. I've got them now and that's all that matters. Let's get to it then."
"How do we even know what we're looking for?" Frederick asked, settling into a chair beside Sister Deryn as he took a book off the top of the heaping pile.
"You won't," Caelinus snapped, snatching the book from Frederick's hand. "Only a wizard will know what to look for."
"We don't have time for the two of you to search through all of these books alone," Deryn heatedly stated. "It could take months. Michael and Frederick don't have that kind of time."
Frederick took another book from the pile, eyeing the spine of the tome in his hands. "You better let us help. If we find something that seems like it might be important, we'll hand the book over to you to study."
"Alright, fine," Caelinus huffed. "But don't get any ideas about copying down any of my hard work or trying to steal it. I'll let Odin fry you before you can even reach the mountain pass."
"Caelinus, we don't want to steal your work!" Zedd exclaimed in exasperation. "We only want to find a way to cure Frederick and Deryn's son Michael. Nothing more."
"That better be all," he grumbled.
Zedd rolled his eyes as he too settled into a chair to begin the arduous task of searching out what they needed. "You've been living up here alone for far too long, old man," he told him. "You've become cynical and a pain in the…"
"Can we just please get to work?" Deryn asked as she reached for a journal.
"Old man?" he cried, poking a finger in Zedd's face. "Do I need to remind you that you're older than me?"
"You act like you've got one foot in the grave already…and you look like it too," Zedd added as he brushed off the thick coating of dust that covered one of the journals. "You've grown soft, let yourself go. You don't have any meat on your bones."
"Have you two always argued like this?" Frederick suddenly asked, amused.
"Always," Caelinus grinned broadly. "Fought like cats and dogs for as long as we've known each other. Drove my poor sister Erilyn crazy with our constant bickering."
"I guess some things never change," Deryn muttered under her breath.
Scratching his head, Caelinus began to wade through the large stack before him. "Now, let's start with your little boy," he began, directing his attention to Sister Deryn. "Tell me exactly what's going on and we'll see if we can't get to the bottom of it. I may be a little rusty, but I'm not completely useless yet."
"That remains to be seen," Zedd mumbled.
Ignoring his words, Caelinus kept his attention focused on the Sister of the Light. "How old is your little boy?"
"He just turned two years old," she began, attempting to keep the tears at bay as she thought about her beautiful son. "He…he's a child of magic."
"Buggards!" Caelinus scowled. "That's not good. Tell me how he came to be."
"A wizard cast a spell that stole Richard Rahl's essence and planted it inside of me, creating a baby," she softly told him, suddenly so ashamed about how she could've believed that Richard had loved her at one time.
She had believed for so long the memories playing over and over again in her head, the things that she had felt in her heart from the first moment that she had seen him. It was still difficult to believe that the memories had all been a lie, nothing more than a ruse concocted by the Prelate.
"I see," Caelinus murmured deep in thought, tapping his forefinger against his lower lip as he listened to her recount the tale. "And you say he didn't become ill until just recently?"
"Yes, just over a week ago," she confirmed.
"The magic that created him is now killing him," Caelinus regretfully informed them. "It's breaking down, can't sustain itself. It won't hold up for much longer. No child of magic has ever lived past two years."
"Isn't there anything we can do to save him?" she tearfully begged.
"I'm afraid there's nothing anyone can do for him," he sadly shook his head. "He will not survive this."