TITLE: Marked

AUTHOR: LOTSlove®

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

RATING: PG-16 / R later

WARNINGS: Author Chooses Not to Use Warnings

TIMELINE: Anything up through S2

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 my fic Revenge, Richard finally has Kahlan safely back with him, but does he really?

Chapter 16

"Finally!" the Mord'Sith growled in exasperation. "I think the rift narrows some up ahead. I didn't think we were ever going to find a way around this damn thing."

"I have to agree," the Wizard frowned. "I think this has to be the biggest one we've seen yet."

"Richard and Kahlan have almost two days head start on us," she huffed. "In another day, they'll be through the valley already and we'll be just heading into it."

"If they haven't been captured by the Aku," he amended.

Cara suddenly stopped to turn to look behind her at the Wizard, a smirk playing on her lips. "You're starting to sound just like me now."

"Bags!" Zedd scowled with the realization. "I am!"

"It is true, though," she replied, leaping over a narrower section of the rift and landing safely on the other side. "You don't want to mess with the Aku."

"Maybe they're not as fierce as you remember them being," Zedd suggested.

"It was quite a few years ago that the Mord'Sith had any contact with them," Cara admitted. "Of course, they could've gotten worse too."

"Well, let's hope for the best," Zedd said as he began to cross over the wide gap in the earth's crust.

Rock suddenly began to crumble beneath his foot as he landed on the other side, quickly giving way and pulling him down with it. Cara turned around just in time to see the Wizard being dragged down into the rift.

"Zedd!" Cara cried, immediately lunging for him as he disappeared from sight.

Lying prostrate on the ground, Cara breathed heavily, her eyes wide in shock and fixed on the spot where Zedd had just been standing. He was gone, there one moment and abruptly taken from their lives the next. How would Richard ever forgive her?

Tears suddenly welled in her eyes as she slowly crawled to the edge of the rift. Peering over the side, she was stunned to find Zedd several feet down hanging onto a rock by his fingertips, a nasty gash on his forehead.

"Well, are you going to stand there and stare at me or are you going to help me up?" he groused.

Cara shifted closer to the edge as she reached down to help the Wizard up. She growled under her breath, her fingers not quite reaching far enough to grab hold of him. She could feel the ground beneath her begin to shift subtly, threatening to give way on her too.

Scooting a little further, she dug the toes of her boots into the dirt in a desperate attempt to keep from going over with him. Gritting her teeth, she bent over further, the rocks beneath her digging into her abdomen.

"Hurry!" Zedd yelled. "This rock is beginning to give way."

"I'm…trying…" she ground out, shifting forward again. "It won't do…either of us any good…if I go over with you. Can you reach up…for my hand?"

"I'll try," he breathed heavily. "We'll only have one shot at this."

Releasing a hand, Zedd reached up towards the Mord'Sith bent over the edge of the rift and straining to reach him. Bits of dirt and rock began crumbling free, raining down on his face and getting into his eyes. His fingers began to slip from the rock he was desperately clinging to.

"Come on!" Cara growled at him.

Her fingertips brushed against his as she held her breath, straining towards him. She was stretched as far as she possibly could without being pulled over right along with him. Sweat beaded on her brow, her hair falling into her face as she stretched towards him.

"You're almost there," Zedd yelled. "Just…a little…bit…more…"

Their fingers finally touched then, wrapping securely around each other just as the rock suddenly gave way. She clenched her jaw against the pain that shot through her newly healed shoulder as Zedd dangled over the gapping abyss.

She felt as though her shoulder was about to rip apart, her being taken with him into the rift. Using his feet, Zedd began to climb up as Cara pulled back, dragging him out.

Falling back onto the ground with a grunt, Cara panted heavily, relieved that Zedd was alright for the most past. Her shoulder throbbed painfully, a warm wet feeling running over her skin and reminding her once more of the injury he had healed just a few hours ago.

"Thank you for saving me," Zedd managed to get out as he fought to catch his breath, lying on the ground next to her.

"I had no choice," Cara snapped as she sat up. "I couldn't go back to Richard without his grandfather. He'd never forgive me."

Zedd sat up then as well, a hearty chuckle spilling from his lips as he looked at the blond next to him. "You're fond of me and you know it."

"I don't know what you're talking about," she replied with a frown as she stood to her feet.

"There were tears in your eyes when you looked down over the edge of that rift," he grinned broadly. "You thought that I was gone for good."

"I had dirt in my eyes," she bluntly said, avoiding making eye contact with him as she brushed her hands over her red leather. "And if you tell anyone otherwise I will personally introduce you to my agiels."

Zedd nodded his head, doing his best to keep from smiling, but it was difficult with the annoyed scowl on her face or the heated glare that lit her eyes. If looks could shoot fiery daggers, he'd be dead ten times over right now. He didn't care, though. He knew her heart even if she didn't want to admit it.

Coming to stand in front of her, he laid a hand on her shoulder, his eyes misting with tears. "I care about you too, Cara," he told her. Without waiting for a response either verbally or physically painful, he continued on. "Now, let me look at your shoulder again. I'm sure pulling me out of that rift didn't help that newly healed wound none."

Cara frowned at him, but her green eyes shined brightly revealing her affection for him. "You must not have done a good enough job the first time, Wizard" she quipped, pulling her leather aside to allow him to work again. "You have to repair your own work. You must be losing your edge."

"Just pipe down and let me do my work," he shot back, earning a small smirk from the Mord'Sith.

"And who is going to heal that cut on your forehead?"

"I guess I'll be at your healing mercy," Zedd muttered, his gaze narrowing as he worked.

"I could always use my agiel to close the wound," she offered.

"Thank you for the offer, but I think I'll pass."

"You're loss," she shrugged.

"Hold still," he grumbled. "You're worse than Richard at holding still while I'm working."

"I hope we catch up with them soon," she frowned. "I just know they're getting themselves into trouble."

XXX

"You better not be peeking, Seeker."

Richard couldn't stop the grin that played on his face as he unlaced his pants. "I'm behaving," he promised. "Remember, I told you I don't want to see you without your clothes on until we make love for the first time."

Kahlan smiled despite herself, his words creating a sweet warmth in the pit of her stomach. "You better get working on that before I'm old and wrinkled," she softly chuckled. "I'd hate for you to be bitterly disappointed."

"Kahlan, you could never disappointment me," he firmly said. "Besides, I know that we can be together now without me being confessed. You just have to trust me."

"I do trust you," she sighed heavily as she slipped her clothes off. She paused to peer over the thick tall grass, hoping to catch a peek at her handsome Seeker. "I'm just…afraid."

"I know you are, but you don't have to be," he told her. "You never have to be afraid when you're with me."

"I know," she softly admitted, her eyes falling closed with the bitter battle being waged in her heart. She was so desperate to believe him and yet her fear over stealing his soul would not quiet.

Despite himself, Richard tilted his head back, glancing over the grasses that hid her perfect form from him. He couldn't help but want to see her, wanting so desperately to be with her, touch and caress her, kiss every part of her from the crown of her head to the very tips of her toes.

A lilting chuckle drifted over the grasses and tickled his ears. "What's so funny over there?" he asked.

"Just remembering the first time you caught you me without my clothes on," she replied, a giggle still on her lips.

Richard couldn't help but laugh as well. He had actually thought that he could lie his way out of that embarrassing incident. "I swear I didn't see anything," he chuckled.

"I thought I taught you never to lie to a Confessor?"

"It wasn't exactly a lie," he said, slipping off his boots. "Let's just say that I didn't see as much as I had wanted."

Kahlan felt her cheeks grow warm with his words, remembering how badly she had wanted him to see all of her, recalling how just knowing that he had seen her had created such a nervous flutter in her stomach. Even then, she had begun to feel herself wanting him, anxious to share every part of herself with him.

The silence caused him to pause, wondering what she was thinking right at that moment. Had she too felt a powerful draw in that moment well over a year ago? Had she sensed his ever-growing desire for her even then?

Just as he was about to ask if she was alright, her sensual voice suddenly travelled on the warm breeze, causing his heart to skip a beat. "I know," she softly said. "Even then, I wanted you to see more."

"Someday soon, Kahlan," he promised her. "I will prove my love is enough."

Kahlan tried to swallow back her hammering heart, knowing it was useless when she was this close to him without clothes on. She decided to try to lighten the mood again, wanting to make things as normal between them as possible.

"You know, you've seen me three times now without my clothes on and I have yet to see you once," she teased. "I'm not so sure that is fair."

Richard's laughter filled the air as well as her soul, lifting her spirits like nothing else ever could but him. He always managed to find the key to unlock the walls she had built around her heart, breaking down that barrier she had erected to hold him at bay.

"You can look at me all you want, Kahlan," he said, his voice husky and suddenly closer than she had expected. "All you have to do is ask and I would give you anything you wanted."

Turning in surprise, she softly gasped when she found him standing behind her, still hidden in the grass, but not nearly as far away as he had been. His back was turned to her, keeping his word that he wouldn't invade her privacy.

She knew his words to be true without even looking into his eyes. "I know that too," she softly replied.

"You go first into the spring," he told her. "I'll come after once you're in the water."

Kahlan wanted more than anything to go to him, throw herself into his arms and make love with him. She wanted to feel him in the water with her, to be skin against skin and never let each other go. She knew this wasn't a good idea, being this close without clothes on, but she wanted to be near him more than anything right now.

"Alright," she agreed, making her way to the spring.

She dipped her toe in the water, the warmth of it just adding to the heated arousal that was already beginning to pump through her veins. She paused to look back over her shoulder, checking to make sure her Seeker wasn't sneaking a glimpse of her.

He stood still in the tall grasses, his muscular form still partially concealed from her view. Even from what she had already seen when he took his shirt off, she knew that he was the absolute epitome of perfection in every way. It was as if the Creator herself had carved Richard's body by her own hand, sculpting and shaping him into the amazing man that he was today.

She longed to run her fingers over that amazing body, her lips and tongue following the path that she would blaze over him. She wanted to learn, to know every single dip and valley of his muscles, what was most ticklish to him and what made him moan and gasp in pleasure.

"Kahlan?"

The sound of his voice broke the alluring hold that he held over her as she studied him. She quickly looked away, her attention back on the spring before her. Getting into the water, she dipped beneath the surface, allowing the warm liquid to swallow her whole.

Coming to the surface, she ran her hands back through her hair before responding. "Alright, you can come in now," she called to him.

Stepping through the tall grasses, Richard could see Kahlan waiting for him, water coming almost up to her shoulders. Her dark hair was wet and clinging to her porcelain skin, droplets of water glistening like diamonds in the sunlight on her face.

He was disappointed to find that her eyes were closed as he drew near the water. He wanted so badly to be seen by her. The thought made his pulse race. He wanted to see her desire for him lighting her brilliant blue eyes, needed to see how much she wanted him too.

He knew she loved him, wanted to be with him, but he needed to see it in her now more than ever after everything they'd been through together. He needed to know that she was going to be alright, that she wasn't going to push him away forever. He needed the reassurance of her love, the comfort that her embrace provided. She wasn't the only one hurting.

Moving to the other side of the hot spring, he watched her for a long moment, his sadness and longing mingling inside threatening to overwhelm him. Spirits, he wanted her so badly right now.

"You can open your eyes, Kahlan," he finally said, waiting until she met his stare before speaking again. "I thought you wanted to see me."

Richard watched as a blush rose up from her chest to her cheeks as he held her gaze. Her lips parted slightly, a slow breath being released as she stared at him. He could see her mind fighting her heart, the inner struggle playing out across her face.

Unable to bear the distance between them, he slowly swam closer to her, his eyes darkening with the desire that was now blazing through him like liquid flames. He would not push her, but at the same time he was not about to give up on her either. He would never let her go.

Kahlan's breath caught in her throat as she saw him drawing near, her body aching to feel him pressed against her, her mind screaming at her to run away. The intensity in his eyes, the passion that sent tingles up her spine.

"Kahlan," he softly said, his voice so gentle despite the fire that burned in his chocolate orbs.

Her heart was suddenly racing beyond her control, her body tense as he drew near to her. The air practically crackled with the sexual tension that had erupted between them, drawing them together when she knew she should push him away. But she didn't want to push him away any longer.

Richard could feel his arousal storming through him, the heat from her gaze only fueling his fire even more. She whispered his name, something between a desperate plea and a beseeching prayer and he nearly came apart right there. He needed to touch her, had to be near her. Nothing but her would ever do.

As desperately as he wanted to be with her, they still had unresolved tension between them, things that needed to be shared and talked about. When he finally made love to her, he didn't want there to be anything between them – no secrets, no fears, no worries. Only their love for one another and nothing else.

Finally reaching her, Richard lightly ran his fingers along her hair, his eyes never leaving hers. He felt her tremble slightly as he caressed her cheek, the flush of her skin only enhancing her beauty if that was even possible.

Kahlan's eyes fell closed, anxious to feel his hands, his mouth all over her body. "Richard…" she softly gasped, anticipating the moment his lips would be touching hers, devouring her with an intensity that would no doubt match her own.

She felt his fingers ghosting over her cheek, his breath pulsating so hotly against her skin that she could barely breathe. The world seemed to suddenly disappear around them, fading into a distant nothingness and leaving just them and the love that was like a fierce firestorm between them.

The peaceful expression that suddenly graced her face made it unbearable to go without kissing her any longer. His fingers slipped into her hair to grip the back of her neck, his lips seeking hers and finding paradise.

Their mutual moaning sigh was swallowed up as the kiss intensified. Kahlan immediately pressed her body against his, drawing him close and relishing the feel of his hardened form wrapping so protectively around her. His tongue was so hot, so greedy in her mouth as they kissed, her fingers tangling in his hair.

Richard forgot how to breathe with Kahlan's body pressed against his, her breasts flattened against his chest. He grew lightheaded from the sheer pleasure raging inside of him and begging for release deep within her.

His hands instinctively slid down her sides to caress her thighs. She allowed him to lift her legs, wrapping them securely around his waist. He abruptly broke the kiss with a throaty gasp, his head falling against her shoulder with the feel of her hot center so close to his hardened length.

He knew that he couldn't let this go any further. Kahlan wasn't herself yet, hadn't been since she woke the other day and it scared him to death. He needed her to be alright and she was far from it right now.

Richard ran his hands over her thighs, desperate to hold her hips firmly in his grasp and thrust deep inside of her where he so desperately wanted…needed to be. Kahlan suddenly buried her face in the crook of his neck, wrapping her arms tightly around him and clinging to him as if he was all that she had in the world. She broke down in heart-rending sobs that only served to further break his already hurting heart.

He tightened his hold on her, gently rubbing her back as passionate longing gave way to his anguish and fear for her. "Hey, it's alright," he murmured, turning to press his lips against her head.

"Something's wrong with me, Richard," she wept.

"I know, Kahlan…I know," he whispered, fighting back his own rising tears. "I swear on my life I won't stop until we find out what's happening to you, Kahlan."

Richard held her close as she cried, knowing that she was slipping away from him and he had no clue how to keep it from happening. All he knew was that he loved her and would not survive apart from the woman in his arms.