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 17

Temin and Hadi waited on the outskirts of the village as the Seeker and Mother Confessor bathed in the secret hot springs. They had been ordered by Tolla Nakunam to stand guard there to make sure they were not disturbed or in case their honored guests needed anything. They had grudgingly accepted their newest duty with great grumbling, Hadi hoping to be able to come up with a plan to rid the village of them once and for all.

"I still think you should sneak in there and steal his sword," Hadi told him, leaning on his spear. "It's the most magnificent sword I have ever seen."

"I'm not going to steal the Seeker's sword, Hadi," Temin grunted in frustration. "They are heroes now. If they find me with his sword, Tolla will have my head removed."

Hadi spit on the ground before tucking another leaf between his lip and gum. "There has to be a way to get it without anyone finding out."

"Just let it go, Hadi. It's over," Temin scowled. "You get yourself all worked up about things that don't really matter anyway."

"I just think you should have what is rightfully yours," Hadi shrugged. "You saw it first. It should belong to you now."

Temin ignored his friend, his eyes fixed on the tall grasses stretching out before them, the rocky formation just beyond it that created a natural protective barrier to their village. The Seeker and Mother Confessor had been in the hot springs for a long time now. He was beginning to wonder what was taking them so long, but was not about to go find out. He didn't want to end up confessed or the witch's mate.

Hadi cast him a long hard glare. "You're getting soft just like Tolla and Mitta, aren't you?"

"No, of course not," Temin scoffed as if his friend had lost his mind. "I'm just thinking that maybe they might be right about the Seeker and Mother Confessor. Maybe they aren't out to hurt us like you think they are. They did save the Tolla's children."

"It was just a trick to get us to trust them," Hadi sneered, hatred dripping from his every word.

"What do you have against them? They never did anything to you."

"The Seeker humiliated me by taking my spear and breaking it," he spat out. "And the Confessor…she needs to be stopped. She's too dangerous to be allowed to live."

Temin stared at him for a long moment, taken aback by what he was hearing. He couldn't believe the hatred that his friend possessed. It was beginning to frighten him. He watched as Hadi stuffed another leaf in his mouth, his dark glowering expression making him feel uneasy.

"You shouldn't chew on those leaves all the time," Temin commented.

Hadi shrugged again. "It relaxes me."

Temin frowned at his friend. "It's poison."

"You're changing the subject, Temin."

"There's nothing to talk about," he replied. "I think it's foolish to oppose the Council of Elders and even more foolish to try to go up against the Seeker and Mother Confessor. They're dangerous, Hadi."

"So you're willing to just sit back and let them destroy our village, take our men as the witch's slaves?"

"She's already mated with the Seeker," Temin reminded him.

"You're starting to sound just like Pasha," he spat out.

"It's not just Pasha," he snapped. "Others in the village believe it to be so too. Besides, why do you think they've been in the hot springs for so long? They're not just getting cleaned up down there."

Hadi scowled at his friend. "That still doesn't mean that she won't take another mate."

"You really think the Seeker will allow her to be with another man?" he questioned him. "I think he would kill anyone who even tried to touch her."

"And I will kill him before he even has a chance to touch me."

"Hadi," Temin rolled his eyes. "He disarmed you in less than a heartbeat. I don't think you can possibly kill him."

"He just caught me off guard," Hadi sneered at the reminder. "He won't be so lucky the next time."

The sound of approaching voices cut their conversation short, both immediately standing at attention, their spears at the ready as the Seeker and Mother Confessor suddenly came into view. The Mother Confessor's eyes were red from crying, exhaustion encompassing her. The Seeker following close behind her didn't appear much better. He looked tired, fear clouding his eyes as he watched her every move.

"Thank you for allowing us to get cleaned up," Kahlan said as they approached the Aku warriors.

Richard came to a stop beside her, automatically slipping a protective arm around her waist, needing to touch her for his own reassurance and sanity. "Sorry we kept you waiting so long. I'm afraid Kahlan isn't feeling well."

"That is fine," Temin quickly replied before Hadi could make some cutting remark. "Do we need to get Odo?"

"No, I'll be alright," Kahlan quickly interjected.

"Kahlan," Richard frowned as he turned to look at her, noticing again how much worse she looked, the exhaustion that clung to her, the anguish that gripped her.

He had held her in the water as she cried, comforting and soothing her as best he could, but he couldn't shake the horrible fear that continually crept into his heart. Something dreadful was happening to his Confessor.

"I think that I'll feel better once I've had a chance to rest," she attempted to reassure him, doing her best to hide the pain that gripped her, the fear that possessed her heart.

Richard drew a deep breath as he thought for a moment. "Alright," he relented. "We can send for Odo later if needed."

Following the two Aku warriors back to the Spirit House, Richard wasn't at all convinced that rest was all that Kahlan needed. He knew she was exhausted and needed to sleep, but something darker, more sinister was at work here and he was going to get to the bottom of it one way or another.

He feared that Darken Rahl had somehow gotten a hold of her, had cast another spell on her before Demos brought her back to life. He needed Zedd now more than ever, but he had no idea if he and Cara had even found a way around the rift yet. Odo would have to do for now until his grandfather caught up with them.

Making their way through the village, Richard suddenly stopped when he spotted the healer. "Go ahead, Kahlan," he told her. "I want to talk to Odo for a moment."

"Richard," she sighed. "I just really need to sleep. I promise I'll be better."

"I know you do," he gently said, tucking a lock of wet hair behind her ear. "But I just want to ask him a question. I'll be there in a minute."

Kahlan finally nodded her head in resignation, turning back to follow Temin and Hadi. She didn't want him to worry so much, but if truth be told, she was scared too. Something was going on with her more than just fatigue although that was a large part of it.

She was still so ashamed of how she had reacted after the fire, almost attacking Nakunam's wife. She wouldn't be surprised if the poor woman avoided her the rest of their time here. She had practically accused the woman of starting the fire herself, of putting her own children's lives in danger.

She didn't know why she had reacted like that except that she had been so consumed with rage at that moment. Those children…Richard…could have died in there if they hadn't gotten out in time. It was inexcusable.

"Just let go…"

Kahlan suddenly stopped to look around her, unsure of who had spoken to her. Temin and Hadi stopped as well, looking around them to see what had caught the Mother Confessor's attention.

"What is it?' Temin asked, confused as he scanned their surroundings for signs of trouble.

Kahlan's brow creased, uncertainty filling her. "Nothing," she absentmindedly replied before turning to follow them again.

"Come to me, Kahlan…"

Kahlan stopped again, perplexed by the voice. Except that it wasn't really something that she heard, not like a voice in her head or someone calling out to her. It was more like a haunting feeling within her, something pulling inside of her like an invisible thread being tugged by an unseen hand.

She felt a sudden overwhelming desire to go to the People's Palace, but couldn't understand why. She couldn't imagine why she would want to go there. There was nothing there for her, nothing that she needed or wanted. The only thing there was evil in the living breathing form of Richard's half-brother.

"Mother Confessor?" Temin called to her again.

"I just thought I heard someone say my name," she murmured, scanning the area again before turning to follow them.

She rubbed her forehead, fatigue pulling heavily on her body as she forced herself to put one foot in front of the other. She just wanted to sleep now, to wake up to find Richard holding her close and that everything would be alright again.

"Odo," Richard called as he neared.

"Seeker Richard," Odo beamed widely in greeting at the man walking towards him. "How is Confessor Kahlan doing?"

"Not well," Richard admitted, his heart in his throat.

"I will come at once to the Spirit House to see her," Odo replied. "Let me get my things."

"She's actually going back to rest right now," Richard told him. "I'm really worried about her. Something is very wrong with her, Odo, and I don't know what to do for her. I'm afraid I'm losing her."

"What do you mean?" he asked, cocking his head to the side. "What do you think is wrong with her?"

"I don't know, but she's not herself," he shook his head in frustration. "Kahlan would not threaten the Council of Elders with confession like she did unless provoked. She wouldn't lash out at Tolla Nakunam's wife like she did after the fire. And these headaches…Spirits, they're coming more frequently, getting worse."

"I agree," Odo nodded his head.

"What?" Richard asked, startled by the healer's ready agreement.

"I could tell that her spirit was very sick, far sicker than I had first thought when I saw her right after you rescued the children from the fire," he admitted. "I'm afraid it may be more than I am able to help heal. I had hoped if we could lessen her pain and she could rest that things would improve for her."

"Do you have any idea of what we can do for her?"

Odo tapped his finger against his lips. "I had mentioned to Confessor Kahlan earlier that we could call a gathering with our ancestors' spirits to see what they might know."

"And what did she say?"

"She didn't seem too in favor of it, but maybe she'll change her mind now that the headaches are getting worse."

Richard raked his fingers back through his wet hair, his frustration and fear playing out on his face. "Let me talk to her about it," he suggested. "I know I can get her to agree to it. Will it take long to put a gathering together?"

"No, not long at all," Odo shook his head. "We would just need the two of you and the Council of Elders."

"Do you think we could do it tomorrow?"

"I believe so," he nodded. "Let me discuss with Mitta and the Council. We've never done one for outsiders, but after what you did to save Tolla's children; I don't see why they wouldn't agree to one."

"I believe there's dark magic involved," Richard told him, his voice almost haunting. "It won't be dangerous to any of you will it?"

Odo pursed his lips, thinking for a moment. "Shouldn't be," he finally replied. "We would just be contacting our ancestors' spirits for their help, not necessarily doing anything with dark magic."

"Alright then, tomorrow it is," he sighed heavily. "I can't thank you enough, Odo."

"No thanks is necessary, Seeker Richard," Odo smiled brightly.

"I'm terrified about what could be happening to her. I feel so helpless watching her suffer like this, knowing that something is wrong with her and not being able to do anything about it."

Odo clasped Richard's shoulder tightly. "No worries; we are glad to help you both. It is obvious that you and your mate are deeply in love. We will do what we can to keep you together."

"Kahlan isn't my mate," Richard shook his head. "I love her with all my heart and hope to marry her someday, but unfortunately all of that has to wait for now."

"Because of these rifts?"

"Yes…among other things," he sadly said, the heaviness of his heart reflected in his eyes. "Someday, Kahlan will be my mate, my wife."

"And what about her magic? How will you be able to be with her without being confessed?"

"I've finally found a way around her magic without being confessed," a small smile brightening the Seeker's face, causing him to flush inside with the thought of being with her someday soon. He wasn't about to discuss it with the healer, though.

Their love was the one thing in the world that he was going to be selfish with. He wasn't about to share what they had together with anyone. The world, their titles, destiny already took so much from them as it was. The love they shared for one another would remain theirs and theirs alone, something sacred and private just for them.

"I wish you all the best, Seeker Richard," the healer replied. "I know that if anyone will be mated to Confessor Kahlan it will be you."

"Thank you, Odo," he softly said. "I hope you're right."

"Come, let's go talk to Mitta about the gathering for tomorrow," Odo suggested, placing his arm around the Seeker's shoulders to lead him towards the gathering hut.

Casting a glance over his shoulder, Richard couldn't help but worry about Kahlan. He hated to leave her alone any longer than necessary with as bad as things were becoming for her, but he needed to see what the Aku could possibly do to help him find the answers he so desperately needed.

XXX

Mistress Lucinda ran her fingers over the agiel hanging at her hip, the thrum of magical pain it produced radiating up her arm and making her feel like shoulder would explode. Her jealous anger was burning through her just as powerfully as the agiel.

Demos would be taking another untouched girl to his bed tonight, one who resembled the Mother Confessor. It caused white-hot jealousy to roll like violent waves through her. She would not be sharing her Lord Rahl with Kahlan Amnell no matter how badly he wanted her or how obsessed he became with her.

The Mother Confessor wasn't worthy of him and certainly didn't deserve to know his touch or the incredible pleasure he was capable of giving her. The thought of that whore even touching him made her blood hot with anger.

She felt her throat suddenly grow dry with the thought of where her Lord Rahl's hands, his mouth had been last night. She still bore his marks on her body just as he bore hers. A smug grin tugged at her lips. No other Mord'Sith bore those marks but her…and she was going to make certain it stayed that way.

Watching him now, Lucinda let her eyes slide hungrily over his body as he stood in the center of the room beneath the stained glass window overhead. His head was tilted slightly back, his eyes closed in deep meditative concentration, his hands raised into the air on either side of his head.

He had slipped off his robe, leaving him in his sleeveless dark red tunic and breeches. She longed to rip his clothes off of him just like he had torn her red leather from her body last night. She wanted to feel every bit of the dark animalistic lust that lived within him, battling with her for control only to have him surrender to her every time.

Sometimes their sessions together were like that, an endless battle to see who would surrender first. Sometimes she would give in just to allow him to dominate her; most times though she was the one to dominate, breaking and punishing him until he was left nothing more than a whimpering quivering mess, barely conscious and unable to speak for hours after.

And then she would hold him close, soothing him and stroking his damp hair, treating the wounds that she had caused. It was times like those that she loved the most when he was suddenly so vulnerable, allowing her to take care of him, to see him so broken. She felt closest to him at those moments, knowing she was the only one allowed to see him like that.

It made her wonder about what his childhood had been like, what his adoptive mother had possibly done to him that had caused him to be the way that he was. He never talked about his childhood, though; never divulging anything about what his life had been like before assuming the throne of D'Hara.

Stroking her mahogany braid, Lucinda allowed her eyes to drift over his legs. She loved the power in them especially when he took her with such aggression and force that it left her numb with amazing pleasure the likes of which she'd never known before him, her body trembling and weak.

She slowly ran her tongue along her lip as she took in his muscular arms, the bite marks and scratches she had created still marring his skin. She knew every single place she had made her mark on his perfect body, even those hidden now beneath the clothes that he wore.

She bit her bottom lip, recalling how her agiel had added to their building pleasure, bringing them a release that temporarily blinded them both with its sheer intensity. She longed for that again. She wanted him now.

A deep rolling chuckle suddenly escaped his lips pulling her from her aroused thoughts. His eyes were still closed, but there was a large smile splitting his face. She wished she was the reason for that smile, but it wasn't. It was Kahlan Amnell.

"This is better than I could have ever imagined," he murmured more to himself than her. "My bond with Kahlan is stronger now than it was just this morning. I can read her thoughts at times, feel what she's feeling. Soon, she'll be completely mine in every way. Nothing will be able to break us apart."

The Mord'Sith bristled with his words, hating this connection he now had with her. She swore to herself that she would do everything in her power to break it one way or another. If it meant destroying the Mother Confessor then she would not hesitate to do it.